Soft Wave Brush vs Medium Wave Brush for 360 Waves: Which One Should You Use?

When you’re trying to get better 360 waves, your brush matters a lot.

A lot of people think any brush will work, but that’s not really true. A soft wave brush and a medium wave brush do different things. One is better for laying your hair down, and the other is better for actually training your wave pattern.

So if you’re trying to figure out whether you should use a soft brush or a medium brush for your waves, this guide will break it down simple.

What Is a Soft Wave Brush?

A soft wave brush has softer bristles that are more gentle on your hair and scalp.

This type of brush is good when your hair is low, when you just got a fresh cut, or when you’re trying to lay your hair down before putting on a durag.

A soft brush does not give as much pull as a medium brush, but it is great for smoothing everything out.

You should use a soft brush when:

• You just got a fresh haircut. The soft bristles will glide over your waves.
• Your scalp feels sensitive
• You are brushing after adding product. A soft brush is best used to brush product through your hair.
• You are about to put on your durag. A soft wave brush will lay your waves down; including the frizzy hair.
• You want your waves to look laid and clean. Before I step out, I always use a soft wave brush to keep my waves laid.

The soft brush is more of a finishing brush. It helps your hair look neat and controlled.

Inferno Soft Wave Brush
Best used as a finisher brush, spreading products throughout your hair, or when you get your fresh cut.
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What Is a Medium Wave Brush?

A medium wave brush has firmer bristles than a soft brush.

This gives you more pull when you brush. That pull is what helps train your hair to lay in the right direction and form your wave pattern.

A medium brush is one of the best brushes to use when your hair starts growing out a little more. It is good for daily brushing, wolfing, and building progress.

You should use a medium brush when:

• You are training your waves to build your wave pattern
• You are wolfing and your hair is getting longer
• You need more pull to reach your scalp to pull your hair
• You are doing your main brushing session

If you only have one brush, a medium brush is usually the better choice for wave training. It does more of the work when it comes to building your pattern, and you can use it during multiple stages of your wave journey-whether you got a fresh cut or if you're wolfing.

Alaska Ice Medium Wave Brush
Medium brushes work best for everyday use; when you have a fresh cut or when wolfing your 360 waves.
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Soft Brush vs Medium Brush: What’s the Main Difference?

The main difference is simple.

A soft brush helps lay your hair down.

A medium brush helps train your waves.

The soft brush is better for finishing. The medium brush is better for progress.

That does not mean one is better than the other. They just have different jobs.

If your hair is very low, a medium brush might feel too rough. But if your hair is thicker or you are wolfing, a soft brush might not give you enough pull.

That is why a lot of wavers use both.

Want to learn how to brush 360 waves properly?
Read ➡How To Brush 360 Waves for Maximum Progress

Which Brush Is Better for Beginners?

If you are a beginner, the best choice depends on your hair length.

If you just got a fresh cut, start with a soft brush. It will be easier on your scalp and help keep your hair laid down.

If your hair has grown out, use a medium brush. This will help you train your waves better.

But honestly, if you are serious about getting waves, having both is the best move.

Use the medium brush for your main brushing session, then use the soft brush at the end to lay everything down before you put your durag on.

That routine can help your waves look cleaner and more controlled.

Soft Wave Brush vs Medium Wave Brush
Both have benefits, and you need both types if you want better waves.
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When Should You Use a Soft Brush?

Use a soft brush when your hair is low or when you need to lay everything down.

A soft brush is also good after you apply product because it helps spread the product through your hair without being too rough.

It is also good for brushing before bed. After your main session, you can go over your pattern with a soft brush, then put your durag on to hold everything in place.

A simple routine would be:

Brush with your medium brush first.

Then finish with your soft brush.

Then put on your durag.

That is a good way to train your hair and keep it laid down.

Silky Durags
After finishing your brush session with a soft wave brush, save your progress with a silky durag.
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When Should You Use a Medium Brush?

Use a medium brush when you need more pull.

This is the brush you want to use when you are really trying to train your pattern. If you are brushing for 15, 20, or 30 minutes, your medium brush should probably be doing most of the work.

A medium brush is especially useful when you are wolfing because your hair is longer and harder to lay down.

During a wolf, a soft brush might only touch the top layer of your hair. A medium brush can get deeper and help move the hair better.

That is why medium brushes are so important for progress.

Still trying to fully understand wolfing?
➡ Read What is Wolfing?

Do You Need Both Brushes for 360 Waves?

Yes, having both can help a lot.

You can still get waves with one brush, but having both gives you more control.

The medium brush helps build the pattern.

The soft brush helps lay the pattern down.

That combination is better than relying on one brush for everything.

If you are trying to get better 360 waves, you should not only think about how long you brush. You also need to think about what brush you are using at the right time.

Ultimate Brush Kit Bundle
Having troubled decided which brush to get? Simplify your wave journey with all 10 Wave Brushes.
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Best Way to Use Both Brushes

Here is a simple way to use both brushes in your routine:

Start with your medium brush.

Brush with your angles.

Focus on your weak spots.

Do your main brushing session.

Then switch to your soft brush.

Use the soft brush to smooth everything down.

Put your durag on after brushing.

This helps lock in the work you just did.

The durag is important because brushing without compression can make it harder to keep your progress laid down.
➡Durag FAQ - Everything You Need To Know

Final Answer: Soft Brush or Medium Brush?

If your hair is low, use a soft brush.

If your hair has grown out, use a medium brush.

If you want the best results, use both.

A medium brush is better for training your waves, and a soft brush is better for laying them down. They work best together.

So instead of asking which one is better, the real answer is knowing when to use each one.

Use the medium brush to build your waves.

Use the soft brush to finish and lay them down.

That is how you get cleaner, better-looking 360 waves.

FAQ

Is a soft brush or medium brush better for 360 waves?

A medium brush is better for training 360 waves because it gives more pull. A soft brush is better for laying your hair down and finishing your brushing session. For the best results, use both.

Should beginners use a soft brush or medium brush?

Beginners should use a soft brush if their hair is low or they just got a fresh cut. If their hair has grown out some, a medium brush is better because it helps train the wave pattern more.

Can I get waves with only a soft brush?

Yes, you can get waves with only a soft brush, especially when your hair is low. But once your hair grows, a soft brush may not give enough pull, so a medium brush can help you make better progress.

When should I use a medium brush for waves?

Use a medium brush during your main brushing session, when your hair has grown out, or when you are wolfing. A medium brush helps move the hair better and train it to follow your wave pattern.

Do I need both a soft brush and medium brush?

You do not need both, but having both is better. Use the medium brush to train your waves, then use the soft brush to lay everything down before putting on your durag.