Best Blow-Dryer Brushes 2023 | Reviewed and Tested
6 Blow-Dryer Brushes Our Editors Swear By
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Unsolicited fun fact: If I had to use just one hair tool for the rest of my life, it would be my Shark blow-dry brush — yup, the one you've seen all over TikTok. The buzzy multi-styling tool has single-handedly transformed my hair routine, making styling my thick and wavy hair significantly easier. It cuts down on styling time, smooths my frizz, and gives my hair so much volume that it looks like I just got a professional blowout.
Admittedly, though, the Shark dryer wasn't the tool that put me onto the trend in the first place; it was the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer, a more affordable (yet equally sensationalized) hot air brush with thousands of five-star reviews across the board. Having used (and loved) both, there are certainly pros and cons to each that I'll dive into in a bit. The good news is that both can reap selfie-worthy results when used correctly.
What does "correctly" means, exactly? Well, one of the biggest mistakes people make using hot air brushes is using them on soaking wet hair, celebrity hairstylist Glenn Ellis tells POPSUGAR. Before grabbing your blow dry brush, he says you should detangle your wet hair with a brush and apply heat protectant to reduce damage. Then, "rough dry your hair 70 percent of the way" with a traditional blow dryer. (Hot air brushes are meant to be used on damp hair, not sopping-wet hair.)
As for your technique, the pro recommends blow drying your hair in sections "the same size as the diameter of the round brush." He says this will ensure your hair gets thoroughly dry and, thus, make the process as efficient as possible. Once it's sectioned, brush the tool from your roots straight down to the ends for a sleek and smooth look, and be sure not to rush the process as you glide it down your hair. You can also twist away from your face for bouncy waves or flip your ends à la the '70s. (Don't worry, there are approximately a zillion YouTube and TikTok videos to help guide you.)
Keep scrolling to find out what blow dry brushes POPSUGAR editors love and why along with details about what makes each unique.
Best Affordable Blow Dryer Brush: Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus 2.0
The Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus ($45, originally $70) is one of (if not *the*) most famous — and most affordable — hot air brushes on the market. It features four temperature settings (cool, low, medium, and high) and a detachable brush that can pack away easily, be it under your sink or in your carry-on. Plus, it's editor-approved. Check out our in-depth review of the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus.
What we love:
- The Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus is widely available both in real life and online and is available via Amazon Prime if you want it to land on your doorstep ASAP.
- As implied by the name, this is the second iteration of Revlon's popular device. The newer model has a smaller barrel brush to get closer to your roots and, thus, achieve more volume.
Who it's best for:
- It has a combination of tufted and boar bristles, which Ellis deems best for "thicker hair or textured hair because it will allow for more tension to help get the hair smoother and decrease frizz."
- It's also great if you need your hairstyle to last. Our editor said: "The biggest difference I noticed between this brush and others I've used in the past is how well my hairstyle stayed put. Although I think I've pretty much mastered the '90s blowout, I've often found that the look can fall throughout the day if I don't use a ton of hairspray or texture spray. I didn't use either after the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer, and my flipped-in ends lasted even after a night of sleeping on them."
Who should avoid it:
- If you're looking for a blow dry brush that comes with different styling attachments, you may want to consider a different device (see: The Dyson Airwrap Styler, the Shark FlexStyle, and the T3 Airbrush Duo Hot Air Blow Dry Brush.)
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 4 (low, medium, high, cool) | Cord Length: 6ft| Bristles: Tufted boar bristles
Best Blow Dryer Brush For Short Hair: T3 Airbrush Duo Hot Air Blow Dry Brush
The T3 Airebrush Duo Hot Air Blow Dry Brush ($190) is one the chicest blow dry brushes we've come across. It comes with two attachments (more on that in a sec) and features five heat settings and three speed settings. To learn more, read our comprehensive review of the T3 Airebrush Duo Hot Air Blow Dry Brush.
What we love:
- We love how this blow dry brush comes with two attachment heads: one 2.5" round brush for voluminous, bouncy blowouts and a 3" paddle brush for sleek, straight looks.
Who it's best for:
- T3 notes that this blow dry brush works on all hair types and lengths, but it's received the most favourable results from those with fine hair, as some with thick hair found that it did not get hot enough to style their strands efficiently.
- The nylon and plastic bristles don't create a lot of tension, which is a great choice for those with finer hair who prefer to be as gentle as possible on their strands.
Who should avoid it:
- If you're looking for an air brush that's applauded for its ergonomic design, this one might not be your perfect match. Several shoppers have noted that the handle is large. One Amazon shopper warned, "if you have small hands, this might be a bit of a struggle to use."
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 5 heat settings (149°F to 185°F) and cool shot | Cord Length: 9ft| Bristles: Plastic and nylon
Best Overall Blow Dryer Brush: Shark FlexStyle
If you're on BeautyTok, you've probably heard content creators raving about the Shark FlexStyle ($300), a more affordable alternative to a major competitor's version (IYKYK). It features a built-in hairdryer, two brushes (an oval one for bouncy blowouts and a paddle brush for smooth hair), a concentrator for targeted drying, and auto-wrap curlers. Read more by checking out our complete review of the Shark FlexStyle.
