Shampoo Showdown: We Tested the Top Volumizing Shampoos of 2025
Looking for a volumizing shampoo that truly delivers? We've put the top contenders of 2025 to the test, comparing their formulas, performance, and impact on hair volume. From root-boosting ingredients to weightless hydration, our comprehensive shampoo showdown explores the best volumizing options for achieving fuller, thicker-looking hair. Discover our expert picks and find the perfect shampoo to transform your hair and boost your confidence.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Joico Joifull Volumizing Shampoo
Dove Volume & Fullness Shampoo
Rahua Voluminous Shampoo
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
Colorproof Volume Shampoo
Keranique Color Boost Follicle Strengthening Shampoo
Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo
Best Volumizing Shampoos for Fine Hair
Our top picks specifically formulated to add volume and lift to fine, delicate hair.
Rahua Voluminous Shampoo
Voluminous Shampoo earned a solid 7.5/10, praised for its natural ingredients and ability to add noticeable volume. Although its price of $54 might seem steep, the organic formula and pleasant, natural fragrance make it appealing for eco-conscious consumers. Users should be aware of its potential drying effects and unique scent, which may not be for everyone. This sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo is an ideal choice for those who prioritize natural components in their hair care.
What We Like
- ✓Adds noticeable volume and bounce, especially on fine or limp hair.
- ✓Formulated without sulfates and marketed as a clean, color-safe option.
- ✓Contains nourishing ingredients like rahua oil and shea butter for lightweight conditioning.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Premium price point may be prohibitive for budget-conscious buyers.
- ✗Some users report the formula can feel slightly drying for certain hair types.
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
Fine Hair Shampoo by OUAI delivers volume and strength, thanks to its infusion of biotin and hydrolyzed keratin, earning it a 6/10 score in our review. This sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo provides a solid lift but is marred by an overpowering fragrance and reports of increased hair shedding. Still, it's worth considering for those seeking a strengthening, volumizing formula, even with the potential downsides.
What We Like
- ✓Adds noticeable lift and fullness to fine hair after use.
- ✓Lightweight formula that doesn’t weigh fine hair down.
- ✓Has a widely-liked signature fragrance that many users enjoy.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Higher price point compared with many drugstore volumizing shampoos.
- ✗Scent is strong and can be unpleasant or irritating for some users.
- ✗A minority of users report residue or buildup requiring clarifying washes.
Extra Volume Shampoo, with a 7/10 score, offers a balance of volume and softness at an attractive price of $14. Our testing showed it adds noticeable lift and leaves a pleasant fragrance. However, some users experienced dryness and styling challenges, as well as occasional greasy roots. While it may not suit all hair types, its affordable and gentle volumizing properties make it a contender for budget-conscious shoppers.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable lift and body for fine, limp hair without weighing strands down.
- ✓Formulated without sulfates, phosphates, or parabens and safe for color-treated hair.
- ✓Contains argan oil and glycerin for lightweight hydration rather than heavy conditioning.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Price is on the higher end for a shampoo at $30.00 for 250 ml.
- ✗May not deliver as much long-term thickening for very coarse or severely thinning hair.
- ✗Fragrance may be strong for fragrance-sensitive users.
During our review, Volumizing Shampoo showed that it effectively adds volume to fine, flat hair with a sulfate-free formula, earning it a 6.5/10. Although it carries a higher price tag of $34.00, its pleasant citrus scent and gentle nature are great for color-treated hair. Be cautious of potential residue that may require additional rinses, but overall, it's a solid choice for those prioritizing volume without sulfates.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable lift and fuller-looking hair after use.
- ✓Formulated without sulfates (SLS & SLES), making it gentler on color-treated hair.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Price is high compared with many drugstore volumizing shampoos.
- ✗May feel drying or a bit tangling for already dry, damaged hair.
- ✗Fragrance is noticeable and some users find it strong or off-putting.
Our experience with JoiFULL Volumizing Shampoo revealed its ability to create lasting volume and shine, earning a 6/10 score. At $29.99, it offers a vibrant lift with notable shine, though its sulfate content and reports of residue could be a concern. For those seeking big, bouncy hair, this shampoo is an option, especially if sulfate-free isn't a deal-breaker.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable lightweight body and lift for fine or limp hair.
- ✓Includes rice protein and bamboo extract to help strengthen and thicken hair.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Contains sodium laureth sulfate, so it is not sulfate-free.
- ✗Fragrance is strong and may bother fragrance-sensitive users.
- ✗May leave slight residue or buildup for some users after repeated use.
Big Hit Volumizing Shampoo promises an impressive 2.3 times more volume with its clinically proven formula, and in our testing, it delivered on its promise by energizing limp hair with caffeine. Ideal for those who prioritize volume, its sulfate-free and color-safe formula ensures hydration. However, some users noted a residue issue that could weigh hair down, slightly diminishing its overall value despite the high price of $29.00 and a score of 7/10.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable root lift and fuller-looking hair, especially on fine to medium hair types.
- ✓Formulated to add weightless moisture so hair doesn’t feel stripped after use.
- ✓Includes caffeine and biotin as functional ingredients for energizing limp strands.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Some users report the formula can leave residue or feel heavy with repeated use.
- ✗A subset of reviewers say it caused dryness, scalp irritation, or increased itching.
- ✗Fragrance is noticeable and a few buyers found the scent stronger or different than expected.
Top Shampoos for Limp or Flat Hair
Transform lackluster locks with these volumizing formulas, designed to revitalize.
