Extra-large oval brush head with long bristles for a great grip, delivering incredible volume and backed by a long warranty for lasting performance
BeautiLAB Overall: 4.3 out of 5
| RRP: $70 | Model name: HT1076 |
| Barrel width: 2.8″ | Weight: 16 oz |
| Barrel shape: oval | Cord length: 8 ft |
| Heat settings: 190°F / 220°F | Warranty: 7 year |
| Wattage: 1100 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
- How it stands out: it works at lower temperatures compared to the other models and is ideal for styling fine or processed hair
- Hair type/ texture: fine to normal texture / medium length to long hair
- Pros: sturdy material, has a long warranty, slimmer handle for easy handling, gentle session with equal heat distribution, budget friendly, has a long cord
- Cons: too big for short hair, not detachable, above-average low heat setting
Hot Tools’s most popular brush “24K Gold One-Step”, with its gold barrel, distributes heat evenly. Its 2.8 inches oval barrel can tame large surfaces at one go, which reduces heat damage.
The ionic technology eliminates frizz. This tool is our top pick for fragile hair and for good reason. Below we break down our experiences with “24K Gold One-Step”. If you’re curious about the competition, check out our article about the hot air brushes of 2025.
Design
– Barrel Size And Shape
The first thing we need to consider before buying a hot air brush is its shape and size. With its 2.8″ oval brush, Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step is a pretty large tool. It’s one of the largest on our list. (The largest one is Conair Detangling Hot Air Brush with a 3.0″ barrel). 3.75″
The first thing to consider before buying a hot air brush is its shape and size. With its 2.8″ oval brush, the Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step is a pretty large tool, one of the biggest on our list. The 3.75″ brush section is a bit shorter than others, but it makes up for this with its extra-large barrel. This size lets it grab large sections of hair at once, styling it in less time. It’s great for long hair, saving both energy and time. However, it’s not as comfortable for short hairstyles, as it can’t reach the roots and grab shorter strands as easily.
The oval shape is much gentler on the hair as it creates less tension. Oval brushes are good for adding volume but don’t add much movement to the hair. They can give a slight bend to the tips.
– Barrel Material
The Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Volumizer features a barrel coated in 24K gold. This material helps distribute heat evenly, ensuring consistent styling and reducing hot spots. The gold barrel also enhances shine, giving your hair a glossy, smooth finish while helping to minimize damage.
– Bristles
Bristles might seem like a small issue that wouldn’t make much of a difference but don’t get tricked by the size. You will feel their effect on your hair.
First of all, Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Blowout has very sturdy bristles. Yet it’s important to mention that after our tests, we noticed that it’s not the best at detangling and pulls the hair strongly if there’s a knot.
It has average-sized bristles with 1.8cm nylon pin and 1cm tufted.
If you want to straighten your curly hair you need more tension than the 24K’s bristles can maintain. Drybar The Double Shot has denser bristles compared to 24K Gold, and it can maintain the correct tension between your hair and the tool to stretch your curls.
Performance
– Heat Settings
Hot Tools is a brand that is usually known for its high heat and consistency. Now this can be a blessing and a curse according to your hair type. That’s why we generally recommend these tools for thick and unruly hair because if your strands are fragile, you might suffer from heat damage. 24K Gold One-Step, on the other hand, compared to Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step, gets much less hot.
Our tests show that this tool reaches 220°F on the high setting and 190°F on the low setting. The difference between the low and high heat settings is quite small. The low heat setting isn’t very gentle, especially compared to the lowest setting on other models, which is 140°F.
Like almost every hot air brush on our list, it has variable heat settings, which include high, low, and a cool shot option. As this may seem to be standard, this quality is important to note as it makes one’s life much easier, especially the cool shot option. This setting seals your style after you’ve finished the smoothening and prevents it from getting ruined quickly.
– Ionic Technology
The Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Volumizer is equipped with Ionic Technology, which helps reduce frizz and static. The negative ions released during styling smooth the hair, leaving it shiny, soft, and more manageable, for a polished, frizz-free look.
– Wattage
The Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Volumizer has a wattage of 1100, providing powerful airflow for quick and efficient styling. This wattage helps you achieve smooth, voluminous hair faster, while ensuring consistent performance without excessive heat.
Durability & Quality
Like all Hot Tools products that we tested, 24K Gold One-Step is a durable and long-lasting hot air brush. Compared to its biggest competitor Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0, the bristles are stronger and the handle feels sturdier when it’s held.
Convenience
– Tool Length:
The Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step is 13″ long, which is considered average for hot air brushes. Its length provides a good balance between control and maneuverability. While it’s not too long to be unwieldy, it’s also not too short, so it offers enough reach for comfortable styling. This makes it easy to handle, but if you have smaller hands or prefer a more compact tool, it may feel a bit bulky for extended use.
– Weight:
We measure the weight of every hot air brush on our list because it can affect the quality of your styling session. If you style your hair daily and want to avoid arm fatigue, the 24K Gold One-Step might not be the best choice for you. At 16 oz, it has an average weight. it manageable for most users and isn’t too heavy for short styling sessions. It provides good control during styling. If you use it for longer periods, the weight may cause arm fatigue, especially if you style your hair daily.
The handle of 24K Gold is ergonomically designed and sturdy. Mind that this tool is not detachable. While this fact makes it sturdier, it’s a big downside as it’s less compact and there are no extra head options for versatile styling.
– Handle Width:
The 24K Gold has a slimmer barrel at 1.5″, which is smaller than most other hot air brushes. This slim design makes it easier to style close to the roots and create defined curls or waves. It’s especially helpful for people with smaller hands, as it’s easier to grip and control, making styling more comfortable.
– Noise Level:
Around 95 dBA, it’s one of the loudest tools on our list. We know that this detail is useful for some of our readers, especially ones with sensitive ears or that have a sleeping family member next door.
– Cord Length:
The Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step has an 8-foot cord, which is longer than the shortest cords on the market (around 6 feet) but not as long as the longest options (9 feet). The 8-foot length provides enough flexibility and reach for most users, allowing for easy movement while styling without feeling too restricted.
– Handle Temperature:
Unlike Revlon One-Step Volumizer, its handle doesn’t get hot (around 100°F) which makes the session more pleasant.
Other Models From Hot Tools
While 24K Gold One-Step is our favorite Hot Tools hot air brush, there’s a number of other options. These include Pro Signature One-Step V1 and One-Step V2, as well as Black Gold One-Step Detachable. Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step is the next generation that claims to offer a better quality blowout, which may be the case with very thick and afro hairstyles as it gets really hot (215°F).
But our tests show that 24KGOLD is a gentler option while still bringing effective results. If you want to find out more about the in-depth comparison between the two, check out Hot Tools Black Gold vs 24k Gold One Step Blowout & Volumizer
Competition
Revlon One-Step Volumizer is the biggest competitor of Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step. Their barrel sizes and shapes are the same which is the most important topic to consider. Revlon is a more affordable model with $40, while 24K Gold One-Step is $75. But this price difference is understandable since 24K Gold One-Step is much sturdier and it doesn’t get as hot, making it safer for your strands.
