The 12 Best Brushes for Fine Hair – Tested

Looking for the best brush for fine hair? Keep reading, I’m here to help! I’m a 30+ mom with fine hair and my daughter has incredibly long fine hair. We’ve tried more than our share of hairbrushes in our day and we’ve come across some clear winners (and some losers).

Today I’m going to share some of the best hair brushes we’ve found both for wet and dry hair as well as some round brushes for when you’re blow drying your hair.

Need the quick answer? My go to brush for fine hair and the one I’ve used the longest is the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush.

Adding life and volume to your fine hair is nothing short of a full-fledged struggle. To make the styling process easier, we invest in all types of products, from hair mousse to the good old volumizing hair spray. And when they do little to help, we invest some more.

collection of hair brushes

That’s where things go wrong.

Investing in many different hair products is a great solution, as long as they work well for your hair type. But they’re not the only difference makers when it comes to styling your delicate locks.

The hairbrush you use to detangle and tame your hair can dictate the success of your fine hair styling. You want to avoid damaging your hair and keep all the benefits of the styling products you’re using.

The right hairbrush can offer so many benefits, and it is important to do your research before you click purchase. Here’s a list of some of my top picks on the market today that can ensure beautiful and healthy hair:

Best Hair Brushes for Fine Hair

what are the best hair brushes for fine hair

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1. Best Overall: Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush

aveda Wooden Paddle Brush
  • lightweight
  • size: 9.9in x 3.4in
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The Aveda Wooden Paddle brush is the brush that I’ver personally used the longest – going on 8 years! It’s a nice, wide brush that I use for both brushing as well as blow drying when I don’t want to mess with a round brush or I want a more straight style.

Aveda hair brush

It’s designed with one bristle missing in the bottom, middle half of the brush to aid in ventilation and with draining after you wash it. I’ve had brushes that have lint and product build up but I’ve zero issues with this since I got it. It stays in impeccable condition even with daily use and makes my hair look and feel healthy.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Lasts a long time
  • Easily detangles and also helps reduce stress to hair and scalp

Cons:

  • More expensive than others on this list

2. Best Ergonomic Handle: Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush

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03/07/2024 05:29 pm GMT

This is the brush I use mostly on my daughter’s hair, especially after we wash her hair since this brush works on both wet and dry hair. Fine hair is very susceptible to breakage, especially when you brush it wet. Luckily, Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush came through with a solution.

Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush

It is designed to effectively detangle knots without pulling, thus minimizing breakage. The brush also gently massages your scalp and works to smoothen the hair’s cuticle layer. This boosts healthy growth and gives your hair a smoother, shinier appearance.

The design is unique and said to be ergonomic. I found it to be a bit cumbersome when I first started using it since it didn’t have a traditional handle. I quickly got the hang of it but there was a bit of a learning curve with how to hold it.

Pros:

  • Detangles knots without pulling or yanking
  • Works on both wet and dry strands
  • Ergonomic handle

Cons:

  • Handle can be a little weird when you first use it

3. Most Unique: Bsisme Boar Bristle Hairbrush with Nylon Pins

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03/08/2024 12:39 am GMT

When I first opened up my Brisme Boar Bristle Hairbrush my exact words were “wow, this is unique!”….because it is! I’ve never seen a brush with both bristles AND nylon pins before but that’s exactly what this one has.

The combo is designed to improve the texture and health of your locks. It also works to minimize frizz and split ends to give your hair a smoother appearance.

Bsisme Boar Bristle Hairbrush with Nylon Pins

The boar bristle brushes efficiently removes dust, dirt, dandruff, and excess oil from the strands to avoid build-up and blockage and let me tell you – it feels really nice doing so. The innovative design includes nylon bristles that effortlessly detangle your hair, stimulate blood flow, and initiate hair growth.

If you struggle with fine, dry hair, you’ll find the Brisme Boar Bristle Hairbrush with Nylon Pins to be just the perfect hair tool for your styling needs.

