The Best Hairbrushes

Buying Guide for Hairbrushes

Why buy a new hairbrush? 

Chances are, you’ve already got a brush rumbling around in your drawers, and maybe even more than one. However, experts recommend replacing your hairbrush once every six months to a year. It can last longer if you use it sparingly or practice excellent sanitation. But for those who use them daily and don’t exactly empty and clean them every day, it’s best to replace them on a regular basis. A new hairbrush also needs to be suited to your hair type, lifestyle, and beauty routine. Having the right brush can make all the difference, and not all brushes are made equal.

What should you consider in a hairbrush?

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  RELATEDWhich Is Best for Your Hair: A Round or Paddle Brush?
  Brush Head: Keep in mind the construction of the brush head. A wider brush works well to detangle hair by allowing it to pass through several bristles. Smaller brush heads offer more precision while helping to smooth the hair. If you are looking for big, bouncy hair, a barrel brush provides the grip to wrap hair around a cylinder to create waves and add volume.
• Bristle Type: You should also consider the bristle length and organization, as tightly packed bristles can pull on the hair and cause damage to certain hair types or pull against your natural texture. Mixed-length or widely spaced bristles can help gently detangle hair.
• Hair Type: Always be sure to note what hair type a brush is made for. Buying the wrong brush type can damage your hair, cause frizz, and make for a bad hair day.

What is the difference between a comb and a brush? 

The main difference is in the teeth and grip. Brushes typically use multiple rows of nylon, soft plastic, silicone, or rubber bristles, while combs have one row of hard plastic teeth. Combs can be great detanglers on wet hair and great for teasing hair, but they can’t replace the volumizing, shaping, and oil-distributing properties of the hairbrush. For years, curly-haired folks were told to only use combs, but through hairstyling wisdom, hairbrush markets now cater to natural and curly hair, so even if you’ve been told hairbrushes aren’t for you, think again.

Our Picks for the Best Hairbrushes

Pros: While this type of brush is typically used for blow-drying and styling, its small nylon round-ended bristles make it ideal for detangling and defining curls on wet hair. The curved brush head allows hair to be smoothed down and shaped as the bristles move down. These bristles and the natural rubber pad of the brush fight static, detangle knots, and add volume. The wide-set bristles also make it easy to clean after use. This brush’s unique design will diminish the chances of damaged hair and help you style it along the way. We love this for curly and natural textured heads of hair.

Cons: This brush has a major learning curve, so you will need to watch a few videos to get the hang of it. Additionally, the skinny shaft and top-heavy brush head can tire arms easily, making it difficult to blow dry thick hair.

Bottom Line: With the help of a few tutorials, this hairbrush is a must-have for curly-haired folks who want to detangle, define, and shape their manes. You can even create soft, bouncy ringlets if you do it right.

 

Pros: Boar bristles are phenomenal at smoothing and shaping even the coarsest hair. This double-sided brush offers versatility, with each side at a different bristle hardness, depending on the texture and style needs of your hair, which can vary from day to day. Diane’s double-sided hairbrush is made from natural boar hair and reinforced with nylon bristles. Boar bristle brushes are beloved for creating wavy textures and distributing oil from the scalp to the rest of your hair. This is a great buy for most men, but especially men of color with wavy or curly hair.

Cons: This product uses real boar hair, which makes it non-vegan. If this is important to you, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a nylon alternative. The medium-hard bristles aren’t suitable for fine, delicate hair and will cause breakage.

Bottom Line: We love this brush for styling thick and wavy hair of all lengths, and the natural sheen it gives strands is a huge bonus. Goodbye, oily scalp and dry ends!

 

Pros: Get the volume and bounce of a salon blowout right at home with this round-barrel ceramic styling hairbrush. The ceramic barrel with honeycomb vents promotes even heat distribution and venting, which cuts down on drying time and damage to your hair. The bristles are a combination of boar and nylon to add shine, reduce frizz, and keep static down. It also comes with bonus hair clips to make sectioning off your hair easy.

Cons: This brush can be difficult to get the hang of as it is used for blowouts, and you may need some time (and some arm strength) to master holding both it and your hair dryer. You’ll only want to use this when your hair is about 80 to 90% dry, so this brush is not a one-step hair routine.

Bottom Line: If you love the bounce and shine of your salon blowout, this round brush is essential to create one at home. Just be cautious of heat damage and overuse.

 

Pros: Once upon a time, this hairbrush design changed the hairbrush game. And it continues to rock the hair product market with its many enticing color and design choices that you’re sure to love. You can brush your hair comfortably and quickly with this brush. It has soft and flexible bristles that glide through knots with ease. And it prevents damage! It’s designed to protect hair against breakage and those nasty split ends. Because it’s also made to be painless, it’s a great choice for kids, too. No matter your hair’s texture: long or short, curly or straight, thick or fine, it should work beautifully for your hair.

Cons: There may be cosmetic flaws in the finish of this brush.

Bottom Line: You can use this fantastic brush to detangle wet or dry hair with ease. It cuts through knots like a champ. Because of its softer design, it’s recommended to replace this brush as soon as you see visible signs of damage.

 

Pros: This wide paddle brush is amazing for blow-drying your hair, thanks to its wide vents and curved brush head. The unique rounded brush head allows this brush to comfortably rest against your scalp, giving your blowout maximum volume. The wide-set prongs are also easy to clean hair from and less likely to get caught on knots. You can use it on fully wet, nearly dry, and totally dry hair. It’s also suited to all hair types, from curly to wavy to straight. Most notably, the venting helps hot air escape, which is healthier for hair and cuts down on drying time. It also doesn’t have any padding under the brush head, so moisture won’t accumulate.

Cons: Because it lacks padding and the bristles are made from harder than typical nylon, this brush is rigid. This can be a problem for those with sensitive scalps.

Bottom Line: This is an excellent buy if you’re hoping to cut down on your blow-drying time and want a brush that can detangle, shape, smooth, and style.

Final Thoughts

Knowing which brush is right for you and your daily needs can be challenging, and there’s a good chance you’ll need more than one. But armed with what to look for and knowing what your hair care needs are will help you find the right hairbrush.