Although it’s a bold choice, shaving your head is 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. It’s also an option for those who don’t want to style their hair everyday or simply want to make a drastic change.
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.
SKIP AHEAD How to shop for a head shaver | Best head shavers
How to shop for a head shaver
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.
The best head shavers in 2024, according to experts
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
- Great for wet and dry shaving
- Massage brush
- Long run time
- 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
- Ergonomic handle
- Long run time
- Catches hair
- 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
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- LED display
- 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
- Cuts hair quickly
- Catches hair
- 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
- Many attachments
- Long run time
- Exfoliating brush
- 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
Related
Meet our experts
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.
Why trust NBC Select?
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.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
