We Tried So Many Hairbrushes, But Only These Have a Permanent Spot on Our Dressing Tables

Best for: Straight/wavy hair, detangling and smoothing long and thick hair, massaging the scalp

Pros: High-quality brush, gentle and smoothing while detangling, massages the scalp, chic wooden design

Cons: This brush is better suited for straightening and smoothing, so if you’re concerned about flatness, you might prefer a round brush style instead.

Our verdict: "I have had my Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush for over five years, and it’s still my favourite brush for achieving shiny, smooth hair," says video editor, Emily Shannon. "It’s definitely worth the price, as it’s sturdy, easy to clean, and built to last. I always take this brush with me on the go for quick hair refreshes. I’m amazed at how it can improve even the worst bad hair days! I have wavy hair, and this brush tends to add a bit of straightening rather than enhancing my natural wave, unlike a round brush. I also love the Aveda spas, and this brush reminds me of the premium experience they provide."

Customer review: "This is the best brush I have purchased. I have long hair that gets tangled really easy. This brush gets the tangles out really easy without feeling like it’s pulling or damaging my hair. Has a soft feel to it when brushing."

Price shown is member price.

Best for: Creating volume and bounce—akin to a salon blowdry

Pros: Comes in 3 sizes to suit your hair length, mix of boar bristle and nylon to polish and style hair, creates a blowdry look at home, volumises, smooths, stylish wooden design

Cons: Round brushes can be tricky to get the hang of initially, needs to be used with a hairdryer

Our verdict: "I have to preface this review with an admission—I am awful at using round brushes," says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "I use my hairdryer in my dominant hand and always find it tricky to get the turning motion required to achieve the bounce my hairdresser manages to create so easily. However, from opening the box I knew this Beauty Pie round brush was a premium option.

"The wood handle adds to the luxury feel of it—I much prefer it to my plastic brush. The barrel itself is large (the brush comes in three sizes—mine was the biggest 43mm size), which I like as I prefer big, airy volume in place of anything that feels too 'done'. When I ran it through my hair, the combination of bristles grabbed every strand and held them in place. This I think was, in part, my problem—I have lots of hair and found it hard to turn the brush as so much of it was held tight in the bristles. However, I’ve had the opposite situation with other round brushes—where my hair won’t stay in place in the brush—so I’d much prefer this scenario.

While I wasn’t quite able to emulate the bounce I get with my hot brush, I have to say, my hair has never felt smoother or, dare I say, quite as glossy! If you feel confident using a round brush, then I would definitely say this is a great option. Me? I’ve actually just bought the paddle brush iteration, as I was very impressed by how healthy and soft the round brush made my hair."

Customer review: "I own all sizes of these brushes and my hair clients have commented how their blowdries feel amazing. The finish they give to the hair is fabulous."

Best for: Smoothing, using to create slicked-back hairstyles

Pros: High quality brush, boar bristle distributes oils through the hair for shine, ideal for creating slicked-back styles

Cons: Can create static on some hair types

Our verdict: "Kent Brushes is a heritage hairbrush brand, so I was really excited to try out their natural bristle brush to see if prolonged use would keep my locks healthy. The handle is well-crafted from a beautiful cherrywood, andI would be more than happy to have this on show on my bathroom counter," says affiliate manager, Jerrylyn Saguiped.

"The bristles are sturdy but don’t feel rough when combing through your scalp and it did a great job at distributing oils as I noticed less greasiness between washes. I did find that I had to make sure my hair was de-tangled before using this brush as it kept getting caught on some of my knottier ends (which can seem a little self-defeating) and it did create some static in the lengths/ends. Looking past this, I do think using this brush is a nice additional step to a longer haircare routine."

Customer review: "This brush gets through my thick hair. It has done a great job of helping me clean my scalp and hair between washes. Thanks to this brush, I can go a week between washes. My hair looks great, is softer and less frizzy."

Best for: All hair types, massaging and exfoliating the scalp, detangling

Pros: Massages and exfoliates scalp, easy fits in your hand

Cons: Bristles can be too scratchy for some

Our verdict: "Whether I'm using it to work shampoo into my scalp or on dry hair to massage in my hair oil afterwards, my hair definitely feels cleaner after using this brush," says editorial assistant, Brittany Davy. "I had never used a scalp brush before trying this because I was always sceptical it wouldn't do anything, but now I won't do my hair routine without it. The winged shape fits in the palm of your hand and the bristles gently exfoliate to leave your hair and scalp feeling really clean."

