The 13 Best Curly Hair Brushes to Smooth Frizz and Combat Tangles
Oh no, knot today!
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My fondest memories of my childhood center around my hair. One evening a week, my mother and sister gathered in our living room as I sat on a couch cushion that was placed in between my mother’s legs to begin my hairstyle of the week. She’d delicately free the multicolored beads that held together week-old cornrows and would unravel my braids before heading to the sink to shampoo, condition, and restart our weekly ritual. We’d watch movies and talk and laugh so much that it became a cornerstone of our relationship. However, the joy of those moments also came with a few tears and tantrums whenever it was time to detangle my curls.
To this day, detangling my hair still isn’t my favorite part of my wash routine, but it is probably the most important part of maintaining healthy, tangle-free hair. The one thing that makes it manageable is having the best brush to easily detangle. Because of the shape of curly strands, natural textures are prone to tangles, and getting rid of these knots without the proper tools can lead to breakage, scalp stress, and hair fallout. Like the vast range of unique patterns and textures of natural hair, the brushes we can use to style our hair varies as well. “The wrong brush can cause some serious heat damage while styling,” says New York-based hairstylist Miguel Luis. “The benefit of having a curly hairbrush is that it is tailored for the texture, making it easy for you to use to style and detangle.”
Whether you prefer to style your hair soaking wet or dry, or your signature look is a wash and go, braids, or a sew-in, the type of brush can impact the outcomes. To cut down your search, we’ve done all the research for you and put together a list of the 13 best brushes for curly hair. See our picks below.
Pros
- Shapes curls
Cons
- Best when used with conditioner
Tangle-free, defined curls are usually the desired result after applying your leave-in conditioners, curl creams, gels, or mousses, but the key to achieving them is a great brush. This detangling brush is perfect for in-shower styling to clump and detangle curls and coils for frizz-free, bouncy results.
Sephora rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If there’s one thing I can count on with Pattern it’s its quality. I always feel like my hair is in good hands when using their products and this brush is no different. Recently, this has been my go-to brush for everything. I like to use it when my hair is soaking wet, and it glides through my hair really easily and defines my curls. I also like to use this with my blowdryer when I’m prepping my hair for other styles.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, ELLE beauty assistant
Hair type: Curly, Coily Textures
Brush style: In shower detangling brush
Wet Brush Go Green Curl Detangler Hair Brush
Pros
- Great for detangling wet hair
Cons
- Fragile
While there are no strict rules for how to style your curls, the general consensus is that it is best to detangle curly hair when wet to reduce breakage and promote curl definition. Unlike those with straighter textures, whose hair is more vulnerable and prone to breakage when wet, curly textures thrive in the presence of water. Water softens and elongates curls and coils, allowing for an easier and painless brush compared to dry brushing. The unique shape of this brush is meant to imitate the shape of our fingers, providing a flexible glide through your hair without any unnecessary pulling.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This comb is a great way of dealing with tangled hair after a shampoo and shower. I used to use a vent brush to comb through my wet hair to evenly distribute my leave in conditioner. That was a painful chore. Now with this comb, I'm pleasantly surprises that there's absolutely not painful pulling and I'm blown away as to how this thing works!!! I'm so glad that I decided to buy this. It really does work!!”
Hair type: curly, coily, tight textures
Brush style: Detangling brush
Mane Ready or Knot Detangling Paddle Hair Brush
Pros
- Evenly distributes natural oils and hair products
Cons
- Slippery when wet
If you struggle with dry curls, instead of piling on more products, try switching out your brush. This one from Manehas has metal bristles to help massage and exfoliate the scalp while helping to easily glide products and oils down the length of the hair shaft, ensuring that the product is evenly distributed and every strand is hydrated.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Using this brush was the first time I’d ever tried a metal pin brush and I was able to get through my strands with minimal tugging. Sometimes when I use certain brushes, my strands get caught in the bristles and will break off. These bristles are smooth and gentle, which makes it easier to slip through the strands without snagging.” —Tasha Nicole Smith
Hair type: All hair types
Brush style: Detangling brush
Pros
- Very gentle on the scalp
Cons
- Not great for those prone to matting or extreme tangling
If achieving your desired result is more complicated than ever, a wooden brush might be the way to go. The wooden bristles on this brush are gentle on the hair and scalp and even help distribute the hair's natural oils down the hair shaft to increase shine and luster. These bristles also reduce static, which can cause frizz, and are better for the environment if you are looking for a more planet-friendly option.
