The 10 Best Hot Air Brushes of 2024

We put hot air brushes to the test from high-quality Drybar to affordable Revlon and many more to see how well they work

It’s only natural that you get tired of juggling a brush in one hand and a blow dryer in the other. Don’t you think we deserve something better in the 21st century?

Here comes hot air brushes in the scene! They combine a hair dryer with a brush into one convenient tool to make styling easier and faster.

A hot air brush is a great tool for drying, volumizing, smoothing hair, and adding natural curls or waves. However, they might not give you bone-straight hair or precise curls if this is what you dream of.

Here are our top picks of 2024, which run from the budget-friendly model to the most luxurious one. Below, you’ll find a detailed analysis of which model suits your hair type.

Don’t forget to check our guide on choosing a hot air brush to be sure that you picked the right tool for your hair type and needs.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Hot Air Brush: Drybar The Double Shot $150
• Best on a Tight Budget: Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 $70
• Most Versatile: CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 $100
• Gentlest for Fine Hair: Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step $70
• Best for Thick and Dense Hair: Amika Hair Blow Dry Brush 2.0 $100
• Hottest for Stubborn Hair: Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step Detachable $70
• Largest Barrel for Long Hair: Conair The Knot Dr. All-in-One Dryer $50
• Smallest Barrel for Short Hair: Drybar The Half Shot $150
• Superior for Detangling: Conair The Knot Dr. Smoothing Brush $45
• Round Brush for Adding Movement & Texture: Drybar The Single Shot $150

Tips for Buying a Hot Air Brush

1. Look for the right brush shape

Choosing the right-shaped hot air brush is important. Very simply, different shapes serve different purposes.

• Round brushes are ideal for styling short to medium-length hair and are good for creating volume at the scalp. They also spin easier than oval brushes and are better at creating curls, and waves.
• Oval brushes create more volume than a round brush due to the way the hair wraps around the brush at the base. They provide greater stretch and tension than round brushes, which is essential for smoothing hair.
• Paddle brushes, with their wide, flat surface, are best at detangling and drying hair quickly. They are perfect for long and thick hair.
• And lastly, some hot air brushes offer interchangeable brush heads for added versatility in styling and ease of travel.

2. Pay attention to the bristles

If your main aim is to smooth and straighten hair, look for dense bristles. Densely placed bristles provide powerful gripping and perfect tension for stretching and blow-drying hair straight.

Sparsely placed bristles are for easy detangling without putting too much stress on the hair.

3. Avoid heat damage

Unfortunately, hot air brushes do not offer specific temperature settings like flat irons or curling irons, and manufacturers do not provide this information on their websites either.

To determine the exact low and high settings’ temperatures, we tested each hot air brush using a digital thermometer.

For fine hair, choose a hot air brush with a low heat setting of under 150°F, and for very thick hair, opt for a high heat setting of 180°F or higher.

Reviews

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Best Overall Hot Air Brush

Drybar The Double Shot

Model name/ number: 900-2225-4
RRP: $155
Barrel size: 2.4″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 125°F / 150°F
Weight: 15oz
Cord length: 9ft
Warranty: 2 year
Added extras: ionic technology, exceptional tension, and control
Best for: fine to thick hair texture/ neck length or longer
Pros: durable, high-quality material, great grip, gentle heat settings, has the highest wattage
Cons:  may be overpriced for some, not detachable
How it stands out: dense and stiff but flexible bristles create great tension when pulling the hair, which helps to easily style it

The most significant feature that separates Drybar hot air brushes from the others is their densely packed, high-quality bristles. The Double Shot features the densest bristles on the market; they are long, dense, stiff, and yet flexible. It is better at creating tension compared to the others on the list, resulting in smoother and more voluminous hair.

When it comes to heat settings, The Double Shot’s low heat setting works below the market average at around 130°F. This is safe for super-fine and chemically treated hair if you want to keep the temperature on the lower side to prevent fading and damage. And the high setting is powerful enough to style thick hair without excessive heat exposure. The tool also has ionic technology, which reduces frizz with its negative ions.

The Double Shot’s large and oval barrel covers more area at one go which makes it perfect for neck length to long hair, providing a fast and smooth styling session. The oval shape gives great volume and create loose waves.

It’s light to hold for long sessions, and the handle is comfortable on your hand. It has excellent material quality that will last for many years.

Drybar has 3 different hot air brushes in the market. The difference between them is mainly their barrel size and shape. You can read further on the Drybar Double Shot vs. Single Shot vs. Half Shot comparison.

