Our favorite overall cat brush is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, which has retracting bristles for easy cleaning. However, if your cat's fur is matted, we recommend the heavy duty GoPets Dematting Comb.
If you've got a cat, you're probably used to finding hair on your clothes, furniture, and floors. While this is hard to avoid with indoor cats, brushing your pet regularly can reduce shedding and help keep your house clean.
We searched for cat brushes that are easy to handle, effective, and are simple to clean of hair once you're done brushing your cat. We tested multiple models to find options that offer a range of bristle designs and features, selecting picks that can work with any type of cat or cat hair.
Here are the best cat brushes.
Best Overall
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs
Self-cleaning
Works on both long- and short-haired cats
Sturdy
Easy to grip
Can be too large for small cats
The best overall cat brush is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush. Its bristles are curved wires that are long enough to get beneath your cat's top coat, but flexible enough that it won't scratch your cat's skin. It's excellent for removing dander, preventing matting, removing loose hair, and keeping your cat's coat as well-maintained as possible. When you brush through your cat's coat, you'll be astonished by how much hair you pick up in just a few minutes.
The Hertzko brush is also easy to handle, with a size that strikes a good middle ground between beefy and easy to wield. The regular-sized model has a brush head that's just under six inches across, providing plenty of surface area for efficient brushing.
One of the best features is the self-cleaning button. With a quick click, the bristles retract and release all the hair you've collected.
This grooming tool is ideal for both long- and short-haired felines, as well as virtually all dog breeds. The sturdy, comfort-grip handle is designed to prevent slipping and wrist strain.
Dimensions: 5.8 x 3 x 10-inches | Weight: 0.2 pounds | Material: Plastic | Life stage: Not listed
Best for Short Hair
Mars Coat King Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush
Soft bristles
Sturdy
Easy to clean
Not for removing big knots
If you've got a short-haired kitty, the Mars Boar Bristle Cat Hair Brush is a great option. With a charmingly old-fashioned varnished birchwood handle and natural boar bristles, this high-quality German-made brush is perfect for grooming your kitty. The notably soft bristles are tolerated by even the pickiest felines. With gentle strokes, you can decrease the amount of shedding throughout your home and reduce allergens—all while helping your cat achieve a healthy, shiny coat.
Dimensions: 7.25 x 1.25 x 2-inches | Weight: 0.32 pounds | Material: Boar, wood | Life stage: Not listed
Best for Long Hair
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Cats
Easy to clean
Easy to grip
Stainless steel pins help remove knots
Must wipe away hair after retracting bristles
For long-haired breeds, the Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush is your best bet. It has gentle stainless steel pins to effectively groom your cat without irritating or scratching their skin. The bristles are specially designed to help you get a thorough brush through both the topcoat and undercoat with minimal effort.
With a comfortable, grippy handle, this slicker won't strain your wrists (even after several minutes of brushing). You can retract the bristles with the click of a button to release all the hair you've picked up. This makes it easy to use the brush as often as you need to and ensures all your pet's fur gets into the trash instead of on your clothes and around your home.
Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Life stage: Adult
Best for Shedding
FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool for Cats
Reduces up to 90 percent of shedding
Comes in various sizes
Easy to grip
Furejector button doesn’t discard all hair
Cat owners are all too familiar with constant shedding, but with the FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, it doesn't have to be that way. This tool has a stainless steel edge that effortlessly cuts through the topcoat and into the undercoat to safely eliminate loose hair and dander. When used regularly, it can reduce the amount your pet sheds by up to 90 percent.
The FURminator for Cats comes in two sizes, and you can choose from the long-hair or short-hair model. Its ergonomic handle fits comfortably in your hand, and the comb is curved to accommodate the shape of your feline's body. Many cats enjoy being brushed with the FURminator, as it cuts down on their self-grooming time, prevents hairballs, and feels a lot like being gently pet by their owners.
