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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
In the (seemingly neverending) quest for good hair, it’s important not to underestimate the importance of a good shampoo. Forget extensive styling protocols consisting of multiple products or tech-y hot tools: Great hair starts in the shower. In fact, choosing the right shampoo can help you address your specific hair woes or needs or can help you avoid potential irritants and hair-damaging ingredients. It’s also essential to choose a shampoo that works with any coloring or treatments you may have.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick in shampoos is the R+ Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo. It has everything you want in a shampoo—it adds shine, hydrates, smooths and strengthens, and it's suitable for all hair types. We also love the more affordable Climaplex Moisture & Repair Shampoo, which has a clean formula that repairs and protects the hair.
Maybe you never pay much attention and just grab whatever bottle of shampoo is in front of you at the drugstore, or perhaps, you’ve been devoted to the same salon brand since high school and have never tried many of the new iterations that have launched since then. Either way, we strongly advise you to stock your shower with any of these top picks, which offer a little something for everyone.
We conducted hours of research to find the best shampoos on the market, considering dozens of options. We evaluated each of our picks based on their ingredients and benefits and considered extra factors, such as if they were sulfate-free and worked for all hair types and concerns. After consulting our hair care experts and editors, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Keep reading to see the best shampoos for clean, healthy hair.
Best Overall
R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo
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Soothes the scalp
Boosts shine
Strengthing
Strong scent
There’s truly nothing that this all-star sudser, a favorite of Byrdie's former Senior Social Media Manager Kelly Gallagher, can’t do. It helps moisturize both hair and scalp (thanks to ingredients such as babassu seed oil and glycerin) and imparts volume and shine, all while smoothing, softening, and strengthening your hair. In short, it leaves your hair looking commercial-ready after every wash.
Reviewers loved that this shampoo lathers well and makes their hair feel squeaky clean but not stripped. Many also noted that after washing, they look like they just left the salon.
Price at time of publish: $34
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Climaplex Moisture & Repair Shampoo
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Target
Affordable
Lathers well
Hydrating
Can be heavy for finer hair
Everything from the packaging to the formula of this pick feels much more high-end than its under $10 price tag. It touts a proprietary technology that helps to repair damaged protein bonds and strengthen the cuticle, the outer layer of the hair (and also guards against environmental damage, too). The shampoo lathers beautifully even though it’s sulfate-free, rinses cleanly, and leaves hair feeling more moisturized, even before you reach for conditioner.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Clean | Size: 13.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore
Pantene Pro-V Blends Micellar Shampoo
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Courtesy of Walmart
Affordable
Deeply cleanses
Helps control excess oil
Contains sulfates
You’ve seen micellar waters in the skincare aisle; this shampoo works by the same mechanism of action. Tiny micelles act like magnets to attach to and whisk away dirt and oil, yet are gentle enough to not over strip your hair. It’s a staple in our showers, leaving our hair feeling and looking completely clean every time. Plus, you can nab a big ol’ bottle of it at the drugstore for cheap.
Price at time of publish: $47
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 10.1 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore, Runner-Up
Herbal Essences Avocado & Argan Sulfate-Free Shampoo
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Walmart
Nourishing
Smells good
Affordable
Can be heavy for finer hair
The staple drugstore brand continues to make standout haircare, and this shampoo is no exception. Avocado oil, argan oil, and aloe make it extra hydrating and nourishing. It’s also sulfate-free, cruelty-free, and in true Herbal Essences fashion, it smells absolutely delightful.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrusy | Size: 13.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Damaged Hair
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
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Ulta
Strengthens
Lathers well
Softens and smooths
Can be a little drying
This is a staple for Byrdie Editorial Director Hallie Gould, thanks to its deeply reparative prowess. Like its in-salon treatment counterpart, it contains ingredients that work to repair broken protein bonds in your hair. Translation? Hair becomes softer, smoother, and generally looks and feels better. Another plus: The formula is sulfate-free, so it shouldn't strip much-needed moisture, and Gould points out that it’s the only sulfate-free shampoo she’s found that lathers well.
