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You can have the best shampoo, deep conditioner, or scalp scrub in the world, but there’s nothing like a reliable paddle brush to detangle and manage your hair so it can look its very best. “A paddle brush is characterized by a wide, flat base with evenly spaced bristles. It's commonly used for detangling and smoothing hair, particularly long or thick hair, due to its larger surface area and gentle bristles,” Trace Henningsen, hairstylist and Leonor Greyl ambassador, explains. But they’re capable of other things, too, like stimulating the scalp, which promotes circulation and potentially encourages hair growth—just like our favorite hair growth oils and hair growth vitamins.
Our top picks for the best paddle brushes in 2024
Paddle brushes can be especially beneficial for textured hair. “Believe it or not, our scalp's natural oil is the best form of medicine for our hair. It promotes healthy growth, shine, and nutrients. But unfortunately with curly hair, those natural oils have a harder time moving down onto the hair shaft on their own—in comes our trusty paddle brush!” Cortney Crace, a hairstylist at Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City, says. But whether you have textured hair or pin-straight strands, a good hair brush is essential, and the random paddle brush you’ve had since seventh grade probably desperately needs a replacement. Luckily for you—and that tired, years-old brush—we tapped our experts and scoured the market to find the best paddle brushes money can buy today.
Pros
- Comfortable handle
- Durable
Cons
- May not be suitable for extremely thick hair
For the uninitiated, bristles are called “porcupine bristles” when they’re grouped together on the surface of a brush, resulting in a porcupine-like effect—just like on this brush. The shorter bristles in the groupings create tension and lightly grab the hairs as the longer ones massage the scalp and brush through your locks.
Materials: Boar and porcupine bristles
Best for: All hair types
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I have long hair that gets tangled and a mess all the time, and I love having this brush on hand to quickly slide through my locks to smooth everything out. It's gentle on my hair and is the best brush I've ever owned. Love it so much, and you will too!”
Pros
- Has vents for fast drainage
- Reduces breakage
Cons
- Can irritate scalp
Plastic paddle brushes are durable and waterproof—perfect for use in and out of the shower. Wet Brush’s version is ventilated, so it won’t get sopping wet, either. “You can use a wet brush in the shower while distributing conditioner and afterward for styling. If you're hoping to get your hair evenly saturated, this is the lightweight brush for you,” says Crace. It’s a fan-favorite detangler for a reason.
Materials: Nylon bristles
Best for: All hair types
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I was in doubt at first because I did not want to damage my hair. It actually helps my hair as long as you are gentle and go slow starting at the ends and working up. Really stopped hair breakage. Loved this so much I purchased several more for gifts.”
Pros
- Built to last
- Flexible handle
- Includes cleaning brush
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re a hair enthusiast, you’ve definitely heard of the classic Mason Pearson brush. This iconic pick comes armed with both boar and nylon bristles to encourage blood flow in the scalp and moisturize your hair with your own scalp’s oils. Crace especially endorses it for straight hair, and she uses it to create all sorts of chic styles. “You can use a Mason for blow drying your hair or to slick back the hair in a chic bun. The tight bristles aid in controlling all of the hair for a sleek finish,” she adds.
Materials: Nylon and boar bristles
Best for: All hair types
Revolve rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Revolve reviewer says: “I look forward to brushing my hair because of this brush. It feels so good on my scalp and gives my hair a really beautiful shine. Worth the investment!”
Pros
- Eliminates frizz
Cons
- May not be suitable for shorter hair
This vegan brush is designed to separate and smooth curly or coily hair. It’s Crace’s go-to for detangling and styling her and her clients' hair, and it includes features that help curls pop. “This paddle brush has ridges on the sides that aid in defining curls while you detangle—game changer! The dual bristle also helps to prevent frizz for a longer-lasting wash-and-go style,” Crace says. She adds that brushing wet curls can be a little nerve-wracking, but this brush makes it a stress-free experience.
Materials: Synthetic bristles
Best for: Wavy, curly, and coily hair
Bounce Curl rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Bounce Curl reviewer says: “Amazing curls! Very quick and easy to use. It shortened the time I needed to do my hair by a third. Plus, I got much better curls.”
Leonor Greyl Natural Boar Bristle Brush
Pros
- Spreads natural oils
Cons
- May feel rough to those not used to boar bristles
If you’re investing in a boar bristle brush, you want it to last. This one from Leonor Greyl is durable and built to be used for years to come. Plus, for the price, it feels super luxurious. Henningsen notes that it promotes healthy hair growth through gentle detangling, scalp stimulation, and natural oil distribution.
Materials: Boar bristles
Best for: All hair types, especially medium to long hair
Leonor Greyl rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Leonor Greyl reviewer says: “Excellent brush to use daily! Perfect for smoothing my hair. I love the upscale feel and look of the brush too!”
Ibiza Hair Professional Detangling Brush with Boar/Nylon Ball Tip Bristles
Pros
- Vents for blow drying
- Massages the scalp
Cons
- May have some difficulty with severe tangles
Henningsen praises this vented brush for its flexibility and points out that the geometrical design of the paddle brush aids in hugging the shape of your head as you brush wet and dry hair. “The bristles are a mixture of boar and nylon ball tips to help keep the integrity of the hair while detangling,” she says. It’s also heat resistant, so it’s ideal for blow drying as well.
