17 Best Detanglers in 2024 That Make Knots and Tangles Disappear, Tested and Reviewed
Including, yes, that TikTok viral brush.
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Listen, if the last time you used a hair detangler was when your mom sprayed that fruity-smelling one all over your hair when you were a kid, you've got some catching up to do: Along with the best deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners, the best detanglers of today are actually one of the most underrated products you could (and should!) have in your bathroom. Not only do they give your hair slip to make brushing and combing easier, but they're full of other benefits, like providing heat protection from your hot tools and adding smoothness and shine to your hair.
"I use a detangler on wet hair and a detangling brush—both help to untangle your hair, which will make styling and blow drying easier," says Bridget Kinney, senior stylist and colorist at the Patrice Vinci salon in Boston, MA. And jsyk, every single hair type can benefit from using a detangler, but the one that works best for you depends on the ingredients and formulation, and that's where I come in. I consulted an expert hairstylist, read through a ton of reviews, and personally tested the best hair detanglers on my own hair, below.
✔️ FYI: We updated this article in September 2023 to give you the most up-to-date info on hair detanglers, including new tried-and-tested picks, an expert's take on which ones are the best, and how to choose a detangler for your own hair.
Our top picks for the best hair detanglers in 2024:
Keep scrolling for the 17 best hair detanglers that reviewers, experts, and I am obsessed with. Then, read on for everything you need to know about detanglers, including how to choose the best one for your grown-up hair routine.
Pros
- Can work for all hair types depending on how little/how much you use
Cons
- Can make hair greasy if you apply too much
If you haven't heard me wax poetic over a Ouai product yet, hi, hello, welcome. There are very few products on the market that I will confidently say work for almost every single head of hair, but this, my friends, is one of them. It's super customizable—it can be applied to thin/fine hair post-shower, and thicker/coarser/curlier hair can apply it on their dry hair for a dose of moisture, added shine, and all detangling needs.
- Size: 4.7 oz.
- Scent: North Bondi* (*floral fragrance with notes of bergamot, violet, and white musk)
THE REVIEW: "I have been using this for five months now, and I can confidently say this is the best leave in ever," one tester notes. "It’s smooth, it detangles, it has the best light fresh scent, and it doesn’t make my hair sticky or oily!"
Pros
- Combs through large tangles with ease
Cons
- Because it went viral, it can be hard to find in stock
If you've inhabited the TikTok beauty space in the past month, you've undoubtedly seen this viral detangling hair brush running through the largest of tangles and curliest of hair with ease (exhibit A). For less than $20—and a whole lot of pain avoided—you absolutely need to check the Unbrush out. It just works, trust.
THE REVIEW: "This brush was all over my FYP on TikTok and I really wanted to try it because my hair gets tangled very easily and I hate brushing my hair because it hurts," one tester notes. "So when I tell you that this brush is a game changer, trust me. GET IT!!! Run don’t walk, GET THE HAIR BRUSH NOW!!!"
Pros
- Leaves hair looking healthy and shiny sans a heavy feeling
Cons
- Very little product in container
If your dream hair is super shiny and smooth, you need this detangler. It uses a blend of lightweight oils (see: pomegranate and apricot) to smooth your hair cuticle leaving it soft and tangle-free, along with antioxidants and flower extracts to give your hair a ton of shine.
- Size: 1.7 oz.
- Scent: Côte d'Azur* (*bergamot, jasmine, sandalwood)
THE REVIEWS: "I have 2c, relaxed hair," notes one reviewer. "It is vital that I have a product that can detangle my hair without breaking it and maintain the health of my hair from harsh chemical use. The mist sprays fine and evenly all over, and I am able to immediately comb through any tangles and snarls."
Pros
- Can be used on wet, damp, and dry hair
Cons
- Some testers note it can sometimes feel slightly sticky
Reasons why I love this hair detangler: (1) It can be used on wet, damp, and dry hair; (2) it's packed with moisturizing honey and argan oil, yet doesn't feel heavy; and (3) it smells like ~heaven~. The coolest part? The brand's superstar ingredient, mirsalehi honey, is ethically sourced from its Netherlands bee garden and is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. I personally love to spritz this bb on my hair straight out of the shower before I go to sleep, and I wake up with the softest, most tangle-free hair ever.
- Size: 5.1 oz.
- Scent: Sweet notes of honey and florals
THE REVIEW: "This Gisou leave-in conditioner is very lightweight which I take into consideration since my hair is super oily," notes one reviewer. "The scent is very light. The spray works great. I use it as a detangler!"
Pros
- Built to last and is super gentle on your hair due to the design
Cons
- Very pricey for a comb
Listen, a spray detangler is great and all, but the real MVP of detangling your hair? The wide-tooth comb you use after using the spray detangler. My favorite? This comb by Crown Affair is hand-carved with rounded tips, widely spaced teeth, and an ergonomic handle that is as high quality as it looks. I use mine in the shower, out of the shower, and throughout the day whenever I need to gently detangle my hair without pulling or damaging it.
