With its oversized oval barrel, ionic tech, and smart bristle combo, this brush is designed to detangle, smooth, and volumize medium to thick hair in one efficient pass.
BeautiLAB Overall 4.1 out of 5
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 takes everything people loved about the original and improves on it with more wattage, better heat distribution, and polished styling performance. Its 2.8″ oval barrel is one of the largest we’ve tested, making it ideal for styling long or thick hair quickly. Tourmaline coating and ionic tech help reduce frizz, while its dual-bristle design smooths and detangles in one go.
👉 Want to see how it compares to other top tools? Check out our full roundup of the best hot air brushes.
Who It’s For
This blow dry brush is best for:
👉 Medium to thick or dense hair types
👉 Long lengths or anyone who wants quick smoothing
👉 Users who love bounce, shine, and volume
👉 Those who need detangling and smoothing in one step
❌ Not ideal for short hair, tight curls, or users needing precision styling
What Sets the Amika 2.0 Apart:
- Consistent heat performance – Despite its 1000W motor, it reaches up to 240°F, delivering enough heat to manage stubborn strands without requiring max wattage
- Second-largest oval barrel we’ve tested (2.8″) – Covers more hair in one pass, making it ideal for fast blowouts on long or thick hair
- Quiet operation – At just 91 dBA, it runs quieter than many similarly sized hot air brushes
- High-performance bristles – Long 1.8 cm nylon pins combined with shorter tufted bristles deliver strong tension for smoother styling without pulling or snagging
Key Specs at a Glance
| RRP: $100 | Barrel shape: oval |
| Barrel width: 2.8″ | Barrel material: tourmaline coated |
| Weight: 16 oz | Cord length: 9 ft |
| Heat settings: 190°F / 240°F | Noise level: 91 dBA |
| Wattage: 1000 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
| Model name: HMS0043 | Warranty: 1 year |
Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score (1–5) | Notes |
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Strong heat for thick hair, limited settings |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lightweight, compact, and maneuverable |
| Grip & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Firm bristles and slim handle = great control |
| Volume Boost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adds dramatic lift, especially near roots |
| Noise Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Quieter than average |
| Durability | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Lightweight build, may not hold up for years |
| Portability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Compact, but lacks dual voltage and detachable head |
What We Like ✅
✨ Design & Build
✅ Largest oval barrel (2.8″) – Styles more hair in fewer passes
✅ Tourmaline-coated barrel – Helps reduce static and enhance shine
✅ Long nylon bristles – Create strong tension for smooth results
✅ Compact length (12.5″) – Easier to maneuver than longer tools
💡 Performance & Technology
✅ High max temp (240°F) – Strong enough for thick or frizzy hair
✅ Ionic technology – Reduces frizz and flyaways
✅ Quiet motor (91 dBA) – Lower noise than many competitors
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
✅ Balanced weight (16 oz) – Not too heavy, not too light
✅ 9-ft swivel cord – Professional-grade reach
✅ Velcro strap – Helps with tidy storage
What We Don’t Like ❌
⚡ Power & Heat
❌ No digital heat control – Lacks precision for sensitive hair types
❌ Lower wattage (1000W) – Slower drying compared to high-powered models
🔧 Features & Flexibility
❌ No attachments – Fixed barrel limits styling range
❌ Not dual voltage – Not ideal for international travel
❌ No detachable filter – Cleaning may be more difficult long term
❌ Only a 1-year warranty – Shorter coverage than most tools in this price range
✨ Design & Build
The Amika Hair Dryer Brush 2.0 features a 2.85″ oval barrel, making it one of the largest barrel sizes available in the hot air brush category. This generous width, combined with a 3.8″ brush section, helps cover more surface area and style longer sections of hair quickly — ideal for users with medium to long hair looking to add volume, bounce, and polish.
