CONTENTS
The Groom+Style review team untangle the mysteries of straight hair, and line up a list of the best hair straightening brushes for you!
Why do we always want what we can’t have?
Many women who have naturally straight hair dream about having beautiful curls. Similarly, women with curly or wavy hair wish they could have smooth, shiny, straight hair.
Making straight hair curly is quite simple; there have been perms and curling irons available for many years. However, Those with wavy hair that doesn’t relax even after blow drying, endure more tortuous methods to change the look of their locks. Furthermore, many users have found hair relaxers and hair dryers that have been released over the years to be frequently lacking effectiveness.
Only recently have hair brush straighteners, such as hot combs and modern flat irons, become more dependable and safer to use regularly.
Please find our detailed analysis, buying guide and test results of all the best hair brush straighteners after the summary table.
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FemJolie Electric Hair Straightening Brush
Note: Sorry this brush is currently out of stock on Amazon – we are checking to see what the problem is. Until then please check out our #2 choice.
This is the review team’s choice for the best hair brush straightener on the market, because of its convenience and flexibility.
The FemJolie flat straightening brush is convenient because of its lightweight, less than one pound. It’s extremely flexible because it allows you to select temperatures as low as 176° (too low for most users, but not bad for a brief touch-up) and as high as 450° (the right setting for those with very thick hair) in increments of 9°. The brush auto-locks at your selected temperature so you can’t burn your hair by mistake and so it automatically heats to the right temperature every time you use it; you can easily override the auto-lock if you choose.
The ceramic plate on the FemJolie heats in just a minute or two, and the silicone tips on the bristles are quite comfortable on the scalp and gentle as they detangle, straighten and de-frizz. It’s important to note that this straightening brush is only designed to work on clean, dry hair; you won’t see the results you expect if you use it right after jumping out of the shower, and because it’s a flat brush it won’t add volume to your hair the way a barrel model would.
Several other smart features impressed Groom+Style reviewers: there is an LED temperature indicator and an auto-shutoff function, the six-foot power cord swivels 360° to make the brush easy to use, and a glove is included to protect your hand against the straightener’s heat.
At a very reasonable price, the FemJolie is a great choice for straightening nearly any type of hair quickly and effectively and is easy to tuck into a bag or suitcase for use on the road. Features of the FemJolie Electric Hair Straightening Brush:
Check FemJolie Electric Hair Brush Straightener Price on Amazon |
Scalpmaster Ceramic Thermal Hair Straightener
*Currently this hair straightener is out of stock. We encourage you instead to take a look at one of the other excellent choices listed on this review page*
The Scalpmaster straightener looks like a flat iron but has two brushes mounted on the plates. The way you use this straightener is straightforward; you heat the hair by aiming a dryer into the vents on the back and pull the appliance through your hair. The short nylon bristles detangle and straighten the hair as you pull.
The Scalpmaster can be used without heat to detangle thick hair and is more effective on long, thick or frizzy hair (particularly African-American hair) than most of the other options the Groom+Style team has investigated. It is relatively inexpensive, and once you get the hang of using it, it’s quite effective in straightening hair.
An inexpensive option that is very effective on thick hair. Features of the Scalpmaster Ceramic Thermal Hair Straightener:
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Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 2 Inch Rotating Hot Air Brush
The Babybliss is a rotating hair brush straightener, similar to Revlon Perfect Heat, however, it is made from titanium instead of ceramic and is more expensive. This model has three heat settings, but it does not have a cold shot button. Some believe the titanium makes a difference in the way their hair feels but the team doesn’t see it; we think the performance is virtually identical to the Revlon Perfect Heat.
Features of the Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 2 Inch Rotating Hot Air Brush:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are hair brush straighteners any good?
Usually, people who want more volume or smoothness in their hair tend to choose a hair-straightening brush. This type of brush works well for those with thin, fine, thick, or uneven hair textures. It can help make the hair look smoother and more even.
Is it okay to use a hair straightener brush every day?
