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Home / Hot Air Brushes / Drybar Double Shot Review: Ultra-Dense Bristles for Volume and Control

Drybar Double Shot Review: Ultra-Dense Bristles for Volume and Control

With its ultra-dense bristles, wide 2.4″ ceramic barrel, and high heat output, the Drybar Double Shot is built to stretch and smooth thick or curly hair quickly, while adding lift, bend, and body in one simple step.

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Drybar The Double Shot was Evaluated at BeautiLAB Studio. ©BeautiLAB

BeautiLAB Overall: ★★★★★ 4.2 out of 5

The Drybar Double Shot is a no-fuss oval hot air brush built for quick, voluminous blowouts. Its wide 2.4″ ceramic barrelthree heat settings, and ionic technology work in tandem with ultra-dense, long bristles to create strong tension, smooth thick strands, and add bend in a single pass. While it doesn’t offer digital precision or attachment options, it delivers consistent airflow and solid performance with every use.

If you’re looking for more styling range or adjustable heat by degree, check out our best hot air brushes of 2025 for full comparisons.


Who It’s For:

This blow dry brush is best for:

👉 Medium to thick — even curly — hair types
👉 Users looking to stretch, smooth, and add volume, not detangle
👉 Those who prefer root lift and bend over pin-straight results
👉 Anyone who wants to style larger sections quickly with a wide barrel
👉 People who don’t need digital heat controls or interchangeable attachments

Its oval barrel makes it great for lift and shaping but less suited for curling or precision styling, especially on short hair.


What Sets the Drybar Double Shot Apart:

  • Most dense and firm bristles among hot air brushes – Grips hair tightly to create strong tension for smoothing
  • Medium-wide 2.4″ oval barrel – Adds volume while smoothing, ideal for creating bounce and body
  • Highest wattage among hot air brushes (1170W) – Delivers powerful airflow for faster styling
  • Ceramic coating with ionic tech – Fights frizz and boosts shine
  • Long 3.9″ brush area – Great for long or thick hair
  • Lightweight and balanced – Comfortable for longer sessions
  • 9-ft swivel cord – Gives professional-grade freedom of movement

Key Specs at a Glance

RRP: $155Barrel shape: oval
Barrel width: 2.4″Barrel material: ceramic
Weight: 15.5 ozCord length: 9 ft
Heat settings: 180°F / 210°FNoise level: 91 dBA
Wattage: 1170 wattsVoltage: 125 volts (single voltage)
Model name: 900-2225-4Warranty: 2 year

Performance Breakdown

CategoryScore (1–5)Notes
Heat Power⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4)High heat and fast airflow smooth thick hair well
Ease of Use⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5)Dial is simple and intuitive
Grip & Control⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4)Comfortable, though wide barrel limits root access
Styling Range⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3)Not ideal for curling or precision styling
Frizz Control⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4)Ionic tech works well for smoothing
Travel Friendly⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3)Single voltage, no filter, not compact

What We Like ✅

🌟 Design & Build
✅ Wide oval barrel – Great for volume and smoothing
✅ Ceramic coating – Distributes heat evenly for less damage
✅ Balanced feel – Not too heavy or awkward to hold
✅ Dense, long bristles – Excellent grip and tension for smoothing thick hair
✅ Durable materials – Built to last

🔦 Performance
✅ High heat levels – Up to 210°F for effective smoothing
✅ Ionic technology – Helps tame frizz and boost shine
✅ Long brush area – Covers more hair per pass
✅ High wattage – Provides powerful performance
✅ Low noise level – A more peaceful styling experience

🛀 Ergonomics & Convenience
✅ 9-ft swivel cord – Great freedom of movement


What We Don’t Like ❌

🔋 Power & Features
❌ No digital controls – Settings are fixed and not adjustable by degree
❌ No interchangeable heads – One-barrel design limits versatility

🤠 Styling Limitations
❌ Not ideal for curling – Oval barrel adds bend, but not shape
❌ Not suited for short styles or bangs

🛅 Portability
❌ Single voltage – Not travel-friendly internationally
❌ No detachable filter – Harder to maintain long-term


💡 Performance & Technology

The Drybar Double Shot is built for styling efficiency, combining a bold design with salon-level functionality. The medium-wide 2.4″ oval barrel makes it one of the larger brushes on the market — though not the biggest — with only a few options like the 2.8″ Amika brush surpassing it in size. Its long 3.9″ brush area allows you to work through more hair at once, making it especially effective on longer and thicker strands.

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Drybar The Double Shot’s Barrel Width was Measured with a Digital Caliper. ©BeautiLAB
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Drybar The Double Shot’s Brush Section was Measured with a Digital Caliper. ©BeautiLAB

The standout feature is the bristle structure. The Double Shot has the thickest and densest bristles we’ve tested, with 1.1cm tufted bristles and 1.7cm nylon pins. This dense layout grips coarse hair easily and creates excellent tension — a must for smoothing and stretching during blowouts.

The brush’s broad oval base also helps lift at the roots, adding natural volume. While oval barrels don’t create as much curl tension as round ones, this shape is gentler on fine or fragile strands and still offers a soft bend at the ends. The ceramic-coated surface distributes heat evenly to help reduce damage and maintain hair health during styling.

Though it’s excellent for straightening and smoothing, the size and shape make it less suited for short hair, bangs, or precise styling. You won’t be able to curl with it, but it delivers smooth, voluminous styles quickly and consistently — especially for medium to long hair.

