Are you looking for a versatile and easy-to-use tool that reduces your styling time? Look no further than the hot air brush.
It combines a hair dryer with a hairbrush. This allows you to both dry and style your hair at the same time, quickly and easily.
It’s perfect for adding volume, body, and bounce to your hair—or for creating smooth, silky straight styles.
But with so many hot air brushes on the market, how do you choose? We’re here to help.
Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the best hot air brushes for 2023—plus our top tips for smart shopping.
For more information, check out our detailed comparison table below our picks and buying guide to make a purchasing decision.
Top Picks
- BEST OVERALL: Drybar The Double Shot
↳ Jump to Review - BEST BUDGET: Revlon One-Step Volumizer 2.0
↳ Jump to Review - BEST VERSATILITY: CHI Volumizer 4-in-1
↳ Jump to Review - BEST FOR FINE HAIR: John Frieda Salon Shape
↳ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LONG HAIR: L’ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1
↳ Jump to Review - BEST FOR THICK HAIR: Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step
↳ Jump to Review - BEST FOR DRYING HAIR: InfinitiPRO by Conair The Knot Dr.
↳ Jump to Review
1. Best Overall:
Drybar The Double Shot
If you’re tired of your hair looking matte and dry, and flat on your head, the Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow Dryer Brush may be a good option. This brush uses ionic technology to seal hair cuticles and reduce frizz (1), leaving your hair shiny and healthy.
Whether you’re looking to add volume, create waves, or simply tame your locks, the Drybar Blow Dryer Brush has you covered with three different barrel sizes (half, single, and double).
The half-shot round brush (1.5″) can reach the roots better than the single or double shot, making it great for creating lift and volume for shorter hair. The half shot is also perfect for creating defined curls and waves thanks to its narrower barrel size.
The single-shot round brush (2.25″) is ideal for creating loose waves and adding body for medium-to-short hairstyles and bangs.
And the double shot oval brush (2.4″) is perfect for extra thick or long hair. With its gentle curved edges, this blow dryer brush will give you a slight bend and maximum volume.
However, it also comes with a few downsides. First of all, it’s one of the more expensive blow-dryer brushes on the market. Secondly, it can be tricky to use with two hands, as the tip gets very hot and is too small to grasp tightly.
2. Best Budget:
REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0
If you have trouble using a hairbrush and blow dryer at the same time, then REVLON One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 will change your life. Its great price makes it an affordable option for those looking for a practical way to style their hair.
This hot air brush features Ceramic Titanium Tourmaline technology, which helps seal in moisture and controls frizz. The tufted boar bristles (2) make it easy to style your hair and dry it evenly. The ergonomic design ensures comfortable use with no pulling or pain.
This dryer does a great job of boosting roots because it is oval and can get close to the scalp. The hair looks fuller and healthier as a result.
This new version exceeds its predecessor in a few ways. The barrel is narrower and better for shorter hair types. Also, it’s lighter, which makes it easier to use.
This styler has low, medium, and high heat settings. Even if your hair is thin or damaged, it’s easy to find the right temperature for it.
You can detach the brush from the base for easier cleaning. The only downside is that the plastic part that holds it isn’t very sturdy. If you’re not careful, it may break off.
3. Best Versatility:
CHI Volumizer 4-in-1
The CHI Volumizer is a versatile and convenient blowout brush for anyone looking for an all-in-one hair styling tool. It comes with four different attachments that can be switched out. These are a diffuser, a nozzle concentrator, a paddle brush, and an oval brush.
Each attachment is made for a different purpose, which makes it easy to create different looks. The compact diffuser is great for creating root volume and natural-looking waves, while the nozzle concentrator helps focus the airflow for faster drying and styling. The paddle brush is perfect for smoothing out hair, and the oval brush is ideal for creating voluminous curls.
The attachments are easy to change, and the brush is lightweight, making it comfortable to use.
The CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush is a great everyday tool that can help you achieve shiny, healthy hair. The negative ions released by the built-in ion generator seal the cuticle, lock in moisture, and reduce frizz. The ceramic barrel is also made to protect your hair from high temperatures and keep it from getting damaged by heat.
