As an expert in men‘s grooming and style, I often get asked – what are truly the best hair product brands for men?
It‘s a great question. With the explosion of men‘s grooming over the last decade, the choices can be downright overwhelming. Every brand claims to offer the best shampoos, pomades, gels, sprays – you name it.
Through my years as a stylist and grooming writer, I‘ve tested countless products first-hand to separate the truly standout brands from the mediocre ones. I don‘t just look at how well a product styles hair – I examine the quality of ingredients, sustainability of sourcing, safety of formulations and long-term scalp/hair health.
The last thing you want is to use hair products filled with toxins, allergens or endocrine disruptors. That‘s a surefire way to damage your strands and scalp over time, leading to issues like dandruff, thinning hair and impaired growth cycles.
The top brands I recommend below avoid harsh chemicals and instead harness the power of nature -Quality proteins, moisturizing oils, botanical extracts and more to cleanse hair while retaining moisture and strength. This leads to optimal hair and scalp health so you can achieve your desired styles and looks.
No two heads of hair are alike, which is why I provide specific product recommendations based on your unique needs and hair type. My list spans all categories too – shampoos, conditioners, styling creams, gels, pomades and more.
Let‘s explore the highest quality hair product brands for men currently available. I examine price points, key features, hair type suitability, and sustainability factors to help you discover your new go-to‘s.
How to Choose Quality Hair Products
With so many options on shelves today, deciphering hair product labels can be confusing. Here are the key things I evaluate when identifying quality brands and formulations:
Ingredients: Always check the ingredient list first. Quality natural oils, butters and proteins should feature prominently without harsh sulfates, parabens, silicone or chemical fragrances. These nourish hair rather than strip or damage it.
Hair/Scalp Benefits: Seek out targeted solutions for your needs – volumizing, smoothing, thickening, dandruff relief, etc. Quality brands offer products to address different hair goals.
Sustainability: Many brands are stepping up with recycled packaging, energy-efficient operations and ethical sourcing nowadays. This reduces environmental impact.
Testing: Cruelty-free, vegan brands ensure no animal testing occurs during development – an important consideration for many. Leaping Bunny certification provides third-party assurance.
Performance: Regardless of marketing claims, the bottom line is – does the product actually work as advertised? I analyze client feedback and before/after photos to gauge real-world results.
When you find a brand that checks all those boxes, you‘ve likely discovered a winner. Now let‘s explore my top picks in greater detail, including options suited to different budgets.
10 Best Men‘s Hair Product Brands
1. Ouai – Luxury That Delivers
If you‘re looking for salon-quality performance without an exorbitant price tag, Ouai hits the mark. Developed by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, Ouai (pronounced "way") offers exceptional haircare using thoughtfully selected botanicals.
Their unique SmartTechnology complexes target specific needs like moisture balance, thermal protection and volume boosting. And the beautifully clean scents from their hair fragrances linger all day.
Standout Features:
- Clean, genderless branding reflects their universal appeal
- SmartTechnology complexes packed with natural oils, ceramides & vitamins
- Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free
- Recyclable aluminum bottles & boxes
Best For: All hair types. Especially good for adding volume.
Price Range: $$
2. R+Co – Premium & Eco-Friendly
R+Co is an uber-luxe brand created by top celebrity stylists seeking to balance premium performance with sustainability. Beyond using beautiful ingredients like argan oil, rice protein and shea butter, they prioritize ethical and eco-friendly processes in production.
Standout Features:
- Gorgeous natural extracts like hibiscus flower and carrot root
- Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, no sulfates/parabens
- Unique fragrances – gardenia & blackberry, bergamot & mint verbena, etc
- Manufacturing powered by renewable energy
- Recycled/recyclable packaging plus glass bottles
Best For: Every hair type. Volumizing, frizz control and curl care treatments highly rated.
Price Range: $$$
3. DevaCurl – Defining Curl Care
Embracing curls has never been easier thanks to DevaCurl. Created specifically for non-straight locks, DevaCurl‘s cleansers, conditioners and styling products bring out the absolute best in wavy, curly and coil-y hair.
The brand avoids any harsh ingredients like sulfates and silicones. Instead, moisturizing elements like olive oil, avocado extract and rice protein help define curls and reduce frizz. There‘s even a specially-designed haircut perfect for maximizing your curl pattern!
Standout Features:
- Custom curl care from scalp to ends
- Unique scalp massaging shampoo brushes
- Cruelty-free & vegan certified formulas
- Recyclable packaging plus glass bottles
Best For: Curly, coily & wavy hair
Price Range: $$
4. Every Man Jack – Affordable Essentials
Grooming on a budget? Every Man Jack keeps costs low without sacrificing quality. All products use plant-based cleansers and ingredients while avoiding phthalates, parabens, aluminum and chemical dyes. Their goods are readily available at major retailers like Target and Walmart.
Despite the low prices, their shampoos, conditioners and styling goods deliver salon-level performance. Expect nourishing shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter and essential oils in the mix. The light woodsy scents are fantastic too.
Standout Features:
- Budget-friendly prices without compromising quality
- Cruelty-free & Leaping Bunny certified
- Vegan formulas (no animal by-products)
- Biodegradable surfactants
- Recycled paper packaging & bottles
Best For: All hair types. Particularly good for dry or damaged hair.
