These 14 Shampoos for Men Upgrade Any Haircare Routine, According to Testers

Best Overall

John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo

View on Ulta $30 at Amazon $20 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, lavender | Scent: Mint | Size: 10.1, 16.9, 33.8 oz

Meet Paul Mitchell's best-selling shampoo. This shampoo is for anyone who wants an invigorating cleanse that removes impurities from the scalp and hair. We can't say we're surprised because it truly does check all the boxes. It cleanses the hair well, invigorates the scalp, and leaves behind a scent that's not too overpowering. You can thank a blend of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender for that, which, in addition to benefiting your hair and scalp.

Read Full Review: Review: Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Shampoo Is the Ultimate Deep Clean

Best Budget

Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner

$10 at Amazon $11 at Ulta $9 at Target

Hair Type: Fine, thin | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, soy protein, shea butter | Scent: Herbal | Size: 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're in a rush or just can't be bothered with a two-step routine, reach for this formula which also happens to be quite affordable given the bases it covers. Inside, you'll find tingling tea tree oil, coconut-derived sulfates, and conditioning glycerin and shea butter. It's a great pick for fine or thinning hair too; the inclusion of soy proteins helps leave the hair feeling thicker and stronger. Since it's a two-in-one, some found it a tad drying compared to using a separate conditioner.

Best Plant-Based

Rahua Classic Shampoo

$36 at Amazon $40 at Walmart $94 at Skinstore.com

Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Key Ingredients: Rahua oil, coconut, quinoa | Scent: Herbal | Size: 9.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s hard to find any label today on which you can read every ingredient, especially in the shampoo aisle but you can with this one. And the list of power players here is not to be reckoned with. Rahua oil is rich in Omega-9, coconut gently removes dirt and oil, quinoa promotes healing and moisture retention, organic aloe hydrates and creates shine, and antioxidant-rich organic green tea helps protect the hair and scalp from harmful UV damage. We think it's ideal for colored or chemically treated hair. Some reviewers did note it didn't lather as well as they'd hoped.

Best Strengthening

Dove Men+Care

View on Amazon $18 at Walmart $7 at Walgreens

Hair Type: Fine, thin | Key Ingredients: Caffeine, calcium | Scent: Citrus | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This two-in-one also gets our seal of approval, especially for men with thinning hair who want more volume. Let's face it—Dove has been a trusted personal care brand for 65 years for a reason: It makes good products that work well. This one is made specifically to achieve thicker and fuller-looking hair. Ingredients like caffeine stimulate hair growth and calcium strengthens from root to end. Two-in-one shampoos tend to be drying since they do not hydrate like a traditional conditioner would, so follow up with a nourishing conditioner to ensure your hair stays healthy and soft.

Best Splurge

Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel

$41 at Amazon $41 at Nordstrom $41 at Bloomingdales

Hair Type: Fine, thin | Key Ingredients: Rosehip extract, acacia honey | Scent: Honey | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo has achieved a cult-like level of popularity for almost 40 years and that's not just pure luck. Protective rosehip extract and acacia honey combine with organic cleansing agents to make a mild, everyday-friendly shampoo for all hair types that requires no follow-up conditioner. Plant-based proteins also add volume, making this color-safe, silicone-free shampoo from Leonor Greyl worth every penny you put down for it.

Best for Dandruff

Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Daily Shampoo

$8 at Amazon $9 at Target $9 at Walmart

Hair Type: Dandruff-prone | Key Ingredients: Zinc Pyrithione, eucalyptus, mint | Scent: Mint | Size: 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We always go for Head & Shoulders when we need to address the flakes. The hero ingredient is 1% zinc pyrithione, which helps reduce the appearance of dandruff and the uncomfortable itching it's often associated with. However, you can't just use it once and expect the flakes to permanently vanish—continued use is the key here. This formula has notes of eucalyptus and mint for an invigorating wash and fresh scent you'll look forward to every shower, but it can be drying so make sure to use a conditioner too.

Best for Thinning Hair

EVO Gluttony

View on Amazon $27 at Walmart

Hair Type: Thin | Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, Panthenol, Citric acid, Hydrolyzed quinoa | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you feel like your hair has been thinning out and you'd like a boost of volume with your shampoo, this one from EVO is our pick. Using gentle, sulfate-free cleansers, the shampoo gets strands seriously swole in however long it takes you to lather, rinse, and repeat. It also protects your hair from sun damage with UV blockers. We suggest following up with the matching conditioner to make the most of your revitalized hair. You can thank us later.

