The Best Shaving Brush for the Money: A Practical Guide for UK Wet Shavers
A good shaving brush is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your wet shave experience. Whether you use shaving soap or cream, a brush creates a richer lather, lifts the beard, exfoliates the skin, and helps the razor glide more comfortably.
After years of traditional wet shaving, and testing dozens of brushes across boar, badger, horse and synthetic, I’ve put together a clear, experience‑based guide to help you choose the right brush without overspending.
All our product recommendations are based on our independent research which we conduct online by reading the many reviews we find at online websites. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.You can read our affiliates page to find out more and also read about how we write our reviews.
Quick Summary
If you want the best value for money, choose a synthetic shaving brush.
If you want the most traditional experience, choose boar.
If you want the softest, most luxurious feel, choose badger.
Shaving Brush Types Explained
1. Synthetic Brushes (Best Value, No Animal Hair)
Modern synthetic brushes have improved dramatically over time. They are:
- Soft on the skin
- Fast drying
- Excellent with both soaps and creams
- Completely animal free
They are also the easiest to maintain and the least likely to shed.Best for: beginners, vegans, anyone who wants a reliable daily brush.
2. Boar Brushes (Traditional, Great for Hard Soaps)
Boar bristles are naturally stiff, which helps:
- Load hard soaps quickly
- Exfoliate the skin
- Lift coarse beard hair
They soften over time (“break‑in”), becoming more comfortable with use.Best for: traditionalists, soap users, coarse beards.
3. Badger Brushes (Premium, Softest Feel)
Badger hair holds water exceptionally well and creates a luxurious, creamy lather. Grades include:
- Pure
- Best
- Super
- Silvertip
Higher grades are softer and more expensive.Best for: luxury seekers, sensitive skin, bowl latherers.
4. Horse Hair Brushes (Ethical Natural Option)
Horse hair is taken from the mane or tail, so the animal is not harmed.
They sit between boar and badger in softness and backbone.
Best for: those who want natural hair without animal harm.
How to Choose the Right Brush
A. Your Skin Type
- Sensitive skin: synthetic or badger
- Normal skin: any type
- Oily skin: boar or horse (better exfoliation)
B. Your Beard Type
- Coarse beard: boar or mixed boar/badger
- Fine beard: synthetic or badger
C. Your Lathering Style
- Face lathering: boar or mixed hair
- Bowl lathering: synthetic or badger
D. Your Budget
- £10–£15: synthetic or boar
- £20–£40: high‑quality synthetic or entry level badger
- £50+: premium badger (silvertip)
The Best Shaving Brushes for the Money (UK Picks)
These recommendations are based on:
- My own testing
- Build quality
- Value for money
- Long‑term durability
Best Budget Brush: Wilkinson Sword Classic (Boar)
A firm, traditional boar brush that softens with use. Excellent for hard soaps.
- Bristle Length: 55 mm
- Bristle Diameter: 27 mm
- Overall Length: 110 mm
- Handle Length: 55 mm
PROS
- This is a firmer brush and does scrub the skin a little which they liked a lot
- I liked the tall bristles and said they could hold a lot of lather and are well sculpted
- I found this does not loose many bristles
- I found it works really well with just a little amount of shaving cream
CONS
- Not suitable for vegans