Grooming supplies probably aren’t your biggest expense as a pet owner. You likely pay more for toys than brushes and other tools. Nevertheless, grooming is essential maintenance for your dog. It can help you spot skin problems, fleas and ticks, or ear infections before they become an issue. However, brushes differ in their use and effectiveness. That’s where our guide steps up to the plate.
We’ve done the homework for you to figure out which is the best dog brush to keep your pup’s coat healthy and mat-free. We’ll discuss what to look for in these products. Our lineup of reviews will provide the details you need to make an informed choice.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 10 Best Dog Brushes
1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Brush – Best Overall
Type:
Slicker
Material:
Plastic and stainless steel
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium to thick-haired dogs
The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush came out on top as our pick for the best overall dog brush. We loved that it was gentle on our pet’s skin and didn’t irritate it. It also did an excellent job of removing loose hair and mats. We also liked that it removed dander too. The self-cleaning feature is handy, although you still might have to touch the fur to get it cleaned. It does a decent job without hurting your pet.
Self-cleaning
Gentle on your pup’s skin
Suitable for all pets
Only two sizes
2. Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush – Best Value
Type:
Slicker
Material:
Plastic and stainless steel
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium to thick-haired dogs
The Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush is our pick for the best dog brush for the money. It’s a steal at its current price. The head has a unique shape that makes it easy to use on smaller pets. The bristles are dense enough to collect the loose hair with rounded tips to make sure it doesn’t hurt. We also appreciated the ergonomically designed handle that made it easy to use. It’s an excellent choice for a puppy’s first brush.
Bass Brushes Hybrid Pet Groomer Oval Brush is the Cadillac of dog grooming tools. The bamboo handle is gorgeous with its shiny finish. The wood adds to the durability of the product. The brush has a combination of rounded pins and bristles. It’s stiff enough to work out mats with the oil-distributing properties of the natural bristles. Overall, it’s a well-made and well-designed brush.
Combo head with pins and bristles
Well-made to last
Attractive design
4. KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Dog Brush
Type:
Curry brush
Material:
Plastic
Health feature:
Skin health and muscle care
Coat length-type:
Short-haired dogs
The KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Brush is as functional as it is cute. It takes grooming to the next level. You can use it to brush your pup, give your pet a massage, or even clean their teeth with it. The product works as advertised. It does an excellent job of removing the dead hair. Unfortunately, you still must handle it, which can make grooming a bit messy.
Multiple uses
USA-made
Gentle on your pet’s skin
Durable
Must handle hair
5. FURminator Firm Slicker Dog Hair Brush
Type:
Slicker
Material:
Plastic
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium to thick-haired dogs
The FURminator Firm Slicker Brush ticks off many of the boxes we like in grooming tools, starting with its design. It makes grooming a piece of cake with its dual-head feature. The handle has a decent hand feel to make your job more comfortable, too. This product does an excellent job of removing fur, beginning with the first pass through your pet’s coat. The company says it gets rid of 90% of the hair, and we believe it.
Well-designed
Anti-microbial materials
Two bristle types
Ergonomic handle
Occasional quality control issues
6. Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush
Type:
Slicker
Material:
Plastic and stainless steel
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium to thick-haired dogs
The Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush makes grooming easier for both you and your pet. The design is spot-on for making the brush do the heavy lifting. It also has a comfortable handle that makes it easy to use. While it doesn’t advertise a health feature, the gentle action of the pins stimulates circulation for better skin health. While it’s spendy, the brush is well-made to last.
Self-cleaning
Well-designed
Comfortable handle
Well-constructed
Pricey
Not coating on the pins
7. Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush
Type:
Slicker
Material:
Plastic and stainless steel
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium to thick-haired dogs
The Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush goes the extra mile with a comfy handle that makes grooming more manageable for you, too. The head is smaller than we typically see in these products. However, it gives you more control in tighter areas, such as your dog’s head and legs. The pins do a decent job of collecting the loose hair. Unfortunately, it gets full quickly so that you must clean it often.
Comfortable handle
Excellent gripping action
Only two sizes
Uncoated tips
8. Frisco Dog Bristle Brush
Type:
Bristle brush
Material:
Plastic and rubber
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Medium-length fur
The Frisco Dog Bristle Brush brings the best of both worlds to the table with its combination of boar hair and nylon bristles. While it works, there is a limited subset of pets that would benefit from it. It won’t get deep into the undercoat. It primarily works the top coat and removes hair marginally well. However, it is gentle, which makes it a good choice for a pup new to grooming.
Value-priced
Gentle on the skin
One size only
Not as effective as comparable products
9. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush
Type:
Curry brush
Material:
Silicone
Health feature:
Skin health and muscle care
Coat length-type:
Short-haired dogs
The Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush is the second of the curry-type products we reviewed. Like the previous one, you can use this item for several tasks, including bathing and massage. It even removes lint from your clothes. It’s made of silicone, which gives it added durability. We liked the large nubs on this one for improved skin health. However, it doesn’t get out as much hair with each pass as we’d like.
