Some things in this life will always go well together, like milk and cereal peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, and your favorite hair tool and heat protectant. (See how I got that last one in there?) But it is true! You should use a heat protectant if you use a straightener, diffuser, or blow dryer on your hair. Not doing this step before styling your hair is like going outside without sunscreen, which you should always do.

You’re hurting your hair more without heat protectant. I used to straighten my hair all the time, and I can tell you that that damage can really add up. Hanna Oh, a celebrity hairstylist, says, “The purpose of a heat protectant is exactly what the name suggests: protection.” “These formulas usually have ingredients that condition and strengthen the hair by penetrating it to support its structure, as well as surface coating agents make a protective barrier.”

If you use a heat protectant every day, your hair will lose less, break less, and get less damage. There are options for you, whether you’re just starting to add one of these to your routine or you want to know which brands will be the best in 2026. Check out our top picks below.

A quick look at the best heat protectant sprays

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray is the best overall. Redken Thermal Spray High Hold came in second, and Muk is the best for color-treated hair. Protect from the heat K18 Heatbounce™ Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant is the best for conditioning. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray is the best for breakage.

The Best Heat Protectant Sprays for 2026

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray is the best overall. Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray for Hair That Is Frizzy

$30 for Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray. This Color Wow product is the best because it protects hair and makes it softer and less frizzy. Celebrity hairstylist Sacha Quarles says, “This gives you two levels of long-lasting heat protection and is great for controlling frizz. It makes hair shiny and glassy.” “The technology goes up a notch with an extra humectant to protect against humidity.”

Pros: Smooths out frizz, makes hair shine

Not great for thick hair, though

The main ingredients are chamomilla extract, glycerin, and a proprietary anti-humidity complex.

Type of hair: fine and medium

450 degrees of protection

“I really love this!” says a customer. It works great for my hair that is getting thinner and limp. It helps with frizz and gives hair some shine. I also like that it doesn’t smell.

Second Place: Redken Thermal Spray High Hold

High Hold Thermal Spray

Redken Thermal Spray High Hold $29 SHOP NOW A lot of your favorite celebrities have probably been talking about Redken lately. The buzz is completely justified. Quarles says, “It’s popular on TV and movie sets because it gives maximum, long-lasting hold and adds shine and frizz control.” “Redken’s Heat Restyling Technology has a special formula that protects the hair cuticle from damage and lets you change your style between washes by applying heat to reactivate the formula.”

Pros: Makes things shine and last longer

Cons: Some people might find the smell too strong

Cranberry oil and ceramides are two important ingredients.

Type of hair: all

Level of safety: 450 degrees

Review from a customer: “This works!” It protects my hair from heat very well and keeps my heat-styled curls longer than any other product I’ve tried.

Muk is the best for hair that has been colored. Muk. Hot Thermal Protect Hair Spray for Heat Protection: Hot Thermal Protect. Heat Protectant for Styling Tools Up to 230°C. Hair Spray with UV Shield to Stop Color Fade and Control Frizz, 250ml

Muk. $28 for Hot Thermal Protect SHOP NOW If you’ve never heard of this brand before, this is your official introduction. “This gem is a little-known secret from Australia that is taking the U.S. by storm!” Quarles says. “It has UV protectors to keep colors from fading and damage from the sun, and it keeps frizz out. It’s especially great to use when you’re blow-drying your hair. He says that if your hair is damaged or rough, you should try the brand’s styling cream for a soft, glass-like look.

Pros: Protects hair from UV rays and is good for color-treated hair

Some people have trouble with the pump getting stuck.

Main ingredient: Castor oil

Fine, medium, or coarse hair

450 degrees of protection

“I love this stuff!!!!” says one customer. It smells very different, and I knew right away that it was the “real thing.”

