12 Best Hair Straightener Brushes for Smoother, Shinier Hair, Tested and Reviewed in 2024
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When I want to create a smooth, bouncy blowout or super-sleek look, I either (a) give up halfway because it takes so long or (b) fry my hair in the process—that was, until I tried a hair straightener brush. I was initially skeptical—a hot tool that promises to detangle, smooth, and straighten my hair? Like, come on, that can’t be real? But here’s the thing: Hair straightener brushes—provided you buy the right one for your specific hair type and goal—are pretty freaking amazing and shockingly easy to use. Think of hair straightening brushes as your hair dryer (or hair dryer brush) and flat iron combined in one handy tool.
Seriously, I’ve been using one for months now, and it’s made doing my hair so much easier. Not only do some of these brushes allow me to skip blow-drying entirely, but I use fewer styling products, too, since hair straighter brushes have frizz-reducing and shine-boosting benefits as well. After personally testing and reviewing the very best hair straightener brushes on the market, I rounded 'em up below. Keep reading for how to choose a hair straightener brush for your hair type and everything you need to know about them.
Our top picks for best hair straightener brushes in 2024:
Best Blow Dryer Hair Straightening Brush
Amika Double Agent 2-in-1 Straightening Blow Dryer Brush
Read more
Cosmo editors tested and reviewed everything from holy grail favorites to the buzziest products on your social feeds and the newest hair straightener brushes to hit the shelves over the past year. We evaluated each straightening brush based on the features, value, and results to compile this shoppable list of the 12 very best hair straightening brushes that'll give you super sleek, super smooth hair, below.
Pros
- Good for all hair types, including fine, thick, straight, or curly
Cons
- The most expensive hair straightener brush on this list
This versatile hair straightener brush can be used on all hair types and curls types, heats up to 365 degrees (the temp is effective for smoothing and straightening without damaging your hair), and uses a combo of short and long bristles to make styling both quick and easy. I use it whenever I want the smoothest, sleekest hair, and know that this bb will get the job done super quickly and easily.
- Temperature: 365 degrees
- Features: Ceramic technology with ionizer, 25-second heat-up time, 60-minute automatic shut-off, 9-foot cord
Glowing Customer Review: “When I use a flat iron, it usually takes two or more hours for me to straighten my hair, but with this hot brush it literally took 30 minutes to make my hair totally smooth.”
Pros
- Can give you a great blowout with a little flip at the ends, or you can make your hair totally straight
Cons
- Testers recommend rough drying it first with the brush, then going in and straightening for best results
Typically, a hair straightening brush requires you to start with dry hair, and when it's primarily a blow dryer brush, it doesn't give as good of straightening benefits. This one from Amika changes the game: It dries damp hair all while giving you sleek, smooth, and frizz-free results. I also especially love how this brush has super flexible teeth, so it grips my hair well, resulting in a great blowout.
- Temperature: 450 degrees
- Features: Ceramic technology with ionizer, flexible teeth, 60-minute automatic shut-off, extra long cord
Glowing Customer Review: "This is so good that it turns my 4c hair straight. when I use it, I see the same results as I would when I go to get it professionally blow-dried. Not all bristles are made for my hair type, but I trust this one. plus, it's sensitive skin-friendly, so no need to feel like you're gonna burn yourself. Because of this, I am confident washing my hair at home."
Pros
- Staggering and different length teeth brush through thick knots
Cons
- May have to go over the area a few extra times in order to fully straighten
Yes, you can use a hair-straightening brush on thick, curly hair and not end up looking like a poodle. This brush heats up to 410 degrees and has ceramic, iron teeth bristles that will glide through your hair without causing frizz or damage. The result? A sleek, blown-out finish.
- Temperature: 410 degrees
- Features: Ceramic iron bristles, swivel cord, ionic technology, four heat settings, auto-off
Glowing Customer Review: "My daughter has thick, curly hair. Flower was perfect for her hair! I highly recommend."
