With the best shaving brush, you’ll get a great lather and a more comfortable shave, but other benefits come with this shaving accessory.
If you haven’t used a shaving brush before or want to know what to look for, we’ve researched and found the best shaving brushes on the market and their important features.
What is a Shaving Brush?
A shaving brush is a men’s lathering tool made with soft bristles to spread shave cream evenly and accurately. Those who like to wet shaves, such as barbers, straight razors, and safety razor lovers, use shaving brushes to develop a rich, thick lather unmatched by can products.
Avoid Cheap Brushes
Are you living your best life? We’re advocates for treating yourself, which means taking care of your skin and beard with the best shaving products.
Not all shave brushes have the same quality bristles and handheld design. There are many cheap products on the market that fall apart, too.
Avoid those problems with this quick buyer’s guide I’ve put together to find the best shaving brush.
Shaving Brush Buyer’s Guide
For men who want a simple, comfortable wet shave, a shaving brush is crucial to the shaving process.
I looked for specific features in the shave brushes that I chose so you’d get the most value, in addition to a perfectly smooth shave.
Here’s how I graded the quality of shaving brushes:
- Bristle type (badger hair preferred)
- Size and weight (must feel balanced in hand)
- Durability for long time use (wooden handle, badger silvertip brushes)
- Price tag
- Water retention
- Overall customer satisfaction
Shaving Brush Types
Shaving brushes come in various bristle types, each offering unique benefits and characteristics. From natural animal hairs to synthetic fibers, the right choice can enhance your shaving experience by improving lather quality and skin preparation.
Boar Bristle Shave Brushes
Boar bristle shave brushes are known for their stiffness, making them ideal for exfoliating skin and lifting coarse beard hairs. Over time, the bristles soften, offering a more comfortable lather application.
Badger Bristle Shave Brushes
Badger bristle brushes are prized for holding water and creating a rich, creamy lather. They vary in softness and price, ranging from the firmer pure badger to the ultra-soft silvertip.
Synthetic Bristle Shave Brushes
Synthetic brushes are a durable, hypoallergenic option that dries quickly and is less prone to bacterial growth. They mimic the softness of natural bristles and are often preferred for their ethical production.
Horse Hair Shave Brushes
Horse hair brushes are a less common choice, offering a good balance between stiffness and softness. They are typically made from the mane and tail hair without harming the animal, appealing to ethical consumers.
Badger Silvertip Brushes or Synthetic?
Ideally, you want to look for pure badger hair bristles or silvertip bristles, which are premium quality fibers.
Just a heads-up: look for “badger silvertip brushes” that indicate they are made from real animal hair.
Synthetic fibers offer a poor to average lathering experience, and these brushes often have loose fibers that stick to your face.
There are also stiffer, stronger boar or horsehair brush bristles. However, I prefer soft bristles to lather up with, as they are just more comfortable, but boar bristles may lead to better exfoliation and more coverage.
For sensitive skin, the best results will come from silvertip badger bristles or synthetic materials that mimic their natural softness if you’re on a budget.
Vegan-Friendly Shave Brushes
There are brands out there that try to make a higher-quality silvertip brush from synthetics. These manufacturers do their best to emulate the texture and softness of real badger silvertip hair or even horse hair.
I’ve included both real and vegan-friendly shaving brushes in the reviews below.
Handle Material
Brush handles should be ergonomic and easy to fit in your hand. However, you also want a material that will withstand time and have water-resistant characteristics.
Wood Handle Brushes vs Resin or Plastic
Most handles are made from metal or wood, although others are made from plastic.
There’s nothing wrong with a plastic handle, except that the aesthetic of the wood handle is much better than a resin or synthetic handle. IMHO – anything other than a wooden handle feels like less of a product.
Shaving Brush Maintenance
Wet shavers know that the best shaving brushes provide a quality lather but require upkeep and cleaning.
Knowing how to care for a shaving brush is as important as knowing what features to look for. After all, you want to be able to use this tool for many years.
