Take it from us – these are the 9 best drugstore shampoos with impressive formulas that won't break the bank
We've found affordable shampoos for every hair type and concern
As is the case with many things, price doesn't always equal quality and shampoo is no different. There are many affordable options available on the market that boast stellar formulas – and this simple swap could save you hundreds over the course of a year.
Whether you're searching for the best shampoos for fine hair or the best purple shampoo to banish brassiness, the quest to find the perfect haircare routine for your strands requires lots of trial and error. In turn, this means it can be very easy to spend more than we should. But is expensive shampoo really better for your hair?
“You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good quality shampoo," Michael Douglas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of MDLondon tells us. "I know that the formulations on the shelves of supermarkets are extremely good and comparable with the formulations that you can get in the hair salon.” Knowing that the budget brands are just as effective as luxury options, we made it our mission to scout out the very best affordable shampoos so you don't have to. Here are our top buys...
9 of the best budget shampoos, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £6 | Designed to: Boost shine, prevent split ends, hydrate | Hair type: Dull, frizzy and dehydrated | Key ingredients: Pineapple extract, 98% natural ingredients
Tested by: Annie Milroy
Ticking literally every beauty box you could imagine this formula is vegan & cruelty-free, contains 96% natural origin ingredients, and is in a recycled plastic bottle, in addition to promising to deeply nourish and boost shine. Ideal for those with longer locks, this shampoo lathered really easily and quickly and got to work straight away. Post shower, I noticed my hair felt cleansed, soft and also super shiny. My hair didn't feel weighed down and I could leave it for two days without washing (as someone with quite fine hair, I'm normally a daily washer). A total all-rounder, I could not recommend this shampoo more, affordable, effective and quite moreish.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Vegan & cruelty free
- Adds radiant, shine and softness
- Deeply hydrates
Cons
- Some might find the smell too sweet
RRP: £8.80 | Designed to: Cleanse without dry hair | Hair type: Normal and colour treated | Key ingredients: Sulphates
Tested by: Annie Milroy
If you don't suffer from a sensitive scalp and skin, this buy is one of the best buys that contains sulfates for both the body and hair. It's an effective cleanser that removes oil, dirt and product build-up without affecting coloured hair. If your hair and scalp are becoming increasingly greasy or dry, then it's worth trying out a sulfate shampoo to create a clean scalp environment. It will also speed up your shower time in the morning, as it can be used from head to toe. A nice option that gently and effectively cleansed both my skin and hair.
Pros
- Can be used on both hair and body
- Affordable option
- Removes oil, dirt and product build up
- Good for those with dry scalps
Cons
- Can be drying for some
- Not suitable for those with sensitive skin or easily irritated scalps
RRP: £10.99 | Designed to: Stimulate thicker hair growth | Hair type: Thinning, flat hair | Key ingredients: Biotin, keratin, marine collagen extract
Tested by: Annie Milroy
Packed to the brim with hair-building blocks biotin and keratin, and fortified with marine collagen and seaweed extract, this thickening shampoo strengthens and reduces breakage leading to naturally fuller, thicker, healthier-looking hair in just a couple of weeks. After a few days of use, my fine strands had more body than before with a subtle level of volume. Whilst it didn't provide me with J-Lo levels of oomph, for me the subtle difference was encouraging and I will continue to use it to hopefully see even better results. My tresses also were left hydrated, soft and full of life. Without a doubt, this is one of the best affordable shampoo options for fine and thinning hair.
Pros
- Contains effective and hard-working ingredients
- Boosts hair growth and fullness
- Quick results
Cons
- Can make the scalp slightly oily as a result
RRP: £8.50 | Designed to: Gently cleanse product build-up, hydrate and enhance shine | Hair type: All hair types in need of a cleanse | Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, colloidal oats
Tested by: Sennen Prickett
This formula works to gently clarify congested scalps, making it the perfect match for me. I noticed I only needed a small penny-sized amount for it to lather into a foam that covered my entire scalp. It did a great job at cleansing my scalp, without stripping it of its moisture, and leaving my strands with a naturally glossy shine. I typically have to wash my hair every other day, but this buy extended the time between my hair washes to every three-to-four days. Plus, for those apprehensive about the apple cider vinegar ingredient, you’ll be pleased to know it’s undetectable in the fresh and fruity fragrance.
