Best Hot Air Brush: 4 Brushes That Make At-Home Blowouts Easier

If you have ever tried to hold a round brush in one hand and a blow dryer in the other, you know how quickly arms get tired and frizz creeps in. A good hot air brush combines both tools into one, so you can dry, smooth, and shape your hair with far less effort.

The problem is that hot air brushes are not all created equal. Some run too hot and rough up the cuticle, others are too weak to dry thicker hair, and many are just awkward to hold. This guide focuses on four hot air brushes that actually perform, with clear advice on who each one suits best.

Below you will find quick picks if you are in a hurry, followed by detailed reviews and practical tips on choosing and using a hot air brush without wrecking your hair.

Quick picks

• Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS – Best budget hot air brush for most people. Powerful airflow, a large oval barrel, and simple controls make it ideal if you want big, bouncy volume on medium to thick hair without spending a lot.
• Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System – Best multi-tasking splurge. It works as a hot air brush, traditional dryer, and curler in one, with strong airflow and more precise temperature control for smoother, shinier results on a wide range of hair types.
• Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush – Best for sleek, frizz-free blowouts. This brush runs a bit gentler than classic budget options, which makes it a smart pick if you have frizz-prone or color-treated hair and want a polished finish.
• Conair Double Ceramic 1.5 Inch Hot Air Brush – Best for short or fine hair. The smaller round barrel and lighter weight make it much easier to get lift at the roots and curl at the ends without flattening delicate strands.

In-depth reviews

Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS review

The Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS is the classic big, bouncy blowout brush. It has a large, vented oval barrel with mixed bristles that grip the hair, plus a ceramic coating and ionic airflow that help reduce frizz while you dry. If your hair is medium to thick and you mostly want volume and movement rather than tight curls, this shape is ideal.

In real use, the Revlon is powerful and fast. On towel-dried hair, many people can go from damp to smooth in about 10 to 20 minutes depending on length. The cool tip and swivel cord make it easier to rotate at the roots and flip the ends under or out. There are several heat and speed settings, but most users live on the medium setting, which is still fairly hot.

The tradeoffs are weight, heat, and size. It is heavier and louder than the Drybar Double Shot, and the large barrel can overwhelm shorter hair or very fine textures. If your hair is easily damaged or you have fragile ends, the Shark FlexStyle runs cooler and offers more control. For shoulder-length or longer hair that tends to look flat, though, the Revlon remains one of the most satisfying options per dollar.

Choose the Revlon if you want an affordable, straightforward hot air brush that can replace your dryer on most mornings and you are willing to respect the heat settings and use a good heat protectant.

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System review

The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System is more than a hot air brush. It is a full styling setup with multiple attachments, including an oval brush, paddle brush, concentrator, and curling barrels that use a similar airflow wrap concept to high-end stylers. The handle pivots from straight to L-shaped, so you can use it as either a traditional dryer or a styling wand.

For anyone with thick, long, or hard-to-style hair, the FlexStyle offers serious advantages. Airflow is strong, yet the temperatures stay more controlled than on many budget brushes, which helps reduce heat damage over time. The brush attachments smooth and stretch the hair while you dry, and the curl barrels are excellent if you like soft, bouncy waves in addition to straight styles.

Compared with the Revlon, the Shark is lighter in the hand and more versatile, but there is a learning curve and a higher price tag. It also takes a bit longer if you move from rough-drying to brush styling to curling in one session. If you mostly want quick volume, Revlon or Drybar will feel simpler. If you want one tool that can handle air-dried touch-ups, full blowouts, and special-occasion curls with better temperature control, the FlexStyle is the most flexible pick on this list.

Choose the Shark FlexStyle if you regularly style your hair and want salon-like results without investing in several separate tools.

Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush review

The Drybar Double Shot is a premium-feeling blow-dryer brush that focuses on smoothness and shine. It has a large oval barrel similar to the Revlon, but runs slightly gentler with well-balanced airflow and even heat distribution through its ionic, ceramic-coated vents. The bristles are firm enough to control thick hair without feeling scratchy on the scalp.

If you have frizz-prone, color-treated, or medium-textured hair and you want a polished, salon-style blowout, this brush stands out. It tends to leave the cuticle lying flatter than most budget brushes, which means less fluff and more reflection. Many people find it easier to glide through the lengths without snagging, so you can spend a bit more time perfecting the ends without worrying as much about hot spots.

The main downside is the price compared to tools like the Revlon, and slightly slower drying on very dense hair. The Double Shot is also not as versatile as the Shark FlexStyle, since it is a single-purpose brush rather than a full system. If your hair is extremely thick or very long, you may still prefer the raw power of the Revlon coupled with a protectant product. For shoulder-length and below hair that needs smoothing and moderate volume, Drybar is a gentle but effective choice.

Choose the Double Shot if you want your blowout to look sleek and frizz-free, and you care as much about long-term hair health as about speed.

Conair Double Ceramic 1.5 Inch Hot Air Brush review

The Conair Double Ceramic 1.5 Inch Hot Air Brush is a smaller, lighter option aimed at short, layered, or fine hair. Its 1.5 inch round barrel makes it easier to get close to the roots, lift bangs, and create more defined flicks at the ends. The double ceramic coating is designed to distribute heat more evenly, which helps reduce hot spots on delicate strands.

Unlike larger oval brushes, this Conair is not meant to replace a full-size dryer on very wet, long hair. It works best on hair that has been rough-dried to at least 70 percent and then styled in sections. On fine or thinning hair, that is often ideal, since less time under direct airflow usually means less damage.