The process is pretty simple. After you shave, you’ll rinse the shaving brush off gently under hot water. Rinse all the shaving cream thoroughly, which will take about 1-2 minutes. Next, you’ll flick or lightly shake off the excess water from the brush, then place it on a stand to dry.
If you don’t have a shaving brush stand, that’s okay, too. You can also place it on a clean washcloth and allow it to air dry.
How to Clean a Dirty Shaving Brush
Cleanliness with shaving brushes starts with how you store this tool. You don’t want to place it inside a container or enclose it in a tight space when it’s still wet. That may lead to mold and mildew, especially if it has real animal hair bristles.
However, to keep your shaving brush clean and sterile, you must soak the bristles in a borax and water solution. A few shaving brush cleaning soaps let you lather with a disinfecting cleaning solution, such as the one from Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements.
Shaving Brush Size
You should always pick a shaving brush that’s going to feel great in the palm of your hand. Anything too small won’t feel ergonomic. Cheaper, smaller shaving brushes are typically not well made like a sturdy, large brush with good balance.
Price
You should always check materials and customer reviews before buying a shaving brush.
Some are priced under $10, while premium brands charge as much as $250 for a full shaving brush kit.
The main quality is in the bristles and handle. You can expect to pay a little more if it comes with genuine boar bristles, silvertip badger hair, or other specialty fibers.
Best Shaving Brushes Reviewed
Tests are based on construction, quality of materials, price, and user satisfaction.
1. Parker 100% Real Badger Silvertip Brush
Made from real silvertip bristles, the Parker Silvertip Shaving Brush is so soft and feels amazing on your skin. These are 100% real badger silvertip brushes with a white, faux ivory handle and a free lucite brush stand.
A shaving brush like this makes wet shaving simple and easy. The bristles glide over the skin and hold shaving cream well. I got a rich, thick lather from my shave soap within seconds.
- GENUINE SILVERTIP BADGER BRISTLES: This badger brush is made of the highest quality, softest silvertip that provides a great lather while preparing your beard for a comfortable shave.
- GENERATES LUXURIOUS THICK LATHER: The silvertip badger shaving brush holds a large amount of water, creating a thick lather with a quality shave soap or cream. Why not have a barbershop shave experience in your own home?
- MUST-HAVE SHAVING ACCESSORY FOR LUXURIOUS SHAVE: This must-have badger shaving brush will prepare your face for a close and luxurious shave. It is a must for any wet shaver that uses a safety razor or cartridge razor.
- BRUSH STAND INCLUDED: This badger hair shaving brush with stand comes with a resin shaving brush stand that helps in proper brush drying and storage.
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION OFFERING MAXIMUM DURABILITY: You can use this badger shaving brush with confidence as it will last for years. Our brush knots are hand crafted with select bristles to ensure the highest quality product for you.
Verdict
With this shaving brush, just one swirl around the shaving bowl, and you’ll fall in love with this premium-quality product. While it’s a bit expensive, the quality and stand to ensure that you’ll have this brush for a lifetime.
Where to Buy
2. Omega HI-BRUSH Vegan-Friendly Shaving Brush
I wanted to include an up-and-coming brand that offers high-quality, vegan-friendly, synthetic shaving brushes. The Omega HI-BRUSH Synthetic Shaving Brush has very realistic badger silvertip brushes without using actual animal hair.
It’s also a beautifully designed shaving brush with a white, ergonomic handle that fits perfectly in your hand. The bristles are thick but soft, picking up a ton of product in just a few swirls.
Verdict
This brush truly has excellent value, and the brushes hold their shape. The bristles look and feel like the real thing, and they don’t fall out, which is a common issue with synthetic brushes. You’ll love using this with a premium shave soap.
Where to Buy
3. Hawkins & Brimble Shaving Brush
I wanted to include one more high-quality, vegan-friendly brush that is cheaper than the Omega. The Hawkins & Brimble Shaving Brush offers incredibly soft bristles that still hold their shape and pick up a ton of product.
- Experience the Ultimate Shaving Luxury: Elevate your grooming routine with our high-quality, luxury shaving brush for men. Crafted with precision and care, this shaving brush guarantees a smooth and indulgent shaving experience every time.
