10 Very Best Hair Gels in Every Budget, for Any Hair and Hairstyle (2024)

HAIR GEL has made some of the most iconic men's hairstyles in history possible: Gordon Gekko in Wall Street who defined the 80’s slicked-back corporate look; the punk spikes of Sid Vicious, both in real life and as played by Gary Oldman; Justin Timberlake’s frosted boy band curls, Pauly D’s Jersey Shore blowout, Lionel Richie’s Jheri curl… The list goes on.

Today, hair gels for men are versatile, long-lasting, and actually feel easy to style with—i.e., no longer smeared on your scalp in sticky, thick layers. Suitable for every texture or length, the best hair gels can even save you from coarsely-textured hair or unruly curls by taming the frizz without weighing your hair down. And if you want your hair to shine, like for a classic movie star side part, hair gel can do the trick while being more lightweight than pomade.

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The good news is that hair gels today are made of natural ingredients and don’t contain as much alcohol (which is what gives hair that wet, cripsy look). Now as healthier water-based hair products, hair gel has become easier to apply (a pea-sized amount is enough), delivering a more natural look and flexible hold. Another plus is its effectiveness at spot treatment, smoothing sides, and taming cowlicks.

That is all to say hair gel for men is probably the hardest-working product in your Dopp kit. Below, we sourced the 10 most trustworthy gels—in every budget, for all types of hair, and all styling possibilities. Now all that's left to do is find the one that best fits your style!

Less than $9 and available at most drugstores, Harry's Sculpting Gel is an excellent wallet-friendly hair product to add to your repertoire. You can use the gel to create an all-over slicked-back look, or you can use it for small touch-ups when you want to control sides that are sticking out or your pesky cowlick. It won't dry your hair, and with a firm hold that doesn't flake, it'll keep your coiffure looking and feeling at its best.

Baxter of California's styling gel is made with a paraben-free high-hold formula that works great on dry and damp hair. If you want a shiny and slick look, use it on damp hair. For a natural, more wavy look, you can run it through towel-dried hair and use a blow dryer to work it into place. The gel's perfect amount of hold, combined with versatility in use and pleasant scent, is what makes this product the top dog.

Medium hold means that your hair will stay in place, but you can still run your fingers through it. There’s slightly less shine to this formula, so it’s ideal for a natural look like there’s no product in your hair at all. While it's perfect for getting a '90s slicked-back hairdo, its reworkable quality makes it versatile for multiple hairstyles, in any length.

Boasting the "support and control of a gel with the flexibility and shine of a wax," this gel is creamy and packed with moisturizing natural ingredients, so hair stays full and rich instead of crispy. R+Co's products are all vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free (no animal testing). The brand has even cut down on its footprint by switching its bottles to 55% post-consumer resource (PCR) packaging.

Curly hair, do care. Amika's lightweight unisex gel works great for curl control on long hair. While it's a little expensive, the results you get are worth the investment. We're talking weather-proofing, curl-boosting hair with a high level of bounce. The effect is long-lasting and recognizable—enhanced curls, added shine, and much less frizz. With wheat protein as the ingredient, it also strengthens your hair. All in all, it provides control over your curly tendrils without overpowering them.

When you gotta tame the shrew that your unruly hair is, Dove always lends the right hand. Its Taming Gel—a winner of our 2021 Grooming Awards—works great for taming waves, curls, and cowlicks. "Instead of leaving your head crunchy and shellacked the way other gels we tested did, this one works with the natural texture of your hair," our testers reviewed. It's strong, yet non-greasy, and can easily whip up a wet look with a smooth finish down to a tee. It also contains caffeine which will leave your hair looking thicker, stronger, and healthier.

This could just be every man's summer go-to hair product. Infused with UVA protectors, it can help shield your hair from the dying effects of the sun. Best for getting maximum hold and control for your hair, this gel feels lightweight and doesn't flake or leave buildup on your head. In addition to the definition and shine it provides, you'll probably enjoy its refreshing, organic aroma as well.

For most of us when we think of hair gel we reflect back to our younger days when the product with the hardest hold became our styler of choice. Ultra Glued by Got2B is one of the strongest hair gels out there. Not only does a little of it go a long long way, but it will also give your hair a firm hold with no flake or stick. It's a solid choice for vertical hairstyles.

The lightweight gel feels thin but holds a much heavier formula which makes it perfect for even thin hair. It also has literal gold specks so hair looks shiny and healthy without looking wet. Recommended by stylists, a little squeeze or dab of it is enough to hold your hair and tame your frizz without weighing it down. A high price, we know, but Oribe makes some of the best hair products across the board.

We love this gel's ability to define curl and tame frizz while also producing a natural shine along with an amazingly firm hold that lasts. And we've also noticed that it's a pro at smoothing edges. What's even more unique about Crystal Orchid is it's infused with biotin and Vitamin D, so you're also helping boost your hair growth and retention. And lest we forget to mention its wallet-friendly price point for styling and nourishing your hair.

Because all hair gels contain chemicals, they can weaken your hair mostly by suffocating your scalp—which can cause dandruff—and preventing your hair from breathing. Hair gels with a high level of alcohol in its ingredient can also damage your hair by drying out the strands, leaving it frizzy and vulnerable to breakage. Some hair gels, however, are made of nourishing components such as biotin, Vitamin D, plant extracts, oils, etc. which are ingredients promoting better hair health and can potentially offset the negative effects of hair gel.

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top grooming products for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of hair gels to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, scent, value, and usage for different types of hair as well as hairstyles. We also considered top-reviewed hair gels that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.