Pros
- Easy-to-use choice for beginners
Cons
- Not suitable for thick, coarse hair
If you have fine hair that lacks volume, then you’ll love this hair straightener brush. It’s designed to smooth and straighten your hair, but it won’t make it fall flat in the process. It also heats up to 400 degrees, but don’t worry about burning yourself—the tangle-free swivel cord makes it easy to maneuver so you don’t singe your forehead or scalp.
- Temperature: 400 degrees
- Features: Swivel cord, ionic technology
Glowing Customer Review: “Don’t sleep on this brush. I have an older, OG hot brush that cost more than twice the price of this one and it doesn’t work half as well.”
Pros
- Heats up and styles extremely quickly
Cons
- Not the best option for fine, thin hair
This straightening brush can smooth the thickest of hair—yes, even yours. The ion-coated bristles straighten hairs from root to tip without causing breakage. You’ll be left with silky and shiny hair that has almost zero flyaways. Oh, and another bonus? The brush heats up in 30 seconds.
- Temperature: 450 degrees
- Features: Ion-coated bristles, 30-second heat up, auto-temperature lock and auto-off, dual-voltage
Glowing Customer Review: “I was amazed with the results from this brush. It only took me five minutes to straighten and smooth my hair just by brushing through it on the 330-degree heat setting compared to my using 20 minutes with a flat iron.”
Revlon XL Hair Straightening Heated Styling Brush
Pros
- Bestseller and top-rated brush on Amazon
Cons
- Reviewers say the space between the bristles is difficult to clean
You know that one hair that will never lie flat, no matter what you do to it? Yup, it’s finally met its match: this hair-straightening brush. The long bristles (which are able to get all the way to your roots) and the ion generator (which seals the hair cuticle) make sure every single hair lies smooth and frizz-free.
- Temperature: 430 degrees
- Features: Long bristles and head, LED smart heat memory system, dual-voltage, super lightweight
Glowing Customer Review: “This brush did a great job at straightening by 3b curls. I love it for touch-ups too—I run it through my day-three hair and my frizz disappears.”
Pros
- Comes with multiple heat settings
Cons
- Some testers note that it snags their hair easily
Way too many hair straightening brushes say they’ll add shine, when in reality, all they do is leave your hair in an even worse state. Like, so dull, no amount of shine spray can fix it. Enter: This brush, which has bristles placed strategically to better control heat flow (so no need to worry about the flat, burnt look) and the ion-generating plates leave behind a silky finish as you brush.
- Temperature: 450 degrees
- Features: Ionic technology, 16 temperatures, LED display, anti-scald design
Glowing Customer Review: "It takes me over an hour to flat iron my hair with my traditional flat iron (and chase technique). I’m able to straighten my hair in 20 minutes with this brush and it’s just as straight."
Pros
- Great option for natural hair
Cons
- Some reviewers say it makes hair look dull
Many hair-straightening brushes say they work on naturally curly and coily hair, but that isn’t always the case. This one from MiroPure (which has almost 20,000 reviews on Amazon) actually lives up to the claims, though—it’s truly a brush that’s designed just for curly hair. Just run the brush through small, separate sections of hair (instead of larger ones) to make your hair lie flat.
- Temperature: 450 degrees
- Features: Ionic technology, anti-scald features, auto-temperature lock, auto shut-off, 360-degree swivel cord
Glowing Customer Review: "Will it work on thick tightly coiled hair? Yes, it does! Just remember to use your heat protectant, and it only took me about 22 minutes on each side with medium to long hair."
Pros
- Multitasking tool can be used to dry hair and create a variety of styles
Cons
- Is often sold out and hard to find
The Dyson Airwrap is definitely an investment, but considering it can be used to rough dry, blow dry, straighten, *and* curl your hair—I’d say it’s totally worth it. The Airwrap kit comes with six different attachments—two of which are hair straightener brush heads. There’s a soft option that’s best for straightening fine hair and a firm option that’s great for coarse, frizz-prone hair.
- Temperature: >302 degrees
- Features: Multi-directional barrels, fast styling without extreme heat, multiple airflow and temperature settings, heat and ergonomic controls, removable filter
Glowing Customer Review: “I’ve never been one to do my hair every day, but I have been since I bought this. It’s so easy to use—and I love that I can create multiple styles with just one tool. When I straighten my hair it literally takes five minutes.”
