AS MEN, THE decision to go bald isn’t always one that’s made for us (thanks, genetics). But how you deal with hair loss is entirely in your hands. Sure, there are some viable hair loss treatments and shampoos for thinning hair that we certainly back. For many men, it's easier to just bite the bullet and shave their hair completely to offset any future thinning woes. If you are one of these men, more power to you! Hell, some men do it even if they’re not experiencing hair loss—and that’s cool, too. Investing in a quality head shaver will double down on the convenience factor of being bald by making the entire process seamless.
Best Head Shavers
When you do choose to shave your head, the tools you use to do it are paramount. That’s where the best head shavers come in. These high-tech gadgets are specifically designed to make shaving your head easier, whether it’s through a multi-head ergonomic design or close-cutting technology (or both).
Far easier than heading to the barbershop every few days, these electric shavers are meant to be used at home. Think of them as an easier, safer and way quicker alternative to carefully taking a razor to your dome. But before investing in a shaver, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you select the absolute best one for you.
What to Consider
Number of Shaving Heads
Most head shavers feature multiple razor heads to help hug the contours of your head so you can easily navigate areas that are hard to see. The multiple razor heads can also help limit cuts, as the design adjusts to curved angles much better than a single, straight razor. For the quickest, most adaptable (read: lowest maintenance) shaving experience, look for devices with shaving heads in the five to seven range, like the Freebird FlexSeries or Remington Balder Pro. That being said, don’t fall into the common trap of thinking more shaving heads automatically equals a more powerful shave, as the Braun Series 9 Pro Plus is one of the most powerful options on the market and only has four shaving blades.
Wet/Dry Design
Most head shavers on this list can be used dry, which means as long as your hair is already short enough (no more than a couple of days of growth), you can shave with no moisture or product. What's also great is that some options are waterproof, making your shaving experience in the shower a total breeze and easy to clean up.
Plus, you can use most wet/dry shavers with shaving products, so if you prefer to begin with a pre-shave oil to protect your scalp and then add a shaving cream or lotion to help with gliding. Follow it up by rinsing the product off your head—just make sure to also clean any leftover product from the razor heads before you put it away. However, there are a couple of options we recommend that do not have this capability, so if you’re a dedicated shower shaver, focus solely on the wet/dry devices.
Cordless Design
A good cordless head shaver can last as long as 90 minutes, which means you can go a whole week without charging the battery. They also unlock the ability to shave in the shower or on the road without having to be plugged in. If you're constantly on the move and shave your head regularly, you will find that cordless options offer lots of convenience and save even more time.
Battery Life
Even before joining the bald brotherhood, most of us have all had an electric razor or beard trimmer die out before we've finished the job. Nobody wants to sport a half-trimmed beard or uneven body hair, but the absolute last spot you'll want an uneven shave is on your dome, as it's the hardest to hide. To avoid walking around with a patchy skull, keep battery life in mind when choosing an electric shaver. Consider how long you typically take to shave your entire head—and how often you tend to charge devices—before finalizing your decision.
Case
The first question to ask is does this shaver come with a case included? If yes, then you're going to want to look at what type of case it is. For frequent travelers, a carrying case made to fit neatly in a Dopp kit or luggage should be a priority. However, if you're just looking for something to store it in, you can allow for more size given that it'll more easily hold every attachment or replacement piece, so there won't be any long search involved when needed.
How We Selected
For the past four years, Men's Health's grooming writers and editors tested over 15 head shavers to determine the best-performing options for men. We also spoke with barber and owner of Faheem’s Hands of Precision in Philadelphia, Faheem Alexander, who has put dozens of top-selling head shavers to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, durability, and ease-of-use. In addition to all of this expertise and hands-on experience, we researched and dug into the top head shavers on the market to determine which to test. Following that extensive research and testing process, we landed on the following six best head shavers for men.
Pros
Can use shaving products with it - Multiple attachments including a precision trimmer
- Quick charge option with USB cable
Cons
- Travel case must be purchased separately
This tiny but powerful shaver is designed to give your scalp the closest shave possible, whether you prefer to do it dry, wet, or with the aid of other products. The five ScalpSafe shaving heads wrap around the curves of your head for a microscopically close shave and the additional attachments, like a pre-shave exfoliation brush and precision trimmer, are nice bonuses.
