Buying guide
Best hot air brushes and hot brushes
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: dryer, brushes and curlers
Coanda airflow wraps hair on its own, so there is no hand wrapping to learn.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Dyson Airsmooth: teardrop brush that dries from wet
One step from towel-dried to smooth, with no separate dryer needed.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Dyson Airwrap Origin: loop brush plus 40 mm barrel
A bi-directional 40 mm barrel styles both sides without swapping attachments.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Two different tools share the name hot brush. A hot air brush blows air through a brush head, so it dries and shapes towel-dried hair in one step. A heated hot brush has no airflow: heated bristles or a heated barrel smooth or lift hair that is already dry, which makes it a quick fix for second-day hair. Pick the type first, then look at the head. A round barrel adds lift and bounce, a paddle or teardrop head gives a smoother, flatter finish, and a multi-styler adds curling barrels on top. This guide compares ghd, Dyson and Shark brushes on whether the listing says to use them on wet or dry hair, the stated heat, the brush head and the power rating, using only what each listing states.
All products compared
- Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: dryer, brushes and curlers
- Type
- Multi-styler
- Use on
- Wet hair
- Heat
- Not stated
- Head
- Paddle and oval brushes, 2 curlers
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airwrap Origin: loop brush plus 40 mm barrel
- Type
- Multi-styler
- Use on
- Wet hair
- Heat
- Under 150°C
- Head
- Loop brush, 40 mm barrel
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Glide+ Max: extra-large paddle hot brush set
- Type
- Heated hot brush
- Use on
- Not stated
- Heat
- 185°C
- Head
- Extra-large paddle, ceramic bristles
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airsmooth: teardrop brush that dries from wet
- Type
- Hot air brush
- Use on
- Wet hair
- Heat
- 4 settings
- Head
- Teardrop brush, anti-snag bristles
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Glide: ionic hot brush for smoothing dry hair
- Type
- Heated hot brush
- Use on
- Dry hair
- Heat
- 185°C
- Head
- Paddle, mixed bristle lengths
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Rise: 32 mm heated volumising brush at 185°C
- Type
- Heated hot brush
- Use on
- Not stated
- Heat
- 185°C
- Head
- 32 mm barrel, 5 mm bristles
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Duet Blowdry: dryer brush from wet, up to 120°C
- Type
- Hot air brush
- Use on
- Wet hair
- Heat
- Up to 120°C
- Head
- Elliptical barrel, heated bristles
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Type | Use on | Heat | Head | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: dryer, brushes and curlers | Multi-styler | Wet hair | Not stated | Paddle and oval brushes, 2 curlers | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airwrap Origin: loop brush plus 40 mm barrel | Multi-styler | Wet hair | Under 150°C | Loop brush, 40 mm barrel | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Glide+ Max: extra-large paddle hot brush set | Heated hot brush | Not stated | 185°C | Extra-large paddle, ceramic bristles | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airsmooth: teardrop brush that dries from wet | Hot air brush | Wet hair | 4 settings | Teardrop brush, anti-snag bristles | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Glide: ionic hot brush for smoothing dry hair | Heated hot brush | Dry hair | 185°C | Paddle, mixed bristle lengths | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Rise: 32 mm heated volumising brush at 185°C | Heated hot brush | Not stated | 185°C | 32 mm barrel, 5 mm bristles | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Duet Blowdry: dryer brush from wet, up to 120°C | Hot air brush | Wet hair | Up to 120°C | Elliptical barrel, heated bristles | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Shark
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: dryer, brushes and curlers
A dryer that twists into an air styler, which Shark pitches at any hair type and any skill set. Two auto-wrap curlers pull hair round and set it in seconds, with a styling guide in the box.
In its favour
- Coanda airflow wraps hair on its own, so there is no hand wrapping to learn.
- The listing says it suits any skill set, and a styling guide is included.
- It also dries and smooths, so one tool covers the whole routine.
Good to know
- Curler sizes are not stated in the listing.
- The 2-year guarantee applies only after registering with Shark, per the listing.
Listing title: Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer, Stone, HD446SLUK
No. 2 · Dyson
Dyson Airwrap Origin: loop brush plus 40 mm barrel
The original Airwrap with one 40 mm barrel that wraps in both directions. The listing mentions soft, unstructured mermaid waves for longer lengths and keeps heat under 150°C.
