The best heat protectant for hair depends on your hair type and styling needs, but some top-rated options across categories include:

• Best overall: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème. It is lightweight, reduces frizz, smooths hair, and protects up to 450°F. It’s free from sulfates, parabens, silicones, dyes, and phthalates, and contains natural oils like rosehip, argan, and coconut

• Best budget: PANTENE Heat Primer Thermal Heat Protection Pre-Styling Spray offers good protection at an affordable price

• Best for fine hair: CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is lightweight, paraben-free, and helps prevent split ends and dryness without weighing hair down

• Best for color-treated hair: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer protects color and nourishes hair

• Best for wet or dry hair: Ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray works well on both wet and dry hair

• Best splurge: Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray and Oribe Balm d’Or Heat Styling Shield are luxurious options that protect hair while adding shine and fragrance

• Best multitasker: PUREOLOGY Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray offers heat protection plus additional benefits like UV protection and conditioning

Experts emphasize that heat protectants create a barrier to reduce heat damage by preventing moisture loss and protecting hair proteins, making their use essential before any heat styling

. In summary, Briogeo Farewell Frizz Crème is widely recommended as a top overall heat protectant, especially for those seeking a nourishing, effective product that protects up to very high temperatures. For fine hair, CHI 44 Iron Guard is excellent, while luxury options like Oribe and Kenra offer premium protection and shine