These Top-Rated Brushes for Fine Hair Make Detangling a Breeze

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If fine hair were being delivered via a UPS package, it’d have a label that reads, “Handle with care.” Because this particular hair type consists of such tiny, fragile strands, it can be susceptible to breakage when styling or even plain brushing. However, there are some brushes for fine hair out there that will mitigate that issue and do an incredible job at detangling your hair.

“Fine hair is the most fragile type of hair, so picking the right brush is very important,” says celebrity hairstylist Matt Collins. “If you buy a high-quality brush, you will have to replace it very rarely, whereas cheaper brushes will break down very quickly, and you will have to replace them more often,” he adds. When you need to detangle, Collins advises using a paddle brush with a soft cushion, synthetic bristles, and a seamless base that won’t accidentally catch or pull any of your precious strands. Meanwhile, if you’re on a journey to make your hair grow faster and thicker, adding a boar bristle brush to your routine can stimulate hair growth by encouraging blood flow in the scalp and eliminating buildup.

Below, you’ll find our roundup of the 12 best brushes for fine hair. This list didn’t come easy—we spoke to Collins, consulted other editors, and combed the internet for top-shelf options, taking countless customers’s feedback into account. Reap the benefits of our work and treat yourself to a brush that’ll detangle with the gentleness your fine hair needs.

Dyson’s hair tools are at the top of their game, so it makes sense that the company also produces a premium hair brush. The Paddle Brush possesses gentle bristles for painless detangling. “The handle is the perfect size,” Collins says. “The material is smooth, so it’s easy to clean, and it won’t get nasty-looking with wear,” he adds.

Materials: Synthetic bristles

An ELLE editor says: “With great pain comes an even greater lesson: Invest in a quality paddle brush, people. I didn’t understand the importance of one until I scraped my scalp quite a few times with brushes that had bristles falling out, saw my hair tear out as a result of the missing bristles, and, worst of all, had to throw a bunch of brushes out once the adhesive holding the cushion together dissolved. Word of advice: Buy this Dyson paddle brush to save your hair and wallet the hassle. This brush is firm and strong and can withstand a range of hair textures, from my coarse, coily natural hair to whatever texture wig I’m wearing.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

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Paddle Brush

dyson.com

$39.99

Here at ELLE.com, we believe in quality over quantity, and nobody can deny that Mason Pearson is the definition of quality when it comes to hair brushes. The mixture of boar and synthetic bristles in this mini one is effective and sturdy—get ready to have it by your side for decades. The smaller size makes it perfect for slipping into your purse or carry-on, and it’ll help keep every strand in place wherever you go.

Materials: Boar and synthetic bristles

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This brush is little, but I love it a whole lot. As with all Mason Pearson brushes, this one’s cushion is supple, its bristles are just the right amount of firmness, and it massages the scalp and spreads out my hair’s oils. I have fine hair myself, and I’m picky when it comes to brushes. But Mason Pearson just can’t be beat.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

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Pocket Mixture Hair Brush

amazon.com

$140.00

Machete constructs some of the best-looking hair brushes on the market. The brand doesn’t skimp on quality, either; each Everyday Detangling Hair Brush is handmade using Italian acetate and high-quality nylon that glides through wet and dry hair without a hitch.

Materials: Nylon bristles

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve amassed quite a collection of hair brushes from all sorts of brands at prices much higher and lower than this one. But I find myself reaching for Machete ones more often than not, whether I need to detangle my hair, brush out curls, or disperse dry shampoo throughout my strands. Plus, the brushes look so darn good on my bed stand.” —Carol Lee

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Everyday Detangling Hair Brush

shopmachete.com

$140.00

If you're searching for a brush that will give you a salon-worthy blowout, look no further than YS Park’s round hair brush. For best results, use the brush to pull a section of your hair away from your scalp, create enough tension, and then roll the brush inward toward your scalp while applying heat from your blow dryer. Keep repeating this in-and-out motion until you’ve passed through each section.

Materials: Boar and nylon bristles

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Buy it! I get my hair done a few times a year professionally and when they use this brush my hairstyle looks polished and lasts longer! Glad I found it on Amazon!”

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Hair Brush

amazon.com

$54.40

To achieve smooth and silky strands, a soft boar brush is a must-have. Thanks to the smooth bristles, boar brushes actually help to hydrate hair while reducing frizz. Since these bristles are so soft, you’ll also feel like you’re giving yourself a relaxing scalp massage.

Materials: Boar and nylon bristles

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This brush has been perfect for my daughter. Usually she hates to brush her hair, but this didn’t even bother her while brushing the tangles. Would purchase again.”

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Nylon Boar Bristle Brush

amazon.com

$48.95

Fine hair folks, you’ll want to be extra cautious while detangling your strands in the shower. Wet hair is much weaker than dry hair, and fine hair is already susceptible to breakage. To avoid losing excess strands in the shower, try Tangle Teezer’s detangling brush. The soft bristles are designed to gently separate and detangle fine and fragile hair, so you won’t have to worry about damage.

