Achieve Ultimate Curl, Volume, and Body With These Top-Rated Hair Styling Tools (2024)

TL;DR

Our favorite flat iron, T3 SinglePass StyleMax, automatically customizes the heat based on your hair texture to minimize damage. Plus, it does more than straighten hair—there's also a curl mode to make loose curls and beachy waves. Another versatile heat styling tool is the splurge-worthy Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer.

Our Top Picks

Type: Flat iron | Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: 410 F

A flat iron might seem like a pretty simple product without much room for improvement, but trust us, today's designs are immensely better than the hair straighteners of decades past. We're especially fond of the T3 SinglePass StyleMax. It automatically customizes the heat based on your hair texture to minimize damage and really lives up to its "single-pass" claims, straightening each section in one smooth stroke—though it may take more passes with coarse hair. You can also switch it to curl mode to get loose or bendy waves.

Type: Hair dryer | Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: 212 F

The Dyson Supersonic really changed the blow-dryer game with super-strong airflow and a thermal sensor that continuously checks the temperature to prevent heat damage. But let us tell you: The brand's newer model, the Supersonic Nural, is even better. This one detects how close you're holding the dryer to your head and adjusts the heat accordingly, and it remembers your preferred settings for each of the five attachments it comes with. Yes, the price might be hard to justify, particularly if you don't blow-dry very often, but if it's within your budget, we say go for it.

Type: Curling iron | Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: 410 F

This innovative curling iron is the perfect solution if you need a little assistance creating loose ringlets or beach waves. "I love that this product rotates on its own," says hairstylist Ryan Trygstad. "Plus, it has both a left and a right setting, which makes it easier to use and switch between sides." We also like that the customized clamp ensures there aren't any kinks in your hair. And it automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, so you never have to worry if you left it on while away from home. Note that the spinning may take some getting used to.

Type: Curling wand | Material: Tourmaline ceramic | Max Temp: 400 F

Trygstad is a fan of this wallet-friendly wand, which is essentially a clamp-less curling iron with a tapered barrel. He says it's the easiest tool for getting bouncy beach waves at home. We like that the tourmaline ceramic barrel generates negative ions to prevent heat damage and deliver silky-smooth results. We do, however, recommend using a heat-protective glove to avoid burning yourself.

Type: Diffuser attachment | Material: Plastic, ceramic | Max Temp: N/A

We've tested the DevaCurl ourselves and can tell you it's absolutely the best diffuser for defining naturally curly, kinky, and coily hair. This blow-dryer attachment is modeled like a hand to mimic the results you'd get from manually scrunching your hair. Just a heads up, it's supposed to work with most hair dryers but isn't totally universal. If you're worried about compatibility, you might consider getting the brand's DevaDryer too.

Type: Dryer-brush combo | Material: Ceramic, nylon | Max Temp: N/A

We tried this dryer-brush combo and were truly blown away by the results. It's surprisingly easy to use, giving you ultrasmooth, full hair that looks like you just left the salon. We love having the option to do a blowout right at home and think the price tag is more than reasonable, considering it's less than half the price of many comparable products. The large barrel might be too big for those with shorter hair, but Revlon makes a smaller option as well.

Type: Heated round brush | Material: Nano-coated ceramic | Max Temp: 355 F

Mane was founded by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin (who's also a co-owner of the haircare brand Ouai). The line of hot tools is pretty impressive, and after testing this heated round brush firsthand, we can tell you it's the best in its category. Bear in mind it's not a dryer but rather a heated styler that gives a sleek, blown-out look and adds volume to second- and third-day hair. You can also use it to create loose waves.

Type: Heated brush | Material: Ceramic, nylon | Max Temp: 450 F

If you're interested in trying out a straightening brush, we recommend this one from Drybar. Featuring a paddle with thick nylon bristles, it leaves more space between the ceramic heating plate and your hair, meaning it's less likely to fry your hair than a traditional flat iron. We appreciate how it seals your strands with each pass and delivers sleek, smooth results. Thick hair will take longer to straighten than medium or fine hair, but we've found that it still cuts down on styling time compared to a regular straightener.

Type: Vented blow-dry brush | Material: Ceramic | Max Temp: N/A

If you're coordinated enough to maneuver a blow-dryer and brush in either hand, this is the brush to do it with. Made with blowouts in mind, it has a vented ceramic barrel that allows hot air to pass through and reach your strands for faster drying and smooth results. You can also use it to make romantic waves by wrapping sections around the barrel, blasting heat on it, and then sealing it with the cool-shot setting on your hair dryer. Note that the bristles can feel scratchy.