However, there are some design issues regarding the handle. It’s thick at the bottom, making it difficult to grip, and gets skinnier toward the top. However, if you slide your hand up the handle, you may accidentally hit the buttons on the side, which will cause the brush to detach. This can make it difficult to use and may result in breaking the attachment.
4. Best for Fine Hair:
John Frieda Salon Shape
If you have fine or silky hair, you know how frustrating it can be to find a hot air brush that actually works. Most brushes are designed for thicker, coarser hair, and they end up just pulling and damaging your delicate strands.
But the John Frieda Salon Shape 1.5-inch Hot Air Brush is gentler on strands. The nylon and ball-tipped bristles on this brush are shorter, finer, and more flexible, so they grip and detangle hair without harsh pulling.
And because the diameter of the brush (1.5 inches) is smaller than most, it’s easy to maneuver and control—perfect for shorter hairstyles and creating natural-looking curls that last.
The ionic technology helps control most of the frizz and leaves hair looking shiny and healthy.
We also appreciate that the bottom portion pops off so you can easily clean out the filter.
However, there are two design issues that we find annoying. First, the section of the brush that separates the bristles from the handle has a lip that hair can easily get caught in. Second, the cap at the top of the bristles gets very hot, making it difficult to use both hands to control the brush. Read in-depth review
5. Best for Long Hair:
L’ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1
The L’ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer is a godsend for those of us with long hair.
Because of the 3″ diameter barrel’s huge surface area, you can dry larger sections of hair at once. This saves a lot of time.
And since it’s made with titanium, it distributes heat evenly. So you don’t have to worry about hot spots that can damage your hair. The titanium barrel also heats up much faster than ceramic, so you can start styling your hair sooner. And the ionic technology seals in moisture, reduces frizz, and boosts shine, giving you healthy-looking hair that feels great to the touch.
The oval shape of the brush makes it easy to get close to your roots. This creates lift at the roots and a smooth, rounded look at the ends of your hair. The dryer does not leave bumps of unsettled hair like some other brushes can, and it leaves your hair looking voluminous and smooth. The bristles comb smoothly through your hair without creating knots or tangling.
Plus, the easy-twist handle with LED makes it super easy to use, even in the dark. And if that wasn’t enough, the L’ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer also comes with a protective cover and cleaning brush.
6. Recommended for Thick Hair:
Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step
If you have very coarse, thick, and frizzy hair, you know that trying to blow dry it with a brush can be a nightmare. It can quickly turn into a lion’s mane, and be completely out of control. You end up having to flat iron it just to get it under control. But what if there was a tool that could help you achieve the same results without all the hassle? Enter the Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer.
The gold barrel surface provides superior heat conductivity, distributing heat evenly throughout the hair.
The Hot Tools hair dryer also comes with a mix of boar and nylon pin bristles, which hold a firm yet gentle tension on the hair to grab every strand. This leads to less hair breakage and a silky-smooth finish.
And because the barrel is wider than most hair dryers, it dries the hair quickly as well. Plus, the handle and tip of the device do not get hot like the previous version, so you can hold it with both hands without burning yourself.
However, there are some downsides to this dryer. First of all, it runs very hot—even on the low setting. So if you have fine or thin hair, this dryer is likely to damage your strands. Additionally, the dryer starts to overheat after just 20 minutes of use. And finally, the dryer is quite loud, so if you have sleeping family members or work early in the morning, this may not be the best option for you. You may also like: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold
7. Best for Hair Drying:
InfinitiPRO by Conair The Knot Dr.
If you need something to dry your hair quickly and don’t want to use a blow dryer, which tends to cause poof to an insane level, the InfinitiPRO The Knot Dr. All-in-One Paddle Styler is the best.
Because of its paddle shape, it can cover a large surface area of your head in a fraction of the time it would take to blow dry your hair.
Plus, the INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Hot Air Paddle Styler is much gentler on your hair than a blow dryer and brush combo. The nylon bristles are extremely flexible and have epoxy tips that glide through your hair without snagging or pulling.
You can even use it right after getting out of the shower!
This styler has an ion generator that gets rid of static, smooths out frizz and flyaways, and makes your hair shiny and smooth.
