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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
Like a snowflake or fingerprint, every set of curls is unique. Different textures, patterns, and shapes come into play, meaning that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to a routine. Washing and styling might be an obvious one, but the type of brush you use for curly hair is also an important aspect to consider.
“Those with curly hair should always look for solution-type tools,” says celebrity stylist and curl expert Nai’vasha. “This includes things like paddle brushes, gloves, and Denman-style brushes. These all tend to detangle and define in one punch.”
We conducted hours of research on the best brushes for curly hair. To find the picks on our list, we tapped an expert for recommendations and even tried a few top-rated options for ourselves. We considered each tool's material, bristle density, and whether or not it can work in the shower on wet hair (since that's a huge part of a curly hair care routine). After considering dozens of models and cross-referencing them with our expert picks, we landed on these top-rated brushes.
Best Overall
Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row
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Amazon
Works on most curl patterns
Promotes definition
Great for styling
Can take a while to detangle
The original and arguably one of the best, this vented paddle brush from Denman was designed with curly hair specifically in mind. “This brush is typically at an optimal performance on wet hair,” says Nai’vasha. It works wonders on looser curls and defines beautifully.” Use it to work through conditioning products and to detangle damp hair. It can also be used to shape or break up looser curls.
Price at time of publish: $22
Bristle Material: Nylon bristles | Colors: Black and red
Best Budget
Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush for Curly Hair
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Amazon
Flexible
Soft bristles
Doubles as a scalp massager
Not for adding definition
Made from eight flexible rows of comb-style teeth, this unique brush — created by entrepreneur Julissa Prado — bends and moves with your hair for a painless detangling process that doesn’t interrupt bouncy curls. Use it as-is for full flexibility or add the control bar to secure each row. The soft bristles can even be massaged into the scalp for an invigorating massage, too.
Price at time of publish: $16
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Pink
Best Detangling
Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush
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Amazon
Doesn’t pull or tug
Soft bristles
Can be complicated to use
If you’re looking for a brush that will ease out knots when the hair is damp and filled with conditioner, the Tangle Teezer is it. The hand-held design means you can pull it through lengths easily, while the soft plastic bristles prevent breakage—making it an excellent choice for damage-prone or fine hair. After testing this brush, we were completely shocked at how much softer and easier to manage curls looked.
Price at time of publish: $13
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Pink, black, lilac/pink, glitter, lilac/glitter, green, coral
Best for Shower
Wet Brush Shower Flex Hair Brush
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Amazon
Designed to hang in shower
Doesn’t pull or tug
Not ideal for looser curls
With its wide vents and flexible bristles, the Flex Hair Brush from Wet Brush is great for detangling the hair on wash day. It moves with the hair to prevent snags and tears, while the easy hook means you can store it in the shower (so you’re never caught out without it).
Price at time of publish: $8
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Black, pink
Runner-Up, Best Shower Brush
Pattern Shower Brush
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Amazon
Creates definition
Works for all curl types
Can hold comfortably
Can break easily
Another great shower option is this brush from Tracee Ellis Ross's own Pattern Beauty. It detangles well without causing any breakage, and is able to add definition and shape to the hair. Reviewers noted that it was great for styling without creating frizz. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you handle it too aggressively, it can break. Try your best to be delicate with it—after all, you're managing your gorgeous hair!
Price at time of publish: $17
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black
Best for Blow-Drying
Denman Gentle Styler
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Amazon
Smooths without snagging
Soft bristles
Very small travel size
If you’re looking to smooth the hair while blow-drying, it’s important to go for a brush with a tighter bristle to direct airflow. Denman’s Gentle Styler is just that, but because it’s still designed with curls in mind, it prevents tugging that will lead to frizz. The pins themself are soft nylon too, so will flex with the hair as needed.
Price at time of publish: $20
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Pink, black
Best for Fine Hair
Wet Brush Original Detangler
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Amazon
Flexible
Soft bristles
Could contribute to frizz in dry hair
Nai’vasha tells us that she “loves a paddle brush because its design is perfect for dry or wet detangling.” While this pick from Wet Brush won’t define as great as something like the Denman, it’s a great choice for looser, finer waves and curls. Just keep in mind that it works best on wet hair (rather than dry), otherwise, it might contribute to frizz.
Price at time of publish: $7
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Purple, black, aqua, pink
Best for Loose Curls
Ouidad Vented Paddle Brush
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Ouidad
Lightweight
Doesn’t pull or tug
Not ideal for thick curls
Another paddle brush that comes backed by Nai’vasha is this one from Ouidad. With multiple vents and a series of soft, rounded bristles, it gently combs through the hair, making it a nice option for breaking up loose curls, waves, and bends.
