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11 best blow dryer brushes, according to editors and hairstylists

 

These 3-in-1 hot tools can dry, detangle and style your hair in minutes.

I love nothing more than a fresh blowout — perfectly styled hair with bouncy curls. What can be better? Thankfully, you don’t have to master working a hair dryer and round brush at the same time for a salon-level finish. A 3-in-1 hair tool that dries, detangles and styles hair simultaneously, more popularly known as a blow dryer brush, requires less work while giving you the same results.

To help you learn about this hot tool, including how to properly use it and what to consider before purchasing one, I spoke to hairstylists and rounded up their recommendations along with NBC Select staff favorites and highly rated options.

Here are the factors I kept in mind, per expert guidance, while compiling this list:

• Bristles: Blow dryer brushes typically have nylon bristles, boar bristles or a combination of both. Nylon bristles are best for detangling thick or curly hair while boar bristles are best for fine and straight hair as well as distributing natural oils for a smooth finish, according to hairstylist Stephanie Tineo. Every option on this list has at least one of these options.
• Heat settings: A brush with multiple heat levels allows you to try different settings so you can discover the best one for your hair type and style of choice. All of the blow dryer brushes below have at least two general heat settings (low, high) and most have a cool shot button to help set your look.
• Material/technology: According to experts in our guide to the best hair dryers, there are four main types of material/technology used in hot tools: ceramic, titanium, tourmaline, and ionic. Ceramic is great at distributing heat evenly, whereas titanium is lighter than ceramic but can get hotter. Ionic technology, most ideal for thick textures, dries hair quickly, which means there is less risk of hair damage because you’re taking less time to apply heat. Tourmaline dryers typically use infrared heat to seal hair cuticles, which makes the hair shinier. All four of these materials/technologies are in our list, with each blow dryer brush having at least one, except the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle, which use coanda airflow, a type of technology that attracts hair to the surface of the barrel by creating a “spinning vortex of air” around it, according to Dyson.
• Price: Like many styling tools, these tend to have a higher price point than other hair care products. My list has options as low as $25 and as high as $599.

The best blow dryer brushes

Best overall: Dyson Airwrap

What we like

• For all hair types
• Easy to travel with
• Minimizes heat damage

Something to note

• Most expensive on list

Amy Abramite, creative director and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, loves the Dyson Airwrap for its quality (both performance and material) and versatility, which mimics a full salon kit thanks to six styling attachments, including three brushes — two for smoothing and one for volumizing.

It’s also a personal favorite of mine because it dries my hair fast, and I can use the interchangeable attachments to achieve whatever style I want. For example, I use the firm smoothing brush for straight and smooth styles, but for big and bouncy curls, I use the long barrels.

No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: synthetic nylon | Material/technology: coanda effect | Attachments: 6

Best for refreshing hair: Shark Beauty SmoothStyle

What we like

• Minimizes heat damage
• Has a cool-touch tip
• Easy to adjust settings

Something to note

• Heavier than other options
• Hard to reach roots

“If you’re looking for a vehicle to straighten your hair or give yourself a bouncy blowout, it’s a great option,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider, who received a sample from SmoothStyle to test and review. This tool comes recommended by Abramite because it has wet and dry hair modes. Wet hair mode dries and adds volume to the hair, while dry hair mode heats the comb with no added airflow to smooth out and straighten styles, according to the brand.

No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 3 and 1 heated comb mode setting | Cool shot button: no | Bristles: boar and nylon | Material/technology: ceramic | Attachments: 1

Best budget pick: Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus

What we like

• Creates volume at root
• For all hair types
• Travel-friendly

Something to note

• Can get extremely hot

“I used to always blow dry my hair and then straighten it with a flat iron, but I haven’t looked back since getting the Revlon One Step,” says NBC Select page Ella Morrissey, who has short and straight hair with a fine texture. “It leaves my hair feeling silky and soft after just 10 minutes. It feels like I’m getting a professional blowout from the comfort of my own home.” The hot tool has a 2.4-inch oval head size and soft bristles that help to prevent snagging or pulling on the hair, according to the brand.

No. of speed settings: n/a | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: charcoal infused nylon | Material/technology: ceramic titanium tourmaline | Attachments: 1

Most lightweight: Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0

What we like

• For all hair types/textures
• Bristles minimize breakage
• Minimizes frizz

Something to note

• Can be hard to reach roots

Schneider also loves using this option from Amika to blow out her curly hair. “It gets hot without feeling like I’m burning through my hair, and the big barrel gives me really big bouncy curls on my ends when I use it,” she says. “It can very quickly dry my hair, too, which I appreciate.” She also loves that there’s almost zero learning curve, making it straightforward to use. This version is an upgrade from its previous model, thanks to internal mechanisms that boost its durability, according to the brand.