- Effortless Grooming On-the-Go: Introducing our travel-friendly shaving brush designed exclusively for men who are always on the move. Compact and efficient, this shave brush for men ensures a professional-grade shave wherever your journey takes you.
- Synthetic Excellence, Natural Feel: Embrace the best of both worlds with our synthetic shaving brush that replicates the feel of natural hair. Enjoy the soft, luxurious touch without compromising on ethical and cruelty-free grooming practices.
- Unleash the Power of High-Quality Craftsmanship: Our shaving brush for men boasts unparalleled quality, meticulously crafted to deliver a superior lather for a precise and comfortable shave. Elevate your grooming game with a brush that stands out in both performance and style.
- Master the Art of Grooming with Natural Hair Precision: Indulge in the richness of natural hair bristles with our shaving brush for men. Experience the perfect blend of comfort and performance as you achieve a flawlessly smooth shave every time you lather up.
Verdict
You’ll get a rich lather with just a couple of swipes using this Hawkin & Brimble brush. Made with naturally derived ingredients, this brush provides a smooth shaving experience.
Where to Buy
4. Omega Professional Boar Bristle Brush
The Omega “Pro” Shaving Brush proves that you don’t need to spend much money to get a high-quality shaving brush.
Highly rated for its thick, boar bristles that pick up shaving cream instantly, the Omega Pro Shaving Brush will last you many years, thanks to its durable craftsmanship.
- PROFESSIONAL BRUSH - Many professionals prefer the Omega Pro 48 due to its high-quality performance
- 100 PERCENT BOAR BRISTLES - The brush is made of all-natural boar bristles. It has dense, soft bristles for a close shave
- EASY TO HOLD - The brush has a chrome-colored ABS handle that is easy to hold and provides a comfortable grip
- RECOMMENDED FOR ALL SHAVING CREAMS AND SOAPS - This bristle brush is excellent for use with all shaving creams and soaps of all skin types. It is the perfect match with lavish soaps from Italy
Verdict
I used shaving soap and cream to test how well the boar bristles handled the product. The brush picked up the lather quickly and was easy to hold. The boar bristles aren’t as soft as badger silvertip brushes, but it wasn’t prickly at all, either.
Where to Buy
5. Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Brush
Is the Perfecto Badger Hair Shaving Brush the most perfect on my list? It’s close! With 100% real badger silvertip hair, this brush soaks up warm water and picks up shaving cream. It instantly foams up, allowing for thick coverage over your face.
- 100% Badger hair bristles - Extra Soft Brushes For A Luxurious Shaving Experience. Crafted with authentic badger hair for a superior lather and comfortable shave. The Perfecto luxurious shaving brush can also be used as a cleaning brush to help to carry the natural oils of your skin and facial hair and keep your beard soft and healthy.
- Gently exfoliates the skin - Beard shaving brush for precise beard grooming. They are specially designed for the best shave possible. Our beard brush helps you achieve a clean and polished look. The walnut wood handle is durable and comfortable for home use as well as travel use.
- The soft brushes bring water to the face for that perfect, true wet shave - Massage the skin beneath your beard, and enjoy shaving or combing time with the extra soft beard brush. The ideal brush for men looking for the best shaving brush to use with shaving gel or foam.
- Creates a perfect rich lather - A high-quality shaving brush for men. Our shaving brush is made with premium materials, ensuring a long-lasting and effective grooming tool. The wooden handle has a luxurious feel, which you will find at high-class barber shops.
- Fits Perfectly in the "Perfecto Deluxe Chrome Razor and Brush Stand" PLEASE NOTE, that as with all genuine badger hair brushes, slight shedding may occur during the first few times in use -Handle colour may vary -ONLY ONE BRUSH IS INCLUDED. The grooming kit is the perfect gift for men. If you are looking for the perfect Fathers Day gift, our shaver brush is the perfect gift for men.
Verdict
I was impressed by Perfecto’s shaving brush. There were a couple of shedding hairs, which I don’t hold against a new brush. Perfecto provides a disclaimer that this may happen, though I didn’t experience it with the other brushes.
