Unsolicited fun fact: if I had to use just one for the rest of my life, it would be my — yup, the one you've seen all over TikTok. The buzzy multistyling tool has single-handedly transformed my hair routine, making styling my thick and wavy hair significantly easier. It cuts down on styling time, smooths my frizz, and gives my hair so much volume that it looks like I just got a professional blowout. Admittedly, though, the Shark dryer wasn't the tool that put me onto the trend in the first place; it was the , a more affordable (yet equally sensationalized) hot-air brush with thousands of five-star reviews across the board. Having used (and loved) both, there are certainly pros and cons to each that I'll dive into in a bit. The good news is that both can reap selfie-worthy results when used correctly. What does "correctly" mean, exactly? Well, one of the biggest mistakes people make using hot-air brushes is using them on soaking-wet hair, celebrity hairstylist tells PS. Before grabbing your blow-dry brush, he says, you should detangle your wet hair with a brush and apply heat protectant to reduce damage. Then, "rough-dry your hair 70 percent of the way" with a traditional blow dryer. (Hot-air brushes are meant to be used on damp, not sopping-wet, hair.) As for your technique, the pro recommends blow-drying your hair in sections "the same size as the diameter of the round brush." He says this will ensure your hair gets thoroughly dry and, thus, make the process as efficient as possible. Once it's sectioned, brush the tool from your roots straight down to the ends for a sleek and smooth look, and be sure not to rush the process as you glide it down your hair. You can also twist away from your face for bouncy waves or flip your ends à la the '70s. (Don't worry, there are approximately a zillion
YouTube and TikTok videos to help guide you.) Keep scrolling to find out what blow-dry brushes PS editors love and why, along with details about what makes each unique. ($40, originally $70) The Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus is one of (if not *the*) most famous — and most affordable — hot-air brushes on the market. It features four temperature settings (cool, low, medium, and high) and a detachable brush that can pack away easily, be it under your sink or in your carry-on. Plus, it's editor-approved. Check out our in-depth . ($189) The T3 Airebrush Duo Hot Air Blow Dry Brush is one of the chicest blow-dry brushes we've come across. It comes with two attachments (more on that in a sec) and features five heat settings and three speed settings. To learn more, read our comprehensive . ($240, originally $300) If you're on BeautyTok, you've probably heard content creators raving about the Shark FlexStyle, a more affordable alternative to a major competitor's version (IYKYK). It features a built-in hairdryer, two brushes (an oval one for bouncy blowouts and a paddle brush for smooth hair), a concentrator for targeted drying, and auto-wrap curlers. Read more by checking out our complete . ($600) The Dyson Airwrap is the original multifunctional styler to make waves in the beauty space. "Owning the Dyson Airwrap has been a complete game changer when it comes to my hair routine," one of our editors writes. "It's replaced my blow dryer, my round brush, my straightener, two different curling-iron sizes, and my blow-dry brush. Whenever I'm packing for a trip, I don't need to bring tons of different hair tools with me — all I need is my Airwrap and my travel case." Read our complete review of the . ($89) The L'ange Le Volume Petite 2-in-1 Volumizing Brush Dryer is super sleek and lightweight, coming in at just 1.25 pounds, per the brand (which is the lightest on this list, by the way). It has three heat settings: low (which the brand deems best for styling fine hair), high (for thick strands), and cool (to set your style). One of the biggest draws of all is that this device is great for frizz. The blade is made with titanium plates that are said to prevent frizziness — as confirmed by our editor. Check out our comprehensive . ($155) It's only right that Drybar — the California-based blowout chain — created a Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush, and in its signature yellow color, no less! It features three heat settings and a combination of tufted and nylon bristles to create the necessary tension to smooth even the coarsest strands. When one of our thick-haired contributors put it to the test, she said her "life was forever changed." Learn more via her .