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From fancy straighteners to the best dupes for Dyson's pricey Airwrap, tonsof high-tech hair tools promise to give you the volume, curl definition, or sleekness you're after. But there's a basic tool you may not think much about, but that can do many of those same things for a fraction of the cost: a hairbrush.
Yes, just like a great hair mask or an anti-humidity hair product, the right brush can have a bigger impact on your strands than you might think. Trouble is, there are so many on the market to choose from—you've got your round barrel brushes,your paddles, your nylon bristles, and your boar bristles.“Each brush has a different purpose,” says Krysta Swangnete, hairstylist and owner of The Green Room in Tampa. “Take into account your natural hair texture, what end goal you’re trying to achieve, and the integrity of your hair when using specific brushes on wet or dry hair.”
Best Hair Brushes
So, the big question is: How do you find the right brush in this sea of options? That's where this handy guide comes in: The editors at Women's Health, along with three different hair experts, have tested and used more hairbrushes than we can even count and compiled a list a list that does all the work for you. Keep reading to learn how we tested them, what to consider when shopping, and, of course, to discover our final list of favorites.
What To Consider
Before we get to our choices—they're coming, promise—here are some pointers to consider when you're out there in the wild shopping for yourself. Make sure you factor these points in during your shopping experience.
Your Hair Texture And Bristle Type
Yes, different hair types need specific brushes tailored to their unique preferences. Some brushes are perfect for styling, while others are great at defining curls or creating a salon-quality blowout at home.
Let’s break down the best brush options for each hair type.
- Boar bristle brushes are ideal for thin or fine hair because they’re gentle and detangle without pulling.
- Nylon brushes separate curls and coils without adding frizz, making them beneficial for curly hair.
- Paddle brushes are the go-to for anyone with thick, long, or frizzy hair. Their large surface areas make detangling more efficient.
- Round brushes are ideal for creating voluminous, sleek blowouts at home.
- Detangling brushes are essential to prevent damage, whether your hair is white or dry.
Wet Or Dry
You want to make sure that you're using the appropriate brush depending on how damp your hair is—it can actually make or break (literally!) your styling process. If you usually brush with wet, try something that easily glides through your strands, like a brush with nylon bristles (hi, Wet Brush) since hair is most fragile when it's wet and can break easily. Unless you're slicking back your hair and want that super sleek look, we don't recommend using a boar bristle brush on wet hair, as the bristles are very dense and don't separate the strands. These types of brushes can also cause irritation to the scalp when wet.
How We Chose
It can be tricky finding a hair brush that works for your budget and hair texture, fullness, length. But as our hair-obsessed beauty editor, that’s where I can help you out. I recruited our team of editors with diverse hair types to test a slew of hair brushes so you can find the one perfect for your tresses. After chatting with associate style and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, associate health & fitness editor Addison Aloian, senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson, and beauty director Brian Underwood, we created a copious list of our go-to hair brushes. I further whittled down our list to 20 contenders by consulting three hairstylists and spending a month researching and testing products. We considered each brush’s purpose, size, bristle quality, and how inclusive they were at caring for our different hair types and textures. We even tried them on wet or dry hair to ensure they don’t pull at our gentle scalps and fine hair. Ultimately, we narrowed down our selections to 10 holy grail beauty products that deliver on quality, effectiveness, and don’t stretch our beauty budget too hard.
Ahead, check out the most highly-recommended hair brushes to prevent damage and promote hair health and growth in every hair type, according to stylists and WH editors.
Pros
Painless when detangling- Gently massages the scalp
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
- Great for styling, too
- Flexible enough to get through knots
Cons
- Not the most durable option on this list in terms of construction
We tested 20 hair brushes, and out of every one we tried, the classic Wet Brush Original Detangler came out on top as our best overall pick. Why? It works on all (yes, all) hair types and textures to detangle and smooth the hair, either wet or dry.
This brush is loved by Jennifer Korab, New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa and Revival Barber Shop. "It's a winner for me because I can use it on any hair type or texture," she says. "The silicone bristles are flexible enough to get through tough knots." She prefers using this brush on wet hair, although it can be used on dry hair without pulling or snagging.
