The Revlon One-Step Volumizer became a genuinely unexpected phenomenon. A single tool that could dry and style hair at the same time, at a price that made premium multi-stylers look almost absurd by comparison — it resonated with millions of people who were tired of juggling a blow dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other.
The Volumizer Plus (sometimes called the 2.0) followed, adding upgrades that Revlon says address the most common complaints about the original.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through a link on this page, Natural Skin Studio may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own.
But it is 2026. The Dyson Airwrap has been refined. Shark, T3, Drybar and a wave of newer competitors have entered the blow-dry brush market. So the real question is not whether the Revlon One-Step Plus is a decent tool. It is whether it still deserves a place in your bathroom compared with everything else available right now.
- Closer-to-root styling: The smaller 2.4 in oval barrel offers added control for root lift, soft waves, flips, and curls
- Best for shorter lengths: Choose Volumizer Plus for chin length to mid-length hair or when you want more precision than …
- 6 heat settings: Select Cool, Low, Medium, or High for more styling control across drying, shaping, and refreshing
That is exactly what this review is here to answer.
Quick Verdict
| Best for | Volume-focused blowouts on medium-length hair, everyday styling on a budget |
| Not ideal for | Severely damaged or bleached hair, users who need multiple styling attachments |
| Main strength | Combines drying and volumizing in one accessible, easy-to-learn tool |
| Main weakness | Heat management and frizz control can fall short of premium competitors |
| 2026 value | Strong at its price point; outclassed only if you need versatility beyond a blowout |
| Who should buy | Budget-conscious buyers who want a simpler morning routine and prioritize root volume |
| Who should skip | Anyone whose hair is color-damaged, heat-sensitive, or who needs curling and smoothing in the same tool |
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0: What Is It?
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is a hot air brush — a category that sits somewhere between a traditional blow dryer and a round brush, without being quite either one.
A conventional blow dryer moves air. A round brush shapes hair. You use both hands, you alternate tools, and the process takes time and practice. A hot air brush combines the airflow of a dryer with the shape of a barrel brush so that one tool dries and styles simultaneously.
Where the Revlon Plus differs from a flat iron is equally important. A flat iron clamps wet or dry hair between heated plates. The One-Step uses heated airflow and bristles to lift, smooth and dry hair around a barrel — a gentler mechanical action on the hair shaft, though heat exposure is still a real consideration.
The Plus version, as covered on the official Revlon product page, is positioned as a refinement of the original One-Step rather than a complete redesign. It keeps the core concept — one tool, one step — while adding specific improvements that the original lacked.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product type | Hot air brush / blow-dry brush |
| Barrel/head size | 2.4-inch oval head |
| Heat settings | Four: low, medium, high, cool |
| Cool setting | Yes |
| Barrel technology | Ceramic titanium (manufacturer specification) |
| Bristle technology | Tourmaline ionic technology; activated charcoal nylon pins (manufacturer specification) |
| Detachable head | Yes |
| Handle design | Slimmer than original One-Step |
| Warranty | Four-year limited warranty (per Revlon) |
| Intended styling use | Volumizing blowout, root lift, smoothing |
Important note: Revlon claims the Plus delivers up to 75% shinier blowouts, 50% less heat exposure compared with the original, and cuts styling time roughly in half. These are Revlon’s marketing figures, not independently verified measurements. They are worth knowing, but they should not be treated as laboratory results.
- Closer-to-root styling: The smaller 2.4 in oval barrel offers added control for root lift, soft waves, flips, and curls
- Best for shorter lengths: Choose Volumizer Plus for chin length to mid-length hair or when you want more precision than …
- 6 heat settings: Select Cool, Low, Medium, or High for more styling control across drying, shaping, and refreshing
What’s New Compared With the Original Revlon One-Step?
| Feature | Original One-Step | One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head/barrel size | Larger oval head | 2.4-inch oval | Smaller head offers more maneuverability near roots and face |
| Heat settings | Low and high | Low, medium, high, cool | Medium setting adds meaningful control for different hair types |
| Handle | Wider, heavier feel | Slimmer design | Reduces fatigue during longer styling sessions |
| Detachable head | No | Yes | Easier cleaning, simpler storage |
| Styling control | Limited temperature gradation | More granular heat options | Allows gentler settings when high heat is unnecessary |
| Portability/storage | Bulkier to store | More compact with detached head | Practical for smaller bathrooms or travel bags |
| Suitability for shorter hair/bangs | Workable but awkward | Improved maneuverability | Reviewers at WIRED specifically noted it as useful for bangs |
| Heat-management considerations | Fewer options | Additional settings | Medium and cool settings reduce the need to default to high heat |
As Allure’s reviewer noted, the smaller design and slimmer handle make the Plus noticeably easier to handle than the original — a real-world difference for anyone who found the first version tiring to work with.
