Although it’s a bold choice, shaving your head offers a low-maintenance solution for thinning hair on top, according to Patrick Butler, senior director of creative and technical education at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. But the style isn’t just for those with thinning hair — it’s a simple style that is a good option for those who do not want to have to style their hair in the morning.
Whether you’re planning on buzzing your hair for the first time or you’re a shaving veteran, a head shaver is an important tool to maintain a clean cut. To help you decide which head shaver is right for you, we consulted barbers and hair stylists to find out what to look for in a head shaver and compiled their recommendations for the best ones to shop.
SKIP AHEAD Best head shavers to shop | What is a head shaver? | Head shavers versus trimmers, clippers and razors | What to consider before buying and using a head shaver | How to treat your head before using a head shaver
Our top picks
- Best overall pick: AidallsWellup 5-in-1 Electric Head Shaver
- Best budget: Kibiy Electric Razor
- Best splurge: Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold PRO Electric Shaver
How we picked the best head shavers
When shopping for a head shaver, our experts recommend keeping the following factors in mind:
- Wet vs. dry shavers: Look for head shavers that are designed for both dry and wet shaves. If you have to choose between one or the other, opt for a wet shaving option since it’ll produce a smoother finish and reduce the risk of irritation, according to our experts.
- Number of blades: Head shavers usually have three to six rotating blades. The more blades a head shaver has, the more area it can cut and the smoother the finish, according to Butler.
- Water-resistance: Consider a water-resistant head shaver if you buzz your head in the shower. This is also especially useful if you want to rinse off any leftover hair or shaving cream from the blades.
- Battery life: Prioritize a head shaver that has a low battery indicator or a display that indicates how much battery the device has left. Also, a lithium battery is best because it’ll hold a charge longer than standard batteries, Butler says.
- Maintenance: Go for blades that have removable covers to easily dust off hair underneath, as well as a removable chamber that collects hair to easily empty it out after shaving.
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Best head shavers of 2023
Below, we compiled a few expert-recommended head shavers to consider. Per our experts’ guidance, we only included head shavers that are water-resistant and have both wet and dry shaving capabilities.
AidallsWellup 5-in-1 Electric Head Shaver
Butler favors this AidallsWellup electric head shaver for its six pivoting blades that you can use for both dry and wet shaving (meaning you can use water and shaving cream if you prefer). “You hold the shaver as if you were massaging your head and glide the pivoting blades over the surface,” he says. It comes with four additional attachments, including a nose hair trimmer, a cleansing brush, a precision trimmer and a pre-shave massage brush to soften stubble before shaving. You can use the cordless shaver for up to 90 minutes on a single charge.
Number of blades: 6 | Number of attachments: 5 | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold PRO Electric Shaver
The Skull Shaver Pitbull comes recommended by both Butler and Davide Marinelli, founder and creative director at Davide Hair Studio in New York City, thanks to its durability. Although it doesn’t have any extra attachments, this four-blade head shaver has an ergonomic handle and four blades that catches hair clippings in a chamber to prevent them from falling everywhere and making a mess. It has a runtime of 90 minutes and an LED display that lets you see how much battery you have left.
Number of blades: 4 | Number of attachments: N/A | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver
The Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver comes recommended by Marinelli for its durable five rotating blades, which he says provides a quick shave. Though the Remington shaver doesn’t have any attachments, it does collect hair in a chamber underneath the blades that you can empty out. It also has a 50-minute runtime and it takes 4 hours to fully charge, according to the brand.
Number of blades: 5 | Number of attachments: N/A | Run time: 50 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Freedom Grooming The FlexSeries Electric Head Shaver
This head shaver has five flexible blades that contour to your face and glide easily on the skin, according to Marinelli. It comes with five attachments, including a precision clipper and trimmer with three safety guards, a nose and ear hair trimmer, a pre-shave massager and an exfoliating brush. The Freedom Grooming shaver also comes with a cleaning brush to dust off hair from the blades and has a textured ergonomic design that makes it easy to hold, according to the brand.
Number of blades: 5 | Number of attachments: 5 | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Kibiy Electric Razor
The Kibiy Electric Razor comes with six blades and five grooming attachments, including a hair clipper, a nose and ear hair trimmer and a massage tool and a cleansing brush to soften stubble. It has a self-locking function that automatically stops the shaver when the blades become clogged, according to the brand. This shaver also comes with an LED display that shows how much time is left on its current charge.
