The Best Blow-Dry Brushes

WIRED

20-04-2025

The GHD Duet Blowdry (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is unlike any other blow-dry brush I've tried. While it's still doing what a blow-dry brush does best—blowing air around a brush to dry and style your hair—the air is released through 16 different chambers within the device to act more like a diffuser, resulting in less frizz and flyaways. Also, unlike other blow-dry brushes, the surface is heated, with both the surface and air reaching 248 degrees Fahrenheit. GHD says the two heat sensors on the Duet check its temperature 400 times per second to ensure consistency. While consistent, you can't adjust this temperature. It's a little hot compared to other blow-dry brushes, but cooler than other hot surface tools. Another difference in design is the bristles of the brush, which are firm and hard, rather than the wire style you'd find on both other devices and regular hair brushes. There are two rows of these bristles, and the shorter set is heated along with the surface of the brush, while the longer ones are unheated. I never had an issue with a hot surface touching my scalp or skin while using the Duet Blowdry, since the taller unheated bristles keep the heated surface away. All that in mind, it's an impressive blowout that the Duet Blowdry delivers. It's certainly the smoothest results I've gotten, with the least amount of frizz and flyaways while still delivering on volume and style. GHD says you can use this device when your hair is up to 80 percent dry, though you can use it sooner as more of a blow dryer until you can style your drier hair with the brush. I did get the best results waiting until my hair was on the drier side to start using it. The downside, of course, is the cost: It's got the best tech in it, but I did get similar (though a little frizzier!) results from the cheaper Drybar and T3 brushes. Best for All hair types Settings One heat setting, 248 degrees Fahrenheit What's included 2.5" oval blow-dryer brush, heat resistant storage bag, cleaning brush Warranty Two-year warranty
Shark FlexFusion Air and Ceramic System
I've tried multiple blow-dry brushes in the past on my thick, frizzy 3a curls, but I was never a believer until I happened upon this wet-or-dry fusion brush. Though more known for its air straightener attachment, this Dyson Airwrap dupe and close relative of the Shark FlexStyle (9/10, WIRED Recommends) also comes with a round brush head that fits onto the tubular hairdryer base. Designed to prevent snagging, it's got grooves on one side and ball-tipped bristles on the other; the bristle side shoots out heat that's internally regulated to not exceed 230 degrees Fahrenheit. It's much longer than a typical blow-dry brush with the hair dryer fully extended, but at less than 2 pounds it's not heavy or unwieldy, and I appreciate the generous 96 inches of cord.
None of the Shark's attachments get my curly hair sleek-straight, and this includes the blow-dry brush, but it does get it most of the way there in less time than with a regular blow dryer. If you have slightly curly or just wavy hair, a quick once-over with the excellent new FrizzFighter finishing tool attachment ($33) will likely be all you need. I prefer my hair stick-straight, so I still use a flat iron afterwards, but for a much a shorter time and on a lower heat setting than my hair usually needs. Plus, my hair has never felt softer. —Kat Merck Best for All hair types, especially thick hair Settings Three heat settings, three speed settings, and a toggle for wet or dry hair. Reaches 230 degrees Fahrenheit What's included Blow dryer and four attachments: fusion brush, concentrator, air straightener, 1.25' left/right curling barrels Warranty Two-year warranty