Price at time of publish: $30
Hair Type: Color-treated, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 3.3 ounces or 8.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
It left my hair feeling thoroughly cleansed without that squeaky feeling that some shampoos leave me with and without any spots of oiliness lingering around, causing me to wonder if I need to wash twice (this sometimes happens to me with other shampoos if I use dry shampoo between rinses)! — Ashley Rubell, Product Tester
Best Volumizing
Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo
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Amazon
Lightweight
Smells good
Volumizes
Watery texture
Got limp hair? Shampoo choice is even more crucial for you than for most. Yes, you need something that’s going to effectively clean—fine hair tends to be naturally oilier—but the last thing you want is a formula that’s going to further weigh down your hair. Enter this pick. The formula relies on ginseng to help make hair look fuller and boost it long-term. And speaking of instant gratification, it also contains a sugar starch that thickens hair, so it looks more voluminous as soon as you step out of the shower.
Price at time of publish: $28
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 8 ounces or 33.8 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Curly Hair
GIRL+HAIR CLEANSE+ Water-To-Foam Moisturizing Sulfate Free Shampoo For Curly Hair
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Courtesy of Sally Beauty
Softens and smooths
Soothes the scalp
Woman-owned brand
Could be more hydrating
Curly hair undoubtedly requires a little extra TLC and calls for carefully chosen products, shampoo included. This is a surefire pick specially formulated for curly, kinky, coiled, and natural hair. Sulfate-, alcohol-, and paraben-free, this pick helps curls retain moisture with shea butter and even has tea tree oil to help address scalp issues.
Price at time of publish: $13
Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Tea tree | Size: 10.1 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Curly Hair, Runner-Up
Pattern Beauty Clarifying Shampoo
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Sephora
Smells good
Deeply cleanses
Strengthens
Shouldn’t be used daily
This option is especially good for those with curly, kinky, or coily hair who need an extra deep clean. It’s intended for type 3 and 4 curls, helping to remove even the most stubborn product residue from the scalp and hair without stripping the natural moisture that’s oh-so-important for curly hair. It also contains panthenol for strengthening purposes.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: Curly, kinky, coily | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 7.8 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo
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Amazon
Soothes the scalp
Dermatologist-designed
Safe for sensitive skin
Could be more hydrating
We know what you’re thinking—this is a shampoo story; why are we talking about skin? Well, not only is your scalp skin, but shampoo can also be the culprit behind all kinds of skin issues, from breakouts to weird rashes. That’s why we think this pick is so excellent; the dermatologist-designed shampoo is non-comedogenic (so it shouldn't clog pores) and is formulated without a long list of possible skin irritants. But don’t worry, it still does a superb job as a shampoo. Filed under: Why didn’t we think of that?
Price at time of publish: $29
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 8.6 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for All Hair Types
Alterna My Hair My Canvas Me Time Everyday Shampoo
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Smells good
Balances hair and scalp
Strengthens
Could be more hydrating
Consider this a foolproof, universal crowd-pleaser. It checks all of our shampoo criteria boxes, effectively cleansing while potentially strengthening hair with a vegan, botanically-derived, protein-rich caviar and delivering protective antioxidants to boot. Happy reviewers note that it tends to work just as well on fine, thin hair as it does kinky curls, and we’d be remiss, not to mention the clean, fresh scent we can’t get enough of.
Price at time of publish: $28
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8.5 ounces or 16.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Hair
Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Wash
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Bread Beauty Supply
Gentle
Great smell
Hydrating
Not clarifying
Bread describes this creamy hair cleanser as a co-wash meets shampoo, meaning it's able to clean while deeply hydrating the hair. It has many hair-nourishing ingredients, such as argan oil and aloe vera, as well as hydrating oils like coconut, avocado, and lavender oils. We also love that it can help with frizz and a flaky scalp.
Price at time of publish: $20
Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fruity | Size: 8.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Oily Hair
Kérastase Specifique Divalent Balancing Shampoo for Oily Hair
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Sephora
Deeply cleanses
Smells good
Boosts shine
May be too drying for bleached or colored hair
This sudser truly strikes the ideal balance between removing excess oil without ever stripping the hair. More specifically, it works to break down oil on your roots and scalp but still imparts plenty of hydration through the mid-lengths and ends. The result? Hair that’s more voluminous, non-greasy, and still totally soft and shiny. The fresh scent is just a bonus.
