15 of the best hair brushes for every hair type and style

Whether you have thick, thin or damaged hair, these are the best hair brushes to look after your locks.

girl brushing her hair

by Bryony Firth-Bernard |
Updated on

Choosing the best hair brushes for your specific hair type or hair goals is key when it comes to taking care of your hair. At first, it may seem like an easy task, but with so many hair brushes out there for fine hair, thick hair, damaged hair and more, you're left wondering which hair brush is actually going to help take good care of your lovely locks.

It is a good idea to have multiple hair brushes. Choosing the right tools will help you to achieve a flawless look. Finding the best hair brush is essential because it will cause less breakage and prevent damage. So whether you are looking for the best hair brush for thick hair, thin hair or anything in between, we have you covered.

Best hair brushes at a glance:

Best overall hair brush: Wet Brush Detangling Hair Brush
Best for detangling: Tangle Teezer The Original Detangling Hairbrush
Best for thick hair: Cantu Thick Boar Paddle Brush
Best for thin hair: Mason Pearson Pocket Pure Bristle Brush

Hair brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and use different materials for their bristles, all of which are important when deciding what hair brush you should buy, says celebrity hairstylist Michael Douglas. "If it's a smooth blow dry, then a mixture of boar and nylon bristles through a metal barrel is a great combination. But if it's just a brush rather than styling, then a Mason Pearson paddle brush is great. Or for something more cost-effective, a decent quality Tangle Teezer."

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from customers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Here are the best hair brushes to shop online.

Best hair brushes 2024

Best overall hair brush

Best hair brushes the wet brush
Price: £11.14

Wet Brush is a hair brush brand that has been loved by editors and stylists for years due to its versatility. Whether your hair is straight, curly, wavy, textured, thick, long or short, this hair brush is suitable for all hair types. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and its IntelliFlex bristles flow through tangles and knots with ease.

One customer review said: "The Wet Brush Detangling Hair Brush is one excellent brush which makes short work of tangled and knotted hair, especially when wet after washing. I also find the actual brush very handy when I am blow drying my hair as it grips my hair to allow me to straighten it while drying with a hairdryer.

Pros

  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Can be used on dry or wet hair
  • Flexible bristles gently detangle
  • Comfortable handle design

Cons

  • Maybe a little soft for thick curly hair

Best for detangling

Best hair brush - Tangle Teezer Tangle Teezer
Price: £21.93
Alternative retailers
JCPenney$12.59View offer
Ulta$13.99View offer
Macy's$13.99View offer
Walmart$29.38View offer

The Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush first came onto the hair scene in 2007 and has since made brushing knotty hair an enjoyable task, thanks to its patented two-tiered teeth technology. Founded by renowned hair colourist Shaun P, who has over 30 years of experience in the hair industry, the Tangle Teezer has won numerous awards for its simple yet effective design, which quickly and gently detangles all hair types, leaving it soft and smooth. We love this product because it is gentle on hair and easy to clean.

Our review: "I've got thick afro hair. Brushing my hair has always been a struggle and more often than not, it leads to me ripping my hair. That was until I tried the Tangle Teezer. This brush glides through my hair and removes the knots without tearing my hair. It has made brushing my hair so much easier. After testing it on my hair, I purchased some for my children's curly hair. It is so quick to use. It is an absolute must-have product for detangling."

Pros

  • Small and compact size, easily fits into your handbag
  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Two-tiered teeth technology — long teeth help to remove tangles and reduce breakage, while short teeth smoothen and leave hair sleek and glossy

Cons

  • Doesn't have a handle so can be difficult to brush under hair
  • Can't be used with heat

Best for thick hair

Best hair brushes - Cantu thick boar paddle brush

Rrp: £9.44

Price: £8.99
Alternative retailers
Target$8.99View offer
Walmart$8.99View offer

The Cantu paddle brush is made with soft boar bristles, it's brilliant for blow-drying styles or detangling locks and is suitable for thick, long, coil and curly hair types. Its longer bristles go deeper into the hair to help distribute the natural oils from your hair across every strand, leaving it smooth and shiny. 

