The 9 Best Baby Hairbrushes for All Types of Locks

• Best overall baby hairbrush: Big Bee Little Bee ScrubBEE Silicone Scrubber
• Best baby hairbrush for cradle cap: Fridababy DermaFrida The FlakeFixer
• Best baby hairbrush for curly or coily hair: Fridababy Thick or Curly Hair Detangler
• Best baby hairbrush for fine hair: Fridababy DermaFrida The SkinSoother
• Best wooden baby hairbrush: KyteBaby 3-Piece Brush Set
• Best brush and comb kit: OCCObaby Wooden Hairbrush and Comb Set
• Best keepsake baby hairbrush: Things Remembered Baby’s First Brush and Comb Set
• Best budget baby hairbrush: Safety 1st Easy Grip Brush and Comb
• Best baby hairbrush for the bath: Scalp Scrubbie

Caring for your little one can be an exciting yet also anxious time, especially when they’re babies. It’s up to you to keep them not just healthy but also clean and looking put together. This includes caring for their hair.

No matter your baby’s hair type, those gentle tresses need to be cleaned and groomed just like the rest of them. Enter the baby brush! Baby brushes come in all forms, and you can even find ones to tackle specific issues — like cradle cap.

We’ve rounded up nine baby brushes that are perfect for unexpected tangles, dry scalp, or even hair types that need a bit more TLC.

Ultimately, everyone is going to have their own preference when it comes to grooming tools, especially those made for babies. But babies are wriggly, so we prioritized options that are easy for caretakers to use, even one-handed.

We also focused on a brush’s ability to tackle a specific issue — like cradle cap or extreme tangles — or on brushes that can be used beyond infancy. And, of course, we considered reviews from real parents, including those in the Healthline Parenthood family.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $10
• $$ = $11–$20
• $$$ = over $20

Best overall baby hairbrush

Big Bee Little Bee ScrubBEE Silicone Scrubber

• Price: $
• Bristle type: silicone
• Hair type: all
• Pros: multipurpose scrubber, resists mold and mildew
• Cons: not a dedicated hairbrush

If you’re looking for a simple brush that can pull triple duty, look no further than the ScrubBEE Silicone Scrubber. This sturdy scrubber can work both as a brush and a gentle exfoliator for baby’s skin.

Best of all, it features a solid textured handle that’s easy to grip while you’re sudsing up your little one but won’t encourage the growth of mildew or bacteria.

At just 2 x 3 inches, it’s the perfect size for your baby’s head. And once your child outgrows the bath stage, this scrubber can be repurposed for at-home facials or even cleaning the dishes.

Best baby hairbrush for cradle cap

Fridababy DermaFrida The FlakeFixer

• Price: $$
• Bristle type: plastic
• Hair type: all
• Pros: three-step system designed specifically to remedy cradle cap
• Cons: may not be effective for mild cases of cradle cap

No parent wants to deal with cradle cap, but it happens. Thankfully from FridaBaby, the makers of the famous nasal aspirator, comes DermaFrida The FlakeFixer.

This three-step cradle cap system includes everything you need to effectively yet gently remove those stubborn flakes from your baby’s scalp. It includes a sponge, brush, and comb so you can efficiently tackle the condition with ease.

The sponge is used to lather your little one’s scalp and soften the flakes. The brush helps gently loosen the flakes, and the comb helps lift and remove them.

The set is a fan favorite — especially of parents with babies that had extremely stubborn cradle cap — because the comb, in particular, was very effective at lifting the flakes.

As one parent put it, “If there had been a second adult human around or it was deemed safe to take my hands off the baby, I would have snapped a photo of how amazingly (disgustingly) well this product worked.”

Best baby hairbrush for curly or coily hair

FridaBaby Thick or Curly Hair Detangler

• Price: $
• Bristle type: plastic
• Hair type: thick, curly, coily
• Pros: soft, flexible bristles with integrated comb, works on wet and dry hair
• Cons: some reviewers found the bristles too hard

FridaBaby made our list again with a detangling brush specifically made for curly and coily hair. It combines soft, flexible bristles with a wide-toothed comb to gently smooth tangles without damaging your baby’s fine hair. Plus, it works on wet and dry hair.

The brush comes with its own slide-in case to protect the bristles when not in use.

Reviewers generally rave about this brush and note it works wonders on curly hair, but it might be better suited to older babies and toddlers. There are a few customers who found the bristles a little too tough, so that’s something to keep in mind if you try it.

Best baby hairbrush for fine hair

Fridababy DermaFrida The SkinSoother

• Price: $$
• Bristle type: silicone
• Hair type: fine
• Pros: built-in massager to promote hair growth, clever design
• Cons: may not be effective if baby has longer hair

Truthfully, most baby brushes are going to be perfectly safe to use on babies with fine hair. But we like the DermaFrida The SkinSoother because in addition to the soft silicone bristles that’ll make quick work of baby tangles, it’s also easy to hold — so you have more control.

