Skipping Heat Protectant Makes Celeb Hairstylists Cringe—They Dub These 10 the Best of All Time
Preventing damage made easy.
There are some things in this life that will always pair well together: milk and cereal, peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, your favorite hair tool and heat protectant. (See how I snuck in that last one?) It's true though! If you're someone that uses a straightener, diffuser, or blow dryer on your hair, you should be using a heat protectant. Skipping this step before styling your hair is almost like going outside without putting on sunscreen (which is also something you should always be doing, by the way).
Without heat protectant, you're putting your hair through more damage. And as someone who used to straighten their hair religiously, I can tell you that that damage can seriously add up. “Whether it comes in a lotion, spray, or mist, the purpose of a heat protectant is exactly what the name suggests: protection,” says celebrity hairstylist Hanna Oh. “These formulas typically contain conditioning and strengthening ingredients that penetrate the hair to support its structure, along with surface-coating agents that form a protective barrier.”
Staying consistent with a heat protectant means less hair loss, breakage, and damage. Whether you're just starting to add one of these to your regimen or you're curious to know which brands are top performers in 2026, just know there are options for you. Read on for our top picks.
The Best Heat Protectant Sprays, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray
- Runner up: Redken Thermal Spray High Hold
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Muk. Hot Thermal Protect
- Best Conditioning: K18 Heatbounce™ Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
- Best for Breakage: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
The Best Heat Protectant Sprays in 2026
Best Overall: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray
This pick from Color Wow takes the top spot for the way it protects hair but also adds softens and tames frizz. "This gives you two levels of long-lasting heat protection and is amazing for frizz control, leaving hair glassy and shiny," says celebrity hairstylist Sacha Quarles. "The technology goes another level with an added humectant for humidity protection."
Pros: Treats frizz, adds shine
Cons: Not ideal for thick hair
Key ingredients: Proprietary Anti-Humidity Complex, chamomilla extract, glycerin
Hair type: Fine and medium
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "I really love this! It works fantastically for my thinning and limp hair. It adds a bit of shine and helps with frizz. I also like that it’s unscented."
Runner up: Redken Thermal Spray High Hold
You've probably heard a lot of buzz about Redken lately from your favorite celebs. Turns out, the hype is totally worth it. "Popular on tv and movie sets, it provides max, long-lasting hold, adding shine and frizz control with staying power," says Quarles. "Redken's Heat Restyling Technology features a unique formula that protects the hair cuticle from damage and allows you to change your style between washes by applying heat to reactivate the formula."
Pros: Adds shine and lasting power
Cons: Smell may be strong for some
Key ingredients: Ceramides, cranberry oil
Hair type: All
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "This works! It provides great heat protection and holds my heat styled curls longer than any other product I've used."
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Muk. Hot Thermal Protect
If you've never heard of this brand, consider this your formal introduction. "This gem is a little known secret from Australia that is taking the U.S. by storm!" says Quarles. "It contains UV protectors to guard against color fade and sun damage, locking out frizz. It's especially brilliant to use while blow-drying." If you have damaged or coarse he suggests trying the brands styling cream for a soft, glass-like finish.
Pros: Good for color-treated hair, UV protection
Cons: Pump can get stuck for some
Key ingredients: Castor oil
Hair type: Fine, medium, coarse
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "I love this stuff!!!! It has a very distinct smell, and I knew it was the "real thing" right away."
Best Conditioning: K18 Heatbounce™ Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant
As someone who loves this brand, it doesn't surprise me that its heat protectant made the list. "K-18 refers to this as "The future of heat protection" and I agree," says Quarles. "I also love using this on set because it offers so many benefits—conditioning, heat protection, detangling, softening and more." He adds that it's great for when you don't want to carry several products around since this one is like a triple threat.
Pros: Great for curls and coils, treats dryness
Cons: Too heavy for thin hair
Key ingredients: Resilicore Heat-Shielding Technology
Hair type: Fine, medium, and thick
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "I will never use another heat protectant! I love this product. It protects and smooths without weighing down my hair!"
Best for Breakage: Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray
If you've never tried Oribe hair products, consider this luxury in a bottle. It may be on the pricey side, but the lightweight mist smells amazing and works beautifully on hair. "Another multi-tasker, this heat protectant repairs, conditions and nourishes hair, leaving it soft and silky," says Quarles. "It also smoothes frizz and flyaways for a polished finish."
Pros: Repairs damage, fights frizz
Cons: Not ideal for oily hair
Key ingredients: Bio-Restorative Complex, brassica oil copolymer, coconut water and marine algae extract
Hair type: Fine, medium, and thick
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "I don’t wash my hair everyday, and those products that say you can use in wet and dry hair always seem to make my hair so greasy. This product is amazing!! My hair never feels greasy, and it seems to protect my hair very well"
Best for Frizz: Tresemme Protecting Heat Spray Keratin Smooth
Tresemme has been a staple in households for decades when it comes to haircare, and the affordable price of this spray makes it a no-brainer for tight budget shopping. "This has brilliant professional styling quality at a steal to protect you hair against breakage when using your favorite heated styling tools," says Quarles. "The formula is weightless—you can't even tell it's in your hair." He also suggests applying this to damp hair before fully drying and styling.