Our editors also love that it pairs nicely with our favorite shaving creams and pre-shave oils, in case you want an even deeper cut. Its portable design makes it easy to carry in your luggage, though its travel case is sold separately. Not to mention, the five heads of this shaver definitely give an incredibly close shave—as close as the Remington and the Braun, both of which we found to be top of the heap in our testing process.
We also appreciate the additional attachments that this one comes with, unlike the Remington, particularly the pre-shave exfoliating brush which not only helps give a closer shave, but also feels pretty damn good on your dome (you’ll want to only use this if you have a tiny bit of stubble though—the bristles aren’t long enough to reach through longer hair).
In theory, the trimmer attachment and the accompanying guards are great if you want to trim your beard (the brand also says you can use it to trim your body and other areas), but we found that the design of the device makes that difficult. Since it’s meant to be held in the palm of your hand, it’s not as easy to use on your face as a more traditional razor design like the Braun or even the Andis. We would probably skip that and relegate this device to only our heads, which, at a comparable price point to other models like the Remington, is OK.
Read More: Best Body Groomers for Men
| Number of Shaving Heads | 5 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | Yes |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 90 minutes |
| Case Included? | No |
Pros
- Hair capture chamber collects hair for easy cleanup
- Can use shaving products with it
- Nonslip grip
- Ideal for quick shaves
Cons
- No additional attachments
- Some testers found it needed to be recharged often
If you’re in a rush, this easy-to-use shaver may be your answer. Thanks to the pivoting shaver heads that hug each curve of your head, the brand says that this device can shave your entire head in just two minutes.
After testing the Remington Balder Pro for more than two months, we can safely say that it easily gave us a head shave in less than five minutes, which is great for guys who cut their dome weekly. We love the hair capture chamber, which collects hair for easy cleanup, and its nonslip grip gives you extra control when you're mowing through your head.
Keep in mind that this is designed only for head shaving, so if you’re looking for a more multi-purpose solution, you’ll want to go with a more traditional electric shaver like the Braun Series 9 Pro Plus. And since there aren’t any additional attachments like the kind that come with others, the Wyklaus shaver, you’re really only going to use this to give your head a smooth, clean shave (which it is frankly very good at doing).
The price is comparable to other head shavers, but we found that the performance outmatches them, so it’s a great investment if you’re a guy who shaves his head often and doesn’t mind having a separate tool just for that task.
| Number of Shaving Heads | 5 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | Yes |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 50 minutes |
| Case Included? | Yes |
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Pros
- Cuts quickly
- 7-head design covers a lot of ground
- Makes for a great, dedicated head-shaving tool
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Does not come with a case
Go big or go home, right? This shaver has a whopping seven heads—the most on this list—that cover more ground and effectively cut down your shaving time, while still delivering a smooth shave to your scalp.
After testing the Wyklaus Head Shaver for more than a month, we can say that more is more. Its seven-head system nearly cut our head shaving time in half, thanks to its powerful but precise motor that cuts closely and quickly. Though we do note: Given its extra shaving heads, it does have a bulkier design, so it's not as portable as other options on this list.
That bulkier design definitely makes it stand out against even similar designs like the Remington. Those two extra shave heads really do make a difference in terms of how fast it takes to fully shave your head. However, because it is bulkier, it’s a bit less dextrous when trying to maneuver around your scalp. It’s harder to target specific areas like behind your ears. If that’s not usually a problem for you, and you are really just focused on getting the quickest shave possible, then you’ll like this one.
We think the design makes this hard to use on any area of your body besides your head, but this one comes with a cleansing brush in addition to the pre-shave exfoliating brush, which is really handy for achieving a slick, shiny dome.
| Number of Shaving Heads | 7 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | Yes |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Case Included? | No |
Pros
- Multiple length options
- Can be used corded or cordless
- Extra wide blade
Cons
- Can be hard to use by yourself
- Doesn't give as close a shave as other options on this list
If you’re not the smooth shave type, but still want to give yourself a close buzz without heading to the barber, the Shortcut Pro delivers. With multiple length options via interchangeable combs, this shaver allows you to try different buzz looks on your own.
