Staring at a drugstore shelf filled with hundreds of shampoo bottles can feel like staring at a puzzle: Which one won't make my hair too dry? Which will make my hair look thicker? Do 2-in-1s even work? Is it really worth splurging on an expensive shampoo?

Trefor Evans, Ph.D., director of measurement services, director of research and an institute fellow at TRI-Princeton, an independent hair fiber science research organization, is here to help demystify it all. "Shampoo is soap," says Evans. So what differentiates shampoo from the bottle of liquid soap on the edge of your kitchen sink? Ultimately, it's got a lot to do with preference and personal hair concerns. The right shampoo will make your scalp feel clean without making your hair feel brittle or dry, and lets your grooming routine feel like a luxury.

The Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab has years of experience testing shampoos in our Lab and with consumer testers to recommend the best ones for a myriad of concerns: dry hair, thin hair, oily hair, you name it. To find the best shampoos for men, we called in a range of top-sellers and niche picks, then had consumer testers evaluate them based on their lather, rinse, scent and, most importantly, how the shampoos made their hair look. We then combined this data with data from our years of shampoo research and testing to create a list of the best you can buy.

Our top picks:

For more on how we test shampoos — and what to look for when shopping for men's shampoos, specifically — keep scrolling after our reading our reviews.

American Crew

amazon.com

$16.44

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American Crew's Daily Deep Moisturizing Shampoo strikes the balance between moisturizing and cleansing, leaving hair soft and clean. No doubt this is in part due to the inclusion of panthenol (a provitamin of B5) which acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the hair strand. This shampoo received high marks in our tests for its lather and rinse, and online reviewers also appreciated the citrus mint fragrance.

Garnier

walmart.com

$6.97

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This shampoo combines the cleansing properties of sodium laureth sulfate with hydrating and irritation reducing compounds like niacinamide and vitamin E to create a lather that seriously cuts through grease without being too aggressive or drying, making it a great pick for men with oily hair.

If you tend to use a lot of gel, pomade or other hair products, a clarifying shampoo like this one can help reduce residual oil and product from building up in your hair. Testers were impressed with the shampoo's texture and lather, and it received high scores in terms of cleaning ability and hair moisture after washing.

While we appreciate the grime-obliterating formula of this shampoo, we must note that the clarifying nature of this shampoo may not be suited to those with dry or damaged hair.

Dove

walmart.com

$6.58

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If you're looking to simplify your haircare routine, Dove's 2-in-1 offers just that: pure simplicity. This shampoo-conditioner combo simultaneously cleanses hair strands and hydrates them thanks to the inclusion of guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, a conditioning agent which has been shown to make combing easier after use.

Our testers found that this shampoo lathered and rinsed well without weighing down hair, while making combing and styling afterward easier. It should be noted, however, that a 2-in-1 product may not be able to provide comparable conditioning to a standalone conditioner.

Herbal Essences

walmart.com

$15.52

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Having dominated our most recent test of shampoo for dry hair, it's a no-brainer that this pick is great for men with dry hair. When used with its matching conditioner, this shampoo conferred the highest levels of conditioning to hair strands, with testers raving about how moisturized it made their hair feel and its impressive lather. The scent, however, may not be masculine enough for all men's preferences.

Nizoral

walmart.com

$15.47

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Nizoral's Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contains ketoconazole, a topical antiandrogen and antifungal medicine that can combat the growth of bacteria that causes dandruff. The strength of this treatment, however, may result in irritation or dryness in some, so if you have a sensitive or dry scalp you may want to look for a less potent option.

Though we didn't test this shampoo in our latest round of testing, we spoke with Rajani Katta, M.D., a dermatologist and author of Glow: The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet for our roundup of the best anti-dandruff shampoos, wherein she recommended this shampoo for its ability to combat one of the main causes of dandruff.

Keeps

amazon.com

$21.99

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Finding the right shampoo when you have thinning hair can be difficult — many formulas that have a thickening effect can be somewhat drying (the lesser inclusion of conditioning ingredients is one of the ways in which thickening shampoos achieve fuller-looking hair). Keeps strikes a balance by improving hair volume without making it feel dry and brittle. The formula contains saw palmetto, for which there is some evidence that it may help with thinning hair caused by androgenetic alopecia.

Testers enjoyed the scent of this shampoo and how it made their hair look after washing. It's worth noting that the formula lathers considerably less than many other shampoos, so you may be tempted to use more than is needed. If you can't live without that thick, foamy lather as part of your shower routine but still want to achieve a thickening effect, you may be better off with another thickening shampoo.

Method Men

walmart.com

$15.09

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Two-in-one formulas get a bad rap — a lot of people feel like they can't get their hair as clean and as conditioned by merging the two steps in the haircare routine, but if you keep your hairstyle short, it's likely all you need to keep your hair looking fresh and healthy. Method's 2-in-1 proves the naysayers wrong. The formula contains jojoba and argan oils to condition strands as you wash.

Consumer testers praised this shampoo. "Overall [I like] everything, from smell to packaging to how well it lathered and rinsed off," said one consumer tester. This shampoo scored well for its lather, rinse and how clean it left hair feeling. We did find that some consumers ranked this poorly for weighing down their hair after use, so if you have fine or oily hair, you may want to look for a more clarifying shampoo.

