7 Best Head Shavers of 2023, According to Experts

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The simplest and smoothest way to maintain the bald look is with this easy-to-use device.

If you decide to rock the completely bald look, there is some maintenance involved to avoid any patchiness on your head — so it's practical to invest in a head shaver to keep the clean look at home. Unlike a traditional electric razor, a head shaver gets as close to the head as possible without using a razor blade. You’ll want to pick one that is both sanitary and gives a close shave, which is what we kept in mind when selecting the best head shavers, based on expert advice and reviewing our pros' recommendations for the best hair removal product brands.

“A head shaver is for someone who [shaves their head] often enough,” says Daniel Chulpayev, co-owner of Made Man Barber Shop. “The only time you need a professional barber is when you'd want a shave with a straight razor. If you’re using a machine, just do it at home.” A top-performing head shaver will help you do just that, saving money all the while.

After our top choices for the best head shavers, you'll find additional things to keep in mind while shopping for a head shaver, tips for using one at home and why you should trust Good Housekeeping's selections.

This compact device fits into the palm of your hand and is easy enough for someone to use on their own head for touch-ups. The flexible, pivoting blades can contour to the head and neck for a close shave without worrying about any potential nicks. Each blade offers multi-directional shaving, making it easy for a beginner to use.

It also claims to be IPX5 water resistant, meaning you should be able to use it in the shower or give it a quick rinse in the sink. If you like to shave with cream or gel, the Skull Shaver will still function well. The cordless device’s battery lasts for up to 90 minutes, so you can go for weeks without having to charge it again. It only has four heads, which is one less than your average head shaver, but you can still likely get a clean shave.

At around $40, this budget buy offers plenty of extras, including five attachments that allow you to use the device as a rotary shaver, hair clipper, nose and ear hair trimmer, facial cleansing brush or face massager. Featuring six shaving heads, it can cover a larger amount of surface area for an efficient shave, though some reviewers claim the blades can dull quickly.

The claimed IPX7 waterproof rating means it's good for a shower shave and it works with foam creams, according to the brand. It offers 90 minutes of charging, which is indicated by the LED screen, and the screen tells you when it’s time to clean it.

Sometimes you need a quick touch-up, which is easily achieved by the Remington. It features five dual-track heads and a nonslip grip to give you a fast, close shave safely. In fact, reviewers report that they have been able to shave their heads in under two minutes — just as the brand claims.

It can be used in wet or dry conditions and there's a chamber underneath the heads for quick disposal and cleanup. The battery life is on the shorter side of 50 minutes, but with the speedy shaves this one offers, you likely won’t need to charge it too frequently.

Although it’s technically an electric razor, Chulpayev recommends the Braun shaver for its quality design and multipurpose uses. “I have certain barbers in the shop that use Braun because even though they know it's going to last less than a professional one, they do such a great job.”

Aside from being able to tackle a coarse three-day beard, it can be used on the top of your skull for an efficient and extremely close shave. It’s a bit on the pricier side but with its ability to provide both a precise face and head shave and its multitude of accessories, including a charging station that has a self-cleaning program, cleaning cartridge, travel case and cleaning brush, it’s well worth it.

Just as the name indicates, the Freebird Flexseries Head Shaver has five flexible shaving heads that allow for an extra-close, smooth shave because they contour to the skull.Although it shouldn’t take you too long to shave the head, the textured ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold. Those who like using shaving products will be happy to know that it still functions with creams and gels for an even closer shave.

Additionally, 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. But note there’s no travel case if you want to bring it on the go.

The name may make you giggle, but you’ll get a serious shave out of the Groomie BaldiePro. In addition to five blades and a 10,000 RPM motor to provide a close shave, this kit is packed with all the accessories you'll need to give you the ultimate head-shaving experience.

In the case, you’ll find an accessory adapter, an exfoliation brush, a pre-shave massager, 3-, 5- and 7-millimeter clipper guards, a precision clipper and a nose and ear trimmer. There’s also a travel lock, a smart LED display and a 90-minute lithium battery that can be recharged quickly with the included cord.

If you want a good shave, but not necessarily a full bald look, this Remington can help you achieve a solid buzz. It has one wide, curved blade that covers a decent amount of head in one go, which makes it easy to shave your head on your own.