Like the product image suggests, the Shortcut Pro is super compact—which makes it great for tossing in a Dopp kit and taking on trips. The feel of the shaver takes a second to get used to, but once you learn how to wield it you'll find it does a solid job at staying cut-free while providing a solid shave.
It’s worth repeating that this won’t give you a close, clean shave, but it is handy if you like more of a stubble look. The design isn’t perfect and is less ergonomic than the Remington or one of the similarly designed shavers, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty foolproof.
Our one gripe is that because of the curved design, which is nice for hugging the shape of your head, it’s a bit difficult for detail work around your ears or clean up your neck. A more traditional clipper is better for those things, but that’s a small price to pay for the convenience this one offers.
| Number of Shaving Heads | 1 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | No |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 minutes |
| Case Included? | Yes |
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Pros
- Includes SmartCare cleaning station that helps prolong life of blades
- Pre-Shave ProComfort head attachment for a closer shave
- 100% waterproof
- Designed as an electric razor so it can also be used on your face
Cons
- By far the most expensive option on this list
Like Braun’s previous versions, the Series 9 Pro+ has proven to be effective in performance. Not only is it one of our favorite head shavers, but it’s seen as the “Rolls-Royce of shaving instruments” by Faheem Alexander, barber and owner of Faheem's Hands of Precision in Philadelphia.“I highly recommend [it] because of the unparalleled ease and comfort it provides while also ensuring a super close shave,” he says. “The accompanying portable charging case makes this super easy to throw in a bag and get numerous weeks of shaves without plugging it in.”
During our trial run, we found out that the fast-speed device can cut up to 40,000 cuts per minute. Thanks to its waterproof capability, you can use it in the shower for a refreshing shaving experience. We also love that the device comes with a SmartCare center, which maintains the quality for longer use and makes cleaning up a breeze.
While this isn’t technically a head shaver in the way the Remingtons, Freebird, or Wyklaus are, we found in our testing that it performs just as well at shaving your head as it does at shaving your face—it is our best electric razor.
What that means to us is that if you’re looking to streamline the number of devices you have in your arsenal, but don’t want to sacrifice power or efficacy, this is an ideal option. It’s expensive—as the Rolls Royce of shaving instruments is expected to be—but if you’re using it for multiple things like shaving your head and face, that helps justify the cost a bit more.
Read More: Braun Series 9+ Pro Review
| Number of Shaving Heads | 4 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | Wet |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Case Included? | Yes |
Pros
- The choice of professional barbers
- Long battery life, 80 minutes from single charge
- Best for cleaning up hair on your neck
Cons
- Hair needs to be very short to use
- Cleaning the device can be a slight hassle
Ever wonder how your barber gets such a close shave when he’s doing skin fades or cleaning up your neck? Enter this foil shaver, which is hard to beat when it comes to closeness. Not to mention, it’s a go-to for plenty of barbers. Speaking of which, Alexander gives the Andis tool his stamp of approval because it works efficiently for shaving experiences at home and in the barbershop.
It operates well on battery, delivering up to 80 minutes of run time on a single charge—a duration that’s twice as long as others on this list. The price point may be higher than most on this list, but the results make up for the difference.
This is definitely a classic for a reason—it really gets the job done of an incredibly smooth shave. However, it’s aggressive and not the gentlest experience, especially if you’re just beginning with it. Theoretically, you can use this on your face and other areas, too, but we found that the shaving experience is too harsh for us to use anywhere but our head and neck. You’ll also likely want to finish with some sort of lotion or moisturizer to minimize potential irritation.
| Number of Shaving Heads | 2 |
|---|---|
| Wet/Dry? | No |
| Cordless? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 80 minutes |
| Case Included? | No |
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Meet the Expert
- Faheem Alexander is a barber and owner of Faheem's Hands of Precision in Philadelphia.
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Garrett Munce
Garrett Munce writes about men's style and grooming. He's written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.
Joseph Cheatham
Style and Commerce Editor
As the Style and Commerce Editor for Men's Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.
Reviewed bySean Zucker
Grooming and Commerce Editor
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
