With its slim 1.5″ ceramic barrel and ultra-dense bristles, the Drybar Half Shot is designed for short styles, layers, and creating soft curls with smooth, frizz-free results.
BeautiLAB Overall: 4.1 out of 5
The Drybar Half Shot is the most compact round hot air brush in the Drybar lineup. With a 1.5″ barrel and the brand’s signature firm bristles, it’s perfect for precise styling, root lift, and creating shape on short to shoulder-length hair. While it doesn’t have digital features or attachments, it brings strong airflow, fast heat, and quality results in a lightweight, easy-to-handle design.
👉 For more options, explore our picks for the best hot air brushes of 2025.
Who It’s For:
This blow dry brush is best for:
✅ Short to shoulder-length hair
✅ Users who want defined curls, bend, or polish
✅ Anyone looking for a smaller barrel for layered styles
✅ Medium to thick hair types
✅ People who want better root access and precision
⚠️ Not ideal for long, dense hair due to compact size
What Sets the Drybar Half Shot Apart:
- Smallest barrel in the Drybar line (1.5″) – Best for short cuts, layers, or detailed styling
- Dense, long bristles – Create strong tension for shaping and smoothing
- High airflow & heat (1100W) – Great for thick hair in small sections
- Lightweight and slim – Easier for maneuvering close to the scalp
- Ceramic + ionic technology – Smooths hair and helps reduce frizz
- Classic Drybar build – Reliable quality and polished results
Key Specs at a Glance
| RRP: $155 | Barrel shape: round |
| Barrel width: 1.5″ | Barrel material: ceramic |
| Weight: 13 oz | Cord length: 9 ft |
| Heat settings: 180°F / 210°F | Noise level: 93 dBA |
| Wattage: 1100 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
| Model name: 900-3425-4 | Warranty: 2 year |
Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score (1–5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Reaches 210°F — enough for short, fine, or layered hair |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5) | Lightweight and easy to handle |
| Grip & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5) | Slim handle and narrow barrel offer excellent control |
| Styling Range | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Best for waves, curls, bangs, and layers — less effective on long hair |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Ionic tech works well for smooth results |
| Travel Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Lightweight, compact, but not dual voltage |
✅ What We Like
🌟 Design & Build
✅ Slim 1.5″ barrel – Great for short styles, bangs, and detailed work
✅ Ceramic coating – Distributes heat evenly and helps prevent damage
✅ Dense, long bristles – Provide strong tension for shaping and smoothing
✅ Lightweight (13 oz) – Comfortable for longer styling sessions
✅ Polished Drybar look – Solid build with premium feel
💡 Performance
✅ High heat and airflow (1100W) – Fast and efficient for smaller sections
✅ Ionic technology – Helps reduce frizz and boost shine
✅ Excellent root access – Gets close to the scalp with control
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
✅ Slim handle (1.5″) – Easier to grip for smaller hands
✅ 9-ft swivel cord – Salon-worthy reach and flexibility
❌ What We Don’t Like
⚡ Power & Styling Range
❌ Compact barrel – Not ideal for long or thick hair blowouts
🧰 Features & Portability
❌ No detachable filter – Slightly harder to clean long-term
❌ Not dual voltage – Not ideal for travel
✨ Design & Build
The Drybar Half Shot features a slim 1.5″ round ceramic barrel, making it the smallest in Drybar’s blow-dryer brush lineup. It’s specifically crafted for shorter hairstyles, layers, bangs, and more precise styling. The round shape offers better control near the roots and allows for smoother shaping, bending, and lifting, especially on short to mid-length hair. However, because round barrels create more concentrated tension than oval designs, the Half Shot may apply too much stress on fine or delicate hair.
Despite its compact barrel, the 3.9″ brush section is just as long as the larger models like the Double and Single Shot, which means it still covers a decent section of hair per pass — just with more control. The 1.1cm tufted bristles and 1.7cm nylon pins are dense and firm, giving excellent grip and tension for smoothing and shaping. However, they are a bit too stiff for detangling delicate or knot-prone hair.
The ceramic coating helps distribute heat evenly across the barrel, protecting strands while maintaining consistent performance. The signature Drybar yellow finish and balanced construction make this tool feel sturdy and salon-quality — just in a more compact package.
💡 Performance & Technology
The Drybar Half Shot may be the smallest of the lineup, but it still delivers powerful performance thanks to its 1100W motor and ceramic barrel. It features three heat settings — high (~210°F), low (~180°F), and a cool shot — giving enough range for various hair types, though there’s no digital control or exact temperature readout.