WH beauty director Brian Underwood adds that this is also his all-time favorite. "As the father of a nine-year-old girl with shoulder-length curly hair, I know a thing or two about detangling brushes—I've tried them all," he says. "I can honestly say that this one is probably the best one I've ever used." Why? He says the bristles are firm but flexible so they don't pull or tug, and he rarely breaks his daughter's hair when he's using this one. Plus, the grip of the handle gives you lots of control, too, which makes everything so much easier. He also says that he appreciates the tiny balls at the end of each bristle, which gently massage the scalp to make the experience all the more comfortable. Underwood typically detangles when his daughter's hair is wet, but the tiny balls make it possible to do it dry as well, which is a huge help when he's in a bit of a rush and doesn't feel like spritzing her hair down, detangling, and then waiting for it to dry.
"But aside from detangling, I also find this to be a great general styling brush," he says, adding that whenever he brushes her hair up into a ponytail or bun, the bristles capture most hairs for a sleek, clean look.
Our one note on this brush? It's not the most durable option on this list. We found that the bristles have a higher tendency to break or crack off than other options.
Read More: Best Hair Brushes For Fine Hair
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | IntelliFlex nylon |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
Pros
- Doesn't snag or break hair when it's wet
- Great for thick hair
Cons
- Doesn't have much grip power on finer hair
- Can't be used with heat
Similar to the Wet Brush, the Tangle Teezer (it's one of Swangnete's faves) detangles and can be used on either wet or dry hair. However, we prefer it for post-shower use as it gets knots out in an instant. Where it differs from the wet brush, though, is with its bristles. "They're a little rougher than a standard round brush or Wet Brush," says Swangnete. But, this can be a good thing, as rougher bristles get out knots super quickly and actually clean and exfoliate the scalp.
Our tester, WH senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson, has very thick, kinky hair, so detangling can be a real struggle if she's lacking a good tool to do it with. "This brush is so easy on my hair—the bristles are soft enough to move with my hair as I pass it through my strands, so I never feel like I’m breaking my hair or being too rough when I detangle," she says. Jackson says it also gets the job done better than most of the other brushes she's used, so it’s regularly in her rotation.
Pro tip: Keep this brush in the shower, as you can use it to brush shampoo and conditioner through your hair. On the flipside, though, we found that this brush doesn't have much grip power on thinner, finer hair, so be aware of that before buying. If you want something suitable for less hair, we like the Dyson Paddle Brush as it picks up every strand. Another thing to note: This brush is made out of plastic, so make sure to keep it away from heat.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Plastic |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
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Best For Curly And Coily Hair
Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row
Pros
- Stimulates your scalp with massaging bristles
- Doesn't pull on the hair
- Great for curly hair
Cons
- Handle is shorter than other brushes on this list
Editorial hairstylist Jamie Wiley says the Denman brush works great for curly and coily hair, especially if it's wet. "I also love using a Denman brush at the root to create volume," says Korab. For a silky smooth finish, people love this brush. It's easy to use and detangles hair seamlessly.
So, why is this brush suitable for coily hair? It has seven rows of sculpted, round-ended nylon pins, which give the hair a softer, denser, feel. These bristles also increase movement throughout the hair, defining your curls. After testing the brush, we also love that the pins reduce dragging on the hair, so you never have to worry about pulling.
For perfectly defined curls, we suggest using this brush with a gentle twist of the wrist to create spiral-like curls. The brand's website also recommends using the brush like you would scissors on a ribbon. But, if you just want a good brush-out, you can use it like a normal brush, too.
One note: We found that the handle of this brush is super short, which makes it hard to hold and twist if you have longer hair.
| Hair Type | Curly, coily |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Nylon |
| Wet Or Dry | Wet |
Pros
- Great for detangling and massaging the scalp
- Enhances hair's natural shine
- Super durable and long lasting
Cons
- It's pricey, but we love how it enhances our hair's natural shine and feels gentle on the scalp
Okay, so, yes—this one's a bit pricey. But, it's totally worth the $$$, according to Swangnete. "It gently detangles and helps to evenly distribute one’s natural oils from the scalp to the end of the hair shaft," She says. This process can help with hair growth on all different types of scalps.
