✨ Quick Take: Is It Worth It?
The TYMO PortaPro is a compact cordless straightening brush with three preset heat settings (320°F–395°F), USB-C charging, and dual-use corded or cordless operation. Its portability and ion generator make it ideal for quick touch-ups or travel styling, delivering smooth results on fine-to-medium strands. The tradeoff is a smaller heated surface, limited runtime, and a hot handle, which make it less comfortable for long sessions or thick hair.
✅ Best for: Travelers and busy users needing a cordless brush for quick smoothing on fine-to-medium hair
❌ Skip if: You need extended runtime, a cooler handle, or strong tension for thick/coily textures
👉 Want the bigger picture? Read our Best Straightening Brushes guide.
At BeautiLAB, we buy and test every product independently — no sponsors, no freebies. See our full testing process.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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TYMO Cordless Hair Straightener Brush - Porta PRO Portable Straightening Brush for Travel, Mini... | Check Price |
👍 What We Like
- Cordless + corded dual function for flexibility
- 3 preset temps (320/360/395°F) keep operation simple
- Air Sandwich bristles add useful tension for smoothing
- Built-in ion generator helps reduce frizz
- USB-C charging with battery indicator; highly portable
👎 What We Don’t Like
- Handle runs hot (~125°F) in longer sessions
- Small 3″ × 1″ heated area = more passes on long hair
- No LED display (indicator lights only)
- Only 3 fixed temps; not ideal for thicker textures needing more heat/surface
🔑 What Sets It Apart
- Cordless + corded dual-mode design for travel and at-home backup
- Three presets (320/360/395°F) for quick, fuss-free styling
- Air Sandwich bristle system grips strands for added tension without a clamp
- Compact 8″ body and 1.0″-wide paddle make it ultra-packable
- USB-C + battery indicator for universal, easy charging
🔍 Key Specs: TYMO PortaPro at a Glance
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Heat / Settings | 3 presets: 320°F / 360°F / 395°F |
| Head / Plate | Mini paddle, 3.0″ × 1.0″ |
| Heated / Detangler Bristles | 1.8″ / 1.7″ |
| Weight | 9.4 oz |
| Cord Length | 5 ft (for corded use/charging) |
| Ionic | Yes (ion generator) |
| Voltage | Dual |
| Model | HC122S |
| Auto-Off | 30 mins |
| Warranty | 1 year |
🧪 Lab Notes
Tested max ~370°F (IR, 15 min); handle ~125°F (runs warm); coverage 1.00″ × 3.00″; Cordless travel profile.
🎯 Who Should Buy the TYMO PortaPro
✅ Travelers and on-the-go users who want cordless freedom
✅ Fine–medium hair needing quick refreshes
✅ Short–medium lengths and second-day smoothing
✅ Anyone who prefers simple presets over full digital menus
🚫 Skip It If You Have:
- ❌ Coarse, dense, or coily textures (3B–4C)
- ❌ Long hair needing wide surface coverage
- ❌ Users sensitive to hot handles
- ❌ Those needing adjustable heat or a display screen
✨ Design & Build
The TYMO PortaPro is a compact paddle brush built for portability. At just 8″ long and 9.4 oz, it’s lighter and smaller than most plug-in models, making it easy to slip into a gym bag or carry-on. Its 3″ × 1″ heated surface is narrower than average, so it smooths smaller sections at a time — best for touch-ups and travel use rather than full-volume styling.
The bristle setup features 1.8 cm heated teeth and 1.7 cm detanglers, creating a balanced grip that works well on fine to medium hair. Cool-touch outer bristles help prevent burns, though the handle reached 125°F in testing, much hotter than average, which makes prolonged use less comfortable. The design uses TYMO’s Air Sandwich bristle system, alternating heated and protective teeth for a smoother glide.
Verdict on build: Compact and travel-ready, but the smaller surface and hot handle limit it for long sessions.
👉 If you’d like a corded comb-style brush with long heated teeth for better grip, see the TYMO Ring review.
💡 Performance & Technology
The PortaPro offers three preset heat settings — 320°F, 360°F, and 395°F — covering basic needs without the fine control of digital rivals. In testing, it reached 370°F, slightly below the claim but still effective for fine-to-medium textures.
Unlike most cordless straighteners, it can operate both corded and cordless. A USB-C charging port and battery level indicator add modern convenience. Battery runtime is best for quick smoothing or second-day touch-ups, not extended sessions on very thick hair.
