✨ Quick Take: Is It Worth It?
If you need high heat and digital control to straighten coarse or resistant hair, the Drybar Brush Crush delivers. With 26 settings ranging from 200–450°F, it offers one of the widest adjustable ranges on the market. Its ceramic paddle provides even heat distribution, and the longer heated teeth grip thick textures well. The tradeoff is that it runs hotter than average, which can feel harsh on fine or color-treated strands, and it lacks travel features like dual voltage.
✅ Best for: Coarse, thick, or textured hair that needs strong tension and high heat
❌ Skip if: You have fine, fragile strands or want a travel-ready tool with dual voltage
👉 Want more options? See our Best Hair Straightening Brushes of 2025 roundup.
At BeautiLAB, we buy and test every product independently — no sponsors, no freebies. See our full testing process.
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Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush – Hair Dryer Straightener for Smooth, Frizz-Free... | Check Price |
👍 What We Like
- Strong heat output for coarse or frizz-prone hair
- Long heated bristles improve speed and penetration
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Digital temp control with quick heat-up
- Smoothes large sections in one pass
👎 What We Don’t Like
- Not dual voltage—U.S. use only
- No ion generator (relies on ceramic coating for ions)
- No temperature lock—buttons can be pressed accidentally
- Less effective on very short hair or precise areas
- Lacks grip-enhancing surface
🔑 What Sets It Apart
- One of the hottest straightening brushes available (up to 450°F)
- 26 heat settings in 10°F increments for customized use
- Extra-long 1.9″ heated ceramic bristles for better root reach
- LED display with simple digital +/- buttons
- Ceramic + ionic technology for a smoother finish
- Cool-touch outer bristles for added safety
🔍 Key Specs: Drybar The Brush Crush at a Glance
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Heat Settings | 26 (200–450°F), 10°F increments |
| Head / Plate | Paddle, 1.80″ × 3.96″ |
| Heated Teeth | ~1.9″ |
| Weight | 10.2 oz |
| Cord Length | 9 ft swivel |
| Ionic | Yes (ceramic + ionic) |
| Voltage | Single (not dual) |
| Model | 900-1595-4 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
🎯 Who Should Buy the GHD Glide
- ✅ Thick, coarse, or curly hair that resists lower heat
- ✅ Frizz-prone hair needing fast smoothing
- ✅ Users who want precise temperature control
- ✅ Long hair needing wide paddle coverage
- ✅ Fans of digital tools with a clear display
🚫 Skip It If You Have:
- ❌ Very short hair or styles needing root precision
- ❌ Frequent travelers (not dual voltage)
- ❌ Users wanting multi-function (e.g., curl + straighten)
- ❌ Those who prefer tools under $100
✨ Design & Build
The Brush Crush takes a classic paddle shape designed for tension styling, making it particularly effective on thicker and more textured strands. Its ceramic-coated surface helps distribute heat evenly across the 3.96″ × 1.8″ heated area, which is slightly more compact than the category average but still large enough to smooth medium-to-long sections in fewer passes.
The brush uses 1.9 cm heated teeth — longer than average — allowing better penetration into coarse or textured hair. Paired with 1.8 cm detangling bristles, it grips sections firmly to deliver stronger straightening power compared to brushes with shorter teeth. The outer layer includes cool-touch anti-scald bristles, making it safe to use near the scalp without accidental burns.
The design is clean and minimalist, though the glossy housing and smooth handle (1.1″ wide) lack ribbing or a soft-touch coating, which can feel slightly slippery if hands are damp. Still, the build feels solid and professional, aligned with Drybar’s salon roots.
Verdict on build: Built for high-tension straightening and frizz control on coarse hair, though less grippy for fine hair that benefits from denser bristle arrangements.
👉 If you’d prefer a sleeker paddle with a fixed-temperature design for gentler, low-maintenance smoothing, see the GHD Glide review.
💡 Performance & Technology
Where the Brush Crush shines is in heat control. With 26 digital settings ranging from 200°F to 450°F in 10°F increments, it offers one of the widest and most precise ranges in the category. This makes it versatile for different hair types:
- 200–300°F: safer for fine or damaged hair.
- 330–380°F: ideal for medium textures needing daily smoothing.
- 400–450°F: powerful enough to tame coarse or resistant strands.
In our lab, the brush maxed at ~420°F, aligning closely with its 450°F claim and putting it among the hotter tools tested. The handle temperature held at 90°F, staying comfortable even in extended sessions.
While it doesn’t include an ion generator, its ceramic surface still provides basic ionic benefits for frizz reduction. The tool also features a digital LED display and precise buttons for control, though there’s no memory recall or auto temp lock — meaning users must reset preferences each use.
From a styling perspective, this brush delivers a sleeker, straighter finish than more casual tools like the GHD Glide. It smooths even coarse textures effectively, though the squared paddle doesn’t curl or bend ends the way oval brushes can.
