I'm lucky enough to have a twin sister, but by the look of us, no one would ever guess. We're actually quite different in more ways than one and, growing up, we've had fun marveling over our many differences. However, there's one genetic quality of hers that I truly envy: her hair. You see, she has the kind of locks that can not only pull anything off (style, cut, bangs, you name it), but can also be washed and left untouched to air dry into a style that looks as good as a fresh blowout.
Me? Let's just say that if I don't get a hot tool on my hair before it naturally dries, there's no telling what in the Ms. Frizzle it will look like. For years, I relied on a good hair dryer and round brush. At least I did until blow-dry brushes entered the beauty scene and streamlined the process. It started with the cult-classic Revlon One-Step, but now, the market is saturated with so many hair dryer and volumizing brushes that it's hard to decide which to add to cart.
So, on behalf of everyone who looks at their siblings with jealousy over their perfect hair — or just wants to narrow down their hot hair tool choices — I'm putting a few of the most popular brushes to the test to see which one can help create the easiest and sleekest salon-quality blowout.
Best overall$undefined$159.99
Offers the best hair tension$undefined$155.00
What to look for in a blow-dry brush
According to celebrity hairstylist Marcos Diaz, the most important things to pay attention to while blow-drying your hair is tension and heat. When it comes to the former, you don't want to pull on your hair to the point of experiencing any pain, but a healthy tug is crucial to creating shape. "You need that tension to smooth out the hair," says Diaz. "Because what’s essentially happening is you’re pulling out all the elasticity to be able to smooth it out and get that smoothed-out shape. Without [it], your style is not going to set."
Diaz recognizes the worry that comes with using too much heat on the hair, however, he also says it's important to acknowledge that temperature can drastically change your style outcome. "Hair is a lot like clay when you’re styling it; it’s very moldable," he says. "You really need to get the heat in there to be able to get the shape and style that you want." Diaz adds that he always uses the highest possible setting no matter the tool he's using — whether it’s a blow dryer, a curling iron, a flat iron — as it's the only way to ensure your blowout sticks.
How I tested each blow-dry brush
Each tool was tested on freshly washed hair at least once. I waited for my hair to air dry to at least 65% to 75% before using any tool. Each time, my hair was sectioned in two and pre-treated with the Saltair Heat Protectant Spray and K18 Reparative Volume Spray.
Best overall blow-dry brush, as tested by the author
Easy to use: 4/5 | Heat settings: 5/5 | Drying speed: 5/5 | Styling: 4.75/5 | Overall average score: 4.81/5
I have to say — T3 knows what they're doing when it comes to hair. There's a ton to love about this tool, starting with the basics. The brush head is large and can hold a lot of hair at the same time, while the SmoothGrip bristles ensure you don't lose any of that tension. I loved how these bristles gently worked through my hair (practically as good as my favorite round brush). There was no snagging or unnecessary pulling; in fact, it helped to de-tangle any knots rather than tug on them.
This brush is also designed with specialized vents to boost drying time and keep an even airflow with every pass. By the time this tool had my hair completely dried and styled (which was barely any time at all), it felt incredibly soft and full of volume. Some tools smooth my hair too much, making me lose my natural thickness. This was able to tame and smooth all my hair without diminishing its best features. It's also a lightweight tool that didn't have my arms sore from lifting it in the middle of my blowout.
The Airebrush would be a perfect 10 in my book if it just had buttons. The twist-on and off feature is so much less convenient, especially having one setting (heat) on top of the other (airflow). It's easy to accidentally change the wrong one, so I don't see this being the most accessible to users in that respect.
More blow-dry brushes, as tested by the author
Offers the best features:
Easy to use: 3.5/5 | Heat settings: 5/5 | Drying speed: 5/5 | Styling: 4.75/5 | Overall average score: 4.56/5
One of my biggest gripes with blow-dry brushes is when it has an inconvenient handle. If the tool is designed to be held for long periods of time, why do we make it so hard to grasp? Upon opening this brand-new tool from Shark, I was relieved to see an ergonomic handle. It’s thinner near the top of the device, which allows me to direct it with more precision (and not feel like I have carpal tunnel when I’m done).
