Whether you want effortless curls or stylish waves, we’ve tested the best hot brushes for a professional look at home.
Nothing completes a look like a fresh, bouncy blow-dry, but what do you do when you don’t have the time or inclination to make an appointment with a professional? Thankfully, the best hot brushes these days can help you create that same polished result in the comfort of your home, with technology to help even the most unskilled of stylists create a blow-dry to be proud of. But with so many different types – from cordless brushes and Airwrap brushes tohot brush stylers – it can be hard to know where to start.
“A hot brush is a hairstyling tool that combines the features of a hairbrush and a heated styling tool, like a flat iron or curling iron,” explains Johan Hellstrom, CEO and owner of haircare brand Björn Axén. “It uses heat to straighten, smooth or add waves to the hair. The bristles on the tool help de-tangle the hair while the heat helps to style it. It’s a great tool, especially for creating glamorous looks for both long and short hairstyles”.
Some devices blast out hot hair like a regular hair dryer and come with a round, bristled brush. This means they should be used on damp hair and makes them ideal for creating smooth and bouncy blow dries. Others, like the Dyson Airwrap come with multiple attachments including a round bristled brush head and self-curling tongs to create waves and curls.
Other hot brushes simply heat up and are designed to be used on dry hair to add curls, waves, and volume at the roots. To help you make sense of the differences, I’ve reviewed the best models below, with expert tips for using hot brushes in the FAQs. If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at the top five:
The best hot brushes: At a glance
- Best Buy hot brush – Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
- Best Value hot brush – Babyliss Air Power Volume
- Best hot brush for volume – Shark SmoothStyle Heated Brush & Smoothing Comb
- Best hot brush for curling – Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser
- Best hot brush for beginners – Remington Proluxe You Adaptive Hot Brush
How we test hot brushes
Over two months, I put nine different hot brushes through daily testing to see how each performed beyond the promise of glossy marketing claims. My hair type is wavy, of medium thickness and mid-length, so it can be a challenge to style.
The models varied in both price and purpose: some were designed specifically for use on dry hair, others performed best on damp strands, and a few included multiple attachment heads for added versatility.
Each brush was scored across several metrics, beginning with design. This included how well it felt in hand, the quality of build and how intuitively the buttons and settings could be used. Usability and convenience were judged by timing how long it took to heat up, how easily it glided through sections of hair, and how quickly it created a salon-worthy finish.
Safety on the hair was tested through repeated styling sessions, noting any signs of dryness or damage. I also assessed how straightforward they were to use straight from the box, without relying on manuals, and how much technique was required to achieve a smooth blow-dry or soft curl. For those hoping to maintain results overnight, check out our guide to the best silk pillow cases.
Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended
Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don’t accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles.
All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more.
Best hot brushes of 2025
1. Best Buy Hot Brush: Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
Score: 10/10
We like: Adds lasting shape and volume and has ionic technology that reduces frizz
We don’t like: Doesn’t come with a storage case
£125Buy now from Cult Beauty
Or try this other retailer£125 | Buy now from Next UK
Dry Bar’s The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush gave me the best results on my hair type (wavy, medium thickness and mid-length) during testing. I like more or less everything about it from its ergonomic handle, 2.44” oval round brush with a combination of nylon and tufted bristles, and most of all, the results it had on my hair.
At first look, I thought that the brush head might be a bit too big for the length and thickness of my hair but it actually worked really well. Currently, my hair is at that awkward just-hitting-the-shoulder length, but with this, I was able to curl the ends under successfully while adding lots of body and volume to the lengths. It also gave my hair lasting volume and shape which I was really impressed by and that made it my favourite overall device.
What’s more, it can be used on both damp and dry hair and I used it both ways. The dry option is ideal for refreshing a blow-dry the following day or giving shape and movement to air-dried hair. It also did a good job of minimising frizz and fuzzy bits with its in-built ionic technology.
Admittedly, I still did run my hair straighteners over the top before an evening out as my hair is prone to going a little wavy even with the slightest bit of humidity. Nevertheless, this has become a regular go-to for me since I first used it, and I imagine it will remain in my hair styling kit for years to come – and probably replace my current hair dryer over time, too.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 45 x 23.6 x 10.9 cm
- Weight: 1.18 kg
- Settings: 3 heat
- Suitable for: All hair types, on damp or dry hair
2. Best Value Hot Brush: Babyliss Air Power Volume
Score: 9/10
We like: Works on wet and dry hair, easy to use with good results
We don’t like: Doesn’t come with a carry case
£39.99Buy now from Very
Or try these other retailers£53.33 | Buy now from John Lewis and Partners£79.99 | Buy now from Currys
Suitable for use on wet or dry hair, the Babyliss Air Power Volume Hot Brush shoots out hot air like a hairdryer so that you can effortlessly dry and style your hair. At £80, it’s a good value buy that feels good quality. The oval-shaped brush has flexible bristles to give the hair volume and shape which it did really well.
