Best Hair Gel for Men 2025
GQ RecommendsFrom slicked-back strands to tousled, medium-hold looks, the best hair gel for men has you covered.By Adrian ClarkJanuary 2, 2025Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Elvis, David Beckham, James Dean, The Fonz—all of 'em would be allergic to that just-got-out-of-bed vibe (we’re looking at you, Timothée Chalamet) that's claimed the day. If you’re after a hairstyle that stays in place, investing in the right product is essential: a pomade for a soft-hold effect, a hair wax for a slick back, or a hair gel for something that's decidedly in-between.The best hair gels for men have come a long way from the aughts (and the spiky hair they propped up). Today's options help to sculpt hair and hold it in place without looking extra crispy, while still giving that definition that many men are after. Keep scrolling for our favorite options and who each one is best for.The Best Hair Gels for Men, At a GlanceBest Hair Gel Overall: Kevin Murphy Super.Goo Rubbery Sculpting Gel, $35 $29Best Sustainable Hair Gel: Aveda Men Pure-Formance, $34Best-Smelling Hair Gel: Aesop Sculpt Hair Polish, $35Looking for Something Specific?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWhat Is the Best Hair Gel to Use?Is Hair Gel Bad for Your Hair?
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Elvis, David Beckham, James Dean, The Fonz—all of 'em would be allergic to that just-got-out-of-bed vibe (we’re looking at you, Timothée Chalamet) that's claimed the day. If you’re after a hairstyle that stays in place, investing in the right product is essential: a pomade for a soft-hold effect, a hair wax for a slick back, or a hair gel for something that's decidedly in-between.
The best hair gels for men have come a long way from the aughts (and the spiky hair they propped up). Today's options help to sculpt hair and hold it in place without looking extra crispy, while still giving that definition that many men are after. Keep scrolling for our favorite options and who each one is best for.
The Best Hair Gels for Men, At a Glance
- Best Hair Gel Overall: Kevin Murphy Super.Goo Rubbery Sculpting Gel,
$35$29 - Best Sustainable Hair Gel: Aveda Men Pure-Formance, $34
- Best-Smelling Hair Gel: Aesop Sculpt Hair Polish, $35
The Best Hair Gel Overall
1/6Kevin Murphy
Super Goo Rubbery Sculpting Gel
Hair Type: All
Powered By: Nettle, green tea and bamboo extracts, beeswax, shea butter
I’m a big fan of Kevin.Murphy’s premium haircare and styling aids. While a bit expensive, they really do outperform the competition and therefore (I believe) still represent good value for your money. One of my absolute favorites is this rubbery-textured sculpting gel made with extracts of nettle, antioxidant green tea, and bamboo. It gives hair a natural finish and a firm hold—without drying it out. A little goes a long way, so be cautious and build up slowly to get the desired effect. It encourages shine without looking greasy, and since it's water-soluble, I found it very easy to wash out. Plus, thanks to an infusion of shea butter, it didn’t dry my hair out. This is the tried and trusted styler I find myself regularly coming back to.
The Most Hydrating Hair Gel
2/6Aesop
Sculpt Hair Polish
Hair Type: All, particularly short and medium-length
Powered By: Lime, bergamot rind, panthenol
A natural-based alternative to conventional hair gels, Aesop's Sculpt Hair Polish has been formulated with the deeply hydrating and nourishing benefits of hydrolyzed oats and panthenol and an uplifting blend of essential oils, bergamot, and clove bud among them. An aromatic styling gel to shape, hold, and add gloss to the hair, it's actually the reformulation of a past Aesop favorite, Wild Lime Hair Polish (which was discontinued), but with renewed functionality and efficacy. Offering a high level of hold and definition with a glossy, wet-look finish, it's ideally suited to short or medium-length haircuts.
The Best Hair-Strengthening Gel
3/6Fenty Skin
The Gelly Type Strong Hold Gel
Hair Type: All
Powered By: Replenicore-5 (a blend of Barbados gooseberry, up-cycled jackfruit extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, green tea extract, amino acids)
Developed for all hair-types and textures, this strong-hold, high-performance gel gives maximum style control. Developed by Rihanna in collaboration with Fenty’s in-house team of global stylists, it mends split ends and thickens strands from the inside out to strengthen and prevent future breakage. I used this to slick back my hair and found it both did a very good job at keeping it in place and gave comfort that it was also doing my hair some good.
The Best Shine-Enhancing Hair Gel
4/6Oribe
Rough Luxury Rock Hard Gel
Hair Type: All
Powered By: Super hold resin complex, argan oil, shea oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Biotinyl Tripeptide – 1
Probably one of the poshest haircare and styling ranges on the planet, Oribe is the first choice for A-list celebs. The signature Rock Hard Gel within the line is an award-winning formula with a unique creamy-gel texture that gives intense hold. (Spiked or slicked back, your hair will do precisely what it is told.) Enriched with light-reflecting particles to boost luster along with hair-strengthening compounds, it sets quickly to a lacquer finish and stays hard throughout the day. What I found most impressive about using it was regardless of its tough exterior, it actually softened my hair after I washed it clean.
The Best Gel for Thinning Hair
5/6Redken
Brews Work Hard Men's High Hold Molding Paste
Hair Type: All, particularly thinning
Powered By: Licorice root extract, sunflower seed oil, yeast extract, castor oil, glycerin
Following research with consumers, Redken Brews discovered that what we actually want is styling products that perform without feeling like you're wearing anything. Armed with that knowledge, Redken came up with a gel so light in weight and so clean in texture you could be forgiven for forgetting you are wearing any product at all. Offering a light hold (the payback for a product that prevents flaking), this has no crunch and isn't too sticky. Great for short or medium-length hairstyles, it offers mild control and a natural finish and is particularly effective for men with thinning hair because of its ultralight texture and consistency.
The Best Strong Hold Gel
6/6Mitch Iron Grip Strong Hold Gel
Hair Type: All, particularly fine
Powered By: Polyquaternium-69, PVP
This styling tool reminds me of the strong-hold hair gels that epitomized the '90s in that it offers a firm grip and maximum control that is perfect for more structured looks that need to last from morning to night. It does have a second use, however: Unlike the '90s high-hold stylers which dried crunchy and flaky, this can be used a blow-drying aid for enhancing hair volume and thickness. Specifically designed for men, I used this to give myself a sharp side-parting and was suitably impressed: It stayed put until it was time for bed without further intervention. I also found it easy to wash out, plus I loved its invigorating citrus agave scent. Vegan and gluten-free, the only thing I will say is that it's probably better reserved for special occasions when you want to create a bit of a look, rather than for daily use.
What Is the Best Hair Gel to Use?
Different hair gels can suit different hair types, but overall you'll want to look for something that will hold your hair in place throughout the day, while also having some actual benefits to your hair's health. Look for products that are infused with ingredients such as vitamin B5, as well as hydrating agents and proteins. You may also want to look for something that's infused with essential oils if you're after an aroma, and make sure to opt for something that's flake-free and doesn't leave a residue.
Is Hair Gel Bad for Your Hair?
While some hair gels can cause problems such as buildup and dryness, a good quality hair gel should actually support the health of your hair while keeping it in place throughout the day. You'll want something that's flake-free and if you're concerned about it drying out your hair, opt for one that smooths and conditions at the same time.