Pros:

  • Works well for all hair types
  • Comes with a hairbrush cleaner that makes it easier to remove hair, fluff, and dandruff from the brush
  • Conditions and moisturizes the hair by evenly distributing natural oil throughout the strands
  • Prevents hair breakage and stimulates growth

Cons:

  • Does not have an ergonomic handle

4. Best Value: Conair Velvet Touch Paddle Brush

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03/07/2024 01:18 am GMT

The Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush does the work of a high-end professional brush at an affordable price. It has an extra cushioned design that adds comfort to the brushing and styling process. It has plastic bristles with ball tips for less pulling, tugging, and breakage.

Conair Velvet Touch Hair Brush

The Conair paddle brush makes it easier to manage unruly locks. Its soft-touch grip and flexible cushion base ensure ease of use. It works wonders on all hair types and is best used for fresh-out-of-the-shower styling.

I’ve use this one on my daughter’s hair for years! Definitely one of my picks for best hair brush for fine hair but it definitely doesn’t hold up quite as well as some others on this list. Some of the bristles have come off (mostly due to mistreatment by our youngest child) but nonetheless it’s not quite as sturdy.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Cushion design makes it easier to hold and use
  • Gentle on the hair

Cons:

●     Small size

5. Best for Wet Hair: Wet Brush Original

Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush
$8.37
  • Original Detangler
  • Use on wet or dry hair
  • Great for all hair types
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03/08/2024 02:34 pm GMT

So technically I own the kids one because my daughter is unicorn obsessed, but this wet brush is the original detangler to help both wet and dry hair become untangled.

wet brush

We have really loved this brush because it’s lasted a long time, works great for both right out of the bath as well as on dry hair and minimized breakage. The only thing we’ve had issues with is the lint build up that we can’t seem to get out! I’m not sure if it’s because we use a detangle spray a lot on my daughter’s hair or we just need to clean it more often but that’s the one issue we’ve had.

Pros:

  • Can be used on wet and dry hair
  • Detangles hair easily without causing damage

Cons:

  • Does not have a long-lasting design

6. Best Vegan Boar Brush: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Brush

The Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Brush works best on fine, straight hair. Its construction includes ballpoint tips that massage the scalp gently. This initiates thorough oil distribution throughout your hair to prevent it from looking greasy. The bristles promote circulation and stimulate the hair follicles too.

The brush has a vegan and cruelty-free construction that delivers the same benefits as real boar bristles without animal-derived fibers. The bristles glide effortlessly through the hair without pulling or snagging.

Pros:

  • Versatile and works well for all hair types
  • Detangles gently
  • Ergonomic and lightweight design

Cons:

  • High maintenance and difficult to clean

7. Denman Cushion Brush with Nylon Bristles

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03/07/2024 11:49 am GMT

The Denman Cushion Brush with Nylon Bristles works beautifully on fine hair and curls. Its flexible bristle design effectively detangles and separates wet hair without causing damage. It also works pretty well on dry hair.

The cushion brush also boasts static-fighting properties that work to give your scalp a gentle massage while shaping and smoothing out your hair. It reduces frizz, adds volume and shine to make styling fine, long hair easier than ever. It also features a soft rubber base that won’t pull on the strands during the styling process.

Pros:

  • Durable, ergonomic design
  • Lightweight
  • Value for money

Cons:

  • Firm bristles

8. Softest Bristles: Tangle Teezer Fine and Fragile Ultimate Detangler

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03/07/2024 05:28 pm GMT

Because this brush is designed specifically for fine hair, you can expect to see less breakage and damage when using it to get the tangles out of your hair. The bristles on the Tangle Teezer Fine and Fragile are a full grade softer than the Original Tangle Teezer to make sure they’re gentle and won’t yank out more strands.

The two lengths of bristles help with both detangling (the long bristles) and reducing frizz (the short bristles), and the brush is gentle for sensitive scalps.

Pros:

  • Detangles with less breakage
  • Good for sensitive scalps
  • Can be used wet or dry

Cons:

  • May not work as well on thick hair even if it’s fine

9. Best Overall Round Brush: FIXBODY Boar Bristles Round Hair Brush

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03/07/2024 03:19 pm GMT

The FIXBODY Boar Bristles Round Hair Brush creates volume, handles curly hair, and straightens fine hair. It features a retractable section needle that helps pick loose hair. The design also features boar bristles that lubricate hair and reduce frizz. It can enhance the overall appearance by adding a subtle texture to hair.

