Whether you’re an expert at hair color or are planning to dye your own hair for the first time, there are more products than ever to make at-home hair coloring a breeze. But before you break out the cape and gloves, you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the right product for your hair.

When searching for the best at-home hair dyes, look for options that provide long-lasting color and are easy to use. You’ll also want to consider the ingredients and whether the color is permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary. We researched at-home hair kits with formulas that are packed with nourishing ingredients, keep your hair soft and healthy, and don't cause damage. In addition, we looked for kits that are suitable for natural hair, damaged hair, and gray hair. To find the best products, we consulted hair care experts to get their tips to help you get the next best thing to a salon-quality finish at home.

"A good rule to follow for best results is to stay within two levels (lighter or darker) of your natural shade,” says Deb Rosenberg, professional colorist and AVP of Technical Education, PPD for L'Oréal. "When covering gray, choose shades that are balanced with natural tones, most brands will have an indication on the label with the words 'neutral', 'natural', or the number '0'", explains Rosenberg. From permanent root touch-up kits to all-over color that leaves hair soft and shiny, we found the best at-home hair dye kits from some of the most trusted brands. Madison Reed's Radiant Hair Color Kit took our number one spot due to its nourishing blend of ingredients that deliver vibrant color. The brand also has a color match quiz that lets you discover your best shade.

To help you narrow down your choices, here are the best hair dye kits currently on the market.

Our Picks

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Best Overall: Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color Kit

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Available at Ulta and Amazon

Madison Reed's color kits are the Birkin bags of at-home hair dye. By simply taking the brand’s online quiz, you'll get perfectly color-matched to one of over 50 shades of 8-free formula permanent hair dye. If you’d prefer to meet with an expert, they also offer a free video chat service with a colorist. And if you have questions or need help with the hair coloring process, the color crew at Madison Reed is available by phone or chat.

In addition to a creme color and color activator, each kit includes customized instructions, a cap, and thick gloves. It also has a barrier cream to protect sensitive skin and prevent the color from spreading and color-protecting shampoo and conditioner.

This color kit is free of known irritants, including ammonia, parabens, phthalates, resorcinol, PPD, gluten, SLS, and titanium dioxide, and is an excellent option for anyone with a sensitive scalp. And it is packed with nutrients like argan oil, keratin, and ginseng root extract to strengthen and protect hair during processing. Madison Reed's hair color is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free.

Best for Natural Hair: Dark and Lovely Fade Resist Permanent Hair Color

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Available at Target, Amazon and Walmart

Specifically formulated for natural, textured hair, Dark and Lovely's box dye comes in 18 shades, from jet black to honey blonde. The dye is infused with the brand's Moisture Seal Technology to lock in moisture and prevent fading. Expect to your color to last for up to eight weeks.

Best for Allover Color: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

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Available at Target, Amazon and Walmart

For anyone who lives alone, coloring your hair can be tough, to say the least. That's where a foam dye like John Frieda's comes in. The rich lather makes coloring your hair at home as easy as shampooing it because it spreads evenly on hard-to-reach areas like the nape of your neck. Did we mention that the foam doesn't drip? Your shower tiles will thank you.

Best for Damaged Hair: Schwarzkopf Professional Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color

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Available at Target, Amazon and Walmart

Meet the box dye that can actually make your hair look healthier. Infused with keratin, the formula works to repair weakened strands and prevent breakage.

Best for Root Touch Ups: L'Oréal Paris Root Rescue Permanent Hair Color

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Available at Target, Amazon and Walmart

When covering up gray roots or regrowth, Colombini says to just apply the color from the roots to the line of demarcation from your last in-salon color service. Also, be sure to "break the line." "For the last five minutes of your processing time, take a wide tooth comb and gently drag down, about a quarter of an inch, the color from where you stopped applying to your previous colored hair," he says.

Thanks to its wide tooth comb applicator brush, it doesn't get easier than L'Oréal's root color kit. The formula is strong enough to cover grays, but just takes 10 minutes to set.

Best At-Home Hair Color for Extra Shine: Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Permanent Hair Color Creme

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Available at Target, Amazon and Walmart

With nourishing ingredients like grape seed and avocado oil, this hair dye conditions strands so that your hair takes the color better and it lasts longer. Not to mention, the fruit extracts will give you that shampoo commercial-worthy shine.

Best for Gray Coverage: Clairol Professional Advanced Gray Solutions Semi Permanent Hair Color

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Available at Sallybeauty, Amazon and Walmart

When coloring gray hair, look for a dye that specifically says it's for gray coverage. Lasting up to 12 shampoos, this hair color by Clairol Professional is a safe gateway product for first-timers. Even though it's temporary, the formula provides gray coverage or can be used allover to refresh dull color-treated hair.

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