The ionic ceramic heating system with a built-in ion generator helps tame static and reduce frizz, producing a natural, smooth finish. However, since prolonged exposure above 400°F is known to weaken keratin proteins and damage the cuticle (PubMed), the capped heat range of 395°F may actually be an advantage for keeping hair healthier during frequent use.
Verdict on performance: Great for portability and daily touch-ups, but not powerful enough for heavy-duty straightening on coarse textures.ns, the brush creates solid contact and tension in each pass, helping with effective smoothing in fewer strokes.
👉 If you want a mini paddle with a preset high heat for touch-ups, check the Drybar Baby Brush Crush review.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 9.4 oz, the PortaPro is lightweight, though the 1.7″ handle width feels bulkier than average. The 5 ft cord is shorter than the 7.6 ft average but usable for corded sessions. Dual voltage makes it international-travel friendly, and auto shut-off after 30 minutes provides safety.
Where it really shines is portability: cordless function, compact size, and USB-C charging mean you can recharge anywhere. Still, the shorter battery life means it’s best as a supplement to a main straightener rather than a full replacement.
Verdict on usability: One of the most travel-friendly straightening brushes available, though comfort suffers from a hot handle and limited runtime.
👉 If you prefer a simple budget brush with a longer warranty and straightforward controls, the Remington Shine Therapy review is worth a look.
🔍 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Tested at 370 °F; adequate for quick touch-ups and fine-to-medium hair but not strong enough for coarse strands. |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Cordless or corded operation adds flexibility; Type-C charging and battery gauge are convenient for travel use. |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Compact 3″ heated surface smooths small sections efficiently but takes longer for full-length hair. |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Ceramic surface and ion generator reduce static well, delivering smooth, natural results. |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) | Three preset temps (320/360/395 °F) cover basic needs but limit fine control for specialized hair types. |
| Comfort & Safety | ⭐⭐☆☆ (2/5) | Handle reached 125 °F — noticeably hot after several minutes; cool-touch bristles protect scalp but handle heat reduces comfort. |
| Travel-Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Dual voltage, cordless design, and under-10 oz weight make it the most portable straightening brush in BeautiLAB testing. |
BeautiLAB Lab Highlights
- Max Temp Tested: 370 °F (verified IR)
- Handle Temp: 125 °F (hot to touch after 5 min)
- Heated Area: 3″ L × 1″ W
- Weight: 9.4 oz | Cord: 5 ft (detachable charging cord)
- Heat Range: 320–395 °F (3 presets)
- Ionic Tech: Yes | Ion Generator: Yes | Auto-Off: 30 min | Dual Voltage: Yes
📣 User Experiences
Positive:
“Perfect for touch-ups and bangs on the go.”
“Really good travel brush — charges fast and doesn’t need an outlet.”
Negative:
“The handle gets too hot for long sessions.”
“Great for soft hair, but not for thick textures.”
💬 FAQ
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Up to 30 minutes cordless depending on temperature setting.
Q: Can it straighten curly hair?
A: It softens waves and light curls, but not designed for thick/coily textures.
Q: Does it come with a travel pouch?
A: It comes with a zippered travel bag — better quality than a standard pouch.
Q: Is it safe to use while charging?
A: Yes — you can use it plugged in for full heat if needed.
🔄 How It Compares
| Spec | TYMO PortaPro (Cordless) | TYMO Ring | Drybar Baby Brush Crush | Remington Shine Therapy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Temp Tested | 370°F | 365°F | 385°F | 440°F |
| Heat Settings | 3 presets (320 °F / 360 °F / 395 °F) | 5 presets (266–410 °F) | Fixed 400°F | 3 presets (300 / 375 / 450 °F) |
| Handle Temp | 125°F | 90°F | 90°F | 95°F |
| Weight | 9.4 oz | 10.2 oz | 5.5 oz | 11.2 oz |
| Cord Length | 5 ft (corded mode) | 6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft |
| Shape | Paddle | Comb | Paddle | Paddle |
🏁 Final Verdict
The TYMO PortaPro is the first cordless straightening brush tested by BeautiLAB, and it’s an impressive travel companion for quick, low-heat styling.
Its hybrid corded/cordless function, ion generator, and sleek compact body make it perfect for on-the-go smoothing or fringe touch-ups, though limited heat and a hot handle prevent full-power performance.
For travelers and busy professionals needing quick polish without plugging in, it’s the best cordless option in BeautiLAB’s 2025 lineup.
⭐ Final Score: 3.6 / 5 ★★★☆☆
