If you spend time on beauty-focused TikTok, you’ve probably noticed the surge in popularity of thermal brushes—they work like blowout brushes but without the drying function (think quiet, fuss-free styling). “Thermal brushes can create everything from sleek straight hair to voluminous waves. A larger brush gives smooth, full-bodied styles, while a smaller one shapes bouncy curls or flipped ends,” says celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos.
### Vogue’s Top Thermal Brushes
– Best for Straightening: T3 Edge Heated Brush, $150
– Best for Wet-to-Dry Styling: Shark Beauty SmoothStyle, $99
– Best Infrared: Mermade Hair Thermal Brush, $85
– Best for Short Hair: GHD Rise Volumizing Hot Brush, $209
### Why Choose a Thermal Brush?
Get salon-worthy results at home without juggling multiple tools. The quiet operation also means a more peaceful styling session—no loud dryer noise. Ready for sleek, polished looks? Here are the best thermal brushes to try.
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### Best Infrared: Mermade Hair Thermal Brush
Price: $85 (Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: This brush uses infrared light to lock in moisture for healthier hair. Heats up in 60 seconds, with a 1.25-inch ceramic barrel and tangle-resistant bristles for smooth, frizz-free curls. The bristle-free zones allow deeper heat penetration, enhancing curl definition.
Heat Settings: 175–410°F
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Best For: All hair types
Cord Length: 8.2 ft
Wattage: 105W
Voltage: Universal
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### Best for Straightening: T3 Edge Heated Brush
Price: $150 (Nordstrom)
Why We Love It: A sleek paddle brush with custom teeth and nylon bristles for smooth gliding. Three heat settings cater to straight, wavy, or curly hair, while a smart chip maintains consistent heat. The ergonomic handle ensures comfort, and the auto-shutoff feature adds safety.
Heat Settings: 3 (straight, wavy, curly)
Bristle Type: Nylon
Best For: All hair types seeking smooth styles
Cord Length: 8 ft (swivel)
Wattage: 70W
Voltage: Dual
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### Best for Short Hair: GHD Rise Volumizing Hot Brush
Price: $209 (Amazon, Revolve)
Why We Love It: A slim but powerful brush perfect for short hair or adding volume. The 1.25-inch barrel easily styles bobs and roots, heating up in just 25 seconds. Auto-shutoff after 30 minutes ensures safety.
Heat Settings: 365°F (single setting)
Bristle Type: Nylon
Best For: Short to medium hair
Cord Length: 9 ft
Wattage: 380W
Voltage: Universal
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### Best for Wet-to-Dry Styling: Shark Beauty SmoothStyle
Price: $100 (Nordstrom, Amazon, Shark)
Why We Love It: A 2-in-1 blow-dryer brush and hot tool. Use wet mode for drying damp hair or dry mode for touch-ups. The ceramic-coated plate and mixed bristles smooth hair effortlessly.
Heat Settings: Wet mode, dry mode
Bristle Type: Nylon + boar (ceramic plate)
Best For: All hair types; ideal for smoothing styled hair
Cord Length: 6 ft
Wattage: 900W
Voltage: 120V (US plug only)
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### Best for Long Hair: Bondi Boost Infrared Bounce Thermal Brush
(Details to be added if available.)Bounce Thermal Brush
$98 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It: Bondi Boost’s infrared technology helps you create sleek, bouncy, and glossy hairstyles without damage. The brush uses negative ions to lock in moisture while styling, leaving your hair smooth and shiny. The aloe-infused bristles reduce frizz and add extra shine. With a 1.65-inch wide, extra-long barrel, it captures more hair in one pass—perfect for longer hair. Plus, the 60-minute auto shut-off feature ensures safety after styling.
Heat Settings: 210–480°F
Bristle Type: Aloe-infused synthetic
Who It’s For: Long, thick hair types wanting a ’90s-inspired blowout
Cord Length: 6 ft
Wattage: 1800W
Voltage: 120V US plug (not compatible with overseas converters)
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Best for All Hair Lengths: Wavytalk Blowout Boost
$46 ($40 on Amazon)
Why We Love It: This brush cuts styling time in half with its tourmaline ceramic barrel, which ensures even heat distribution for faster, less damaging results. Negative ion technology locks in moisture and boosts shine for a sleek, frizz-free finish. The synthetic bristles gently grip hair for smooth, effortless styling. A TikTok favorite, it effortlessly creates voluminous blowouts on all hair lengths—from short to extra long.
Heat Settings: 5 (300–420°F)
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Who It’s For: All hair lengths and textures
Cord Length: 6.6 ft
Wattage: 60W
Voltage: Dual
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Best Ceramic Bristle: L’ange Hair Le Vite Straightening Brush
$39 at Amazon
Why We Love It: Combining the power of a straightener with the ease of a paddle brush, L’ange’s ceramic bristles release negative ions and infrared heat for smooth, shiny, frizz-free results. It heats up in under a minute, with adjustable settings from 170°F to 450°F.
Heat Settings: 170–450°F
Bristle Type: Ceramic
Who It’s For: Anyone looking for straighter, smoother hair with less heat damage
Cord Length: 9 ft
Wattage: 45W
Voltage: Dual
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### Everything You Need to Know
#### How to Use a Thermal Brush
Unlike blow-dry brushes, thermal brushes are designed for dry hair. Whether your hair is air-dried or styled on day two, make sure it’s completely dry before using heat. Applying heat to damp hair can cause uneven results and damage, as moisture prevents proper heat distribution.
Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos shares his best tips:
– Always start with a heat protectant.
– Work in sections, wrapping hair around the brush.
– Pull straight down for a sleek look or twist at the ends for soft curls.
It’s that simple!
#### How to Choose a Thermal Brush
Size matters—pick a brush based on your hair length and desired style.
– Short hair or defined curls? Go for a smaller barrel (1–1.5 inches).
– Long hair? A larger barrel (2+ inches) creates big, bouncy waves (though a smaller brush works for tighter curls).
– Thick or curly hair? Choose firm bristles for better tension control.
#### Meet the Expert
Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist whose clients include Gigi Hadid, Amal and George Clooney, and the Kardashians.