When it comes to hair tools, it’s easy to make the case for investing in high-tech gadgets like the Dyson Airwrap or splurging on top-tier shampoos and conditioners while completely overlooking your hairbrush. While there’s nothing wrong with a drugstore hairbrush (we’ve even included some below), upgrading to the right detangling brush could make a huge difference in both hair health and appearance.
Vogue’s Favorite Detangling Brushes
- Best Overall: Crown Affair The Detangling Brush No. 002, $98
- Best for Enhancing Shine: Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Radiance Brush, $115
- Best Budget-Friendly: Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Hairbrush, $16
- Best for Preventing Breakage: La Bonne Brosse N.04 The Miracle Detangling Brush, $168
- Best Wet Brush: Wet Brush Pro Detangler Brush, $8
In This Story:
- What makes a brush the best for detangling?
- How do you choose a detangling brush?
- Is it better to detangle wet or dry?
- Meet the experts
The best detangling brush not only makes it quick and effortless to comb through large sections of hair, but according to celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance, it can also “enhance shine and smoothness of the hair strands,” leaving your hair looking and feeling its best. Plus, brushing your hair nightly can turn an ordinary task into a beauty ritual, a small act of self-care that adds a touch of joie de vivre to your routine.
With so many options out there—ranging from affordable to double-take-worthy splurges—we did the work for you. We combed through them all to find the best detangling brush for your hair type. We also tapped experts on what makes a detangling brush the best, how to choose the right one, and whether it’s better to detangle wet or dry hair.
Best Overall: Crown Affair The Brush No. 002
- Why We Love It: One of the trendiest brushes on this list, Crown Affair has earned a loyal following among self-proclaimed It girls who swear by both the brand’s brushes and hair products. Ballance agrees, noting that this brush is ideal for sensitive scalps and works best on fine to medium-textured hair. With its luxurious hand feel, the beechwood pins provide a soothing sensation on the scalp while helping to prevent static and frizz. You’ll also notice that it leaves your hair looking smooth, polished, and salon-fresh.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Wood
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best For: Detangling
Best for Enhancing Shine: Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Radiance Brush
- Why We Love It: The crème de la crème of brushes, this boar and nylon bristle brush effortlessly detangles while adding extra shine. More than just a detangler, it’s designed to benefit both the scalp and hair fibers. With consistent use, it helps stimulate the scalp, which can contribute to healthier and stronger hair over time. Board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner Catie Boucher previously told Vogue that scalp care plays a key role in the overall health and appearance of hair.
- Shape: Paddle
- Bristle Material: Supple bristles
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best For: Gentle detangling
Best Budget-Friendly: Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Hairbrush
- Why We Love It: Available at every drugstore, chances are you’ve come across a Tangle Teezer at some point. This brush is the ultimate multitasker, perfect for both wet and dry detangling. “It’s compact, flexible, and ideal for on-the-go touch-ups,” says celebrity stylist Castillo Bataille.
- Shape: Paddle
- Bristle Material: Patented regular-flex
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Detangling; smoothing frizz and flyaways
Best for Preventing Breakage: La Bonne Brosse N.04 The Miracle Detangling Brush
- Why We Love It: This French-made brush offers a luxurious experience while also promoting hair growth over time through consistent brushing and scalp stimulation, explains Ballance. “This brush is perfect for gently detangling knots while feeling great on the scalp,” he adds. Celebrity hairstylist Davey Matthew agrees, noting that, beyond its gorgeous design, this brush is highly effective. “It’s the ideal option for fine to medium textures, with vegan bristles that are super flexible and responsive, allowing for gentle detangling while protecting against breakage and stress.”
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: 100% synthetic nylon
- Wet or Dry: Both
- Best For: Massaging, detangling
Best Wet Brush: Wet Brush Pro Detangler Brush
- Why We Love It: “This is an incredible all-around wet brush with super-soft bristles that glide effortlessly through knots and feel extremely comfortable on sensitive scalps,” says Ballance. Its thoughtful design makes detangling easy on every hair texture, making it a favorite for many. Plus, it’s affordable and available in a variety of shapes and colors, so you can choose to your liking.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: IntelliFlex bristles
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Detangling
Best Sustainable: Ceremonia Brush De Pelo
- Why We Love It: Not only is this bamboo brush a stylish addition to your home, but it’s also made from sustainable, regenerative bamboo—no plastic here!—and works well for most hair textures. “The large base makes it quick and easy to use,” says Ballance. Its rounded bristles also help stimulate blood flow to the scalp while distributing natural oils, promoting healthier hair and increased shine.
- Shape: Paddle
- Bristle Material: Bamboo
- Wet or Dry: Dry
- Best For: Detangling
Best for Curls: Pattern Shower Brush
- Why We Love It: “I recommend this brush for thicker, curly textures that need a little extra muscle to effectively detangle,” says Matthew. He explains that, when held vertically, the bristles align in a straight line, helping to prevent tangling—a key advantage for knot-prone hair as the first step in a detangling routine. As an added bonus, this brush can also be used to organize curl patterns after applying styling products.
- Shape: Square
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Styling, detangling, and clumping curls
Best Splurge: Mason Pearson Detangler Hair Brush
- Why We Love It: Known as the Rolls-Royce of detanglers, this brush is an investment, but “it treats your hair like royalty, evenly distributing natural oils and leaving it silky smooth,” says Bataille. “Definitely worth the splurge if you want your hair to feel like it just stepped out of a salon.” And the price tag isn’t just for show. Each Mason Pearson brush is still handcrafted, with every handle meticulously hand-polished for a luxurious, lasting finish. Don’t just take our word for it—Vogue.com editor Chloe Malle is also a fan of the heritage hairbrush.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Detangling
Best Multiuse: Dae Vegan Detangle + Style Brush
- Why We Love It: “This vegan boar bristle brush is ideal for use on both wet and dry hair,” says Ballance, meaning you can even use it in the shower if you like to stack your habits. Its gentle bristles effortlessly glide through knots, making detangling a breeze.
- Shape: Round
- Bristle Material: Vegan boar-like bristles
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Detangling, smoothing, styling
Best for Long Hair: Denman D38 Power Paddle Detangler Hairbrush
- Why We Love It: If you have long hair and usually find brushing a chore, this brush is a game changer. “It’s big enough to tackle a lot of hair at once, yet soft enough to make the process effortless,” says Bataille. It features a three-in-one design with the brand’s patented D3 pins, allowing for wet curl definition, detangling, and fast blow-drying.
- Shape: Paddle
- Bristle Material: Nylon
- Wet or Dry: Wet
- Best For: Curl definition, detangling
What makes a brush the best for detangling?
A detangling brush should glide through like butter, not feel like a wrestling match, explains Bataille. “The best brushes have flexible bristles that bend with your hair, minimizing breakage and tears (in both your hair and your eyes). Bonus points for ergonomic handles—because no one wants to cramp up mid-detangle!”
When choosing a detangling brush, Ballance prioritizes these key factors:
