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Best Electric Head Shaver for Men – Top 7 Smoothest Review For December, 2024
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Men who start to lose their hair or see the first signs of grey – or just envy the look of guys with shaved heads – all say the same thing about their hair: “It’d be simpler just to shave it all off.”
Shaving Your Head Properly Requires the Right Head Shaver
Shaving your head can be a challenging task, especially if you are new to it. It requires experience and skill to comfortably maneuver an electric head shaver around your scalp, and it can be difficult to see and reach all the areas you need to shave. It can be a frustrating task for most people unless you have the right equipment specifically designed for shaving your head like an electric head shaver.
For those who have difficulty with coordination, using a manual or straight razor can be a difficult task and even cause injury. Additionally, standard electric razors are not designed to handle the longer hair typically found on the top of the head, making it challenging for individuals to find an appropriate electric shaver.
With the advances in technology, modern personal grooming has become an art. There are now more options for shaving equipment and products than ever before. When looking for the best electric head shaver, it’s important to carefully consider your individual needs and preferences to select a suitable product.
Are you searching for the best way to shave your head? The right equipment for shaving a bald head can be hard to find. To assist you, we have compiled a list of the top 7 electric head shavers on the market.
Are Foil Shavers Better Than Rotary?
You can choose between foil electric shavers and rotary electric shavers from the market. But the choice is not easy. As you may know, foil electric shavers come with oscillating blades along with a foil on top. On the other hand, a rotary electric shaver consists of three circular heads.
These heads will spin internally, and the force is used to remove hair. However, both these systems have their fair share of advantages.
For instance, foil shavers are better than rotary shavers if you want the smoothest shaving experience. You can also benefit from the increased precision and get straight lines.
In the end, your face will have a completely bald look. It is also the recommended choice if you shave every single day and have not-so-rough facial hair.
On the other hand, rotary shavers are the best for those who have rough skin. Because of the three spinning heads under the hood, rotary shavers can remove a bulk of hair with minimal effort. In addition, you can easily navigate the electric shaver and remove hair from your neck and other difficult-to-reach areas. In short, you can pick a rotary shaver if you have massive facial hair growth.
What is The Most Popular Electric Shaver?
Having an electric shaver in your grooming kit isn’t enough; you will undoubtedly need a high-quality shaver that can stay with your grooming journey almost every day.
Philips Norelco QC5580/40
The most popular electric shaver undoubtedly has to be the Philips Norelco QC5580/40. This cordless shaver gives you excellent shave or trims according to your choice. The various combs allow you to cut your hair to any desired length without any mess or fuss.
Panasonic Arc3 ES-RT97-S
If you are looking for another brand that does the job of shaving or trimming your beard and head, then look no further as Panasonic Arc3 ES-RT97-S dominates the market for its versatility and power.
Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro Generation
The most popular electric shaver for rocking the bald look is no other than the Pitbull Skull Shaver Gold Pro Generation. Its innovative design makes shaving your head and beard an effortless job. You are bound to get the closest shave without any nicks or cuts. It is straightforward to grip, clean, use, and charge. This shaver wins people’s hearts because of its flawless functionality.
Best Head Shaver for Men – Top 7 Reviews For [insert_php]echo date(‘Y’);[/insert_php]
1. Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro
The Groom+Style Team had a very difficult time deciding which electric head shavers should list at #1 and #2 because our two top choices have very different qualities.
This Philips Norelco model makes it to the top of our rankings for three reasons: its unique head design, its ability to trim longer hair before the balder attachment gets your head nice and shiny and its reasonable price.
The most interesting of the three features is the rotating head of the “Do-It-Yourself”, which moves easily through 180 degrees. It eases the difficulties of shaving yourself with a standard a non-rotating head.
Using the head is simple; all you need to do is to select the angle that works best for you. This will make shaving in the hard to reach areas like the neck, and sides of the head more accessible. In addition, it makes shaving the beard, jawline, and chin easier. You simply rotate the head to select the angle at which you’d like to shave and the head will stay flat to the scalp or skin, making it a snap to reach and shave everything from the sides of your head to your neckline – without having to do contortions to reach everywhere.
No competitor offers this sort of convenient operation.
There’s a dial on the head which allows you to choose more than two dozen different lengths for your trim (from zero to 5/8 inch) before moving on to the balding tool (of course, you can also just stay with a buzz or close cut without a complete shave).
The trimming function on the QC5580 is the best of any electric head shavers we’ve seen. Use the trimmer first, to shorten the hair before switching to the balder. The balder shaves very close to the skin, giving a smooth finish. This versatility makes this shaver indispensable. The blades have rounded edges, to minimize cuts, and for a smoother, more even shave. There are also two attachment combs, one for longer hair lengths and one for precision work.
The actual shave is where the Norelco falls just a bit short of the mark set by our #2 choice. The balding attachment is a foil shaver rather than a rotary one, and we’ve found that rotary is a better choice for getting the completely bald look on the head in a lot less time. This shaver requires several passes and some strong pressure to completely remove all short hairs and stubble from an area – which can mean more irritation or razor burn on your scalp than a rotary shaver. Don’t get us wrong; the shave isn’t bad at all, it’s just not as clean as the next razor on our list.
This Phillips comes with a Lithium-Ion battery. It is good for one hour of use, after 60 minutes of charging. You may use it with, or without the power cord, for more portability. The shaver has a battery level indicator; a white light for a full charge, and an orange light for low battery. This is important in case you are shaving far from a power source.
Also, it is compatible with all voltages worldwide. This is very convenient while traveling since you will not require an adapter. The Phillips QC5580 comes with a small handheld mirror to help you reach those hard to shave spots. The whole package comes in a handy storage pouch.
The QC5580 has a nice feel in the hand thanks to its rubber grip, it’s easy to clean under the tap, doesn’t require lubrication and has self-sharpening stainless steel blades.
We give it an “A” for convenience, design, and versatility (it works well as a beard trimmer as well as a hair trimmer); if we didn’t have to give it a “B” for the actual balding function, this would be the perfect unit. Note: the QC5560/40 model only has the trimmer and does not come with the shaver attachment – so make sure you buy the QC5580. Specifications of the Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro:
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2. Skull Shaver Pitbull Generation
Note: If you are interested in buying a Skull Shaver, please focus on the Pitbull range – it is the latest generation of skull shaver with improved production quality and build. There is a Silver, Gold or Platinum – G+S would recommend the Gold.
You’ve probably guessed from our description of the Norelco Philips that our #2 choice, the Skull Shaver, does a better job on the actual shave but isn’t as versatile overall. We don’t mean to imply in any way that you can’t compensate for the shortcomings; as you can purchase a hair trimmer attachment that fits this unit which will let you trim your hair down to the point where it’s ready for a shave. But if you want to use this shaver out-of-the-box, you’ll need to have first trimmed your hair another way.
So if you plan on letting your hair grow out at times you just have to buy the trimmer attachment(link to Amazon). Using the clipper attachment you will find that getting your head almost bald is very simple, and to do the rest you just need to use the Skull electric head shaver.
In addition to the clipper, other attachments available for purchase include a charger/stand, a body shaver and a nose and ear trimmer.
The shave itself is simply terrific. The Skull shaver uses rotary blades (which, as we’ve mentioned, are better suited for head shaving – unfortunately, most of the good rotary shavers are all made by the same company, Philips Norelco).
But this unit doesn’t have the three blades you normally see on shavers; it has four full rotary blades. They move individually and are mounted on a large head that flexes and swirls to follow the contour of the scalp, letting you remove just about every blade of hair and giving you a very close shave without nicks or cuts very quickly (you don’t have to go over and over each patch), no matter what direction you move the shaver.
And moving the shaver is extremely easy, because of the way it’s built. The Skull Shaver doesn’t have the traditional long handle of a foil razor or the bulky “L” shape of a rotary razor; it simply has a very small, patented base which easily fits in the palm of your hand, somewhat like a square bar of soap.
This makes the head shaver feel almost like an extension of your arm, allowing perfect control of the unit even if you’re shaving the back of your head. It’s a terrific idea and the team were surprised no one else had thought of it earlier. Flexibility, comfort, and ease of use are the most important traits you’ll love about the Skull shaver and combined they make the shaving of your head an utterly pleasurable experience.
The latest generation of Skull Shaver is now waterproof can be used in the shower and cleaned under the faucet.
While other bald head razor shavers need to be charged before they can be used, the Skull shaver is different and once you open the box you can start using it right away. This is because it comes partially charged and if you run out of battery, all you need to do is plug it into your wall outlet and in 2h you got a full charge ready to be put to good use (allowing you to shave your head up to 3 times).