K18 Heatbounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant is the best for conditioning. Heatbounce™ Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant

K18 Heatbounce Leave-In Conditioner Heat Protectant is $48. SHOP NOW It doesn’t surprise me that this brand’s heat protectant made the list because I love it. Quarles agrees with K-18 when they say this is “the future of heat protection.” “I love using this on set too because it has so many benefits, like conditioning, protecting against heat, detangling, softening, and more.” He also says that this one is great for when you don’t want to carry around a lot of different products because it’s like a triple threat.

Pros: Good for curls and coils, helps with dryness

Cons: Not good for thin hair because it’s too heavy

Resilicore Heat-Shielding Technology is one of the most important parts.

Fine, medium, and thick hair

450 degrees of protection

“I’ll never use another heat protectant again!” said a customer. This is a great product. “It protects and smooths without making my hair heavy!”

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray is the best for breakage. Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray

Oribe $46 for Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray. Buy it now! This is a luxury in a bottle if you’ve never used Oribe hair products before. The mist is light and smells great, and it works great on hair, even though it costs a lot. “This heat protectant does a lot of things at once: it repairs, conditions, and nourishes hair, making it soft and silky,” Quarles says. “It also makes the hair smooth and shiny for a polished look.”

Pros: Fixes damage and fights frizz

Not great for oily hair, though

The main ingredients are brassica oil copolymer, coconut water, marine algae extract, and bio-restorative complex.

Fine, medium, and thick hair

450 degrees of protection

Customer review: “I don’t wash my hair every day, and those products that say you can use them on wet and dry hair always seem to make my hair greasy. Wow, this product is great! “My hair never feels greasy, and it seems to do a great job of protecting it.”

Tresemme Protecting Heat Spray Keratin Smooth is the best for frizz. Tresemme Protecting Heat Spray Keratin Smooth can help tame frizz and stop hair from breaking.

$9 for Tresemme Protecting Heat Spray Keratin Smooth. Buy it now. Tresemme has been a household name for hair care for decades, and this spray is a great choice for people on a tight budget because it is so cheap. Quarles says, “This has great professional styling quality at a great price to protect your hair from breaking when you use your favorite heated styling tools.” “The formula is so light that you can’t even tell it’s in your hair.” He also says to use this on wet hair before drying and styling it completely.

Pros: cheap and makes things shine

Some users don’t like the smell, which is a con.

Glycerin and keratin are two important ingredients.

Fine, medium, and thick hair

450 degrees of protection

Customer review: “Works as it should. Keeps my hair safe from heat. My hair doesn’t feel fried after I use this. “I’ve tried other things, but I always come back to this one.”

Best Vegan Formula: Hair Spray for Blowout Primer

Surface Hair Blowout Primer Hair Spray for Men and Women, 4 Oz – This lightweight, nourishing thermal spray with babassu oil dries quickly and keeps your style looking good for a long time.

SURFACE $34 Hair Blowout Primer Hair Spray SHOP NOW You don’t want a spray that makes your hair feel sticky and harder to comb through. You won’t have to worry about that anymore with this heat protectant. Oh says, “This Surface primer spray protects against heat while also smoothing and detangling. It will let the brush glide through the hair, giving you the extra benefit of style memory.” She says that this feature in a heat protectant will make sure that your finished hairstyle is flexible, lasts a long time, and can be restyled.

Pros: It’s light.

Cons: Not the best choice for oily hair

Main ingredients: oil from passion fruit (maracuja), hemp seeds, and lychee.

All types of hair

450 degrees of protection

“This is an amazing product!” says a customer. This heat protectant and volume for my fine hair is the best! “Will buy again and again.”

Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant is the best for shine. Perfect Defense Heat Protectant

Oil from Morocco $32 for Perfect Defense Heat Protectant. No sticky hair, but this Moroccan Oil protectant will make your hair very soft. “It’s a no-hold formula, so your hair won’t feel sticky or stiff. Oh says, “the hair stays completely workable.” “It hydrates while giving a shiny, polished finish thanks to the argan oil and panthenol.”

