There’s a whole host of hair products on the market that promise volume, but one of the best ways to achieve a salon-style finish is with a hot brush.
Typically, there’s two types of tools – some are designed to blow-dry hair and style it simultaneously, while others act as a heated straightening tool with ceramic bristles to produce tousled waves or poker-straight styles.
Over the last 18-months, demand has rapidly surged for hot brushes, thanks in part to TikTok. Both on opposite ends of the price spectrum, tools from Dyson and Revlon achieved viral fame on the app as fans shared hair tutorials, showing incredibly satisfying before and after clips. Lockdown also inspired a surge in hot brush sales as beauty buffs yearned for their beloved salon visits.
With such a booming market, we set about finding the best. We’ve tried oval-shaped brushes on wet and damp hair, as well as thinner barrels too, some even with retractable bristles.
How we tested
We put the biggest brands in haircare to the test, examining each on how easy they were to use, how quickly they dried and styled hair, how long those styles lasted and value for money. Our hair tangles fast, so we also kept an eye out for the tools which didn’t snag or pull on delicate stands.
Before using a hot brush, don’t forget haircare’s golden rule – always use a heat protect spray to prevent damage and breakage. Ahead are the top hot brushes which made the cut.
The best hot brushes for 2023 are:
- Best overall – Amika hair round blow dryer brush: £90, Loveamika.co.uk
- Best for detangling – ReVamp progloss volume and wave ceramic hot brush: £59.99, Boots.com
- Best for adding curls – ghd rise professional hot brush: £148.72, Lookfantastic.com
- Best cordless hot brush – Babyliss 9003U cordless brush: £180, Johnlewis.com
- Best for straight hair – Remington hydraluxe volumising hair styler: £47, Argos.co.uk
- Best for thick hair – Hot Tools pro signature one step blow dry and detachable volumise: £69.99, Boots.com
- Best volumising hot brush – Dyson airwrap styler: £479.99, Dyson.co.uk
- Best on a budget – Revlon one-step dryer and volumiser: £40, Amazon.co.uk