Oribe

amazon.com

$49.00

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Thinking about taking your shower to a new level of indulgence? Look no further than Oribe's Signature Shampoo. The scent alone is so decadent it merits the hefty price tag. Luckily, this shampoo's formula justifies it too.

We loved almost everything about this shampoo, from the luxurious, thick texture to the way it left our hair after washing. It was noticeably softer and easier to style afterwards than some other shampoos that were tested. While it's undeniably a pricey shampoo, we found ourselves using less than normal to clean our scalps, and given the way it made our showers more luxurious, we can rationalize the cost.

Jack Black

amazon.com

$52.00

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Jack Black's Turbo Wash takes dual action to a new level. The thick 2-in-1 shampoo/body wash is filled with plant extracts like shea butter, rosemary and juniper berry that endow it with its addictively invigorating scent, as well as ingredients like panthenol and vitamin E.

We love the pump packaging of this hair and body cleanser which help to dispense just the right amount. It comes in sizes ranging from three to 33 ounces, the smaller of which is perfect for throwing in a gym bag for a speedy wash after a workout. "I'd buy this just for the scent!" remarked one consumer tester. While we love the scent, it may be too strong for the more sensitive, and the tingling sensation on the scalp can be overwhelming at times.

TRESemmé

amazon.com

$18.89

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It's impossible for shampooing to not make hair color fade to some degree, but some shampoos are formulated to reduce this fade better than others. Good Housekeeping has done extensive testing on shampoo for colored hair and this one came out as top dog in our most recent batch of testing.

Despite being the least expensive in our last round of color-protective shampoo testing, colored hair samples washed with this shampoo and its matching conditioner displayed the least amount of fading after 20 washes and 10 hours of UV radiation. Consumer testers also favored this shampoo more than other color-protective ones, pointing out the luxurious texture of the formula. Though we love the color-protection this shampoo endows hair with, we realize the feminine scent may not suit all men.

Briogeo

amazon.com

$28.00

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Dry hair can be a concern for anyone with curly hair, as oil from the scalp struggles to penetrate curls. Choosing a shampoo that's hydrating and free of harsh detergents is key to cleaning curly hair without leaving it frizzy. Briogeo's Curl Charisma Hydrating Shampoo is formulated with sodium cocoyl isethionate, a mild surfactant synthesized from coconut oil, which can be better suited to dryer and more sensitive hair and scalps.

While we didn't test this shampoo, we were impressed with the ingredients in its formula and loved that it also comes in a larger version with a pump dispenser, saving you in price per ounce and being more accessible to some compared to a squeeze bottle. Over 100 five-star Amazon reviews encourages our suggestion, though some pointed out that the low lather this product provides can mislead you into using too much.

Suave

target.com

$1.99

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A clarifying shampoo can combat excessive oil and grime, and is a must-have for men who wear styling products. The Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo is a potent yet lightweight cleanser, and it does such a great job at eliminating dirt that it's what the Beauty Lab uses to prepare hair strands for product studies.

The simple and effective formula comes in at only $2 a bottle, but it should be noted that some might find the scent overly strong.

Redken

amazon.com

$32.00

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Oftentimes people with longer locks struggle with dryer, more brittle hair, especially toward the ends as the natural oil of your scalp struggles to make it down the long strands. If that's the case you'll want to use a milder shampoo so as not to dry out your hair strands with frequent washing. This 2022 Beauty Award winner is formulated with sodium cocoyl isethionate instead of more harsh surfactants to gently clean long hair.

The acidic bonding concentrate in this product, when combined with its matching conditioner and leave-in treatment, left 93% of consumers saying their hair felt moisturized after use, also making it a great pick for damaged hair. However, it's worth noting that you may not get the best results without using all three products in the system.

John Paul Mitchell Systems

amazon.com

$41.50

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Almost every listicle on the subject of men's shampoo brings up the Tea Tree Special Shampoo, and for good reason. The herb-infused formula boasts a unique tingling sensation and decadent scent that makes morning showers feel invigorating and refreshing. This is due to the inclusion of tea tree oil, menthol and lavender oil.

Though we didn't test this shampoo in our current round of testing, its internet cult status demands its inclusion, with nearly 40,000 five-star reviews on Amazon speaking to its efficacy and pleasant smell. We also love the simple packaging and pump for dispensing just the right amount of shampoo. Sensitive sniffers and those who don't like a tingly shampoo are best to steer clear, as it may be overpowering.

Kristin Ess

amazon.com

$12.97

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Whether your gray is all natural or dyed, purple shampoo can help to maintain vibrancy and crush brassy tones for a more polished appearance. The One Purple Shampoo, created by celebrity hair stylist Kristin Ess, is a favorite among GH editors for the efficacy it offers at a great price.

The shampoo is scented with Ess's The One scent, a clean yet sweet aroma characterized by pear and magnolia. While we love the scent, if florals aren't your speed you may want to consider other options. For those trying to banish serious brassiness or just recently bleached your hair, you can leave it in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes to load up the violet pigments in your strands.