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The best brushes for thick hair make all the difference when it comes to caring for dense, full-bodied strands. Whether your hair texture is curly, wavy, or pin-straight, more hair usually means more knots and longer detangling sessions. Brushes designed with thick hair in mind typically feature flexible plastic bristles or varying bristle lengths that grip and comb through strands, allowing them to glide with less pulling, reduced breakage, and far less discomfort. And it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, either—you’ve got options. Prefer boar bristles? No problem. Craving a mini scalp massage with every stroke? Absolutely. Need a brush that plays nice in the shower? We’ve got options. Keep scrolling to meet our editors’ favorite brushes for thick hair, plus expert tips and recs worth writing down.
Our Top Brushes for Thick Hair
- Best Overall: Crown Affair Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush, $118
- Best Round Brush: British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush, $26
- Best Paddle Brush: Mane Ready or Knot Detangling Paddle Hair Brush, $25
- Best Boar-Bristle Brush: Mason Pearson Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush, $275
- Best for Scalps: La Bonne Brosse N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush, $198
- Best Detangling: Wet Brush Easy Blowout Detangling Hair Brush (2-Pack), $8
- Best for Dry Hair: Tek Oval Brush with Short Pins, $46
- Best for Coily Hair: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush, $24
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How do you define thick hair?
- What’s the best hairbrush for thick hair?
- How do you brush super thick hair?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Crown Affair Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush
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Crown Affair
Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush
Sephora
Crown Affair
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto using the Crown Affair Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush
Alessandra Foresto
Why we love it: Boar-bristle brushes' claim to fame is that they evenly distribute scalp oils from root to tip for more shine and less frizz—and that’s exactly what Crown Affair’s Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush does. The “dual” in its name references the combo of short boar bristles and longer nylon bristles, which offers mixed tension to make detangling gentle and breakage-free. The brush’s cushion also has holes that allow air to escape, so the brush hugs your scalp as it glides, rather than staying stiff. While you don’t want to get this brush wet, it can be used on towel-dried hair to detangle or dry hair to move oils from root to tip.
Foresto before using the Crown Affair Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto after using the Crown Affair Dual Bristle Boar Hairbrush
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“I'm one of those people who has a basket full of hairbrushes because I'm always looking for the perfect brush that doesn't feel harsh on my scalp or snag my hair, but still feels substantial and like it can get through my thick hair. I've been reaching for this one the most since I got it because it feels like a mini massage on my scalp. I've come across way too many hairbrushes with super tough bristles that just hurt, but the distribution of the bristles on this brush, and the mix of boar and nylon, does an excellent job at detangling my hair without breaking it. It's also great at spreading out product through my hair. I know this because I recently went a little too overboard with a new hair oil, and running this brush through my hair did in fact help redistribute some of the product.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Brush material: beechwood base, boar and nylon bristles
- Who it’s for: everyone, those looking for volume
Best Round Brush: British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
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British M
Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
Amazon
Olive Young
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann using the British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush
Why we love it: If you think one round brush is the same as the next, allow this 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner to change your mind. The British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush works smarter, not harder, with a vented ceramic barrel that New York City hairstylist Sofia Meyer told Allure retains heat from the dryer and helps cut down on drying time. The nylon bristles strike that sweet spot: enough grip to shape and curl hair, but gentle enough to avoid snagging or breakage. The lightweight handle is also a standout, designed with a matte, textured finish that won’t slip mid-blowout. Another bonus? Whether you choose the 33-millimeter or 43-millimeter size, the price difference is only two dollars, so bigger bounce doesn’t mean a bigger spend.