What we love:
- One of the best features of the Shark FlexStyle is that the device transforms into a blow dryer (no attachment required — you just press a button, and it folds down), which is super convenient given that it's important your hair is *mostly* dry before using it. We also love how you can "build your own" on the brand's website, which means you can choose three styling attachments that best suit your unique styling needs.
Who it's best for:
- The Shark FlexStyle is best for those looking for an all-in-one heat styler at a reasonable price point.
Who should avoid it:
- This may be obvious (sorry), but if your main priority is achieving that classic bouncy blowout look, a more traditional hot air brush will likely do the trick. (See: the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer, the L'ange Hair Le Volume Black 60mm, and the Drybar Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush.)
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 4 (low, medium, high, cool) | Cord Length: 8ft| Bristles: Boar and nylon bristles
Best Blow Dryer Brush With Multiple Attachments: Dyson Airwrap Styler
The Dyson Airwrap ($599) is the OG multifunctional styler to make waves in the beauty space. "Owning the Dyson Airwrap has been a complete game changer when it comes to my hair routine," writes one of our editors. "It's replaced my blow dryer, my round brush, my straightener, two different curling-iron sizes, and my blow-dry brush. Whenever I'm packing for a trip, I don't need to bring tons of different hair tools with me — all I need is my Airwrap and my travel case." Read our complete review of the Dyson Airwrap Styler.
What we love:
- We love how many different looks you can create with the Dyson Airwrap. Just look at the accompanying photo to see the various ways our staff writer used her device.
Who it's best for:
- The Dyson Airwrap is best for those who style their hair frequently, especially if you use it to replace your super hot hair straightener and curling iron. Why? Well, unlike other devices, this one's technology uses heat and air (not just heat) and constantly regulates so that it never goes over 302°F. Simply put, it's a less-damageing alternative for your strands.
Who should avoid it:
- If you want to start styling your hair to perfection straight away, the Dyson might not be your perfect match. There's definitely a learning curve, as told by our editor. "I won't lie: it definitely took some getting used to, and I had to watch tons of different tutorial videos before I finally figured out what I was doing," she wrote. "Now that I've gotten it down, I've been using my Dyson at least two times a week without fail."
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 3 (cool, medium, and high) | Cord Length: 8.75ft | Bristles: Ceramic
Best Lightweight Blow Dryer Brush: L'ange Hair Le Volume Black 60mm
The L'ange Le Volume Petite 2-in-1 Volumizing Brush Dryer ($89) is super sleek and lightweight, coming in at just 1.25 pounds, per the brand (which is the lightest on this list, by the way). It has three heat settings: low (which the brand deems best for styling fine hair), high (for thick strands), and cool (to set your style). One of the biggest draws of all is that this device is great for frizz. The blade is made with titanium plates that are said to prevent frizziness — as confirmed by our editor. Check out our comprehensive review of the L'ange Le Volume Petite 2-in-1 Volumizing Brush Dryer.
What we love:
- Not only is this air dry brush lighter than most designs on the market, but it's also quieter, per numerous reviews.
- It comes with a protective cover to shield the bristles and a cleaner comb to remove hair buildup from the brush.
- It comes in two barrel sizes: 2.4" and 3" (the shorter length is designed for shorter hairstyles).
Who it's best for:
- This device is best for shorter hairstyles in search of a lightweight blow dryer brush.
Who should avoid it:
- There's no one who should specifically avoid it, though it may be better for some than others. For example: If you don't deal with frizziness or need an extra-long electrical cord, you'll probably be just fine opting for a lesser-priced option.
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 3 (low, cool, and high)| Cord Length: 9ft | Bristles: Nylon and tufted
Best Blow Dryer Brush For All Hair Textures: Drybar Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
It's only right that Drybar — the California-based blowout chain — created a Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush ($155), and in its signature yellow colour, no less! It features three heat settings and a combination of tufted and nylon bristles to create the necessary tension to smooth even the coarsest strands. When one of our thick-haired contributors put it to the test, she said her "life was forever changed." Learn more via her review of the Drybar Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush.
What we love:
- This blow dry brush performs well on all hair types, including coarse curls. The contributor who reviewed this tool said her hair is "very thick, frizzy, and curly" and that the DryBar Double Shot makes her hair look "silky, smooth, and straight."
Who it's best for:
- Those with thick hair will benefit most from this device. That's because — as mentioned above — it features a combination of nylon and tufted bristles needed to create smoothing tension when you drag the brush through your strands.
Who should avoid it:
- If you're sensitive to loud noises, you might want to avoid this one and consider one that's praised for its quietness, like the L'ange. Some users found that it made their ears ring (though you could try earplugs if it's too intense).
The Details:
- Heat Settings: 3 (cool, medium, high) | Cord Length: 9ft | Bristles: Tufted and nylon
