Brushes and combs are often lumped together when it comes to hair care. Despite their ability to work through knots, they’re not interchangeable, and they don’t serve all hair types and textures similarly.
Generally speaking, a brush is better to work through longer, straighter hair, as well as good to blow-dry with, says Meri Kate O’Connor, a hair colorist at Benjamin Salon in Los Angeles. “A comb is better for curly or textured hair, as well as using when hair is still wet,” she says. But depending on your hair concerns or styling preferences, the best tool to use in a given situation may not be so obvious. I asked hair experts to share how to choose the best option based on your hair type and texture. I also gathered their favorites to shop, as well as options NBC Select editors use on their own hair.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best brushes and combs | The best brushes and combs | How to shop for brushes and combs | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best brushes and combs
Brushes and combs are essential for more than just styling; they detangle, smooth and disperse the scalp’s natural oils, which moisturizes hair, experts say. When shopping for brushes and combs, the experts I spoke to recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
- Bristles or teeth: The bristles on brushes or teeth on combs can determine how gentle they are, which can minimize damage.
- Material: While some materials are best for detangling damp hair, others are more lightweight or more durable for easier heat-styling.
- Brush shape: Brushes can vary in both their size and design, which can lend them to certain styling techniques (like blow-drying) and purposes (like detangling).
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The best brushes and combs
Brushes and combs are essential for properly detangling hair, but their uses go far beyond that. Brushes can also boost smoothness and shine when you’re straightening hair, for instance, while combs are helpful for smoothing curly hair without inadvertently causing frizz. Speaking of which: Our experts say that hair texture plays a big factor, too, which is why we compiled tools for various hair types.
Best brush overall: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush
- Flexible bristles
- For wet and dry hair
- Good for all hair types
- Nothing to note at this time
Tangle Teezer is a favorite among several NBC Select editors. “I love all things Tangle Teezer, not a single brush is flawed and they have mastered how to detangle without causing breakage,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez, who has long, thick hair. It also comes recommended by Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist and hair colorist: “It’s gentle enough to use on straight, fine hair texture when wet and removes knots,” she says. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says the Tangle Teezer has been a “lifesaver” for her fine hair. “It doesn’t cause any breakage and doesn’t tug uncomfortably on my hair like so many other brushes do,” she says.. Hill recommends using it to distribute hair masks and treatments throughout your hair, too. It works on both wet and dry hair, and has two bristle lengths that have more flexibility for brushing wet hair with minimal damage, according to the brand.
Best for: fine or thinning hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best gentle: Fhi Heat Unbrush Detangling Hair Brush
- Gentle detangling
- Large base
- For wet and dry hair
- Not as durable as others
For detangling, Ryan Trygstad, hair stylist and cofounder of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City, reaches for this brush. “With its longer bristles, it excels at effortlessly detangling hair,” he says, adding that it’s especially good for medium to thick textures. The bristles are also flexible to minimize snagging, and the brush has a vented cushion that allows for airflow and reduces the time it takes to blow dry hair, according to the brand.
Best for: medium to thick hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best budget-friendly: Goody Styling Essentials Hair Brush
- Grips hair for styling
- Detangles and smooths
- Long handle for comfort
- Not as durable as others
Hill likes the tightly packed bristles on this brush to smooth curls and waves since they offer more grip. Plus, she appreciates that this can withstand heavy styling products, like gels, creams and serums, she says. It has nylon bristles to help detangle, as well as a long handle that makes it more comfortable to wield, according to the brand.
Best for: wavy and curly hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best splurge: Mason Pearson Handy Boar-Bristle Brush
- Distributes natural oils
- Detangles and smooths hair
- Gentle on scalp
- Expensive
This brand is a go-to among stylists. “The quality of natural boar bristles and the ventilated cushion are gentle enough to stimulate the scalp,” says Hill, who also notes that they can distribute the scalp’s natural moisturizing oils throughout hair, too. Nozomi Komori, a hairstylist and extensions expert at Warren Tricomi Salon in New York City, is also a fan of the mixed bristle version, which combines boar bristles (to work through natural oils) and nylon bristles (to detangle),” she says.