Type: Hair brush | Material: Boar hair and nylon | Max Temp: N/A

Mason Pearson has been making hair brushes since the literal 1800s and has an extremely loyal—and well-deserved, if you ask us—fan base. The brand's Pocket Hair Brush has a particularly dedicated following, and after testing it out, we can see why. With a mixture of natural boar and nylon bristles, it gently smooths hair while distributing natural oils from the scalp for noticeably shiny strands. The price is undoubtedly steep for a brush, but these things last forever—many people buy one and have the brush for life.

Type: Comb | Material: Plastic | Max Temp: N/A

This classic tortoiseshell comb has medium teeth on one side and fine teeth on the other. Though it's technically a men's grooming tool, it's great for creating parts and styling or untangling wet hair. The large size might not be ideal for traveling, but the brand makes a smaller option too.

Type: Comb | Material: Polycarbonate | Max Temp: N/A

If you prefer a wide-tooth comb, this one from Pattern is your best bet. The long, spaced-out teeth glide effortlessly through wet, damp, or dry hair. It can be used to part your hair, section hair for drying, detangle curls, boost volume, or fluff out dry hair.

Type: Edge tool | Material: Plastic, boar hair | Max Temp: N/A

One side of the Frontal Queen's Edges Brush resembles a toothbrush, with soft boar bristles that are gentle on the scalp and forehead. The other side is a tiny comb (the size and color of a Barbie doll's) to lay down and polish baby hairs around the hairline. "I also love this style of brush for detailing a ponytail," says Trygstad. "Plus, it's great for coaxing brows into place." Keep in mind that the bristles may be hard to clean.

Type: Detangler brush | Material: Plastic | Max Temp: N/A

Tangle Teezer's Ultimate Detangler isn't messing around. Suitable for all hair types, it slips through wet or dry hair, effortlessly loosening tangles and freeing knots without yanking out your strands or tugging at your scalp. We like that the handle is easy to grip, while the multi-tiered teeth promise to be gentle on weak, vulnerable hair. Just be aware that it can't be used with heat.

Type: Dryer attachment | Material: Plastic | Max Temp: N/A

This blow-dryer attachment was made specifically for naturally coily and curly hair. With two rows of long, angled teeth, the thoughtful design stretches and lengthens each section of hair from root to end. It can be used to fluff up textured hair, transform coils into waves, or smooth out curls. We should mention this attachment is only compatible with the Shark hair dryer, so you might want to buy both at once.

Type: Hot wave iron | Material: Ionic ceramic | Max Temp: 360 F

If easy-breezy beach hair is your jam, we highly recommend the Mermade Double Waver. This hot tool has two small-ish barrels for creating bendy curves, soft waves, and large crimps. Though the smaller size may take longer than using a three-barrel waver, we appreciate that you only need to hold the plates on each section for two seconds to get lasting definition.

Type: Curler-flat iron combo | Material: Not listed | Max Temp: 430 F

The BondiBoost Airburst Styler looks like a flat iron, but it's so much more than that. Beyond smoothing and straightening, you can use it to make soft curls and loose waves. It doesn't dry hair, so don't use it on wet or damp hair. But it does have a vent that generates cool air. Like your blow-dryer's cool-shot button, the cold air helps lock in your style while cutting down on heat damage.

FAQ

• Is titanium or ceramic better for hair?

  Hot tools often have ceramic or titanium plates or barrels. "Titanium plates will heat up much quicker and are great for pros," says celebrity hairstylist Matthew Collins. "But they heat up from the outside and, for an inexperienced user, could cause more damage over time." To avoid heat damage, ceramic (or ceramic tourmaline) may be a better choice.

• What type of flat iron is best for damaged hair?

  "The best tool for damaged hair is no hot tool," says Ziani. But while the safest option for weakened, brittle strands is heatless styling, we realize the need might still arise sometimes. When buying a flat iron, look for one with a lower temperature range or a model that automatically adjusts the heat to prevent damage. And always apply a heat protectant first!

• What is the best hairstyling tool brand?

  If you ask us, the best hairstyling tool brands include T3, Dyson, Beachwaver Co., Conair, Revlon, DevaCurl, Mane, Drybar, and ghd. In terms of non-electric tools like combs and brushes, we like Mason Pearson, Pattern, Baxter of California, and Tangle Teezer.

• How can I prevent damage from daily styling?

  "If possible, give yourself time when doing your hair," says Ziani. "I recommend towel drying as much as possible and then spraying with your preferred heat protectant or styling product before moving on to blow drying." You might also want to explore heatless styling methods and let your hair air-dry at least a few days a week.