The best straightening brushes are part of the holy trifecta of hair tools (along with a curling iron and blow dryer, of course). But if you prefer a sleek style that still has some volume—and is shockingly easy to create, even for beginners—you might consider a straightening brush instead.
Shop the Best Hair Straightening Brushes
- Best for FrizzT3 Edge Heated Smoothing & Styling BrushRead more
- Best Straightening Blow Dry Brushamika double agent 2-in-1 straightening blow dryer brushRead more
- Best for Fine HairJohn Paul Mitchell Systems Neuro Sleek Smoothing Hot BrushRead more
“Straightening brushes are a great way to instantly add polish and smoothness, especially to wavy hair,” celebrity hairstylist David Lopez tells Bazaar. “For hair that is getting blown out often, it is a great way to touch up the blowout. Now with the new technology on the market, they can handle tighter and frizzier textures. For many hair types, it’s a great way to add smoothness and, with the right technique, some bounce as well.”
Read on for the best straightening brushes we recommend, including picks from editors and stylists.
Best for Frizz
T3 Edge Heated Smoothing & Styling Brush
$150 at t3micro.comCredit: T3
Pros
- Boosts shine
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Reviewers said it’s on the heavy side
Lopez loves using this hot tool from his clients. It includes a number of features, like a heated edge for increased surface area, meaning it still straightens even as the brush curves to the side.
Features: PrecisionEdge Design, T3 Rapid HeatIQ Technology, 3 heat settings, ion generator, high-performance ceramic heater
Customer review: “FELL IN LOVE! I have a heated brush I used for 8 years from another brand. I can’t believe how much better this tool is! I’m not good with tools, and this is SOOO easy. I have wavy to curly fine hair, so I use heat sparingly. This tool smooths effortlessly and creates waves with a turn of the wrist. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!” —VeniceBeachMom
Best Straightening Blow Dry Brush
amika double agent 2-in-1 straightening blow dryer brush
Pros
- Works on damp hair to cut time
Cons
- May not get hair pin-straight
This straightener and blow-dry brush in one is a godsend for those looking to cut down their getting routine in half (so, everyone). And because it has a negative ion generator, it gives hair a super-smooth finish sans frizz.
Features: Ceramic base and heated bristles, Negative ion generator, flexible teeth to grip hair
Customer Review:
“I used it on my wet hair and it straightened it perfectly. No frizz and super shiny! I’ve never had a blowout brush work this well on my wavy frizzy hair before.” —maitimci
Best for Fine Hair
John Paul Mitchell Systems Neuro Sleek Smoothing Hot Brush
Now 30% Off
$92 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Shine-boosting
Cons
- Location of the on/off button is inconvenient
Styling second-day hair just got easier with this tool, which has five heat settings to suit all types and textures. Plus, it even includes an automatic shut-off, just in case you accidentally leave the tool on after leaving the house.
Features: Optimized bristle design, SmartSense microchip, ion generator, five digital heat settings
Customer Review: “I’ve had a straightening brush in the past and it got way too hot and left my hair feeling terrible. This brush was the complete opposite. You can control the temp setting and it doesn’t burn your hand if you touch along the outside of it. It left my hair feeling soft and didn’t leave it feeling damaged. Very pleased with this product and makes doing my hair a breeze now!” —ABR
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Best All-Around
Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
$149 at SephoraCredit: Sephora
Pros
- Works quickly
- Shuts off automatically
Cons
- Some reviewers said it left hair looking puffy
This top-rated hot brush heats up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and helps enhance shine as it straightens. It also mimics the structure of a paddle brush to seamlessly glide through wavy, curly, or tightly coiled hair with ease.
Features: ionic technology, digital temperature control, auto shut-off
Customer Review: “Love love and love, I bought this brush with low expectations and let me tell u it’s amazing I can straighten my waist length curly 2b hair in 2 passes of the brush took me 15 minutes and my hair is silky and shiny” —NewbieR
Best for Smoothing
Ghd Glide Hot Air Hair Brush
Now 25% Off
$127 at GHD HairCredit: Ghd
Pros
- Works on course hair
Cons
- Reviewers said it’s on the heavy side
Here’s a best-selling brush that heats up to 365 degrees and features a mix of high-density shorter bristles and longer ones to detangle and smooth hair quickly.
Features: ceramic technology, Pearl ceramic bristles, auto shut-off
Customer review: “I was nervous that this might work for me – I have thick coarse chin length hair that really fluffs up after a wash and my home blow dry can make it worse. I have had Ghd straighteners but never had a great result with them so rarely used. This brush is so easy to use and smooths my hair very fast. So glad I bought it.” —Margjt
Best for Beginners
Moroccanoil Smooth Style Ceramic Heated Brush
$140 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Beveled edges
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Location of the on/off button is inconvenient
This heated tool, featuring beveled edges to smooth hard-to-reach areas of hair, will allow you to channel the precision of your favorite paddle brush.
