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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
When your hair is in tangles, drenching it in your everyday conditioner will only get you so far. If your hair tends to get knotted or matted, you might need something with a little more gusto—something specifically formulated to unbind you from your entanglement.
Whether you're working with real hair or extensions, detangling products leverage gentle yet effective ingredients to untie your knots without yanking out any hair. And the best formulas will nourish, smooth, and condition your hair while they're at it. To pull out all the stops, hairstylist Sky Kim of Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York recommends having a good brush or comb on hand too.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our top pick in detanglers is the Oribe Run Through Detangling Primer. It hydrates while detangling the hair, and protects against damage. We also love the budget-friendly Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry because it allows you to air dry hair without tangles, frizz, or knots.
We conducted hours of research to find the best detanglers on the market, evaluating each on their ability to detangle knots and tangles–as well as other benefits—such as hydrating or strengthening. With recommendations from experts and after considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Best Overall
Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Hydrates and detangles
Smells great
Hair looks sleek and shiny
Small amount of product
Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Teen Vogue all picked Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer.
What do buyers say? 85% of 1,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
According to Kim, the best hair detangler is Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer. "It smells strong but nice and gives you shine and moisture." We couldn't agree more. The superstar formula blends coconut and apricot oils to gently separates your hair.
And the magic doesn't stop there. Amino acids seal the cuticle to strengthen and prep your hair for styling while delivering the hydration it needs to live its smoothest, silkiest life.
Price at time of publish: $37
Size: 1.7 / 5.9 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry
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Courtesy of Walmart
Inexpensive
Smooths hair
Vegan formula
Could be more moisturizing
Thanks to Garnier, you can untie your hair for just a few bucks. Not only is this spray tender with your tangles, but it calls on ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to minimize frizz, add shine, and soften your hair. We also love that its formula is completely free of animal-derived ingredients and is made without parabens or silicones.
Price at time of publish: $6
Size: 5 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore
Not Your Mother's Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler
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Strengthening formula
Detangles and smooths hair
Works on all hair types
Not Byrdie Clean
Looking for a drugstore option? Your best bet is Not Your Mother's cheekily named Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler. The keratin-infused formula simultaneously separates knotted, twisted hair while fortifying your vulnerable strands to protect them from future damage.
Price at time of publish: $7
Size: 6 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Natural Hair
The Mane Choice Soft As Can Be Revitalize & Refresh 3-in-1 Co-Wash, Leave In, Detangler
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Rich, hydrating formula
Multipurpose product
Byrdie Clean
Bottle could be improved
The Mane's Choice Soft As Can Be was formulated with kinky, wavy, curly, and textured hair in mind. Containing nourishing ingredients like biotin, avocado oil, aloe vera, and castor oil, this three-in-one product can be used as a detangler, co-wash, or leave-in conditioner.
Price at time of publish: $12
Size: 8 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Curly Hair
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy
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Leaves hair feeling silky
Helps detangle serious knots
Inexpensive
Not for all hair types
Knot On My Watch is a no-nonsense product that instantly detangles even the most stubborn knots from curly hair. Its "silky slip" blend of olive oil, glycerin, soybean oil, and cocoa butter allows you to effortlessly glide a comb through your hair without any bumps in the road.
Price at time of publish: $7
Size: 12 fl. oz | Scent: Unscented | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for All Hair Types
Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
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Courtesy of Sephora
Lightweight
Moisturizes hair
Formulated to protect against UV rays
Not the best value
"I'm also into Rahua Hydration Detangler," Kim tells Byrdie. "It's really lightweight, so you can layer it on." This ultra-moisturizing spray plays nice with all hair types, working to soften, smooth, and protect while it detangles.
Price at time of publish: $34
Size: 6.5 fl. oz | Scent: Passionfruit and mango | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best In-Shower
TGIN Quench 3-In-1 Co-Wash Conditioner And Detangler
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Hair looks soft and shiny
Available in multiple sizes
Thick, luxurious feel
Not Byrdie Clean
If you run into knots frequently, you know getting them out often begins in the shower. With that said, you'll be glad to have a bottle of TGIN Quench on hand when you're working out the kinks. This triple-threat product can be used to wash, condition, and detangle your hair, and you can count on softer, smoother, shinier hair every time.
Price at time of publish: $13
Size: 13 / 32 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Post-Shower
Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer
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Sephora
Contains nourishing oils
Smooths hair
Pump bottle is easy to use
Scent could be improved
If your tangles tend to appear when you step out of the shower, reach for The Wizard. This multi-tasking potion contains hydrating sea buckthorn berry, nourishing avocado oil, fortifying tocopheryl, and smoothing panthenol. As if by sorcery, it instantly detangles your hair while prepping them for styling.
Price at time of publish: $25
Size: 4 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Leave-In
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
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Courtesy of Ulta
Helps detangle serious knots
Moisturizes hair
Works on kinky, coily hair
Strong scent
We're also loving Pattern Beauty's Leave-In Conditioner. Touted as the best of leave-in treatments, the creamy formula draws on natural oils and honey to untangle knots, loosen matted hair, and seal in moisture.
Price at time of publish: $25
Size: 9.8 / 25 fl. oz | Scent: Floral | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Leave-In
Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Smooths frizz
Hydrates dry hair
Reviewers note it has a strong smell
Another option for a detangling leave-in treatment is this one from Kinky Curly. Their products are geared toward those with curly and natural hair, but this is effective at removing knots and tangles on all hair types. It also provides moisture to make detangling easy and pain-free.
