20 Best Hair Brushes For Every Hair Type Per Stylists And Reviews

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Your hair will thank you.

A hair brush is like the trusty old coffee maker you’ve had since freshman year of 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—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. Boar Bristle Brush? Perfect for all hair types, especially thin or fine hair. Paddle brush? Works best with long, thick, or frizzy hair. Round brush? Great for styling and adding volume. Vent brush? Ideal for those with thick, curly hair. Detangling brush? Perfect for preventing damage on wet and damp hair.

Peep a few of the most highly-recommended hair brushes for every hair type, below:

"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."

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 rave reviews.

With boar bristles and the paddle structure, this hair brush is sure to give you good results and will work on all hair types. Working on a sensitive scalp, it's easy to wash and detangles with no problems.

Rave Review: "I am so insanely in love with this brush! I have fine, wavy hair. I tend to shed a lot after showering. This brush catches all of that instead of having it end up on my floor like previous brushes. It also leave my dry hair feeling very silky. Definitely give this brush a try!"

One of Swangnete's faves, this brush detangles and can be used on wet or dry hair, but is perfect for getting knots out post-shower. Customers love it, and one reviewer says it's even helped brush through her curly hair, especially with her hair loss.

Rave Review: "It helps protect against damage and gets out knots easily without any pain. Although, the bristles are a little rougher than a standard round brush or wet brush." —Krysta Swangnete, hairstylist

This brush has a sick design, but it's functional too. Working well with fine hair, there's little to no breakage or pain when using it in wet hair, a reviewer wrote. Plus, it works to shape your hair.

Rave Review: "I have long, thin, dry, fly away hair that I have spent a lifetime of over conditioning just to keep the tangles out. At my age I've spent thousands and thousands on detangle products that either don't work or kinda but not really work. This brush is amazing. I was considering cutting my hair short as arthritis is setting in and most older women do eventually cut off their locks. But with this brush I don't have to cut my hair, it sails through my hair like magic and it doesn't hurt my hands to brush."

Hiii, vent brushes. ICYMI, the vents on these types of brushes actually help increase air circulation, making the process of drying your hair faster, Wiley says. They're great for blow drying and detangling too, and it contours to your head, since it's curved.

Rave Review: "I have very thick Italian hair down my back. The drama is real, especially in summer. I always get a rat's nest in the back and I always dread the pulling contest every day. This brush is the real deal—96% pain free. Not gonna lie and say it was buttery smooth in the knots, but they did come out with little effort. Holy grail of brushes. My hair was dry when I tried this and very knotted. Good investment. Excellent gift!"

Paddle brushes are great for brushing out straight and wavy hair, especially fine hair, Swangnete says. "It is great for brushing through long, thick hair with minimal breakage and can help create a glossy finish," adds Jamie Wiley, celebrity hairstylist and founder and CEO of HAIRBOSS.

Rave Review: "This is my go to everyday, detangle, brushable brush. [It] Polishes the hair while detangles." —Jamie Wiley, hairstylist

This one almost seems a bit too obvious, but it's the real deal, I promise. Reviewers love how it detangles hair without pulling it.

Rave Review: "I’ve purchased this hairbrush three times in the last 15 years. It helps smooth my long, straight hair without hurting it and without causing static. Lasts a long time, too. I’ll keep purchasing this because it works so well on my fine hair."

Round brushes are wonderful for blow drying and creating volume for all hair types—you just have to be gentle if you have fine hair. "The trick to using a round brush is that you only want to take a section that is as wide as the brush," says Swangnete, who loves Olivia Garden's round brushes.

"Taking a larger section that the width of the brush will not give you the best result." They create a smoothness and shine, she adds.

Rave Review: "Bristles are easily separated allowing for easy fast drying—I love how it makes my hair feels—clean, not greasy or dry. It doesn't cause tangling."

This brush is made of a combination of nylon and boar bristles, serving as one of Ellis' recs. People with thick hair love how silky smooth it leaves them feeling.

Rave Review: "Expensive, yes! But oh so worth it. My hair dresser recommend this brush. There are two things that make it great. One is the handle. It is easy to grip. The other is that when blow drying your hair you can put a little tension on it and the hair does not slip through. Very important if you are trying to blow dry and get rid of those frizzes. I love love love love this brush. Did I mention I love this brush? I also got it in the larger size."

Boar bristles are amazing for smooth and shiny hair and is suited for all hair types, but it's Swangnetes go-to for thick hair because it "tames frizz and gets knots out more gently," she says. Wiley adds that boar bristle brushes evenly distribute your hair's natural oils. Nice!

