purewow100
beauty
Including Dyson, Shark Beauty and Drybar
By Chelsea Candelario
•
Published Apr 14, 2024
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Dasha Burobina/PureWow
I will always have a close relationship with my blow dryer, but there’s something about a blow dryer brush that can make life a thousand times easier. This two-in-one brush is equipped with the same type of motor as your hair dryer, which means it effectively dries and straightens while eliminating the need to juggle a round brush and a hot tool. Whether you have fine or curly hair, there’s a blow dryer brush that can boost volume and shine—or smooth down frizz. But the key feature that sets it apart from your standard blow dryer is that it majorly reduces styling time, so you can spend less time in the bathroom and more time admiring your new ‘do. And just a quick scroll through TikTok will offer you enough proof that it's the real deal. But what’s the best blow dryer brush? I wanted to find out for myself, so I roped in a few editors and together we tested out the best blow dryer brushes on the market to see which is best for whom.
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The Best Blow Dryer Brushes at a Glance
2
Best for Dry Hair
T3 AireBrush One-Step Smoothing and Volumizing Hair Dryer Brush
read more
$150 at SEPHORA
3
Best for Curly Hair
Shark Beauty FlexStyle Hair Blow Dryer & Multi Styler
read more
Show More
How I Tested the Best Blow Dryer Brushes
I did some research to find the best blow dryer brushes according to internet reviewers, before tapping PureWow editors and staffers to participate in the testing process. Our hair types range from fine, straight locks to thick, curly hair, so we were able to take that into account in our reviews. We each spent a month trying out our blow dryer brush and followed a specific criteria, including how well it styled and dried hair. Ahead, the 13 best blow dryer brushes you need to check out.
Best Overall
What We Like
- dries hair quickly
- comes with extra attachments
What We Don't Like
- hard to remove hair after you're done
Foxybae
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 97/100
Out of all the blow dryer brushes on this list, this FoxyBae Super Styler ranks the highest for quick-drying and styling. This hair tool comes with four attachments— diffuser, blowout brush, curling barrel and drying cylinder—making it a viable choice for all hair types. According to Natalie LaBarbera, assistant commerce editor at PureWow, “It dries my hair so fast! I don't like spending a lot of time getting my hair ready and this brush makes it so easy that I really don't have an excuse not to use it. Plus, it comes with extra attachments, which is great for saving space in my small apartment since I don't have to have multiple full-size devices. Overall I found the brush to be super easy and effective. What stood out to me the most about the brush itself is how fast it is at drying my hair. It's also super lightweight (not like some of the heavier hair dryers that make your arms tired just holding them up!).”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: varies
- Watts: 1100
- Attachments: blowout brush, drying cylinder, curling barrel, diffuser
Natalie LaBarbera/PureWow
Sephora
Best for Dry Hair
2. T3 AireBrush One-Step Smoothing and Volumizing Hair Dryer Brush
What We Like
- great for dry and curly hair
- adds volume
- cuts drying time
What We Don't Like
- heavy to hold
- pricey
T3
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 96/100
This hair dryer brush is a triple threat in the styling department. Whether you want a silky-smooth blowout or voluminous locks, this tool offers even heat distribution without sacrificing moisture. “My hair is so smooth and healthy, which is a visible difference from the hair dryer I was using before that dried out my hair so much it made my ends look fried,” says Jazmine Clarke, senior account manager at PureWow. The oval barrel is also covered in a CeraGloss ceramic to improve shine, smooth strands and reduce damage. If you need more convincing, it made Clarke, who was skeptical about blow dryer brushes, change her tune. “I've been hesitant to try air brushes with two main questions holding me back: Is it really worth the price? and Would it work for curly hair? I'm so glad I tried it and genuinely don't think I could go back to hair dryers—at least not for a while. You can definitely get away with 'dry and go' using this tool.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 4 inches
- Watts: 1200
- Attachments: N/A
$150 at SEPHORA
$150 at ulta
Jazmine Clarke/PureWow
Sephora
Best for Curly Hair
3. Shark Beauty FlexStyle Hair Blow Dryer & Multi Styler
What We Like
- great for curly hair
- easy to change attachments
- lightweight
What We Don't Like
- constantly have to change left or right barrel
Shark Beauty
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 20/20
- Total: 96/100
For the longest time, I had a love and hate relationship with hot air brushes. I always found they took way too long to dry my curly hair and never truly gave me the silk press-esque look I wanted. But when I tried this multi styler for the first time, I was shocked at how quick and effective it was on my natural hair. I spent time drying it sans an attachment and found it was very powerful, but not too hot on my delicate strands. Since I was going for a blowout, I opted for the oval brush attachment first. It was easy to attach and brush through each section without worrying about my arms getting tired. Then I used the curl barrels, something I’ve never used before at home. It took a minute to learn (I’m not a big fan of having to switch out the left and right), but once I got used to it, my hair looked very bouncy and so soft. I never thought it would take me 30 to 45 minutes to dry and style my hair. Who even needs a salon?
