These Are the 6 Best Shampoo Bars on the Market (We Tested Exactly 22)

Best Overall

J.R. Liggett's All-Natural Shampoo Bar

$8 at iHerb View on Jrliggett.com

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A great option for people with varying hair and skin types, this moisturizing shampoo bar is formulated with a blend of coconut oil, aloe vera, almond oil, mango butter, and vitamins A, B, and E to nourish the scalp as it cleanses. Just one bar is equal to 24 ounces of liquid shampoo, making it an excellent value and a compact product to keep in your shower.

We loved how easily it lathered when we massaged it across our head and that it didn’t leave us with a greasy look or feel. Our second-day hair looked just as good as the first day, so we were able to extend the time between washes. It's also worth noting that after two weeks of consistent use, the J.R. Liggett shampoo bar remained in pretty perfect shape. While we found the bar easy to hold, we do wish the shape was more curved to help people with limited mobility achieve a more comfortable grip. 

Best Hydrating

Kitsch Castor Oil Nourishing Shampoo Bar

View on Amazon $14 at Ulta $10 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It’s no surprise we really enjoyed this highly rated shampoo bar. The formula features nourishing castor oil and is free from harsh surfactants that can dry out the hair. While we had a bit of trouble getting to the roots of thicker hair with the bar during testing, we loved that a few swipes across the hair or rubbing it in our palms created a really effective lather that ultimately got the job done. The non-stripping formula is great for an everyday cleanse, but if we needed a deeper clean on sweaty gym days, we could rinse and repeat effectively. Unlike other similar products we've used in the past, we loved that you could truly feel how conditioning this formula was—it left our strands and scalp feeling moisturized. 

Best Gentle

Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar

$22 at Dermstore $22 at skinstore.com $22 at christopherobin.com

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We recommend this gentle shampoo bar that will leave your hair feeling clean and not stripped. The formula contains aloe vera, coconut oil, and olive oil, making it a nourishing option for those with dry hair. Getting the product to lather did take a bit of effort (we found rubbing it straight on the hair worked best), but once we got used to it, it lathered nicely and effectively cleansed our hair and scalp. The bar itself was easy to grip while washing, and it left our hair feeling similar to how our go-to liquid shampoo would. While it didn’t provide an incredibly deep cleanse that left our scalp free from excess oil for an extended period of time, it worked beautifully as a day-to-day type of shampoo.

Best for a Deep Clean

ODACITÉ 552M Soap Free Shampoo Bar

$29 at Amazon $29 at Nordstrom View on Alyaka.com

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 1.25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you deal with greasy roots and product buildup, we recommend getting your hands on this shampoo bar. It works to rid your hair and scalp of excess oil and buildup, and the soap-free formula is safe for color-treated hair, too. It lathered nicely—just like a traditional bar soap would—and we really liked that it provided a squeaky-clean result. Just be aware that we did find it to be so effective at cleaning that it could be a little bit stripping on the scalp and slightly drying on the ends. We’d recommend it to people with balanced or oily hair because you likely won't feel stripped, especially considering that the formula contains hydrating argan and castor oils. After cleansing with this shampoo and using a deep conditioner, we were truly impressed with the results. If you’re looking for a shampoo bar that will provide a deep clean, this is the one for you. 

Best for Curly Hair

Ethique Curl-Defining Solid Shampoo Bar

$16 at Amazon $17 at Walmart View on Com.au

Hair Type: Curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 3.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

People with curly hair know that it can be tricky to find shampoos that strike the right balance between effective cleansing and moisturizing, and this shampoo bar does that. In addition to lathering really well, we were super impressed with how effectively it removed a hair oil that we had applied prior to shampooing. It worked to give our scalp and strands a nice, thorough cleanse without compromising on moisture. We were even able to go a day or two longer without washing our hair than normal. After using the bar consistently for two weeks, it remained in pristine condition—no crumbling in sight. 

While we were really pleased with the results we achieved with this shampoo bar, we would have loved for it to have some more clarifying benefits that could help rid curly hair of product buildup. If you’re struggling with buildup, we recommend using a clarifying shampoo after every couple of washes with this bar. 

Best Scented

Davines LOVE Shampoo Bar

$27 at Amazon $20 at Walmart View on Davines.com

Hair Type: Coarse, Static | Sulfate-Free: No | Size: 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

For some people, the way their shampoo smells is equally as important as how well it cleanses their hair—it’s simply part of the experience. If this sounds like you, we recommend checking out this shampoo bar that features an invigorating, floral fragrance that’s bold but not overpowering. In addition to the fragrance, we loved that the formula worked to provide a nice cleanse while remaining gentle on the scalp. This shampoo bar was formulated with coarse and static hair types in mind, so it's a great choice if you want hydrated, smooth hair. We also appreciated how well it lathered in our hands, making it effortless to distribute across the scalp and through the lengths of our hair.