There are three basic types of comb that can be used to style hair: plastic combs, wooden combs and metal combs. All three types have their own benefits and disadvantages, and the selection of a type of comb can depend on the needs and demands of the user. Metal combs are less popular than plastic combs but more popular than wooden ones. A metal comb is sturdy, flows smoothly through hair and causes very little static or hair loss, but it can be more expensive than the other types of combs and might cause an allergic reaction.

Metal combs are made of the sturdiest of materials. Other types of combs can be broken by rough handling or even by extremely coarse hair. A metal comb is more durable and will not have to be replaced as often as other types of combs.

Another advantage of a metal comb is that it flows through the hair easily and does not cause snagging. There is no friction between the hair and the teeth, which makes the process a lot more user-friendly. The heavier weight of the teeth also allows resilient hair to be pushed through. Snagging is much less likely to occur because the metal teeth are stronger than the strands of hair. Plastic combs are more likely to get caught in hair, and wooden combs can create splinters.

Tangles and lint can be removed by metal combs without any resulting hair loss. A metal comb's tough teeth can sweep through a difficult head of hair while taking only foreign objects and knots. Plastic combs are more likely to tear out the hair and quite often need to have huge clumps of hair removed from them. Metal combs also create much less static than plastic combs do, so cases of flyaway hair are less frequent.

One downside to using metal combs is that they can cause allergic reactions on the scalp. Itching, rashes and redness of the scalp are common side effects of using a metal comb for a prolonged period of time. In such cases, the user should switch to a plastic or wooden comb. Another disadvantage of metal combs is that they typically cost more than either wooden and plastic combs. A metal comb might cost several times as much as a plastic comb, which typically is very inexpensive.