The Double Shot may be considered bulky as the head doesn’t detach, which is not ideal for traveling. But its most obvious drawback is its cost. It’s hard to justify spending $150 on it considering it’s triple the price of its biggest competitor, Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0.

Read more: Drybar The Double Shot review

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Best on a Tight Budget

REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0

Model name/ number: RVDR5298N/ULT
Price: $70 (usually discounted to $40)
Barrel size: 2.4″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 145°F / 150°F / 170°F
Best for: medium hair texture, neck length to long hair
Pros: affordable, detachable, has an extra temperature choice, will not snag or pull hair
Cons: not the best material quality, has a short cord, has a hot cool tip, gives off a strange smell, can not provide a strong grip on thick and/or dense hair, loud
How it stands out: it is a product that saves you money and delivers results

Revlon’s original One-Step Volumizer hot air brush has been among our top picks for years, especially in the budget category. Their latest model “Plus” is no different, staying on the winning side.

The brush is slimmer than its previous model “Original”, at 2.4″ instead of 2.8″. This size is perfect for almost every hair length (except very short hairstyles). You can read further on the Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 vs 1.0 Original comparison.

It is important to note that Revlon has the shortest tufted bristles on our list for now, which can be a good or bad thing according to your needs. It can gently loosen knots without snagging or pulling on fine hair but cannot grip thick hair enough to pull it taut and straighten.

For the ones that like to keep their beauty routine to a minimum, it offers a fast session backed up by its ionic technology. It comes with a detachable head, making it compact and easy to travel with, but it does not have additional attachments.

In contrast to all the other models in the market, it has 4 heat settings, allowing it to work perfectly for medium to thick hair types without causing heat damage. However, for fine or damaged hair, there are better alternatives in our list that can work at lower temperatures.

Like most budget-oriented products, it does come with a few compromises. The material quality is not the best and it may not last you as long as Drybar The Double Shot would. The handle isn’t very sturdy, and some users report that the bristles start coming off after some time. You can read further on the Drybar The Double Shot Vs Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus comparison.

It might not be the most durable model in the market, but it’s extremely affordable at only $70. With its rich features and ergonomic design, it’s definitely a good value for money.

Read more: Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 review

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Most Versatile

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1

Model name/ number: CA7557 or CA7569
Price: $100
Barrel size: 2.3″ (oval)
Barrel shape: versatile
Min. / max. heat: 150°F / 180°F
Best for: medium hair texture/ neck length to long hair
Pros: versatile, will not snag or pull hair, travel-friendly
Cons: handle not ergonomically designed, can not hold thick hair with a firm grip, lacks a gentle low heat setting
How it stands out: it is travel-friendly and has versatility in styling your hair as it comes with 4 attachments

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 offers something a little different. It comes with 4 different attachments that cover all sorts of styling needs.

The attachments are easy to change and the brush is lightweight at only 13oz (one of the lightest on our list).

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 is a great everyday tool that is safe in terms of heat damage. It has a mild maximum heat at around 180°F that can be used safely by medium hair while being effective enough for thick hair types. However, a starting temperature of 150°F is high compared to market standards and too hot for fine hair.

This tool has the shortest nylon pin (detangler) bristles and the second-shortest tufted bristles on our list as of today. This means it can gently detangle normal, fine, or damaged hair without tugging, snagging, or breaking. But short bristles cannot penetrate thick or dense hair with ease to grab and help smooth it.

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 may be perceived as an overpriced tool at $100, but with all the extra attachments you get we honestly think it’s a bargain (especially the nozzle that saves you from buying an extra blow drier). If you can’t afford this price but still want different attachments on your hot air brush, Conair The Knot Dr. All-in-One is a less pricy option at only $60 (excluding the extra attachment options that you can pick and choose).

All that said, there are some notable design issues regarding the handle. First of all, it’s very thick at the bottom, making it difficult to grasp, especially for small hands. And it gets skinnier toward the top which may cause your hand to slide and accidentally touch the buttons on the top. But it’s a small sacrifice to make if your priority is versatility.

Read more: CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush review

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Gentlest for Fine Hair

Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step

Model name/ number: HT1076
Price: $70
Barrel size: 2.8″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 130°F / 150°F
Best for: fine to normal texture / medium length to long hair
Pros: gentle session with equal heat distribution, a low heat starting point for fine or damaged hair, limited 7-year warranty
Cons: heavy and not detachable, below-average high heat setting
How it stands out: it works at lower temperatures compared to the other models and is ideal for styling fine or processed hair

Fine or processed hair needs extra care because it’s so easy to damage with excessive heat. The trick is to choose the right tool with the right temperature settings.

