Picture yourself at a high-end barbershop.
Your head is laid back, your body is relaxed, and the expert barber is running warm water through your skin. Life is good.
Now, unfortunately you probably can’t do this every single day—it’s a treat that takes time and money.
But, you can recreate this experience at home using a quality shaving brush. The best shaving brushes will be made of high-quality materials, create a foamy lather, and be easy to hold in your hand.
Here are my top picks so that you can start getting that barbershop experience in the comfort of your home.
Key Takeaways
To round up the best shaving brushes for men, I carefully scoured through dozens of brands, Amazon listings, and customer reviews to find out which ones men will benefit from the most. The eight below are the best options I found based on style, type of hair used, and the handle’s craftsmanship.
My top pick is the Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush because it’s simple, comfortable to use, and a great value, followed by the budget-friendly ECHOLLY Luxury Shaving Brush that’s great for beginners.
Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush at Amazon
Proraso Professional Shaving Brush at Amazon
ECHOLLY Luxury Shaving Brushes for Men at Amazon
Vikings Blade Luxury Shaving Brush for Men at Amazon
Alexander Simpson Trafalgar Synthetic Shaving Brush at Amazon
Shaveway 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush at Amazon
Best Overall: Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: Made specifically for a soothing beard grooming experience, the Perfecto Pure Badger Shaving Brush takes shaves to another level. Crafted with authentic badger hairs, it provides a superior lather and a comfortable, closer shave.
The brush also acts as a cleaner, effectively carrying natural oils to keep your beard healthy and soft.
It even gently exfoliates your skin. The walnut-wood bulb handle provides a good grip, making it easy to apply the lather all over your facial hair. The bristles can easily foam up any shaving cream, and they won’t sting when rubbed against your face.
Who is this for? Guys who want a convenient shaving experience with premium materials at a solid price.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The bristles tend to shed if not cleaned properly or after prolonged use.
Brush hair: Badger | Dimensions: 4.9 x 2 x 1.6 inches; 1.76 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: Straight razor, multi blade
Best on Amazon: Proraso Professional Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: The Proraso Professional Shaving Brush gives men a stiffer option for shaving brushes. The long boar bristles quickly turn any soap or cream into a luscious lather. It’ll also give your face a nice massage—much needed after a long week.
The handle is lightweight and has a sturdy grip, so it won’t slip out of your hands as you lather up for a great shave. The Proraso Shaving Brush is built like a truck, with real Italian craftsmanship.
Who is this for? It’s for guys with thicker, fuller beards will prefer the boar bristles as they tend to be coarser and stiffer.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The boar bristles hold less water than badger, making it more suitable for hard shaving soaps.
Brush hair: Boar | Dimensions: 2 x 1.7 x 6.3 inches; 2.12 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: Safety razor, cartridge razor
Best Budget: ECHOLLY Luxury Shaving Brushes for Men
Why it’s great: The ECHOLLY Luxury Shaving Brushes for Men is a good grooming product for its cost. At a lower price than the salad you ate for lunch, it’s the best beginner-friendly brush available. The synthetic badger bristles are specifically engineered to quickly create a thick, rich, and foamy lather.
The ergonomic handle provides an easy grip, ultimately leading to a relaxing, steady shaving experience. The brush is also easy to clean, as a good rinse through lukewarm water will get rid of excess foam. If you’re not keen on spending too much on shaving products but want a top-quality shave, then try this one.
Who is this for? A newbie-friendly best shaving brush that’s built to last without the risk of shedding. If you live a vegan lifestyle, you’ll also appreciate that this is made from faux animal hair.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The bristles take a while to soften up compared to pure, authentic badger hair.
