Do detangling brushes really work?

Detangling brushes are made specifically to minimize damage while you brush away tangles and knots. The way they are designed may reduce the level of breakage that you would get with a normal hair brush.

Can you use a detangler brush on wet hair?

You can use a detangling brush that's made for wet hair to detangle your wet hair. Typically, the bristles are designed differently to help minimize the damage, breakage, and potential split ends. Examples of brushes that you can use on wet hair are the Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush and the Wet Brush Detangler .

The 9 Best Detangling Brushes of 2023

The 7 Best Detangling Brushes in 2022 — Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

We ask a lot of our hairbrushes. Not only should they be able to take on tangles like a warrior going into battle but they should be strategically shaped to fit comfortably in our hand. Oh, and if they're aesthetically designed to look great on top of our vanities, well, that's just the cherry on top.

Though we'd like to say we never brush our hair when it's wet and outfitted with snarls rivaling the likes of Toddlers in Tiaras, we most definitely do. Hey, we're only human. Fortunately, there are a slew of tools designed to help alleviate the detangling process for all hair types.

To find the best detangling brushes on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating each of our options based on bristle material, how well they were able to detangle on all hair types, and how comfortable they were to use. We also looked for extra features, like if they added definition or could be used on wet or dry hair. After looking through hundreds of reviews and considering a multitude of options, we landed on these top picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Christophe Robin Boar Bristle Detangling Brush at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush

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Best Splurge:

Mason Pearson Detangler Hair Brush at Bluemercury.com

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Best Wood Handle:

Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush at Amazon

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Best for Wet Hair:

Wet Brush Original Detangler at Amazon

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Best for Curly Hair:

Bestool Detangling Brush at Amazon

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Best for Thick Hair:

Michel Mercier Ultimate Detangling Brush at Amazon

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Best for In-Shower:

Pattern Shower Brush

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Best for Styling:

Dae Vegan Detangle + Style Brush at Sephora

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What To Look For In a Detangling Brush
FAQ

4.8

Christophe Robin Boar Bristle Paddle Hairbrush

Courtesy of Christophe Robin

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What We Like

Helps boost shine
Feels soothing on the scalp
Gently detangles

What We Don't Like

Bristles may be too soft for thicker hair types

Christophe Robin is known for (admittedly pricey) artisan-made products that may nurture both the scalp and the shaft of the hair. So it comes as no surprise that this award-winning brush was created to do both. Made from 100% pure boar bristles, this detangling brush claims to soften and strengthen hair while simultaneously boosting shine and removing product buildup from the scalp.

Price at time of publish: $108

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: 100% boar | Wet or Dry: Dry

Flip your head upside down while you brush, which may help make brushing easier.

4.8

Amazon

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Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush Review

What We Like

Easily passes through the hair
Fits comfortably in the hand
Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

Not for styling use

No need to overthink it—this brush does just as its name promises: teasing the tangles right out of your wet (or dry) hair. It's the ultimate no-frills detangling brush—convenient thanks to its small size and fun due to a punchy color range. In other words, it's easy to stash in the gym bag and use post-shower for smooth and shiny benefits.

Price at time of publish: $13

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Polypropylene | Wet or Dry: Both

What Our Testers Say

"The before and after results from this brush were so dramatic, I thought I was hallucinating when I first saw the photos. But after examining my hair under multiple sources of light, I had to conclude that the Tangle Teezer really delivered." — Sarah Y. Wu, Product Tester

View On Bluemercury.com

What We Like

Flexible bristles
Works well on long hair
Boosts shine

What We Don't Like

Can make hair a little staticky

The O.G. Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush is and always will be one of our all-time favorites. But when our tangles need an extra dose of T.L.C., we reach for the iconic brand's Detangler Hair Brush, instead. Featuring a patented, more-than 100-year-old design (yes, really), this detangling brush features soft nylon bristles, which claim to be safe for both wet and dry hair. It's comfortable, too. According to the company, its patented cushion is designed to "conform to the contours of the scalp." Think of it as a mini scalp massage doing double-duty as an effective grooming tool.

