We Tested All the Best Round Brushes for a Voluminous, Bouncy Blowout at Home

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Specifications:
Comes in 3 sizes
Boar and nylon bristles
Ceramic-coated barrel
Wooden design

Our verdict: "I have to preface this review with an admission—I am awful at using round brushes," says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "I use my hair dryer in my dominant hand and always find it tricky to get the turning motion required to achieve the bounce my hairdresser manages to create so easily. However, from opening the box, I knew this Beauty Pie round brush was a premium option.

"The wood handle adds to the luxury feel of it—I much prefer it to my plastic brush. The barrel itself is large (the brush comes in three sizes—mine was the biggest), which I like as I prefer big, airy volume in place of anything that feels too 'done'. When I ran it through my hair, the combination of bristles grabbed every strand and held them in place. This, I think, was, in part, my problem—I have lots of hair and found it hard to turn the brush as so much of it was held tight in the bristles. However, I’ve had the opposite situation with other round brushes—where my hair won’t stay in place in the brush—so I’d much prefer this scenario.

"While I wasn’t quite able to emulate the bounce I get with my hot brush, I have to say, my hair has never felt smoother or, dare I say, quite as glossy! If you feel confident using a round brush, then I would definitely say this is a great option. Me? I’ve actually just bought the paddle brush iteration, as I was very impressed by how healthy and soft the round brush made my hair."

Specifications:
Comes in four sizes
Vented ceramic barrel
Soft touch handle

Our verdict: "I’m a real novice when it comes to hair tools—yes, even brushes! I normally just use a hair dryer and standard brush, but, although lazy, I am always looking for ways to achieve that salon-worthy blow-dry look at home," says managing editor, Poppy Nash. "That’s why I was really looking forward to trying a round brush, as I’d heard so many fantastic reviews about different brands and styles from friends and colleagues. And the GHD round brush is, unsurprisingly, really, very good.

"GHD’s blow dryer brush in size 4 has a large barrel, which is perfect for my long, slightly thin hair and promises to reduce drying time, which is always a plus in my books! It was incredibly easy to use, with a sleek and comfortable handle and quality bristles that didn’t pull my hair. After use, my hair felt smoother, silkier and bouncier, and the brush is certainly on par with the other iconic items in the brand’s haircare range. I didn’t quite achieve the waves I was initially hoping for, but I think after a few more practice runs, I should be there."

Specifications:
Comes in 3 sizes
Soft nylon bristles
Crafted from beechwood
Rubber grip

Our verdict: "I've had several hairstylists recommend Kent Brushes, and I can now vouch for their quality round brushes after trying this one myself," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "First of all, this brush is so lightweight (ideal if it takes a while to dry your hair, as this lessens the inevitable arm ache) and the soft nylon bristles deliver just enough tension to capture the hair without snagging or tugging. However, if you have very thick or heavy hair, you may find you'll get on better with firmer ceramic or nylon bristles to help style your hair. But if you want a soft round brush that is gentle on fine hair, this is a great one to go for.

"I'm a little cack-handed when it comes to using round brushes, but this was easy to use thanks to the rubber grips on the handle, and the slight give in the soft bristles means it's easier to twirl through your lengths without getting tangled. I currently have very long hair with long layers, so while I can't get a really super bouncy finish, this did add great shine and volume through my lengths. I think this is a great high-quality brush for the price."

Specifications:
Comes in 3 sizes
Ceramic barrel
Ion technology
Includes sectioning tip in handle of the brush

Our verdict: "I’ve been trying to perfect the art of a DIY blowdry for years, and one thing I’ve learnt is just how important a good round brush is," says copy editor, Georgia Seago.

"The first thing I’d say about the Moroccanoil brush I tried is that the 35mm was too small for my hair length and thickness; the 45 or 55mm would have been better, and this is why my 'after' isn’t all that smooth, because I would have been there for ages drying tiny sections. That being said, I was still pretty impressed. I’m used to brushes with much softer bristles, but I found these ceramic ones actually glided through my hair more easily without causing any tangles and left my hair nice and smooth.

"The brush is super lightweight and easy to grip—two things I really appreciate as someone with a lot of hair to get through. I also love the handy hidden sectioning tip stored in the handle, but again, I could do with it being a little longer to get through my hair."

Specifications:
1 size
Boar bristles
Rubber handle

Our verdict: "I was especially intrigued to try the Christophe Robin round brush as the brand is widely known for its luxurious haircare tools," says Eggenberger. "Straight out of the box, it felt premium—the wooden handle and combination of bristles give it a high-quality edge over some plastic alternatives I’ve used before.

"Using it on my own hair, which is thick and now mid-length, was a mixed experience. While the brush was light and easy to manoeuvre, I struggled to get the level of grip I needed to create that perfect, long-lasting bounce. My hair often slipped out mid-styling, which meant I couldn’t quite achieve the polished blowout I was hoping for. That said, my mum—who has shorter, thinner hair—absolutely loved it. She found the bristles gave just the right amount of hold and lift, and her style stayed put all day after she used it. Overall, I’d say this is an excellent choice for finer hair types. If you’ve got thicker hair, though, it might not provide the control you need for a flawless finish."