Hot Tools hot air brushes are known to offer products for specific needs. And if you require a hot air brush that is gentle enough for fine hair, Hot Tools 24K Gold is what you need.

The maximum heat level of this tool is as low as 150°F and only 130°F on low setting. Both of these numbers are below average. This means the tool’s temperature settings are safe and enough to style fine or damaged hair but the high heat setting is not enough to tame thick, coarse, unruly hair.

If you have processed thick hair and don’t want to expose it to high temperatures or dense hair that is prone to tangling, Hot Tools 24K Gold will serve you well with its long enough bristles.

It also has a golden barrel that distributes heat evenly, which means no cold or hot spots that can cause heat damage.

Its 2.8″ oval barrel can tame large surfaces at one go, preventing prolonged exposure to heat, while the ionic technology eliminates frizz.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a detachable head. This is a downside if you travel often and you need a compact tool or if you want different-sized heads for different purposes. But keep in mind that non-detachable hot air brushes are sturdier, and Hot Tools 24K Gold is a durable and long-lasting hot air brush with its quality material.

Read more: Hot Tools 24k Gold One-Step Blowout review

You may also like: Hot Tools Black Gold vs 24K Gold One-Step comparison

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Best for Thick and Dense Hair

Amika 2.0

Model name/ number: N/A
Price: $100
Barrel size: 2.85″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 150°F / 195°F
Best for: medium to thick textures, medium to long hair
Pros: fast and sleek results, very long bristles easily penetrate dense hair, great grip, has a very long cord
Cons: not durable, has a hot cool tip, the low-heat setting is too high for damaged or delicate hair
How it stands out: long bristles easily penetrate very dense hair, while high heat capacity leaves you with a smooth, sleek finish

If you’re on the hunt for a hot air brush that provides soft and sleek results for thick and coarse hair and you want these results fast, Amika may be the perfect choice for you.

It has very long nylon pin bristles, which can penetrate and detangle even the coarsest, thickest dense hair. Besides, its tufted bristles are above average length, resulting in a great grip to stretch out the hair and create a smoother, straighter look.

The second generation of the line features a tourmaline-infused barrel and successfully banishes unwanted frizz. With 195°F on high setting and 150°F on low, this tool fits the needs of both thick and medium textured hair.

With its oval and 2.85″ barrel (the second largest on our list!) it provides voluminous results and beach waves to longer hair. However, it’s not suitable for hairstyles shorter than the neckline as it can’t get close to the roots. If you have short hair, a much slimmer barrel such as Drybar The Half Shot would be a greater option to consider.

Amika is a practical everyday tool but it sacrifices durability. The users report that its material is not very sturdy and the motor is not long-lasting.

It’s also the heaviest hot air brush on our list and at 18.5oz, it may cause arm fatigue if you use it for long periods of time. While the tool is much safer on the hair than the other budget tools such as Revlon, it is more expensive at the price of $100.

Read more: Amika Hair Blow Dry Brush 2.0 review

You may also like: Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0 vs Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS comparison

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Hottest for Stubborn Hair

Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step Detachable

Model name/ number: HT1096BG
Price: $70
Barrel size: 2.8″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 175°F / 215°F
Best for: thick hair / medium to long hair
Pros: detachable design, offers additional attachments, lifetime guarantee, can reach the highest temperature of all the options, has a very long cord
Cons: don’t have a gentle heat setting and gets very hot
How it stands out: if your hair can hold up well against high heat, it will speed up your styling routine due to the high temperatures

It’s a known fact that thick and unruly hair types need higher temperatures to straighten. While high heat can damage fine hair, it’s beneficial for those who have trouble taming their strands. If you fit in this category, Hot Tools Black Gold is here for your rescue.

In our tests, Black Gold reached the highest temperature of all the options. This tool means business with its surface that gets as hot as 215°F. Even in low heat setting, it’s hotter than most hot air brushes at 175°F.

Black Gold is recommended for medium to long hair as its barrel is 2.8″ (one of the largest on our list). Its oval shape is great for creating volume. The length of the bristles is above average, which means it can easily penetrate dense hair. The ionic technology and charcoal bristles do an incredible job of eliminating frizz.

With the lifetime limited guarantee it offers, Hot Tools Black Gold pushes the boundaries of market standards. Like all Hot Tools products, it provides sturdy and long-lasting material.

