12 best hair brushes to buy in Australia in 2023
From detangling to scalp massaging, a great hair brush can do more than just keep hair silky and soft.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Open your bathroom cabinet - is that a ten-year-old hair brush filled with matted strands sitting on the middle shelf? It’s definitely time for an upgrade if so. A bad hair brush can do a world of damage to your strands, from creating split ends to actually making knots. A good one though? Welcome to the best hair of your life.
Choosing the right hair brush for you comes down to hair length, hair type and what your needs are. There’s no point buying a soft bristled brush if you need to rid strands of knots, just like there’s no need to own a detangling brush if you have a pixie cut.
Below, find our favourite hair brushes for all hair types, plus some top winners that pretty much anyone will adore - plus, some top tips from Aveda’s Lead in Education, Mathew Wickham.
BEST OVERALL HAIR BRUSHES
The Wet Brush Original Detangling Brush, Amazon, $22.17
If you’re in need of a hair brush that will prevent damaged strands, split ends and other difficult hair woes, The Wet Brush is for you. This easy to use hair brush features super bendable bristles that, while working fast, are gentle on hair, unlike some firmer bristled brushes.
The Wet Brush make many detangling hair brushes, but the Original is our favourite. The paddle is big and suits all hair lengths, including long, thick curls, while the ergonomic handle makes styling a breeze. This brush is perfect for all styling, really - if you just need to detangle hair, use this brush in the shower with conditioner or hair treatment in, or alternatively use it on freshly washed, towel dried hair to smooth.
For styling, The Wet Brush is great for blow drying if you find round brushes don’t grip as well. Just dry down the hair shaft as you detangle.
The flexible bristles are also great for scalp stimulation, which can help with healthy hair growth and minimising dandruff. Just brush from root to tip.
The Amazon reviews are enough to convince you, if this hasn’t. “This brush has definitely exceeded my expectations. It does a much better job than my last brush at getting all my tangles out. I have a lot of long fine hair, and this brush makes it a breeze to brush the tangles that easily form in my hair. Great for wet or dry hair. For the money spent, I’m very happy,” says one reviewer. “After using other detangling brushes which turned out not to be very good I really wasn’t expecting this one to work and not hurt either but it’s fantastic. Slides straight through my very long hair and any knots. So good I just bought another to have as a spare,” says another. “Cannot get enough of these wet brushes. Since changing only my brush to a wet brush, my hair is in such better condition already. It doesn’t pull my hair at all, already can see less damage after one months use. Lightweight and nice sized brush for all hair lengths,” adds another reviewer.
It’s also a fantastic brush for kids, given its pain-free detangling thanks to those flexible bristles. This brush can handle even the most matted of pre-school knots, but for extra care, try applying conditioner to damp hair and then brushing out tangles.
SHOP NOW
Wooden Paddle Brush, Aveda, $55
Brushes don’t get more stylish than this stunning wooden paddle brush from Aveda. Perfect for long hair and styling, the firmer bristles are great for blow-drying hair straight with speed and shine. The brush also features a draining hole to allow moisture to escape, preventing bacterial growth.
BEST HAIR BRUSHES FOR THINNING HAIR
Bowe & Bowe Scalp Massager, Amazon, $19.99
If you are worried about thinning hair or your general scalp health, a scalp massaging brush could be a great investment - and you don’t have to empty your wallet to pick up a great one. Designed to be used in the shower, the soft, bendable bristles help to massage the scalp, stimulating blood flow and encouraging healthy hair growth.
Apotecari 5-in1 Scalp And Shampoo Brush, Adore Beauty, $29.95
This brush promises to help you exfoliate, massage, detox, detangle and grow your hair - that’s a lot of assistance! Designed to be used during shampooing, just massage in circles on your scalp, then use again to comb conditioner through for less knots when you finish showering.
Denman Medium Style Classic Brush, Adore Beauty, $31.95
Denman is a classic brand known and loved by hair dressers globally. Founded in the 1930s, it was actually designed for curly hair, but what we love about it is its firm 7 rows of nylon pins and anti-static rubber pad. These pins are so stimulating on the scalp, so this is a great scalp massaging brush if you want a more classic hairbrush style.
BEST HAIR BRUSHES FOR THICK HAIR
ghd Paddle Brush, Adore Beauty, $55
With a wide paddle and firm bristles, this brush is great for managing thick, long strands. Promising a static-free finish, this brush is designed for use with styling tools like the ghd straightener and hair dryers, reviews are very good, with one reviewer saying “I got this free with my curler and didn’t expect much from it. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and soft it left my hair with a nice shine too.”
Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler Large, THE ICONIC, $36.30
Tangle Teezer made a name for itself with it’s palm-sized detangling brushes, but this version is far easier to use for long, thick hair. Featuring the same gentle bristles but with a larger pad, it’ll quickly become your go-to for de-knotting each evening.
Conair Gel Grips Detangling Brush, iHerb, $14.56
The super grippy gel handle on this padded hair brush makes it perfect for brushing long hair and knots. The incredibly affordable price tag really gets this Conair brush over the line for us, though, and many other iHerb shoppers. “This hairbrush is perfect. It untangles the hair without breaking the strands. The bristles do not harm the scalp,” one reviewer wrote.
BEST HAIR BRUSHES FOR SHINY HAIR
Belula Boar Bristle Hair Brush, Amazon, $37.95
Soft-bristled brushes like this boar bristle one from Belula are literally made for shiny hair. By stimulating the scalp to produce sebum, then running it down your strands, you’ll notice shinier, less-frizzy hair. But don’t worry, they won’t make your hair greasy! This one is perfect for those without tangles, to brush out curls or a blow-dry for Hollywood-style waves.
evo Bradford Natural Boar Bristle Brush, Adore Beauty, $55
Another boar bristle-based brush but with slightly less density, this is a good in-between for those who want some detangling from their hair brush, but also want to get that shine and no-frizz finish to curled or blow-dried hair.
BEST HAIR BRUSHES FOR BLOW DRYING
GHD Natural Bristle Radial Brush, THE ICONIC, $44
Available in sizes 1 to 3, with 3 (pictured) being ideal for long hair, GHD make some fantastic radial brushes for blow drying. We love the non-slip handle, perfect for anyone who rushes through their mornings.
evo Hank 52 Ceramic Vented Radial Brush, Adore Beauty, $53
See those vent holes? They speed up drying time, which is really what we all want when it comes to blow drying our hair. Using ionic nylon bristles to reduce frizz and a sturdy handle that’s lightweight but has grip, this is a great brush for anyone who blow dries on the regular.
Eleven Australia Round Brush Large, Adore Beauty, $32.95
Featuring a blend of nylon and boar bristles, this round brush is ideal for big volume and bouncy waves thanks to its large barrel size. “I have used quite a few brushes before buying this one and honestly I have wasted my money with others but not this one. This brush helps my blow dry so easy (even though I’m not a pro) but I can see the difference in my hair. It makes it smooth, shiny and no flyways at all,” one reviewer raved.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY HAIR?
“As my nan would say brushing your hair 100 times a night is good for hair growth,” says Mat. “There is truth in that so I would recommend brushing your hair every day. Brushing helps stimulate your scalp and relieve tension.” His top tip? Use a soft padded brush like the AVEDA paddle brush to prevent damage from tugging at your hair. He also suggests keeping one in your handbag so you can brush regularly.
IS THERE A RIGHT AND WRONG WAY TO BRUSH HAIR?
More Coverage
“Absolutely,” dsays Mat. Never start from your roots, instead, work from the bottom and slowly detangle from there, up. “If you don’t you will cause more knots and this could damage your hair,” he warns. Also - never aggressively brush hair wet. “Hair is super fragile when wet!”
Keen for more hair deals? Read up on our guide to the best shampoos for dry hair. And for more great beauty tips, check out the anti-ageing serum experts love and the top-rated curlers for effortless waves.
If you love deals, don’t miss the news.com.au Coupons page, where you’ll find deals on everything from beauty to fashion for brands like Adore Beauty, Myer, and The ICONIC.
‘Miracle worker’: Hairbrush 273m swear by
The TikTok viral brush has thousands of five-star reviews calling it a “game-changer” for “soft hair”.
New twist on bad hair day fix
Forget the ones you wore in school, modern headbands are stylish, easy to wear and a god-send on bad hair days.
‘Beautiful’ hair towel that dry hair fast
Buying a towel just for your hair might seem ludicrous at first, but trust us, once you’ve used one you’ll never go back to normal towels.
Overnight hair hack shoppers are ‘obsessed’ with
Costing a fraction of expensive hair styling tools, this curling trick works while you sleep, with users swearing they are “never using heat again”.