The 20 Best Hairbrushes for Every Hair Type

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From thin locks to coarse curls, these are the perfect picks for any texture.

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Real Simple / Marcus Millan

Regardless of your hair type, finding the right brush is a hair-care essential. Coily curls require different treatment than straight, fine locks, and thick hair reacts differently to brushing than thin hair. With various bristles, shapes, and sizes to consider, identifying the best brush for your hair type can be challenging.

In addition to Quinones, we also sought insight from celebrity hair stylists Ted Gibson and Michael Dueñas, as well as Syrenthia Quinones, Mane Addicts’ Head of Education, and Janell Stephens, founder of the world's largest Black-owned & female-led hair care brand Camille Rose Naturals. Combining our research with their advice, we’ve compiled a list of the best hairbrushes on the market. Read on for our favorite picks, along with helpful information on how to find the best brush for your hair type and texture.

Fine hair can be fragile, so Quinones and Dueñas suggest using a soft-bristle brush to avoid breakage. Gibson emphasizes the importance of delicacy, noting that raising the cuticle can help achieve a more voluminous look: “When you have fine hair, you want that cuticle to be raised ever so slightly, because when that cuticle is raised with finer hair, you get the opportunity to have more hair.” He says boar bristles are ideal for thin hair, as their soft texture can help smooth it while adding volume.

Dueñas recommends the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush, which provides a gentle, massage-like sensation without being too harsh on the scalp. The bristles are long enough to detangle yet flexible enough to avoid breakage, and we also appreciate the square-shaped paddle, which offers a large enough surface area for those with longer hair. Another fan favorite is the Tangle Teezer Detangling Hair Brush, which features two-tiered teeth with a mix of shorter bristles for smoothing and longer bristles for detangling.

Quinones says thick hair typically benefits from a paddle brush for detangling and smoothing. As a general rule of thumb: The larger the paddle, the more hair the brush can tackle at once. Long bristles are also ideal for those with thicker hair, as they have enough length to reach and stimulate the scalp. That's why we love the Tek Paddle Brush, which has extra-long, widely spaced bristles that not only provide an invigorating scalp massage but also promote blood circulation, stimulating hair growth.

Gibson recommends that those with thicker hair use a combination brush, which has both boar and nylon bristles to smooth and detangle simultaneously. The Urtheone Boar Bristle Brush achieves the best of both worlds, featuring nylon bristles to detangle knots and massage the scalp and softer boar bristles to smooth the hair and redistribute natural oils. While tightly packed bristles are ideal for smoothing, wider teeth are excellent for detangling. Dueñas says the Brushzoo Wide Tooth Comb is his favorite for those with thick curls. as it smooths and detangles without causing enough tension to break the hair.

Curls are not a one-size-fits-all category, and keeping them defined can be a challenge. When caring for your curls, our experts agree that flexible bristles are a must, as they can move with the hair rather than against it. Curly hair also thrives with wide-tooth combs or brushes with flexible bristles, which Quinones says can help to prevent frizz and maintain curl definition.

Gibson swears by the Denman D4 Original Styler 9 Row Brush, which allows him to achieve the perfect balance of tension and smoothness. The brush has nine rows of close-together nylon pins, each with a slight upward slope, to keep tight curls defined. We also recommend the Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Shower Brush, available in mini and standard sizes, making it perfect for travel or for tossing in your work bag.

For those seeking a blow dry-friendly option, you can't go wrong with the YS Park G-Series Curl Shine Styler Round Brush. This brush's slim handle features aerated holes that help circulate hot air, reducing heat damage. Additionally, these holes not only speed up the drying process but also make the brush notably lightweight, ensuring effortless maneuvering without getting tired.

Gone are the days of limp, flat hair—volume is taking over. While traditional hairbrushes are designed primarily to detangle, styling brushes are better suited for maintaining your hair’s natural definition, delivering salon-worthy results. According to our experts, round brushes are typically the best choice. Quinones explains: “For styling brushes, round brushes are popular for creating volume and smoothness during blowouts. Look for those with ceramic or tourmaline components for even heat distribution and reduced damage.”