As mentioned above this head shaver (which can also be used on the face) won’t be right for you if you like to let your hair grow out for a while and then shave it completely, unless you also purchase the trimmer attachment.
If you prefer the bald look for the long term it’s the ideal unit for daily or bi-weekly use, even though it’s pricier than most competitors. More details on the Skull Shaver:
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3. Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 (AT830/46)
We don’t usually list two models from the same manufacturer, but we’re making an exception for one reason. The Philips Norelco QC5580 at the top of our rankings is a foil shaver, while this unit is a more standard (for Norelco) rotary shaver.
It’s a very nice choice if you want a dual-purpose razor that does an equally good job on your face and on your head.
The 4500 (formerly known as the PowerTouch) is a three-blade wet/dry shaver, with heads designed to catch both long hairs and stubble. They’re also free-floating in Norelco’s proprietary Pivot, Flex, and Float and Lift and Cut systems; this allows the rotary heads to follow the contour of your face and head to catch all of the hairs many razors leave behind and slice them off right at the point where they emerge.
It’s not quite as comfortable to do your head shaving with this product as with some of our higher-ranked choices since you do have to do some maneuvering or use your “off-hand” to get the razor around to the far side of your scalp.
We like the 4500 as a primary razor that can give you a close shave on your face and your head. Checking facts and figures of the Philips Norelco Shaver 4500:
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4. Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S
Our second last choice is another “all purpose” unit meant for shaving both the face and head. The Panasonic Arc3 is a three-blade wet/dry foil shaver that delivers a close shave thanks to its MicroArc technology. It also has a comb attachment with five settings, which allows you to use the razor as a trimmer for the hair on your head before shaving it.
Since this is a foil shaver, you’re going to have to go over most spots on your scalp at least several times before you’ve got a completely-bald look, but it gets the job done.
The Panasonic Arc3 is well-designed, powerful, comes complete with a charging stand and only requires a rinse under running water to clean.
As with the Norelco 4500, we wouldn’t choose this shaver just for head shaving. However, it’s a good choice as a versatile razor to use on the face, head, and other areas. The specs for the Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S:
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5. HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Head Razor
Note: If you are interested in the HeadBlade, then consider buying the “Kit” – it comes with the razor, shave cream and replacement blades.
Check HeadBlade ATX Kit Price on Amazon
This product comes with a number of “ifs”. If you want a shaver that’s designed specifically for the head, if you want a shaver you can have a little fun with, and if you want a shaver that won’t break the bank – the HeadBlade line is tailor-made for you.
Out of the company’s several models, we’ve chosen the ATX All Terrain Head Razor. Why would you call a head shaver an ATX? Because it looks like a toy ATV. Yes, we’re serious. There are two wheels on the front of this tiny razor with the spring-loaded, four-blade cartridge suspended from the back, on a head that looks something like the blade of a snow plow.
You grab the HeadBlade by the handle (shaped something like the seat of an ATV) with your finger in the hole provided to ensure a firm grip and roll the shaver over your scalp. That does two things: it brings you back to the days when you were three and loved playing with toy cars, and it shaves your head closely.
There’s no clipper attachment for the ATX, so you’ll need to do that manually or with a different unit before using this shaver to remove all remaining hair. The wheels are designed to position the head at the right angle for the portion of the scalp that is being shaved, minimizing nicks and cuts (if used properly) while following the contour of the head.
This product comes with two wheels at the base, a huge improvement from the pad in earlier models. The wheels make shaving faster and smoother, rolling over the scalp with ease. This little innovation from Headblade makes the shaving fun, with this almost toy-like gadget, that will appeal to masculine instincts.
Be ready for a learning curve if you decide to give the HeadBlade a try. You’ll definitely feel a little foolish the first time you take this ATX for a spin, and you need to be patient and shave slowly without bearing down too much or you could end up missing spots or cutting yourself. You’ll probably also need to use your “off” hand to shave some parts of your head, so that adds to the challenge of getting used to this unit.
You may also have to do some manual trimming of tight areas like behind the ears because the HeadBlade isn’t designed to fit into those spaces easily. You’ll get the best results when using cream rather than gels. With practice, the duration of the shave should be consistently shorter than with traditional razors.
The Headblade Sport is rather light in weight. This may be an advantage in some ways, but not when it comes to getting a close shave. The lighter weight encourages you to press down on the shaver, leading to cuts. With practice, you should be able to balance the pressure evenly with ease. Luckily, there are videos to bring you up to speed in no time.
If the ATX All Terrain sounds intriguing, but you’re not sure whether you want to lay out money for something which might not be right for you, no worries. But if you decide it’s not for you, be sure you take out the blades before giving it to your nephew to play with at Christmas.
A non-electric head shaver, that does not have a trimmer. With practice, you can shave your head completely bald. A look in-depth at the HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Head Razor:
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6. Wahl 5-Star Balding Clippers
Ok, for those guys who do not want to shave completely, but want a closer trim than most hair clippers offer (i.e. closer than 0.5 or 0.4mm) the Wahl 5-Star Balding Clippers are a brilliant solution. These clippers are corded, very sharp and powerful, and come standard with a #000000 blade which will trim to 1/150″ or 0.1mm [#2105 (6×0) blade].
There is a learning curve with these clippers as the blade is very fine and zero-gapped, so you will need to go slow to start, and clear out excess hair from the blade as you trim. A look in-depth at the Wahl 5-star balding clippers:
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7. S4 Eclipse Scalp Razor
Headblade continues to forge a comfortable niche in the shaver market. The S4 Eclipse scalp razor is another top-rated razor for bald head shaving with an award-winning design which certainly impresses. The S4 Eclipse scalp razor is without a doubt another prestigious offering from Headblade.
This razor follows in the footsteps of the Headblade Sport, adding distinct improvements in design and styling. In the S4 Eclipse razor, Headblade brings to market a top of the range scalp razor that has few equals. Inspired by the earlier award-winning Headblade Sports razor, the S4 Eclipse is clearly a leader in its class.
Description
The S4 Eclipse is a sleek and well-designed razor that comes with the following features:
- A hand polished grade 304 stainless steel body
- A non-slip, rubber finger ring
- A fully enclosed body
- A wheel, for balance and better stability
- A zip-up hard case for travel and storage
The Headblade S4 Eclipse will surprise you straight out of the box. The industry-leading, stainless steel finish has a classy and beautiful look. This is in stark contrast to the plastic material other razors use. The S4 Eclipse feels smoother and sturdier than other razors and should impress on the bathroom shelf.
The stainless steel body is longer lasting than plastic, especially when accidentally dropped. Stainless steel additionally keeps the shine better than plastics, which fade and scratch with repeated use. The S4 Eclipse is surprisingly easy to clean.
The trademark Headblade rubber ring on the S4 Eclipse, speaks volumes of the highly ergonomic design this product offers. The ring is pliable, allowing you to adjust for better comfort. The non-slip rubber is essential for wet shaves, especially in the shower.
Another distinguishing feature is the wheel at the base of the razor. This is an intuitive addition, which balances the razor and makes it easy to apply pressure evenly while shaving. The wheel also balances the weight perfectly, so no additional pressure will be required to get a closer shave. This is important in providing an even and faster shave when shaving without a mirror.
The small size of the S4 Eclipse allows it to fit snugly into the palm of the hand. The stainless steel encasing increases weight, so the razor can shave closely without the need to press upon it. Combined with the curved design and wheel, the S4 Eclipse comfortably follows the contours of the head, minimizing the risk of cuts.
The zip-up hard case that comes with the S4 Eclipse is another plus. Well designed and handy, the case makes it easy to pack or simply store away the razor when not required.
The S4 Eclipse gives a fun and handy shave. |
Can I use an Electric Face Shaver as a Head Shaver?
Some of the electric head shavers on this page, such as the #1 choice, have specific design features that make them ideal for trimming and then shaving the scalp. Other models such as the Philips 4500 and Panasonic Arc 3 are great shavers that can be used on the head and face – and have the benefit of being reasonably priced.
However, if you are in the market for a premium product that will shave your face and scalp then you could also consider the Braun Series 9, Panasonic Arc5 and Philips Series 9000. Each of these models come with a cleaning station so the shaver can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before switching between the scalp and face.
Note: you will need a separate trimmer/clipper if your hair ever grows longer than about 2mm because these models do not have clippers included.
