If You've Got Tangles or Knots, I've Got a Brush for You!

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Listen up, if you have any of the following—fine hair, damaged hair, or if you're simply prone to knots and tangles (especially if you have curly hair), a detangling hairbrush should become your next BFF. If you have curls, you already know that your hair tends to be more prone to tangling due to its texture and structure, so securing a good hair detangler, leave-in conditioner, and other curly hair products is key to healthy, defined hair. But the game-changer? A detangling hair brush—i.e., a brush designed with special bristles or teeth that gently separate knots and tangles without causing breakage or damage to the hair shaft.

Because my fine, dense hair turns into a rat nest from the slightest bit of wind or movement, I'm your go-to gal for finding the best detangling brushes on the market. So, after personally testing all types of hair brushes—considering factors such as bristle type, design, and customer reviews—I came up with this list of the crème de la crème detangling brushes, and I'm here to share my knowledge with you. Whether you're looking for a brush specifically for your curly hair or one suitable for all easily tangled hair types, I gotchu.

Now keep reading for how to know which detangling hair brush is right for you and what makes them so freakin' great. Thank me later when you never have to feel the pain of your hair being tugged again.

The Original Detangling Brush

If you have yet to discover the greatness that is The Tangle Teezer, where have you been?! This tried-and-true detangling brush (s/o to the almost 100,000 reviews) is known to comb through the thickest of hair and knottiest of tangles sans the tugging and pulling typically felt with these hair types, thanks to the varying-sized, flexible teeth. Oh, and a fun fact beauty editor Beth Gilette shared: Tangle Teezers brushes were used to brush Chewbacca's knotted hair in the latest Star Wars films. 'Nuf said.

Glowing Customer Review: "This is the best detangling brush I’ve ever used. I have thick, straight, extremely long Asian hair, and every detangling hairbrush I’ve tried has been no match for it. I’ve gone through five Wet brushes and every single one has had their bristles ripped off and handles/body broken due to the transparent strength of my hair’s tangles in the shower."

Detangling Brush

The flexible, spread-out bristles are what make this next brush such a force against stubborn knots and tangles. Instead of fighting against your hair with stiff bristles that don't move, the bristles on the Wet Brush work with your hair, resulting in less breakage, less pain, and, well, fewer tangles. It's basically a godsend in the curly-hair community, especially since it's Curly Girl Method-approved, because, as those who follow know, you can only use specific brushes on wet hair, and well, this one is pretty suited for the job if you ask me.

Glowing Customer Review: "My son has such curly hair that I've never been able to fully comb out the knots and tangles. I tried this brush for the first time yesterday and it blew my mind! I sprayed the brush and my son's wet hair with detangling spray and was able to brush through ALL the tangles without tears and screaming!!! I was skeptical about using a brush on his curls but it worked like a Dream!!!! If you've got curls or coils, definitely try this brush! I don't know what makes it so special but it works like magic!!!"

Thick Hair Paddle Detangler

If you look closely at this paddle brush, you'll notice it looks a lil funky, no? Well, that's because it's equipped with bristles that are spread out in a very unique pattern to ensure your curls have enough space to maintain their natural curl pattern. Not to mention, the brush face is also pretty large so that it can handle your thick hair faster and easier.

Glowing Customer Review: "Finally!! I've found my brush. I have been looking for just the right brush. I have bought so many and given away so many that I lost count. But that's in the past! This brush is fantastic! Feels great on my scalp. Brushes easily. Detangles wonderfully. Doesn't feel like it's pulling out my hair! I'm going to have to buy a few more just so I make sure to have these on hand if they ever decide not to make these."

Wide Tooth Comb

If you have curly, thin, fine, or damaged hair due to chemical processing, you should consider adding a wide-tooth comb to your beauty arsenal. Because these hair types are the most fragile of the bunch, you need to be extra careful when brushing your hair, especially when you have tangles, as brushing too hard with the wrong brush can cause breakage. A wide-tooth comb, like this one with an extra long handle for better grip, is one of the gentlest, most effective ways to detangle breakage-prone hair types.

Glowing Customer Review: "I used this comb for my last wash day and it worked great! I usually don’t use combs in my wash day routine so I was kind of weary to use it. It exceeded my expectations! The teeth are wide enough to help detangle larger sections and I didn’t get abnormal shedding as well. The packaging is also so beautiful. Definitely a must-have!!"

Brush No. 003

Having fine hair means that any movement, like even a lil sudden burst of wind, and your hair is a total mess and in a million and one knots. And because your hair is so thin, typically, plastic bristles are much too rough for your hair cuticle. That's why it's best to invest in something like this brush from Crown Affair that uses boar bristles to gently detangle fine hair types while evenly dispersing your hair's natural oils from your scalp to your ends.

Glowing Customer Review: "As someone with a lot of very fine hair, I’ve dreamt about the day I found a brush like this. It detangles, without pulling out any of my hair! I feel like this brush gives me more volume and I’m so happy with the purchase. I’ve never spent $75 on a hair brush but I’ll repurchase this one forever."

