11 Best Hot Tools For All of Your Styling Needs

POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez
POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez
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From hair dryers to curling irons, flat irons, and even blow-dry brushes, the beauty market is bursting at the seams with different types of hot tools. Most people use a standard curling rod and blow dryer in their everyday beauty routine, but the options are plentiful if you want to branch out and try something new. Between TikTok-viral tools and tried-and-true favorites that have earned a stamp of approval from professionals, there's a hot tool for every desire and need you could possibly have.

There's no other way to put it: hair tools are an investment. With most costing at least $100 and a few even pushing the $600 range, you want to ensure you're buying the right thing. If you're a beginner and follow a simple, pared-back hair-care routine, a basic blow dryer that'll get the job done post-shower may be more than enough. On the other hand, if you regularly heat style your hair and want a tool that offers variety, a multi-styler, like the iconic Dyson Airwrap, or an interchangeable curling iron may be better suited to your needs. There are also hair tools that take most of the work out of styling, like automatic rotating curling irons that work with just the push of a button.

Ahead, we filtered through some of the best hot tools out there so you can find the one that is perfect for your hair. These picks are editor-tested and approved, so you know you're getting something worth your money.

Best Hair Dryer
amazon.com

Best Hair Dryer

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($429)

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is a tool that needs no introduction. It doesn't look or act like your standard blow-dryer, and that's because it isn't. The hot tool works fast to dry all hair types while reducing excessive heat damage. It comes with your traditional attachments, like an air concentrator and diffuser, to meet all of your styling needs. Read our full Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer review.

Editor Quote: "What's most impressive to me is how fast it works. Rough-drying my hair with the gentle air attachment takes 10 minutes, tops. This is good because my fiancé and I occasionally fight over it, but his cropped hairstyle only needs a quick, five-minute blast of air to dry it. Then it's rightfully returned to its true owner (me)." — Jessica Harrington, Senior Editor, Beauty

Best Blow-Dry Brush
POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez

Best Blow-Dry Brush

Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus ($40)

The Revlon One Step Volumizer is one of (if not the) most famous — and most affordable — hot-air brushes on the market. The tool went viral on TikTok a few years ago, and for good reason. It features four temperature settings (cool, low, medium, and high) and a detachable brush that can be packed away easily, be it under your sink or in your carry-on. If you consistently wear your hair in a bouncy blowout, you need this. Plus, it's editor-approved. Check out our in-depth review of the Revlon One Step Volumizer Plus.

Editor Quote: "The biggest difference I noticed between this brush and others I've used in the past is how well my hairstyle stayed put. Although I think I've pretty much mastered the '90s blowout, I've often found that the look can fall throughout the day if I don't use a ton of hairspray or texture spray. I didn't use either after the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer, and my flipped-in ends lasted even after a night of sleeping on them." — Renee Rodriguez, social producer and staff writer

Best Flat Iron
sephora.com

Best Flat Iron

GHD Platinum+ Styler 1" Flat Iron ($279)

Despite looking similar, not all flat irons are created equally. The GHD Platinum+ Styler 1" Flat Iron is one of the best on the market, offering both versatility and high-performance results. The rounded edges of the tool make it great for not only straightening your hair, but for curling, too. No matter what style you create, you'll be able to fight frizz and boost shine.

Best Rotating Curling Iron
amazon.com

Best Rotating Curling Iron

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron ($59, originally $99)

If you struggle with curling your hair, consider adding the Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron to your cart. It makes it easy to style your hair with just the press of a button, rotating the barrel for you so you can keep your hand stationary. After holding for a few seconds, you simply release the clip, and you have a perfect curl. Read our full Beachwaver Curling Iron product review.

Editor Quote: "Thanks to its built-in, self-rotating technology, users no longer have to worry about manually wrapping their hair around a curling iron in the hope of achieving the 'perfect curl.' The beauty tool does all of the physical work for you, so you can quickly work through your morning routine or throw yourself together for an event, without the same physical work that a traditional curling iron requires." — Kyley Warren, Assistant Editor, Commerce

Best Multistlyer
amazon.com

Best Multistlyer

Dyson Airwrap Multistyler ($600)

The Dyson Airwrap Multistyler is instantly recognizable. It's all over social media, with countless tutorials on TikTok. There's no denying it's pricey, but very few styling tools give you this many options for so many different hair textures and styles. You can purchase the multi-styler upfront with the full set of attachments, or you can also buy each brush individually to ensure you get an attachment that's best for your individual hair needs. Read our full Dyson Airwrap review to learn more.

