For the best quality styling session, we break down this year’s top straightening brushes from most luxurious to most budget-friendly
Are you looking for a more convenient tool than a flat iron? A straightening brush might be exactly what you need.
Unlike flat irons that require careful sectioning and precise moves, straightening brushes glide through your hair easily. This makes styling faster and simpler.
Straightening brushes can give you a natural finish, but they won’t make your hair as bone-straight as a flat iron. If you prefer a softer look with some movement, a straightening brush is a great choice. It helps you achieve smooth, frizz-free hair with minimal effort, perfect for everyday styling.
There are many different models to choose from according to your hair type and length, as well as what style you want to achieve. Below we share our picks of the best straightening brushes of 2025, from the most budget-friendly tools for everyday use to the highest quality and luxury choices.
If you want to get informed in more detail, check out our hair straightening brush buying guide.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Ghd Glide
↳ Jump to Review - Best For Thick Hair And Shine: Drybar The Brush Crush
↳ Jump to Review - Best Budget: Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush
↳ Jump to Review - Best For Detangling: CHI Tourmaline Ceramic Heated Paddle Brush
↳ Jump to Review - Best For Fine Hair: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium
↳ Jump to Review - Best For Frizz-Free Results: CHI Amplitude Ceramic Heated
↳ Jump to Review - Best For Short Hair: TYMO Ring Plus
↳ Jump to Review
1. Best Overall:
ghd Glide
Model name/ number: B1C002
RRP: $209.00
Shape: Paddle Brush
Temperature settings: pre-set to 365°F
Heated Plate Size: 2.5” x 5”
Best for: medium to long hair, normal to thick hair texture
Pros: great at detangling, eliminates frizz, made of durable material, fast styling, and quick heat-up time
Cons: overpriced, lacks variable heat settings, on the heavier side
Most people choose straightening brushes for their ease of use and gentle yet effective styling capacity.
Ghd glide provides all the qualities that a perfect straightening brush has to offer. It’s been our top pick this year and for good reason.
It has a big paddle-shaped brush which provides very fast styling as it can cover a large area at one go. Its densely placed short and long detangler bristles make it superior at detangling knots. It also has heated bristles placed perfectly for optimum styling and speed.
While its efficiency is top quality, its material quality doesn’t disappoint either. The tool is sturdy and durable. It endured a lot of our tests without breakage and will last you for many years. It is a heavy hair tool but has a slim 3.25” handle that fits the hand comfortably. It also has ceramic coating which provides frizz-free results while nicely volumizing the hair.
Its extraordinarily large head (2.5” width and 5” length) makes everything easier for longer hair. But if you have short hair, this product is not ideal for you since the large paddle-shaped brush can’t come very close to the roots and fails to provide effective results. While there are no questions about its performance, it comes with a big price tag of $170 and it’s not for every budget. We may even call it overpriced since even the closest competition (Drybar Brush Crush) is almost half-priced. But if you want to give yourself the gift of luxury and have the budget for it, Ghd Glide will not disappoint you.
Read more: Ghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush Review
2. Best For Thick Hair And Shine:
Drybar The Brush Crush
Model name/ number: B1C002
RRP: $111.00
Shape: Paddle
Heated Plate Size: 4.3” * 2.1”
Maximum Heat: 420°F
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
Hair Length: All Hair Lengths
Pros: Sturdy And Durable, 10 Levels Of Heat
Cons: Pricy, Doesn’t Have Dual Voltage
Drybar hair tools are famous for their material quality and performance and their straightening brush is living up to this reputation.
Drybar Brush Crush is a close second on our favorite straightening brush right after Ghd Glide this year.
It has a paddle-shaped brush that is very convenient for fast and effective styling. While paddle shape is usually preferred for longer hairstyles, Drybar is also a great option for shorter hair since it has a smaller size than others (4.3” x 2.1”). While it’s still big enough to cover a large area in one go and provide fast styling, it’s small enough to come close to the roots. But if you have very short hair, it’s still worth considering another option with a barrel since even the smallest paddle brush fails to provide super sleek results with short strands.
