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From in-shower detanglers to pro-level edge tools.

Finding a hair brush that's ideal for your specific texture may seem easy, but with so many different options available for fine, thick, and coily hair, locking down a tried-and-true favorite can quickly turn into an unexpected beauty challenge. When it comes to looking for the right hair brush for your needs—whether that's to detangle knots or smooth through a sleek blowout—there are a number of factors to keep in mind. "A good quality hair brush can help you achieve the look you want or address a specific concern," Anna Kimble, director of events and education at Drybar tells BAZAAR. "To achieve a bouncy blowout, look for a round brush with a ceramic barrel, and for detangling, a brush with flexible, yet sturdy nylon bristles that can easily glide through hair is usually best."

Although it may be tempting to whip through tangles or keep your hair as neat as possible, professionals say there is such a thing as over-brushing it. "Brushing your hair offers great stimulation for your scalp which leads to more hair growth," explains hairstylist and Ouidad brand ambassador Irinel de León. "However, over-brushing can cause damage as it can lift the cuticle and eventually cause dullness in the hair's appearance," she adds. "Only brush enough so your hair is untangled and smooth." To provide you with the right haircare tools to get you through wash day and beyond, we’ve rounded up the best, expert-approved brushes available to keep your hair totally tangle-free.

A favorite of stylists, editors, and hair obsessives everywhere, this Wet Brush detangler is gentle on wet and dry hair, no matter the texture—it can be used on wigs and extensions.

While this culty brush is a bit on the pricier side, it's still a frequent pick for hair stylists. "If you're willing to splurge a little on a hair brush, I'd say get one from Mason Pearson," says Candace Witherspoon, hair stylist and owner of Candace Witherspoon Salon in NYC. "It’s a favorite among many professionals, myself included." Celebrity hair stylist Gabrielle Corney agrees, adding, "The best luxe hair brushes available are made by Mason Pearson, hands down." Note: this brush is not vegan.

For a more budget-friendly option, Corney counts Diane by Fromm's nine-row hair brush as one of her most consistent go-tos to use on clients.  

The Denman brush is another essential for many professional hairstylists, and this one contains seven rows of round-ended pins that are helpful for separating wet hair or defining curls. "My personal go-to is usually a Denman 7-Row brush," says Corney. "Denman brushes are among the best detangling brushes for a majority of hair types and textures. They have many styles and sizes to choose from to suit just about anyone's needs." 

This shower-ready brush from Pattern Beauty is a wash day detangling staple for curly and textured hair types (including for associate beauty commerce editor, Tiffany Dodson's). It features flexible silicone bristles that work with your hair to loosen knots with minimal snags, and has a removable middle pad that makes cleaning it a breeze.

To help sculpt your baby hair, a slender brush with stiff bristles, like this one from Pattern Beauty, is ideal. "The Edge Tool by Patten Beauty is amazing," says Witherspoon. "It’s an excellent 2-in-1 tool: great for slicking down edges and baby hair with its brush end, but its rat tail comb side also comes in handy when executing a clean part."

Witherspoon is also a fan of celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood's coveted detangling brush, which holds close to a five-star rating on Amazon. The brush is highly popular among those with tight curls, since it contains widely-spaced, flexible bristles that help avoid hair breakage. 

And to brush and smooth out dry hair—including tighter curls and coils—in just a few strokes, she loves using indie beauty brand Behairful's Professional Detangler.

To help smooth her curls in the shower, De Léon personally uses this Tangle Teezer hairbrush, since it she says it's soft enough to detangle them without compromising the hair's integrity or contributing to breakage. 

"Ouidad's 3-in-1 Detail Brush is a great multifunctional tool that lets you add extra details and finishing touches while laying down unruly edges, and baby hairs," adds de Léon. 

Aloxxi stylist Rocco loves using this brush on himself, since it features a bamboo handle and bristles that help stimulate the scalp and encourage blood flow.

When creating straight styles with heat, Rocco suggests using a round ceramic ion or tourmaline ion option like this ventilated Ulta shopper favorite. 

"I always recommend a natural bristle brush for straight hair types," Rocco adds. "The Boar Bristle Hairbrush seamlessly detangles most hair types, and its bristles help evenly distribute the scalp's natural oils through the length of your hair."

Here's a best-selling hair brush from Conair (one of Rocco's preferred hair brush brands), that contains ball-tipped bristles that won't snag or pull as you work it through. 

This top-rated wooden paddle brush from the hair experts at Aveda uses extended bristles to avoid hair pulls and snags, and can be used vertically to detangle or horizontally to smooth.