Beauty One-Step Original vs Volumizer Plus 2.0: Worth the Upgrade
The Revlon One-Step Original and Volumizer Plus 2.0 are the two main choices. The original made the category famous at a low price. The Plus 2.0 refines it with a better motor and design. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer | Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0, Blac |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Standard | Improved, quieter |
| Drying speed | Good | Faster |
| Design | Classic oval | Slimmer, lighter |
| Heat settings | Multiple | More precise |
| Price | Budget-friendly | Higher |
| Best for | Occasional stylers | Frequent users |
| Results | Great blowout | Great blowout, faster |
Our Verdict
Choose the Original if you style occasionally and want the famous blowout for less. It still performs excellently. Choose the Plus 2.0 if you style several times weekly and want faster, quieter sessions. The upgrade is real but incremental. Both beat salon prices quickly.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Root lift and short hair styling.
Revlon One-Step Root Booster Round Brush Dryer, 1.5 inch
- 1.5 inch round brush
- Root lift focus
- Compact size
- Touch up styling
Pros
- Great root volume
- Maneuverable size
- Good for short hair
Cons
- Not for full head styling
- Small barrel slow on long hair
- Specialist tool
Best for: Reliable daily blowouts with a better motor.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer with Improved Motor, Black
- Improved motor version
- Classic black
- Oval brush
- Reliable performance
Pros
- Better motor life
- Proven design
- Good mid price
Cons
- Similar to original
- Bulky
- Cord could be longer
Best for: The classic blowout tool at the lowest price.
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Original, 2.8 inch
- Original 2.8 inch barrel
- The viral classic
- Black finish
- Simple controls
Pros
- The proven original
- Great price
- Millions of happy users
Cons
- Older motor tech
- Louder than 2.0
- Heavier feel
Heat and Speed Settings by Hair Type
The One-Step's heat settings are not decoration: each suits different hair. Fine or damaged hair belongs on low heat and low speed. The gentler airflow dries without blasting fragile strands, and the lower temperature prevents the breakage that high heat causes on compromised hair. Medium hair handles medium heat well. Thick or coarse hair needs high heat and high speed to dry in reasonable time: low settings on thick hair mean twenty-minute sessions that cause more cumulative damage than a quick high-heat pass.
The damage-avoidance logic is simple: use the lowest effective setting, not the lowest setting. Too-low heat on thick hair extends exposure time, and prolonged moderate heat damages more than brief higher heat. The Root Booster's 1.5-inch barrel suits short hair and root lift on any length, while the 2.8-inch Original covers long hair fastest. The improved motor in the newer Volumizer dries faster at the same temperature, which is genuinely healthier. Our air hair styler picks cover more hot-air tools with similar setting logic.
The 80 Percent Rule: Rough-Dry Before Styling
Using the One-Step on soaking wet hair is the top beginner mistake. The brush is a styling tool, not a drying workhorse: rough-dry first with a regular dryer or the One-Step on high heat held at a distance until hair is about 80 percent dry. Then switch to the brush for the styling pass, working in sections with the brush underneath and tension applied.
This two-phase method cuts styling time in half and dramatically reduces heat exposure. The 80-percent threshold matters because the final 20 percent is where shape forms: too wet and the style falls flat, too dry and you are just adding heat damage for no benefit. Work in clean sections, keep the brush moving, and do not park it in one spot. For thick hair, rough-drying is non-negotiable: attempting to style soaking thick hair with the brush alone takes forever and fries the ends. Our BaByliss hair dryers guide covers pro dryers for the rough-dry phase.
Maintenance: Cleaning Lint From the Bristles
The One-Step's bristles trap hair, lint, and product buildup that reduce performance over months. Clean it after every few uses: unplug the tool, let it cool completely, then pull trapped hair from the bristles with your fingers or a cleaning brush. Product buildup on the bristles transfers back onto clean hair, so wipe the barrel monthly with a damp cloth.
A burning smell during use usually means trapped hair heating against the element: stop and clean immediately. If the smell persists after thorough cleaning, the motor or element is failing and the tool needs replacement. Never use the tool with a damaged cord. Store it with the bristles protected, not crushed under other tools. The improved motor version lasts longer under daily use, but no hot-air brush survives neglect: five minutes of cleaning monthly doubles the tool's effective life. Our Andis 1875 dryer guide covers maintenance for traditional dryers with the same principles.
One more One-Step tip: always use heat protectant, even on the low setting. The brush holds hair against heat longer than a regular dryer, so protection matters more here, not less. A light spray before each section prevents the cumulative damage that daily users notice after months.
The 1.5-inch Root Booster deserves attention from short-haired buyers: full-size hot air brushes overwhelm pixies and bobs, but the smaller barrel reaches roots and shapes short layers beautifully. Match the barrel to your length for the best results.