The Glossi’s claim to fame is its technology. It was clearly designed with all types of hair in mind — from coily and curly textures to thick and wavy. The brush head alone boasts more features than what meets the eye: a teardrop shape for better access to roots, heated ceramic plates for locking in shine and a scalp protection guard to prevent heat burn. I was most impressed with how quickly this tool dried my hair and how soft it felt after it was completely dried. The temperature options are also just right; I used the hottest setting to dry my strands and the medium temperature to get close to my scalp.
I knocked a few points off this one because it’s not as intuitive as the other tools. For this one, you have to carefully read the directions to fully understand all its features. (For example, if you’re not aware that “dry mode” needs 45 seconds to heat up, you might think the device malfunctioned.) There’s also a learning curve to using it, especially when it comes to the brush head and using the side with the correct bristles at the right time. If you don’t place the hair correctly, you can lessen the tension in the middle of your pass.
Best for your budget:
Easy to use: 4.5/5 | Heat settings: 4.5/5 | Drying speed: 4.5/5 | Styling: 3.75/5 | Overall average score: 4.31/5
If this brush had a nickname, I’d take bets that it would be “Old Reliable.” It’s been around for a long time, for the simple reason that it gets the job done. It tackled my thick hair with ease and dried all of it in a quick amount of time. Is it anything fancy? Not really. But it offers plenty of heat and a solid amount of airflow that helps me style my hair with efficiency. That’s all I really require when I need to get my hair looking good in 15 minutes or less.
One thing I wish was better was its bristle grip. The hair tension wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the strongest, and every section I grabbed slid through the brush a little too easily. I just wish it grabbed hold a little tighter. I truly think the results would have turned out better, as I didn’t achieve much bounce at the ends. I also noticed that some of the bristles look bent out of shape, and that’s only after one or two blowouts. So, I worry about the tool’s longevity.
A cool feature that I wasn’t expecting is the detachable head, which is great for storing and traveling; however, I wish Revlon offered a pouch or case to store it in. I don’t like how it can just float around in a bag or luggage, leaving it susceptible to damage.
Most lightweight:
Easy to use: 5/5 | Heat settings: 4/5 | Drying speed: 4/5 | Styling: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.25/5
This was the only tool I tried that came with a protective covering for the brush head. I'm shocked other brands don't think to do this as well. I'm always worried about how to store these tools because the bristles are constantly unprotected. Right off the bat, this was great to discover upon opening the box. (The smell, however, is a different story...)
I had a good experience using the L'ange Blow Dryer Brush, but I think I appreciated it most for its lightweight and easy-to-use design. The ergonomic handle made it easy to hold and its weight won't terrify anyone who has longer hair to deal with. My favorite part was how smooth and soft my hair felt afterwards.
However, I definitely needed more heat from this one. The blow-drying process took a little longer than I hoped for, and I think that's in large part due to the temperature settings. Its "hottest" setting did not offer the amount of heat or air power that I was expecting or, more importantly, needing.
Best for travel:
Easy to use: 5/5 | Heat settings: 3.5/5 | Drying speed: 3.5/5 | Styling: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4/5
If there's one complaint that I hear about with blow-dry brushes specifically, it has to do with their size and weight. The last thing you want is to finish styling one side of your head only to realize your arms feel like they've been lifting weights before you even start on the other side. I feel like this tool was made to solve this specific problem. It weighs less than a pound and is the perfect compact size for storing in a carry-on. (It even comes with it's own travel bag!)
In terms of top features, they're ones you can't visually see. According to the brand, the tool is designed with worldwide dual voltage and auto-sensing: meaning it can perform in different countries and regions without any manual work on your part. As someone who travels at least once or twice a year (and who has had a few tools either stop working or break altogether in other parts of the world), I consider this to be a great perk.
The reason this isn't the first tool I'd reach for is because it's simply not as powerful as I need it to be. There's only two airflow settings, and the fastest one doesn't offer the speed my hair needs. And the hottest temperature should be hotter, simply put. This takes too long to fully dry and style my hair, and is a much better choice for shorter, thinner hair. With that said, I have to admit that this tool offered a ton of volume to the crown of my head that lasted a few days.