Multi-functional
Excellent massage action
Lint remover
Pricey
Fair effectiveness
10. Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush
Type:
Combination pin and bristle brush
Material:
Plastic and stainless steel
Health feature:
N/A
Coat length-type:
Short to medium-haired dogs
The Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush is both a pin and bristle type. The former has coated pins and the latter nylon bristles. It has an ergonomic handle that makes using it easier. It’s a decent value to get two products for the price of one. However, like many cheaper bristle brushes, it’s only effective on pets with shorter coats. The two types are also not interchangeable. You’ll either use one or the other.
Affordably priced
Not effective on thick-coated dogs
Combo unsuitable for some pets
Doesn’t get into the undercoat
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Brush
If you search online or browse the grooming supply aisle at your local pet store, you’ll probably find plenty of choices and types of dog brushes. Even the word “brush” covers a wide range of products. You’ll find ones that work best for certain tasks. For example, a deshedding tool will collect loose hair from your pup’s top coat. Often, that’s what is ending up on your furniture or clothes.
Brushes also vary at the business end. You’ll see various types that are suited for different coats and hair lengths. Size is another feature to check. After all, there is a fine line between getting the job done efficiently and having it take too long for you or your pooch. Things to consider when choosing a brush include:
Type
Material
Health feature
Coat length-type
Image By: sonsart, Shutterstock
Dog Brush Type
The right brush type will make the difference between removing loose hairs and not hurting your pup’s skin. Some of the more popular products include bristle brushes, slickers, and curry brushes. Each one is suited to specific coat types, which we’ll discuss later. The essential thing is that the brush has a decent hand feel to it. You’ll find many products with ergonomically designed handles to make your job more comfortable.
We suggest paying attention to the construction of the brush. If your pup has a thick coat, you’ll need one that can get through their fur without breaking under pressure. As the late—but great—author Kurt Vonnegut once said, “In this world, you get what you pay for.”
Pro Tip: Don’t be put off by products that are labeled for use with other pets, such as cats or horses. Many brushes will work equally well for other animals. It’s simply a marketing device that many manufacturers use.
Dog Brush Material
You’ll see brushes with pins, bristles, rubber, and wire. Bristle brushes do an excellent job of redistributing the oils of your dog’s skin to make their coat look its best. They are also gentle on your pup’s skin. Pin brushes can get through denser coats. We suggest sticking with products that have nubs on the ends of the pins to avoid hurting your pet’s skin.
You’ll find other items with rubber knobs instead of bristles. They typically don’t have a handle. Instead, you put them in the palm of your hand to hold them. You may see them called curry brushes. Not only will they remove loose hairs, but they will also give your pup a massage. That can stimulate circulation in your dog’s skin. They must feel good, too, judging by the way our pets respond.
One of the most popular kinds is the slicker brush. It uses metal pins that can penetrate your pup’s undercoat. They do an excellent job of removing mats. Again, you’ll find products with different shapes and sizes, depending on the intended breed.
We also recommend paying attention to the brush’s handle. You find a range of materials, from plastic to stainless steel to wood. Remember that brushing your dog will take several minutes to go through their coat completely. Choose one that will get the job done while making it more comfortable for you to use.
Image By: SasPartout, Shutterstock
Dog Brush Health Feature
Some companies list other features as part of their products’ descriptions. These often include benefits, such as skin health or muscle care. We usually see it with curry brushes or hound gloves that remove loose fur equally well. Some pet owners find that making grooming more relaxing for their dog provides other benefits that go beyond hair removal.
Dog Coat Length-Type
Perhaps one of the most important considerations is the length and type of coat your dog has. That’s where we can recommend specific products for some pets. For example, a pin brush is an excellent choice for pups with a long, silky coat, such as a Yorkshire Terrier. It works well as a finishing tool, too. A bristle brush is the product of choice if you have a short-haired dog that sheds year-round, such as a Pug.
A rubber brush does surprisingly well at collecting loose hair on short-haired dogs, like Beagles. A slicker brush is the jack of all trades. It will do a great job on just about any pet. It is a godsend for breeds such as Saint Bernards or Poodles with wavy or curly coats. It’s also worth considering if you have a pup with a double coat, such as a Samoyed or Siberian Husky. It’ll get down to the undercoat to remove dead hair.
Image By: Phuttharak, Shutterstock
Conclusion
The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Dog Brush is an excellent grooming tool that makes your job as easy as possible. It picks up fur quickly and easily, giving it top honors in our list of reviews. It’s a wise investment in a brush that gets the job done right. The Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush is a value-priced product suited for smaller dogs because of its compact design. Grooming is easy-peasy with this tool.