Editor Quote: "I've had every haircut imaginable — from long with tons of layers to midlength with blunt ends and even curtain bangs. Although my hair is endlessly changing, the one tool I've been able to use, no matter the hairstyle, has been my Dyson Airwrap." — Renee Rodriguez, social producer and staff writer

Best Hot Brush
amazon.com

Best Hot Brush

GHD Rise Hot Air Hair Brush ($189)

One of our editors calls the GHD Rise Hot Air Hair Brush the "hot tool of her dreams." The smart tool is a hybrid of a round brush and a curling iron, combining the best of both worlds. It operates at a temperature of 365°F, and smooths frizz while adding a slight wave to her for the perfect just-left-the-salon look. Read our full GHD Rise Hot Air Hair Brush review.

Editor Quote: "Unlike a wand or curling iron that requires holding the hair in place by either securing it underneath a clamp or holding it with your hands, this tool's bristles keep it in place, which makes styling your hair as simple as brushing. I was pretty shocked at what great results I was able to get from using this tool on my air-dried hair. Usually, I have to consider it a waste of a wash, because my only real styling option is to flat-iron my hair, and my hair does not look good after being straightened. Not only did this tool completely smooth out all of my funky waves and curly pieces, but it also eliminated my frizz and took me from Hagrid to Hermione (at the Yule Ball) in 10 minutes flat." — Renee Rodriguez, social producer and staff write

Best Hair Waver
amazon.com

Best Hair Waver

Mermade Hair 1.25 OG Waver ($56, originally $68)

The Mermade Hair 1.25 OG Waver doesn't just look cool, it's incredibly effective at creating one of the trendiest hairstyles of the moment: beachy waves. The tool's three-prong design makes an effortless crimped look that only gets better as the day goes on. Read our Mermade Hair Curling Iron review to learn more.

Editor Quote: "At first, I was afraid the waves would be reminiscent of my crimped hair days in elementary school, but I couldn't have been more wrong — my whole head was covered in bouncy, soft, mermaid waves. My fine hair was full of volume, and the result looked effortless and relaxed, not too polished like my curls typically looked. Considering I would have never been able to achieve this look with a normal curling iron, I'd say this hot tool has earned itself a permanent home in my collection." — Jessica Harrington, Senior Editor, Beauty

Best Professional Curling Iron
dermstore.com

Best Professional Curling Iron

Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1" ($185)

You've probably seen the Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron, created by celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh himself, used on some of your favorite celebrities and models before a red-carpet event or runway way. The brand's signature bright coloring makes it easy to spot. While it may look a little complicated at first (at least compared to a standard wand), if you master this hot tool, you'll be one step closer to photoshoot-ready hair. You can use the tool clipped or unclipped, depending on the style you want to create.

Best Smoothing Hair Dryer
amazon.com

Best Smoothing Hair Dryer

Shark HD331 SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Dryer ($200)

The Shark HD331 SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Dryer is no ordinary blow-dryer. This tool's unique attachment heads are perfect for achieving a smooth, shiny, frizz-free style. It works at 230°F, making it gentler on your hair and less likely to cause heat damage. You can use it on wet hair without worrying about creating a frizzy mess or on dry hair for quick touch-ups.

Best Root Straightener
ulta.com

Best Root Straightener

BaBylissPRO Studio Design Series Root Reacher ($110)

Some hot tools don't give your roots the attention they need and deserve, but that's not the case with the BaBylissPRO Studio Design Series Root Reacher. You can smooth and straighten right up to your scalp with this teardrop-shape hot tool. Carbon ionic technology helps cut down on frizz and boost shine, so your style looks good from root to tip.

Best Interchangeable Curling Iron
amazon.com

Best Interchangeable Curling Iron

T3 Switch Kit Professional Ionic Interchangeable Curling Iron ($299)

When you buy the T3 Switch Kit Professional Ionic Interchangeable Curling Iron, it's almost as if you're getting three tools in one. The curling iron comes with three detachable heads — a one-inch wand, a 1.25-inch clip, and a 1.5-inch clip — allowing you to create styles ranging from loose waves to tighter curls. The barrels are also great for boosting shine in your hair and cutting down on frizz.