Grooming brushes
The Best Dog Grooming Brushes (2027)
The best dog grooming brushes in 2027: slicker brushes, pin brushes, steel combs, and bristle brushes matched to coat type.
The short answer
The Hertzko Slicker is the best all-around dog grooming brush for 2027. Add the Chris Christensen Pin Brush for long and doodle coats and the Andis Steel Comb as the finishing checker.
Our top picks at a glance
- Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker BrushA retractable-pin slicker that handles daily detangling and loose fur.Best overall
- Chris Christensen Oblong Pin Brush, Original Series (20 mm)A professional pin brush with ground, polished stainless pins on a beech body.Best pin brush
- Andis Pet Steel Comb (7.5 in)A dual-density stainless steel grooming comb for finishing and tangle checks.Best comb
- BioSilk Eco-Friendly Boar Hair Bristle Brush for DogsA gentle boar bristle finishing brush that smooths coats and spreads natural oils.Best for shine and finishing
- KONG ZoomGroomA soft rubber curry brush that massages loose hair out, wet or dry.Best for short coats and baths
- Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush (Double-Sided)A two-in-one dematting and deshedding brush with two tooth densities.Best for mats plus shedding
- DakPets Deshedding BrushA 4-inch stainless comb deshedder with a detachable head and gentle rating.Best mid-price all-rounder
- MIU COLOR Pet Grooming Brush (Deshedding Tool)A 4-inch stainless deshedding comb with a detachable head and blade cover.Best detachable-head value
- SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming ToolA wave-tooth shedding blade that works on pets, furniture, and blankets.Most versatile
- EquiGroomer Deshedding BrushA horse-world shedding blade beloved for pets that hate being groomed.Best for grooming-haters
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Retractable slicker pins make the daily brush the one tool owners actually keep using month after month
- Pairing a pin brush with a steel comb gives a finish that looks groomer fresh at home
Common complaints
- Buying one brush to do slicker, pin, and finishing jobs leaves each task half done
- Bristle brushes get retired early when owners mistake a finishing tool for a detangler
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Type | Pins | Cleaning | Coats suited | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush | Best overall | Self-cleaning slicker (retractable pins) | Fine bent-wire with coated tips class | One-click pin retraction | Most coats, daily maintenance | Dogs and cats |
| 2 | Chris Christensen Oblong Pin Brush, Original Series (20 mm) | Best pin brush | Pin brush, oblong head | Stainless steel, 20 mm, ground and polished tips | - | Medium to long, wavy and drop coats | Dogs |
| 3 | Andis Pet Steel Comb (7.5 in) | Best comb | Steel grooming comb, coarse and fine teeth | - | - | All coats, finishing and checking | Dogs and cats |
| 4 | BioSilk Eco-Friendly Boar Hair Bristle Brush for Dogs | Best for shine and finishing | Bristle brush (boar hair) | - | - | Short to medium, finishing and shine | Dogs |
| 5 | KONG ZoomGroom | Best for short coats and baths | Rubber curry brush | - | - | Short, smooth coats | - |
| 6 | Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush (Double-Sided) | Best for mats plus shedding | Double-sided undercoat rake | - | - | Medium to long double coats | Dogs and cats |
| 7 | DakPets Deshedding Brush | Best mid-price all-rounder | - | - | - | Medium to long shedding coats | Dogs and cats |
| 8 | MIU COLOR Pet Grooming Brush (Deshedding Tool) | Best detachable-head value | - | - | - | - | Dogs and cats |
| 9 | SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool | Most versatile | Wave-tooth shedding blade | - | - | Short to medium, most shedding coats | - |
| 10 | EquiGroomer Deshedding Brush | Best for grooming-haters | Barbed shedding blade (no cutting edge) | - | - | Most shedding coats, surface loose hair | Cats, dogs, horses |
Best overall
Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush
A retractable-pin slicker that handles daily detangling and loose fur.
The everyday dog hair brush most homes will actually use: retractable pins, gentle detangling, one-click cleaning. For daily grooming brushes, frictionless beats fancy.
Strengths
- Pins retract with one click, shedding collected hair instantly
- Bent-wire pins detangle and lift loose fur gently
- Comfort-grip handle suits daily short sessions
- Works across dogs and cats, long and short coats
Limitations
- Fine pins bend if pressed hard on mats
- Not a substitute for an undercoat tool in peak shedding
- Pin tips require a gentleness check on thin-skinned pets
| Type | Self-cleaning slicker (retractable pins) |
|---|---|
| Pins | Fine bent-wire with coated tips class |
| Cleaning | One-click pin retraction |
| Coats suited | Most coats, daily maintenance |
| Pets | Dogs and cats |
Best for: Daily maintenance grooming for most dog and cat coat types.
Skip if: You need deep undercoat removal on a blowing double coat; pair with a deshedder.
Best pin brush
Chris Christensen Oblong Pin Brush, Original Series (20 mm)
A professional pin brush with ground, polished stainless pins on a beech body.
Polished stainless pins on a cushioned beech body glide through medium and long coats with the least pulling here. The professional pick among dog grooming brushes.
