The 14 Best Boar Bristle Brushes for Healthy, Silky-Smooth Hair

A solid paddle brush will cover all of your detangling and styling needs. This one from Denman is also gentle enough to take care of hair extensions and wigs without damaging them. Plus, no matter how much hair you have to brush out, your wrist won’t feel like it’s going to fall out, thanks to the brush’s lightweight composition.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for:

Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Needed a natural bristle brush for use with my fine texture hair that is about chin-length bob to use for daily brushing to help keep hair and scalp healthy. I don’t know that I could use this for styling, but for the purpose I needed it for, it was a perfect fit, and it seems a good quality and price point.”

We can’t talk about boar bristle brushes without highlighting the most revered one of all time: the Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Bristle & Nylon Mix Hair Brush. Founded in 1885, the brand has been producing first-class brushes for nearly 140 years, and stylists and in-the-know hair care obsessives adore anything Mason Pearson creates. The Popular Brush is a dream to own and use with a comfortable cushion and firm yet flexible bristles. Purchase one, and you won’t have to buy another for years—if ever.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Revolve rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “For decades, I had seen Mason Pearson brushes on lists as a ‘must-have’ beauty item. I never really got the hype until I was gifted one of my own. Unlike other brushes, it is a glorious scalp massager; the combination of the boar and nylon tufts feel like firm fingers gently raking through my brain. Plus, it also works to gently detangle hair (for big knots, you’ll need an actual detangler) and leaves my hair looking shiny, fluffy, and glossy. I’ll never forget the first day I used my Mason Pearson brush, and a colleague stopped me in the hallway, saying, ‘Your hair looks great. Did you do something different?’ ‘I brushed it?’ I said, semi-embarrassed. I guess my lank, fine hair really needed a good brushing. I should note that it is on the more expensive end for brushes, but this is one of those rare ‘forever objects’—something you can buy once and have for years. Many Reddit users talk about how they have had their Mason Pearson brushes for more than 20 years.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director

Thanks to the olive wood handle, this French-made brush from Altesse reduces static and frizz while also stimulating hair growth and promoting shine. The brand recommends running the brush through your strands 200 times a day—100 in the morning and another 100 at night. It sounds like a lot of work, but once you try it, you’ll find that it doesn’t take that long and that the results are well worth it. Also, if you have thicker hair, the brand has a similar brush specifically designed for thick and curly hair.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: Fine to medium hair

Bloomingdale’s rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I have a confession: I don’t brush my hair nearly as often as I should. Because of how wavy my hair naturally is, I’m often loath to mess with my texture on days when I air dry. But when I do use this brush, I notice the difference; my strands feel more moisturized, my scalp feels less bogged down by my natural oils, and my hair somehow looks thicker than it actually is.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

If you need a shortcut to smooth strands and a robust scalp, this wooden brush is it. A few strokes through your hair, and you’ll be left with enviable shine. Since it also stimulates blood flow and spreads out your natural oils, regular use improves the quality of your hair and encourages new and faster growth.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: Straight, wavy

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “For people who are afraid of the price of a Mason Pearson but still want the benefits of a paddle brush, I recommend the brushes from Crown Affair. Everything from the pistachio-colored packaging to the small, considered details (like a cloth bag that snugly fits your hairbrush for travel) feels unique. The brushes have a nice weight in the hand to feel special, and it has a similar blend of boar and nylon bristles to the Mason Pearson too. You’ll notice that the brush has an oval-ish tufted shape (also similar to the Pearson in design), and great for delivering shine and soothing scalp tingles.” —Kathleen Hou

Because of the waterproof handle, you can use this brush to detangle before, during, and after your shower. Each synthetic bristle has a cohort of boar bristles surrounding it, so the brush also smoothes your hair as it banishes knots and tangles.

Bristles: Boar, synthetic

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This has been my go-to brush for years. There are a variety of colors and patterns you can choose from. It is a perfect size, and is easy to use. The brush itself is soft and does not irritate or harm the scalp. As someone with curly hair, this is a perfect brush for my hair and helps it stay soft and smooth. Highly recommend.”