Pros: It smells great and gives a shiny finish.

Not great for dry hair types, though

Panthenol and argan oil are two important ingredients.

Fine, medium, and thick hair

450 degrees of protection

Customer review: “I use this every time I want to heat up my hair. The smell isn’t too strong, and it doesn’t stick. This is the heat protection spray I’ve used the longest out of all the ones I’ve tried. “This is a great product.”

Milbon Repair Heat Protective Mist is the best splurge. 4.1 oz of Milbon Repair Heat Protective Mist

$51 for Milbon Repair Heat Protective Mist. SHOP NOW Milbon’s Repair Heat Protective Mist is a good choice if you’re willing to spend a little extra money. Oh says, “This ultra-fine mist allows for incredibly even distribution, especially when applied to sections.” “It has 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.””What’s the result? A very good protectant that also helps keep your hair healthy in the long run.

Benefits: It’s light

Cons: Some people find it too expensive and drying.

Important parts: SSRV-silk, CMADK, and amino acids

All hair types

450 degrees of protection

Best Drugstore: OGX Bond Protein Repair Ogx Repair U0026#38; Protect Bond Protein Repair 450u0026#176;f Heat Protectant Spray comes in a 6.5 Fl Oz bottle.

Bond Protein Repair from OGX costs $11. This is the product on this list that I would give my personal editor’s pick badge to. I have 3b/3c curly hair, and I don’t often use heat tools, but I love using this to protect my hair from damage from the outside. This product is like my right hand when I use a diffuser. It smells great and doesn’t cost much.

Pros: It smells good and is cheap.

Cons: May be too heavy for hair that is thinning

Castor oil and wheat protein are two important ingredients.

All hair types

How much protection: 450 degrees

“I love this product,” said a customer. It doesn’t make my hair feel heavy or weighed down. It is very resistant to damage, and I love how it smells. “I would definitely buy this again.”

How do you best use heat protectant spray?

You might want to just spray on some heat protectant and go about your day, but if you want the best results, you need to use the right technique. Oh says, “Application depends on the formula, but the key is always even distribution.” “Work in sections to make sure that every strand is covered, with special care given to the ends.” She says that the ends of your hair are the most fragile parts because they have been damaged the most over time. That being said, it’s important to focus on the middle and ends. Quarles says that your hair should be damp (about 60% to 80% dry) and combed through after you put it on.

What to Look for in a Spray That Protects Your Hair from Heat

There are a lot of heat protectants available, but there are a few things you should think about before you buy one. Our experts have some tips for you:

Budget: Our list shows that you can find good heat protectant sprays at a range of prices. Quarles says that at the end of the day, you should choose whatever fits your budget, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money.

Reviews: If you haven’t looked at product reviews before you buy, this is your sign to start. Quarles says, “Read reviews and see what people with hair like yours love.” He also says that you can talk to your hairstylist and ask them what products they think would be best for you.

Your hair care routine can help you choose the right spray. “If you blow-dry your hair, choose a product that works on wet hair,” says Oh. “Use a dry spray if you usually let your hair air dry and then curl it.”

Hair type: Different types and textures of hair need different formulas. “Thicker hair types usually do better with creamier or balm-based products that give them more control and reduce frizz. Finer hair, on the other hand, does better with lightweight mists that won’t weigh it down or flatten volume,” Oh says.In the end, the best heat protectant is one that works with your hair type and how you style it, so you can be sure that it will protect your hair every time you use a hot tool.

How We Picked

We put together our edits for all of our buying guides at Who What Wear based on original testing and advice from experts. We used a lot of expert advice and our own knowledge as beauty experts to help us choose the best heat protectant spray. We also thought about a number of things, such as the main ingredients, the type of hair, and the level of protection. We know how important these things are for a lot of different needs and wants, so we made sure to include all the useful information. Of course, we also thought about what customers said when making this list.