The 15 Best Shampoos for Men in 2024, Tested by Grooming Experts

This stuff contains creatine (yes, really) to strengthen weak hair, thicken thinning strands, and deliver a potent lather while cleansing. After months of testing, one editor noted that the shampoo made his hair feel stronger and thicker. No wonder it won a 2023 Men's Health Grooming Award.

While this shampoo is specifically formulated to thicken and plump thinner (or thinning) hair, the reason we chose it best overall is because you don’t have to have that issue to reap the benefits. Thanks to the creatine and ginger root in the formula, it also strengthens strands so your hair, no matter what kind of you have, becomes stronger against breakage and damage. And yes, it also does what all good shampoos must: cleans your scalp and hair effectively without leaving it overstripped.

Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men

The aloe vera and citric acid in this stuff dig out dirt, oil, and product buildup. It’ll leave your hair feeling “soft, not squeaky,” according to one of our testers. We also loved that it features no silicones, parabens, or dyes, making it ideal for guys with sensitive skin. No wonder it took the top spot at our 2022 Grooming Awards.

Apart from the fact that this clarifying shampoo does a great job of cleansing even the dirtiest scalps (it’s perfect for big jobs like after a hard workout, doing yard work or hiking to name a few), we also appreciate that it’s extremely budget friendly so it won’t break the bank if you use it often. The scent isn’t overpowering and the rich lather easily gets the job done without needing to use a lot.

This non-foaming, detergent free hair cleanser won’t strip your curly hair of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. It also moisturizes while it cleanses to help protect your curls and keep them from frizzing.

Co-washes like this are ideal for curly hair but can also be thought of as a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner for very dry or damaged hair since using one is basically like washing your hair with a conditioner. If you’re used to high-lather shampoos, using this can take a bit of getting used to (it really doesn’t lather and feels more like a conditioner) but once you get the hang of it the results speak for themselves.

You don’t have to have actual dandruff to reap the benefits of this shampoo. Salicylic acid helps to clarify the scalp and help decrease oil production, which makes it ideal if your scalp and hair tends to get oily or greasy.

Think of this shampoo as an exfoliator for your scalp. The salicylic acid, just like the kind found in some of your facial skincare products, helps to gently remove buildup on your scalp, including flakes, but also goes down into pores to help control oil production. Even doing all of that, this shampoo is anything but harsh and really does help soothe itch and irritation on your scalp. Our favorite thing about it, though, is that it smells and lathers like a fancy shampoo, not like the typical dandruff shampoos you’ll find at the drugstore.

Controlling dandruff when you have textured hair can be a hassle, because traditional dandruff shampoos can leave it dry and crispy. This version, however, the requisite pyrithione zinc you want to control dandruff, but is sulfate free and packed with nourishing ingredients to help keep your hair hydrated.

Apart from the pyrithione zinc that helps control dandruff, this specific formula also contains apple cider vinegar to help gently cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping it and coconut oil to help smooth and hydrate hair. The large size is convenient and lasts a long time even if you use it frequently and the scent is pleasant without any of the medicinal quality that some other dandruff shampoos have.

Coloring your hair or using hot tools like a blow dryer can damage the protein bonds in the strands of your hair, leaving is crispy and prone to breakage. Even if you don’t, but you notice your hair is dull or looking lifeless, a bond-building shampoo like this comes in handy. Two editors noted that using Olapex's maintenance shampoo for more than a month help soften and strengthen their hair.

While it’s really designed for color or chemically treated hair, most hair can benefit from bond maintenance to help maintain its strength and resilience. This shampoo is just part of a larger system, but if you’re not dying your hair, it’s more than enough to help your hair maintain those bonds. It’s designed to use every day and, while it’s on the pricier side, it does come in a larger bottle so you don’t have to replenish as often. And true to a good quality daily shampoo, it lathers well and cleanses your scalp effectively.

A healthy scalp is fundamental to healthy hair that grows thick and long, and this shampoo gently cleanses and balances the scalp for all-day comfort. A nourishing blend of apple amino acids and baobab oil gently breaks down dirt and oil while cooling and soothing an irritated scalp. Some editors note that using this more than twice a week overly dried their hair.

