These Are the Best 10 Hairbrushes That Don’t Break My Fine Hair (2025)

Tangle Teezer brushes have been a staple for those with all hair types for years—and for good reason. Korab recommends this classic version, known for its unique bristle design. “This brush effortlessly untangles fine hair without tugging, making it ideal for preventing damage to delicate strands,” she explains.

What we think: “I have fine hair that is always getting tangled. It doesn’t matter how much leave-in conditioner I use, if I step outside, my hair is in knots! I was advised to use a gentle/flexible bristled brush to avoid breakage (another one of my dry, fine hair’s problems), and the only thing that has proved to work is my extremely basic Tangle Teezer,” says Prevention Senior Commerce Editor, Charlotte Lewis. “I have it in mini and full versions, and it is so well priced, I honestly might grab more for all my purses. Since switching, I can tell I have less breakage, and I no longer feel like I’m harming my hair by combing it regularly.”

Judon recommends this styling brush with nylon bristles for detangling. “Nylon bristle brushes provide flexibility that helps untangle the finest knots,” she explains. “These brushes are also durable and don’t have to be replaced often.”

What reviewers think: “I have short-ish hair that’s fine, but a lot of it. So I needed a brush with dense bristles that would hold the hair while I am blow-drying it,” one reviewer on Amazon wrote. “It feels good in your hand when you’re working, nice and solid, and gives you the control that you need.”

Tangle Teezer recently introduced an “extra-gentle” version of their classic detangling brush, which features teeth that are more widely spaced on the outer edges for less tension on the hair, and more concentrated teeth in the center to help fight through tangles. Like the standard Tangle Teezer, this hairbrush can be used on wet or dry hair, as well as in the shower.

What we think: I began using this brush shortly before it hit the virtual shelves, and have used it to detangle my wet hair after my last three hair wash days. Compared to the original Tangle Teezer, it is definitely much more gentle on my fine hair and glides easily. While it may have taken a little bit longer to get through my tresses hair (I have lots of long, fine strands) and work through knots, it definitely got the job done and left me feeling good about the health of my hair afterwards.

Denman brushes are great for fine, curly hair “because of the widespread bristles and the ability to detangle effortlessly without causing breakage,” Hendley-Judon explains. “This brush also enhances the natural curl pattern with nice separation and doesn’t cause curls to frizz excessively.” She recommends this “popular” pick from Koeuoi that is highly rated on Amazon.

What reviewers think: “Good spring to the bristles, and a nice grip. Feels solid and good quality. So good, my son asked me to buy one for him. Now, he is incredibly picky with products on his super thick, curly hair (3b/3c/4a curls). His hair is waist-length and very few brushes have earned his approval,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “My hair is mid-length, 3b/3c pattern curls, and this brush worked well to distribute products throughout. I plan to buy more for all my family members with curly hair. I definitely recommend.”

If you’re looking for a brush that’s gentle enough for wet hair, consider the Original Detangler from Wet Brush. “Designed to gently detangle fine hair without causing breakage, its flexible bristles glide through strands effortlessly, even when wet,” Korab explains.

What we think: I have been using this hairbrush from Wet Brush for well over a decade. It was my very first introduction to brushes meant specifically for wet hair, and it was a game changer in preventing breakage for my fine, color-treated hair. It combs through knots and tangles with ease, but you do have to make sure you don’t tug it through the hair too harshly.

This luxurious paddle brush is made with a combination of wild boar hair and supple bristles with tiny ball tips. It easily glides through strands, tackles knots and tangles, and avoids breaking or creating tension. The unique mix of bristles is designed to stimulate the scalp and make the hair softer and shinier with regular use.

What we think: Using this brush has become one of my favorite parts of my daily beauty routine. While I still use a separate brush to detangle wet hair, this is my go-to for detangling and styling dry hair. It feels so nice on the scalp, is extremely gentle on my fine strands, and easily gets through tangles. I find it makes my hair look smoother and shinier, and even cuts down on frizz, even when I’m rocking my natural, wavy texture.

