High Heat, Fast Results — A Smart Pick for Thick, Frizz-Prone Hair
The Drybar Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush is a high-heat paddle tool designed to smooth and tame thick, frizz-prone hair quickly.
With adjustable temperatures up to 450°F, long ceramic bristles, and a lightweight build, it delivers fast results for users who need serious smoothing power without the complexity of a flat iron.
👉 Looking for more options? Check out our complete guide to the best straightening brushes of 2025.
BeautiLAB Overall Score: ★★★★☆ (4.3 / 5)
Price: $150 | Model: 900-1595-4 | Warranty: 2 years
✨ Who It’s For / 🚫 Who Should Skip It
Best for:
- ✅ 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
Not ideal for:
- ❌ 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
🔑 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
✅ What We Like / ❌ What We Don’t Like
✅ Pros:
- 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
❌ Cons:
- 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
🧩 Design and Build
The Brush Crush features a bright yellow paddle shape with a ceramic-coated surface measuring 3.96″ long and 1.8″ wide. It weighs just 10.2 oz and is 10.75″ in length—making it one of the lighter hot brushes in its category.
The interface includes a digital LED display and +/- buttons for temperature control. It comes with a 9-foot swivel cord but does not include a Velcro strap or dual-voltage support.
🪮 Bristle Technology
This brush features:
- 1.9″ long ceramic heated bristles, among the longest in our testing
- 1.8″ plastic cool-touch guard bristles, which help separate and shield strands
- No detangling bristles between heated teeth, but still creates strong tension across sections
This bristle setup improves root access and makes it easier to straighten thick hair in fewer passes.
🔥 Heat and Ionic Technology
- 26 adjustable settings from 200°F to 450°F
- Lab-tested max temperature: 420°F
- Heat-up time: ~60 seconds
- Ceramic-coated paddle with ionic smoothing effects
- No separate ion generator, but reduces frizz and static effectively
- Handle stays cool during use (tested at ~90°F)
🎯 Styling Performance
- Ideal for medium to thick hair with frizz or natural curl
- Efficiently smooths 2–3″ wide sections in a single pass
- Provides a natural straight look with movement—not bone straight
- Straightens faster than a flat iron on dense hair (5–8 minutes for shoulder-length styles)
- Not designed for curling or precision styling
🛟 Comfort and Safety
- Cool-touch bristles allow brushing near the scalp without burning
- Auto shut-off activates after 60 minutes
- Handle is ergonomically shaped, though lacks textured grip
- 9 ft swivel cord allows flexibility when styling
- Handle width is 1.1″, making it slimmer than average and easy to grip, even for smaller hands
- Handle temperature stays around 90°F during use—comfortably warm but never hot to the touch
- Buttons are easy to press, but lack a lock function, which can lead to accidental temp changes during use
🔍 Performance Breakdown Table
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | One of the highest heat tools at 450°F |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Intuitive controls, but no lock |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Wide paddle + high heat = faster styling |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Good ionic ceramic effect, no ion generator |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Great for straightening, limited for other styles |
| Travel-Friendly | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) | Not dual voltage |
📣 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
| Feature | Drybar Brush Crush | GHD Glide | TYMO Ring Plus | Drybar Baby Brush Crush |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Settings | 26 (200–450°F) | Fixed 365°F | 9 presets | Fixed ~385°F |
| Max Temp (Tested) | 420°F | 370°F | 250–410°F | 385°F |
| Heated Surface | 4.5″ x 1.6″ | 4.35″ x 1.7″ | 3.5″ x 1.2″ | 3″ x 1″ |
| Ionic Tech | Ceramic ionic | Ion generator | Basic ceramic | Ceramic ionic |
| Display | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dual Voltage | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Weight | ~11 oz | ~10.8 oz | ~12 oz | 5.5 oz |
| Price | $150 | $200 | ~$70 | $60 |
Summary:
Drybar Brush Crush: Best for thick hair needing high heat and digital control
GHD Glide: Best for simple, safe, low-maintenance smoothing
TYMO Ring Plus: Excellent for tight textures and root-focused detailing
Drybar Baby Brush Crush: Best for travel or quick touch-ups on fine to medium hair
🏁 Final Verdict
The Drybar Brush Crush is a high-heat powerhouse designed to straighten and smooth thick, frizz-prone hair quickly. With digital precision and long ceramic bristles, it’s one of the most effective brushes for turning unruly hair into a polished look.
Buy if: You want a reliable, high-performance straightening brush for thick or coarse hair.
Skip if: You style short hair, travel often, or need low-heat options.
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4.3 / 5)
A fast, salon-style tool ideal for thick, frizzy hair that needs serious heat power.
