8 Best Dog Brushes for Matted Hair in 2026: Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a dog with a lot of fur, then you know that brushing their hair can be a chore! Dogs with mats or tangles in their hair can often be difficult to manage, uncomfortable, and look unattractive. While there are many different causes of matting, the most common cause is excessive shedding. If left untreated, mats will become tight, restrict air flow, and can even create health problems. Brushing can help reduce the likelihood of mats forming and to help manage them when they do form.

There are many different dog brushes on the market, but which one is the best for matted hair? A good brush should have bristles that are firm enough to remove mats, but also soft enough to avoid damage to the coat. In this article, we will tease out the best products for you with our reviews, as well as discuss the different types of dog brushes and their benefits.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2026

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush	Can be used on dogs of any size, shape, or coat type A breeze to clean Bristles penetrate even thick fur without irritating skin	Check Price
Best Value		Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush	Easy one-click hair removal High-quality stainless steel pins Waterproof and easy to clean	Check Price
Premium Choice		Bass Brushes Style & Detangle Oval Brush	Styles and detangles coats Pins glide smoothly through hair for easy grooming Reduces the frequency of matting	Check Price
Best for Puppies		JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin	Made for pets with sensitive skin Pins are angled 90 degrees to be parallel to the skin It prevents "raking" which can scratch your pet's skin	Check Price
		Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush	Loosens knots, removes loose hair, and softens coat in one step The nylon bristles help to recirculate natural oils Ergonomic handle prevents strain and fatigue	Check Price

The 8 Best Dog Brushes for Matted Hair

1. Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush – Best Overall

This brush from Hertzko is designed to help remove mats and tangles from a dog or cat's hair. The bristles are arranged in a way that helps pull the fur free of any knots, and the design of the brush makes it easy to clean. This is a great brush for those with dogs that tend to have matted hair, as it can help make brushing much easier. This slicker brush is designed to be used on already matted hair, and it uses a complex system of bristles that work together to loosen and remove any tangles.

This brush is our choice for the best overall dog brush for matted hair and is perfect for dogs with long, heavy shedding, or tangled hair. It can help to keep their coats healthy and looking their best.

2. Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush – Best Value

Stainless steel pins allow you to thoroughly brush through the thick fur of your dog without irritating their sensitive skin. With this handy brush from Pet Republique, you can get deep into the thick fur of your dog without irritating their sensitive skin. A dream to use, it quickly removes matting, tangles, loose hair, and debris at a stroke with its ergonomically designed handle made of high-quality, durable, and non-toxic ABS thermoplastic.

This brush is perfect for nervous dogs—once grooming is finished, just click and all the hair is removed. Although waterproof, it can be cleaned with soap and water. In our opinion, the Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is the best brush for matted hair for the money because it doesn't create any mess or stress.

3. Bass Brushes Style & Detangle Dog Brush – Premium Choice

Your furry friend's medium- to long-haired coat will be easy to groom with the Bass Brushes Style & Detangle Pet Brush. During grooming, your furbaby will stay relaxed and happy because the premium alloy pins glide smoothly through their coat. By using this brush frequently, you can help reduce matting for a healthier, more comfortable best friend. Also, it removes debris, dander, and other particles from the coat, leaving it looking clean and even.

Grooming sessions are made comfortable with the eco-friendly, pure bamboo handle's luxurious finish. Although this is a simple, old-fashioned design, it comes at a slightly higher cost. It comes in small and medium, so may not be the best choice for the biggest dogs.

4. JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin – Best for Puppies

The JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush Soft Pin features a rubber-sheathed handle that provides a great deal of comfort and precision. In addition to offering an optimal level of comfort and control during grooming, Gripsoft technology features non-slip pads. Designed to lift hair from the undercoat and loosen lightly matted areas, the brush features two different lengths of metal teeth to ensure a beautifully soft and shiny coat for your pet. To prevent your dog's skin from being "raked" and make grooming easier, the teeth are turned 90 degrees away from the skin.

Although this is marketed as a brush for adult dogs, this brush is suitable for dogs of all ages and the soft pins will not hurt a puppy’s sensitive dermis. This brush is also at a great low price. The only drawback is that it comes in two colors and you can’t choose which one you will receive.

5. Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush

This brush detangles, removes loose fur, and softens your furry friend’s coat in one step. The stainless steel pins work to reduce shedding and promote a healthy coat by actively removing tangles and excess fur with every stroke and are extra gentle because of their safety tips. In addition to helping your dog's fur look soft and shiny, the nylon bristles redistribute the natural oils in their coat. Each pin measures 18 mm in length. In addition, the bristles on the other side measure 20 mm in length. Hartz's Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush is perfect for dogs with long, curly, or wiry coats.