You can also easily switch between wet or dry modes using the central button on the brush handle. While it did glide through my hair easily, I found the head a little bumpy on my scalp and think it may be better suited to longer, thicker hair that needs a more robust brush.
It does, however, have two airflow settings and three temperature settings so it is suitable for all hair types in that regard. Other nice extras are the heat-protective glove that prevents you from burning your hand while styling, and the 1000 Watt power that makes styling from wet to dry pretty effortless. The 2.5 metre cord also meant I could reach the back of my head and the mirror easily.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 9 x 39.5 x 18 cm
- Weight: 636g
- Settings: 3 heat
- Suitable for: All hair types, on damp or dry hair
3. Best Versatile Hot Brush: Dyson Airwrap i.d
Score: 9/10
We like: App guides you through using each tool step by step based on your hair type, offers lots of versatility with interchangeable heads
We don’t like: Skill is needed and lots of practice to get the best results
£479.99Buy now from Dyson
Or try these other retailers£329.99 | Buy now from Very£449.99 | Buy now from Sports Direct UK
The Dyson Airwrap is the most expensive device on our roundup so naturally I had the highest expectations. It comes presented in a beautiful blue storage box that has adequate space for the main styler and six different attachments.
The box also includes information on downloading the Dyson Airwrap app which allows you to create a personalised hair profile by answering a few quick questions. I started by using the Dryer+Flyaway smoother to ensure my hair was almost dry before using the styling tools. This doesn’t get too hot so I felt reassured that it wasn’t damaging my hair.
I then swapped this attachment for the round volumising brush to finish drying my hair and to start adding body and shape to it. This wasn’t one of my favourite hot brushes as it didn’t seem to give the volume of others I tried, but it did the job regardless.
You can also use the soft smoothing brush to create smoother looks. I wanted to see how well the device curled my hair so I went to the Dyson app and started the guided tutorial based on my personalised hair profile. It cleverly told me how long to leave my hair wrapped around the wand once it had curled it using the hot air, how long to use the cold shot for, and when to release. This helped me get to grips with it quite quickly and it was also quite fun.
It created lots of bouncy curls which fell into more of a wave but I was still happy with the final result. I think with even more practice, this will be a great device to have and I really like its versatility as well as the technology that protects the hair at the same time.
Read our full Dyson Airwrap i.d review for more details.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 272mm x 41mm
- Weight: 611g
- Settings: 3 heat and 3 speed settings
- Suitable for: All hair types, on damp hair
4. Best Hot brush For Beginners: Remington Proluxe You Adaptive Hot Brush
Score: 9/10
We like: Easy to create big, bouncy curls and waves, easy to transport when travelling
We don’t like: Design is a bit basic
£74.99Buy now from Very
The Remington ProLuxe You Adaptive Hot Brush is a good option if you want to try a hot brush but don’t want to invest a serious amount of money in one. That being said, this was one of the best hot brushes I tested and I really liked how easy it was to use.
It’s designed to be used to style dry hair and has a manual temperature setting of 160C. This can be increased to up to 210C and as my hair doesn’t hold curls and waves that well, I found that I got the best results on the higher temperature setting.
I did worry that this might be damaging my hair as it created some steam but I did take some reassurance that its StyleAdapt Technology – that reads your hair’s temperature more than 5500 times per styling session – was monitoring my hair’s needs.
It also comes with a heat-protective glove so you don’t burn your hand as you style and a heat-protective mat so you can place the wand down safely on a surface. I had good results with this brush, even after using it on air-dried hair, and found that it created natural bouncy waves and gave good volume to my hair.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 35.1 x 7.1 x 15.7 cm
- Weight: 853g
- Temperature settings: 3, from 160C up to 210C
- Suitable for: All hair types, dry hair
5. Best Hot Brush For Volume: Shark SmoothStyle Heated Brush & Smoothing Comb
Score: 9/10
We like: creates shiny, bounce blow-dry with minimal skill but never reaches hair-damaging temperatures
We don’t like: doesn’t come with any extra accessories or storage bag
£59.99Buy now from Debenhams
Or try these other retailers£59.99 | Buy now from Simply Be£79.99 | Buy now from Argos
Suitable for blow-drying wet hair or adding volume to dry hair, the Shark SmoothStyle Heated Brush and Smoothing Comb helped me create a shiny, bouncy blow-dry in just a few minutes. It’s fitted with boar and nylon bristles to create lift at the roots and shape at the lengths, all while reducing frizz and adding body. (The anti-frizz technology can be turned off and on depending on your hair type). It also has an integrated comb with ceramic smoothing plates so you get the added volume without the fuzzy finish.
