Whether you’re already buzzing your head and looking to change up your hardware, or considering shaving your head for the first time, you’re in the right place.
This list breaks down the best electric shavers for shaving your head based on a number of factors, from closeness of shave to battery life and everything in between.
The recommendations below are all from men who have actually used the products to shave their heads. To compile the list, I asked my buzz-cut buddies which electric shaver they use to shave their heads, and why they like it.
I also reached out to some online communities I’m active in, where other bald men shared their experiences of using their favorite electric shavers.
Below you’ll find honest reviews of a variety of tools, all tested and recommended by real people who have used them to shave their heads. There are also links to each one so you can try them yourself.
What to look for in an electric shaver
Blades/cutting system
Look for an electric shaver that uses a rotary cutting system or foil blades.
With a rotary cutting system, you can shave a larger area like the scalp more efficiently, whereas when shaving your face you need a little more precision in smaller, trickier areas. Rotary blades are also better at cutting through the coarse hair at the back and sides of the head.
With a foil shaver, the blade is covered by a thin, perforated metal foil that guides the hair towards the blades. This gives a smoother, closer shave than other cutting systems that can push the hair flat.
Head flexibility
A pivoting or flexible head will work better with the contours of your scalp. If you’ve ever tried to shave your head with a beard trimmer, you’ll know all about the scratches that are left on your head afterward – not pretty.
Battery life
There’s nothing worse than your battery dying when you have half a shaved head (or a reverse mohawk with a strip shaved down the middle).
Yes, you can plug in, but the charging cable is going to get in the way when you’re reaching around the back of your head. It also limits your range, so if your mirror is miles from your outlet, you’re screwed.
Wet/dry functionality
A wet/dry shaver can be used with shaving cream or gel for a closer shave, and to reduce irritation. Some electric head shavers with wet/dry capability can even be used in the shower.
Noise level
Not a massive consideration, but all else being equal, the quieter the better when shaving close to your ears.
Electric shavers for shaving your head: compared
| Model & Link | Price (at time of writing) | Battery life (mins) | Cutting system | Head flexibility | Wet/dry capability? | Noise level |
| Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum | $199.98 | 90 | Rotary | Good | Yes | Quiet |
| Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver | $89.97 | 30 | Rotary | Good | Yes | Quiet |
| Braun Series 9 Pro 9465cc | $322.00 | 60 | Foil | Good | Yes | Medium |
| Remington Balder Pro | $56.99 | 50 | Rotary | Good | Yes | Loud |
| Andis Foil Shaver 17200 | $65.00 | 80 | Foil | None | No | Loud |
| Wahl Professional 5-Star Finale | $80.23 | 90 | Foil | None | No | Loud |
Best electric shaver for shaving head: Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum
Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum PRO
- Wet & dry shaving
- 90 seconds and done
- Flexible shaving heads
- Cordless use up to 90 mins
Recommended by David Davey:
“I have an electric Pitbull head shaver which I tend to use when I don’t want to take the time to do a wet shave.”
“It does a pretty decent job, to be honest. Visually you can’t tell the difference between the Pitbull and a wet shave, but if you run your hand over your head you will feel the very short hairs just poking above the scalp.”
“I tried a cheaper one and it broke in a day, but the Pitbull is still going strong. Worked exactly as advertised.”
The Pitbull is a 4d rotary shaver that gives an impressively close shave, but crucially it can be used for wet or dry shaving and is much quieter than the Andis Profoil. For this reason, it just wins over the Andis as my overall best electric shaver for head shaving.
I’ve recommended the Platinum model purely for the extra battery life. Here are the extras you’ll get if you decide to upgrade:
The Pitbull Gold and Platinum come with the regular Forte blade. The Pitbull Silver comes with a Carver blade which is specially designed for coarse or thick hair.
The Pitbull Platinum has all the same features of Pitbull Gold, PLUS a wash indicator, a travel lock function, a premium travel case, and Platinum rinse stand.
As you can see, the Gold isn’t much of an upgrade on the Silver, while the extras that come with the Pitbull Platinum (like the travel case) are nice-to-haves. It’s the extra hour of battery life on the Platinum that is the difference-maker.
The other feature that is tempting with the Platinum is the extended two-year warranty, while the Pitbull Silver and Gold only come with a one-year warranty. If you’re looking for peace of mind and don’t mind paying the additional cost, the Platinum is an excellent piece of kit.
However, if you have thicker, coarse hair or just want to save a little money, go for the Silver:
Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO
- Wet & dry shaving
- 90 seconds and done
- Flexible shaving heads
- Cordless use up to 30 mins
The Pitbull Silver is around $100 cheaper than the Platinum model at the time of writing, but you will need to keep on top of charging if you go for this option.
Best high-end electric shaver for shaving head: Braun Series 9 Pro
Braun Series 9 Pro 9465cc
- Redesigned precision switch to lock the head and capture tricky hair, for unparalleled precision and control.