Price at time of publish: $13
Size: 8 fl. oz | Scent: Herbal | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Frizz-Control
It's a 10 Silk Express Miracle Silk Leave-In Conditioner
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Courtesy of Ulta
Hair looks sleek and shiny
Smells great
Tames frizz and flyaways
Not Byrdie Clean
Since its 2006 launch, It's A 10 has walked the line between drugstore and high-end haircare with finesse. The brand's beloved Silk Express not only rids your hair of tangles but also smooths the cuticles and softens the hair shaft to protect against flyaways and frizz.
Price at time of publish: $26
Size: 4 / 10 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Multi-Use
Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner
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Great value
Softens hair
Vegan, clean formula
Strong scent
Multi-use cosmetics are having a moment. And when it comes to hair products, you really can't go wrong with Melanin Haircare's leave-in conditioner. The all-star formula is a godsend for tangled hair, but you can also use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, a regular conditioner, a hair mask, or a styling cream.
Price at time of publish: $23
Size: 16 fl. oz | Scent: Mint | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Moisturizing
Bed Head by TIGI Beach Freak Moisturizing Detangler Spray
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Moisturizes hair
Smells great
Inexpensive
Contains silicones
The last thing you want to do is try to get knots out of dry, brittle hair. With this in mind, Bed Head Beach Freak moisturizes thirsty hair all the way to their core while detangling and smoothing your hair.
Price at time of publish: $14
Size: 3.4 fl. oz | Scent: Citrus | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Oil
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
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Courtesy of Ulta
Lightweight yet hydrating
Absorbs quickly
Nourishing blend of oils
Expensive per ounce
Sometimes, you need to grease up to untangle knotted hair. Bumble and bumble's Hairdresser's Invisible Oil contains a blend of coconut, safflower, grape, macadamia, argan, and sweet almond oil to unwind all the twists and turns that have you tied up. The lightweight, super-absorbent formula also addresses frizz and split ends.
Price at time of publish: $43
Size: 3.4 fl. oz | Scent: Original | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Unscented
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Fragrance-Free Hypoallergenic Detangling Spray
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Gentle on hair
Detangles and softens
Hydrating formula
Packaging could be improved
If you prefer pared-down products without strong fragrances, try Briogeo's Be Gentle, Be Kind. Formulated with aloe vera, oat milk, and green tea, this naturally sourced detangling spray is easy on stressed hair and tough on knots.
Price at time of publish: $25
Size: 5.9 fl. oz | Scent: Unscented | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Heat Protectant
Ceremonia Guava Rescue Hair Heat Protectant Spray
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Sephora
Lightweight
Hydrating and strengthening
Protects up to 450ᵒF
Reviewers note that the spray nozzle could work better
If you like a heat protectant-detangler combo, this pick from Ceremonia is your best bet. It contains natural ingredients to protect the hair from UV, blue light, and heat styling up to 450ᵒF, and is effective at detangling while smoothing and hydrating.
Price at time of publish: $22
Size: 6.7 fl. oz | Scent: Fruity | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
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Gently detangles
Good value
Cute color
Not meant to be used with heat
"You can also go ahead and just get yourself a Tangle Teaser," says Kim. Featuring over 300 flexible, two-tiered teeth, this thoughtfully designed hairbrush is a great companion to your detangling product of choice.
Price at time of publish: $15
Best Comb
Mason Pearson De-Tangling Comb C2
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Gently detangles
Classic design
Durable
Reviewers note it can break easily
Mason Pearson combs have reigned for over a century. The iconic brand's detangling comb builds on the trusted quality of the original to effortlessly separate knotted hair without tugging or weakening them further.
Price at time of publish: $36
Final Verdict
Oribe's Run-Through Detangling Primer is by far the best detangler product, easily untying knots and leaving smooth, silky hydration in its wake. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, you can count on Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry to get the job done. And in terms of detangling tools, your best bet is the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler.
Meet the Expert
Sky Kim is a New York-based hairstylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio. She is also a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
What to Look for in a Detangling Product
Intended Use
When browsing detanglers, you'll want to think about the intended use of each product. There are sprays, creams, conditioners, leave-ins, oils, hair primers, co-washes—you name it. While some can be used interchangeably, others are meant to be applied either in the shower or when you get out.
If you like to work through your knots in the shower, go with a conditioner, co-wash, or detangling cleanser. (Some multi-use products can be used as all three). If you want something that makes it easier to comb through wet hair, opt for a leave-in treatment, whether it's a primer, cream, spray, or oil.
Ingredients
When it comes to getting knots out, you'll almost always need something containing oils. Depending on the formula and how much oil is used, it doesn't necessarily mean the product will leave your hair greasy. With that said, look for detanglers blended with plant-sourced oils, like avocado, apricot, coconut, argan, soybean, castor, or macadamia.
The best products contain ingredients that help nourish, fortify, and condition the hair. Look for detanglers with aloe vera, biotin, vitamin E, glycerin, cocoa butter, sea buckthorn berry, tocopheryl, panthenol, and amino acids.
Hair Type
Though most detanglers can be used on all hair types, some are formulated with different textures in mind. Those with curly or kinky hair may want to look for products that are a little heavier on the oils for a glossy finish.
To avoid an overly slick, weighed-down appearance, people with fine hair should opt for a lightweight formula, such as a primer. Alternatively, they can use in-shower treatments, like hair masks and deep conditioners.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland specializes in makeup and haircare. Having rocked multiple rows of hair extensions for nearly a decade, she's no stranger to detangling products. From this list, she's a fan of Oribe, Garnier, Amika, and It's A 10.
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