Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a hair-straightening brush and a flatiron?
"A hair-straightening brush has bristles, resembling a brush, and a hair straightener does not have any bristles," says New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth. Capisce? Both tools use heat to style your hair, delivering results ranging from pin-straight tresses to bouncy waves, but employ different constructions to do so. A hair-straightening brush will also have either a row of heated bristles or teeth that resemble a comb.
Is a hair-straightening brush better than a flatiron?
It depends on how you see it: A hair-straightening brush doubles as a blow-dryer and flatiron, saving you time in the morning compared to the traditional two-step process. “They get the hair smoother and with fewer flyaways than just blowing the hair; it's shinier and silkier,” says Nashville-based colorist Leslie Shores. “I love that you can use them wet or dry. It's easier on your arms than the tension you have to apply with a regular hairbrush and a blow-dryer.”
What should I look for when choosing a hair-straightening brush?
The best hair-straightening brush for you depends on price range, personal preferences on shape and size, and the results you want from your new tool. "I think most tools in this space have similar features, so I would look for a barrel shape and size that resembles the tightness of curl you are trying to achieve," suggests Toth. "For example, a flat [paddle] thermal brush will give you straight hair, a thermal brush with a tiny barrel shape will give you curl, and a thermal brush with a large barrel shape will give you more of a bouncy blowout."
Other important features to keep an eye on: temperature settings (whether they are adjustable or not, for instance), ionic technology, and even heat distribution. These can help smooth hair and eliminate frizz while minimizing the amount of heat you’re using. You’ll also want comb-like teeth that separate without pulling, especially if you have fine or thin hair, and an overall lightweight design that feels comfortable to hold and maneuver while styling.
Are hair-straightening brushes safe?
Although they don’t apply as much heat compared to a traditional blow-dryer-straightener combo, you need to be smart about pacing while using hair-straightening brushes. "Keep them moving and don't overheat any one area of hair for too long," says Toth. "And don't use the highest heat setting unless you absolutely need to." Finally, before using any heat on your hair, always prep using a heat protectant.
Another tip? Keep your hot tool spick and span (a.k.a. removing hair and product buildup after each use), so it heats evenly and doesn’t snag your hair, Los Angeles-based hairstylist Joseph Maine points out.
Meet the experts
- Devin Toth, a hairstylist based in New York City
- Jonathan Hanousek, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles
- Joseph Maine, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and founder of Trademark Beauty
- Leslie Shores, a Nashville-based colorist at Eric Marshall Salon
- Leticia Llesmin, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
- Rogerio Cavalcante, a New York City-based hairstylist and founder of Brazil Edition
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new hair dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.
For our review of the best hair-straightening brushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair stylists—who have different types of hair, concerns, and desired outcomes. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, and value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.