Best Head Shavers

Choosing the perfect electric shaver for your head is not an easy task and with so many products on the market (all of which are geared towards a particular type of user) it can be a minefield choosing the best head shaver for your needs.

Luckily for you, we have compiled 7 of the best electric shavers on the market and coupled this with our handy buyers guide (found at the bottom of this article) to help you make the right choice. Each of our picks is given a ‘best for’ title so you should be able to find the best head shaver for your exact requirements. Whether you prefer a foil or rotary shaver, a skull shaver that fits in the palm of one hand or a traditional set of clippers – we should have the perfect solution for you.

There are a few points to consider when choosing an electric shaver and we will cover these in depth at the end of the article – but for now it is worth considering the following:

• How often you plan to use the shaver
• How close a cut you are looking to achieve
• How much you plan on spending

Best Electric Head Shavers

Whether you are looking to shave your scalp completely bald or whether you are looking for a simple buzz cut, the money saving benefits of opting to ‘do it yourself’ are clear to see, so consider the cost savings when you plan your budget – the chances are your new head shaver will have paid for itself within the first 6 months (maybe more) when compared to visiting the barbers or even when compared to wet shaving.

Let’s take a look at the best head shavers on the UK market today.

Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro

The Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro is one of four in the Pitbull series and we have selected this model as the top pick as it offers the best value for money out of the entire range. Skull Shaver are the original pioneers of palm held electric head shaving and the Pitbull Gold Pro has some killer features that help it to stand out among some stiff competition.

First off, the Pitbull Gold Pro is completely wireless so there is no restrictive wires that get in the way or cause you to become tangled up in them when shaving your head. It features a 1400 mAh lithium ion battery that promises up to 90 minutes of usage from a single charge. There is a battery level indicator on the top of the unit that gives you a percentage of remaining charge so you will never get caught out.

One key aspect that sets the Pitbull Gold Pro apart from cheaper models is that it is waterproof and therefore you can enjoy wet and dry shaves alike. You can use it in the shower as the whole unit is water resistant and you can also use shaving products with it such as shaving creams. This is not necessary but it is great to have the option as it will allow you to shave your head according to your own preferences. The waterproof level is in line with IPX5 which means it is shower proof rather than completely waterproof so we wouldn’t go dunking it in the bath.

The Skull Shaver provides a really close cut and that is thanks to the blade design and quality of the blades themselves. They offer multi-directional cutting with four Forte Pro blades that offer up to 20% greater cutting efficiency than similar blades and we found that they provided one of the closest cuts of all the head shavers we tested. You won’t get quite as close as you will with a wet shave and blade but this is about as close as it gets without.

The key benefit of the Skull Shaver is convenience. It can be used literally anywhere and a single charge will provide you with 10-20 cuts. Most guys will shave their entire scalp in a matter of minutes and the ergonomically designed one handed grip makes it much easier than standard clippers to use. Cleaning it is also easy thanks to it being water resistant.

We have seen some comments from users about issues with charging but we had no issues at all with our Pitbull Gold Pro and the reviews are pretty unanimously positive with regard to the cutting ability.

We found that even the most irregularly shaped scalps enjoyed a close cut with no stray hairs being missed and what’s even more impressive is that you will get no nicks from this shaver. Anyone with moles or birth marks that need to be careful not to cut them will be glad to hear the Pitbull Gold Pro is ideal as you will not cut yourself.

Finally, this model can be used on the face just as it can on the scalp so if you are looking for an all over smooth look you can achieve it with the Pitbull Gold Pro.

Check Latest Price Of The Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro

Wahl 5 Star Balding Hair Clipper

Wahl are perhaps the most recognisable company on the planet when it comes to hair clippers and there is good reason for that – they are one of the best at what they do. Used in professional salons and homes alike, their product range is varied enough to have something for all tastes and styles and the 5 Star Balding Clippers is one of their products that is suitable for almost all styles – thus making it a hit with professionals.

Don’t be deceived by the retro 1950’s style red casing, these clippers are packed with some of the most cutting edge blades and motors that money can buy. Talking of which, the 5 Star Balding Clippers are one of the most expensive in the Wahl range and that is partly because they are commercial quality – meaning they will last for years (most likely decades) if used in a home environment and so long as they are well maintained. The other reason that these clippers cost more is that they offer one of the closest cuts possible without opting for a cut throat razor. They cut to around 0.2mm at their shortest but can also have different length attachments added.

In fact, we compared these clippers to their standard hair clippers that cost a third of the price and the difference in closeness of shave was pretty stark. You will not achieve a completely smooth shaved head with the 5 star but it is as close as you can get with standard plugin electric hair clippers.

The main benefit of the Wahl clippers over skull shavers such as the Pitbull is that they offer so much more versatility. The attachment combs that come as standard include a 0.5mm and 1.5mm which allow you to create fades and different lengths of cut. These are perfect for anyone who is looking to transition from thinning hair down to a clean cut but doesn’t want to do it in one fell swoop.

