Long before I big-chopped my shoulder-length hair, brushes were the bane of my existence. More often than not, I would start a wash day enthusiastically, only to watch it fall apart a mere seconds after shampooing. That’s because rarely would a hairbrush be able to withstand my thick, tangled hair; even after it had been softened with a conditioner–the struggle was very real.  Maybe you who can relate. And if you’re a thicker hair type that also swears by a straightening brush, then I know you can relate.

These heat tools, which I like to describe as a blow-dryer-flat-iron hybrid, are the best of both worlds. They can smooth out the strands and dry them simultaneously, making time spent in front of the mirror a lot shorter. But they also come with their own setbacks; especially if your glorious curls need ample support to truly flourish. Like certain soft or hard bristle brushes, they can have handles that aren’t easy to grip when you’re really getting to the nitty-gritty of your roots. And if the bristles themselves aren’t thick enough, they easily break off or barely make an impact.

The truth is straightening brushes are hardly in short supply–Amazon alone has hundreds to choose from. But when it comes to models that actually work on thick hair, the list is a lot shorter. Thankfully, we’ve found seven that are backed by a slew of positive reviews and won’t wreak havoc on your budget.

DryBar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush

$145 at Sephora

Jose Eber Digital Straightening Brush

$140 at Jose Eber

Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler

$40 at Ulta 

DAFNI The Original Hair Straightening Ceramic Brush

$49 at Amazon

Glamfields Straightening Brush 2.0

$41 at Amazon

Amika iRed Polished Perfection Straightening Brush

$120 at Sephora

Kiss Ceramic Comb Straightener in Rose Gold

$25 at Bed Bath & Beyond

from StyleCaster