18 Cheap Shampoos That Are Just as Good as Expensive Ones, According to Editors Who Have Tried Hundreds

As a beauty editor, I've been lucky enough to try some of the most expensive and best hair care brands on the market, but sometimes nothing compares to washing your hair with a cheerful and cheap shampoo.

From Oribe to Augustinus Bader, I've tested plenty of luxury shampoos, and honestly, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference when compared to more affordable formulas. Don't get me wrong, salon-quality hair care is worth it when it comes to things such as hair tools or hair masks, but when it comes to shampoo, all I really want is a formula that is going to cleanse my roots without stripping my hair (or breaking the bank).

As it turns out, the whole team at Who What Wear UK feels the same. In fact, some of their favourite shampoos of all time are some of the most affordable options on the market. So, of course, I asked them to share all of their top recommendations with me.

It goes without saying, but when choosing an affordable shampoo, it's still important to keep your hair type and hair needs in mind, but you'll often find that there are plenty of cheaper options available. So, if you're wondering which affordable shampoos team Who What Wear UK can't live without, then keep on scrolling...

The 18 Best Cheap Shampoos, as Recommended by Editors

1. Best Hydrating Cheap Shampoo: Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo
2. Best Cleansing Cheap Shampoo: Neutrogena T/Gel Anti Dandruff Shampoo, £6.10
3. Best Cheap Shampoo for Shine: TRESemmé Lamellar Shine Shampoo, £3.50
4. Best Cheap Shampoo for Curly Hair: Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo, £8.95
5. Best Cheap Shampoo for Fine Hair: Aveeno Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, £7.99

1. Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo

Hair Type: Thick and Frizzy

"I love Aussie shampoos," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "They leave my hair feeling really soft and shiny on a budget. The miracle moisture range is particularly good at hydrating my dry lengths while smoothing frizz." With Australian macadamia nut oil to deeply condition the hair, this shampoo will leave your roots feeling clean without stripping them of moisture.

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2. UKLASH Hair Shampoo

Hair Type: Thick and Naturally Wavy

"I've been on a hair health journey recently, and this shampoo has been designed to improve scalp health and create the best environment for hair growth," explains Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Pineapple extract and amino acids stimulate the scalp while vitamin B5 nourishes and strengthens. If you're also on a hair health journey, then I highly recommend giving this a go. It's suitable for all hair types and even offers anti-dandruff technology."

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3. Charles Worthington Grow Strong Activating Shampoo

4. L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo

Hair Type: 3C/4A

"I often get really dry hair, so I love how moisturised and nourished this makes my scalp and hair feel," says Who What Wear UK Editorial Assistant, Brittany Davy. "It's also so lightweight. It gives me the silky-looking hair I want without making it too greasy or feeling weighed down."

As the name suggests, this formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, so it's a great choice for dehydrated hair.

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5. Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo

Hair Type: Wavy

"I love the look of this shampoo and having a pump makes it so much easier in the shower," says Who What Wear UK social media editor, Megan Storey. "My hair smells great and always feels super healthy whenever I use this."

This hydrating formula gently cleanses the scalp and is full of naturally nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter and vitamin E.

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6. Monday Haircare Smooth Shampoo

Hair Type: Straight

Another Monday haircare recommendation comes from Who What Wear UK senior shopping editor, Emily Dawes.

"I tried Monday’s smooth shampoo for Who What Wear’s Next in Beauty awards a couple of years ago and I was so impressed," says Dawes.

"Before I knew the price tag, I had presumed it was a really high end product because the effects (and cute packaging and delicious smell) were just so good!

"Now I’m a complete convert and will always stock up on my Boots run, choosing it over other run of the mill affordable brands I used to use."

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7. Neutrogena T/Gel Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Hair

Hair Type: Medium Thickness and Naturally Straight

"Neutrogena's T/gel shampoo is the unsung hero of shampoos - not only does it actually work as a gentle anti-dandruff cleansing shampoo, but it always leaves me with great smelling hair and doesn't break the bank," says Who What Wear UK affiliate manager, Jerrylyn Saguiped.

