Let it be known that I am no hair pro. Yes, I’ve invested in the best blow dryer for my hair. Yes, I’ve watched countless tutorials on how to blow dry hair to achieve a bouncy ‘90s-era blowout. And yet, somehow, I can't get the effect of a professional blow-dry with just a hair brush and a dryer. Hope is not lost for me, though—because I can just use a hair dryer brush for the same effect. Which brings me to: Marie Clarie's definitive list of the best hair dryer brushes that are going to make styling my (and your!) hair a little easier.
When to Use a Hair Dryer Brush
Allow me to make the case for adding this shiny new tool to your repertoire. Hair dryer brushes are great if you’re looking to add volume, cut both your drying and styling time in half, and achieve a shiny, finished look—or just trying to figure out how to blow dry your hair at home. Using a traditional round brush can take a long time (and can cause your arm to hurt in the process if you have a lot of hair), and hair dryer brushes are designed to make a blowout more achievable.
How to Use a Hair Dryer Brush
As with any hot tool, using a hair dryer bush requires some know-how. Just because I had to fumble around in the proverbial dark to master my own skills doesn’t mean you have to. Ahead, I turned to the experts to break down exactly what you should do once you bring a hair dryer brush home.
How Wet Should Your Hair Be?
If you’ve been on TikTok at all over the last few years, you’ve no doubt seen videos of users advising you not to use your hair dryer brush on fresh-from-the-shower hair. They were right. “First make sure your hair is not soaking wet,” says celebrity stylist David Lopez, who has worked with Ashley Graham and Hailey Bieber. “It’s best to have it very towel dried, at least 50 percent air dried—meaning water is not dripping from it, but it’s still pretty wet.”
Their best pro tip before you start out? “The frizzier your hair is, the more wet you want your hair to be when you begin,” they say. If volume is your ultimate goal, either rough dry your hair first or let your hair dry completely before you use the device.
Proper Hair Dry Brush Technique
To get the most out of your hair dryer brush, follow Lopez’s lead. “Use it the same way a pro stylist would use a round brush and blow dryer,” they say. “Take nice, clean sections, and smooth each section out, wrap the hair once around the barrel and then slowly work the brush down the section with tension. Then when you get to the end, really roll the ends around the brush as you are heating it up to get a really smooth bouncy finish. If you want you can roll it back up to the base and let it sit there for a second to get a bit more bounce out of it."
How We Chose the Best Hair Dryer Brushes
There are a few key details that separate the best hair dryer brushes from other options on the market. (Trust me—I'm an E-Commerce Editor who shops for a living and is only here to recommend the best products.)
- Weight: If a round brush and blow dryer are too heavy, you’re going to want to invest in a hair dryer brush that’s lightweight. Especially if you have longer hair or thicker hair, you’re going to be holding the tool for a few minutes at a time. (Most of the tools on this list are some of the lightest brushes on the market.)
- Heat Settings: As with any hot tool, you’re going to want a hair dryer brush that doesn’t get too hot but still has a good variety of heat settings, plus a cool shot to set your style. The majority of the options on this list have the classic three settings, while some have more. This will allow you to customize your drying routine based on your hair type, curl pattern, hair texture, and more, without exposing it to too much heat. Let me use this time to remind you to invest in a great heat protectant product.
- Barrel Size and Shape: Hair dryer brush barrels (try saying that five times fast!) come in all shapes and sizes, and each one gives you a different look. Traditional round barrels are great for giving defined curls. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the finished curl will be. Oval-shaped barrels are great for providing bend to the hair and giving a boost of volume higher up on the hair shaft.
Shop Deals on Hair Dryer Brushes
- Best Overall Hair Dryer Brush: REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush
- Best Investment Hair Dryer Brush: Dyson Airwrap™ Multi-Styler Complete Long
- Best Hair Dryer Brush For Volume: Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush
- Best Hair Dryer Brush for A Smooth Finish: Hot Tools 24K Gold Charcoal Infused One-Step Blowout
- Best Celebrity Stylist-Approved Hair Dryer Brush: T3 AireBrush Duo Interchangeable Hot Air Blow Dry Brush
Shop Deals on Hair Dryer Brushes
The Best Hair Dryer Brushes
Now you never have to worry about correctly rotating your wrists while you attempt to give yourself an at-home blowout. The brush on this blow dryer from BaByliss spins on its own, so you won't have to move a muscle. The ceramic heat protects your hair from damage, while iconic technology keeps your hair looking frizz-free after you style. This tool also has three temperature settings and weighs 1.72 pounds, so it's super lightweight.
Pros: Has a rotating brush; Lightweight; Has three heat settings; Uses ion technology; Ceramic heat fights damage.
Cons: Some reviewers say it has a learning curve; Some reviewers say it doesn't reach the root.