Pros: Affordable and adds shine
Cons: Some users don't like the smell
Key ingredients: Glycerin and keratin
Hair type: Fine, medium, and thick
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "Does what it is supposed to do. Protects my hair from heat. My hair does not feel fried after using this. I have tried other products but always come back to this one."
Bset Vegan Formula: Surface Hair Blowout Primer Hair Spray
The last thing you want is a spray that's going to make your hair feel tacky and more difficult to detangle. With this heat protectant, you'll never have to worry about that. "Since this spray provides heat protection while also smoothing and detangling, this primer from Surface is going to let the brush glide through the hair, providing the added perk of style memory," says Oh. She adds that this feature in a heat protectant will ensure your finished hairstyle is flexible, long lasting and re-stylable.
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: May not be ideal for oily hair
Key ingredients: Maracuja (passion fruit) oil, hemp seed oil, and lychee oil
Hair type: All
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "This is an amazing product ! Volume for my fine hair and heat protectant is unbeatable! Will be buying on repeat."
Best for Shine: Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Sticky hair is a no-go, but this Moroccan Oil protectant will leave hair super soft. "Its a no-hold formula, so it won't leave hair sticky or stiff—instead, the hair remains completely workable," says Oh. "Infused with argan oil and panthenol, it hydrates while delivering a glossy, polished finish."
Pros: Adds a glossy finish, smells great
Cons: Not ideal for dry hair types
Key ingredients: Panthenol and argan oil
Hair type: Fine, medium, and thick
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "Use this every time I am going to apply heat to my hair. The smell is not overpowering, and it’s not sticky. I’ve tried many heat protection sprays, and this is the one I have used the longest. It’s a great product."
Best Splurge: Milbon Repair Heat Protective Mist
If you're open to a splurge, consider Milbon's Repair Heat Protective Mist. "This ultra-fine mist allows for incredibly even distribution, especially when applied to sections," says Oh. "It features advanced ingredients like SSRV-Silk, which supports the hair's integrity from the inside out, and CMADK, Milbon's breakthrough protein technology designed to help restore strength and repair internal bonds." The result? A highly effective protectant that also supports your long-term hair health.
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Pricey and can be drying for some
Key ingredients: Amino acids, SSRV-silk, CMADK
Hair type: All
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Best Drugstore: OGX Bond Protein Repair
If I had to give my personal editors pick badge to any product on this list, it would be this one. I have 3B/3C curly hair, and while I rarely use heat tools, I love using this to protect against environmental damage. When I do use a diffuser, this product is like my right hand. It's affordable, and it smells amazing.
Pros: Affordable, smells good
Cons: May be too heavy on thinning hair
Key ingredients: Castor oil and wheat protein
Hair type: All
Level of protection: 450 degrees
Customer review: "I love this product. It doesn’t leave my hair feeling weighed down or heavy. It provides very good resistance to damage, and I also love the smell. I definitely would repurchase this."
What's the best way to apply heat protectant spray?
You might be tempted to do a quick spritz of heat protectant and go about your day, but technique here matters if you want the best results. "Application depends on the formula, but the key is always even distribution," says Oh. "Work in sections to ensure every strand is coated, paying special attention to the ends." She notes that the ends are the most fragile parts of your hair since they've experienced the most amount of damage over time. That said, concentrating on the mid point and ends is key. Quarles adds that your hair should be damp (about 60 to 80 percent dry) and combed through after application.
What to Look for in a Heat Protectant Spray
There are plenty of heat protectants on the market, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you make a purchase. Here are some pointers from our experts:
Budget: As you can tell from our list, you can find quality heat protectant sprays at various price points. At the end of the day, Quarles suggests going for whatever is within budget, so there's no need to break the bank.
Reviews: If you skip on looking at product reviews before you buy, consider this as your sign to start. "Look for reviews, and see what people with your hair type are loving," says Quarles. He adds that you can also speak with your hairstylist and see which products they'd recommend too.
Use: Your haircare routine can be a good indicator of the kind of spray you should be getting. "If blow-drying is part of your regular routine, opt for a product designed for damp application," says Oh. "If you tend to air-dry and then use a curling iron, use a dry spray."
Hair type: Different hair types and textures require different formulas. "Thicker hair types generally benefit from creamier or balm-based formulas that provide additional control and frizz reduction, while finer hair responds best to lightweight mists that won't weigh it down or flatten volume," says Oh. "Ultimately, the best heat protectant is one that complements your hair type and the way you style it, ensuring consistent protection every time you reach for a hot tool."
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best heat protectant spray, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients, hair type, and level of protection. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
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Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
