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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
In the Internet era, we can learn to do lots of things ourselves that were previously left to the pros. From contouring to at-home laser hair removal, there's almost nothing you can't pick up from watching a few YouTube tutorials. But for many, successful DIY hair styling is a bit more elusive. Haircare is something even the most beauty-savvy folks often still lean on professionals for. And with blow-dry bars popping up left and right, it's easy to become overly reliant on someone else handling your blowout.
Whether you've been coddled with salon blow-dries and are ready to take the reins or are familiar with the technique and want to step up your game, the right brush will set you up for success. As you may know, not all hairbrushes are equipped to handle the heat of a blow dryer. To get the smoothness and body you crave without damaging your hair, you'll typically want something round or vented with heat-resistant bristles.
We conducted hours of research to find the best blow-dry brushes on the market, evaluating top options based on their ease of use, size, and if they were effective on all hair types. We also looked for any extra features, like their shape and bristle material. After consulting professionals and considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Best Overall
ghd Ceramic Vented Radial Brush
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Amazon
Dries hair quickly
Creates versatile styles
Works for short and long hair
Can tangle in hair
Blowing past the competition and sliding right into first place is GHD's Ceramic Vented Radial Brush. "It's well vented but heats up fast for beautiful waves or a classic smooth, voluminous blowout," hairstylist Sky Kim of ?Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York City tells Byrdie.
The hollow barrel allows air to pass through, and the semi-stiff bristles make for a super-smooth finish and a noticeably full, va-va-voom effect. It comes in four sizes (1 is the smallest, 4 is the largest) and is ideal for blowing out slightly damp hair. "Start at size 2 for mid-length and go bigger from there for longer hair," says Kim.
Price at time of publish: $35
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Budget
Conair Professional Nylon Bristle All-Purpose Hair Brush
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Amazon
Inexpensive
Detangles
Helps boost shine
Can create static on some hair types
This fierce contender from Conair will only run you a few bucks, but you can bet it'll deliver salon-level results. The 1.75-inch barrel is surrounded by flexible nylon bristles, helping to gently detangle while it smooths and styles your hair. Plus, at just over 8 inches long, it's the perfect size to toss in your purse, gym bag, or carry-on.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round, paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Drugstore
Goody Thermal Round Brush
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Amazon
Smooths hair
Reduces frizz
Reasonably priced
Not vegan
If you asked us to name a drugstore brand known for hair ties, clips, and combs, Goody would be the first one that comes to mind. So it should be no surprise the OG manufacturer also makes one of the best blow-dry brushes. The award-winning Heat 101 brush has a ceramic barrel and boar bristles, delivering a frizz-free, voluminous finish every time.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Boar, nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Splurge
Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush
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Sephora
Dries hair quickly
Smooths hair
Hair looks bouncy and sleek
Reviewers note it has a short life span
If you're willing to shell out a little extra dough for a truly spectacular time-saving tool, we highly recommend the Amika Blow Dryer Brush. Combining the smoothing action of a barrel brush with the frizz-reducing shininess of a tourmaline-coated hairdryer, this dual-action gadget will shave precious minutes off your getting-ready routine.
Price at time of publish: $100
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Dry
Best Hot-Air
InStyler MAVEN
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Amazon
Smooths and straightens hair
Works quickly
Reduces frizz
Not for creating voluminous styles
Another hot-air option we're loving is the InStyler MAVEN. This two-in-one tool works as both a blowdryer and a hairbrush, but instead of a barrel, you'll get a paddle-style brush with ceramic plates and ionic bristles. The result? Reduced drying time and smoother, shinier, frizz-free hair.
Price at time of publish: $70
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Dry
Best Volumizing
T3 Volume 3
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Amazon
Creates big volume
Smooths hair
Multiple barrel sizes available
Heavy
If it's fullness you're after, you can't go wrong with the T3 Volume 3. Made of rose-gold aluminum with a ceramic coating, the pro-level barrel works with your blowdryer of choice to shape your hair and create a thicker-looking, voluminous 'do.
Price at time of publish: $40
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Dry
Best Vented
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Vented Hairbrush
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Amazon
Helps air dry hair
Gives lift at roots
Chic design
Not ideal for use on dry hair
This paddle-style brush has wide vents down the middle, allowing hot air to pass through as you dry sections of your hair. What's more, the unique pointed silicone teeth help lift, volumize, and smooth each strand for an easy-peasy DIY blowout.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Wet
Best Boar-Bristle
CHI Turbo Ceramic Round Boar Brush
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Amazon
Softens hair
Won't damage or pull hair
Helps cut down drying time
Not vegan
Featuring 100% pure boar bristles, this barrel brush helps distribute your hair's natural oils while infusing serious shine and minimizing flyaways. By reflecting heat onto your strands from the ceramic barrel, also helps cut down on drying time.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Boar | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Detangling
Wet Brush Epic Professional Quick Dry
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Amazon
Quickly detangles hair
Helps air dry hair
Comfortable to hold
Bristles tend to bend over time
Is it possible to simultaneously detangle, dry, and style hair? With the Wet Brush Epic, it is. This vented paddle is designed to encourage airflow while flexible, heat-resistant bristles gently remove tangles and smooth your hair as it dries.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: IntelliFlex | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Styling
Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Turbo Vent Pro Collection
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Amazon
Unique design
Includes pick
Multiple barrel sizes available
Not vegan
For salon-level styling in the comfort of your own bathroom, reach for Olivia Garden's Ceramic + Ion Turbo Vent Pro Collection. With a wide barrel design and the smoothing, restorative effects of ceramic-ion technology, this bad boy pulls out all the stops. We also appreciate that it comes with a pick that slides in and out of the brush handle.