- 100% waterproof and can be used with foam, gel, or even under the shower.
- Flexible new ProHead
- Braun’s unique Sonic Technology helps to shave up to 10% faster
- Made in Germany & designed to last 7 years
Recommended by u/Traditional-Pilot-77 on Reddit:
“While it’s not comparable to a safety razor, it comes pretty damn close.
“The shave itself is very comfortable, no need for much prep and I don’t end up with any irritation or razor bumps at all and it looks very fresh.
“I can also shave every day with utmost comfort and ease. I always wanted to maintain the shaved look, but with the safety razor I had to wait 2 or 3 days to shave again otherwise I’d get really bad irritation and a very uncomfortable shave.”
This is the most expensive electric shaver on the list, but if you’re happy to shell out north of $300 (at time of writing) for a head shaver, the Series 9 Pro is a good option.
Unlike the Andis (see below), it does have wet/dry shave functionality, as well as a flexible head which is a welcome addition for a foil shaver.
The battery life isn’t as good as the Pitbull Platinum, but at 60 minutes with a 5-minute quick charge option, it gives you enough juice for even the most careful head shave.
Best foil shaver for head shaving: Andis Profoil 17200
Andis Profoil 17200
- Staggered head shaver blades for a closer shave
- Great for finishing fades & removing stubble
- Lithium-ion battery provides maximum power
Recommended by Ben Hsu and Joel Costigan:
“When I went to a barber for the first time, this is what they used, so I was intrigued.
“I bought one, tried other products and styles along the way, but always came back to the foil shaver. It’s smooth and quick, and no cuts. I shave my head every 2 days in less than 5 mins, and it is as smooth as if I am using a straight razor.
“And you don’t need to push down too hard, although I suggest purchasing a two-pack of replaceable heads in case you bend/tear the foil from being too rough.”
I asked Joel how close a shave he got when shaving his head with the Andis Profoil:
“Pretty darn close if you go against the grain. Smooth enough that my winter hat slips off if I tilt my head.”
Joel’s review was backed up by Ben Hsu (using the 17150 model):
“I have used other electric razors and the Andis foil shaver works the best for me. It shaves really close without a lot of irritation. I can usually shave my whole head with it in a few minutes.”
Note that the 17200 and 17150 are very similar shavers, but the 17200 is an updated model. It features a black rubber sleeve for better grip and a charging stand, whereas the 17150 is only chargeable via cable.
I had the chance to try out the Andis Profoil, and the rubber sleeve makes it very comfortable to hold while you shave. The real selling point is the closeness of the shave, as described above.
Some foil shavers can’t be used for wet shaving, but if you’re happy with this then the only real downside is the noise. They’re loud shavers, but if you can tolerate a little noise for a smooth scalp, this is the electric shaver for you.
Other recommendations:
Here are some other electric shavers that came highly recommended for shaving your head:
Remington Balder Pro
Remington Balder Pro
- 100% waterproof for wet/dry shaving capability
- Multidirectional pivoting head for a close, smooth shave
- Hair capture chamber for easy disposal and cleanup
- Great budget option
Recommended by Cheryl Lewis:
“After using my Remington Balder Pro for the last couple of months, I have to say that I’m so glad I invested and switched from standard clippers.
“It’s easier to use than unguarded clippers, cuts the hair much closer, and is comfortable to hold. It’s also significantly quicker. I can now shave my whole head in just a couple of minutes. My one slight complaint is that it’s a little loud, but that just means I don’t use it when people are sleeping nearby!
“Top tip: Using the Balder Pro as recommended (all the blades on your head) gets a very close cut with barely-visible hair. But, if you slightly tilt the shaver (so only two blades are touching your head, at an angle) it’ll take slightly longer for full coverage, but you’ll have totally smooth and completely hair-free skin!
The Balder Pro is the best budget option on the list. It’s one of the louder models, but for a very reasonable price, you get wet/dry shaving, pivoting heads, and a respectable 50 minutes of battery time.
Wahl 5-Star Finale
Wahl Professional 5-Star Finale
- 90+ minute shaving time
- Designed for shaving, blending, and fading on the face, neck, and head
- Provides a bump-free, ultra-close shave
Recommended by u/baldsurferdude on Reddit:
Decided to invest in the same shaver that my barber uses when I get my high bald fades – the Wahl 5-Star Finale. It’s the closest electric shave I’ve ever been able to get. It’s a little loud, but that’s because it’s really powerful. I can shave my entire head smooth in under five minutes. HIGHLY recommended.
How to shave your head with an electric shaver
Step one: Make sure your shaver is charged or plugged in
The last thing you want is to run out of juice halfway through a head shave.
If you can plug in that’s fine, but ideally you’ll have a full charge to play with so you don’t have to worry about the cable getting in your way.
