Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
When you start losing your hair, you’re presented with a crossroads. You can either go down the hair-restoration route or you can jump the gun and go the route of famous dudes before you like Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and Mr. Clean and shave it all off. We support both decisions and would never tell you one is better than the other, but what we will say is that adopting the chrome-dome look is a bold move. It’s not for the faint of heart and we say: More power to you if that’s your vibe. In fact, many men adopt the look even if they’re not losing their hair. Talk about bold—and it certainly does cut down on your shampoo budget.
No matter your reasoning behind shaving your head, what you use to do it is the most important factor. Sure, you can take a razor and shaving cream to your scalp, but we’ve found that an electric head shaver is a much easier, more efficient, and frankly cleaner option when you’re shaving your head on the regular. These gadgets are like electric razors but specifically designed to be used on your head and have a variety of features that make shaving your scalp by yourself way easier. In many cases, once you get the hang of it, you don’t even need a mirror. Plus, they’re way easier (and cheaper) than heading to the barbershop for a shave every week or so.
There’s a variety of head shavers out there, from ultramodern, newfangled contraptions to tried-and-true barber favorites. We tested them all to bring you the very best for all kinds of heads, skill levels, and styles. So whether you’re considering shaving your skull for the first time or you’ve been on the chrome-dome level for years, trust us, there is a head shaver out there for you.
Pros
- Powerful 9,500 rpm motor
- Skin Safe blades are gentle on skin
- Has a chamber that catches clippings for easy cleanup
Cons
- Expensive compared to some other shavers
The thing we love about Manscaped tools is that they’re always designed with the user in mind and contain features and improvements that you didn’t even know you wanted. This is the case with the iconic Lawnmower body groomer and extends to this new head shaver as well. It features five rotary blade heads arranged on a curved pad that flexes to the shape of your head, so it’s gentle on your skin and protects your delicate dome from nicks and cuts, even when passing over bumps. The result is a baby-smooth shave, even on the back of your head. We especially like the ergonomic design, which lets you grip the base itself or the razor pad for precision and security when shaving. Plus, hidden inside the pad is a chamber that catches hair clippings, which makes cleanup after shaving a breeze (just pop open the chamber and rinse it under the faucet). It’s all powered by a powerful 9,500 rpm motor. Like many head shavers, it’s waterproof, so you can use it wet or dry and with or without shaving products. On top of all that, we love that the long-lasting battery is charged via USB-C cable instead of some weird proprietary charger, which cuts down on the amount of cords tangled in your bathroom drawers. Overall, this head shaver is the top of the line.
Number of Shaving Heads | 5 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | Yes |
Cordless | Yes |
Pros
- Multiple attachments including a precision trimmer
- Quick-charge option with USB cable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Travel case must be purchased separately
This head shaver is on the smaller side and fits effortlessly into the palm of your hand, allowing you to securely move it over the entirety of your head quickly and efficiently. There are five rotary heads that all feature ScalpSafe blades, designed to give you a close shave while preventing nicks, cuts, and irritation. And it’s true, we noted no post-shave irritation or cuts during the shaving process. In fact, it delivered one of the closest shaves in the shortest amount of time out of any other shavers on this list. We also appreciate the additional attachments, like the pre-shave cleansing brush and the precision clipper, though we felt that using the device on other parts of our face or body was a little awkward, since the base is well designed to use on your head but not so easy to use anywhere else. That’s okay, though, since this trimmer does what it needs to do and does it well.
Number of Shaving Heads | 5 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | Yes |
Cordless | Yes |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Designed for your hand to sit closer to your head
- 60 minutes of battery life
- Entire head pops off for easy cleaning
Cons
- Fewer blades
The best thing about this efficient, no-BS shaver is the way it brings you closer to the process. Your hand cups the shaver close to your head so you can feel every curve and cranny of your dome for easy shaving. What it lacks in flash it makes up for in ease of use and speed. Theoretically, you can also use it to shave all over your body, too, but as with most head shavers, we found that it’s a little awkward to use if you’re not shaving your scalp. But really, it only has one job and does it very well whether you shave wet or dry. There aren’t as many razor heads on this one as others on this list, but it’s still powerful enough to give you an ultra-close shave—it may just take a little bit longer. Compared to other shavers, however, we prefer the way this one is designed—with your hand closer to your scalp—which helps make the whole shaving process feel a little bit more intuitive.
Number of Shaving Heads | 4 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | Yes |
Cordless | Yes |
Pros
- Hair-capture chamber collects hair for easy cleanup
- Nonslip grip
- Multidirectional pivoting heads
Cons
- No additional attachments
- Some users say it needs to be recharged often
Like many head shavers, this one features five rotary shaving heads and an ergonomic base that’s designed to fit into the palm of your hand. It’s on the heftier side but also features a no-slip grip that we found helped make it feel more secure in our hands. The heft of it also contributes to the overall durability of the shaver, which some reviewers say they’ve been using for years without noticing any decrease in effectiveness. It’s also very easy to clean, with a chamber in the razor pad that catches hair, and the entire head of the device can be run under the faucet to clean it. That’s because it’s also waterproof, so if you like to shave in the shower or use products with your head shave, this one can handle both. Other features, like the pop-up trimmer, are nice but pretty standard when it comes to head shavers. Still, we love this one not only because it work very well but because it stays consistent—and really, what more can you ask for?
