A proud symbol of the 1960s and 70s Black Power movement of America, the afro comb is a statement of empowerment for many people still to this day. Also known as the 'afro pick', afro combs are easily identified by their large, wide teeth ideal for shaping and styling tight, curly hair. But with so many options available, from metal afro picks to wooden afro twist combs, it can be difficult to know which one's right for you.
In this article, we'll make your life easier, by showing you just what to look out for as you shop. We've also included our reviews of the 10 best afro combs on Amazon, Boots, and Argos. Our eclectic list has been built around the different ways in which people maintain their hair, including some great choices from the market-leading brands Chicago Comb, Majestik+ and Head, to name but a few.
Quick List - Top Afro Combs
Chicago Comb
A Smooth, Lightweight and Durable Carbon Fibre Pick Loved by Many
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Table of Contents
Afro combs come in a few varying styles, with each working slightly differently to produce varying results. The most iconic type, known as a cultural icon of the Black Power movement, the afro pick is one of the most popular combs for afros and curly hair worldwide. That style may not be right for your though, so we'll break down each type of comb so you can find your perfect styling tool!
Afro Pick:
Afro Comb:
Afro Twist Comb:
Afro Straightening Comb:
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For its lightweight yet rigid nature, high-quality ABS plastic is hugely popular for comb manufacturing. Therefore, the hardened, durable construction of ABS is also the main fixture for afro combs, making them strong enough to withstand a solid maintenance routine.
That said, one way to make an afro pick even stronger is to do away with plastic teeth completely and bring metal into the shaping game. Metal teeth may be a little more obtrusive and painful if you happen to scrape your scalp, but they offer a pick that has very little chance of snapping.
Wood is also gaining popularity in the comb world for its lessened environmental impact in addition to offering a natural and earthy vibe to your styling set. Or, if you're looking for something particularly special to withstand the test of time, combs with a carbon fibre construction are known as the strongest combs in all the hair-styling-lands.
The next thing you want to think about is the width between the comb's teeth. Even though many people overlook this factor, the space between the teeth can differ dramatically from comb to comb, so it bodes well to pay attention.
In general, the wider the gaps are between the teeth, the easier it will be to rake through long, tangled or thick hair. If the gaps are too thin, rather than detangling your lovely locks, you'll likely end up pulling a whole load of strands out, damaging your hair - which is definitely not what we want.
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If you simply can not decide between an afro pick and a comb, why not cover all bases with a set to impress? Afro comb sets come in all shapes and sizes, but there's one constant - their ability to control, style and heighten even the wildest of untamed hair.
Be on the lookout for sets that include the affirmable afro pick as well as a few combs with varying teeth sizes. These all-in-one sets offer you the biggest chance of keeping your hair looking its best. Other less diverse sets can also be found, featuring a few of the same pick or comb to keep the whole family's hair looking sharp.
Or maybe you're just after a simple two-piece to set your hair straight without the excess baggage of loads of different combs. If that's the case, the classic pick and comb set is designed to keep things light but still effective.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chicago Comb Carbon Fibre Afro Pick | ![]() | A Smooth, Lightweight and Durable Carbon Fibre Pick Loved by Many | |
2 | Majestik+ Afro Pick | ![]() | Great at Reducing Frizz Thanks to an Argan Oil-Infused Resin | |
3 | Head Carbon Fibre Afro Comb | ![]() | A Unique and Heat-Resistant Comb Ideal for Use With Styling Tools | |
4 | Nasuniaoda Afro Comb and Pick Set | ![]() | Compact, Affordable and Perfect for Taking on the Go | |
5 | Xnicx Wide Tooth Afro Comb | ![]() | A Wide-Toothed Comb Perfect for All Hair Types | |
6 | GranNaturals Wooden Afro Pick | ![]() | A Conscious Choice Made With Natural Peach Wood | |
7 | Luter 3 Afro Picks | ![]() | A Family Pack With Strong Teeth and a Significant Design | |
8 | RuiChy Afro Comb Set | ![]() | A Twin Set to Twist and Pick to Your Desired Style | |
9 | Wahl Afro Straightening Comb | ![]() | For Those Days When You Want to Go Straight | |
10 | Boots Afro Pick | ![]() | A Cheap, Simple and Effective Afro Pick |
Our number one pick of afro combs found online is Chicago Comb's product that's designed to withstand and endure. Through its premium, 100% carbon fibre makeup, it's the kind of comb that'll see you through countless years of detangling and styling.
The best part about this top-shelf comb is the fact it's making so many people happy. With men and women who have thick, curly hair to men who take pride in their beards, hundreds are falling hair over heels for this sleekly designed, smooth and durable comb of all combs.
If frizzy hair seems to be a constant headache in life, with the faintest scent of moisture setting your hair off into one big frizz-ball, then this afro pick from Majestik+ is here to save your day.
