Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0

Should you buy the Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0?

The Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 is the hot-air brush for someone with short-to-medium, straight-to-wavy hair who wants a salon blowout at home without spending real money. At $48.87 list, and often $40 to $52 on sale, it ranks #8 of 12 hair styling tools and has the best Value score in the category. It is not for curly or coily hair, and it is not a multi-tool. If you want interchangeable heads, the Wavytalk Air Sculpt 5-in-1 costs similar money; if you want a full dryer and styler system, that is the Shark FlexStyle.

Where it earns its score

• Highest Value score in hair styling tools. Value hits 94, and Satisfaction at 88 says buyers actually like the results.
• Slimmer barrel than the original. The 2.4-inch oval barrel is smaller than the 3.5-inch original, which makes it easier to get lift at the roots and to flip ends on shorter hair.
• Detachable brush head. The head pulls off for storage and cleaning, which the original never allowed.
• Simple to use. Four settings, including cool, and ionic output; there is no learning curve.

What to know first

• Warranty is the weakest ViperScore factor. It scores 66 and coverage is basic, which matches the price.
• Plastic build. Quality scores 74; it feels like a $50 tool next to the ghd Duet or T3.
• High setting runs hot. Reviewers with fine hair report damage on high, so start on medium.
• Not for curly or coily hair. Revlon says so, and the bristle design backs that up.

Questions buyers ask