The best hair brush for thick hair to help you keep your mane under control. The type of hair brush that you use has a lot to answer for when it comes to managing your hair, which is why you want to choose the right hair brush for the job. We know that many people desire to have thicker hair, but when you've already got a lot of hair, you know just how hard it can be to manage and style, even with the best hair brushes out there. If you don't keep on top of regular brushing, thick hair can get matted and tangled. But equally, more brushing can add to the frizziness and volume, so it can become unruly very easily.
Finding a brush to help you manage your thick hair can seem like such a struggle, which is why we're here to help. In general, we would suggest you look for brushes that have plenty of teeth and longer bristles so you can tackle knots with ease. Redken suggests that paddle brushes are a must-have for those with thicker, coarser hair as the sparser bristles help to penetrate the denser strands to remove tangles and add shine.
The best hair brush for thick hair at a glance:
You'll find many paddle brushes for thick hair that have boar bristles. They're designed to move through the hair more easily compared to those with synthetic bristles. They'll aid with preventing hair breakage and split ends while minimising frizz. Plus, they'll help to keep your hair shiny and healthy by distributing the natural oils found in your hair. You'll just need to make sure you're keeping your hair brush clean so it's not adding dirt and bacteria back at the same time. We've got some great tips on how to clean your hair brush if you're not sure how to go about it.
To help you keep your thick hair in check, we've rounded up the best hair brush for thick hair so it looks soft, smooth and sleek for longer. We've also got expert advice from Aaron Keegan, the Assistant Creative Director of Vidal Sassoon. Haven't got thick hair? We've got recommendations for the best hair brush for thin hair too.
How we tested the best hairbrushes for thick hair
Finding the best hairbrush for thick hair is no small task, so we took our testing seriously. Thick hair comes with its own unique set of challenges, from stubborn tangles to the extra volume that needs to be controlled without causing breakage.
Our testing team included some of our writers, such as Rosie Floyd, who has thick hair (and has experience reviewing hairstyling products and tools) so that every brush was tried by people who genuinely understand the struggle of knots, frizzy hair and brushes that snap under pressure. Each brush was used daily over several weeks on dry hair, wet hair, freshly washed strands, and second (or third) day styles. We tested in real-life scenarios: rushed mornings, post-gym tangles and bedtime detangling sessions.
Best hair brush for thick hair
Using this Sosoon Boar Bristle Paddle Hairbrush will help prevent hair breakage and split ends. It easily detangles thick hair, so there's no need for pulling or ripping, as our tester found: "The brush really did run smoothly through my hair."
Although the brush claims to be antistatic, our tester noticed some unwanted movement after straightening her hair: "It was making my hair become static at times", but this may be because they were using it on dry hair, when it's designed for wet locks. However, it comes with a wide tooth comb to make detangling a breeze and uses gentle boar bristles that evenly distribute your natural oils throughout the hair and scalp, which is why our tester's hair "felt extremely soft" after three weeks of using the brush on a regular basis.
What they particularly noticed whilst testing this product was the prevention of breakage; previously, our tester could "almost see the split ends forming" with each stroke of their regular brush, but says that the Sosoon brush "feels more delicate going through your hair", and they therefore "didn’t see any breakage when brushing". Result!
Pros
- Comes with a wide-tooth comb for detangling
- Nicely designed with a carved and sanded wooden handle
Cons
- Designed to be more effective on dry hair than wet, so dry strands may become static
The innovative design of the REHAB Vital Hair Brush is definitely something to rave about; according to our tester, senior writer Rosie Floyd, "I love the design of this brush." It has a spiralised design, and it's flexible, too, allowing you to work through knotted locks without putting too much strain on your hair or the brush itself. "I can almost feel the flexible brush head moving around my knots as I brush through my hair," she said.
