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Viking Roller vs. Cremo vs. Zeus & More: Which Beard Brush to Buy?

Author: Faiysal Kothiwala

Published at: Dec 09, 2024

Choosing the right grooming tool can make all the difference in your routine. But with so many brush options like Viking Roller, Cremo, Zeus, and even more on the market, how do you decide? 

We’ve thoroughly compared these top brands, analyzing performance, design, and value, to help you find your ideal brush choice. Whether you prioritize precision, comfort, or durability, our detailed breakdown covers it all. 

Plus, we’ve put together the ultimate buying guide, packed with expert tips and key considerations to ensure you pick the perfect product for your needs. Ready to upgrade your grooming game? Read on to find out more!

Which Brush is The Best for Your Beard?

While Viking Roller is the go-to for many, it might not suit every beard type or styling need. Whether you crave extra softness, deeper exfoliation, or travel-friendly convenience, we’ll help you find your perfect match.

Product

Handle

Bristle Type

Key Features

Best For

⭐ Rating

Viking Roller

Wood

Heat-resistant nylon

Ergonomic, cruelty-free 🐰, long handle, works with heat tools

Thick beards 🧔♂️

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cremo Boar Bristle

Wood

100% boar bristles

Compact, natural, gentle exfoliation 

Short-medium beards, sensitive skin 

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Smooth Viking

Wood

Boar bristles

Soft massage 💆♂️, distributes oils/balms

Long beards, conditioning 

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sunbird 2-Sided

Wood

Nylon + flower mane (vegan) 🌱

Dual-sided, gentle, vegan-friendly 🌿

Sensitive skin, daily care 

  ⭐⭐⭐

ZEUS Boar Bristle

Wood

Boar bristles (firm/soft mix)

Pen-sized, versatile for all lengths

Styling, travel 

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ZilberHaar Regular

Pear wood

Boar bristles

Exfoliates, untangles unruly beards 

Short-medium beards

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Every Man Jack

Wood/plastic

Synthetic (cruelty-free) 

Durable, ergonomic, budget-friendly 💷

Eco-conscious users 🌍

  ⭐⭐⭐

Seven Potions

Pear wood

First-cut boar bristles

Anti-dandruff, oval grip, deep exfoliation

Dandruff prevention, thick beards 🧔♂️

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gran Naturals

Wood

Stiff boar bristles

Rustic design, scalp/beard dual-use, vigorous massage 

Natural look, full beards 🌿

  ⭐⭐⭐

Victory Barber & Brand

Wood (anti-static)

Boar bristles (firm/flexible)

Anti-static, comfortable styling 

Short beards, precision grooming

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Beard Struggle Viking Roller vs. Cremo 

The Viking Roller is a premium choice for men with thick, voluminous beards. Its heat-resistant nylon bristles make it ideal for styling with blow dryers or straighteners, while the ergonomic wood handle ensures a comfortable grip. 

This brush excels at taming frizz, detangling, and providing a polished look, making it perfect for those who want professional-level styling at home.

On the other hand, the Cremo Boar Bristle Brush is a natural, travel-friendly option that focuses on gentle shaping and oil distribution. The boar bristles help evenly spread oils and balms while providing a soft exfoliating massage to the skin.

Feature

Viking Roller Beard Brush

Cremo Boar Bristle Brush

Bristle Type

Heat-resistant nylon

100% natural boar bristles

Handle Material

Wood (ergonomic, long grip)

Wood (compact)

Best For

Thick beards, heat styling

All lengths, oil distribution

Travel-Friendly?

No (larger size)

Yes (small and portable)

Special Features


Overall Rating

Frizz control, cruelty-free



⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Gentle exfoliation, natural



⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)


The Beard Struggle Viking Roller vs. Zeus 

The Viking Roller is built for thick, voluminous beards that need serious styling power. Its heat-resistant nylon bristles help smooth frizz and shape even the most unruly facial hair

The ZEUS brush offers a balanced mix of firmness and softness, making it great for all beard lengths. 

The design makes it easy to toss in a travel bag, and the boar bristles help distribute oils evenly while gently exfoliating the skin.

Feature

Viking Roller Beard Brush

ZEUS Boar Bristle Brush

Bristle Type

Heat-resistant nylon

100% natural boar bristles

Handle Material

Wood (long, ergonomic grip)

Wood (compact, pen-sized)

Best For

Thick beards, heat styling

All lengths, oil distribution

Travel-Friendly?

No (larger size)

Yes (small and portable)

Special Features


Overall Rating

Frizz control, cruelty-free



⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Dual firm/soft bristles, exfoliation



⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Smooth Viking vs. The Beard Struggle’s Viking Savage 2.0

The Smooth Viking is your ideal companion for daily beard maintenance. Its soft boar bristles provide a gentle yet effective grooming experience, perfect for distributing oils and balms while stimulating blood flow to your facial hair follicles. 

The Viking Savage 2.0 represents the next evolution in beard grooming tools. The stiffer bristles provide deeper exfoliation and better control for thick and coarse beards. Its ergonomic handle design gives you superior grip and control during your grooming sessions.