Through its unique argan oil-infused resin construction, this comb is known to reduce frizz while restoring any dry and damaged hair. The design also includes a thumb contact point for ease of use, making taming even the wildest of curls that little bit easier.
A comb with a difference, Head's carbon fibre afro comb stands out for its unique design, durability and lightweight structure. The handle has been hollowed out to reduce its weight, making it easy to use as well as looking like something a top hairstylist would pull out of their bag!
The teeth are set at a desirably wide distance apart, allowing you to tame the most impressive afros out there. Although, the biggest talking point of this comb is its heat resistance of 230°C. This makes it a great option to use alongside an afro straightener, hair drier or any other hair tool that runs hot.
Next up, we have another highly-rated afro comb set that online shoppers are snapping up for its insanely good value for money. The swirling amber of the plastic is one of its biggest selling points due to its enticing vintage appeal.
Extremely lightweight and small in stature, this dynamic duo of the hairstyling world is the perfect set to keep in your bag for hair emergencies when out on the town. All-in-all it's a good-looking set for the people who want their hair styling equipment to look just as good as they do.
Being immensely popular on Amazon with a 4.7 rating from 4,469 reviewers is no mean feat, but it's also no surprise when it comes to this wide-tooth comb. Its popularity comes from its versatility, making it a great addition to anyone's haircare package, whether for curly hair or big beards.
Constructed from the ultra-durable ABS plastic, this comb will be about for a few new hair-dos yet! The best part about the comb is the desirably wide gaps between the teeth, creating an easier detangling time for particularly knotted hair. Just be sure you don't hang about as this comb is currently flying off the internet's shelves.
GranNaturals are in the sole business of providing customers with wooden combs for a more natural touch to their hair maintenance toolkit. Made entirely of peach wood, this comb benefits from a durable but stylish construction with the delightful streaks and grain of the hardwood on full show.
Moving away from plastic and opting for alternatives like wood wherever possible is also doing a solid for the environment, which is one of GranNaturals main missions statements. Intended for afros and all types of curly and luscious hair, this pick is an all-round great option for anyone looking to tame their locks.
Representing unity and solidarity, this 3-pack of picks is an ode to the Black Power movement with its iconic 'Black Power salute' handles. Each of the picks also features an indented cross to give your thumb a little friction, making steadying your hand easier, however, as it's made of plastic, it might not be the most durable.
With 7 cm teeth, this pick is a good size without being too large, making it a great option for the whole family to detangle and shape their hair. The significance of the design will also help kids gain an interest in the history and significance of the Black Power movement.
An afro duo of the highest picking and twisting order, this two-piece set by RuiChy is an excellent buy for anyone with a mane to tame. The afro pick features stainless steel teeth that have little to no chance of breaking when raking through even the tightest of curls.
The twist comb is 11 x 18 cm, which could prove a little big for some, and might be hard to get into those super tight curls. That said, the comb also features a smaller pick for quick picking. All in all, this is an inexpensive, budget set that, if it works for you, will stick around for a long while to come!
This probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when picturing an afro comb, as it straightens the curls out instead of elevating them, but if you're after some versatility in your look, this is an excellent option. While this won't be for everyone, if you fancy straight hair every now and then, it'll certainly be a valuable tool in your kit.
This clever comb has optimal temperature control that can reach up to 200°C. By allowing the temperature to match the thickness of your hair, you can ensure that the straighteners inflict the least amount of damage possible. The gold-painted finish and ceramic base make this not only a durable product but a stylish one too.
As cheap as afro picks come, the Boots afro comb is a great tool to tame your fro. The comb has been specifically purposed to tease and detangle hairstyles of all shapes, sizes and heights, with minimal effort on your part.
The plastic construction comes from 30% recycled material, while the packaging is 100% recycled, making this an excellent sustainable option. This budget pick may not be as sleek and stylish as the other combs higher up on this list, but it'll certainly get the job done.
You may have noticed that hair can appear much more stretchy when wet. This is because being saturated in water can temporarily weaken the bonds in your hair that help it keep its shape. Because of this, you should always avoid picking your hair while wet, as doing so can cause lasting damage!
Detangling stubborn hair regularly can feel overwhelming, but the consequences of not doing so can be much more intense! Afro hair will naturally form locks over time. If you're looking to shake up your look, this might be a welcome change, but if you'd prefer to avoid the dreadlock style, detangle your hair regularly.
There's a widespread theory that picking your hair will stimulate the scalp and encourage faster hair growth. While we'd love to tell you this will work, there is unfortunately no evidence to back up the claims! Some people testify that it worked for them, but if you give it a try, you can't guarantee results!
Written and researched by Connor Macanally
No. 1: Chicago Comb|Carbon Fibre Afro Pick
No. 2: Majestik+|Afro Pick
No. 3: Head|Carbon Fibre Afro Comb
No. 4: Nasuniaoda|Afro Comb and Pick Set
No. 5: Xnicx|Wide Tooth Afro Comb
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