I Swore Off Salon Blowouts After Trying These Heated Round Brushes
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I thought that a truly excellent blowout could be achieved only by a hairstylist. Because despite growing up as a competitive dancer, I don't have the coordination to use a round brush in one hand and a hair dryer in the other. However, I have found a solution that brings me close to a pro-level finish: heated round brushes.
Thanks to these innovative tools, I've fooled many people into thinking I'm a skilled DIY hair pro. Because that's the thing—they're practically foolproof. Heated round brushes have become a staple for everyday consumers and hair professionals alike. "A heated round brush makes styling faster, easier, and way more accessible for anyone at home," says celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine . "I love how they give you that smooth, bouncy blowout look without having to juggle a round brush and a blow dryer at the same time." Chicago-based hairstylist Raven Hurtado adds that they're also "a nice pick-me-up to freshen up your style when it's feeling dull."
The Best Heated Round Brushes of 2026
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Best Overall: Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush , $118
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Most Viral: Wavytalk Pro Thermal Brush for Blowout Look , $38
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Most Versatile: Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb + Blow Dryer Brush , $120
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Best Anti-Frizz: Bondi Boost Infrared Heated Round Brush , $125
The heated round brush market has grown exponentially in recent years, so I set out to identify the best options for every hair type and texture. After lots of testing, asking experts for their go-tos, and reading through customer reviews, I've rounded up the top eight below.
Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush
This heated round brush came on the scene just a few months ago, but it's already gained a cult following. Because it's so lightweight, your arms won't feel fatigued while using it; the tool is designed to evenly distribute heat for flawless styling. "It's my go-to for quick, easy styling, with results that last from a long day at work right into happy hour," says Syrenthia Quiñones, a licensed salon professional and the senior manager of sales and education at Mane Addicts.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
Expert review: "I feel spoiled because the Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush was the first heated round brush I ever tried, and it was a winner right off the bat. I'm usually terrified of round brushes, as I've had one too many nightmarish experiences where my hair wound up tangled within them, so this format made me quite nervous. However, my hair glides through this tool's bristles, and I end up with a voluminous yet sleek, straightened look in minutes. I don't think I've ever spent more than five or six minutes styling my hair when I use this brush."— Carol Lee , beauty writer
- User-friendly
- Only one heat setting
Wavytalk Pro Thermal Brush for Blowout Look
If you've seen a heated round brush on TikTok, chances are it was this one from Wavytalk. The brush made waves (pardon the pun) on the app last year, thanks to everyday users who demonstrated how easy it is to make your hair look incredible with the tool. "It takes a few seconds to heat up and has a higher temperature for thick, coily hair to smooth out," says Hurtado.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
ELLE editor review: "I fell for the TikTok ads, bought this product, and I'm so glad I did. The brush not only smooths, but curls my strands in just a few passes—easily emulating a salon-style blowout. If you have coily or wavy strands like me, I recommend you blow-dry your hair first. No matter how frizzy your strands may be after drying, this brush is sure to leave them sleek and shiny."—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer
- Budget-friendly
- Hard to straighten roots
Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb + Blow Dryer Brush
This handy device combines a hair dryer and thermal smoothing brush in one. Use the dryer function to dry and add volume, then twist the bottom to smooth and style as needed.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
ELLE editor review: "What I like best about the Shark Smoothstyle is that you can use it as both a blow-dry brush and a heated round brush. I have really thick hair, so I'm used to rough-drying it 90 percent of the way before using a blow-dry brush, but I find that the Shark is powerful enough to start with hair mostly wet. I really like using the heated comb setting when I'm styling my hair once it's already dry. Plus, I can style my whole head really quickly, and it makes it look like I just got a blowout."— Katie Berohn , beauty editor
- Can be used on wet hair
- Bulky
Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush
Some of the brushes on this list feature only one heat setting, which is wonderful for hair newbies who don't want to mess with temperature, and not-so-great for those who know what works best for their strands. However, the Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush offers 25 temperature settings and technology that prevents hot spots, which can cause severe heat damage.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
Customer review: "This curling-iron brush is great. I have had the 1-¼" model for about one week. I use it to create curls, but I also sloooooowly brush some sections with it. It is awesome for that! I have shoulder-length, fine, wavy hair that is a bit frizzy. Slowly brushing with this iron removes the frizz and makes my hair look smooth, like I did something with it. And the process is so easy and fast. Today I curled about three sections and iron-brushed the rest. That took three minutes, if that. I also love that the heat source is guarded by the bristles. I'm much less nervous about burning myself than when I used a regular iron. And I love how soft and blended and bouncy my hair looks."