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The Bristle Lengths of Drybar The Double Shot were Measured with a Soft Measuring Tape. ©BeautiLAB

💡 Performance & Technology

The Drybar Double Shot focuses on high-output performance and simple, salon-style results. With a powerful 1170W motor, it delivers strong airflow that helps dry and shape hair faster — especially for thick or long strands. While it lacks digital heat precision, its 3-setting control dial (low, high, and cool) offers enough flexibility for most hair types.

The high setting is designed for thick and unruly hair and can reach temperatures of up to 210°F. While that’s effective for smoothing coarse strands, it’s slightly lower than the top heat levels offered by some other hot air brushes — making the Double Shot a gentler option overall, even at max heat.

The low setting, at around 180°F, is better suited for fine or fragile hair, providing enough heat for smoothing without causing excess stress. The final setting is a cool shot, which helps set styles and lock in shape at the end of the blowout process.

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The Low Heat Setting of Drybar The Double Shot was Tested with an Infrared Thermometer After Running for 15 Minutes. ©BeautiLAB
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The High Heat Setting of Drybar The Double Shot was Tested with an Infrared Thermometer After Running for 15 Minutes. ©BeautiLAB

The ceramic-coated barrel works alongside ionic technology to smooth strands, enhance shine, and help reduce static. During our testing, the handle remained comfortable at 90°F, even during extended use.

While there are no digital indicators or smart heat sensors like the T3 AireBrush Duo, the Double Shot performs reliably with strong, consistent heat and tension.

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The Handle Temperature of Drybar The Double Shot was Tested with an Infrared Thermometer After Running for 30 Minutes. ©BeautiLAB
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The Grip Power of Drybar The Double Shot was Tested on Human Hair. ©BeautiLAB

🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience

The Drybar Double Shot balances salon-grade power with a design that’s easy to maneuver. At 15.5 oz, it’s slightly lighter than some dual-head tools, and the 1.55″ handle width feels manageable in most hands — though users with smaller grips might still find it a bit bulky during longer sessions.

Its 13.75″ total length is on the longer side, which gives more control for smoothing long sections of hair, but may make it trickier to style close to the roots or on shorter styles.

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The Length of Drybar The Double Shot was Measured with a Measuring Tape. ©BeautiLAB
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Drybar The Double Shot was Weighed on a Digital Scale. © BeautiLAB

The 9-foot swivel cord adds excellent flexibility and movement, especially if you style in front of a mirror or need extra reach. While there’s no Velcro strap for storage or detachable parts for cleaning, the overall build feels sturdy and secure, making it suitable for regular at-home use.

The tool runs at a low 91 dBA, making it one of the quieter brushes in our lineup — a great option for early-morning routines or shared spaces. It uses single voltage (125V), which is standard for hot air brushes, but limits travel use abroad.

Though it lacks premium features like a digital display, temperature lock, or detachable filter, the Double Shot keeps it simple, effective, and pleasantly quiet — ideal for users who value reliability over bells and whistles.

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The Handle Width of Drybar The Double Shot was Measured with a Digital Caliper. © BeautiLAB
Drybar-The-Double-Shot-Blow-Dryer-Brush-maximum-noise-level
The Maximum Noise Level of Drybar The Double Shot was Measured with a Sound Level Meter. ©BeautiLAB

🌀 Other Models From Drybar

Drybar has expanded its lineup of blow-dryer brushes with several models tailored to different hair types and styling needs. In addition to the Double Shot, the brand offers:

  • The Single Shot – A 2.25″ round barrel ideal for medium hair lengths and polished bends.
  • The Half Shot – With a 1.5″ round barrel, it’s perfect for short hair, layers, or more controlled volume.
  • The Smooth Shot – A paddle-style brush made for straightening thick hair with less effort. It doesn’t add curl or bend but excels at fast smoothing for longer lengths.

While the Double Shot is oval-shaped and best for adding volume and soft movement, the Single and Half Shot create more defined styling. The Smooth Shot, on the other hand, is best for users who just want sleek, straight hair — fast.

👉 Want to compare them all? See our full guide: The Double Shot Vs. The Single Shot Vs. The Half Shot Blow-Dryer Brushes Comparison.

🔄 How It Compares

The Drybar Double Shot stands out in the hot air brush category for its ultra-dense bristlesstrong tension, and high wattage, making it especially effective for thick hair that needs both smoothing and volume. It offers a more premium build than most, with a comfortable, balanced feel during use.

Compared to the T3 AireBrush Duo, the Double Shot doesn’t include interchangeable attachments or digital controls, but it delivers more powerful airflow and firmer styling tension — ideal for users who want a traditional brush feel with faster results on coarse hair.

The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 offers similar smoothing and volume, with a quieter motor and slightly slimmer barrel. However, the Double Shot’s bristles are firmer and denser, making it more effective for stretching and styling thicker textures.

Versus the Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0, the Double Shot comes out ahead in build quality, weight balance, and styling control. While the Revlon is a budget-friendly option with a similar oval barrel and updated motor, its bristles are softer and less effective at gripping thick or unruly hair. The Double Shot feels sturdier and more salon-grade, especially for frequent use.

👉 For a full side-by-side breakdown, check out our comparison:
Drybar Double Shot vs. Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0

In short, if you’re looking for tension, bounce, and durability, the Drybar Double Shot delivers more performance than drugstore models and better grip than many premium picks.

🏁 Final Verdict: A Blowout Brush That Brings the Bounce — and the Tension

The Drybar Double Shot is a top pick for anyone who wants to stretch and smooth thick or curly hair while adding volume and bounce. Its ultra-dense bristles create strong tension, making it especially effective for straightening textured strands during a blowout. While it doesn’t offer tech-driven features or curling ability, it makes up for that with powerful airflow, salon-quality results, and a comfortable, easy-to-use design. If your goal is sleek, voluminous hair — fast — this brush delivers every time.

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