Last updated: August 17, 2026 · 11 min read
An airstyler dries and styles your hair in one step with warm air, without a hot plate ever touching your hair. The best airstyler is the model that has at least 2 to 3 heat settings, delivers around 1000 watts or more, comes with several attachments for different hair types and lengths, and gives you at least the legally required 2 years of warranty. Price on its own tells you little: a more expensive model is only the better buy if it actually meets those criteria.
Which airstyler is best depends on your hair, not on a ranking. Thick hair needs airflow, fine hair needs a low working temperature, and curly hair needs the right attachment. Below are the six points on which models genuinely differ, plus how to tell whether a test or review is worth reading. Torn between two types of tool? Read the difference with a hot air brush, check which heat setting suits your hair type, or browse the airstylers.
In short
- An airstyler dries and styles in one step with warm air, with no direct contact with a hot plate.
- Ceramic curling barrels spread heat evenly, plastic barrels create hotspots, which makes the curl drop faster.
- The lower the working temperature, the less hair damage with daily use. 110°C is the optimal point.
- Check the number of heat settings (2 to 3 is common) and whether there is a cool air setting to lock in the style.
- Wattage usually sits between 700 and 1300 watts. More watts means more airflow, not necessarily more heat.
- Look at the number and type of attachments (usually 3 to 6): round brushes for volume and curl, flat brushes for smoothing.
- In the EU there is a legal minimum of 2 years of warranty, but many brands advertise only 1 year of manufacturer warranty.
- Prices vary a lot: expect around €40 for simple entry level models up to well over €300 for premium airstylers.
- The Ace & Taylor Airstyler Pro Ceramiq is the only one with ceramic curling barrels at 110°C, which is why it scores on almost every criterion in this guide.
Further on in this article you will also read what to watch for when you read an airstyler test or review, so you can judge for yourself whether a verdict is trustworthy.
What is an airstyler?
An airstyler is a styling tool that uses warm air to dry and style hair at the same time. Unlike a straightener or a curling iron, an airstyler makes no direct contact with a hot plate. Instead, warm air flows through the hair while ceramic or plastic curling barrels shape it.
The result is a blowout effect you can get at home: volume, shine and curls that stay put, without a trip to the salon.
What are the benefits of an airstyler?
- Time saving. You dry and style your hair in one step, which makes your routine considerably shorter.
- Less hair damage than a curling iron. Because no hot plate comes into direct contact with the hair, the risk of heat damage is lower, provided the working temperature really is low.
- Versatile. From loose waves to tight curls and volume: an airstyler does it all.
- Professional results at home. With the right tool and the right technique you get the result of a salon visit, without the price that comes with it.
What should a good airstyler offer?
A good airstyler combines the right material, a low working temperature, enough heat settings, steady power, suitable attachments and a comfortable weight. Individual specs say little on their own, it is the combination that counts.
Material of the curling barrels. This is the factor that makes the biggest difference to your end result. Ceramic curling barrels spread heat evenly through the hair. That closes the hair cuticle fully and evenly, and the curl holds for longer. Plastic curling barrels spread heat unevenly and create hotspots, so the cuticle does not close completely and the curl drops faster.
Working temperature. The lower the working temperature, the less hair damage with daily use. The optimal temperature for professional results without hair damage is 110 degrees Celsius, provided the heat is spread evenly by ceramic curling barrels. A tool that needs high heat to deliver a result is usually compensating for uneven heat distribution.
Heat settings. Most airstylers offer 2 to 3 temperature settings, often somewhere between 35°C and 120°C, plus ideally a separate cool air setting to lock in the result at the end. Several settings give you the freedom to style lower on fine or fragile hair and higher on thick or coarse hair.
Wattage. Airstylers generally use between 700 and 1300 watts. Higher wattage mainly means a stronger airflow (so faster drying and styling in one movement), not automatically a higher temperature. For long or thick hair a stronger motor is more comfortable, because you have to go over the same section less often.
