As a beauty editor who has probably tested every major hair tool under the sun, there was one hair tool category that had completely flown under my radar until recently, and that’s thermal brushes. Whilst a hot brush or hair multistyler is great for taking your hair from wet-to-dry and styled with hot air, thermal brushes are your second-day saviour to refresh a bouncy blow-dry without the need for another shampoo.
Thermal brushes are designed to be used on dry hair to add bounce, smoothness and gloss. And if you’re low-maintenance with your hair, they’re a shortcut to reviving your hair by smoothing frizz and adding soft curls to your lengths. Think of them as a hot round brush that you can twirl through your lengths and do a quick once-over, create a bouncy blow-dry look or create ’90s Rachel Green-inspired flicked ends.
To help find the best thermal brushes on the market, I’ve enlisted the help of our Who What Wear UK editors to put them to the test. Scroll ahead for our no-holds-barred reviews and pictures of the results.
Best Thermal Brushes, Tested By Editors
Best Overall
ProsAdds volume at the rootsCurls hairAutomatic sleep mode after 30 minutesConsOne of the more expensive thermal brushes
Editor review: “I think the most telling thing I can say about the GHD Rise is that I’ve used it every single day since I first tested it,” says Who What Wear UK news writer, Natalie Munroe. “For someone whose hair frizzes at the first hint of moisture, achieving a truly sleek finish has long felt like a pipe dream. Straighteners would tame things to a point, but there’s something about running this through the bristles that delivers a level of smoothness and shine my hair has never known before. Not to mention volume—something my straighteners could never quite impart,” she says.
“It’s easy to use and, frankly, quicker than any hot tool I’ve tried. I start by roughly drying my hair with a round brush and hairdryer, then reach for the thermal brush. With just a few passes, it seems to eliminate frizz and create a polished, sleekness that a hairdryer alone could never achieve. No special skills or techniques are required—simply glide the thermal brush through your lengths, twisting at the ends if you want a little bend, and you’re left with a salon-worthy finish,” says Natalie.
“While the bristles are on the shorter side—which initially made me question how well it would work on my thick, fairly long hair—I’ve found that keeping sections small ensures the process is smooth and the results consistent. With no complicated settings to navigate and a slim, comfortable handle that sits neatly in the palm, it excels on a practical level too. Rendering my hair straighteners almost entirely redundant, it has swiftly become my most essential styling tool,” she says.
2. Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Hairbrush
Best for Smoothing
Amika
Blowout Babe Thermal Hairbrush
ProsIonic generator helps to smooth frizz and flyawaysVolumises and curls hairLightweight and easy to useConsCan be easy to knock the off button during use
Editor review: “As someone who’s unapologetically low-maintenance with my hair (read: I want maximum impact for minimal effort), I’m always on the hunt for tools that deliver polish without requiring professional-level skill—which I very much do not possess,” says Who What Wear UK managing editor, Poppy Nash. “I love the look of a bouncy blow-dry, but with fine hair (albeit a lot of it), mine can quickly fall flat and simply hang there, which often leaves me feeling a little self-conscious. So when I was asked to try the Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Hairbrush, which promises lift and smoothness without the faff of juggling a round brush and a hairdryer, I was intrigued,” she says.
“I initially assumed it would be fiddly, but it’s actually incredibly straightforward. It heats up quickly, runs surprisingly quietly and is genuinely easy to manoeuvre through the hair. The bristles grip well without tangling, and the smoothing setting, designed to boost shine, really does make a difference—my hair looked noticeably glossier after use. Most importantly, it delivered on volume. My roots had lift and my ends had that soft, blown-out curve rather than their usual limp finish. I was really impressed and even received a compliment on my hair later that day, which is always a plus,” says Poppy.
“One thing to note: while the tool is very easy to use, the main button is slightly too easy to knock. I accidentally flicked to the wrong setting more than once. That said, it’s a minor flaw in an otherwise very user-friendly brush. If you’re a bit hopeless with tools or hair styling like me, I’d recommend properly reading the instructions and watching a video or two before you start,” she says. “And don’t be discouraged if it takes a few goes to get your desired look—it’s worth the effort. Just remember to use a heat protectant beforehand and finish with a little bit of hairspray to help it last. All in all, if you want fuller, smoother hair without committing to a full DIY blow-dry, and for under £100, I think this is a genuinely worthwhile addition to your routine,” she adds.
3. Bondiboost Infrared Bounce Brush
Best for Damaged Hair
Bondiboost
Infrared Bounce Brush
ProsQuietBeginner friendlyInfrared technology offers gentler heat stylingConsDoesn’t come with a heat mat
Editor review: “As someone with straight, fine hair, I was really excited to test out something that could bring some movement and shape to my hair. Now, I’m finding myself reaching for the Bondi Boost Infrared Boost Brush over and over again,” says Who What Wear UK shopping editor, Florrie Alexander. “The ease of the brush is a serious plus for me, simply allowing it to heat up and rolling through my locks. The infrared technology gently heats the hair without the frizz I often find with hair dryer attachments, creating a smoothing result whilst also adding a soft curve to the ends,” she says.
“The rolling effect of the brush makes the application so easy, as the barrel moves through the hair without the wire twisting or the need to adjust your hands. Plus, the temperature locks in, so if, like me, you find yourself hitting the buttons accidentally as you roll the brush, the settings stay the same. It also features infrared technology, which is gentler on the hair than other forms of heat, making it great if heat damage is a concern for you. The aloe-infused bristles are soft and easily glide through the hair, keeping the smoothness of my hair intact. The effect is instant, and I was surprised how well it held in my hair too,” says Florrie.
