Top 10 Men’s Hair Gels for Styling Spiky Hair

Hair gel is a staple that every man should have in his medicine cabinet – especially if he wants spiky hair.

We hate to break it to you, but spiky hair isn’t just going to magically appear on your head, and no hair cut alone can give you that textured, gravity-defying look.

No, you really do need the perfect hair gel to help you achieve your spiky-hair dreams.

Hair gel is key for locking in your favorite hairstyle, and because it’s such a hair care staple, it can be hard to narrow down which gels are truly the best.

They are definitely one of the most popular styling products out there, which means there are literally hundreds you have to choose from.

Well, we did the grunt work for you.

Here you’ll find a list of the ten best hair gels for styling spiky hair so you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect one for you.

How We Chose Our Ratings

A good hair gel should have enough hold to help create spiky hair, but it also shouldn’t make your hair look super crunchy.

Instead, it should add texture and shine to your hair.

Many gels have light, medium or stronghold, and they are all good for different types of hairstyles. But for spiky hair, you want something with at least a medium hold so your hair doesn’t fall flat during the day.

That’s why we chose gels with great hold, and they got even better ratings if they don’t feel crunchy and gross.

We also wanted to provide you with hair gels that have great track records with customers who like using them to create spiky styles.

But that being said, many of these gels are quite versatile so you can use them for other hairstyle in case you don’t feel like rocking spiky hair on a given day.

Similarly, many of these gels work on a variety of hair types. So, if a gel works for curly, straight, thick, or thin hair – it got a good rating in our book.

And lastly, we picked hair gels that contain great ingredients, and wash out of your hair easily.

Comparison Table

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Our 10 Favorite Men’s Hair Gels That Will Give You the Ultimate Spiky Hairstyle

Over the next few minutes, you’ll get a quick look into a bunch of our favorite hair gels that we think are the best for styling spiky hair.

Of course, everyone’s hair will react a little differently to various hair gels, but rest assured that these gels generally work well across a variety of hair types.

They all add texture, hold well, and won’t leave your hair looking fried and crunchy.

Just think of this list as your go-to guide for spiky hair product.

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If you haven’t heard of R+Co hair products, it’s about time you have.

The company makes a wide range or truly excellent hair products – including this flexible hair gel.

The Motorcycle Gel has great hold and control, while also providing the shine and flexibility you’d ordinarily only see in a hair wax.

The flexibility of this gel is key for creating spiky hair because it’s strong enough to help you hair defy gravity, but doesn’t make it look super stiff, dry, and gritty.

You can apply this gel to wet for a more controlled hold, or to dry hair for defined texture and separation, and you only need a small amount to get the spiky hair of your dreams.

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This gel is so lightweight that you probably wouldn’t believe it’s perfect for spiky hair – but it is.

Aveda’s pure-formance™ gel for men delivers maximum hold, control, shine and definition. In other words, it’ll give you everything you want for textured and spiked hairstyles.

All you have to do is apply a small amount to damp hair, spike it up, and let it air dry.

Plus, you’ll love the trademarked pure-fume™ aroma made with certified organic spearmint, vetiver, lavender and other plant essences.

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We adore this particular gel because it acts not only as a styling gel, but also as a hair treatment.

This unique hair gel is alcohol-free and will give you excellent hold and control without being too drying. It’s got a lightweight, clean feel that won’t leave icky residue or get flaky.

Consequently, it also won’t weigh hair down, which is why it’s perfect for spiky hair.

And as for the treatment part, it contains Panthenol and Vitamin B6 that will infuse your hair with luster and shine.

Basically, you’ll get spiky hair that looks soft and almost feathery with this gel. It’s great.

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Think of this gel as a “multi talented sculpting medium.”

It’s flexible and never sticky, but still provides the molding and firming necessary for creating spiky hair. It will also give your hair a shiny finish without any cracking or flaking. Plus, it’s super versatile.

So even if you don’t want spiky hair, you can still use it to craft all sorts of shapes and textures in your hair. That’s why we love it so much – it’s crazy versatile.

We also love Bumble and Bumble products because they are vegan and cruelty-free, and this gel is formulated without parabens or phthalates.

