One of my core childhood memories is my mom brushing through my thick and wavy hair after cheerleading competitions. It was always an epic (and painful) battle between my hair brush and my knots. One product I didn’t use back then, which could’ve made the process faster and less painful, is a detangling spray. The primary function of these sprays is to remove knots from hair strands by coating the hair with a slippery substance to make combing or brushing easier, according to Sabrina Ahmed, a hairstylist at The Benjamin Salon.
I spoke to four hairstylists about how to find the best detangling sprays for your hair type and texture, and I included their go-to products along with NBC Select-staff favorites below.
SKIP AHEAD The best detangling sprays in 2024 | How to shop for detangling sprays
Best for coarse hair$10.43$13.30
How I picked the best detangling sprays
When building this list, our experts recommend I keep the following in mind:
- Ingredients: Detanglers with oil (including argan or coconut oil), or aloe or glycerin will add moisture and condition hair, according to Ahmed. Avoid formulas with alcohol or sulfates, as they can be drying for the hair, she says.
- Additional benefits: While the primary purpose of a detangling spray is to remove unwanted knots and tangles, it can also protect against heat control frizz and add shine
- Price: Depending on the ingredients and formulation, costs can vary. Our list has options as low as $5 and as high as $39.
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The best detangling sprays in 2024
Best overall: Amika The Wizard Silicone-free Detangling Hair Primer
- Has heat protection
- Safe for color-treated hair
- UV protection
- Higher price point
After being introduced to this detangling spray by her hairstylist, NBC Select production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks says she now can’t live without it. Not only does it help detangle her type 2B/2C curls, but it also noticeably reduces her frizz, she says. While it works on her curly hair, it’s also suitable for all hair types and textures, according to the brand. To use, Fredricks adds a few sprays from her ends to the middle of her hair and then brushes the formula through before either air drying or diffusing.
Formulation: spray | Scent: vanilla, clover and fresh citrus
Best for medium to thick hair: R+Co Candy Stripe
- Has heat protection
- Lightweight feel
- Not for intense tangles
- Scented
When it comes to detangling thicker hair, Jeffrey Jagling, a hairstylist and owner of Art + Autonomy, a salon in New York City, recommends this option from R+Co. You can use this fast-absorbing spray to help prevent breakage and seal your cuticle, which can actually prevent tangles from forming, says Jagling.
I love using this on my hair post-shower — it helps make my hair more manageable before brushing and styling it. To use, I spritz the creamy spray from my roots to my ends. I love that even though I spray a lot, it doesn’t weigh down my waves, maintains my volume, and even makes my very dry hair feel softer and more moisturized.
Consistency: spray | Scent: notes of juniper berries, blood orange, and violet
Best for sensitive scalps and hair: Briogeo Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Hypoallergenic
- Minimizes irritation
- No heat protection
This milk-like detangling spray, which has a 4.0-star average rating from over 600 reviews at Sephora, is specifically formulated for those with reactive and sensitive skin. It has oat milk, aloe vera, and green tea to moisturize, soothe and protect your hair, according to the brand, and reviewers say it’s best for those with thick hair since it can be too heavy on fine hair.
Formulation: spray | Scent: fragrance-free
Best detangling serum: Iles Formula Haute Performance Finishing Serum
- Conditions hair
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Allergen-free fragrance
- Not in a spray formulation
This Iles serum is suitable for all hair types, though it’s especially great for those with fine hair because it’s lightweight, according to Ahmed, who says it also gives the hair a silky finish. While it comes in a pump and has a serum consistency rather than a typical spray, it still has detangling benefits and helps protect hair from heat damage, humidity and more, according to the brand. (One consistency isn’t better than the other, but a serum is generally better for finer hair because you can concentrate on specific areas without over-saturating your hair, according to Ahmed.) You can also apply it to wet or dry hair.
Formulation: serum | Scent: white tea
Best for coarse hair: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler
- Best for curly to coily hair
- Thick, creamy consistency
- Reduces brushing time
- Strong scent
This detangler, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 3,000 reviews on Amazon, comes in cream form rather than a traditional spray; creams can give coarser hair more moisture, according to the brand. It has ingredients like shea butter, sea kelp and argan oil to give your hair some needed slippage to release knots while also minimizing breakage, according to SheaMoisture. While you can use it post-shower, you can also use it as a pre-shower treatment if you’re experiencing extreme tangles and knots.
