6 Best Blow-Dryer Brushes 2026, Tested on Different Hair Types

Frequently asked questions

There are three main things to look out for when shopping for a blowout brush, according to Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of the Second Floor Salon in New York City, and Nicolas Flores, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.

Temperature

“First, look for temperature settings that don’t exceed 400°F to protect your hair from heat damage, especially if it’s fine or color-treated. A cool-shot button is also important for setting your style and locking in shine,” he says. Typically, blow-dryer brushes have multiple heat settings. The most basic have just high and low settings, while more sophisticated models may have three or four, providing more customization for your hair type. Keep in mind that coarser, curlier hair generally requires higher heat, while lower settings are more appropriate for fine hair.

Bristles

Most blow-dryer brushes are made with nylon or boar bristles; some are made of a combination. “If you have thicker or more textured hair, a more powerful motor and high-quality bristles—preferably a boar and nylon mix— make a big difference,” says Cavalcante. Boar bristles grip and smooth, so they’re ideal for those who want to eliminate frizz. Nylon bristles tend to do a better job detangling hair, which can be helpful for those with curly hair or dry, color-treated hair.

Size

Depending on your hair type, you’ll also want to pay attention to the size of the blow-dry brushes’ barrels. “With finer hair, you want to aim for the medium or large size, whereas coarser hair works better with the large and jumbo size barrel,” says Flores.

Overall, our editors—and the hairstylists we talked to—say these all-in-one styling tools are game changers for hairstyling, especially if you reach for one with even more versatility (aka, if they can double as a curling wand or straightener brush). These hair tools are great for travel, too, since you’ll have less to pack to make your hair look great on vacay. However, our reviewers with short and mid-length curly hair said they weren’t ideal for their hair types.

The professional hairstylists we spoke to all recommended blow-dryer brushes to make wet hair bouncy and beautiful in the comfort of your own home. Kaitlyn Ellsworth, cofounder of The Roslyn hair salon in San Diego, actually called them “the best thing since sliced bread for at-home styling.” But the pros caution: These hair tools can get exceptionally hot, so it’s crucial to apply a heat protectant beforehand to protect your strands from damage. You should also start with your hair at least halfway dry to achieve the best results.

The key to preventing damage when using a blowout brush is not to use it on soaking-wet hair, says Cavalcante. “I always tell clients to rough-dry their hair first until it’s about 85% to 95% dry. Using a blow-dryer brush on damp hair can put unnecessary tension on the strands, which are more vulnerable when wet and more likely to break. Also, always apply a heat protectant beforehand and avoid going over the same section too many times,” he says. Our favorite is the Dae Agave Dry Heat Protection Spray.

“Blow-dryer brushes can work beautifully on curly hair to smooth and stretch the texture. For best results, opt for one with a metal barrel, as it conducts heat more efficiently and helps achieve a sleeker finish,” says Cavalcante. Just remember to prep with a heat protectant and detangle thoroughly (with a comb) before using the tool to avoid damage and breakage.

Common mistakes include using the tool on very wet hair and not using it properly, according to the stylists we spoke with. “People often think the blowout brush should start at the root of the hair, for the best results and the best bounce, focus more on flipping out the ends,” says Flores. He also recommends focusing on heat control to avoid damage and always using heat-protecting haircare products before styling.

We tested blowout brushes by evaluating their temperature control, ease of use, and whether they delivered salon-worthy results across a variety of hair lengths and types. The best blowout brushes were gentle on hair with a slew of heat settings or infrared technology, and they didn’t leave our strands looking or feeling particularly dry or fried. We also went with models that were easy to use and maneuver around our heads (those weighing about 1 pound were our favorites). The hair dryer brushes that rose to the top gave us smooth, silky hair that looked and felt completely frizz-free for hours after our blow-dry.