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The 14 Best Hot Air Brushes for a Bouncy Blowout, Tested & Reviewed on Every Hair Type

 

That’s right—a quality two-in-one hair tool can give you a salon-level style on repeat.

Getting a weekly blowout at your favorite salon is costly and time-consuming. Not to mention that we’re entering the time of year when humidity can destroy said blowout. The solution? Styling at home with a hot air brush that can give you salon-worthy results. These two-in-one hair tools can quickly dry and style your hair in one go. “With a hot air brush, you can dry your hair quickly and get it smoother since the brush is moving through the hair more easily,” says Amanda DiChiara, a New Jersey-based hairstylist and hair loss expert. “Textured hair and frizzy hair typically benefit most from this tool, but all hair types can use and benefit from it.”

While the idea of these time-saving tools is no longer novel (you probably have one coiled up in your bathroom right now), there are dozens of high-tech options with a wide array of features to suit your individual hair needs. Because results may vary vastly on different hair types, we spent hours in our New York City lab and homes testing each hot air brush on at least four people with varying hair textures. We outline their experiences and results below, categorizing them by hair type so you can select each styling tool that best suits your specific strands.

BEST OVERALL

Shark Beauty Heated Comb + Blow Dryer Brush

This device does a great job removing frizz and creating a sleek finish on all hair types without frying strands in the process. However, it tugs and pulls a bit on type 4 hair.

BEST OVERALL, RUNNER-UP

T3 Airebrush Hair Dryer Brush

Though adjusting the turn-style heat settings on the brush can be a little challenging, the bristles on this brush work great for frizz-prone hair. To note, there are no additional attachments for this hot air brush, which makes it straightforward to use.

BEST SPLURGE

Dyson Airwrap

The Dyson Airwrap earned its popularity for good reasons: It works on all hair types, the ergonomics are fantastic, and the various nozzles offer creative freedom. The airflow, heat distribution, and quality are all top-notch.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR DAMAGED HAIR

Drybar Paddle Brush Blow-Dryer

This brush does an excellent job of adding volume to fine, thin, or short hair. It’s quick to get the job done without dispersing too much heat, giving your hair a visibly shinier look.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR FINE HAIR

Hot Tools Gold Blowout and Volumizer

All three testers were impressed with how fast this tool achieved a blowout, adding volume at the roots without ever tugging or pulling at hair. This hot air brush ruined other products for them—they said they’re only using this styling device moving forward.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR THICK HAIR

Kristin Ess Hair Soft Volume Blow Dry Brush

This device is quick and fast, and the dial at the bottom of the barrel makes it easy to adjust the heat settings. While it’s excellent at delivering shine and removing frizz, it’s perhaps not the best option for people with thick hair.

BEST ROUND BRUSH

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System

This device comes with various nozzles for different styles and hair types, and it makes styling extremely easy with the “L” and “R” indicators that show which way to curl hair. This device achieved salon-like results on all hair types we tested while also offering a plethora of looks.

BEST PADDLE BRUSH

Amika Double Agent 2-in-1 Straightening Blow Dryer Brush

Those who want to keep styling somewhat damaged hair will find this Amika brush’s low heat settings ideal.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR SHORT HAIR

L'Ange 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer

We'd guess that this product is much more expensive than it actually is—its quality and results on all hair types blew us away. It didn’t snag any curls and managed to lock silky smooth styles in for days.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR VOLUME

Drybar 3-In-1 Interchangeable Blow Dryer

The Drybar Reserve felt extremely high-end. Its design protects hair and keeps it from getting damaged. It glides through type 3 hair like butter, and the beautiful results have a lasting effect.

BEST HOT AIR BRUSH FOR CURLY HAIR

Bondi Boost Blowout Brush Pro

This device was great for thicker hair, as fine strands tended to get stuck in the bristles. On the right hair, this brush worked wonders and never got too hot to handle.

This device adds a nice level of polish, giving the look of a fresh blowout that lasts for up to two days. Though the barrel is larger in size, it’s easy to get the hang of and works well on all hair types. Expect straighter hair and less frizz, especially on textured hair. Use it on the cool and low setting for extra protection against damage.

BEST SHINE-BOOSTING

Ghd Duet Blow Dry 2-In-1 Hair Dryer Brush

Super lightweight and easy to hold, this brush gives you a salon style blowout at home. This hot hair brush regulates heat on its own and takes about 30 seconds to a minute to heat up prior to styling. Great on most hair textures, if you have type 4 hair which is coarser in texture, it may not get hot enough to create straighter styles.

BEST ATTACHMENTS

Tymo AirExcel

The three separate attachments make styling easy and (almost) fun. Each of the attachments are designed for different purposes: overall blow-drying, straightening, and volumizing. Additionally, with three different speed settings, four heat settings, and a cool shot button, achieving the style you want and controlling frizz is easy. This hot hair brush is a great value for what the product offers.

Our Testing Process

Since testing hot air brushes began three years ago at InStyle, we've tested dozens of products—each on three different hair types to accurately report on the experience. As new products launch or there's a feature we want to more thoroughly test, we will test again to ensure this story remains accurate and up to date. For this latest round of testing, we sent 15 of our editors off to try six additional hot air brushes three times per week for a new round of testing. For an entire month, they used them on sectioned, damp, or dry hair. Then, we executed another round of testing in our lab to try the brushes alongside an expert hairstylist. Throughout the test period, all six blowout brushes were used on different hair types, ranging from straight to coily. We took meticulous notes on the ease of application, styling ability, value, and more, to ultimately land on these 14 best hot air brushes.