Like the Babyliss Air Power Volume hot brush, I think the size of the head on this device is probably better suited to longer, thicker hair but it didn’t stop me from creating a good, lasting result. It also did a good job of refreshing my dry hair the next day or before heading out for the evening.
I think this is a good value product that will help you achieve that professional blown-out look with minimal skill. Likewise, if you are quite talented in the art of hair styling, you can also create a variety of glamorous, salon-worthy looks with this hot brush.
Read our full Shark SmoothStyle Heated Brush and Smoothing Comb review for more details.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 8.28 x 9.62 x 35.4 cm
- Weight: 730g
- Temperature settings: 3
- Suitable for: All hair types on wet and dry hair
6. Best Hot Brush for Curling: GHD Rise Hot Brush
Score: 9/10
We like: Easy controls, lightweight and good cord length
We don’t like: Requires good skill level, short-lasting results
£179Buy now from ghd
The GHD Rise Hot Brush is a luxury hair styling tool that sits among some of the most expensive on our list. Like the iconic GHD straighteners, it’s super lightweight with one single control to turn it on and off. It heats up in just 25 seconds, and from here I started to use it very quickly. It can be used to create three core looks: volume at the roots, big bouncy volume, or soft waves.
I decided to try the soft waves and I headed to the GHD website to follow its handy tutorial videos. I was able to create soft waves quite quickly but I did struggle to replicate the instructions on adding volume at the roots.
While my hair did look initially great, I did notice that it dropped out quite quickly. This isn’t a complete surprise as it does usually take a skilled professional to keep most waves and curls in my hair, but it was still a tad frustrating after all my effort. As such, I think this is a tool better suited to someone with a higher skill level than myself to get the full benefit from it.
I also think if it’s waves you’re hoping to create, you can do a very similar job with a hair straightener. But if you plan on creating all three of the core looks it promises, that’s a lot of versatility in one styling tool.
Read our full GHD Rise Hot brush review for more details.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 4 x 4 x 37 cm
- Weight: 370g
- Temperature settings: Ultra-zone technology maintains 180C
- Suitable for: All hair types on dry hair
7. Best Budget Hot Brush: Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser
Score: 9/10
We like: Compact size that’s good for travel and blow dries the hair quickly
We don’t like: Feels a little plastic and cheap
£40.99Buy now from Amazon UK
Or try these other retailers£36.99 | Buy now from Currys£41.99 | Buy now from Rackhams
The Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser was one of the smallest devices I tested and the least expensive but it certainly still packed a punch when it came to drying the hair. It’s not as sophisticated as some of the other models on this shortlist (it only has two heat settings for instance) but it still did a great job. I think this would be a great starter option for anyone thinking of buying a hot brush and wants to keep the spend low, or as a travel option to pack in your bag for holidays and work trips.
While it’s on the budget end, it still features ionic technology to saturate the airflow of the brush and reduce frizz and I was impressed with its overall finish on my hair. It also has a cool shot to help set waves and shapes in place.
My only real complaint is that it feels a bit plasticky and not as solid as other options, plus the brush is slightly smaller than others so I couldn’t get quite the same volume in my hair. This smaller size, however, does make it a good option for shorter hairstyles and it feels very light in the hand as you use it.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 2.5 x 16.5 x 21.5 cm
- Weight: 700g
- Temperature settings: 2 heat settings and a cool shot
- Suitable for: All hair types on damp hair
8. Best Hot Brush For Travel: BondiBoost Infrared Bounce Brush
Score: 9/10
We like: Infrared tech harnesses the power of negative ions to lock in moisture
We don’t like: Quite expensive
£105Buy nowPrice atBondiboost
While this is one of the more expensive hot brushes I tested for use on dry hair, it does boast a lot of impressive tech. First of all, you have the option of styling temperatures – from 120C to 230C – while aloe-infused bristles help to add shine and reduce frizz.
Negative ions in the brush also work by flattening the hair cuticle in order to add shine to the hair. It also has an LED display and a lightweight feel in the hand which makes styling easy.
It’s one of the smaller devices I tested so is easy to store when not in use. Likewise, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a hot brush that you can also take away with you when travelling. In terms of results on the hair, it gave my air-dried hair a professional, bouncy look without leaving my hair feeling dry or damaged.
