The 20 Best Hair Conditioners for Men in 2024, Tested by Grooming Editors

Hair looking a little flat? This conditioner gives your hair a 2x lift of volume, according to Living Proof. It's lightweight so it won't weigh down your hair, and the peptides plump each and every hair fiber, giving you the appearance of thicker, fuller hair.

Testing Notes: We’re always skeptical of shampoos and conditioners that claim to thicken your hair, but color us pleasantly surprised that this conditioner actually delivers on that promise. The key could be how lightweight it is, which helps to smooth and soften hair without weighing it down (always an important factor in a conditioner), but whatever this magic is, we’re not going to argue. Even after just one use, our hair looked fuller and thicker once it dried. Our advice: if you want even more volumizing action, use a blow dryer.

This conditioner isn’t just about what it doesn’t have (sulfates, parabens, dyes, silicones, and more) but what it does—namely pyrithione zinc which is proven to help reduce dandruff. It’s a double whammy of dandruff treatment when paired with another dandruff shampoo.

Testing Notes: We’re believers that your grooming products should work smarter and harder for you. Case in point: this conditioner. Anyone who struggles with dandruff knows that pyrithione zinc is one of the most effective ingredients in the fight against flakes—but you usually find it only in shampoos. This conditioner contains that important ingredient but doesn’t sacrifice any of the moisturizing, smoothing and softening abilities you want in a good conditioner—which is especially important when paired with a harsher dandruff shampoo.

Read more: Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

Don’t let the low price tag fool you—this conditioner has just as much moisturizing power as others 10 times the price. The rich creamy formula may only have seven ingredients, but they work overtime to leave your hair smooth and shiny.

Testing Notes: When pitted against other low-cost conditioners, we found this one came out on top purely because it just plain works. Like, really works. The minimal formula is still rich and creamy and leaves even dry hair smooth and hydrated. We also liked that it’s fragrance-free since sometimes layering all those competing scents in a shower routine can feel a little overwhelming.

There’s a reason this is one of the most iconic conditioners of all time. This ultra-luxe cream is thick, rich and leaves hair incredibly smooth and hydrated, not to mention shiny AF. The scent is less “hair product” and more “high end fragrance” which only adds to the luxurious experience.

Testing Notes: We have to be honest: this is one of our ultimate favorite conditioners. When it comes to luxury products, a lot of them can be smoke and mirrors (or just really good marketing) but they could charge twice the money for this conditioner and we would still buy it. It’s one of the most nourishing and smoothing conditioners we’ve ever tried and the shine it leaves on your hair looks like your hair is airbrushed—natural but just way, way better. The instantly-identifiable Oribe scent is just icing on an already perfect cake.

Curly hair requires a lot of conditioning because curls can dry out fast (the oils have a harder time flowing from the scalp to the ends of the hair strands). Deep conditioners like this are essential and this one is packed with ultra moisturizing avocado butter and manuka honey to help seal in moisture and healthy oils for the long haul.

Testing Notes: This conditioner is Thick with a Capital T, so if that’s what your hair needs, it’s perfect. We found that it’s definitely too heavy for anything but curly or textured hair, as it’s packed with so many oils that it can leave finer or straighter hair feeling oily. But on the right kind of hair, it is so deeply nourishing that our curls stayed coily and frizz-free all day.

This sulfate-free conditioner is designed specifically to preserve the moisture levels in textured hair, which can dry out quickly. Packed with moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil, it coats each strand to not only infuse them with hydration but also lock it in so they don’t get dry as quickly.

Testing Notes: While this conditioner is definitely not for fine or thinner hair, it does wonders for curly and textured hair. We found that the ultra-rich formula helps maintain hydration for hours and hours, even in heat and humidity, and helps keep coils intact. We found that it definitely makes the case for using a conditioner specific to your hair type for best results.

The color treating process may look cool, but it can be hell on your hair. This conditioner is a must have for anyone who dyes, bleaches or highlights their hair because it contains a proprietary bond building technology that helps repair and maintain the protein bonds within hair strands that get broken during the coloring process.

