With its affordable price and fast styling capacity, Revlon’s new One-Step Plus is perfect for home stylists that prioritize budget and speed
4.3 out of 5
Model Name/ Number: RVDR5298N/ULT
Price: $70
Heat Settings: low: 145°F / medium: 150°F / high: 170°F
Hair type/ texture: medium hair texture/neck length to long hair
Hairstyle: gives loose waves to long hair and adds a bit of volume to chin-length or longer hair
Pros: affordable, has 4 heat settings, detachable design, snag-free glide
Cons: it’s not very durable, gives off an unpleasant smell, and can not provide tension on thick hair for smoothing
How it stands out: The Revlon One Step is a reasonably priced hot air brush that’s great for medium-thickness hair, making it a budget-friendly option
Hot air brushes are a quite static category and they mostly have fairly similar features, but remember, it’s just the little differences that make the BIG difference.
Now in its second generation, Revlon One-Step Plus is an intriguing upgrade from the original version Salon One-Step 1.0. For those who like to keep their beauty routine at a minimum, it offers a fast session backed up by its ionic technology.
It comes with a detachable head, making it compact and easy to travel with. In contrast to all the other models in the market, it has 4 heat settings, allowing it to work perfectly for all hair types without causing heat damage. The One-Step Plus offers ceramic and titanium technology which ensures that your hair is protected against heat damage and reduces frizz.
It might not be the most durable model in the market, but it’s extremely affordable at only $70 with its rich features and ergonomic design.
If you’d like to see where this item stands amongst other brands, be sure to take a look at our Hot Air Brush Reviews of 2023.
Barrel Size And Shape
As we all know, the barrel size and shape are the most important points of the decision-making process when choosing a hot air brush.
With 2.4 inches, Revlon One-Step Plus (aka 2.0) has a relatively slim barrel compared to the previous model, Salon One-Step (aka original or 1.0) which is 2.8 inches.
Revlon One-Step Plus is slim enough to provide a good grip on the roots, while still being large enough to tame long hair quickly.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS is oval-shaped. Oval shape sacrifices the ability to create curls but is much superior at boosting volume. It’s also much gentler since it pulls the hair less due to the way it grasps hair at the roots.
Bristles
Bristles might not seem like the most important topic when it comes to choosing a hot air brush. But you will feel the difference if you choose the right bristles for your needs.
There are two types of bristles on a hot air brush; nylon pin and tufted. Both bristle lengths of Revlon are shorter than average. The nylon pin bristles measure up to 0.5″, and the tufted bristles are 0.4″. Regarding stiffness, the tufted bristles are the softest on our list.
These two qualities make it superior at styling fine to medium hair thickness effectively. But it doesn’t do a great job on thick, coarse, tightly curled, or dense hair. In order to penetrate coarse, thick hair, you’ll want to use a hot air brush that has longer tufted bristles for a better grip.
Detachable Design
We know that most home stylists don’t have all the space in the World to store their hair tools and we all enjoy a tidy room. With its detachable head, One-Step Volumizer PLUS is a compact hot air brush that is easy to travel with. It’s easier to clean than the non-detachable models which makes it a practical upgrade from the previous model, Salon One-Step.
That said, users also have been wondering about extra attachments for a while, but Revlon hasn’t provided any options yet.
On the other hand, the CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 comes with additional attachments, providing more styling versatility that is worth checking out.
Temperature
– Heat Settings
Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS has taken the game to the next level by coming up with 4 heat settings instead of 3.
Revlon seems to have listened to its users well. The “high” setting was getting too hot, while the “low” setting was failing to tame thick hair. This additional “medium” heat setting solves this issue since it provides a strong enough session without burning your hair. Their claim was “no more heat damage”; we had to make sure.
After measuring both Revlon hot air brushes, we can see that while the Revlon Salon One-Step goes as high as 207°F, the new Revlon One-Step Plus only gets up to 170°F in the high setting. When we measure the medium setting, it’s even lower at 150°F.
Numbers speak for themselves here, there’s a big improvement. So, shout out to our readers with fragile strands, Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS is safe and effective.
– Handle Temperature
The handle of this hot tool is comfortable at around 80°F and doesn’t overheat. It’s easy to use for long periods without burning your hand.
– Cool Tip Temperature
The cool tip, on the other hand, gets pretty hot! Mind that with 125°F in the high setting, One-Step Volumizer PLUS might be a struggle to hold for delicate hands.
Performance And Durability
Revlon One-Step Plus, while being an upgrade from the previous model, seems to us as less of a value than we’re used to finding from this brand. The material quality does appear to be up to their usual standards. However, there are some complaints from users about its durability.
When first used, it smells of burnt plastic, which is very unpleasant. The smell can be toxic to inhale, so it is important to take it seriously.
Like every detachable model, it tends to be less sturdy. But considering its affordable price of only $70, it’s a great choice if you are not a regular user.
Ergonomics
– Weight:
We know that a heavy tool can be a struggle if you are a regular user. You will definitely feel the difference after a few minutes of holding it. Considering that hot hair tools can go over 20 oz., Revlon Salon One-Step has a reasonable weight of 14.8 oz.
– Handle Size:
The handle is 4.8″. It is slim and ergonomically designed for even small hands. It’s worth mentioning that the plastic part that holds it isn’t very sturdy. If not used carefully, it may break off.
– Noise Level:
This tool is loud, as the results go up to 94 dB, which is the second highest on our list. It might bother you if you use it for long periods of time or if you have a sleeping family member next door.
– Cord:
This hot air brush has a 6-foot cord. While it’s not the longest, it gives you a bit of extra reach for easier styling.
Other Models From Revlon
Revlon One-Step Plus is an upgrade of its first-generation Salon One-Step 1.0, and it’s proving itself to be superior in many ways. It’s slimmer and lighter, which makes it convenient for short hair, with greater grip at the roots. Not only does it gets less hot, but Revlon One-Step Plus also has an extra “medium” heat setting that reduces the risk of heat damage.
It is a bit more expensive (like $10), but it’s worth the difference. You can find detailed analyses of these two models in our Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 vs 1.0 Original comparison article, but generally speaking, we can say with confidence that Revlon One-Step Plus is a great improvement.
Competition
Revlon One-Step Collection has affordable and effective hot air brushes that offer fast styling, and the leader of the same category is Drybar The Shot Collection.
Compared to Revlon One-Step Plus, Drybar is sturdier and more comfortable, it gets less hot and causes less heat damage, basically offering a more luxurious session. But these qualities come with a price, Drybar The Double Shot is $150, to be exact. It’s triple the cost of Revlon and the question here is about your budget.
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