The Braun series 9 was our preferred model to use on the scalp (due to the balance and the foil range of movement), but the Panasonic Arc 5 also provided a beautifully shaved scalp – while the Philips 9000 with its rotary design was comfortable and easy to use (the finished shave was just not as close as the other 2 models). You can read more about these products on Groom+Style’s Best Electric Face Shaver Page or alternatively; Check Braun Series 9 Price on Amazon |
Conclusion
With so many shavers and razors available, selecting the best electric razor for a bald head is a balance between functionality, ergonomics, and price. While manufacturers keep coming up with improved technology and styling every year, these five are among the best electric razors for shaving your head bald for December, 2024.
you mentioned the braun 9 series, but what about the ones with the 360 flex head such as 7071cc. would that be better suited for double duty? since it flexes a lot will it perform better on the head at odd angles or stick with the 9 series?
Hey Cruzer,
Great question.
We have not tested the Braun 7071cc on shaving our heads, so cannot give a first hand opinion. Based on our experience with the different shavers, however, we can state the following:
– The additional foils on the Braun series 9 will give a faster and closer shave on the face and head
– We did test the philips 9000 on the head, and the philips 9000 has a lot more flex in the shaver head compared to the Braun Series 9000. And we did find that the shaver head moved “a bit too much” making it actually more difficult to press down on the rounded scalp at odd angles, which made shaving the head a bit more difficult as we had less control. We talk more about this in the comment below.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/top-5-best-electric-head-shavers-for-men/#comment-509142
Personally, if money was no issue I would go for the Braun series 9, but we are sure that the Braun 7071cc will do an amazing job as well on the scalp.
Do let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi. What head shaver do you recommend for coarse hair. It seems like all the ads show pictures of people without a lot of hair and they’re all super happy shaving their heads. I also looked at the Pitbull; however, all the negative reviews has me hesitating.
Thank you!!!
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the question.
If you have very coarse head hair, want to go completely bald and have a “larger budget” then feel free to consider one of the top end face shavers. See section “Can I use an Electric Face Shaver as a Head Shaver?”.
If you are happy to have incredibly short stubble, then it might be worth considering the Wahl balding clippers – they are pretty awesome.
Otherwise, if you don’t want to go for the Pitbull then the updated “Panasonic Hybrid Wet Dry Shaver”, option 4, is a great option as well.
Hope this helps, feel free to ask any follow up questions you might have.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Thank you!
Im looking for a gift for my boyfriend a new head razor. He likes the bald close shave look and I like the pitbull.
I’m interested in the Skull Saver Pitbull Gold, which you recommend. You also say to get it in the 5-blade version, but according to Pitbull’s web site those units only come standard with 4-blades (https://skullshaver.com/collections/mens-shavers). Am I missing something?
Hi Henry,
Thanks so much for the question, and pointing out an editorial mistake. You are absolutely correct, there are only 4 shaver heads on the skull shavers. The article has been corrected, very sorry for any confusion caused.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I have now started to get scalp micro pigmentation. I have been advised to get a head shaver and to not use a blade type as these cut too clean.
I’m looking for something I can use easily myself.
Would the Pitbull be a good choice? Looking for an ever so slight stubble but also want something good for sensitive skin?
Hi Pierre,
Thanks for the great question. As you have pointed out an electric shaver is not going to cut the hair as close as a blade, which will reduce skin irritation.
In addition in your case I think a rotary style electric shaver will be preferable to a foil shaver, so the yes, I think the Skull Shaver would be a great option for you to choose.
https://groomwithstyle.com/busting-myth-choice-manual-razor-vs-electric-shaver/
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I always keep a Mohawk style haircut with the sides clipped all the way down with body trimmers with no guard. The top center & back center is kept somewhat long. Would any of these shavers be good to use without worrying about hitting the longer hairs on top and cutting them. I don’t do the fade, it’s no hair straight to long hair. I’m looking for a failsafe shaver so that I can maintain my cut myself without cutting the back of my hair off where I can’t see without someone else having to do it for me.
Looking for a razor that will shave my head leaving it smooth and no stable where I have to get another razor to finish so it would be smooth
Hi James,
Thanks for the question.
If you are after an electric shaver, then my top suggestions would be the:
1) Philips Norelco QC5580/40 – clipper and shaver. Reasonably priced and very effective.
2) Review the options in section 7 of the article. A more expensive face shaver than can be used on the head – we were partial to the Braun series 9.
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Any possibility to update with the country of manufacture for each respective device? Made in USA is an important feature. I’m curious if and besides the WAHL are, assuming they still are?
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for the great question. We have updated the page with the requested information.
Wahl does seem to still take its commitment to manufacturing its products in the U.S.A very seriously.
https://wahlusa.com/press/after-95-years-wahl-proves-american-manufacturing-still-makes-cut
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I’ve tried and tested many trimmers (all purpose) and currently using babyliss men trimmer to trim off my head. I always do the lowest (zero), but because it takes a while and annoying, I only tend to do it every other week…. But looking at the bald patch from a rear mirror yesterday, I feel so bad… I must spend on a good “head shaver/trimmer” to do it once in every two or three days at least.
Since my main goal is trimming the head, would you suggest i go with the skull shaver? I reckon it’ll be easier to hold than the Phillips/Braun style electric shavers (I owned both styles in the past, but for trimming face).
Any thoughts on similar styled Remington RX5?
Thank you!
I’m in the market if buying an electric shaver for my head. Is the Braun Series 5 5190cc a viable option? Thanks
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the question, and yes the Braun Series 5 5190cc would work very well for head shaving. You might have to go over a few spots more than you would with the Braun Series 9, Panasonic Arc 5 and Philips 9000, but it would do a great job.
As mentioned in section 7, with all of these focused face shavers you will need a separate clipper/trimmer as well (or you will just have to make sure you never let your hair grow out).
The fact that you will get a clean and charge station will be very useful as shaving your head will create more hair clippings that when shaving your face – so the clean and charge station will help to keep your shaver, clean, recharged and lubricated.
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
One more quick question, I just discovered the braun series 9-9295cc, would that be better do you think?
Sincerely, confused.
Hi Eric,
Yes, the Braun Series 9 shavers would shave even faster and more effectively than the Braun Series 5 – but it will of course be more expensive!
The Braun Series 9 has 2 more cutting elements than the Braun Series 5, which is why it will offer a faster shave. We have tested the Braun Series 9 on a few heads and it worked brilliantly.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I have been shaving my head for over 20 years. It all started as a dare resulting in several friends using disposable razors to shave my head and while I continued using manual razors to shave I quickly switched to a Braun electric razor. I have been using a Braun ever since with the series 7 being the current model. In the last few days the button on the side of the head labeled ‘release’, which allows the cassette to be released, has started to drop off while shaving my head. I can put it back in place but it just drops off during the next head shaving.
I may have to replace my Braun series 7 with a new razor so I have been reading the review of 7 best electric shavers for head shaving. Through the years my Braun shavers have done a great job of close head shaving but I am not sure I can afford the cost of either the 7 or 9 series Braun shaver. However, the reviews on all the other shavers are really troubling me since I have had 20 years of good Braun results (until the ‘release’ button drop off). The problem with the first choice of the QC5580 shaver is that it is not currently available on Amazon. All the other shaver reviews do not leave me with a good feeling of consistent, quality shaver operation.
I am leaning toward the Pitbull shaver but am concerned about good, complete cleaning. Based on some of the reviews having to buy a second Pitbull because of failure of the first could end up costing in total as much as a Braun.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the comment, and sorry for the slight delay in replying we have been waiting to see what happens with the Philips QC5580 i.e. to see if it comes back into stock on Amazon. I have the feeling it will be back just before the holiday rush starts, but cannot be 100% sure.
If you don’t want to wait, seasonal price changes seem to have made the Panasonic Arc 5 great value (not sure how long this will last) but do check it out via this link to Amazon -> https://geni.us/electricfaceshavers2. This is a brilliant shaver that comes will the cleaning station which you will definitely need if you want to use the razor on your face and head.
Would you be willing to think about changing to Panasonic from Braun?
Let me know your thoughts…
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Thanks for the reply and the suggestions. I have wanted to try a rotary head shaver for some time and this seems the ideal time to try one. While I test a rotary head shaver I am going to send my Braun into a repair shop so I will still have it as a backup.
Hi, I use the Wahl clippers to shave my head but I need something that’s portable and cordless as often times I am at places where there are no sockets or the mirror is far. Can I use the Phillips aqua touch wet and dry for head shaving too?
Hi Taedza,
Great question, for sure you can use the Philip Aqua touch for shaving your head – it is very similar to the Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 (AT830/46) we tested. You can see in section 7. Can I use an Electric Face Shaver as a Head Shaver? we answer the question about whether you can use a face shaver to shave your head – the key factor is that you will need to keep the hair very short otherwise you will need to trim your hair first before shaving (as the face shavers don’t usually come with a good trimmer).
