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The 9 Best Brushes for Curly Hair of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Fear the brush out no more.

Person brushing hair with Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Shower Detangling Brush

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Like a snowflake or fingerprint, every set of curls is unique. Different textures, patterns, and shapes come into play, meaning 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 a major factor in keeping your curls looking fab. Celebrity stylist and curl expert Nai’vasha says those with curly hair should look for tools that "detangle and define in one punch," such as "paddle brushes, gloves, and Denman-style brushes."

To cover all the bases, we tapped several stylists for their recommendations and tested dozens of the highest-rated and most popular brushes for curly hair at home over several weeks. We considered each tool’s material, bristle density, and whether or not it works in the shower on wet hair (since that’s a huge part of a curly hair care routine). After trying the models, we named these nine the highest-ranked curly hair brushes.

What We Like
  • Comes with 18 bristle rows

  • Effective for all curl types and patterns

  • Customizable

What to Consider
  • Instructions could be clearer

Bristle Material: Nylon  | Colors: Black, Blue

If you have multiple curl patterns on your head (for example, looser curls in the front and tighter coils in the back), this is the brush for you. It has 18 rows of bristles, with nine thinner rows for finer hair and nine thick bristle rows for coarser hair—so you can easily customize how you brush based on your hair type. We love how lightweight it is (despite having a wide body and thick handle) and that the bristles are soft but firm, which prevents scalp discomfort while brushing. During testing, we were pleased to discover that this brush glides through the hair seamlessly and removes tangles without ripping or damaging curls and coils in any way. This brush even helped maintain and enhance the natural curl patterns of our hair, giving them some added volume, definition, and bounce.

What We Like
  • Ideal for use in the shower

  • Doesn't tug or pull curls

  • Super gentle bristles

What to Consider
  • Bristles can be too widely spaced for some curl patterns

Bristle Material: Nylon  | Colors: Black

Featuring wide, gentle bristles, this budget pick from tgin defines curls and loosens knots with ease. Because the bristles are decently spaced out, the brush doesn’t snag, pull, or tug at hair—even in the most tangle-prone of curls. And we didn’t notice much shedding during testing—any shedding was negligible; we only found one hair on the brush when cleaning it. The handle, despite being shiny plastic, has a nice grip and is light enough that it’s easy to hold for a long period of time. Keep in mind, however, that since the teeth are so widely spaced, this brush tends to separate curls (rather than style them). That said, this might be best for use in the shower for detangling and distributing conditioner.

What We Like
  • Handmade with premium boar bristles

  • Stimulates circulation in hair follicles

  • Comes with a cleaning tool

What to Consider
  • Nothing


Bristle Material:
Premium boar, Nylon | Colors: Black and red

Developed (and patented) over 100 years ago, the Mason Pearson Hair Brush is as luxe as brushes get. It features some of the finest premium-grade boar bristles—which are gentle on the hair and scalp—plus hearty nylon tufts that detangle hair for a smooth, silky finish. With seven rings of precisely placed bristles, the brush is designed to maintain, enhance, and detangle curls with ease, while the boar bristles distribute the scalp’s natural oils and stimulate circulation in the hair follicles. We love that Mason Pearson hair brush is handmade in England and comes with a nylon cleaning tool to remove hair, dead skin, and product from the brush (aka keeping your brush in tip-top shape).

What We Like
  • Creates definition

  • Works for all curl types

  • Comfortable grip

What to Consider
  • Can break easily

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black

A great shower option, this brush from Tracee Ellis Ross’s Pattern Beauty detangles thick hair without causing breakage. During testing, we noticed the brush does an excellent job of distributing conditioner throughout wet hair, taking note of how effortlessly it glides through curls. It was also helpful when trying to style and define hair without creating frizz—something that’s easier said than done. The only thing we didn’t love was that, if it’s handled too aggressively, it can break.

What We Like
  • Flexible bristles

  • Wide handle for comfortable grip

  • Prevents hair loss and shredding

What to Consider
  • Might not work well on dry hair

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Yellow, Purple 

Known for being one of the best detangling brushes on the market, natural hair expert and celeb hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood’s Detangling Brush is a must-have for those with tightly curled or coily hair. It features widely spaced flexi-bristles that we found work as well on tight curls as they do to detangle knots and take down braids. Not only do we love it for tight curls and coils, but it’s also lightweight, easy to clean, and takes up minimal space—a huge win for low-maintenance folks. It felt so nice on the scalp and quickly eradicated tangles and tension.