Dimensions: 5 x 1.99 x 8.75-inches | Weight: 8.48 ounces | Material: Plastic | Life stage: Adult
Best for Matted Fur
GoPets Dematting Comb
Gentle
Easy to grip
Works as a de-shedding comb
Gel handle can break and leak
If you're dealing with matted fur, you might consider the GoPets Dematting Comb. This double-sided grooming tool has 23 teeth on one side and 12 teeth on the other, allowing you to work through mats and tangles of all shapes and sizes. The 23-tooth end also works as a de-shedding comb and undercoat brush for removing loose hair and dander.
While it almost looks like a garden tool, this cat brush is gentle and effective, creating a pleasant experience for both felines and their owners. Its sharp teeth have rounded tips to efficiently cut through mats without pulling on your kitty's skin or scratching it. Plus, the non-slip gel handle conforms to the shape of your hand, providing a comfortable grip at every angle.
Dimensions: 8.9 x 2.5 x 1.4-inches | Weight: 3.52 ounces | Material: Not listed | Life stage: Not listed
Best Glove-Style
Mr. Peanut's Pet Grooming Glove Brush and Deshedding Aid
Adjustable velcro straps
Easy to wash
Works on both long- and short-haired cats
Can be too large for small hands
If you prefer a glove-style option, we suggest the Mr. Peanuts Pet Grooming Glove Brush. You'll get a pair of gloves made of comfy mesh and rubber. They come in a universal adult size and have adjustable velcro straps around the wrists.
With rubber tips all over the palms, it's easy to lift hair, remove dander, and comb out mats and tangles. When you slip on these gloves and work your way through your cat's fur, you'll pick up a remarkable amount of loose hair. Once you're finished, the collected hair will just peel right off the gloves for easy disposal. Just make sure to wash the gloves with warm, soapy water and let them air-dry between uses.
Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 0.3-inches | Weight: 3.88 ounces | Material: Silicone | Life stage: All
Best Comb
Andis Steel Pet Comb
Comes in various sizes
Great for grooming
Easy to clean
Small handle
Just like humans, some cats prefer combs. The 7.5-inch Andis Steel Comb has both narrow and wide teeth to effectively remove mats, tangles, loose fur, dirt, and dander—all while stimulating your cat's skin and hair follicles. The wider teeth are best for larger strokes throughout your pet's coat, while the finer end is ideal for the paws, face, and other sensitive areas.
This comb is also perfect for styling and fluffing your kitty's hair before a show (or just because).
Dimensions: 2.5 x 12.5 x 0.5-inches | Weight: 2.82 ounces | Material: Steel | Life stage: Not listed
Best Silicone
CeleMoon Ultra-Soft Silicone Washable Cat Grooming Brush
Easy to grip
Easy to clean
Gentle
Struggles to pick up loose hair
Silicone grooming tools are extremely effective at picking up pet hair, and the CeleMoon Cat Grooming Brush is no exception. The soft wide teeth gently and effortlessly remove up to 90 percent of loose hair within a few minutes of brushing. As you work your way over your feline's coat, you can expect a fistful of fur in just a few strokes.
This silicone brush has a no-slip hand grip, making it comfortable to hold while grooming your pet. It's also super easy to clean—just run it under warm water to remove all the hair from your brushing session.
Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 2.5-inches | Weight: 0.05 pounds | Material: Silicone | Lifestage: All
Our top pick is the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, a sturdy and easy to grip brush that works on all types of cats and is self-cleaning, for added convenience. If you’re specifically dealing with matted fur, we recommend the GoPets Dematting Comb. It's double-sided and works well on mats and tangles of all sizes.
What to Look for in a Cat Brush
Bristle Type
Many brushes work well on shorthair cats, but if you really want to get ahead of shedding opt for denser bristles. For longhair cats, consider a brush with bristles that are specially designed to glide through a long coat. Some cat may respond better to different textures, so if the first one you try isn't a success, try a different bristle material.
Brush Shape
Pick a brush that's comfortable for you to hold. If you cat doesn't like being brushed, consider a glove style.
Ease of Cleaning
Some brushes have features that make it easy to push hair out of the brush when you're finished with your grooming session. Others clean up with soap and water.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This article was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2020. Her work can also be found on MyDomaine. For this article, she considered each pick's bristle type, brush shape, and ease of cleaning.