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hello,
I usually buy stuff on amazon and I grew to rely on the user reviews. Why does the skull shaver have such bad reviews? I mean it have some great reviews but the bad ones are unavoidable. Everything from bad quality to bad customer care service.
Hi Michael,
Yes, the skull shaver is certainly a divisive product.
We debated long and hard about whether to include it in our “best of…” list, and what position to place it at.
At the end of the day, after using it consistently for over 12 months without issue we felt it deserved to be included. The innovative design, performance, and efficiency of use were the overwhelming factors which convinced us to include it – the way you hold it and how it easily glides over your scalp does make it a joy to use.
We do clean it carefully after each use, and shake out excess hair during use if we think the cutters are getting clogged. Also we bought and tested the gold, second generation, model – which we recommend readers consider. Both these factors might be the reason ours has lasted so well.
Hope this helps explain our reasoning a bit – and do let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Thanks for the feed back. I went ahead and ordered the Philips Norelco QC5580/40. It has nothing but good reviews on Amazon. I’ll try it out myself and rate it. The skull shaver is just a no for me at the moment. Sounds too delicate.
No problem, hope it treats you well… 🙂
Hey guys,
I have been using Philips AquaTouch S5420 for shaving my head. I ve been using it for 6-7 years now. I am extremely pleased.
Hi Serhat,
Great to hear, and yes as we mention in section 7 using a high quality face shaver to shave your head is certainly a viable, and very effective, option!
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi. I need best and reliable Black African hair bald shavers for men in South Africa and/or anywhere else where I can obtain at a reasonable price.
Hi Zakes,
Thanks for the question, unfortunately we are not specialists in the South African market. I would suggest you head to your preferred retailer or online store and see what products they have on offer.
Sorry, we could not be of more assistance.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi
Some feedback for the Skull shaver. The battery life is very short. I bought it in November and used it every second day. At first it was great but about a month ago the charge was lasting less and less. Eventually it only lasted 3 mins on a full charge and after that last shave it would not charge at all. I am the sort of person who looks after my things so cleaned it as recommended etc.. so it still looks like new. It lasted just under 5 months and I paid £118 on Amazon, not happy at all. Over 50% of the reviews on Amazon give it 1 star because of this serious issue. Think you should review your review.
Regards
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the feedback, which model did you buy?
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I got the same issue, the months (the gold version) and now the battery does not even charge anymore
Hi Walter,
Thanks for the feedback…
Kind Regards,
Pierce
[email protected]
Hello I am looking to get away from using safety razors. I’ve been using them to shave my head for a few years now. They get the job done, but I’m looking for a electronic razor that’ll get me a close shave like a razor. I heard the arc 5 is a good choice, also the Braun 7 or 9 series. If you could please recommend what you feel Is the best shaver for bald heads in 2019! Thanks.
I’m looking for a really close shave, that’ll leave me smooth.
Hi Richard,
Thanks very much for your question. For the man who is happy to spend the money, the Panasonic Arc5 or the Braun Series 9 perform beautifully as head shavers. We tested them both on a variety of scalps and wrote up the results in section 7 of this review. The fact that they come with the clean and charge station means that you can disinfect them before using them on your face – which is brilliant.
Do let us know if you have any more specific questions about either of these shavers, or any other products.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
At 66 I’ve finally admitted that I’m going bald. I have very thin, fine hair sparsely distributed across my head. A friend felt it was so lank that some shavers might just run over my hair rather cutting it. What would you suggest I try?
Thanks.
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for your question on Groom+Style.
The answer will really depend on what your budget is. To capture thin and fine hairs you ideally need an electric shaver with a “trimming and lifting” foil, the most effective of which are typically found on higher quality electric face shavers, which are of course more expensive.
Please read section 7 of this article to find out about using a top of the range face shaver on your head.
You can also read section 1 of this article and consider the Braun series 9 shaver.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/mens-top-5-best-electric-shaver-list/
If a high-quality electric face shaver is out of your price range then the Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Hair Clipper Pro and Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S do have the required trimmer foil, but with these models you might have to go over the same area of the scalp (shaving in different directions) a few times to capture those really stubborn and thin hairs.
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi Pierce,
I’m looking for a gift for my husband. He shaves his hair with razor blade and I was wondering what is the best razor to buy for him. He likes his head completely bald. Thank you for your time.
Jenia
Hi Jenia,
Thanks for the question.
Do you think your husband would be interested in something fun like our number 5 choice the “HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Head Razor”. It is a little different to a traditional face shaving blade, and has an element of fun about it?
If that is not his style, then you really cannot go wrong with something like the Gillette Fusion 5: link to an example on Amazon -> https://geni.us/gillettefusion5
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Pierce,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I will go ahead and purchase #5 just incase he will like it. He is looking for a electric head shaver and I was thinking of getting #2 skull shaver. Is this a good product to get his head completely bold or would you recommend something else?
Thanks,
Jenia
Hi Jenia,
Great idea.
Our team really likes the skull shaver, although on the flip side some consumers have provided negative feedback. You can read more of our thoughts in our reply to Michael linked below. We feel if you buy the platinum or gold model and clean it regularly it should server you well.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/top-5-best-electric-head-shavers-for-men/
Fundamentally, an electric shaver will never get as close as a blade (unless you buy a really expensive face shaver and use it on your head) which we talk about in section “7. Can I use an Electric Face Shaver as a Head Shaver?” But what you lose in a fractionally longer shave you gain in convenience, less mess and fuss, less chance of cuts and ingrown hairs.
The skull shaver or any of the other electric head shaver products will do a great job of shaving a head bold (but not as close as a blade).
Hope this helps!
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Every time I think I’m going to take the plunge and buy the Pitbull/Skull Shaver, I read the reviews again. The majority report that it stops functioning within a short time, or it has functionaliy issues out of the box, or it stops charging. Some have even reported receiving obviously used and unsanitary models. Apparently it doesn’t give a smooth, bald head shave on one or two passes, either. The customer service seems to be terrible to non-existent, as well.
There are more of those sort of reviews every month, and the razor is just too expensive to risk throwing that kind of money away.
Which sucks, because this does seem to be the best on the market. Guess I have to stick to the safety razor for a while longer.
Hi Liz,
Thanks for your comments.
We can only rely on our positive experiences with the Pitbull Gold shaver – we do start our research by looking at online reviews, and after creating a short list of products test those. The negative online reviews of the skull shaver did give us pause but, after using the product for over a year, have been pleasantly surprised. We think with normal use, following the specified cleaning/care instructions, most people will also have a positive experience of the product. The one-month money back guarantee and one year warranty could provide some comfort for those on the fence about this product.
As with any purchase there are some steps you can take to protect yourself as a consumer:
– If you are concerned by poor customer service, you can always get on the phone with support and chat with them before buying to get a feel for the company.
– I would personally be skeptical of reviews mentioning used products being sold – just not sure how this could happen in this day and age – of course, we could be wrong.
– Nothing beats personal experience so be clear on your rights regarding returns and warranties.
And of course, as a consumer, you have so many product options these days. You could always try one of the other models on our best head shaver list.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I just purchased but haven’t received the Pitbull gold shaver. It is scheduled to arrive in a couple of days however, I am reluctant to open the box any suggestions, P.S. I sent an email to customer service regarding my trepidation…thoughts?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the comment – I am assuming you are second guessing your purchase? So you have 2 main options, return the skull shaver unused and get a refund; or confirm with customer service the up to date warranty details, so you are clear on your rights if anything goes wrong.
Personally, I would give the skull shaver a chance, but the ultimate decision is up to you of course.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi Liz, I have the skull shaver and I have been using it for 3 years and I think it works great. However I will also personally admit it is something you have to get used to. It shaves great but it will not get you bald completely. You will get a peach fuzz type finish. You will have to go over your head multiple times in order to get the best results, so my personal opinion is to use lectric shave pre shave before constant use as you will get scalp burns. Hope this helps
Thanks for your feedback Clarence, much appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi there,
I’m wanting to buy a new beard trimmer in the less-than $100 range. I’m looking to get the closest possible cut for head “shaving” while also being able to use it for beard trimming. I understand that means not getting the absolute closest shave, but that’s okay. The #1 QC5580 looks like just what I need, but the price is a bit high. Any suggestions? Sorry if someone else asked and I missed it.