Strengths
- Ground and polished pin tips glide without scratching skin or coat
- Pins flex on a cushioned pad, detangling with less pulling
- Lightweight beech wood body suits long daily sessions
- Professional groomer staple for Goldendoodle and poodle type coats
Limitations
- Premium price for a single-purpose brush
- Not a mat breaker; severe mats need a dematter first
- Pin length variants exist; match pin length to coat depth (verify listing)
| Type | Pin brush, oblong head |
|---|---|
| Pins | Stainless steel, 20 mm, ground and polished tips |
| Body | Lightweight beech wood |
| Coats suited | Medium to long, wavy and drop coats |
| Pets | Dogs |
Best for: Daily brushing of medium to long coats, doodles, and drop coats.
Skip if: Your dog has a very short coat; a bristle brush finishes those better.
Best comb
Andis Pet Steel Comb (7.5 in)
A dual-density stainless steel grooming comb for finishing and tangle checks.
Every brush kit needs a steel dog comb: it finishes faces and feet, finds the tangles slickers hide, and proves a coat is truly done when it passes clean.
Strengths
- Coarse and fine teeth on one comb cover body and face work
- Stainless teeth glide and reveal tangles brushes skate over
- The groomer's truth test: if the comb passes, the coat is done
- Lightweight and lasts for years with basic care
Limitations
- Slow as a primary tool on large double coats
- Teeth can snag if forced through real mats; work from the ends
- No handle comfort features; it is a simple professional comb
| Type | Steel grooming comb, coarse and fine teeth |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.5 in class (verify version) |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Coats suited | All coats, finishing and checking |
| Pets | Dogs and cats |
Best for: Finishing any coat, checking slicker work, and teasing out small tangles.
Skip if: You need bulk undercoat removal; a comb finishes, it does not excavate.
Best for shine and finishing
BioSilk Eco-Friendly Boar Hair Bristle Brush for Dogs
A gentle boar bristle finishing brush that smooths coats and spreads natural oils.
Every grooming kit needs a finishing brush, and the BioSilk's boar bristles redistribute coat oils for the polished final look after the working brushes have done the heavy lifting.
Strengths
- Boar bristles redistribute natural oils for a visible sheen
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin and daily use
- Ergonomic wide-grip handle from plant-based materials
- Ideal final pass after a slicker or steel comb session
Limitations
- Surface tool only; no mat or undercoat ability
- Bristles need gentle handling to keep their shape
- Less effective on very thick double coats
| Type | Bristle brush (boar hair) |
|---|---|
| Handle | Ergonomic grip, plant-based materials class |
| Coats suited | Short to medium, finishing and shine |
| Use | Wet or dry coat (verify per listing) |
| Pets | Dogs |
Best for: Finishing short to medium coats and adding shine after deshedding.
Skip if: You need detangling or undercoat reach; bristles finish the surface only.
Best for short coats and baths
KONG ZoomGroom
A soft rubber curry brush that massages loose hair out, wet or dry.
The bath-day brush: rubber fingers work shampoo to the skin on short and medium coats and pull the loosened hair out with the rinse, so the drain catches it instead of the towel.
Strengths
- Rubber fingers attract loose hair like a magnet while massaging
- Doubles as the perfect bath shampoo brush
- Impossible to scratch skin with it; ideal first brush
- Rinses clean in seconds, lasts for years
Limitations
- Short coats only; long hair defeats the fingers
- Collected hair must be peeled off periodically
- No dematting or deep deshedding ability
| Type | Rubber curry brush |
|---|---|
| Material | Flexible rubber with conical fingers |
| Variants | Dog (firmer) and cat (softer) versions |
| Use | Dry grooming and in-bath shampooing |
| Coats suited | Short, smooth coats |
Best for: Short-coated dogs, bath-day shampooing, and grooming-shy puppies.
Skip if: Your pet has a long or double coat needing undercoat reach.
Best for mats plus shedding
Maxpower Planet Pet Grooming Brush (Double-Sided)
A two-in-one dematting and deshedding brush with two tooth densities.
A grooming kit without a dematter is incomplete. The Maxpower's two-sided head handles the tangles and the undercoat in one budget tool, which is why groomers keep it as the utility player.
Strengths
- One side dematts with 9 teeth, the other desheds with 17
- Rounded outer teeth protect skin under tangles
- Anti-slip rubber handle for bath and dry use
- Budget price for a genuinely dual-purpose tool
Limitations
- Rake action needs patience on real mats; never yank
- Hair collects in the head; manual clearing between passes
- Too much tool for fine single coats
| Type | Double-sided undercoat rake |
|---|---|
| Teeth | 9-tooth dematting side, 17-tooth deshedding side |
| Teeth tips | Rounded outer edges, skin-safe design |
| Coats suited | Medium to long double coats |
| Pets | Dogs and cats |
Best for: Double-coated dogs and cats needing dematting plus undercoat work in one tool.
Skip if: Your pet is mat-free with a short coat; a simpler tool is kinder.