Finding a good blowout brush for fine hair can be a challenge—you want something to efficiently smooth and volumize without creating unnecessary breakage. “Perfect for styling, this round brush features a ceramic barrel that retains heat to help create lasting styles while the boar and nylon bristles add shine and distribute natural oils, all without damaging fine hair,” Korab explains.

What reviewers think: “This brush is amazing,” one reviewer on Amazon wrote. “I have fine, thin, damage-prone hair, and it does not pull on my hair. It glides through the hair while still providing enough tension, and it provides excellent volume.”

“Boar bristle brushes won’t ever let you down,” Hendley-Judon says. “This brush smooths out the hair, while redistributing oils throughout the scalp that ultimately create a nice shine.” This highly-rated brush also comes with a storage/travel bag and a brush cleaner.

What reviewers think: “I have very fine hair that breaks easily and needs extra love…I just learned about the importance and benefits of boar hair while trying to research anti-breakage hair products,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “After using the brush for the first time, my hair became silky smooth, and the frizz from all the broken strands is so much less. It also feels amazing!! Huge difference and game changer in my hair’s recovery routine.”

Wet Brush recently released a blow-dry-friendly option meant to gently detangle hair without pulling or snagging while speeding up dry time. It has a ceramic plate and a vented design to allow air to pass through, smoothing and drying hair with heat-resistant nylon bristles.

What we think: I’ve used this brush a handful of times right out of the shower and have been impressed with how quickly (and gently) it combs through my tangle-prone strands and the speed at which it dries my long hair. I imagine it would do a phenomenal job getting more straight hair types completely smooth, but I still need to touch up my wavy, frizz-prone hair with a straightener, round brush, or curling iron once it’s dry to get my desired look. However, it is great for speeding up a “rough dry.”

This pocket-sized brush from luxury haircare brand Mason Pearson is made with a wooden handle and a tight cluster of 100% boar bristles designed for use on fine strands, thinning hair, and sensitive scalps. Korab also recommends the Popular Mixture Hairbrush from Mason Pearson—a combination of boar and nylon bristles, which help distribute natural oils, adding shine and smoothness to fine hair while effectively detangling.

What we think: I’ve been using the Pocket Bristle Hairbrush for a few months, and while it doesn’t always get through tough tangles (likely because my hair is fine but there’s a lot of it), it does a remarkable job at smoothing the hair, adding shine, and being extra gentle on my damage-prone strands. I find I can extend my wash days when I use this brush on my dry hair nightly since it helps move my scalp’s natural oils down the length of my strands.

When it comes to choosing the best hairbrush for fine hair, the main thing you need to consider is the bristles.

“Someone with fine hair should look for a lightweight brush with soft bristles to ensure your hair isn’t being stressed or pulled unnecessarily,” explains Hendley Judon. “Boar bristles or nylon bristles are great options, while stiff bristle brushes should definitely be avoided if your hair is fine, as they tend to cause breakage on this hair type.”

“To keep fine hair healthy and prevent breakage, it’s important to handle it gently,” Korab explains. Try implementing the following tips:

✔️Use caution with wet hair. Your hair is more susceptible to breakage when it’s wet, so you’ll want to be extra gentle when detangling hair fresh out of the shower, Korab says. A wide-tooth comb is actually preferable to a brush while working with wet hair if possible.

✔️Brush from bottom to top. With wet or dry hair, “always detangle from the ends upwards,” Korab says. This will help avoid creating bigger knots or tangles in the hair and minimize breakage.

✔️Use conditioning formulas. In the shower, condition your hair with a lightweight, moisturizing formula to avoid weighing it down, Korab adds. Also, consider using a lightweight leave-in conditioner designed for fine hair to aid with detangling knots.

✔️Protect hair from heat. Korab recommends limiting the use of hot tools like hairdryers and straighteners when possible to avoid heat-induced damage. However, when you use hot tools it’s imperative to shield your strands from excess damage with a heat-protectant product.

We consulted Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and salon owner; and Candice Hendley Judon, hairstylist, salon owner, and founder of Hair Bible.

We also tested the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangling Brush, the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle, the Wet Brush Original Detangler, the Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Radiance Brush, the Wet Brush Ceramic Speed Dry Hairbrush, and the Mason Pearson Pocket Bristle Hairbrush.