These Blow Dryer Brushes Will Cut Styling Time Down In Half

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Let's have a round of applause for whoever's idea it was to invent the game-changing hair dryer brush. It's pretty amazing how one single brush can do the job of several different tools to give you a salon-level blowout right from home.

"Hair dryer brushes allow you to dry and style your hair in a single step, and they can reduce thermal damage because of the dual functionality," says Joseph Maine, a celebrity hair stylist. "They are really easy to use and can be a great option for those not skilled at using a round brush and dryer separately. The design allows for smooth, easy styling with minimal effort."

You'll achieve lots of different looks with these tools. Some hair dryer brushes, like the famous Dyson AirWrap, come with different attachments that'll allow you to straighten your hair or create different wave and curl sizes. Others feature a round brush with straight edges so you can both straighten and curl your hair with the same attachment.

Ready to add one to your beauty closet? See below for the nine best hair dryer brushes of 2023, according to hair stylists and reviewers.

Meet The Experts: Joseph Maine, a celebrity hair stylist, Emilio Uribe, celebrity hair designer and makeup artist at Posh by Emilio Uribe /UBe Beauty, Dawna Jarvis, a master stylist and business strategist in Los Angeles, Susie Geda, master stylist and co-Founder of Bibo Salon in Oakland, and Becca Raziuddin, director of artist education at Blo Blow Dry Bar

Easy Blo Dryer and Volumizer

For just $50, this hair dryer brush covers all the essentials. The flat edges mean that you can use it as a straightener. But since it's still a round brush and blow dryer, you can use it to give yourself a big, wavy blowout.

One thing to keep in mind is that several reviewers noted that the blow dryer brush is on the bulkier side, meaning it may be a little hard to maneuver for those not used to its size. Luckily, it's still lightweight, so you can still go longer without experiencing arm fatigue. Several reviewers also claimed that the hair dryer took longer to blow dry their hair than other options they've used. So, those with thicker hair may want to give this hair dryer brush a trial run before they fully commit to it.

Rave Review: "I LOVE this thing! I am the kind of girl who can’t hold both a brush and a blow dryer at the same time. So, this tool has saved me. It’s super easy to use, and my hair looked like I had gone to a blowout bar. THANK YOU FOR MAKING A PRODUCT FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME!!"

AireBrush Duo

Equipped with two attachments you can use to either wave or straighten your hair, this brush provides several heat and speed combinations so you can customize your styling experience. There's even the option to add volume using the device's "volume booster" switch.

Those with thicker hair may enjoy using this option as several reviewers have said it can grab larger chunks of hair effectively. "This is the first dryer that actually worked and for multiple days!! I wish it had been a bit cheaper, but definitely worth it," said one customer who described herself as having frizzy, curly hair. Several customers also called out the hefty price tag, so consider this one more of a splurge.

Rave Review: "This airbrush has changed my life. I have wavy hair and love a smooth blowout, but have never been able to do it with the average dryer. This is so easy to use, and the results are phenomenal. Worth every penny."

FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

This handy tool comes with rotating curlers, a paddle brush, an oval brush, and a concentrator attachment. Use it to curl, straighten, wave, or simply dry your hair. It's pricey, but you really won't need anything but this single tool in your hair styling arsenal.

Women's Health commerce editors are huge fans of this, too, since it's a more affordable version of Dyson's AirWrap, while producing similar results. Reviewers rave about its ability to provide salon-quality blowouts in just minutes, even for those with coarser hair. The only downsides are that customers say it is a little heavier and a lot louder than other options. "It is loud and one of the attachments is a little large, making it difficult to use," wrote one customer.

Rave Review: "When I tell you this hair tool has changed my life, I’m not lying! My bad hair days are gone, and I’m in shock everyday by how good this makes my hair look! So glad I took the risk and ordered it."

One-Step Volumizer 1.0

Revlon's iconic, TikTok-famous blow dryer brush was recently given an upgrade with a new motor that makes for faster blowouts. Its oval structure guarantees volume at the roots, and it now has a cool tip—so, burnt hands are off the table.

One of the most popular blow dryer brushes on the market with over 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, customers love that its high heat settings gets hair silky smooth—eliminating nearly, if not all, frizz. You're in for an arm workout, though, since reviewers also say the blow dryer brush can feel heavy after several minutes of use.

Rave Review: "After purchasing this, I will never use a regular blow dryer again. This tool cuts my dry time in less than half, and it gets it pretty straight without sucking all the moisture from my hair. I will definitely buy a few of these just to stock up."

Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

Dyson's bestselling Airwrap has developed a cult following. While it's on the pricier side, it's suitable for all hair types and comes with seven attachments for straightening, drying, and curling hair. But you may want to stray away if you're a newbie to blow drying. "It isn’t the easiest to use for someone just learning how to do their hair," says Emilio Uribe, celebrity hair designer and makeup artist at Posh by Emilio Uribe /UBe Beauty.

Still, he recommends it as a great product for achieving multiple hairstyles. Susie Geda, master stylist and co-Founder of Bibo Salon in Oakland, CA agrees. "It significantly reduces styling time, and its versatility is unmatched," Geda says. "I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially for my clients seeking an easier way to style their hair at home."

Rave Review: "I adore this tool. It helps me keep my hair looking shiny and stylish in half the time that it used to take me. It works BEAUTIFULLY, and I couldn’t recommend it more!"

Titanium Brush Dryer Blush

L'ange Hair's two-in-one blow dryer brush is worth the investment if you want to heat style your hair with minimal damage. The titanium finish and tug-resistant bristles make for a smooth, frizz-free style every time, and it has a range of heat settings so you can try to use the lowest your hair can handle.

Though many customers enjoyed the ease of blow-drying their hair and styling at once, thanks to the barrel attachment included, several reviewers noted that the blow dryer brush is big and hard to handle leading to user fatigue. Its bulkier head also doesn't make it ideal for those with shorter hair, though those who have lots of past experience using hair dryer brushes can probably get by.

Rave Review: "Absolutely love this product! So much easier to use than I expected. It dries hair very quickly. The different heat settings help with styling and help to limit damage to hair from heat. Easy to clean, and I love the protective cover it comes with."

Oval Dryer Brush

Don't be fooled by the simple look of this oval dryer brush by Conair. It comes with two attachments, but you can purchase up to six others separately. Since it's not too pricey or difficult to use, it's a great option for beginners.

The dryer's highest heat setting doesn't get as hot as others on this list, which is great for preventing heat damage, but won't get as silky soft of a press on those with curly or coarser hair. "The tool is light and easy to hold, wrote one customer. "It blows a lot of air, but it is warm air—not hot like a blow dryer. It still dried my hair and made it semi-straight, but I will have to go back over it with a flat iron." Several customers with fine hair thoroughly enjoyed their results, though.

Rave Review: "I can make my hair look good in a really short period of time. For the first time ever, I feel like I can do a good job on my hair in the back. I haven’t used my hair dryer or flat iron since I bought this."

Single Shot Round Blow Dryer Brush

If you're a fan of one-step stylers, meet the Drybar blow dryer brush. Yes, it's about $150, but that's because the aptly-named Single Shot is designed to be able to dry and style your hair in one swipe—it's perfect for anyone who's short on time (everyone). The smaller barrel is also great for shorter hair lengths and bangs.

"I tried this blow-dry brush a few years back, and it's left a lasting impression," said Dawna Jarvis, a master stylist and business strategist in Los Angeles. "It's evident Drybar invested in its research and development—the brush is not only durable but also incredibly user-friendly. Out of all the brushes I've used, this is top-tier in quality—the price is justified." A con to watch out for—reviewers did note that the tool's tip does get hot after use, making it hard to hold as you progress in your hair styling.

Rave Review: "I’ve tried a few dryer brushes, and this one was the very best. It dries hair in good time. It’s not heavy. It's easy to use and helps with frizz. It makes my hair shine, and the bristles are easy on the hair. I would highly recommend it."

Blow Dryer Brush-Far

Talk about high-tech. This brush uses infrared heat and negative ion technology to reduce frizz and seal the hair cuticle for a sleek finish. It also has a blend of two kinds of bristles that are meant to provide extra volume to your roots.

Several customers also raved about how much shine the tool delivered to their strands. "It’s lightweight and my hair dried really fast and was shiny, like I got it professionally done at a salon," wrote one reviewer. One of the downsides to the brush, however, is that customers said the bristles are pretty short, making it pretty hard for them to reach the scalp. Still most customers said this is budget-friendly hair dryer brush that works on most hair types.

Rave Review: "It heats quickly and shortens my dry time. It worked exactly as it should and met all my expectations. Highly recommend."