Regardless of the style you're going for, the Revlon One-Step Hot Dryer and Volumizer is a must have. This two-in-one tool will cut your hair routine time in half, as it functions as both a brush and blow dryer. Unlike other styling tools designated for specific hairstyles, this versatile device can be used to add volume, straighten, or curl. In addition to style versatility, Gibson notes that different hair lengths can benefit from different barrel sizes. Luckily, the Osensia Ceramic Ionic Infused Blowout Brush is available in six sizes ranging from 0.75 inches to 2.5 inches.

If you’re aiming for the perfect at-home blow dry, Dueñas recommends vented brushes, which allow airflow to ensure even drying. He loves the Olivia Garden Ceramic Brush for styling thin or fine hair, as the vents help it to retain heat from the blow dryer and maximize airflow. But regardless of what styling brush you go for, Quinones emphasizes the importance of heat-protectant products, which can help minimize damage and avoid excessive heat exposure.

Regardless of your hair type, knots are not your friend. Tugging through tangles can be painful, too, so finding a brush specialized for the job is crucial. When searching for the right detangling brush, you want to consider two things: bristles and handle.

Nylon bristles are a bit sturdier than boar bristles, which, according to Gibson, makes them better suited for navigating tangles. The best detangling brushes also have widely spread bristles, which can separate knots without being too harsh. And since you’ll likely be brushing for a while, finding an ergonomic, easy-to-grip handle is also worth considering. According to Dueñas, the L'Ange Siena Wide Curved Vented Hair Brush checks all the boxes—the widely spaced, nylon-tipped bristles make quick work of tangles and knots, gliding through hair without snagging.

This classic Wet Brush Original Detangler is a fan favorite due to its effective performance, reasonable price, and accessibility. With “IntelliFlex” ballpoint bristles, the brush painlessly detangles without breakage. Despite being advertised as a wet brush, this pick can be used on dry hair, as well.

“Bristles should be your number one concern,” Dueñas says. “There are different bristles for different hair objectives and goals.” The two main types of bristles to keep an eye out for are nylon and boar.

Boar brushes are gentle, because they are designed with softer bristles. Given their soft texture, these bristles are better suited for smoothing rather than detangling. Gibson recommends boar bristles entirely for those with finer hair, as he finds that they help smooth the hair while adding a bit of bounce.

These brushes also absorb some of the hair’s natural oil, removing any excess and evenly distributing it throughout the hair. Just keep in mind that these softer bristles are more likely to retain debris from your hair.

Nylon bristles are stiffer, making them more suitable for detangling thicker hair. Since the bristles are a bit tougher, they also have more of a massaging effect. Many nylon bristles also have small, ballpoint caps on them to make them a bit gentler on the scalp.

Gibson’s favorite brushes are mixed-bristle brushes, which are made of a combination of nylon and boar bristles. “When I use a combination brush, the nylon helps to detangle and the boar helps to smooth, so you get this dual kind of situation,” Gibson says. He says to steer clear of styling brushes with metal bristles, as these typically apply a damaging amount of heat to the hair.

The majority of hairbrushes can be classified as either round or paddle. If you’ve ever received a blowout at a salon, it likely involved a round brush. These are ideal for adding volume and body, specifically to finer hair. Many round styling brushes, (like the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Original Blow Dry Brush) are also heated, so they function as a blow dryer and brush in one.

“I’m a huge fan of a round brush; I think a round brush can create a girl's life, especially now that we’re going back to a little bit bigger hair,” Gibson says. “So it's back to round brushes, it’s back to hot rollers, it’s back to things to give hair a lot of bounce and a lot of movement.”

