These are The Hair Brushes for Your Hair Type

ishonest / Chloe Jeong

It’s easy to buy the first hairbrush you see on sale at the drugstore (no judgment) or even the grocery store beauty aisle, but have you ever stopped to think about how your brush affects your hair? The truth is, the wrong brush can wreak havoc on your strands, leading to breakage or stubborn knots.

Still, brushes don’t come with the same descriptive labels as shampoo bottles, so how can you be expected to know which one is best suited for your hair? Take into consideration brush shape, bristle material, and price point to curate the ultimate roundup of hair brushes.

For example, you'll want a round brush for va-va-voom, while a flat paddle brush can smooth strands and speed up drying time. Boar bristles are known for being some of the softest on the market, so they won't tug on the hair and cause breakage. Also consider how long you'll be working with the brush—if you're doing a blowout or have unruly hair that takes a long time to style, you'll want a lightweight tool to give your arms a break.

Read on to learn more about the best hair brushes on the market now.

• Our Picks
• Final Verdict
• What to Look for

Best Overall: Drybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling Brush

Versatile

Ergonomic handle

Detangles hair easily

Not long-lasting design

If you're not sure what category your hair falls into, it’s best to use a brush that does it all. As would be expected from cult-favorite blowout destination Drybar, this brush is great for both detangling and recreating salon-worthy styles at home. Boasting flexible bristles that gently glide through wet or dry hair, it’s suitable for all hair types, from fine and straight to tightly coiled —it’s even safe for extensions!

A fan-favorite, users love that this brush never tugs or pulls through knots and how soft and smooth it leaves the hair after styling. It also features a lightweight body and a soft-touch, slip-free handle to allow for easy styling. Plus, it comes in the cutest sunny yellow shade.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Oval | Wet or Dry: Both

Best Budget: Conair Velvet Touch Cushion Brush

Gentle on hair

Comfy to hold

Inexpensive

Small size

If an expensive brush isn’t in your budget, there’s plenty of brushes out there that can do the trick. Even though this brush is inexpensive, it's praised to last just as long as higher-end brushes and works great for all hair types. It's extra cushioned, so it allows for more comfort when brushing and less pulling. The bristles are made of plastic, but because they’re ball-tipped, they still glide through your hair without tugging or causing breakage.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Oval | Bristle Material: Ball-tipped plastic | Wet or Dry: Both

Best Splurge: Mason Pearson Handy Mixture Brush

Gentle on hair & scalp

Made for all hair types

Boosts shine

Not vegan

You’d be hard pressed to find a stylist who doesn’t love Mason Pearson, as the brand is the literal gold standard of hair brushes. This luxe—and yes, pricey— brush uses a blend of boar and nylon bristles to gently brush and condition the hair. The boar bristles distribute the scalp’s natural oils to condition your strands while simultaneously exfoliating the scalp and stimulating circulation. The nylon spikes help to gently work through thick, textured, and wavy hair types (but trust, this one is gentle enough for fine hair, too).

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Oval | Bristle Material: Boar and nylon blend | Wet or Dry: Both

Best for Fine Hair: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush

Vegan

Versatile

Detangles gently

Difficult to clean

When you have thin and fine hair, most brushes are way too harsh. Boar bristles glide through the hair without pulling or snagging, keeping your scalp pain- free, and distribute the natural oils throughout your hair to keep your hair from looking greasy where you part it. That’s why we love this brush from Briogeo, which features a vegan and cruelty-free alternative to boar bristles without sacrificing results.

Designed to be ultra gentle, it’s a perfect choice for those with fine, straight hair (though, it’s suitable for all), leaving behind a smooth, healthy finish. Plus, it’s also equipped with soft ballpoint tips which gently massage the scalp, promoting circulation and stimulating the hair follicles.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Oval | Bristle Material: Vegan boar hair | Wet or Dry: Both

Best for Curly Hair: Wet Brush Original Detangler

Prevents frizz

Detangles curls

Good value

Not ideal for dry hair

Hair is at its weakest point when wet, which is why brushing is generally recommended on dry locks only. Curly-haired folks are the only exception to this rule. Anyone with naturally curly hair can attest that brushing dry locks can wreck curl patterns and lead to frizz. Instead, brush through your curly locks when they're wet with this brush from Wet Brush, which is specifically designed as a detangling brush for wet hair. What makes this brush so special is its innovative IntelliFlex bristles, which allow the brush to glide through wet hair without causing snagging or pulling. Plus, the price can't be beat.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Oval | Bristle Material: Ball-tipped plastic | Wet or Dry: Wet

Best for Thick Hair: Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row

3 sizes available

Comes in multiple colors

Ideal for styling

Not ideal for dry hair

When you have thick hair, it sometimes feels like nothing can fully get through your mane and remove every tangle. Because of how gentle brushes with boar bristles are, it’s best to go with something tough, like nylon, instead.