Anthony
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for the question, yes I think the Philips QC5580 would be the ideal choice but if it is not within your budget then you could consider the Philips Style Shaver QS6141/33 Dual Ended Shaver & Beard Trimmer – we have a full review on our beard trimmer page below, it falls just within your price range as well.
https://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
Or link direct to product on Amazon -> https://geni.us/philipsstyleshaver
Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi guys, I’m looking for something that I think falls between the cracks of these options: I want an electric shaver that basically does what the Wahl plug-in 5-star balding clippers do (allowing me to get down to about 0.1mm without being ‘clean shaven’) but as a shaver, not a trimmer. I already have a Wahl trimmer that is cordless that I use to get down to 0.4mm, now I want something easy to trim it just a bit further, but it needs to be mobile, electric/cordless, and able to use on the road every day to maintain 0.1-0.2mm, so it appears like it has short stubble, not completely bald and clean shaven. Any suggestions?
Hi John,
Thanks for the great question.
Please start by reading the answer above to Kurt on the 21st of November 2017…effectively you want a trimmer that either comes with a blade of specification #000000 – 1/150″ – 0.1mm (#00000 – 1/125″ – 0.2mm) or a trimmer where you can switch out the blades for the one you want. We have not found too many trimmers with the shorter blades that are cordless and reasonably priced…we list a few options in the answer to Kurt, but the prices are a bit steep.
The key brands to focus on in this area are Wahl, Andis or Oyster.
A reasonably priced, high-quality, cordless model that would work well would be something like the Wahl Professional 5-Star Cord/Cordless Magic Clip #8148. It comes with the high precision zero-overlap 2161 blades which are not going to be close enough for you. But you can easily buy the Wahl 2105 (000000) blades.
Links to these on Amazon are below if you want to investigate more.
Wahl Magic Clip 8148 -> https://geni.us/wahlmagic
Wahl 6×0 blade -> https://geni.us/wahl6x0blade
Do let me know if you need any more help.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi,
Great list. I started shaving my head 2 years ago (got rid of my dreads and never stopped since!) w/ a Philips Cruzer6 trimmer w/o a guard and it’s done a great job so far since I like a bit of color to my scalp.
Figured it might be time for a new one so I’m in the market. I want that almost bald look of extremely short hair but I also realized it has to be something quiet. I shave every 2nd or 3rd day and always in the shower. I’ve thought of rotary shavers but I’ve heard they can be quite brutal to the scalp. So, what are some good, low-noise shavers that can give a close shave without breaking the bank?
Thanks!
Hiya Maazin,
Thanks for the question.
First, a few things to keep in mind:
– To meet all your key requirements (a high-quality rotary, “silent” and waterproof head shaver) you might have to pay a premium price
– You need to be aware that not all shavers will come with a trimmer. That is fine as long as you do shave every few days, but if you miss a week you might need to revert back to your Cruzer 6 to trim the hair short enough to be able to shave it.
– If you were to compare foil and rotary shavers for use on the head, the key point would be that rotary shavers will typically get you to a reasonably short length slightly faster (due to the surface area of the multiple foils, whether it is 3 or 5). The foils will get you there but will eventually shave slightly closer (with really high-quality foil shavers with 4/5 foil cutters, such as the Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 5 being the exception as they will shave very fast).
– The Philips Series 9000 rotary shaver is the most expensive option but would be brilliant if it was in your price range – and it would last a long time. It is waterproof, shaves very well and with my iPhone decibel reader has a level of 60db. It has no trimmer.
– The Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 (AT830/46) is not waterproof but will do a pretty good job of shaving your head for a very reasonable price. iPhone decibel reader level of 70db. No trimmer.
– The latest generation skull shavers are great (the old ones did have issues, but the new ones come with a nice 1-month money back guarantee and 1-year warranty). The 5 rotary heads will shave a head fast, and can be used in the shower without any problems. They are a touch noisy though, but that is because of the 5 heads – so you have to balance noise with the speed of the shave. iPhone decibel reader level of 70db. You can buy a trimmer for the skull shavers.
– An example foil shaver is the Panasonic Arc3, a great foil shaver, with a trimmer included. iPhone decibel level of 64db.
So the Panasonic Arc 3 will be slower than the Skull shaver, Philips Series 9000 and the Remington XR1400 due to it only having 2 main foils.
I have not tried the Remington XR1400 Verso but it looks like a pretty cool product. I still like the skull shaver with its 5 foils, but if you want to stay away from the skull shaver, and the Philips Series 9000 is not in your price bracket, then the Remington is probably a very good choice.
Feel free to read more about the Remington XR1400 Verso on Amazon via this link -> http://geni.us/remingtonr1400
Hope this helps,
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi all. Seeking headshaver only. I’m a senior bloke only need to shave sides and back nowadays. I currently have my old wahl clippers but I hate using them as they are one directional cutting slow, inaccurate and they still scare me.
NEEDS: With age comes laziness. My shaving frequency can vary between one & seven days. Those rotary shavers e.g. Bald Eagle & Philips look OK. Are there any that are length adjustable? And can handle a 7 day growth?
Hi Faris,
Thanks for the question.
It seems like you will need a product that has a trimming and shaving function (considering you might have a bit of growth after 7 days etc.). Based on this the 3 main options we can recommend are:
1) Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro – can trim to variable length and then shave bald if you want
2) Skull Shaver Pitbull Generation – you will need to buy the separate trimmer function (link to Amazon -> http://geni.us/skullshaverclipper) – with the trimmer function you can trim then shave bald if you want
3) Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S – can trim then shave bald if you want
4) HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Head Razor – if you want a manual razor to shave bald
If you are not wanting to shave bald you can simply buy a trimmer, check out some options via this link
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
Hope that helps a bit, do let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi, if money is not an issue which would you choose, Braun 9095cc or Skull Shaver? Will be used twice a week with very close shave. Thanks so much.
Hey Kobe,
Motivated by your question I went and completed a test – shaving my head using 3 of G+S’s top-rated electric face shavers. The approach and results are listed below.
Approach
1) I trimmed my head hair to 1.4mm using the Philips Norelco Beard & Hair Trimmer Series 5100 – BT5210
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
2) I segmented my scalp into 3 sections, 1 for each shaver I would use.
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/mens-top-5-best-electric-shaver-list/
a) Philips Series 9000 – Top of my head
b) Braun Series 9 – Left side of head around to the middle back of my head
b) Panasonic ES-LV9N-S – Right side of head around to the middle back of my head
The goal was to shave my scalp using as “few” passes as possible for each electric shaver and see what the results were.
3) I then switched shavers and sides. I went over the right side (and top) of my head with the Braun and the left side (and top) of my head with the Panasonic, etc.
Results/Conclusions
The Braun Series 9 was the preferred shaver, followed very closely by the Panasonic and then the Philips. Example -> If at the time you were buying a shaver the Braun was way more expensive than the Panasonic then you could easily decide to go for the Panasonic, but otherwise focus on the Braun Series 9.
The Philips rotary was easy to use and would be great for someone who did not want an extremely close finish, or for someone who had sensitive skin.
The Panasonic performed very well, and shaved just as close as the Braun (so close it was hard to really tell. When switching sides after the “quick shave” both shavers picked up sections of hairs to cut closer).
However, a few things let the Panasonic down. The shaving head just moves in too many directions (up and down and left and right) which is fine for the face, but on a “hard” head (vs stretchy skin on the face) this made shaving less effective. You could lock the shaving head obviously to overcome this minor inconvenience. But, then the “weight and balance” of the Panasonic did not feel as nice as the Braun when holding it upside down and shaving around the back of the head. The on/off button is “high” on the Panasonic and I managed to turn the shaver off accidentally a few times which was a bit annoying.
The Braun Series 9 gave a close shave, and felt nice on the scalp, and was easy to hold and maneuver. The foils on Braun have a lot more movement in them than the Panasonic, so while shaving a hard surface like the scalp, this seemed to really allow them to bend and compress when needed to get more hairs in one pass. When shaving I held the shavers (it was the natural way to me) like a pencil i.e. if you think of the shaving head as the ink/lead end – and using this method it meant that the Braun was easier to hold. The Braun body was wider and easier to grip, and the shaving head on the Braun is lighter than the Panasonic so was easier to maneuver.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Cheers for now,
Pierce
Dear Pierce
I read your message carefully and I appreciate your detailed reply. I would like to thank you for the time and your efforts to help me.
My questions are:
1.It seems the Braun series 9 or the ARC (I feel the Braun and Arc are better quality that Skull shaver) might be the solution for me because besides the facial hair will take care of my head also.
My question is are there any plastic combs which I can attach to them trim to 0.10 mm instead of shaving bald? Because this is what I need. Do you know about that? Also, this would be helpful for the facial hair if someone wants to shave himself leaving 2-3 days of stubble.
2.What is the max I can let my hair grow before I shave them with the Braun or Arc, without problems?
3.Can you confirm with the Philips Norelco QC5580. With this model, I can trim to 0.5mm and then shave with the foil to 0.00mm? Both actions with the Philips?
