Even as a hair-straightener devotee for over 20 years, the best hair dryer brushes have officially converted me. These hot-tool hybrids really work, quickly delivering gorgeous style with less heat damage—some even double as curling irons. If you’ve never tried one, think of your favorite round brush, but with a cord that blows hot air as you shape your hair.
With end-of-summer parties, back-to-school mornings, and holiday events on the horizon, having a reliable two-in-one styling tool feels more essential than ever, so we tapped professional stylists to find out what matters most when shopping for a dryer-brush hybrid, then asked members of our editorial team with a variety of hair types and lengths to weigh in on their favorites.
After testing more than a dozen of the latest and greatest brushes for ease of use, heat settings, and performance, our top pick was the T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit, which is lightweight, quiet, and leaves even long hair frizz-free. Several others impressed us for curly hair, travel-friendly design, or quick morning styling on short pixies and bobs.
The best blow-dryer brushes, at a glance
Featured in this article
.png)
How we tested
We tested blowout brushes by evaluating their temperature levels, how easy they were to use, and whether they gave us salon-worthy results on a variety of hair lengths and types. The best blowout brushes were gentle on hair with a slew of heat settings or infrared technology, and they didn’t leave our strands looking or feeling particularly dry or fried. We also went with models that were easy to use and maneuver around our heads (those that weighed about one pound were our favorites). The hair dryer brushes that rose to the top gave us smooth, silky hair that looked and felt completely frizz-free for hours after our blow-dry.
Over the past three months since our last update, we’ve continued testing new and noteworthy blow-dry brushes. One standout is the Drybar All-Inclusive Air + Active Heat 8-in-1 Multi-Styler, which has quickly become a favorite—especially for its round brush attachment, which delivers fast, smooth, salon-style blowouts with minimal effort.
Best Overall: T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit
.png)
- What we love: Less heat damage; lightweight and easy to use; comes in an easy-to-store thermal pouch; works quickly
- What could improve: Our testers fingers kept accidentally changing the heat settings
The T3 wins for best blow-dryer brush overall because it strikes a really sweet spot—it’s half the price of some comparable dryers (like the Dyson!) and just as versatile. We were quite impressed with the tool’s styling prowess, too, whether using it as a blow-dry brush or a curling wand. Overall, it’s a fantastic value and beloved by several Glamour editors.
What our tester says: “Using this hair tool felt like a luxury experience, from unboxing to the actual styling. Compared with other dryers, it was relatively quiet. It comes in a beautiful hexagonal box that houses a pouch rather than a bulky, hard-to-store box. The tool is also one of the lighter options we tested, making it possible to style even long hair with little to no arm fatigue. I have very long, wavy hair, so I appreciated the size of the brush and the fact that it does a good job detangling as you work,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “I was able to grab larger chunks of hair without sacrificing smooth, frizz-free results, allowing me to dry my hair much faster than I typically can with other hair dryers and dryer brushes I’ve tried.”
Best Value: Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus
- What we love: Great tension; leaves hair soft and shiny; capable of grabbing a lot of hair at once
- What could improve: Short cord
We’ve raved about Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer at length, and now the brand has a new iteration of the beloved hot tool to gush over. The new blow-dryer brush offers everything the OG did—plus a smaller handle, a smaller brush head to give you more control, and a fourth heat setting to suit a wider range of hair types. Earley put it to the test on her mid-back-length wavy hair and was impressed by what she saw in the mirror.
What our tester says: “I tried the original Revlon One-Step and loved it but was wary of how hot it got—even for my relatively thick hair,” she says. “This one didn’t singe the roots (or my forehead!) quite like the original but still left my hair incredibly smooth and shiny in only about 20 minutes, which is great considering how long my hair is,” says Earley.
Best for Curly Hair: GHD Duet Blowdry Hair-Dryer Brush
- What we love: Gentle on hair; leaves strands silky and soft
- What could improve: Can dry out hair a bit
So you may be thinking: Can curly-haired girls use a blowout brush? In short, they can, as long as the brush is suitable for coarse hair types, like this GHD pick. It’s gentle on hair and gives you smooth, blowout-worthy volume at a low temperature, which is gentle on curls.
