The 9 Best Detangling Brushes for Every Hair Type and Texture, According to Experts
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Elevate your brush collection, and you'll elevate your beauty routine. That goes for makeup brushes and hairbrushes. Both are tools that you use often, if not daily, so it pays to invest in effective, high-quality options. My makeup brush collection is complete, but my hairbrush collection needs one upgrade—a new detangling brush.
Since I have long hair (if I had to guess, I'd say it's over a foot long at the moment), I use a detangling brush almost every day. If I don't, my hair will knot up at the base of my neck and become nearly impossible to fix without hopping in the shower and using conditioner to work it out (blame it on highlights and heat-styling). My old detangling brush was alright, but I wanted the best of the best, so I took it upon myself to test new ones and ask celebrity hairstylists for their recommendations. Ahead, see the 9 best detangling brushes.
The Best Detangling Brushes, At a Glance
- Best Overall: La Bonne Brosse N.04 the Massaging Detangling Hairbrush
- Best Affordable: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
- Best for Fine Hair: Wet Brush Custom Care Thin Hair Detangler Brush
- Best for Thick Hair: Crown Affair The Dual-Bristle Boar Hair Brush No. 001
- Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Shower Detangling Brush
- Best for Wet Hair: Unbrush Detangling Hair Brush
- Best for Dull Hair: Hair Rituel By Sisley Paris The Brush Radiance & Softness
The Best Detangling Brushes
Best Overall: La Bonne Brosse N.04 the Massaging Detangling Hairbrush
I know what you're thinking. $198 for a hairbrush? It's definitely pricey, but this hairbrush (much like the iconic Mason Pearson hairbrush) is meant to last a long, long time, while offering myriad benefits for the hair and scalp. In other words, it's not your average hairbrush.
La Bonne Brosse brushes are made in France with high-quality materials. There are various types to choose from, but from a detangling standpoint, the N.04 brush is the best. It features flexible nylon fibers that move with the hair, preventing snagging and subsequent breakage. They also stimulate the scalp, which temporarily boosts circulation and can help hair grow. So, in this way, it's more than a hairbrush; it's designed to be used as part of a daily ritual, caring for the hair and scalp at the same time. Plus, they look incredibly chic lying on a vanity.
Best Affordable: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
Celebrity Hairstylist Jessica Elbaum recommends the iconic Tangle Teezer hairbrush. It features flexible, two-tiered bristles. The shorter tier smooths the cuticle for shine. The longer tier detangles and removes knots. And thanks to a grippy handle, it will slip through wet hair without slipping through your hands.
Best for Fine Hair: Wet Brush Custom Care Thin Hair Detangler Brush
I have fine hair, so I know all of the trials and tribulations that come with it—dry ends, oily roots, the list goes on. After using most brushes, I see a concerning amount of breakage and fall-out either stuck in the bristles or landing in my sink. This brush is an exception. Its thin, flexible bristles are spaced far apart, which means they glide through my hair without snagging or breaking fragile strands.
Best for Thick Hair: Crown Affair The Dual-Bristle Boar Hair Brush No. 001
Crown Affair's Brush No.001 works for all hair types, although it's especially beneficial for thick hair. It's handcrafted in Italy (hence the high price tag), and features a dual-bristle design (nylon and ethically harvested boar bristles). Together, they gently detangle the hair and distribute oil from the roots down the length of the hair strands. It also helps smooth the hair cuticle, and keep thick hair soft and silky.
Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Shower Detangling Brush
Curly hair types need a gentle detangling brush that works on every wash day, and Pattern's Shower Detangling Brush is it. It's designed to remove knots in curls, coils, and tight textures, while clumping the hair strands together to create bouncy definition. Take it from one Sephora reviewer who says, "This has been in my shower for years now. No other brush compares when it comes to detangling my long, thick, and curly hair. It's held up for a long time, too."
Best for Wet Hair: Unbrush Detangling Hair Brush
Vented brushes are best for use alongside heat tools or whenever you want your hair to dry quickly, which is why I always pack one in my beach bag. This is one of Korab's favorite ones, and she recommends using it no matter your hair type or texture. "It makes detangling effortless and safe for all hair types," she says. "Its bristles glide through hair without pulling or breaking strands, which helps keep hair healthy and strong."
Best for Dull Hair: Hair Rituel By Sisley Paris The Brush Radiance & Softness
Elbaum recommends this luxurious hairbrush from Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris. It's dual-bristle design features soft and supple bristles that effortlessly glide through the hair strands for little to no breakage. They also stimulate the scalp, remove impurities, and smooth the hair cuticle for a soft, shiny, "glass-hair" effect.
Kitsch Detangling Flexi Brush
Korab also loves Kitsch's Detangling Flexi Brush because "it not only detangles hair efficiently; it also gives the scalp a gentle massage thanks to its combination of hard and soft bristles, which also helps promote healthier hair growth." I also appreciate that it's vented and easy to clean.
Wet Brush Pro Detangler Neutral
Last but not least, I can't go without mentioning Wet Brush's Pro Detangler Brush. It's foolproof and works on so many hair types and textures—wet or dry. It has specially designed bristles that flex incredibly well, working through knots without simply smoothing them over or, even worse, breaking the hair strands in half.
What Sets Detangling Brushes Apart?
If you want to know what *really* sets a detangling brush apart from other kinds (i.e., if they're actually necessary), I get it. I had similar questions, so I brought them to the experts. According to both Korab and Elbaum, they're *very* necessary if you want to avoid breakage. "A detangling brush is different from a traditional brush because the bristles are made to bend and move with the hair to prevent ripping," Korab says.
Elbaum agrees, saying, "They glide through the hair wet or dry smoothly without snagging." Both experts agree that they're suitable for all hair types and textures, especially when used on wet hair. To use, Korab recommends "starting at the ends and working your way up toward the roots."
How We Chose
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock has nearly a decade of experience testing and reviewing beauty products. She curated this list of the best detangling brushes by testing them herself, polling her fellow Who What Wear editors, and reading real-world reviews. She also reached out to two celebrity hairstylists for their professional opinions and recommendations. At the end of it all, she had a robust, deeply researched list.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