Fast Facts
- Barrel: varies
- Watts: varies
- Attachments: two 1.25 inch auto-wrap curlers, diffuser, styling concentrator, two oval brush attachments
Chelsea Candelario/PureWow
Quickest to Dry
4. Drybar The Double Shot Oval Blow Dryer
What We Like
- lightweight tool
- fast-drying
- sturdy bristles
What We Don't Like
- not great at tackling smaller, front pieces
- pricey
Drybar
- Value: 17/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 20/20
- Total: 95/100
In a one-off review of the Drybar Blow Dryer, Associate Editor Sydney Meister saw firsthand how quick it was to get a salon-worthy blowout. The 360-degree oval-shaped barrel mirrors a round brush to make it easy to dry and style from root to tip. Meanwhile, the nylon and tufted bristles prevent tangles and knots as you work it through your locks. “I would say this is a great option for anyone who’s looking to replicate a classic, voluminous blowout at home,” Meister shared. “While it might not target frizz as much as I’d hoped, the lasting styling power, fast-drying vents and sturdy bristles make it one of the most effective tools I’ve tried. After just 15 minutes of styling time, I was blown away (pun intended) by how fast this thing dried my hair.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.44 inches
- Watts: 1100
- Attachments: N/A
$155 at nordstrom
Sydney Meister/PureWow
Best for Volume
5. Hot Tools 24K Gold Detachable One-Step Volumizer
What We Like
- detachable design for easy storage
- volume lasts for days
- cools down quickly
What We Don't Like
- can stop working if you wrap cord around barrel
- prone to frizz
Hot Tools
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 94/100
If you’re looking for va va volume, this one-step tool should be on your radar. The small oval brush allows for bouncy blowouts and long-lasting styles. The slim handle makes it easy to hold, while the boartech bristles are great for brushing and smoothing each section. “The oval barrel is big and isn't super heavy, so I'm able to quickly style my hair,” says Sara Baksh, business operations manager at Gallery Media Group. “My voluminous hair lasted for days, which is huge for me because my scalp gets oily fast. My hair was bouncy and I received lots of compliments. The hot setting is VERY hot, so may not be suitable for everyone,” she explains, but adds that once she turned it off it cooled down way faster than expected. “The best part is that the barrel is detachable from the handle! This makes it super portable, but still lightweight [for traveling]. Other than the Dyson, this is the first blow dry brush I've seen that does this, so this has pretty much replaced all of my other tools.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.4 inches
- Watts: 1100
- Attachments: N/A
$90 at ulta
Sara Baksh/PureWow
Ulta
Best Design
6. L'ange Le Volume 2-in-1 Volumizing Brush Dryer
What We Like
- great for fine hair
- strong air flow
- easy to use
What We Don't Like
- cool blast is weak
- thick barrel
L'ange
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 17/20
- Total: 92/100
This volumizing brush dryer is a crowd favorite for its fast-drying and styling abilities. It’s designed with a unique vented barrel and mixed bristles for long-lasting looks. Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow, raves, “I love the hard plastic case that prevents the bristles from getting squashed. I also love how it gave body and volume to my hair that lasted for days and days—even beyond workouts (usually my blow-dried hair falls flat by then). The metal barrel did sort of over-dry some of my baby hairs, causing them to look a bit wiry, but that was a small concession for the twice-as-fast drying. I like how I didn't have to wield both a blow dryer and a brush. I could just do it all with my one tool. I’d just ask the makers to strengthen the cool blast a bit to up the shine factor of my hair, but that's about it.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 4 inches
- Watts: 1100
- Attachments: N/A
$89 at ulta
Dana Dickey/PureWow
Best for Drying