That said, it didn’t quite manage to protect my hair from frizz on a slightly damp October morning. I would have hoped the initial smooth finish it created would stay a little longer, but this could perhaps be remedied by using it with different styling products or playing around with the temperature.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 34.1 x 4.9 cm
- Weight: 234g
- Temperature settings: Heats between 120C and 230C
- Suitable for: All hair types
9. Best Hot Brush For Adding Shine: Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush
Score: 8/10
We like: Easy and intuitive settings, ceramic barrel emits far-infrared heat that reduces damage to the hair
We don’t like: Waves created with it weren’t long-lasting
£95Buy nowPrice atSpace NK
Rather than blowing out hot air, the Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush is designed to add volume, shape and shine to dry hair with a hot barrel. It works by gently heating up the hair from the inside out with thermal heat – a styling method that is less damaging than traditional methods. While gentle, it can be used to create a few different styles – whether that’s just added shape and volume or bouncy curls – while depositing negative ions on the hair which flatten the cuticle, adding shine and reducing frizz.
I found this device really easy to use straight out of the box and enjoyed the bounce and soft waves it gave my hair. But, while it did leave my hair feeling soft, the look I’d created didn’t last too long unfortunately which may be down to its more gentle heating method.
On the plus side, the brush does glide nicely through the hair and it doesn’t tug or pull when styling. Overall, I felt like it was caring for my hair as I used it rather than compromising it. It just requires a bit of practice to achieve some of the more glamorous looks it promises. It may also be better suited to hair types that don’t need those higher temperatures to get a lasting finish.
Key specifications
- Measurements: 36 x 11.5 x 7 cm
- Weight: 750g
- Temperature settings: 180C
- Suitable for: All hair types on dry hair
Hot brush FAQs
What’s the highest setting on a hot brush?
“The highest temperature setting on a hot brush typically ranges from 180C to 230C, depending on the brand and model,” says Johan Hellstrom, CEO and owner of haircare brand Björn Axén. “It’s important to select a heat setting based on your hair type. Fine hair works best with lower heat, while thicker or coarser hair often needs higher settings”.
Can I use a hot brush to add volume to my hair?
Yes, a hot brush adds volume to the hair by lifting the hair at the roots. A common mistake, says Mr Hellstrom, is that some people only use the tool at the ends of the hair. “But it works for the roots as well, or to add volume to bangs for example,” he says. You can do this in the following steps:
- Focus the hot brush at the roots and gently lift the hair upwards while brushing.
- Hold for a few seconds to let the heat set in, and then pull the brush through the length of the hair for added body and lift.
What makes a hot brush different from a hair dryer?
Mr Hellstrom says that a hot brush offers more precision styling. “It’s primarily used on already dry or damp hair, and is designed to produce a smooth finish. It combines brushing with heat to smooth, straighten, or volumise hair”. He adds that a hair dryer on the other hand is used to dry hair by blowing hot air and requires the use of a separate brush to style hair while drying.
How can I clean and maintain my hot brush?
“Unplug and wait until the hot brush has cooled. Once it’s cold, begin removing hair strands caught in the bristles with your fingers or a small brush (like a toothbrush),” advises Mr Hellstrom. “Then, wipe the surface with a damp cloth with warm water. After, ensure to wipe down bristles and heated areas to remove product build-up. Once complete, let the brush cool before storing it in a dry, clean place to avoid damage to the bristles or the cord”. He also adds that you should never immerse the hot brush in water, as it can damage the internal electrical components.
What’s the best way to use a hot brush?
Hellstrom advises starting by making sure your hair is dry or slightly damp, depending on the type of hot brush you’re using. “Most hot brushes are designed for use on dry or 80 per cent dry hair,” he says. “If your hair is too wet, it will not style efficiently”.
- Next, section your hair to make the styling manageable and divide your hair into small sections. “This will help the hot brush glide through easily and distribute heat evenly,” advises Hellstrom.
- Then apply heat protection. “Before starting to use the tool, always apply heat protection to prevent damage from the high temperatures.
- Adjust the heat setting on the tool (if possible), and choose a temperature suitable for your hair type,” he continues.
Hellstrom then advises gliding the hot brush through your hair from root to tip. “When using make sure not to rush the process, allow the heat to penetrate and smooth out the strands,” he says. “You can use the hot brush to straighten hair or add waves by twisting the brush at the ends. Fixate the curl with a hair clip and let it cool off for longer-lasting curls”. - “My favourite is to use it for volume,” he adds. “Lift at the roots and then twist the brush at the ends for a bouncy, lightweight feel. Don’t forget to finish off by applying a lightweight finishing hair spray for added shine and long-lasting hold”.