Formulation: cream | Scent: shea butter
Best for frizz-prone hair: Igk Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray
- Has heat protection
- Gives hair a shine
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Strong scent
Since I have wavy hair, humid conditions make my hair frizzy, so I always keep this multitasking spray in constant rotation. When I use it, I end up with fewer knots and less hair breakage since I don’t have to yank and tug on my hair while brushing. Since I have a lot of hair, I tend to be a bit more heavy-handed when using this spray, but my hair absorbs it quickly and it doesn’t leave it feeling waxy.
Formulation: spray | Scent: floral
Best for fine, thin hair: Unite 7 Seconds Detangler Leave-In Conditioner
This detangler and leave-in conditioner hybrid targets knots while also repairing your hair and conditioning it, according to the brand. Suitable for all hair types and textures, reviewers say this doesn’t weigh down their hair and leaves dull hair feeling silky smooth. It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 9,700 reviews on Amazon.
Consistency: spray | Scent: fresh
Best for coarse, curly hair: Designme Curl Balm
- Has heat protection
- Designed for curly hair
- Non-crunchy finish
- Not a spray
If you have thick or coarse hair, consider this balm, which comes recommended by Ahmed. Although it’s not in spray form, it has “the best slip” and will also enhance natural curls, she says. The floral and citrus-scented balm doesn’t leave behind crunchy waves, curls or coils, according to the brand.
Consistency: cream | Scent: floral, amber, coco-de-mer, pistachio and more
Best for kids: Raw Sugar Kids Leave-In Conditioner Detangler
- Reduces frizz
- Allergy-tested
- Softens hair
- Ages three and up
Strawberries, aloe and baobab oil give fine, untamed hair added moisture and manageability, according to the brand. Reviewers say this works great on their kid’s hair in helping prevent tangles from forming after application. A little goes a long way, so only mist a little at first and add as needed because too much can leave behind a residue.
This detangling spray, which has a 4.3-star average rating from over 670 reviews at Target, is also available in a coconut and milk version, which is especially great for thick, unruly hair, according to the brand.
Formulation: spray | Scent: Strawberries and oat milk
Best for curly hair: Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Detangling Spray
- Long lasting
- Conditions curls
- Has heat protection
- Strong scent
When it comes to detangling her curls, NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez always reaches for this spray. “It works instantly to detangle my curls and also helps fight frizz, which, as a frizzy-haired girl, is a must for me,” she says. The spray has a powerful herbal and floral scent, so if you’re sensitive to fragrance, this may not be the best option for you.
Formulation: spray | Scent: herbal and floral scent with notes of rose, bergamot and orange
Best splurge: Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer
- Improves hair health
- Has heat protection
- Higher price point
Reviewers say this Oribe primer, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,400 reviews on Amazon, works well with all hair types and textures, including children’s hair, which can be prone to stubborn knots. That’s because the spray has a blend of pomegranate, coconut and apricot oil to smooth the cuticle and separate the strands so you can easily brush through your hair. It also helps seal the cuticle so hair looks and feels healthier and more shiny, according to the brand.
Consistency: spray | Scent: notes of lemon, white butterfly jasmine, sandalwood and more
Related
How to shop for detangling sprays
When you’re shopping for a detangling spray to incorporate into your hair care routine, our experts recommend focusing on a formula’s ingredients and your specific hair type.
Ingredients
As mentioned, you’ll want hydrating ingredients like aloe, glycerin, argan oil and coconut oil in your detangling spray. Depending on your hair type and texture, you may need a variation of one or more of these moisturizers. For example, those with fine hair should look for lightweight detanglers that won’t weigh down the hair; look for options with argan oil and jojoba oil, says Ahmed. For those with coarse hair, you’ll want a detangler that can help soften and hydrate, so you should look for ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, according to Ahmed.
Consistency
Detanglers typically come in spray form, but you can also find them in creams or balms. If you have fine hair, you’ll want to opt for a spray because they’re more lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down, says Jagling. If your hair is on the thicker side or tends to lack moisture, consider using a cream instead. These products tend to be denser and will have more moisturizing ingredients, according to Jagling.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Sabrina Ahmed is a hairstylist at The Benjamin Salon.
- Jeffrey Jagling is a hairstylist, colorist, educator and owner of Art + Autonomy in New York City.
- Ileana Benitez is a hairstylist at Ferro Salon in Washington, D.C.
- Angela Walker is the founder of N Natural Hair Studio, a Maryland-based salon focused on textured hair care, including twists and locs.
- Sophie Rose Gutterman is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist who specializes in curly hair.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care for NBC Select. I recently reported stories on the best shampoo bars and hair dryers. For this article, I interviewed four hair experts and included their direct recommendations along with highly rated detangling sprays that were in line with expert guidance.
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