Dyson Airwrap vs Revlon One-Step: Worth the Splurge?
The Dyson Airwrap costs $600. The Revlon One-Step costs $35. Both style your hair. So what on earth justifies that price gap? Honestly, more than you'd think — but maybe not as much as Dyson wants you to believe. The Revlon One-Step is the people's champion. It's a round brush with a built-in dryer that gives you a salon-style blowout in one pass. Millions of people swear by it, and at $35 it's basically an impulse buy. It works great on medium to long hair, dries and styles simultaneously, and looks way more expensive than it is. The downside? It uses direct heat, which isn't ideal for damaged or fine hair. And it really only does one style — the voluminous blowout. The Dyson Airwrap is a different animal. It uses the Coanda effect to wrap hair around the barrel using air, not direct heat. This means less heat damage, more styling options (curls, waves, smooth blowout), and it works on more hair types. The multi-styler attachments are genuinely impressive. But $600 is real money, and there's a learning curve. If you want a middle ground, the Shark FlexStyle does similar things to the Airwrap at about half the price.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long | Hair-Styler | Styles without extreme heat damage | Buy on Amazon |
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler | Hair-Dryer | Dries and styles simultaneously | Buy on Amazon |
| Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer | Hair-Dryer | Scalp-sensing heat protection | Buy on Amazon |
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush | Hair-Dryer | Combines dryer and brush in one tool | Buy on Amazon |
| Shark FlexStyle Air Styling System | Hair-Styler | Versatile styling attachments | Buy on Amazon |
| Dyson Airstrait Straightener | Hair-Straightener | No hot plates touching hair | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
Multi-styler that curls, waves, smooths, and dries simultaneously. Coanda airflow technology styles with air, not extreme heat. 6 attachments for different styles including barrels, brushes, and dryer. Intelligent heat control measures temperature 40 times per second.
- Styles without extreme heat damage
- Versatile 6-attachment system
- Premium build quality
- Works on all hair types
- Very expensive
- Learning curve to master
Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler
Combined hair dryer and volumizer brush that dries and styles in one step. Oval design creates volume at the root while drying ends smooth. Multiple heat and speed settings with a cool tip for safe handling.
- Dries and styles simultaneously
- Creates salon-quality volume
- Very affordable
- Easy to use
- Can be heavy for extended use
- Not ideal for very short hair
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Premium hair dryer with scalp-sensing Nural technology that measures surface temperature 4,800 times per second to prevent heat damage. Intelligent heat control adapts airflow and temperature in real time for healthier styling.
- Scalp-sensing heat protection
- Fast drying with controlled heat
- Powerful digital motor
- Multiple magnetic attachments
- Very expensive
- Heavy compared to basic dryers
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 combines a hair dryer and a round brush in one tool to simultaneously dry and style hair with voluminous blowout results in less time than separate tools. Three heat and speed settings let you customize the level of heat for fine or thick hair types. The oval brush shape and long bristles grab more hair per stroke for faster styling.
- Combines dryer and brush in one tool
- Faster blowout than two separate tools
- Affordable for the results it delivers
- Can be tiring to hold for long sessions
- Cord is shorter than ideal
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling System
Multi-function hair dryer and styler with Coanda airflow technology. Auto-wrap curlers, oval brush, paddle brush, and concentrator attachments included. No extreme heat styling reduces damage.
- Versatile styling attachments
- Less heat damage than traditional tools
- Auto-wrap curling feature
- More affordable than Dyson Airwrap
- Bulkier than standalone dryer
- Learning curve for best results
Dyson Airstrait Straightener
Hair straightener that uses high-pressure airflow instead of hot plates, straightening wet hair in a single pass without extreme contact heat. Intelligent heat control with three styling modes for different hair types.
- No hot plates touching hair
- Straightens from wet hair
- Reduces heat damage
- Three styling modes
- Very expensive
- Heavier than traditional straighteners
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dyson Airwrap really worth $600?
It depends on how much you style your hair and how much you value reduced heat damage. If you blow dry and curl your hair 4-5 times a week, the Airwrap saves you time and protects your hair long-term. If you style once a week for going out, just get the Revlon and save $565.
Does the Revlon One-Step damage hair?
It can if you use it on soaking wet hair or hold it in one spot too long. Use it on hair that's about 80% dry and keep it moving — don't let it sit on any section for more than a few seconds. A heat protectant spray is non-negotiable with any hot tool, this one included.
What about the Shark FlexStyle as a middle ground?
It's a strong option. The Shark FlexStyle does the air-styling thing like the Dyson Airwrap but costs around $300. It's not quite as polished — the attachments aren't as refined and the motor isn't as powerful — but for most people it gets you 85% of the Dyson experience at half the price. Worth a serious look.
Which is better for curly or natural hair?
The Dyson Airwrap, hands down. The air-based styling is gentler and the diffuser attachment is excellent for defining curls without frizz. The Revlon One-Step is really designed for straightening and adding volume — it doesn't play as well with naturally curly textures.