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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
While some people can get by with just a comb, brushes are crucial for anyone with long, thick hair. But as hairstylist Kat Savano notes, they're not all created equal. Your hair type and desired style will determine what kind you need.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Top brushes like our best overall pick Fromm's Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush boast natural materials that can better distribute natural oils that make your hair shinier. A good brush also won't pull out too many hairs. That's why the Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush won the top spot for budget-friendly brushes.
"The more bristles, the more control (tension) you get when you blow out the hair," Savano explains. "The fewer bristles, the more airflow you get, so less control but a faster blow-dry." Additionally, she recommends natural over plastic bristles and ceramic instead of metal barrels when blow-drying. For wet hair, plastic is usually the way to go.
According to hairstylist Carolyn Aronson, a good hairbrush will have a "strong, comfortable handle." As for the bristles, she says boar or a blend of natural and nylon is best.
With pointers from these pros in mind, we rounded up the best hairbrushes below.
Best Overall
Fromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush
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Ulta
Affordable
Real boar bristles
Leaves hair shiny
Not ideal for very thick hair
Who else recommends it? Allure also picked the Fromm The Intuition Glosser Boar Bristle Brush.
What do buyers say? 89% of 1,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Fromm's Intuition Glossar Brush checks both the boxes our experts recommend: boar bristles and a strong handle. The natural fibers are positioned in a porcupine-style formation to help distribute the oils produced by your scalp while loosening up debris.
This brush also has longer pins throughout that work to massage your scalp. A cushioned base minimizes tugging while you pull it through your hair, and the wide paddle gives you more coverage with each stroke.
Price at time of publish: $23
Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly, fine, medium | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Paddle | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Budget
Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush
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Affordable
Doesn’t pick up a lot of strands
Minimizes tugging
Somewhat small
For babes on a budget, we recommend Conair's Velvet Touch Brush. This lightweight brush clocked an impressive 4.7 out of 5 overall score from our home tester, who said it gets knots out without unnecessary tugging.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Drugstore
Goody Straight Talk Boar Bristle Hair Brush
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Walmart
Affordable
Real boar bristles
Somewhat small
Goody reigns in the drugstore category for its clips and hair ties. The brand also makes an excellent hairbrush, and considering the natural boar bristles and lightweight feel, this one's a steal.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Splurge
Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush
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Ssense
Real boar bristles
Leaves hair shiny
Stylist-recommended
Pricey
"For brushing dry hair and advancing natural oils down the hair strand, I like a flat brush like the Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush," says Savano.
Price at time of publish: $56
Hair Type: Straight, wavy, fine, thick | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Flat oval | Wet or Dry: Dry
Best Paddle
T3 Professional Smooth Paddle Brush
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Amazon
Cushioned
Heat-resistant bristles
Easy to grip
Pricey
Designed to work with all hair types, T3's take on the paddle brush has a broad base, a cushioned body, and heat-resistant bristles that gently detangle and smooth wet or dry hair. The soft, non-slip handle also provides a nice grip.
Price at time of publish: $35
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Paddle | Wet or Dry: Both
Best Round
It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Round Brush
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Amazon
Tourmaline barrel
Aerated holes
Five sizes
Not ideal for dry hair
Aronson stands behind It's a 10 Round Brushes. "They come in five different sizes and have aerating holes at the top of the brush, as well as throughout the barrel," she tells Byrdie. "The core of the brush is a tourmaline metal, which heats up and acts almost like hot iron." It's also lightweight by round brush standards, offering a comfortable fit in your hand.
Price at time of publish: $18
Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly | Bristle Material: Nylon, boar | Shape: Round | Wet or Dry: Wet
Best for Thick Hair
Denman 9 Row D4 Classic Styling Brush
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Amazon
Extra-long pins
Long base
Separates wet hair
Slick handle
Thick hair? The Denman D4 has your name on it. Featuring nine rows of extra-long nylon pins on a long, lightweight, rounded base, this brush effortlessly separates, shapes, and defines even the thickest hair.
