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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
From pin-straight locks to beach waves or voluminous curls, there's a hair tool to help you achieve every style. Finding out what looks you love to wear the most will influence the hair tools you buy, whether that's a curling iron, blow dryer, flat iron, or beyond. "When you're unable to go to the salon, I highly recommend investing in your products," celebrity hairstylist, Zahir Ziani tells Byrdie. In other words, quality materials can go a long way in protecting the integrity of your hair.
"If possible, give yourself time when doing your hair," notes Ziani. "I recommend towel drying as much as possible and then spraying with your preferred heat protection or styling product before moving on to blow drying."
We conducted hours of research on the best hair styling tools, evaluating them on material, durability, and results. We also tried out some of the top-rated tools at home over several weeks. After considering dozens of options and consulting two celebrity hairstylists, we landed on these stand-out picks.
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Distributes heat evenly
Heats up quickly
Smoothes frizz
Plates may be too wide for shorter hair
This professional copper and ceramic flat iron from Revlon is the perfect tool to smooth out strands and help straighten naturally curly hair. When choosing a flat iron, you want to make sure it has a heat setting that's high enough for your hair type (the curlier and coarser the hair, the more heat needed). This one heats up to 455 degrees, which should straighten even the tightest, thickest curls.
Unfortunately using high heat often leads to damage, but the copper ceramic technology in this flat iron helps reduce breakage while leaving behind a luminous shine (still, don’t skip a good heat protectant spray). We also like that it remembers the temperature setting you use the most and heats the plates to that level in just 10 seconds.
Who It’s For
This is a quintessential pick for anyone who wants to smooth out their wavy or curly hair. Although the plates aren’t exactly chunky, those with shorter hairstyles might want to look for a more slimline flat iron that lets them get closer to the root.
Material: Copper | Max Temp: 455°F | Hair Type: All
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Lightweight and travel-friendly
Cuts down dry time
Quiet
Reviewers note that it can be fragile
A lightweight, ultra-quiet hair dryer that significantly reduces drying time? Yes, please. "A good blow dryer goes a long way,” says Zahir Ziani. “This is really where it starts and is the foundation for any hot tool.”
The Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer has 12 heat, speed, and ion settings all designed to help reduce drying time. Speaking of ion settings, the product's ion technology (it releases negatively charged ions to combat the positively charged ions that creatic static and flyaways) gives you a smoother finish, too.
We love that this blowdryer weighs less than a pound and is compact enough to fit in your luggage when traveling. However, some reviewers say the lightweight materials break easily if you accidentally drop the tool.
Who It’s For
If you’re in the market for a reliable blow dryer that will make your day-to-day styling quicker and easier, and is travel-friendly, this one is worth the investment.
Material: Ceramic, stainless steel | Max Temp: 101ºF | Hair Type: All
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5 heat settings
Can do loose and tight curls
Controls frizz
May be difficult to use for longer hair
Manually wrapping your hair around a curling wand gives you control over the tightness of the curl, as opposed to the uniform results obtained using a curling iron with a clamp mechanism.
Hairstylist Ryan Trygstad considers this budget-friendly tourmaline wand the easiest tool for creating at-home beach waves. Its smooth barrel allows you to easily wrap strands of hair tightly or more loosely to achieve your desired look. Plus, its tourmaline ceramic technology (which produces negative ions) allows the hair to be styled without much damage, ensuring the integrity of the hair stays intact.
For the best results, blow dry first, then follow with the curling wand. Brush through the curls after you're done for a natural finish.
Who It’s For
If you dream of undone waves or natural-looking curls, this is the tool for you. The slim-line barrel works best on short and mid-length styles, so long-haired folks might need a wider wand.
Material: Tourmaline ceramic | Max Temp: 400ºF | Hair Type: All
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Easy to use
Long-lasting results
Heats up quickly
Fine hair types might need hair spray for the curls to last
This patented rotating curling iron is the perfect solution for anyone wanting gorgeous beach waves with a little assistance. “I love that this product rotates on its own,” says Trygstad. “Plus, it has both a left and a right setting which makes it easier to use and switch between sides.” Game. Changer.
Section the hair and place it in the clamp, press the rotating button, and watch while the curling iron practically does the work for you. The customized clamp ensures there are no kinks in the hair, and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to use. Left the house without turning it off? Its safety feature allows the iron to automatically shut off within 30 minutes of no use. Whew.