If yes again is there a comb which lets you shave with the foil to 0.10mm instead of bald?
If this is the case maybe Philips would be the perfect solution.
George
Hey George,
No problem, its great to be able to help – this way we are always learning as well.
Yes, the Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro comes with a trimmer (0.5mm) and foil shaver attachment.
The Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are certainly very high quality. They do come with “basic” pop up trimmers, which trim to about 0.2 mm or less, but they are not really designed to trim a whole head (they can be a bit scratchy and trimming a whole head might leave uneven patches) – they are really just designed to trim troublesome facial hairs (especially around the neck and under the chin) before they are shaved off. The Panasonic Arc5 popup trimmer is slightly better than the Braun Series 9 pop up trimmer. Other than the popup trimmers there is no plastic comb attachment to trim hair short. When I tested the Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 5 on my head I first trimmed (using a separate trimmer) my hair to 0.5mm.
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/mens-top-5-best-electric-shaver-list/
The Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S comes with a plastic comb trimmer that is once again designed to trim hair before it is shaved.
I think you really need to decide whether you want to go bald or trim hair to 0.1mm. There are the options for 0.5mm or bald with the OC5580/40, but does not seem to be any options (at least that our team are aware of) for 0.1mm and bald in one product.
If you want to buy the Arc5 or Braun, and are then going to grow your hair out every now and again, you can always buy a basic trimmer like the Philips Norelco MG3750 Multigroom Series 3000 for about $20 US. See more in the link below.
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
Do let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Cheers Pierce
Dear Pierce
Hoping you can help…
For the last 7 years, I have used Oster 97 (amazing clipper) with an original OSTER blade 0.22mm length. I then read about the Andis blade of 0.1mm so bought this and attached it to the Oster clipper, which cuts my hair to 0.1mm which is the ideal length for me.
Now the problems:
1/ Oster is heavy, with a 3m cable and needs more time for cleaning, so it is difficult to take it with you when you travel.
2/ Cutting your hair takes a significant amount of time with getting the cable, adjusting the machine, cleaning it after every cut…not easy to handle bc of the weight etc.
3/ You can not cut it under the water which I have never tried but I guess at some points would help especially when you are in a hurry or when you travel.
4/ The Andis blade cuts uncomfortably..the hair gets stuck in the blade and I have to cut it very slow bc the hair get stuck and it hurts. etc with the blade of the OSTER which was 0.22mm I had never had such problems. It cut the hair like butter even when I let my hair longer than usual.
I don’t know if this is because of the length of the blade which means that the 0.10mm blade (and any company’s 0.10mm blade) is impossible to cut like that because of the shortness of the cutting and has nothing to do with the quality of the blade or because the OSTER blade is way superior quality than the ANDIS and this is why is cutting so better and has nothing to do with the shortness.
So what I need is a machine:
1/Easy to move while traveling, easy to clean and maintain, portable, no cables, light.
Ideally being able to shaver/trim under water, but this is not a deal breaker and most importantly to be able to cut my hair on these lengths comfortably and fast without needing to spend a lot of time and pass the same spot multiple times. At least with OSTER its performance was amazing on that. With one pass sometimes second was NOT needed….it was that good.
2/ Be able to have the option to cut 0.10mm or 0.20mm or BALD if I want…But if the Bald or the 0.20mm option is missing I have no problem with that. The length I would like is 0.10mm.
3/ Would like a quality product. Budget is not an issue. I would like to buy something and forget I have it like OSTER was for me last 8 years.
I was thinking about Braun series 9…which can also shave my facial hair.
Or the skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum which I hear is not a very quality product and does not cut very comfortable..need to pass your head a lot of times and with a lot of pushing to have the results you need.
Or the Andis you mentioned in your answer to another guy.
Sorry for my imperfect English, I am waiting for your suggestions.Thanks you so much and in advance.
Kind Regards,
George
Hey George,
Yes, this is a tricky one, and the G+S team is not sure we have a definitive answer for you.
We typically have the same experience as you, the shorter the cutting blade (0.2mm -> 0.1mm), the “longer” the trim can take, with hair getting stuck and more time that is needed to clear the hair etc from the trimmer blade, and the more careful you have to be not to cut/nick yourself. This seems to improve exponentially as you go to longer blades – with less hair getting stuck etc. We can recommend a lot of trimmers that are cordless and waterproof, but will only trim to 0.5mm.
See this link.
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
The only cordless Balding Head shaver option we could suggest for you is the Andis cordless BGR, with your choice of blade could trim to 0.1mm. This is not waterproof, and honestly, we have not tested this model, so not sure how it will perform compared to your Oster with the 0.1mm blade. It would probably be quite similar, as the short blade will once again be the limiting factor. So with this model, you would gain one advantage of it being cordless.
See link to Amazon below.
http://geni.us/andisbgrccordless
The other option is to go for a head shaver – so forget about trimming to 0.1mm or 0.2mm etc, your goal will be to shave your head bald. Here you could go for the skull shaver (rotary), or a high-quality face shaver like the Braun Series 9, or Panasonic Arc 5 (G+S have tested both the Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 5 on our heads and they have worked very well). The thing you have to be aware of with a dedicated “facial” shaver, is that you cannot let your hair grown too long – because you will then need to trim before you shave. The Braun Series 9 and Arc 5 are both waterproof and easy to travel with. If you shave your head daily, this would only take a few minutes to maintain the bald look.
The alternative is to go for something like a combination trimmer and shaver, like the Philips Norelco QC5580. This will trim quickly to a length of 0.5mm and after that, you will need to use the foil shaver to go bald. The QC5580 is talked about more in the article above.
Note the skull shaver is not perfect but it is gotten much better with the Pitbull Generation.
Let us know if you have any follow up questions.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I’ve been shaving my head daily for several years. I prefer to use electric and shave dry. Same for my face and my 10 year old Braun foil works great for that, but not for my head. A while back I got the Bald Eagle Essential which worked great on my head and I really liked it. Unfortunately, it stopped working (would charge fully, then go back to no-charge when power button was pressed) and the best the manufacturer would do was to offer a discount on a new one. I am not the type to spend money on something that worked for less than a year. Currently I am using a cheap $20 foil that works, but takes several passes and is very loud. One feature I insist on after my Bald Eagle experience is to have a razor that will work while plugged into power, even if the battery is failing.
When looking at the Philips Norelco 4500 that you recommend it says it does not work while connected. I found the Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 3100 does say it works while connected. The only other difference I see is that the 3100 is for dry only, which is fine by me. There are many other brands out there that look like they would work great like the eTTgear, but if you read enough reviews you see that they may not hold up in quality.
Do you have an opinion on the 3100 or any other recommendations that include the run with cord option?
Thanks!
Eric
Hey Eric,
Thanks for your question, and sorry for the slight delay, it is quite busy nearing Christmas.
Yes, the Philips Norelco 4500 is a wet/dry shaver so those will not work while plugged in, the 3100 is a dry shaver so will work while plugged in. The manufacturers do not want customers trying to plug in wet shavers and using them in the shower.
Stepping back though for a moment, do you prefer to use a rotary or foil shaver? Do you like to be completely bald, or would you be happy with a cutting length of 0.2mm? We are in the process of testing a few new models and are really liking the Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110, linked to Amazon below. The Wahl will work while plugged in, is ultra reliable, and will leave 0.2mm of stubble – which we do not really mind.
http://geni.us/wahl5starbalding
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi I would like to know if the Philips Norelco do it yourself razor can cut hair resulting to a length of about 0.04mm, my hair is getting thinner but I do not want to shave it completely bald. I currently use a Philips Hair Clipper Series 7000 and it just doesn’t cut my hair as short.
Hi Kurt,
Thanks for the great question. The Philips Norelco QC5580/40 will trim to about 0.5mm which is the same as the Norelco Hairclipper 7100 you currently have.
What you effectively want is a trimmer that can be fitted with blades that can be zero-gapped, or of the size specifications:
#000000 – 1/150″ – 0.1mm
#00000 – 1/125″ – 0.2mm
#000 – 1/50″ – 0.3mm
etc.
There are a few companies which sell trimmers which either come with these close blades, or where you can buy additional blades. The main companies are Wahl, Andis and Oster.
The best, (reasonably priced and complete) option is the Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110. These come with a #000000 blade which will trim to 1/150″ or 0.1mm [#2105 (6×0) blade].
Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110, link to Amazon
http://geni.us/wahl5starbalding
The Andis 4775 GTX T-Outliner Trimmer can be zero-gaped to trim extremely close (0.2 mm) without the guard. You can read more about it on our page linked below
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/5-best-beard-trimmers-for-men/
Some other more expensive options are the
Andis Professional Ceramic Hair Clipper with Detachable Blade (corded and cordless option) – you will need to buy the #00000 blade, link to Amazon
http://geni.us/andisbgrccorded
http://geni.us/andisbgrccordless
Another amazing option is the OSTER Classic 76 Universal Motor Clipper (#00000 blade for these 0.2mm cuts). Link to Amazon
http://geni.us/oster76clipper
Hope that helps.
Cheers Pierce
I have been going bald for a number of years, now, strictly using a hair trimmer at the lower setting. Recently I decided to try shaving and I really like it. I used my Gillette Pro Glider and was *almost* happy with the results. I was getting read to order a HeadBlade, when I realized I was having an annoying problem. On the back of my neck and climbing over the base of the skull, I have 3 creases that are quite deep; the razor doesn’t go inside and I couldn’t get an adequate shave in that area, even with someone else’s help.
Can you recommend a tool (electric or blade) that would address this? I am sure I’m not the only one having this problem.
Thanks a lot!
Ono
Hi Ono,
Thanks for your question.
I am guessing you have tried most of the following suggestions, but it is usually best to get the obvious stuff out of the way first…When you attempt to shave those deep creases, is there anyway to “attack” them at different angles? Can you move/adjust your head, or stretch your skin in anyway that reduces the creases? If not, then unfortunately, it is unlikely that the HeadBlade will be able to access those areas.
It is quite possible that a foil (Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro or Panasonic Arc3 Electric Razor ES-RT97-S) or rotary (Skull Shaver Bald Eagle Smart) electric shaver will be able to access those creases as you can apply greater pressure with electric shavers. Do you have an electric face shaver you can use to try this. The problem you might have with an electric head shaver is that it will not give you as close a shave as a blade (which I get the feeling is what you are after).
The other option is to purchase a really thin safety razor like the one linked below. You would end up with 2 tools but the Merkur Moustache & Eyebrow Safety Razor w/Blade would most likely be able to shave those creases.
http://amzn.to/2tCZScG
Let me know your thoughts.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I have been using the HeadBlade shaver for over five years. It gives an extremely close shave but it is NOT fast and you have to clean up in tight spots with a hand razor. Also, if you do not use the head blade soap (which has some type of lanolin or other lubricant in it), using regular Gillette Foamy is rough because it dries very quickly. You have to shave in one direction, then shave back against the grain to get your head really smooth. Clean as a whistle but, again, not fast… As a heads up: the Head Blade soap does not come in a container size that satisfies TSA and it is VERY expensive…after having had a couple of them tossed at airports I am looking for an alternative, thus my research on the Skull Shaver.
Hi JJ,
Thanks for the comments about your experience with the HeadBlade. That is great information that the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not let you travel with the HeadBlade in your hand luggage. Hopefully, the Skull Shaver serves you just as well over the next few years.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hi,
Very interesting read. Thanks a lot.
I have a head full of hair but I want to shave it (my hair isn’t that good, guys, because people dish out at me when I mention I want that ). Anyway, blades like Gillette ProGlide are not effective, they take a lot of time and are painful as they tug on the hair. So I have two choices, either rotary or the straight electric one.
I tried my dad’s rotary one when I first hit puberty on my face and it caused me to have a severe acne outbreak (don’t know if that was because it was a used one or because it’s a rotary one.) Hence, I’m pretty hesitant to try it. That was maybe 15 years ago.
I live alone so I need something to use myself. Budget is not an issue as I’m willing to invest in anything that will actually work.
It is preferable if it works for head and face but this is not a priority if it will decrease its efficiency with the head. The face I can deal with.
Thanks. 🙂
Hi Maj,
The two key things you will find with specialist electric head shavers is that:
– they will have a trimmer and then close shaver (whether it is foil or rotary). It is really helpful to trim the hair down to a manageable length before attacking it with the foil or rotary razor. The same goes if you are going to stick with manual blades – not sure but your Gillette ProGlide might be tugging hairs because the length of your hair is to long? So always trim first and then shaver – or at least once your hair is short then shave regularly.
– secondly, they will have an ergonomic aspect that will allow you to easily tackle the back and sides of the head i.e. something like the Philips Norelco or QC5580 or Skull Shaver bald eagle.
There is nothing stopping you from buying a specialist face shaver and using it on your head (in terms of shaving closeness etc.) – as long as you have a way of trimming your head hair first and are comfortable manoeuvring the specialised face shaver around your skull. Groom+Style’s best electric face razors are linked below.
http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/mens-top-5-best-electric-shaver-list/
It is possible that improper shaving can irritate skin and cause acne outbreaks – but not sure that your outbreak could be specifically linked to the fact that you used a rotary razor. Although in general Groom+Style do lean towards foil razors for those men who suffer from acne. You can read more here
http://groomwithstyle.com/best-shaving-tips-for-men-suffering-from-acne/
If you are still interested in a specific head shaver, and as you have hinted at a preference towards a foil shaver, we would suggest that you consider the Philips Norelco QC5580/40 Do-It-Yourself Hair Clipper Pro. Please do be aware that no electric shaver is going to give you as close a shave as a manual razor. If a totally smooth skull is a must and you still wanted to move away from manual blades you could consider a product like the HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Head Razor.
Good luck with your choice.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I got my money back, without any problems.
Good to hear – shame you had such a disappointing experience with the skull shaver.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I was slightly nervous about buying a skull shaver having read the reliability issues but went ahead and bought one. Clearly the manufacturers know there is a problem with this brilliantly designed product why don’t they fix it? Mine never worked. Not even for a minute.
Hi Paul,
That’s not good to hear. Did you get your money back or product replaced under the warranty?
Cheers Pierce
Is it possible to use any rotary or foil facial shaver as head shaver?
Hi Andreas,
In theory yes, you can use most high end (read powerful) electrical shaving devices as head shavers – however specialised head shavers will have a few advantages over pure facial shavers. Specialised head shavers will have features such as the rotating head of the Philips Norelco (which helps you reach hard to reach areas) and a combined trimmer and shaving function in one (you need to be able to trim you hair first before shaving).
If you have and existing facial shaver then why not give it a go and see how it performs on you head.
If you are looking for a new device you can read our reply to Doug above from NOVEMBER 1, 2016 who was trying to find a facial and head shaver.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
I disagree completely about the 4500 Norelco. I’ve had several razors over the last 10 years and this is the only one that leaves head stubble and never shaves close enough, no matter how many passes you make. It’s a real waste of money for a head shaver. It really shouldn’t be listed here.
On the bright side, for a face razor, it does a decent job and is the quietest razor I’ve used.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your perspective. We found it did a reasonable job on the head and face – what is your preferred head shaver?
Cheers for now,
Pierce
I have been using the Braun Series 7 with cleaning unit for many years (I make each cleaning cartridge last 3 months by refreshing with common Isopropyl alcohol); though I am really not sure that using the cleaning unit is really worth the investment. I am ready to purchase my next shaver. You have touched on most topics, including the thought of getting to the “out of sight” areas on the back of the head — at the neck and around the ears. I had been leaning toward the Braun Series 9, but have heard that the replacement foils have not been perfected. So, for now I am leaning toward the Bald Eagle, but might also go back to the Series 7. Any thoughts?
Hi Frank,
Thanks for the message – and highlighting a very important point about the braun series 9 shavers – the replacement foil issues.
Firstly, I guess if you go for the bald eagle (as I am sure you are aware) you will be limited to using it on your head. If you go with the Braun Series 7 or 9, you have a bit more flexibility. Not 100% sure what your priority is (one device for head and face, or primarily head shaving).
Braun does seem to have done themselves a bit of a diservice with the way they have handled the replacement foils for the Braun Series 9. There have been some customers complaining that the foil and cutter has not lasted the advertised 9-18 months. The original planned replacement foil & cutters were the 90s (silver) and 90b (black) – braun seems to now be focusing their attention on a newer version the 92s, which is titanium coated (maybe this version will be durable enough to withstand the “power” of the shaver).
Having said all this GroomNStyle’s argument still stands, that the shave from the Braun 9 is second to none. If you buy the product fully informed, and you are willing to pay the premium price for the shaver, cleaning solution and replacements heads.