In its favour
- A bi-directional 40 mm barrel styles both sides without swapping attachments.
- Dyson states heat stays under 150°C, below the 185°C of the ghd curlers here.
- The Fast dryer and Anti-snag loop brush handle drying and smoothing too.
Good to know
- There is no conical barrel, so tighter sections for contrast are harder.
- Only three attachments are included, fewer than newer Airwrap models.
Listing title: Dyson Airwrap Origin Hair Styler & Dryer – Curls & Waves - Prussian Bl...
No. 3 · ghd
ghd Glide+ Max: extra-large paddle hot brush set
ghd's first extra-large hot brush, sold as a gift set with a paddle brush and heat-resistant bag. The listing aims it at long, thick and curly hair and states an integrated ioniser.
In its favour
- An extra-large paddle head styles bigger sections in fewer strokes, according to the listing.
- Heated ceramic bristles and an integrated ioniser are stated to cut frizz.
- The set adds the ghd All-Rounder Paddle Brush and a heat-resistant bag.
Good to know
- The large head is aimed at long, thick hair and may be bulky on short cuts.
- Power rating, cable length and heat-up time are not stated in this listing.
Listing title: ghd Glide+ Max Smoothing Hot Brush Festive Gift Set in Black, with ghd...
No. 4 · Dyson
Dyson Airsmooth: teardrop brush that dries from wet
A dryer and smoothing brush in one, with a teardrop head and anti-snag bristles. The listing says it dries, stretches, smooths and shapes from wet, and weighs 580 g.
In its favour
- One step from towel-dried to smooth, with no separate dryer needed.
- A teardrop brush head reaches close to the roots, per the listing.
- Universal voltage adapts automatically when travelling.
Good to know
- It does not curl or straighten flat like the Airwrap or Airstrait.
- The listing does not state a temperature in degrees.
Listing title: Dyson Airsmooth Hot Brush – Hair Dryer & Smoothing Brush - Ceramic Pin...
No. 5 · ghd
ghd Glide: ionic hot brush for smoothing dry hair
ghd's first hot brush, made to smooth frizz on dry hair. The listing pairs ceramic heating and ionic technology at 185°C with short and long bristles for large sections.
In its favour
- Ceramic and ionic technology is stated to smooth frizz in a few strokes.
- A mix of short and long bristles lets you work through large sections, per the listing.
- The maker describes it as ideal for second-day hair, so it suits quick touch-ups.
Good to know
- It is for dry hair only, so you still need a dryer after washing.
- The listing does not state cable length, sleep mode or heat-up time.
Listing title: ghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush, Effortless Styling, Frizz-Free Smooth H...
No. 6 · ghd
ghd Rise: 32 mm heated volumising brush at 185°C
Not a curler but a volumising hot brush, which suits fine hair that falls flat. The listing claims 2x more volume and root lift from a 32 mm barrel with short bristles.
In its favour
- ghd states 2x more volume and root lift, which fine hair often lacks.
- A cool tip helps create tension at the root, per the listing.
- A 25 second heat-up makes it quick for touch-ups.
Good to know
- It adds bend and body rather than defined curls.
- Heat is fixed at 185°C, with no lower setting for very fine hair.
Listing title: ghd Rise Volumising Hot Brush, 2x More Volume & Root Lift
No. 7 · ghd
ghd Duet Blowdry: dryer brush from wet, up to 120°C
An alternative for people who mostly use the Airwrap for smooth blow-dries. It dries and shapes wet hair with an elliptical barrel and heated bristles, with a maximum of 120°C listed.
In its favour
- Dries and styles wet hair in one go, which covers the Airwrap's most common job.
- Sensors monitor the temperature 400 times per second, according to ghd.
- Up to 50% more humidity resistance is claimed for longer lasting blow-dries.
Good to know
- There are no curling barrels, so it cannot make Airwrap style curls.
- Amazon lists 1.49 kg, heavier than most air stylers, though packaging may be included.
Listing title: ghd Duet Blowdry Hair Dryer Brush, Wet to Blow Dried, Smooth Results
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Plate and Curl chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.