What our tester says: “Other than my Dyson (which I do love for its versatility), this was my first experience with a blow-dryer brush, and I was super impressed. The GHD is very straightforward—a one-button push to turn on, then it heats in under a minute and takes my curly hair to blowout beautiful in 20 minutes. It’s easy to use, and the results speak for themselves. I do wish it was less heavy, as it becomes cumbersome to hold after a while, and that I could choose between heat settings. But overall, it’s a solid pick,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Best for Frizzy Hair: Amika Blow-Dryer Brush
- What we love: Quieter than others we evaluated; three speed settings
- What could improve: Some users find the handle uncomfortable
Amika’s popular offering has staggered long and short bristles that make short work of flyaways and frizz, while the large oval brush delivers a mirrorlike finish every time. For customization, the brush also has three heat settings to suit various hair types, from fine to coarse. We also like that this blow-dryer brush was significantly quieter than some others we tried—great for those with roommates or snoozing kids.
What our tester says: Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is a massive fan of this brush because of the speed with which it allowed her to dry most of her hair. “This hot-air brush allowed me to dry my strands in about 20 minutes, which is a lot faster than how long it usually takes. It also made my hair look super silky and smooth—easy to run my fingers through and totally flyaway free.”
Best for Long Hair: BondiBoost Infrared Heated Thermal Hot Round Brush
.png)
- What we love: The infrared light makes this brush much gentler on hair than some of the other tools on this list.
- What could improve: It’s pricey; your hair may not hold a curl for long after use
If you have thick hair, this infrared heated round brush will be a lifesaver when you’re looking for a quick blowout at home. The infrared tech is gentle on hair (so you won’t have to worry about any breakage or burning) and works to lock in moisturizer and reduce frizz, which is perfect for dry, thick hair types.
What our tester says: “I didn’t expect to love this little dry brush as much as I do. I have long, thick hair, and styling it can be such a long process. (My hair is almost at my butt at this point.) This tiny but mighty hair tool gave me sleek, straight hair in under 30 minutes. The red light isn’t super noticeable, but I know it’s working because it smooths my hair effortlessly. If you have lots of layers, bangs, or even short hair, you’ll love the volume and bounce that this tool will give you. I like to use it to style my front face layers. I tend to use it once my hair is air-dried after showering; just make sure to use heat protectant and styling creams to avoid frizziness,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Thick Hair: Shark FlexStyle Heated Comb Blow-Dryer Brush
- What we love: Very versatile styling tool; four heat settings; works quickly
- What could improve: Doesn’t come with storage case
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, Glamour editors love the Shark FlexStyle Heated Comb and Blow-Dryer Brush for use on thick, coarse hair. The best part about this one is that you can customize your final look by simply twisting the brush outward while pulling it through your hair to create a sweeping curl at the end of your strands. This makes it more versatile than the other brushes on this list—and it never gets overly hot, so it won’t cause breakage.
What our tester says: “I was surprised by how quickly and how well this dried my long, coarse, and wavy hair,” says Earley. “The end result was smooth and silky—not all that different from my beloved straightener, but thankfully, so much better for my hair.” Glamour reviewer Anna Vognsen shares the sentiment. “I have wavy, thick hair and I was surprised by how much this cut my dry time. Traditionally a blow-dryer takes over 40 minutes, but I could go from wet to dry in 15 with this tool.”
Best for Travel: CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush
- What we love: Comes with four interchangeable attachments; great tension
- What could improve: Hair occasionally gets tangled in the brush
There’s a lot to love about the CHI Volumizer: frizz-reducing ionic technology, four attachments for versatile styling (round brush, paddle brush, diffuser, and nozzle concentrator), and a shiny finish no matter which add-on you choose. But the thing everyone loves the most about this blowout brush is how much tension you get. In tests, we found the two-tiered bristles really grab the hair to give you that straight, glass-like result that can be hard to achieve with your average dryer brush. Its compact size also makes it a great travel hair dryer brush.