Replacement head availability issues do seem to be improving, see the options below:
Call Braun directly and get them to send you one (wait times might be an issue)
check amazon.com http://amzn.to/2ixtXte
check Braun’s official spare part seller https://www.encompassparts.com/ for “90S”
check Braun factory outlet http://braun.factoryoutletstore.com/ for “Braun 92S”
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Hello I am.in between Phillips 9000and braun9 series what do you think if it is head I think I should buy Phillips because it is rotary shaver. I wanna buy without the cleaning kit I think they are waste of money what do you think
Hi Burhan,
That sounds like a reasonable argument. Please consider the fact that you would most likely need a separate trimmer if you purchase the Philips Norelco Series 9000 i.e. you will need to trim the hair on your head first before shaving it. That is one of the benefits of the specialist head shavers, they come with a trimmer and shaver in one unit.
Cheers Pierce
Thanks once Pierce for the great info…. The 5200 is going back to Costco today….and I’ll most likely order the 4500/4600 from Amazon.
I wonder why an evidently older, less expensive model tests out/does a better job???
Again….very informative site and appreciate the responses…
Doug
Pleasure Doug,
Glad to help.
Cheers Pierce
Hey Pierce~ I bought it to do both…..although honestly….having been a blade shaver all my life…..I’m not sure if I’m ever going to get used to using an electric shaver on my face… I don’t know. I imagine they’ve come a looooooong way since the last time I tried one about 25 years ago.
Thanks much for the response, and it’s going back to Costco in the next few days UNUSED. I’d rather spend the money on something recommended by those who have actually researched these.
Not sure when you actually put this together… Is there any new recommendation you’d add to this list at this time?
Thanks again!
Hey Doug,
Without knowing your hair type (foil/rotary shavers), shaving history (goals for changing from manual to electric), budget and exact requirements (more facial shaver then hair, wet/dry shaving) it is tricky to give personalised advice. Having said that this list of best head shavers above is up to date (newer models are added once they are “proven” to be better than the shavers on our current list) as is our list of the top facial shavers – http://groomwithstyle.com/art-of-shaving/mens-top-5-best-electric-shaver-list/ – please read both top 5 head shaver and top 5 face shaver articles.
Trying to find a quality budget shaver ($100 ish) for both face and head (that will trim and then shave) will lead to some compromises (at the other extreme you have someone who would have unlimited budget who would buy the best facial shaver and a separate tool for their head). At a rough guess of your requirements we would suggest you stick with a rotary shaver (best compromise for head and face) – which leaves you with a few options:
– Stick with the 5200 – for $100 you get a shaver that does a reasonable job on face and hair, that requires a few more passes might not be too bad.
– Try the Philips 4500/4600, which we have tried and is once again a good compromise shaver for face and hair (for about $10/20 less than the 5200)
– Rethink your requirements or budget and invest in something like the Philips Norelco 9000 series
Good luck (and hope we helped a bit without adding to your confusion )!
Kind Regards,
Pierce
Thanks for the reviews! Very helpful. A few days ago, and prior to finding your site, I purchased the Philips Norelco “Shaver 5200” (although the model number is S5290) from Costco for $100.00.
Some of it’s “attributes” are the “5-Direction Flex Head”, Aquatec Wet & Dry Shaving, SmartClick Precision Trimmer, and it comes with an additional shaving head.
Wonder if you happened to review this shaver as well, or did it come out after your study. I can’t review how it works for me yet because I haven’t even taken it out of the box as of yet).
Curious as to your thoughts on this one?
Hey Doug,
Having reached out to our experts (and at the risk of making you regret your purchase) it appears “early” reports on the 5200 are not that glowing. Have you bought it to shave your head or face (or both)? One of our contacts mentioned that it takes longer than it should to shave facial hair. Please do let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Pierce
I too have had trouble with the skull shaver motor seizing up they do have A1 year guarantee and are very friendly and prompt with returns although I have to pay the shipping and they would like a $5 fee for sending you a new one and they send it fast butt like I said I’m on my third one and you only get it replaced from the original date of purchase so I’ve had to seize up and quit working on me if this one does I’m out of luck and I just don’t understand what the problem is with it I can’t be the only one having this and I saw earlier comment where they had the problem too so I wish skull shaver would do something so I don’t like returning and I appreciate that they give me a new one but I would rather not have to send it back I really enjoy and I think it does a great job it’s just the battery or the motor or something just quits on it and me about every 3 months and I shave my head almost everyday again it is a good shaver and does a good job.
I like the fact that your #5 choice for best electric head shavers is not, in fact, electric.
Hi Dan, We do think it is fun to break the rules sometimes…
– Lisa
Your # 1 choice is no longer available on AMAZON and no indication if it will be back. What happened?
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for letting us know. This should hopefully work for our US and Canadian based readers now. For readers in the UK/Europe they will have to go their amazon store and search for the head shaver directly. Let us know if you still have problems with the link.
Kind Regards,
Pierce
The motor on the Eagle skull shaver sucks. It burns out surprisinginly fast.
I’ve had a couple of Skull Shavers, and the motor always seems to seize up after about a year, sometimes less. They do an OK job, but because of the lack of durability I wouldn’t recommend them.
Thanks for the comments Stan and Troy. I believe Skull Shavers offer a 12 month warranty, which might be helpful for you? Did you clean the shaver head frequently?
– Lisa
After your review of the Philips Norelco QC5580/40 I decided that that is the one for me but I haven’t bought one so far because I’m confused. The QC 5580/40 all show being a few hundred dollars (You state it is less than $50) but there is a QC5560/40 around $40 but it does not show the head attachment only a hair trimmer.
Can you alleviate my confusion please?
Looks like my go to the QC 5800 is gone. Ow. From Phillips and from Amazon.
Mark, Braun will tell you that none of their razors are designed to shave anything but your face. I have an older Braun 4745 that I’ve used for years to shave my head and it works pretty good. I would presume that the more current Braun models would be at least as good if not better, even if they’re not technically designed for head shaving.
I’ve heard the 5 star electric shaver is really good for the face. Which electric shaver would you recommend best for black skin (bald head and face)?
Jax- Black skin is more sensitive than others so please choose Braun 9 or 7 series & Panasonic Arc 5 if you really want foils. Please note that all the listed shavers are top of the reange. We dont pitch 1 superior product against 4 mediocre ones and test it as its a bit unfair. In other workds, only the best in the market make it to the list-even to be compared!
-Lisa
Any advice
What about the Braun series 9 9095cc? I’ve been research Phillips , bruan and bald eagle. The reviews I read about bald eagle was that it was great but wasn’t that close of a shave and read similar about Phillips. The best I could find was the Braun but they never say a word about shaving your head with it. I want the best razor for both that gives the closest shave.
Mark- Braun 9095cc and Panasonic Arc5 are like rolls-royce of shavers. You just, simply cannot go wrong with them!
-Lisa
Hi, I’m interested in purchasing a skull shaver. Can you tell me if there are any retail outlets in Toronto (Canada) that carry it. I’ve been burned in the past so I’m very leery of shopping online. I’d appreciate any help. Thanks.
Chris, I’m not really sure if the retail outlets in Canada sell them. I would suggest you buy it from Amazon CA online. Its pretty safe and comes with a great refund/returns option if you dont like the product. Worth a shot!
-Lisa
Also, Skull shaver is the brand but the model name is Bald Eagle Smart, and now I see one thats called Bald Eagle Skull Shave upgrade for cheaper?? They look similar..would you happen to know the difference other than price pleasE? Thank you very much!!
SkullShaver is trying to push their new version “Bald Eagle Smart” a lot, rightly so as its a superior product. The price point on Bald Eagle is around 130$ whereas, skullshaver and the skullshaver upgrade could set you back 95-100$. We think Bald Eagle is absolutely worth the price-with just a 30$ premium, you end up getting 90 minutes of shaving per charge (skullshaver only lasts 30 mins/charge) and a wet shave option that skull shaver doesnt support.
Hope this helps.
-Lisa
Thank you! I need one so when I drive or in public transportation I can just bust it out and use it without water, I am hafl asleep reading your stuff so I apologize but do they need water around to be effective? I did not see anything about water needed or mentioned other than a little bit of waterproof when cleaning. Not sure if you will answer but please give advice if you can for the best on the go one. I got my eye on the skullshaver…looks like it would meet my needs. If you have any advice about that particular item please enlighten us. Thank you for your time and effort, this site has been very informative, I guess I can just go trial and error but I am not sure if they have return policies on items like these once youve used them?? Have a wonderful day!!
Bernard,
The retun policies are pretty good but most of the razor companies are usually volume businesses so you should be absolutely fine if you wish to do trial and error. Yes, Skullshaver is the brand and Bald Eagle Smart is the model name. I would suggest you just go with Bald Eagle Smart and there will no qualms about it later.
-Lisa
Bernard- Bald Eagle Smart is effective both dry and wet so doesnt necessarily need water but its always a good idea to prep your head for a shave with water how much ever effective they are!
-Lisa