Price at time of publish: $8
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black
Best Multi-Tasker
Curl Queen The Glove
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Curl Queen
Multi-purpose
Water-resistant
Not for adding definition
Part brush, part massager, this glove set is super versatile (not to mention game-changing) for those with tight, difficult-to-control curls. With various spikes and bristles, it can be used to cleanse the hair, ease out tangles, stimulate blood flow in the scalp, or work in styling products. Bonus: it feels like a mini massage.
“Naturally The Glove is my go-to because it’s all-encompassing. It can be used to detangle to the most tightly tangled hair, shampoo, and condition, or to work in styling products,” adds Nai’vasha.
Price at time of publish: $48
Bristle Material: Waterproof material | Colors: Black
Best for Tight Curls
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler
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Nordstrom
Great for tight curls, kinks and coils
Firm bristles
Flexible
May be too tough for finer curly hair
This brush style takes after the original Tangle Teezer but comes with a handle and firmer bristles to detangle 3c-4c curls. The bristles come in differing lengths while the semi-flexible material moves through tighter textures thoroughly but gently.
Price at time of publish: $15
Bristle Material: Plastic | Colors: Purple, purple/glitter, pink, mint, mint/lilac, blue/peach
Best Boar Bristle
Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush
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Amazon
Vegan
Smoothing
Can break easily
If you like the smoothing effect of a boar bristle brush, this pick from Briogeo is one of the best out there for curls. Fitted with vegan multi-length bristles with a rounded tip, it moves through hair, smoothing strands, removing knots, and reducing the look of frizz. It’s great for soft curls or paired with a straightening iron.
Price at time of publish: $28
Bristle Material: Nylon (vegan boar bristles) | Colors: Purple
Best for Scalp Health
Curl Keeper The Original Flexy Brush
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Amazon
Doesn’t pull or tug
Sturdy bristles
Doubles as a scalp massager
May be too big for some
Do your curls matt, tangle, or clump together? This unique open cushion brush from Curl Keeper is the answer to your prayers. The silicone bristles glide through hair, undoing knots without painful tearing or tugging. The open base also reduces the risk of product build-up, should you wish to use it in the shower.
Price at time of publish: $21
Bristle Material: Silicone | Colors: Black/turquoise, black/purple
Best for Multiple Curl Patterns
Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush
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Amazon
Comes with 18 bristle rows
Effective for all curl types
Customizable
Online instructions to use somewhat unclear
If you deal with multiple curl patterns on your head (for example, looser curls in the front and tighter coils in the back), this is the brush that you've been looking for. It has 18 rows of bristles, with nine thinner rows for finer hair and nine thick bristle rows for coarser hair—making it easier for you to customize your brush based on your various hair types. We also love that it's easy to use, making your detangling process quicker and easier.
Price at time of publish: $17
Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black/blue
Final Verdict
The best brush will be the one that works with your curl pattern, but as far as versatility is concerned, we can’t go past the Denman D3 Original Styler 7 Row. Designed specifically for curls, it detangles and shapes without pulling, and while we love it on damp hair, it still works a treat when strands are dry. We also love the Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush. It has a unique shape that enables airflow and works to ease out knots without disturbing curl patterns.
Meet the Expert
- Nai’vasha is a celebrity hairstylist and curl expert. She is also the founder of Curl Queen, a collection of products specifically suited to curly, coiled, and textured hair.
What to Look for in a Brush for Curly Hair
Bristle Density
The density of a brush's bristles or teeth is important and should be tailored to your hair type. For styling or blow-drying curly hair, you typically want quite a bit of density, so your brush is strong enough to get through your hair without bending or breaking. This also ensures that you get good tension for smoothing out your hair, especially when blow-drying. We like the Curls Ultimate Detangler Brush for this. When it comes to detangling, try a wider-toothed comb like the Wet Brush Shower Flex Hair Brush.
Weight
The heavier the brush, the more energy it requires to use. Lightweight brushes (like the Ouidad Vented Paddle Brush, for example) make it easier to detangle and style quickly—no need for a workout here. However, be careful not to choose a brush that feels flimsy or cheap. These tend to break faster and sometimes break while you’re using them.
Size
A smaller-sized brush, like the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler, works best for those with thick, tight curls. It also helps to brush through the hair in sections, which may take some time, but it’s worth the work. A larger brush or longer comb is ideal for fine to medium hair with looser curls. But, as always, test out a few brushes and see which one suits your hair best.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Algar is an experienced freelance writer who covers all things beauty. Her work has also appeared in Popsugar, Vogue Australia, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, and more.
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