- Heats up quickly
- May not be suitable for short hair
Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Round Brush
Featuring a 1.5-inch barrel and an ergonomic handle, this heated round brush is a godsend for any hair type and texture. The nylon bristles grip hair to provide just the right amount of tension, yet they're gentle enough to prevent unwanted tangles. Another highlight? The tool's nine-foot cord allows you to reach every inch of your hair with ease.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
Expert review: "My hair is naturally a little wavy and retains a lot of volume on the first day after a wash, but it can fall flat in the following days. A heated round brush is often the perfect antidote. This one from Amika is especially great, taming frizz, boosting volume, and adding sheen."—Carol Lee
- Smoothing
- May not be as effective on very thick hair
Bondi Boost Infrared Heated Round Brush
With heat styling, there will always be some damage. Luckily, this heated round brush uses infrared technology to heat hair as delicately as possible and releases negative ions to maintain moisture. The bristles are also infused with aloe, which encourages shine and calms frizz.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
ELLE editor review: "I have long, curly hair that tends to get very frizzy after a quick walk outdoors. It takes a lot of tension, products, and heat for my locks to appear sleek, smooth, and frizz-free. I was shocked when a few passes of this heated round brush delivered all three. It heated up to 400 degrees in just under a minute, and barely snagged on my coily strands. This is my new staple hair tool!"—Emma Aerin Becker
- Reduces styling time
- May not be suitable for very long hair
Drybar The Curl Party Heated Thermal Curling Round Brush
Recreate your Drybar blowout at home with the brand's heated round brush. The barrel heats up in seconds, which is great news for anyone who's impatient. Additionally, the combination of nylon and silicone bristles runs through your hair without a hitch and evenly transfers the heat to your tresses as you style.
Best for:Straight and wavy hair types
Power source:Corded
Customer review: "I like that the barrel is small so you can create tighter curls, and there are so many different heat settings to choose from. I also like that the bristles aren't hot to the touch while using it, so essentially it's burn-proof (never burned my scalp or fingers while using)."
- Smoothing
- Can have a learning curve
Trademark Beauty Infrared Ionic Thermal Styling Brush
Priced at under $60, Trademark Beauty's stylist-created thermal brush combines infrared and ionic technology to help minimize heat damage while smoothing flyaways. Though it doesn't get as hot as the Bondi Boost, it offers five heat settings up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and features a swiveling cord for easy maneuvering. Its smaller 1.5-inch nylon-bristle barrel also makes it especially well-suited for creating volume at the root, whether you're after bouncy curls, sleek, straight strands, or soft, silky waves.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
Customer review: "This thermal brush is exactly what I needed for those mornings when I want to smooth out my hair but don't want to deal with a flat iron. The 1.5-inch barrel is the perfect size for adding volume and a slight curl to the ends, giving my hair a salon-style appearance in about ten minutes. The infrared and ionic technology really does help with frizz control, which is a major win in our humid climate. The function is simple—it heats up quickly and glides through the hair without snagging."
- Dual-action technology
- May not be the best option for long hair
GHD Duet Blowdry-Hair Dryer Brush
GHD's two-in-one blow-dry brush promises a boost in both shine and volume. With snag-free bristles and a heated barrel plate, it's incredibly easy to use. Plus, it doesn't damage your hair in the same way other hot tools can—GHD ran a clinical study that found no detectable heat damage on towel-dried hair after 100 cycles of four passes.
Best for:All hair types
Power source:Corded
ELLE editor review: "This brush was one of the winners for our 2024 Tools and Treatments awards, and for good reason. Our tester said that the airflow was quiet, and it was easy to use as a finishing tool to help make her hair sleek and shiny."—Katie Berohn
- Easy to use
- Time-consuming for those with thick hair
Meet the Expert
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Syrenthia Quiñones is a licensed salon professional and the senior manager of sales and education at Mane Addicts .
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Marissa Marino is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, and an Amika stylist collective member.
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Joseph Maine is a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Trademark Beauty
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Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist based in Chicago.
What is the difference between a heated round brush and a blow dryer brush?
While a blow dryer brush can be used on wet hair, you can only use a heated round brush on dry strands. "If you prefer greater control over the styling process, the heated round brush allows for more precise styling on dry hair," says Quiñones. That's because the heated barrel of a heated round brush is designed to style hair, while the primary function of a blow dryer is to wick away moisture. Some tools offer two-in-one benefits, combining the functions of a heated round brush and a blow-dryer brush.
What are some tips for using a heated round brush?
According to Quiñones:
- Always start with dry hair. Section the hair for easier styling
- Use heat protectant spray on each section before styling
- Rotate the brush in different directions for added volume
- Twist the brush as you glide through the hair to create more defined curls
- Use steady, slow motions while gliding the brush through the hair for added smoothness and shine
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items.
For this piece, beauty writer Emma Aerin Becker spoke with trusted hair experts about heated round brushes. She also tried a few herself, searched the internet for heated round brushes, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on its features and customer reviews.
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