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Brushing hair can seem like a uniquely utilitarian task, but the best boar-bristle brush can prove that the right tools can yield better results—think more shine, less frizz, and minimal damage. Boar bristles are especially valued among the variety of materials on the market, as boar hair tends to be similar to human hair, and therefore better able to disperse oils through hair and gently detangle.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Crown Affair The Brush No. 001, $98
- Best Round Brush: Oribe Large Round Brush, $125
- Best Vegan: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush, $28
- Best for Fine Hair: Mason Pearson Pocket Boar Bristle Brush, $160
- Best for Thick Hair: Prose Boar Nylon Bristle Brush, $72
- Best for Curls: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Double-Sided Bristle Brush, $20
- Best for Scalp: Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Radiance Brush, $90
Because of this, “the brush is less damaging, because you do not need to use as much force to smooth hair out,” says hairstylist Kee Taylor, who counts Kelly Rowland and Tika Sumpter among her clients. That can be helpful for brushing hair that’s prone to breakage or naturally fragile, as with finer strands. With that, here’s what to consider when investing in a boar-bristle hairbrush.
What are the benefits of boar-bristle brushes?
Not only are boar bristles innately less damaging, but they also offer unique advantages. “The bristles work to distribute your hair oils evenly from the top to the bottom,” says Taylor, who also notes that they work well for all hair types. This distribution effectively distributes this moisture from the scalp from roots to ends, delivering better hydrated hair.
For that reason, “boar-bristle brushes are best when you really want a sleek style, due to their smoothing effect,” says Taylor. They also play well with nylon bristles, since the two have separate yet complementary purposes, which is why you’ll often find them together. “Nylon bristles work for detangling the hair, and boar bristles smooth the hair,” says Taylor. “These pair nicely together to get your hair soft and detangled using just one tool.”
You can also reserve boar-bristle brushes for specific styles. “Updos are one of the best styles to do when using this type of brush,” says Taylor, since it can slick down flyaways.
What to look for in a boar-bristle brush
Your hair type and texture will ultimately determine the right boar-bristle brush for your hair. For thicker hair types, for instance, “choose a wider paddle to reach all the hair,” says hairstylist Dimitis Giannetos, whose clients include Gigi Hadid and Amal Clooney. He also recommends larger bristles for those with thick hair, while smaller bristles are ideal for fine or thinning hair, as these can help with adding volume to hair or grabbing loose ends.
With that in mind, consider these the best boar-bristle brushes to consider for every hair texture and style.
Best Overall: Crown Affair The Brush No. 001
- Why We Love It: This elegant brush pairs boar hairs with nylon bristles in a strategic move: The nylon pins are longer, reaching the scalp to boost circulation, whereas the shorter boar bristles distribute oils from your scalp to your ends. It also has an ergonomic handle made of durable but surprisingly lightweight beechwood.
- Best for: Medium to thick hair
Best Round Brush: Oribe Large Round Brush
- Why We Love It: Make quick work of an at-home blowout with a generously sized round brush. This version pairs longer nylon pins with shorter boar bristles, which together grip hair without inadvertently causing breakage. As a result, it’s easier to hold hair taut while blow-drying, minimizing frizz and static.
- Best for: Long or thick hair
Best Vegan: Briogeo Vegan Boar Bristle Hair Brush
- Why We Love It: The vegan bristles on this brush are intended to closely resemble boar hair for similar benefits without an ethical quandary. “The brush is so gentle and lightweight, but it still has an incredible grip,” says Taylor, who says it’s a staple in her routine. Unlike boar hair, however, some of the bristles feature ballpoint tips, which gently massage the scalp.
- Best for: Fine to medium hair
Best for Fine Hair: Mason Pearson Pocket Boar Bristle Brush for Fine to Normal Hair
- Why We Love It: A legend among hair brushes, the Mason Pearson hair brush uses only boar bristles, which are anchored in a patented cushion that conforms to the shape of the scalp. That allows for gentle exfoliation, not to mention more effortless brushing with minimal damage.