Price at time of publish: $24
Hair Type: Thick, long | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Curved rectangular | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Curly Hair
Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair
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Ulta
Unique design
Minimizes tugging
Easy to grip
Not ideal for dry hair
The Flexi Brush was designed specifically for curly hair. It's lightweight, gliding through your knots without pulling on your roots and causing unnecessary fallout. What's more, the non-slip rubber handle gives you a solid grip while you work out the tangles.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: Curly, coily, wavy | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Pronged | Wet or Dry: Wet
Best for Type 4 Hair
Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
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Flexible bristles
Minimizes tugging
Uncomfortable handle
If you're working with kinky or coily hair, this lightweight detangler brush might be your best bet. The flexible bristles are placed in wide rows to help them glide through wet hair without tugging at your scalp or causing breakage.
Price at time of publish: $23
Hair Type: Coily, kinky, curly, textured, wavy, medium, thick | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet
Best for Extensions
Drybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling Brush
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Sephora
Flexible bristles
Minimizes tugging
Somewhat small
Drybar makes the best brush for extensions. Featuring flexible bristles and a soft cushioned base, the Super Lemon Drop is designed to gently detangle wet or dry hair with minimal tugging.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for All Hair Types
Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush
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Courtesy of Sephora
Massages scalp
Eco-friendly packaging
Tricky to clean
We also like this pretty lilac brush from Briogio. It features vegan boar-style bristles with soft ballpoint tips to detangle all hair types, wet or dry, while massaging the scalp—extra points for the eco-friendly packaging.
Price at time of publish: $28
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Dry Hair
The Hair Edit Finish & Shine Boar Bristle Brush
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Ulta
Real boar bristles
Leaves hair shiny
Massages scalp
Not ideal for wet hair
This blush-pink brush by The Hair Edit was designed for dry hair. Featuring real boar bristles and ball-tipped nylon pins, it helps distribute your hair's natural oils, tames flyaways, and enhances shine, while giving you a nice scalp massage.
Price at time of publish: $21
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Boar, nylon | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Dry
Best for Wet Hair
Wet Brush Original Detangler
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Courtesy of Amazon
Affordable
Minimizes tugging
The plastic bristles aren't the highest quality
When you step out of the shower, reach for the Wet Brush. This clever and lightweight detangler works to gently remove knots and separate your hair without tugging at your roots or causing hair breakage.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Formulated specifically for wet hair, but can be used on dry strands, too
Best In-Shower
Pattern Shower Brush
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Defines natural curl pattern
Easy to grip
Not very durable
Pattern's Shower Brush has long, comb-like bristles that effortlessly separate and detangle your wet hair while defining your natural curl pattern. The comfy handle also has a hole on the end so you can hang it up next to your loofah.
Price at time of publish: $9
Hair Type: Curly, wavy, textured, thick | Bristle Material: Plastic | Shape: Curved rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet
What Our Editors Say
"Pattern's Shower Brush makes detangling my thick, long curls a pain-free process. The well-made bristles allow the brush to gently and effectively work through even the toughest tangles in my hair. The brush also does an excellent job of clumping curls, which helps me achieve incredible definition." — Olivia Hancock, Editor
Best Detangler
Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush
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Minimizes tugging
Easy to grip
Easy to clean
Not ideal for curly hair
The Tangle Teezer earned a 4.8 out of 5 overall score from our tester, who said it passed through her knots without tugging and enhanced her hair's natural shine. She also liked the lightweight, comfy hold and easy-to-clean design.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: Medium, straight, wavy | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Contoured | Wet or Dry: Both
Best for Blow-Drying
Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Thermal Hairbrush
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Ulta
Ceramic barrel
Aerated holes
Easy to grip
Eight sizes
Scratchy bristles
Savano recommends a ceramic barrel when blow-drying, like this thermal option from Olivia Garden. Available in eight sizes, it has sturdy bristles, large holes for maximum airflow, a retractable sectioning pick, and an ergonomic handle.
Price at time of publish: $25
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Round | Wet or Dry: Wet
Best Multi-Purpose
Kitsch Dual Edge Brush and Comb
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Ulta
Two-for-one
The smaller side can even groom brows and lashes
Lightweight
Not as sturdy as some other products
This two-for-one product offers a brush on one side and comb on the other, so it's kind of the best of both worlds. Use the comb to style edges (or even brows and lashes) or create a part and sweep through with the brush to smooth flyaways.