Price at time of publish: $35
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh, herbal | Size: 8.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Color-Treated Hair
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
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Courtesy of Sephora
Safe for color-treated hair
Smells good
Concentrated formula
Can be heavy for finer hair
If you color your hair, opting for a dedicated, color-safe shampoo is a must when it comes to safeguarding your shade. Not only is this one sulfate-free, but it also contains a unique antifade complex that relies on sunflower seed oil and a UV filter to ward off sun-induced color changes. Per the name, it’s also very thick and creamy, imparting lots of moisture. And while it is a bit more expensive, it is super concentrated; a little goes a long way, and you can get up to 75+ uses from just one bottle.
Price at time of publish: $35
Hair Type: Balanced to thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 9 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Frizzy Hair
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo
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Courtesy of Ulta
Works in just one wash
Safe for color- and chemically-treated hair
Softens and smooths
Can be too heavy for finer hair types
Combat errant flyaways with this shampoo. It smooths hair after just one wash, thanks to jojoba esters that work to help block out frizz-inducing humidity. And instead of relying on sulfates to do the cleansing (which can end up stripping out moisture and, ironically, causing more frizz), this uses an amino cleaning complex to effectively remove dirt, oil, and product residue.
Price at time of publish: $32
Hair Type: Balanced to thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Tangles
Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo
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Sienna Naturals
Soothes irritation
Gentle
Clean ingredients
Might be too heavy for finer hair types
If you dread wash day because it takes you forever to detangle your hair, this is the right shampoo for you. It has a moisturizing formula that works to remove buildup while softening the hair, making it easier for you to work your way through tangles without damaging your strands. Reviewers noted that this pick lathered well and hydrated an itchy scalp and that their hair felt completely clean (but not dry) after using it.
Price at time of publish: $18
Hair Type: Wavy, curly, coily | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 10 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Viori Shampoo Bar
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Amazon
Eco-friendly
Suitable for all hair types
Great smell
Doesn't lather well
Shampoo bars have been trending lately—they can accomplish what your regular shampoo can, but without the plastic waste (or any, for that matter). We love this one in particular because it's formulated with rice water—a recently buzzy ingredient for long, healthy hair—as well as shea butter, cocoa butter, and bamboo. Reviewers noted that it made their hair feel squeaky clean, and they could go longer in between washes. They also loved that it added volume and shine.
Price at time of publish: $17
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrusy | Size: 1 bar | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
No matter your hair type or concern, there’s a good shampoo out there for you. Our favorite is the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo, which can moisturize, volumize, and add shine for hair that looks camera ready. For a more budget-friendly option, we love the Climaplex Moisture & Repair Shampoo because it's made with 97 percent naturally-derived ingredients and strengthens and repairs the ha
What to Look For in a Shampoo
Targeted Ingredients
Choose a shampoo that targets your specific hair type and concerns. There are varieties for all sorts of issues, whether you need volume, moisture, curl enhancement, oil, or frizz control. Some shampoos offer strengthening with special botanicals or proteins like keratin.
If you have a condition such as scalp psoriasis or dandruff, choose a shampoo with active ingredients that help prevent it, such as salicylic acid for the former and zinc pyrithione for the latter.
Gentle Formulations
Popular ingredients in shampoo can actually damage your hair, stripping it of its natural oils and leaving it prone to breakage. One of these ingredient types is sulfates, including sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate, which are chemical detergents that can remove too much of your hair's protective oils and moisture.
You may also wish to avoid parabens, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The FDA has not banned the use of parabens or determined that they lead to cancer but says more research is warranted.
Some people are more sensitive to fragrances than others. Fragrances might lead to irritation and dandruff in some susceptible people. Choosing essential oil-based scents or avoiding perfumed shampoos might be your best bet in that case.
Color and Treatment Safe
If you color or treat your hair, look for a shampoo that won't counteract your results. Some shampoos will fade color-treated hair, and others are too harsh to use with treatments like keratin or relaxing. Avoid sulfates, sarcosines like sodium lauryl sarcosinate, and sulfosuccinates in particular.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She will try pretty much any shampoo she can get her hands on, which means that there are at least five or six different options in her shower at all times, including many of the ones featured on this list.
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