Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Hot Air Brushes

Updated November 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
Drybar
The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
Check Price
Ionic Technology
Bottom Line

The ionic technology used in this brush delivers a smooth blowout that holds strong for a couple of days.

Pros

Vents are placed strategically to cut down on drying time. Ionic technology protects hair cuticles and reduces frizz. Lightweight design. Usable on any hair type, even wavy and curly hair. Offers a salon finish, leaving hair smooth and shiny.

Cons

Some feel the brush head is too large. Some people with thick, wavy hair didn't have good luck with this brush.

Best Bang for the Buck
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hot Air Brush
Revlon
One-Step Volumizer Hot Air Brush
Check Price
Budget Friendly
Bottom Line

This one-stop-shop brush makes it easy to give yourself a blowout with its variety of settings.

Pros

An excellent brush that many users have found easy to use and effective. The 2.8-inch length makes it a breeze to style all lengths and types of hair. There are three different heat settings allowing for versatile application.

Cons

The settings combine heat and speed, so you can’t have low heat and high speed, only low heat and speed, for example.

Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold One-Step Dryer Volumizer
Hot Tools
Professional 24K Gold One-Step Dryer Volumizer
Check Price
Professional Quality
Bottom Line

This professional-grade styling tool has features that give salon-quality results.

Pros

Combines a 24K gold-plated barrel and charcoal-infused bristles to produce professional-looking blowouts. Heats up quickly. Ion tech smooths frizz for soft, sleek locks. Has a contoured handle and three heat settings.

Cons

Somewhat loud, and users need to be careful so they don't burn their fingers on the barrel.

Bedhead One Step Volumizer and Hair Dryer
Bedhead
One Step Volumizer and Hair Dryer
Check Price
Versatile Use
Bottom Line

A hot air brush that works to smoothly dry the hair while also volumizing.

Pros

Uses ceramic and tourmaline technology for less damage and frizz. The oval-shaped brush adds volume to the hair and the mixed pattern bristles provide texture. Has three settings for customizable heat and speed, as well as a cool air feature. Cord swivels easily.

Cons

The tool feels bulky and heavy, according to a few reviews.

Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0
Revlon
One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0
Check Price
Tested Choice
Bottom Line

We found this brush capable of producing a professional look at home in our user testing.

Pros

Slimmer and easier to hold compared to older models. Offers multiple heat settings. Includes cool setting to lock in the style. Achieves salon-style blowout in a reasonable amount of time. Fairly simple to clean and maintain.

Cons

Our tester found the unit a bit loud and had trouble figuring out how to lock and unlock the brush head.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

56
Models
Considered
111
Consumers
Consulted
22
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best hot air brushes

With a hot air brush, you can dry and style your hair at the same time. Forget having to fiddle with a blow dryer and a round brush. A hot air brush does the work of both, making the job of getting ready in the morning a lot simpler.

However, finding the right hot air brush for your hair is not so easy. With so many of these handy beauty tools on the market, how do you find the best hot air brush for you?

If you’re ready to purchase a hot air brush, check out our five favorites and learn why we love them. If you want to know more, our guide tells you what to look for when choosing a hot air brush and shares our styling tips.

Content Image
A hot air brush can be used to dry, curl, or straighten hair. It’s a three-in-one styling tool.

What to look for when buying a hot air brush

Hair type

Your hair type is the number one factor to consider when buying a hot air brush. The shape, temperature capacity, and barrel of the best hot air brush for you depends on your type of hair.

  • Thin or heavily damaged hair: Those with thin or heavily damaged hair should stay away from styling tools that heat up to very high temperatures. Look for a hot air brush that allows you to change the temperature via a dial or LCD screen to ensure that you don’t accidentally burn your hair.

  • Frizzy hair: If your hair easily frizzes, opt for a hot air brush with ion technology to help achieve a smooth, frizz-free look.

  • Thick hair: Those with thick hair should look for hot air brushes with tough bristles and tangle-free safety features. Thick hair also requires higher temperatures for quicker drying and styling.

Shape

Hot air brushes come in various shapes, but the most common are round brushes. Round hot air brushes are great for multiple styles and offer the most versatility. Paddle hot air brushes and comb hot air brushes don’t necessarily blow out hot air. Some only heat up and act more like hair straighteners.

Heat

Some hot air brushes offer only high or low temperature options. If you want control over your hot air brush’s temperature, choose a model with a heat dial. Some hot air brushes come with options for cold air, too.