FIXBODY Boar Bristles Round Hair Brush

The hairbrush features a rubber handle and a high heat-resistant ceramic-coating barrel to offer maximum ease of use. I’ve found that it’s very comfortable and as easy to use as any round brush I’ve used (because let’s be real, it’s never 100% easy to use a round brush).

Pros:

  • The boar bristles do not heat while blow-drying
  • Uses nano ionic technology
  • Has a retractable section needle
  • Has an ergonomic design

Cons:

  • The smallest version is over 2 inches in diameter

10. Best Round Brush for All Hair Types: Care Me Blow Dry Round Hair Brush With Natural Boar Bristles

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The Care Me Blow Dry Round Hair Brush distributes your scalp’s natural oils to give your hair smooth conditioning treatment. It also effectively lifts the roots for excellent volume. It features nylon pins that add to the boar bristles’ effectiveness and can help straighten, curl, or blow-dry your hair.

The round brush also minimizes frizz thanks to its ion-infused natural boar bristles design. The best thing? It does that without tugging or snagging hair strands!

It’s vented ceramic barrel design helps the air from the blow dryer to circulate, thus picking up the pace of the hair drying process by as much as 50%. It also comes in three different barrel sizes to give you the desired styling result.

Pros:

  • Affordable.
  • Handles thick, coarse hair effectively.
  • Pairs well with blow dryers on low heat settings.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers mention to keep your heat on low so the brush won’t damage your hair.

11. Best Splurge Round Brush: Bio Ionic Bluewave Medium Square-Round Brush

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03/07/2024 05:48 pm GMT

Bio Ionic specializes in top-tier heating products, so you know you will get great results even before trying them out.

The Bio Ionic Bluewave adds volume to hair by increasing tension where it matters the most—the roots. Its nano ionic mineral-infused bristles prevent flyaways and static and add shine to the hair.

The round brush features honeycomb vents that encourage airflow while styling. The best thing? It’s available in 4 different sizes and is suitable for all hair types and hair lengths. Its square-round barrel and medium-sized diameter make for a great, easy-to-handle grip. Accidental slips, who?

Pros:

  • Nano ionic mineral technology conditions and adds shine to hair strands.
  • Suitable for all hair types.
  • Comes in multiple sizes.
  • Honeycomb vents increase airflow.

Cons:

  • On the expensive side. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a comb or brush better for thin hair?

A soft, bristle brush won’t rip out your thin hair when you use it. This makes it better than a comb.

How often should you brush fine hair?

Experts recommend brushing your hair once in the morning and once at night. This will help distribute your scalp’s oil throughout the strands for natural deep conditioning.

How can I improve my fine hair?

Using a volumizing shampoo and a clarifying conditioner paired with the right tool such as the best blow dry brush for fine hair and the right flat irons for fine hair. Minimal heat styling and regular hair brushing may improve your fine hair.

What brush is best for knotty fine hair?

A soft bristle brush, like a natural boar bristle brush, is gentle but effective.

Fine hair is susceptible to damage. And while heat styling tools and hair products certainly raise concerns, sometimes changing your hairbrush is all it takes to solve recurring issues.

If you’re in the market for a quality hairbrush that reduces static, frizz, prevents breakage, and promotes healthy blood circulation, this guide will help you make the best decision!

Love hair powders? Be sure to check out the best hair powders for volume and texture!

Want more fine hair product recommendations? Check out these:

Author

    by
  • Jen Biswas

    Jen has styled women for photo shoots, fashion shows, board meetings, work trips and most importantly, every day life! She's been hired to style many homes as well. Her aesthetic aims to make style approachable and practical, and most of all fun! She's a mom of 3 who loves frozen cookie dough, plants and a generous pour of creamer in her coffee. Her biggest joy is helping others find joy in personal style through practical tips and inspiration. She loves to share all of her styling secrets on Paisley & Sparrow! Feel free to send Jen a message or join the fun on Instagram!

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