Detangling Brush for Curly Hair

4c curls have a distinct, tight Z-shape pattern and fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type. Translation: This means 4c hair is very prone to moisture loss and damage. After stocking up on leave-ins, oils, and creams galore, you're going to need to get yourself a brush that will detangle your coils super gently without fighting against your natural curl pattern. Enter: This detangling brush from Boao, testers with 4c hair absolutely love on wash day thanks to the super duper flexible bristles that go through your coils like butter.

Glowing Customer Review: "Amazing for 4c hair. Has changed the way I detangle on wash day. Sent the second to a family member with 4c hair and she's just as excited. It detangles, making your hair workable, with minimal to no loss."

UNbrush

I'm a sucker for any of the TikTok beauty videos on my FYP, I'll admit it. The viral Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops? Yup. Exfoliating toners, lip plumpers, and liquid blushes? Check, check, and check. And the latest of my purchases? This super popular detangling hair brush, that I will die on a hill for. It tackles the most insane knots and the curliest of hair with breeze. Just check out this TikTok vid by @iamtraeh to see it in action—oh, and now it's available on Amazon Prime, too.

Glowing Customer Review: "My daughter has cried every time I do her hair. She had thick curly 4C hair and lots and lots of it. She loves her curls but alas with a super sensitive scalp, hair combing is always an ordeal that neither of us enjoys. I have tried many products and brushes, we have used heat, etc but never got results like this. I was skeptical of another product that would not work as well as the hype....but I and to leave this review because it works! I detangled her hair with this and no crying, no pain, and very little hair loss compared to other brushes and combs."

Denman Brush

Ah, the classic Denman brush—aka the curl community's holy-grail brush for styling and defining curl patterns. On curly hair Reddit, someone once compared a Denman brush to a ribbon you use when wrapping presents. When you use the edge of the scissor blade against the ribbon, it curls. They compare that to the Denman brush: "The curve of the brush under tension creates the same effect on hair." But a lesser-known fact is that it's actually great for all hair types and textures for gently detangling, styling, blow-drying, and reducing frizz while adding shine.

Glowing Customer Review: “This Denman brush is sturdy and glides easily through my thick, curly hair when it is wet or dry without pain. It does not pull or get tangled in my hair when I am brushing, so it’s great for natural or transitioning hair.”

Detangling Hair Brush

Act + Acre is one of my all-time favorite hair brands because it places an emphasis on hair health, beginning with the scalp. The scalp is an extension of the skin on your face, and as such, is actually the root (hehe) of a lot of hair problems (hi, thinning, hair loss, breakage, etc.). A healthy scalp = healthy hair. This brush has two bristles of differing lengths to comb through tangles gently, while the shape and style of the brush feel like a really good head massage. Which, hi, fun fact, is thought to be really great for hair follicle health.

Nano Thermal Ceramic & Ionic Hair Brush

The combo of the boar and flexible nylon bristles on this round brush allows you to hold your hair with tension and evenly distribute it across the barrel for a quick and even blow-dry, all while detangling your hair. Plus, the super vented barrel lets air flow through quicker and easier, resulting in a super fast blow-dry.

Glowing Customer Review: "Great brush for blow drying and detangling, very sturdy. Great for getting natural Afro hair to stretch for braiding services, I love the ceramic."

What to look for in the best detangling brush:

Your hair type

If you have curly hair, a detangling brush plays a super important role in your haircare routine. It reduces breakage, which in turn results in less frizz and flyaways, and it promotes your natural curl pattern for extra definition. If you are a Curly Girl Method stan (and follow the rules), you can only use four types of detangling brushes (i.e., wide-toothed comb, Wet Brush, Tangle Teezer, or a classic Denman brush) only while your hair is wet—but that's a story for another day.

Curls aren't the only hair type prone to tangles. If you have fine or thin, damaged hair, you want to look for a detangling brush with gentle boar bristles, like the Crown Affair Brush No. 003, as you won't have to use as much pressure to smooth your hair. On the other hand, a boar bristle brush won't do much for detangling thick hair, as you'll need a brush with varying lengths of bristles to reach your scalp and avoid unnecessary tugging, like the Ouidad Thick Hair Paddle Detangler.

How you're styling your hair

Unlike traditional brushes, which can often cause hair to break from too much tension or become more tangled, detangling brushes work to *gently* work out knots, making styling and your haircare routine much easier. If you're looking for an everyday brush, you should opt for something like the Tangle Teezer. If you want to blow-dry your hair, use a round brush, like the AIMIKE Nano Thermal Ceramic & Ionic Hair Brush. If you follow the CGM, you probably already have a wide-toothed comb, Wet Brush, Tangle Teezer, or a classic Denman brush. And if you're looking for a brush for in-shower use, a Wet Brush is your BFF.

Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?

Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over four years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best curl creams and the best brushes for curly hair. She regularly works with the industry’s top hairstylists and professionals to assess new formulas and products.

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