Sephora rating: 4.1/5
Sephora reviewer says: “I did not know what to expect but had heard good things, this brush is worth the price. It's so massaging on my scalp and feels so good! It does not pull on the hair and easy to clean.”
Hair type: All hair types
Brush type: Wooden detangling brush
Tangle Teezer The Naturally Curly Detangler Hairbrush
Pros
- Minimal tugging or hair fallout
Cons
- Handle is slippery
Many people with textured hair can recall a stressful or even painful detangling experience. The Tangle Teezer brush is specifically designed to reduce the tugging and snagging that can cause discomfort when detangling. The flexible bristles glide through waves, curls, and coils with two-tiered teeth that smooth every knot or tangle.
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I remember seeing this brush go viral when I first started my natural hair journey years ago, and of course, I bought it as I did with every viral natural hair product. Even though the brush itself is lightweight, it packs a punch; the brush effectively separates my curls and the design of the bristles make it so easy to detangle quickly and without discomfort.” —Tasha Nicole Smith
Hair type: wavy, curly, coily textures, wet or dry hair
Brush type: detangling brush
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Similar to many other brushes on the market
Regardless of whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, if you have a TikTok account, then you've probably seen this brush making the rounds on your For You page. This brush has recently become a viral phenomenon for being a lightweight detangling tool that brushes through knots with ease. Parents with young children, adults with sensitive scalps, hairstylists, and beauty lovers alike have raved about the pain-free detangling that this brush offers them at such a great price point.
Target rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Target reviewer says: “I have waist-length coarse, curly/wavy hair and have used the WetBrush for years. This has changed the game for me! While the WB isn’t bad, I’m incredibly tender headed and was still looking for something even easier on my scalp. This makes detangling so much easier!”
Hair type: all hair types
Brush style: Detangling brush
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Might not be the best for thick hair
If you are looking for a brush that is both environmentally and financially conscious, this Eco Tools brush is exactly what you've been searching for. The wide-spaced and flexible bristles are designed to reduce tension when detangling, minimizing breakage and stress that can lead to hair fallout.
Ulta Rating: 4.7/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “I love the handle on this brush and the bristles are strong and well made. It works through my curly knots easily and is great on wet or dry hair. It helps spread hair products I use throughout my hair as well.”
Hair type: All hair types; wavy, curly, coily textures; wet hair
Brush style: Detangling brush
Briogeo Detangle + Massage Metal Tip Paddle Brush
Having curly hair means you're probably no stranger to the dread that comes ahead of wash day and knowing you'll likely be spending the next few hours refreshing and styling your hair. But with the right tools, wash day can feel less like a tiring chore and more like an indulgent self-care respite. The massaging bristles provide a calming sensation for the scalp while also stimulating blood flow to promote hair growth. The soft padding also aids in easy detangling.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I like the concept of the brush that gently massages the scalp while detangling. Really does work like a charm for all this for my long, wavy and very thick hair.”
Hair Type: All hair textures
Brush style: Detangling brush
Rizos Curls Pink Detangling Flexi Brush
Pros
- Prevents breakage
Cons
- Not meant for dry brushing
There are many techniques that people with curly hair have been told to minimize tension and stress when detangling: start from the bottom and work your way up, pile on the conditioner, and work in sections—the list goes on and on. But while these tips are helpful, having a brush that makes this process even easier is a lifesaver. This flexi brush was created to do just that with its unique design that separates as you brush to tackle tangles and knots without pulling. With eight rows of teeth and a curved comb shape, this brush is comfortable on the scalp and easy on your strands, and the nonslip handle makes it great for in-shower brushing.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “This brush is amazing and what pulled me into this brand! I ordered this before trying any other products from them. Usually it would take 30 minutes to an hour to detangle my hair and I would have to do it outside of the shower to sit and get it done. But with this I can detangle while conditioner is in my hair in the shower in 30 minute or less. It detangles so quickly! 10/10 recommend Rizos brush!”
