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10 Best Dog Brushes in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Chris Dinesen Rogers

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

10 Best Dog Brushes in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

dog hair brushing_Jennie Book_Shutterstock

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.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Hertzko Self-Cleaning
  • Self-cleaning
  • Gentle on your pup’s skin
  • Suitable for all pets
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker
  • Comfortable handle
  • Unique shape
  • Affordably priced
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Bass Brushes Hybrid Pet Bass Brushes Hybrid Pet
  • Combo head with pins and bristles
  • Well-made to last
  • Attractive design
  • KONG Dog ZoomGroom Brush KONG Dog ZoomGroom Brush
  • Well-designed
  • Durable
  • Gentle on your pet’s skin
  • FURminator Firm Slicker Brush FURminator Firm Slicker Brush
  • Self-cleaning
  • Well-designed
  • Comfortable handle
  • The 10 Best Dog Brushes

    1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Brush – Best Overall

    Hertzko Self-Cleaning

    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.

    Pros
    • Self-cleaning
    • Gentle on your pup’s skin
    • Suitable for all pets
    Cons
    • Only two sizes

    2. Hartz Groomer’s Best Slicker Brush – Best Value

    Hartz Groomer

    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.

    Pros
    • Comfortable handle
    • Unique shape
    • Affordably priced
    • Rounded tips
    Cons
    • For small pups only

    3. Bass Brushes Hybrid Groomer Brush – Premium Choice

    Bass Brushes Hybrid

    Type: Combo pin-bristle design
    Material: Natural bristles and bamboo
    Health feature: N/A
    Coat length-type: Medium to thick-haired dogs

    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.

    Pros
    • Combo head with pins and bristles
    • Well-made to last
    • Attractive design
    Cons
    • Pricey

    4. KONG Dog ZoomGroom Multi-Use Dog Brush

    KONG Dog ZoomGroom

    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.

    Pros
    • Multiple uses
    • USA-made
    • Gentle on your pet’s skin
    • Durable
    Cons
    • Must handle hair

    5. FURminator Firm Slicker Dog Hair Brush

    FURminator Firm Slicker 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.

    Pros
    • Well-designed
    • Anti-microbial materials
    • Two bristle types
    • Ergonomic handle
    Cons
    • 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.

    Pros
    • Self-cleaning
    • Well-designed
    • Comfortable handle
    • Well-constructed
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Not coating on the pins

    7. Miracle Care Slicker Dog Brush

    Miracle Care Slicker

    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.

    Pros
    • Comfortable handle
    • Excellent gripping action
    Cons
    • Only two sizes
    • Uncoated tips

    8. Frisco Dog Bristle Brush

    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.

    Pros
    • Value-priced
    • Gentle on the skin
    Cons
    • One size only
    • Not as effective as comparable products

    9. Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Brush

    Vetnique Labs

    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.

    Pros
    • Multi-functional
    • Excellent massage action
    • Lint remover
    Cons
    • 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.

    Pros
    • Affordably priced
    Cons
    • Not effective on thick-coated dogs
    • Combo unsuitable for some pets
    • Doesn’t get into the undercoat

    divider-dogBuyer’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
    hand holding the brush while getting the dog's hair
    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.

    hand brushing a dalmatian dog
    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.

    Golden-retriever-dog-sitting-close-to-white-short-hair-Chihuahua
    Image By: Phuttharak, Shutterstock

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    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.


    Featured Image Credit: Jennie Book, Shutterstock

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