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“I let my hair air-dry with one major exception: my bangs. They need a hit of heat to behave, so if I'm going for a split-down-the-middle curtain bangs look, the British M Ceramic Round Brush plus a blow-dryer is a dream team. Starting at one side of my face, I push the brush inward while rotating it away from my face to create a swooping effect. It doesn't need to be super precise—I'll usually do this motion with each half for less than a minute, then readjust the brush to grab slightly different sections of hair until the whole section is dry. The middle part gets the air in both directions, which sounds wrong, but it's how I learned to get them to meet in the middle, and it works! I use the 33-millimeter brush for this since it's a small amount of hair, and the ceramic core of the brush heats up quickly, so the whole process takes less than two minutes.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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"My daily dose of bang maintenance comes down to one tool: the British M Hot Curling Ceramic Brush. After a quick spritz of water to dampen my bangs, I part them into two sections and hit them with a blow-dryer for about a minute on each side, while simultaneously working the brush backward to get a fluffy, feathered look." —Kassidy Silva, social director
More to know
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- Brush material: rubber handle, nylon bristles
- Who it's for: all hair types
Best Paddle Brush: Mane Ready or Knot Detangling Paddle Hair Brush
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Mane
Ready or Knot Detangling Paddle Hair Brush
Amazon
Sephora
Allure contributor Annie Blackman brushing her hair with the Mane Ready or Knot Brush
Annie Blackman
Why we love it: The spacious surface area of Mane’s Ready or Knot Brush handles more hair at once, so you don’t have to make as many passes (and wear out your arms). The paddle brush’s durable birch wood base features metal bristles that massage your scalp with every stroke, stimulating circulation and breaking up build-up—even before you step into the shower. Not to mention, it’s great at busting stubborn knots in towel-dried hair and smoothing strands while causing minimal static.
Tester feedback from contributor Annie Blackman
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“No joke, this is the only brush that detangles my hair. Before I was using the Ready or Knot brush, it took maybe a full six minutes to brush my very long hair post-shower, and this thing cut that time more than in half. The metal bristles are key and I appreciate the surface area. Part of my struggle is that my individual strands aren’t super thick, but I have loads of them, making them extra tangle- and breakage-prone, so this brush has been a lifesaver. It looks really pretty on my dresser, too. I’ve had the brush for around a year now and it’s still going strong, but the paint on the wooden body has started to wear a bit. Doesn’t bother me one bit, though.” —Annie Blackman, contributor
More to know
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- Brush material: birch wood body, metal bristles
- Who it's for: people with lots of knots
Best Boar-Bristle Brush: Mason Pearson Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush
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Mason Pearson
Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush
FWRD
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner using the Mason Pearson Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush
Why we love it: A classic boar-bristle hair brush that’s just as luxe as it is effective, Mason Pearson’s Popular Bristle Nylon Brush has a mix of nylon and boar bristles that are strong enough to detangle the hair, soft enough not to cause breakage, and amazing at evenly distributing the natural oil from your scalp through your hair, says Columbus, Ohio and New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago, who always makes sure it’s in her kit and salon. Los Angeles-based hairstylist Devin Toth is also a fan and says that the mixed bristles “create maximum tension and control, creating a lot of smoothness and shine.” Convinced yet? We are.
Wohlner before using the Mason Pearson Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush
Wohlner after using the Mason Pearson Popular Bristle & Nylon Hairbrush
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“I honestly don’t know how I ever styled my thick hair without my Mason Pearson brush. It detangles effortlessly, distributes my natural oils perfectly, and leaves my hair looking polished and healthy in a way no other brush can. It’s truly a little luxury that makes every morning feel like a salon moment.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Brush material: cellulose acetate plastic body, nylon and boar bristles
- Who it’s for: everyone
Best for Scalps: La Bonne Brosse N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush
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La Bonne Brosse
N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush
Revolve
Goop
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin brushing her hair with the La Bonne Brosse N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: The crux of the “quiet luxury” trend is investing in elevated versions of everyday items. Need a tangible example? La Bonne Brosse’s N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush (demonstrated by our editor on the left, below) fits the bill perfectly. A blend of boar bristles and nylon pins gently smooths strands without irritation. Round-tipped bristles make it ideal for sensitive scalps—no overstimulation here—and it comes in 10 stunning shades, ensuring you’ll find the perfect match for your vanity aesthetic.