Number of Shaving Heads | 5 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | Yes |
Cordless | Yes |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- LED display with battery-life percentage
- 60-minute battery life
- Additional attachments
Cons
- Does not come with a case
This big-daddy head shaver has the most shaving heads out of any shaver on this list—seven!—which makes this the largest and arguably one of the most powerful out of all that we tried. Clearly designed with the adage “bigger is better” in mind, this monster shaver is able to cover a large amount of surface area in record time yet still delivers a close shave thanks to the gentle rotary blades. Surprisingly, the shaving pad (the surface that the heads are housed on) flexes and adjusts to the contour of your head very well, even with the extra blades. The way the heads are arranged, too, allows it to cover so much surface you may not even need to go back over the same area twice, unlike with some other head shavers. It can be slightly unwieldy at first, but once you get the hang of it, it works efficiently and can shave your entire head in record time.
Number of Shaving Heads | 7 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | Yes |
Cordless | Yes |
Pros
- Lots of professionals use it
- Long battery life
- Small size
Cons
- Can’t use products with it
- Foils need to be replaced often
You may have noticed your barber using this foil shaver when he does skin fades and cleans up your neck. It’s a barbershop classic, and has been for years, because it just works damn well. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles like what you’ll find on many of the other head shavers on this list, but it doesn’t need them. It gets the job done just as well as if not better than anything else out there. It’s a classic foil shaver and doesn’t move or contour to your head, but the size is small enough that you can hold it in your hand and we never had any issue with it missing spots, even on the curves of our dome. While it delivers an ultra-close shave on your head, and technically you can use it for other parts of your body, too, it may be too harsh to use on your face or neck (trust us, we’ve tried it). But if we’re talking about head-shaving prowess, this one is at the top of the heap.
Number of Shaving Heads | 2 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | No |
Cordless | No |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Multiple length options
- Can be used corded or cordless
- Extra-wide blade
Cons
- Does not give a skin-close shave
When it comes to head shaving, not everyone wants a smooth, shiny chrome dome. While most head shavers are designed to deliver a close shave, this one leaves a little bit of stubble. You can even adjust the length with the included length guards. It’s essentially a clipper that you hold in the palm of your hand. While the blades don’t move around the same way as with many of the other head shavers on this list, unlike your classic clipper, it is curved to accommodate the curves of your skull and give you a closer cut more easily. The palm-sized grip does make it easier to use on your own head (versus your traditional clipper) but since it’s single direction, it takes some getting used to (you can’t move it in circular motions, for instance, like with other head shavers). But if you’re looking for a clipper alternative for a stubble shave at home, this is a great option.
Number of Shaving Heads | 1 |
---|---|
Wet/Dry | No |
Cordless | Yes |
What to Consider
Number of shaving heads: Most head shavers you see out there will have multiple shaving heads. Theoretically, this allows the device to shave your head in less time and can help protect your scalp from nicks and cuts—plus they’re typically housed on a pad that is designed to flex to the contours of your skull. Multiple-head shavers are also typically easier to use. However, there are plenty of shavers out there with one or two heads that can be just as effective. The benefit is that these types of shavers may be able to cut different lengths apart from just a close shave. What you choose depends on your experience, your comfort level, and the finished look you’re after.
Wet/Dry: Many guys like to shave their heads in the shower and/or use shaving products like creams or gels. If that’s you, you need a shaver that has wet/dry capabilities. That means it’s waterproof and will still work in the shower. We’re not going to say dry or wet shaving is better than the other since it’s mostly a personal preference (though dry shaving is typically faster and wet shaving means less potential cleanup).
Cordless vs. Corded: Most head shavers these days are cordless to allow for easier use (you don’t have to worry about a cord getting in the way of your cutting). We recommend cordless devices not just because they’re easier to use but because they’re also easier to travel with.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
How We Chose
Apart from polling barbers and other hair-care expert for their recommendations, we scoured the Internet for reviews, user information, and more. In addition to testing the shavers ourselves, we enlisted shaved-head men to road-test them and weigh in on their favorites. After compiling everything, especially taking our own firsthand usage into account, we were able to confidently create this list.
Why Trust Us
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to hair care and tools, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting products that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. Our grooming editor, Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years test-driving hundreds of hair-care products and grooming gadgets, and we are confident that these are the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that everyone’s skin is different, no two men are the same, and what works for you may not work for everyone else. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.