THE REVIEW: "I have never been a comb person until last year when I realized hair brushes were pulling all my hair out when I would comb through after a shower," one tester notes. I only use this on wet hair after I shower and the difference from my old brush is phenomenal!! It detangles my hair so much better and doesn’t pull nearly as much hair out."
Pros
- Good on color-damaged hair
Cons
- Some testers noted that the scent is pretty strong and can be overwhelming for some
Proof that you don't need to drop an entire paycheck to get yourself a really good detangler? This drugstore option from Pantene. The lightweight mist uses panthenol to hydrate and detangle wet or damp hair without weighing it down or causing it to feel sticky.
- Size: 8.5 oz.
- Scent: Berry
THE REVIEWS: One reviewer who uses the Curly Girl method notes that it's the perfect complement to co-washing: "It is light enough that it doesn't weigh down my hair but it removes tangles and leaves hair easy to style." Another reviewer writes that it works on wigs, too!
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin types
Cons
- Testers note that the packaging can be tricky and it takes awhile to get the product out when pumpinh
Ideal for anyone who needs a dry and sensitive scalp product, this gentle detangler is made without any harsh ingredients—like essential oils, fragrances, or dyes—so it won't cause irritation. Spritz it from the roots to tips for hair that's soft, shiny, and knot-free.
- Size: 6 oz.
- Scent: Fragrance-free
THE REVIEWS: One reviewer notes, "This detangler is by far, hands down, the best I’ve ever used. I have incredibly thick, 4c hair and a very tender scalp so combing my hair always meant actual tears for me...this thing was shockingly effective."
Pros
- Apple cider vinegar has clarifying, anti-fungal, and shiny benefits
Cons
- It smells like vinegar for a few minutes before disapearing
If you haven't incorporated apple cider vinegar in your hair routine yet—wyd?! Other than the fact that it has antibacterial properties, it soothes, clarifies, and makes your hair really freakin' shiny. So when I say that it is the hero in this detangler, you should be running to add it to your cart. It regulates the pH of your hair (which can be thrown off by things like tap water) to boost shine and help seal your hair cuticle—a must for preventing frizz and tangles.
- Size: 4.23 oz.
- Scent: Vinegar* (*disappears after a bit)
THE REVIEWS: "I didn't know how good this product is until I ran out of it," one tester writes. "After I ran out of this product, my pricey shampoo/conditioner no longer works as it used to. My hair becomes dry and easily tangled. Finally, I realized it was because I didn't use the detangling mist. This mist works well with every single brand and I can't live without it anymore."
Pros
- Testers love how it prevents frizz
Cons
- If you have curly hair, note that it is a strengthener so it should be followed up with extra moisture
Okay, if you blow-dry or heat style your hair on the reg, you one hundred percent need to be using a heat protectant (it's essential for preventing breakage and split ends). I always spritz this detangling spray on my damp hair before blow-drying. It provides up to 400 degrees of heat protection and shields hair from color-fading UV.
- Size: 8 oz.
- Scent: Fresh citrus
THE REVIEWS: "This product is AMAZING for my 3c/4a coily hair," one reviewer writes. "I LOVE it. It's a perfect curl refresher and doesn't dry out my hair."
Pros
- Won't weigh down finer hair types
Cons
- May not be moisturizing enough for thick/coarse hair types
Hot take: I don't use regular conditioner. Bad beauty editor, I know. I just hate wasting extra time in the shower, and TBH, most options leave my fine hair looking limp and greasy. Instead, I work this lightweight lotion (that's a clean beauty pick!) through my mid-lengths and ends and then let my hair air dry. It detangles, cuts down on dryness, and weighs my hair down zero percent.
- Size: 3.38 oz.
- Scent: Musky, floral
THE REVIEWS: "Love this leave-in," one tester writes. "The ingredients are super pure and it’s one of the only options I’ve found that has a spicy/musky/botanical scent. Lasts forever too, I’ve had it for a month and barely made a dent in the bottle."
Pros
- Great mission behind the brand
Cons
- May need to follow up with a leave-in conditioner if your hair lacks moisture
The lightweight spray gives fine hair needed volume, just the right amount of hydration to make it soft and shiny, and just the right amount of slip, making it super easy to detangle without being weighed down or clumpy. Not to mention, this is a clean beauty brand that works with indigenous tribes in the rainforest to harness its star ingredient, rahua oil—pretty cool, amiright?
- Size: 6.5 oz.
- Scent: Passionfruit, mango
THE REVIEWS: One reviewer writes, "I used this product just once and my hair feels so soft, exactly how healthy and bouncy your hair looks and feels after you get a haircut at the salon."
Pros
- Comes with a ton of product
Cons
- A lot of testers note that they had an issue with the strong scent
Yes, this cream is a detangler, but it doubles as a moisturizing treatment for curly and coily hair textures, too. Inside this bottle is a blend of nettle extract, rosemary leaf oil, and shea butter, all of which work together to moisturize, strengthen, and add slip to dry or damaged hair.
