It’s simple to keep a bald head or even simply a closely cropped appearance, but the proper equipment is still needed. You may achieve a close shave on your scalp without getting any unintentional cuts or nicks by using a high-quality head shaver. Selecting a head shaver with sharp rotating blades and one that has refills and/or USB charging is crucial. We asked barbers and hairstylists for their purchasing advise and collated their suggestions for you to take into consideration in order to assist you choose the best.
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How to shop for a head shaver
Some features can prolong the life of your gadget and make shaving easier. Our hair care specialists include several important considerations below, such as water resistance, battery life, and upkeep.
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Type:
Head shavers come in either wet or dry versions, though some are suitable for both. The type you choose depends on when and where you prefer shaving. That said, shaving dry can irritate the skin and cause razor bumps because the hair follicles are not as relaxed as when they come in contact with warm water, according to NBC Select commerce editorCory Fernandez
, who shaves weekly. With this in mind, we included head shavers primarily meant for wet shaving, which are water-resistant.
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Battery life and motor:
Head shavers are typically battery powered, but not all of them have the same runtime. This is especially important if you often find yourself shaving in a hurry. To avoid the shaver running out of battery while you re in the middle of trimming your head, look for one with at least 30 to 45 minutes of runtime or more. -
Blade count and quality:
Head shavers have anywhere from 4 to 7 heads, each with a rotary blade. All of the head shavers on this list have a blade count within this range. Plus, while it s tempting to simply go by the price of a head shaver, it s more crucial to consider the blades, according toAndrea Pezzillo
, a celebrity men s groomer and hairstylist. It s also not about buying the most expensive razor; you want a trusted brand that offers quality blades, if it s electric, a good motor to keep the blades cutting well, she says. This ensures a close shave with the least amount of skin irritation.
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Removable blades:
Many head shavers typically have compartments that catch hair as you cut it or pieces that come apart so you can clean them between shaves. Many of the head shavers on this list have removable rotary blades to make overall maintenance easier.
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The best head shavers in 2024, according to experts
In accordance with the advice of our specialists, every head shaver listed below is water-resistant and capable of both wet and dry shaving.
Best overall head shaver:
Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro Electric Shaver
Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro Electric Shaver
- Ergonomic handle
- Long run time
- Catches hair
- Could have more attachments
Davide Marinelli, the founder and creative director of Davide Hair Studio, loves the Skull Shaver Pitbull because of its longevity. It includes an ergonomic handle and a chamber to keep hair clippings from falling around and creating a mess, even though it doesn’t come with any additional attachments. Additionally, it features an LED display that shows you how much battery life is remaining.
Run time: 90 minutes; number of blades: 4; number of attachments: N/A; and water resistance: yes
Best travel-friendly head shaver:
Wyklaus Electric Head Shaver
Wyklaus Electric Head Shaver
- Travel friendly
- Small
- Nothing to note at this time
The seven rounded razors on this Wyklaus head shaver provide a close shave throughout the scalp’s curves. It is ideal for keeping in your bathroom or in your trip toiletry bag because it can be charged using a USB cord. The brand claims that it has a 120-minute runtime and a travel lock to prevent inadvertent activation while in transportation. It has an average rating of 4.3 stars based on 9,133 reviews on Amazon. You don’t have to worry about the battery expiring in the middle of a shave because the handle on top shows how much is left.
Seven blades, four attachments, a 120-minute run time, and yes water resistance
Best budget head shaver:
Kibiy Electric Razor
Kibiy Electric Razor for Men
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- LED display
- Nothing to note at this time
A hair clipper, a nose and ear hair trimmer, a massaging tool, and a cleaning brush to smooth stubble are all included with the Kibiy Electric Razor. According to the company, it has a self-locking feature that instantly stops the shaver when the blades clog. With an average rating of 4.2 stars based on 5,655 reviews on Amazon, this shaver also features an LED display that indicates how long it will last on a single charge.
Six blades, five attachments, and a 90-minute run time Yes, it is water-resistant.
Best mess-free head shaver:
Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver
Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver
- Cuts hair quickly
- Catches hair
- Could have longer run time
Marinelli suggests the Remington Balder Pro Head Shaver because of its five sturdy, revolving blades, which he claims offer a speedy shave. It does collect hair in a compartment beneath the blades that you may empty, but it does not come with any attachments.
Run time: 50 minutes | Number of blades: 5 | Number of attachments: N/A Yes, it is water-resistant.
