Big barrel, strong airflow, and ceramic + titanium coating make this brush a go-to for quick volume and smoothing—especially for medium to thick hair types.
BeautiLAB Overall: 4.0 out of 5
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS upgrades the brand’s original cult-favorite design with a slightly sleeker barrel, more heat settings, and a detachable head. While still dial-based and missing techy extras, it offers excellent volumizing power at an affordable price—especially for medium to thick hair types who want bouncy blowouts fast.
If you want to explore other options, check out our expert roundup of top-rated hot air brushes.
Who It’s For:
This blow-dry brush is best for:
✅ Medium to thick hair types
✅ Users who want fast styling with lift and volume
✅ Anyone who found the original REVLON too bulky
✅ People who prefer a smaller barrel for better root access and control
✅ Budget-conscious buyers who want dependable performance
✅ Occasional travelers — the detachable design helps with packing, though it’s not the easiest to remove
It’s not ideal for detailed styling or curling, and while the detachable base helps with travel, removing the head isn’t as easy as it sounds.
What Sets the REVLON PLUS Apart:
- Mid-sized 2.4″ oval barrel – Ideal for boosting volume while maintaining control
- 4 heat settings – Includes cool, low, medium, and high
- Tourmaline ceramic coating – Even heat distribution with less damage
- Detachable head – Easier for travel and storage
- Ionic technology – Reduces frizz and adds shine
- Ergonomic updates – Slimmer handle for better grip
- ALCI safety plug – Extra protection during use
Key Specs at a Glance
| RRP: $70 | Barrel shape: oval |
| Barrel width: 2.4″ | Barrel material: ceramic titanium tourmaline |
| Weight: 15 oz | Cord length: 6 ft |
| Heat settings: 185°F / 200°F / 225°F | Noise level: 93 dBA |
| Wattage: 1100 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
| Model name: RVDR5298N/ULT | Warranty: 4 year |
📊 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score (1–5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Gets hot quickly; strong airflow for thick hair |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Simple dial control, but brush head can be hard to detach |
| Grip & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Slimmer handle than the original; comfortable for longer use |
| Styling Range | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3) | Best for volume and bend; not ideal for sleek styles |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Ionic tech helps smooth flyaways |
| Travel Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3) | Detachable head helps with packing, but stiff to remove and 6-ft cord limits reach |
✅ What We Like
✨ Design & Build
- ✅ Mid-sized 2.4″ oval barrel – Adds volume and shape with fewer passes
- ✅ Lightweight (15 oz) – Easier to handle than bulkier models
- ✅ Slim, ergonomic handle – More comfortable than the original REVLON
- ✅ Detachable barrel – Makes storage and travel more convenient
💡 Performance & Technology
- ✅ Strong heat and airflow – Handles thick or coarse hair effectively
- ✅ Tourmaline ceramic coating – Promotes even heat and helps reduce damage
- ✅ Ionic technology – Smooths frizz and enhances shine
- ✅ 4 intuitive heat settings – Easy to adjust based on styling needs
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
- ✅ ALCI safety plug – Built-in safety for bathroom use
- ✅ 4-year warranty – Longer coverage than most in its price range
❌ What We Don’t Like
⚡ Power & Heat
- ❌ No temperature readout – You can’t see the exact heat level
- ❌ No heat lock – Dial can shift during use if accidentally touched
🖐️ Ergonomics
- ❌ No digital controls – Lacks precision for those who prefer more control
- ❌ Barrel head is difficult to detach – Not ideal for frequent travel or quick switching
- ❌ Short cord (6 ft) – Restricts range of motion, especially in larger spaces
- ❌ Basic material quality – Feels less durable than premium models
🔧 Features & Portability
- ❌ No sound alerts – No indicator when the tool is ready to use
- ❌ Single voltage only – Not compatible for international travel
- ❌ No filter access – Makes long-term cleaning and maintenance harder
✨ Design & Build
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS features a 2.4″ mid-sized oval barrel, making it ideal for adding volume and bounce without overwhelming shorter layers or root styling. The 3.75″ brush section offers ample surface area to dry and style medium to long hair quickly, with fewer passes.
Its bristles combine 1 cm tufted rows for tension with 1.5 cm nylon pins for detangling. While they glide smoothly through most hair types, users with dense or coarse strands may find the bristles too short for strong grip. That said, the oval shape allows for natural curvature and soft bends at the ends — perfect for voluminous blowouts.
