Cord length: The length of cord you'll need depends on where you'll be styling and if there's an outlet nearby. For ultimate flexibility, look for a professional-length cord of at least eight feet. Less expensive models tend to have shorter cords, but that may limit your ability to style freely — you may not have an outlet near a mirror! In the box you’ll find a gentle drying attachment to rough-dry wet hair, two different barrel sizes to create looser or tighter curls, two paddle brushes for smoothing, and one round brush for salon-style volume. There are three heat and three speed settings that can be independently selected for maximum control over styling, and buttons for both are built neatly into the handle and intuitive to find and use while styling the hair. Key specs – Material: Ceramic barrel; Barrel size: N/A; Bristle material: Mixed, nylon and natural boar; Heat settings: 2; Cool blast: Yes; Cord length: 2m; Auto switch-off: No

Pros: The Dyson Airwrap features innovative technology to protect hair from overheating and comes with a whopping six attachments. A hot paddle brush is great for straightening hair in a jiffy, while a round hot brush will deliver more red-carpet volume and bounce. Choose the right hot brush for your hair type, texture and desired finish, and you can achieve a professional-looking blow-dry at home – in far less time than a home blowout would take, and at a fraction of the price of a trip to the salon. Pros: This ultra-lightweight blow dryer brush comes complete with combination bristles, a cool setting, and powerful airflow. Key details – Material: Ceramic plates; Bristles material: Mix; Heat settings: 1; Cool blast: No; Swivel cord length: 1.7m; Auto switch-off: Yes, after 1 hour of non-use Though versatile, straighteners often struggle to create the bigger, bouncier waves that a hot brush can produce. That said, they're better for tight waves and curls, so the choice really depends on your desired style.

The shape of the blow dryer brush directly impacts the type of result you'll get. For example, paddle dryer brushes, such as Dyson's flat attachment, are great for producing straight, sleek blowouts. On the other hand, round or oval-shaped brushes, such as the Revlon One Step and Drybar Double Shot, are ideal for bouncier, more voluminous blowouts. Our experts also carried out a series of temperature tests to ensure accuracy and safety. They used the Bossa Nova Shuffle machine to assess how well each device kept frizz at bay when exposed to high humidity conditions.

The AireBrush can be used on damp hair, saving you time since you can dry as you style; and the tool uses ionic technology to reduce drying time and to hydrate, giving hair a soft, frizz-free and glossy finish. Perfect for styling more delicate hair – or for anyone who prefers to style hair from damp. Your hair is more fragile when wet, so dry it thoroughly before using a ceramic-plated hot brush. Some models use hot air to dry and style hair simultaneously, but the majority may damage damp hair.

How we tested

Both tools can achieve similar styles, but hot brushes are generally better at creating looser, beachy waves that look completely natural. They can be used on all hair types to achieve everything from voluminous curls to poker-straight ends. After each section is complete, wrap the curls up and clip them into place. Next, let your hair set. Don't skip the clipping (it's the most important part)," says Hollie. "Allow all of the hair to cool and then release that big bouncy salon-fresh feeling blow dry."

Whether you've been coddled with salon blow-dries and are ready to take the reins or are familiar with the technique and want to step up your game, the right brush will set you up for success. As you may know, not all hairbrushes are equipped to handle the heat of a blow dryer. To get the smoothness and body you crave without damaging your hair, you'll typically want something round or vented with heat-resistant bristles.Detangle:Before going in with the blow dryer brush, you'll want to start by detangling your hair. With this in mind, Ellis recommends "combing out each section to ensure its tangle free before going in with the brush." He continues, telling Insider, "To get that smooth look, make sure you are using enough tension!" Like other products in Revamp’s Progloss range, this hot brush uses a combination of ionic technology and a ceramic barrel infused with keratin protein, argan and coconut oils to condition hair and create a bouncy, glossy finish. You can choose between two heat settings, and airflow can be independently set – so you can choose fast or slow air with either low or high heat for wet hair; and high heat with no air to straighten and style dry hair.

This hot air brush is our go-to for creating voluminous hairstyles. Sporting a unique oval shape and large bristles, the One Step adds volume at the root of the hair, smooths the lengths and creates a bouncy curl at the ends – a winning formula for a bouncy blow-dry. Hot airflow is boosted by clever ionic technology to protect hair and speed up styling, while the ceramic barrel ensures even heat distribution and a glossy finish. The T3 Airebrush Duo includes two attachments, making it easy to achieve sleek strands or voluminous waves. Whether you’re looking to create a straight, sleek finish, or a bouncier finish with more volume at the roots, the barrel-shaped GHD Rise has you covered. Like the Glide, the heated ceramic barrel of the Rise banishes frizz and straightens hair, but with a softer and more lifted finish with movement at the ends. Most blow-dry brushes are round (also known as barrel brushes). This type of brush is ideal for creating fullness and body when drying hair. You'll also find some paddle-style brushes designed for blow-drying. With a paddle brush, make sure you get something with adequate venting, like the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Vented Hairbrush. This will encourage hot air to flow through, helping to reduce drying time and minimize damage.Spray on Some Heat Protectant: Using a heat protectant spray prior to styling your hair with hot tools is also key to ensuring your hair stays healthy and damage-free. Kenji Ishimoto, a stylist at Salon YOSHIKO at Bergdorf Goodman in New York previously told INSIDER that "heat protectants help to reduce damage to the hair before using heat styling products." Best hot brushes and hot air stylers to buy in 2023 1. Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer & Volumiser: Best hot brush for an at-home blow dry Brushes that blow out warm air usually work best on damp hair, which has been washed and towel dried to around 80% dry. Section the hair, then start at the root, pulling the brush slowly through it. Similar to blow drying, the tension from gently but continuously pulling through the hair creates the style. If your brush rotates, pull it smoothly through the hair in the direction of rotation and allow it to wrap hair around the barrel as it goes. It’s not a matter of whether blow dry brushes are safe for all hair types, but rather, it’s important to consider how often you are brushing your hair with a blow dry brush. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that you brush your hair for less than 100 strokes each day. You should also limit heat exposure as much as you can and how often you blow dry your hair (and therefore use your blow dry brush).