Price at time of publish: $25
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Boar | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Short Hair
YS Park G-Series Curl Shine Styler Round Brush
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Amazon
Lightweight
Helps dry hair quickly
Smooths hair
Not vegan
"I also love the YS Park G1 round brushes for shorter hair," says Kim. "You can start at 40G1 for super short hair. They have a really good grip, so you can get all of the baby hairs too."
Price at time of publish: $70
Hair Type: Short | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Boar | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Long Hair
Drybar Full Pint Medium Round Ceramic Brush
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Amazon
Makes blowouts easier
Helps create long-lasting styles
Smooths hair
Handle not comfortable to hold
It's safe to say Drybar knows a thing or two about blowouts, so you can rest assured this round brush will deliver pro-level results. The Full Pint, a medium-sized brush, works brilliantly on mid-length and long hairstyles. And since the ceramic barrel heats up as you blow-dry, it helps lock in your look.
Price at time of publish: $42
Hair Type: Long | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Damaged Hair
Kitsch Consciously Created Round Blow Dry Brush
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Amazon
Helps minimize heat damage
Flexible bristles
Won't pull hair
A bit small for long hair
If you're working with split ends, over-dyed, or otherwise damaged locks, your best bet is the Kitsch Consciously Created Round Blow Dry Brush. With a vented ceramic barrel, it minimizes further damage by directing heat away from your hair. Plus, the wide shape and flexible nylon bristles help you achieve an effortlessly polished look without tugging on weakened hair.
Price at time of publish: $18
Hair Type: Short | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Runner-Up, Best Volumizing
Revlon One-Step Volumizer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to use
Adds volume
Comfortable handle
More effective on longer hair
This Revlon blow-dry brush has gone viral more times than we can count, but it's for good reason. Not only is the brush simple to use (with only three heat settings), but it's able to dry, style, and add volume to the hair all at the same time. We love that it works quickly, taking only an hour or two to create a salon-quality blowout at home.
Hair Type: All | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Thick Hair
L'Ange Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer
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Amazon
Lightweight
Reduces tangles
Doesn't cause damage or frizz
Shouldn't be used on wet hair
If you have a thick or curly hair type, it can be a little tougher finding a blow dry brush that can straighten and style your hair in one step. But this brush from L' Ange makes things easy, with many reviewers saying it was a godsend for their thick, dense hair. They noted that it was easy to use, worked quickly, and their hair came out smooth and shiny every time.
Hair Type: Curly, wavy, thick | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Dry
Final Verdict
The best blow-dry brush overall is definitely the GHD Ceramic Vented Radial Brush. Its hollow barrel and semi-stiff bristles are tough to beat, offering fuller, more voluminous, and visibly smoother hair. However, the Conair Pro Hair Brush with Nylon Bristle is an excellent budget-friendly alternative. And if you want to save time with something that doubles as a blow dryer and hairbrush, consider springing for the InStyler MAVEN.
Meet the Expert
Sky Kim is a hair expert and professional based in New York City, with over a decade of experience. She is currently a hairstylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio, and is a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
What to Look For in a Blow-Dry Brush
Shape
Most blow-dry brushes are round (also known as barrel brushes). This type of brush is ideal for creating fullness and body when drying hair. You'll also find some paddle-style brushes designed for blow-drying. With a paddle brush, make sure you get something with adequate venting, like the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Vented Hairbrush. This will encourage hot air to flow through, helping to reduce drying time and minimize damage.
Size
Round brushes come in different sizes, usually between 1 to 4 inches in diameter. Smaller barrel brushes are generally better for drying and styling shorter haircuts, whereas larger brushes work best for longer hair. Additionally, medium and large brushes can be used to straighten hair or create loose waves while drying.
Bristles
The other thing to think about when buying a blow-dry brush is the bristles. You'll want to look for heat-resistant bristles that smooth the hair without tugging on it. Nylon and silicone tend to be the gentlest and most flexible, like on the ghd Ceramic Vented Radial Brush and the Conair Professional Nylon Bristle All-Purpose Hair Brush. Natural boar bristles are a bit stiffer, but they do a great job of smoothing out the hair—like the Goody Thermal Round Brush and the CHI Turbo Ceramic Round Boar Brush.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer with several years of experience covering cosmetics and beauty tools. Having finally learned some hacks for adding body to her fine hair, she's tried a handful of products on this roundup. Her go-to brands for drying and styling include Amika, T3, CHI, InStyler, and Goody.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any blow-dry brushes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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