Customer review: "I will never be without this in the shower! On the occasion I have forgotten to grab it to bring in with me, my scalp just hasn’t felt as clean without it. It allows for a deeper clean and massage of my scalp, while in turn being less strenuous for my arms which means I can do it for longer! Hairdressers during hair cuts have commented of/ shown me the new baby hairs frowning at my scalp. Definitely cannot recommend enough."

Best for: Fine hair, fragile or damaged hair, suitable for all hair textures

Pros: Gently detangles without tugging, flexible shape shapes to your hand, ideal for using with a hair or scalp mask to gently exfoliate the scalp

Cons: None

Our Verdict: "This product is really great for getting out knots easily, especially after washing my hair," says ecommerce analyst, Sophie Cookson. "It left my hair really smooth, and it glides seamlessly through the hair, so you aren’t pulling at it. The flexible shape of the brush comfortably fits in the palm of your hair, making brushing your hair as gentle as running your hair through your fingers. It effortlessly detangles, and the brush was designed for people who experience hair loss and want something really gentle to brush their hair with."

Customer review: "I have had my manta since it came out, I only wish I had it immediately following chemo and am buying another for a friend who is currently growing back their hair. I lose noticeably fewer hairs than with any brush I have used before, and it feels good to use."

Best for: Detangling all hair types

Pros: Easily detangles wet hair, doesn't tug hair, affordable

Cons: None

Our verdict: "I genuinely don't know how I used to detangle my hair after shampooing before discovering this brush—I now can't live without it," says beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "I have thick hair that can get really knotty (hairdressers always comment on how tangled my hair gets, and I still remember the pain of my mum trying to detangle my hair with a rigid brush as a child). My paddle brush does an good job on dry hair, but for wet hair this is so much better. The bristles are soft and flexible, so they gently glide through the hair—without tugging—to gently untangle knots and leave my hair ready for blowdrying. Because the brush bristles are so gentle, this would be ideal for those with fine or fragile hair if you're concerned that your usual brush is removing too much hair. I can safely say I'll be using this detangling brush forever."

Customer review: "Amazing quality. The best hair brush. No tangles or knots left in my hair. I use this everyday."

Best for: All hair types, but particularly for curly hair textures and detangling thick hair

Pros: High quality brush, easily detangles dry and wet hair, can be used to help define curls and also smooth straight styles

Cons: None

Our verdict: This brush is particularly loved by those with curly hair textures. It can be used to detangle all hair types, but there are a number of techniques that you can use with this brush to help define and clump curls together by rotating the brush through the hair (and wrapping your hair around the end of the brush to help shape your curls). Denman's hairbrushes are great quality (many reviewers say that their hairbrush has lasted them for decades) and are often used by hairstylists too, so you know it's going to be a worthwhile purchase.

Customer review: "Perfect brush for wet styling to help form curl clumps, wouldn’t be without it."

Best for: Coily hair and tight curls

Pros: Easily detangles hair without snagging, helps to enhance curl definition, easy to hold

Cons: None

Our verdict: If you have tighter coils or curls, then you'll love this shower brush effortlessly detangles and glides through knots thanks to its flexible (yet still sturdy) bristles. Its perfect for encouraging curls to clump together, and its also great for working through a conditioner or hair mask through your lengths. Plus, the waterproof design means it can easily stay in your shower ready for your next wash day (it even has a hole to hang it on a hook in your shower).

Customer review: "Love this brush—it has transformed wash days. Produces amazing curls, does not drag hair out and makes light work of thick curly hair 4a to 4c."

Best for: Straight and wavy hair types

Pros: High quality design, helps to distribute your hair's natural oil through the lengths for shine, boar bristles help add shine to the lengths

Cons: Expensive

Our verdict: French brand La Bonne Brosse (translating to 'The Good Brush') create some of the most beautiful hair brushes—you'll absolutely want to keep this on show on your dressing table. The boar bristles help to polish your hair by distributing oil from the roots through the lengths and the brand assures that the natural keratin in the bristles helps to strengthen your hair too. While expensive, this makes a great investment if you want a good every day hairbrush to add polish and shine to your hair. Plus, it's a beautiful object that will undoubtedly last a long time too.

Customer review: "Hair is less greasy, and in general seems in slightly better health. My scalp seems less irritated also. Looking forward to seeing how things go longer term. Would recommend the no1 brush."