It's made from wheat-based straw, so it's a biodegradable option, too, and the bristles are gentle. "The bristles are nice and soft, too, so it doesn't hurt my scalp or feel like it's tugging if it gets caught in a tangle". Plus, Rosie notes that her bleached hair looks healthier after using the product, saying, "I've definitely noticed a difference in how shiny my hair is when I've used this REHAB brush." We haven't come across any issues with this brush from testing it ourselves but from reading through the reviews online, some found the little balls on top of the bristles came loose over time which didn't feel as nice on their scalp.
Pros
- Flexible brush head to reduce strain on hair and hairbrush when brushing
- We found it made a noticeable difference to hair shine after brushing
Cons
- Some reviewers online had issues with some of the balls coming off the bristles over time
For detangling, smoothing, taming and blow drying, you can't go wrong with the ghd Paddle Brush. Take it from our tester, senrior writer Rosie who "I've been using the ghd Paddle Brush for taming my mane for years now and I don't think I could go back". It won't generate static while you're brushing out those knots so you can create all the smooth, sleek styles you desire. "My hair is SUPER thick, especially towards the top of my head, and the paddle brush makes light work of tackling knots".
As a paddle brush, it has a large surface area, so you can brush more of your hair at once. "The bristles feel soft against my scalp (when I can eventually feel them through all that hair) and they do a great job of keeping my hair tangle-free". It is designed for mid-to-long hair, and it's quite large and feels a little bit weighty, so it may not be the best choice for those with limited arm strength.
Pros
- Large surface area to tackle bigger areas at a time
- Doesn't create static or leave hair feeling frizzy
Cons
- Feels heavy compared to other brushes
Best hairbrush for thick, damaged hair
Tangle Teezer/AmazonYou've probably guessed it from the name, but this Tangle Teezer is made for thick and curly hair. It's got two tiers of Firmflex teeth to gently detangle and glide through your luscious locks. Ergonomically designed to fit into the palm of your hand, it's the perfect size for chucking into your handbag if you need to brush your hair when out and about.
Customers love that this brush is soft and effectively removes tangles, although opinions are mixed on whether the brush is easy to hold. Some say they like that it fits in the palm of their hand but others wished it had a handle.
Pros
- Great size for popping in your handbag
- Gently detangles hair with its Firmflex teeth - ideal for thick and curly hair
Cons
- Some may prefer a brush with a handle
Best detangling hairbrush for thick hair
Cantu/AmazonManage your thick hair from root to tip with ease, thanks to the Cantu Thick Boar Paddle Brush. It's got longer, more rounded bristles compared to other brushes on our list so it can reach further into your hair to detangle closer to your scalp. The natural boar bristles help to distribute the natural oils of your hair to leave your locks looking shiny and glossy.
Knot removal is one of the biggest things customers online love about this brush, with reviews mentioning it is great for getting out tangles without pulling. Opinions are mixed on how this brush left their hair after brushing, with some saying it left their hair frizzy whereas others mention how smooth their hair feels after using it.
Pros
- Longer bristles allow you to detangle closer to the scalp
- Natural boar bristles help to distribute hair's natural oils
Cons
- Some reviewers found this brush left their hair looking frizzy after use
Best round hairbrush for thick hair
WetBrush/AmazonWant some help styling your barnet when blow drying? You need this WetBrush Smooth and Shine Round Brush. It's designed with HeatFlex bristles that are aligned in a spiral to make styling easier and smoother. These bristles are long enough to reach the scalp through thicker and courser hair types and the brush also features a ceramic barrel that emits negative ions to tame frizz and flyaways.
Customers online recommend this brush for thick, frizzy hair as it helps to tame and smooth while you're styling. There is one reviewer who felt this brush was a little big for their needs so this may be best suited to those with longer hair.
Pros
- Bristles are aligned in a spiral for easier and smoother styling
- Ceramic barrel to help tame frizz and flyaways while styling with heat
Cons
- Not ideal for thick hair as the bristles are quite short
Best blow-drying hairbrush for thick hair
SiDSTYLES/AmazonIf you like to blow dry your hair straight, you need this SiDSTYLES Detangling Hairbrush. It's vented, allowing heat to be better distributed, reducing the time needed to fully dry your hair and leaving it looking sleek and shiny. The bristles have nylon pins at the ends to help get through thick and tangled hair, massaging the scalp without scratching or pulling.