One customer review said: "Having bought far more expensive brushes I was cautious about this purchase as they all claim to be the best. This is by far the best brush ever! My hair did not make that awful noise as you fight the brush. It went through smoothly and is well-made and stylish. Now I don't dread brushing my hair."

Pros

  • Suitable for thick, long, coil and curly hair types
  • Boar bristles for a soft, smooth feel and finish

Cons

  • Can make thinner hair static

Best for thin hair

Best hair brushes - Mason Pearson hair brush

Rrp: £140.00

Price: £86.30
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Alternative retailers
Groupon North America$113.92View offer

Mason Pearson has been crafting hair brushes for more than 10 decades and is loved by generations. This pocket-sized brush is perfect for creating stylish hairstyles on thinning hair (whether you have a lot or little of it), and its boar bristles gently stimulate your scalp and distribute natural oils from your roots to the ends of the hair for a healthy sheen.

One customer review said: "So this is a lot to spend on a hairbrush. It's also quite small - it is a handbag brush, after all - so it feels slightly like using a doll's hairbrush. All that is very minor compared to the fact that I can actually brush my dry hair for the first time in years without it turning into a dandelion clock mess of static frizz."

Pros

  • Boar bristles are gentle yet effective on delicate hair
  • Renowned brand that's making hair brushes for more than 130 years
  • Good travel size

Cons

  • Cleaning brush has to be purchased separately

Best for curly and oily hair

Best hair brushes - Denman D3 Medium Classic Styling Brush best hair brushes
Price: £19.30
Alternative retailers
Walmart$20.00View offer
JCPenney$21.55View offer
Ulta$21.95View offer
Nordstrom$21.95View offer

There's a reason why there's a crown in Denman's logo, and it's because it remains an iconic brand in the world of hairdressing. This is one of their best sellers and is suitable for any type of curl — loose, coiled, you name it — this hair brush will glide through. It's multipurpose, too, so is suitable for styling, detangling, blow drying or adding some definition to your curls. With over 51,000 five-star reviews, we're not surprised it's a bestseller.

One customer review said: "Very good brush that's well made and lasts a long time. This is my second Denman brush. It is very useful for curly hair definition, I just use it as a normal brush too."

Pros

  • Can be used on all types of curly hair 
  • Round-ended nylon pins separate, shape hair, and define curls
  • Teardrop handle for comfortable grip

Cons

  • Brush head is quite heavy
  • Nylon pins can feel a little spiky

Best for fine hair

A soft bristle brush is the best hair brush for fine and thinning hair as it can gently glide through locks without pulling or removing any strands. The Briogeo brush offers the same benefits as gentle boar bristles (including smoothing and polishing) but without any derived animal fibres. Whether your fine hair is straight, wavy, curly or coiled, this hair brush will carefully glide through every strand and minimise any 'ouch' moments.

One customer review said: "This is by far the best hairbrush I have ever had. Gentle on the scalp, doesn't snag the hair and leaves it feeling smooth and sleek. I read the reviews before buying, and I can honestly say every word is true, so so pleased I have bought another one today, love it worth every penny."

Pros

  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Lightweight and ergonomic
  • Ballpoint bristles gently massage the scalp to stimulate blood flow and invigorate your roots

Cons

  • Round ball points on the bristle may fall off and will cause the brush to scrape the scalp

Best for wet hair

Best hair brushes - Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler Hairbrush
Price: £15.99

This is one of Tangle Teezers' new and brilliant brushes, specifically designed to gently smooth through wet hair without causing breakage. It's suitable for use on wet hair or in the shower and is great to help evenly disperse shampoo and conditioning treatments through your hair.

One customer review said: "First bought one of these brushes two years ago, and I was so pleased I did as it's the best brush I've ever had. It's lightweight and does not pull on your hair like other brushes, so less breakage. The bristles are softer too, as they are different lengths. It works well on dry hair too."