The quality of the materials used to build these clippers is absolutely second to none and the beauty of buying a set of clippers from Wahl is that you know you can purchase spare blades and attachments at any time which in essence future-proofs your purchase. The fine toothed blades themselves are made from surgical quality steel and have a rust-resistant chrome plated finish. The V5000 heavy duty motor is designed to last and provides plenty of power to the super sharp blades.

You can comfortably go direct to skin with these clippers and there will be no stray hairs left behind. We didn’t manage to nick ourselves a single time after using them for 4 different cuts but one thing we did learn was that moisturising the scalp after a shave was needed. In particular, the first time these clippers were used there was some minimal flaking scalp, but this subsided with daily moisturising and further shaves. This is good practice anyway and will lead to a well nourished and healthy looking scalp.

The cable on these clippers is 2.4m long which is longer than average and means you have plenty of room for manoeuvre. Like all clippers, they will need to be maintained to keep them in tip top condition and it is as simple as oiling the blades after use and ensuring the fine toothed blades are hair free using the brushes provided.

These clippers are a great investment and will stand the test of time so unless you specifically want a one handed skull shaver these are a top buy.

Check Latest Price Of The Wahl 5 Star Balding Clippers

Babyliss MEN Super Clipper XTP

The Babyliss XTP Super Clippers offer a good compromise between the corded restraints of traditional clippers and the hands free nature of cordless skull shavers. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the XTP clippers can provide up to 85 minutes of cutting time from a single 2 hour charge meaning you won’t be needing to charge between hair cuts for a good couple of months – even if used weekly.

Unlike the Skull Shaver model, these Babyliss clippers are not water resistant and as such they cannot be used in the shower or even with a wet scalp. This is not a major issue as you wouldn’t tend to use traditional clippers in this way and what you are gaining from being cordless is a tangle free cutting experience.

The blades on the XTP clippers are professional grade and they are made from high quality Japanese steel. It comes with 8 attachments varying from grade 1 to grade 8 and without a guide you can achieve close to a grade 0. The taper lever allows you to get really precise with the length of cut and this also allows for smooth fades and effective blending. One thing we would say is that when using the XTP clippers with no attachment and the lever at its shortest setting you are more likely to experience the odd nick, but this is more when covering less taught areas of skin such as the neck line.

The Babyliss XTP comes with a convenient storage case and also comes with oil and brushes for maintenance. If you are using these for personal use at home then they should last for years and considering the price and the wireless functionality, they offer extremely good value for money. User reviews show that the blades retain their sharpness for years when used weekly and when you buy from a reputable company like Babyliss you know you are in good hands.

Another nice feature of these clippers is that if you do run out of charge you can use them with charging cable attached which is great in case you get caught out.

If you are looking for clippers but don’t want to be constrained to a cable then the Babyliss Super Clipper XTPs are a top choice of head shaver.

Check Latest Price Of The Babyliss Super Clipper XTP

Philips 180 Degree Easy Reach

Philips have been making a real effort in the male grooming sector over the last few years and have brought some really innovative products to market such as their One Blade and now their 180 Degree Easy Reach clippers are making something of a splash. Of course, innovation doesn’t always result in usability or functionality but it seems that Philips have pretty much nailed it with these clippers that can cut from grade 0 to grade 5.

These are another set of battery operated clippers and although they don’t have quite the capacity of the other battery operated head shavers we have reviewed they do still provide a good 60 minutes of continuous usage and you can even use them plugged in just in case you run out of charge. This makes them extremely portable and means they are ideal for anyone who wants to shave their head or cut their hair once a week or more.

Despite having a really good set of specs, the Philips Easy Reach are modestly priced and offer a tonne of value for money. There are two main functional elements that we have to highlight, the first being the twisting head. As the name suggests, the blades can be twisted 180 degrees in total which can provide a 90 degree angle left or right of the main handle. This makes a real difference when you are cutting your own hair as you can get to those awkward areas much more easily. The second element we wanted to highlight was the design of the main body itself. It has been designed in such a way that it really fits naturally into one hand and allows for a really comfortable grip.

There are 13 length settings to opt for in total and 2 attachment combs to choose from – both of which come supplied as standard. There is then a setting called ‘zoom’ which allows you to achieve a closer or longer cut. The closest cut is around 0.5mm so you won’t achieve a true bald cut but it it pretty close and for many this will suffice.

The blades are sharp and do a really good job all over with no stray hairs left at all. The blades are also self sharpening and so should last for years with good maintenance in a home setting. To clean these Philips clippers you simply remove the head and rinse under a tap. You can then brush and oil to ensure the blades are well lubricated.

Check Latest Price Of The Philips 180 Easy Reach

Mailiya Electric Shaver

The Mailiya skull shaver is perhaps the most cost effective shaver we have covered as it does so much more than just shaves the scalp. It may not be made by one of the household names and our only reservation perhaps is the longevity of this shaver – that being said, at this price it would be cost effective even if it only outlived the 12 month warranty by a few months which it is almost guaranteed to do.

Styled on the Skull Shaver Pitbull range, this 5-in-1 shaver features 5 rotary blades that can be used on the face as well as the scalp. The cut is not quite as smooth as you would find on the Skull Shaver range but it is still pretty close nonetheless and anyone looking for a neat shave that is close to bald will be happy enough with the performance of this electric shaver.