“Black Gold”, not only is detachable, but it also offers different-sized 4 attachments. If your priority is being compact and versatile styling options, we recommend considering this option.

But we can’t stress enough that this tool is not for the faint-hearted. It gets really hot and it will damage your fine hair. If your hair is fragile, we recommend sticking with “24K Gold”, or another gentle option like Drybar The Double Shot.

Read more: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold One Step review

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Largest Barrel for Long Hair

Conair The Knot Dr. All-In-One Oval

Model name/ number: BC116
Price: $50
Barrel size: 3″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: 130°F / 180°F
Best for: long hair / fine to thick hair texture
Pros: very large barrel for fast drying, gentle low heat setting, easy hair brushing, different attachments to buy separately
Cons: not very sturdy, can not stretch the hair straight
How it stands out: with the largest barrel size in the market, it is a great hair dryer & detangler both for fine and thick long hair

Conair The Knot Dr. All-In-One Oval Dryer Brush is a winner when it comes to fast and effective styling very long hair with its 3″ oval barrel (the largest on our list!).

It has sparsely placed, long nylon pin bristles for easy hair brushing. The flexible bristles are gentle on the hair as they effortlessly glide through the tangles, making the detangling process painless. But this tool compromises smoothing hair because its tufted bristles are short and they cannot create enough tension to stretch the hair straight.

With the 6 different attachments available to buy separately, The Knot Dr. is a versatile tool for other styling needs as well. The bottom part also detaches for cleaning the filter, making it a long-lasting product.

This tool uses ionic technology to reduce frizz. The maximum heat (180°F) is strong enough to style thick hair fast while still being gentle enough to protect processed hair.  The low heat setting at around 130°F will treat very fine hair with care.

While it’s a desirable option specifically for long hair, it’s not the most durable one. Some users complain about the bristles coming off after some time, and the tool itself is not very sturdy. If you’re looking for a high-quality hot air brush that will last you long years and you don’t mind paying the price for it, Drybar The Double Shot may be a more suitable option for you. However, it‘s much more expensive at $150 and The Knot Dr. Oval will do the trick just fine if you’re on a budget.

Read more: Conair The Knot Dr. All-In-One Oval Dryer Brush review

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Smallest Barrel for Short Hair

Drybar The Half Shot

Model name/ number: 900-3425-4
Price: $150
Barrel size: 1.5″
Barrel shape: round
Min. / max. heat: 130°F / 150°F
Best for: fine to thick hair textures / short to medium hair length
Pros: comfortable grip, creates great volume at the scalp, spins easily to create waves and curls, very lightweight
Cons: not detachable, overpriced, not for dense and long hair
How it stands out: it offers great grip from the roots. Adds volume, helps straighten short to medium hair, and creates waves in longer hair

Drybar Shot series has been our favorite for years. We’ve tested and reviewed all models and they’ve proven to have the best quality tools with the most ergonomic design.

Drybar The Double Shot is our favorite overall hot air brush and they’ve come up with a little sister. “The Half Shot” has the smallest barrel size available as of now, specifically designed for shorter hairstyles. It has a round 1.5″ barrel which does magic, especially with pixie and bob cuts. It manages to come close to the roots to add volume and provides great grip with its densely packed high-quality bristles, even with the shortest strands.

It’s also the most lightweight hot air brush on our list at only 12.3oz, making it comfortable to hold even for long periods of time.

Drybar hot air brushes are not the most budget-friendly hot tools, and “The Half Shot” is not an exception. It’s hard to justify spending $150 on a hot air brush but you will not be disappointed if you want a quality product and feel like giving yourself a gift of luxury.

If you have short hair and a tight budget, Conair The Knot Dr. offers an extra attachment option with a same-sized barrel of 1.5″. Even though it doesn’t offer the same durability, it’s a more budget-friendly option at only $60 plus $15 for the extra head.

Read more: Drybar The Half Shot Small Round Blow Dryer Brush review

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Superior for Detangling

InfinitiPRO by Conair The Knot Dr. Smoothing

Model name/ number: BC120
Price: $45
Barrel shape: paddle brush
Min. / max. heat: 125°F / 155°F
Best for: fine to medium textures, medium to long hair
Pros: fast and gentle smoothening and detangling, suitable for everyday use
Cons: noisy, doesn’t create super straight and sleek results
How it stands out: has the largest surface area and is perfect for drying long hair gently while detangling

People have different preferences when looking for a hot air brush. If a fast and gentle tool that can dry your hair while detangling it is your priority, Conair The Knot Dr. Smoothing Brush should be on your shortlist.

