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The 9 Best Beard Brushes to Keep Your Facial Hair Looking Its Best
It's the building block of all good grooming regimens.
A beard brush is the building block of all good grooming regimens. If you, like so many other men, have taken the opportunity to experiment with an elaborate facial hair style recently and are only now realizing your mess of scraggly scruff requires way more upkeep than you initially anticipated, you're not alone. For every meticulously maintained mustache trimmed and tweezed to perfection, there's at least double the amount of unruly, unkempt monstrosities practically begging for a more considerate face to cling to.
Facial hair upkeep is a crucial part of, y'know, growing out your facial hair, and if you ain't willing to put in the time to keep that shit looking on-point, you might not be worthy of rocking the look, my man. Luckily for you, you don't have to invest 10,000 hours of single-minded practice to become an expert on this particular subject. Far from it, in fact. You just need a beard brush. Once you're really feeling yourself, ease into the process of stocking up on the oils—spread them around evenly with your brush!—soaps, and other staples you'll inevitably need (and then check out one of our comprehensive guides on what to do with, and how to make sense of, it all as soon as you're ready).
Whether you're getting used to newfound scruff or an old hand at keeping it in check, we've rounded up some of the best beard brushes around to keep you looking dignified, for your benefit and, really, everyone else's.
Pros
- Great for medium to coarse hair
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- UV coating on base prevents signs of wear
Cons
- Some buyers report the bristles aren't stiff enough
If your primary concern is price, you can't do much better than Diane's OG military brush, which boasts all the features you'd expect on a more premium brush (genuine boar bristles, a glossy wood finish) for below a fiver.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle makes styling easy
- Medium-stiff bristles work on coarser hair
Cons
- Buyers are surprised at how tiny the brush is (it fits in the palm of your hand)
Pro tip: shorter bristles tend to be better suited for shorter beards, and Zeus makes some of the best beard brushes around, bar none. A softer-haired brush like this one will be slightly more effective on shorter beards than its firmer-haired counterparts. Even if you don't have an overwhelming amount of scruff, regularly grooming what hair you do have with a brush like this is super important to stimulate healthy growth down the line.
Pros
- Great price
- Wood handle fits nicely in your hand
- Designed to evenly distribute natural oils
Cons
- Some buyers dislike the natural smell of the brush
- Some buyers report bristles falling out
The greatness of this Cremo beard brush is found in its bristles, which are made of sturdy and durable—yet somehow still delicate—boar hair. This means it will remove any debris and groom your scruff while feeling great on your skin.
Pros
- Fits in the palm of your hand
- Brand has been making beard brushes since the 18th century
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Some buyers are surprised at how small the brush is
- Size may make it difficult to use on fuller beards
If you fancy yourself more of a purist, Kent's ultra-premium offering comes with all the luxe details you could imagine, including a cherrywood base and a satin-finished back (along with pure boar bristles, naturally). The brand's signature beard brush is perfect for keeping a longer beard in tip-top shape by promoting shine and increased smoothness.
Pros
- Great size for shaping and styling
- Applies balms, creams, and oils with ease
Cons
- Bristles are not very stiff
Wahl, a brand that offers some of the best tools to trim your beard, also offers a brush to maintain it. This brush, for instance, is ideal for applying the balms, creams, and oils that'll help prevent beard dandruff, while leaving your whiskers with a fresh aroma. What's more, it's travel-size, so you can carry it with you wherever you go.
Pros
- Boar bristles help to exfoliate the skin
- Travel-friendly size
- Great for all hair types
Cons
- Some buyers report the size makes it difficult to grip
German-based ZilberHaar's palm brush has you covered if you're on the go, or want a precise brush. The brand uses boar bristles and a smooth wood handle so you can look good, and feel good, while giving your beard the attention it deserves.
Pros
- Design makes it easy to hold
- Buyers love how easy it makes applying products
Cons
- Some buyers report bristles fall out easily
This circular beard brush is a small dose of grooming luxury, with a dark wood handle and fancy boar bristles that won't scratch your skin, but will style your beard. Exactly what a beard brush should do.
Pros
- Pure bamboo handle is very lightweight
- Buyers like how well this fits in your hand
Cons
- Not ideal for long beards
You heard them—grave before shave! This beard brush keeps it simple and classic, with a no-frills bamboo handle and bristles that promote healthy, non-breakage hair.
Pros
- Has settings for fine, medium, and coarse hair
- Reduces frizz and adds shine
Cons
- Has to be plugged into an outlet to turn on
This beard brush has a specific purpose: straightening and styling unruly hair in just minutes. The brush heats to up to 450 degrees, and has a ceramic heating plate that promotes smooth, silky hair.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to beard brushes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting picks that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these brushes are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of trying different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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