How Our Team Chose The Best Hair Dryer Brushes

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including commerce editor Jasmine Gomez and editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated hair dryer brushes. Our team consulted five hair stylists for opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best hair dryer brushes for a wide range of needs and preferences.

What Should I Look For in a Hair Dryer Brush?

With so many options on the market, there are a few things you should keep in mind before committing to a blow dryer brush. Here are a few:

Heat Settings

When considering a tool's heat settings, consider your hair texture first, says Uribe. "If you have fine, thin hair, you don't need the 'strongest' or 'hottest' dryer. Too much heat can lead to damaged hair." So, avoid unnecessary heat.

"On the other hand, dryer brushes with higher heat settings are best for women with thick, coarse hair," adds Uribe. But women with coarser hair should still keep in mind how much heat they're using on their strands. One tip Uribe recommends before using a hair dryer brush is to towel dry hair, and then let it air dry for at least 10-15 minutes. "By doing so, you will have a much easier time styling your hair," Uribe explains. He also recommends using a heat protectant spray or cream before blow drying for added protection.

Bristles

When considering bristles, you will want to look for ones that are gentle on the hair, such as ceramic or tourmaline bristles, says Becca Raziuddin, director of artist education at Blo Blow Dry Bar. If you are looking for a smoother look, boar bristles may be a feature you want to consider, she adds.

You should also consider the size and spacing of the bristles, Uribe adds. "For thicker hair, I prefer a brush with stiff bristles. If a client has thinner hair, I typically prefer a brush that has flexible bristles." When it comes to spacing, dryer brushes with bristles that are spread wide apart add time to the drying and styling process and make it harder to comb through and smooth your strands, he explains. "Combining the right bristles for your hair and the right heat setting will result in a frizz-free, va-va-voom, voluminous, and smooth blowout when chosen correctly!"

Design

Lastly, you should also keep the brush's design in mind. For example, some brushes offer a cool setting while others don't, or some are bulkier and bigger than others.

The size of the brush you should opt for depends on your hair length and thickness. "If you have long hair, you may find a larger barrel on the brush works better for you. Thin hair can get away with a smaller barrel size," says Raziuddin.

You should also opt for something that you're comfortable holding, preferably cordless or with a swivel cord. "It'll allow you to move the brush in different directions and angles without the cords tangling during use, adds Raziuddin.

You'll find that hair dryer brushes also vary in weight, price, and size of the barrel. When it comes to weight, pick something you'll feel good about holding for at least 20 minutes, and at a price that's within your budget. When it comes to barrel size, you should keep in mind that wider barrels create bouncier looks, and smaller barrels are for tighter curls. They work best with thinner, short hair, says Uribe.

Your number one goal is to choose something you feel comfortable using. " You will create your best styles when you are most at ease and confident, not feeling like styling is a strenuous task," says Uribe.

If you need a quick cheat sheet on design, here's what Maine says you should look for depending on your hair type and goals.

• If you have short hair or want more volume, look for a round brush with a smaller brush size

• To smooth out hair or do a simple blowout, get a larger round brush shape.

• To straighten your hair or get it dry faster, opt for a flat brush.

• If you like to mix up your look, find one with attachable heads.

Can Hair Dryer Brushes Damage Your Hair?

They can if used incorrectly or excessively, says Raziuddin. "Remember to give your hair a break from heat—it needs it!" she says. But on days you do use your hair dryer brush, Uribe recommends you be conscious of your heat settings, use a heat protectant, and seal your hair with a finishing spray or oil.

If you want to go an extra step, use a brush with ceramic plates to further help protect against damage. "Ceramic plates help distribute heat evenly when blow-drying your hair, which can minimize damage."

How Do You Clean a Hair Dryer Brush?

You should always unplug your brush before cleaning, says Raziuddin. "When cleaning your brush, you should also make sure to take all the hair out after each use, Raziuddin adds. "Leaving hair in the brush can cause it to burn and may leave unwanted residue."

To remove hair stuck in the bristles, Uribe recommends running a tail comb or brush over the dryer brush and separating the hair out of the tool. Then, use your fingers to dispose of the shedded strands. You can then wipe the brush with a damp cloth, Uribe adda. To deep clean the brush, Raziuddin suggests using a cloth or cotton pad with rubbing alcohol.

Read more about the best hair styling tools

Hair Brushes | Round Brushes | Hair Dryers | Heat Protectant For Hair | Hair Products | Hair Straighteners | Hair Straightening Brushes | Hair Wavers | Curling Irons | Hair Diffusers

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