Price Range: $
5. Jack Black – Simplicity Redefined
Jack Black keeps things simple yet effective. They know guys don‘t need fancy formulations – just products containing quality ingredients that deliver consistent, reliable results. This straightforward approach has earned much acclaim.
Using nourishing elements like shea butter, basil leaf and organic kelp, their shampoos, conditioners and stylers soothe both hair & scalp while fighting aging free radicals. And the clean scents are never overbearing.
Standout Features:
- Straightforward, fuss-free products
- Organic botanicals & antioxidants
- Vegan & cruelty-free
- Recycled packaging when possible
Best For: All hair types. Users highlight their dandruff relief shampoo and pomade.
Price Range: $$
6. Woody‘s – Barbershop Staples
If you want that reliable barbershop quality without paying salon prices, Woody‘s is for you. A leader in men‘s styling for 25+ years, their offerings capture the basics guys need without going overboard. We‘re talking waxes, clay, fiber gels – you name it.
Despite the simplicity, ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint oil and apple cider vinegar refresh scalps while thickening strands. And the old-school barbershop scents take you back. Tip: Their styling clay is a longtime bestseller.
Standout Features:
- That reliable barbershop performance
- Classic manly scents – citrus, spice, woodsy, musky
- Cruelty-free & vegan
- Prices almost anyone can afford
Best For: Most hair types. Users praise their styling clay and putty.
Price Range: $
7. AG Hair – Replenishing Organics
Both salons and consumers adore AG Hair for good reason – their formulations use exquisite organic extracts, oils and proteins to revive dull, damaged hair back to glory.
Fan favorites like their replenishing argan oil and protein-packed quinoa amino acids offer both deep conditioning and thermal protection. You‘ll also find strengthening elements like sweet almond oil and shea butter to improve hair‘s moisture balance and elasticity over time.
Plus, their packaging is some of the most sustainable around – mostly glass & aluminum materials crafted from post-consumer recycled sources.
Standout Features:
- Luxurious certified organic ingredients
- Fortifying botanical complex including argan, olive oil
- Vegan, PETA-certified cruelty free
- Recycled glass & aluminum packaging
Best For: Dry/damaged hair. Color safe.
Price Range: $$$
8. American Crew – Classic Fragrance & Performance
A staple brand in barbershops globally, American Crew has stood the test of time. Guys continually reach for their pomades, gels, mousses and shampoos to achieve sturdy yet flexible hairstyles that hold up throughout the day.
Signature ingredients like sage leaf extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein and ginseng energize follicles and scalp while adding thickness. And customers continually compliment their fresh masculine scents like citrus/herbal musk.
Standout Features:
- Time-tested barbershop performance
- Invigorating scents for men – orange, mint, spice
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Glass packaging for select items
Best For: Most hair types. Great for short to medium styles.
Price Range: $$
9. Loma – Clean Ingredients & Self Care
Loma takes special pride in ingredient purity and self-care rituals. Their collections nourish hair and scalp with certified organic elements like lemon balm, marshmallow root, neem seed oil and more. Every product feels amazing during use.
Even their unique fragrance blends of bergamot/palmarosa and tangerine/sherbet lemon peel energize the senses while refreshing hair. For optimal renewal, they recommend incorporating guided meditation sessions from their app into your routine!
Standout Features:
- Soothing certified organic ingredients
- Unique fragrances – bergamot/palmarosa, tangerine/lemon
- Vegan and PETA/Leaping Bunny certified
- Guided meditation sessions
Best For: All hair types. Especially for scalp soothing and cleansing.
Price Range: $$
10. 18.21 Man Made – Bold Scrubs & Stylers
This relative newcomer wowed me out the gates with their rugged spirit and phenomenal formulas. Drawing inspiration from the rustic Gulf Coast, 18.21 Man Made handcrafts bold scrubs, shampoos and styling balms packed with ingredients like sea salt, crushed pecan shells and citrus.
It‘s all packaged gorgeously too in a simplistic black/white color scheme. However, it‘s their scrubs and washes that really excite me. The Manly Mint Shampoo has instantly become a daily favorite rinse thanks to the invigorating peppermint, eucalyptus and clay. My scalp feels fresh and ready to conquer anything afterwards!
Standout Features:
- Unique handcrafted scrubs and washes
- Natural gulf coast botanical extracts
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Gender-neutral fragrance options
Best For: All hair types. Especially good for scalp refreshing and grooming prep.
Price Range: $$
More Tips for Choosing Quality Hair Products
With this wide range of exceptional hair product brands to choose from, finding solutions tailored to your unique hair should be easy.
Seeking more guidance? Here are some additional tips…
Know your hair goals: More volume? Smoothing frizz? Soothing an itchy scalp? Define what you‘re trying to achieve so you choose targeted products.
Examine your hair health: Damage? Dandruff? Oiliness? Understanding current hair conditions ensures you address areas needing improvement.
Ask for samples: Quality brands will provide free samples so you can test products before fully committing. Take them up on it!
See a stylist: An expert can accurately assess your hair in-person and provide personalized recommendations beyond any article.
At the end of the day, choosing quality hair products comes down to how they make your hair look and feel. The top brands here have certainly withstood the test of time. They deeply nourish and repair hair while allowing personalized styling for men.
Give them a shot – I think you‘ll be thrilled with how refreshed your hair feels afterwards. Just know it may take some trial and error to discover your new signatures.
Here‘s to achieving your best hair yet! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions.
