16 Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2026)

As someone who tests flat irons for a living, my hair has seen its fair share of damage. Even though I've been using heat protectant spray for most of my adult life to combat everything from split ends and breakage to lack of shine and dried-out cuticles, I'd never really given much thought as to whether the formula I was using was actually right for my desired purposes.

Is it protective enough to withstand even the hottest flat iron, or just a blow dryer? Could it be used on dry hair for touch-ups, or can it only be applied to damp hair? Does it fight frizz? I set out to investigate, trying dozens of blow-dry sprays, balms, and serums from some of the most popular brands on the market, including our top picks, Bumble and Bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer ($34) and Oribe's Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray ($46). Since reduced damage can often be hard to quantify, especially since it may not be apparent until new hair grows in, I focused primarily on ease of use, fulfillment of marketing claims, texture, and fragrance, as well as whether it left a residue or added weight. I have tested over 50 heat protectants in the past year, at home in my own bathroom under normal daily use, so my picks below are the ones that truly stood out from the crowd.

For WIRED recommendations on heat tools, check out our other hair-care guides, like the Best Blow-Dry Brushes, Best Hair Dryers, Best Diffusers for Curly Hair, Best Hair Straighteners, and Best Curling Irons.

Updated January 2026: I've added products from Chris McMillan, Seen, and Aveda as picks, and products from Verb, The Rootist, IGK, R+Co, L’ange, Frizz Ease, and Jess & Lou as honorable mentions. I've also ensured accuracy of links and pricing.

This is the heat protectant spray I've been using for years before blow-drying and straightening my hair, and it's still my favorite out of the dozens of formulas I tested for this guide. This milky-white leave-in conditioner with a proprietary six-oil blend smooths hair, hydrates, and adds shine without going on too heavy or too light, making it a great pick for all hair types and styles.

The formula works for wet or dry hair, and I love the simple pump bottle—no messy serums or toxic-smelling aerosol clouds to mess up your bathroom. The scent is light and inoffensive. As a bonus, it's also got UV filters to protect from sun damage. Online reviews complain it can be heavy for fine, straight hair, but our tester with this hair type did not have this problem.

This sleek black-and-gold bottle is a bit of a splurge, but it’s worth it—it smoothed and added visible shine without weighing my hair down, and kept it that way. Even on day two, the section where I used the Gold Lust needed less touching up. Fortified with plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide, this spray was effective at fighting frizz yet is lightweight enough to be a great choice for most hair types and textures. However, be forewarned that the aerosol emits a voluminous cloud that's difficult to escape, plus the scent is strong and may not be to everyone's taste. Floral and orange seem to be the dominant notes. This read as sunscreen-ish to me, but many online reviews rave about it.

For maximum frizz reduction, pair this with Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray ($72) before blow-drying. This bottle doesn't list a heat-protection feature, but it does add an additional layer of smoothing power and shine.

An affordable alternative to Oribe's Gold Lust, this heat-activated aerosol spray from Hot Tools has a five-oil blend that actually did a comparable job of adding lasting shine and reducing frizz. The shine effect (enhanced with diamond powder) didn't last as long as the Gold Lust, though, and the strong fragrance, which put me in mind of laundry detergent, may not be to everyone's taste.

The formula is also quite heavy, almost like hairspray, but I found this to be a plus as someone with naturally frizzy hair who lives in the Pacific Northwest. I also appreciated that this had the highest-temperature heat protection of any brand I tried. If you have fine hair, though, it may add too much weight for your liking. For use on damp hair, I also liked Hot Tools' Pro Artist Heat Defense Instant Detangling Mist ($29). It didn't take a top slot due to being a bit too residue-heavy, but it's still very effective for coarse and curly hair.

If I'm going to trust anyone to know a thing or two about heat protectants, it's going to be the chain of salons that's spent the past 14 years specializing in blowouts. Sure enough, Drybar didn't disappoint with this lightweight phthalate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free thermal protection spray. Fortified with biotin, vitamins, seaberry oil, and UV protection, this heat shield detangler felt hydrating yet not overly heavy, and I loved how soft my hair felt after blow-drying.