It is generally not recommended to use a hair straightener brush every day. Excessive heat styling can cause damage to the hair, including dryness, brittleness, and breakage. It is important to allow your hair to rest and recover from heat styling to maintain its health.
Do heat brushes damage hair?
If not used correctly, heat brushes, similar to other tools used for styling with heat, can cause damage to the hair. The high temperatures emitted by heat brushes have the potential to result in heat damage, dryness, and weakened strands of hair.
It is essential to handle heat brushes with care, refrain from exposing the hair to excessive heat, and apply heat-protectant products to minimize the risk of damaged hair.
Conclusion
For women seeking to transform their curly hair into a straight style, a hair straightening brush proves to be an invaluable tool. It offers convenience and effectiveness in achieving the desired straightened look while minimizing the potential damage to the hair.
By using a hair straightening brush, women can confidently transform their curls into a smooth and polished style, enhancing their overall appearance.
Whether it’s for a special occasion or everyday styling, a hair straightening brush proves to be a valuable asset in the pursuit of straightened hair!
Looking for suggestion on small straightener that adds volume and can be used on wet hair suitable for travel. Currently own Revlon 1 step that you rate as #5. Although it does give nice result and is affordable, is very hot on high setting and heavy and bulky to use…takes up so much room in suitcase. Thanks in advance.
Nice
My hair is very curly but fine. What would you suggest?
Hi,
What would reccomend for very thick, cury hair. I have lots of hair!
I dont want frizz and would like my hair protected from getting damaged/split ends. The length of my hair is past my shoulders.
Thank you for your advice.
Hi Elvira,
Thanks for the question.
Have you considered a flat iron for your hair? Maybe the BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Straightening Iron or FHI Heat Platform Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Styling Iron would work well? You can read more in our review here -> https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-hair/top-5-best-flat-iron-hair-straighteners/
A good compromise for your hair (if you definitely wanted a hair brush straightener) would be the InStyler Max Wet to Dry 2-Way Rotating Iron.
You might also want to consider a thermal protection spray, like for example this one on Amazon -> https://geni.us/thermalhairspray
You can read a bit more about the pros and cons of flat irons vs hair brush straighteners here.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-hair/hair-straighteners-buying-user-guide-flat-iron-or-brush-what-is-best-for-your-hair/
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
In your intro you mention that tourmaline or titanium are best for course, thick, wavy hair, but both of your top two choices are ceramic and I don’t see any in your list in the top that are tourmaline or titanium? So what to prioritize? My hair is long (to middle of my back), course, and stubbornly and irregularly wavy (can’t be styled in an attractive wavy style as it’s just big and inconsistent). I’ve relaxed my hair in the past and it gets super straight and smooth, which is great, but then is hard to turn the ends under with my round brush when blow drying and is almost too straight. But without it, it takes so long to blow out my hair and I’m better at getting it the way I want it with blowing it out than using a flat iron. So the brush route seems like a good choice, but still confused about which one is best if the top ones listed are all ceramic. Thanks!
Hi Chandra,
Thanks very much for your question.
We have updated the section regarding ceramic, tourmaline and titanium plates which will hopefully make things clearer for readers.
In regards to your question – if you have found a titanium flat iron does not meet your needs and think a hair brush straightener is the best bet for your stubborn hair then we would suggest the InStyler Max Wet to Dry 2-Way Rotating Iron (titanium) or Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer (Ceramic Tourmaline). I would probably lean towards the Instyler…
Hope this helps, and do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
I’ve seen the Head Kandy advertised and read rave reviews on social media. Your thoughts?
Hi Cece,
Thanks for the question. The Head Kandy (which we have not tried) looks very similar to the MiroPure 2-in-1 Ionic Hair Straightener Brush (maybe it is just a rebranded version?).
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Thank you for these reviews/ratings. I have been meaning to buy one of these for a while but didn’t know where to start because there are SO many now. Ended up buying the instyler (I have long, curly hair,) and enjoy having my ends curled/ more volume in my blowouts. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks again!
Hey Courtney,
Glad you found the guide helpful, hope you enjoy the Instyler…
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Any thoughts on the Le Vite Straightening Brush?