The nylon bristles of this smoothing brush are an above-average length and extremely flexible.  The epoxy tips can penetrate coarse hair and glide through it. The very short, tufted bristles work well without snagging, tugging, or painful pulling. You can even use it right after the shower, which is usually not the case with most hot air brushes.

Its paddle shape can cover a large surface area of your hair and can dry your head much faster than a blow dryer and brush combination. At only 13oz, this brush is a lightweight option. Its 155°F maximum heat setting is gentle enough for even the most fragile strands. These qualities make it perfect for everyday use. Finally, at around $50 and often less on sale, it has great value.

Keep in mind that InfinitiPRO paddle brush doesn’t give you bone-straight results. If this is what you’re looking for, you will need to pair it with a flat iron or go for another hot air brush option like Drybar The Double Shot or Revlon One-Step Plus which can create better results. However, if you’re looking to keep your natural curl pattern intact, this tool is perfect for you.

Read more: Conair The Knot Dr. All-In-One Smoothing Dryer Brush review

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Round Brush for Adding Movement & Texture

Drybar The Single Shot

Model name/ number: 900-2840-4
Price: $150
Barrel size: 2.25″
Barrel shape: round
Min. / max. heat: 150°F / 190°F
Best for: neck length to long hair, bangs, and layers / medium to stubborn coarse hair textures
Pros: creates effortless loose waves, durable material, versatile mid-size barrel, strong grip on hair
Cons: overpriced, not detachable
How it stands out: the unique mid-size barrel, adds texture and waves to your hair without the need for a complex beauty routine

Drybar Shot Series offers two other hot air brushes called “The Double Shot” and “The Half Shot”, and they all serve different purposes with differently shaped and sized barrels. “The Single Shot”, with its round shape, is the right one for you if you want to add some loose waves to remove bulk and add movement to the hair.

It’s also quite versatile; with its 2.25″ barrel, it suits almost all hair lengths. It’s large enough to cover more areas of long hair at one go, yet slim enough to come close to the roots and style even shorter hairstyles.

With its 190°F maximum heat, it provides safe yet effective styling. While the high heat setting is strong enough to tame unruly hair types, the low heat setting (150°F), is hot enough to create smooth and sleek results as much as being gentle to fine and fragile strands.

The ionic technology eliminates frizz while reducing the time of the session, up to by half.

This is one of the sturdiest and most durable hot air brushes on the market. But, keep in mind that this is a luxury tool that is not for every budget. At a price of $150, it’s more expensive than many other hot air brushes.

It also doesn’t have a detachable design, sacrificing being compact. Don’t get us wrong: it’s a luxury hot air brush and you will feel the difference with its high-quality material and ergonomic design. But if you’re looking to cut costs, options like Revlon One-Step Plus might be worth checking out.

Read more: Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer review

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are any of these hot air brushes dual voltage?

Unfortunately, no. Moreover, it is not possible to find a reputable brand, dual voltage hot air brush on the market. Because manufacturing costs increase with dual voltage operations. However, the market demand is not enough to justify the additional investment.

2. Is it better to have a round or oval hot air brush for short hair?

For chin-length hair, round brushes are better for creating a strong grip and root volume. For a bit longer, neck-length hair, you can get a more full and thick appearance with a round brush.

3. Does a hot air brush curl hair?

Round barrel hot air brushes can create defined curls on mid-length to long hair. Oval barrels are better for smoother, straighter styles and adding movement to long hair.

4. Can a hot air brush curl like a curling iron, or straighten like a flat iron?

A hot air brush can curl and straighten hair, but compared to a curling iron, the curls will look more relaxed and natural. It also won’t make your hair as straight as a flat iron, especially for coarse or thick hair.

5. What is the difference between a hot brush and a hot air brush?

A hot air brush uses hot air to style your hair like a hair dryer. It has plastic pins or bristles to detangle and add tension. You can use it on dry or slightly damp hair.

A hot brush, on the other hand, has heated tongs but it doesn’t blow air. It applies direct heat for precise styling. Use a hot brush on completely dry hair.

Conclusion

A hot air brush can make things easier if you frequently wash your hair. It dries and styles your hair at the same time, and this will save you time and space.

We’ve considered factors like shape, barrel size, bristles, heat settings, and design to find the best options. Whether you need volume, smoothness, or detangling, there’s a hot air brush for you. Just choose one that fits your hair type and styling needs.