Pros
- Gentle formula, suitable for sensitive skin
- Doesn't strip hair of its moisture
- Extends time between hair washes
- Doesn't smell like vinegar
RRP: £9.70 | Designed to: Protect coloured hair, add shine and vibrancy | Hair type: Colour treated, dyed and highlighted | Key ingredients: Pro-V nutrients
Tested by: Annie Milroy
If you have highlights or balayage hair, this shampoo will have your back. Designed to help protect your colour, this shampoo adds a protective layer to help seal in vibrancy for healthy-looking radiance, and also prevents heat styling damage. This clever shampoo has a unique Pro-V blend with strengthening lipids + protective anti-oxidants which works to keep your hair colour looking vibrant and full of life. We found this shampoo to be lovely and hydrating, strengthening and of course colour-boosting. Use it to maintain your highlights in between salon visits and to keep your strands happy, healthy and hydrated.
Pros
- Colour boosting
- Strand strengthening
- Suitable for all dyed and colour treated hair
Cons
- Not necessary for uncoloured hair
RRP: £8.99 | Designed to: Prevent hair loss, strengthen strands | Hair type: Fragile, broken strands | Key ingredients: Aminexil, Arginine
Tested by: Annie Milroy
Stress, diet, seasonal changes and hormones are just some of the five leading causes of hair loss. But, this clever buy promises to reduce hair loss by 92% thanks to the Aminexil molecules that strengthen hair and reduce hair fall. The silky formula is boosted with biotin and arginine which act as a barrier to protect and strengthen your hair, in addition to generally supporting your hair's health and happiness. I often find strands of my hair all over the house, on clothing and a disappointing amount on my hairbrush, so I loved using this. After a couple of weeks of use, I noticed that fewer strands were floating about on clothing and much less hair was in my brush. I can't wait to continue to use this and hopefully see even more impressive results.
Pros
- Large bottle
- Prevents hair loss & fallout
- Strengthens strands
Cons
- Unnecessary for thick hair types
- Won't encourage growth
RRP: £6 | Designed to: Boost shine, prevent split ends, hydrate | Hair type: Dull, frizzy and dehydrated | Key ingredients: Pineapple extract, 98% natural ingredients
Tested by: Aleesha Badkar
My hair is naturally about as dark as it gets, visually black rather than brunette, with light brown and blonde highlights woven through - and that combination turns copper embarrassingly fast. This has become my go-to for stretching out the gap between salon visits. The violet pigment cancels out the warmth, without me needing to leave it on for ages, so my highlights look fresh rather than dull and orange-tinged. It lathers up beautifully and rinses out with zero effort, which matters when you're using a toning shampoo on dark hair, as some can leave a dulling residue behind. The scent is genuinely pleasant rather than the slightly chemical smell some purple shampoos have, and it hasn't left so much as a purple tinge on my nails or the bath.
Pros
- Genuinely works on copper and brassy tones
- Lathers up easily and rinses out cleanly
- Doesn't stain nails, hands or bathroom surfaces
- Smells lovely
- Sulphate-free and vegan-friendly
Cons
- Not necessary if your highlights run cool rather than warm
RRP: £9.99 | Designed to: Prevent dandruff, soothe scalp | Hair type: Dandruff prone | Key ingredients: Anti-dandruff actives, citric acid
Tested by: Annie Milroy
Been wondering how to get rid of dandruff? Meet your new hair hero that's designed to nourish dry and flaky scalps and soothe any irritation. This Bare edition of the classic anti-dandruff shampoo from Head & Shoulders was a breath of fresh air to use. Feeling completely different to the original formula, this was lightweight, refreshing and seriously soothing. I massaged the plant-derived shampoo into my dry scalp and instantly felt it work its magic. Immediately soothing, nourishing and balancing, this bargain buy really came to my scalp's rescue. I use it every time I feel my scalp needs a little extra TLC and attention and after a few uses balance is restored.
Pros
- Plant derived ingredients
- Recyclable bottle
- Smells lovely
- Effective results
Cons
- Can be drying on strands
RRP: £5 | Designed to: Emphasise curls, hydrate | Hair type: Curly and coily | Key ingredients: Joboba, coconut and macadamia oils
Tested by: Annie Milroy
Calling all those with coily and curly hairstyles, this ringlet-loving shampoo is designed to bring back your bounce. Bursting with all the good stuff our hair craves (think jojoba oil, coconut oil and macadamia nut oils) it'll deeply nourish your curls from root to tip. This affordable buy is designed for 2B-3B curly hair, is free from SLS and silicones, and is also vegan-friendly. It also comes in a recyclable plastic bottle, made of 100% recycled plastic, so it really is impressive across the board. We tried this out and can safely say that it added some much-needed moisture to our curls, defined them without weighing them down and also added a glorious shine.
