⭐ Summary Verdict
Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer PLUS is a more refined, smoother, and more controllable evolution of the original, offering a slimmer 2.4″ barrel, more heat settings, quieter operation, and better handling for short-to-medium hair. But the Revlon Original remains the undisputed king of bold, fast, high-volume blowouts thanks to its hotter 200–240°F range, larger 2.8″ barrel, and aggressive airflow — especially on thick or long strands.
Quick take:
- Volumizer PLUS = smoother, lighter, more polished, better control
- Original One-Step = bigger volume, hotter, faster, louder
Both deliver huge value, but which wins depends entirely on your hair type and styling goals.
👉 For more tested picks, visit our Best Hot Air Brushes of 2025 guide.
📋 Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus View on Amazon View on Revlon 
| Revlon Original One-Step Volumizer View on Amazon View on Revlon 
|
|---|---|---|
| Barrel Shape | Oval | Oval |
| Barrel Width | 2.4″ | 2.8″ (classic) / 2.4″ (slim) |
| Brush Section Length | 3.75″ | 3.8″ |
| Bristle Length / Density | 1 cm / 1.5 cm | 1 cm / 1.75 cm |
| Measured Heat Range | 185 / 200 / 225 °F | 200 / 240 °F |
| Airflow / Wattage | 1100 W | 1100 W |
| Handle Temperature | 95 °F | 90 °F |
| Noise Level | 93 dB | 96 dB |
| Weight | 15 oz | 16 oz |
| Tool Length | 13.75″ | 12.75″ |
| Handle Width | 1.55″ | 1.50″ |
| Heat Settings | 4 (high/med/low/cool) | 3 (high/low/cool) |
| Coating / Material | Ceramic + Titanium + Tourmaline | Ceramic coated |
| Detachable Barrel | Yes (but reportedly difficult) | No |
| Warranty | 4 years | 4 years |
| Best Use / Styling Strength | Controlled volume, smoother finish, gentler on finer hair | Maximum volume, strong lift, faster styling on thick hair |
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
REVLON One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler - More Volume, Less Damage, and More Styling... | 479,457 Reviews | Check Price |
|
REVLON One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler with Improved Motor – Easy Salon-Style Blowouts... | 479,457 Reviews | Check Price |
🌟 Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0: Precision & Comfort
Best For: Short-to-medium hair, precise styling, and frizz control.
👍 Pros:
- Lighter design (15 oz) for comfortable extended use.
- Reduced noise level (93 dBA) compared to Original.
- Ionic technology delivers smoother, shinier hair.
- Enhanced barrel materials (Ceramic, Titanium, Tourmaline).
👎 Cons:
- Higher price point.
- Short cord (6 ft).
👉 Read the full Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Review
💎 Original Revlon One-Step Volumizer 1.0: Volume & Affordability
Best For: Long, thick hair types prioritizing volume.
👍 Pros:
- Exceptional volume creation for thicker hair.
- Higher heat output suitable for stubborn textures.
- Very affordable.
👎 Cons:
- Louder operation (96 dBA).
- No ionic technology, resulting in more frizz.
- Slightly heavier (16 oz) may cause fatigue.
🧩 Design & Build
Both brushes use Revlon’s signature oval barrel, but the difference in barrel size is dramatic. The Original One-Stepuses a larger 2.8″ barrel (with a newer 2.4″ slim variant also available). This larger surface creates exaggerated lift and the most dramatic “blowout volume,” but its size can feel bulky near the roots or around shorter layers. For fragile or color-treated hair, this can also increase exposure to more heat than necessary — and AAD guidance emphasizes using the lowest effective heat setting to protect vulnerable strands.
The Volumizer PLUS, with its 2.4″ oval barrel, provides noticeably more control. Its narrower profile hugs the roots more easily, improves edge detailing, and suits users with shorter hair or layered bobs who struggle with the Original’s bulk.
Bristle structure differs too:
- Original: longer outer bristles (1 cm / 1.75 cm) create aggressive root lift and separation but can feel grabby on fine hair.
- PLUS: slightly shorter 1 cm / 1.5 cm bristles provide gentler tension and a smoother glide, producing less mechanical stress on delicate strands. This aligns with PubMed thermal-damage research, which shows that reducing mechanical tension during heat exposure helps limit localized stress on the cuticle.
Brush section lengths (3.75″ PLUS, 3.8″ Original) are nearly identical, but the Original’s wider oval head covers more surface area per pass, translating to faster work on long hair.
Winner — Design & Build:
➡️ Volumizer PLUS for control and smoother handling
➡️ Original for maximum volume and surface coverage on longer hair
💡 Performance & Technology
The heat profile is the clearest functional difference.
- Volumizer PLUS: 185/200/225°F measured across 4 settings
- Original One-Step: 200–240°F measured across 3 settings
The Original runs hotter and maintains a more aggressive thermal footprint, which powers through thick, coarse, or stubborn textures quickly — but can be too intense for fine, fragile, or color-treated hair.
The PLUS offers four heat settings, including a true medium option, giving finer control for users who need gentler styling or who blowout daily. The heat distribution is also more consistent, thanks to its updated Ceramic-Titanium-Tourmaline blend, which produces a more even finish and a softer cuticle lay-down.
Airflow is identical on paper (1100 W for both), but the Original’s wider chamber feels stronger and hotter due to higher thermal output. For thick or long strands, this means faster drying; for finer hair, it often means more frizz risk and less margin for error.
Handle temperature differences matter in real use:
- PLUS: 95°F handle can feel warm but manageable
- Original: cooler at 90°F, more comfortable for longer sessions
Winner — Performance & Technology:
➡️ Volumizer PLUS for controlled heat and safer use on fine/medium hair
➡️ Original for speed, intensity, and maximum volume on thick hair
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
Weight, balance, and noise separate the two more than many users expect.
Weight:
- PLUS: 15 oz → easier to maneuver
- Original: 16 oz → heavier and more top-heavy
This difference becomes significant during long blowouts or when working overhead.
Length & Handle Width:
The PLUS has a 13.75″ length and a slimmer grip (1.55″), making it feel more agile around the face and crown.
The Original is shorter (12.75″) but uses a chunkier 1.5″ handle, which can feel more fatiguing when combined with the heavier top.
Noise:
- PLUS: 93 dB — moderate
- Original: 96 dB — noticeably louder
Users who style in shared environments (kids asleep, partner nearby) will appreciate the drop in volume with the PLUS.
Detachable Barrel & Cleaning:
- PLUS: barrel detaches for travel/storage, though the mechanism is notoriously difficult
- Original: fixed barrel, simpler and more durable
Both share:
- Single voltage (125V)
- No dual-voltage options
- 4-year warranty
- Swivel cord
- No filter indicator lights
Winner — Ergonomics & Convenience:
➡️ Volumizer PLUS (lighter, slimmer, quieter, easier to maneuver)PLUS feels lighter and cooler over long sessions, while the Original can strain wrists due to heavier head weight.
🎯 Which One Should You Buy?
Choose Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS if you:
- Prefer a lighter, slimmer tool
- Have fine, medium, or color-treated hair
- Want a smoother, more controlled blowout
- Prefer less heat intensity and more setting options
- Need a brush that works well on short–medium hair lengths
- Want quieter operation
Choose Revlon Original One-Step Volumizer if you:
- Want the most dramatic “big blowout” effect
- Have thick, dense, coarse, or long hair
- Want the fastest drying and biggest volume
- Don’t mind higher heat or a louder motor
- Prefer a larger barrel for exaggerated body
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