Brush hair: Synthetic Badger | Dimensions: 1.4 x 1.4 x 4.2 inches; 1.8 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: Straight razor, double-edge razor, cartridge razor
Best Luxury: Parker Premium 3-Band Pure Badger Bristle Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: The Parker Premium 3-Band Pure Badger Bristle Shaving Brush comes on top for those seeking a luxury tool. This premium brush is handcrafted from 100% pure badger bristles and has heavenly softness. That’s because the brush knots include only select, high-quality hairs that retain more water and create a thicker lather.
The heavyweight handle offers a durable grip for a more manly shave. This masterpiece comes in three sleek colors: faux horn, white (it’s really an off-white cream), and black. It’s packed in a gift box with a bonus resin stand.
Who is this for? Men who have experience with shaving brushes know that they want a top-of-the-line shaving experience.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The actual color of the brush’s handle may differ from what’s in the picture.
Brush hair: Badger | Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 2 inches; 1 ounce | Recommended Razor Type: Safety razor, cartridge razor
Best Everyday: Vikings Blade Luxury Shaving Brush for Men
Why it’s great: The Vikings Blade Luxury Shaving Brush for Men combines maximum durability with a masculine aesthetic. It is built from high-end synthetic badger bristles and gives a smooth, plush feel with minimal shedding. It’ll also likely last longer compared to most pure badger hair brushes.
The tortoiseshell handle comes in a beautiful, heavy-duty obsidian acrylic with a stainless steel base. Not only does it make your grooming sessions comfortable, but you’ll also look cool doing it.
To seal the deal, this brush can produce a thick, rich, and foamy lather like no other… it can even give you that luxury barbershop experience with its skin-stimulating and exfoliating effect.
Who is this for? Modern warriors who want a tough and visually appealing shaving brush that can handle any job.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s a bit heavier than other shaving brushes of its size. (Actually, that may be a strength, depending on your preference.)
Brush hair: Synthetic Badger | Dimensions: 5.39 x 2.28 x 1.61 inches; 5.6 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: Double edge safety razor, Straight razor, Cartridge razor
Best Synthetic: Alexander Simpson Trafalgar Synthetic Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: Out of all the synthetic bristles available, the Alexander Simpson Trafalgar Shaving Brush ranks at the top of the list. The latest addition to the brand’s long line of grooming brushes, the Trafalgar sports an eye-catching design along with its Sovereign-grade fiber.
It also has fast-drying properties and is quite easy to maintain on your busiest days. It’s handmade from the bristles down to the handle—the strands are tied into knots by hand and the handle is sculpted by expert craftsmen. Their unique techniques date back to 1919, so you know this was built with love and made to last.
Who is this for? This is it if you’re looking for a reliable brush from an established brand with a rich heritage.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s quite expensive for a synthetic shaving brush.
Brush hair: Synthetic | Dimensions: 7.83 x 2.56 x 2.2 inches; 3.84 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: Double-edged razor
Best Authentic Badger: Shaveway 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: Most men prefer 100% badger bristles because of their soft texture and ability to foam up cream. The Shaveway Shaving Brush outshines all others in terms of build and quality. The way the bristles are tied into the handle allows it to create a perfectly rich lather.
It gives you a luxurious barbershop experience in the comfort of your own home. For a little over $10, you’ll get a flexible badger shaving brush that retains its shape, even after many uses.
Who is this for? Men who value authentic badger hairs over everything else. A purist, if you will.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Since it’s made from pure badger, it’s prone to shedding and has that distinct animal smell.
Brush hair: Badger | Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.8 x 1.6 inches; 1.59 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: N/A
Best Travel: G.B.S. 5.5 Inch Metal Canister Travel Shaving Brush
Why it’s great: If you’re hopping from plane to train or country to country, then you need something fit for that job. The G.B.S. Metal Canister Travel Shaving Brush takes everything you love about your at-home brush with you in your suitcase.
It uses genuine badger hair and fits into an innovative 5.5-inch metal canister. The screw-top turns the other side of the brush into the lid, so you can keep the badger hairs protected when you stuff the “bottle” into your carry-on or dopp kit.
