The 10 Best Scalp Massagers of 2023 | Tested by Byrdie

To help you narrow down the massage tool that will benefit you the most, we researched the best scalp massagers and then put them to the test. Our testers considered bristles, ease of use, and absorption—and we’re sharing our findings with you. Keep reading to discover the best scalp massagers as determined by our testers.

It goes without saying that the best part of going to the hair salon is the scalp massage, right? It eases tension, reduces product buildup , nourishes the scalp, and just feels really relaxing. The caveat is that it’s really hard to replicate on your own—unless you have a scalp massager. Scalp care is a relatively new category in beauty but one we’re wholeheartedly embracing. Scalp massagers, in particular, are an easy but effective add-on to your existing hair care routine; all you need to do is run the tool across your scalp.

What to Look For

Best Overall

Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush

5

FWRD

View On Fwrd.com

View On Leonorgreyl-usa.com

View On Lovelyskin.com

What We Like

• Promotes hair growth

• Durable

• Doesn’t cause tangles

What We Don’t Like

• Handle can be hard to grip when wet

Stimulate hair growth and treat yourself to a salon-like scalp massage with the help of the Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush. Our tester was more than pleased with the tool, sharing that the bristles have “the right amount of give” and “offer a really smooth, relaxing massage.” Effective on both wet and dry hair, the scalp massager feels like an affordable luxury that everyone can benefit from. Whether you use it to remove product buildup on your scalp, promote hair growth, or just want to indulge in a relaxing moment of self-care, you can’t go wrong with this one. 

Price at time of publish: $28

Hair Types: All hair types  | Material: Silicone and plastic

What Our Testers Say

 “This scalp brush is really soft and feels incredible. Every time I use it, it feels like I’m at a spa or salon.”—Allie Merriam, Tester

Best Budget

Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager

5

Amazon

View On Amazon

View On Walmart

What We Like

• Firm grip

• Well-spaced bristles

• Helps detangle hair

What We Don’t Like

• Mold and mildew can grow on the inside

With its easy-to-grip handle and soft bristles, the Maxsoft Hair Massager Shampoo Brush is a great starting point for all hair types, from fine and straight to thick and coiled. It’s got a wide surface area with well-spaced bristles, so you can cover your head quickly but efficiently. Our tester found that she never had an issue with tangles. In fact, she shared that “it helps detangle hair,” especially when used in tandem with a hydrating hair mask. 

Price at time of publish: $7

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  Byrdie / Maria Rowella

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  Byrdie / Maria Rowella

What Our Testers Say

“I tested this in the shower with a leave-in mask. I could tell it absorbed better on the side I used the scalp massager than the one I didn’t. It definitely penetrated my scalp better.”—Maria Bouselli, Tester

Best Stimulating

Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Scalp Massager

4.8

Vegamour

View On Sephora

View On Vegamour.com

What We Like

• Ergonomic grip

• Stimulates wet and dry hair

• Improves scalp health

What We Don’t Like

• Each bristle is the same size

With its grippable, ergonomic handle and silicone tips, this massager from Vegamour provides a great cleanse at an attractive price point. Rotate it in circular motions around your head and neck while shampooing (or conditioning, if you like), and witness how your scalp becomes stimulated in just a few minutes. Our tester loved how it helped products penetrate better throughout her head and offered her a lovely massage. And according to the brand, the massage improves scalp health tenfold, thus creating a better environment for hair growth. 

Price at time of publish: $18

Hair Type: All hair types | Material: Silicone, Plastic

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  Byrdie/Ashleigh Morley

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  Byrdie/Ashleigh Morley

The 13 Best Hair Products for Shine and Luster

Best Exfoliating

Jupiter Scalp Brush

4.2

Jupiter

View On Amazon

View On Hellojupiter.com

What We Like

• Firm but gentle bristles

• Detangles and prepares hair for shampoo

• Great for daily exfoliation

What We Don’t Like

• Can discolor easily

Remove product buildup and avoid flaking by introducing this exfoliating scalp massager into your hair care routine. Gently brush your scalp prior to washing or while you lather shampoo into your hair. Unlike any of the other options on this list, the Jupiter Scalp Brush has super tiny bristles of varying heights that target the unique skin on the scalp. Even though they look more abrasive, don’t worry—they’re anything but. 

Price at time of publish: $15

Hair Type: All hair types  | Material: Plastic, Rubber

Byrdie / Alessandra Amodio

Best for Thick Hair

Flathead Products Scalp Massager

4.7

Amazon

View On Amazon

View On Walmart

What We Like

• Comes with two heads

• Easy cleaning and swapping

• Helps work shampoo through thick hair

What We Don’t Like

• Might be too much for thin or short hair

Those with thick hair know the struggle of trying to get a brush through their strands, so the idea of getting a silicone massager across your scalp in repeated motions might seem like a lot. With this massager from Flathead, however, it’s surprisingly easy. It comes with two separate brush heads, one with long silicone bristles and the other with shorter, more dull bristles. Ultimately, whichever one you choose is up to you, but our tester (who has long, thick hair) preferred the longer bristles for her hair. Plus, it’s easy to swap the two interchangeably: Just twist them on and off. 