Best head shaver with attachments:
Freedom Grooming The FlexSeries Electric Head Shaver
Freedom Grooming The FlexSeries Electric Head Shaver
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- Exfoliating brush
- Nothing to note at this time
According to Marinelli, this head shaver’s blades are flexible and conform to your head for a smooth skin glide. It includes an exfoliating brush, a pre-shave massager, a nose and ear hair trimmer, and a precision clipper and trimmer with three safety protections. According to the brand, the head shaver has a textured ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to grip and comes with a cleaning brush to remove hair from the blades.
There are five blades, five attachments, and ninety minutes of run time. Yes, it is water-resistant.
Best head shaver with charging stand:
Braun Series 9 Electric Razor for Men
Braun Series 9 Electric Razor for Men
- Charging stand included
- Good for beard and head
- Travel case
- Runtime could be longer
With an average rating of 4.4 stars based on 12,887 reviews on Amazon, the Braun Series 9 electric foil razor is typically used as a face shaver and beard trimmer, while it may also be used to shave parts of your head. Because it lacks a curved shape and isn’t a rotary shaver, it works best on flat areas like sideburns and temples, which is ideal for taper fades. Instead of looking for it in a drawer, you can use its charging stand to set it up in your bathroom. It also fits in the provided travel case, making it convenient to bring on a trip.
One blade, one attachment, and a sixty-minute run time Yes, it is water-resistant.
Best sensitive skin head shaver:
Philips Norelco Shaver 3900
Philips Norelco Shaver 3900
- Comes with travel pouch
- Hypoallergenic steel blades
- Power adapter not included
According to the makers, this Philips head shaver can help you get the closest shave without irritating your skin because it functions flawlessly when it comes into touch with water. As a result, you can shave your head using water and shaving cream without fear of damaging the gadget. It features a front-mounted light and a charging station so you can keep an eye on the battery level and prevent an unplanned drain. According to the makers, the razor can shave up to 20 times on a full charge and has an average rating of 4.4 stars based on 44,531 reviews on Amazon.
There are 27 different blades, 0 attachments, a 60-minute run time, and yes, water resistance.
Frequently asked questions
A head shaver is a device that cuts hair using oscillating rotary blades that are fast-moving and coated in a thin layer of metal. To provide a close and even shave on the head’s curvatures, they include several flexible blades.
Trimmers, clippers, and razors can all help you keep a smooth shave, but which one you choose will depend on how you want your hair to look, how close you want your shave to be, and how much time you have.
For precise and clean shaving, head shavers are perfect. In order to cut hair as close to the scalp as possible, they have four to seven revolving blades. According to Pezzillo, “head shavers are the simplest and least irritating option for customers because they are made to shave hair down to stubble or completely smooth bald while protecting the skin.”
For the removal of hair around the neck and beard, trimmers are more appropriate. According to Pezzillo, they are also effective in making accurate cuts around the head. According to her, these are electric cutters with a short, flat blade and a thin metal guard attached. They are usually used for bald hair shaving or creating lineups on the hairline and neckline.
According to Pezzillo, clippers are made to swiftly trim thick, lengthy hair or create various fades. These are bigger tools that are mostly used for haircuts. According to her, you would use them to cut fades or a one-length buzz cut. Clippers will leave a very brief buzz cut instead of a clean, smooth finish. According to Marinelli, using a genuine head shaver is preferable if you want your head to be entirely bald.
If you have longer hair, you should utilize the aforementioned equipment before using a razor, even though they can give you a close shave with water and shaving cream. Although you could shave your head with a razor, it would take a lot longer than with a head shaver. A razor should only be used to shave the entire area of the beard or mustache. These are traditional blade razors, like straight razors, safety razors, or disposable razors, says Pezzillo. They’re used to shave hair completely off the skin, leaving it smooth and bald .
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.
To avoid skin irritations, such as razor bumps, it s best to get the skin and hair wet with warm water to relax the follicles, according to Fernandez, who says he only shavesaftera shower since the hairs on the face and scalp are much easier to work with and shaving. As someone who often battles razor bumps, I ve learned that you should always apply water to any area before shaving it, otherwise it can actually be quite painful. Plus, consider using a pre-shave oil or, if you do use a shaving cream or gel, only use a small amount since a little goes a long way.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Andrea Pezzillo
is a celebrity men s groomer and hairstylist. She s the author of the book
Curly Confidence: A Specialist s Guide to Embracing Your Natural Curls
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Davide Marinelli
is the founder and creative director atDavide Hair Studio
in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
Mili Godiois an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of articles across skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more.
Cory Fernandezis a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he writes about home and kitchen topics, including cleaning and home appliances. He also occasionally writes about hygiene and wellness.
Ashley Morrisis 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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