This particular brush can help smooth and shape hair because of its curved shape and flexible base. It comes in three different sizes, but if you’re rocking long hair, definitely try the nine-row version because it will be easier to get through your strands without total ease.

Hair Type: Thick | Shape: Rectangular | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both

Best for Blowouts: Drybar Half Pint Small Round Brush

Creates volume

Boosts shine

Lightweight

Not for very long hair

For a salon-quality blowout, you need the correct brush. Leave it to Drybar to create the ultimate brush to help you achieve the perfect at-home blowout. The round shape makes it easier for you to get the sleek and smooth styling you want without any trouble. The ceramic barrel, which is designed with vents so your hair dries quicker, heats up while drying to help lock in your style. The half- pint version is better for short to medium hair, so if you have longer hair, try out their Drybar Full Pint Round Brush.

Hair Type: Short-medium length | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Plastic | Wet or Dry: Wet

Best for Type 4 Hair: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush

Detangles without tears

Can be used in the shower

Multiple colors available

Not for dry hair

For tight coils and curls, detangling can become a serious chore, but this innovative brush offers a solution. Designed with widely spaced flexible bristles, this brush glides easily through your hair without tugging or breaking delicate strands, removing any pesky knots along the way. In fact, users have reported significantly less shedding once they began using it.

It also comes equipped with a wide handle, allowing for a comfortable and easy grip that makes detangling way less of a hassle, and it comes in a slew of fun, bright colors. For best results, we recommend using this brush on wet hair while conditioning.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Rectangular | Bristle Material: Plastic | Wet or Dry: Wet

Best for Damaged Hair: Kent Ladies Finest Satinwood Pure Soft White Bristle Narrow Brush

Gentle

Smooths hair

Ideal for fine hair

Not for heavy detangling

Boar bristle brushes are great for those with delicate hair as well, but make sure you choose one with extra soft bristles, especially if your hair is thinning or fragile. This type of brush will stimulate the scalp, increasing circulation to the hair follicle, which is ideal for hair that needs a little TLC. Plus, it will help spread your hair's natural oils, helping to condition parched, brittle strands, naturally. This gentle satinwood-base brush is designed specifically for fine and thinning hair, so you can trust its ultra soft boar bristles will get the job done without hurting delicate, damaged hair.

Hair Type: Fine, thinning | Shape: Rectangular | Bristle Material: Boar | Wet or Dry: Dry

Best for Defined Curls: Pattern Shower Brush

Works on curls & coils

Durable design

Easy to clean

A little heavy to hold

If you have curly, coiled, or tightly textured hair, consider this brush your new shower BFF. Designed for wet use, this brush from Pattern is heavyweight and durable, yet super gentle on hair. It's thoughtfully designed to gently detangle even the most knotty or unruly hair without tugging or pulling while helping curls clump and find each other for superb definition. The result? Super bouncy, knot-free curls. We also love that the rubber pad slides out, so you can deep clean your brush to get rid of old strands and build up—a major plus, especially for a wet brush.

Hair Type: Curly | Shape: Rectangular | Bristle Material: Plastic | Wet or Dry: Wet

What Our Editors Say

"Pattern's Shower Brush makes detangling my thick, long curls a pain-free process. The well-made bristles allow the brush to gently and effectively work through even the toughest tangles in my hair. The brush also does an excellent job of clumping curls, which helps me achieve incredible definition." — Olivia Hancock, Associate Editor

Best for Bangs: Spornette No.312 Deville Hair Brush

Works on shorter hair

Adds volume

Lightweight

Not for heavy detangling

To smooth short hair and tame unruly bangs, choose a small round brush with boar bristles. Boar bristles are great for creating tension and catching every hair, making it a dream for styling short strands. Whether the end goal is smooth and sleek or a boost of volume, this little wonder will get you there. Coming in at just 1.5 inches in diameter, this small but mighty brush is great at maneuvering through shorter lengths and fringes to create whatever style you desire.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Round | Bristle Material: Boar | Wet or Dry: Both

