Conair’s extra-large hot air brush, with 6 separately available attachments, is great for long hair
4.4 out of 5
Model name/ number: BC116
Price: $50
Heat settings: low: 140°F / high: 200°F
Barrel shape: oval
Barrel width: 2.8″
Barrel material: tourmaline ceramic
Wattage: 1000
Warranty: 3 year
Best for: great for all hair types, neck-length or longer
Hairstyle: creates a slight bend, detangles and smoothes
Pros: ionic technology to reduce frizz, very versatile with many attachments available separately, great at detangling, travel & storage friendly with a detachable design, it can be used as a dryer without attachments, comes with and extra attachment volume pik for root lift
Cons: has a short cord, doesn’t create super sleek results, thick handle is hard to hold
How it stands out: it has a large 2.8″ barrel, great for longer or thicker hair, and comes with 5 different attachments (sold separately) to suit different styling needs
Conair took things to next level with a hot air brush with 5 attachment options for every possible need. It initially comes with a large (2.8”) oval-shaped barrel, a volume pik and catches our attention as the best option for long hair.
Not only with its 200°F maximum temperature it does a great job taming unruly strands, but it can also be as gentle as it gets with 140°F minimum temperature for the most fragile.
It may not be the sturdiest hot air brush in the market, but for its average price of $50, it’s a perfectly efficient tool for all hair types.
Barrel Material, Size And Shape
The Conair Oval Brush comes with a 2.8″ tourmaline ceramic round brush, which is a large size. The brush head is about 4″ long, offering great coverage. This helps it style long hair quickly.
The oval shape helps lift and add volume, which is also great for longer hair. But it’s not ideal for short hair because it can’t reach the roots.
Conair also offers various attachments with different-sized and shaped barrels to meet different needs. Each is sold separately, so you can choose and buy only what you need.
Bristles
Hot air brushes have two types of bristles and according to their softness and length, they choose to compromise on styling or detangling.
Conair’s bristles are softer than most brushes on our list. With 0.6″ nylon pins and 0.4″ tufted bristles, they are of average length and not densely packed.
This makes the tool gentle, so it won’t pull your hair, but it doesn’t have enough tension to straighten effectively. It’s great for detangling and smoothing while drying.
Detachable Design
One might say Conair’s best quality is its detachable design and many attachment options.
This tool is not joking when it comes to versatility. It has 5 more attachments that you can buy separately for all possible hair lengths and styling needs. These include 2 different size round barrels, a diffuser, a double-row detangling comb, a cushioned paddle brush for a fast session and a natural finish. It initially comes with a volume pik for root lift and a plastic storage case for the brush part.
This is a compact and travel-friendly tool since it can be detached and packed away easily.
Temperature
– Heat Settings
According to their maximum and minimum heat, hot air brushes can be great stylers that can tame the unruliest hair or huge hazards to the delicate strands.
Conair has 3 heat settings: cool, low, and high, all with the same speed.
We tested the Conair Oval Brush with an infrared thermometer after running for 10 minutes.
On the low setting, it heats up to 145°F, which is gentle enough for fine hair but still effective. Its maximum heat of 200°F is average and works well for thicker hair.
– Handle Temperature
The handle stays cool at 85°F and is very comfortable to hold even after long use.
– Cool Tip Temperature
The cool tip reaches 150°F, which makes it a bit uncomfortable to hold.
Performance And Durability
Detachable heads usually sacrifice sturdiness but Conair impressed us with its high-quality material and durability. Of course, it can never be as sturdy as a non-detachable model but it’s better than most detachable ones.
It has ionic technology that adds to its speed and frizz-free results.
With a price of $50 (and more if you purchase the extra attachments), it’s an investment and it pays off with its material quality. It’s a long-lasting tool and after our thorough tests, we can say that it doesn’t break easily.
There are even more luxurious and sturdy products like Drybar in the market if you are willing to spend $150 but Conair is a great alternative with its middle-range price.
Its wattage of 1000W is also an average number that usually does an efficient job unless you plan to use this tool professionally.
It is single voltage, 125 volts. This means if you’re using it internationally, you might need a voltage converter to avoid damaging the brush. For everyday use in the right voltage area, it works well without any issues.
Ergonomics
– Weight:
The weight of a hot tool can get overwhelming if used for long periods of time. Conair is 17 oz, which is average compared to most tools in the market and it’s an acceptable option for most that wouldn’t cause arm fatigue.
– Handle Width:
The handle is wider than usual, measuring 1.7 inches, which makes it less comfortable for people with small hands. It could be harder to grip and control for those who prefer a slimmer handle.
The control buttons are right on the handle. This makes it simple to adjust settings while styling. But don’t worry about changing the settings by mistake because the buttons are stiff and you need to fully press them.
– Length:
With a length of 15 inches, it’s one of the longest tool on our list and compromises on maneuverability.
The bottom part comes out as well so you can clean the filter easily, which is a nice touch that most hot air brushes fail to offer. This feature helps extend the life of the tool.
– Noise Level:
The maximum noise level of Conair is 90 dBA, which is an average number. It will most likely not bother you even if you have sensitive ears.
– Cord:
Its cord is 6 ft and swivel, which is shorter than average. You might need to stay near an outlet. If the outlet is far from the mirror, you may feel limited in where you can sit or stand. It can also make styling less comfortable, especially if you’re working with long or thick hair.
Price And Guarantee
Conair Oval Brush is a middle-priced tool. $60 (more if you purchase the extra attachments), as much as being cheaper than other luxury models such as Drybar Double Shot ($150), is still an investment for most. We feel like it’s worth it with its versatility and effective styling.
Conair also comes with a 3-year limited guarantee which is more than the standard 2 years.
Other Models From Conair
Conair All-In-one Dryer Brush is not the only hot air brush that Conair offers. There’s also “Conair The Knot Dr. Smoothening Dryer brush”, with a paddle shape. This brush is the best detangler on our list, which is not surprising as paddle brushes can detangle the knots and smoothen the hair much faster with its paddle shape and large surface. While Conair offers only these two round brushes, it also has extra attachments to pick and choose from in case you have different styling needs. These two tools can even match each other’s bases if needed. They’re similarly priced (paddle brush is $50 instead of $60) but the oval barrel has the capacity to heat up to higher temperatures, which makes it more convenient for thick hair.
Competition
Conair impressed us with its durability and versatility, but many competitors offer similar features. The Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step is another detachable hot air brush with separately sold attachments. It stands out from the Conair All-In-One Dryer Brush because it has denser, longer bristles that grip hair tightly and a highest heat capacity to handle even the most unruly hair.
