What is a hot air brush and does it work?

How a hot air brush works

Inside the handle is a fan and a heating element, like a small hair dryer. Air is drawn in through a filter at the end of the handle, heated, and pushed up into the brush head, where it escapes through vents between the bristles. As you brush, the bristles hold the hair under tension while the warm air dries it.

Hair keeps the shape it has as it dries and cools. A hot air brush lets you hold that shape, smooth at the root and curved at the ends, while the hair dries, which is exactly what a hairdresser does with a dryer and round brush. The difference is that you only need one hand.

The main types

Multi-stylers such as the Dyson Airwrap include a round volumising brush and a smoothing brush, and the Shark FlexStyle includes an oval brush. Our Airwrap-style multi-stylers guide compares these tools.

Does a hot air brush really work?

Yes, for what it is designed to do. A hot air brush gives a smooth, bouncy finish with lift at the root and soft bend at the ends, and many people find it far easier than a dryer and round brush. It is also good for refreshing second-day hair.

It is less good at three things. Drying long or thick hair from soaking wet takes much longer than with a full-size dryer. It does not create tight curls like tongs. And it does not define natural curls the way a diffuser does. Our hot air brush vs hair dryer comparison goes into more detail.

Who a hot air brush suits

For short cuts specifically, our guide to multi-stylers and hot air brushes for short hair covers small-barrel options. For long hair, see multi-stylers for long hair.

• Short to shoulder-length hair: dries quickly enough to use from damp.
• Fine, flat hair: easy root volume.
• Anyone who finds a dryer and brush awkward: one-handed styling.
• People who want a blow-dry look most days: quick, repeatable results.
• Long or thick hair: works well after rough-drying with a dryer.

Are hot air brushes worth it?

If you want a blow-dry finish several times a week and do not enjoy juggling a dryer and brush, a good hot air brush is worth having. Premium models differ from cheap ones mainly in motor strength, heat control, weight and how many heads you get. Better temperature control helps avoid hot spots, and stronger airflow means faster drying at lower heat.

If you mainly want to dry hair quickly, or you have curly hair you want to keep curly, a dryer with a diffuser is usually the better buy. Our best hair dryers in the UK guide covers those.

Using one well

Our step-by-step hot air brush how-to covers more detail, and how to clean a hot air brush keeps it working well.

1. 1

   Rough-dry hair to about 70 to 80% dry.

2. 2

   Section the hair with clips.

3. 3

   Place the brush under a section at the root and hold for a few seconds.

4. 4

   Roll slowly to the ends, keeping tension.

5. 5

   Use the cool setting before releasing each section.

Note:Keep the brush moving, do not leave it hot against the scalp and unplug it after use.

Frequently asked questions

Is a hot air brush better than a hair dryer? It is better at one-handed styling and volume; a dryer is better at fast drying and diffusing curls. Many people use both.

Can you use a hot air brush on wet hair? Some can be used from wet, but most work best on damp hair. Check your model's manual.

Do hot air brushes damage hair? Any heated tool can if used too hot or too long. Use lower heat, keep it moving and use the cool setting to set styles.

What is the difference between a hot brush and a hot air brush? A hot brush usually has heated bristles or a heated barrel and works on dry hair; a hot air brush blows warm air and dries as it styles.