Drybar The Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush, 2.4 Inch Review
Better made, same limits
As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes our verdict.
Verdict: Good, With a Catch
Good, With a CatchThe short answer: It gives a smooth, bent-under blowout with volume at the root on hair that is already mostly dry, and it feels better built than the cheaper brushes. Used on wet hair it is slow and disappointing, which the marketing does not mention.
- Buy it if
- People who already like the hot-brush blowout and want one that feels less like a toy.
- Skip it if
- You want to skip the rough-dry step, or your hair is above the shoulders.
- Best feature
- A solid barrel, a nicely mixed bristle pattern and three temperature settings including a cool one.
- Biggest annoyance
- It only works on hair that is already mostly dry, and the barrel is large for short hair.
- The catch
- You still need a dryer first. Start on wet hair and it takes forever and the result is frizzier than the box implies; the good blowout only happens on hair that is nearly dry already.
- Evaluation
- In use since October 2025
- Model
- Drybar Double Shot
The 20-second verdict
Better made, same limits It gives a smooth, bent-under blowout with volume at the root on hair that is already mostly dry, and it feels better built than the cheaper brushes. Used on wet hair it is slow and disappointing, which the marketing does not mention. Best for: People who already like the hot-brush blowout and want one that feels less like a toy. Skip if: You want to skip the rough-dry step, or your hair is above the shoulders.
What we loved, and what annoyed us
What we loved
- Smooth blowout finish with root lift
- Barrel and bristles feel well made
- Three settings including a real cool option
- Long swivel cord
What annoyed us
- Needs a rough-dry first
- Heavy at the end of a long session
- Oval barrel is large for short or layered hair
What We Loved
On damp hair, after a quick rough-dry, it does a convincing blowout in a few minutes. The barrel is big enough to lift roots and smooth a wide section in one pass, and the mix of stiff and soft bristles keeps a grip without tugging. It felt sturdier than the Revlon it replaced: the barrel does not creak, the bristles have not flattened, and the cool setting is useful for setting the shape at the end.
What Annoyed Us
We tried it on wet hair as the box seems to suggest and it took an age and left frizz. It is heavy at the barrel end, so long hair means a tired arm. The oval is too big for a fringe or short layers, and the highest heat setting is hotter than we would use on any regular basis.
The Catch
It is a finishing tool that the marketing presents as a one-step tool. Once you accept the rough-dry step it is very good; if you bought it to skip that step, you will be disappointed.
Who it is for
- Shoulder-length or longer hair that wants a smooth, bouncy finish
- People who found the cheaper brushes flimsy
- Anyone who already rough-dries before styling
Who should skip it
- Short or heavily layered hair
- Anyone hoping to go from wet to done with one tool
How we evaluated it
- Evaluation period
- Eleven months, several times a week
- Where
- Home bathroom, long medium-texture hair and a second tester with shoulder-length fine hair
- What we did with it
- Blowouts after a rough-dry, attempts from wet, touch-ups on day-two hair
- Compared against
- The Revlon One-Step volumizer and the Shark FlexStyle oval brush
- What we looked at
- Time from damp to finished, frizz by eye, bristle wear, how hot the barrel got by hand
- Limitations
- We did not test on curly or coily hair
- Product source
- Purchased at retail
- Dates
- October 2025 – ongoing
Read how we evaluate products and our editorial standards.
Performance
From damp it produces a glossy, turned-under blowout that lasts through the day. From wet it is slow and the ends frizz. The heat is even across the barrel and the ionic claim is not something we could verify beyond noting less static than the Revlon.
Ease of use, design, and build quality
Ease of use
Controls are a single button that cycles settings, which means passing through the hot setting to reach cool. The weight is fine for ten minutes and tiring for twenty.
Design and build quality
Drybar yellow with a grey barrel; it is the only hair tool in the drawer that looks cheerful. The build feels solid.
Privacy and connectivity
No app, no account, nothing to connect.
Safety notes
The barrel gets hot enough to burn a neck or ear if you linger; keep the brush moving. No auto shut-off noted.
Cleaning, maintenance, and ongoing costs
Hair wraps at the base of the bristles and needs picking out weekly. The rear filter is a small grille that collects lint and wants a brush.
What it keeps costing you
| Consumables | None |
|---|---|
| Expected life | A few years; the bristles are the wear part |
Value
It costs more than the viral brushes and you get a sturdier barrel, better bristles and a cool setting. Whether that is worth it depends on how often you blowout; for weekly use the cheaper one is fine.
Alternatives
The Revlon One-Step volumizer does the same job with a flimsier build and one fewer setting.
The Shark FlexStyle HD430 includes an oval brush attachment and a proper dryer in one unit.
Also in Beauty
Wait for a Sale
Worth It
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer Brush
The viral one that earned it: a passable blowout with one hand.
Karen Verified
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System, HD430
The multi-styler that does most of what the famous one does, with a twist joint that makes it a real dryer too.
Specifications
| Brand / model | Drybar Double Shot |
|---|---|
| Barrel | 2.4 in oval (manufacturer states) |
| Settings | 3 temperature settings including cool (manufacturer states) |
| Technology | Ionic (manufacturer states) |
| Cord | About 8 ft swivel (manufacturer states) |
| Bristles | Mixed nylon and tufted |
| Warranty | Manufacturer states a limited warranty |
Only specifications that affect the buying decision are listed. Figures marked “manufacturer states” are the maker's claims, not our measurements.
Warranty and returns
Manufacturer states a limited warranty; returns are set by the retailer.
Reader questions
Can I use it on wet hair?
Is it better than the Revlon?
Final verdict
Verdict: Good, With a Catch
Good, With a CatchA well-made blowout brush that is only as good as the rough-dry you give it first.
- Best for
- People who already like the hot-brush blowout and want one that feels less like a toy.
- Skip if
- You want to skip the rough-dry step, or your hair is above the shoulders.
- Main strength
- A solid barrel, a nicely mixed bristle pattern and three temperature settings including a cool one.
- Main weakness
- It only works on hair that is already mostly dry, and the barrel is large for short hair.
As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes our verdict.
Update and correction history
- Published.Why: Initial evaluation.Verdict unchanged
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As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this site we may receive a commission. You do not pay more because of this. Affiliate relationships do not determine which products we evaluate, recommend, criticize, or reject. Brands cannot buy a Karen Verified verdict. Full affiliate disclosure. Photographs on this page illustrate the product in use and are not test evidence; see our image policy.