How Well Does the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Actually Work?
Honest answer: better than most tools at this price, within a specific set of expectations.
Volume and root lift are where this brush genuinely earns its reputation. The oval barrel shape creates lift at the roots that a paddle brush or flat iron simply cannot replicate. Good Housekeeping describes the oval design as an effective hybrid of paddle-brush smoothing and round-brush volume — and that framing is accurate.
Drying performance is solid. The simultaneous airflow and heat move through hair efficiently, and users consistently report that styling time drops meaningfully compared with using separate tools.
Smoothing is moderate. It tidies the cuticle well enough for everyday wear, but it does not rival the glassy finish that a proper flat iron or the Dyson Airwrap’s smoothing attachments can achieve.
Frizz is where the tool has real limitations. WIRED’s review points out that the Revlon Plus produces more frizz than premium competitors, which matters most for naturally frizzy or wavy hair types. This is not a failure unique to Revlon — it reflects the mechanical difference between hot air brushes and tools with more sophisticated airflow technology.
Waves and soft bends are achievable with technique, but the Revlon Plus is primarily a volumizing tool, not a curling one. Expecting defined curls from it will lead to disappointment.
Bangs respond particularly well to the smaller head size of the Plus version. The extra maneuverability that reviewers and users have highlighted makes touch-up styling around the face noticeably easier.
The key word throughout is realistic. This tool creates a polished, voluminous blowout — not an exact replica of a professional salon finish, but a result that most people will find genuinely satisfying for everyday wear.
- Closer-to-root styling: The smaller 2.4 in oval barrel offers added control for root lift, soft waves, flips, and curls
- Best for shorter lengths: Choose Volumizer Plus for chin length to mid-length hair or when you want more precision than …
- 6 heat settings: Select Cool, Low, Medium, or High for more styling control across drying, shaping, and refreshing
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus for Different Hair Types
| Hair type | What to expect | Recommended approach | Main concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine hair | Good volume; possible frizz | Use low or medium heat; start with mostly dry hair | Overheating thin strands; frizz at higher settings |
| Straight hair | Strong smoothing and volume | Medium heat; light heat protectant | Minimal concerns when used correctly |
| Wavy hair | Enhanced waves, added volume | Medium heat; fewer passes | Frizz amplification without good heat protectant |
| Thick hair | Effective drying; volume may be less dramatic | High heat may be needed; section carefully | Longer styling time; may need multiple passes |
| Coarse hair | Modest smoothing; decent volume | High heat with thorough heat protectant | Frizz; less effective on very coarse textures |
| Curly hair | Can loosen curls with volume; stretch-style results | Proceed cautiously; test on small section | Heat damage risk; may disrupt curl pattern |
| Color-treated hair | Usable with proper precautions | Start with lower heat; always use heat protectant | Increased heat sensitivity in chemically treated hair |
| Damaged/bleached hair | Not the ideal primary tool | Consider alternatives or limit to occasional use at low heat | Weakened hair structure more vulnerable to heat exposure |
| Short hair | Improved maneuverability with Plus design | Lower heat; smaller sections | Scalp proximity; potential for overheating |
| Medium-length hair | Sweet spot for this tool | Standard technique; medium or high heat as needed | Limited concerns with correct technique |
| Long hair | More time-consuming; requires patience | Section thoroughly; start from underneath | Fatigue; longer exposure time |
Does the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Damage Hair?
This question deserves a careful, honest answer — not a marketing dismissal or an alarmist warning.
Heat styling can contribute to hair damage when tools are misused, overused, or applied to hair that is not prepared for it. That is true of every heat-styling tool, from a basic blow dryer to the Dyson Airwrap.
The specific risk factors worth understanding with the Revlon Plus:
Soaking-wet hair is more vulnerable. The protein bonds in wet hair are in a weakened state. Applying sustained direct heat to dripping-wet hair creates more mechanical and thermal stress than styling hair that has been partially dried first. Both Good Housekeeping and Allure’s reviewers emphasize starting with partially dried hair for exactly this reason, and a hairstylist quoted in Allure’s coverage recommends removing excess moisture before reaching for any blow-dry brush.
High heat across repeated passes accumulates. A single pass on high heat may not cause visible damage. Many passes on high heat, session after session, without heat protectant, on already-fragile hair, is a different situation entirely.
Hair type changes the calculation. Fine, bleached, chemically processed or previously heat-damaged hair is more vulnerable than healthy, thick hair. What one person can use daily without visible consequence may cause noticeable breakage for another person over time.
