What’s the difference between a comb and a brush?

According to Matthew, the biggest difference is that a comb has a spine with one row of teeth, while a brush consists of multiple rows of teeth called bristles. “In layman’s terms, a brush covers more ground, think Weedwacker versus lawn mower,” he says.

Should men use different combs from women?

While all combs serve different purposes, ultimately, they are a tool used to organize hair. “There is as much of a reason for men and women to use different forks as there are for genders to use different combs—none,” Matthew explains. “More so, it’s based on texture, taste, and suitability.”

Can I use the same comb on my hair and my beard?

While not necessary, it is advised to use different types of tools based on the texture of the hair you’re brushing. “Typically, beard hair is much more coarse than the hair on your head, meaning you may need a brush suited to handle that type of hair,” explains Matthew. “I suggest a detangling comb for your hair and a natural boar bristle brush for your beard.”

How often should a haircomb be replaced?

The general rule of thumb is six months to one year. That being said, different factors, including how often you use and clean your comb, what products you are using, and the material of the comb, can all impact the longevity of your comb's life.

Does a comb need to be cleaned?

You should clean your hair comb more than once a month. Product can build up quickly, and to avoid any dirt or residue in the hair, it's important to keep your tools clean.

The 9 Best Combs for Men of 2024

Three combs for men on a brown background — Byrdie / Kevin Liang

Men’s combs probably aren’t the first item at the top of your shopping list—but they’re still important. Whether you’re trying a new hairstyle, growing out a beard, or need to detangle your hair, there’s technically no one-size-fits-all comb, and for that reason, we’ve done extensive research on the best combs for each hair type and desired style outcome.

There are a lot of combs out there—including fine-tooth, medium-tooth, and wide-tooth—so it’s important to choose one with the right shape and design for your hair. According to pro hairstylist Davey Matthew, a good rule of thumb is that your comb should match the thickness of your hair. So, if you have fine hair, a fine-tooth comb will work. If you have medium-thick hair, a medium-tooth comb is a good choice.

With all that in mind, we conducted hours of research, explored endless reviews, and tapped Matthew to help us narrow down the best combs for men (or anyone!) on the market today.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Baxter of California Comb at Amazon $28

Jump to Review

Best for Straight Hair:

Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Detangler Comb at Amazon $6

Jump to Review

Best for Curly Hair:

Chicago Comb Carbon Fiber Comb at Amazon $15

Jump to Review

Best Hair Pick:

Pattern Hair Pick at Amazon $9

Jump to Review

Best Eco-Friendly:

BYRD Pocket Comb at Amazon $10

Jump to Review

Best for Twists:

SALE

Twist It Up Comb at Amazon ~~$25~~ $20

Jump to Review

Best Wallet Size:

Wahl Wallet Comb at Amazon $10

Jump to Review

Best Foldable:

SALE

Kent 20T Folding Pocket Comb at Amazon ~~$12~~ $10

Jump to Review

Best for Parting:

The Hair Edit Detangling Shower Comb at Amazon $6

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Baxter of California Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$28 at Amazon $30 at Target $22 at Walmart

What We Like

Dual-ended offers medium and fine teeth
Classic tortoise shell design
Durable

What to Consider

Longer shape makes it harder to bring on-the-go

Material: Cellulose acetate | Teeth Type: Medium and fine | Hair Type: Straight, wavy

There are a few different comb thickness options on the market, so to know what one to pick, Matthew offers a simple rule of thumb: Match your comb with your hair. Not sure whether your hair is medium-thick or fine? Get both with this long, barbershop-style comb from Baxter of California, which is dual-ended. In other words, it’s equipped with both fine- and medium-tooth options. This allows it to be used to style just about any length or density of hair, and it’s like getting two combs in one. The brand also offers a dual-ended beard comb, but it’s this longer tortoiseshell comb that commands respect on your bathroom vanity.

Use the fine-tooth side (and a little pomade or gel) to achieve a sleeker, more formal look and the medium-tooth side to detangle hair when you step out of the shower.

Who It’s For

This is our favorite option on this list, as it offers two combs for the price of one. Each end offers a different purpose, so you can achieve a range of looks with one tool.

Best for Straight Hair

Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Detangler Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$6 at Amazon View on Beautycarechoices.com

What We Like

Easily detangles hair
Can be used wet or dry
Doesn’t cause tension

What to Consider

Results could be longer-lasting

Material: Carbon fiber | Teeth Type: Wide | Hair Type: All

If your hair is long, straight, and often unkempt, a good wide-tooth comb can help with detangling and taming. It’s especially optimal for wet use, delivering little resistance in straight styles. Because the teeth are wide, it won’t offer a ton of help when it comes to styling. You’ll likely find that the style won’t last, so you might have to get a smaller, more precise brush for any styling necessities. All in all, this one is your tried-and-true detangler—and a low-cost investment, considering the frequent use you’ll get with it.