Features: Heated beveled edges, ceramic cool tip bristles, advanced ionic technology
Customer Review: “Heats well hair is naturally curly/somewhat dry works so well flat irons in a few minutes.” —Pearl
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Best Value Brush
Revlon Hair Straightening Heated Styling Brush
Now 14% Off
Pros
- Great for roots
Cons
- Reviewers said it’s on the heavy side
This extra-long ceramic-coated brush detangles using a combination of interior combs and bristles, which helps minimize over-styling. It also has an LED smart heat memory system, auto shut-off, and a tangle-free cord.
Features: extra-long ceramic-coated surface, ionic generator, LED smart heat memory system, auto shut-off
Customer Review: “My hair is long, to my waist and super curly. Spritzed hair with heat protection spray then slowly brushed my curls with this brush! I couldn’t believe my eyes! In no time at all, it’s straight as an arrow! I highly recommend this little gadget. Much faster and easier than a flat iron. Easy, quick and affordable!!” —Flossie
Best for Thicker Hair
L’ange Hair Le Vite Hair Straightener Brush
Now 34% Off
$39 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Includes auto shut-off feature
- Features an LCD digital interface
Cons
- Large size makes it harder to style small sections
This hot brush uses ceramic bristles and far-infrared heat to keep frizz at bay. It is also on steep sale right now, at 50 percent off its original price.
Features: LCD digital interface, double negative ion technology, ceramic bristles
Customer Review: “Great product, I’ve owned a few straighteners and this brush is awesome gets up to 450 degrees straightens as good as a flat iron. Auto off great feature for me as I’m forgetful.” —Kris M.
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Best for Detangling
Chi 3-in-1 Hot Smoothing Dryer Brush
$120 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Includes ionic technology for faster drying
- Helps minimize heat damage
Cons
- Blow dry setting isn’t super powerful
Like Chi’s coveted flat irons, its 3-in-1 ceramic Hot Smoothing Dryer Brush is also a hit among beauty lovers. It combines the drying power of a blow-dryer with the straightening prowess of a hot brush to get hair its sleekest, with evenly spaced bristles that help prevent knots and tangles.
Features: three different style settings (Heated Air, Warm Air & Hot Air + Heat), ceramic and ionic technology
Customer Review: “Naturalistas…this one’s for you. Did wonders for 4C hair. Great combo tool.” —Sharon H.
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Most Versatile
Shark FlexStyle Air Drying & Styling System
Now 13% Off
$280 at AmazonCredit: Amazon
Pros
- Features a rotatable wand
- Maintains a consistent air temperature
Cons
- Some reviewers said it is very loud
While technically, this tool counts as a hot-air brush, the 6-in-1 device has a blow-dry paddle brush that uses low heat and intense airflow to smooth hair without damaging it. Customers are raving about how powerful—yet gentle—the multitasking tool is.
Features: wet and dry modes, ceramic coated attachments, 3 heat settings
Customer Review:
“Love it. Can take a little getting used to, and it’s a bit heavy, but wow! It works great… give it a few test runs before deciding how you feel.”
Meet the Experts
- David Lopez is a celebrity hair stylist and T3 stylist ambassador.
Can using a straightening brush damage hair?
According to Lopez, “Anything that adds heat to the hair is causing some sort of damage.” He also notes that “with a straightening brush, you are also adding mechanical damage in addition to heat damage. However, the amount of damage is related to the tool you are using. In the T3 Edge, the bristles were specifically designed to be gentle on the hair to not snag or pull, even when you are trying to add bends.”
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When should you use a flat iron instead of a hair straightener brush?
While hot tools are often subjective, Lopez notes that those with thicker hair may benefit more from a hair straightener than a straightening brush. “I would lean towards using an iron on very curly hair that needs a much more sleek polish,” explains Lopez. “Straightening brushes are a great way to touch up blowouts on very curly hair, but more so good for instant gratification on wavier hair types when looking for a quick smooth blowout hairstyle.”
Can you use a straightening brush on wet hair?
That’s a big no. If you want a tool that styles wet hair, use a blow-dry brush instead, like the Amika brush above. Or consider a multitasking tool, like the Dyson Airwrap (which we’ve tested firsthand).
Looking for more hair tools?
- The 9 Best Hair Growth Devices to Reduce Shedding and Thinning
- The 13 Best Hair Brushes Experts Love
- The 21 Best Hair Tools for Every Styling Need
- The Best Thermal Brushes for Every Hair Type
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