No. of speed settings: 3 (dependent on heat setting) | No. of heat settings: 3 (dependent on speed setting) | Cool shot button: no | Bristles: nylon | Material/technology: tourmaline | Attachments: 1

Editor’s pick: T3 AireBrush

What we like

• Easy to adjust settings
• Protects hair moisture level
• Fast styling

Something to note

• Nothing to note at this time

Whenever I want a subtle, bouncy blowout, I reach for my T3 Airebrush because it works fast and I can easily adjust the airflow and heat settings by rotating the end of the handle. After a few passes through my hair, my final look has little to no frizz, which is surprising since I tend to have frizz-prone hair that can worsen with excessive brushing. Aside from its effectiveness and efficiency, I can move around my bathroom while styling my hair since it has an 8-foot swivel cord that doesn’t get tangled up or restrict movement.

No. of speed settings: 2 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: nylon | Technology: ceramic | Attachments: 1

Best for travel: Trademark Beauty Easy Blo Hair Dryer Brush

What we like

• Adds volume to hair
• Detangles hair quickly
• Lower price point

Something to note

• May not be best for thick hair

Abramite, who has straight and fine hair, never travels without this lightweight option. “It has ionic and ceramic technology built in for a speedy and healthy blowout that’s frizz-free with plenty of bounce,” she says. She also says it’s easy to maneuver and gets the job done in just a few passes.

No. of speed settings: 3 (dependent on heat setting) | No. of heat settings: 3 (dependent on speed setting) | Cool shot button: no | Bristles: nylon and tufted with boar technology | Material/technology: ceramic ionic | Attachments: 1

Most versatile: Shark FlexStyle

What we like

• Minimizes heat damage
• For all hair types
• Multiple attachments

Something to note

• Higher price point

The Shark FlexStyle comes recommended by NBC Select social media assistant Caitlin Cusack, who says it cut her styling time from 40 minutes down to 20. “I love using the round brush attachments to give my hair the perfect blowout look,” she says. “I like to use these right after washing to smooth my frizzy hair while also giving it some volume. I’ll first use the paddle brush to make sure my hair is dry, then I’ll use the rounded attachment to give my hair volume and a bouncy blowout finish.” The FlexStyle also comes with two interchangable auto-wrap curlers and a styling concentrator. And although this is pricier than most options on our list, Cusack says it’s durable and worth the splurge.

No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: boar and nylon | Material/technology: coanda effect | Attachments: 5

Best for shine: Drybar The Double Shot Oval Blow Dryer Brush

What we like

• Reduces frizz
• For all hair types/textures
• Comfortable to hold

Something to note

• Heavier than other options

Reviewers say that this blow dryer brush, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 3,900 reviews on Amazon, leaves their hair smooth, voluminous and shiny in a timely fashion. They also love how easy it is to use, and despite it being one of the heaviest options on this list, reviewers say it feels lightweight and isn’t bothersome as they dry and style hair. If you prefer a smaller barrel, the brand also has its Single Shot Blow Dryer Brush, roughly 0.2 inches smaller than the barrel on The Double Shot.

No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: no | Bristles: nylon and tufted | Material/technology: ionic | Attachments: 1

Best for volume: L’ange Le Volume

What we like

• For all hair types/textures
• Available in two sizes
• Comes with a protective cover

Something to note

• Size too big for short hair

L’ange’s Le Volume uses tug-resistant bristles to create tension for overall smooth styles with lots of volume, according to the brand. The brush’s titanium technology heats up quickly and distributes the heat evenly so you can efficiently style your hair with minimal frizz. This blow dryer brush has a 4.4-star average rating from over 12,600 reviews on Amazon and is also available in a smaller barrel size.

No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Cool shot button: no | Bristles: synthetic boar | Material/technology: titanium | Attachments: 1

Best paddle brush: Conair The Knot Dr. All-in-One Smoothing Dryer Brush

What we like

• Reduces frizz
• For all hair types/textures
• Removable attachment

Something to note

• Not for big bouncy blowouts

This silicone-cushioned paddle, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, has 136 evenly-spaced bristles for pain-free brushing and comfort, according to the brand. Reviewers say they notice less breakage, snagging and pulling when blow drying and brushing their hair with this tool. They also say their hair is left feeling and looking silky smooth and enjoy that they can have a slight bounce to their style if they choose not to have completely straight hair.