Compared with the Revlon or Drybar brushes, the Conair is slower and less dramatic in terms of volume, but it gives more control on shorter cuts and does not feel as heavy in the hand. If you have a bob, lob, or pixie with longer top layers, this can be far easier to maneuver than a giant oval brush. For longer hair, think of it as a finishing tool to curl ends or smooth the front, not a primary dryer.

Choose the Conair Double Ceramic if your hair is fine, short, or easily weighed down and you value control and gentler styling over speed.

How to choose the right hot air brush for your hair

Choosing the right hot air brush comes down to matching the tool to your hair type, length, and styling goals. A brush that is perfect for dense, waist-length hair will usually overwhelm a chin-length bob, and vice versa.

• Hair length and cut: Large oval barrels like the Revlon and Drybar work best from shoulder length and longer. If your hair is shorter or heavily layered, a smaller round brush such as the Conair gives you better access to the roots and more precise shaping.
• Hair texture and density: Thick or coarse hair benefits from more powerful airflow and slightly higher heat, which is where the Revlon and Shark shine. Fine or fragile hair usually does better with gentler tools and lower temperatures, such as the Drybar or Conair on low heat with plenty of movement.
• Desired style: For big, bouncy volume and bent-under ends, pick an oval brush. If you want tighter curls or flips, a smaller round barrel is easier to wrap. If you like to switch between smooth styles and curls, a system like the Shark FlexStyle with multiple attachments offers the most variety.
• Heat settings and technology: Look for multiple heat and speed options so you can adjust based on how damp your hair is and how fragile your ends feel. Ceramic and ionic technology are helpful for keeping frizz under control, but they do not replace a good heat protectant or sensible styling habits.
• Comfort and usability: Weight, handle thickness, cord length, and button placement matter more than most people expect. If your hands or shoulders tend to get tired, a lighter brush with a swivel cord, like the Conair or Shark, is worth prioritizing even if it takes a bit longer to dry.

How to use a hot air brush without frying your hair

Technique makes as much difference as the tool. A few small tweaks can mean the difference between smooth, soft hair and dry, frizzy ends.

1. Start with properly prepped hair. Shampoo and condition as usual, then gently squeeze and wrap hair in a microfiber towel until it is damp, not dripping. Apply a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray if you need slip, followed by a heat protectant from mid-lengths to ends.
2. Let hair air-dry or rough-dry first. Hot air brushes perform best on hair that is about 60 to 80 percent dry. You can either let your hair air-dry for a bit or use your regular dryer on low to rough-dry before reaching for the brush. This cuts down on the time your hair spends under direct heat.
3. Work in manageable sections. Clip your hair into horizontal sections starting from the nape. Take sections that are no wider than the barrel and no thicker than about an inch, so air can flow through. Overloading the brush forces you to go over the same strand too many times.
4. Keep the brush moving. Set your brush to a moderate heat and speed. Starting at the roots, pull the brush slowly down the length while rotating it slightly to create tension. Avoid parking the brush on one spot, especially near the ends, to prevent scorching.
5. Use the cool setting to set your style. Once a section feels dry and smooth, switch to the cool setting while still rotating the brush through the hair. Cool air helps lock the cuticle down, which makes your style last longer and adds shine.
6. Finish with light hold, not stiffness. After styling, a small amount of lightweight serum or cream on the ends can add polish. Use hairspray sparingly, focusing on roots or areas that tend to fall flat rather than coating the entire head.

If you notice a burnt smell, more breakage, or your hair feeling rough and crunchy, lower the heat, shorten your styling time, or step back to a gentler brush like the Drybar or Conair and limit hot tools to a few times per week.

See also

If you are leaning toward a classic oval brush, read our full Revlon One-Step hair dryer and volumizer review and compare it with the more versatile Shark FlexStyle air styler for multi-tasking styling.

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FAQ

Is a hot air brush less damaging than a flat iron?

Generally, yes. A hot air brush uses moving air plus moderate heat instead of pressing hair directly between two scorching plates. That said, you can still cause damage if you use the highest setting every day, start on soaking wet hair, or hold the brush in one spot for too long. Using a heat protectant, working on mostly dry hair, and keeping the brush in motion are key to keeping damage relatively low.

Can I use a hot air brush on very short hair?

You can, but the right barrel size is crucial. If your hair is shorter than your cheekbones, a large oval brush like the Revlon or Drybar will be difficult to control and may not grip the hair well. A smaller round brush such as the Conair Double Ceramic, or even a smaller diameter model, will give you much better control and lift at the roots.

What size hot air brush is best for my hair length?

As a rough guide, choose a 1 to 1.5 inch barrel for chin-length and shorter cuts, 1.5 to 2 inches for bobs and lobs, and 2 inches or larger for shoulder-length and longer hair. Larger barrels create softer bends and more volume, while smaller barrels create more pronounced curls. If you are unsure, err on the slightly smaller size, since you can always loosen a curl but you cannot tighten one after the fact.

Can you use a hot air brush every day?

You can, but it is kinder to your hair if you do not. Aim to fully wash and style with heat two or three times per week, then use your hot air brush on a low setting for quick touch-ups on off days if needed. Always use a heat protectant and keep an eye on how your ends look and feel; if they start to look rough or frayed, build in more heat-free days.

Do hot air brushes work on curly or coily hair?

Yes, but results depend on texture, density, and your goals. On wavy or loose curls, a strong brush like the Revlon or Shark can stretch the curl into a smooth blowout. On tighter curls and coils, many people get the best results by first gently stretching or blow-drying with a comb attachment, then using a hot air brush like the Drybar to smooth and shape. Always work in small sections, use plenty of heat protectant, and avoid pulling too hard on the roots.

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