The Best Paddle Brushes for a Good Hair Day With None of the Fuss

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Haircare goes beyond the usual shampoo, hair mask, and heat protectant combo. As a beauty editor who has used paddle brushes since childhood, I can attest they are one of the most underrated parts of someone's hair routine. Don't believe me? Just ask hairstylist MariLynne Cosmillo, who recently told me, "Using a paddle brush at least once a day on your scalp aids in circulation and healthy hair growth."

In addition to stimulating blood flow to the scalp, they detangle and remove excess water while shampooing. Paddle brushes can also be used during heat styling and are excellent for smoothing hair. They are typically more gentle on the scalp because paddle brushes often feature round tips to avoid scratching your scalp, leading to irritation and discomfort.

Given my preference for paddle brushes, I'm spotlighting a few standout models I love using and am confident they will help you have the best hair day with each use. Our top paddle brush picks start at just $10 on reader-favorite sites, including Amazon.

Paddle Brush in Rosé

I love every Dyson product I've tested, and the Paddle brush is no exception. It's my top pick because it marries function with style, and like with all Dyson products, I'm confident it'll last for several years to come.

Their paddle brush does an excellent job at smoothing my hair on its own, but when paired with the concentrator nozzle, my all-time favorite Supersonic hairdryer, it's much easier to get a salon-worthy blowout. And don't worry: it's heat resistant, so no melted bristles or too hot to hold the brush head and handle.

I also like that the weighted handle is comfy to hold for prolonged periods, and the air-cushion suspension of the brush head is comfy.

More: Gift-Worthy New Beauty Products for Fall Loved by Our Beauty Editor

Paddle Brush

I love every Dyson product I've tested, and the Paddle brush is no exception. It's my top pick because it marries function with style, and like with all Dyson products, I'm confident it'll last for several years to come.

Their paddle brush does an excellent job at smoothing my hair on its own, but when paired with the concentrator nozzle, my all-time favorite Supersonic hairdryer, it's much easier to get a salon-worthy blowout. And don't worry: it's heat resistant, so no melted bristles or too hot to hold the brush head and handle.

I also like that the weighted handle is comfy to hold for prolonged periods, and the air-cushion suspension of the brush head is comfy.

More: Gift-Worthy New Beauty Products for Fall Loved by Our Beauty Editor

Detangling Brush

When you only have $10 to spend on a new paddle brush, look no further than Wet Brush. As its name implies, this nifty tool can be used when your hair is wet without any snarls, tangles, or pulling.

And don't worry: This paddle brush can also be used when the hair is dry. It features evenly-spaced plastic bristles with hot pink round tips for a comfortable scalp massage when the mood strikes.

Online reviewers are also keen on this paddle brush. It earned a 4.7-star average from more than 10,550 Amazon reviews, making it the second most popular option on this list.

"This is a life changer to gently brush your knots or wet hair. The thick brush head makes brushing my [hair] a luxury rather than a chore. My hair is very long, and this brush does the job without removing clumps of hair," says a 5-star review.

The Blow Styling Smoothing Tool

Tangle Teezer makes epic tools, and their paddle brush is also a stellar creation. This model stands out and is worthy of a spot on this list because it's the only option with a vented design. The functional design allows my hairdryer's airflow to heat up my tresses while the plastic bristles easily comb through any knots. The final results are a sleek, straight look with less effort.

Although it's a large brush, it has a lightweight feel, so my wrist doesn't get tired when styling. Don't worry: It's a sturdy brush and is great for blow-drying all hair types, including curly and coily.

"I love that this brush is stronger than most of the brushes that are recommended to the natural community, and I love that this brush doesn’t break my hair. I also used it on my friend’s hair to see how the brush corresponds with different hair types, and it works very well," says one Amazon reviewer who has embraced her 4C hair texture for seven years.

Hairbrush

Boasting an impressive 4.6-star average from nearly 20,500 reviews, it's no wonder this is the most popular paddle brush on Amazon.

This paddle brush sports a trendy wooden handle and combines boar and nylon bristles with ball tips for added comfort. Notably, this is the only option that includes a comb, making it my most giftable recommendation.

What really sold me on including it in this story is that several reviewers with a diverse range of hair densities, textures, and lengths highlight it as effective. For example, one reviewer with waist-length thin hair says, "My tangles are usually angry, very obstinate buggers, but not with this brush — I only felt a tug once!"

Double-Sided Bristle Brush

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross knows how to make a damn good hairbrush. I recently named this one of the best in the game because it features a unique dual-sided paddle brush.

One half features stiff boar bristles for sleek styles, and the other has softer nylon bristles to eliminate flyaways. Regardless of which one you use, both sides effortlessly glide through thick, textured hair without multiple passes.

Reviewers are also fans of this paddle brush, with many highlighting its ability to style the hair correctly in a single pass versus yanking the hair with multiple passes. I agree with their findings and would add the shorter boar bristles are densely packed and feel a little stiffer than other brushes, but I learned to enjoy the feeling because they are wonderful at smoothing the hair.

What to Consider

Paddle Brush Fibers
In our guide to the best hairbrushes, Cosmillo explained that boar bristles are the most common fibers in paddle brushes. She highlighted their soft bristles as a winning attribute because they smooth frizzy or damaged hair and impart a beautiful glossy sheen by straightening and sealing the hair cuticles.

Nylon bristles
These are also common and are ideal for easy styling. According to Cosmomillo, clustered nylon bristles grip and straighten the hair while evenly-spaced bristles glide through the strands from root to tip. Sometimes, paddle brushes combine both fibers, providing the perfect balance of easy-to-achieve smoothness and shine.

Plastic vented hairbrushes
Hairstylist Laurabeth Cabott considers this standout material advantageous for anyone brushing wet hair because the vented hole ensures excess water is fully removed after each use. "On wet hair, detangling is easiest. For the least damage, I recommend a flexible paddle brush. I always prefer a round brush for styling as it leaves a shiny, sealed cuticle," she says.

How We Chose

Best Tested
I have seven years of experience writing, editing, and researching beauty products, so you're in good hands. As our resident paddle brush aficionado, I was elated to test dozens of these tools, but I only deemed four worthy of your hard-earned money. I spent several weeks alternating between models to ensure they lived up to their respective claims. I tried them wet, including brushing through deep conditioner, heat styled with a hairdryer, and wrapped my flat ironed hair up at night. I also massaged my scalp with them and ran them through my hair at my overflowing desk to see if they could seamlessly brush through my textured hair.

As for the fifth option from URTHEONE, I was blown away by the thousands of glowing online reviews it earned from Amazon reviewers. More on that in a bit, but the TLDR is this one is so well-loved and dreamy that I added it to my Amazon cart.

Price
Let's be real: You don't need to spend much money on a paddle brush unless you want to ball out and treat yourself to a Mason Pearson hairbrush. Thankfully, MP doesn't make a paddle brush, so our wallets are safe from spending at least $150 on a new beauty tool. Everything on this list costs between $10-$40, so there is definitely an option or two sure to catch your eye without putting unnecessary stress on your credit card.

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