Best for Edges: The Doux Babygirl Edge Brush

Smooths hair

Lightweight & portable

Ideal for parting hair

Not for heavy detangling

This sleek and small brush is designed specifically for slicking and smoothing out your edges. Equipped with a double-sided head, one end is designed to comb and brush while its extra-long precision tip end allows for expert precision when parting, swirling, and detailing. More importantly, this brush is durable, so you can trust it won’t bend or break during styling.

Hair Type: Textured hair types | Shape: Small and rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet

Best Smoothing: Moroccanoil Ceramic Paddle Brush

Ideal for styling

Built-in heat protection

Large brush area

Similar products available for less

If your goal is sleek, straight, and smooth strands, look no further than this large paddle brush from Moroccanoil. Equipped with ceramic and ionic properties, this high-quality (yet surprisingly affordable) brush is great for detangling, smoothing, and styling hair of all lengths while speeding up drying time, boosting shine, and encouraging even heat distribution. Also nice: It includes a concealed sectioning tip, which is stored inside the handle. This one is best used as a blowout and finishing brush.

Hair Type: All hair types | Shape: Rectangular | Wet or Dry: Wet

Final Verdict

A good brush shouldn't have to be pricey, which is why we’re giving top honors to the Conair Velvet Touch Cushion Brush. For less than a latte, you can snag this long-lasting brush that works for all hair types. Its bristles are ball- tipped, allowing it to glide through your hair without tugging or causing breakage. If you're looking to achieve a salon-level blowout at home, opt for the Drybar Half Pint Small Round Brush. Its round shape makes it easy to create sleek, smooth styles, while the vented ceramic barrel helps to dry hair faster and lock in your style. Curly types should opt for the Pattern Shower Brush, which will detangle and define your waves, coils, or kinks with ease. It’s designed to be extra gentle, so you can trust it won't damage your hair while you work through knots.

What to Look for in a Hair Brush

The Right Shape

When it comes to shopping for hair brushes, hairstylist and salon owner Anthony Nader recommends first making sure the brush shape will fit your specific hair needs. “If you want to achieve more volume with a blowout, aim for using a medium to large round brush,” he says. However, if you’re looking to achieve a quick and effortless blowout with minimal drying time, he recommends investing in a large, flat cushioned paddle brush. “The larger the brush, the more area you can cover in a shorter amount of time,” he says.

Boar Bristles

When it comes to bristle material, Nader is a big fan of bristles made of boars hair. “These are soft, so your strands will glide through them with ease,” he says. “They help reduce the amount of tugging on strands, which can cause hair breakage, and they're fab for promoting blood flow which is beneficial for hair growth.”

Ergonomic Design

Blowouts can take some time, especially if your hair is on the thicker or more unruly side. With that in mind, shop for an ergonomically designed brush that fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to maneuver. This will make your blowout experience less of a hassle and help prevent sore wrists and hands post- blow dry.

Brushing your hair won’t make it magically grow overnight, but Nader considers brushing to be the alarm that wakes up the blood cells underneath the scalp's surface. Stimulating these blood cells leads to a healthier scalp and strands, creating the right environment for optimal growth.

According to Nader, cleaning your hair brush shouldn’t be a complicated process. “I just mix warm water with clarifying shampoo and let the brushes soak for an hour; that way, all the buildup can disappear," he says. "Then, I rinse them in cool water and lay them out in the sun to dry.”

When it comes to brushing, Nader’s rule is never to brush more than twice a day. “Any more than that, and you’re asking for trouble,” he says. He explains that over-brushing causes the sebaceous glands in the scalp to work overtime, leading to oily roots and the need to wash hair more frequently.

Nader doesn't recommend brushing your hair when it’s wet. “Each hair strand will stretch and won't bounce back to its original length, which causes breakage and frail, wispy ends,” he says. If you have to brush wet hair, opt for a wide-tooth comb, as these are much less damaging and will help gently detangle any knots.

Meet the Expert

Anthony Nader is a celebrity hairstylist and the salon owner of Raw Anthony Nader in Sydney, Australia.

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