The pump bottle I tested came in “Noir” scent. To me it smelled slightly minty, though Drybar claims there are supposed to be hints of ginger and sandalwood as well. For those more into mocktails than mint, there's a Coconut Colada scent that seems to be just as widely available. I also liked Drybar's Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist ($31) for dry hair, but this blow-dry mist was too lightweight to use for anything other than touch-ups if your hair is seriously thick, curly, or frizzy.

This all-in-one detangler and frizz treatment stood out in my tests for adding visible hydration and shine. Its effective pump-bottle spray formula is fortified with spirulina protein and coconut oil, and it's lightweight enough to work for all hair types. IGK says it's also safe for chemically treated hair.

The only detractors that knocked it out of the top slot are the fact that the frizz-fighting properties are not as impressive as claimed—my hair did eventually poof back up after blow-drying—and the very strong fragrance. IGK identifies top notes of black pepper and blackberries, but I get feline flea and tick treatment.

Dermatologist-developed for sensitive scalps, this 4.3-pH, non-comedogenic cream, bestowed with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, comes in regular and fragrance-free versions. (The regular has a light, pleasant fruity-floral smell.) What I like best of all, though, is that it stands out for its performance, regardless of its dermatology bona fides—my 3a curls came out just as smooth and frizz-free as they would with some of my other favorite, heavier products. Those with eczema, acne, or sensitive scalps will appreciate that they won't have to compromise on performance. Just note that, because it's a cream, it will be a little heavier than a spray, so those with fine hair may want to use less.

Who needs a heat-protective hairspray? You, actually, if you're tired of your curls going flat or your blowout poofing up the minute you go outside. This is essentially the same Good Behavior spray you might know and love (see above), aerosolized and made industrial-strength. When I tested this on particularly humid days, applying both before and after straightening, there was nary a flyaway to be found.

On the downside, it can be a bit sticky, and a little goes a very long way. Consider this the big guns—for special occasions or when you want your style to be picture-perfect and long-lasting. The can says four-day frizz control, and while my hair felt gross before that point, I can verify the effect did last 72 hours.

If you have frizzy hair, you may be questioning the logic of my crowning a “volumizing” product in this category. I admit I was worried when I tried this product and its sibling Abundant Blowout spray (which I liked but was not as impressed by)—as someone who religiously straightens their naturally curly and frizzy hair, I'm usually going for less volume, not more. However, this spray not only effectively lifts hair at the roots, which is universally flattering, it tamps down even the most severe, humidity-induced frizz. This makes it the rare great choice for both those with fine, limp hair and those with out-of-control, voluminous locks.

I also like the slightly spicy botanical scent, and the fact you don't need to use too much to get the full effect. Some online reviewers complained it made their hair feel stiff, and while I can see what they're getting at, this is part of what keeps the hair lifted at the roots, so I'm willing to trade a slightly stiff feel for some volume.

There's no question Beverly Hills-based celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan knows hair—he invented The Rachel, among many other looks—so I'm not exactly shocked that his heat protectant spray proved to be a standout. The best part? You can use as much as you think you need. "Use more than you think—trust me, it won’t weigh your hair down," reads a tip from Chris on the back of the bottle. And he's not wrong! In my testing, I used anywhere from five small pumps to completely saturating my hair, and while I got better results the more I used, my hair was frizz-free and had no noticeable residue. I didn't notice an increase in shine, but regardless, this is a great choice for any hair type, especially if you're worried about buildup or weight.

This is one of my favorite hair products to travel with as a curly-haired person. Why? Because it does double duty: Smooths frizz if I want to—or only have time to—let my hair air-dry curly, or acts as a heat protectant if I want to blow-dry and straighten. It excels at both thanks to its vegan squalene and avocado seed oil-fortified ingredient list. It also smells great. (Though I admit I have been sitting here for about 15 minutes trying to come up with specifics to describe the scent, and the best I can come up with is “creamy-citrusy.”) It's also cool that the tube is made of sugarcane-based plastic.

If you have especially thick or curly hair, a spray just might not cut it. A balm is thicker and messier to apply, but it ensures sufficient product application. R+Co's paraben-free formula pairs moisturizers (mustard seed oil, kiwi oil) with polymers and copolymers to smooth and protect hair. I also like the petite, user-friendly pump bottle.

The resulting product looks and smells like a slightly thickened shampoo. It feels hydrating yet not overly heavy or sticky, and my hair felt super soft after blow-drying and touching up with a straightening iron.