Who It’s For

This is a good comb for anyone with long, straight hair or anyone who enjoys a quick brush through post-shower. It’s also a smart choice for anyone worried about hair loss or shedding; it’s gentle and doesn’t add resistance, so it won’t pull your hair out.

Best for Curly Hair

Chicago Comb Carbon Fiber Comb

Chicago Comb Model 8 Anti-static Carbon Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$15 at Amazon $15 at Walmart View on Chicagocomb.com

What We Like

Won't snag curly hair
Can be used wet or dry
Helps add volume

What to Consider

Some say it feels cheap

Material: Carbon fiber | Teeth Type: Wide | Hair Type: All

This detangler is a big hit for many reasons. First, it helps prevent static, thanks to its carbon-fiber core. The long tines help deliver volume and lift to lifeless hair, and the wide teeth provide gentle detangling powers to curly, long, and naturally textured styles—wet or dry. And secondly, it’s also an outstanding pick (literally) for burly, coiled beards. While we still vouch for this one, some say it can feel cheap and flimsy. Be sure to store it in a safe place to keep it in tip-top condition.

Who It’s For

As you may have guessed, this is our recommendation for anyone with wavy, curly, or coily hair. It helps detangle curls on both the head and face gently and swiftly.

Best Hair Pick

Pattern Hair Pick

PHOTO: Target

$9 at Amazon $7 at Sephora $9 at Target

What We Like

Easily detangles curly hair
Helps add volume
Chic design

What to Consider

Not for use on wet hair

Material: PC | Teeth Type: Wide | Hair Type: Curly, coily

Coily and extra curly hair can often require a hair pick when it gets tangled. One of our favorites is this thin, long, and wide-tooth option from Pattern. It offers minimal tension on the strands and helps untangle the most frustrating kinks. Plus, it imparts lift, volume, length, and bounce (thanks to the fact that it targets the hair shaft). It's best used on dry hair, whereas other wide-tooth options are optimal for wet detangling. Pattern’s pick is perfect for its size and thumb grip, so you get sturdy, steady strokes on the first go-round, meaning that there's even less pressure put on each strand.

Who It's For

This is a great choice for anyone with curly or coily hair. It helps untangle knots, leaving curls and coils looking (and feeling) their very best.

Best Eco-Friendly

BYRD Pocket Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$10 at Amazon View on Byrdhair.com

What We Like

Made from recycled surfboards
Both medium and fine teeth
Compact, durable design

What to Consider

May not work on very thick hair

Material: Composite from surfboard fins | Teeth Type: Medium and fine | Hair Type: Straight, wavy

Recycled from surfboard fins, this bright yellow comb is flexible and extremely durable. It’s a terrific pocket option and an eye-catching styler for both your Dopp kit and vanity. With dual-ended widths, this comb can assist in styling even the finest hairs—or tame and nourish the most unruly beards.

Who It’s For

Pick this one if you’re eco-conscious and prefer keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum. Because it’s made from recycled surfboards, you can rest assured that this one won’t add to your impact on the environment.

Best for Twists

Twist It Up Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$25 $20 at Amazon View on Beautyplussalon.com

What We Like

Unique design
Easy to clean
Gentle on hair and scalp

What to Consider

May not work on all textures and lengths

Material: Metal | Teeth Type: Medium | Hair Type: Curly

As seen on Shark Tank, the Twist It Up comb is a more hygienic alternative to the curl sponge and a more conveniently sized alternative for people who might otherwise resort to tennis racket twists. It’s washable (so it won’t retain oils or products over time), and it won’t pry any moisture from your hair as you use it, either.

Who It’s For

Use this comb if you prefer styling your hair in twists; it helps ensure the integrity of your hair while you style it.

Best Wallet Size

Wahl Wallet Comb

PHOTO: Amazon

$10 $9 at Amazon

What We Like

Compact design fits in wallet
Dual-ended
Teeth are smooth and rounded

What to Consider

May not work on longer hair

Material: Cellulose acetate | Teeth Type: Medium and fine | Hair Type: Straight, wavy

Wahl’s comb is the size of a credit card, which allows it to tuck inside your wallet for easy on-the-go grooming. It’s designated as a beard and mustache tool, but it’ll help tame your hair up top, too, if things are on the fritz. It also has dual-width sides (featuring smooth, fine, and medium teeth) for different levels of tangles and tautness. Just keep in mind that because of its compact size, it might not work as well on longer hair.

Who It’s For

If you’re the kind of person who likes a 2-in-1 shampoo or has a less-is-more approach to life, this is the comb for you. Not only does it offer two combs at once, but it also fits conveniently into your wallet for grooming at any time.