Make no mistake about it, just because this shampoo contains natural ingredients, it is powerful. It’s best reserved for once or twice a week, especially if you don’t wash your hair all that often or tend to get sweaty or oily quickly. If you have dry hair, we would recommend avoiding it altogether unless you really need a deep clean. When you do use it, however, it makes your hair and scalp feel like new.

If you want your upgrade your daily shower from mundane to sublime, we recommend this volumizing shampoo from Sisley Paris. It gives your hair an added boost of volume and body and the invigorating scent is the perfect way to kick-start your day. One tester noted that his hair felt softer and smoother after using it for more than six months. He also noted that Sisley's formula was gentle enough to use every day, without drying his scalp.

If you’ve never used a luxury shampoo before, it may be hard to justify spending this much money on a shampoo, but once you do use it, you’ll understand immediately. A richer lather, a creamier formula, a more elevated and pleasing scent are all part of the luxury shampoo experience, but where it really shines is how it leaves your hair looking lustrous and healthy in a way that cheaper shampoos just can’t compete with.

Dealing with men's hair loss? Another favorite of our editors here at Men's Health is this thickening shampoo from Old Spice, which is specifically designed to support healthy hair growth. It's great for those dealing with thinning hair. One tester found that after using Old Spice's shampoo for two months, his hair appeared thicker and fuller. We also love its large, budget-friendly size, which lasted us more than three months.

We have to reiterate here that this shampoo will not actually help you regrow your hair (unless you’re also using something that contains a proven hair growth ingredient like minoxidil or finasteride). But what it will do, and do very effectively, is make thin or thinning hair appear fuller, with the help of the biotin in the formula which not only plumps, but also strengthens hair. It’s a great option for volumizing even if you’re not noticing any thinning.

Do you have a dry or itchy scalp? Grab this soothing kit that comes highly recommended by hairstylist and scalp expert Diane Stevens. “It contains aloe vera, an anti-inflammatory ingredient to soothe the scalp, help increase softness or smoothness of hair," she said. "It also reduces tangles and hair surface roughness.” Our editors found that

Keep in mind that this is a full system that includes a shampoo, conditioner, and serum for those with very dry or inflamed scalps. If you don’t think you need the whole system, the shampoo is available on its own and is effective at reducing itch in cases that may not need the full three-part system. After all, it’s also a very effective and pleasant to use shampoo that lathers well and smells good which makes it a shampoo you actually want to use.

Read more: Best Shampoos for Itchy Scalps

SACHAJUAN Moisturizing Shampoo is perfect for severely dry, dehydrated hair. It rehydrates hair through a blend of Ocean Silk Technology and Argan oil; providing optimal moisture levels. A few of our editors say that after using it for two weeks, they found that it helped fix their dry hair. Testers with color-treated hair also found that Sachajuan's moisturizing formula kept their locks soft and healthy-looking.

Our editors with wavy hair found that Kiehl's Olive Fruit formula left their hair feeling extra soft and shiny. That's probably because of its smoothing and nourishing ingredients, like olive fruit oil and avocado oil, this shampoo from Kiehl's is great for those who deal with dry hair or frizz. Though testers with thinning hair found that this shampoo didn't play nice with their mane.

Read more: Best Kiehl's Products

We get it. If you don't have serious hair concerns and just want a quick and easy way to cleanse your hair, this Dove 2-in-1 shampoo will do just the trick. Our testers loved its oversized bottle that lasted them for more than three months. One editor noted that its fresh and clean scent was much more pleasant than other drugstore soaps he's tried, though he did note that it didn't provide as deep of a clean as other shampoos on this list.

R+Co was founded by three heavy-hitting experts in the hair industry: Thom Priano, Garren, and Howard McLaren, so you know their products are quality. Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo is perfect for men who want to add volume and create the effect of thicker hair. It also gives that grippy texture that'll make it easier to style. A couple of our testers found that after using it for a month, they noticed their hair looked fuller.

Dr. Brendan Camp, a board certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology, recommends a medicated shampoo if you're experiencing pimples on your scalp. "Also referred to as folliculitis, it can be treated with this formula, which contains sodium hypochlorite, a disinfectant, and salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate skin and prevent blocked pores," he says.