Heat protectant is not optional. It is the most practical way to reduce the risk of moisture loss and cuticle damage during any heat-styling session.
The Revlon Plus does not automatically damage hair. But it can contribute to heat damage when used on soaking-wet hair, at unnecessarily high temperatures, or without appropriate heat protection — especially on fragile or compromised hair. Using the additional heat settings in the Plus version gives you more control to keep heat exposure lower when your hair allows for it.
For a broader look at heat-safe styling options, our guide to hair straightening tools and products covers what to look for when choosing tools that work with your hair’s specific needs.
How to Use the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Correctly
Technique makes an outsized difference with this tool. Users who report poor results often describe skipping steps that meaningfully change the outcome.
- Wash and condition as normal. Use a conditioner appropriate for your hair type.
- Gently towel-dry. Blot rather than rub — rubbing disturbs the cuticle when hair is at its most fragile.
- Apply heat protectant. Work it through damp hair from mid-length to ends. Do not skip this step.
- Remove excess moisture first. Use a regular blow dryer on low heat for a few minutes, or allow hair to air-dry to about 70–80% dry before switching to the Revlon Plus. Starting on soaking-wet hair increases heat exposure unnecessarily.
- Section the hair. Clip upper sections away and work from the nape upward. Smaller sections give more consistent results.
- Select the appropriate heat setting. Start with medium rather than immediately reaching for high. Fine or damaged hair may only need low or medium throughout.
- Work from roots to ends in smooth, controlled motions. Roll the brush slightly at the root to encourage lift.
- Hold briefly at the roots before moving downward. This is where the volume is built.
- Use the cool setting at the end of each section to help set the style. This step is often skipped and noticeably affects how long the volume holds.
- Finish with a lightweight smoothing product if needed — a small amount of serum or a light mist can tame any remaining flyaways without weighing down the volume you just created.
For shorter hair or bangs, use smaller sections and take advantage of the Plus version’s more maneuverable head. For thick or long hair, patience and thorough sectioning matter more than heat level.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines drying and volumizing in a single tool, reducing styling steps and overall time
- Strong root lift and volume that is difficult to achieve with a paddle brush alone
- Simple learning curve compared with multi-attachment styling systems
- More affordable than premium competitors while delivering genuinely useful results
- The Plus upgrade adds a meaningful medium heat setting and a detachable head
- Four heat settings including cool give more control than the original
- Slimmer handle reduces fatigue compared with the first version
- Four-year limited warranty is a genuine differentiator at this price point
- Effective on bangs and face-framing sections with the improved head size
Cons
- Frizz control is limited compared with premium tools — a real issue for wavy or naturally frizzy hair
- High heat setting can be harsh on fragile or color-treated hair if used carelessly
- Brush-style format is bulkier and less versatile than a multi-attachment styler
- Not suited for creating defined curls or polished sleek results in the way a dedicated curling tool or flat iron would achieve
- Noise level is comparable to a standard hair dryer — not quiet
- Some users with shorter hair or those who hold it at certain angles report scalp pressure discomfort
- Does not replace a blow dryer entirely for users with very thick or very long hair who need more targeted airflow control
- Closer-to-root styling: The smaller 2.4 in oval barrel offers added control for root lift, soft waves, flips, and curls
- Best for shorter lengths: Choose Volumizer Plus for chin length to mid-length hair or when you want more precision than …
- 6 heat settings: Select Cool, Low, Medium, or High for more styling control across drying, shaping, and refreshing
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus vs Dyson Airwrap
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus | Dyson Airwrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Price category | Budget-friendly | Premium investment |
| Versatility | Single-purpose blow-dry brush | Multi-attachment styling system |
| Drying | Effective | Effective |
| Volume | Strong | Strong |
| Smoothing | Moderate | Superior with appropriate attachment |
| Curling | Not designed for it | Yes, with barrel attachments |
| Learning curve | Low | Moderate |
| Heat-control philosophy | Four settings; user-controlled | Coanda airflow; designed to reduce direct heat contact |
| Portability | Standard | Comes with case; heavier overall kit |
| Value for different buyers | Excellent for budget-conscious volume seekers | Justified for users who need multi-purpose styling |
The Dyson Airwrap is genuinely superior in versatility and in its approach to reducing direct heat contact with the hair. But it costs a multiple of what the Revlon Plus costs. For someone whose primary goal is a voluminous everyday blowout — not curls, not a sleek straight finish, not multiple styling modes — that price gap buys capabilities they may simply not need. For someone who wants all of the above from one tool, the Dyson is worth the investment.
