Though it’s a bold choice, shaving your head can be a low-maintenance solution for thinning hair, according to Partick Butler, senior director of creative and technical education atFloyd’s 99 Barbershop. Plus, it can spice up your day-to-day aesthetic and help you to spend less time styling your hair each morning.
To help you find the best head shaver, we consulted barbers and hair stylists for shopping advice and compiled their recommendations for you to consider. Our favorite pick is the AidallsWellup Electric Head Shaver.
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Certain features can make shaving easier and help your device last longer. Below, our hair care experts outline 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 some models are only meant for one or the other. Butler is 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 is less time-consuming than wet shaving— 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 less charging you have to do, the better. a. A lithium battery is best because it’ll “hold a charge far longer than standard rechargeable batteries,” according to Butler. A head shaver with a low battery indicator is a plus.
- Maintenance: To ensure your head shaver lasts a long time, avoid purchasing one with complicated cleaning instructions. “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 empty it out easily, he says.
- Water resistance: A water-resistant shaver can be used in and out of the shower, making it even more convenient when you’re in a time crunch or want to more easily rinse off leftover hair and shaving cream, according to Butler.
All of the head shavers below are water-resistant with both wet and dry shaving capabilities, which aligns with our experts’ guidance.
Best overall head shaver: AidallsWellup 5-in-1 Electric Head Shaver
What we like
- Great for wet and dry shaving
- Massage brush
- Long run time
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Butler favors this AidallsWellup electric head shaver for its pivoting blades. “You hold the shaver as if you were massaging your head and glide the pivoting blades over the surface,” he says. It comes with a nose hair trimmer, a cleansing brush, a precision trimmer and a pre-shave massage brush to soften stubble before shaving.
Number of blades: 6 | Number of attachments: 5 | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Best splurge head shaver: Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold PRO Electric Shaver
What we like
- Ergonomic handle
- Long run time
- Catches hair
Something to note
- Could have more attachments
The Skull Shaver Pitbull is a favorite of both Butler and Davide Marinelli, founder and creative director at Davide Hair Studio, thanks to its durability. Although it doesn’t come with extra attachments, it has an ergonomic handle and a chamber to prevent hair clippings from falling everywhere and making a mess. It also has 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
Best budget head shaver: Kibiy Electric Razor
What we like
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- LED display
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
The Kibiy Electric Razor comes with a hair clipper, a nose and ear hair trimmer, 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 has an LED display showing how much time is left on its current charge.
Number of blades: 6 | Number of attachments: 5 | Run time: 90 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Best mess-free head shaver: Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver
What we like
- Cuts hair quickly
- Catches hair
Something to note
- Could have longer run time
The Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver comes recommended by Marinelli for its five durable, rotating blades, which he says provide a quick shave. Though it doesn’t come with any attachments, it does collect hair in a chamber underneath the blades that you can empty.
Number of blades: 5 | Number of attachments: N/A | Run time: 50 minutes | Water-resistant: Yes
Best head shaver with attachments: Freedom Grooming The FlexSeries Electric Head Shaver
What we like
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- Exfoliating brush
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
The blades on this head shaver are flexible and contour to your head for an easy glide on the skin, according to Marinelli. It comes with a precision clipper and trimmer with three safety guards, a nose and ear hair trimmer, a pre-shave massager and an exfoliating brush. The head 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
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Frequently asked questions
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 other tools 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.
While you can use trimmers, clippers and razors to help maintain a smooth shave, which one 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 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 ultimately leads 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 removing long hair on the scalp, according to Butler. They usually come with blades 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, leaving a consistent length all over. However, clippers won’t leave a clean, smooth finish but rather a very short buzz cut. If you want your head completely bald, it’s better to use a true head shaver, Marinelli says.
Razors can provide a close shave using water and shaving cream, but you should use them with the tools above first 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.
Before shaving your head, you should shower or soak a washcloth in warm water and apply it 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 shaving cream barrier, making 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, rinse your head with cool water and moisturize with a post-shave lotion specifically for the face or scalp.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Patrick Butler is the senior director of creative and technical education at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop.
- Davide Marinelli is the founder and creative director at Davide Hair Studio in New York City.
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of articles across skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select who covers skin care, wellness, gardening and more. For this article, they spoke with two experts to learn their product recommendations and discover what to look for when shopping for head shavers.
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