Reviewers appreciate how this brush glides through the hair and makes tangle removal a pain-free experience. However, opinions are mixed on the overall quality, with some saying it feels cheap but then the majority of reviewers mention how great value for money this brush is.
Pros
- Vented to make blow-drying easier
- Added nylon bristles to detangle thick hair while massaging the scalp
- Made from boar bristles to stimulate natural oils from your scalp to promote healthy hair
Cons
- Some reviewers say it feels a little cheap
Best hairbrush for thick wet hair
Tangle Teezer/AmazonWould you believe this Tangle Teezer has 325 teeth? It has the same two-tiered design as the Thick and Curly Detangling Hairbrush we featured earlier on in our list, but it's got added flex to make it easier to get through wet hair. You can use it in the shower to brush through shampoo and conditioner when you're washing your hair, as it is designed to evenly distribute the products throughout your hair, or use it for effortless detangling afterwards.
As this brush has a handle compared to the other Tangle Teezer we've featured in this list, customers found it very easy to use and say it's great for removing tangles from their hair after washing it. As it's designed to be used on wet hair, some customers didn't feel like it worked as well on their hair when it was dry.
Pros
- Evenly distributes product through your thick hair
- Great for detangling wet hair without pulling
Cons
- Some customers felt it didn't work as well on dry hair
Best easy-brushing hairbrush for thick hair
Denman/AmazonAs you know if you have thick hair, you need a more powerful detangler than what a standard brush can provide. In comes the Denman D90L Tangle Tamer Ultra. The dual-length super-soft nylon bristles glide through knots and tangles with no problems at all, leaving your hair feeling glossy and soft. It also has an air-cushion pad to make this brush even more gentle on your scalp. We've linked to this one as we love the bright colour but it comes in a mix of colours and patterns.
This brush is the best at getting out tangles, according to customers who say it gets them out gently and smoothly. There are the odd one or two reviews online that say the bristles bent slightly when using this brush to style their hair along with their hairdryer so that's something to be wary of.
Pros
- Super-soft nylon bristles glide through wet or dry hair
- Air-cushion pad to make it gentle on your scalp
Cons
- The odd one or two reviewers found the bristles can get damaged if you use direct heat on them
Best ergonomic hairbrush for thick hair
www.lookfantastic.com
Brushing and getting the tangles out of your thick hair can take time, which is why this WetBrush Thick Hair Pro Detangler has been finished with a curved handle so you can avoid discomfort from holding the brush for long periods. It's got super-soft bristles that minimise the risk of pulling and tugging, which is just what people with thick trusses need! It's super gentle on tangles, which is why it's a great option to use when you've just got out of the bath or shower on your wet hair.
Getting through thick locks has never been easier with this brush, say reviewers. They say it feels sturdy and doesn't pull on their hair. As it's designed to be used on wet hair, you may find that it's not as effective on dry hair.
Pros
- Easy-to-hold handle to avoid your arm aching
- Perfect for use straight out of the bath or shower
Cons
- Designed to be used on wet hair more than dry
What to consider when choosing a hairbrush for thick hair
Thick hair is a blessing, but let’s be honest, it can also be a bit of a workout. If you've ever snapped a brush in half or ended up with a tangled mess that looked like a bird’s nest, you'll know that the struggle is real!
Choosing the right brush isn’t just about aesthetics; it's about performance, durability, and keeping your hair healthy (and your arms from cramping up halfway through a detangling session). Here's what to keep in mind:
Type of bristles
Thick hair needs bristles that can actually get in there - down to the scalp - not just glide over the surface. Weak bristles can bend, deform or snap under the slightest pressure, so look for brushes with strong, widely spaced bristles that can handle volume without turning your hair static. Have you considered boar bristles? Nylon? A mix of both?
