Hair Styles

11 Of The Best Hair Detanglers For Painless Detangling!

Knotted hair can be such a headache – literally. How about detanglers that can save your money, temper and prevent that brutal pain?


Written by Manal Yahya

On Jun 9, 2023 – 10 minutes read

11 Of The Best Hair Detanglers For Painless Detangling

Which is your best hair detangler to avoid muscling your way through knots of all sizes and strengths? If you don’t have any and you just waste your time by pulling and yelling at the tangled mess, think again. Why don’t you start using any of the best hair detanglers on the market and save your time? Most importantly, spare yourself some pain as well?

One could say that hair detanglers are not an absolute necessity. True, I agree. But after learning about the benefits hair detanglers offer, I gotta say, they are ridiculously underrated. And you should have them in your bathroom. Scroll down and find out why!

Hair Detanglers That Help In Detangling Knots With Absolute Ease

The worst part about having hair is tangles, knots, and snarls. No matter how good your shampoo is or how many times you deep condition, your hair always ends up tangling. Also, there is only so much a conditioner can do in detangling hair. For that reason alone, I do not regret cutting my hair short now and then to avoid having to deal with it.

Are Detanglers good for hair?

I hate to say this, but no woman with hair past down the shoulder lives a tangle-free life. Either you painfully comb or brush through your hair with as much force you can muster or you simply tie the length in one big tangled mess. There is no in-between. Unless, of course, you have a hair detangler.

More Than Just Detangling

The best hair detanglers offer relief from the pain you go through to forcefully comb your hair when it’s a knotted mess. That’s a known fact. Luckily, hair detanglers available in the market now offer more than that. Except for hair detangler brushes, some of the best hair detanglers not only detangle hair but also give your hair slip to make combing easier, add smoothness and shine to hair, and provide heat protection from hot tools. That’s a lot coming from a hair detangler!

In addition, there are hair detanglers for all hair types —from fine, thin, and long hair to thick and tightly coiled 4C hair. Want an impressive catch? Some hair detanglers have UV protection and some work well for even the most sensitive scalp. Doesn’t end there either. The best part yet? They come in different formulas to suit your needs —from detangling sprays and shampoos to leave-in conditioners and creams. And all of them are infused with nourishing ingredients to smooth out your strands and treat hair breakage to prevent hair tangles.

So, do you see the point I am trying to make here?

Best Hair Detanglers: What Should You Know and Do?

Tangles are a painful mess. Sleep on unbrushed hair? Wake up with tangles. Step out on an especially windy day? Come back home with pesky mangled knots. Most of the time, these tangles are difficult and painful to detangle. But if you could prevent them from happening in the first place, you can have fuss-free brushing at all times.

Long, fine hair and textured hair get knotted the most. But that could also mean it’s time for a trim! Because when the ends of your hair split, all those little pieces intertwine and tangle. If you don’t like cutting your hair any shorter than necessary, you can simply chop an inch at the bottom.

best shampoo and conditioner for tangled hair

Moisturizing and Conditioning

Undoubtedly, what attracts tangles is dry hair. So you have to keep your hair moisturized and conditioned to keep the dryness at bay(1). Lesson: never skip conditioner after shampoo! Another important fact to keep in mind is that your hair is most fragile when it is wet. So you have to take care of the tangles before you hit the shower. This way, you can easily brush through your strands. Simply brush your hair, starting at the end and moving your way up. It is often said by experts that improper brushing causes hair tangles and hair breakage. It causes unnecessary friction, which damages hair cuticles, which might result in hair loss in some cases. So brush in the right way!

While conditioning, use a wide-tooth comb to brush through your locks(2). After showering, squeeze out the excess water or pat dry with a towel without rubbing. Rubbing (especially in circles) causes tangles. Once you are done with ringing out excess water, use one of the best hair detanglers like a hair detangler brush or spritz hair detangler spray and brush out your locks from tip to root. While you are brushing, try to hold the section of hair with your free hand to avoid pulling from the scalp.

If your hair is heavily knotted, you can use hair detangler spray before hitting the shower on dry hair too. Spray especially on the concentrated knots. For those with curly and coiled hair, it’s a whole different story. It can get so intense that you might think that your hair is on the way to dreadlocks. But is it?

Now that you know what to expect and what to do, let’s get into the list of the best hair detanglers.

Best Hair Detanglers for Minimal Pain And Hair Loss

Hair detanglers are lifesavers of your hair. Don’t take my word for it. If you count the number of times you “accidentally” pulled a chunk of hair out while rushing to brush through, you would know. This is why I have listed a few of the best hair detanglers for all hair types. I am sure at least one of them will win you over.

Best Hair Detanglers #1- Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer

A luxurious detangler, both in packing and use, puts several other detanglers to shame. This detangler is enriched with hydrating properties like vitamin C, antioxidants, and flower extracts with an oil blend of apricot, coconut, and pomegranate.

oribe run through primer

Price: $39

Its users say that this mix is also the reason for the amazing smell it leaves behind! You will love the lightweight texture of the formula that leaves the hair silky-smooth and shiny to detangle the knots quickly. However, this one falls into the expensive category.

#2- Not Your Mother’s Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler

This best hair detangle conditioner says: detangle your sticky hair and give your hair a keratin treatment while you are at it. The brand and the users say that the conditioner immediately separates sticky strands on contact.

not your mother's knotty to nice

Price: $12.50

So you can condition and leave your smooth and silky without knots. It also leaves a light beachy smell on your hair. Plus, thanks to the infusion of keratin proteins, it works to strengthen and repair damaged hair (full credits for tangles) while also protecting from future tangles.