The barrel is coated with ceramic titanium tourmaline, helping to reduce frizz, evenly distribute heat, and protect fragile strands.
💡 Performance & Technology
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS is powered by a 1100W motor, delivering strong airflow and fast drying performance — especially effective for medium to thick hair types. In testing, it reached barrel temperatures of 185°F to 225°F, providing enough heat to smooth and shape even denser textures without requiring multiple passes.
Its 4 heat settings (high, medium, low, and cool) are controlled via a simple dial at the base. While this analog setup is easy to use, it lacks the digital precision or heat lock features found in more advanced tools — meaning settings can shift if bumped during styling.
The ceramic titanium tourmaline coating works in tandem with built-in ionic technology to reduce frizz, increase shine, and protect hair from heat damage by distributing heat more evenly across the barrel. These features help make the brush gentler on color-treated or damaged strands while still delivering smooth, polished results.
Handle temperature stayed around 95°F during our testing — warm but not uncomfortable to hold, even during longer sessions.
While it doesn’t include smart tech like temperature sensors or digital displays, the Volumizer PLUS excels in raw power, reliable airflow, and user-friendly simplicity. It’s not built for precision styling or advanced customization — but for fast, voluminous results at an accessible price point, it delivers.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS is built with user comfort in mind. Weighing 15 oz and measuring 13.75″ in length, it’s lighter and more streamlined than the original One-Step, making it easier to handle and maneuver — especially for medium to long hair.
Its 1.55″ handle is slimmer and more ergonomic, helping reduce hand fatigue during longer styling sessions. The dial-style control is intuitive, but without a heat lock, settings may shift during use.
One of the key upgrades over the original model is its detachable barrel, which makes the brush more travel- and storage-friendly. That said, the release mechanism is quite stiff, and detaching the barrel can require some effort until it loosens with use.
While the tool includes a 6-ft cord, it lacks a swivel base, which limits flexibility during styling. Users with limited outlet access may find the length a bit short compared to salon-grade tools.
It operates at 93 dBA, keeping noise levels reasonable, and includes an ALCI safety plug for safe use in bathroom settings. However, it runs on single voltage (125V) only, so it’s not ideal for international travel.
While not packed with premium extras, the Volumizer PLUS scores well for comfort, basic portability, and ease of use, making it a practical everyday styling tool.
🔄 How It Compares
If you’re considering alternatives to the REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS, there are a few standout hot air brushes worth exploring.
The Drybar The Double Shot is a favorite for long, thick hair, featuring a similarly sized 2.44″ oval barrel and powerful airflow that speeds up drying while adding volume. It has a sleeker build and a more refined finish, but sticks with a simple dial-based control system. It doesn’t offer extra features like a detachable head, yet delivers consistently smooth results — ideal if you want a more premium feel without added complexity.
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 is another top contender, offering stronger bristle tension, a wider brush head, and a quieter motor. It’s especially effective on coarse or textured hair, delivering frizz-free, lifted styles with control. However, it lacks the travel-friendly, detachable design of the REVLON PLUS and comes at a higher price point.
Then there’s the REVLON One-Step Original, which remains a solid budget option. It has a larger 2.8″ barrel that creates more dramatic volume but sacrifices root access and maneuverability. It’s bulkier and heavier, with fewer heat settings and no detachable components — which can make it harder to store and less ergonomic for everyday use.
Each brush has its strengths, but the REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS stands out for offering real upgrades in comfort, control, and usability — all while keeping the price accessible. It’s a great choice for users who want fast, voluminous styling in a lightweight, travel-ready package without the premium price tag.
For more in-depth comparisons and user experiences, you might find these resources helpful:
- Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS vs. Original Comparison
- Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0 vs. Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Comparison
- Drybar Double Shot vs. Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Comparison
🏁 Final Verdict: A Smarter, Lighter Upgrade for Quick Volume
The REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS is a thoughtful upgrade to one of the most iconic hot air brushes on the market. With its mid-sized 2.4″ barrel, added heat setting, and slimmer, more ergonomic handle, it improves on the original without losing the ease and power that made it popular in the first place.
While it lacks advanced tech features like digital controls, dual voltage, or a swivel cord, it makes up for that with solid performance, a travel-friendly detachable barrel, and ionic technology that smooths and shines in fewer passes. It’s not the most precise or premium tool — but for the price, it’s one of the most well-rounded and user-friendly options out there.
If you’re looking for a no-fuss blow dry brush that gets the job done fast, the REVLON PLUS delivers — and does it better than many tools twice the price.