Materials: Synthetic bristles

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush has completely transformed the way I care for my hair, and I couldn't be happier with the results! This brush works like magic, effortlessly gliding through both wet and dry hair to eliminate tangles and knots. It's an absolute game-changer for those with unruly hair like mine. I no longer dread the post-shower tangle battle; this brush makes detangling a breeze.”

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The Fine and Fragile Ultimate Detangling Brush

amazon.com

$15.99

Crown Affair’s Brush No. 003 is crafted specifically for fine hair. Because of its boar bristles, it makes for the perfect styling tool. The boar bristles also distribute natural scalp oils throughout your strands, helping to moisturize your hair. Whip up a snatched sleek bun with ease sans any flyways.

Materials: Boar and synthetic bristles

Crown Affair rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Crown Affair reviewer says: “My fine hair has had a lot of breakage. My hairdresser told me it might be my brush, so I went looking for a better one. I found it! This brush is perfect for my fine hair. It adds shine and smooths my hair without breaking it.”

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The Brush No. 003

crownaffair.com

$98.00

Nobody wants to deal with burnt plastic in their hair. Thankfully, you can give yourself a blowout worry-free with this heat-resistant brush, whose bristles are designed to smooth frizz and go easy on delicate hair.

Materials: Nylon bristles

Bluemercury rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Bluemercury reviewer says: “Lovely brush. Flows great through long hair and works well with the hair dryer. The bristles are heat-proof and don’t get all mangled like the previous brush from another company I owned.”

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Smooth Paddle Professional Styling Brush

bluemercury.com

$35.00

Fine hair can be prone to tangles, especially if you have a little texture to your hair. Sisley-Paris' Radiance brush runs through knots with ease and avoids causing painful tears. It’ll also give you a gentle scalp massage while it’s at it!

Materials: Boar and synthetic bristles

Bluemercury rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Sisley-Paris reviewer says: “Best brush I’ve ever had. Massages scalp and is gentle on my straight mid-length hair. I feel it brushes every hair separately. Worth every penny.”

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The Radiance Brush

bluemercury.com

$115.00

There’s nothing more aggravating than the feeling of a brush tugging on your strands. If you’re using a brush that causes discomfort, swap it out for Aveda’s wooden paddle brush. This brush is carefully crafted to reduce tension, giving you a stress-free detangling experience.

Materials: Synthetic bristles

Aveda rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Aveda reviewer says: “I love this brush. I have fine, straight hair in a long bob, and drying is a breeze with the paddle brush. This is about our third or fourth brush for both my husband and me over many years, and [we’ve] never a single issue.”

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Wooden Paddle Brush

$34.00

There’s a common misconception that curly hair can’t be fine, and that’s simply untrue. The word “fine” refers to width, not texture. For those with both curly and fine hair, this Denman brush is an absolute lifesaver. The bristles are long enough to navigate the depth of curls, but smooth enough not to agitate fine strands.

Materials: Synthetic bristles

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This brush is everything. I have fine blond hair that gets super tangled—this brush grips the hair and pulls through the tangles like a hot knife through butter. I also use it on my 4-year-old daughter who hates when I brush her hair. I’m not kidding when I say this kid usually screams bloody murder when I brush her hair. I have tried so many different brushes—this is the first brush ever that I’ve been able to use consistently without her freaking out. It’s worth every penny for that alone.”

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Curly Hair Brush D3

amazon.com

$21.95

If you’re looking for a brush that will detangle and style, you’ve found the right one. Belula’s multi-purpose brush softens hair while styling and lessens frizz while detangling. Plus, the package comes with a comb, a headband, and a travel bag, so you’ll have a complete set for home or on the go.

Materials: Boar bristles

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this boar bristle brush (and the comb it comes with!). It’s beautifully made and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. I have long hair (near waist length) with fine to medium texture, and I have a lot of it, so I brush it in sections. I’ve only been using it a few days, and I already notice an improvement in shine! Definitely recommend.”

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Boar Bristle Hair Brush Set

amazon.com

$24.95

Matt Collins is a celebrity hairstylist and a Dyson global styling ambassador.

With so many options out there, it’s hard to identify just one type of brush that takes the top spot, so we’ve pointed out a couple of options. According to Collins, a paddle brush with synthetic bristles and a sturdy cushion is a must-have. Collins points out that the shape of the brush matters, too, suggesting that a round end won’t cause any aggravation if it comes into contact with the scalp. “Usually fine-haired individuals tend to have sensitive scalps,” Collins adds.

In addition to synthetic bristles, boar bristles are also ideal for smoothing the hair and effectively spreading the scalp’s natural oils across strands without causing any friction.

As Collins mentioned earlier, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality brush, especially for fine hair, which is prone to damage. After all, the health of your hair is directly correlated to your grooming habits, so choosing an exceptional brush is imperative if you want to maintain strong, tangle-free strands.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Lauren Tappan spoke to a celebrity hairstylist, and she and Carol Lee scoured the internet to find the best hair brushes for thin hair.

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