7. Infinitipro By Conair The Knot Dr. Detangling Hot Air Brush
What We Like
- comes with an attachment
- easy to use
- great mostly with wet hair
What We Don't Like
- bulky
- doesn't offer enough volume
Conair
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 92/100
This Conair tool does a great job at quick-drying without stripping away your natural oils. It’s coated in tourmaline ceramic to boost shine and add volume, and ionic technology to minimize frizz and breakage. The flexalite nylon bristles and epoxy tips also makes it easy to detangle and smooth strands. The tool even comes with a volumizing pik, so you can pay closer attention to the roots. “I really liked that after blow drying my hair, I can use this hot air brush to give my hair a nice blow out,” says Jessica Wong, design resident at PureWow. “Usually when I blow dry my hair after showering, my hair becomes frizzy and rough, but this tool makes my hair softer and smoother.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.1 inches
- Watts: 1000
- Attachments: volume pik
Jessica Wong/PureWow
Best for All Hair Types
8. Wen Brush Dryer Styling Tool
What We Like
- comes with silicone mat, alligator hair clips and cleaning tool
- lightweight
- easy to use
What We Don't Like
- pricey
- clunky design
Hot Tools
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 17/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 92/100
Made with nylon bristles and vertical airflow vents, this styling tool makes it easy to dry and style all hair types and textures. The brush dryer also comes with four attachments to create any desired look, as well as alligator clips to section your hair and a silicone mat to protect your counter space. If you’re a first timer like Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay, this one makes it less intimidating to work with. “This was my first time ever using a blow dryer brush and safe to say I'm obsessed! I was always a bit intimidated by them, but I got the hang of it after one use. I never thought a salon-esque blowout was possible at home but clearly I was living under a rock,” she says. “It left me with smooth strands with tons of volume and shine. I seriously can't get over the controlled volume (aka not randomly poofy like my air-dried hair). Plus, between drying and styling it only took 30 minutes to use—unheard of for my hair. I'll probably only break it out for special occasions since I'm wary of too much heat damage, but this tool doesn't go above 240 degrees, so I feel comfortable using it sporadically with plenty of heat protectant.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: varies
- Watts: not listed
- Attachments: two brush heads, diffuser, cleaning tool
Best for Thick Hair
What We Like
- great for thick hair
- barrel can cover large sections of hair
- cuts drying/styling time
What We Don't Like
- bristles may bend with continuous use
- not great for creating voluminous waves or curls
- heavy to hold
Revlon
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 16/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 91/100
This top seller on Amazon is praised for drying and styling hair in half the time, especially for those with thick and/or long hair. Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint found the hair tool to work well for her thick, processed and dry hair. She notes, "[It was] so easy! I washed my hair, slept with it wet and then spritzed it with a little water and heat protectant in the morning. I used clips to style by section, but it was so much easier to use one hand for the tool and the other to wrap up the sections (rather than holding a brush in one hand and hair dryer in the other)." It's designed with nylon pins, natural bristles and a 2.8-inch barrel that works large sections at a time. Quint also stands by its claim of cutting her drying time, stating, "I have used this tool three times a week for five years. I've gotten my money's worth! I love that I can [style my hair] one-handed, though the wrapping technique takes a little while to master."
