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Best Paddle Brushes

Updated December 2021
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Spornette DeVille Cushion Paddle Boar Bristle Brush
Spornette
DeVille Cushion Paddle Boar Bristle Brush
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Bottom Line

Reviewers with long, short, fine, thin, curly, and straight hair all loved this brush. Men even use it on their beards.

Pros

Gentle enough for thin, fine hair. Ideal for straightening, smoothing and finishing medium to long hair. Can also use for brushouts as part of daily routine. Helps people who have started with co-washing/no-shampoo methods. Versatile enough for men, women and children of all hair types. Protective rubber cushion stops breakage and detangles medium to long hair by absorbing the “shock” of brushing. Venting allows it to dry completely between uses, eliminating bacterial growth. Made of 100% boar bristles, which redistribute your hair’s natural oils. Bristles are durable and will last for years.

Cons

Wood finish chips off if left on counter. Genuine boar bristles sometimes initially have musky smell. Not recommended for use with hair extensions.

Best Bang for the Buck
Aveda Paddle Brush
Aveda
Paddle Brush
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Bottom Line

If you're looking for a paddle brush for blow-drying and styling, choose this one.

Pros

Glides through the hair. Doesn't break the hair easily. Lightweight. Good for combing wet hair. Reduces stress to hair and scalp during blow-drying and styling. Ideal for smoothing hair during blow-drying to create smooth, straight styles. Extended bristles. Stimulates and massages the scalp. Animal-friendly.

Cons

Seems overpriced.

GranNaturals Boar Bristle Paddle Hair Brush
GranNaturals
Boar Bristle Paddle Hair Brush
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Bottom Line

Decent paddle brush that works well for fine hair.

Pros

Good for thin hair. Gentle and soft enough for sensitive scalps. Well-made and durable. Stimulates scalp without irritating it. Reduces frizz by spreading oils from your hair to lubricate each strand. Massages and stimulates blood flow to scalp. Helps prevent oil build-up by distributing oil from roots to end of hair. This naturally conditions hair and adds volume and shine.

Cons

Slight chemical smell. Bristles could be slightly longer. Not recommended for thick or long hair.

Agave Healing Oil Natural Bamboo Hair Paddle Brush
Agave Healing Oil
Natural Bamboo Hair Paddle Brush
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Bottom Line

Good for detangling long, thick hair.

Pros

Intended for smoothing, polishing, and anti-frizz detangling. Ideal for all hair types. Good with thick, long hair. Adds shine to dull, lifeless hair. Natural ionic bristles emit negative ions into the hair for deep hydration and conditioning effects. Natural ionic pads facilitate faster blow-drying and styling. Natural bamboo wood is lightweight and ecologically friendly. Brush works especially well when combined with agave oil. Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free and phthalate-free.

Cons

Paint peels easily. One customer reported melting brush with a hairdryer.

The Wet Brush Pro Select Condition Edition Paddle Brush
The Wet Brush
Pro Select Condition Edition Paddle Brush
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Bottom Line

An iffy choice for blow-drying, but customers swear by it for detangling thick, knotty, curly or textured hair.

Pros

Designed specifically for wet hair. A great choice for kids with tangled, knotted hair. Works well with curly hair and textured ethnic hair. Glides through any hair type, effortlessly combing out tangles. Protects hair from breakage. Can be used on wet or dry hair, as well as extensions and wigs.

Cons

Does not grip fine hair. May not penetrate to the base of thick hair. Melted for a few customers when used with blow dryers.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Paddle brushes are large and flat and feature a cushioned surface dotted with bristles. The soft cushion design of these brushes is gentle on the hair and scalp. They’re mainly intended to brush out and detangle straight or straightened hair. Paddle brushes can also be used to massage the scalp. Passing this type of brush through your hair helps lubricate strands of hair with oil from your scalp. Hair smooths out and static is reduced, making paddle brushes ideal for winter brushing. Look for well-cushioned brushes with durable bristles. Choose a brush that’s comfortable to hold for the length of time it takes to brush your hair.