In short, if you want a gel that can give you spiky hair, but also works well for other styles, then you need this gel.

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This gel is great for dudes who want strong hold that maintains a natural look.

The Power Play Gel has a creamy, smooth texture that doesn’t feel too sticky. It’s also neither too strong nor too lightweight, but magically is a perfect gel for anyone with thick hair that wants a spiky look.

But, even though many people say it’s the best for thick hair, it’s actually great for a bunch of different hair types.

And in spite of the thickness, it actually washes out super easily. The only downside is that some users say it kind of smells funny.

So, if you can get past the smell, this affordable hair gel is a great option if you are trying to get spiky hair –especially if your hair is on the thick side.

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No matter what texture your hair is, you’ll be able to get spiky hair with this gel.

Whether your hair is straight, curly, coiled, or wavy, you’ll get a non-greasy, flake-free style with this great product.

It will also add shine and smooth your hair while holding your spiky style in place. The pracaxi oil in it will leave you hair conditioned and frizz-free.

You’ll also love the woodsy aroma of this gel with its blend of cedar wood, sandalwood, and eucalyptus essential oils.

This gel has a medium hold so it’s not as firm as the others, but it’s still a great versatile styling option.

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Great for all hair types, the Hard Up Gel provide maximum hold and all-day shine so your spiky hair will last from dawn‘til dusk.

It’s an extra firm gel so you know the hold on it is good.

For spiky hair, you’ll want to style when your hair is wet and let it dry to really get the most out of the firming power. But, if you style when your hair is dry, you can also create messier, tousled looks.

In other words, it will fit whatever style you’re in the mood for.

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Based on the super low price tag, you wouldn’t think this hair gel is as good as it is.

But hey, sometimes the inexpensive basics are the best products for the job.

It’s a versatile gel that can be as strong or as feathery as you want it to be. So, you can use it for spiky hair but can also brush it out for a softer look.

The Clubman gel also conditions your hair as it holds, thus avoiding any severe dryness or cracking. Your hair also will never look greasy with this gel.

However, some users have mentioned flaking when using this gel. But for the price, we aren’t complaining too much.

So give this one a shot if you don’t want to throw down a bunch of money on a gel for spiky hair.

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For a true ‘90s spiked out hairstyle, you’ll want to use this Joico gel.

This gel creates seriously gravity defying spikes. The hold is so firm that you can manipulate your hair in a wild amount of ways.

And we aren’t kidding – the hold of this gel is serious business. (There’s a reason they call it styling glue).

So, that being said, this gel isn’t necessarily for everyone. It can be a bit much for some hair and it increases the risk of making your hair look crunchy if you use too much.

Consequently, it can be a bit harder to wash out but overall it’s still a super great gel for creating spiky looks. So maybe give it a try if you’ve had a tough time getting spiky looks to stick in the past.

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Lastly, we have this drugstore brand gel you’ve probably seen almost everywhere.

This Dove hair gel for men creates smooth, controlled wet-look styles with a medium hold.

Plus, it’s an alcohol-free formula that isn’t drying on your hair. Your hair will also never look dull thanks to this gel’s formula – it will only give your hair a great, shiny look.

But, since it’s a medium hold gel, it certainly doesn’t control your spiky hair like some of the other gels on this list. If you have finer hair, however, it could be a great tool for you.

Best of all, this gel smells super fresh and clean (however some customers have said that the scent is a little too overpowering).

Buyer’s Guide

They key to picking the perfect gel for spiky hair is to know your hair type very well.

Though the gels on this list are generally good for a wide variety of hair types, some are inevitably better for thicker hair, and others for finer hair.

So, if you know your hair well, the narrowing down of your ideal hair gel will be a whole lot easier.

Our suggestion to you is to get a stronger hold gel if you’ve got thick hair, and a medium hold gel if you have thinner hair.

You will also want to think about if you want a super defined spiky look, or spiked hair that has a little more flow and gentle texture to it. If that’s the case, a super flexible, versatile gel will be the best option for you.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to spend a little extra on a hair gel for your spiky hair – it will last you a very long time and work wonders.

Your hair is definitely worth the money.