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.8 inches
- Watts: 1100
- Attachments: N/A
$49 at Target
Jillian Quint/PureWow
Sephora
Best Multi-Tasker
10. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler
What We Like
- range of attachments for different hair types and styles
- holds a wave or curl really well
- comes with a storage case
What We Don't Like
- pricey
Dyson
- Value: 17/20
- Easy to Use: 17/20
- Quality: 20/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 17/20
- Total: 91/100
The price is steep, but the results are worth it—just ask our Beauty Director Jenny Jin. “The Airwrap isn’t like any other tool I’ve tried before—nor is it simply a hot air brush because there are so many attachments with different functions. I used the firm smoothing brush and the 1.2-inch barrel to dry my hair straight before adding a few curls throughout,” she shares. “Compared to a normal blow dryer and curling iron, I’d say it was an easier experience because the tool itself is pretty lightweight and the attachments do a lot of the work for you.” As mentioned, the multi-styler comes with six attachments: a smoothing dryer, a volumizing brush, two curl barrels and two smoothing brushes. Overall, the tool is made to dry, curl and smooth hair using Coanda airflow (and not extreme heat). Jin adds, “I’ll definitely use this when I’m crunched for time or want to style my hair for a special event. Like I said before, I don’t usually spend too much time on my hair, but if you’re the type of person who heat styles your hair often and struggles with it, this is a great option (though it’s certainly an investment!).”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: varies
- Watts: varies
- Attachments: smoothing dryer, 1.2 inch long barrel, 1.6 inch long barrel, soft smoothing brush, firm smoothing brush, round volumizing brush, filter cleaning brush
$599 at sephora
Jenny Jin/PureWow
Best for Fine Hair
11. Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush
What We Like
- glides through wet hair well
- easy to use
What We Don't Like
- not great at curling hair
- the barrel size makes it harder to get to roots
amika
- Value: 17/20
- Easy to Use: 18/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 90/100
This 2-in-1 promises a voluminous blowout while minimizing breakage and improving shine. It’s designed with a 4-inch oval barrel for an extra root lift and a mix of short and long nylon bristles to detangle and smooth hair. The brand claims it can banish unwanted frizz and leave a glossy finish behind. While it does win brownie points for drying hair, Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak found it to be a bit difficult for styling. “I like that it's easy to use, but as far as design goes, I just wish I could access my roots better. As someone with flat, fine hair, I think a narrower tool would be more beneficial for getting long-lasting volume and curl,” she says. “However, I do love how smooth and shiny this brush makes my hair. It’s a great alternative to straighteners and I love how I can dry and straighten my hair all in one.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 4.7 inches
- Watts: 950
- Attachments: N/A
$100 at sephora
Olivia Dubyak/PureWow
Best for Frizzy Hair
12. BondiBoost Blowout Brush 3-in-1 Hair Dryer
What We Like
- dries hair quickly
- little to no frizz
- leaves hair silky smooth
What We Don't Like
- not great with flipping ends
- difficult to do waves or curls
- bulky shape
BondiBoost
- Value: 17/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 17/20
- Total: 90/100
A blow dryer brush can be great for drying hair quickly, but for some of us, it can lead to even frizzier strands. Luckily, this one by BondiBoost is tackling our biggest problem. It has 360 airflow vents for even heat distribution, maximum coverage and fast drying capabilities. And thanks to the ionic technology, it also reduces frizz and offers a silky-smooth finish instead. “If you’re in the market for a quick blowout, the Bondiboost hair dryer is for you,” says Stephanie Meraz, associate fashion commerce editor at PureWow. “Within ten to 15 minutes, I had straight hair with little-to-no frizz (and I have a TON of baby hairs that normally stick straight up after a blow out!). However, I do recommend a good heat protectant and hair serum before using the brush. I found it best to go through the sections quickly without holding the styler in one spot for too long, especially on the hot setting.”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.95 inches
- Watts: 1200
- Attachments: N/A
$70 at sephora
Stephanie Meraz/PureWow
Best for Smoothing
13. Chi Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush
What We Like
- lightweight
- comes with four attachments
- smooths hair easily
What We Don't Like
- hard to grip sometimes
- can get super hot
CHI
- Value: 17/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Drying/Styling Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 89/100
This blowout brush uses a combination of ceramic and ion technology to boost shine and reduce heat damage while preserving your natural hair moisture. The bristles are also designed to work the tool easily through your strands. Whether you want a voluminous ‘do or a silky-smooth finish, the tool comes with four attachments that are great for all hair types, but does it really live up to our high standards? As Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen shares, “This was a fine blowout brush, but nothing over-the-top amazing or life changing. As a novice, I did think it gave me better results than if I had attempted to blow dry with a round blush and a traditional dryer. It didn't give me a ton of volume at the crown, but it made my hair super smooth. As far as quality, it felt a little clunky for the price tag. I wish it came with another size round brush attachment (maybe a smaller one, just because the one it provides is huge).”
Fast Facts
- Barrel: 2.4 inches
- Watts: 1000
- Attachments: oval brush, paddle brush, nozzle concentrator, compact diffuser
Katherine Gillen/PureWow
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Chelsea Candelario
Associate Editor, Ultimate Fangirl, Aspiring Beauty Guru
Chelsea Candelario is an Associate Editor at PureWow. She has been covering beauty, culture, fashion and entertainment for over a decade. You'll find her searching the internet...
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.