15 Best Round Hair Brushes for Every Hair Type, Tested and Reviewed
From curly and thick hair to straight and fine hair—I gotchu.
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There’s nothing I love more than a good at-home blowout. And believe me, I have tried just about every product in the book in pursuit of bouncy hair that'll stay put all day long. Velcro hair rollers? Been there. Hair-dryer brushes? Done that. Every brand of hairspray, mousse, and thickening product? Please—try me. But when it was time for me to test out the good ol' fashion round brush, I was stumped. Instead of ending up with that va-va-voom volume and dreamy waves, I was left with what looked more like a bad ‘80s perm. The issue? I was using the wrong round brush for my hair type, texture, and style preference. Because despite what you may think, round brushes are not one-size-fits-all. In reality, you need to know how to choose the right one to get the best “shape, movement, and volume" while blow-drying, says hairstylist Meri-Kate O'Connor.
And because I consulted the pros on how to get big, bouncy waves on fine hair or create a sleek, smooth look on curly hair, I know it’s my duty to share my wealth of knowledge with you all. So today, I bring to you the 15 best round brushes alongside some tips from O'Conner and hairstylists Jasmine “Jazzee” Green and Marty Harper. Ready to find the best round brush for you? Here's a peek at what’s to come below.
Our top picks for the best round brushes in 2024:
Pretty cool, right? Keep scrolling to find the best round brushes of 2024—according to my own testing and product reviewers—from natural-bristle round brushes for beachy waves to skinny round brushes for bangs and bobs, along with expert tips from the pros on how to use a round brush, how to choose the best round brush, and more.
Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Aluminum Round Brush
Pros
- Lightweight
- Testers say the brush also works for detangling
Cons
- Reviewers mention it can tug at hair at times
Consider this your new holy grail for shiny at-home blowouts. Its ventilated barrel helps the hot air from your blow dryer heat fast and evenly. The unique, corkscrew-shaped vegan bristles also aid in getting that final smooth finish. A few dabs of finishing cream for shine, softness, and hold—et voila, it’s like you went to the salon.
- Bristles: Vegan bristles, ion aluminum barrel
- Diameters: 1.58
Glowing customer review: "My blowout skills are still very beginner level but I found this brush very easy to use! It didn’t tangle up in my hair, insulated heat well, and gave me the most gorgeous loose curls.”
ghd Ceramic Vented Radial 3
Pros
- Has a non-slip handle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some shoppers found bristles to be too hard
If you're like, “Hi, this is all v overwhelming.” Don’t worry, we have a tried and true option you can’t go wrong with. This ceramic one from ghd is sure to be your new go-to brush for getting that perfectly bouncy blowout and you can rest assured that it works on every hair type. And yes, we mean everything from straight to wavy to curly or coily.
- Bristles: Ceramic
- Diameters: 1.7"
Glowing customer review: “Life changing! I use this brush to blow out my hair with my blow dryer, the combination is life-changing. My hair is so smooth that I don’t have to use a flat iron or curling iron. It gives me such a flawless blowout.”
Pros
- Won't tug hair
- Works well on all hair types
Cons
- Some shoppers found bristles to be too hard
If the thought of tugging a stiff, natural brush through your curly hair makes you wince, try this round brush from Mane. It has ceramic teeth that help to comb through and detangle your curls and coils without all the usual yanking you’d get with a soft-bristled brush. And, thanks to its stiff and staggered teeth, it can really stretch and straighten curly hair while you blow-dry, without resulting in a zillion snags.
- Bristles: Ceramic
- Diameters: 1.7"
Glowing customer review: “I love this hair brush. I’m actually surprised at how well this brush works. It is lightweight and easy to manage. The aesthetic of it is also so nice. My hair is curly and long so I need to add heat to straighten my hair. I found that this brush was able to distribute the heat very well.”
Pros
- Testers say this brush shortened their blow-dry time
Cons
- Some testers say the handle breaks easily
This round brush uses flexible nylon bristles to help hold my hair and distribute it across the barrel for a faster, more-even blow dry, which is essential for my long, thick hair that usually takes forever to style. And because the ceramic barrel is both large and vented, it's easy for me to dry wide sections of hair at once, helping to cut down on drying time.
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: 2.4 in.
