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They’re the ultimate twofer.

Whether you’re all about voluminous, soft curls or you’re team sleek, smooth strands, the key to a salon-quality blowout from the comfort of your home comes down to one tool that’s a time-saving twofer: a hot brush. “A hot brush is an electric brush for styling and smoothing hair,” says Sarah Leah Rona, co-owner and master stylist at Arisa Hair salon in New York City. “It’s all the rage for quick and easy styling at home.”

Essentially, two types of hot brushes exist: One that combines brush bristles with heated plates and the other with hot airflow. “In both cases, the bristles help to separate your hair into smaller strands and straighten them more effectively,” says Monica Davis, a professional hairstylist and founder of the blog My Straightener.

To blowout and shape your hair (versus something more akin to flatironing), you’ll want an airflow model. For best results with this particular tool, Rona recommends starting with clean, damp hair (cool to the touch but never dripping wet) and working a spritz or dollop of your favorite heat protectant into your tresses. Brush or comb your hair first to get rid of any stubborn tangles, then section pieces off, passing the hot brush slowly from roots to ends, section by section. “For maximum volume when doing the crown and front, place the brush right underneath your hair at the roots and lift the hair straight up and back, going away from the face,” says Rona. Finish with your favorite hairspray or texture spray for hold.

To freshen up two- or three-day-old hair or for a super straight style, you’d likely be better off with a heated plate model. These are typically used on dry hair, making them great for quick touch-ups. Regardless of what type of hot brush you choose though, Rona suggests looking for something with a coated barrel or paddle to make sure your hair is protected from extreme heat.

Your length and hair texture can come into play somewhat, too, in terms of brush size, bristle type, and degree of temperature control; ceramic bristles help distribute heat, while boar and nylon bristles detangle and smooth. “Short hair would require a brush with a smaller barrel to achieve maximum volume,” says Rona. “Very curly hair may not get that smooth without needing multiple passes as well as a high heat setting and good tension.”

Ready to trade in your round brush and blowdryer for an all-in-one tool or want a potentially safer way to straighten with a little more control and lift? The good news is there’s a hot brush here for you, no matter your hair type, budget, or styling goals.

This oval-shaped budget brush boasts a titanium- and ceramic-coated ventilated barrel, which will protect your tresses from heat damage. Separate controls for heat and speed allow you to explore what works best for your hair type, while a cool shot function will set your fresh blowout sans hairspray.

Davis favors this paddle-shaped model for the heft of its tourmaline bristle construction, which is to be used on dry hair for straightening. “This hot brush comes with tourmaline-coated heated plates that effectively fight frizz,” she says. “It also has more bristles than most other devices in the category, and they are quite thick, which makes styling a bit faster.”

Lightweight but powerful, the Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush heats up to 356 degrees Fahrenheit and has a 1.5-inch barrel, making it a great option for shorter or finer hair. Rona loves its negative ion setting, which, when activated, can cut down on static and add volume to your style. “Also, it has nylon bristles, which is better for tension to give more shine to the hair,” she says. 

With its combination of high-density shorter and longer bristles, the GHD Glide can turn your second-day hair into a frizz-free, salon-fresh style. It only features one heat setting, but with a little bit of dry shampoo added to the equation, it’s all you need for some lift and body.

If you want the best of both worlds when it comes to hot brushes, the Dyson AirWrap can’t be beat. “The Dyson is a splurge but has so many attachments for different looks,” says Rona. You can create ringlets or waves of different sizes—and even smooth your hair—with this baby’s three brushes and four curling barrels (two sizes that come in two directions). It even boasts an internal temperature monitor (to avoid excess heat damage) and a small dryer attachment so you can use it like a regular blowdryer. Buy one refurbished to save on cost, and remember to always keep the filter clean for best results.

This best-selling oval brush earns high marks for its volume-boosting round edges and pin-and-tufted combo bristles, which help the unit glide through your hair from root to end as you dry and style. Weighing less than two pounds, this flared-base design feels comfortable in hand and also comes in a variety of colors, too, should you like your hot tools to coordinate back to your bedroom or bathroom decor.

Davis calls this hot air styler “a true magic wand” and has been using it in her salon for years. “It has a rotating head with anti-static bristles,” she says, which allows you to flip your ends up or down depending on the direction of rotation you choose. “Of course, it requires some practice to master, but the results are well worth it. The tool is very convenient and allows you to achieve excellent volume.” If you want a straighter style, simply skip the rotating settings altogether.

Two types of bristles give Gold ‘N Hot’s Volumizer & Styler a clear advantage over other models, particularly at its price point. Nylon-pin bristles help penetrate the hair shaft, while boar-tufted bristles detangle then smooth and shine. Use it on damp hair, choosing the low temperature setting for thinner hair and high for thicker, coarse tresses.

To turn curly hair into pin-straight strands with a just-right amount of movement, Drybar’s The Brush Crush will be your styling BFF. For best results, run this paddle model, which heats up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (the highest most flatirons also go), through small sections of your hair from root to tip. Its ionic technology seals the cuticle for less frizz and increased shine. To achieve a little bend, work the brush beneath each section of hair, angling the paddle the way you want your strands to curve.

If you’re hesitant to jump on the hot brush bandwagon, give this mini model from Conair a try—it’ll only set you back $15! Don’t be fooled by its price tag though; this little guy can make fairly quick work of damp or dry hair, turning it into soft curls with its 1.5-inch aluminum barrel or straight, voluminous strands with the 1-inch natural boar and bristle brush attachment. It’s also ideal for travel.