The 9 Best Detangling Brushes Can Take on Even the Biggest Knots, Tested by Editors
Wash day doesn't need to turn into a wrestling match.
One thing about me: my hair is going to be knotty. Blame it on the ocean water in the summer and my scarf placement in the winter (I love an Olsen tuck), but my hair has a habit of turning into a tangled mess both in and out of the shower. The best detanglers are a crucial part of having smooth, knot-free hair—but they're nothing without the assistance of the best detangling brushes.
“A great detangling brush has soft, flexible bristles—ideally a mix of long and short—and is spaced out to glide through the hair with minimal breakage,” explains hairstylist and founder of The Second Floor Salon Rogerio Cavalcante. There are detangling brushes designed to be used on wet hair (hi, Wet Brush!) and options, like Crown Affair’s The Detangling Brush, that are best suited for day two tangles. When used properly (more on the below!), these brushes are able to glide through bumps without causing breakage or split ends.
I personally keep a little brush collection of various shapes and sizes (and I’m sharing my go-to's below), but I’m not the only one. The rest of the Marie Claire team quickly offered their favorite detangling brushes that deliver smooth, shiny, and, most importantly, knot-free hair. Read our honest reviews of the nine best options on the market, below.
Best Detangling Brushes and Combs
- The Best Detangling Brush Overall: Crown Affair The Detangling Brush No. 002
- The Best Detangling Brush for Dry Hair: La Bonne Brosse No. 2 The Care and Detangling Hair Brush
- The Best Drugstore Detangling Brush: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
Product |
Best For |
Price |
Thin hair |
$$ |
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Thick hair |
$$ |
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Wet hair |
$ |
Crown Affair and its founder Dianna Cohen have accumulated quite the cult-following in just a few short years. Why? The products are high quality, aesthetically pleasing, and follow through on their promises. Take this detangling brush for example. Handcrafted from beechwood and designed with wooden pins, it provides gentle detangling, all while offering a pleasant scalp massage during use that stimulates hair growth.
Bristle Type: Wooden
Use On: Wet or dry
Who It’s For: Straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types
What I Love: High quality brush; Affordable price point; Looks nice out on display
What I Don’t: Those with thicker hair may find the bristles are not sturdy enough
Review for MC: “I will blind buy anything with the Crown Affair stamp of approval. The hair towel? Incredible. A gel-textured conditioner? I’m sold. But this brush is perhaps one of my favorite beauty items. My hair gets super tangled post-shower—and I consistently have a nasty case of bedhead—so I love that this works on both my wet and dry hair. It’s basically a two-for-one steal.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender before and after testing the Crown Affair The Detangling Brush No. 002.
While boar bristles typically aren’t going to be the go-to detangling medium, La Bonne Brosse has figured out a way to combine their shine-boosting powers with detangling prowess. They mix and match the boar bristles with nylon fibers that glide through both thin and thick textures.
Bristle Type: Boar and nylon
Use On: Dry
Who It’s For: All hair types
What I Love: Lasts forever; Very chic brush; Can be used on dry hair
What I Don’t: More expensive than others on this list
Review for MC: “I’m a firm believer in splurging on the items you use every day, and I never realized how much a quality hairbrush could change my hair for the better until I switched to La Bonne brosse. I have fine, but extremely dense hair—this means that it is especially prone to breakage and tangles. The boar bristles keep my hair insanely shiny, while the detangling nylon fibers glide through knots without causing breakage. I used to deal with constant frizz and split ends, but after using this daily, my hair looks smoother, healthier, and overall better.” — Siena Gagliano, Contributing Beauty Writer
Siena Gagliano before and after testing La Bonne Brosse brush.
Drugstores are full of hidden gems—and the brush aisle is one of them. Between paddle brushes and rat tooth combs, you’ll find this five-star Tangle Teezer option. Available in a variety of pretty pastel shades (I’m a pink girl), the brush features tiered teeth that easily glide through just-washed hair. The bristles are super flexible, too, which means they’re less likely to cause breakage or tugging.