Glowing customer review: "I love this brush. I do not love drying my hair. This brush can hold a lot of hair at one time which has cut down on my drying time, so I can get on with styling my hair with my flatiron. It is very lightweight and has a nice size handle. I love it."
Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel The Blow-Dry Brush N°2
Pros
- Gentle
- Soft bristles
Cons
- Pricey
Oh, so you want to look like you just came back from a tropical vacay? Gotchu. This brush is *the* brush for allll the beach waves and is super gentle thanks to its sleek wooden handle and boar bristles. If you want loose curls that aren’t super tight, the bristles in this brush are ideal for that bouncy appearance you’re looking for.
- Bristles: Boar bristles
- Diameters: n/a
Glowing customer review: “Even though my hair is short and fine, this brush does wonders giving my hair waves and style that last more than just one day. Also, my hair does not get tangled in this brush.”
Pros
- I love how it doesn't leave my hair feeling staticky
- It's built to last
Cons
- It's the most expensive option on this list
Not only is this round brush shockingly easy to maneuver thanks to the ergonomic handle, but the densely-packed boar bristle and nylon pin combo also gave my hair legit the bounciest, smoothest blowout ever that lasted all damn day. And I know, I know—the price tag is high, but this bb is made to last, meaning it'll be your go-to for years to come.
- Bristles: Boar and nylon
- Diameter: Not specified
Glowing customer review: "This brush creates the perfect at-home blowout! Oribe never disappoints—this is such a high-quality brush and it is also lightweight enough for travel!"
Pros
- Gentler on fine and brittle hair types, says testers
Cons
- Some reviews noted it left their hair staticky
A favorite of O'Connor's, this boar-bristle brush is ideal for damaged hair because its bristles (a mix of natural boar and heat-resistant carbon fiber) are so soft and flexible—almost like a body dry brush—that it’s less likely to tug at your hair and cause breakage while drying. Instead, these bristles work to evenly distribute your scalp's natural oils from roots to ends while you brush, helping to leave your hair smoother and shinier while blow-drying.
- Bristles: Boar and nylon
- Diameter: ~ 2 in.
Glowing customer review: "Holy-grail styling brush. My hair is healthier, softer, shinier, and I’m finally venturing back into the land of great hair days virtually every day. I would buy this brush again and again."
Harry Josh Pro Tools Magnesium Thermal Brush
Pros
- Small bristle size makes it easy to curl thin and medium hair types
- Has a detachable hair pick for styling
Cons
- Some reviewers don’t think the quality is worth the price
If you managed to perfect your blowout technique, but your style only lasts until the end of the night, try this 1.3-inch barrel round brush from Harry Josh, which is loved by hairstylist Marty Harper. It's one of his favorite round brushes for blowing out medium-to-fine hair because the thermal, magnesium-coated metal barrel quickly and evenly heats your hair as you blow dry to help set your curls for a longer-lasting style.
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: 1.3 in.
Glowing customer review: "I love this brush for my short, grown-out pixie hair. I needed something that could grip but not pull, and this does the job well. I read the other reviews to make my decision to buy and was happy with the results. This helps put some lift and body into my fine hair during the growing out time, the length I refer to as ‘$h*t length.’ It can be difficult, but the right tools certainly help.”
Amike Nano Thermal Ceramic Round Brush
Pros
- Available in four widths, depending on your hair length
Cons
- Handle isn’t very durable, according to reviews
When I was looking for the correct round brush for my hair type, I knew I didn’t want to drop hella cash on my first one, which is what led me to try this top-rated brush on Amazon. It costs less than $15, but still gives me a smooth at-home blowout, thanks to its ceramic-coated metal barrel that gently retains heat to help create wide, fluffy waves. It's available in three sizes (including the 3.3-inch version, pictured here) and comes with a few separating clips that make the blow-drying process even easier.
- Bristles: Boar and plastic
- Diameter: 2.1 in.
Glowing customer review: "I have a lot of breakage due to over-bleaching and my old round brush made it very noticeable. I thought maybe it was just how damaged my hair really is. BUT with this brush, my hair felt a lot smoother, and the breakage was not as noticeable!”