Pros
- Smells delicious
- Hydrates and defines curls
- Suitable for all curl and coil types
Cons
- Not suitable for fine or straight hair
How we tested the best shampoos on the high street
I took on the task of testing as many products as I could for this feature, as I wanted to make sure that we had an option of the best drugstore shampoo for each and every hair type and concern. Of course, I can only comment from the perspective of one hair type (fine, naturally straight) so I delegated some to the rest of the beauty team for authentic, non-biased opinions on all. While all are great affordable options, each product in this best drugstore shampoo round-up has lots of other amazing benefits and would genuinely be something I would recommend to a friend or family member.
Meet the experts
Michael Douglas is an experienced hairdresser who has worked in the industry for more than 35 years. In 2022, he launched his own brand of tools which now includes the BLOW Hair Dryer and STRAIT Hair Straightener.
Neil is one of the UK’s most renowned session stylists, with more than three decades of experience in the industry.
How we tested the best drugstore shampoos
To put this guide to the best drugstore shampoos together, we tasked three testers from our very own woman&home team to trial dozens of different formulas. We did this in order to find the very best buys for every hair type and common concern, from fine and thinning hair to oily-prone strands.
Throughout testing, we noted down certain factors of each shampoo formula, including the price, key ingredients, the hair type it was designed for and what it did to our hair. Then, we whittled it down to just 9 buys that we'd genuinely recommend investing in.
How to choose the best drugstore shampoo
Now you've heard all about which products are the best affordable shampoo options on the market, here's how to pick the one that's most suited and beneficial to you and your hair type.
Douglas advises us, "have a think about what your hair has been through over the last six months. Has it been coloured? Has it been through a lot of heat styling? Have you been on holiday? How does it feel? Through this self-consultation process, you should be able to work out the overall condition of your hair and then choose a shampoo that seems appropriate."
He continues, "there are shampoos for colour to dry damaged hair, brittle hair, flat hair, fine hair. So, choose the one that most suits your hair type and condition. There is an element of trial and error with shampoos and conditioners, so be careful not to choose a very expensive one if you are in the process of working out which one is correct. Anything over the £7 mark I would say should be of a good formula with good ingredients."
Expert tips on how to apply shampoo
While it may seem like a basic and self-explanatory task, learning how to use the best drugstore shampoo for your hair may benefit you and your strands.
Neil Moodie, a top British hair session stylist, says "My main tips are to use less, not more. A lot of shampoo gets wasted and ends up down the plug. Use an amount that is right for your hair length and concentrate on massaging your scalp as it's important to keep your scalp clean and healthy as well as your hair."
Douglas reveals, "You just want to make sure that the shampoo is distributed evenly throughout the roots and scalp and massage the area. Your roots and scalp are the dirtiest area so concentrate more of the product and more of the effort on that area."
He finishes by telling us, "My advice is always that shampoo is for the roots and conditioner is for the ends, trying to keep conditioners off the roots and scalp. This area does not need conditioning."
Your drugstore shampoo FAQs, answered
Which shampoo should you use if you have two different hair concerns?
If you think your hair falls into two categories i.e. flat and dehydrated or coloured and curly, then there is a way to make sure you are catering to all your hair needs. You can stock up on the best drugstore shampoo for two different needs and alternate days.
Douglas explains, "If you have two hair needs, it’s a good idea to mix and match the conditioners with the shampoos. So, for example, if your hair is fine highlighted choose a shampoo for fine hair and a conditioner for coloured or highlighted or dry damaged hair. This way you get the best of both."
Should you wash your hair everyday?
Unsure about how often you should wash your hair? We spoke to two industry experts to get the official low down about hair washing and how often to use the best drugstore shampoo products.
Moodie explains, "There is no hard rule for this, although hair that is finer and prone to be oilier tends to need to be shampooed more often. It's important to use a shampoo that doesn't just strip your hair of all its natural oils though."
Douglas agrees with this; "Thicker, coarser hair can tend to go longer without shampooing but it's important to keep an eye on your scalp if you shampoo less. Scalp health is as important as hair health."
Does double rinsing have any benefits?
Just like you find yourself double cleansing your skin, should we be double rinsing our hair? Moodie and Douglas weigh in on the debate...
"I believe in double rinsing but I think the second rinse should be with cooler or cold water," Moodie reveals. He explains that this process "helps to close down the hair cuticle, which in turn causes less frizz and flyaways and is also good for circulation to the scalp."
Douglas warns, "Rinsing all of the shampoo out of your hair is important. Within the shampoo are surfactants and these surfactants attract dirt and debris. If you don’t rinse all the shampoo out of the hair, your hair will continue to attract the dirt debris therefore, getting dirtier faster, so a double rinse is a great way to make sure all the shampoo is removed from your hair."
So, if you were still thinking that washing your hair needs to be an expense akin to actually visiting the salon, hopefully this has proved you wrong. With so many affordable shampoo options available to pick up in the supermarket or on the high-street, there's no need to pay more.