Materials: Nylon and boar bristles
Best for: All hair types
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a great brush—and in fact, it is the second one I purchased since my husband stole the first (he likes how it gives his dry hair volume and shine). It detangles when wet but is also a great brush for styling and on dry hair.”
Pros
- Sturdy
Cons
- Some reviewers note that the handle can be hard to grip
Wet hair is particularly susceptible to damage, which is why it’s important to treat it gently. This paddle brush detangles without pulling on your hair, and the rubber cushion surface makes for a more comfortable experience.
Materials: Synthetic bristles
Best for: All hair types
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have various more expensive brushes but this has become my favorite post shower blow dry brush. (I still use a wide tooth comb first right out of the shower to disperse products and untangle hair.) This brush is really easy to clean, has a good density for brushing while blow drying (I mean a nice amount and spread between bristles), and is very comfortable on the scalp. If I had to choose only one brush from my collection, it would be this one.”
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
Cons
- Not completely heat-proof
Let me let you in on a little secret: this smoothing paddle brush holds a hidden tool! In case you missed it, the orange ball at the bottom of the handle pulls out to reveal a sectioning tip that makes parting your hair a breeze.
Materials: Synthetic bristles
Best for: All hair types
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is my favorite brush to blow dry with. I have tried others, and this does the BEST job. I have thick, curly hair, but when I blow dry with this brush and the Moroccanoil hydrating blow dry cream, my hair is smooth and straight.”
Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Gentle
Cons
- Some reviewers noticed static after use
Whether a speedy, sleek blowout is your goal or you’re planning your next silk press, you need a heat-resistant paddle brush at your disposal. Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern has your back with a brush that can handle the heat and won’t hurt your scalp as you detangle.
Materials: Nylon bristles
Best for: Curly and coily hair
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “I'm super rough with my hair—natural and extensions—but this brush takes on the challenge with ease. Not only does it gently detangle my hair (I'm a wet styler), but it doesn't snag or pull my breakage-prone strands and helps define my curls.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Drybar Super Lemon Drop Detangling Brush
Pros
- Gentle on wet hair
- Easy to grip
Cons
- May not be suitable for extremely coarse hair
Those with even the finest hair would be hard-pressed to find fault with this paddle brush. It only takes a moment to brush out your hair, and it’ll be snag-free all the way. We also can’t discount how adorable it looks sitting atop a vanity!
Materials: Nylon bristles
Best for: All hair types
Amazon rating: 4.8/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Definitely worth the price—works well on both wet or dry hair. I am impressed by the design—it does not hurt or pull on my hair. As a busy mom of young kids, I love how much faster I can brush my hair now since I seem to always be short on time. In summary, I strongly recommend this product!”
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Smoothing Paddle Brush
Pros
- Comfortable handle
- Reduces static
Cons
- Some find it heavy
While boar bristles can feel too stiff and harsh on the scalp at first, Crace has a hot tip for breaking in a new one: “Put some water to boil and carefully add the brush head first into the water. After a few minutes this process will soften the bristles, allowing them to glide more flexibly through your hair.” Like other boar bristle brushes, this one spreads your natural oils through your strands, resulting in smooth, glossy hair.
Materials: Nylon and boar bristles
Best for: All hair types
Beauty Pie rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Beauty Pie reviewer says: “This wide paddle brush sits comfortably in your hand and equally tames and smooths the hair at the same time. I have long, very fine hair and have used this to help disperse product through the ends of my hair before blowing drying, and it has been a breeze with this brush. The longer bristles detangle, while the generous shorter ones smooth out the hair follicles.”
Meet the Experts
Trace Henningsen is a hairstylist and Leonor Greyl ambassador.
Cortney Crace is a hairstylist at Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City.
What factors should you consider when shopping for a paddle brush?
As with any beauty investment, there are several aspects to consider when choosing your perfect paddle brush. For one thing, Henningsen underscores the need for a lightweight brush—this will make it easier to use, especially when styling your hair, and prevent arm fatigue. Also, consider the qualities of your particular head of hair: “A larger brush may be more suitable for longer or thicker hair, while a smaller brush may be easier to handle for shorter or finer hair,” says Henningsen. She also recommends choosing a paddle brush with an ergonomic handle for comfort as well as a non-slip grip if you like to brush your hair wet.
Are there different types of paddle brushes?
According to Crace, the main differences lie in the materials they’re made with. “There are natural wooden or bamboo paddle brushes,” she says. “These brushes are a great sustainable and eco-friendly option for a styling tool. However, the natural material can begin to fray over a short amount of time. The wood might develop micro-cracks that cause breakage on the hair—very counterproductive! If someone is going to opt for a wooden/bamboo brush, I'd recommend it to someone with very thick or coarse hair. I'd also recommend replacing it often,” she adds.
You could also go with a plastic brush, which can last longer and have softer bristles. Often, these are more budget-friendly as well. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less efficacious. “I would recommend this brush to many different long hair types, but especially for anyone with thin/fine long hair. A plastic paddle brush is gentle enough to avoid breakage while being large enough to quickly run through the length,” Crace says.
What hair textures should use paddle brushes?
Both Crace and Henningsen recommend paddle brushes for all hair textures and types. “Paddle brushes can be suitable for a wide range of hair textures, but individuals with straight, wavy, thick, long, or fine hair may find them particularly beneficial for achieving smooth, tangle-free results,” Henningsen explains.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted hairstylists about the best hair tools. Lee also searched the internet for the top-rated paddle brushes, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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