Olivia Garden Eco-Ceramic Round Thermal Hair Brush
Pros
- Gentler on hair, thanks to soft bristles
- Available in six sizes for all hair lengths
Cons
- Some testers say the barrel can get a lil too hot
Trust me: The hardest part about styling fine hair is getting your curls and waves to actually hold for longer than a few hours. So if you have baby-fine hair, try this soft-bristled brush (soft bristles = less tension and pulling) that features a ceramic-coated barrel to help heat up your hair to lock your styles in place. Just be sure to spritz on a heat protectant first to cut down on some of the heat damage.
- Bristles: Plastic
- Diameter: 1.75 in., 2.1 in., 2.5 in., 3 in.
Glowing customer review: "Yay, I finally found a large round brush that grips my hair, yet is gentle enough on my fine, overworked hair. I was hesitant to spend this much on a hairbrush but so glad I did."
T3 Volume Round Brush
Pros
- Large barrel creates big, soft waves
- Comes in three sizes for different hair lengths
Cons
- Handle cover slides off easily
If you're after seriously big volume (like Camila Cabello’s recent hair vibes), you should try this large-barrel round brush from T3, which helps you get major lift at your roots and tons of volume throughout your hair. The brush comes in three sizes, ranging from 2 to 2.5 to 3 inches—remember: the longer your hair, the wider you should go—and has a ceramic-coated barrel to help heat up your hair as you dry, helping to lock in the volume so it doesn't fall as quickly.
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: 2.5 in.
Glowing customer review: "Wow, I found a brush that holds tension to smooth my type 3b curls for the first time. Love it so much I'm going to buy other sizes."
Drybar Half-Pint Small Round Brush
Pros
- 1.75-inch size creates loose bends and waves
Cons
- Barrel is too long for some reviewers with short hair
Creating curls with a round brush can be a bit of a ~journey~. Too big of a round brush, and you’ve got barely there waves. Too small of a round brush, and you’ve got tighter, curlier waves—and too much time spent. Behold the answer to that conundrum: Drybar’s 1.75-inch round brush, which is that ideal Goldilocks size for creating loose, swooping curls. What makes it even better is the ceramic-coated barrel, which softly heats up during the blow-dry process to create better curls and volume, while the natural boar bristles help smooth your hair and add shine.
- Bristles: Plastic
- Diameter: 1.75 in.
Glowing customer review: "This brush has been a game-changer for me. This round brush is very lightweight and comfortable, and the bristles really grip onto my hair. It also has a nice long barrel, so I can work with larger sections, and ceramic and air holes to absorb and distribute heat evenly. I have a short bob, and the Half Pint is perfect for this length, but as I grow it out, I will be getting the Full Pint size.”
Spornette Mini Styler 3/4 Inch Round Brush
Pros
- Gets close to your scalp to help shape bangs
- Loved by testers with very-short hair
Cons
- Can easily get tangled in your hair, according to some testers
As anyone who's attempted to blow-dry their bangs knows well, using a bulky brush on such a tight area can be very difficult (I have the forehead burns to prove it). But that's where this itty-bitty round brush comes in—it's got a .75-inch barrel that slips easily under your bangs to help you shape them without the heat risk. Plus, the soft nylon bristles help distribute your scalp’s natural oils to gently smooth down flyaways and baby hairs while you work.
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: .75 in.
Glowing customer review: "I have short, fine hair and I find that most brushes can't grip my hair very well. This brush is great for styling, and it's not harsh on my scalp."
Cricket Technique Tourmaline Thermal Round Brush
Pros
- Reviewers love that it doesn’t get tangled in their long hair
Cons
- Brush handle can snap if you tug too hard
V-important tip: The longer and thicker your hair, the wider your round brush should be. Which is why I love this 2.5-inch round brush for my long hair, because I can work with bigger sections and still get even heat distribution. The tourmaline barrel also cuts down on styling time because it heats up in seconds to quickly straighten and curl my hair, while also leaving it with longer-lasting hold (unlike my usual curls that just fall flat in a few hours).
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: 1.25 in., 1.5 in., 1.75 in., 2 in., 2.5 in.
Glowing customer review: "I've never used a round brush before but I wanted to see if it would make my bad haircut look decent. I tried this one for the first time last week, and it was AMAZING. I feel like I just got out of the salon!!"