The tool’s 1.8 cm firm nylon pin bristles with 1 cm tufted bristles, providing strong grip and tension for stretching and smoothing thicker strands with ease. The tourmaline-coated barrel helps distribute heat evenly, reduce frizz, and enhance shine — a useful feature for maintaining hair health during frequent styling.
That said, the barrel’s large oval shape isn’t ideal for curling or detailed styling work. It’s designed more for creating smooth, voluminous blowouts, not tight curls or root-lifting on short styles.
💡 Performance & Technology
The Amika 2.0 features three heat settings: cool, medium, and high, reaching up to 240°F. While the tool only has two true heat settings plus a cool option, they’re well-calibrated for most needs. The cool setting works well for setting styles, while the medium and high heat options are strong enough to smooth medium to thick or dense haireffectively.
During testing, the handle reached 99°F on high — comfortably warm but still safe for prolonged use. This temperature is lower than average for hot air brushes, making it more comfortable for those with heat sensitivity in their hands.
Despite its 1000W motor (lower than some pro-level tools), the Amika 2.0 delivers consistent heat output, helping reduce frizz and add shine without relying on extreme temperatures. The tourmaline-coated barrel helps distribute heat evenly for gentler styling, while the built-in ionic technology minimizes static and smooths the cuticle.
Overall, the Amika 2.0 is a reliable performer for everyday blowouts — especially if you’re looking to add volume and shape to longer styles with less effort.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 16 oz, the Amika 2.0 lands in the mid-weight category — not the lightest, but well-balanced for most users. Its 1.55″ handle offers a comfortable grip, even for smaller hands, and the 9-ft swivel cord gives salon-worthy freedom to move around while styling.
Unlike some tools with a bulky feel or top-heavy design, the Amika’s compact 12.5″ length keeps it easy to maneuver — especially helpful when working on the back of the head or close to roots.
One standout feature is its quiet performance. At just 91 dBA, it’s noticeably quieter than many hot air brushes we’ve tested, making it more pleasant to use during early mornings or shared living spaces.
The Velcro strap is a small but handy detail for keeping your cord neatly wrapped, although the tool lacks a detachable filter, which makes long-term maintenance a bit trickier.
🔄 How It Compares
If you’re considering alternatives to the Amika Hair Dryer Brush 2.0, a few popular tools stand out in the same category:
The Drybar Double Shot is a premium pick for smoothing and volumizing thick hair. With its 2.4″ oval barrel and 1100W motor, it delivers faster airflow and firmer tension — ideal for users who want bounce and polish in fewer passes. However, it’s heavier and pricier, and its dense bristles may be too aggressive for fine hair.
The Amika Double Agent 2-in-1 Blow Dryer + Straightening Brush offers a paddle-brush design with built-in heat plates — better for straightening than volumizing. It’s a smart option for sleek styles, especially on thick or unruly strands, but doesn’t provide as much lift or shaping at the root.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 remains a budget-friendly go-to. It features a similar oval barrel but runs hotter and louder than the Amika 2.0. While it works well on coarse hair, the build feels less refined, and the bristles don’t create as much grip or control for polished results.
👉 Want a full breakdown? Check out our in-depth comparison: Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0 vs Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS
Each tool serves a slightly different purpose, but the Amika 2.0 stands out for its quiet motor, large barrel, and strong tension — making it a solid choice for medium to thick hair types who want volume, smoothness, and shine without the bulk or heat extremes.
🏁 Final Verdict: Powerful Volume with a Gentle Touch
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 is a great pick for anyone who wants to smooth, stretch, and volumize medium to thick or dense hair — fast. With one of the largest barrels on the market, strong tension from long bristles, and consistent heat up to 240°F, it delivers big results with less effort. While it lacks interchangeable heads or tech features, its quiet operation, lightweight feel, and balanced performance make it a reliable everyday tool — especially if you prefer bounce over curls.
If you’re after volume, shine, and speed without sacrificing comfort, the Amika 2.0 gets the job done.