Testing Notes: While this conditioner is very good overall, we found that there isn’t much reason to use it unless you color your hair. It’s very good at smoothing and moisturizing strands, but where it really shines is bringing damaged hair back to life. Obviously it’s also color-safe, so won’t fade your color, and works wonders, especially when used in combination with other Olaplex products, to return damaged hair to a healthy state.

Naturally derived ingredients like jojoba, aloe and sandalwood help to round out this mostly-natural formula making it ideal for easy, everyday conditioning. It’s pleasantly lightweight, washes out easily and leaves hair moisturized but not greasy.

Testing Notes: We reached for this conditioner over and over in the testing process when we wanted something straightforward. It’s not too thick, but the formula is hefty enough to deliver some serious hydration to your hair, making it ideal for everyday use. We don’t think it would be great for super curly or dry hair, but for normal to fine hair types, it’s a solid option.

Okay, yes, this conditioner does everything you want a conditioner to do—namely smooth your hair and keep it moisturized. But what really stands out is the scent—a wonderful, green herbal scent that’s heads above the other weird, chemically scent options out there.

Testing Notes: It’s one thing for a conditioner to do its job of hydrating your hair after a thorough cleansing—and this one does that very, very well. But in our testing, we kept coming back to it because of the addicting scent. It’s natural and green-smelling, without seeming fake or, worse, having that cloying, chemically “fresh” vibe.

This silicone-free conditioner also contains naturally derived oils and (vegan) keratin to help strengthen your hair while it smooths. What we like most about it, however, is that it only has to stay on your hair for a minute or so to work—so if you find yourself pressed for time (or cash), this is a perfect pick.

Testing Notes: The brand calls the natural ingredients in this formula “bio-mimetic” meaning that theoretically your body knows exactly what to do with them so they work better. We can’t say whether that is really the case (we’re not scientists), but what we can say through our testing process is that this conditioner delivers on what a conditioner should: hydrating and smoothing strands. This particular version also claims to strengthen hair, which could be the case because our hair certainly looked healthier after using it.

It can be easy to think that fine hair doesn’t need conditioning, but it is susceptible to the same dryness and over-cleansing that other hair types are as well. This hydrating formula is super lightweight, which is ideal for fine hair because it won’t weigh it down with excess oils, plus contains keratin and biotin to help strengthen it.

Testing Notes: We found that this conditioner, while specifically designed for fine hair with it’s lightweight, easy-to-rinse-out formula and strengthening ingredients, is also pretty great for other types, too—as long as you’re not prone to dryness. It’s a great option if you tend to feel like conditioners weigh your hair down or make it look greasy. This one definitely won’t.

Act+Acre believes that scalp health is the key to growing longer, fuller-looking hair. Scalp issues can lead to inflammation and itching, which damages the hair follicle and slows down growth. For a healthy scalp, wash your hair every two to three days with Act+Acre's Cold Processed Hair Conditioner. The nourishing formula boosts hydration to help repair and restore the scalp biome.

Testing Notes: Some heavier conditioners can leave your hair feeling smooth but your scalp feeling greasy or, worse, can clog the pores on your scalp or make scalp issues worse. We found that this conditioner is lightweight but still nourishing to our hair, enough that our hair felt soft and smooth even the next day, but also left our scalps feeling clean and soothed instead of greasy. It’s ideal for all hair types, but we found it especially nice for shorter hair where the scalp is a little more exposed to the elements.

Read more: Best Scalp Treatments for Men

“Kérastase Densifique Fondant Densité is a lightweight conditioner that will amp up hair density for men with thinning hair,” says Richman. “It was designed to treat fine and thinning hair from the inside. Apply a quarter size amount and leave for 1-2 minutes and rinse.”

Testing Notes: You know how your face looks smoother and plumper when your skin is well-moisturized? It’s because your skin cells are full of water. The same idea goes into this conditioner, which is packed with hyaluronic acid (yes, the kind that’s in your moisturizer, too) to help plump up your hair with moisture and make it shinier and less brittle. We found that leaving it sitting on your hair for a few minutes, as Richman advises, also helps with the plumping effect as well as pairing it with the Densifique shampoo.

Read more: Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Hydrate your hair and prevent dry scalp with this top-notch conditioner from Jack Black. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to fight fungi and bacteria that can cause dandruff and itchiness, while unclogging pores to promote hair growth.