Who It’s For
This rotating curling iron makes soft waves easy for anyone to achieve without the help of a stylist. Those with finer hair should use hairspray to set their look, as the results don’t hold as well on fine strands.
Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: 410ºF | Hair Type: All
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
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Gives definition and volume
Reduces frizz
Attaches to blow dryer
Reviewers note that it doesn't fit every hair dryer
If you have curls, then you know a diffuser can help add volume and definition. This unique, hand-shaped attachment from DevaCurl is a fan-favorite, providing 360-degree airflow to surround curls and cut down on drying time. Meanwhile, its ceramic inner core fights frizz and enhances shine. The result? Bouncy, voluminous waves, and coils. We noticed it took longer to dry our hair than a blow dryer would, but it left curls static-free.
The diffuser is intended to be universal, meaning it fits on the end of all blow dryers. However, some reviewers complain that isn’t the case, so check with the manufacturer before ordering.
Who It’s For
Curly-haired folks looking to add some oomph to their locks will love the volume this diffuser creates (as long as they have a little extra time for it to work its magic).
Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: Curly
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
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Byrdie / Joy Kim
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Lightweight
Uses far-infrared heat to reduce drying time
Ion technology reduces static
Not ideal for thick hair
This barrel brush and blowdryer in one makes it super easy to achieve pro-level results at home. It uses far-infrared heat to penetrate the hair cuticle, heating from the inside out and cutting down styling time—and therefore risk of heat damage. Plus, the ionic generator helps leave you with smooth, shiny, static-free results.
Who It’s For
This tool is great for giving you bouncy blowout results without the need for a separate blow dryer and brush. It works best on fine or medium hair; some reviewers with thicker strands felt the bristles didn’t grip their hair well enough.
Material: Ceramic, nylon | Max Temp: 356ºF | Hair Type: All
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Byrdie / Conor Ralph
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Works quickly
Smooth and static-free results
Adds shine
Reviewers note that it takes multiple passes to get straight for thicker hair types
Combining the structure of a paddle brush with the heat of a blow dryer, this nifty tool creates shiny, silky straight hair in a flash. We love that it uses ionic technology to help seal the cuticle and keep static at bay while its digital temperature control function allows for custom styling on all hair types—from straight to tightly curled—thus, reducing the risk of heat damage. Plus, it features an automatic shut-off after 60 minutes, so you’ll never have to stress after rushing out the door in a hurry.
Who It’s For
If you like to wear your hair sleek and smooth, this heated straightening brush will do the trick quickly and effectively. However, reviewers with thick hair noted it took longer for them to get a good result.
Material: Ceramic, nylon | Max Temp: 450°F | Hair Type: All
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Can use with larger sections of hair
Lightweight
Speeds up drying time
Reviewers note that the bristles can be scratchy
This blow-drying brush is great for longer hair, allowing for a smoother finish and faster drying time. Since it has a ceramic barrel, it retains heat allowing hair to dry in double the time it would if just using a regular round brush. Section your hair and work the brush through each part, going over the hair with the brush and blowdryer until it's smooth and styled the way you want it to be. If you want to create a more wavy look, dry your hair, wrap sections of hair around the brush, blast it with heat for 30 seconds, then with cool air for another 30 seconds before unwrapping it for a sophisticated wavy look.
Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: All
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Byrdie / Joy Kim
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Detangles easily
Great for thick hair types
Sustainable wooden design
Bristles can fall out over time
Paddle brushes not only work wonders on detangling the hair, but they also help smooth out strands while blow-drying to create sleek, straight styles. This lightweight brush from Aveda is super gentle, featuring extended bristles which, as Trygstad points out, are extra helpful for hair that’s prone to knots. “This is an essential brush in my kit,” he says. “It works beautifully to detangle and can handle a lot of hair at once.”
We love that it’s sustainably designed with a wood handle rather than plastic and has a built-in ventilation and drainage system to prevent nasty buildup. The only downside is that the bristles tend to fall out over time.
Who It’s For
This paddle brush is perfect for smoothing and detangling thick hair to create a sleek blowout.
Material: Wood | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: All
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Detangles curly hair without pain
Ergonomically designed
Suitable for all hair types
On the small side
Wide-tooth combs are great for detangling the hair without damaging it, especially when you have curls. This sleek option from Vernon François is ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip so you can have full control while combing out even the toughest of snarls. It can be used on both wet and dry locks, and is suitable for all hair types, regardless of texture, length, density, and strand width.