Bristle Type: Two tier teeth tech
Use On: Wet
Who It’s For: All hair types
What I Love: Affordable; Nice color range; Easy glide
What I Don’t: Bristles sometimes bend; Not the most comfortable to hold
Review for MC: “I’ve been exclusively using Tangle Teezer brushes for about four years. I love how easily the bristles glide through my ends without causing breakage thanks to its 325 patented two-tier teeth technology. Not to mention no matter how much product I have in my hair (a dime-size amount is never going to cut it), the easy grip handle stays securely in my hands. Cherry on top? They come in the best colors!” — Jamie Wilson, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jamie Wilson before and after testing the Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush.
“For those dealing with hair breakage, this brush is the right one,” says Cavalcante. “It has soft bristles that glide through the hair smoothly without breaking the strands. Wood is also a great tool for fighting frizz. They are well-made (handmade in Italy!) and last for years.” Bonus: It’s specifically formulated to be gentle on fine hair, so you don’t have to worry about using too much pressure or working quickly.
Bristle Type: Wood
Use On: Wet or dry
Who It’s For: Straight, fine hair
What I Love: Hairstylist-approved; Won’t cause breakage; Sturdy build
What I Don’t: Not ideal for thicker or super curly hair types
Customer Review: “I bought this brush in March 2021 and I have absolutely loved it ever since. It's been incredible for my hair, it distributes oils from the scalp throughout the hair to keep it looking smooth and shiny. My hairdresser has noted how healthy my hair looks after some changes I've made, the main ones being exclusively using this brush and waiting for my hair to be 80% dry before blow drying.” — Amazon
Introducing: the ultimate two-in-one. When you step out of the shower with wet hair, the detangling bristles will swoop into action. Need a slick-back style or a half-up half-down? The boar bristles double as a styling brush. If you really want to maximize its use, massage your scalp with the bristles once a day for roughly five minutes in order to stimulate hair growth.
Bristle Type: Vegan
Use On: Wet or dry
Who It’s For: All hair types
What I Love: The only brush you’ll need; Great price point; Goes through knots without pain
What I Don’t: Some report that lint build up at the base
Customer Review: “This brush makes my hair SUPER soft after one brush through, it is also so pretty and a great for detangling hair, it also works for wet hair!✨🎀” — Sephora
Every hairstylist I know swears by the other-wordly powers of a Mason Pearson brush. It’s the BMW of detangling brushes, combining luxury, function, and a sleek design. It comes at a high price point, but it’s justified. The hand-made brushes feature a special rubber cushion that holds bristles sturdy, making this an ideal option for thick and coarse hair.
Bristle Type: Nylon
Use On: Wet
Who It’s For: Normal to thick hair
What I Love: Quality materials; Hand-made; Doesn’t pull on thick hair
What I Don’t: It’s the priciest option on this list.
Customer Review: “Nice quality brush - it really does detangle your long wet hair without snags or tearing. Also works nice on dry hair, though it creates some static if you don't use an anti-static spray on your hair. A star off as it is a bit of effort to clean - cannot submerge brush in soapy water for cleaning, as it has a tiny hole on the tip that it is advised not to get water inside.” — Bluemercury
Brushing through extensions is (usually) a recipe for a snagged weft—but not with this brush. The paddle design allows the bristles to be spaced out, while the metal bristles are sturdy yet flexible enough to glide through with ease. My pro tip: massage your scalp with this brush for a few minutes every day. Not only will help distribute your scalp’s natural oils and lead to shiny hair, but it will also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which can help with hair growth.
Bristle Type: Metal
Use On: Wet
Who It’s For: All hair types
What I Love: Anti-static design; Made from ethically sourced birchwood
What I Don’t: Bulky to pack for travel
Customer Review: “I am not a review writer type of person. But this brush is an absolute game changer. It gets out wicked tangles but does the job so gently that it doesn't pull my hair out.” — Sephora
Unless my hair is disturbingly knotty, I typically only brush my hair once—in the shower. After rinsing out my conditioner, I’ll spray some detangler and run this comb through my hair before styling. The trick is to grab a chunk of hair at the mid-shaft. Brush from the bottom and work up to the roots for a smooth, silky texture.