It comes in a ceramic with a nylon coating material which is specially produced to provide shinier results, and it really makes a difference. While straightening brushes are relatively gentle tools, their maximum temperature is still very important since more heat can provide more effective results, especially with unruly hair. Drybar is a winner with a max temperature of 420°F, the highest number on our list. It also comes with 10 levels of variable heat settings and no matter how your hair type is, you will find an adjustment perfect for you. It also is a lightweight tool (9.9 oz) and has an ergonomic design with a 3.5” slim handle.
Like most luxury tools, Drybar Brush Crush’s biggest compromise is its price. With $111, it has a higher price than most on our list and is certainly not affordable enough for some of our readers. It’s also important to mention that it’s the only straightening brush on our list that dual-voltage doesn’t make it travel-friendly.
Read more: Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush Review
3. Best Budget:
Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush
Price: $20
Barrel Size: 0.7” Width And 4.13” Length
Barrel Shape: Round Brush
Maximum Heat: 280°F
For Which Hair Type: Fine To Medium Hair
Hair Length: Short To Medium Length Hair
Pros: Affordable, Can Create Curls
Cons: Not Durable, Maximum Temperature Too Low
Straightening brushes come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. While paddle-shaped brushes are superior at boosting volume as well as fast styling, round barrels can create intricate curls and sleeker results as they can pull the hair and create more tension. Conair’s straightening brush has a round-shaped barrel with a size as slim as 1.25”. It’s no surprise that the curls that it creates are very put together with its tiny barrel but providing voluminous results isn’t Conair’s strong suit. Its size also makes it desirable for shorter hairstyles as it can come really close to the roots and have a strong grip with its strong bristles.
Its extremely affordable price of $20 makes it a head-turner and a very appealing choice. But like every budget product it comes with a couple of sacrifices. First of all, this tool doesn’t heat up a lot. It has a maximum heat of 280°F, which is much lower than its closest competition Tymo (350°F). While this fact doesn’t have big importance with fine hair, it’s a no-go for unruly strands as it can’t tame thick hair. Secondly, it doesn’t have a very sturdy material which is more than expected for this price range. But with all its faults, it’s a great value-for-money straightening brush that provides satisfying results.
Read more: Conair Instant Heat 3/4-inch Hot Brush Review
4. Best For Detangling:
CHI Tourmaline Ceramic Hot Styling Brush
Price: $80
Shape: Paddle Brush
Size: 4.82” Length And 2.7” Width
Maximum Heat: 375°F
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
Hair Length: Medium To Long Hair
Pros: Great At Detangling
Cons: Heavy
Chi hair tools are amongst our favorites for many years and they have two different straightening brushes that we love for different reasons. Their paddle brush makes our list as the best detangler this season but there’s much more this tool has to offer. Yes, it’s a brilliant detangler with its ergonomically placed bristles and very large surface. It also is a very sturdy and durable tool that will last you for many years. Its large surface is beneficial for longer strands as it can smoothen the hair quickly and efficiently, but it’s not ideal for shorter hair as it can’t come close to the roots (which is generally the issue with paddle brushes).
It has a maximum temperature of 375°F, which is high enough to tame thick hair without struggle. It also comes with 5 heat settings that you can adjust according to your hair type and styling needs. So, it’s also gentle enough to use for fine hair with as low as 250°F on the lowest setting.
On that note, it’s a quite heavy tool with a weight of 10.9 oz, which makes it not the most convenient if you use it for long periods of time. But it’s very budget-friendly compared to the other paddle brushes on our list and frankly we think it’s a bargain.