Base of the brush
You want a brush that works with your hair, not against it. A cushioned base or a slightly flexible head can help to reduce breakage, especially when tackling tangles... It's a bit like having shock absorbers for your scalp.
When you'll be using the brush/What you'll be using the brush for
Will you be detangling dry hair or blow-drying wet locks with a good hairdryer? Different brushes are made to suit different goals, and thick hair often needs a little extra help. We recommend round brushes for adding volume, paddle brushes for smoothing and detangling, and vented brushes for drying hair faster (or you could try a hair-dryer brush so you're not having to hold to tools at once).
FAQs
How should I brush my thick hair?
If you've got thick hair, you know that sometimes brushing it can make it even harder to manage. As you probably know, thick hair has a tendency to go frizzy and poofy when it's brushed when it's dry. For this reason, it's best to give your hair a good brush and comb out while it's still wet. Hair is easier to brush through when it's damp so you can get out those knots and tangles before blow drying into the style of your choice. "Just make sure you start from the bottom and work your way up to avoid hair breakage," says Aaron Keegan, Assistant Creative Director for House of Sassoon.
We're often told that it can be damaging to hair to brush it while it's wet but if you pick a hair brush or comb with wide teeth, this won't affect the condition of your hair. Many of our best hair brushes for thick hair top picks can be used on wet hair, with some even designed to be used in the shower and bath.
Is it better to brush or comb thick hair?
"A wide tooth comb is good to use and much gentler on the hair due to the wider spaces between the teeth", says Aaron. "The main thing is that you are patient and careful when brushing."
Should you brush thick hair when wet?
Aaron recommends brushing thick hair while it's wet. "This will allow freedom to apply suitable product to the hair and to dry in a prepared state with more control."
How to manage thick hair:
One way to manage your hair is to make sure you clean your hairbrush to ensure you are not damaging it when brushing. We know that many people want to know how to get thicker hair too, but when you've got a lot of hair, it can be hard to know how best to style it. Luckily, with some help from L'Oréal Paris, we've got some tips to help you tame your mane.
Choose the right shampoo and conditioner: The first step to managing thick hair starts with the products you use to wash it. Choose a shampoo and conditioner that will help your hair look and feel smoother. We'd also recommend looking at ingredients for ones with nourishing oils, such as marula oil, which will help to moisturise and hydrate hair that is dry and provide frizz control too.
Wash your hair in cool water: Did you know that washing your hair with hot water can strip it of essential oils? This can leave hair feeling dry and looking dull. This can lead to the appearance of frizz, which can make thick hair look even bigger. Cooler water will keep your hair cuticles sealed, making your hair look healthier and stronger. So the next time you start your hair wash routine, consider turning the water temperature down.
Add a hair treatment to your routine: Does your thick hair feel rough? Incorporate a hair treatment into your weekly hair care routine. Rough hair can look frizzy and poofy so a mask will help to nourish it and help it retain moisture. This will make your hair less prone to dryness.
Apply products before and after blow-drying: Using a hair cream or oil before styling your hair can help control your hair and keep it in place. Not only will they provide frizz control, but also offer heat protection to ensure your hair doesn't get damaged. Once your hair is dry, apply a serum as this will help to soften and tame hair, leaving it looking shiny and polished.
Get a haircut: To make your thick hair easy to style day-to-day, ask your hairdresser for a more manageable style. Many people with thick hair opt for layers so they can still have long hair but without some of the weight. If you prefer a shorter style, ask for a graduated bob. Of course, if you're not sure what style you would like, your hairdresser should be able to recommend a style that is best for your hair type and texture.
This article contains expert advice from Aaron Keegan, the Assistant Creative Director for House of Sassoon in London, Soho. He has been with Vidal Sassoon for almost a decade and has worked across Sassoon salons and academies throughout the UK.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.