12 hair tools that look expensive (but aren't)

Some hair tools look like they belong in a salon and cost about the same. These don't cost that much, but you'd never guess it from the bathroom shelf. Think matte finishes and clean shapes rather than chrome and neon.

We picked them for the things that matter after the first week: heat settings, weight, cord length, and what owners complain about after a few months.

Dryers and stylers

1. 

   1

   Best dryer overall

   Laifen

   1. Swift High-Speed Hair Dryer

   A lightweight high-speed dryer with magnetic attachments, often pitched as the cheaper alternative to Dyson's.

   Skip it if you need a big diffuser for very long, thick curls.

   Best for: Daily blow-dryingCheck price on Amazon
2. 

   2

   Best budget dryer

   Conair

   2. InfinitiPRO 1875W Hair Dryer

   An 1875-watt dryer with a true cool-shot button, at a drugstore price.

   Best for: Thick hair on a budgetCheck price on Amazon
3. 

   3

   Best for easy volume

   Revlon

   3. One-Step Volumizer Plus

   A hot-air brush that dries and styles in one pass. It runs hot, so use a heat protectant.

   Skip it if your hair is fine or bleached. Keep it on the low setting, or skip it.

   Best for: Thick, straight to wavy hairCheck price on Amazon

Curls and waves

4. 

   4

   Best curling iron

   Hot Tools

   4. Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron, 1 inch

   A 24K gold-surface curling iron from a long-time salon brand, at a reasonable price.

   Best for: Classic curlsCheck price on Amazon
5. 

   5

   Best for beachy waves

   Bed Head

   5. Wave Artist Deep Waver

   A three-barrel deep waver for loose, beachy waves.

   Skip it if your hair is well past your shoulders. Waving takes a while at that length.

   Best for: Mermaid wavesCheck price on Amazon
6. 

   6

   Best for bounce

   Conair

   6. Jumbo Hot Rollers Set, 12-Count

   Velvet-flocked jumbo hot rollers with clips, for volume and soft bends.

   Best for: Blowout volume without a blowoutCheck price on Amazon
7. 

   7

   Best no-heat option

   Kitsch

   7. Satin Heatless Curling Set

   Wrap damp hair around the satin rod before bed and wake up to soft waves. Expect a couple of tries to get the wrapping right.

   Best for: No-heat curlsCheck price on Amazon

Smoothing

8. 

   8

   Best flat iron

   CHI

   8. Original Ceramic Flat Iron, 1 inch

   A ceramic flat iron with smooth plates. There's no temperature dial, which matters if your hair is fine.

   Skip it if you have fine hair. With no temperature control, it's too hot to use every day.

   Best for: Medium-thick hairCheck price on Amazon

Brushes

9. 

   9

   Best for wet hair

   Wet Brush

   9. Original Detangler Brush

   A flexible detangling brush designed to get through wet hair.

   Best for: Wet, tangly hairCheck price on Amazon
10. 

    10

    Best for fine hair

    Tangle Teezer

    10. The Ultimate Detangler

    A detangler with flexible teeth that's gentler on fine, dry hair than a lot of paddle brushes.

    Best for: Fine, easily tangled hairCheck price on Amazon
11. 

    11

    Best for curls

    Denman

    11. Classic Styling Brush D3

    Brush curls through with conditioner or gel in the shower for defined clumps. Take out a row or two of bristles if the curls come out too small.

    Best for: Curl definitionCheck price on Amazon

Overnight

12. 

    12

    Best for frizz

    Kitsch

    12. Satin Pillowcase

    Satin creates less friction than cotton, which is why it's the usual first fix for morning frizz. It looks like silk on the bed and goes in the washing machine.

    Best for: Frizz and bedheadCheck price on Amazon

A word about heat

Every hot tool here can damage hair if you use it on high every day. Use a heat protectant, start at the lowest setting that works, and give your hair a break a couple of days a week. If you only change one thing, turn the dial down. Most people use far more heat than their hair needs.