Top 6 Best Razors For Shaving Your Head (2024 Buyers Guide)

(Last updated June 2023)

When people look for a razor for head shaving, they’re usually already wet-shaving their heads and looking for the best option for their specific needs, or curious about moving from a buzz to a clean shave.

This list breaks down the best razors for shaving your head bald based on a number of factors, from closeness of shave to ease of handling and everything in between.

I’ve been shaving my head for nearly 20 years and I’ve personally tested as many razors as possible to produce a list of the best razors for head shaving based on what’s important to different types of people.

Quick comparison

Razor	Link to Buy	Best For:	Blades	Closeness of shave	Ease of Handling	Head Flexibility	Moisturizing Strip
The Leaf Razor	Click here	Best overall / best safety razor	Max 3	Excellent	Fair	Good	No
Fusion5 ProGlide Shield	Click here	Best under $30	5	Good	Good	Excellent	Yes
Schick Hydro Sensitive Razor	Click here	Sensitive scalps	5	Fair	Good	Excellent	Yes
HeadBlade Moto	Click here	Best design (easy to handle)	4	Fair	Excellent	Good	Yes
BIC Flex 3	Click here	Best disposable	3	Good	Good	Excellent	Yes
Harry's Truman Razor	Click here	Blades subscription	5	Good	Excellent	Good	Yes

Best overall / closest shave / best safety razor: The Leaf Razor

The Leaf Razor has become my go-to head-shaving razor since I started using it a few months ago.

It’s the world’s first multi-blade pivoting head safety razor, and GQ actually named it the most innovative shaving razor of 2021.

Even better, if you click the link above and buy via the official site, you can get 10% off with the code HAPPY10.

As soon as I tried the Leaf, I was convinced this was the razor for me. I got the smoothest shave I’ve ever had, and I did it with minimal passes.

This proves to me that the blades are really good quality, which is really all you need. As long as a razor gives me a shave this close, I don’t really care if it has one blade or ten, and I definitely don’t need it to vibrate!

Pros

1. Closeness

I get the smoothest shave I’ve ever had using the Leaf. My head is always completely smooth, with absolutely no stubble remaining whatsoever.

The blades feel like they’re super sharp and great quality, but there were no cuts or irritation. I usually have to go over the edge of the horseshoe area where my hair still grows quite thick, but with the Leaf, this area was smooth first time.

2. Comfort:

Despite the handle being heavy it’s a really comfortable shave. At times I wondered whether I had the angle wrong, because I couldn’t feel much ‘scraping’ even when shaving against the grain.

Then I ran a hand over where I’d shaved and sure enough, it was super smooth.

3. No irritation:

The acid test of a good-quality razor is when you step back under the shower to rinse. Sometimes you have to brace yourself for a sting when the water hits any little nicks or where there’s irritation.

This time there was none, which was a really pleasant change.

When you’ve been shaving your head for as long as I have, you can just go right in and shave against the grain, but if you’re new to wet shaving (maybe you’ve been using one of the leading electric head shavers) your scalp won’t be used to that.

Instead, you should do one pass in the direction your hair grows before thinking about shaving against the grain, or you’ll really see a lot more redness and irritation.

4. Eco-friendliness:

I was used to plastic razors, but the fact this one is completely plastic-free and I know I’m helping the planet as well as getting a great shave is fantastic.

Cons

1. Weight:

The first thing you notice about the Leaf is the weight. If, like me, you’re used to razors made of plastic & rubber, it might just catch you out.

Because it’s made of metal it’s much heavier, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just meant that I had to go slower and be more careful while I got used to the weight.

2. Price:

Unfortunately, the Leaf isn’t the cheapest. If you’re on a budget you might want to check out the next recommendation:

Best under $20: Gillette ProGlide Shield

Our budget option is the razor recommended by Gillette themselves for head shaving: 

Pros

1. Design:

The ProGlide Shield has a FlexBall handle that pivots left and right. This helps the blades maintain contact with the scalp over the contours of the skull, resulting in a closer shave. 

Additional design features include the thick handle with large, rubber treads that provide a good grip, even when shaving in the shower​.

2. Precision:

The razor comes with a precision trimmer on the back for edging and detailing that allows you to easily trim and reach difficult areas​ like around the top of the ears, where I often end up with tiny, annoying cuts.

3. Reduced irritation:

The ProGlide Shield technology with its lubrication strips before and after the blades reduces skin irritation and creates a protective barrier between the razor and your skin​. This means you’re less likely to end up with a sore, blotchy scalp.

4. Quality:

The blades are designed to be long-lasting, which means the Fusion5 ProGlide Shield is kind on your pocket as they don’t need to be changed frequently​.

5. Extra features:

The razor has a battery-powered vibration feature which provides a smoother shave​, if the science is to be trusted. Who am I to argue!

