A hair brush is like the trusty old hair straightener you’ve had since college. You’re never really on the hunt for a new one unless your old one breaks, and then, you never know you needed a new one until you get one. But, news flash—like hair masks or anti-humidity hair products, they have a way bigger impact on your hair than you might have thought, and there’s a different brush for every hair type and texture. From boar bristle brushes to paddle brushes, there’s something out there for every hair type ranging from thick to thin and coily to stick straight
Best Hair Brushes
Best Overall Hair Brush
Wet Brush Original Detangler
Best Hair Brush For Wet Hair
Tangle Teezer Detangler Wet Hair Brush
Best Hairbrush For Curly And Coily Hair
Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row
How to find the right brush for your needs and preferences, you may ask? Don’t worry, we took that into our own hands. The editors at Women’s Health, along with three different hair experts, have tested and used more hairbrushes than we can even count. So, we got together and compiled a list of our 20 favorite brushes and got to re-testing all of them. After months of using all the brushes, we compiled a list of the absolute best 11 for all hair types. 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
Hair type/ 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. “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.”
Let’s break down the best brush options for each hair type. If you have thin or fine hair, a boar bristle brush is ideal—it’s gentle and detangles without pulling. For thick, long, or frizzy hair, a paddle brush is your go-to. Its larger surface area makes detangling more efficient. Aiming for a voluminous, sleek blowout at home? A round brush is your best bet; you’ll find options like boar, nylon, and ceramic round brushes detailed below. Curly hair benefits from a nylon bristle brush, which separates curls without adding frizz. Finally, if you struggle with tangles, a detangling brush is essential to prevent damage, whether your hair is wet or dry.
Wet or dry
And, speaking of wet or dry, you want to make sure that you’re using the appropriate brush depending on how damp your hair is. If you have wet hair, you might want to try something that easily glides through your hair, like a brush with nylon bristles (hi, Wet Brush). 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
Women’s Health editors, including associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, assistant love and life editor Addison Aloian, senior beauty editor Danielle Jackson, and beauty director Brian Underwood tested 20 different hair brushes to solidify a list of the absolute best 11 options. They also sought the opinions of three hair care experts, who helped narrow down the list and specify what to look for when shopping for a brush. They tested these brushes for detangling, smoothing, use on wet or dry hair, and gentleness on the scalp. They also made sure to keep all hair textures and types in mind during testing. After a few months of putting the brushes to the test, the team narrowed down their favorite picks, all which suit a wide range of hair care needs and preferences.
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. “I love that I can use it on any hair type and textures,” 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 hair brush. “As the father of an eight-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 tells me 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 hair
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
- 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 for her 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 tells me that 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: I keep this brush in my shower, as I like to use it to brush my shampoo and conditioner through my hair. It’s my little secret for the smoothest strands ever.
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 |
Pros
- Stimulates your scalp
- 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,” adds 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 said 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
- 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 let me tell you: 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.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | Nylon, boar |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
Moroccanoil Ceramic Round Brush
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, it holds heat faster and longer, 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 we also noticed that the bristles grip onto the hair very easily, making it easy to hold the hair during your at-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 |
Pattern Edge Tool
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? She likes the fact that it has a pointed tail (but 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.
Some testers notice that 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.
| Hair Type | All |
|---|---|
| Bristle Type | TPU, synthetic Boar’s hair |
| Wet Or Dry | Both |