What our tester says: “I’ve tried close to a dozen blow-dryer brushes over the years, and this one undoubtedly gives the best tension,” says Earley. “Just be sure to section your hair well—especially if you have wavy or curly hair. The trade-off is that hair occasionally gets a little tangled in the brush.”
Best for Fine Hair: BaBylissPro Style/Switch Ionic Multi-Styler & Dryer
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium StyleSwitch Ionic Multi-Styler & Hair Dryer
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium StyleSwitch Ionic Multi-Styler & Hair Dryer
.png)
.png)
- What we love: Very lightweight
- What could improve: There’s a learning curve when figuring out what speed and setting to use
If you want a tool that will dry your fine hair without burning it, look to this gentle multi-styler and hair dryer that simply does it all. It comes with nine heat settings that make it easy to customize your blowout, and it never gets too hot.
What our tester says: “I love this blow-drying brush and styler because it’s probably one of the lightest hair tools in my collection (perfect for throwing in your carry-on or a duffle for when you’re on the go). It’s extremely user-friendly, and there are a ton of fan settings, so you can really customize whether you want a fast-drying sesh or to take your time with creating classic, blown-out waves. I used the round-brush attachment on my long hair and found that it dried quickly (it took about 20 minutes in total), and I love how glossy my strands looked after the fact. Something it did that I didn’t expect: It completely killed my frizz! My hair was soft and velvety, and had little flyaways compared with my usual frizz-ridden look. I’d highly recommend this one if drying your hair makes your hair frizzy; I was thoroughly impressed,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Short Hair: Hot Tools Pro Artist Hot Air Styling Brush
.png)
.png)
- What we love: Lightweight and easy to maneuver; rotating barrel to help prevent snags; long power cord
- What could improve: Only two heat and speed settings
This hot-air styling brush is a versatile, easy-to-handle option for short hair. Because of its slim profile, it’s easy to grip and control even on really short cuts like bobs and pixies to add volume, shape, and flip. Its multi-vent barrel has flexible, ball-tipped bristles that gently comb hair, while the rotating barrel helps release strands without tangles (particularly useful for longer or curlier hair). Its two heat and speed settings are a bit limited, but the soft-grip handle and eight-foot-long swivel cord add to the convenience. Our tester Hannah Gerber, who has a pixie mullet, found the dryer brush intuitive from the start.
What our tester says: “I expected there to be a bit of a learning curve, but even on my first use, it felt straightforward,” she says, noting she tried the tool to not only dry damp hair, as recommended, but also to refresh her hair on days two and three: “When I wake up, my hair is usually pretty flat against my head, and this is a great tool for adding volume back and flipping out the longer parts of my mini mullet around the nape of my neck,” says Gerber.
Best Multi-Styler: Drybar All-Inclusive Air + Active Heat 8-in-1 Multi-Styler Hair Blow-Dryer
.png)
- What we love: Very versatile; options for wet and dry styling; dries hair very quickly; easy to swap out the four attachments
- What could improve: On the bulkier side
Launched in spring 2025, the Drybar All-Inclusive Air + Active Heat 8-in-1 Multi-Styler is a brand-new, all-in-one styling tool that the company says is the first to combine heated airflow with styling plates to straighten, smooth, and add volume to all hair types. It comes with four interchangeable attachments that release with the simple click of a side button—a concentrator, a 2.5-inch oval round brush, a flat iron, and a 1-inch curling iron—for styling both wet and dry hair. Glamour contributor Emily Tannenbaum found the round brush attachment particularly impressive.
What our tester says: “I typically use a round-brush dryer for my curtain bangs alone, but ended up using it to give myself a salon-style blowout once I realized how quick it was drying my hair,” she says. Though the tool is slightly larger than she’d prefer, “it wasn’t nearly as heavy or hard to handle as I initially expected, and the process was fast, easy, and smooth,” says Tannenbaum.