Number of blades: 6 | Number of attachments: 5 | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
What is a head shaver, exactly?
A head shaver is a tool that uses oscillating rotary blades, which are covered with a thin layer of metal and operate at a high speed, to cut hair. While there are other tools that can help provide a smooth head, including trimmers, clippers and razors, a good head shaver “can cut as smooth and as close to the skin as possible without irritating the skin and minimize ingrown hairs and bumps due to its consistent speed,” says Marinelli. The blades on a head shaver also have a shock-absorbing effect that allows them to adapt to your head shape, Butler says.
Head shavers versus trimmers, clippers and razors
While you can use trimmers, clippers and razors to help maintain a smooth shave, which one you should choose depends on how you want your hair to look.
Head shavers are ideal for clean and close shaving. They come with three to six rotating blades that are meant to cut hair as close to the scalp as possible, according to Butler. The more blades a head shaver has, the more area it’s capable of cutting, which can ultimately lead to a smoother finish, Butler says. These are also great for those who have already shaved their hair down to just some stubble.
Trimmers are better suited to get rid of fuzz on your neck, around your ears or below your beard rather than heavy hair removal, according to Butler. They usually come with blades that are made for shaping and outlining the hairline.
Clippers are designed to cut long and thick hair quickly, and are a better choice if you’re aiming for a buzz cut rather than a complete shave, Butler says. They’re typically more powerful than trimmers and leave a consistent length all over. However, clippers won’t leave a clean, smooth finish and will likely leave you with a five o’clock shadow, so you might want to use a head shaver afterward, Marinelli says.
Razors can provide a close shave using water and shaving cream, but they should be used in conjunction with the above tools if you have longer hair. Getting used to such a sharp blade can take skill and patience, according to Butler. “A head shaver, however, is a push of a button and a smooth glide over your head with no worries about cutting yourself,” he says.
What to consider before buying and using a head shaver
When it comes to head shavers, you’ll want to look out for certain features that can help make shaving easier and your device last longer. Below, the hair care experts we spoke to outlined some key factors to consider, including maintenance, battery life and water resistance.
Wet versus dry shavers
Most head shavers are designed for both dry and wet shaves, but you should keep in mind that some models are only meant for either dry or wet circumstances. Butler says he’s a fan of wet shaving since it softens the hair and opens up the pores on your skin. “The shaver will be able to cut the hair closer to the scalp to produce a smoother finish, and can reduce irritation as it will create a barrier between the skin and the shaver,” he says.
On the other hand, if you’re cutting dry — which can be less time consuming than wet shaving since it doesn’t require shaving foam or hopping into the shower — the blade is much more likely to irritate the skin, Butler says.
Battery life
No one wants a drained battery in the middle of shaving, so the fewer recharges you have to make, the better. A head shaver with a low battery indicator is a plus, our experts told us. A lithium battery is best because it’ll “hold a charge far longer than standard rechargeable batteries,” according to Butler.
Maintenance
In order to ensure your head shaver lasts a long time, you’ll want to check the cleaning instructions to avoid purchasing one that’s too much of a hassle to maintain. “I always look for how many blades it has and how easy it is to remove the cover for cleaning,” Butler says. Also, search for a model that collects hair in a chamber to easily empty it out, he says.
Water resistance
Many head shavers are water-resistant, which is useful if you shave in the shower or when you need to rinse off any leftover hair or shaving cream from the blades, according to Butler.
How to prep your head before using a head shaver
Before shaving your head, you should shower or use a warm washcloth over your head to soften the hair and scalp, according to Butler. You should also use a pre-shave oil to prepare the skin and hair for a close shave. “Prepping the hair first will soften that hair and allow the shaver to glide more smoothly over the head,” Butler says.
When using a head shaver, you don’t want a thick barrier of shaving cream, which makes it harder for the blades to glide over the hair, Butler says. He recommends using a brush to apply a thin layer of cream. Once you’re done using your head shaver, you can rinse your head with cool water and moisturize with a post-shave lotion that’s specifically for the face or scalp.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Patrick Butler is the senior director of creative and technical education at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. He has more than 25 years of experience in the hair care industry.
- Davide Marinelli is the founder and creative director at Davide Hair Studio in New York City.
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