Step two: Trim any long hair with scissors or clippers
If you’re already buzzed down pretty short you can skip this step, but if not, step one is even more important. Don’t hack away at your hair with scissors until you’re sure you can quickly shave it down with a fully-charged electric shaver!
If you try to use an electric shaver to shave your head when your hair has any real length to it, you’re going to have a bad time. The hair gets caught in the blades and the result is painful tugging and damage to both hair and shaver.
Step three: Wet your head with warm water to soften the hair
A shower before shaving is ideal here, but not as crucial as when wet-shaving your head with a razor. It’s a good idea if you have sensitive skin or you sometimes get razor bumps on the back of your head.
The warm water will soften up the hairs and make life easier for your shaver. If your shaver has wet/dry capability you can stay in the shower, but if not be sure to dry off quickly and start shaving as soon as you can before the effect wears off.
Step four: Start shaving, going against the direction of hair growth
Shave against the grain for a closer shave, but take care. Bear in mind that if your scalp is sensitive or not used to being shaved, you may end up with some irritation.
Use your free hand as a guide, and pull the scalp tight to give your shaver easy access to all areas of your head.
Step five: Rinse your head with cool water and dry with a towel
You’ll need to make sure your head is clean and free from any shavings, otherwise you’ll experience a lot of itching afterward.
Step six: Apply moisturizer or oil to soothe the skin
When your scalp is completely clean and dry, use a good-quality moisturizer or oil for a bald head to soothe any irritation.
Here is my recommendation for the best moisturizer for a shaved head.
How to clean an electric shaver head
- Turn off the shaver and unplug it from the power source.
- Remove the shaver head: Depending on the model, you may need to press a release button or twist the head to remove it.
- Rinse the head under running water: This will remove any hair or debris that has accumulated on the blades. (Not all electric shavers are waterproof and can be cleaned under running water. It is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications to determine if your shaver is waterproof. If yours is not waterproof, skip this step)
- Clean the head with a brush: Use a small brush, such as a toothbrush, to clean the blades and remove any remaining hair or debris.
- Dry the head completely: Shake off any excess water and use a dry cloth to wipe the blades.
- Reattach the head to the shaver.
It is recommended to clean the shaver head after each use to maintain optimal performance and extend its lifespan.
FAQs
Shaving your head with an electric shaver is fine if you cut the hair short first to avoid it getting caught in the blades. Some electric shavers aren’t recommended for head shaving. While most will do the job, it’s better to use a specialist electric shaver for head shaving.
It is possible to shave your head bald with an electric shaver, but there is no electric option that will shave as close as a razor blade. For the closest possible shave, choose a good quality foil shaver, which will stand the hairs up for a very close shave.
If you want to shave your head completely bald, a razor is best. The best razor will shave shorter than the best electric shaver. However, there are electric shavers that provide an extremely close shave, and using an electric shaver is generally quicker, easier, and more convenient.
A wet shave with an electric shaver will create a smoother finish, but if you want a quick shave then many electric shavers will dry shave short enough. If you go for the wet shave option, make sure the shaver you choose has wet/dry capability first.
You can shave your head every day with an electric shaver. Unless you have a sensitive scalp, you’ll experience far less irritation with an electric shave than with a razor blade, which can cause a lot of irritation and razor bumps if used daily without careful maintenance.
To shave the back of your head, use your free hand as a guide for your electric shaver. Feel for the longer hair and pass the shaver over again where you feel any fuzz. Run your hands over the back of your head to make sure your shave is even.
You can get an extremely close shave with an electric shaver, especially the Skull Shaver Pitbull series or foil shavers like the Andis Profoil. While these models provide a relatively smooth finish, only a wet shave with a good-quality razor will shave your head completely bald.
For optimal performance, change your electric shaver head once every 12 to 18 months. You can extend the life of your shaver by keeping it clean, storing it in a dry place, and protecting the blades by using shaving oil to reduce friction while shaving.
Summary
If you want to know how to look good bald, start by using the right tools for the job.
I recommend the Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum as the best electric shaver for shaving your head:
Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum PRO
- Wet & dry shaving
- 90 seconds and done
- Flexible shaving heads
- Cordless use up to 90 mins
The Platinum model only wins out over the Silver model because of the far superior battery life. So if you want to save a few bucks and you can remember to charge it regularly, pick the Pitbull Silver instead:
Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO
- Wet & dry shaving
- 90 seconds and done
- Flexible shaving heads
- Cordless use up to 30 mins
If you want to check what you’ll look like with your newly shaved head before you shell out on the tools of the trade, this might help: How to see what I would look like bald
Or, if you’re ready to progress to a blade for an even closer shave, check out my recommendation for the best razor for shaving your head bald.
Finally, remember that shaving is just the start. You’ll need to invest in other items to keep your head looking good, so check out this list of products for bald heads.