While round brushes are effective at adding volume, paddle brushes excel at detangling, straightening, and smoothing. Using a round brush incorrectly can even create more knots and tangles. “You can’t really pull the knots out because your hair is literally wrapped around the brush,” Stephens says. Paddle brushes are also more straightforward and intuitive to use, making them better for those who are a bit less experienced with hair styling. While round brushes can achieve salon-worthy outcomes when used correctly, they may require some additional technique.

The ideal brush size depends on the hair length and style you’re looking for. As a general rule of thumb, there should be a positive correlation between barrel size and hair length.

Gibson suggests that those with shorter, coiffed hair may want to look for a smaller round brush. “You want to use a brush that is maybe a quarter inch in diameter because you want there to be a lot of movement from the base of the scalp,” he says.

For those with mid-length hair that falls between the chin and shoulder, Gibson recommends a medium-sized barrel, as it allows for some additional lift from both the scalp and the rest of the hair. If you have longer hair, Gibson suggests using a larger one. The same can be said for paddle brushes—a larger surface area is better equipped to handle longer hair.

Hairbrushes come in a variety of materials, with the most common being wood, plastic, and rubber. Gibson finds that wood handles are more comfortable to grip than plastic, which can be beneficial for those like himself who are styling for long durations of time. Wooden brushes also tend to be more sustainable than plastic ones, although they are typically more expensive.

While our experts tend to advise against brushing wet hair, they agree that certain tools minimize damage. Since your hair is the most vulnerable when it’s wet, wider-spaced bristles are the least invasive. If you do opt to brush your hair in the shower, Quinones says to look for wet-specific brushes.

“Brushing wet hair requires extra care to prevent breakage, so opt for brushes specifically designed for use on wet hair,” she says. “These brushes typically have flexible bristles and gentle detangling.” Dueñas says the L’Ange Hair Siena Wide Curved Vented Hair Brush, one of our favorite detangling brushes, is particularly gentle on wet hair.

Gibson strongly recommends using a wide-tooth comb rather than a standard hairbrush. “When hair is wet, it tends to pull the elasticity of the hair, so it can stretch and also break,” he says. He warns that this can be especially damaging for color-treated hair that’s light in shade, as it’s particularly fragile when wet.

When it comes to textured hair, though, Stephens says brushing in the shower could be helpful, particularly when you have conditioner in it. “Water is the number one moisturizer, so with your [conditioner] and water running on your hair, it definitely aids in that detangling process.” For those with textured hair or curls, she says dry brushing could potentially be more harmful.

For the best results when brushing your hair in the shower, Stephens suggests starting at the ends and working your way up to the scalp.

When deciding how much to spend on a hairbrush, consider your personal preference and budget. “While pricier brushes often boast higher-quality materials and construction, there are plenty of affordable options that can provide similar results,” Quinones says. “Consider your hair's specific needs and how much you’re willing to invest in your hair care routine.”

Hairbrushes don’t last forever, yet replacement frequency is largely dependent on how regularly you use it and how well you take care of it. For example, a hairstylist giving multiple blowouts each day will inevitably need to replace their brush more often than someone using it for more standard detangling.

“Generally, it’s a good idea to replace your brush every six to 12 months or sooner if you notice signs of wear and tear, such as broken bristles or a warped handle,” Quinones says.

Gibson adds that properly caring for your brush can also make or break its longevity. “I think it's important to clean your brush on a regular basis,” he says. “Cleaning your brush involves removing all the hair, shampooing it, and then rinsing it off.”

This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list of the best hairbrushes, she researched products from top brands while considering their shape, materials, hair type compatibility, and usage on wet or dry hair. For expert advice on what consumers should know when purchasing hairbrushes, Jamie consulted four hair experts: Ted Gibson, influencer, celebrity stylist, and salon owner; Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist, groomer, and photographer; Syrenthia Quinones, head of education at Mane Addicts; and Janell Stephens, founder and CEO of Camille Rose Naturals.