Comparison BaByliss AS140E vs BaByliss HSB101E

— Hair dryer. Classic hand-held hair dryers are devices that produce an intense air flow (with or without heating). Can be used for both hair drying and styling.

— Hairdryer (wall). Stationary hair dryers are wall-mounted devices that consist of the hair dryer and a wall stand. This design offers convenience, particularly in settings like beauty salons or public pool changing rooms. The stand allows users to keep the hair dryer easily accessible and frees up space on countertops or other surfaces. Additionally, the stand can accommodate extra features, such as an electric shaver socket, providing added functionality and practicality.

— Hairdryer-brush. Small appliances with nozzles in the form of round combs-brushes, supplemented with holes for air supply. They have a relatively small power and are used mainly for certain types of styling.

— Styler. Classic stylers, commonly known as straighteners, use heated tongs to straighten hair. However, these stylers are versatile and not limited to straightening alone. They can be equipped with various types of nozzles to achieve specific styling effects, such as hair crimping. Additionally, there are specialized stylers designed for unique purposes, like creating braided hairstyles.

— Multi-styler. Multi-stylers are versatile hairdressing tools used for styl...ing hair and creating a variety of hairstyles. They are composed of a heating base and interchangeable nozzles, each designed for specific hairstyling techniques. The device set may include curling irons of different sizes and shapes, straightening plates, curling nozzles, brushes for adding volume to the roots, and more. Essentially, multi-stylers are an upgraded version of stylers, offering an expanded range of complete nozzles for versatile hairstyling options.

— Curling iron. Hair curlers typically feature a round (cylindrical or conical) heating element onto which the hair is wound during use. Some models come with a clip to secure the hair tightly to the heater, while others may not have this feature. The diameter of the heating elements can vary, offering the flexibility to achieve various styling effects. Additionally, specific curling irons are also available, such as those equipped with a double heater and a clamp for enhanced styling capabilities.

— Automatic curling iron. Automated hair curlers function similarly to regular curling irons but come with a key difference: they automatically wind a strand of hair onto the heating element using a built-in motor and give a signal when the heating is complete. This feature makes them extremely user-friendly, as users don't need to manually wrap their hair around the curling iron or time the heating process. However, these devices tend to be expensive and relatively heavy, making them less convenient for self-use. Moreover, the automation is limited to standard programs and may not be suitable for creating complex or unique hairstyles.

— Brush. Outwardly, such devices most often look like combs, brushes, complemented by built-in heaters. Due to this, when combing, such devices are more effective than conventional brushes without heating, especially with thick “naughty” hair.

—Electric curlers. Curlers are small cylinders used for curling hair. They can be heated for more long-lasting styling. Electric rollers, as the name suggests, use an electric element for heating, typically built into the container where the curlers are stored. It takes approximately 10-20 minutes for them to reach the desired temperature, and the curlers themselves are made of heat-absorbing material that retains warmth for an extended period.

In addition to individual hair styling tools, there are also sets available that include two or three items, such as a "hairdryer + curling iron” combination. These sets consist of separate devices that can be used independently of each other. Purchasing such a kit is often more convenient and cost-effective compared to buying the tools separately. However, it also means relying on the manufacturer's selection of items, whereas individual tools can be chosen according to personal preference and needs.

The rated power of the device, in fact, is the power consumed by it when operating at maximum intensity.

The power of a hair dryer, particularly for hair dryers, is a crucial factor that determines the maximum intensity of the airflow and heating capabilities. When selecting a hair dryer based on this parameter, it's essential to consider the intended usage of the device. Models with a power below 1000 W may not be sufficient for proper hair drying, especially for long hair, and are more suitable for styling purposes. Some of these models, particularly inexpensive ones, can provide high heat with low airflow, requiring careful use. For versatile and effective use, both at home and in professional settings, it's recommended to choose a hair dryer with at least 1800 W, preferably 2000 W and higher. Higher power allows for intense airflow, effective hair drying even at lower temperatures, and provides a wide range of temperature and speed settings. Models with intermediate power levels, ranging from 1000 to 1800 W, are more suitable for travel and on-the-go use.

For curling irons, electric curlers, and similar devices, the heating intensity and speed depend directly on the power. The manufacturer carefully selects the heater's power to achieve specific performance characteristics, such as temperature and heating intensity. When choosing such devices, it's essential to focus on practical indicators and compare different mode...ls based on power, especially if specific characteristics are not clearly stated, as seen in some inexpensive curling irons with basic functionality. In these cases, users should consider the weaker and more delicate their hair, the lower the temperature and less intense the heating should be. If unsure, it's safer to opt for a less powerful device, as it may take more time to curl hair, but it significantly reduces the risk of damaging the hair.

The number of power modes provided in the design of the tool.

This parameter is relevant primarily for hair dryers of various types (see "Device") — in models of another type, the main point is the temperature modes, see below for them. And in hair dryers, the number of power modes is, most often, the number of speeds at which the “blower” can operate.

The abundance of speeds allows you to choose the best option depending on the current task (quick dry, delicately style), hair type, etc. At the same time, the abundance of adjustments complicates the design and affects the price. Therefore, for domestic use, 2 – 3 modes are usually quite enough, and sometimes one is enough.

Note that in single-speed hair dryers, the number of modes may not be indicated at all.

The number of heating modes provided in the tool.

The presence of several temperature modes makes it possible to choose the best option for a particular situation. For example, for quick curling of "naughty" hair, when speed is more important than delicacy, you can set a strong heat, and if there are no problems over time, you can use a lower temperature. But the specific amount directly depends on the type of device (see "Device").

