If you’re prone to scrolling on the beauty-obsessed side of TikTok, there’s no denying that you’ve seen the recent spike in interest in the best thermal brushes—they’re like hair dryer brushes, but without the actual drying part (think: noise-free blowout styling). “Thermal brushes can create everything from silky straight to bombshell waves. A large thermal brush creates voluminous, smooth styles and a smaller one can sculpt bouncy curls or flicked ends,” celebrity hair stylist Dimitris Giannetos tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Thermal Brushes
In This Story
So why opt for a thermal brush? You can achieve salon-quality results at home, without the need for multiple tools. Plus, the quieter process means you can enjoy a more relaxed styling session—no more hair-dryer hum in the background. Limitless sleek styles await you—shop the 7 best thermal brushes below.
Best Infrared: Mermade Hair Thermal Brush
- Why We Love It: This Mermade Hair tool takes a unique approach to hot brush styling—the infrared light beam locks in moisture for healthier hair. Heating up in just 60 seconds, the 1.25-inch ceramic barrel with its synthetic tangle-resistant bristles create voluminous, frizz-free curls. Meanwhile, its unique bristle-free zones enable deeper heat penetration into the hair’s hydrogen bonds, resulting in more defined curls and shape.
- Heat Settings: 175-410 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bristle Type: Synthetic
- Who It’s For: All hair types
- Cord Length: 8.2ft
- Wattage: 105 watts
- Voltage: Universal
Best for Straightening: T3 Edge Heated Brush
- Why We Love It: Experience effortless styling with this innovative heated paddle brush. Custom-designed teeth and nylon bristles ensure smooth glide and optimal tension. At the same time, three precise heat settings cater to every hair type—straight, wavy, and curly. A smart microchip monitors temperature consistency for flawless results, and the ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable styling experience. Plus, with a one-hour auto-off feature, you can style worry-free.
- Heat Settings: 3 (straight, wavy, curly)
- Bristle Type: Nylon
- Who It’s For: Every hair type and texture, seeking sleek and smooth lengths.
- Cord Length: 8ft swivel cord
- Wattage: 70 watts
- Voltage: Dual
Best for Short Hair: GHD Rise Volumizing Hot Brush
- Why We Love It: This skinny but high-performing thermal brush is the ideal styling tool for shorter lengths or anyone looking for extra volume. The 1.25-inch wide barrel is so slender that it effortlessly styles bobs and roots. Plug in, and the brush will head up in 25 seconds flat. Plus, after 30 minutes of non-use, the device automatically shuts off to ensure safety.
- Heat Settings: One (365 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Bristle Type: Nylon
- Who It’s For: Short to medium hair lengths
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Wattage: 380 watts
- Voltage: Universal
Best for Wet-to-Dry Styling: Shark Beauty SmoothStyle Heated Comb + Blow Dryer Brush
- Why We Love It: The Shark SmoothStyle works as a two-in-one blow dryer brush and hot tool. Not only does it dry your hair in a few passes, but it can also be used to touch up your blowout when it’s already dry. If you’re looking to blow out your semi-wet hair, use the wet hair mode. If you’re looking to straighten and smooth, use the dry hair mode.
- Heat Settings: Wet hair mode; dry hair mode
- Bristle Type: Nylon and boar; ceramic-coated plate
- Who It’s For: All hair types and lengths; those looking to smooth already-styled hair
- Cord Length: 6 ft
- Wattage: 900 W
- Voltage: 120V US plug; not compatible with overseas converters
Best for Long Hair: Bondi Boost Infrared Bounce Thermal Brush
- Why We Love It: Bondi Boost’s infrared technology lets you achieve sleek, bouncy, and glossy hairstyles without the damage. Harnessing the power of negative ions, it locks in moisture as you style, leaving you with a smooth, shiny finish. Aloe-infused bristles reduce frizz and add extra shine. The 1.65-inch wide barrel is extra long, allowing you to capture more hair in one pass, making it ideal for longer hair types. Plus, the tool features a 60-minute auto shut-off for peace of mind after styling.
- Heat Settings: 210-480 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bristle Type: Aloe-infused synthetic
- Who It’s For: Long, thick hair types seeking a ’90s-inspired blowout
- Cord Length: 6 ft
- Wattage: 1800 watts
- Voltage: 120V US plug; not compatible with overseas converters
Best for All Hair Lengths: Wavytalk Blowout Boost
- Why We Love It: Designed to cut styling time in half, this tool’s tourmaline ceramic barrel ensures even heat distribution for quicker results with less damage. Negative ion technology seals in moisture and boosts shine for a sleek, frizz-free finish, plus the synthetic bristles gently grip your hair for a smooth, effortless glide. A TikTok sensation, countless videos showcase how it effortlessly creates voluminous blowouts on hair of all lengths—from short to extra long.
- Heat Settings: 5 (300-420 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Bristle Type: Synthetic
- Who It’s For: All hair lengths and textures
- Cord Length: 6.6 feet
- Wattage: 60 watts
- Voltage: Dual
Best Ceramic Bristle: L’ange Hair Le Vite Straightening Brush
- Why We Love It: Combining the power of a straightener with the simplicity of a paddle-style brush, L’ange’s cool-tipped ceramic bristles emit negative ions and infrared heat for smooth, shiny, frizz-free results. The brush heats up in under a minute, with customizable options as low as 170 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat Settings: 170-450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bristle Type: Ceramic
- Who It’s For: Anyone seeking straighter, smooth lengths with less heat damage
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Wattage: 45 watts
- Voltage: Dual
Everything You Need To Know
How To Use a Thermal Brush
Unlike blowdry brushes, and with the odd exception, thermal brushes are designed specifically for dry hair. Whether your hair is freshly washed and air-dried or you’re styling it on the second day, it’s essential to ensure there’s no dampness left before using your heated tool. Applying heat to wet or damp hair can lead to uneven results and potential damage, as the moisture prevents the brush from distributing heat properly.
Celebrity hair stylist Dimitris Giannetos shares a few best practices for styling with a heated brush: “I always recommend starting with a heat protectant. Work in sections, wrapping hair around the brush. Pull straight down for a sleek finish or give it a twist at the ends for a soft curl,” says Giannetos. Yes, it’s really that simple.
How to Choose a Thermal Brush
Size matters when picking the right thermal brush for your hair length—but you also have to consider the style you’re after. “The right brush makes all the difference. If you have shorter hair or want more defined curls, go for a smaller barrel around 1-1.5 inches,” says Giannetos. “For longer hair, a larger barrel that is 2 inches or larger will give you big, bouncy waves (though a smaller brush works for tighter curls or flipped ends). Thick or curly textures need a brush with firm bristles for tension control.”
- Dimitris Giannetos is celebrity hairstylist and colorist. His clients include Gigi Hadid, Amal and George Clooney, the Kardashians, and more.