We love that this brush combines boar bristles with nylon tufts. The nylon tufts are slightly longer and firmer, allowing them to penetrate the hair for gentle detangling, while the boar bristles smooth the hair cuticle, enhancing its natural shine. And running this brush through your hair feels like pure luxury.
And, for the price, you best bet that this brush is durable. We found that the bristles are super strong and hair is super easy to clean out and discard. In our experience, we never noticed any buildup or deterioration after months of use. And that's because this brush comes with a mini cleaning brush, which clears the debris off your tool and keeps it super clean. It also comes with in-depth cleaning instructions to care for your tool.
"This brush is almost a spa-like experience," Underwood says. "Everytime I run it through my hair, I get the tingles in a good way—it feels that great."
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Nylon, boar |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
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Best Ceramic Round Brush
Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush
$30 at Women's Health Shop
Pros
- Holds styles for a long time
- Lightweight and easy to hold above the head
- Adds texture and distributes heat evenly
Cons
- Can tug at the hair
In our humble opinion, everyone needs a ceramic round brush in their lives. What's the difference between a ceramic or a bristle brush, you may ask? Well, ceramic heats up quickly and evenly, so it offers more hold to your look. If you're going for max texture, bounce, or curl, a ceramic option is for you. Ceramic also enhances drying time, boosts shine, and encourages even heat distribution.
This brush is also one of the most lightweight options on this list, which makes holding it above your head for extended periods of time so much easier. During testing, Aloian also noticed that the bristles grip onto her hair very easily, making it easy to hold her hair during herat-home blowout. Pro tip: After a few passes with your blow dryer, leave the brush curled in your hair like shown in the picture. When you remove it, you'll be left with the bounciest blowout ever—trust!
Our only concern? The bristles can tug on the hair a bit during a blowout, which might cause some breakage. To avoid this, apply a generous amount of styling cream and heat protectant beforehand to help the brush glide through the hair.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Ceramic |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
Best For Edges
Pattern Edge Tool
$12 at Women's Health Shop
Pros
- Gentle on the hair
- Great for thinner areas
- Multi-purpose use
Cons
- Not the most durable brush
"My baby hairs are pretty thin, so I’m picky about the types of brushes I use on them," says Jackson. But, the Pattern Edge Tool absolutely wowed her, and she's never gone back. "I was pretty at ease about using this one because the bristles are pretty soft, so I didn’t have to worry about it being too rough on my scalp or hair," she says. Another pro? Jackson likes the fact that it has a pointed tail (don't worry, it’s not too sharp!) that makes it easy to part her hair in sections when needed.
The brush end of this tool can be used in many ways, as it's double-sided. You can use the head to comb, brush, or swirl your baby hairs into the style you love, lay your edges down, and tame flyaways.
TBH, this brush isn't the most durable of the bunch, as the bristles tend to fall out pretty easily. This knocked it down a few points on our list, but when you’re spending $10 on a hairbrush it’s not a total dealbreaker.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | TPU, synthetic boar hair |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
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Pros
- Gets tangles out in a flash
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
- Travel friendly
- Can be used with hair tools
Cons
- Plastic can crack or break easily
The Fhi Unbrush is a cult-favorite for a reason—that reason being it extracts knots and tangles from even the most unruly hair without any pain. And DW, it doesn't pull or tug at the hair, reducing breakage with each use. Whether you're fresh out of the shower or going on third-day hair, you can use this brush whenever you need to work out some kinks.
Its compact, travel-friendly design fits in your carry-on or makeup pouch. Plus, it's easy to clean thanks to the vented cushion, which lets you remove hair from behind the brush instead of digging through the bristles. And get this: The backless design is actually meant to reduce styling time by allowing more airflow. Yup, it can be used with any of your favorite hair tools, too.
