Feeling a bit knotty? If you have tangles, you know the drill: Take your everything shower, wash your hair and start the conditioning treatment. However, for some people, a rinse-out conditioner isn't enough to loosen the tangles that pop up over time; that's where hair detanglers come in.
Whether you have thick, thin, curly or pin-straight hair, brushing through tangles is never fun (especially if you're used to tackling your knots with aggressive combing and pulling). Luckily, we have some tips and tricks to help you go knot-free without the pain and extra work.
To help get to the root of this issue (no pun intended), we spoke hairstylists Tatiana Ramos and Megan Robinson to figure out what causes tangles and how to help fix them with the right products.
Not to mention, Shop TODAY editors test tons of hair products throughout the year — and we all have our fair share of hair issues (from oily scalps to deep knots). Therefore, we asked our team what products they recommend for their own tangles.
Best detangling sprays, according to experts
Recommended for curly hair: 25 Miracle Milk Heat Protectant Leave-In Conditioner
- Great for curly hair
- Easy application
- Can be heavy on thin hair
Type: Leave-in conditioner, spray | Size: 8.5 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Coconut oil, fennel seed oil, propylene glycol dicaprylate
If you have curly hair, it can be hard to find a product that works on stubborn knots and matting. This spray from Mizani focuses on moisturizing your curls while adding shine to them. Ramos recommends this brand for detangling curly hair.
Makes hair "so" shiny: Lolavie Glossing Detangler
- Really natural
- Hydrating
- Smell is strong
Type: Detangling spray | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Peptides, Pro-3 Bond Technology (from chia seeds), Vegan Thermal Shield (from bamboo and yeast)
This product works as a great multitasker. Not only does it help remove out tangles, but it also adds smoothness and shine, thanks to the lemon peptides in the vegan formula. Robinson recently tried this product and was impressed: "It makes the hair so shiny," she says.
"Weightless" formula: DAE Hair Mirage Mist Leave-In Conditioner
- Multitasker
- Seemingly weightless
- On the expensive side
Type: Leave-in conditioner, spray | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Prickly pear seed oil, rose of Jericho, cactus flower extract
If you have thin hair or hair that gets oily fast, this product will help with detangling (without adding extra oil or product buildup).
Robinson uses this product regularly: “It smells amazing and is weightless, plus it’s a spray. It acts as a detangler but also has heat-protectant agents in it, so it’s versatile in the sense you can air dry or blow dry it in."
She continues, "For particularly dry hair, you can do a light mist on dry hair to add back moisture on second or third day hair.”
Helps with heat protection: Pureology Leave-in Conditioner
- Very soft
- No sticky residue
- Nice smell
- May be heavy on hair
Type: Leave-in conditioner, spray | Size: 6.7 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, propylene glycol dicaprylate
This detangler from Pureology works on dry hair and helps with protection from heat damage. The brand says it works well on fine and thick hair — and with its key hydrating ingredients, it works to add shine back into your locks. Ramos mentions she loves this product for overall hair health.
Best detangling sprays, according to editors
Budget detangler: SoCozy Cinch Detangler + Leave in Conditioner
- Great cost
- Safe for kids
- Can be weighing
Type: Spray | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Kertain, soy protein, kiwi extract
If you want something that works well (but doesn’t break the bank), you really can’t go wrong with this detangler from SoCozy.
The product is free of parabens and sulfates and is safe to use on kids. With keratin being one of the main ingredients, it easily adds shine to your hair while also conditioning those tangles out. Shop TODAY editorial director, Adrianna Brach, mentions that she keeps this detangler handy in her household.
For the whole family: The Honest Company Refresh Conditioning Detangler
- Softens hair
- Adds shine
- Safe for kids
- Smell can be strong
Type: Spray | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Quinoa extract, argan oil, shea butter
This spray detangler from the Honest Company has over 32,000 five-star reviews and promises to help strengthen your hair while also upping its shine. It is designed for sensitive skin, so while it is working to detangle your hair, you shouldn't have to worry about pain or irritation.
Shop TODAY editor, Rebecca Brown, recommends this spray: “This is the only detangler I’ll use (on myself and my daughter!)," she says. "It makes hair so soft, and just a few spritzes and I can run a comb quickly through my daughter’s hair."
Multiuse spray: It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In
- Smells great
- Makes hair shiny
- Can be oily
Type: Spray | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Sunflower seed extract, silk amino acids, green tea leaf extract
This product from It's a 10 was probably your first upgrade from kid detanglers — and if you struggle with tangled hair, it has probably stayed in your hair care rotation. This tiny-but-mighty bottle can leave your hair easy to brush, smooth and silky.