That’ll come in handy when you’re trying to hold a wriggly baby with one hand and brush their hair with the other. Plus, the SkinSoother comes with a built-in massager to help stimulate your baby’s scalp, which may help their hair grow.

This is also another option that parents noted was successful in battling cradle cap.

Best wooden baby hairbrush

KyteBaby 3-Piece Brush Set

• Price: $$$
• Bristle type: goat hair, wood
• Hair type: all
• Pros: sustainably made, bacteria-resistant
• Cons: some reviewers found that the goat hair bristles shed

Technically this recommendation is a bit of a splurge. But we think it’s a great investment that’s still relatively affordable — especially considering that it’s a three-piece set.

It features sustainably sourced bamboo construction and comes with a wood-bristle detangling brush, a goat-hair-bristle brush, and a medium-toothed comb.

The natural goat-hair bristles are perfect for stimulating your baby’s scalp and minimizing the incidence of cradle cap. And you’ll probably like that all three pieces have bacteria-resistant handles for added longevity and safety.

Best brush and comb kit

OCCObaby Wooden Hairbrush and Comb Set

• Price: $$
• Bristle type: goat hair, wood
• Hair type: all
• Pros: three-piece set, combats static
• Cons: some reviewers report quality issues with the wooden bristles

For parents concerned about hair that won’t stay down, this set promises to reduce static so flyaways are a thing of the past.

The beechwood brush set includes a detangling brush with wooden bristles that have massaging tips, a goat-hair brush to help avoid cradle cap, and a comb with medium-width teeth.

You may like that the comb has a sturdy handle to give you more control. Parents love how soft the goat-hair-bristle brush is — and that it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best keepsake baby hairbrush

Things Remembered Baby’s First Brush and Comb Set

• Price: $$$
• Bristle type: plastic
• Hair type: all
• Pros: can be engraved
• Cons: more of a keepsake than a functional set

Sometimes you want a memento — a token to save from an important time in your baby’s life. While you most likely won’t be using this set regularly, it’s a perfect keepsake that you can have customized to memorialize your baby before they grow up too fast.

You can have both the comb and brush engraved with your baby’s birth date, name, or a special message that has personal meaning.

Best budget baby hairbrush

Safety 1st Easy Grip Brush and Comb

• Price: $
• Bristle type: plastic
• Hair type: all
• Pros: affordable, works on wet and dry hair, oversized handles
• Cons: some reviewers found the brush isn’t soft enough

Truthfully, it’s not necessary to go overboard on a baby brush. Many babies don’t have more than a bit of peach fuzz. Even for babies with a lot of hair, there are plenty of affordable solutions.

If you’re working within a tight budget, this set is a great simple solution for general grooming needs. You’ll get a brush with extra-soft bristles that are gentle enough for your baby’s head and a dual-density comb that gives you options to tackle thick or thin hair types whether they’re wet or dry.

And you’ll likely appreciate that the handles are oversized, with soft grips so that both you and baby can easily hold them.

Best baby hairbrush for the bath

Scalp Scrubbie

• Price: $
• Bristle type: polyethylene
• Hair type: all
• Pros: versatile design, disposable
• Cons: may not work well if baby has a lot of hair

Bath time is fun, but suds and water can lead to slippery situations — so you may want a baby brush that gives you control.

The Scalp Scrubbie is a gentle two-in-one solution that combines a soft foam sponge with a gentle bristle brush. Use the sponge to gently lather your child’s hair and body; the bristles make quick work of tangles and even cradle cap.

Parents loved that this affordable solution comes as a sterile three-pack and that it can pull double duty as a nail scrubber, too.

There are lots of options out there, and it’s helpful to start your search by keeping a few things in mind.

• What purpose will your baby’s hairbrush serve? Are you looking to tame a head full of wild hair? Look for a brush with soft bristles to gently smooth tangles. If you need to address cradle cap, a brush or comb with sturdier bristles that are closer together can gently massage to loosen and lift flakes.
• Do you have a bristle preference? You’ll find both plastic and natural fiber bristles, and both will work equally well. If you’re looking for a more sustainable option, however, opt for a brush made with goat or boar bristles.
• What sort of handle do you prefer? Some baby brushes are designed to fit in the palm of your hand, while others have a small center handle. Keep in mind what will be most comfortable for you to use, since you’ll be the one doing the brushing.

Does brushing a baby’s hair help it grow?

Yes. Brushing helps encourage circulation to the scalp, which can stimulate hair growth. Brushing your baby’s hair regularly also helps loosen cradle cap. Removing this dry skin makes it easier for hair to grow.

Do babies need their hair brushed?

Brushing your baby’s hair not only promotes blood flow to the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth, it can be a relaxing experience for your baby. There’s no harm in starting good grooming habits early. Just make sure to use a soft baby brush and be gentle.

How can I brush my baby’s hair without hurting them?

A good baby brush and a gentle touch are the best way to get those little tufts in order. Use a brush that’s designed for your baby’s hair type, and gently brush or comb after bath time when your baby’s hair is still damp and freshly washed.