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 shortlist:
• 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
• Best for fine hair: Briogeo Vegan Boar 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 2023
Best overall hair brush
Description
Wet Brush is a hair brush brand that has been loved by editors and stylists for years due to its
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Can be used on dry or wet hair
- Flexible bristles gently detangle
- Comfortable handle design
- Affordable
Cons
- Maybe a little soft for thick curly hair
Best for detangling

Description
The Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush first came onto the hair scene in 2007 and has
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
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Doesn't have a handle
- Can't be used with heat
Best for thick hair

Description
The Cantu paddle brush is made with soft boar bristles, it's brilliant for blow-drying styles or
Pros
- Suitable for thick, long, coil and curly hair types
- Boar bristles for a soft, smooth feel and finish
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Can make thinner hair static
Best for thin hair

Description
Mason Pearson has been crafting hair brushes for more than 10 decades and is loved by generations.
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
- Small
Best for curly and oily hair

Description
There's a reason why there's a crown in Denman's logo, and it's because it remains an iconic brand
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
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Brush head is quite heavy
- Nylon pins can feel a little spiky
Best for fine hair

www.sephora.co.uk
Description
A soft bristle brush is the best hair brush for fine and thinning hair as it can gently glide
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Lightweight and ergonomic
- Ballpoint bristles gently massage the scalp to stimulate blood flow and invigorate your roots
- Pretty colour
Cons
- Small handle
Best for wet hair

www.boots.com
Description
This is one of Tangle Teezers' new and brilliant brushes, specifically designed to gently smooth
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
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Can't use with heat
Best hair brush for hair extensions

Description
This soft nylon bristle brush created by Balmain is designed to gently detangles both your own
Pros
- Gentle on extensions
- Glides smoothly through hair
- 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

Description
We love Regrowz because the brand only uses natural products, and all ingredients used are
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Affordable price
- Bamboo bristles
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Hairs can get stuck in the brush after use
Best hair brush for creating volume

Description
When looking to create lots of volume, you probably think you'll need a 'bigger brush', but
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

www.boots.com
Description
This 2-in-1 hair dryer brush by Revlon is ideal for medium to long hair and dries hair while
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Ionic technology dries hair faster with less damage
Cons
- Can get a little hot while using
Best smoothing brush

kentbrushes.com
Description
If you suffer from frizz, then you'll want a hair brush that really works your scalp to promote
Pros
- Affordable
- Rubber grip on handle for extra comfort
- Detangles and smoothes
- Ideal for medium to long hair
Cons
- Plain design
Best paddle hair brush

www.sephora.co.uk
Description
Paddle brushes are good for detangling and smoothing out hair, especially if you've got a lot of
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

uk.iherb.com
Description
This gel grip hair brush is ideal for everyday use, with its easy-to-hold handle and
Pros
- Cheap
- 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

www.lookfantastic.com
Description
Denman tends to have fewer bristles, meaning this hair brush is ideal for shorter hairstyles as it
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
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Quite small
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.