Research in PubMed shows that repeated high-heat exposure above 400°F can lead to cuticle cracking and protein denaturation. The Brush Crush’s wide temperature range gives you the option to stay below damaging thresholds if desired. Meanwhile, Dyson’s hair science research highlights how ionic ceramic technology can reduce static buildup and enhance shine by balancing water molecules in the hair shaft.
Verdict on performance: A powerhouse for coarse or thick hair, offering salon-level heat and tension. Less ideal for very fine or fragile strands unless kept at lower settings.
👉 If you want a comb-style brush with long heated teeth that provide stronger tension and better penetration on dense textures, check the TYMO Ring review.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 10.2 oz, the Brush Crush is lighter than average, reducing fatigue during styling of long or coarse hair. Its 10.75″ bodystrikes a balance between leverage and compactness, while the 9 ft swivel cord — longer than the 7.6 ft average — gives ample freedom of movement, especially in larger spaces or professional setups.
However, it’s missing a few travel-friendly conveniences: no dual voltage, no Velcro strap for storage, and no pouch included. The auto shut-off after 60 minutes adds a layer of safety, though.
The LED screen makes heat control more intuitive compared to analog dials, and the digital buttons are responsive, but their flat surface design means they’re not as “tactile” as toggle or rocker switches.
Verdict on usability: Lightweight, long-corded, and precise in control, though less portable for international travel.
👉 If you’d rather have a lighter, travel-friendly paddle brush with wide digital heat control, the L’ange Le Vite review is worth a look.
🔍 Performance Breakdown Table
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power & Stability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Tested at 420°F — one of the hottest in class. Consistent ceramic heat delivers strong straightening power for coarse hair. |
| Ease of Use & Ergonomics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | 10.2-oz weight feels balanced; digital controls and LED display make temperature selection intuitive. |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | 3.96″ heated surface and longer teeth (1.9 cm) smooth wide sections quickly with salon-level tension. |
| Frizz & Finish Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Ionic ceramic tech reduces static effectively, though lack of a dedicated ion generator keeps finish slightly less glossy. |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | 26 settings (200–450°F) in 10°F increments offer superb control across all hair types. |
| Comfort & Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Handle remains cool at 90°F; outer bristles shield scalp, though paddle edges can get warm at max heat. |
| Travel-Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Full-size paddle and single voltage limit portability despite 9-ft swivel cord. |
BeautiLAB Lab Highlights
- Max Temp Tested: 420°F (verified with IR thermometer)
- Handle Temp: 90°F (cool and safe to touch)
- Heated Area: 3.96″ L × 1.8″ W
- Weight: 10.2 oz | Cord: 9 ft swivel
- Heat Range: 200–450°F (26 steps, 10°F increments)
- Ionic: Yes | Ion Generator: No | Auto-off: 60 min | Dual Voltage: No
📣 User Experiences
Users appreciate how powerful and efficient the Brush Crush is, especially for thick or frizz-prone hair. Common praise includes:
“This tames my coarse curls better than any flat iron I’ve tried.”
“Love the long bristles—gets right into my roots and smooths fast.”
“The digital temp control makes it feel so precise and easy to use.”
However, some users note:
“Not ideal for shorter styles—too big to control near my scalp.”
“I wish it worked overseas. I can’t use it on international trips.”
“Accidentally hit the temp button while styling—would love a lock function.”
💬 FAQ
Q: Can it be used on wet or damp hair?
A: No. Only use on dry hair to avoid heat damage.
Q: Will it work abroad?
A: No. It’s 120V only. It won’t work in countries with 220–240V without a converter.
Q: Is it safe for color-treated hair?
A: Yes, but start with a lower temp (200–300°F) and use heat protectant.
Q: Does it replace a flat iron?
A: For many users, yes. It gives a smooth, polished look without clamp marks—but very coarse hair may still need an iron for full straightness.
🔄 How It Compares
| Spec | Drybar The Brush Crush | GHD Glide | TYMO Ring | L’ange Le Vite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Temp Tested | 420°F | 370°F | 365°F | 410°F |
| Heat Settings | 26 settings (200–450°F, 10°F steps) | Fixed 365°F | 5 presets (266–410°F) | 16 settings (170–450°F) |
| Handle Temp | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F |
| Weight | 10.2 oz | 10.8 oz | 10.2 oz | 10.5 oz |
| Cord Length | 9 ft | 9 ft | 6 ft | 8 ft |
| Shape | Paddle | Oval Paddle | Comb | Paddle |
🏁 Final Verdict
The Drybar Brush Crush excels at straightening thick, coarse, or frizz-prone hair thanks to its powerful 420°F ceramic heat and long bristles that grab more hair per pass. While it’s less travel-friendly and lacks a true ion generator, its adjustable precision and pro-level tension make it one of the fastest, most effective smoothing brushes in BeautiLAB testing.
