Comparison Philips Essential BHS375 vs Philips Essential HP8303

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.

The width of the plate in the styler or other tool with a straightener or hair crimper (see "Nozzles").

It is necessary to choose a tool according to the width of the plates, first of all, taking into account the length of the hair. So, for short strands, narrow plates up to 25 mm wide are suitable, but with thick long hair it is most convenient to use wide plates, from 30 mm or more.

The length of the plate allows you to understand which curl can cover the device and how much to wind it.

— 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 ability to , usually between 110 and 230 V. In different parts of the world, electrical networks have different operating voltages: for example, in Europe — 230 V, in North America — 110 V. Therefore, this function will be useful for travel models.

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.