Heat protectant spray is one of the few haircare products I don’t ever skip. Whether you're blow-drying, straightening or reaching for a curling wand, just a quick spritz can provide an essential layer of defence against the damage that repeated heat styling can cause. While leave-in conditioners are all well and good, helping to boost hydration between washes, a dedicated heat protectant is designed specifically to shield hair from high temperatures.With countless formulas promising glossy, frizz-free results, knowing which ones actually deliver can be difficult. To narrow down the field, I spoke to celebrity stylists, salon founders and leading haircare experts to find out which products they trust to use on themselves and their clients. Alongside texture sprays, hair oils and dry shampoos, many considered heat protectant a non-negotiable part of any styling routine.Taking their recommendations into account, I put the top contenders to the test on my own mid-length, coloured hair, assessing everything from how they felt and performed to their ingredients, finish and overall value for money.Read more: 7 best hair masks to revive dry locks, tested for every budget(Louise Whitbread/The Independent)Best overall – Davines melu thermal hair shield: £35, Amazon.co.ukBest budget option – Schwarzkopf osis super shield: £11.70, Amazon.co.ukBest for shine – L’Oreal techni.art all-in-1 performer: £17.50, Amazon.co.ukBest for coloured hair – ghd rehab damaged hair repairer: £35, Boots.comRead more: I tried Hello Klean’s showerhead – read my full review