Best Hair Detanglers #3- Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer

Known as one of the best hair detangler sprays, Amika’s The Wizard detangling(3) spray is formulated for all hair types. One of the major plus points, besides the weightless formula, is that it offers sulfate-free, vegan mist.

amika detangling primer

Price: $25.65

So you can detangle knotted hair clumps, smooth strands, and add moisture and shine without worrying about sulfate affecting your locks. It also delivers essential vitamins and nutrients that encourage healthy hair. Some say it offers protection from heat as well. But a known fact among users with long hair is that they highly recommend this detangling spray for long hair.

#4- R+Co Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray

Unlike many other detangling sprays, this one works effectively with a lightweight formula, making it one of the best hair detanglers. Meaning, it does not weigh down your (especially fine) strands. The use of Abyssinica seed oil helps in detangling hair and vitamin B5 helps in building volume.

What helps extremely knotty hair?

Price: $31

So this may not be a great option for thick hair. Besides detangling, this spray works well enough to hydrate dry and frizzy hair and offers extra conditioning. The added bonus you cannot ignore is the fresh, sophisticated citrus scent it promises.

Best Hair Detanglers #5- Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser Invisible Oil

A truly hardworking hair detangler. As the name itself suggests, it absorbs and vanishes instantly after applying, without a trace. What it does leave behind is detangled, moisturized, smoother, and shinier locks! The combination of not just one or two but six nourishing and luxurious oils makes this one the best dry hair detangler.

What is the best way to detangle hair?

Price: $43

It helps in slurping each of your strands in moisture to detangle knots as well as leaving a glossy finish. This one is also ideal for those who are guilty of heat-styling their hair too much. Because this particular invisible oil shields hair from heat and UV damage. So it is a power-packed detangler!

#6- Klorane Leave-In Detangling Spray

Do you know the benefits of oat milk? If you weren’t aware, it helps your hair in so many ways. The most prominent benefit is the softening and protecting properties.

best detangler for matted hair

Price: $18

This explains why Klorane’s Leave-In Detangling Spray is among the best hair detanglers. It is formulated with oat milk. It detangles hair and gets rid of static electricity. Another impressive take is how gentle the formula is, making it a great pick for those with sensitive scalps.

Best Hair Detanglers #7- DevaCurl No-Comb Detangling Spray

To detangle any and all kinds of curls from wavy to coarse, this best hair detangler for curly hair works to smooth out knots that come along with curls. It actually helps hold the curl pattern, for the users’ surprise.

What is the best product to detangle hair?

Price: $29.99

You do not need a brush or comb to detangle after you spritz this one. But a wide-tooth comb is recommended by some of its users. After using this best hair detangler, you can noticeably cut down the number of pulls while brushing through your curls. The detangling spray also leaves the scent of lemongrass on your curls.

#8-Sun Bum Beach Formula 3-in-1 Leave-In

The reason for this one is called the best detangler for summer: it is specially formulated to detangle both Clorox and salty water knots. So with this in your summer kit or beach bag, you can swim and surf all you want without having to worry about the aftermath of tangled knots.

best hair detangler for black hair

Price: $8.65

Enriched with coconut oil, banana, and sunflower seed oils, your hair will detangle easily and smell heavenly thanks to the tropical scent. And, it also contains UV filters to shield your hair strands from harm and humidity resistance.

Best Hair Detanglers #9- Tangle Teezer, The Ultimate Detangler Brush

This one is often labeled as the best hair detangler brush that is durable and strong enough to detangle heavily messy knots.

professional hair detangler

Price: $15.99

Thus, for those with even the thickest hair this is among the best hair detanglers they can lay their hands on. This paddle brush has a two-tier, flexible bristle build and a hard base without the cushioned bottom. Its wider base makes it ideal for long, thick hair, especially when it’s still wet. You can use this brush with a sturdy handle to detangle without hair breakage.

#10- Manta Healthy Hair Brush

A flexible brush with a flat silicone base that is small enough to fit within the palm of your hand but flexes to contour the shape of your head as you brush through. You can simply grab the knob in between your fingers and the bristles will move 360 degrees as you brush. This makes the detangling process so much easier.

best detangling spray for curly hair

Price: $35

Some users praise that besides the quick and easy detangling, this brush gives an amazing scalp massage as well. This stimulation in turn boosts your scalp health. Some even say its gentle bristles actually help exfoliate the scalp, removing build-up and flakes in the process.

Best Hair Detanglers #11- Verb Leave-In Mist: Detangle + Defrizz + Conditioning

A creamy leave-in mist with hydrating properties. Because it is formulated with argan and moringa oil, the consistency is less of a mist and more of a leave-in conditioner. This also helps coarse hair in detangling without weighing down the strands by its rich formula. The formula is super hydrating, so you might not want to overdo it. Instead, you can focus on the ends of your hair where knots occur rather than the roots. Especially if you have thin hair. It truly lives up to its claim in detangling, defrizzing, and deep conditioning.

best drugstore detangler

Price: $20

The above list of the best hair detanglers includes 11 of the best ones on the market. You can pick any from the list as all of them promise painless and easy detangling. So choose yours and do not dread the knots ever again!

  1. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2021). 10 Hair-care Habits That Can Damage Your Hair. (Online). Available at

    https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/habits-that-damage-hair
  2. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. (2015).Hair cosmetics: An overview. (Online). Available at

     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
  3. Jan de Vries (2020). Is it better to detangle wet or dry hair?.(Online). Available at

    https://jandevrieshealth.co.uk/beauty-and-skincare/hair-care/is-it-better-to-detangle-wet-or-dry-hair

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Manal

Manal is a lifestyle influencer who has spent years delving into the world of beauty, fashion, and wellness- a pro when it comes to anything woman.

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