Beauty Revlon Volumizer Plus Vs Original: Which Should You Buy?
The Volumizer Plus and the original Volumizer are Revlon's two flagship hot air brushes. One is newer and travel friendly, the other is bigger and simpler. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Drye | Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Drye |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS (Black) | Revlon One-Step Volumizer Original (Black) |
| Brush head size | 2.4 inch oval | 2.8 inch oval |
| Heat settings | Low, medium, high, cool | Low, high, cool |
| Detachable head | Yes, works as dryer | No |
| Heat exposure | 50 percent less | Standard |
| Best for travel | Yes, compact design | No, bulky |
| Price range | Around 60 dollars | Around 55 dollars |
Our Verdict
Choose the Plus if you want closer root styling, less heat damage, and a tool that travels. Its detachable head and four heat settings make it the more versatile pick. Choose the original Volumizer if you have very long hair and prefer the larger 2.8 inch brush head for fast passes. Both deliver the famous one-step blowout. The Plus wins on features and future proofing. The original wins on simplicity and sometimes price. For most buyers in 2026, the Plus is the better buy. Price differences between the two are usually small. Sales often bring the Plus close to the original's price. At similar prices, the Plus is the clear winner. Its extra features cost little more. The detachable head alone justifies the upgrade. Think long term, because you will use this tool for years. A slightly higher upfront cost pays off in versatility. Unless the original is deeply discounted, choose the Plus. Future you will appreciate the better tool.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Teal color fans wanting Plus features
Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler, Teal
- Same Plus technology and brush
- Charcoal-infused nylon pins
- 40 percent longer motor life
Pros
- Full Plus feature set
- Distinctive teal finish
- Good for mid-long hair
Cons
- Teal stock can be limited
- No performance edge over black
Want the Full Picture?
Heat Settings Matched to Hair Type
The Plus's four heat settings, low, medium, high, plus cool, versus the original's three is a genuine functional difference, not just marketing. Here is the mapping: fine or damaged hair lives on low, with medium for the occasional stubborn section. Medium hair uses medium as the daily driver and high only for the final smoothing pass. Thick, coarse hair can use high throughout, but should still finish on cool.
The damage-avoidance logic: every heat step up increases styling speed but also cuticle stress, so the goal is the lowest setting that gets the job done in a reasonable pass count. If you need five passes on low, one pass on medium is actually gentler overall, since repeated mechanical brushing stresses hair too. Start on medium, drop to low if hair dries too fast or feels hot to the touch, and step up only for resistant sections. The cool setting is not an afterthought; it is covered below as a technique in its own right. For pro dryer setting education, our Babyliss Pro Rapido guide covers speed, settings, and styling tips.
The Rough-Dry-Then-Style Technique With a Hot Air Brush
Hot air brushes tempt users to style soaking-wet hair, which is slow and damaging. The 80 percent rule fixes this: rough-dry hair to about 80 percent dry before the brush touches it for styling. With the Plus's detachable head, pop the brush off and use it as a dryer for the rough-dry phase, then click the brush on for the styling phase. This two-stage approach cuts total heat exposure dramatically.
Timing by section: rough-dry until hair feels damp but not wet, no drips, no squelch when squeezed. Then work in sections for the styled finish, one pass per section with tension. The original Volumizer's larger 2.8 inch head rough-dries faster on very long hair, which is its genuine advantage; the Plus's smaller head gives more styling control for the finish. Users who style from soaking wet report frizz and arm fatigue; users who rough-dry first report faster, smoother results. The technique matters more than the model. For salon-power drying education, our Andis 1875 dryer guide covers high-wattage technique at home prices.
Using the Cool Shot Properly
The cool setting on both Revlon models is the most underused feature on the tool. Cold air sets the hair's hydrogen bonds in their styled position, which is what makes a blowout last past noon. The sequence: style each section with heat, then hit the same section with cool air for five to ten seconds before releasing the tension. Skipping this step is why many home blowouts fall flat within hours.
Where it goes in the routine: cool shot comes last, always. Using cool air mid-style just extends drying time without setting anything. For the full head, do a final cool pass over everything after styling, which also smooths flyaways and adds shine by sealing the cuticle. The Plus's dedicated cool setting among its four options makes this easier than the original's toggle; treat it as a required final step, not an optional extra. Ten seconds of cool air per section buys hours of hold. Make it automatic and your blowouts will consistently outlast the ones you rushed.