Other hair dryer brushes we’ve tested
- T3 AireBrush Duo: We reviewed the T3 AireBrush and found that this dual-attachment brush excels at quickly and efficiently drying long hair, thanks to 15 heat and speed settings and a lightweight design that’s easy to maneuver and prevents snagging or breakage. Our tester loved how easily her hair moved through the bristles and how fast it dried, but it didn’t add much volume with either attachment, so it’s better as a blow-dryer than a styling tool. Ultimately, there are more versatile multi-stylers (like our top pick, the T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit) and standard round brushes that add more bounce.
- Dyson Airwrap I.D. Multi-Styler and Dryer: The Dyson Airwrap was the original multi-styler and remains impressive, especially since it doesn’t get as hot as some other brushes, making it a smart choice for anyone with fine or damaged hair. That said, there are now plenty of excellent options at a fraction of the price, and some even come with more convenient carrying cases and extra attachments. Bottom line: You don’t have to splurge to get a high-performing hair dryer brush—even one with multiple attachments.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a blowout brush, depending on your hair type?
There are a few things to look out for when shopping for a blowout brush, according to Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of the Second Floor Salon in NYC.
Temperature
“First, look for temperature settings that don’t exceed 400°F to protect your hair from heat damage, especially if it’s fine or color-treated. A cool-shot button is also important for setting your style and locking in shine,” he says. Typically, blow-dryer brushes have multiple heat settings. The most basic has just high and low settings, while more-sophisticated models may have three or four, providing more customization for your hair type. Keep in mind that coarser, curlier hair generally requires higher heat, while lower settings are more appropriate for fine hair.
Bristles
Most blow-dryer brushes are made with nylon or boar bristles; some are made of a combination. “If you have thicker or more textured hair, a more powerful motor and high-quality bristles (preferably a boar and nylon mix) can make a big difference,” says Cavalcante. Boar bristles grip and smooth, so they’re ideal for those who want to eliminate frizz. Nylon bristles tend to do a better job detangling hair, which can be helpful for those with curly hair or dry, color-treated hair.
Are blow-dryer brushes worth it?
Overall, our editors—and the hairstylists we talked to—say these all-in-one styling tools are game changers for hairstyling, especially if you reach for one with even more versatility, like our top overall pick, the T3 360 Aire, which can also double as a curling wand. These hair tools are great for travel, too, since you’ll have less to pack to make your hair look great on vacay. However, our reviewers with short and mid-length curly hair said they weren’t ideal for their hair types.
Do stylists recommend a blow-dryer brush?
The professional hairstylists we spoke to all recommended blow-dryer brushes to make wet hair bouncy and beautiful in the comfort of your own home. Kaitlyn Ellsworth, cofounder of The Roslyn hair salon in San Diego, actually called them “the best thing since sliced bread for at-home styling.” But the pros caution: These hair tools can get exceptionally hot, so it’s crucial to apply a heat protectant beforehand to protect your strands from damage. You should also start with your hair at least halfway dry to achieve the best results.
How can you ensure you won’t damage your hair while using a blowout brush?
The key to preventing damage when using a blowout brush is to not use it on soaking-wet hair, says Cavalcante. “I always tell clients to rough-dry their hair first until it’s about 85% to 95% dry. Using a blow-dryer brush on damp hair can put unnecessary tension on the strands, which are more vulnerable when wet and more likely to break. Also, always apply a heat protectant beforehand and avoid going over the same section too many times,” he says. Our favorite is the DAE Agave Dry Heat Protection Spray.
Can you use a blowout brush if you have curly hair?
“Blow-dryer brushes can work beautifully on curly hair to smooth and stretch the texture. For best results, opt for one with a metal barrel, as it conducts heat more efficiently and helps achieve a sleeker finish,” says Cavalcante. Just remember to prep with a heat protectant and detangle thoroughly (with a comb) before using the tool to avoid damage and breakage.
Meet the experts
- Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of the Second Floor Salon in NYC
- Kaitlyn Ellsworth, cofounder of The Roslyn hair salon in San Diego
.jpg)