- Size: 14 oz.
- Scent: Super sweet, fruity
THE REVIEWS: "I use it for re-twisting my hair a few times a week," notes one tester, adding, "love mixing it with the Adwoa oil."
Pros
- Three-in-one product
Cons
- Will be too heavy for fine or straight hair types
This bb legit does it all. It's packed with moisturizing olive oil, plant extracts, and vitamin E—and is also Curly Girl Method-approved, if you follow. Use it on your curls or coils as a cleansing conditioner on wash day, a regular conditioner when your hair needs extra moisture, or as a detangler to give your hair some serious slip and shine.
- Size: 13 oz.
- Scent: Honey
THE REVIEWS: "I have wirey curls," notes one reviewer. "This one is not heavily scented and does a great job of cleaning my hair and scalp and detangling my curls that tend to mat up badly from moisture like humidity, swimming, sweat, or just washing my hair in general."
Pros
- There's no alcohol in the formulation
Cons
- The super sweet smell may not be ideal for some consumers
K, yes, this is technically marketed to ~children~ but it works super-well for adult hair too. It's packed with a ton of fruit extract, panthenol, vitamin C, and hydrating glycerin. Plus, it smells like *pineapple banana*, so, you know. Huge plus.
- Size: 8.5 oz.
- Scent: Sweet, pineapple, banana
THE REVIEWS: One tester writes, "The best detangler I have ever used!! I am mixed race, with very tightly curled hair. This takes out all of the knots and does the best job. And it smells amazing."
Pros
- Reduces frizz without weighing your hair down
Cons
- Testers had issues with the spray nozzle acting up
Fun fact: This is the detangler I use when my hair's feeling particularly knotty. Part of the appeal is the cotton candy scent that reminds me of my youth without being too overpowering, for sure, but part of it is the easy-but-effective formulation (with strawberry, blueberry, and papaya) for my dry and damaged hair.
- Size: 11.8 oz.
- Scent: Cotton candy
THE REVIEWS: "It is absolutely the perfect spray for soft, manageable air-dried hair," writes one reviewer. "My hair has a bit of natural curl to it, so it was important to find a product that defeats frizziness without weighing my hair down. This stuff is fabulous."
Pros
- Formulated with moisturizing moringa oil
Cons
- Can easily leave hair greasy if you use too much
Long hair is notorious for getting knotty—and this super-fine mist is clutch for getting it smooth and soft again. Generously mist it on your mid-lengths and ends, then comb through your hair using a detangling brush. P.S. The formula is also safe for detangling extensions, too.
- Size: 5.1 oz.
- Scent: Not specified
THE REVIEWS: "My hair is over three feet long and knots and tangles were the worst if I didn't braid my hair every single night," writes one tester. "But now that I found Long Sexy Hair Detangler, I don't worry about any hair problems anymore. My hair is soft, shiny, and best of all...free from knots and tangles."
Pros
- Excellent for shine
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that it left a slightly greasy residue
Kinney loves this option because it "adds shine and protects color-related dryness." Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones, the okara extract and hamamelis extract reinforce your hair's structure and bind to the keratin for extra protection.
- Size: 5 oz.
- Scent: Fresh, fruity
THE REVIEWS: "I really like the way it smells and my hair was soft and shiny," notes one tester.
What is a hair detangler?
A hair detangler is, more often than not, a type of leave-in conditioner specifically formulated to smooth and tighten your hair cuticle with an oil or polymer. This "fills in" splits and breaks and makes it less likely to tangle with other strands. Without it, your hair will be much more susceptible to breakage and damage.
Usually, you can leave a detangler in, but look at the directions: Sometimes, a detangler "rinse" is designed to be washed out. In that case, you would dampen the hair, apply, let it sit for a few minutes, then hop into the shower and brush your hair while you're in there (btw, a best practice if you have curly hair is to only be brushing your hair in the shower anyways). Sometimes, hair detanglers leave a residue or buildup on the hair, which you can remove with a high-quality clarifying shampoo occasionally.
How to use a hair detangler
*In general*, you'll want to follow these basic steps:
Wet your hair
Your hair should be damp when you apply. Check the instructions, but detanglers can usually be sprayed on, particularly on the most affected area. Kinney might also wet the brush with water and/or product to give more slip.
Partition your hair
Separate your hair into sections and pin the sections you're not working on with clips or claws. The more knotty your hair, the more sections you'll need. Start at the base of your head and move up towards your crown.
Work from the bottom of the hair
Kinney says one of the most common mistakes clients make is taking their brush, starting at the roots, and attempting to brush through to the tip of their hair. This may cause more unnecessary breakage. It is better to start at the ends and go slowly and methodically.
Does a hair detangler work on severely matted hair?
Yes, hair detangler does work on severely matted hair. But "you don’t want to totally wet the hair if it’s super matted, because wet hair breaks more easily," says Kinney. And it's even more important to start at the bottom and go super-slowly, lest you rip out more hair than you need to.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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