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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Like a snowflake or fingerprint, every set of curls is unique. Different textures, patterns, and shapes come into play, meaning that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to a routine. Washing and styling might be an obvious one, but the type of brush you use for curly hair is also an important tool to consider.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Great for creating curl definition and shape, the Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row tops our list. But if you’re searching for a budget-friendly option, try the Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair, which doubles as a scalp massager—giving you more bang for your buck.
“Those with curly hair should always look for solution-type tools,” says celebrity stylist and curls expert Nai’vasha. “This includes things like paddle brushes, gloves, and Denman style brushes. These all tend to detangle and define in one punch.”
But finding the right brush for your curls is a task that’s easier said than done. That’s why—with Nai’vasha’s help—we’ve compiled an edit of the best for all curl types. To find the picks on our list, we conducted hours of research, poring through customer reviews and expert testimonials. After considering dozens of models, we landed on these top-rated brushes.
Best Overall
Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row
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Amazon
Works on most curl patterns
Promotes definition
Great for styling
Can take a while to detangle
Who else recommends it? InStyle, Glamour, and Naturally Curly all picked the Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row.
What do buyers say? 89% of 67,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The original and arguably one of the best, this vented paddle brush from Denman was designed with curly hair specifically in mind. “This brush is typically at an optimal performance on wet hair,” says Nai’vasha. It works wonders on looser curls and defines beautifully.” Use it to work through conditioning products and to detangle damp hair. It can also be used to shape or break up looser curls.
Price at time of publish: $22
Bristle Material: Nylon bristles | Colors: Black and red
Best Budget
Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair
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Ulta
Flexible
Soft bristles
Doubles as a scalp massager
Not for adding definition
Made from eight flexible rows of comb-style teeth, this unique brush — created by entrepreneur Julissa Prado — bends and moves with your hair for a painless detangling process that doesn’t interrupt bouncy curls. Use it as-is for full flexibility or add the control bar to secure each row. The soft bristles can even be massaged into the scalp for an invigorating massage, too.
Price at time of publish: $16
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Pink
Best Detangling
Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush
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Doesn’t pull or tug
Soft bristles
Can be complicated to use
If you’re looking for a brush that will ease out knots when the hair is damp and filled with conditioner, the Tangle Teezer is it. The hand-held design means you can pull it through lengths easily, while the soft plastic bristles prevent breakage. It’s a great choice for balanced to finer hair.
Price at time of publish: $13
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Pink, black, lilac/pink, glitter, lilac/glitter, green, coral
What Our Testers Say
"The before and after results from this brush were so dramatic, I thought I was hallucinating when I first saw the photos. But after examining my hair under multiple sources of light, I had to conclude that the Tangle Teezer really delivered." — Sarah Wu, Product Tester
Best Detangling, Runner-Up
Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
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Great for tight curls, kinks and coils
Flexible
Doesn’t pull or tug
Small handle
Detangling kinks and coils doesn’t need to be painful with Felicia’s Leatherwood Detangling Brush. The widely-spaced, flexible bristles allow the hair to move through slowly, preventing breakage and fallout. Because it doesn’t tug at the hair too much, tighter curl patterns are left intact, too.
Price at time of publish: $21
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Black, red, purple, yellow, turquoise, pink
What Our Testers Say
"I love the brush because it doesn't tug or pull at my hair. After all, the brush is designed to move as the hair moves. I rarely lose a lot of hair when I detangle with my fingers, and the same was true when using this brush." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best for Shower
Wet Brush Shower Flex Hair Brush
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Courtesy of Amazon
Designed to hang in shower
Doesn’t pull or tug
Not ideal for looser curls
With its wide vents and flexible bristles, the Flex Hair Brush from Wet Brush is great for detangling the hair on wash day. It moves with the hair to prevent snags and tears, while the easy hook means you can store it in the shower (so you’re never caught out without it).
Price at time of publish: $8
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Black, pink
Runner-Up, Best Shower Brush
Pattern Shower Brush
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Creates definition
Works for all curl types
Can hold comfortably
Can break easily
Another great shower option is this brush from Tracee Ellis Ross's own Pattern Beauty. It detangles well without causing any breakage, and is able to add definition and shape to the hair. Reviewers noted that it was great for styling without creating frizz.
Price at time of publish: $17
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black
Best for Blow-Drying
Denman Gentle Styler
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Courtesy of Amazon
Smooths without snagging
Soft bristles
Very small travel size
If you’re looking to smooth the hair while blow-drying, it’s important to go for a brush with a tighter bristle to direct airflow. Denman’s Gentle Styler is just that, but because it’s still designed with curls in mind, it prevents tugging that will lead to frizz. The pins themself are soft nylon too, so will flex with the hair as needed.
Price at time of publish: $20
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Pink, black
Best for Fine Hair
Wet Brush Original Detangler
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Courtesy of Amazon
Flexible
Soft bristles
Could contribute to frizz in dry hair
Nai’vasha tells us that she “loves a paddle brush because its design is perfect for dry or wet detangling.” While this pick from Wet Brush won’t define as great as something like the Denman, it’s a great choice for looser, finer waves and curls.