Best for: fine hair | Brush/comb type: styling
Best detangling: Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush
- For wet and dry hair
- Great for all hair types
- Gentle on scalp and hair
- Nothing to note at this time
Intended for use on wet hair, the aptly named Wet Brush is a popular detangler. “It is so affordable, and works well to detangle your hair as well as keeping your hair strong and healthy, as it doesn’t tug or tear your strands,” says Kee Taylor, hair stylist and founder of Deeper Than Hair salon in Philadelphia, PA.
It’s also a favorite of NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris: “I’ve had a lot of trouble finding a brush that works well with my natural hair, and this Wet Brush is one of the only ones I can rely on. As a natural hair girl, it’s difficult to find brushes that don’t tug at or tangle the fine strands of my hair, but I absolutely love how this one moves smoothly through my hair without any rough tugging necessary,” she says. Morris especially likes to use this brush to detangle her hair while it’s wet, right after applying conditioner. Komori also recommends it for kids, since “the bristles are designed to glide through hair more easily.” The payoff: less pain.
Best for: all hair types | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best round brush: Ibiza Hair Professional (B Series) Round Boar Hair Brush
- Best for styling
- Durable and lightweight
- Boar bristles for shine
- Large size
- May catch on strands
Hill reaches for Ibiza Hair’s brushes for styling clients with thick hair. “Known for their ‘grip and slip’ designed natural boar hair and nylon bristles, these brushes offer the perfect amount of tension while respecting the integrity of the hair fibers,” she says. It has boar bristles that can amplify shine by distributing your scalp’s natural oils into your hair, and its cork handle is lightweight for more comfortable styling, according to the brand.
Best for: thick hair | Brush/comb type: styling
Best comb: Mason Pearson Rake Comb
- Good for medium to think hair
- Rounded tips
- Extra wide teeth
- Expensive
- Not for very matted hair
While Mason Pearson is best known for its brushes, Komori also points to its comb, which you can use on wet or dry hair, as a great option for coarser hair types. “The comb is extra-wide toothed, and designed to easily comb through thick or curly hair,” she says. The teeth have rounded tips, and the cellulose plastic offers durability, according to the brand.
Best for: thick, curly or textured hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best for curly, coily or tight textures: Pattern Hair Pick
- Extra long prongs
- Helps lift and shape
- Increases hair volume
- Not for detangling
- Not for very fine hair
This hair pick comes recommended by NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who has natural hair with varying textures across her scalp. “This is the pick that finally got me to use picks — the long prongs allow for more movement, which ultimately decreases the risk of wrist pain that can come when taking care of longer natural hair,” says Brown. “There’s a small indentation at the base for my thumb to rest, which ensures that I’m always holding it correctly. Plus, it comes with a chic little carrier to better preserve the quality and keep it looking new.” The long prongs help shape, add volume and elongate kinks, coils and curls, according to Pattern. It’s a great option for reviving natural hair in the mornings and helps fluff your curl pattern from the roots, according to the brand.
Best for: curly, coily or tight hair texture | Brush/comb type: styling
Best for textured hair: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
- Minimizes breakage
- Thin and travel-friendly
- Defines texture
- Not for very fine hair
This is a popular detangler for curly and textured hair, since it moves and flexes as it pulls through hair and minimizes breakage. “Its bristles spread out to allow the brush to define your texture while detangling your hair, loosening any stubborn tangles,” says Robin Sjoblom-Wysocki, curl specialist and founder of Southern Curl salon in Atlanta, GA. “This is much different from other hairbrushes, which typically aren’t sturdy enough to detangle naturally textured hair.”
Best for: curly and textured hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Best scalp brush: Boldify Professional Scalp Massage Brush
- Can use in shower
- Exfoliates scalp
- Ergonomic grip design
- Not for detangling hair
For an in-shower brush, Taylor loves this massage-focused option. “It works on a dry scalp while also doubling as a shampoo brush,” she says. “It is thick and flexible, water-resistant and safe to use on all hair types.” The nubs deliver gentle pressure, and it has a handle that makes it comfortable to grip, according to the brand.
Best for: all hair types | Brush/comb type: scalp
Best for thick hair: Crown Affair The Brush No. 001
- Boar and nylon bristles
- Distributes natural oils
- Best for medium/thick hair
- Expensive
- Handle is short
Best for medium to thick hair types, this Crown Affair paddle brush has short boar bristles to help distribute the natural oils from your scalp throughout your hair (which helps nourish and soften your strands), and longer nylon bristles to stimulate your scalp, according to the brand. Alvarez loves using this brush for slick-back hair styles since it perfectly smooths out her hair. “It also gently detangles as I go through each pass,” she says.
