Budget-friendly styling tool with an extra-large barrel and offers versatility with 5 separately purchasable attachments for various styling needs
BeautiLAB Overall: 4.3 out of 5
| RRP: $50 | Model name: BC116 |
| Barrel width: 2.8″ | Weight: 17 oz |
| Barrel shape: oval | Cord length: 6 ft |
| Heat settings: 140°F / 210°F | Warranty: 3 year |
| Wattage: 1000 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
- 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
- Best for: great for all hair types, neck-length or longer
- 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, removable filter, gentle heat settings
- Cons: has a short cord, doesn’t create super sleek results, thick handle is hard to hold, a long tool not easy to maneuver, heavier
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 210°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.
Design
– Barrel 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.
– Barrel Material
The Knot Dr. Oval Dryer Brush has a brush barrel made of tourmaline ceramic. This material helps to evenly distribute heat while you dry your hair, reducing the risk of heat damage. Tourmaline also releases negative ions, which help to smooth your hair, making it look shinier and less frizzy. The ceramic part ensures that the heat is spread out evenly, so your hair dries faster and stays healthy.
– 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 1.7cm” nylon pins and 1cm 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.
Performance
– 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 15 minutes.
On the low setting, it heats up to 140°F, which is gentle enough for fine hair but still effective—one of the lowest on the list. Its maximum heat of 210°F is average and works well for thicker hair.
– Ionic Technology
The Knot Dr. Oval Dryer Brush also features Ionic Technology. This technology helps reduce frizz by releasing negative ions as you style your hair. These ions work to break down water molecules, speeding up drying time and leaving your hair smoother and shinier. The result is a sleek, frizz-free look with less heat damage.
– Wattage
The Knot Dr. Smoothing Dryer Brush has a 1000-watt motor, which provides a good balance of power for drying and styling. While it’s not the highest wattage, it still offers efficient airflow for a quick, smooth finish without overheating or causing damage to your hair.
Durability & Quality
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.
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.
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.
Convenience
– Tool Length:
With a length of 15 inches, it’s one of the longest tool on our list and compromises on maneuverability.
– Weight:
The weight of a hot tool can become overwhelming if used for long periods. The Conair weighs 17 oz, which is above average, making it a bit heavier compared to other models. This may cause some fatigue during extended use.
– 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.
– Noise Level:
The maximum noise level of the Conair is 93 dBA, which is slightly above average. This could be a bit louder than some other models, potentially making it less ideal for those sensitive to noise.
– Cord Length:
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.
– Handle Temperature
The handle stays cool at 100°F and is very comfortable to hold even after long use.
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.
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.
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.