Something about the Äz brand's jewel-toned ombré bottle, high-end perfume scent, and gold dragon-stamp cap screams Las Vegas to me. But the good kind of Vegas—Celine Dion's mansion shower, say, not a grubby comped room at the Luxor. “Created for stylists, by stylists” is Äz's tagline, and it checks out. Everything I've tried from the brand—created by industry veteran Rodger Azadganian—has been exceptional, including this heat protectant.

It's a cream, so not technically a spray, though it is thin enough that it could be one, and its frizz-fighting power is top-notch. It can be used on either damp or dry hair, though I found it a bit heavy on the latter. Still, I can see adding a little to finished styles just for the scent alone. It's both woodsy and slightly floral, like something you'd find in a high-end spa.

I love this sulfate- and paraben-free pump spray, which is heat-activated by a blow-dryer and supposedly lasts through three or four shampoos (though I couldn’t really tell, to be honest). Although it doesn't state so on the bottle, the company's website confirms it does provide heat protection. It also smooths my hair better and for longer than brands three times its price.

However, the heat protective properties top out at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can only be used with a blow dryer—you'll need another protectant if you plan on finishing your hair styling with a heat tool. Also bear in mind that it is on the heavier side in terms of residue, so a little goes a long way, and it may be a better choice for thick or curly locks.

If you've already tried Dream Coat and it wasn't your jam, NuMe's Clout Control Anti-Frizz and Heat Protectant Spray ($49) works very much the same way—a long-lasting, blow-dry-only option that tamps down frizz. Like Color Wow, the effect is supposed to last three to four weeks, and while this wasn't evident in my testing, it's a little more lightweight if you found Dream Coat too heavy.

While not a spray, this serum is from L’Oreal Professionnel's Metal Detox, a unique chelating regimen that also includes a shampoo and hair mask (both of which I tried and also liked). Using a proprietary molecule called glicoamine, the formula aims to reduce breakage and preserve hair color (including highlight treatments like balayage) by removing metals that can accumulate on hair fibers through hard water and diet.

I'm fairly certain I did see less breakage during my test period with this serum, though results are hard to quantify. I also like the light and citrusy scent. Be forewarned, though, that this small glass pump bottle is one of the heaviest hair products I’ve used in terms of residue—a little goes a very long way.

This lightweight aerosol functions as a combination heat protectant and styling/finishing spray. A blend of polymers and emollients work to smooth the hair cuticle, so it could be used for frizz control even without a heat tool. It wasn't quite strong enough for “first line” use on my thick, curly hair, but it did a great job smoothing frizz during daily flat-iron touch-ups. It's safe for chemically treated styles, and I like that it can be used on damp or dry hair.

It does have a strong fragrance that may be off-putting to some. Amazon identified it as “vanilla,” but to me it's reminiscent of concentrated diaper cream.

I admit I had my doubts about this lightweight, low-priced pump spray that claims to cut drying time while providing heat protection. I didn't notice any effects from the “shine enhancing” properties, but I certainly did notice the reduction in drying time. At one point in my testing period I was testing two heat protectants on different sections of my hair, and I could immediately tell on which area I'd sprayed the Kristin Ess. Keep in mind, however, that this product does have a hearty dose of Kristin Ess' signature scent, which features strong notes of amber and musky ambrette seed.

Though technically not a spray, I also really liked Milk_Shake's Lifestyling Blow-Dry Primer ($26). It wasn't quite as effective as Kristin Ess' formula and left a slightly sticky residue, but I loved how the light-orange liquid emerged from the pump as a foam, ensuring even application. Those put off by the Kristin Ess fragrance may want to try this one instead, which has a light, pineapple-like scent.

Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes. This thick and almost fragrance-free cream is meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use.

Mane Temp Check for $26: “Smell cute, feel cuter” goes the slogan for this line of hair products and tools from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, founder of Ouai. This pink spray immediately cheers up any bathroom counter with its handwritten-style cartoon letters, happy clouds, and lychee/rose/vanilla scent. Though I loved how it worked on my 3a hair, I can see how it may be too drying for some.