As you might expect, this versatile shaver is wireless and you can get 90 minutes of usage from a 2 hour charge thanks to the lithium ion battery. There is an LCD display on the unit that shows the remaining charge which is also very useful.

What you might not expect (given the low price point) is that the Mailiya is 100% waterproof and goes one further than the Skull Shaver with an IPX rating of 6. This means you can enjoy a wet shave or a dry shave and also use shaving products if you so wish. Cleaning this skull shaver is easy to do and you simply open up the housing for the rotary blades and brush them out.

The versatility is what sets this shaver apart from other cheap shavers and it has 4 additional attachments to the main rotary blades. There is an attachment for cutting nasal hair, a brush attachment for deep face cleansing, an exfoliating attachment and a standard clipper attachment which is great for getting those sharp lines. Considering you would pay £10 just for a nasal hair trimmer you can see the value in this product.

Overall, if you are on a tight budget and want something that is going to perform well then this is an excellent option.

Check Latest Price Of The Mailiya skull shaver

Remington RX5

If you are looking for the bald look then the Remington RX5 is an excellent choice that is a very close match for the Skull Shaver Pitbull range. It doesn’t have quite the battery boasting qualities of its rival but it has a similar design, is 100% waterproof and even has a couple of extra features that are omitted from the Pitbull range.

The RX5 offers one of the closest shaves of all the models we reviewed with a cut as close as 0.2mm. With five rotary blades the cutting coverage is excellent and you can shave your entire scalp in around 2-3 minutes. In addition to the 5 rotary blades there is a clipper that flips out and this is ideal for achieving straight edges for finishing.

The RX5 can be used for wet and dry shaving alike and its waterproof qualities also make it easy to clean between cuts as you can simply rinse it under the tap. Battery life lasts for around 50 minutes and although this is the shortest battery life of all the shavers we reviewed it is still ample for multiple cuts and even at 5 minutes per cut you are still going to get 10 weeks of once per week cuts. There are two LED lights that show the battery level and this works well to indicate when it is time for a recharge.

We found the RX5 a joy to use and it was one of the easiest to use skull shavers we used. The closeness of cut was welcome and it is really difficult to nick yourself when using these blades. Again, we would suggest using a good moisturiser after shaving with the RX5.

Remington are one of the most well known beauty and grooming brands in the UK and as such you know you are making a good investment when you buy their products and the RX5 will repay you several times over with continued usage.

Check Latest Price Of The Remington RX5

OriHea Electric Razor

The OriHea Electric Razor is very similar to the Mailiya model but does have a couple of distinct differences – much of which centres around the display and the comb attachments that allow for different lengths of cutting when using the clippers.

You get 5 rotary heads and the extra tools for nasal hair, face cleansing and exfoliation but in addition to the clipper you get comb attachments that allow you to cut at 3mm, 5mm and 7mm lengths. This does give a good degree of extra versatility for those who might need to cut at different lengths.

The OriHea is completely waterproof and has an IPX rating of 7 which means it will be absolutely fine to use in the shower and for rinsing to clean.

We found the closeness of cut to be almost as good as the Skull Shaver and Remington models but if you want the ultimate closeness of cut it is best to opt for those models. If you are okay with a small amount of hair then the OriHea is a decent choice.

You can expect 90 minutes of usage from the OriHea from a 2 hour charge and charging can be done via USB which makes this a good portable option.

Check Latest Price Of The OriHea Electric Razor

Electric Shaver Buying Guide

Now you have seen our top 7 picks you should have a good idea of the right head shaver for you. But don’t worry, if you are still struggling or are more confused than ever before we have you covered with our buying guide below.

We take a look at the most common questions and issues and try and unravel them for you.

Which are best – clippers, foil or rotary shavers?

This is a tricky question as each has their own benefits and pitfalls. Foil heads traditionally provided a closer shave but they are more prone to giving you nicks. We haven’t featured any foil shavers as we prefer rotary or clippers as the ones we have highlighted provide just as close a shave.

It is more of a personal choice between rotary blades and clippers. Clippers are more versatile as you can cut to different lengths but rotary shavers are generally easier to use – especially those that are battery operated like the ones we have displayed.

How close can you get with an electric head shaver?

There is no getting away from the fact that you cannot get as close a shave with an electric razor than you can with a blade and a wet shave. However, the practicalities of wet shaving daily or even bi-daily mean that for most it just isn’t practical and so electric head shavers are a good alternative. If you need the closest shave then opt for the Wahl 5 Star, Skull Shaver Pitbull or Remington RX5 models.

Is wet or dry shaving best with an electric shaver?

Again this is down to personal preference and some men just prefer wet shaving whereas others prefer dry. Wet shaves often provide a smoother finish and keep the skin moist when it needs it. Dry shaves are convenient and so long as you have a good after care regime and you apply good quality moisturiser then dry shaves are absolutely fine.

Are electric shavers good for bald heads?

We wouldn’t say electric shavers are good for bald heads, but they aren’t bad for them either. They do make bald heads look great though and as such we are huge advocates of electric head shavers.