Read more: CHI Tourmaline Ceramic Hot Styling Brush Review
5. Best For Fine Hair:
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Thermal Paddle Brush
Price: $70
Shape: Paddle Brush
Size: 2.3” Width And 4” Length
Maximum Heat: 370°F
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
Hair Length: All Lengths Except Very Short Hair
Pros: Very Low Heat Setting For Extra Fragile Hair
Cons: Not Very Sturdy
Babylisspro is a popular choice amongst straightening brushes for its budget-friendly price combined with effective results. It also has a very large range of variable heat settings which allows you to find the perfect temperature for your strands. While the maximum temperature is 370°F, which is a high enough number to work with unruly hair, the heat on low setting is as low as 120°F. This temperature is the lowest on our list and makes it safe for even the most delicate strands. With its thermal brush, this tool is for the ones who want volume when styling their hair. It comes with a digital display which is a very nice touch that allows you to see exactly what temperature you’re on. It has a relatively large-sized paddle-shaped brush that provides fast results, especially for longer hair, yet it’s not the best for shorter hairstyles like all other large-sized paddle brushes as it doesn’t have a good grip on the roots.
It’s the most affordable paddle-shaped brush on our list for only $70 and surely this price comes with a couple of compromises. It’s not a very sturdy tool and definitely not as durable as its more expensive competitors such as Drybar Brush Crush or Ghd Glide.
Read more: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Thermal Paddle Brush Review
6. Best For Frizz-Free Results:
CHI Amplitude Ceramic Heated Round Brush
Price: $58
Barrel Size: 1.25”
Shape: Round Brush
Maximum Heat: 390°F
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
Hair Length: All Hair Lengths Except Long Hair
Pros: Sturdy Material, High Heat Capacity
Cons: Heats Up Slow
Chi hair tools have been amongst our favorites for a long time for their high-quality material. Chi Amplitude Round Brush is perfect for home stylists who still want a gentle option for their hair but also would like to curl their strands. It has a round shape and a very slim barrel which is 1.25”. Its slim size is perfect for shorter hair as it can come super close to the roots and provide efficient results. But if you have very long hair, it may take too long to style it as it can’t cover a large area in one go. The round shape is superior at creating curls which makes this tool versatile as well. It has densely placed bristles and it’s a great detangler (not as good as a paddle brush). It can reach temperatures up to 390°F and it can tame even the unruliest strands. It also has a digital display and 60 min auto shut-off which provides extra safety.
While Chi has very good quality and sturdy material, their round straightening brush has a small issue regarding their mechanism. It takes a longer time to heat up; 2 minutes instead of the 1-minute average. But this is not a big issue unless you are in a big hurry.
Read more: CHI Amplitude Ceramic Heated Round Brush Review
7. Best For Short Hair:
TYMO Ring Plus
Price: $70
Shape: Comb
Size: 1.24” Width And 3.83” Length
Maximum Heat: 350°F
For Which Hair Type: All Hair Types
Hair Length: Short To Medium Hair
Pros: Comes Very Close To The Roots, Sleek Results
Cons: Hand Accidentally Hits Buttons
Tymo offers something quite unique when it comes to straightening brushes. While all straightener brushes on our list are either paddle-shaped or with a barrel, Tymo has a comb-like shape. Straightening brushes are usually preferred for their ease of use and their gentleness so they can be used every day. But creating super straight and sleek results isn’t their strong suit and they provide a natural look instead. Tymo Ring Plus, now in its second generation, is an exception to this and it can straighten the hair almost as good as a flat iron while still being a gentle tool. It has 9 heat levels which makes this tool versatile and its maximum heat is 350°F, a below-average number. With its comb-like shape, it can smoothen the hair efficiently and come very close to the roots so it’s our favorite this season for short hair. It also comes with accessories like hair clips, glove, travel bag, and a comb for maximum efficiency.
While it has a sturdy and durable material, there’s a design issue regarding the handle. Your hand can easily touch the digital display and hit buttons. It’s a relatively heavy tool with 10.5 oz which can get frustrating if you use it for long periods at a time. It also has a quite thick handle with 3.75” and may not be very comfortable for small hands. But these are small compromises for what this tool has to offer.
Read more: Tymo Ring Plus Hair Straightening Brush Review
Compare: Tymo Ring Vs Tymo Ring Plus Comparison
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A straightening brush would be great for me because I have unruly hair but I’m a busy mom! Anything that’s going to help me look great in a short amount of time would be a lifesaver!