An in-depth look at the two fastest hot air brushes in the market, Amica and Revlon, which both bring the smoothest results
The Amika Hair 2.0 has a larger 2.8″ barrel, longer bristles, and higher max heat (240°F) for faster drying and more volume. The Revlon Plus has a smaller 2.4″ barrel, higher wattage (1100W), and a detachable base for convenience.
But how do these features affect the final styling results?
We thoroughly tested each product to evaluate their performance, ease of use, and overall results. Below, we break down their features, performance, and who they’re best suited for. Let’s take a closer look.
If you’re looking for more options, check out our best hot air brushes guide for top-rated picks.
Which One is Best for You?
Amika Hair 2.0
Who it’s for:
The Amika Hair 2.0 Blow Dryer Brush is a great choice for those with long, thick, or coarse hair, offering faster drying and smoother, voluminous styles compared to the Revlon Plus.
How it stands out:
With its 2.8″ barrel and longer bristles, it provides better control through thicker hair, while the higher max heat (240°F) speeds up the styling process, outperforming the Revlon Plus’s 225°F.
Additionally, the longer 9ft cord and quieter operation make it more maneuverable and pleasant to use, unlike the Revlon’s shorter 6ft cord and louder motor.
Read our full review of the Amika Hair 2.0 Blow Dryer Brush
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus
Who it’s for:
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 is ideal for short to medium hair, offering more precision with its 2.4″ barrel, compared to the Amika’s 2.8″ barrel.
How it stands out:
Its 4 heat settings provide more customization than the Amika’s 3 settings, allowing for better control over temperature. The Revlon Plus is also lighter and features a detachable design for easy storage and cleaning, while the Amika lacks this feature.
With its 1100-watt motor, it offers slightly more drying power compared to the Amika’s 1000-watt motor.
Read our full review of the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus
Side-by-Side Specs Comparison
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| Model Name | HMS0043 | RVDR5298N/ULT |
| Price | $100 | $70 |
| Weight | 16oz | 15oz |
| Cord Length | 9ft | 6ft |
| Barrel Shape | Oval | Oval |
| Barrel Width | 2.8″ | 2.4″ |
| Heat Settings | Low: 190°F / High: 240°F | Low: 185°F / Med: 200°F / High: 225°F |
| Ionic Technology | Yes | Yes |
| Noise Level | 91dBA | 93dBA |
| Barrel Material | tourmaline coated | Ceramic, Titanium and Tourmaline |
| Wattage | 1000 | 1100 |
| Voltage | 125volt (single) | 125volt (single) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 4 year |
Key Advantages & Differences
Amika Hair 2.0 Blow Dryer Brush Advantages:
- Shorter Length: The Amika Hair 2.0 is 1″ shorter, making it easier to maneuver and handle during styling.
- Longer Cord: It features a 9ft cord, much longer than the Revlon’s 6ft cord, providing more flexibility and room to move while styling.
- Larger Barrel: The Amika has a 2.8″ barrel, making it ideal for faster drying, especially for long or dense hair, while also adding more volume.
- Longer Bristles: With longer bristles, the Amika offers better styling control and precision while working through your hair.
- Higher Heat: The Amika can reach up to 240°F, while the Revlon goes up to 225°F, providing a higher heat setting for quicker styling.
- Quieter Operation: The Amika is quieter than the Revlon, making it a more pleasant option for those who prefer a quieter styling tool.
Revlon Plus Blow Dryer Brush Advantages:
- Lightweight: The Revlon Plus is 1oz lighter than the Amika, making it easier to handle for longer styling sessions without causing hand fatigue.
- Smaller Barrel: With a 2.4″ barrel, the Revlon Plus is better suited for shorter hair and offers more precision during styling.
- More Heat Settings: The Revlon Plus offers 4 heat settings, giving you more control over the temperature compared to the Amika, which has 3 heat settings.
- Longer Warranty: The Revlon Plus comes with a 4-year warranty, while the Amika only offers a 1-year warranty, providing longer peace of mind.
- Detachable Design: The Revlon Plus has a detachable handle, making it easier to store and clean, whereas the Amika does not offer this feature.
- Higher Wattage: The Revlon Plus has a 1100-watt motor, providing slightly more power for faster drying compared to the Amika’s 1000-watt motor.
Design
– Barrel Size And Shape
Barrel size and shape are usually the most important two components of the decision-making process whilst choosing a hot air brush. They both are oval shaped which makes them great volumizers instead of curlers. This also makes them gentler tools as oval shape pulls the hair much less while styling. While Amika has a 2.85”, Revlon has a 2.4” barrel.
The size of the barrel is associated with the length of hair. The larger the barrel, the easier and faster it gets to style longer hair. Smaller barrels can get closer to the roots, making them better for styling short hair.
So clearly, Amika is a better styler for long hair with its large shape. But it certainly is not fit for short hair.
Revlon, on the other hand, has a medium size. While still being large enough to suffice with longer hair, it’s also a much better fit for shorter styles.