“One note I’d make is to get a heat-proof mat, as the brush heats up quickly and you’ll want a safe place to set it down when separating your hair. Overall, it’s easy to use, effective and offers a more gentle way to heat style the hair,” she says.
4. Babyliss Volume Boost Thermal Hot Brush
Best Value Thermal Brush
BaByliss
Volume Boost Thermal Hot Brush
ProsMore affordable than most thermal brushesAdds volume, smoothness and a soft curlConsEasy to knock settings buttons by accidentResults not as long-lasting
Editor review: “As often is the case with BaByliss hair tools, the most compelling detail is its price. For context, I’m used to using the Dyson, Airwrap, which costs almost 10 times the amount. The BaByliss Volume Boost Thermal Hot Brush is £60, and it delivers a finish worth more,” says Who What Wear UK acting deputy editor, Rebecca Rhys-Evans.
“It’s perfect for those, like me, who don’t want a curly blow-dry finish, but rather a smooth result that gives volume, finesse and natural polish. I want my hair to look neat and groomed, but not overdone or over-styled. This tool delivers this with ease, low effort and minimum time,” says Rebecca.
“I have medium-thickness hair, and I would say if your hair is the same or finer, you’ll be fine with this. However, if you have thick hair (lucky you!), it will likely take a long time to get the job done. The bristles are the secret to its smoothing abilities, but they can get a little tangled, so be sure to use it on hair that is fully brushed, conditioned and knot-free,” she says.
“It has four heat settings, and one frustration I found was that despite the lock button, I still managed to accidentally switch between settings whilst using it. However, once you get the hang of how to use it and how best to hold it, you get into a rhythm, and it works well. Whilst I don’t think this tool provides a salon-level blow-dry at home, I do think it gives long-lasting volumised, smooth hair that looks glossy and shiny for a very good price,” she says.
5. Beauty Works XXL Volume Hot Brush
Best for Long and Thick Hair
Beauty Works
XXL Volume Hot Brush
ProsLarger brush is ideal for long or thicker hair typesAdjustable temperature settingsVolumises and smooths hairConsMay be too large for shorter lengths
Editor review: “I’m a really big fan of this Beauty Works hot brush,” says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. “I usually use a wet-to-dry tool, but I was in the market for something to use on dry hair to create a salon-worthy blow-dry effect, and this does exactly that,” she says.
“I found that the larger size of the brush meant that I could style my hair in under 20 minutes (which is really impressive, as I have long and thick curly hair), and after years of hair tools getting stuck in my thick, knotty stands, I was pleasantly surprised by how it glided through my ends,” says Grace.
“I also love the fact that there is a wide range of temperature settings to choose from, as my hair sometimes needs higher heat to ensure my style lasts all day. It can take a little while to get used to, but once you nail your technique, this is such a great tool for creating effortless volume,” she says.
6. GHD Glide Glide Hair Straightener Hot Brush
Best for Straightening
GHD Hair
Glide Hair Straightener Hot Brush
ProsSmooths hair quicklyGreat for topping-up sleek styles in between washesConsDoesn’t deliver a poker-straight style like regular hair straighteners
Editor review: “For the past seven years, I’ve had a bob, which meant my hair routine was pretty low effort. There’s only so much styling you can really do with shorter hair, so most days it was a quick straighten or a rough blow-dry and I was out the door,” says Who What Wear UK junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain. “Recently, though, I’ve started growing it out, and now that it’s getting properly long again, I’ve found myself enjoying styling it more. Having more hair to play with has definitely brought back my interest in trying different tools—enter the GHD Glide.
“My hair is naturally wavy, which can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Sometimes it looks great, other times it just turns into a slightly frizzy, undefined wave situation,” says Humaa. “I’ve been using the Glide on dry hair when I want to smooth things out without committing to a full styling session, and it’s surprisingly easy. It basically works like brushing your hair, but with the added benefit of heat that smooths and softens as you go.
“What I really liked about the finish is that it didn’t make my hair look too ‘done’. Instead, it gave me that almost ’90s straight hair vibe. It reminded me of the kind of finish you used to get before straighteners were everywhere and before they reached the temperatures they do now, so more of a straight blow-dry effect rather than that ultra-sleek, pin-straight look.
“Would I use it instead of my straighteners? Maybe. I’ve been loyal to my GHD straightener for years, so I can’t say the Glide would fully replace it. I still need to section my hair, and it won’t give that super sleek finish a straightener does. But it does feel like a slightly gentler option, and for quick smoothing days, I can definitely see myself reaching for it,” she says.
Best Multi-Styler Thermal Brush
Hershesons
The Multi-Tasker
ProsMultiple attachmentsComes in a version for long and short hairConsAttachments can be hard to swap when hot
(Image credit: Emily Post for Who What Wear UK)
Editor review: “I’m the first to admit, I’m pretty lazy with my hair. A quick dry and a little hair oil (usually) tames my mane, but after testing out Hersheson’s multi-tasker, I see the light,” says Who What Wear UK graphic designer, Emily Post. “The easy-to-use Hershesons Multi-Tasker gives me options for styling an effortless day-to-day blow-dry or luscious, bouncy curls.
“Depending on your hair length, Hershesons offers two versions of The Multi-Tasker. The one for long hair includes a thermal round brush, a curling wand and a hair waver, whilst the version for shorter lengths includes two thermal brush sizes and a curl wand. The thermal brush styler is quick to heat and easily glides through my hair, leaving it with lasting volume and gloss. When I’m looking to style my hair, I can quickly switch the attachment for the barrel wand to create bouncy waves and texture.
“The styler comes in the iconic, bold Hershesons Blue and includes a travel case. The only downside to this product is that you cannot switch the brush attachments while the product is hot. When cool, they’re easy to switch out,” she says.