Best mid-price all-rounder
DakPets Deshedding Brush
A 4-inch stainless comb deshedder with a detachable head and gentle rating.
The weekly steel-edge slot in the kit belongs to DakPets for most homes: a 4-inch detachable comb that covers a big dog quickly and cleans up without a fight.
Strengths
- 4-inch stainless comb covers large areas quickly
- Quick-release head detaches for cleaning and replacement
- Gentle enough for regular weekly sessions on tolerant pets
- Long-standing bestseller with deep owner feedback history
Limitations
- Same overuse rules as all steel edges: light, weekly, brief
- One size fits most is one size perfect for fewer
- Handle comfort trails premium rivals on long sessions
| Comb width | 4 in stainless steel |
|---|---|
| Head | Detachable, quick-release |
| Coats suited | Medium to long shedding coats |
| Pets | Dogs and cats |
| Session guidance | Weekly, light pressure |
Best for: Medium to long coats in homes wanting one tool for dog and cat alike.
Skip if: You need breed-scale sizing; this is a one-size design with a broad brief.
Best detachable-head value
MIU COLOR Pet Grooming Brush (Deshedding Tool)
A 4-inch stainless deshedding comb with a detachable head and blade cover.
MIU COLOR earns a second steel-edge slot in multi-dog homes: the blade cover keeps it drawer-safe and the TPR handle holds up through back-to-back weekly sessions.
Strengths
- 4-inch stainless comb with a detachable head for easy cleaning
- Blade cover included, so the edge stores safely in a drawer
- Ergonomic non-slip TPR handle suits longer multi-pet sessions
- Performs credibly on dogs and cats across coat lengths
Limitations
- Universal format compromises on extremes of size and coat
- Steel-edge discipline still applies: light and weekly
- Color and coat-length variants share listings; verify the version
| Comb | Stainless steel, 4 in, detachable |
|---|---|
| Handle | TPR and PP, ergonomic non-slip |
| Weight | Approx. 100 g |
| Pets | Dogs and cats |
| Model | 82-2013-028 |
Best for: Multi-pet homes wanting one detachable-head tool for weekly sessions.
Skip if: Your pet needs size-specific engineering; this is a universal-format tool.
Most versatile
SleekEZ Original Deshedding Grooming Tool
A wave-tooth shedding blade that works on pets, furniture, and blankets.
The SleekEZ is the brush that also grooms the house: wave-tooth strokes for the dog, then the same tool strips the shed hair off upholstery and car seats.
Strengths
- Unique wave tooth pattern lifts loose hair without pulling live coat
- Famously effective on furniture and car seats as well as pets
- No moving parts, nothing to clog or break
- Multiple sizes including a cat and small-animal size
Limitations
- Technique matters: short, light strokes in hair direction
- Less effective on very long or curly coats
- Wood handle needs dry storage
| Type | Wave-tooth shedding blade |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 2.5 in (cats/small), 5 in, 10 in |
| Handle | Poplar hardwood |
| Coats suited | Short to medium, most shedding coats |
| Bonus use | Furniture and fabric de-furring |
Best for: Short to medium coats and owners who want one tool for pet and upholstery.
Skip if: Your pet has long, easily tangled hair; the blade is a short-coat specialist.
Best for grooming-haters
EquiGroomer Deshedding Brush
A horse-world shedding blade beloved for pets that hate being groomed.
For dogs that will not tolerate a standard brush, the EquiGroomer's pulling-free blade is the one that keeps grooming in the routine at all, wet or dry.
Strengths
- Hardened steel blade with tiny barbs lifts only loose hair
- Famous for acceptance by brush-hating cats and dogs
- No sharp cutting edge near skin at any angle
- Works wet or dry, on pets from cats to horses by size
Limitations
- Surface-level action; not a mat or deep undercoat tool
- Wood handle and blade need dry care
- Small size for cats sells out; verify the size selected
| Type | Barbed shedding blade (no cutting edge) |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Small (cats/dogs) and large (dogs/horses) class |
| Handle | Hardwood, varnished |
| Coats suited | Most shedding coats, surface loose hair |
| Pets | Cats, dogs, horses |
Best for: Grooming-averse pets; the blade lifts loose hair without pulling sensation.
Skip if: You want deep undercoat excavation on a blowing husky coat.
Questions, answered
Slicker brush or pin brush: which does my dog need?
Slickers detangle and lift loose fur on most coats and are the daily default. Pin brushes suit longer, wavy, and delicate coats where slicker pins pull too hard. Many long-coat homes own both.
What is a steel grooming comb actually for?
Finishing and verification. After brushing, a comb run through the coat finds hidden tangles at skin level, and it handles face, feet, and behind-ear detail no brush reaches well.
Where do bristle brushes fit?
As the final pass on short to medium coats: a boar bristle brush like the BioSilk smooths the surface and spreads natural oils for shine. It finishes; it does not detangle.
How often should I brush my dog?
Long and doodle coats: briefly most days. Short coats: two or three times weekly. The best brush is the one matched to the coat and used on schedule, not the most expensive one in a drawer.