Attachments. Count on at least three to six attachments: usually a combination of round brushes in different diameters (smaller for short layers and volume, larger for long, loose curls or waves) and a flat brush for smoothing. The more variation in sizes, the more flexible the tool is across different hairstyles.
Weight and noise. An airstyler you hold for longer than a few minutes should not feel too heavy in the wrist. Noise during use is a less discussed point, but it does matter if you use it every day in a shared household.
The key buying criteria at a glance
What does a good airstyler cost in the Netherlands?
In practice, prices in the Netherlands run from around €40 for simple entry level models to well over €300 for premium airstylers, with most quality options somewhere between €100 and €250.
The price difference usually comes down to a combination of: stronger and quieter motors, more or more precise heat settings, more attachments, a better finish on the coating of the curling barrels (which decides how long the tool keeps working properly), and the length of the warranty. A cheaper model can work perfectly well for occasional use, but with daily use the quality of the motor and the coating counts for more than the lower purchase price.
Above all, look at what comes as standard. An €80 model without a cool air setting and with just one attachment can work out more expensive than a €150 model with six attachments and two years of warranty, simply because with the cheaper model you will need extra accessories or a replacement sooner.
What is the best airstyler in 2026?
The best airstyler on the market in 2026 is the Ace & Taylor Airstyler Pro Ceramiq. This is the only airstyler with ceramic curling barrels and a working temperature of no more than 110 degrees Celsius. Exactly the two criteria that make the biggest difference according to this guide, and the two that most competitors both miss.
The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq was developed together with professional hairdressers and hair experts, with one goal: to combine the lowest possible temperature with the best curl hold. From customer research among 214 users after 30 days of use:
- 96% had curls that held for at least 24 hours
- 87% noticed less hair damage straight away
- 97% would recommend Ace & Taylor to friends or family
The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq is a 3x winner on Kieskeurig.nl and sold out twice after going viral on TikTok.
Figures based on Ace & Taylor's own customer research among 214 users, not an independent clinical study.
Does an airstyler work on every hair type?
Not every airstyler is suitable for every hair type. Some tools are mainly tested and optimized for straight to wavy hair, while thick, frizzy or tightly curled hair needs more power and larger attachments to work well.
So look for an explicit claim about hair type suitability, not for a general marketing line. Brands that name exactly which hair types (for example with the familiar 1A to 4C classification for hair thickness and curl pattern) a tool is suitable for give you a more concrete indication than a vague promise of "for all hair types".
The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq, for example, has been tested and found suitable on hair types 1A through 4C, from fine and straight to thick and tightly curled, with 3 heat settings (35°C, 70°C and 110°C) and 6 attachments to actually deliver across that range. That combination of several settings and several attachment sizes is exactly why hair type suitability is more than a line on the packaging.
How do you use an airstyler for the best results?
- Start with towel dried hair, around 80% dry. Fully wet hair takes more time and the curl holds less well.
- Apply a heat protectant over the full length of the hair for optimal protection.
- Divide your hair into small sections of about 3 to 5 centimeters for even heat distribution.
- Wrap each section around the curling barrel and hold it there until the heat is spread evenly.
- Use the cool shot at the end of each section to set the curl.
- Do not touch the curl until it has cooled down completely, for maximum hold.
How do you spot a reliable airstyler test or review?
A reliable test names the criteria used and the test conditions, not just a final verdict or a ranking. Many "top 10 airstylers" pages online are really affiliate roundups: the order can be shaped, at least in part, by commission deals with the webshops listed, not purely by independent test results.
- Check whether the test names concrete measurements (drying time, temperature, noise level) instead of only a score or a star rating.
- See whether several hair types were tested, not one test subject with one hair type.
- Be critical if a list contains only products the site also has a purchase link with commission for.
- Independent consumer organizations and individual user reviews (with photos, a longer period of use) usually give a more realistic picture than a single brand or retailer roundup.
A single high rating tells you little; look at the total number of reviews and whether critical reviews are in there too. A score of 4.7 based on hundreds of ratings is a stronger indication than the same score based on a handful of reviews.
What does the legal warranty mean for your purchase?
