With its oversized barrel, no-frills controls, and powerful airflow, the REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer makes everyday blowouts fast, full, and affordable.
BeautiLAB Overall: 4.0 out of 5
With its oversized barrel, powerful airflow, and wallet-friendly price, the REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer remains a cult favorite for effortless blowouts — especially for medium to thick hair types. While it doesn’t offer smart features or attachments, its ceramic-coated barrel, strong tension, and straightforward controls make it a dependable go-to for volume, smoothing, and bounce.
If you’re exploring more options, check out our top-rated picks for the best hot air brushes of 2025 to see how it compares.
Who It’s For:
This blow dry brush is best for:
✅ Medium to thick hair types
✅ Budget-conscious buyers looking for big volume fast
✅ Users who want powerful airflow without attachments or complex settings
✅ People with longer hair who want smooth, bouncy ends
It’s not ideal for:
❌ Fine, fragile, or highly damaged hair — heat levels are strong and not finely adjustable
❌ Users with short hair or those needing precise root styling — the large 2.8″ barrel may be too bulky
❌ People with sensitive ears — the 96 dBA noise level is among the loudest we’ve tested
What Sets the REVLON Original One-Step Apart:
- Massive 2.8″ oval barrel – Ideal for longer hair and big volume
- Strong airflow (1100W) – Dries and smooths fast
- Ceramic-coated surface – Helps reduce heat damage
- Affordable price point – One of the most budget-friendly options
- Simple design – Just plug in and style, no learning curve
Key Specs at a Glance
| RRP: $40 | Barrel shape: oval |
| Barrel width: 2.8″ | Barrel material: ceramic |
| Weight: 16 oz | Cord length: 6 ft |
| Heat settings: 200 /240°F | Noise level: 96 dBA |
| Wattage: 1100 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
| Model name: RVDR5222 (2.8″) RVDR5282 (2.4″) | Warranty: 2 year |
Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score (1–5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5) | Reaches up to 240°F — ideal for thick, coarse hair |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Simple dial design, but large barrel may be tricky on short styles |
| Grip & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Lightweight and easy to maneuver; slim handle helps with control |
| Styling Range | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Great for volume and smoothing, but not for curling or root precision |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3) | No ionic tech, so may not smooth as well as competitors |
| Travel Friendly | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2) | Bulkier, short 6-ft cord, no dual voltage, non-detachable head |
✨ Design & Build
The REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer features a wide 2.8″ oval barrel — one of the largest in its class — making it ideal for fast blowouts on medium to long hair. The 3.8″ brush section gives good surface coverage per pass, though it may be bulky for short styles or detailed work.
The brush features 1 cm tufted bristles that help lift hair at the roots and guide it through the barrel, while the 1.75 cm nylon pin bristles with rounded tips detangle and create just enough tension to smooth and stretch strands during styling.
While the bristles aren’t as densely packed or as firm as those on premium tools like the Drybar Double Shot, they’re effective for general smoothing, especially on straight to wavy hair types. The spacing also helps reduce snagging.
The overall design is functional and straightforward — no interchangeable barrels, no digital precision — but the build is durable for its price, and the ceramic-coated barrel helps distribute heat more evenly.
💡 Performance & Technology
The REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer may be a budget-friendly tool, but it delivers dependable performance with three straightforward heat settings: cool, low (~200°F), and high (~240°F).
- The low setting (~200°F) is best suited for normal to medium hair types. It offers moderate heat for smoothing without going too intense — but still may be too hot for fine, fragile, or damaged hair.
- The high setting (~240°F) provides enough power to tame thick or coarse strands, helping boost volume and smooth texture effectively.
While it lacks digital precision or smart heat control, the high setting gets hot enough to smooth thick strands and add volume, while the cool setting helps lock in shape after styling.
Powered by a 1100W motor, it produces strong airflow for faster drying — especially helpful for thick or long hair. The ceramic-coated barrel helps distribute heat evenly, though it doesn’t include ionic technology, which means more static and frizz potential compared to brushes with ion generators.
Despite its basic setup, the brush heats quickly, maintains consistent output, and works well for everyday blowouts — especially on medium to thick hair types that benefit from a wide barrel and high airflow.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
The REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer is designed for simplicity and ease of use. At 16 oz, it’s average in weight, and the 1.5″ slim handle offers a secure, comfortable grip — especially helpful during longer styling sessions.
With an overall length of 12.75″, it’s compact enough for most users to maneuver easily, even when reaching the back sections of the head.
The 6-ft swivel cord is shorter than professional standard, so it may feel limiting if your outlet isn’t close to your mirror. It doesn’t include a detachable filter or a Velcro strap for cord storage, but it does feature an ALCI safety plugfor added protection during use in wet environments like bathrooms.
The handle temperature reached 90°F during testing — a comfortable warmth that never felt unmanageable, even during longer styling sessions.
However, it’s worth noting:
The noise level measured 96 dBA, making it the loudest hot air brush we tested. If you are sensitive to noise or prefer quieter tools for early morning styling, this could be a drawback.
While it’s not the most travel-friendly tool — due to single voltage and bulkier build — its straightforward dial controls, fast styling performance, and strong airflow make it a reliable pick for at-home blowouts that emphasize volume and speed.
🔄 How It Compares
If you’re exploring alternatives to the REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer, a few other budget-friendly hot air brushes stand out for their unique strengths.
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS is a natural upgrade. It features a slightly smaller 2.4″ barrel (compared to the original’s 2.8″), which makes it easier to maneuver and better for getting closer to the roots. It also offers an extra heat setting (medium), a removable head for travel and storage, and a more advanced ceramic + titanium tourmaline coating that may reduce heat damage. If you love the original but want more control, the Plus is worth the switch.
The InfinitiPRO by Conair The Knot Dr. All-In-One Oval Dryer Brush is another strong contender, especially for longer or thicker hair. While it’s bulkier, it offers multiple attachments (including a volumizing brush, diffuser, and concentrator) and a detangling-friendly bristle layout. It’s a bit louder and less sleek than the REVLON, but the extra styling options and gentle bristles make it appealing to users who want more versatility.
The L’ange Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer is the only titanium option in the group and boasts the largest barrel on the market (up to 75mm). It heats quickly and delivers sleek, polished results — ideal for users with long, thick, or coarse hair. While it lacks a detachable filter and has a shorter cord, its build feels more premium and it offers two barrel sizes, giving users more flexibility.
While the original REVLON Original One-Step lacks some of the upgrades and polish of its competitors, its no-frills design, high heat output, and oversized barrel make it incredibly efficient for drying and volumizing long, thick hair — especially at its unbeatable price point.
👉 Want to see a detailed side-by-side? Check out our comparison: Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 vs 1.0 Original
🏁 Final Verdict: A Budget Classic That Still Delivers
The REVLON Original One-Step Volumizer remains one of the most accessible and effective blowout brushes on the market. With its large barrel, high heat, and simple controls, it delivers fast, voluminous results — especially on medium to long, thick hair. While it lacks the refinements of newer models like the Plus or Knot Dr., it’s still a top performer for the price. If you’re after bounce, body, and big volume on a budget, the original REVLON still holds up.
