The 12 Best Round Brushes for Every Hair Type, Concern, and Style Preference—Vetted By Cosmo Editors

The only thing better than a really good round brush is when it’s a really good round brush that’s well-priced. Under $20? Sign me up. And even at its lower price point, it’s still thoughtfully created (hello, sustainably-sourced bamboo, ethically-sourced boar bristles, and ventilated barrel).

Choosing the right round brush for your hair length and style is a non-negotiable to get the best results possible. Case in point: A brush with a smaller diameter, like this one, gives tons of volume to shorter hair and serious lift from the root. It’s also perfect for bangs and short layers that would otherwise get lost in a larger-barreled brush. If you do have long hair but want your strands to have a tighter curl rather than sleek and smooth, then this brush is also for you.

If you don’t yet own a thermal brush, let us put you on. Honestly, coordinating a blow-dryer and a round brush can be exhausting and not-so-beginner-friendly (at least for me). So, my favorite solution to get a blowout-like result without all the work is to use a thermal brush like this one from Mane. Once it heats up, all you have to do is run it through your strands and you’ll be ready to head out the door. Just make sure to use heat protectant and wait ‘til your hair’s dry to use this one!

One Cosmo editor says: “I looove traveling with this lil heated round brush to do quick blowouts on the go. It quickly styles my hair (and bangs), giving me bouncy waves or flipped-in ends."—BG

Sometimes, trying to get volume in fine or flat hair can feel like trying to get the group chat to commit to dinner plans. It’s not for the weak. Make things easier with T3’s round brush in the two-inch size. This brush has stiff bristles (be careful, they can scratch your back while using) to help tease and give serious volume to finer hair.

There are so many ways you can use a round brush—it gives you so much control in how you want to style your hair—so having a top-performing one is pretty much like giving yourself the keys to the hair kingdom. Enter: Moroccanoil’s ceramic brush that has ceramic and ionic properties. Basically, it just means that it helps with even heat distribution, enhancing drying time, and boosting hair’s shine (all things that help make blow-drying your hair oh-so easy).

Round brushes are going to be one of your go-tos when it comes to styling curly hair and getting a bouncy, voluminous blowout. But at the same time, you want to make sure to find one that’s gentle enough on your curls and doesn’t totally rip them apart and mess with your curl pattern. This Conair brush is up to the task.

Thermal brushes are a low-maintenance folk's best friend. Rather than having to hold a blow dryer and a round brush in two hands (my arms are tired just thinking about it), this thermal brush, which heats up quickly and has several temperature settings, does the job in one fell swoop. For a hot tool, it won’t break the bank, and the bonus is that it comes in a cute pink color.

Want to up your round brush game but don’t want to spend a fortune? Amazon brand Aimike has your back (er, your hair). At under $15, this brush comes with nylon and boar bristles (get those silky smooth strands and disperse your scalp’s natural oils), has an XL 2.9 inch barrel size (brushing through thick or long hair is way less daunting), and even comes with hair clips (perfect for keeping your hair out of the way when styling).

Oh, so you want to look like you just came back from a tropical vacay? Gotchu. This brush is *the* brush for allll the beach waves and is super gentle thanks to its sleek wooden handle and boar bristles. If you want loose curls that aren’t super tight, the bristles in this brush are ideal for that bouncy appearance you’re looking for.

One Cosmo editor says: “Normally, brushes tug at my fine hair and create tangles (isn't that the opposite of what a brush is supposed to do?). But this one is super gentle and has extra soft bristles that protect my damaged, fragile hair."—BG

A favorite of O'Connor's, this boar-bristle brush is ideal for damaged hair because its bristles (a mix of natural boar and heat-resistant carbon fiber) are so soft and flexible—almost like a body dry brush—that it’s less likely to tug at your hair and cause breakage while drying. Instead, these bristles work to evenly distribute your scalp's natural oils from roots to ends while you brush, helping to leave your hair smoother and shinier while blow-drying.

One shopper says: "Holy-grail styling brush. My hair is healthier, softer, shinier, and I’m finally venturing back into the land of great hair days virtually every day. I would buy this brush again and again."

Thanks to a combination of boar and nylon bristles, this luxe brush will work overtime to deliver smooth, static-free hair while detangling at the same time. Though the handle looks like a wood finish, it’s actually a marbled resin derived from wood pulp, which the brand says is more sustainable than plastic (extra points for being eco-friendly!). This bb is on the pricier side, but it’s made to last.