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer
Pros
- Blow dryer and round brush all in one
Cons
- Barrel can be too big for bangs or short hair
Presenting: A hot round brush that styles your hair as you brush it. Yes, that means you can literally brush this tool through damp hair, and it'll leave you with a sleek and ultra-soft blowout—no fiddling with a brush and dryer at the same time. It has all the makings of my fave round brushes (like stiff nylon bristles for tension and a wide barrel for faster drying), just with the heating element already built in. Don’t believe the hype? Peep the hundreds of glowing reviews on TikTok.
- Bristles: Nylon
- Diameter: 2.4 in.
Glowing customer review: "I LOVE this dryer. It makes my hair so soft and amazing, and it dries it so quickly. My hair looks like I just walked out of the salon and spent $100, every time."
What are round brushes good for?
Round brushes are good for “styling your hair, adding volume, curling your hair, and blow-drying your hair to stretch it out,” says hairstylist Jazzee Green, noting that they’re also incredibly versatile. Grab a medium or large round brush, and you can create a sleek finish on wavy hair, or stretch out 4c hair, or flip in your ends for a Rachel Green-esque blowout. Or, pick up a narrow round brush to bend your ends, add curls, or shape and lift your bangs (á la Sabrina Carpenter).
Are round brushes good for curly hair?
Round brushes are good for smoothing and stretching curly hair while blow-drying, but they’re not the best at detangling type-3 and type-4 hair, says Green, so you’ll need to fully detangle your hair first. Grab a detangling brush with flexible teeth (like a Denman brush or, my fave, a Tangle Teezer), then try a round brush with soft, natural bristles to straighten and stretch your hair while blow drying. Green also recommends a round brush for styling your extensions, wigs, and other protective styles.
How do I use a round brush?
Green recommends detangling your hair, then letting your hair air-dry to about 80 percent before blowing it out with a round brush and blow dryer, which helps the brush move gently through your hair. Once your hair is mostly dry, grab a three-inch section of hair—"smaller sections will dry faster and limit how much heat you apply to one area,” says Green—and nestle your round brush into your roots (beneath the section of hair).
With your brush ready, hover your blow-dryer above the section of hair, and then work in unison: As you slowly pull your brush down to your ends, follow along with your blow-dryer. Keep tension between your hair and your brush (no slack!) to straighten it and minimize flyaways, then continue on, section by section, once you’re finished.
How to choose the best round brush:
Consider your style preference
Remember: The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. So if you're looking for something to help straighten out your hair or achieve that wispy curtain bang look, go for a large round brush between two and three inches wide. And if you're looking for something to flip out your ends or get curled layers, go for a narrow round brush under one inch or less in diameter. Meanwhile, if you want the best of both worlds, try a medium-sized round brush around one or two inches wide to smooth out your hair while creating some volume at your roots, says O’Connor.
Keep your hair texture in mind
Tailor your round brush to your hair texture, says Harper. A classic boar-bristle round brush (or any round brush with natural bristles) can be good for fine hair, thick hair, and curly hair—basically, anyone who wants to stretch or straighten their hair. Meanwhile, a round brush with a mix of natural and plastic bristles can help detangle and smooth coarse hair without as much snagging and yanking.
Look for additional features
Got long or coarse hair that takes forever to blow-dry? Try a round brush with a vented ceramic barrel, which helps retain heat and speeds up drying time. If you’ve got fine hair and want to add a lot of volume and bounce, O’Connor says you may want to try a large metal round brush, which “can help mimic a curling iron, giving hair more staying power.”
Just make sure to avoid brushes with tips on the ends, says Harper: “These tips can break off, and the sharp plastic underneath can tug at your hair.” Instead, look for a brush that has a mix of natural and plastic bristles without the little balls at the end to avoid any potential tangling.
Meet the experts
- Jasmine “Jazzee” Green is a hairstylist at Collective Plus Salon in New York, NY, where she is an expert in working with all hair textures, braiding, and haircutting. She has worked with celebrities like Jill Scott, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, and Angela Lewis.
- Marty Harper is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York, NY. He’s worked with celebrities like Halsey and Zendaya.
- Meri-Kate O'Connor is a hairstylist at Benjamin Salon in Los Angeles, CA. Her expertise is in hair coloring, extensions, and keratin treatments.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
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