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for your comment on Groom+Style.
Unfortunately, we have not tried the Le Vite Straightening Brush, but it looks very similar to the our number 3 choice the MiroPure 2-in-1 Ionic Hair Straightener Brush, which we love!
Do let us know how it works for you, if you buy it!
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi do you have any views / recommendations on cordless or portable hot air brushes? I just bought a rotating hot air brush and love it as its easy to straighten and defrizz my hair while adding a bit of volume (I use it on slightly damp hair) but it’s just too big to carry. I am looking for an easy to carry hot brush that I can pop in my gym bag to help me finish off styling my hair after I rough dry my hair with the hairdryer at the gym. Thank you.
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for the great question about portable or mini hot air brushes. We have personally not tried either of the models listed below but after doing some research it appears the 2 options below have the best/most consistent online reviews.
When folded this one is about 5 inches in length.
Menoqui, Travel Hot Folding Ceramic/MCH hot hair brush straightener -> link to product on Amazon -> https://geni.us/foldable_hair_brush
Helen of Troy 3/4 inch Hot Air Brush Styler -> link to product on Amazon -> https://geni.us/portable_hotair_brush
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
can the Glamfields brush be used on wet hair?
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for the great question.
There is a real risk of damaging your hair if you use a flat iron or hairbrush straightening tool on wet hair (or even damp hair if you have thin hair and are not extremely careful). The quick application of heat on wet hair brings the water within the hair follicle to a quick boil, the bubbles are then pushed out resulting in split ends and cracks in the hair. At the same time, essential vitamins and minerals are forced out which further adds to the problem, reducing the hairs natural elasticity which can lead to further brittleness and breakages. All of these issues can be further compounded if you have any residual product in your hair (especially any products containing alcohol) as these chemicals are boiled into the hair follicle.
Ideally, you want your hair as dry as possible and aim to use a heat protectant before beginning the straightening process.
Of course, every person’s situation is different, and if you do really want to save time by drying and straightening your hair at the same time then we highly recommend you start slowly and see where this leads i.e. start with slightly damp hair and a very low temp then work up from there.
So, in summary, any flat iron or hairbrush straightener can technically be used on wet/damp hair but it is not at all recommended.
Hope this helps, let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi Groom and Style! I have fine, thin curly hair and live in India so it’s pretty humid. Which would you recommend between the Glamfields and the MicoPure?
I live in India so it’s pretty humid but don’t plan to use the brush on a regular basis. Also needs to work well at 220 v.
Thanks for the help!
Hi Rachael,
Thanks for the question. I would focus on the MiroPure 2-in-1 Ionic Hair Straightener Brush – the fact that you have fine and thin hair will mean that you will want to start on the lowest temperature possible to avoid hair damage. The lowest temp setting of 170° is definitely an advantage in this case versus the Glamfield’s lowest temp of 250°.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Check your MiroPure link. The 16-temp version seems to be incorrect…
Hiya,
Thanks for keeping us on our toes…the link has been corrected -> https://geni.us/micropure
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi my daughter is 10 she has long thick wavy hair!
I was wanting to get her one of these brush straighteners!
Are the safer to use than a ghd?
Which one would you recommend for her
Hi Hayley,
Thanks for the question.
If your daughter is keen to straighten her hair, then I would suggest taking things slow and erring on the side of caution to avoid any potential damage to her hair. How you care for her hair is probably just as important as whether you go for a hairbrush straightener or a flat iron. I have listed some hair care tips below which will hopefully help you and your daughter.
A flat iron like the GHD products or a hair straightening brush will both do the job but there are slight differences in the products categories depending exactly what you are after. The key things to keep in mind are that:
– a flat iron is more of an “aggressive” straightening tool so you would need to be more cautious with them on your daughter’s hair.
– a hairbrush straightener while still straightening your daughter’s hair effectively would be a bit more “forgiving” and you also have the option of adding some volume and style if you desire.