Best for: medium to thick hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
Denman Curly Hair Brush D4
- Helps define curls/waves
- Can use while styling
- Expensive
Taylor recommends this brush for fine hair with waves or curls to style, shape and define your hair’s natural texture, she says. You can use it to define curls before air-drying or to smooth hair when blow-drying, and the nylon pins are also staggered, which allows for maximum tension, according to the brand.
Best for: curly hair | Brush/comb type: styling
Best paddle brush: Olivia Garden NewCycle Styling Brush
- Ergonomic design
- Heat-resistant bristles
- Great for styling
- Expensive
Alvarez is a big fan of Olivia Garden brushes overall, and her favorite is this paddle brush from the brand because it leaves a smooth and shiny finish. The bristles are heat-resistant, so the brush is perfect for styling and smoothing hair, and they’re gentle enough to use on all hair types and extensions, according to the brand. The handle has an ergonomic design for comfort, too.
Best for: fine, straight or wavy hair | Brush/comb type: styling
Best for fine hair: Fully Fyne The Fyne Comb
- Lightweight design
- Helps stimulate scalp
- Reduces breakage
- Not for very thick hair
This comb, which is a favorite among the experts I spoke to, has wide teeth allowing for easy detangling, and the bamboo finish allows hair to glide through the teeth without getting snared in them, according to the brand. It’s also lightweight, durable and resists static, according to Fully Fyne.
Best for: fine or thinning hair | Brush/comb type: detangling
How to shop for brushes and combs
When you’re shopping for a brush, it’s important to consider the bristles. Boar bristles tend to be soft, so it’s gentle on all hair types, says Taylor. Nylon bristles, meanwhile, are stiffer, so they have more tension (meaning they help keep hair taut). That makes them great for detangling since they can better work through knots, says San Francisco-based hair stylist Brendnetta Ashley.
The bristle placement matters, too. For example, when it comes to smoothing curls, you’ll need a tightly compacted bristle placement to achieve an ultra-sleek look, says Hill. The closer they are, the more grip they’ll have — and the more taut you’ll get hair.
Combs, on the other hand, don’t have bristles but have teeth instead — and they are similarly important. The trick to a comb is to consider your hair texture. “The thicker your hair is, the wider the comb’s teeth should be,” says Taylor. (That way, you can accommodate more hair when you comb it through while creating less tension.) For instance, if you have thick curls, she recommends looking for a comb with extra-wide teeth. Ashley also recommends combs with teeth that are rounded at the tips, since they’ll be gentler on the scalp than those that come to a sharp point.
The material is also worth noting. For instance, round brushes with a ceramic barrel can help reduce frizz and static, leaving it shiny and smooth without any flyaways. That’s because ceramic can distribute heat evenly, experts say. Meanwhile, plastic or wooden brushes and combs can be more lightweight, which is helpful if you’re brushing hair while blow-drying.
Flexible brushes are also great for ensuring detangling and styling is a pain-free and gentle experience, experts say.
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.
- Meri Kate O’Connor is a hair colorist at Benjamin Salon in West Hollywood, CA. She focuses on blonde hair colors, as well as extensions and keratin treatments.
- Bridgette Hill is a certified trichologist and hair colorist in New York City. Her specialties include scalp analysis and treatments.
- Nozomi Komori is a hairstylist at Warren Tricomi Salon in New York, NY. She specializes in smoothing treatments like Magic Sleek as well as extensions.
- Ryan Trygstad is a hair colorist and co-owner of Mark Ryan Salon in New York, NY. He specializes in precision cutting.
- Brendnetta Ashley is a hairstylist based in San Francisco, CA. She specializes in textured hair, vivids, braids and balayage.
- Kee Taylor is a hairstylist and founder of Deeper Than Hair salon in Philadelphia, PA. She specializes in natural hair textures and damaged hair.
- Robin Sjoblom-Wysocki is a curl specialist and founder of Southern Curl salon in Atlanta, GA.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a freelance beauty writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like hair care and sun protection. For this article, I spoke to hair stylists, curl specialists, colorists and trichologists to narrow down the best combs and hair brushes for various hair types and textures.
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