There are interchangeable combs for different buzz lengths, so you can test out a few looks in the comfort of your home until you get the right length. The battery is only good for 40 minutes, but it’s easy to clean under water and gives you flexibility for an at-home barber trim.

To narrow down the best head shavers on the market, we interviewed professional barbers about the benefits of using a head shaver and the key features to look out for. We researched different models that would suit a variety of price points, hair styles and head shapes. We also considered a few models for a variety of hairstyles from a completely shaven head to a buzz cut. The factors we kept in mind were claimed battery life and the usefulness of any accessories. Lastly, we prioritized models that reviewers said have a strong motor and feature multiple shaving heads that gave a closer and more efficient shave.

When choosing a head shaver, there are a few key features to consider to produce the closest shave and best fit your personal shaving needs:

✔️ Number of shaving heads: Ideally, the higher the number of shaving heads, the more area a head shaver is going to cover in one fell swoop. It’s important to look for heads with multidirectional blades that are flexible enough to contour to any bumps on your dome while giving the cleanest shave.

✔️ Motor: The RPMs — or the revolutions per minute — can play a big part in how close the shave will be. Although nothing will get you as smooth as a straight razor, the higher the RPMS, the faster those blades spin and the closer the shave you'll get, says Chulpayev.

✔️ Battery life: Chulpayev also advises seeking out a longer battery life so you don’t have to worry about constantly having to charge it. Most head shavers average 60 to 90 minutes of battery life. Depending on how often you use the shaver and how long it takes to shave your whole head, that can last you a few weeks before you need to charge it again.

✔️ Additional accessories: A few extra accessories are always good, especially if you’re new to shaving your head at home. Some come with attachments that allow you to use the shavers as nose and ear trimmers or precision trimmers and others will have a massaging attachment. Most importantly, look for ones that come with a cleaning brush or a travel case if you plan on bringing it with you on trips.

✔️ Cleaning: Because you’ll be using a head shaver on your own head, you won’t have to clean it as intensely as you would at a barber shop. However, it’s important to remove the little pieces of hair after each use by running the head under water or emptying the collection compartment, if it has one. Some shavers will come with a helpful cleaning brush or use UV technology which the brands claim are designed to kill bacteria.

✔️ Warranty: Finding a head shaver with a good warranty is also important, according to Chulpayev. Some of these models can be a serious investment and a warranty of at least a year will protect you if anything breaks.

A head shaver will give you the closest shave on your head. The biggest difference between a head shaver and a hair clipper or electric razor is how it contours to the shape of the head. These devices are specifically designed with heads in mind and have multiple rotating blades that are meant to cut hair as close to the scalp as possible while going over bumps and ridges. However, they are best used on hair that isn’t too long or coarse, so you’ll want to use a hair clipper first to remove a bulk of the hair. A hair clipper can cut longer and thicker hair quickly, but you might need someone else in your household to do it for you to get the length right. They are best for giving a closer buzz or just trimming shorter hairstyles.

Head shavers are designed to be easy to use on your own head without requiring someone else to assist you, though you’ll want to prep the area first before you start.

Some say it's ideal to shower first with warm water to help open up the pores so you'll get a closer shave. If you’d like to use a shaving gel or cream, be sure to use a thinner layer so as to not clog the blades and keep things running smoothly. The actual shaving process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. After you're done, rinse off any hairs or gel left behind and moisturize the area. And because these shavers work best on shorter bits, it’s important to maintain the bald look by shaving every week or so.

This roundup was written by contributing writer Courtney Campbell, a longtime product reviewer, who selected products based on hours of research and her personal experience with shaving products. Her work has appeared Apartment Therapy, Domino, and SELF.

Courtney (she/hers) has spent the past 5 years testing everything from reusable straws to standing desks to homemade kombucha kits. A longtime reviewer, deals hunter, and lifestyle writer, she currently heads up the American Kennel Club's product review site Retrievest and previously worked as the Shopping Editor for USA Today’s Reviewed. Additionally, she has covered design and lifestyle trends for Apartment Therapy, Domino, SELF, and more. A graduate of Elon University, she loves telling everyone about what race she’s planning on running next while raving about her favorite running headphones (they’re bone conducting!).

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