What to Keep in Mind

• Heat Settings: Using a hot air brush that offers a range of heat settings will ensure you can create a mix of versatile styles and finishes. Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Support Creatives, a nonprofit for artists in the beauty industry, recommends picking a hot air brush with at least two temperature settings because not all hair textures require the same amount of heat. Fine, thin hair dries without much effort, so blasting it with extremely high heat will make it vulnerable and more prone to damage. Those with thick, coarse, or curly hair will need a higher heat setting to get a soft, smooth finish. Regardless of your hair type, finishing your blowout with a cool shot blast will lock your style in place.
• Bristles: In terms of design, look for a brush with firm and evenly spaced bristles, which prevent hair from catching as you run the brush through it. A mix of materials, like boar and nylon, untangles hair and imparts shine with each stroke. Plastic-capped bristles can gently remove snags without tugging if your hair is prone to knots. Raven Hurtado, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, recommends that anyone with long or thick hair consider a hot air brush that has ceramic or titanium bristles for even more shine.
• Cool Shot: If you’ve been ignoring the cool shot button on your hot tools, you’ve been missing out on serious shine and longevity. This setting will really help set and style your hair, keeping it in place all day. Hurtado explains that when you top off your drying and styling session with a blast of cool air, it closes the cuticle and helps prevent frizz, leaving your hair with a shiny, smooth finish.

Your Questions, Answered

What’s the difference between a hot brush and a hot air brush?

Unlike a hot brush, a hot air brush replaces your blow-dryer, so it’s safe to use on wet or dry hair, explains Dueñas. However, because sopping wet strands are super fragile, both of the stylists we interviewed said to wait until your hair is at least damp—although 70 percent dry would be the best—before picking up a hot tool for the quickest, healthiest results.

Some of these devices include attachments, like a paddle or round brush, so you can create a variety of looks while simultaneously drying your hair, making the entire process more efficient. If you’re only choosing a brush with one attachment, Dueñas told us to look for one with a cylinder shape because it allows you to wrap your hair around it, thus creating more volume.

Is it okay to use a hot air brush every day?

The short answer is yes. However, Dueñas recommends opting for a hot air brush with at least two temperature settings so you don’t fry hair at high temperatures every day.

How do I achieve a ‘90s blowout at home?

You don’t have to go to a salon to achieve a '90s blowout, at least not if you follow Korab’s advice. “I recommend starting with damp hair and applying a volumizing mousse at the roots for extra lift,” she says. “Separate your hair into small sections, wrapping the hair around the brush, beginning at the roots, and slowly pull through to the ends, focusing on lifting the roots for that signature bounce. As you reach the ends, roll the brush up toward the roots to create a soft curl, and finish by flipping the ends outward for that classic ‘90s look,” she says. To finish, she suggests using the cool shot to “lock in the volume.”

What kind of styles can be achieved with a hot air brush?

“You can use a hot air brush to make your hair straight, or blow-dry your hair straight. You can even use it if you want a more traditional blow-dry. Using heat protectant is important while you’re using a hot air brush because it provides a barrier for your hair to prevent it from becoming too dry,” DiChiara said.

Complete the Routine

Before you check out, here are some other hair-enhancing products that can help you achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home.

• Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray: Rest assured that this heat protection spray from Oribe will shield your strands from your hot air brush’s high temperatures. Providing protection up to 450 degrees, the nutrient-rich formula leaves hair touchably soft and frizz-free with the brand’s signature Côte d’Azur scent. We love this product so much that it earned top billing on our list of best heat protectants.
• Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray: Ever get your at-home blowout just right, only for the wind to undo all your work? This hairspray will lock hair in place without making it look or feel stiff. Bonus points for added UV protection.
• Amika The Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment: No matter how careful you are when using your hot air brush, split ends are an inevitable side effect when it comes to heat styling. Luckily, Amika’s do-it-all hair treatment takes care of them, reducing breakage and protecting against future damage in the process.

Why Shop With Us

Essence Wiley is a fashion and beauty writer at InStyle. As a type 4 natural who frequently wears protective styles, she is always in the market for a good blow-dryer that can get her hair pin-straight. For this story, she updated our testing insights and consulted experts for everything you need to know about investing in a hair dryer.

Taryn Brooke is a writer with over 10 years of experience in digital media, with almost three years of experience covering beauty and aesthetics. She has been using a straightening iron since middle school, and though she has tried numerous times, she is simply not dexterous enough to hold a brush and blow-dryer at the same time to style. She has since switched to hot air brushes and is a dedicated convert. For this article, she drew from the research conducted at InStyle’s testing lab and the many insights provided by our at-home testers. On top of the tips and tricks received from the onsite hairstylists who have decades of experience, she also interviewed the following hairstylists for this story:

The following experts spoke with InStyle for this story:

• Amanda DiChiara is a New Jersey-based hair stylist and hair loss expert.
• Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon. 
• Michael Dueñas is a celebrity hairstylist and the president of Support Creatives.
• Jennifer Korab is a professional hairstylist.