"Look for a hot air brush with tangle-free bristles if you have curly or thick hair."
STAFF
BestReviews

Barrel and bristles

Hot air brush barrels are most commonly made of ceramic, tourmaline, or chrome. Ceramic and tourmaline are excellent choices for smoothing hair, but they are usually more expensive than hot air brushes with chrome barrels.

Pay attention, too, to the bristle material. Higher-quality bristles made of sturdy materials won’t break off as quickly over time, and they’ll make the brushing process a lot smoother.

Rotation

A rotating barrel makes styling and adding volume to your hair a lot easier. A rotating hot air brush automatically twirls around your hair to add body. If you want to create a lot of volume with your hot air brush, look for a model that rotates in different directions, which will give a more natural finish. For the most versatility, choose a hot air brush that allows you to shut off the spin function.

Barrel length

If you have long hair, a long barrel is the way to go. A hot air brush with an extended barrel makes it easier to reach all sides of your head and can accommodate more hair.

Swivel cord

Is your hot air brush comfortable to hold and maneuver? This is especially important for users with long, thick manes, which take longer to style. Look for extended swivel cords to ensure you can work all around your head easily.

"Not ready for co-washing? Find dry shampoo gross? Use a hot air brush for a refresh until you next wash your hair."
STAFF
BestReviews

Weight

Make sure your hot air brush is lightweight enough to hold for the time it takes to style your hair. Fatigue can set in quickly when styling with a heavy tool.

Wet styling


Watch out. Not all hot air brushes are capable of drying hair. For the most convenient styling, choose a hot air brush that can dry wet or damp hair. Using a hot air brush that’s not made for wet styling can damage your hair and the brush.

Safety features

As with any hot styling tool, it’s important to consider the safety features. If you’re often in a hurry when you get ready in the morning, consider a hot air brush with auto shut-off. Most hot air brushes also come with heat-resistant bristle tips to make brushing your hair and handling the brush safer. Some rotating hot air brushes can sense if your hair gets tangled and will help you out with a curl-release function.

Accessories

Hairspray: Once you've spent time getting the look you want, use a quality hairspray to make sure your hairstyle holds.

Vanity mirror You need to see your hair from all angles in order to achieve a symmetrical style with no flat spots.

Price

Hot air brushes range in price from $25 to over $100.

Budget models will be less durable and usually aren’t powerful enough to dry damp or wet hair. However, inexpensive hot air brushes are often smaller and a good choice for travel. Pricier models will have more features and produce smoother looks.

High-end hot air brushes are more durable and produce enough heat to dry damp or wet hair.

Tips for using a hot air brush

  • Don’t try to style tangled hair. While high-quality hot air brushes have solid bristles that can help detangle hair, always brush out your hair before you use your hot air brush.

  • Some hot air brushes reach very high temperatures. It’s harder to burn your hair with a hot air brush than it is with a flat iron or a curling iron because the heat is not as direct, but it’s still worth being cautious. Careful not to burn yourself either!

  • Make sure to use a heat-protective serum or spray on your hair to prevent heat damage. Even more expensive hot air brushes with ion technology aren’t damage-proof. Protect your hair before you use a hot air brush.

Content Image
For your safety
Caution: Not all hot air brushes can dry hair. For quick styling, look for a hot air brush that can be used on damp or wet hair.
STAFF
BestReviews

FAQ

Q. What’s the advantage of a hot air brush over a straightener or a curling iron?

A. Hot air brushes are great for infusing volume, and they can dry hair, unlike a hair straightener or a curling iron. They also apply heat less directly, so it’s harder to burn your hair with a hot air brush.

Q. I'm worried about damaging my hair. Is a hot air brush for me?

A. Hot air brushes are gentler on hair than other hot styling tools since the heat is not as direct. But always use a protective serum or spray first to keep your hair from getting damaged by the heat.

"Some hot air brushes come with a cool dry feature."
STAFF
BestReviews

Q. Do I need to clean my hot air brush?

A. Yes. Product build-up can occur and, of course, hair will get stuck. Use a special cleaner to remove build-up, and pull out hair from your brush when necessary. You can find special cleaners wherever you purchased your hot air brush or at a salon.

Q. I want to curl my hair. Is a hot air brush a good option for me?

A. With a hot air brush, you wrap sections of hair around the brush and hot air blows out to create volume. You can achieve a soft curl look with a hot air brush, but you can’t get tight, well-defined curls with this styling tool.