Testing notes: In our testing, this conditioner came out a winner because it’s a good option for pretty much all hair types. If you have extremely dry or extremely curly hair, you may want something a little thicker, but for most people it’s a solid option that moisturizes hair well and doesn’t weigh it down. The addition of tea tree oil gives it a nice fresh quality and the basil adds an herbal element to the scent that is nice but not overpowering. If you’re looking for an all-around generally good conditioner to use every day, grab this.

Read more: Best Clarifying Shampoos

Argan oil, hydrolyzed quinoa protein, and pro-vitamin B5 create the perfect trio of ingredients to power-up your locks in this moisturizing and thickening hair conditioner.

Testing notes: Compared to some of the other conditioners featured here, this conditioner is on the thicker side—exactly what you want if you have very dry or over styled hair (like if you used a blow dryer every day). Depending on how dry your hair is, you may not need to use this every day, but you can. Somehow it’s thick enough to deeply hydrate and smooth dry hair but still lightweight enough that it doesn’t feel greasy or weighed down.

Score this natural hair conditioner with 72% organic ingredients including aloe vera, vitamin E, tea tree and peppermint oil that’s great for thick hair with a high-quality moisturizing formula.

Testing Notes: Thick hair needs conditioner just like every other type of hair (to prevent it from turning into a fluffball) but it doesn’t always need heavy, rich conditioner. We found in our testing that this conditioner is lightweight enough to not leave thick hair feeling greasy or weighed down, but moisturizing enough to keep it smooth and soft. We especially loved the fresh, zesty feeling from the peppermint oil and tea tree oil.

The personal wellness brand’s hair conditioner contains the vitamin niacinamide, which not only supports hair growth, but also boosts its appearance and makes your locks feel extra smooth to the touch.

Testing Notes: Okay so no conditioner is actually going to make your hair grow, but we found that this volumizing conditioner does work well to help thicken strands and make thinning hair look fuller. The addition of niacinamide is nice to help stimulate growth as well, but again, it’s not going to do much on its own. Where it really shines, we found, is when it’s part of a larger hair growth regimen with other growth-stimulating ingredients.

Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos

Ideal for men who wash their hair every day, having a healthy mop on top doesn’t have to break the bank. Suitable for guys with normal to dry hair, American Crew’s conditioner replenishes moisture and prevents breakage. The citrus mint aroma is definite plus.

Testing Notes: Sometimes you just want to reach for the easiest option without putting too much thought into things, you know? File this conditioner under “the easiest option.” It’s deeply hydrating—enough for dry or curly hair—but also lightweight enough to use on fine or thinning hair. There’s plenty to like in the formula packed with naturally derived ingredients and the scent is pleasant without being overwhelming. Overall, we found that it’s a solid option for almost everyone.

This conditioner is great for men with curly hair, thanks to Sachajuan’s Ocean Silk Technology that’ll detangle, moisturize, and provide extra shine to your thick mane.

Testing Notes: Truthfully, we were surprised by this conditioner - in a good way. The formula isn’t incredibly thick, so we thought it wouldn’t moisturize curls or dry hair as well as we expected. Boy, were we wrong. Perhaps it’s the argan oil or whatever Ocean Silk Technology is, but whatever they put in it, this conditioner delivers incredible moisturizing properties in a lightweight package.

The problem with most two-in-one products is that they are too heavy on the shampoo, so they often leave hair feeling dry and over cleansed. This one, however, is more of a conditioner which is not only why it’s on this list but also why it’s so good. It applies like a creamy conditioner but lathers as it rinses out, leaving hair clean but still moisturized.

Testing Notes: If we’re going to be completely honest, we almost never love a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, so we were very skeptical to try this one. And, more honesty, all our expectations were immediately blown on that window. It has more in common with a co-wash (or cleansing conditioner) than it does your standard two-in-one. The cream smooths onto your hair the way a conditioner would but as you massage it into your scalp and apply water, it lathers up (not a ton, but enough) to let you know that it’s also cleansing your hair. It’s ideal for dry, curly, or thick hair that can’t take too much shampooing or anyone who just wants to save a little time.