Who is this for? If you travel, you need this, full stop. It’s also great for someone who likes to keep things out of sight.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although it’s made of real badger hair, the metal canister and handle aren’t made of the finest materials.
Brush hair: Badger | Dimensions: 1 x 3 x 1 inches; 2.08 ounces | Recommended Razor Type: N/A
Buying Considerations For the Best Shaving Brushes
Razor Type
Finding the best shaving brushes for men will depend on your preferences and needs. A well-rounded brush will easily exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells.
If you’re using only one type of razor, then get the brush that works best with, or is specifically designed for, the blades you have. If you want something that lathers up nicely, then prioritize buying brushes with authentic badger hair bristles.
Beard Hair Type
The type of hair you have also plays an important factor in choosing the right shaving brush. If you have sensitive skin and a thinner, softer beard, then synthetic bristles can provide you with the softness you need without irritation. They’re also great for quick and easy lathering.
Boar and badger bristles are a bit tougher and have distinct odors, but they build a full lather that’ll be better for thick, burly beards.
Handle
You can’t have a comfortable shave if the brush slips out of your hands every time you use it. A properly made handle won’t just look aesthetically pleasing, it’ll also be grippy and easy to hold.
Consider finding the design that fits your palm the best—whether it’s a bulb, tortoiseshell, or metallic. Don’t just buy the brush that looks good, get the one that feels best, too.
How We Chose
Most shaving brush brands claim that their products provide the best and most comfortable shave, but the reality is that they have varying features that work better for different people.
To get deeper than the descriptions, I read through customer reviews and product descriptions to find the best shaving brush for men that fit certain individuals based on these factors.
Purpose: Will the brush lather up a beard nice and full? Does it have enough grip? Are the bristles good for sensitive skin or compatible with all razor types? I looked for brushes that can serve the right person, not items that claim to be the end-all-be-all solution.
Customer Reviews: Do people vouch for the brush? What features do they find the most appealing? Positive customer reviews were one of the key indicators of a good product when making these selections.
Price: You don’t always have to go for the most expensive products when a few affordable alternatives will suffice. When I made these suggestions, I made sure that I struck a balance between quality and price to serve you the most value.
Why Trust Us?
Joe Niehaus is an experienced product reviewer, tester, and researcher. He’s written for sites like The Quality Edit and The Adult Man, so he’s well-versed in what men need for a refreshing and comfortable grooming experience.
Joe’s approach to finding the best men’s shaving brushes includes testing products himself, judging the best materials, and also working with industry experts to differentiate between the top finds and simply pretty designs.
His readers always get first-hand experience and tailored recommendations that help them make informed decisions based on real-life customer testimonials.
Final Verdict
The best shaving brushes for men will produce a full lather when dipped into the mixing bowl, with bristles that are soft and can masterfully exfoliate your skin.
The Perfecto 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush is my top choice because it provides the most soothing shave and has a user-friendly design. With over 9,000 five-star ratings, it’s the best beard brush on this list and recommended by thousands of past customers.
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- Are expensive shaving brushes worth it?
Honestly, it all depends on your needs. You can argue that expensive shaving brushes give you more access to expert craftsmen and fine materials, but if it doesn’t fit your skin type and razor, then you won’t get the most out of it. If you find a more compatible product at a reasonable price, then I’d say that’s a win.
- Does shaving brush quality matter?
Yes, it does. You should never skimp on your grooming tools, especially when it comes to shaving, because they interact with your precious skin. The highest quality ones can offer you a fast and smooth shave, while leaving you with healthy skin. You also want to save yourself from the hassle of constant replacements because you have a cheap, brittle shaving brush.
- Are badger shaving brushes better?
If you want to create a more luxurious lather, then yes, badger hair is the most effective bristle to use. It’s soft and can absorb hot water while you shave, giving you the most comfortable grooming session. It does, however, have quite a distinct odor that may put off some people.
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