You can also enjoy brushing time as much as your doggo does because it has an ergonomic handle to prevent hand and wrist fatigue. This brush is great for detangling but less effective at helping with shedding.

6. Andis Pin Brush, Green/White

With the Andis Pin Brush, you can make sure your dog will look their best. Besides addressing tangles and dirt, it also removes dead hair, preventing loose hairs from clinging to furniture, floors, and clothes. In addition to promoting hair growth and healthy hair, brushing with this brush stimulates hair follicles and it's perfect for brushing furry friends of all sizes.

And, even if you have deeply knotted and matted fur to manage, the soft-grip handle ensures your hand is comfortable. This isn’t self-cleaning, so you will need to tap or comb the brush to remove the dog hair at the end of each grooming session.

7. FURminator Firm Slicker Brush for Dogs

With the FURminator Firm Slicker Brush, there are straight bristles on one side and bent bristles on the other side, which makes it ideal to use for medium, long and curly fur to remove surface mats and tangles without damaging your dog’s skin or hair. The dual flex head design ensures that your dog's body contours are followed while the bristles are still in their optimal working position. With its ergonomic handle and antimicrobial plastic, you can keep germs and bacteria at bay while grooming your pet.

Take turns using either side of the brush to work out the knottiest tangles. One potential drawback of this brush is that some owners report that pins may fall out over time.

8. Bass Brushes De-matting Slicker Style Dog Brush

The Bass Brushes De-matting Pet Brush helps to gently release matted fur for a happier, healthier dog. As the premium alloy pins glide effortlessly through coats, tangles are gently released. The handle of this brush is made of natural bamboo with a luxurious finish for durability, so you can keep your best friend safe and comfortable while grooming them. Rubber grip pads help ensure you have control over every movement as you groom your furry companion.

Your best pal needs this brush if they have a medium to long coat. The brush comes in three sizes, so you should be able to find one compatible with your dog’s particular breed size—the extra small is a good option for puppies. Our one concern is that a small number of owners report that the metal bristles bend and fall out after several uses.

Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Brushes for Matted Hair

A mat is a tangle of hair that generally forms in places of friction on a dog's coat, usually in places of long hair or a double coat. If you have ever owned a dog with fine, long, curly hair, or a double coat, you probably know all about matting. If you can't remove a mat because it is too dense or is severely impacting your dog, contact a groomer or veterinarian for assistance. Veterinary assistance is often advisable for troublesome mat removal because left untreated, mats can become very painful for your pal.

Read on to find out what goes into choosing the best brush to detangle your beloved canine companion.

Size of the Brush

The size of the brush is important because you want to make sure that the brush can fit comfortably in your hand and will be able to reach all of the areas of your dog's body that need to be groomed. A small brush can get into tight spots and work on smaller areas of the dog's coat, while a larger brush can cover more ground quickly.

Bristles

When looking for a dog grooming brush to remove matting, bristles are one of the most important factors to consider. The bristles can be wire or plastic, but either way should be sturdy and stiff enough to penetrate the mats, but also soft enough not to hurt the dog's skin. A good brush will have a variety of bristle lengths so that it can effectively remove mats from all parts of the dog's coat.

A brush with stiff bristles is better for removing mats, while a brush with soft bristles is better for gentle grooming. ​​The bristles should be sturdy and densely packed, as well as slightly angled so that they can better penetrate the matted areas.

If you’re unsure of which grooming tool to use, please contact your vet or a reputable groomer for a recommendation.

The Handle

When looking for a dog grooming brush to remove matting, it is important to consider the handle. A good handle will be ergonomic, meaning it will fit comfortably in your hand and allow you to apply pressure without straining your arm. It should also be long enough that you can reach all of your dog's fur easily.

Self-Cleaning

A dog grooming brush for removing matting can be self-cleaning, meaning that the bristles will release any hair or debris that becomes trapped in the brush while it is being used, generally with the push of a button. This helps to prevent the build-up of hair on the brush, which is more convenient for you.

Our Selection Process For Dog Brushes for Matted Hair

To create this buyer's guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the dog brushes we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the dog brushes. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed dog brushes to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.

Why Trust Dogster?

Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with dog brushes. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, choosing the best brush for matted hair depends on the type of mats and the condition of your dog's coat. If your dog has severe mats, you may need to take him to a groomer for assistance. However, if your dog only has a few small mats, a slicker brush or wire brush should do the trick. Our top pick is the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Dog Slicker Brush because it's effective at removing tangles and is comfortable to use. We also love the Pet Republique Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush because it has high-quality stainless steel pins and is waterproof and easy to clean. The Bass Brushes Style & Detangle Dog Brush is slightly more expensive than some others, but a great, traditional choice. Whichever brush you choose, be sure to brush your dog regularly to help prevent mats from forming in the first place. Thanks for reading!

Featured Image Credit: sonsart, Shutterstock