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin brushing her hair with the La Bonne Brosse N.03 The Gentle Scalp Care Hair Brush
Shanna Shipin
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino using the La Bonne Brosse N.04 The Miracle Detangling Scalp Brush
Elizabeth Gulino
If you want something a little more stimulating on the scalp (but also suitable for thick hair), we recommend the No.4 The Miracle Detangling Scalp Brush—demonstrated by our editor on the right, above. Made with 100% nylon bristles, this brush gently grips hair to help detangle while massaging the scalp with rounded ball tips for a relaxing, spa-like experience.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“When you have a lot of hair (hi, hello) you need a do-it-all brush, and for me, that’s the N.03 from La Bonne Brosse. The combination of nylon bristles (which have capped ends that make it nice and gentle on your scalp) and boar bristles makes it so this brush can detangle, smooth, and style. My hair is curly and I often heat-style it, so I’m constantly needing to detangle and brush out blowouts or curls, and it does a great job at sealing up the ends and making everything look overall more polished. I also use it to massage my scalp, and distribute oils through my dry, damaged ends. It’s definitely pricey, but it can replace so many in your routine.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“I’m a fan of La Bonne Brosse, but I usually opt for the No.4 Brush. I use it in the morning before styling my hair and in the evening before bed. It works wonders on my post-commute knots. Besides being a beautiful brush, it works exceptionally well—after each pass, I'm left with softer, sleeker hair, and using it genuinely makes my haircare time a more luxury experience. I love using my hairbrushes as a scalp massage, and the 100% nylon bristles are gentle enough to use some extra pressure. The brand claims this brush works for all hair types and I can confirm it works on my thick, wavy hair, although I can't speak for people with curlier hair. I like to use it on dry hair vs. wet. It's pricey, but this brush has become my go-to over the past month of having it in my beauty drawer.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Brush material: cellulose acetate body, nylon and boar hair bristles
- Who it's for: people who want a softer brushing experience
Best Detangling: Wet Brush Easy Blowout Detangling Hair Brush
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Wet Brush
Easy Blowout Detangling Hair Brush
Amazon (2-Pack)
Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick using the Wet Brush Easy Blowout Detangling Hair Brush
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: Absolutely nailing the bang-to-buck ratio, the Wet Brush is a drugstore staple in every sense. While each iteration of this classic has its pros, the Easy Blowout Detangling Hair Brush truly shines on thick, wet hair that knots easily during your blow-dry. It features a dome-shaped pad that mimics the shape of a round brush and heat-resistant bristles to gently detangle without tugging, while a ceramic-coated base keeps heat flowing to smooth and style hair quickly.
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience and analytics Lexi Herrick
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“This brush is a dream for thick hair. My hair instantly mattes and knots when it gets wet. My hair texture is straight and fine, but it's very dense, so the combination of that results in a tangly tornado. This brush brilliantly brushes out knots while adding volume. It's excellent for continuous detangling as I am blow-drying my hair, and truly gives the voluminous blowout look that I am seeking. It also holds up to the Wet Brush standard of never becoming damaged due to water exposure.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience and analytics
More to know
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- Brush material: plastic body with nylon bristles
- Who it's for: people who style with heat
Best for Dry Hair: Tek Oval Brush with Short Pins
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Tek
Multipurpose Large Oval Brush with Short Pins
Amazon
Allure social director Kassidy Silva using the Tek Multipurpose Large Oval Brush With Short Pins
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: Thanks to its sturdy hornbeam wood bristles, Tek’s Oval Brush provides a mild scalp massage you'll genuinely enjoy. Rest assured, these wooden pins won’t trigger frizz or static (like metal pins might)—in fact, their porous nature even helps absorb and distribute excess sebum. Due to the shorter length of the pins (they don’t have as much pull as longer pins), it’s ideal to use on dry hair, meaning it’s a great brush to reach for in the morning to tackle your bedhead.
