A great shaving brush can really take your shave to the next level by helping create a rich lather, exfoliating your skin, and lifting your beard. Of course, not all shaving brushes are created equal and the prices can range from hundreds of dollars to just a few bucks. We'll take help take away some of the guesswork by explaining the different types of shaving brushes.
The best brushes are made from badger hair which is hollow and holds more water, allowing it to become infused into the lather. It's a good choice. There are less expensive boar or synthetic versions available as well.
1. Best - Silver Tip Badger
Silver tip badger brushes are made from the hair around the neck of the badger and is the softest type of badger brush available. Because the fur is limited in its availability, the silver tip brush is normally the most expensive.
Price Range: $150 and Up | Top Pick: Edwin Jagger Silver Tip Badger Shaving Brush
2. Better - Super Badger
Whenever I hear the term 'super badger,' it's hard for me to not picture a cute furry animal in a red cape swooping in to save the day (or, in this case, shave the day. Super badger (insert your own theme song here) is made from a high grade of fur which is slightly firmer than the silver tip fur. The bristles are characterized by a dark band capped in white.
Price Range: $75 to $150 | Top Pick: Edwin Jagger Super Badger Shaving Brush
3. Good - Pure Badger
The pure badger brush is made from a lower grade of badger hair, but is preferred by many because of it's stiffer bristle. The hair is dark in appearance, making the pure badger easily identifiable.
Price Range: $50 to $100 | Top Pick: The Art of Shaving Pure Badger Shaving Brush
4. Entry Level - Boar Bristle
The boar bristle is the least expensive of the shaving brushes and is manufactured with boar bristles. While they don't hold as much water as badger brushes, the very stiff nature of the bristle makes boar brushes a favorite among men who like a stiff brush.
Price Range: $5 to $20 | Top Pick: Vulfix Pure Bristle Shaving Brush
5. Entry Level - Synthetic
Synthetic brushes are a good option for those who would like to avoid animal fur. These are typically made from nylon and the bristles are medium stiff. While they don't hold lather as well as a badger brush, they are a good option for those who may have allergies to animal hair.
Price Range: $5 to $20 | Top Pick: Omega 100% Synthetic Bristle Shaving Brush