To put it simply, if you have long hair, Amika is what you need, but if your hair is medium to short, definitely go for Revlon.
– Barrel Material
The Amika hot air brush has a tourmaline-coated barrel, which helps reduce frizz and adds shine by emitting negative ions as it heats up. The Revlon features a ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline barrel, where the titanium helps with better heat retention, allowing for faster and more consistent styling. The ceramic ensures even heat distribution, while the tourmaline reduces frizz and boosts shine.
– Bristles
Amika’s bristles are longer and stiffer than Revlon’s, which are the softest and shortest on our list.
These measurements show that Amika offers a stronger grip, making it better for thick and dense hair. Revlon, on the other hand, doesn’t grip as strongly, making it gentler on hair and helping to prevent breakage.
Performance
– Heat Settings
Amika, like most hot air brushes, offers 3 heat settings: high, low, and cool. The high setting reaches up to 240°F, which is higher than the Revlon’s 225°F, making it great for taming thick or unruly hair. The low setting is 190°F, perfect for delicate and fine strands. Amika is better suited for those with unruly hair types due to its higher maximum heat.
On the other hand, the Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS provides more flexibility with its 3 heat settings: 225°F on high, 200°F on medium, and 185°F on low. This gives you more control over heat, making it suitable for a wider range of hair types and styling needs.
So, Revlon is more convenient for medium hair, but if your hair is difficult to manage, Amika’s higher temperature is a better choice.
– Ionic Technology
Both the Amika and Revlon hot air brushes feature ionic technology, which helps reduce frizz, add shine, and speed up drying time by breaking down water molecules. The negative ions released by the brush help to seal the hair cuticle, making hair smoother and shinier while preventing static and flyaways. This technology is especially helpful for those with frizzy or dry hair, as it keeps the hair moisturized and looking healthy.
– Wattage
The Amika hot air brush has 1000 watts of power, while the Revlon has 1100 watts. The higher wattage in the Revlon allows for faster drying compared to the Amika. However, both are effective for styling and drying hair, with the Revlon drying hair a bit quicker due to the extra wattage.
Durability & Quality
These tools are not famous for their durability.
Revlon, with its detachable design, doesn’t have a very sturdy handle compared to many other more expensive brands in the market but with its price of only $40, it’s a great bargain and definitely value for money.
Amika, on the other hand, even though it’s not detachable, is not very sturdy nor durable which can’t be justified with its price as it’s not cheap ($100).
Convenience
– Tool Length:
The Amika hot air brush is 12.5 inches long, making it more compact and easier to maneuver compared to the Revlon, which is 13.75 inches long. The shorter length of the Amika allows for better control and handling, especially for those who prefer a lighter and more portable tool for styling.
– Weight:
The weight of a hot air brush may not seem like a big deal but if your sessions are long-lasting or you don’t have very strong arms, it might get frustrating.
For example, the Amika hot air brush at 16 oz is slightly heavier than the Revlon at 15 oz. That extra ounce might not seem like much, but over time, it could lead to some fatigue, especially if you’re styling your hair for an extended period.
– Handle Size:
The handles of these hot air brushes are both intelligently designed, both 5”, and they fit even smaller-sized hands.
– Noise Level:
If you are sensitive to sounds or using the tool early morning while family members are sleeping, Amika, with 91 dBA, is a quieter tool compared to Revlon (93 dBA).
The Amika being at 91 dBA is noticeably quieter than the Revlon at 93 dBA, which could make a difference if you’re trying to be considerate of others in the house.
That extra 2 dBA may not seem like a huge difference, but it can translate into a noticeably quieter experience, which could be a game-changer if you’re styling your hair at the crack of dawn.
– Cord Length:
Both of their cords are swivel but when we measure their lengths, we can see that Amika, with 9ft, is the longest available length in the market while Revlon is only 6ft. This may be important for our readers without a plug close to their mirrors.
– Handle Temperature
The maximum temperatures of their handles are similar with Amika 100°F and Revlon 95°F, which are both comfortable numbers, even for the most delicate hands touch for long periods of time.
Detachable Design And Attachment Options
Detachable hot air brushes are known to be less sturdy but it’s a justifiable compromise, especially for the ones who travel often or prioritize versatility.
While Amika is not a detachable hot air brush, Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS, as a second-generation tool, has upgraded to a detachable model. Sturdiness is neither of these tools’ strong suit, and Revlon’s detachable head doesn’t help. But it makes the tool much more compact. Yet Revlon still hasn’t come up with extra attachment options so versatility is still not in the picture.
Price And Guarantee
Revlon is a budget product with great value. As a matter of fact, it’s the best-value hot air brush on our list, and for good reason. It’s only $40 and if you’ve already done some research about these tools, you know that this is a great price. Amika is $100, considerably more expensive than Revlon.
While Amica has a 2-year guarantee, Revlon provides a 4-year limited. This is also a great plus point for Revlon. After all the measuring and the assessment, we can confidently say that Revlon is a better value product. The results are close to being similar and for a much better price.
