An in-depth look at Drybar’s second generation “The Single Shot”, which offers a round-shaped mid-sized brush
4.6 out of 5
Model Name/ Number: 900-2840-4
Price: 150$
Heat Settings: low: 150°F / high: 190°F
Hair type/ texture: all hair types from thick to fine, short to medium hair
Hairstyle: provides a bit of lift to the roots, gives a natural-looking texture to mid-length hair / loose waves to long hair
Pros: durable material and versatile styling, creates natural-looking loose waves, strong grip on hair
Cons: overpriced, not detachable
How it stands out: with its one-of-a-kind mid-sized barrel, this tool is versatile and powerful. It smooths hair quickly and creates loose curls for a natural look
DRYBAR hot air brushes are appreciated for their high-quality materials and design, which provides healthy-looking, salon-quality results. The Single Shot, being the second one of the three Drybar The Shot Collection, became the favorite of many very quickly. It has a round shape and a smaller barrel size (2.25”) compared to The Double Shot. This tool is perfect for shorter hairstyles and bangs.
The size of the barrel fits almost all hair lengths and provides versatility. It’s a bit of an investment, considering the cheaper tools in the market, but you will feel the difference in the quality of your session.
We analyzed and compared “The Single Shot” for you to be able to make the perfect decision for your hair type, length, and budget. Below, we share our experiences with “The Single Shot”. If you’re curious about the competition, check out the article about the Top Rated Hot Air Brushes of 2023.
Barrel Size And Shape
The Single Shot, with 2.25″, has a medium-sized barrel which is so perfect that it would fit just about any hair length. While its sisters are specified for shorter or longer hairstyles, this tool is a greater option for the ones who seek versatility.
It’s large enough to cover enough area for fast and effective styling, yet slim enough to come close to the roots to add volume and body to all hair lengths and textures.
While the first of the three series, “The Double Shot” is oval, the younger “The Single Shot” comes with a round-shaped barrel that creates beautiful, loose waves and texture in bob-length or longer hairstyles. Combined with its medium-sized barrel, round shape is also perfect for bangs and layers.
We know that oval shape is superior at creating volume but this is a great alternative for the ones who also want to be able to have beautiful loose waves when they feel like.
Bristles
The Single Shot hot air brush, like all Drybar brushes, features the thickest and firmest bristles. This makes it great for styling, as it grips well and can handle thick, unruly hair. The bristles are 0.7 inches long in nylon and 0.5 inches in tufted style, which is longer than many other hot air brushes. This longer length helps it easily manage dense hair for a strong grip.
But hard bristles compromise at detangling the hair as wide-spaced and flexible bristles detangle your hair faster, easier, and with less pain and damage.
– Heat Settings
Drybar The Single Shot offers three heat settings, high, low, and cool.
High setting of The Single Shot is 190°F max, which is high enough to tame unruly hair yet not really aggressive, so it doesn’t cause damage to most hair textures. If you have fragile strands, on the other hand, the low setting will be safe and efficient for you at 150°F.
And finally, the cool shot option is an underrated setting that most people don’t use. But it can change the quality of your session immensely, as it seals the session and makes it long-lasting. It’s especially beneficial for home stylists who want to avoid spending time for their hair every day.
– Handle Temperature
Handle temperature of The Single Shot is 85°F and is a very gentle option for fragile hands.
– Cool Tip Temperature
Cool tip temperature, with 95°F. maximum, is also average and safe to use, even for long periods of time.
Performance And Durability
There’s no doubt that Drybar The Single Shot is a top-quality product that has highly sturdy and durable material. It’s a luxury tool that is high-priced, and you feel the difference the moment you hold it in your hand. Its non-detachable design also contributes to sturdiness and makes it long-lasting.
Its wattage of 1140 W, is above average on our list. This gives it great strength, which reduces the risk of heat damage with powerful airflow, as well as provides a faster session. It also comes with ionic technology that considerably affects the speed of the session while eliminating frizz. It creates smooth results and reduces heat damage.
Ergonomics
– Weight:
Home stylists know that hot hair tools can be quite heavy and even if you don’t care in the beginning, it will become quite frustrating if you are a regular user or your session lasts long. With 15 oz, The Single Shot is a quite lightweight tool which is below average on our list. It’s a good choice if you want to avoid arm fatigue.
– Handle Size:
The handle is quite slim with 5″. It’s not a surprise that it fits well with even smaller hands since this tool is very well-designed. It’s also important to mention that The Single Shot is not a detachable tool. While this makes it sturdier, its downsides can’t be ignored. The tool is less compact and less versatile since it doesn’t have different attachment options.
– Noise Level:
Hot air brushes are loud tools, some more than others. The noise level of The Single Shot, with 93 dBA, is average and as much as it will be loud, it’s a gentler option than many in the market.
– Cord:
It comes with an 8.7 ft, swivel cord, which is as good as it gets when it comes to length. (The Drybars’ swivel cords are one of the longest among all the products we reviewed.) It’s especially appealing if you don’t have a plug right next to your mirror.
Price
It’s no secret that Drybar is a high-priced brand and The Single Shot is no exception. With a price of $150, it’s a considerably big investment that may not be fit for every budget. But if you want to give yourself a gift that will last you for many years and provide you with high-quality results while keeping your precious strands healthy, it’s worth it.
Other Models From Drybar
Drybar The Shot series offers 3 different hot air brushes with different barrel shapes and sizes. It simply provides different shapes and qualities for different hair types and lengths so every individual can find one that fits themselves.
While The Double Shot is oval-shaped, The Half Shot is round like The Single Shot.
The Double Shot’s barrel size is 2.4″, The Single Shot is 2.25″ and The Half Shot’s barrel is 1.5″.
You can find the details in our The Double Shot Vs. The Single Shot Vs. The Half Shot Blow-Dryer Brushes comparison.
If we put it simply;
- The Double Shot: Medium to long hair, volume, and loose waves, thick and fine hair texture
- The Single Shot: All hair lengths, bangs, loose curls, thick and fine hair texture
- The Half Shot: Short to medium length hair, intricate styling, fine to thick hair texture
Competition
DRYBAR is one of the most popular hot air brush brands in the market for its durable material and healthy and fast styling. Drybar The Single Shot’s biggest-known competitor is Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0, which falls behind in the quality department with less sturdy material. But its very affordable price of 40$ make it a highly appealing alternative since not everyone is ready to invest 150$ on a hot air brush.
CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 is another viable option, with a detachable design and different attachment options. It’s also on the safe side since it doesn’t get too hot and it’s more budget-friendly than Drybar. It might not be the sturdiest and it doesn’t have the design quality of Drybar, but if you prioritize the versatility that different attachments bring, it may be the right choice for you.