Full Blown Volume Shampoo scored a 7/10 for its significant volume and inviting minty-citrus scent. This sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo offers excellent lift for fine hair, providing a vibrant start to your day. However, some users reported scalp irritation and hair loss, which shadows its performance. Despite these concerns, its volumizing prowess makes it a worthy consideration for anyone seeking bouncy, fuller hair.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable lift and volume for fine or flat hair when used as directed.
- ✓Formulated without sulfates and silicones, which is gentler on hair and color-treated strands.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Some users report it isn't worth the price and delivers only adequate volumizing results.
- ✗Can leave hair feeling dry or straw-like for people with already dry or damaged hair.
Volumizing Shampoo from Sephora effectively adds volume to fine hair, scoring 5.5/10. Despite its $38.00 price tag and occasional strong scent, its sulfate-free formula protects color-treated hair. If you're looking for a shampoo that delivers volume while being gentle on color, this is one to consider, though be aware of its potential strong aroma and variable performance across hair types.
What We Like
- ✓Gives noticeable root lift and fuller-looking hair for fine, oily, or flat hair.
- ✓Uses coconut-derived surfactants and rice protein to cleanse without stripping and strengthen strands.
- ✓Provides lightweight hydration without weighing hair down due to tsubaki and meadowfoam seed oils.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Priced at $38, which may be steep for budget-conscious shoppers.
- ✗May not provide enough intensive moisture for very dry or damaged hair types.
- ✗Fragrance is noticeable and may be too strong for fragrance-sensitive users.
Dove Volume & Fullness Shampoo stands as a budget-friendly contender, scoring 8/10 for its effective volumizing at just $7.99. In our review, its ability to boost fine hair without excessive drying caught our attention, augmented by a pleasant, subtle fragrance. While its sulfate content may not suit everyone, and hydration for very dry hair could be insufficient, it offers great value for those seeking volume without a salon-level price tag.
What We Like
- ✓Contains biotin and protein-based ingredients formulated to boost visible fullness.
- ✓Lightweight formula that aims to add body without weighing fine hair down.
- ✓Very affordable drugstore price for a volumizing shampoo.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Contains sulfates (cleansing surfactants) which may be drying for some users.
- ✗Fragrance is included and may irritate sensitive scalps or those allergic to parfum ingredients.
- ✗Volume results vary and may not deliver dramatic lift for everyone.
Best Budget-Friendly Volumizing Shampoos
Achieve great volume without breaking the bank, with these affordable options.
AG Care Thikk Wash Volumizing Shampoo delivers a lush lather and memorable volume, earning a balanced 7.5/10 from our tests. Priced at $45.00, it utilizes peptides and rose extract to nourish hair, while offering a pleasant, light fragrance that’s perfect for everyday use. While capable of reaching enviable volume, some users noted potential dryness and a scent that might overpower sensitive noses. A great choice for those who value lather and lift.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable volume for fine, flat hair without weighing strands down.
- ✓Formulation includes hydrolyzed collagen as a hero ingredient for plumping strands.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Some users report scalp irritation, dandruff, or hair shedding after use.
The Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
Protect and volumize your color-treated hair with this standout product.
The Keranique Scalp Revitalizing Shampoo, scoring 6.5/10, offers fullness with a sulfate-free and paraben-free formula, priced at $19.20. It's ideal for sensitive scalps, as it strengthens with keratin and panthenol and helps manage frizz. However, be mindful of potential scalp irritation over time and challenges with the bottle design. Within its price range, it delivers volume and frizz control, making it a worthwhile contender.
What We Like
- ✓Adds noticeable volume and thickness to fine hair.
- ✓Formulated without sulfates, parabens, and dyes, suitable for color-treated hair.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Some users report the fragrance is overpowering or chemically strong.
- ✗A few reviewers say it can strip or fade vivid hair colors.
Best Sulfate-Free Volumizing Shampoo
Gentle, yet effective, these sulfate-free formulas add volume without stripping.
Colorproof Volume Shampoo tops our rankings with a 9/10 score, combining volume, longevity, and a light fragrance to appeal to many users. Despite its higher price at $54.99, its efficient use makes the bottle last longer. Though some users experienced greasy roots, this sulfate-free shampoo is ideal for color-treated hair, making it our top-rated choice for those willing to invest in a high-quality volumizing experience.
What We Like
- ✓Provides noticeable weightless body and fullness without heavy residue.
- ✓Formulated without SLS/SLES (sulfate-free), making it gentler on color-treated hair.
- ✓Contains Polyglutamic Acid (a peptide) and volumizing polymers to help retain hydration and lift.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Smaller 8.5 fl oz bottle can feel expensive for frequent users.
- ✗Some users report a strong fragrance that may bother scent-sensitive people.
- ✗Volumizing formulas can be drying for certain hair types if paired with heavy styling.
During our review, Framesi Volume Boost Shampoo stood out for its budget-friendly price of $22.01 and robust blend of quinoa and aloe vera. While it earned a modest score of 5.5/10 due to mixed reviews on volumizing effects, its sulfate-free, color-safe formula offers hydration and protection against drying. Despite some concerns about its scent, this shampoo can be a practical choice for those looking to enhance hair volume without breaking the bank.
What We Like
- ✓Sulfate-free formula that boosts volume while claiming to protect color.
- ✓Weightless formula designed to add lift without leaving hair heavy or sticky.
- ✓Contains plant proteins (quinoa, rice) and antioxidants advertised to strengthen hair.
Room for Improvement
- ✗Priced higher than many drugstore volumizing shampoos, which may deter budget shoppers.
- ✗Includes fragrance, which can irritate sensitive scalps or those who prefer unscented products.
- ✗Primarily sold through professional/beauty channels, so availability can be limited in some stores.