However, I think this brush has more bristles, making it quite dense, so shedding a few hairs at first is normal. You can dust the brush in your hand before you start to get rid of those first loose 1 or 2 hairs. After a few uses, it was fine.
Where to Buy
6. Vie Long Professional Horse Hair Brush
One of the benefits of the Vie Long Professional Horse Hair Brush is that it lathers up three times as fast as a normal boar bristle or badger silvertip brush. That said, the bristles on this brush are a bit stiffer, but the ergonomic handle and ease of use make this shaving brush stand out.
- Vie-Long: The Vie-Long horse hair shaving brush is a great looking brush with classic styling. Creates a perfect rich lather with your favorite shave soap or cream.
- GENTLY EXFOLIATES THE SKIN: The brushes are extremely soft and offers gently touch on your skin.
- EASY TO USE AND COMFORTABLE: With an unique design, easy to hold and provides comfortable grip. Easier to create foam, smooth surface giving you luxurious quality feeling.
- DIMENSION: Knot diameter: 21 mm, Bristle Loft: 61 mm, Handle height: 56 mm and Overall height: 117 mm
- PERFECT FOR GIFT: A perfect luxury gift for your families and friends. Great and meaningful for all occasions- Christmas, Valentine's Day, Father's Day etc
Verdict
You’ll get a lot of value and lather out of this horse hair shaving brush from Vie Long, and it’s a durable design that delivers on coverage. I have to comment on the smell out of the box, which is pretty strong. It’s not a bad smell, just a disinfectant smell.
Where to Buy
7. Parker Travel Brush
If you want something you can take, the Parker Travel Shaving Brush offers a superior quality brush within a compact package. Despite its slim handle, you still get the same coverage as the other Parker shaving brush.
This brush is handmade and comes with 100% real badger silvertip hair. It’s incredibly soft but holds its shape, easily whipping up lather in a few swirls.
- A travel brush with a 18 mm handmade Silvertip badger brush knot
- Ingenious design - the brush fits in the travel case.
- Outstanding Quality - A genuine Parker Safety Razor product
- Great for everyday use or travel
Verdict
This 19mm brush knot with a lightweight tube-shaped container is very convenient for travel. However, it’s also nice to lather up, rinse off, dry, and store away in this handy container. This would make a great stocking stuffer or addition to a shaving kit gift.
Where to Buy
8. Vikings Blade White Knight Shaving Brush
The Vikings Blade Luxury Shaving Brush has a beautiful faux ivory acrylic handle with a heavy steel base. This shaving brush feels amazing in hand and leads to a fast lather. It’s super easy to pick up shaving cream, even though this brush has faux badger silvertip hair.
If you’re looking for another vegan-friendly shaving brush, this Vikings Blade shaving brush has high-quality synthetic bristles that feel nearly 100% real.
- PERFECT Compliment for any shaving soap, cream and any double edge safety razor, straight razor, shaving razor or cartridge razor
- SMOOTH, PLUSH & Long Lasting: a unique man made badger style hair rivaling top-of-the range Silvertip badger hair. Particularly, this knot has a strong backbone, feels ultra smooth & plush on your skin, minimal shedding and does not crumble like most standard badger brushes
- HEFTY, HEAVY Steel Base: Heaviest brush on Amazon. Most other shave brushes are made from lightweight black-painted pinewood, whereas this handle is made from ultra heavy and durable acrylic and premium 316L Stainless Steel to create that ultra substantial & luxury feel in your palm
- STIMULATES and Exfoliates your skin just the right amount to simulate that luxury hotel barbershop experience
- FAST & RICH Lather: Engineered specifically to quickly work up a Thick, Rich and Foamy Lather
Verdict
Highly rated by customers, I knew I would like this Vikings Blade shaving brush. It’s very posh at first glance, but the bristles hold the product and spread it quickly over your skin. I liked the experience, especially the look of this brush.
