If you’re looking for a simple tool to help keep your beard groomed, you have two main options: a beard brush or a beard comb. According to the experts we talked to, combs are better for longer beards, but you’re still probably going to want both a beard comb and a beard brush (which we’ve written about before) because each brings something different to the table. ‘A comb will work more for detangling, while a brush will work better for flattening or straightening out a beard, especially when it gets thicker,’ explains Chad Beightol, owner of men’s grooming store Consigliere. The pros told us that a comb won’t exfoliate your skin or distribute beard oil or beard balm as effectively as a brush, but most of them say that a comb can give a little more control when shaping and styling — essentially, for making the finishing touches. Beard combs are also generally more affordable and require less upkeep than brushes. Plus combs are definitely more portable, and as Beightol puts it, ‘The best beard tool is the one you have with you.’ Below, he and six other men’s grooming experts weigh in on their favourite beard combs, recommending both single- and double-sided options, wide- and fine-tooth styles, and combs in different materials.
Best overall beard comb
When it came to a brand name of beard comb, Kent — the British brand behind our top expert-recommended beard brush — came up more than any other, with four experts recommending it by name. Gary Priore, the founder of New York Beard & Company, says, “Basically anything from Kent is a home run. They’re a little expensive, but it’s definitely worth it.” While various wooden combs also came recommended by a few of our experts — we’ll get to those shortly — others say that a comb made of acetate (which is basically fancy plastic) can be more versatile, because the material often yields slimmer combs that are easier to stash in your pocket. According to Priore, “If you want something you can carry around, go with a plastic comb that has even teeth.” The folding comb fits that description, with evenly spaced fine teeth, and its size it strikes a good balance between portability and coverage. Priore and barber Angelo Ruscetta both love Kent’s tiny pocket-size comb for using on the moustache portion of a beard (but it’s going to be too small for a big beard). And then there’s the largest comb, which is half-fine-tooth (for thin beard hair) and half-coarse-tooth (for thicker beard hair).
Best overall wood beard comb
While Kent’s combs were the most recommended when it came to a specific brand of comb, wood combs in general were the most mentioned in terms of comb material. Some experts, including Beightol, say wood combs can be better for more voluptuous beards. “For thicker beards, larger-size wooden combs are popular with our guys,” he says. “These combs tend to have wider-spaced teeth to help detangle curly and thick hair.” And Priore likes wood “because it’s usually sanded very smoothly; it keeps the snagability down.” He admits that a piece of wood might not be the most practical thing to slip in your pocket, but “if you want a nice comb you can keep at the house, go for a wooden comb.” And when we asked other experts about tools for trimming beards, they recommended using wooden combs over plastic, which one expert said “can cause static in facial hair.”
Wooden beard combs are typically available in two options: a double-sided comb with fine teeth on one side and wide teeth on the other, or a simple single-sided comb. According to the experts, it really comes down to personal preference, but three said that double-sided is the way to go. As Beightol explains: “A two-sided comb is good for using if your beard has different patches of thickness, which is common with long, thick beards. So the wider teeth help with thick patches and the narrower teeth help with thinner or finer hair.” Ruscetta suggests this one from the Art of Shaving. “All beard combs look pretty similar,” says Ruscetta, but he likes that this one is on the thicker side and should be strong enough to carry around if you want to. It’s made from sandalwood, so it will have a light natural scent, and it comes with a pouch to store it in. [Editor’s note: The Art of Shaving doesn’t ship outside the US, so we’ve chosen a similar item with great reviews.]
Best single-sided, wide-tooth wood beard comb
When we reached out to Ronnie Parisella, a judge at the annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition, about his favourite beard brush, he emphatically responded, “I don’t use a brush, but I live and die by my comb!’ Parisella told us that he ‘never leaves home without it” and it’s always in his back pocket. He loves his Royal Beard Club comb because it’s affordable, durable, and compact. “When I host or judge beard competitions, I throw them into the crowd,” he says. [Editor’s Note: Parisella’s choice is currently out of stock, so we suggest this Hatchet-style comb.]
Best single-sided, fine-tooth wood beard comb
Beightol says a lot of his customers like this wooden beard comb from Beardoholic. At nearly 13cm wide, it’s the largest beard comb on this list, so it should be easier to hold. It also has finer teeth, so it would be a good bet if you’ve got a shorter beard, or if you beard has thinner hair.
Best wooden pick-style beard comb
Priore also likes this single-sided ‘pick’-style comb made by Parker. At 4.45cm wide, it’s the most compact comb (wood or otherwise) on this list, which makes it easy to carry around, especially for a wood comb.
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