Best for strong hair tension:
Easy to use: 4/5 | Heat settings: 4.5/5 | Drying speed: 3.75/5 | Styling: 3.75/5 | Overall average score: 4/5
For me, my blowouts are way less voluminous when I can't get enough hair tension. If the bristles aren't able to grab onto my hair properly, there's a good chance the results are going to look less than impressive. I'm not sure if it's the placement of the bristles or how they are constructed, but this tool grabs a strong hold of every piece of hair with each pass, never snagging, ripping or over-pulling.
I liked the initial volume this tool offered, thanks to the 2.44-inch barrel. What's great about Drybar is that they offer the tool in two other barrel sizes as well: 2.24 inches and 1.5 inches, which can help to accommodate differing hair textures and preferred styles. I tried the larger "Doubleshot" and was gifted with a frizz-free finish and rather smooth strands.
My user experience score isn't higher because I don't like how the tool was physically designed. It's powered by a twisting mechanism near the bottom, but each setting is shown in hard-to-see symbols that are the same color as the handle. You don't have much choice with the air speed either, which you can only change by choosing a different heat. This may have something to do with why my style didn't last after a day or two.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes time to prep your hair for a hot hair tool like this one, all of the experts I spoke to put a special emphasis on properly protecting your hair. "When prepping your hair before styling with a blow-dry brush, I would always always recommend using a heat protectant, whether it be a spray, cream or serum," says hairstylist Lindsey Esposito. She adds this step is crucial for both natural and colored strands.
Post blow-out, hairstylist Jewell Hingorani recommends finishing with a lightweight oil, especially if you have drier ends.
Hingorani can expertly blow-dry hair with her eyes closed, but even she recognizes how tricky it can be with a normal blow-dryer and brush combination. A blow-dry brush is an easy way to simplify the process for anyone who doesn't have professional training or hours of practice.
To get the best out of your hot tool, Hingorani recommends working in sections. "Bringing your hair towards you and really focusing on the roots, then the mid-shaft and then the ends is how I personally love to blow-dry hair," she says. "It really gives you a smooth bouncy effect."
She also warns against using these types of tools every day, especially if you have a habit of using them for daily touch-ups. This could cause your strands to become dry and, potentially, damaged. "I say 2 to 3 times a weeks is plenty of heat for the blow-drying brushes."
According to Esposito, you never want to use a blow-dry brush on soaking wet hair. "I would say 70% to 80% dry. Blow-drying on [extremely] wet hair is never recommended, as it can cause breakage and damage from the constant high heat." Her tip for a better blow-drying process is to make sure your sections are never larger than the brush head. "Adding too much hair into your brush will not allow for even drying," she says.
As someone with coarse hair, Hingorani appreciates tools that have features that work with both wet and dry hair (like what we see on the Shark Glossi). "With people that have curlier hair, they have to go from wet to dry, and some of these brushes don’t really accommodate that."
Esposito says a “cool shot” is definitely a feature to look out for "as it cools and sets your style to ensure lasting hold." She also adds that tools with multiple heat settings offer a great way to customize your blowout to your specific hair type.
According to Diaz, anyone can achieve the look they want, but to do it, some hair types will need more time and attention. Certain hair types many only require a few passes through each section to achieve a specific look, but others, like super thick or curly strands, aren't as easy to work with when using these tools. "If [the hair is] super curly, you’re going to have to spend a lot more time on each section, but to me, I still think it’s possible to achieve these looks on any hair type," says Diaz.
For curlier or coilier hair types, Hingorani says you need to be using the tool at a high heat and airflow setting, or else you risk a frizzy, "unfixable" style.
Why trust Shop TODAY
Danielle Murphy is the audience development writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2021 and has covered everything from beauty trends to the hottest sales to shop. From testing the best mascaras to finding the best multi-styling tools, she's no stranger to the testing process in the beauty space!
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on blow-dry brushes and hair tools. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Marcos Diaz is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City.
- Lindsey Esposito is a professional hairstylist based in New Jersey, who specialized in balayage color, hair extensions, wedding and event styling and more.
- Jewell Hingorani is a professional hairstylist and founder of Jewell Clip.
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