Graphic designer Olivia Ott loves this detangler: "I've been using it since high school, it detangles my hair well and helps tame the frizz, I love that it also doubles as a heat protectant."
Formulated with UV protection: Color Wow Money Mist
- Light on hair
- Customers say it adds shine
- Not as great for tough knots
Type: Spray | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed rice protein, blue sea kale leaf extract
If you use a ton of heat or are constantly styling your hair, this leave-in conditioner, which Brach keeps in her beauty closet, will leave your hair hydrated, tangle-free and protected (thanks to its included heat and UV protection).
Adds moisture: Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
- Great for light dry knots
- Versatile
- Some say smell is strong
Type: Spray | Size: 10 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter
This product from Rizos Curls serves two purposes for the curly girls — you can use it as a refresher when you feel your hair start to get a little tangled, and you can use it as a more heavy-duty detangler after showering. It's made with 97% naturally derived ingredients and helps unravel knots with deep moisture that doesn't weigh you down.
I [Shigo] use this detangler intermittently. It is great for when I can't brush my dry hair; I use a couple of sprays and run my hands through my hair during the day to get rid of knots.
Ideal for fine hair: Ouai Leave-In Conditioner
- Good option for thin hair
- Smells great
- Small bottle
Type: Spray | Size: 4.7 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Tamarind seed extract, vitamin E, panthenol
This delicious-smelling leave-in conditioner from Ouai not only makes your hair smell great, but it helps get rid of knotty locks. Many reviewers raved about the product's ability to combat frizz with moisture, along with its ability to work great on both thin and fine hair.
Shop TODAY editor Kelly Vaughan repurchased this product multiple times, stating, "This is the most effective detangling product I've ever used. I have super fine, wavy hair — and a lot of it. This product is gentle on my hair, helps make post-shower combing a breeze, and conditions my hair into a silky state overnight."
Fast-working detangler: Unite 7Seconds Detangler
- Reduces frizz
- Works fast
- Can be pricey
Type: Spray | Size: 8 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed rice protein
This detangler from Unite promises to detangle even the toughest of knots in just a couple of seconds. If you use a lot of heat on your hair, this is a great option because it also provides UV protection while repairing thermal damage.
I [Shigo] have had this detangler for over a year, and it's able to take even my biggest knots apart in a couple of seconds. I also use it on her days when nothing else works on my hair.
Amanda Fama, an SEO editor at Shop TODAY, also raves about this product. "I remember the first time a hairstylist used this spray on my hair at a salon, and it's been my favorite ever since. It instantly detangles my wavy hair, and it smells great."
Types of hair detanglers
There are many different types of detanglers; some are lightweight detangling sprays and some are leave-in conditioning creams that can help with detangling.
Ramos says, “Sprays work well for finer hair since they’re lightweight, while creams provide extra moisture and slip for thicker, drier, or curlier textures.”
For ingredients, Ramos says hydration is key and to look for ingredients like "coconut oil, shea butter, aloe and glycerin to help smooth and protect."
She continues, "For those who prefer cleaner formulas, botanical extracts and lightweight conditioning agents work well."
What causes tangles and knots in hair?
Even if you brush your hair every day, you can end up with tangles and knots. There are many factors that can cause these tangles, according to Ramos.
She notes that “curly and wavy hair are more prone to knots because of their natural pattern, while fine hair can tangle easily due to static and friction.” Ramos continues, “Hard water and product buildup can also make hair more prone to tangling.”
Robinson agrees that both fine and curly hair can be prone to tangles, and she mentions a multitude of causes: “Windy conditions are the worst for fine hair! Scarves and jackets also tend to tangle the hair.”
Robinson also says that those with damaged or bleached hair can experience knots.
Frequently asked questions
Ramos mentions, “Some detanglers can be too heavy, especially for fine or thin hair. It’s best to start with a small amount — just a few spritzes or a dime-sized amount of cream — focusing on mid-lengths and ends. You can always add more if needed.”
Robinson agrees to always start with a small amount and also notes that if you are prone to oily hair, “I always recommend applying the product ponytail/nape down, with a light spritz on the top if necessary."
How we chose the best hair detanglers
We gathered the best hair detanglers by talking to hairstylists about what their favorite products are. They also provided information about what typically causes tangled hair and what to look for in detanglers. We even asked Shop TODAY editors to recommend the detangling products they use in their hair care routines.
Meet the experts
- Megan Robinson is a New York-based hairstylist and owner of the salon Pearlita NYC.
- Tatiana Ramos is a non-toxic beauty expert and New York-based hairstylist.