Where to Buy
9. Viking Revolution Badger Hair Shaving Brush
For a rich lather and 100% natural badger silvertip hair, the Viking Revolution Shaving Brush offers excellent coverage. While the handle isn’t as impressive as some of the wooden or faux ivory handles, it’s weighted and fits nicely in the palm of your hand.
- Rich Lather- Create the perfect rich lather with our 100% Natural Badger Brush
- Gently Exfoliates- While containing dense bristles, they are still soft enough to create a warm lather for the best shave possible
- Perfect Gift- Works great with Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap and Double Edge Safety Razor for the perfect wet shave
- The Viking Promise: If for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied, simply contact us and we’ll take care of it.
Verdict
I like the Viking Revolution brand because of its quality bristles and very budget-friendly cost (under $10).
These soft, thick bristles pick up and hold product well, making quick work of your morning shaving routine. Hold this brush under hot water for 60 seconds, then swirl once around your shave soap to get a thick lather going.
Where to Buy
10. Edwin Jagger Best Badger Shaving Brush with Drip Stand
Edwin Jagger’s Best Badger Shaving Brush provides everything you need for a professional shaving brush, including a drip stand.
Made to look like ebony, Edwin Jagger’s shaving brush is made from Sheffield and polished horn. It’s a bit more lightweight, so if you like a heavy base, this may not work.
- Skin Perfecting: Create the perfect lather and prep the skin for the art of shaving. The Best Badger fibres whip soap or cream to a rich lather. As it is worked into the beard, gentle exfoliation lifts the hair, ready for a close wet shave.
- Luxury Feel: An excellent Shaving Brush with the highest quality fill of Best Badger Hair, each fibre is handpicked to create the perfect sensation. This classic men’s shaving tool offers a slick, barbershop quality lather - every time.
- Premium Quality: Dating back to the 18th Century, badger hair has long been the pinnacle of shaving quality. Over 18,000 fibres are used to create the exquisite fill, giving a dense & luxurious feel.
- Classic Design: Made using specially selected high-quality synthetic material for a sleek and sophisticated appearance, the flared base fits perfectly in your hand. Hanging to dry in a stand ensures your Edwin Jagger shaving brush lasts a lifetime.
- Edwin Jagger: Made by the renowned manufacturer in Sheffield, England, to the highest standard. This luxury brush is delivered in smart presentation packaging, includes care booklet and instructions, and makes an ideal gift for both men and women.
Verdict
I wanted to review Edwin Jagger’s badger hair brush because it’s a high-quality, known brand in the shaving world, and I was pretty impressed.
The bristles hold water and shaving cream extremely well, so you can get a decent lather quickly. I used it with shaving soap and cream, and I liked the feel of the bristles and coverage.
Where to Buy
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a wet shaving fanatic or just getting into it, switching to shaving soap and shaving brush has all kinds of benefits. If you like looking your best with the closest shave possible, these brushes have everything you need, and they’re all pretty high quality.
If I had to pick just one shaving brush I tested, I’d go with the Parker Badger Hair Shaving Brush. It doesn’t have a wooden handle, which is my preference, but it was the first one I tested, and I liked how it created a good lather in just a few seconds. I didn’t have to spend any time soaking the brush either; it was just instantly soaked in hot water so I could lather up the bristles. Very easy!
FAQ
What is the best type of shaving brush?
Silvertip Badger Hair brushes are regarded as the premier choice for wet shaving. They excel in water retention, softness, and durability, providing a luxurious, cushioned shaving experience and longevity with proper maintenance.
What to look for when buying a shaving brush?
Consider the bristle grade, which affects softness, moisture holding, and brush texture. The handle material is equally crucial for ergonomic handling and aesthetic appeal. Opt for brushes that balance both for an enhanced shaving experience.
Are expensive shaving brushes worth it?
Yes, high-quality shaving brushes are a worthwhile investment. They combine superior backbone support with softer bristles, achieved by densely packed, longer hairs, enhancing your shave’s overall comfort and effectiveness.
Which is better, badger or boar shaving brush?
Badger hair brushes are superior for wet shaving, providing a softer and more pleasurable experience. In contrast, boar brushes are stiffer and coarser, which might be less comfortable against the skin.