“This comb is great for use in the shower—I love it for combing through masks or conditioners,” says Trygstad. “It’s also great to use before showering to loosen tangles in longer hair.”
Who It’s For
Although this comb is suitable for all hair types, we recommend it as a detangler for longer, curly hair.
Material: Plastic | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: Curly, all
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Can create shapes
Double-sided comb and brush head
Bend-resistant
Not many reviews
When you’re looking to slick and smooth out your edges (AKA baby hairs), this nifty edge brush from The Doux is a solid option. It features a double-sided head that can be used for combing and brushing while its extra-long precision tip allows better control when parting, swirling, and detailing your edges. Plus, both the base and bristles are super durable, preventing the brush from bending or breaking while styling.
“This is great for smoothing the baby hairs around the hairline,” says Trygstad. “I also love this style of brush for detailing a ponytail. Plus, it’s great for coaxing brows into place.”
Who It’s For
If your baby hairs (or brows) need extra love, this edge brush will help you shape and style them with ease.
Material: Nylon, resin | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: Curly, coily, wavy
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Lightweight and soft
Reduces drying time
Easy to use
Some reviewers disliked the feel of the fabric
The Aquis hair wrap is essentially a towel that’s been specifically engineered for drying hair. Its absorbent woven fibers wick moisture away from the hair fast, and its lightweight design doesn't pull on the hair and cause unnecessary breakage like heavy bath towels can. It even helps impart shine while reducing static. We loved that it dried our hair in record time, and it didn’t weigh us down like a regular terry cloth towel.
Who It’s For
If you prefer to avoid blow-drying your hair but find air drying too unpredictable and time-consuming, this absorbent wrap is perfect for you.
Material: Polyester, nylon | Max Temp: N/A | Hair type: All
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
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Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
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Soft, luxurious feel
Protects hair from damage and friction
Distributes hair’s natural oils for hydration
Reviewers note that the color looks slightly different online than in person
If you’ve ever suffered from bedhead, you know that sleep can sometimes wreak havoc on hair. That’s why many of us turn to sleeping on silk pillowcases or wrapping our hair in silk turbans and bonnets; it helps protect our locks while we catch up on beauty sleep.
This double-lined silk turban from Grace Eleyae works hard to prevent frizz and breakage from friction, lock in moisture, and distribute your hair’s natural oils. We appreciate the twist front, which kept the turban in place all night long.
Who It’s For
If your hair is prone to static and tangles, this silk bonnet will protect it and even help it stay healthy and moisturized.
Material: Silk | Max Temp: N/A | Hair Type: All
Where We Stand
Overall, our top pick is the Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer; it’s lightweight and significantly reduces drying time. We also love the affordable Conair Infiniti PRO Curling Wand which allows you to create perfect curls in a flash.
What to Look For in Styling Tools
- Quality Materials: Not only will choosing a hairstyling tool made with high-quality materials make it more likely to last for years, but it may also help keep your hair in good condition. For example, this ghd vented round brush is made with heat-retaining ceramic, allowing hair to dry in half the time it would if just using a regular round brush. That means less time under the blow dryer and less risk of heat damage.
- Technology: The tech behind hair styling tools has come a long way in recent years. Look for products with built-in benefits for your hair such as ion technology, which helps cut dry time down. Tools like the Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer emit negative ions to combat the positive ions which cause static and pesky flyaways.
- A Match For Your Hair Type: There's no disappointment quite like spending time using a hair tool just to discover the results you get are nothing like the images you've seen. It's worth spending time getting to know your hair's type and texture, especially if you have curly hair.
- Settings: Choosing styling tools that have a few different settings will help you get the look you want. But knowing what settings are right for your hair is important, too. For example, the right heat setting could be make or break for your hair (and we do mean that literally). The Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush comes with multiple heat settings, so you can get the right temperature for your hair type (less heat for fine hair, more heat for thick).
Why Trust Byrdie
Additional guidance was provided by Ryan Trygstad, hair stylist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon in NYC, and celebrity hairstylist, Zahir Ziani.
Byrdie contributor Esme Benjamin checked and updated this article in November 2023 to ensure every detail was correct and that each product deserves its place on Byrdie’s list of the hairstyling tools of 2024.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair styling tools from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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