Price at time of publish: $130

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Lightweight
Achieves versatile results
Classic design has ventilation

What We Don't Like

Takes some finesse to use

Light in weight and featuring flexible, extended bristles, this pretty wood-handled paddle brush from Aveda may tackle even the most distressing snarls and knots. However, there's some strategy involved: Aveda hair pros recommend keeping the tool vertical as you brush to detangle. To add shine, keep it horizontal.

Price at time of publish: $24

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Plastic | Wet or Dry: Dry

Amazon

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What We Like

Inexpensive
Won't pull or snarl wet hair
Comes in multiple colors

What We Don't Like

Brush quality could be improved

If you're worried about breakage and painful snagging, fear not. This cult-classic brush does anything your current brush does but a million times better. Not only is it adorable (there are plenty of colors and designs to choose from), this detangling brush features exclusive IntelliFlex bristles, which claim to move and bend with your strands (without the cringe-worthy snap) to seamlessly remove rough patches sans damage or tears. It's great for detangling wet hair, but it works on dry strands, as well.

Price at time of publish: $8

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Wet

Amazon

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What We Like

Unique design
Comfortable to hold and use
Gentle on curls

What We Don't Like

Can tug hair a bit

A comfortable rubber grip and flexible head ensure ease of use for this wildly popular (and highly reviewed) brush, best used on curly, kinky, and natural hair. It works on wet or dry hair and even those with tight coils have found that it glides through hair easily.

Price at time of publish: $8

Hair Type: Curly, coily | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Both

View On Amazon

What We Like

Unique design
Easily detangles thick hair
Boosts shine and helps to style

What We Don't Like

Shouldn't be used wet

Boasting 428 different contact points, this innovative detangling brush promises an all-around better brushing experience. Not only will it rid wet and dry hair of knots with little to no effort, but it also claims to cut your brushing time in half since the technology promises fewer brush strokes to get the job done. The product comes in Fine, Normal, and Thick Hair varieties, which can be used to detangle or blow-dry, without adding static.

Price at time of publish: $20

Hair Type: Thick | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Plastic | Wet or Dry: Dry

Amazon

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What We Like

Detangles coils easily
Creates definition
Comfortable to hold

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it could be more durable

This brush from Tracee Ellis Ross's haircare works to detangle curls and coils effortlessly and quickly. With nylon bristles and an ergonomic design, it's able to clump curls for more definition and shape—making it a great option for those who are looking for more volume. Reviewers with frequently tangled hair noted that it made their wash days much easier and cut their detangling time in half.

Price at time of publish: $17

Hair Type: Curly, coily | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Nylon | Wet or Dry: Wet

Sephora

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What We Like

Multitasking
Made with vegan materials
Works on all hair types

What We Don't Like

Reviewers note it can break easily

If you're looking for a brush that you can use for detangling and styling, try this pick from Dae. It has vegan boar bristles with ballpoint tips that work through tangles and massage the scalp to create a sleek, styled finish. We also love that it works on all hair types and textures.

Price at time of publish: $22

Hair Type: All | Shape: Paddle | Bristle Material: Vegan boar | Wet or Dry: Both

Final Verdict

We're giving the Christophe Robin Boar Bristle Detangling Brush top honors because—even though it's pricey—it's made with 100% pure boar bristles to detangle knots, massage the scalp, and soften hair. For a more budget-friendly pick, we recommend the Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Brush because it works on wet or dry hair and is easy to use.

What To Look For In a Detangling Brush

Bristles

To make sure your brush helps with tangles, opt for wide-spaced bristles with flexibility (such as ones similar to the Bestool Detangling Brush). These claim to allow more room for the strand to separate and detangle.

Material

If you plan to use your brush when your hair is wet, go for nylon or plastic bristles. It'll still help detangle all of your stubborn knots, but won't leave you filled with worry about ruining the brush in the process.

Design

Since combing out knots is typically a lengthy process, pick a brush that fits comfortably in your hand. An ergonomic design or comfortable handle are both great options.

FAQ

Do detangling brushes really work?

Detangling brushes are made specifically to minimize damage while you brush away tangles and knots. The way they are designed may reduce the level of breakage that you would get with a normal hair brush.
Can you use a detangler brush on wet hair?

You can use a detangling brush that's made for wet hair to detangle your wet hair. Typically, the bristles are designed differently to help minimize the damage, breakage, and potential split ends. Examples of brushes that you can use on wet hair are the Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush and the Wet Brush Detangler.