No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 2 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: nylon | Material/technology: n/a | Attachments: 1

Best for thick hair: Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer

What we like

• Fast styling
• Durable
• Available in multiple sizes

Something to note

• No cool shot button

Although this is suitable for all hair types and textures, reviewers with thick hair especially love this blow dryer brush because it dries and smooths their hair fast. Reviewers say it’s also great for quick touchups and refreshes at the ends (the charcoal-infused bristles help refresh day two hair, according to the brand) and love how its long cord allows for them to easily move around their bathroom.

No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 2 | Cool shot button: yes | Bristles: charcoal infused boar | Material/technology: ionic | Attachments: 1

How to shop for blow dryer brushes

When shopping for a blow dryer brush, our experts recommend thinking about a few important factors so you can safely and easily style your hair:

Bristles

Most blow dryer brushes have nylon and boar bristles for grip and tension to manipulate hair into a smooth, frizz-free finish regardless of the style you want to achieve. Most textures respond well to denser bristles, but if you have breakage, use one with sparser bristles to create less tension and more protection for fragile hair, says Abramite.

Barrel size

A larger barrel will create smoothness and minimal movement post-styling, whereas a smaller one will boost volume and waves and/or curl in the style, according to Abramite.

Barrel size might also depend on your hair length, according to Tineo. For example, a small brush is best suited for those with short hair, while a larger brush may be better for those with long hair, Tineo says.

Heat settings

Blow dryer brushes typically have two to four heat settings. Abramite recommends choosing one with a high heat, low heat and cool setting. Fragile textures prone to heat damage should be used on low heat, and healthier hair types can use the high heat setting. The cool button is a nice bonus to lock in and set the style for longer-lasting results, she says. Keep in mind that hair cuticles can become damaged by heat over 365 degrees Fahrenheit, according to experts in our guide to the best flat irons.

Hair type and texture

The type of blow dryer brush you choose also depends on your hair type and texture. Tineo recommends the following:

• Fine hair. Use a small brush with a mixture of boar and nylon bristles for a gentle grip and lift.
• Thick hair. Use a larger brush with denser bristles to provide tension and control for a smooth blow drying.
• Curly hair. Use a brush that’s wide and flexible to avoid damaging your curls.
• Wavy hair. Use a medium size brush with a mix of nylon and boar bristles to enhance volume.

Frequently asked questions

How does a blow dryer brush differ from other hot tools?

A blow dryer brush is more user-friendly for at-home styling, according to Abramite. The hair dryer and brush are combined in one tool, making it easier to dry and style simultaneously because there is less juggling of the tools. A bonus with some of the newer blow dryer brushes is the variety in sizes and shapes of attachments to mimic salon results, she says.

However, a blow dryer (on its own) offers more variety with heat settings and power options, resulting in more styling options. The downside is it requires more skill to dry hair while simultaneously using a hair dryer and a brush.

How do you use a blow dryer brush?

How you use a blow dryer brush will depend on the tool (some may have specific instructions) and how you want the finished hairstyle to look. Generally, Abramite suggests doing the following:

• For all hair types and textures, start with damp hair and apply a heat protectant. Next, detangle with a wet brush or wide-tooth comb.
• Determine the type of style you want and layer a second product if needed on top of the heat protectant. (If your styling product already includes a heat protectant, you do not have to layer it.) Generally speaking, if volume is your desired outcome, a texture spray or mousse is a good option for boosted texture. If straighter hair is the goal, an oil or leave-in condition is an excellent choice for shine and silkiness.
• Next, choose your tool/attachment. For bouncy volume and movement, choose a smaller diameter brush to create waves and curls. For straighter, flatter hair, a larger diameter brush is best to reduce frizz and condense unwanted puffiness.
• Choose aesthetics. For maximum root lift, blow dry hair with horizontal sections and lift up towards the ceiling for fullness. For straighter hair, blow dry hair with horizontal sections with tension towards the floor to smooth and reduce volume.
• Lock in the shape. Use the cool button to set hair on the brush once the desired volume or straightness is achieved.
• For quick hair touch-ups, run the blow dryer brush over dry hair using the same technique as the original blow dry.

What is the best way to clean a blow dryer brush?

Because a blow dryer brush has bristles, hair can get stuck and leave your brush dirty. After each use, use your fingers or a tail comb to remove the loose hair that gets caught in the bristles, says Abramite. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe away any leftover product that builds up on the handle, she says.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Amy Abramite is the creative director and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Stephanie Tineo is a New York City-based hairstylist at both Her “The Beauty Bar” and O&M NYC hair salon.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m an associate reporter at NBC Select covering the latest product launches and all things beauty and wellness, including recent stories on the best shampoo bars and hair masks. For this article, I interviewed two hair experts about blow dryer brushes and included their recommendations along with highly rated options and NBC Select-staff favorites that align with expert guidance.