I do both of those things. But for me that way leads to much more ripping out of knots. It's like letting any knots dry only tightens them. And this is with a gentle shampoo and conditioner, because I'm using these bottles up before they expire.

I'd rather just find something very wide toothed I can rake quickly through damp hair but the teeth on the shower comb look a bit blunt and the 'wet care' style is basically the same as the comb I have. The wet brush is very similar to the brush I have. The tangle teezer style I have can be used to detangle individual bad knots in lengths (wet or dry) but has such short bristles that it's difficult to get through hair when trying to brush the top. I might try the combs with angled double teeth.

I'm also considering how much shorter I can go while still being able to tie it back. For me actual short hairstyles are the most fuss of all so that's a no. My home cutting method results in layers so can't go too short without turning it into a wolf cut (which means short pieces getting in my face or requiring pins/clips/styling).

Or I could suck up my intense dislike for salons and pay the money to get a low maintenance straight cut bob that's barely long enough for an elastic. (If I could cut a neat straight line of the right length at home I would have already done it.)