“I’ve never had an easier time detangling my very tight curls as I did while using this brush,” says Jackson. The spaced out 58 long bristles help detangle her hair, and 47 mini bristles for smooth Jackson’s tresses. “The bristles glide through my hair almost like butter, and the handle is super easy to grip and doesn’t slip out of my hand while using it—even when it’s covered in conditioner and product,” she said in her review of the Fhi Unbrush.
At first glance, the lightweight, airy design of this brush might make you question its quality, but trust us when we tell you that the performance of this brush is top-notch. However, because it's plastic, there's always room for the bristles breaking if you pull too hard on the hair. And Underwood felt like the bristles were spaced slightly too far apart to do as good a job at detangling wet hair as some of the other options on our list.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Plastic |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
Pros
- Reduces frizz and increases shine
- Easy to hold thanks to the long handle
Cons
- Doesn't hold our hairstyle for as long as a ceramic brush
We talked about a ceramic round brush earlier, but this boar round brush option serves a totally different purpose. Unlike ceramic, boar never nags or tugs on the hair, so if you have sensitive strands, this is the brush for you. Because it's so dense, it also distributes oil from the scalp through the rest of the hair shaft, which results in a very shiny 'do. After testing this brush, we found that we had very little frizz (yay!).
Our editors love that the handle has ridges for easier hold on the brush and that it's super long, making it easy for us to hold during long styling sessions. Our one drawback with this brush is that, unlike the Moroccanoil option, it doesn’t hold our hairstyle as long since it doesn’t get as hot as ceramic, so it's not quite as great for styling finer hair that tends to fall flat easily.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Boar |
| Wet Or Dy | Both |
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Best Paddle Brush
Pattern Beauty Double-Sided Bristle Brush
$20 at Women's Health Shop
Pros
- Great for slicked-back hairstyles
- Super lightweight and easy to use
- We love that it's double-sided
Cons
- Can slightly tug on the hair as it's so dense
Introducing the invention you never knew you needed: the double-sided paddle brush. On one side, Pattern Beauty's Double-Sided Bristle Brush has stiff nylon bristles that polish flyaways; on the other, there are stiff boar bristles that are great for using with gel to slick tighter styles. It's a unique feature that we haven't seen on other paddle brush styles.
And while you would think a double-sided brush like this one would be on the heavier side, we felt it was super lightweight and easy to use. Unlike many of the other brushes on this list, this tool is not meant to detangle or comb through the hair. Rather, it's meant to lock and smooth hairstyles in place like a slicked back bun or even a low ponytail.
After trying this brush, I found that it reaches deep to the root of my coily hair, effectively slicking back the entire strand. Unlike other styling brushes that only glide over the surface and require multiple strokes to get to the scalp, this one works perfectly in a single pass. However, because this brush is so dense and strong, you need to be careful with how much pressure you use to ensure strands don't break or it's uncomfortable on your scalp.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Natural, boar |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
Pros
- Helps with frizz and smoothness
- Great for tangles
Cons
- Only nylon bristles so won't distribute scalp oils as effectively as boar
One of the most affordable brushes on this list comes from one of our favorite hair care brands: Conair. We actually tested a bunch of brushes from the brand, and decided that this one is our favorite. Here's why: Unlike the other round brushes on this list, the brush has V-shaped bristles, which offers better air circulation from the tool to the hair, resulting in less frizz. We also appreciate the ball tips, which prevent snagging or pulling during use.
Like the other brushes, the round barrel offers a voluminous look that lasts. But what this brush has that other round options don't is nylon bristles. This material is great because it glides right through tangles. However, since nylon is made from plastic, you should use extra caution when applying direct heat to prevent the bristles from melting over time.
Additional reporting by Addison Aloian and Lily Wohlner.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Nylon |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
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Meet The Experts
- Krysta Swangnete is a hairstylist and owner of The Green Room in Tampa.
- Jennifer Korab is a New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa and Revival Barber Shop.
- Jamie Wiley is an editorial hairstylist.
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Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site.
Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR.
You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.
Reviewed byBrian Underwood
Beauty Director
Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.