Bristle Type: Plastic
Use On: Wet
Who It’s For: All hair types
What I Love: Can be used on wet and dry hair; 45 percent less damage than a regular brush
What I Don’t: Thicker hair may get caught in the comb
Customer Review: “The non slip grip on this comb is great, and it allows your hand to relax and let the comb do exactly what it needs to do. The teeth are spaced just right to allow all the tangles and shed hairs to come out, without having any snags or knots form.” — Ulta
Brush through curls and coils without disrupting curl pattern may seem like Mission Impossible. But it’s a conquerable task thanks to this Pattern Brush, which was specifically designed to clump curls while gently detangling tight textures. The handle feels heavy and sturdy (yet comfortable!), allowing you to brush through each section with just the right level of tension. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your curls snap back into position.
Bristle Type: Synthetic
Use On: Wet
Who It’s For: Wavy, curly, and coily hair
What I Love: The handle grip is very comfortable; Designed to preserve curl pattern; Helps curls clump together
What I Don’t: Product can stick to the handle and give the brush and greasy feel
Customer Review: “I love using this product. It gets every tangle out of my hair even ones that I can’t normally get out with my other brushes. This is my favorite brush I own and it is a great brush for wavy and curly hair to get every tangle out.” — Sephora
How Do I Use a Detangling Brush?
Using a brush seems self-explanatory, but there’s actually a pretty hard-and-fast technique if you want to minimize breakage. If you’re detangling wet hair, Cavalcante says you’ll want to use a leave-in conditioner to provide shine and frizz control. “Wet hair is at its most fragile state and prone to breakage, so you need something to soften the brush’s pull,” he explains.
If you’re using a detangling brush on dry hair, using a little bit of hair oil can make the process much more seamless. “In extreme cases—like when hair gets tangled at the neck from wearing jackets in winter—using a detangling spray can be helpful.”
What Type of Bristle Is Best for Detangling?
The best type of bristle for you really depends on when you work detangling into your routine. Soft, plastic bristles are great for detangling wet hair in the shower, says trichologist Penny James. On the other hand, she says, "boar bristle brushes or nylon brushes are better for dry hair, as they create a lovely shine and are perfect for those with thicker texture."
Is It Better to Detangle Wet or Dry Hair?
The sweet spot for detangling is actually right in the middle, when hair is damp. Soaking wet hair is the most prone to breakage and fully dry hair can break off if you don't use a softening agent, so consider whipping out your detangling brush when your hair is about 40 to 50 percent of the way dry.
How Do I Detangle Thin Hair?
Thin hair girls (hi! yes! me!) tend to tangle easily due to the hair’s fineness. While brushing from base to roots—little by little—is the best detangling technique, Cavalcante also recommends doing regular trims to prevent knots since “fresh ends are more resistant.”
How Do I Detangle Coily Hair?
“Coily hair may not necessarily tangle more, but because it has more volume and density, it’s best to detangle in sections using the same bottom-to-top approach for a smoother process,” says Cavalcante. Try working through one-inch sections at a time.
Why Trust Marie Claire
Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, specializing in trend reports, features, shopping guides, and industry launches. She’s constantly testing the latest and greatest innovations in the hair space and styles her own hair every day. She also spoke with a professional hairstylist to compile this list of the best detangling brushes.
Marie Claire is an expert in haircare, reporting on hair growth treatments, shampoos and conditioners, the best boar bristles brushes, and so much more.
How We Tested
Marie Claire Senior Beauty Editor Samantha Holender has used dozens of detangling brushes during her time as a beauty editor. She sourced her all time favorites—and tapped the magazine’s network of beauty experts—to assemble this well-curated list of the nine brushes. Each was tested on a variety of hair types or recommended by a professional hairstylist.
Meet the Experts
The Second Floor Salon was founded by Rogerio Cavalcante, an experienced hairstylist who moved to the U.S from Brazil 15 years ago and has built a clientele in NYC through his top quality service and customer service. The culture of beauty and innovation has been deep-rooted in Rogerio’s life for as long as he can remember. Since his childhood, Rogerio was surrounded by hairstylist influences in his family, with over nineteen family members working in the hair industry. Rogerio collaborated and learned alongside leaders of educational institutions including Toni Guy, Vidal Sassoon, and L’Oréal Paris. Today he spends time traveling between New York, London, Paris, and Miami, attending to his global clientele, exchanging innovative techniques with other experts and continually pushing his style to incorporate the latest worldwide trends while perfecting his own unique skills in the Dry Cutting method. His sought-after expertise has led to contributions in trend-setting publications such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, ELLE Magazine, and other online outlets.
Certification Trichologist
