Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer vs Dualit Classic Kettle

The Buttercup is Drybar's flagship blow-dryer, developed out of a chain of blowout salons rather than a general appliance brand, and it is designed around the workflow those salons use: high airflow to move water out of the hair fast, ionic conditioning to reduce frizz and static, and a narrow concentrator nozzle to direct air precisely while working section by section with a round brush. It offers multiple heat and speed settings plus a cool shot for setting a style once it is dry, and a removable rear filter that can be cleaned rather than clogging permanently with lint. The body is designed for the ergonomics of extended salon use, which translates into balance in the hand for home users doing long styling sessions on thick or long hair rather than a quick rough dry.

Dualit's Classic Kettle is the kettle half of the company's long-running Classic range, designed to sit alongside the Classic toaster in the same finish. It holds 1.7 litres, enough for around six cups, and uses a 3kW element for fast boiling rather than the 2.2kW to 2.4kW typical of cheaper kettles. Two details set it apart from generic stainless kettles: Whisper Boil technology, which reduces the noise a kettle makes as it approaches boiling, and the Pure Pour spout, shaped to stop the dribble that runs down the outside of most kettles. Dualit builds the Classic range to be repairable and sells spares directly, and the kettle is offered in a range of finishes including polished, matt black, brass, copper and several muted colours.

• High airflow cuts drying time noticeably on thick or long hair
• Ionic conditioning makes a real difference to frizz and static
• Removable, cleanable filter protects airflow over the dryer's life
• Built for extended use, so it stays comfortable during long styling

• Fast 3kW boil without the usual noise penalty
• Spout genuinely does not dribble
• Wide choice of finishes to match a kitchen
• Spares available so it can be repaired

• Expensive compared with standard consumer blow-dryers
• Heavier than lightweight travel dryers
• Loud, as high-airflow dryers generally are

• Priced well above a generic stainless kettle
• No variable temperature control for tea or pour-over coffee
• 3kW element needs a suitably rated supply, which matters outside the UK and EU