Best Foldable

Kent 20T Folding Pocket Comb

Kent 20T Handmade Folding Pocket Comb for Hair, Beard, and Mustache

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 $10 at Amazon

What We Like

Compact shape makes for easy use on the go
Teeth are soft and rounded
Gentle on hair and scalp

What to Consider

Can be stiff at first

Material: Cellulose acetate | Teeth Type: Medium and fine | Hair Type: Straight, wavy

When thinking about combs, you may recognize the name Kent, a brand known for its durable and beautiful acetate combs. We particularly love this one, which helps minimize static and is hand-polished (like the rest of Kent’s assortment) for perfectly soft and rounded teeth that feel nice when you use it. The only downside is that some people find the folding mechanism to be stiff at first. However, the more you use it, the less finicky it becomes.

Who It’s For

We love this foldable, portable pocket model for anyone seeking touch-ups on the go, whether you're taming the beard, the mustache, or the hairs on your head.

Best for Parting

The Hair Edit Detangling Shower Comb

PHOTO: ULTA

$6 at Amazon $6 at Ulta $6 at Anthropologie

What We Like

Easily detangles hair
Can be used wet or dry
Easy to store

What to Consider

May not work on thin, fine hair

Material: Plastic | Teeth Type: Wide | Hair Type: Thick

If you want a voluminous 1990s heartthrob hair part or a slick 1960s "Mad Men" coif, you'll need a comb designed for the task. While many pocket combs have a longer, pointier tooth at one end for defined parts, long-tailed options like this one can handle just about any kind of part, especially as you grow your hair out. (In longer hair, “sectioning” with these kinds of combs is also impactful prior to braiding or other specific stylings, but it's equally terrific for applying scalp treatments, scalp serums, or dry shampoo.)

Who It’s For

A great option for anyone who usually parts their hair (whether down the middle or to one side), this long-tailed comb can help do so in a sleek way.

What to Consider When Buying a Comb for Men

Teeth: Fine, medium, and wide refers to the distance between the teeth on the spine of a comb, explains Matthew. “Traditionally, in a professional sense, we see the distance between teeth correlating to the amount of tension of control a comb will provide; the closer (or finer) the teeth, the more tension you can expect,” he adds. Fine tooth combs are best suited for detail work (like nailing a sleek style), while wide tooth combs are typically ideal for detangling right out of the shower and helping to form a part. Medium tooth combs do it all—like a number two pencil.
Material: Comb materials will vary, but if you're ready to take your grooming skills to the next level, we recommend investing in a higher-quality comb made of wood or metal. Plastic is the most common (and a bit cheaper), so if you’re going that route, just ensure it’s sturdy and flexible.
Type: There are three main types of combs on the market: Fine-tooth, medium-tooth, and wide-tooth. Fine-tooth combs are helpful when detangling straight hair and when trying to lock in formal hairstyles (since they can better distribute styling products like gels and pomades). Medium-tooth combs are also effective for use with hair products and when styling medium-length to long hair. Wide-tooth combs are ideal for detangling curly hair when wet. It’s also worth considering what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking to detangle your hair, a wide-tooth comb would best serve you (regardless of your hair type and thickness). If you’re trying to style, reach for a medium or fine-tooth comb or one that specializes in a certain style.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a comb and a brush?

According to Matthew, the biggest difference is that a comb has a spine with one row of teeth, while a brush consists of multiple rows of teeth called bristles. “In layman’s terms, a brush covers more ground, think Weedwacker versus lawn mower,” he says.
Should men use different combs from women?

While all combs serve different purposes, ultimately, they are a tool used to organize hair. “There is as much of a reason for men and women to use different forks as there are for genders to use different combs—none,” Matthew explains. “More so, it’s based on texture, taste, and suitability.”
Can I use the same comb on my hair and my beard?

While not necessary, it is advised to use different types of tools based on the texture of the hair you’re brushing. “Typically, beard hair is much more coarse than the hair on your head, meaning you may need a brush suited to handle that type of hair,” explains Matthew. “I suggest a detangling comb for your hair and a natural boar bristle brush for your beard.”
How often should a haircomb be replaced?

The general rule of thumb is six months to one year. That being said, different factors, including how often you use and clean your comb, what products you are using, and the material of the comb, can all impact the longevity of your comb's life.
Does a comb need to be cleaned?

You should clean your hair comb more than once a month. Product can build up quickly, and to avoid any dirt or residue in the hair, it's important to keep your tools clean.

Why Trust Byrdie

Caitlyn Martyn is an associate editor on staff at Byrdie. She is known for forcing her brothers and boyfriend to step up their self-care games, starting with the right hair combs and brushes. For this story, she consulted with an expert:

Davey Matthew, a pro hairstylist whose work has graced the covers of magazines and the heads of celebrities and models.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough combs for men from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at [email protected], and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.