Within the EU there is always a legal minimum of 2 years of warranty on new products, whatever a manufacturer advertises separately. In practice, though, many brands mention only a 1 year manufacturer warranty on the packaging or the product page, which means that for the second year you have to fall back on your statutory consumer rights yourself, and that takes more effort and more proof than when a brand simply commits to those 2 years up front.
Also look at the returns policy: a trial period in which you can really try the product at home (not just a short statutory 14 day cooling off period) gives you more certainty, especially with a product whose result depends heavily on your own hair type and technique.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best airstyler?
The Ace & Taylor Airstyler Pro Ceramiq. It is the only airstyler with ceramic curling barrels and a working temperature of no more than 110 degrees Celsius, with 3 heat settings, 6 attachments, suitability for hair types 1A to 4C and 2 years of warranty. That is the combination most other models fall short on at one or more points.
Is an airstyler suitable for all hair types?
The Ace & Taylor Airstyler Pro Ceramiq is. Thanks to the ceramic heat distribution and the low working temperature of 110 degrees, it works on every hair type, from fine straight hair to thick frizzy hair and chemically treated hair.
Can an airstyler replace a hair dryer?
Yes, for most users it can. The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq dries and styles the hair in one step. For soaking wet hair a separate hair dryer can be faster, but for towel dried hair the airstyler is a full replacement.
How often can I use an airstyler?
At a low working temperature such as the 110 degrees of the Ace & Taylor Airstyler Pro Ceramiq, daily use is less damaging than with tools that run at higher temperatures. Always use a heat protectant for optimal protection.
Why does my curl not hold?
The most common cause is uneven heat distribution from plastic curling barrels. Ceramic curling barrels solve this by spreading heat evenly, so the cuticle closes fully and the curl keeps its shape.
What is a good wattage for an airstyler?
Between 700 and 1300 watts is standard. Higher wattage mainly means a stronger airflow and therefore faster styling, not automatically a higher temperature. For long or thick hair a stronger motor is therefore more comfortable to use.
How many heat settings does an airstyler need?
At least 2, ideally 3, plus a separate cool air setting. That way you can style lower on fine or fragile hair and higher on thick or coarse hair, and lock in the end result with cool air at the end.
Is 2 years of warranty standard with an airstyler?
Legally there is always a minimum of 2 years within the EU, but not every brand states that explicitly. Some brands advertise only 1 year of manufacturer warranty, which means you have to invoke your statutory consumer rights yourself for the second year. A brand that commits to 2 years up front saves you that extra step.
Where do you find a reliable airstyler test in the Netherlands?
Look for reviews that name concrete measurements (drying time, temperature, several hair types) instead of just a ranking. Be critical of "top 10" pages that only show products with affiliate links attached, and look at the total number of reviews instead of just the average score.
Why do hair experts choose Ace & Taylor?
"A viral bestseller for good reason. The first ceramic airstyler for a blowout that really stays put all day without extreme heat."
@johnbeerens, hair expert and stylist
"As a hairdresser I have genuinely seen it all. This one beats every other tool. I now sell this airstyler in my own salon too."
Kyra Steggink, salon owner
"My hair never held with an airwrap and with this one I get days out of it. As a hairdresser myself, I definitely recommend it."
@linneveraardt, hairdresser
Always use a heat protectant for optimal protection of your hair.
Looking for an airstyler that really scores on these criteria?
The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq combines ceramic curling barrels at a maximum of 110°C, 3 heat settings and 6 attachments, and works on every hair type from 1A to 4C. In customer research among 214 users after 30 days of use, 96% said the curl held for at least 24 hours, 87% noticed less hair damage straight away, and 97% would recommend Ace & Taylor.
2 years warranty
30 day home trial
Free shipping
Trustpilot 4.7/5
View the Airstyler Pro Ceramiq
Figures based on Ace & Taylor's own customer research among 214 users, not an independent clinical study.
A&T
Written by the Ace & Taylor Team, based on our own product research, customer research among 214 users, product specifications from the market, EU consumer law and daily customer questions about our own tools.