The Rootist BioBrew Fermented Leave-In Repair Serum for $57: Same as the brand's dry shampoo, this lightweight spray's claim to fame is its use of Rootbiotic Ferment, a fermented botanical blend that provides bioavailable nutrients for the scalp and hair. It's an interesting concept, but I wasn't blown away by its standard properties like frizz reduction. At this price, for less than 2 ounces of product, I felt like I should be.

IGK Good Behavior Supreme Seal Smoothing Serum for $34: I like this pump-bottle serum a lot as a finishing product and for applying to dry ends, but it's too hard to get even application as a regular heat protectant.

R+Co On a Cloud Bond Building Repair and Styling Oil for $38: Same as above, I love this product as a styling and finishing oil, but not as a heat protectant. (Though it is heat protective up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Verb Hydrate Oil for $36: This 450-degree-Fahrenheit protective, serum-like product left my hair a little oilier than similar products. Online reviews complain about malfunctioning pump bottles, but mine had no issues.

Function of Beauty Smooth With It Blowout Mist for $13: This Target-exclusive spray is fortified with argan oil and Tsubaki oil (from camellia fruit), a common ingredient in many K-beauty products. It is a spray, but I was surprised to find it comes out with an opaque, cream-like consistency rather than as a liquid, which means it goes on a bit heavy. That said, sometimes my frizzy hair needs something on the heavy side, and this definitely fit the bill—it did visibly reduce frizz after blow-drying, and my hair felt very soft.

Remilia Rice & Shine Leave-in Conditioner for $24: This hydrating, heat-protective leave-in spray comes in a cool, cork-topped bottle and has an inoffensive scent. However, it did not do much for frizz in my tests.

Jess & Lou Protect Thermal Protect Mist for $20: I appreciated this sustainably sourced, natural, and organic spray, but it was only protective up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit—too low for the tools I use—and it didn't perform well on frizz. (I did, however, love the brand's ultra-hydrating ResQ hair mask.)

Goddess BioTech Blowout for $40: This leave-in cream, powered by the proprietary Goddess Molecule, worked just fine on my 3a hair, but to tamp down frizz, I had to use the same amount as I would another product, which matters when it costs $40 for a 1.7-ounce bottle.

L'ange Glass Hair for $30: This heat-activated primer promised high shine, but it did not deliver in my tests. Otherwise, it's a perfectly serviceable heat protectant, though there are similar options for less.

Marc Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout for $10: This anti-frizz spray is a great value, but it didn't work wonders on my 3a curls, and Function of Beauty's Smooth With It (above) outperformed it in this price category.

Raw Sugar Multi Miracle Leave-in Conditioner for $10: I really liked the wood accent and spray nozzle on the bottle of this heat-protective leave-in conditioner, but it did not perform well on frizz in my tests.

Biolage Thermal Setting Spray for $28: I appreciate the Biolage brand, and the fact that this can be used on either damp or dry hair (though it doesn't give a temperature limit). However, whether I used it wet or dry, I found it left parts of my hair stiff. Some online reviewers, though, found they quite liked it for setting curls.

Emi Jay Heavenly Hair Milk for $40: This is not exactly a spray, but it is lightweight enough that it could be, and it comes in a cool bottle with a pump that twists down to become a flush cap. It's a combination heat protectant and detangler that happens to be an excellent anti-frizz product on its own (it supposedly cuts down on drying time, too, but this feature wasn't notable in my testing). This was, at one time, my first pick for best smelling, but someone online said it smelled like Play-Doh, and I was never able to un-smell it.

Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant for $15 (2 ounces): All of Moroccanoil’s products are infused with argan oil, and this spray, which protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, is no exception. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and it’s extremely lightweight—I thought it felt and acted like a light hairspray, for better or for worse. I didn’t love the scent or the super-fine, alcohol-based mist—in fact, I was worried it would dry my hair out, but it didn’t.

Milk_Shake Lifestyling Amazing Anti-Humidity Spray for $28 and Smoothing Cream for $24: I love Milk_Shake as a brand, and these products were just fine, but didn't stand out enough to qualify as top picks.

Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray for $22: I'd heard great things about this frizz-fighting spray, and indeed it's lightweight, feels non-drying, and doesn't leave any heavy residue. It'd be a great pick if you have straight or wavy hair, but there are more effective options to cut frizz for type 3 and 4 curls if you're trying to achieve a blowout.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum for $11: The price is right on this old-school classic—I used it for years back in the ’90s. However, it's much thinner now than it was then. It's still fine, just not among my top picks for frizz reduction.

Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this cream's spicy botanical scent, stylish glass bottle, and the fact that it protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Reverie; it does not say so on the bottle). It worked fine! There are just too many better options for half the price. (Ed. note: This is reviews editor Adrienne So's current favorite heat protectant for thick, wavy 2a hair. She mainly likes the ease of application and frizz prevention, but admits that it's stupid expensive.)

Hairstory Primer Smoothing and Moisturizing Protection Mist for $36: This leave-in mist protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed to work with the whole Hairstory New Wash Method ($86), which involves a detergent-free “cleansing cream.” I tried it and it reminded me of the whole “no ’poo” movement of the early aughts, where practitioners eschewed modern shampoo for more natural options like baking soda. This method is not for everyone, but if you do try it, I don't think the mist adds enough to justify the cost.

IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $38: This aerosol felt like it dried my hair out a bit, and it has the same unpleasant scent as the Good Behavior 4-in-1 (above). I didn't care for it in a liquid spray, but it was overwhelming in aerosol cloud form.

R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol in a recycled aluminum bottle was a favorite during the early weeks of testing—I liked its protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and its frizz-fighting properties. However, it does use a polymer and resin complex to smooth hair, and over time, I noticed it was leaving a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.

Brocato Cloud 9 Miracle Repair 3-in-1 Leave-in Conditioning Spray for $30 and Brocato Cloud 9 Blowout Blow Dry Serum for $28: People rave about Cloud 9 online, and I really like parent brand Beautopia's vibrating hair straightener, but neither of these products did much to cut down frizz during my tests.

Mane Cotton Candy Dry Texture and Volume Spray for $26: Protective up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, this styler is supposed to add volume, and I had high hopes given my positive experience with this brand's Temp Check heat protectant (above). However, it had the opposite effect on my mid-back-length hair.

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $26: I have thick, unruly hair, and this cream protectant felt like it actually made my hair unmanageable and harder to style. It may speak to its effectiveness, but I felt like I had to take too many passes with a titanium flat iron turned up to max temperature.

Pureology Instant Levitation Mist for $34: Pureology is known for its formulas made specifically for color-treated hair, so I was hoping this would be a great-performing solution for those who don't want to risk ruining their expensive highlights or balayage. However, it seemed to leave a dull residue, and neither I nor my short-haired tester found the volumizing feature to be very effective.

R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated this spray for its ability to add lots of visible shine, but the aerosol nozzle was not as targeted as I’d have liked, creating such a wide-ranging, fine-mist fog that it was nearly impossible not to breathe it in. I also found the cologne-like scent overwhelming.

Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $26: I usually love Milk_Shake products, but this aerosol spray felt like it dried out my hair and amplified my already hard-to-handle frizz after blow-drying. It also did not add a discernible amount of shine as promised.

FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $17: I like the cheery design of this pump spray bottle, as well as the fact that it can be used on wet or dry hair. However, it didn’t seem as effective as other brands and was greasy when used on dry hair.

Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore stalwart works well to protect from heat while also tamping down frizz, and the new Botanical Bliss scent is an improvement over the original formula's. However, it left a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.

Neqi Diamond Glass Styling Spray for $12: I love Neqi's hair perfume spray, so I had high hopes for its heat protectant, but it just didn't do much to reduce frizz.

Ingredients vary, but most heat protectants work much the same way: by deploying ingredients like copolymers or silicone that coat the hair shaft to slow (though not totally stop) heat conduction. Many heat protectants also include moisturizers to help seal and smooth the cuticle to reduce frizz. Because heat protectants can only slow, not completely stop, heat damage, it's still important to use the lowest heat settings you can for your hair for the least amount of time.

I wash my 3a curly hair twice a week, then blow-dry and follow up with a straightening iron. I touch up my hair with a straightening iron daily in between. I tested the heat protectants in this guide in the course of my normal day-to-day life over a period of four months. I used each product on either damp hair before blow-drying or on dry hair before the straightening iron—whichever was indicated by the instructions. If a product could be used on damp and dry hair, I tried it both ways.

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