Price at time of publish: $7
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Purple, black, aqua, pink
Best for Loose Curls
Ouidad Vented Paddle Brush
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Ouidad
Lightweight
Doesn’t pull or tug
Not ideal for thick curls
Another paddle brush that comes backed by Nai’vasha is this one from Ouidad. With multiple vents and a series of soft, rounded bristles, it gently combs through the hair, making it a nice option for breaking up loose curls, waves, and bends.
Price at time of publish: $8
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black
Best Multi-Tasker
Curl Queen The Glove
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Curl Queen
Multi-purpose
Water-resistant
Not for adding definition
Part brush, part massager, this glove set is super versatile (not to mention game-changing) for those with tight, difficult-to-control curls. With various spikes and bristles, it can be used to cleanse the hair, ease out tangles, stimulate blood flow in the scalp, or work in styling products. Bonus: it feels like a mini massage.
“Naturally The Glove is my go-to because it’s all-encompassing. It can be used to detangle to the most tightly tangled hair, shampoo, and condition, or to work in styling products,” adds Nai’vasha.
Price at time of publish: $48
Bristle Material: Waterproof material | Colors: Black
Best for Tight Curls
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
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Great for tight curls, kinks and coils
Firm bristles
Flexible
May be too tough for finer curly hair
This brush style takes after the original Tangle Teezer but comes with a handle and firmer bristles to detangle 3c-4c curls. The bristles come in differing lengths while the semi-flexible material moves through tighter textures thoroughly but gently.
Price at time of publish: $15
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Purple, purple/glitter, pink, mint, mint/lilac, blue/peach
Best Boar Bristle
Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush
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Courtesy of Sephora
Vegan
Smoothing
Can break easily
If you like the smoothing effect of a boar bristle brush, this pick from Briogeo is one of the best out there for curls. Fitted with vegan multi-length bristles with a rounded tip, it moves through hair, smoothing strands, removing knots, and reducing the look of frizz. It’s great for soft curls or paired with a straightening iron.
Price at time of publish: $28
Bristle Material: Nylon (vegan boar bristles) | Colors: Purple
Best for Scalp Health
Curl Keeper The Original Flexy Brush
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Amazon
Doesn’t pull or tug
Sturdy bristles
Doubles as a scalp massager
May be too big for some
Do your curls matt, tangle, or clump together? This unique open cushion brush from Curl Keeper is the answer to your prayers. The silicone bristles glide through hair, undoing knots without painful tearing or tugging. The open base also reduces the risk of product build-up, should you wish to use it in the shower.
Price at time of publish: $21
Bristle Material: Silicone | Colors: Black/turquoise, black/purple
Best for Multiple Curl Patterns
Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush
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Comes with 18 bristle rows
Effective for all curl types
Customizable
Online instructions to use somewhat unclear
If you deal with multiple curl patterns on your head (for example, looser curls in the front and tighter coils in the back), this is the brush that you've been looking for. It has 18 rows of bristles, with nine thinner rows for finer hair and nine thick bristle rows for coarser hair—making it easier for you to customize your brush based on your various hair types. We also love that it's easy to use, making your detangling process quicker and easier.
Price at time of publish: $17
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black/blue
Final Verdict
The best brush will be the one that works with your curl pattern, but as far as versatility is concerned, we can’t go past the Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row. Designed specifically for curls, it detangles and shapes without pulling, and while we love it on damp hair, it still works a treat when strands are dry. We also love the Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush. It has a unique shape that enables airflow and works to ease out knots without disturbing curl patterns.
Meet the Expert
Nai’vasha is a celebrity hairstylist, curl expert, and founder of Curl Queen, an edit of products specifically suited towards curly, coiled, and textured hair.
What to Look for in a Brush for Curly Hair
Bristle Density
The density of a brush's bristles or teeth is important and should be tailored to your hair type. For styling or blow-drying curly hair, you typically want quite a bit of density, so your brush is strong enough to get through your hair without bending or breaking. This also ensures that you get good tension for smoothing out your hair, especially when blow-drying. When it comes to detangling, make sure your bristles are far enough apart to prevent breakage during use.
Weight
The heavier the brush, the more energy it requires to use. Lightweight brushes make it easier to detangle and style quickly—no need for a workout here. However, be careful not to choose a brush that feels flimsy or cheap. These tend to break faster and sometimes break while you’re using them.
Size
A smaller-sized brush works best for those with thick, tight curls. It also helps to brush through the hair in sections, which may take some time, but it’s worth the work. A larger brush or longer comb is ideal for fine to medium hair with looser curls. But, as always, test out a few brushes and see which one suits your hair best.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Algar is an experienced freelance writer who covers all things beauty. Her work has also appeared in Popsugar, Vogue Australia, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, and more.
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