24 Cheap Shampoos That Are Just as Good as Expensive Ones

While the term "normal hair” is beyond archaic, this shampoo delivers if you wash your hair daily and you want something that’ll clean an oily scalp but doesn’t dry out hair.

Pros: Hydrates and cleanses all hair types.
Cons: Quite thick in texture so rinse thoroughly.

The aloe vera and panthenol in this formula counteract any dryness that shampoo can sometimes cause Afro-textured hair, and although it’s far from a cleansing cream, the texture is quite creamy for a shampoo.

Pros: Great for detangling.
Cons: Probably too rich for very fine hair or oily scalps.

I love this range of cleansing products. The vegan formulas are super simple, and this one focuses on smoothing hair with vitamin E and coconut oil.

Pros: Smells so expensive.
Cons: The pump dispenser can be slightly temperamental.

Noughty formulas are free of silicones and sulphates, so you know that the soft feeling post-wash is thanks to the infusion of ingredients rather than your hair being coated in a faux-silkiness.

Pros: Deeply moisturising and perfect for dry hair.
Cons: Probably best for curly or frizz-prone textures.

First, if you’re a fan of sugary-cocktail scents, you’ll love the smell of this shampoo. It’s marketed as a cleansing cream, but I would say it errs more on the side of a rich, creamy shampoo.

Pros: So moisturising that you can skip the conditioner.
Cons: Quite a heavy consistency so may weigh finer hair down.

Just like its skincare offering, the haircare from The Ordinary is super simple and effective. This contains SLS at a gentle level so is perfect for washing oilier roots a few times a week or clarifying curly or Afro-textured hair.

Pros: Such a pared-back formula that you can even use it to cleanse your body.
Cons: It's fragrance-free so not one if you love amazing smelling hair products, but great for sensitive scalps!

This shampoo and the matching conditioner have a healthy dose of argan in them, which is known for its ability to help with shine and softness.

Pros: Leaves hair really soft and glossy.
Cons: Can be quite hard to squeeze all of the product out of the packaging.

You’ll be pressed to find a high-street haircare brand that has as much of a focus on colour as John Frieda does. While I think the claims of this shampoo illuminating hair from within is a bit of a stretch, it does cleanse colour-treated hair without stripping colour.

Pros: Seriously boosts shine.
Cons: Best suited to coloured hair who want to really boost its radiance.

I’ve found that a lot of professional hair-colour houses have amazing shampoo and conditioner formulas, but they’re all on the more expensive side of the market. Matrix is one of the most affordable and effective. This shampoo is specifically for finer hair types to cleanse, and when used with the conditioner and volumising foam in the same range, it creates an aerated fullness.

Pros: Brilliant at boosting the volume and fullness of fine hair.
Cons: It's on the pricier end of the cheap spectrum.

This shampoo is a part of the Toni & Guy fibre-strengthening system to help repair weaker hair. If you have hair that retains moisture well but you use heated tools multiple times a week, this is a good pick. It contains SLS and silicones, but as long as you’re using a clarifying shampoo as a refresher every so often, you won’t notice silicone build-up.

Pros: Perfect for restoring brittle or heat-damaged hair.
Cons: Add a clarifying shampoo into your weekly routine when using this to prevent build-up.

Using a shampoo bar is one of the most cost-effective ways you can wash your hair. This bar is quite clarifying, so I would avoid it if you have colour-treated or naturally dry hair, but it’s free from SLS so can be used daily for oily scalps.

Pros: Hair feels squeaky-clean after using this.
Cons: Invest in a tin or tray to keep this in if you're storing in the shower.

Skincare ingredients in haircare have never been more prominent, and this shampoo contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to balance any dryness from the SLS in this formula.

Pros: It quenches dehydration to refresh hair and leave it looking so healthy.
Cons: It's quite lightweight so thicker or drier hair types might prefer a richer formula.

I’m a huge fan of the Curl Jelly range, and this shampoo is great for wavy-to-curly hair to gently lift dirt without causing frizz.

Pros: Natural hair texture is left looking so bouncy and vibrant.
Cons: Beautiful light texture, but might want to pair with a more moisturising conditioner.

The Reincarnation mask from Bleach is one I recommend all the time for dry, bleached hair, and this new shampoo pairs so well with it. (There's also a conditioner if you want something lighter.) The lather is light but effective, and the formula contains microproteins to aid with repairing weakened strands.

Pros: Amazing at restoring damaged, colour-treated hair.
Cons: Don't use too much or it can weigh hair down—a little goes a long way.

Straight hair that’s moisture-balanced and fuss-free? This is a good option for cleansing every couple of days thanks to the argan, Abyssinian, coconut, Tsubaki and macadamia oils littering the ingredient list.

Pros: Incredible scent.
Cons: Doesn't lather up hugely.

Ultra-fine hair can be weighed down during cleansing and conditioning, but this shampoo and matching conditioner are very lightweight and help to balance oily roots and dry ends. 

Pros: Hair is left silky-smooth after washing with this.
Cons: A great shampoo for "normal" hair, but if you have specific hair needs you might want a more targeted formulation.

Looking for a fun, approachable shampoo option? Then As I Am's rice water-infused micellar - yes, like the one you use to clean your face - shampoo is a nourishing fit. It's the perfect choice for those seeking scalp care and hair care products.

Pros: Leaves scalp feeling so fresh, clean and free from irritation.
Cons: I don't love the packaging.

You've likely heard about Creme of Nature thanks to their ultra moisturising mousse, however, I can confirm that their sulfate free shampoo is oh-so-good too. 

Pros: Restores and nourishes over-processed or really damaged hair.
Cons: Avoid if you have a finer hair texture as this is a really rich formulation.

Created by renowned hairdresser Adam Reed, all of Arkive's affordable hair products are salon-standard, but it's this everyday shampoo that comes highly-rated from me. It removes grease and grime with ease, but never leaves hair feeling stripped thanks to moisture-restoring Baobab protein.

Pros: Great all-rounder that will leave hair smelling and feeling like you've had your hair washed in a salon.
Cons: I'd love a bigger bottle!

This shampoo is perfect for all hair types because it focuses on health through strength. Expect hair that not only feels squeaky clean, but also shiny and full of volume.

Pros: Boosts hair strength and silkiness while minimising frizz and flyaways.
Cons: It sells out so stock up while you can.

Got flakes? This soothing shampoo helps to remove dead dry skin, dandruff, and product buildup without irritating delicate scalps.

Pros: Detoxifies and exfoliates irritated scalps.
Cons: Skip if you aren't prone to dandruff.

Hard water does a number on both hair and scalp, but this clarifying shampoo counteracts the effects of mineral and metal buildup to leave hair soft and shiny.

Pros: The charcoal-infused formulation lifts away unwanted minerals that can weigh hair down.
Cons: I wouldn't bother with this if you don't live in a hard water area. It's on the expensive end of affordable, too.

Damaged or colour-treated hair will enjoy the revitalising nature of this beautifully rich shampoo from Hair Proud. Formulated with niacinamide, vitamins and a protein repair complex, it's like almost like skincare for your strands.

Pros: Packed with great ingredients that will really revive tired strands.
Cons: Better suited to damaged or hair that uses heat regularly.

UKLash is known for it's lash serum, but did you know it also did haircare? This shampoo is ultra moisturising and features pineapple and amino acids to help stimulate hair growth.

Pros: Anti-dandruff and Anti-static technology to tame frizz and breakage
Cons: Doesn't lather up hugely.