Price at time of publish: $6
Hair Type: All | Bristle Material: Nylon | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Either
Best for Medium-Length Hair
Mason Pearson Handy Bristle Hair Brush for Medium Length Hair
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Mason Pearson
Well-made
Easy to maneuver
Comfortable
Pricey
This luxurious brush tames frizz and flyaways with six rings of stiff boar bristle tufts. We love the long handle, which allows the user to brush to great lengths (literally). And while it's expensive, it will likely stand the test of time, thanks in part to the cleaning brush that comes with it and helps you keep your hairbrush in the best possible condition.
Price at time of publish: $160
Hair Type: Mid-length and fine hair | Bristle Material: Boar | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Either
Best for Thinning Hair
Crown Affair The Brush No. 001
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Sephora
Great for thinning hair
Combo of boar and nylon bristles
Comfortable
Pricey
All hair types will benefit from this boar- and nylon-bristled brush, but reviewers say it's exceptional for those with thinning hair or hair in need of volume. It's something of an investment, but it easily glides through strands, making it a solid choice for those in need of something that won't be too hard on their head or hair.
Price at time of publish: $62
Hair Type: All, but best for thin | Bristle Material: Nylon and boar | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Either
The Body Shop Large Bamboo Hairbrush
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The Body Shop
Affordable
Utilizes the hair's natural oils
Detangles
The paddle style might be harsh for some hair types
This bamboo brush uses the hair's natural oils, stimulating the scalp as it glides over the head and redistributing them through strands. It's affordable, too, making it a great choice for those in need of a quality detangler that won't break the bank.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: All, but best for thin | Bristle Material: Bamboo | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Either
Final Verdict
The best option overall is the Fromm Intuition Glosser, a wide paddle brush with real boar bristles, massaging pins, and a sturdy handle. For folks on a budget, we suggest the Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush. And if you're open to splurging, you can't go wrong with the Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush.
Meet the Expert
- Carolyn Aronson is a hairstylist and the founder/CEO of It's a 10 Haircare.
- Anthony Nader is a celebrity hairstylist and the salon owner of Raw Anthony Nader in Sydney, Australia.
- Kat Savano is a hairstylist based in the California Bay Area. She is also an educator for Leonor Greyl.
What to Look for in a Hair Brush
Shape
When it comes to shopping for hairbrushes, hairstylist and salon owner Anthony Nader recommends first making sure the brush shape will fit your specific hair needs. “If you want to achieve more volume with a blowout, aim for using a medium to large round brush,” he says. However, if you’re looking to achieve a quick and effortless blowout with minimal drying time, he recommends investing in a large, flat cushioned paddle brush. “The larger the brush, the more area you can cover in a shorter amount of time,” he says.
Round brushes are best suited for styling, as they create a lot of volume in the hair. Rectangular brushes, meanwhile, are good for those with straight hair (those with curls may find that the paddle style pulls or tugs at strands a bit too much).
Bristles
When it comes to bristle material, Nader is a big fan of bristles made of boar's hair. “These are soft, so your strands will glide through them with ease,” he says. “They help reduce the amount of tugging on strands, which can cause hair breakage, and they're fab for promoting blood flow which is beneficial for hair growth.”
Nylon can also be effective and some tools mix both nylon with boar. Plastic is okay, though it won't hold up as well and can cause added friction (and therefore added frizz) to strands.
Size
When it comes to a brush, size matters. Larger paddles and longer arms will ensure more coverage and comfortability when brushing long hair, while smaller styles will be better for those with short hair (or those who are looking for a tool to use on the go).
Ergonomic Design
Blowouts can take some time, especially if your hair is on the thicker side. With that in mind, shop for an ergonomically designed brush that fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to maneuver. This will make your blowout experience less of a hassle and help prevent sore wrists and hands after.
Hair Type
When shopping for a brush, be sure to keep hair type in mind. Thin hair can benefit from a boar bristle brush, for instance, which helps ensure hair doesn't snag or frizz. Curly-haired and thicker hair types will also appreciate boar bristles, which are more flexible than synthetic and therefore avoid tugging on the hair. Those with damaged hair should also look for bristles that are soft, which will help avoid further damage.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like shape, size, or bristle material—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in cosmetics, self-care, and wellness. She interviewed two experts for this story, compiling their product recs and insight into the best materials and designs. Before landing on her final selections, she considered a broad range of brushes from myriad brands and retailers, ultimately choosing sturdy, gentle, and effective options. Theresa covers haircare, skincare, and makeup at Byrdie. You can find more of her bylines on The Spruce and MyDomaine.
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