We Tested the Best Heat Protectant Sprays from Olaplex, Briogeo, and More — Prices Start at Under $20

After testing a bunch of different heat protectant sprays, we were most impressed by the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. This formula is technically a hair gloss, but it also moonlights as a heat protectant spray, so you can ward off damage and get silky smooth strands at the same time. 

While testing the two-in-one formula, we immediately made note of the easy application process and were particularly blown away by how well it absorbed into our hair. Aside from providing long-lasting shine, the formula goes undetectable, so your hair feels soft and smooth — as if you don’t have any product in it. Plus, it can actually protect hair from a range of damaging heat sources, including hot tools and the sun’s UV rays, so it’s a fabulous choice for a summer haircare routine.

Size: 6.7 ounces | Benefits: Anti-frizz treatment, hair gloss, heat protectant formula | Temperature Protection: Not listed 

Our runner-up for the best heat protectant spray is the Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray, which is formulated with nourishing ingredients and free from lots of additives such as parabens, formaldehyde, and sulfate. Additionally, the heat protectant spray is color-safe and compatible with chemically treated hair.

After testing dozens of formulas, we found that this heat protectant spray worked best on a variety of hair types, including natural textures and curly strands. We also love that it acts as a heat protectant, UV protectant, and leave-in detangler, making it a multipurpose formula that not only preserves hair health while styling but also encourages luscious and well-nourished locks with an added boost of hydration and breakage prevention.

When using this heat protectant as a styling product, we were particularly impressed by the way it decreased frizz and created an overall sleek and bouncy look. While we wish it promoted a little more volume for thin hair types, we thought that it worked well at protecting hair from high heat while also giving strands an extra styling boost.

Size: 1.7, 8 ounces | Benefits: Detangles, softens, UV protection, heat protection, nourishes dry hair | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

For a more budget-friendly formula, we love the Chi Total Protect, which is formulated with lots of antioxidants to provide overall environmental protection (including UV protection) and heat protection.

While testing this product, we were most impressed by the creamy formula, which works on both wet and dry hair, giving you a lot of versatility and making it possible to re-style dry hair in between washes (though applying it evenly to dry strands was a little tricky).

For under $20, we found that this heat protectant is comparable to some of its more expensive counterparts and provides some of the same impressive benefits, including UV protection and overall hydration and nourishment. The heat protectant is also incredibly lightweight and goes undetectable once hair is dried, so you get that heat protection and antioxidant nourishment without it ever looking or feeling like you used the product.

Size: 6 ounces | Benefits: Antioxidant protection, strengthens strands, UV protection, heat protection | Temperature Protection: Not listed

If frizz is a concern, you can use a heat protectant spray such as the Briogeo Blow Dry Perfection and Heat Protectant Creme, which is specifically formulated to not only protect hair from high heat but also decrease frizz by 80 percent.

Enhanced by rosehip oil, which is rich in fatty acids for frizz control and deep hydration, along with moisturizing coconut oil and strengthening argan oil, this heat protectant cream distributes easily and evenly on the strands to provide protection from high heat up to 450 degrees.

While testing this heat protectant product out, we were most impressed by how well it targets frizz and softens strands, but we also found its lightweight consistency and absorbency factor to be supremely impressive. Even when running our fingers through wet hair, the product was undetectable, though you could absolutely tell a difference in the overall finish and health of the hair once dried.

Size: 4 ounces | Benefits: Smooths strands, hydrates hair, decreases frizz | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

Whether you have damaged hair or want to avoid it altogether, we found that the Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is the best heat protectant for the job. This formula protects hair from high temperatures of up to 450 degrees and with ingredients such as red algae extract and OLAPLEX® Bond Building Technology™, it not only helps target and provide nourishment to damaged locks but also helps keep damage at bay.

In addition to providing heat protection, the formula also doubles as a detangler and an anti-static formula that helps prevent breakage and tames flyaways and frizz. Plus, it also sets hairstyles, so it can extend the life of your blowout or wavy look. After testing this heat protectant out, we were most impressed by how smooth our strands looked after styling, plus how healthy our hair appeared after every use.

Size: 3 ounces | Benefits: Prevents static and tangles, helps set hairstyle, boosts shine, pollution protection, heat protection | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

The best heat protectant for thick hair is the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant, which is formulated with the brand’s signature argan oil to strengthen and nourish strands while also protecting hair from high temperatures.

When testing this product, we were most impressed by how well it targets frizz — especially on thick, curly strands — and provides an overall smoothing effect that leaves hair looking luscious and soft. While the hair feels a little stiff after application, we found that it completely went away and softened once we brushed through our strands. 

The scent might not be for everyone, but we are obsessed with the way this product smells. It has a lightweight scent reminiscent of vanilla and amber, with an overall warm sensation that feels so luxe. The scent is a little potent at first but quickly dissipates into a light fragrance that doesn’t overpower and smells absolutely divine for up to 24 hours.

Size: 2, 6 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, hydrates and nourishes strands, boosts shine | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

The best heat protectant for curly hair is, without a doubt, the Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray, which is formulated with rose water to help target frizz and soften strands. We loved this heat protectant spray because, despite providing tons of nourishment, it didn’t feel too greasy or heavy on the hair, providing an overall lightweight finish that smoothed and softened curls.

Additionally, it helped support our styling efforts and left our hair looking more voluminous and luscious with each use. While we were completely obsessed with the scent — it can seriously double as a hair perfume — it might be a little too strong for some, especially those who are sensitive to fragrance.