Pros

  • Ergonomically designed handle for a steady and controlled grip
  • Two-tiered teeth technology — longer teeth detangle, shorter teeth smooth
  • Available in a range of pretty colours

Cons

  • Can't use the brush with heat

Best hair brush for hair extensions

Balmain Hair Extension Brush

Rrp: £26.99

Price: £21.42
Alternative retailers
FragranceNet.com$10.49View offer
Walmart$28.00View offer

This soft nylon bristle brush created by Balmain is designed to gently detangles both your own hair and clip-in extensions at the same time without damaging the bonds. The super soft bristles prevent hair breakage and damage and leave your hair feeling soft and smooth. Suitable for all hair types and hair extensions.

One customer review said: "I did a lot of research for the perfect hair extension brush. This brush is perfect! I have nano rings and this glides through my hair never catches and makes hair super smooth… winner!"

Pros

  • Gentle on extensions
  • Glides smoothly through hair with no tugging
  • Compact size good for taking on the go as well as using at home

Cons

  • Well-rated but not genuine Balmain

Best eco-friendly hair brush

Regrowz Bamboo Eco- friendly

Rrp: £12.99

Price: £8.99

We love Regrowz because the brand only uses natural products, and all ingredients used are cruelty-free. Products are both available to use for men and women, helping both men and women with problem areas within their hair, such as hair thinning, baldness and any hair loss. We love this Bamboo hair brush which is fantastic for getting out knots. Did you know bamboo brushes create less static?

Our review: "I keep this bamboo hair brush in my handbag. It is a perfect size and is an amazing tool for when I am out and about. I find it gets any knots of kinks out of my hair, leaving my hair looking smooth and silky."

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Bamboo bristles that gently detangle and smooth hair
  • Suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • Hairs can get stuck in the brush after use

Best hair brush for creating volume

Best hair brushes - best hair brushes ghd Size 3 Ceramic Vented Radial Brush
Price: £40.00
Alternative retailers
FragranceNet.com$24.49View offer
Walmart$26.55View offer
Dermstore$40.00View offer
Neiman Marcus$40.00View offer

When looking to create lots of volume, you probably think you'll need a 'bigger brush', but according to Michael, a smaller brush, like this one, actually gives your hair more volume at the root, a bigger curl and bounce. GHD is a well-known and trusted brand in the hair game, and this particular brush ensures voluminous locks that are bouncy and flyaway-free.

One customer review said: "I spied my hairdresser using this brush whilst blow drying my hair last week, so thought I'd get one as my hair is always much nicer after a visit to the hair salon. Tried it out, and my hair dried quicker and feels smoother to touch."

Pros

  • Smaller barrel creates volume, bounce and curl
  • Long handle and lots of bristles for good control
  • Metal barrel helps hair dry faster
  • Smooth and frizz-free result

Cons

  • Narrow handle can be difficult to grip

Best hair dryer brush

This 2-in-1 hair dryer brush by Revlon is ideal for medium to long hair and dries hair while adding va-va-voom volume at the same time. It also features Ionic Technology to help condition, smooth and make hair shinier while reducing frizz and static. The large barrel means you can pick up lots of layers of hair at the same time, and great for achieving a straight, sleek finish.

One customer review said: "This is a great product. It straightens hair but with lots of bounce. I have really thick, wavy hair and the whole drying/styling takes less than 10 mins. It is as good as a professional blow dry. And I bought it on special offer. Happy days."

For more options, check out our pick of the best hair dryer brushes.

Pros

  • Dry and style hair at the same time
  • Ionic technology dries hair faster with less damage
  • Tangle-free bristles to smooth and detangle hair
  • Dual plug adaptor - perfect for travel

Cons

  • Can get a little hot while using

Best smoothing brush

Best hair brushes - Kent perfect for smoothing brush

Rrp: £15.87

Price: £12.46

If you suffer from frizz, then you'll want a hair brush that really works your scalp to promote smooth hair, and this one by Kent Brushes is designed to do just that. It contains a mix of non-scratch nylon quills and bristles so that it can gently glide through knots and distribute natural oils to promote natural shine.

One customer review said: "I love my brush! Goes through my hair pain-free and leaves it so soft."