Best for Hair Loss

Hims Thick Fix Shampoo

$23 at Amazon $13 at Target $12 at Walmart

Hair Type: Thin | Scent: Herbal | Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto | Size: 6.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This shampoo is for anyone who wants to address dandruff and stimulate hair growth at the same time. Shampoos for thinning hair use proteins and panthenol to fatten up hair strands but their effect can be fleeting as they are washed down the drain. Shampoo that can actually prevent hair loss needs to perform a key function, and that’s blocking DHT—or dihydrotestosterone—the sex hormone in men that is a byproduct of testosterone. How it all works is a long story, but in a nutshell, you'll want to reach for a shampoo like this one that can do just that to reduce hair loss. We do wish the full ingredients list was available online though.

Best for Thick Hair

WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

$17 at Amazon $17 at Walmart

Hair Type: Dry | Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, coconut and avocado oils | Scent: Apple | Size: 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Apple cider vinegar has so many uses from all-purpose cleaning and deodorizing to making a winning volcano for science class. When it comes to your hair, and maybe, more importantly, your scalp, it has some pretty practical benefits, when used correctly. This DHT-blocking WOW shampoo uses ACV to gently remove buildup such as dirt, oils, and styling products while coconut and avocado oils nourish damaged hair and dry scalp. WOW, indeed. We think this one's especially good for sensitive scalps, but it may weigh down fine hair.

Best Sulfate-Free

Hairstory New Wash

$56 at Amazon View on Hairstory.com

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, natural essential oils | Scent: Herbal | Size: 8, 20, 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Everyday hair washers: you may want to take a step back and ditch the traditional sudsy shampoo. That rings even more true for those with long locks subject to repeated heat styling and less-than-frequent trims. Using a sulfate-free shampoo alternative like any of the three from Hairstory New Wash allows you to keep washing every day while reaping the rewards of those “every-other-day” washers. Loaded with natural, certified organic ingredients, New Wash Deep doesn’t strip away your protective barrier. It only removes excess oil, dirt, and styling products. We do wish more product came in the sustainable packaging though.

Best for Curly Hair

Briogeo Curl Charisma Shampoo

$28 at Sephora $28 at Ulta $28 at Dermstore

Hair Type: Curly, dry | Key Ingredients: Amino acids, shea butter, avocado oil | Scent: Original | Size: 8, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Perfect for most curls out there—2A to 3C to be exact—this is a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo that helps define curls, coils, and wavy textures without stripping the scalp or hair's crucial natural oils. Enriched with amino acids, ultra-hydrating shea butter, and avocado oil, this shampoo is specifically designed for those looking to embrace their natural curls. That said, if you have thinner or finer hair, this might weigh it down.

Best for Textured Hair

Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo

$10 at Amazon View on Getbevel.com

Hair Type: Curly, dry | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, glycerin | Scent: Coconut | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Designed for the specific requirements of coarse, textured hair, Bevel formulated its new shampoo without sulfates and silicones that can easily strip natural oils resulting in dry hair that's more prone to breakage. Instead, uber moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin keep even the tightest coils hydrated and the softest waves intact.

Best Scent

Oribe Signature Shampoo

$49 at Amazon $19 at Sephora $49 at Dermstore

Hair Type: Color-treated | Key Ingredients: Ginger root extract, la mariposa blanca | Scent: Italian bergamot, Aomori apples, cassis, muguet, leafy greens, cedarwood, white amber, musk | Size: 2.5, 8.5, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There are nice-smelling shampoos...and then there’s Oribe. Conceived as a rival to fragrance house creations, the “Signature Scent” from the brand is so popular it has its own loyal following. Notes familiar to the olfactory aficionados among us include Italian bergamot, Aomori apples, cassis, muguet, leafy greens, cedarwood, white amber, musk, and la mariposa blanca—the national flower of Cuba, the birthplace of the late founder, Oribe Canales. It's ideal for all hair types, especially damaged hair, and anyone wanting to enhance their daily wash. 

Best Fragrance-Free

SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo

$29 at Amazon $29 at Ulta $29 at Dermstore

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Hemisqualane, bisabolol | Scent: None | Size: 8.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have sensitive skin and full-fragranced shampoos aren’t your jam but still want loads of benefits, this hypoallergenic, fragrance-free shampoo is the way to go. Seen has a fragrance-free edition of its dermatologist-developed, hair-cleansing vegan shampoo that works wonders and is even safe for folks with eczema. Rather than traditional sulfates, this shampoo has hemi-squalane, a natural version of a sulfate.