Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story No knock to the flatiron you've been loyal to since 10th grade, but the best hair-straightening brushes—styling tools that combine a flatiron and hairbrush—are changing the game. More intuitive than a traditional straightener (which clamps your hair between two heated plates), hot brushes comb through the hair the same way you use a regular brush, but use lower, targeted heat to smooth strands. (Translation: Less frizz and damage.) The result? Hair that looks polished and sleek but still has plenty of movement, rather than the ultra pin-straight finish you might get from a flatiron.
What's the difference between a hair-straightening brush and a flatiron? Is a hair-straightening brush better than a flatiron? What should I look for when choosing a hair-straightening brush? Are hair-straightening brushes safe? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers If you've dismissed these tools in the past after trying a model that left your hair more scorched than smooth , we promise this new crop of innovative gadgets will change your mind. Below, we break down the hair-straightening brushes that deliver silky-smooth results without sacrificing bounce.
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Why it’s worth it: The 2026 Best of Beauty-winning Dyson Airwrap Coanda 2.0 is the brand’s smartest, most powerful multi-styler yet—and yes, it’s even better than the original. With double the air pressure, a new motor, and automatic heat adaptation, it smooths, stretches, and styles hair faster than ever. Whether you’re going for a voluminous blowout, loose waves, or sleek, straight strands, each of the six intelligent attachments adapts automatically to your styling needs (and hair type) for salon-level results at home. Reach for the Anti-Snag Loop Brush 2.0 for your straightening sessions because it glides through hair effortlessly (no tugging, pulling, or snags). Those with thick or curly hair will especially appreciate how effortlessly it smooths frizz and defines texture without the need for a flatiron.
The best part? It connects to the MyDyson app via Bluetooth to create a custom heat and airflow profile. And because it automatically shuts off when set down, it’s as safe and thoughtful as it is high-performing. Translation: red carpet hair in minutes.
Shipin before using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Shipin after using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Bailly before using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Bailly after using the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
“This is the best Dyson tool I have ever tried—period. I have type 3A curly hair that I sometimes wear natural and sometimes blow-dry; this version of the Airwrap gets whatever look I want to achieve done in 15 minutes or less (yes!). This is coming from someone with low-porosity hair that takes seemingly forever to dry. The fact that I can get my curly hair handled before one of my two kids notices I'm gone is a miracle in itself. I love using the round brush to create gentle tension that makes my blowouts last for days on end; IMO, the attachment is a huge improvement over the older version. This new iteration gets far closer to the roots for a more natural finish. T…