If you suffer from an oilier scalp, this is a great choice. This shampoo works to remove excess oil from the very first wash and features salicylic acid to fight hair flakiness at the same time.

Shop the Cheap Shampoo:

8. TRESemmé Lamellar Shine Shampoo

Hair Type: Fine and Naturally Straight

"I've used TRESemmé for years as it's one of the few brands that leaves my hair feeling hydrated and shiny, plus it's seriously affordable," says Who What Wear UK shopping editor, Florrie Alexander. "Also they do smaller bottles which are great for travel!"

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9. ORS Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo

Hair Type: 4B

"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," says beauty contributor Keeks Reid.

Shop the Cheap Shampoo

10. Noughty To The Rescue Shampoo

11. Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo

12. Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo

13. Lush Tofu Shampoo

Hair Type: Thick, Wavy and Frizzy

"I’m officially a fan of Lush’s Tofu shampoo," says Who What Wear UK news writer, Natalie Munro. "Packed with protein, this creamy formula brought back the shine my hair had been missing for a while. It lathers effortlessly, releasing a subtle, sweet scent and leaves my hair feeling clean, fresh and noticeably less frizzy—making it a winner in my book"

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14. Faith In Nature Lavender & Geranium Shampoo

15. The Body Shop Shea Intense Repair Shampoo

Hair Type: Thick, Long and Curly

"When purchasing shampoos, I rarely look for affordable options as I always believed you couldn't find a cheap product that gently cleaned your scalp. So, when I tried The Body Shop's best-selling Shea Intense Repair shampoo, I was very delighted to have my mind changed on the matter," says Who What Wear UK SEO Writer, Ava Gilchrist.

"The mild formula melts like butter into the roots and lathers like a dream. It doesn't use any detoxifying agents to remove daily buildup and oils, but I still felt like I had hit reset on my hair. I'll still use a shampoo designed for oily hair most hair washes, but I can see myself switching to this one from time to time when I want to give my scalp a night off."

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16. Arkive The All Day Everyday Shampoo

Hair Type: Fine

"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," says Nash. "It removes grease and grime with ease, but never leaves hair feeling stripped, thanks to moisture-restoring baobab protein."

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17. Aveeno Haircare Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Hair Type: Thick and Frizzy

"I bought Aveeno’s Daily Moisture+ Oat Milk Blend Shampoo on the recommendation of my hairdresser, and as someone who usually only uses salon-grade hair products, I’m really impressed," says Who What Wear UK copy editor, Georgia Seago. "I have quite a dry and itchy scalp, and I find this to be really soothing whilst also leaving my hair feeling hydrated. A lot of shampoos for itchy scalps can strip the moisture from hair, but not this one."

Shop the Cheap Shampoo:

18. Lush Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo

Hair Type: Long and Wavy

"This is a recent discovery for me and I was interested to see how honey could bring a shine to my winter-damaged hair," explains Who What Wear UK graphic designer, Emily Post. "It is, in my eyes on the higher end of the affordability scale, but the bottle will last as the shampoo lathers well so you only need to use a small amount. The results left my hair feeling smooth, glossy and with some extra volume.

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Are Salon Or Drugstore shampoos better?

Drugstore shampoos have received a bad rap in recent years, mainly down to two ingredients: silicone and SLS. If you already have dry hair or you bleach it, you’ll want to avoid shampoos with sodium laureth sulphate (SLS). This is the foaming agent in a lot of shampoos, and while many higher-end shampoos have developed clever alternatives, such as using coconut-derived foaming aids, most cheaper ones still opt for this. The same goes for people who colour their hair, as SLS can lift the colour too. However, if you have natural, moisture-balanced hair or oily roots, SLS isn’t damaging for your locks.

Silicones, on the other hand, are great for smoothing (and making your hair look and feel shiny after you shampoo) but over time, these can build up on the hair. So, if you love a shampoo that you love that contains silicone, consider using a clarifying shampoo every now and again to remove build-up and prevent hair from becoming limp.

Whatever shampoo you do opt for, just make sure you’re treating your ends to a hydrating mask and protecting your hair from any heat styling you’re doing.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.