Neither tool is the universal answer. The honest question is what you actually do with your hair on most mornings.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus vs T3 AireBrush
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus | T3 AireBrush | |
|---|---|---|
| Styling approach | High-volume hot air brush | Refined hot air brush with smoother airflow |
| Price positioning | Accessible | Mid-to-premium range |
| Volume | Strong | Strong |
| Smoothing | Moderate | Better frizz control |
| Hair-type suitability | Broad but variable on frizzy hair | Better suited to frizz-prone and fine hair |
| Controls | Four heat settings | More precise heat control |
| Overall versatility | Limited to blowout styling | Similar scope but with more refinement |
| Value | High at its price | Justified for users with frizz concerns or fine hair |
The T3 AireBrush sits in a middle ground that the Revlon Plus does not occupy. It offers meaningfully better frizz management and more refined heat control without requiring the full investment of a Dyson. For anyone with wavy, fine or frizz-prone hair who is considering the Revlon Plus, the T3 is worth comparing before making a final decision. But for someone primarily concerned with volume on cooperative hair, the Revlon Plus competes effectively at a lower price.
Is the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Worth Buying in 2026?
This is the section that matters.
It may be worth buying if:
- You want an affordable, accessible blowout brush and are not trying to replicate a salon keratin treatment
- Volume is your primary styling goal and smooth, sleek results are secondary
- You want a simpler morning routine with fewer tools to juggle
- You do not need curling attachments or a multi-mode styling system
- You are comfortable using heat protectant, starting with partially dry hair and adjusting heat settings thoughtfully
- You have medium-length, straight, or lightly wavy hair that responds well to hot air brushes
- You want a product with a meaningful warranty at an accessible price point
Think twice if:
- Your hair is severely damaged, bleached or otherwise compromised — this is not the right primary styling tool for fragile hair
- You need highly precise digital temperature control for sensitive hair
- You want curling, smoothing and volumizing from a single multi-attachment tool
- You travel internationally frequently and voltage compatibility is a concern
- You find brush-style tools physically tiring or uncomfortable to maneuver
- Your hair is naturally very frizzy or coarse and you have found that hot air brushes amplify rather than reduce that frizz
The broader market has genuinely improved since the Revlon One-Step first became popular. Newer tools offer more attachment variety, more sophisticated airflow systems and lighter designs. But most of those improvements come at a significantly higher price, and many of them solve problems that not every buyer has.
If your hair plays reasonably well with heat styling, if your primary goal is a lifted, voluminous blowout for everyday wear, and if you want to simplify your routine without spending at the premium end of the market, the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus still earns its place in 2026.
That is not a diminished endorsement — it is an accurate one.
Who Should Buy the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus?
- The practical morning styler who wants to cut their routine to one tool without overthinking it
- Budget-conscious buyers who cannot justify premium multi-styler pricing for a blowout brush
- Straight to lightly wavy hair types who want consistent root volume without daily effort
- People new to blow-dry brushes who want an accessible entry point with a low learning curve
- Anyone styling medium-length hair — the sweet spot where the tool’s size and airflow balance most naturally
- Bang and face-frame stylists who will appreciate the improved maneuverability of the Plus design
- Minimalists who want to clear counter space by replacing a blow dryer and round brush with one tool
- Closer-to-root styling: The smaller 2.4 in oval barrel offers added control for root lift, soft waves, flips, and curls
- Best for shorter lengths: Choose Volumizer Plus for chin length to mid-length hair or when you want more precision than …
- 6 heat settings: Select Cool, Low, Medium, or High for more styling control across drying, shaping, and refreshing
Who Should Skip It?
- Anyone with severely damaged or heavily bleached hair who should be limiting heat exposure and prioritizing recovery
- Curly-hair users who rely on their natural texture and do not want to risk disrupting it with sustained heat
- Very thick or very long hair users who may find the brush format inefficient compared with a powerful standalone dryer
- Premium multi-styler seekers who want curling, straightening and volumizing from one system
- Frizz-prone hair types who have found that hot air brushes amplify rather than control their texture
- Frequent international travelers who need to confirm voltage compatibility before purchasing
- Users who dislike heavier brush-format tools and prefer lightweight, targeted airflow devices
How Does It Compare With Newer Blow-Dry Brushes in 2026?
The blow-dry brush market is meaningfully more crowded than it was when the original Revlon One-Step launched. A useful overview of current options is available through Woman & Home’s roundup of the best hair dryer brushes, which tracks how the field has evolved.
