Best Shampoos September 2026
Finding the right shampoo depends on your hair type, scalp needs, and styling routine. This independent guide compares top-rated options across formula types, bottle sizes, and specific hair benefits to help you choose the best fit.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
K18Hair AirWash Dry Shampoo 118ml climbed 2 positions
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 250ml dropped 2 positions
Redken All Soft Shampoo 500ml dropped 1 position
Shampoos: Top 5
1
K18Hair AirWash Dry Shampoo 118ml
from £41.002 stores
2
from £41.00
2 stores
2
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 1000ml
from £22.999 stores
from £22.99
9 stores
3
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo 250ml
from £11.9012 stores
2
from £11.90
12 stores
4
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 300ml
from £19.807 stores
from £19.80
7 stores
5
Redken All Soft Shampoo 500ml
from £25.216 stores
1
from £25.21
6 stores
K18Hair AirWash is a dry shampoo designed to refresh hair and add volume without water. It suits all hair types, including oily and damaged hair, with a vegan, sulphate-free, and silicone-free formula.
Pros
Waterless dry shampoo formula
Adds volume while absorbing oil
Vegan, sulphate-free, silicone-free
Suitable for all hair types
Cons
Small 118ml bottle size
Does not replace a wet wash
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo delivers bond-repairing care in a large 1,000ml salon-size bottle. It works to smooth, hydrate, and restore strength to damaged or colour-treated hair.
Pros
Generous 1,000ml salon size
Repairs and strengthens bonds
Moisturising and smoothing formula
Vegan and sulphate-free
Cons
Bulky bottle for travel
Higher upfront purchase cost
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo in a 250ml format provides bond-restoring care in an everyday bottle size. Its sulphate-free and silicone-free formula cleanses while smoothing frizz and enhancing shine.
Pros
Convenient 250ml travel-friendly size
Repairs damaged hair bonds
Silicon-free, sulphate-free, and vegan
Dermatologically tested formula
Cons
Needs more frequent repurchasing
Higher cost per millilitre than 1,000ml
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo focuses on intense repair and smoothing for damaged or colour-treated hair. The sulphate-free formula strengthens hair bonds while helping to condition and tame frizz.
Pros
Targeted bond repair for damaged hair
Sulphate-free cleansing
Refillable packaging options
Smooths and conditions hair
Cons
Not listed as vegan
Aimed mainly at compromised hair
Redken All Soft Shampoo is designed to hydrate, soften, and add shine to dry or brittle hair. Its 500ml bottle provides ample quantity for regular use, leaving hair feeling smoother and more manageable.
Pros
Generous 500ml mid-size bottle
Delivers deep moisture and shine
Cruelty-free and paraben-free
Softens dry and brittle hair
Cons
Formula contains sulphates
Rich formula may weigh down fine hair
Compare specifications
| Type | Dry shampoo | Silver shampoo, 2in1 shampoo, Gel / Liquid shampoo | 2in1 shampoo, Gel / Liquid shampoo | 2in1 shampoo, Gel / Liquid shampoo | 2in1 shampoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair type | Normal, Colour treated, Fine, Blond/highlighted, Mixed, Grey/White, Curly/permed, Frizzy, Coarse/thick, All | Normal, Colour treated, Fine, Blond/highlighted, Mixed, Grey/White, Curly/permed, Frizzy, Coarse/thick, All | Normal, Colour treated, Fine, Blond/highlighted, Mixed, Grey/White, Curly/permed, Frizzy, Coarse/thick, All | Colour treated, Grey/White, Curly/permed | Normal, Curly/permed, All |
| Suitable for | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men | Women, Men |
| Claims | Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben free, Silicon free, Sulphate free | Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben free, Sulphate free | Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben free, Silicon free, Sulphate free, Dermatologically tested | Sulphate free | Cruelty free, Paraben free |
| Hair condition | Oily hair, Damaged / Dry hair | Oily hair, Damaged / Dry hair | Oily hair, Damaged / Dry hair | Damaged / Dry hair | Damaged / Dry hair |
| Effect | Volumizing | Moisturising / Softening, Smoothing, Repairing | Volumizing, Shine Enhancing, Moisturising / Softening, Smoothing, Repairing | Smoothing, Repairing | Shine Enhancing, Moisturising / Softening, Smoothing |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