The high heat setting is strong enough to stretch and smooth coarse strands, while the low setting works well for fine or delicate hair. The cool shot is a welcome bonus, helping to lock in your style with a blast of air once you’re done.
During testing, the barrel temperature maxed out around 210°F, which is on par with other Drybar models. The handle stayed around 100°F, so it remained comfortable to hold, even during longer sessions.
Its ionic technology helps reduce static and frizz while boosting shine — a must-have feature for those who style regularly. While it lacks advanced features like digital sensors or interchangeable heads, the Half Shot delivers consistent, focused heat that’s ideal for short hair styling, polished waves, or volume at the roots.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At just 13 oz, the Drybar Half Shot is one of the lightest hot air brushes we’ve tested — a huge plus for anyone styling shorter hair or using it daily. Its 13.75″ length and 1.5″ handle width offer a compact, easy-to-handle design that’s comfortable even for smaller hands.
The 9-ft swivel cord provides excellent reach and flexibility, allowing you to move freely while styling. While it lacks a detachable body for changing attachments and does not include a detachable filter for easy cleaning, its balanced construction and slim profile make it highly maneuverable — especially for working around roots, layers, and short sections.
There are no sound or heat indicators, and the dial-style controls don’t offer exact temperature customization — but they’re simple and intuitive to use. During testing, the maximum noise level measured around 93 dBA, making it noticeable but within the normal range for hot air brushes.
Though it doesn’t come with accessories, the Half Shot’s lightweight feel, strong airflow, and focused control make it a solid choice for quick, polished styling on shorter haircuts and layered styles.
🌀 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 Half Shot, the brand offers:
- The Double Shot – A 2.4″ oval barrel designed for medium to long hair, perfect for boosting volume and smoothing in one go.
- The Single Shot – A 2.25″ round barrel ideal for medium hair lengths and polished bends with more precision.
- The Smooth Shot – A paddle-style brush made for straightening thick hair with less effort. It doesn’t create curl or volume but excels at sleek, fast smoothing for longer lengths.
While the Half Shot is best suited for short hair, bangs, or detailed styles, the Single Shot offers more body and bend for medium hair, and the Double Shot is the go-to for everyday blowouts on longer strands. The Smooth Shot, on the other hand, is perfect for those who want straight hair — no styling extras needed.
👉 Want to compare them all? See our full guide: Double Shot Vs. Single Shot Vs. Half Shot Blow-Dryer Brushes comparison.
🔄 How It Compares
The Drybar Half Shot is ideal for users who want precision control, root lift, and smooth shaping — especially on short to mid-length hair. With its 1.5″ round ceramic barrel, it offers tighter shaping and easier root access than larger oval or paddle brushes. It’s particularly useful for styling bangs, layers, and shorter cuts where maneuverability matters most — but it doesn’t offer interchangeable heads or advanced digital features.
Compared to the InfinitiPRO by Conair Hot Air Spin Brush, the Half Shot delivers stronger airflow and firmer tension. The InfinitiPRO’s two rotating barrels (1.5″ and 2″) add hands-free convenience for curling or flipping ends, but its rotation feature sometimes struggles with thick or coarse hair. The Half Shot’s dense bristles and steady ceramic heat give it a clear advantage for achieving polished, frizz-free styles without tangling.
Versus the CHI 3-in-1 Round Blowout Brush, the Half Shot is more straightforward but feels sturdier and more salon-grade. The CHI offers three interchangeable round barrels (1.0″, 1.25″, and 1.7″), making it more versatile for users who like switching sizes for different looks. However, the Half Shot’s heavier bristle density and consistent heat distribution provide better grip and smoothing performance — especially for layered or textured hair that needs tension to style effectively.
🏁 Final Verdict: A Small Barrel with Big Control
The Drybar Half Shot is the best tool in Drybar’s lineup for short styles, bangs, and anyone looking for more control over smaller sections. Its compact 1.5″ round barrel delivers excellent tension and polished results, especially for users who find larger barrels too bulky. Despite its small size, it packs in 1100W of power, making it fast and effective on fine to medium hair types.
While it’s not designed for full-volume blowouts on long hair, it excels at precision styling, flips, and touch-ups. If you’ve struggled with oversized brushes or want a dedicated tool for layered styles, the Half Shot is a standout pick.