The ProGlide Shield also has rubber microfins and a plastic comb to prepare the skin and any remaining hair for the blades. The microfins pull the scalp tight before the razor passes over it, while the comb guides stubble to the blades for a closer and more even shave​.

Cons

1. Longevity:

While the blades last a long time, the lubricant strips can wear off quickly and even peel off on the scalp.

This is less of an issue if you use a good shaving cream or pre-shave oil rather than relying on the strips to lubricate your head. However, if you have a sensitive scalp and need the extra protection, scroll to the next option:

Best for sensitive scalps: Schick Hydro Sensitive Razor

Pros

1. Smooth first time:

One of the best razors on the market, the Schick Hydro is especially suitable for those with sensitive scalps as it gives a smooth shave without having to shave over the same area time and time again.

Many people don’t realize that with every stroke of a razor, you’re not only removing hair but a layer of dead skin cells, too.

The more blades that are stripping away at the skin with each stroke, and the more strokes in total, the more new skin is being exposed.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, the new skin underneath will be more red and sore every time you scrape your razor over it, which will inflame and irritate your scalp.

So the fact that the Schick Hydro gives such a close shave with minimal strokes is a massive plus. The razor has skin guards on all 5 blades for extra protection against irritation.

2. Lubrication:

The Hydro has a wide lubrication strip that preps and protects the skin with every stroke of the razor. Again, this makes for a smoother shave and reduces irritation of a sensitive scalp.

This strip comes in the form of gel pools that contain aloe & Pro-Vitamin B5, which soothe and hydrate your scalp while you shave to deliver maximum comfort.

Cons

1.  Design:

Schick have tried to add one too many features, specifically the pivoting handle, which they’ve called ‘Shock Absorb Technology’.

It’s designed to provide the flexibility that all good razors have, adapting to the curves of your face. In fact, it kind of gets in the way and makes it difficult to apply a consistent level of pressure while shaving, which means the smoothness of your scalp ends up being uneven.

The razor is capable of a very close finish, but this design quirk makes it tricky to make this consistent all over the scalp. If you’re someone who values an easy shave, this probably isn’t the razor for you.

2. Quality:

This refers specifically to the lubrication strip. To be fair, it does its job of protecting the scalp and giving a smooth shave, but flakes away as you’re shaving. You can be left with bits of the lubricant on your scalp which needs to be rinsed away before continuing the shave.

3. Safety:

The flip-back trimmer is meant for detail and to offer more precise shaving. The problem is that to use it, you have to handle the area near the blades and you could easily cut yourself while opening up this part of the razor.

If you’re a clumsy oaf like me, you might want to give the Hydro a miss for that reason alone and choose something easier to handle, like the next one on the list:

Best design / easiest to handle: HeadBlade Moto

Pros

1. Ergonomics:

HeadBlade has designed this razor to be the easiest to handle of all head-shaving razors on the market.

They’ve definitely succeeded in this area. As the razor fastens to your finger and sits inside your palm, the action of shaving your head is as natural as rubbing your hand over your head.

This is a huge plus point if you’re new to shaving your head. It can feel really awkward to shave the back of your head with a regular razor. It takes time to get used to holding the handle of a razor at the correct angle to get a good shave and not cut yourself in the process.

No such concerns here, so if you’re a beginner I can’t recommend this razor enough. It’s a brilliant introduction to wet-shaving your head and you’ll only need to progress to something more premium once you know you’ll be shaving with a blade for the long term.

2. Price:

Following on from the point above, at around $15 the Moto is the ideal razor to test the waters of wet-shaving your head. If you’ve just started and you’re not 100% sold on the idea of shaving your head with a blade, then don’t spend $50, $100 or even $200 on a top-of-the-line razor.

Instead, the more than reasonable shave you get from the very reasonably priced Moto should be enough to help you decide whether you want to carry on wet shaving for years to come.

And if not, you’ve only spent $15 instead of $150.

3. Design:

The unique additional features that the Moto offers aren’t just there to look good (although I do think it looks good, like a mini snowmobile gliding over my skull!).

For example, the rollerball acts as a guide for the blade to travel over your scalp, as opposed to the earlier ATX model that had actual wheels. There are even vents in the casing at the side of the ball to allow it to be rinsed. They’ve truly thought of everything.

Cons

1. Smoothness:

As a veteran head shaver, my main complaint is the closeness of the shave. However, the Moto gives a more-than-reasonable shave for a more-than-reasonable price.

As mentioned above, it’s a great entry-level razor but once you’re convinced that wet shaving is for you, you can graduate to the Leaf razor for the closest possible shave.

2. Irritation:

The Moto doesn’t quite pass the rinse test. When I step back under the shower after shaving with this model, there is a slight sting.

This is true of 99% of razors out there, but those with sensitive scalps might want to go straight for the Schick Hydro (see above).

Best disposable razor: BIC Flex 3

Pros

1. Closeness

The Flex 3 gives a closer shave than most disposable razors, although not as close as others on this list.