So, in hair dryers of one kind or another, there are usually few temperature modes — up to 3 in household models, and up to 8 – 9 (occasionally more) in professional ones. But curling irons and stylers, even relatively simple ones, can have several dozen levels of adjustment — their operating range is quite wide (for example, 130 – 200 °C), and the temperature in this range is often adjusted in steps of several degrees.

Also note that in hair dryers , temperature control and power control are carried out separately, and these parameters can have a different number of settings (for example, 2 power levels and 6 temperature levels). In curling irons, stylers, etc. the temperature only changes at the same time as the power, so the number of power modes may not be indicated at all — it corresponds to the number of temperature settings by definition.

Type of outer coating of the heating element.

— Chrome plated. The most basic and widely used coating option is chrome. It is affordable and heats up quickly. However, using chrome-coated heaters can pose a higher risk of hair damage, so caution is needed when using them. Due to this risk, chrome-coated nozzles are not ideal for frequent or continuous use.

— Aluminium. Such heaters are considered more advanced than the chrome ones described above, due to a longer service life and better heat distribution. However, it is not without the characteristic drawbacks of any metal coating, primarily the negative impact on the condition of the hair.

— Titan. Another option for a metal heater. In terms of basic properties, it is almost completely similar to aluminium (see above), in most cases it differs only in appearance.

— Ceramics. The main advantage of ceramics is the better distribution of heat than in metal heaters. Due to this, such a coating is considered much more “gentle”; however, its cost is noticeably higher, and heating is slower.

— Tourmaline. In most cases, when referring to a ceramic heater, it is typically combined with a tourmaline coating. This coating serves two primary functions: ionization, which promotes smooth and even styling, and friction reduction, allowing the cur...ling iron to glide through the hair effortlessly.

— Titanium ceramics. A specific type of ceramic coating used by some manufacturers. The design, usually, implements various additional technologies designed to improve the quality of work; however, whether such devices outperform "ceramic" analogues depends on the model in each specific case.

— Titanium-tourmaline. An analogue of the tourmaline coating described above, in which titanium is used as the base of the heater instead of ceramic. There is practically no difference in the main features.

— Steel. The most basic and common coating option is "ordinary metal plating," typically referring to steel. The main advantage of this surface is its low cost. However, the heating can be uneven and harsh, which demands careful handling of the tool and makes it less suitable for frequent use.

— Teflon. Teflon stands out for its low friction, making plates glide effortlessly through the hair, even more so than ceramic ones. However, in terms of heating uniformity, it slightly lags behind ceramics.

— Copper silicon. Typically, the reference is made to silicon-coated copper plates. Copper offers excellent thermal conductivity, ensuring uniform heating, while silicon provides practical properties similar to ceramics, such as a gentle effect and suitability for frequent use. However, this option is relatively specific and does not offer significant advantages over more traditional materials, which is why it is relatively rare.

— Manganese-copper. The manganese-copper coating on the heating plates offers a very gentle effect on the hair. These flexible plates allow the styler (straightener or curling iron) to adapt to the shape of the hair strand, reducing mechanical stress on the hair and minimizing damage. As a result, the hair becomes more manageable and obedient.

— Turbo mode. A mode designed to dry wet hair as quickly as possible. At the same time, the speed of air movement through the hair dryer increases significantly, and the temperature remains the same. This allows you to quickly dry your hair without exposing it to high temperatures. Working in turbo mode usually involves an increased load on the device, so before using such a hair dryer, you should separately clarify in the instructions for what maximum time you can turn on turbo mode.

— Auto-rotation of the nozzle. The function of automatic rotation of a brush or other round nozzle (see "Nozzles"). Thus, the user gets rid of the need to turn the entire device when styling hair, which may not be very convenient. Note that with long hair this function should be used very carefully, as there is a risk of entangling them instead of styling.

— Cold air. The ability of the hair dryer to work without the use of a heating element — when the air flow has the same temperature as the surrounding air. This mode will be useful for drying weakened hair, especially sensitive to overheating. In addition, it can be useful during styling — in particular, cold air “fixes” the finished hairstyle.

— Ionization. An ionizer is a device for saturating the air with negatively charged oxygen ions. Optimizes styling, giving hair new posi...tive properties — for example, increased smoothness. Also, the hair is not electrified thanks to the ionizer.

— Steam humidifier. Some hair styling devices may be equipped with a container for liquid and a device that delivers hot steam to the hair. In this case, both ordinary water and a special styling liquid can be used. It is believed that the use of steam greatly facilitates the styling process, as the hair becomes more manageable. On the other hand, the high temperature of the steam can adversely affect the health of the hair, especially if the hair is weak or steam styling is used frequently.

— Alert timer. Devices with a built-in timer that makes audio signal after a set time. This function is relevant in stylers and curling irons, which allows the same time to curl curls. As a result, the hairstyle will have the same curls — there will be no imbalance in the curls when one turned out more and the other less.

— Automatic switch-off. A mechanism that ensures that the device turns off either after a specified period of time, or when a predetermined (or manufacturer-defined) temperature is reached. Prevents excessive heating of nozzles/plates, as well as overheating of the device in general.

— Key lock. The presence of a protective function of blocking the buttons allows you to avoid accidental pressing in the process of working with the device.

The length of the cord for connecting to the network, provided in the design of the tool.

The long cord provides greater freedom of movement, which is particularly beneficial in hairdressing salons and beauty establishments where professionals need to move around their clients. However, for regular household use, excessive cord length can lead to inconvenience, as it may get underfoot or cause other issues. A cord length of 1 – 1.5 meters is generally sufficient for home use. On the other hand, for professional tasks, tools with a cord length of 1.8 meters or more are commonly available.