The 11 Best Paddle Brushes for Shiny, Tangle-Free Hair (2024)

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!”

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.”

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!”

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.”

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!”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

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!”

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.”

Trace Henningsen is a hairstylist and Leonor Greyl ambassador.

Cortney Crace is a hairstylist at Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City.

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.