Pros
- Straightens hair quickly
Cons
- Design is a bit bulky
If you have curly hair, you might think a hair-straightening brush won’t work for you. Well, think again. By sealing your hair cuticle, this brush is able to straighten even the curliest of hair without damaging your curls. It also comes with a digital temperature control so you can adjust the heat to what works for your specific hair type.
- Temperature: 450 degrees
- Features: 60-minute automatic safety shut-off, 9-foot cord
Glowing Customer Review: “I bought this brush with low expectations and let me tell you how wrong I was—this thing can straighten my waist-length curls in two passes of the brush. It takes 15 minutes for my hair to look silky and shiny.”
Pros
- One of the best options for type 4 hair
Cons
- Larger version of this brush is often sold out
If you’re looking for something that actually works on 4c hair, this is the straightening brush for you. Not only do the bristles reach all the way down to your roots without scorching your scalp, but they never tug or pull on your curls either. Win-win.
- Temperature: 365 degrees
- Features: Anti-scald technology with three layers of bristles, ionic technology, auto shut-off
Glowing Customer Review: “I live in a humid climate so my hair tends to frizz up as soon as I leave the house but not when I use this brush. The smoothing and shine-boosting results are super impressive.”
Pros
- Cordless design is great for on-the-go use
Cons
- One of the more expensive options on the list
This full-size hair straightener brush is a must if you’re constantly fighting with your roommates for bathroom outlet space. The innovative design is totally cordless—each charge lasts for 40 minutes—so you can get ready pretty much anywhere...even your car!
- Temperature: 400 degrees
- Features: Cordless, 40-minute charge time, 25 heat settings, rapid heat technology
Glowing Customer Review: “This tool is a total game changer for me. As someone who is pretty low maintenance with their hair routine, I love how this lets me air dry my hair after showering at night and then quickly smooth it out in the morning.”
Do hair straightener brushes really work?
Yes, hair straightener brushes really do work, provided you’re using the right one for your hair type and texture. They won’t give you the same super sleek look as a flat iron, but they’re great for smoothing and straightening your hair and even reducing frizz too.
Do straightener brushes damage hair?
You shouldn’t experience any major damage or breakage from your brush, as long as you’re following your straightening brush’s specific directions and applying a heat protectant spray or cream to your hair before using it. Using a heat protectant is key for preventing breakage and split ends induced by exposure to high heat. Luckily, there are a ton of different heat protectant options out there, from lightweight mists to moisturizing creams, to choose from. My personal fave is Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer.
How to choose a hair straightener brush:
Know that price doesn’t guarantee quality.
Just because a hair straightener brush comes with a big price tag doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to give you big-time results. There are plenty of affordable and effective brushes out there—in fact, there are multiple options under $50 on this list—so be sure to read reviews and ratings before adding anything (regardless of how expensive or fancy it may seem) to your cart.
Look for adjustable temperature controls.
If you want to avoid frying your hair every time you bust out your hair straightener brush, then you’ll definitely want to invest in a tool that has adjustable temperature settings. If your hair is fine or thin, lower temps (around 250 to 325 degrees) will get the job done. If your hair is thick and coarse? You’ll want to dial up the heat (around 350/400 degrees is ideal) to get your hair smooth and shiny in as few passes as possible.
Consider the brush size and shape.
Hair straightener brushes with small, narrow brush heads are typically meant to be used on smaller areas of hair—like bangs, roots, or face-framing pieces. They’re also great for styling pixie cuts. Larger, oval-shaped brushes (think: a paddle brush size or bigger) are usually the better option for general smoothing and creating soft styles.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing hair stories, like the best hair wavers and the best purple shampoos, and feels especially knowledgeable in hair straightener brushes thanks to having long, dense, wavy hair that takes a particularly long time to straighten and style. She regularly tests and analyzes hair straightener brushes on her own hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top hairstylists to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best detanglers to the best shampoos for dry, damaged hair. She's an authority in all hair categories, but is an expert when it comes to hair straightener brushes, thanks to interviewing experts and testing them on her own hair.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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