What We Like
  • Works on wet and dry hair

  • Flexible bristles that tackle tangles

  • Leaves a soft-touch finish

What to Consider
  • Plastic bristle tips can fall off

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Yellow

Whether your go-to hairstyle features soft, loose curls or you’re blessed with natural ones, this brush from Dybar is a good one. It features flexible bristles that easily untangle wet or dry hair without painful pulling or tugging. We also love its soft-touch handle that’s lightweight and slip-free. We loved to see the brush glide easily through hair, help form curls, and reduce frizz—a win, win, win. After testing for several weeks, however, we noticed that some of the plastic bristle tips fell off. While it isn’t the biggest deal, the uncapped bristles can be slightly uncomfortable on the scalp if you brush too hard. We wish the brand would rectify that issue for pain-free styling. 

What We Like
  • Can add or remove bristles

  • Extra long, no-slip grip

  • Helps distribute product

What to Consider
  • Stiff and hard bristles

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Pink

As the name suggests, Ouidad’s Made for Curls Detangler is designed specifically to remove tangles, knots, and tension in curly hair. Though we found the most success using this tool in the shower, you can use it on wet or dry hair. Either way, it’ll detangle curls with ease. We especially love that you can add or remove bristle rows to create the perfect tension for your unique curl pattern. The bristles are stiff and hard, unlike other brushes intended for curly hair, but we were pleasantly surprised to discover that they do a fantastic job of distributing product throughout the hair in the shower and eliminating pulling and breakage. 

What We Like
  • Ergonomic handle and flexible design

  • Well-spaced bristles

  • Painlessly removes tangles

What to Consider
  • Might not work as well on tighter curls and coils

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black

If you regularly struggle with tangles, check out this Hrace Eleyae Detangling Brush. It’s ergonomic, meaning it’s designed for comfort and efficiency. It won’t grab a hold of tangles and cause pain or excess hair breakage. Instead, it relies on flexible bristles that evenly distribute tension through your hair as you comb through it, reducing pulling (and, therefore, shedding). During testing, we noticed that combing this brush through our hair was significantly easier when hair was wet (rather than dry), and it tackled tangles quickly and painlessly. We would like to point out, however, that this brush might not work as well on someone with a tighter curl pattern or thicker strands of hair. 

What We Like
  • Smooths out frizz

  • Bristles provide a strong hold on individual pieces of hair

  • Gentle on knots and tangles

What to Consider
  • Bristles can fall out over time

Bristle Material: Nylon | Colors: Black and tan

Round brushes are really helpful when blow-drying and styling hair, and this model from Sisley Paris is no exception. Not only does this brush help form curls and cut out frizz, but the bristles also offer a nice massage on the scalp. The flexible yet sturdy bristles come in a mix of short and tightly packed and longer, free-standing ones, which work together to grab a hold of hair while styling. Even those of us who have super thick hair found that the brush was gentle, even when working it through knots and tangles. The bristles made their way through the hair with ease and never tugged on ends or caused breakage. The only con is that the bristles can become loose and fall out over time, but that’s not unheard of for brushes like these. 

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 Grace Eleyae 8-Row Detangling Brush.
  • Weight: The heavier the brush, the more energy it requires to use. Lightweight brushes (like the Drybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling 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 Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush, 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.
FAQ
  • How do I use a brush to detangle curly hair?

    Nai’vasha recommends detangling curly hair by starting from the ends and moving towards the roots, working in smaller sections. “I only like to brush curls during the detangling, shampooing, and conditioning process as well to not disrupt the curl pattern. Otherwise, I simply shake or fluff the hair.”

  • How do you clean brushes for curly hair?

    “I like to shampoo brushes using the teeth of a comb to remove residue before allowing them to air dry,” says Nai’vasha.

  • Can I use any brush to style curly hair?

    Look for a wide-toothed comb that’s safe for wet hair and use in the shower. It’s smart to use your wet brush in the shower while you have a deep conditioner in your hair so your curls are properly prepped and have a bit of slip to work with. 

  • How do you brush curly hair without getting it frizzy?

    To prevent curly hair from getting frizzy when you brush it, try brushing your curls out in the shower when your hair is wet. Apply a conditioner and use a wide-toothed comb. 

  • Is a comb or brush better for curly hair?

    Generally, combs with widely spaced bristles is the best, as they don’t pull on hair in the same way that fine-toothed brushes do. 

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie staff commerce writer Caitlyn Martyn has several years of experience in the beauty industry and has covered all things skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care. An avid product tester, Caitlyn likes to try the latest and greatest products to let readers know what’s worth it and what’s not. Ally Hirschlag is a senior beauty editor who has type 2c hair and is quite familiar with brushes for curly hair. She's tried several brushes on this list so she can confidently recommend them.

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.

  • Expert interviewed: 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.

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