Feature

Smooth Viking Brush

Viking Savage 2.0 Beard Brush

Bristle Type

100% soft boar bristles

Hybrid boar/synthetic bristles

Handle Design

Classic wood, compact

Ergonomic wood, contoured grip

Best For

Daily maintenance, medium beards

Thick/coarse beards, styling

Exfoliation

Gentle

Deep, stimulating

Portability

Excellent (travel-sized)

Good (slightly larger)

Oil Distribution

Excellent

Excellent

Price Point


Overall Rating 

$19.99


⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

$24.99


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

The Sunbird 2-Sided vs. The ZilberHaar Regular

The Sunbird 2-Sided Brush is a vegan-friendly option designed for sensitive skin and daily maintenance. This brush is perfect if you have fine or short facial hair and prefer a gentle, non-irritating grooming experience. 

The ZilberHaar Regular Brush is built for short to medium-length beards that need deep exfoliation and detangling. This product is best for those with thicker, coarser beards who want a more vigorous grooming session.

Feature

Sunbird 2-Sided Brush

ZilberHaar Regular Brush

Bristle Type

Nylon + flower mane (vegan)

100% boar bristles (natural)

Handle Material

Wood (long)

Pear wood (ergonomic)

Best For

Sensitive skin, fine/short beards

Short-medium beards, exfoliation

Grooming Style

Gentle, daily care

Deep cleaning, detangling

Vegan?

Yes

No

Portability


Overall Rating 

Good (long but slim)


⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Good (sturdy handle)


⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)


Every Man Jack vs. Seven Potions

Every Man Jack Brush is the modern man's synthetic solution. Its cruelty-free synthetic bristles and compact design make it ideal for eco-conscious groomers, travel-friendly routines, and quick daily maintenance.

The Seven Potions Brush represents traditional craftsmanship with its first-cut boar bristles and pear wood handle. It excels at combating beard dandruff and deep exfoliation.

Feature

Every Man Jack Brush

Seven Potions Brush

Bristle Type

Synthetic (cruelty-free)

First-cut boar bristles

Handle Material

Wood/plastic composite

Premium pear wood

Best For

Daily quick grooming

Deep cleansing & dandruff control

Exfoliation

Light

Firm but gentle

Portability

Excellent (compact design)

Good (travel-sized)

Oil Distribution

Moderate

Excellent

Specialty

Vegan-friendly

Anti-dandruff properties

Grip

Standard

Oval-shaped for better control

Price Point


Overall Rating

Budget-friendly


⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Premium


⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)


Gran Naturals vs. Victory Barber & Brand

When choosing between these two premium boar bristle brushes, your decision comes down to styling preferences and beard type. Both offer excellent natural grooming but with different specialties.

Gran Naturals Brush is the rugged, multipurpose warrior with a military-inspired design for beard and scalp. In comparison, Victory Barber & Brand Brush is the barber-approved stylist, professionally designed for precise grooming.

Feature

Gran Naturals Brush

Victory Barber & Brand Brush

Bristle Type

Stiff boar bristles

Firm yet flexible boar bristles

Handle Design

Rustic long wood

Anti-static wood

Best For

Thick/long beards & scalp

Short-medium beards

Massage Intensity

Vigorous

Comfortable

Specialty

Dual beard/scalp use

Barber-grade precision

Static Control

Standard

Anti-static properties

Grooming Style

Natural, rugged look

Polished, professional style

Portability


Overall Rating

Good


⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Excellent


⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)


What to Look For When Buying a Brush for Your Beard?

We’re tempted to overlook these small care items, but a beard and mustache brush is something that you’ll be using every day. So, a product’s characteristics will determine its efficiency, durability, and ease of use.

1. Bristle Type

A brush’s bristles can be either natural or synthetic. 

  • Natural hair bristles absorb the products you’re putting on your beard, which helps spread products like beard oil or beard balm along the hair fibers. 

  • Synthetic bristles like nylon are specifically designed for easy-to-clean use and have anti-static properties.

2. Bristle Cut

The best brushes will have different lengths of bristles. This will enable your brush to reach through your hair fibers towards your skin. This contact is essential because it helps remove impurities and detangle underneath the surface of your facial hair.

3. Handle Shape

A brush for beards can be shaped like any regular scalp hairbrush, or it can be more compact and made to fit in the palm of your hand. Size and shape will also influence the product’s maneuverability, and in this case, bigger is not necessarily better.

4. Price

The brush price will reflect the quality of its materials and craftsmanship. Things like bristle type, handle material, and design will influence the price of a product but will also add to its quality. You should look for a brush that has a good build and can withstand daily use, so you’re getting your money’s worth.

5. Handle Material

A beard-specific brush’s handle can be made from natural materials like wood or synthetic materials like plastic. Besides the aesthetic appeal, natural materials have anti-static properties, and they can help prevent your facial hair from getting dry or brittle.

6. Facial Hair Type

The brush should be designed to work on any type of beard hair. Consider this factor: whether your whiskers are thin, thick, curly, wavy, or mixed.

7. Facial Hair Length

Beard length should be correlated with the brush’s bristle cut. The uneven distribution of bristles will help with penetration, which is beneficial for long and dense beards.

Final Verdict: Why the Viking Roller Brush Reigns Supreme

After thoroughly comparing the top brushes on the market, one standout emerges as the ultimate grooming essential: the Viking Roller from The Beard Struggle. It delivers the perfect balance of power, precision, and durability.

But a great beard doesn’t stop at brushing. Explore our expert grooming guides and premium comb and brush products, from nourishing oils to sturdy combs, to keep your facial hair in warrior-ready condition.

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