Customer Review: "It may have a learning curve, but this tool is well worth it. The brush with its soft and seemingly splayed bristles keeps your hair from tangling on the tool. My hair looks soft, fluffy, and well styled." — Walmart
The attachments on this updated version of the original, best-selling Dyson Airwrap is officially beauty-editor approved.”The Dyson round brush attachment is by far the best attachment—don't fight me on it. It gives me next-level volume (at the root too) and creates such an effortless blowout,” says Beauty Editor Samantha Holender. “It can take a minute to get a hang of, but once you master the twist-and-pull motion, you'll be left with bouncy, gorgeous curls that last all day."
“I, too, got sucked into the Revlon One-Step Volumizer craze thanks to TikTok, but the 2.0 version took everything about the original and perfected it. Firstly, it has a rounder and much smaller barrel, meaning it's easier to handle. It also added another heat setting so I no longer feel like my hair is frying with every brush through, plus, the head detaches now for better storage. It definitely feels like an upgrade in every sense of the word, not to mention it actually gives my hair volume.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow
Pros: Editor-approved; Good for volume; Has a smaller barrel; The head detaches from the body of the tool for storage.
Cons: Some reviewers say the brush gets too hot.
Customer Review: "This is one of the absolute best hair dryers I've ever used. I have thick, curly hair and it blows it out smooth in a fraction of the time. This is my second hair dryer brush by Revlon. I purchased the original one a while back, however, after using both, I prefer the 2.0 (this one). I definitely recommend buying this! You won't be disappointed." — Amazon
"I currently own this hair dryer brush from Drybar and I've loved it, no matter my hair length. My hair is currently in that tricky in-between stage that hits just above my shoulders, and this is great to give it a little bit more shape while it grows out. I rough dry my hair with a regular drying brush until it’s roughly 80 percent dry and then go in with the Drybar Doubleshot to add volume at the roots and add a little flick at the ends. Think: Lucia from The White Lotus but not as pronounced.” — Julia Marzovilla E-Commerce Editor
Pros: Editor-approved; Good for most hair lengths; Great for volume; Heats up quickly.
Cons: Some reviewers found it too heavy.
Customer Review: "I LOVE my Drybar Double Shot Blow Dryer. I use it almost daily. After washing my hair it blow dries quickly, while also straightening and eliminating frizz. I have fine, but thick hair that usually takes a long time to dry, but with the double shot blow dryer, it probably takes me half the time to do in the morning. With my fine hair texture, it tangles very easily, so this was a concern for me. Not once has my hair tangled while using the dryer. I also use this to refresh my hair in between washes. This dryer is also light weight and easy to use." — Amazon
This new-to-market hair dryer brush from Shark is making waves all over social media because it claims to provide both volume and sleekness for all hair types. The nearly-$300 device comes complete with four styling attachments—two brushes, a concentrator, and an extra barrel—for a versatile finished look. Plus, it's lightweight at just 1.5 lbs. Better yet, the arm of the device itself snaps to a 90-degree angle that makes styling the back and undersides of your hair a breeze.
Pros: Comes with several styling attachments including brushes, concentrator, and more; Good for all hair types; Top-rated.
Cons: Some reviewers say it comes with a learning curve.
Customer Review: "This product is amazing!! I did my hair on Saturday and it’s lasted till Wednesday. No other hair product has been able to do that for me!! It helps so much with frizz as well and the blow dryer works great!" — Sephora
Gold is a incredible conductor of heat, so expect this 24-karat blow dryer brush from Hot Tools to warm up in seconds. This brush even comes with charcoal-infused bristles, so it's great for second-day hair. It’s designed with a heat-resistant base and tip that won’t burn your hands whenever you touch them as you style, and the oval-shaped brush makes for a smoother finish rather than a curled one. So, if you’re looking for a blow dryer brush that will give you an all-over smooth look with flipped-out ends rather than complete curls, this one's for you.
Pros: Great for a smooth finish; Heats up quickly; Has a heat-resistant top and handle.
Cons: Not great if you're looking for perfectly-curled ends.
Customer Review: "What an amazing product! It is so easy to maneuver and it left my hair feeling soft. I have long and thick hair, so the size was perfect. I used it when my hair was a bit more wet than damped, and after about three swipes, it instantly looked salon-quality with great volume! My hair did not get tangled whatsoever with the brush bristles as it used to with a regular round brush, and it brushed through effortlessly with no pulling on the hair. It does make noise like a regular blow dryer, but it's way less loud than your typical blow dryer. My hands did not get tired like they used to when I would blow dry my hair with a regular blow dryer, so it really is perfect for everyday use. I also like that it has an extra heat setting ("medium") for when your hair is already dry but want to retouch the ends. The oval shape also really does capture your roots, so I did not need to go back and dry them off with another dryer." — Ulta