However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t give you straightener-style straightening. If you’re looking for bone-straight hair, you’ll need to pair this styler with a flat iron. But if you want to keep some of your natural curl pattern intact, this styler is a great option.
If you’re looking for an affordable hot air brush that you can use every day, the INFINITIPRO by CONAIR Hot Air Paddle Styler Dryer Brush is a great option.
Honorable Mentions
INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR 1875 Watt 3-in-1 Ceramic Styler
JINRI Hair Dryer Brush & Volumizer Hot Air Brush
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hot Air Brush
INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR BC178 Hot Air Spin Brush Set
INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Wet/Dry Hot Air Brush Styler
MHD PROFESSIONAL Ceramic Hot Air Brush Styler
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Hot Air Brush Comparison Table
Hot Air Brush | Price | Wattage | Head Size | Heat Settings | Barrel Material | Warranty | Bristle Type | Cord Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drybar Double Shot | $$$ | 1100 | 2.4” | 2 | aluminum barrel with ceramic coating | 2-year limited | nylon and tufted | 9 ft |
REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 | $ | 1100 | 2.4” | 3 | ceramic and titanium tourmaline | 4 year limited | nylon pin + charcoal | 10 ft |
CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 | $$ | 1000 | 2" | 2 | ceramic | 2 year limited | nylon and tufted | 7 ft |
John Frieda Salon Shape | $$$ | 500 | 1.5" | 2 | Titanium ceramic coated | 3 year limited | nylon and ball-tipped | |
L'ANGE HAIR Le Volume 2-in-1 | $$ | 1100 | 3" | 2 | Titanium | 1 year limited | Nylon and tufted | 7.9 ft |
Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step | $ | 1100 | 2.8" | 2 | 24K Gold | 7 year limited | 8 ft | |
INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR The Knot Dr. All-in-One | $ | 1000 | 3" | 2 | Ceramic coated | nylon bristles with epoxy tips |
Which of these hot air brushes come with dual voltaje? I live in Chile where the voltaje is 220-240.
Hi Eileen,
Sorry, none of these are dual voltage. but i suggest you to check Conair Supreme 2-in-1 Hot Air Styling Brush
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RON8M1K/?tag=thblab-20
The Helen of Troy 1573 Tangle Free Hot Air Brush and the John Frieda Salon Shape 1.0 inch Hot Air Brush.
Can the above be purchased in the U.K. and also work in the U.K.?
If they can be purchased in the U.K. can you tell me where I can purchase them from please?
Regards
Sandra Orrock (Mrs).
Hi Sandra,
Please find the links below, hope you enjoy it!
Helen of Troy: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0018CBBPM/?tag=thblab-20
New John Frieda: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PHL3EFA/?tag=thblab-20
Loves,
Isabel
Hello which hot air brush are you using in the How to Use a Hot Air Brush photo?
Hi Jeannie,
It is John Frieda Salon Shape 1.5 Inch Hot Air Brush!
here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0056GDG90/?tag=thblab-20
Hi I have very thick frizzy hair. Which is the best hot air brush for me?
Mine was working so well best for my tbick hair used it less than 10times started.smoking and now doesn’t work I an so disappointed
Sorry to hear that. Did you contact the company?
Thru illness I no longer have Curls. Which
Is the best curling drying brush for me? I’m looking for 3/4 to 1 inch curls on hair that almost reaches my shoulders. Thanks so very much.
I have the infinity pro with bristles and my hair tangles and knots. Worries me that it’s damaging my hair. I prefer plastic bristles. Which product fits the bill? Thanks, Virginia
Seem like it’s worth its value
Hey. I bought today – Amika Blowout Babe Interchangeable Thermal Brush.
Blowout Babe Interchangeable Thermal Brush includes 3 interchangeable brush barrels that lock into the base to create the blowout style of your dreams—without using a dryer or hot air.
Cool thing, I liked it.
What is the best one that dries hair as well as curl and straighten hair that is above shoulders to really short? i am about to have surgery on my left arm and will not be able to use it. at present I wear it in an above shoulder bob but am thinking i need to cut it shorter to be able to manage it after surgery