Big, bushy beards are trendier than ever, but those bristles need to be properly groomed.
If you finally have the Viking-level beard of your dreams, good for you. However, keeping that thing looking great is no small task. Besides shampooing, lathering on the best beard oils and trimming from time to time, you’re going to need the best beard comb to keep your beard looking happy and healthy whenever you head out of the door.
When it comes to beard combs, there are a few things to consider: teeth width, material and style. Teeth width is pretty straightforward; the bigger your beard, the wider apart the teeth on the comb have to be.
As for material, the four main candidates are wood, horn, metal and plastic. Wood is a favorite among beard grooming connoisseurs because it’s easy on beards, doesn’t create static and it’s fairly cheap, but the downside is that wood is harder to clean and needs to be replaced more often. Plastic is obviously cheaper, and a good one works great, but a plastic comb with a bad finish can snag your beard hairs. Then there’s horn, which is typically considered the highest quality for its anti-static properties, but those are a little harder to come by. Finally, there’s metal, which is the easiest to clean and typically lasts the longest.
You can also pick from a few beard comb styles, including folding combs, portable credit card combs and traditional handle combs. This is purely personal preference, although having a portable comb in your wallet can be very handy.
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While you’re anticipating your next trim with the best beard trimmers or a wash with a solid beard wash, here are a few more pointers to know when picking out a beard comb. Get ready for the most bomb beard of your life.
1. Striking Viking Folding Wooden Comb
BEST OVERALL
Our favorite beard comb is this one from Striking Viking because it showcases a premium wood construction and the small folding design makes it great for travel. The wood eliminates static in your beard while smooth, well-made teeth prevent any grabbing. Like all great grooming accessories, this beard comb has some serious style when you whip it out. To top it all off, this comb also features a sandalwood scent that reviewers love.
2. HAWATOUR Beard Comb
MOST AFFORDABLE
If you’re new to beard grooming or just want to be thrifty, go for this $6 beard comb. It’s made of 100% briarwood for zero static, and at four inches long it’s small enough to keep in your pocket or bag. Despite its low price tag, reviewers say the comb is actually high-quality and has a great timber scent.
3. Airisland Stainless Steel Comb
MOST PORTABLE
Looking for a beard comb to keep handy while you’re out and about? Pick up one of this stainless steel comb from Airisland. It’s just 3.3 inches long and very slim, so you can slide it in your wallet for emergency beard touch-ups. This is very convenient if you’re out all day and need to prepare for a meeting or date. Additionally, it makes a great comb that’s ideal for traveling. Plus, the metal construction means it’s easy to clean, which is essential for a travel comb that’s bound to get a little dirty. Just run it under some water and wipe dry.
4. The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Beard Comb
BEST BRAND
The Art of Shaving sells some of the best shaving and facial hair-related products on the market, so don’t be so shocked that this sandalwood beard come is one of our favorites of all time. This dual-sided beard come is made from untreated Argentinian Green sandalwood for a natural appearance. It’s great for all hair types and is meant to be stored in dry areas.
5. Hunter Jack Beard Comb Kit
BEST CASE
When it comes to a handsome beard comb, a dapper case will only up the aesthetic — that’s why Hunter Jack’s beard comb and case make a comb we’re geeking over. Each comb is handmade with care and comes inside a PU leather case for safe-keeping. Just a few brushes and your beard will be feeling smooth and straight day in and day out.
6. Beardilizer Horn Beard Comb
BEST HORN COMB
Horn is the premium option when it comes to combs, but you actually don’t have to shell out that much for the high-quality material. This comb from Beardilizer is just $13 and features horn teeth with a soft sandalwood handle. The horn contains keratin, a protein that naturally stops any static and provides a super smooth feel. Just be careful when washing it, as horn is quite fragile.
7. Cremo Premium Dual-Sided Sandalwood Beard Comb
BEST SHAMPOO BRAND
If you have ever had the chance to use Cremo’s line of hair products, you’ll know that this dual-sided beard comb has to be just as quality. For real, Cremo makes some of the hands-down best-smelling products on the market, making this sandalwood beard comb a force to be reckoned with. It’s dual-sided with both fine and coarse teeth depending on your beard type. Like Cremo’s shampoos, this beard comb has a gorgeous scent.
8. Chicago Comb Model 2 Carbon Fiber
MOST SLEEK
This carbon fiber home has a handsomeness to it that you simply won’t be able to get elsewhere. It’s 4-inches long is fine-toothed which is ideal for keeping your beard looking pristine anywhere you might need it. It’s ultra-strong and USA-made as well. Because it’s so light, you can keep it in your pocket and whip it out whenever.
9. Kent Combs (Set of 3)
BEST PLASTIC COMB
For a more complete beard combing kit, pick up this three-comb set from Kent. The wide range of teeth sizes means you can go over your beard multiple times with increasingly smaller teeth, resulting in a more well-groomed beard. While these combs are made of plastic, they’ve been hand polished and buffed to ensure a smooth pass and no static. Plus, the large comb can be used for the hair on your head as well (we recommend keeping your beard and hair combs separate).
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