RevAir Reverse-Air hair dryer review: designed to tackle complex hair

RevAir hair dryer two-minute review

The RevAir hair dryer is designed around the knowledge that curly folks — particularly those with especially curly type four hair like mine — spend more time and energy blow-drying and straightening their hair.

In response, RevAir developed a first-of-its-kind reverse-air dryer that’s extremely easy to use. Instead of the pistol-shaped body or wand form factors we’re used to seeing in some of the best hair dryers and best Dyson Airwrap dupes, the RevAir hair dryer opts for a unique design that looks far more like one of the best vacuum cleaners.

Somewhat similar to the Dyson Airwrap, the RevAir draws air into its wand, using reverse-air suction to gently tug on the hair to dry, stretch and reduce shrinkage. It offers seven tension settings to accommodate a variety of hair types, and uses internal sensors to maintain an even temperature and reduce heat damage.

It’s far from perfect, with its bulky design and loud components, but this vacuum-style dryer is worth the space it takes up, especially when dealing with children’s hair.

Those with braids or who simply want more manageability built into their styling routine may also like how this hair dryer—especially when used briefly—can save you from a literal headache.

RevAir hair dryer review: price & availability

• Price: $399
• Availability: US & Canada only

With an MSRP of $399 the RevAir appears costly at face value, but if you consider how few and far between devices with such versatility are, and that everyone in the family can use it, then the cost is somewhat justified.

Also, when I purchased mine, I took advantage of a coupon that brought down the cost. It is available on the RevAir site, as well as at Bloomingdale’s and Best Buy.

Unfortunately, it’s not sold in the UK or Australia, but it can be imported from the US. It needs a hefty transformer setup to get it working though, and it’s not recommended.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer specs

RevAir hair dryer review: design

• Bulky and heavy
• Long hose
• Seven power settings

The RevAir looks not unlike an old-school vacuum cleaner with a long hose attached to a box (the base). You may have stumbled upon something like it in your grandmother's attic.

Just like those old vacuums, and with all the extra parts, this blow dryer is heavier than average. It weighs 8lbs / 3.6kg, but luckily, you’re not necessarily holding all that weight since the 5.5ft / 1.68m hose is long and lightweight. Probably 80% of the weight is in the base which would sit on a surface like your counter or bed, depending where you’re using it. Altogether, the product is pretty bulky at 7.94 x 7.25 x 7.68in / 20.17 x 18.44 x 19.51cm.

The wand, which is also larger than most, feels like holding a regular blow dryer. There are seven tension settings, which control the intensity of the suction via a dial on the side of the device. The RevAir also has three heat settings that can be controlled using a switch on the handle: 158F / 70C for low, 220F / 104C for high, and then a cool shot. Two other convenient features are the rack attachment for storing the wand, and the mesh filter basket, which is included in the accessory-laden “total package” bundle from RevAir.

• Design score: 3 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer review: performance

• Easy to use
• Sucks instead of blowing
• Dries fast and reduces heat damage

What stood out to me most when testing the RevAir was the ease of use and the time I saved. I still had to detangle my hair by hand after washing, but I felt like the RevAir helped with relaxing the coils so that each section became more manageable. That’s probably the reverse-air technology keeping my hair from getting overly frizzy.

The RevAir works using the opposite technique of a typical blow dryer. It actually sucks the excess water from your hair and that, in turn, helps to seal your cuticle since it’s pulling the hair in its natural direction.

Before using, you may be a little anxious about your hair getting stuck. My 4c hair tends to tangle very easily, but after a few passes, I had no concerns about it getting stuck anywhere in the RevAir. There is nothing in the blow dryer for your hair to get caught on but if you were concerned, you could just turn off the suction.

I initially didn’t think about using the RevAir for drying braids. I don’t wear braids often, as I’m a swimmer—triathlete, to be exact— and excessive water can weigh down locks, braids, and twists and leave your shirt soaked for hours. However, inserting a braid or plait into the wand is just as easy as it would be to grab a small section. Thus, the RevAir can give you more freedom with hairstyles without sacrificing washes (chlorine is damaging after all).

One downside is that, unlike other modern dryers, the RevAir won’t work for a blowout at home. You can’t “bump” with a brush or the wand like a standard dryer or Dyson Airwrap. Nonetheless, and much like those other tools, you’d have to follow up with a flatiron or a different styling tool anyway for curlier hair types, so that doesn’t take much from the product.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the RevAir Hair Dryer?

Buy it if...

Your family has coily hair and you’re seeking manageability

This dryer is perfectly suited for tackling coily hair, so if there’s a lot of that in your home, the RevAir will be your best friend.

You're trying to cut down on drying time and heat damage

The RevAir offers impressively quick drying times and its reverse-air technology serves to protect your locks from heat damage.

You have ample storage space

If space isn’t an issue, the RevAir is among the best products you can use for curly or coily hair.

Don’t buy it if...

You are looking for a portable dryer

With its hefty base, long hose and general form factor, the RevAir is sadly not suited to travel.

You want the look of a blowout

While it comes as close as many of us could hope to salon-styled results, there’s nothing like the real thing.

You won’t use it often

For its price and hefty design, the RevAir is not something to be trifled with; it’s an all-or-nothing kind of hair dryer.

How I tested the RevAir hair dryer

• I used the RevAir for about 30 minutes once a month for about six months
• I started on freshly cleaned and detangled hair after removing excess water
• I sprayed heat protectant spray on each section, which I separated with hair clips

I’ve been testing the RevAir for several months on my thin, medium-length 4c hair, comparing it against my go-to dryer and using my normal daily haircare routine for a fair comparison.

That involves cleaning and detangling my hair, using a cotton t-shirt to soak up excess water and then spraying my sectioned hair with heat protectant.

I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and over that time I’ve identified the most important aspects of value, design and performance that make great products great. This, and my personal hands-on testing, have informed my opinions.

techradar.com | Tonya Russell | August 17, 2024