If you want the absolute best shave you’ll need to go more premium, but after a few passes with the razor the Flex 3 gives a very smooth finish.

2. Design

The Flex 3 comes with a pivoting head and an ergonomic handle featuring a convenient anti-slip grip.

This sounds like a standard razor description but it actually does make the razor easier to hold on to and gives extra control as you shave.

It’s not the closest shave of any razor on this list, you’ll need to trade up to the Leaf razor (see above) for the absolute best.

But, if the convenience of a disposable razor is your priority, the Flex 3 is a good option as you can just throw it away and start again when the blades inevitably lose their sharpness (see below).

Cons

1. Comfort

While the Flex 3 gives a close shave, I found that it wasn’t the most comfortable.

It felt a little ‘scratchy’ and the slightly odd design of the head meant it was tricky to find the right angle at which to shave.

2. Blade quality:

The Flex 3 blades’ performance seems to decline quickly, even for a disposable. You’ll get 2-3 really good quality shaves with a close finish, then the blades start to blunt.

This increases the risk of scalp irritation and means you’ll have to remember to buy a new one more often.

If you’re the forgetful type and you don’t think you’ll remember to buy a new razor often enough, I’d recommend a razor with a blades subscription. Next, I’ve recommended the subscription service I happily used for years:

Best blades subscription: Harry’s

Pros

1. Convenience:

My regular delivery from Harry’s would arrive every three months through the mail, and this subscription model is a blessing for someone like me who tends to forget to buy new blades otherwise.

2. Flexibility:

Harry’s delivers 8 blades every couple of months, but if (like me) you forget to change them often enough and end up with a surplus of blades, you can just move your next delivery date back to whenever suits you. Harry’s then adjusts the billing date accordingly!

3. Ergonomics:

The rubber handle with its weighted core makes the razor really easy to hold onto, which was a blessing when I was shaving those awkward spots around the back of my head. If you’re a dropper, the Truman razor might be the best option for you!

4. Customer service:

I’ve always found Harry’s to be an excellent company to deal with. When my razor handle got a little worse-for-wear (see below) I emailed them and they responded quickly and replaced it free of charge.

5. Cruelty-free:

Finally, according to crueltyfreekitty.com Harry’s has confirmed that it is a cruelty-free brand: “They don’t test finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or any third-parties. They also don’t sell their products where animal testing is required by law.”

Cons

1. Design:

I used to cut myself frequently on the fold between my scalp and the top of my ear, until I realized that Harry’s razors have an edging blade on the back for precision shaving(!)

I’m not sure how I didn’t notice, and to be fair the extra blade is ideal for fine-tuning the sideburns, but even knowing it was there I often nicked that tricky area around my ears.

2. Material:

My other gripe with Harry’s is that replacement handles aren’t part of the package. When the handle of my Truman razor grew black mold in the engraved lettering, they happily replaced it as a ‘one-off’ so it seems like they’re aware of the problem.

If you keep your razor in the shower, this is likely to happen to you over time, but if you keep it in a dry place it’s probably not an issue for you.

3. Not recommended for head shaving:

Harry’s say on their website that their razors are designed for the face, not the head. I ignored this for years and was pretty happy, but this probably explains the issues with the edging blade catching my ears and the closeness of the shave.

I asked Harry’s on Facebook for confirmation of exactly why they don’t recommend their razors for head shaving. Here was their reply:

“The reason why is because the Blades are specifically designed with the shape of the face in mind and we can’t guarantee the same experience for your head. Additionally, there is a Trimmer Blade on the top of the cartridge that if you’re not careful with or not looking where you’re shaving can lead to nicks.”

The point about the trimmer blade definitely matches the experience I had using their razors, with my ears taking most of the accidental cuts from this additional feature which is great for the face, but not ideal for head shaving if you’re not aware of it!

(These cons were enough for me to switch away after years of loyal use, so if you’re an experienced head shaver looking for something a little more premium and you can remember to order new blades, take a look at the Leaf razor recommended above).

Summary

For me, the decision of which razor to recommend for head shaving is an easy one. The Leaf Razor gives easily the closest shave I’ve ever had, and that’s what’s important to me.

However, it is pricey at around $80, so if you’re just getting started with head shaving I’d go for the much more reasonable HeadBlade Moto at around $15. If you just need a bargain, the Fusion5 ProGlide Shield comes in as the best razor under $30, blades included.

The trade-off with the Moto is that the shave isn’t quite as close. It also irritated my scalp just slightly, so if you have sensitive skin then choose the Schick Hydro instead, which is designed to reduce irritation.

For the convenience of not having to remember to order your blades every month, I had a great experience as a Harry’s subscriber.

If none of the above appeal to you but you still want to shave your head, maybe an electric shaver might be more your thing? There are a number of pros and cons for both electric shavers and razors for shaving your head, and it depends on what’s most important to you.

Did I miss your favorite razor? Let me know which you use and why in the comments below!