Price at time of publish: $11

Hair Type: Thick hair | Material: Silicone

Byrdie / Julia Warren

Best Comb

Mount Lai Jade Massaging Comb

5

Credo

View On Bloomingdales

View On Credo Beauty

View On Mountlai.com

What We Like

• Genuine jade

• Hand-carved

• Easy to brush through hair

What We Don’t Like

• Can break easily

Though it’s a bit of a splurge compared to other products on this list, the Jade Massaging Comb from Mount Lai is totally worth it. It’s not exactly a brush or a massager, but rather a gua sha-like comb made of jade stone. Initially, we thought it would be uncomfortable to drag across the scalp, but surprisingly, it’s the opposite. After a few passes through the hair and across the scalp, our tester felt relaxed, and the scalp felt stimulated and rejuvenated. It doesn’t pull or tug on strands and never causes pain or discomfort, even on bonier parts of the head. Our tester even let their boyfriend borrow it, and he loved it so much that he got his own to use. It works well on everyone, no matter how long (or short) your hair is. 

Price at time of publish: $52

Hair Types: Thick, medium, fine | Material: Jade stone

Byrdie / Caitlyn Martyn

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Best Electric

Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager

4.7

Amazon

View On Amazon

View On Comfier.com

What We Like

• High tech

• Flexible silicone brushes

• Comfortable grip

What We Don’t Like

• Can feel heavy

Those in the market for something a little more high-tech might be impressed by the Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager. Complete with four massage heads, 21 individual massage nodes, four-speed settings, and two kneading options, this chargeable scalp brush is designed to imitate human fingers, giving you a relaxing massage. It’s waterproof, too, so you can enjoy the tool on wet and dry hair. After repeated use, you might even notice an increase in blood flow, which contributes to hair growth, and full-body relaxation. 

Price at time of publish: $40

Hair Types: All hair types | Material: Plastic

Best Gentle

Freatech Shampoo Brush Scalp Massager

4.8

Amazon

View On Amazon

View On Walmart

What We Like

• Easy to hold

• Affordable

• Gentle on sensitive scalps

What We Don’t Like

• Firm bristles

Those with sensitive scalps (whether due to dandruff, psoriasis, or eczema) know that being gentle is key to scalp health. While not super fancy, Freatech’s massager is everything you need to clarify your scalp without irritation—or breaking the bank. It’s waterproof, easy to hold, and works like a charm to really add some oomph to your shampooing experience without doing more harm than good. 

Price at time of publish: $8

Hair Types: All hair types | Material: Silicone and plastic

Byrdie / Brandi Fuller

What Our Testers Say

“I loved the bristles on this scalp massager—they struck the perfect balance between being firm enough to appropriately cleanse and exfoliate my scalp while still being flexible and soft.”—Brandi Fuller, Tester

Best Multi-Use

Denman Palm Styler

4.2

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

• Great for fine hair

• Helps gently detangle and style

• Can be used wet or dry

What We Don’t Like

• Handle can break if too rough

Comprised of tiny flexible, round-ended bristles, this scalp exfoliator from Denman is ideal for combing and detangling hair. The fine, flexible disc-like palm styler moves with the shape of your head, stimulating scalp massage as well as styling. According to the brand, it works well on curls and helps remove broken or loose hair while either wet or dry. Our tester found that the scalp massager worked exceptionally well at helping products absorb better. It made “quite a difference” in the absorption of hair oils and helped products be more efficient. 

Price at time of publish: $10

Hair Type: All | Material: Plastic

Byrdie / Darcy Lenz

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Best for All Hair Types

Briogeo Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager

4.7

Amazon

View on Ulta

View On Amazon

View On Sephora

What We Like

• Can be used wet or dry

• Works on all hair types and textures

• Stimulates hair growth

What We Don’t Like

• Can be hard to clean

We love this scalp-stimulating massager from Briogeo because it’s specially designed to support hair growth across all hair types—even tightly coiled hair. Whether you use it on dry hair with a nourishing oil or while in the shower to replicate that salon chair feeling, the scalp massager can be used at any point in your hair care routine. Celebrity hairstylist Jazmine Harris swears by this tool when washing clients’ hair, sharing that if she’s massaging during a shampoo sesh, it’s almost always with this one. 

Price at time of publish: $18

Hair Types: All hair types | Material: Rubber

Byrdie / Emily Cieslak

What Our Editors Say

“The bristles are flexible yet firm and apply the right amount of pressure without being painful or scratchy. I also like how you can pop the bristles out to clean the brush.”—Emily Cieslak, Commerce Writer