You can read more in the detailed guide linked below,
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-hair/hair-straighteners-buying-user-guide-flat-iron-or-brush-what-is-best-for-your-hair/
Some tips to avoid any potential hair damage:
– don’t use the straightener every day, give your hair as much “rest” as possible
– Styling tools can dry out hair so be sure to use a nice moisturizing shampoo/conditioner on your hair and/or use a thermal protection spray. Link to an example product on Amazon -> https://geni.us/thermalhairspray
– Use the lowest heat possible to get the results you need. Start low and slow especially with kids hair. A lower heat might require a few more passes of the brush, but that might be better for the hair in the long term.
– When using any straightening tool, don’t stop moving it through the hair. Keep it moving constantly.
In terms of product recommendations I would put the following at the top of the list for your daughter:
– Glamfields Heated MCH Hair Straightening Brush – reasonably priced, lots of heat settings so you can start low, ceramic which is probably safer for your daughter (heats evenly with no hot spots etc)
– We have not tried the GDH straighteners, and while they look like a very professional and high-quality product, they seem very fully priced, and do not seem to have a temperature control option, which might be very helpful on your daughter’s hair. You can read some flat iron options via the link below, and I would suggest that something like the Remington S9500PP Pearl Pro Ceramic Flat Iron might be an economical option. It has a 1 inch plate (thinner is good to start with for younger hair), is reasonably priced and has good temperature control.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-hair/top-5-best-flat-iron-hair-straighteners/
Hope this helps a bit – let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Could you please give a comparison between dafni and babyliss straightening brushes? I’m absolutely torn between both.
Thanks!
Hi,
Thanks for the question.
The Dafni is a “paddle” or “flat brush” type of hair brush straightener, while the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium is a “barrel” or rotating hair brush straighteners. In general, the “paddle” design is best if you are just after a brush to straighten your hair and the “barrel” design is best if you want to add some volume & shine, curl and style your hair (or have “very” long hair).
Other key differences that are likely to be relevant are:
Dafni -> great for medium to thin hair (only 1 temp of 365°), works great to clean & dry hair, has sprung bristles if you have a sensitive scalp, and it has a great 3-year warranty.
Babyliss -> great for styling, adding shine and volume, and will work on partially dry hair, 3 heat settings so can be used on a wider range of hair types, great 3-year warranty.
Hope that helps a bit – let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hello,
Your article is great but I’m not positive which one to choose. I like the first one. I have hair about 2 inches past my shoulders, medium thickness, curly/frizzy, and tangles really easily. I want smooth, straight, shiny hair but still some body / fullness in it. My hair when it’s curly has a lot of volume.
I saw the John Freda round brush also and wanted your thoughts on it. Price is almost the same, but I’m terrible at using a round brush lol. Great article! Thank you!
Hey Hannah,
Thanks for the great question.
It does sound like you could benefit from a round/rotating style hairbrush straightener like the Revlon Perfect Heat 2 Inch or the John Freda (which we have not tried). The extra bristles will help with the detangling and the round brush/design will create the body/fullness you are after.
I can highly recommend the Revlon Perfect Heat but if you wanted to save a few dollars then I am sure the John Freda would do a great job as well. If you want to read more about the John Freda then you can read more about the product on Amazon via this link -> https://geni.us/johnfrieda
Do let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi groom+style
I came across your article while searching for good hair straightener brushes. It is helpful but I’m really confused which product should I go with I have really thin fine hair.
I’m searching for the product which won’t do much of a damage in future.
Thanks,
Shreya
Hi Shreya,
Thanks very much for the question.
First of all, let me say that you are looking at the correct product range. Some people with thin hair buy flat iron straighteners which are not ideal for thin hair, unless you are very careful.
You can read more about the differences and some tips on how to use hair brush straighteners in our article linked below.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-hair/hair-straighteners-buying-user-guide-flat-iron-or-brush-what-is-best-for-your-hair/
In summary, you will want to buy a hair brush straightener that has a lower temp range, from about 250-300° (any temps higher than that and you are likely to damage your hair – start at the lowest temp possible and work up if needed). You will also want to consider a ceramic model they will heat evenly and a bit more slowly and will not create hot spots which can damage fine hair.