Rave Review: "I started using this brush on my clients who had great lengths hair extensions after I saw how well the brush detangled extensions, I transitioned to using it on everyone. The brush has a combination of boars bristle and nylon. These bristles help to detangle wet hair very gently."

This brush is amazing for styling. A lot of reviewers love it, saying it works well on fine hair and is high-quality, even though it's just $40.

Rave Review: "I really love the GHD Oval Boar Bristle Brush for styling and getting a really clean slicked-back look." —Glenn Ellis, hairstylist

One of Wiley rec's, this 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 Jennifer Korab, New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa and Revival Barber Shop. For a silky smooth finish, people love this brush. It's easy to use and detangles hair seamlessly.

Rave Review: "This is my favorite brush for detangling and distributing conditioners for wet hair. It works perfectly on curly and straight hair. All the women in my house have one. I also use it on dry hair when I want to style but not loose volume. Love it!"

This one's a classic, loved by Korab. Working on all hair types, reviewers love how it works on thick, wavy, and long hair at any point that it becomes tangled. Plus, they've lasted some of the customers one to two years!

Rave Review: "Great for all hair types and the best on wet hair. I love that the silicone bristles flexible and able to get through tough knots." —Jennifer Korab, hairstylist

Complete with a bamboo comb and three hair ties, this brush set makes a perfect gift to yourself and others. It's great for fine hair and will leave it feeling soft. One reviewer says it's great for thinning hair, too.

Rave Review: "This is a great little brush. I have a family member who is undergoing chemo treatment and their hair is beginning to thin out. The bristles are soft and doesn't irritate their scalp. Extremely happy with my purchase."

Pattern Beauty's shower brush is perfect for curlies, coilies and tight textures. Protecting against breakage, this brush cleans well, doesn't pull out as much hair as other brushes, and makes the time you brush your hair even quicker.

Rave Review: "I have purchased many brushes like this for my curly, coily hair but this is the one. Also the line of products are great for my hair."

If you want ~volume~, these experts recommend a round brush, and this one is preferred by Wiley. Reviewers say it not only holds your hair well, but is also easy to twist and style while blow drying.

Rave Review: "Love these brushes for bouncy voluminous blowout looks. Great for lift and movement in the hair. The handles are non-slipping even with a lot of product on the hands."

Okay, so, yes—this one's a bit pricey. But, it's totally worth the $$$, according to Swangnete and reviewers. "It gently detangles, and helps to evenly distribute one's natural oils from the scalp to the end of the hair shaft," Swangnete says.

Rave Review: "As a man, I never would have dreamed of spending more than $5-8 for a hair brush. However, 4+ years after buying this for our daughter and I’m a lifelong promoter of Mason Pearson. I’m sure there are cheaper brushes that will suffice, but I wouldn't roll the dice on whether or not I stumble upon this level of quality."

Reviewers adore this brush, saying it's super easy to use when blow drying, and that their hair doesn't get caught or pulled. It makes it super easy for a DIY salon-quality blowout at home.

Rave Review: "It cools down super quickly when I use to blow dry my hair, it doesn't scratch my scalp or pull my hair while detangling, and it's helped my hair to dry faster because of how aerated it is. I especially love that it helps tame my frizzies and that it is ceramic! I’m looking forward to buying this brush again in different sizes as my hair gets longer. Thank you!"

Reviewers are obsessed with this edge control brush. They say it's worth the price with nice grips and that it's sturdier than a normal brush with more structure.

Rave Review: "This edge control brush is the truth ! It gets my edges laid. I have natural hair and it lays down them roots. Worth the buy."

A favorite of Wiley and Ellis, this brush can be used on both wet and dry hair, and it's great for all types of hair. It has a drainage hole if you opt to use it in the shower, and it doesn't catch on extensions.

Rave Review: "I love that it has a drainage hole so that you can use it in the shower with masks or treatments. It's also my go to detangle brush and scalp massage brush." —Jamie Wiley, hairstylist

Ideal for curly hair, this brush detangles like no other. People love how it defines their curls, too.

Rave Review: "I have 3c/4a hair and this brush worked great. It really defined my curl and made detangling easy. I used it in the shower and after washing my hair. I did find that the brush can be difficult to hold when your hand are wet or greasy. Other than that it is definitely ergonomic and comfortable."

Addison Aloian (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women's Health. When she's not writing about all things pop culture, health, beauty, and fashion, she loves hitting leg day at the gym, shopping at Trader Joe's, and watching whichever hockey game is on TV. Her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.

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