Best Straightening Brushesfor Beginners
Updated
Brands can't pay to be here. Picks come from specs, ratings and buyer reviews. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Short answer
This page is for anyone who wants smoother hair in a few minutes and finds a flat iron fiddly. My pick is the Drybar Brush Crush. It gets up to 450°F, has digital heat control and turns off after 60 minutes.
The three
Drybar
Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
- Digital temperature control up to 450°F
- 60-minute auto shut-off and a 9 ft cord
- 2-year limited warranty
- Some reviewers say bristle tips break off
- Max heat
- 450°F
- Heat control
- Digital, adjustable
- Auto shut-off
- 60 minutes
- Price
- $$$
Conair
INFINITIPRO by Conair Smoothing & Straightening Brush
- The cheapest of the three
- 5 heat settings up to 400°F
- Tension control helps hold hair in place
- Reviewers say it heats up slowly
- Max heat
- 400°F
- Heat control
- 5 settings
- Auto shut-off
- Not listed
- Price
- $$$
ghd
ghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush
- Fixed 365°F, no settings to get wrong
- Ionizer helps with static
- Mixed short and long bristles; sleeps after 60 minutes
- The most expensive here
- Max heat
- 365°F (fixed)
- Heat control
- None
- Auto shut-off
- 60 minutes
- Price
- $$$
Ratings from the source shown, checked October 26, 2026. Price tiers compare the three; Amazon shows today's price.
Side by side
Swipe to compare →
| Best overallDrybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush | Best valueINFINITIPRO by Conair Smoothing & Straightening Brush | Easiest to useghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Medium to thick hair that needs real heat | Trying a heated brush on a budget | Beginners who want one safe temperature |
| Max heat | 450°F | 400°F | 365°F (fixed) |
| Heat control | Digital, adjustable | 5 settings | None |
| Auto shut-off | 60 minutes | Not listed | 60 minutes |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | Not listed | Not listed |
| Common complaint | Bristle tips break; slower than an iron | Slow to heat; weak on thick curls | Price |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
The fine print
Watch out for
The most common catch with each, from reviews and specs.
- Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening BrushSome reviewers say bristle tips break off
- INFINITIPRO by Conair Smoothing & Straightening BrushReviewers say it heats up slowly
- ghd Glide Smoothing Hot BrushThe most expensive here
Skip it if
Who each one is wrong for
Saves you a return.
- Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening BrushYou want a glassy, pin-straight finish. A flat iron does that better.
- INFINITIPRO by Conair Smoothing & Straightening BrushYou have thick, curly hair. Reviewers say 400°F isn't enough without a blow-dry first.
- ghd Glide Smoothing Hot BrushYou want to adjust the heat for very coarse hair.
The details
-
What separates them
It comes down to heat. The Drybar goes up to 450°F, the Conair to 400°F, and the ghd stays at 365°F.
More heat straightens thick hair faster. A fixed lower heat is simpler and gentler for a beginner, which is the ghd's appeal.
-
What buyers complain about
Drybar reviewers mention bristle tips breaking off and firm bristles that can hurt when pressed against the scalp.
Conair reviewers mention slow heat-up and a faint buzz. One with thick, curly hair said it only smoothed a little, even on high.
-
Brush or flat iron?
A brush gives smooth hair with some movement left in it. If you want sleek, pin-straight hair, a flat iron is still the better tool.
So which is yours?
Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
Pick it if you want: medium to thick hair that needs real heat.
Skip it if you want a glassy, pin-straight finish. A flat iron does that better.
INFINITIPRO by Conair Smoothing & Straightening Brush
Pick it if you want: trying a heated brush on a budget.
Skip it if you have thick, curly hair. Reviewers say 400°F isn't enough without a blow-dry first.
ghd Glide Smoothing Hot Brush
Pick it if you want: beginners who want one safe temperature.
Skip it if you want to adjust the heat for very coarse hair.
My pick
Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush
The most-reviewed brush here, with adjustable heat up to 450°F and a 9 ft cord.
Also considered
Good options that didn't make the top three.
How I compared
- Checked prices and specs on Ulta and Planet Beauty product pages on 2026-10-26.
- Compared heat range, heat control, shut-off and warranty.
- Read Ulta ratings, complaint tags and low-star reviews for repeated problems.
- Picked one brush at each of 3 price levels.
Sources: Drybar The Brush Crush at Ulta · Conair INFINITI PRO Smoothing & Straightening Brush at Ulta · ghd Glide Hot Brush at Planet Beauty · ghd at Ulta · Drybar at Ulta
Questions
Do straightening brushes work on wet hair?
No. All 3 are for dry hair. Blow-dry first, then brush through.
Is a straightening brush safer than a flat iron?
It's easier to use, since you're not clamping hair between plates. Heat still matters, so use a heat protectant and the lowest setting that works.
Which makes the best gift?
The Drybar Brush Crush. It's a known brand at a mid-range price. The Conair is a good budget gift.