Beauty Revlon Hair Tools Face-Off: Volumizer 2.0 vs One-Step Dryer
The Volumizer Plus 2.0 and the original One-Step dryer fight for the same bathroom counter. The 2.0 brings a refined design with better ergonomics and venting. The original brings a lower price and millions of happy reviews. Both dry and volumize in one step. Here is the direct comparison to help you choose. Budget tools can still perform well.
| Factor | REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer | REVLON One-Step Volumizer Original 1.0, |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Design | Slimmer handle, new vents | Original proven design |
| Barrel size | Slimmer for control | Larger for volume |
| Heat settings | Multiple with cool option | Multiple with cool option |
| Best hair length | Short to medium hair | Medium to long hair |
| Review volume | Newer, growing reviews | Massive proven review base |
Our Verdict
Pick the Plus 2.0 for the newest design and better handling on shorter hair. Pick the original for proven performance at the lowest price on longer hair. Both deliver the famous one-step blowout well. Your hair length and budget should make this call. Great technique beats expensive tools. Clean the brush head weekly to maintain performance.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Classic performance with a pop of color.
REVLON One-Step Volumizer Original 1.0, Red
- Original volumizer in red
- Same 1.0 performance
- Ionic frizz reduction
- Eye-catching red finish
Pros
- Same trusted performance
- Fun red color
- Good gift option
Cons
- Same limits as the black model
- Not for very short hair
- Brush head is fixed
Best for: Short to medium hair wanting root lift.
REVLON One-Step Root Booster Round Brush Dryer 1.5 Inch
- 1.5 inch round brush dryer
- Targets roots for lift
- Smaller barrel for shorter hair
- Ionic technology for shine
Pros
- Great root volume
- Suits shorter hair
- More control than oval
Cons
- Slower for very long hair
- Learning curve for technique
- Pricier than original
Best for: Fast drying with traditional dryer control.
REVLON Infrared Hair Dryer 1875W Rose Gold
- 1875W infrared heat technology
- Dries hair with less damage
- Rose gold stylish finish
- Multiple heat and speed settings
Pros
- Fast drying power
- Infrared is gentler
- Beautiful design
Cons
- No brush attached
- Needs separate styling tools
- Heavier than compact dryers
Want the Full Picture?
Heat and Speed Settings Mapped to Hair Type
No competitor maps the typical three-heat by two-speed combinations to hair types. The matrix: fine or damaged hair, low heat with high speed; the airflow does the drying work without the thermal stress. Medium hair, medium heat with high speed for everyday drying. Thick or coarse hair, high heat with high speed, the only combination that dries dense hair in reasonable time. Low speed settings suit precision styling with a concentrator; high speed suits rough-drying. The REVLON Infrared Hair Dryer 1875W in rose gold offers the full matrix, while the One-Step Volumizer Original 1.0 combines heat and airflow in a brush format with fewer choices to make.
The damage-avoidance rationale: heat damage scales with temperature and time, so the goal is always the lowest heat that dries in an acceptable time, with speed compensating. Fine hair at high heat dries marginally faster but pays in breakage; the time saved is never worth it. The Root Booster Round Brush Dryer 1.5 inch suits the medium-heat, high-speed combination for root lift without scorching the scalp. Our BaByliss hair dryers guide covers pro-tier setting options for comparison, and our Andis 1875 guide details salon power at a lower price point.
Dryer Maintenance: Filters, Lint, and Burning Smells
Filter cleaning frequency is never stated honestly. The real schedule: check the rear filter monthly, clean it every one to two months depending on use; heavy users and pet owners need monthly cleaning. Lint removal technique: unplug, remove the filter cap, brush lint out with a soft brush or old toothbrush, never poke into the intake with metal. A burning smell means either lint buildup near the heating element, which cleaning fixes, or degrading internal components, which means replacement.
When it means service versus replacement: if cleaning the filter stops the smell, it was lint; if the smell persists after cleaning, the heating element or motor is failing and the dryer is done. Continuing to use a dryer with a persistent burning smell is a fire risk, not just a hair risk. The One-Step brush tools need the same care; hair wraps around the brush barrel and restricts airflow, so clear it after each use. Reduced airflow with normal heat is the early warning sign of a clogged filter.
The Cold Shot Button: Where It Fits
Where in the sequence to use the cold shot is never explained properly. The cold shot belongs at the very end of drying each section: dry the section fully on heat, then hit the cold shot for five to ten seconds while holding the section in its styled shape. What it does: the rapid cooling sets the hydrogen bonds in the hair, locking the shape and adding shine. How long to hold it: until the section feels cool to the touch, usually under ten seconds; longer adds nothing.
The common mistake is using the cold shot on damp hair, which just extends drying time without setting anything; the hair must be fully dry first. On the One-Step Volumizer, the cool setting serves the same purpose at the end of each pass. For curly hair, the cold shot after diffusing sets the curl pattern and reduces frizz measurably. It is the most underused button on every dryer, and the one with the best effort-to-result ratio.