Premium competitors now offer:
- More attachment variety within a single system
- More precise digital or intelligent heat management
- Lighter materials that reduce arm fatigue
- Airflow systems designed to minimize direct heat contact
- Smoother finishes that better address frizz
What they typically do not offer at competitive pricing is the Revlon’s combination of accessibility, simplicity and volume performance in a single, approachable package.
The honest assessment is that if volume is your end goal and your hair type cooperates with hot air brushes, the improvements in newer premium tools may not meaningfully change your daily result. If you need the additional capabilities — the versatility, the frizz control on difficult hair, the multi-mode styling — then those upgrades are worth paying for.
The Revlon Plus is not the most advanced tool in the category. It does not need to be, for the buyer it is designed for.
Our Final Take
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is not the product to buy if you want the best blow-dry brush on the market regardless of price. It is the product to buy if you want a capable, volume-focused blow-dry brush at a price that makes sense for your budget and your styling needs.
The Plus upgrades — the medium heat setting, the detachable head, the slimmer handle, the improved maneuverability — are not marketing noise. They are practical improvements that address real criticisms of the original. Reviewers at Allure and WIRED both found the Plus meaningfully easier to use than its predecessor.
The limitations are equally real. Frizz control is not its strength. Hair that is already compromised deserves more careful consideration before introducing another heat tool. And users who want a single device that curls, smooths and volumizes will find the Revlon Plus genuinely limited compared with multi-attachment systems.
Is it still worth buying in 2026? For the right buyer, yes — clearly. For someone with thick, frizzy or heat-sensitive hair, or for someone who needs more than a blowout brush, probably not.
Know what you are buying it for. Use heat protectant. Start with partially dried hair. Keep the heat setting at the lowest level that gets the job done. If that routine aligns with your hair type and your goals, the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus remains a smart, practical buy in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus worth buying in 2026?
For budget-conscious buyers who want a simple, volume-focused blowout brush, yes. The Plus still offers strong performance at its price point. It becomes a harder sell if you need curling versatility, premium frizz control, or have severely damaged hair that needs to minimize heat exposure.
Is the Revlon One-Step Plus better than the original?
In most practical ways, yes. The additional medium heat setting, the detachable head, the slimmer handle and the smaller barrel all address real limitations of the original One-Step. These are not superficial changes — they make the tool noticeably easier to control and store.
Is Revlon One-Step Plus good for fine hair?
Fine hair can achieve good volume with this tool, but it is worth using medium or low heat rather than defaulting to high. Fine hair is more susceptible to heat damage and can also become frizzy at higher airflow intensity. Starting with mostly dry hair and a good heat protectant makes a meaningful difference.
Can the Revlon One-Step Plus damage hair?
Like any heat tool, it can contribute to damage when misused — specifically when used on soaking-wet hair, at unnecessarily high temperatures, or without heat protectant. Used correctly on reasonably healthy hair with appropriate precautions, the risk is comparable to standard blow-drying.
Should hair be wet or dry before using Revlon One-Step Plus?
Partially dry is the right answer. Hair that is 70–80% dry before you start reduces styling time, limits heat exposure and protects against the additional vulnerability that completely wet hair carries. Both Good Housekeeping and Allure’s coverage align on this point.
Is Revlon One-Step Plus good for thick hair?
It can work on thick hair but requires patience and thorough sectioning. Volume results may be less dramatic than on fine or medium hair, and drying time will be longer. Users with very thick hair may find a powerful standalone blow dryer more efficient for the drying phase.
Can Revlon One-Step Plus replace a blow dryer?
For many users with medium-length hair, yes — it can handle both drying and styling in one step. Users with very thick, very long or very curly hair may still benefit from using a conventional dryer for the initial drying phase before switching to the Revlon Plus for finishing.
Is Revlon One-Step Plus better than Dyson Airwrap?
They are different tools for different priorities. The Dyson Airwrap offers superior versatility, better frizz control and a more sophisticated airflow system. The Revlon Plus costs a fraction of the price and does its primary job — volumizing blowouts — well. If budget and simplicity matter most, Revlon. If you want a multi-purpose premium system, Dyson.
How often can you use Revlon One-Step Plus?
There is no universal frequency limit, but frequent daily heat styling on fine, damaged or color-treated hair increases cumulative heat exposure over time. Many stylists suggest limiting heat styling to a few times per week for vulnerable hair types and always using heat protectant regardless of frequency.
Does Revlon One-Step Plus reduce frizz?
It smooths hair better than air-drying and can reduce surface frizz on cooperative hair types. However, compared with premium competitors, frizz control is not its strongest feature. Wavy or naturally frizzy hair may still see some frizz, particularly at higher heat settings without adequate heat protectant.