Therefore, I would focus on a product such as our #1 choice the Glamfields Heated MCH Hair Straightening Brush which has 12 heat settings ranging from 250° (ideal for brittle hair) and is ceramic.
In addition, you will want to use hair brush straighteners on slightly damp hair and buy some thermal protection spray.
Hope this helps, and do let us know if you have any additional questions.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hi groomwithstyle,
I came across your article while researching for the hair brush straightener and since I have thick and frizzy hair, I thought of going ahead with your No.1 recommendation – glamfields. I got directed to the amazon link below from your article (which is strangely not getting directed anymore) and is exorbitantly priced at $294:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Straightener-GLAMFIELDS-Electrical-Straightening-Temperature/dp/B07DYNKCZ9/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530155395&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=glamfields+hair+brush+straightener&dpPl=1&dpID=515Nx4vGSUL&ref=plSrch
And at a later point I happened to visit the glamfields website and got directed to the amazon link below, and it’s just priced at a mere $35:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DFX67NT/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3L2W1AP6BSHXS&psc=1
And in the glamfields website also the same product is priced at $35.
Please note that the 2nd link is fullfilled by Amazon and has an ‘amazons choice’ tag. And it’s seller: vip-life shop, also have the below summary about themself:
“Welcome to vip-life shop, the creators behind GLAMFILELDS Specialized in Home and Beauty . As the only authorized seller on Amazon, please make sure you purchase directly from vip-life shop to ensure you are receiving an authorized products.”
After looking at this drastic price difference, I really wonder which one is the authentic price.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Deepti
Hi Deepti,
Thanks for your question on Groom+Style.
We try our best with the links to redirect people to the best Amazon store based on their location. For the 2 link examples, you have provided the first one goes to Amazon Australian store and the second one goes to the U.S store. The best approach might be for you to go to the correct Amazon store first and do a search for the product. I do hear that Amazon Australia has just opened and that some of the prices are quite high…. I am not sure what is best for your location?
You could even try contacting the manufacturer directly and seeing what options they have available.
I hope this helps a little bit.
Cheers Lisa
Hi, can u please say about Krea?Will b really helpful. Great article
Hi Sreena,
Thanks for the question.
The Krea hair brush straightener looks like a rebranded version (Indian market specific) of our #3 choice the MiroPure 2-in-1 Ionic Hair Straightener Brush. So although we have not tested the Krea specifically it does look like a fully featured and effective product.
Sorry, we could not be more specific, and we hope that information helps a little bit.
If you want to do some more research then please follow the link below, it will take you to the Krea on the Amazon.in website -> http://geni.us/krea
Kind Regards,
Lisa
I also use InStyler and haven’t encountered any problems so far. By the way, great article! 🙂
I have the heated brush and Instyler. I find that I use the heated brush more only because it is easier and quick as a bed hair controller. The Instyler does need to be handled with care a little more as the barrel is hot but I got a safety cage with mine until I was confident. The Instyler is effective when I am starting from a mass of curles and I want straight. I never use any on wet hair I think that is asking for trouble. I don’t know that one is any better than the other just different options for different times.
Hi Vickie,
Thanks for your comment, much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
I also disagree, I have used Instyler for years without fail or any burns. Never tangled and I have thick course hair.
Disagree with you Cat D. I find the InStyler fabulous. It gives me full, sexy hair every time. You just have to know how to use it properly.
I would never recommend the InStyler to anyone! In fact, I think it’s positively dangerous and can’t believe that it hasn’t really changed since it first came out. It’s incredibly easy to burn yourself with this thing. There’s no protection at all from the hot barrel. Unless you have very thin hair or a personal stylist, this takes a long time to get to its claimed result of wet hair to styled hair. It takes much longer to use this on wet hair than the hot air brushes, like the Revlon you reviewed. The InStyler gets tangled in the hair very easily and is difficult to untangle without burning yourself somewhere. If you mostly dry the hair first, then very neatly section it, then use the InStyler carefully with a heat protective glove, you will eventually get about the same result as with any flat iron.