Hair type: Wavy, curly and coily textures
Brush style: Detangling Brush
Pattern Beauty Double-Sided Bristle Brush
Pros
- Smooths flyaways
Cons
- Not detangling
A slicked-back bun is a quick way to get out your door when your curls aren't cooperating or you're procrastinating wash day. While you may think that the gels and sprays are the most important part of getting your hair super sleek, the brush is the real MVP. A bore bristle brush is vital for smoothing down the strands and getting that snatched model-esque hairstyle. This brush is double-sided, with nylon bristles on one side to smooth flyaways and frizz and bore bristles on the other side to slick the hair for a polished finish.
Sephora Rating: 3.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I will always love a slicked back hairstyle. Whether it’s a ponytail, bun, or braid it doesn’t matter. Slicked back styles have saved me from bad hair days more times than I can count and that’s because I always keep a good brush on hand. This brush is great for lightly detangling my hair before slicking it up to prevent any bumps or knots. I also love that even though its strong enough to get my hair slick it isn’t rough on my edges so I don’t have to worry about breakage around my hairline” —Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant
Hair type: All hair types; curly and coily textures
Brush style: Bore bristle brush
Pros
- Flexible bristles
Cons
- Bristle can break
This brush is a sleek, lightweight option for easy and quick detangling. Its paddle brush design can be used on all hair textures and is great for both wet and dry styling. For curly hair, this brush is best used in the shower or on wet hair to achieve definition.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My toddler would cry and squirm anytime I brushed her wavy hair, until now! This brush glides through any of her knots smoothly and quickly. The only thing I might have to do is spray in some leave in conditioner if there are any troubled spots and it’s like magic each and every time.”
Hair type: All hair types
Brush style: Detangling brush
Pros
- Does not tug on strands
Cons
- Some don't like the handle
Styling natural hair, whether it's a protective style, a wash-and-go, or even prep for heat styling, always starts with detangling. Celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood, who's worked with the likes of Jill Scott, Issa Rae, and Ava Duvernay, knows this all too well, which led her to create this brush. This brush features widely spaced bristles that effortlessly glide through natural textures and enough flexibility to bend with your curls.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Amazon reviewer says: “No wash day is complete without my Felicia Leatherwood brush. When in-shower, I love coating my hair with conditioner and gliding the brush through my strands as I watch my curls spring right back up. This brush makes post-shower styling a breeze because my hair is entangled, manageable, and prepped for its next style.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Hair type: All hair types, curly and coily textures
Brush style: Detangling brush
Pros
- Detangles and smooths strands
Cons
- Pricey
Less manipulation means less breakage, and less product means less buildup for bouncy, voluminous curls. But when it comes to your hair brush, that might not be the case. This brush offers the best of both worlds with a blend of flexible bristles to detangle and nylon bristles to smooth the strands.
Machete rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Machete reviewer says: “I have long thick hair that gets tangles, especially during the winter season. I have been dragging my feet on buying a Mason Pearson or a Crown Affair brush because I felt like even if they are well made, they just aren’t beautiful enough to justify the cost (I’m a stylist, I care about looks). I have been wondering when someone might bring back the decorative heirloom brushes of the past and Machete finally did it. I keep the brush next to my bed and use it every night as part of my self care wind down. It distributes the natural oils from my scalp and detangles the length wonderfully."
Hair type: All hair types
Brush style: Detangling brush, bore bristle brush
When is the best time to detangle curly hair?
The beautiful thing about hair is that everyone's is different, but that also means that it will require different techniques and routines to maintain its health and luster. Because of the shape of strands, curly textures are more prone to dryness, which can lead to tangling and breakage. This means that giving your hair some extra love when brushing could help to save your strands from excess damage. “I think the best time to detangle curly hair would be before shampooing using a wide-tooth comb,” says Luis. “This will prevent tangling while shampooing, and then once your conditioner is on, you can use a brush to detangle even more”
How often should you detangle curly hair?
While it's important to pay attention to the needs of your curls, too much manipulation can also cause stress to the length of your strands. Depending on your routine and styling preferences, finding a good middle ground is the way to go. “How often you detangle truly depends on the texture of the hair,” says Luis. “For curly hair, I would only detangle if you’re going to style again or when you’re ready to shampoo and condition. For straight and wavy hair, at least twice a day or as needed.”
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, Tasha Nicole Smith scoured the internet and spoke with hair care experts about the absolute best brushes for curly hair. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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