Comparison Rowenta Power Straight CF5820 vs Philips Essential BHH880

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 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.

Specific operating temperature that can be set in the device.

This information pertains to curling irons, stylers, and other hair devices that come in direct contact with the hair during use. If the paragraph contains multiple values separated by commas (e.g., "160, 180, 200 °C"), it indicates that the device has several fixed temperature modes (in this example, three). On the other hand, if a range is given (e.g., "120 — 220 °C"), it means the model offers smooth temperature control.

Having more modes or a wider range of temperature adjustments in a hair device provides users with increased flexibility and precision in adapting to different situations. However, it's important to consider that advanced features inevitably come with a higher price tag. When selecting a specific model, it's crucial to keep in mind that the optimal temperature for each situation depends on various factors such as hair characteristics, the specific hairstyling task at hand, and the type of hair products used. Special sources can offer recommendations on suitable temperature settings. Therefore, it's advisable to determine the required temperature range based on these recommendations and then choose a curling iron, brush, or styler that offers suitable adjustment options.

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.

The heating time of the plates to reach the desired temperature for hairstyling is an important factor to consider. The average heating time for models is around 30 sec. Models with longer heating times are considered to have higher numbers, while those with heating times of 15 seconds or less are considered to have fast heating, which is the best result for almost instant use. However, it's worth noting that fast heating time may have some impact on the power of the device.

— 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.

A special loop that allows you to hang the device on a nail, hook or other similar device. In some cases, this storage method is the most convenient — for example, a hair dryer or curling iron can be kept on the wall near the mirror, in front of which hair is usually dried and styled, while the device will always be at hand and will not take up space on shelves or in drawers. The loop is most often located directly on the power cord, near the handle.

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.