- Best for: Fine hair
Best for Thick Hair: Prose Boar Nylon Bristle Brush
- Why We Love It: The concept behind Prose is that the brand tailors hair care to your needs — and the brushes are no exception. Of the three brushes it offers, this option (which pairs boar and nylon bristles) is especially suited for thicker hair types, since it offers the ideal combination of firmness and flexibility. (Those with fine or thinning hair, however, might be better suited for the brand’s entirely boar-bristle brush.)
- Best for: Medium to thick hair
Best for Curls: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Double-Sided Bristle Brush
- Why We Love It: Designed with curls and coils in mind — although it works well for straight hair and waves, too — this clever brush features flexible nylon bristles on one side to smooth flyaways and frizz, while the stiffer boar bristles on the other help pull hair tight without risking breakage. Both types of bristles are densely packed to grasp and give coarse hair textures a sleek look.
- Best for: Curly or coily hair
Best for Scalp: Sisley Paris The Radiance Brush
- Why We Love It: This sturdy, wide paddle brush pairs boar bristles with extra-long nylon pins, which can more easily access and stimulate the scalp. The shorter boar bristles, meanwhile, gently loosen tangles and distribute the scalp s natural oils through the hair. (For extra moisture and shine, consider pairing it with the brand’s Hair Oil before brushing.)
- Best for: Dry or damaged hair
Best for Styling: Drybar Flat Mate Boar Bristle Brush
- Why We Love It: With its blend of boar and nylon bristles, this paddle brush is ideal for brushing out curls and adding volume and shine to hair post-blowout. With that in mind, it s best reserved for brushing hair that s already dry versus detangling damp hair.
- Best for: Medium to thick hair
Best for Smoothing: Wet Brush Shine Paddle Hair Brush
- Why We Love It: Few brushes work harder to boost shine than this paddle brush, which combines boar bristles with the brand s patented, especially soft bristles. “It doesn’t feel like it strips the hair of its natural oils, is infused with argan oil, and works well for all hair textures,” says Giannetos. Consider using it alongside dry shampoo to restore shine and softness to unwashed hair.
- Best for: Frizzy hair or flyaways
Best for Shine: Denman D81M Style and Shine Brush
- Why We Love It: While the extended nylon bristles on this brush flex around tangles, making for gentler brushing, the stubbier boar bristles impart polish and shine. Keep in mind, however, that the nylon bristles are quite firm under direct pressure — and therefore give a more thorough scalp massage than other options.
- Best for: Medium to thick hair
Best for Detangling: Dae Vegan Detangle + Style Brush
- Why We Love It: Giannetos recommends this brush for detangling; it uses vegan boar bristles to deliver softness and shine. “It has soft, durable bristles, and I love using this as a wet-hair comb since it s super lightweight,” he says. Because it can be used on damp hair, it s a good option for those with curly hair; it works out knots without inadvertently causing frizz or fuzziness.
- Best for: Wavy, curly, and coily hair
Best for Blow-Drying: Philip B Medium Round Brush
- Why We Love It: Round brushes are essential for blow-drying hair, since you can wrap sections of hair around it to pull them taut — which, in turn, allows for smoother hair and better lift at the roots. What makes this brush especially good is the high density of boar bristles, which firmly holds hairs and prevents flyaways from escaping. Plus, the ergonomically shaped handle feels sturdy but not heavy.
- Best for: Regular hair-dryer users
Best for Touch-Ups: Diane 100% Soft Boar Bristle Styling Brush
- Why We Love It: For sleek updos, consider adding this slim brush to your arsenal. “For getting those stray flyaways, I use a small-headed boar-bristle brush,” says Giannetos, who points to this brand in particular. The boar bristles are densely packed and longer than average, but still relatively soft and bendable — which allows for gentle control as you brush.
- Best for: Those prone to flyaways
Meet the Experts:
- Kee Taylor, a celebrity hairstylist based in West Philadelphia and the founder of hair care line, Deeper Than Hair
- Dimitis Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, CA