Pros

  • Rubber grip on handle for extra comfort
  • Detangles and smoothes
  • Ideal for medium to long hair
  • Boar bristles to condition hair

Cons

  • Can be hard to clean inbetween the bristles

Best paddle hair brush

Best hair brushes - Aveda large wooden paddle brush
Price: £24 (was £26)

www.sephora.co.uk

Paddle brushes are good for detangling and smoothing out hair, especially if you've got a lot of it. This particular one from haircare brand Aveda has been created specifically to detangle hair and treat your scalp. Its extended bristles help to massage and stimulate your scalp as you brush, while its cushioned design reduces stress on your head when blow-drying.

One customer review said: "I've been using this brush daily for more than 20 years, and it's my top-rated brush. Great for tangles and gently removes knots in hair — I've had long and short hair over the years, always thick. It's also brilliant for blow drying and withstands heat with zero damage. I wouldn't be without this brush."

Pros

  • Suitable for short and long hair
  • Good for detangling and smoothing hair
  • Vegan friendly

Cons

  • Can take some getting used to if you're not used to using a bigger brush

Best budget hair brush

Best hair brushes conair hair brush
Price: £9.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$8.30View offer

This gel grip hair brush is ideal for everyday use, with its easy-to-hold handle and ball-tipped bristles to avoid tugging and snagging at your hair. The Conair vent brush can be used to detangle and style and its vented base makes it decent for blow-drying too.

One customer review said: "A very nice hairbrush. I really like the handle, and it makes a difference when holding it for a long time when styling. The vented style is perfect, so I can use it when blow-drying as well."

Pros

  • Gel handle for easy grip
  • Good for detangling
  • Vented base helps speed up blow-drying 
  • Suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • Bristles may be a little stiff

Best hair brush for short hair

Best hair brushes - Denman skeleton vented brush
Price: £19.00

Denman tends to have fewer bristles, meaning this hair brush is ideal for shorter hairstyles as it means less friction and snags. Its vented base makes it a brilliant brush for a fast blow dry, too, as they allow air to pass through the brush freely, while its wide bristles give room for the hair to move around.  

One customer review said: "Lovely brush, the handle is a nice size and feels sturdy, easy light styling great for everyday quick hair drying and great price too!

Pros

  • Flexible bristles for less pulling and friction on your short hair
  • Vented, helping your hair dry quickly
  • Curved head helps create natural movement and volume

Cons

  • Brush is quite small, but would be good for travel

Best hair brushes FAQs

How should I clean my hair brush?

Just as you wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, Michael says you should clean your hair brush too. "Rub a generous dollop of shampoo into the brush and rinse, followed by the same with some conditioner on. Try and remove all the dead, shedding hair during this process."

Is it best to brush my hair wet or dry?

You may have heard that your hair is more fragile when it's wet, and therefore you should avoid brushing it in this state. However, it actually depends on your hair type and texture. "Brush your hair wet if it's curly and dry if it's straight," says Michael. "But don't over brush, as the static will separate hairs causing flyaways galore." If you have straight hair, brushing it wet can cause it to overpull and break, which is why brushing it dry is safest. Whereas if you have curly or textured hair brushing it wet can actually have the opposite effect and reduce breakage, keeping your curls intact.

How often should I brush my hair?

It's recommended to brush your hair twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, as this will help to distribute your scalps' natural oils throughout your hair. However, this is subject to your hair type, as curly and textured hair shouldn't be brushed dry as it just causes frizz.

"One universal rule is it's important to remove shedding hair," says Michael, "but if you've got naturally curly, then only do that when the hair is wet. So don't get up in the morning and put a brush through wavy or curly. The friction causes static, and nobody wants that!"

Michael Douglas quickly established himself in the high-stakes hair styling circuit, tending to the tresses of the world's most famous supermodels, such as Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Yasmin Le Bon. Michael moved through the fashion week calendar year on year as a go-to name for styling before embarking on editorial shoots for the likes of Vogue, Glamour, Grazia, and Marie Claire and working on global beauty campaigns for famous beauty houses.

Bryony Firth-Bernard is a product writer for Yours, What's The Best, and A Modern Kitchen, specialising in fitness. On the weekend she loves whipping up new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with her friends and family.

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