This hair stylist-beloved option oozes quality, from the detailed, ergonomic handle to the strategically placed natural bristles. For best results, La Bonne Brosse’s founders recommend brushing through the lengths of your hair first and then paying attention to your scalp and roots.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

The Detox Market rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This is by far the nicest hair brush I’ve ever used. Not only is it absolutely beautifully crafted, but it’s also really good for your hair. Whenever I use this brush, I feel like I can go longer in between washes since it evenly distributes the oil from your scalp through the rest of your hair.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Detangling can cause breakage when done with the wrong tool or technique. The Everyday Hair Brush’s nylon bristles, however, do it with such ease that you barely feel the knots give way. Cleaning the brush is simple: soak it in hot water and soap for ten minutes, let it air dry, and you’re done!

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

An ELLE editor says: “My hair is notoriously prone to frizz and flyaways. Recently, my unruly baby hairs left a professional photographer so distressed that they gave up trying to tame them and exclaimed, ‘I’ll just edit them out!’ However, the Everyday Hair Brush is one tool I know can help calm my hair down; as the nylon bristles detangle, the boar bristles spread out my natural oils, smoothing my strands without weighing them down. Made with Italian acetate, the handle feels luxurious and sturdy—and looks downright gorgeous on my vanity.”—Carol Lee

Renegar says, “Goody’s small 100 percent pure bristle paddle brush that is super affordable but great quality.” He states that it’s perfect for creating those sleek slick back updos that are all the rage these days.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a small boar brush perfect for a purse or when on a trip and space is limited. Very well made—the bristles are firmly implanted in the wooden base. With normal use, it makes the hair feel silky and smooth.”

We at ELLE.com love a good scalp massage, and this brush’s boar- and ball-tipped synthetic bristles give you a mini version every time you use it. Additionally, it combats frizz and flyaways, killing two birds with one stone.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “After three weeks of use, my hair is much softer. I also realized I’ve been washing my hair too much because I wasn’t distributing the oils down my strands. This brush does that, and my hair finally is balanced and healthy.”

Oribe’s shampoos, conditioners, and styling products are top of the line, and its brushes are no different.“It’s a mixed boar bristle brush, and it’s very luxurious,” Renegar says. The tool may be on the pricier side, but it’s gorgeous and “makes your hair feel like butter,” he adds.

Bristles: Boar

Best for: All hair types

Blue Mercury rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Blue Mercury reviewer says: “This is my first boar bristle brush, and it did not disappoint. I struggle with an oily scalp and sensitized ends—my hair is thick and fine. I use this on my dry hair before bed and notice a better distribution of oils and shine.”

This brush detangles wet and dry hair with little to no effort. Because of its bigger size, you’ll need fewer passes to achieve shiny, knotless lengths.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Beauty Pie rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Beauty Pie reviewer says: “Firstly, the wooden handle feels lovely in your hand and adds a weight that makes the brush feel more expensive than it is. The brush itself is great—I have fine hair, but a lot of it, and it brushes though easily and leaves my hair smooth. My daughter, [who has] very thick hair, ‘borrowed’ my brush and has fallen in love with it too, so it looks as though I’ll be buying a new one!”

Hair emergencies don’t only happen in the morning. Oftentimes, they come out of nowhere while you’re on the go. But no need to fret if you keep this mini brush from Emi Jay in your handbag. Small but mighty, it can transform a frizzy mess into a sleek, glossy do in minutes.

Bristles: Boar, bamboo

Best for: All hair types

Why hold onto two brushes when one can do it all? Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair care brand offers a multi-tasking brush that boasts detangling nylon brushes on one side and smoothing boar bristles on the other. Styling and slicking back your hair has never been simpler.

Bristles: Boar, nylon

Best for: All hair types

Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’ve wanted to replace my old brush for years. It was the only one that could slick my thick hair into a ponytail. But this brush is amazing. It works better than my old one! If you have type 4a/3c, coarse, very full hair like mine, I recommend this brush! It slicks my hair so easily, I have no doubt it will work for tighter coils as well! This brush is a godsend!”

Briogeo’s Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush may appear to be studded with natural boar hair, but the bristles are actually comprised of vegan fibers. Like the other brushes on this list, it massages the scalp and sorts out frizz in a flash.

Bristles: Synthetic

Best for: All hair types

Sephora rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says:“Great brush for detangling and styling curls! I’ve tried this brush on both wet and dry hair, and it’s gentle enough across the board.”