Size: 8.5 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, promotes shiny strands, softens hair | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

Using styling products on fine hair can get tricky, as you don’t want to add anything that will weigh the hair down and make it look less voluminous. For a heat protectant spray that is lightweight enough for fine hair, we recommend the Gisou Heat Protecting Spray, which protects strands from high temperatures and is formulated with bee propolis to strengthen and protect against breakage.

While testing this product, we were most impressed by the spray cap, which evenly distributes products to strands and makes it super easy to use. We also loved the overall lightweight texture, which left our hair looking silky and soft with a weightless feel.

Size: 6.8 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, sun protection, strengthens strands, prevents breakage | Temperature Protection: Up to 446 degrees F

If you have color-treated hair, it’s important to use formulas that won’t fade the overall vibrancy — and we liked this primer for its color-safe and hydrating formula. This heat protectant is specifically designed for blow-dry styling, but since it protects hair from high heat, it also works well for straighteners, curling irons, and other hot tools.

We love it because, in addition to being safe for hair color, it is formulated to reduce breakage caused by blow-drying by up to 85 percent, which helps maintain overall hair health. Its creamy formula is also a little more on the liquid side, making it easier to apply all over dry strands.

Size: 5.1 ounces | Benefits: Promotes elasticity in dry strands, strengthens hair | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

If you have color-treated hair, a heat protectant spray can help prevent hair from drying out and experiencing fading caused by excessive styling. After testing several options, we found that the best heat protectant spray for color is the dp Hue Color Fresh Thermal Protection Spray, which can protect hair up to 450 degrees and is designed to not only act as a shield when styling but also promote de-frizzing and shine while preserving colors.

When testing this formula out, we were highly impressed by the spray nozzle, which helped cover hair evenly without oversaturating it. Additionally, we loved that it features a more lightweight formula that works well with most hair types — one of our testers has oily hair and barely even noticed it in their strands.

Size: 5 ounces | Benefits: Protects hair color from heat | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

If you prefer a lightweight heat protectant formula, we can’t say enough good things about the Amika Heat Defense Serum, which features a lightweight formula with nourishment comparable to a creamy texture. This fast-absorbing hair serum is designed to protect hair from high temperatures and is safe to use on all hair types, including those with keratin treatments and color.

When testing this product out, we were most impressed by its lightweight texture and how well it nourished strands thanks to the inclusion of sea buckthorn, which is one of the only plant-based sources of fatty acid omega 7. This ingredient helps elevate hair health and protects against moisture loss while decreasing frizz and promoting shine.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, protects against moisture loss, decreases frizz, promotes shine | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

After testing several cream formulas, we recommend the Shu Uemura Netsu Blow Dry Cream for the best cream heat protectant. This styling product is designed specifically for blow drying, but we tested it on hot tools and found that it worked just as well.

Overall, we found that this heat protectant is super easy to use, and the cream formula blends well into strands for even coverage throughout. It also absorbs quickly and provides strands with a dose of hydration without being detectable.

In addition to its hydrating and heat-protecting properties, the cream helps decrease the look of frizz and promotes an overall shiny finish. It also features a lightweight scent that isn’t too overpowering and dissipates quickly. Our only hangup? We wish we could use it on wet and dry hair because we love it that much.

Size: 5 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, sets hairstyles, decreases frizz | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

Formulated with nourishing coconut, argan, grape seed, macadamia seed, sweet almond, and safflower oil, the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat and UV Protective Primer provides tons of nourishment and, as a result, shine.

We love this product because it decreases frizz by 50 percent and comes in a large 8.5-ounce bottle, so you get a lot for the price. Throughout the testing period, we found that this hair primer not only hydrated dry strands and helped prevent damage caused by hot tools but also felt comparable to a leave-in conditioner since it left our hair feeling softer and silkier.

Size: 8.5 ounces | Benefits: Heat protection, prevents color from fading, UV protection, decreases frizz, hydrates dry strands | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

Whether you like a barely-there feel or have fine hair and need a heat-protecting formula that won’t weigh your strands down, we recommend the Olaplex Volumicing Blow Dry Mist. This heat protectant spray helps nourish and repair damaged strands while promoting a softer texture and shine.

While testing this out, one of our testers found that it worked particularly well on their fine hair and, although it didn’t give off a ton of bounce, it still provided some lightweight volume.

In addition to its lightweight formula, we love it for its de-frizzing effect, which we found worked really well at keeping our flyaways at bay and providing a smoother and sleeker look. And, while it might have a lightweight formula, it certainly doesn’t lack in the hydration department as our hair felt ultra-nourished and moisturized after testing this out.

Size: 5 ounces | Benefits: Repairs damaged strands, promotes softer texture and shine | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F

Formulated to provide strands with heat protection up to 450 degrees, this lightweight elixir is designed with a heat-activated polymer technology to help smooth strands. One tester noted that she did experience fewer flyaways after styling, though others said they couldn’t tell much of a difference between not using the balm and using it.

At $45 for 3.4 ounces, the Oribe heat protectant is a bit expensive; however, we found that we didn’t need to use much product, meaning we anticipate one bottle to last us a long time. And, as far as luxury goes, one tester said that if they could bottle this scent as perfume, they would.

Size: 3.4 ounces | Benefits: Supports hair strength, restores damaged hair, protects against flyaways | Temperature Protection: Up to 450 degrees F