Tester feedback from Silva
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“Meet my ultimate tool to tame my long, dense hair. With hair down to my waist, it can get a bit unruly during the day, and just a few swipes of the Tek Multipurpose Brush whip it back into shape. I start by brushing gently on the ends, working to the middle of my hair on one side at a time. Once I'm tangle-free, I do two quick, gentle brushes at the top of my head, mindful not to remove the volume. I toss it into my bag for the day so I can touch up on the go. At night, I repeat the same routine, but do a mini scalp massage to help with my postpartum loss, since the pins are so gentle on my hair.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Brush material: ash wood body, hornbeam wood bristles
- Who it's for: people with sensitive hair
Best for Coily Hair: Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush
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Felicia Leatherwood
Detangler Brush
Amazon
Thick, coily hair meets its match in Felicia Leatherwood’s Detangler Brush. This brush’s flexible bristles are stout and widely spaced to minimize tugging and breaking up tight spirals of hair. “This brush moves with the hair instead of fighting it. It’s gentle, effective, and curl-defining, all in one,” says Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based hairstylist Michelle O'Connor. The broad, flat handle makes it easy to grip and guide, which is helpful when brushing wet hair. O'Connor likes to use it on soaking wet strands saturated with conditioner, to help with detangling and curl definition.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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“I thought there was no brush that could glide through my coarse type 4 hair, until I found the Felicia Leatherwood brush. This sturdy brush has panels that open up as you brush through curls—which also makes it super easy to clean.”—Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Brush material: plastic
- Who it’s for: people with curly or coily hair
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you define thick hair?
According to Toth, thick hair can be defined as a matter of overall density or of individual strand coarseness. “You could describe the diameter of each individual strand of hair as either fine or coarse, but thick hair comes down to the collective density of your entire head of hair (hair follicles per square inch),” he says. As for the signs you have thick hair? Toth points out a few. “You probably have thick hair if it feels heavy, like it's pulling down your head and neck, especially when in a bun,” he says. “Another example is when you have a clean hair part, you can barely see your scalp.”
What’s the best hairbrush for thick hair?
The brush you use for thick hair largely depends on preference, because “thick hair” isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition—so your hairbrush shouldn’t be, either. If you like brushing your hair when it’s wet, look for metal bristles that won’t rust or flexible plastic bristles. If you prefer taking a brush to your strands when they’re totally dry, opt for a non-static wood bristle. Want a style refresh? “If hair is in a bouncy blowout, I would use a boar bristle brush to softly brush the hair to remove tangles and distribute oils from roots to ends,” says Santiago.
You can also look for brushes with bristles of different lengths, which work through knots in layers without pulling or breaking hair, according to Mandee Tauber, a hairstylist and educator for Oribe.
How do you brush super thick hair?
Since thick hair is more prone to tangling, it’s important to brush it in a way that limits painful tugging and snagging. The solution lies in where you begin brushing. Toth recommends the following method for people with wavy hair or thick, straight hair: “Brush the ends first, and then once they are detangled, brush from the mid shaft downward through the ends. Once that's all detangled, brush from the roots of the hair all the way down and through the ends.”
However, the requirements for brushing thick curly hair can be a little different. Maryland-based hairstylist Ardajah Jones explains, "Sometimes, depending on the hair’s health and curl pattern, you might need to start brushing above the tangle and work your way down first, rather than always starting at the ends. The main goal is to use a combination of techniques and the right amount of tension to minimize wear and tear on the hair."
You can expect a bit of trial and error as you figure out what brushing method feels good for you, your strands, and your scalp. Just be gentle and patient.
Meet the experts
- Mandee Tauber, a hairstylist and educator for Oribe based in New York City
- Devin Toth, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles
- Mia Santiago, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles and Columbus
- Ardajah Jones, a hairstylist based in Waldorf, Maryland
- Sofia Meyer, a hairstylist based in New York City
- Michelle O'Connor, a hairstylist based in Fort Lauderdale, FL
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers’ experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.
For our list of the best hairbrushes for thick hair, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists and seasoned estheticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
