The Under-$200 Hair Tools You Probably Don’t Know About — Yet

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Let's face it: hot tools are expensive. We're not sure when it became normal to pay over $500 for a blow dryer, but it has and our bank accounts aren't too happy about it. We know how well those pricey products work, too, but that doesn't mean the more affordable options aren't just as effective. Whether you're in search of a cordless iron (they really are handy) or a heated blow dry brush that's actually easy to use, this budget-friendly shopping guide has you covered. Oh, and did we mention everything is under $200? You can thank us later.

Sutra Beauty Interchangeable Curler Base
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Sutra Beauty Interchangeable Curler Base

Why have one tool when you can have seven? The Sutra Beauty Interchangeable Curler Base ($75) lets you customize your hair look with seven different attachment options, including a waver ($75) and clipless curler wands ($75). It doesn't hurt that the base heats quickly and offers a quick-release button to easily swap attachments.

T3 SinglePass Wave Professional Tapered Ceramic Styling Wand
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T3 SinglePass Wave Professional Tapered Ceramic Styling Wand

Allow the T3 SinglePass Wave Professional Tapered Ceramic Styling Wand ($169) to give you the kind of tousled waves that are usually only achievable with salt water. Better still, it doesn't have to fry your hair to do it. The wand uses a microchip that continually monitors heat fluctuations to maintain a consistent temperature and a ceramic surface to create a frizz-free one-pass finish.

Sutra Beauty Accelerator 3500 Blow-Dryer
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Sutra Beauty Accelerator 3500 Blow-Dryer

What's better than a blow dryer that actually cuts down on drying time? The Sutra Beauty Accelerator 3500 Blow-Dryer ($130) uses ionic technology to break down water molecules so hair dries faster. It also helps to seal the cuticles making your hair look shiny and healthy.

Sutra Beauty Infrared Thermal Brush
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Sutra Beauty Infrared Thermal Brush

Prepare to finally master the '90s blowout. The Sutra Beauty Infrared Thermal Brush ($110) uses a tourmaline ceramic barrel that helps leave hair glossy and smooth. At-home blowouts usually feel like an accidental arm workout, but this brush's lightweight ergonomic design feels weightless in your hand.

Lunata Belisa by 1" Cordless Curling Iron
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Lunata Belisa by 1" Cordless Curling Iron

If you have a tiny bathroom, travel a lot, or simply hate clunky cords, you need the Lunata Belisa by 1" Cordless Curling Iron ($120). Thanks to rechargeable batteries, this curling iron can create effortless waves with ease.

T3 Lucea 1.5" Professional Straightening and Styling Iron
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T3 Lucea 1.5" Professional Straightening and Styling Iron

Not all straightening irons are made equally. In fact, most don't cut it for thick, coarse hair. Allow us to redirect your attention to the T3 Lucea 1.5" Professional Straightening and Styling Iron ($190), which offers nine different heat settings and wide, longer plates so you can enjoy a smooth, shiny style in a shorter amount of time.

Sutra Beauty Limited-Edition Heated Straightening Brush
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Sutra Beauty Limited-Edition Heated Straightening Brush

For as much as we love a good hot tool, we know that too much use can dry out and potentially damage hair. The Sutra Beauty Limited-Edition Heated Straightening Brush ($100) tries to prevent that. Its ionic technology helps to add an additional layer of moisture protection, so hair looks and feels silky smooth. It also includes every other feature we love to see: an auto shut off, a 360 degree swivel cord, and ceramic-heated bristles.

T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe for Volume, Body, and Shine
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T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe for Volume, Body, and Shine

These are not your mother's hair rollers. The T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe for Volume, Body, and Shine ($140) help create that bouncy blowout look that usually takes more than one tool. Here, you only need one — technically, eight velvet hot rollers, but you get the point. The set also includes eight crease-free clips to secure each roller in your hair. Don't get us wrong, we love velcro, but these ceramic-embedded aluminum rollers create volume that actually lasts.

T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Ceramic Styling Iron for Waves and Volume
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T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Ceramic Styling Iron for Waves and Volume

Nothing beats a classic curling iron and the T3 BodyWaver 1.75" Professional Ceramic Styling Iron ($170) is our favorite. Never felt like you mastered a clamp curl? The iron's ceramic barrel and ergonomic handle might help you master the technique. Plus it delivers heat quickly and evenly, so you'll never have to go over the same piece of hair twice.

Sutra Beauty Tourmaline Infused Ceramic 3/4" Spring Curling Iron
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Sutra Beauty Tourmaline Infused Ceramic 3/4" Spring Curling Iron

The perfect iron for tight curls: found. The Sutra Beauty Tourmaline Infused Ceramic 3/4" Spring Curling Iron ($100) uses a ¾ inch tourmaline-infused ceramic barrel to evenly apply heat without snagging hair. It doesn't hurt that this iron also uses infrared heat for a more efficient heating process that can help prevent damage and moisture loss in the hair shaft.

Drybar The Straight Shot Blow-Drying Flat Iron
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Drybar The Straight Shot Blow-Drying Flat Iron

It can take a lot of practice to perfect a salon-quality blowout, but the Drybar The Straight Shot Blow-Drying Flat Iron ($179) makes it easy. With a lower heat setting than your standard flat iron — it only heats up to 250 degrees — you don't have to worry about severe heat damage. While the strategically placed vents offer maximum airflow for a faster finish, the nylon tufted bristles provide gentle tension to help create a smooth, straightened effect that still boasts tons of volume.

StyleCraft Breezy Curl Hair Styler
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StyleCraft Breezy Curl Hair Styler

The less space we have to dedicate to hair tools the better, which is why we love the StyleCraft Breezy Curl Hair Styler ($100) so much. Come for the two-in-one benefits (it curls and straightens), but stay for the aluminum outer layer, which uses a cool-touch design that can help prevent singed fingertips. But that's not all: cool air also flows through the inside of the barrel while you use the iron, so it heats to style and then cools to lock it in.

Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer
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Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer

Picture this: it's the night before your vacation to Europe and you just realized you don't have a travel blow dryer. Sure, the hotel will probably have one but we know how good those usually are, right? This sheer panic should be reason enough to own the Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer ($139). If it's not, consider how well this blow dryer smooths hair while it dries. Just because it's small doesn't mean it lacks power. In fact, it might just cut your drying time in half.