Comparison Philips ProCare HPS920 vs Philips ProCare HP8260

The type of electric motor installed in the hair dryer.

This parameter is specified if the device does not use a traditional collector (brush) direct current (DC) electric motor, but more advanced motor. The options here might be:

— AC motor. Hair dryers equipped with alternating current (AC) motors use the same type of power found in regular electrical outlets. These AC motors offer several key advantages over their DC counterparts, including enhanced reliability, durability, and excellent resistance to high loads. They can operate at full power for extended periods without overheating, often lasting for at least 5 years even under continuous use. Additionally, AC motors provide more even heating and facilitate quick adjustments to temperature settings. As a result, hair dryers with AC motors are essential tools in professional settings such as hairdressers and beauty salons. However, the main drawback of AC motors is their relatively higher cost, making them less practical for occasional home use.

— Brushless motor. A brushless electric motor, which eliminates the need for a traditional commutator and brush contacts, employs a built-in electronic circuit to control the current in the motor windings. Despite being more expensive than conventional brushed motors, they offer several advantages. These motors allow for more precise and wider range adjustments of engine speed an...d airflow, resulting in higher efficiency and better overall performance for the same power consumption. Moreover, the absence of moving brush components enhances their durability, leading to significantly longer service lives compared to both AC and traditional brushed motors. However, due to their higher cost, brushless models are not widely used even in the professional industry.

— Joint. In models with joint adjustment of power and “degree” of air flow, the parameters change at the touch of a button. Hair dryers usually have several fixed values of blowing intensity and air temperature.

— Separate. Separate heat and temperature controls give you more freedom of choice when using your hair dryer and styler. The parameters of the flow force and temperature for hair dryers with separate adjustments change separately, which allows you to count on the optimal values of power and “degree” of blowing to avoid overdrying your 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.

— Concentrator. Nozzle used in hair dryers to narrow the air flow, providing a more directed and intense blowing. Usually, it has the form of a nozzle that “flattens” the air flow from round to flat.

— Diffuser. Nozzle that diffuses the air flow. Perfect for sensitive hair and prevents damage. Also, in some cases, provides more efficient styling.

— Brush. Comb-brush attachment, mainly used for hair styling. Brushes can have a different design — for example, there are both round (cylindrical), with pins sticking out in all directions from the nozzle, and more traditional flat ones. Pins can also have different lengths, density and be made of different materials.

— Straight. In this case, we mean a standard nozzle for curling irons (see "Device"). It is a cylindrical heating element designed for classic curling and most often supplemented with a hair clip, almost the entire length of the nozzle.

— Conical. A variety of nozzles used in curling irons. It is similar in design to the classic straight, but it has a conical rather than cylindrical shape, tapering from the handle to the end. In addition, such accessories usually do not have crimpers. The cone nozzle is more difficult to handle than the straight one, but at the same time it allows for more strokes and gives m...ore space for creativity (in particular, the diameter of the curl can be changed by winding the hair closer or further from the handle).

— Spiral. Nozzles for curling irons with a spiral slot on the surface. When used, this slot plays the role of a guide — a curled strand of hair is placed into it, wound on a heater; the end of the strand is usually fixed with a small clamp near the handle. In a certain sense, working with spiral nozzles is easier than with traditional straight ones — in fact, there is a “tip” on the nozzle for the user, and for an effective and pleasant-looking curl, it is enough to follow this “tip”. On the other hand, the functionality of such devices is narrower — curled curls have a strictly defined shape, depending on the size and angle of the spiral turns.

— Double. Hair curler nozzle, consisting of two cylindrical working surfaces, each with its own heater. The design of such a nozzle can be different: in some models it looks like a characteristic “fork” with teeth of the same or different diameters, in others each cylinder is located on its own half of the crimpers, and the heaters are side by side when closed. Anyway, such a device provides interesting additional features that are not available with more traditional single nozzles; but the specific possibilities may be different, depending just on the design. For example, a “fork” allows you to create curls in the form of zigzags, and with the help of a clamp, you can form waves of a small volume, but strictly the same size. However, for a number of reasons, double nozzles have not received much distribution — the triple ones described below are more popular.

— Triple. Further development of the idea embodied in double nozzles. In accordance with the name, such nozzles are equipped with three working surfaces of a cylindrical (or similar) shape. Usually, the whole structure looks like crimpers, while the extreme heaters are on one half of the crimpers, and the middle one is on the other. Triple nozzles are used mainly for hair with small waves: they allow you to easily create numerous such waves, and all the bends will be the same size. And in separate curling irons — for the same purpose — not even three, but five heaters are provided, with a similar design principle (through one on different halves of the crimpers); such “five” nozzles are similar in purpose to triple ones, but their presence is specified separately.

— Straightener. Nozzle for straightening (smoothing) curly hair. Usually it has the form of crimpers with flat heating plates: a strand of hair is clamped between these plates, after which the crimpers are pulled along the entire length of the strand, straightening the hair.

— Hair crimper. Nozzle for giving strands a zigzag shape. It has the appearance of crimpers with characteristic corrugated plates. The shape and size of such plates can be different — accordingly, the laying result will also differ: zigzags can be sharp or smooth, large or small, etc.

— Heat resistant mat. A special mat made of heat-resistant material, on which you can put a heated tool without fear that the heated nozzle will damage the countertop. Thus, in short breaks during work, as well as during cooling, there is no need to look for an improvised stand or other way of safe placement. So a thermal mat can significantly "make life easier" for users — especially for those who use the tool often and a lot, for example, stylists in beauty salons. And in some models, these accessories also perform the function of a cover — for storing and transporting the device with set of nozzles. Note that heat resistant mats are mainly equipped with “contact” type tools, such as curling irons and stylers; however, such a device may also be supplied with certain models of hair dryers.

— Heat resistant glove. Protective glove made of heat-resistant material with low thermal conductivity. It protects the user's hand from high temperatures, which are often used when working with hair, and also provides some additional features: for example, with a hand in a heat resistant glove, you can straighten the curl right on the nozzle of the curling iron without fear of getting burned. Also note that curling irons equipped with such an accessory usually do not have their own clamp, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to work with such a device without a protective glove.

— Cover/case. The tool for storing and transporting the device. It is customary to call covers products made of soft materials, cases — made of solid ones; the former are less bulky and can be folded compactly when not needed, while the latter provide better protection. The specific type of device should be specified separately, however, a complete cover/case will be more convenient than improvised packaging anyway.

Note that in addition to the above, modern curling irons and hair dryers may include other nozzles. However, these are usually rather rare accessories, mainly needed for some specific tasks, such as creating designer hairstyles.

The ability to remove the protective grille of the hair dryer without special tools and skills, by the user himself.

The grill serves as a protective cover for the air intake of the hair dryer, located on its back side. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the fan and heating element from foreign objects and preventing direct contact with the blades or heated coil, ensuring user safety. Additionally, the grill can accommodate an extra air purification filter, benefiting both the user and the device's internal components. The removable design of the grill greatly simplifies maintenance and repair tasks. Users can easily clean the grill and internal elements from dust and contaminants, replace or clean the filter, and fix minor issues. However, for more complex repair work, it is advisable to seek assistance from specialists.

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.