Hairstylists Rave About This $270 Air Styler, But Thousands of Shoppers Are Still Loyal to This $65 Version

In 2023, having a hair dryer, curling wand, and round brush just doesn’t make sense. While multi-use hair stylers have technically been around forever, a few influential brands have ensured that nearly every beauty girlie has (or wants) one of these volumizing tools in their drawers. After all, they make getting that freshly blown-out look so much faster. 

The appeal of hot brushes — whether it’s a standard round brush or a curling barrel — is their ability to dry damp strands , while simultaneously shaping and detangling your mane. The smooth, bouncy results can’t be beat, but of course, not all of these styling staples are made equal. Below is a comparison of the buzzy Shark FlexStyle System and the affordable, shopper-championed Revlon One Step Volumizer, intended to help you decide whether to save or splurge on this must-have tool. 

Save: Revlon One Step Volumizer

Buy It: $65, amazon.com

Key Features:

Main Specs: Three heat settings let you quickly run the round brush through damp hair, creating flips and volume in much less time than a regular hair dryer. Plus, this minimized exposure time to high heat protects your strands from damage.

Other Features: Soft nylon brussels detangle hair without creating breakage, while a ceramic coating emits negative ions to reduce frizz and dryness.

What We Love:

With more than 265,000 perfect ratings, this hot brush is an Amazon best-seller and a favorite of so many shoppers. According to reviewers, it dries hair “in record time” and eliminates frizz to create “the most perfect blowout” with ease. In short, it’s a very simple design done extremely well. 

Keep in Mind:

Unlike pricier devices, the brush head on the Volumizer is not detachable, so there are no add-on tools like an air curler or diffuser. 

Splurge: Shark HD430 FlexStyle System

Buy It: $270, amazon.com

Key Features:

Main Specs: This device dries hair and creates a blowout with very little damage to your hair by combining low heat with an extremely strong airflow. 

Other Features: The high-end styling tool comes with five attachable heads: A blow dryer nozzle, round brush, a straightening paddle brush, and two wrap barrels that curl hair in opposite directions. 

What We Love:

The Shark FlexStyle System “is a really good product” according to YouTube-famous hairstylist, Brad Mondo, who added that it’s “nearly as good” as the coveted Dyson Airwrap — but costs half the price. Like Dyson’s $600 model, this tool styles hair using the Coanda effect, a method that shapes with high-speed airflow rather than heat, which seriously cuts down on damage. Best of all, shoppers say their curls last “for days.”

Keep in Mind:

This tool is not made with a ceramic coating, which can prevent it from heating up as quickly and evenly. What’s more, creating symmetrical curls takes some practice. 

In Conclusion:

Will both of these devices help you achieve a sleek, volumized look in very little time at home? Absolutely. The key difference between these two tools is the addition of multiple brush heads for specific styling needs on the pricier Shark model. The main similarity is their ability to cut down on heat damage from styling tools The Revlon Volumizer is a safer choice than a high heat blow dryer, straightener, or any other appliance that involves exposing your hair to very hot temperatures for extended periods of time. However, if you have fine or delicate hair, color your strands with bleach, or style it on a daily basis — or if you want more styling choices — the lower heat Shark FlexStyle System might be your best option.