Shaving your head with a regular razor or a face shaver works, but it’s slow and awkward, especially around the back and the crown, where you can’t see. A head shaver is built for the job. Most are rotary electric shavers with four or five floating heads that fit in your palm and follow the curve of your skull, so you can shave your whole head in a couple of minutes, in the shower or dry. Others are razors shaped to sit on your fingers rather than in a handle.
Our top pick is the Philips Head Shaver Pro ($99.99). Its fully flexing head follows the curves of your scalp, its blades cut just above the skin for a smooth shave without irritation, and it’s waterproof, runs an hour per charge, and is easy to clean. On a budget, the Remington Balder Pro costs about $60 and has more than 17,000 Amazon ratings. For the closest possible shave, the HeadBlade ATX razor costs about $15.
Our Picks at a Glance
| Shaver | Best for | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Head Shaver Pro | Most people, sensitive skin | Rotary electric, 360° flex | $99.99 |
| Remington Balder Pro | Budgets | Rotary electric, 5 heads | About $60 |
| Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO | A palm-held grip, long runtime | Rotary electric | About $78 |
| HeadBlade ATX | The closest shave | Manual razor | About $15 |
Best Overall: Philips Head Shaver Pro
Best overall
Philips Head Shaver Pro (5000 Series)
A 360° flexing rotary head shaver with ComfortCut blades, IPX7 waterproofing, and 60 minutes per charge.
Philips makes more electric shavers than anyone, and its Head Shaver Pro applies that experience to bald heads. The shaving unit flexes 360 degrees to stay flat against your scalp as you move over the back of your head and behind your ears, which means fewer passes and less pressure, and less pressure means less irritation.
Its ComfortCut blades cut each hair just above skin level rather than right at it. That makes the shave slightly less close than a fresh razor blade, but far gentler, which is why it’s our pick for anyone with sensitive skin or bumps. A sensor reads how dense the hair is and adjusts power as you shave.
It’s IPX7 waterproof, so you can shave in the shower with foam or gel and rinse it clean. It runs about 60 minutes on an hour’s charge, and five minutes of charging gives you one full shave. A travel lock, protective cap, and pouch are included, though the wall adapter isn’t. The Pro 9000 version ($123) adds a longer, 90-minute battery and a more premium finish.
Buy it if you want a smooth, comfortable head shave every day or two.
Best Budget: Remington Balder Pro
Best budget
Remington Balder Pro XR7000
A five-head waterproof rotary head shaver with flexing blades and a hair-capture chamber for about $60.
The Remington Balder Pro is one of the best-selling head shavers on Amazon, with more than 17,000 ratings averaging 4.2 stars, and it costs about $60. It has five rotary heads on a pivoting neck, so it covers more of your head per pass, and a hair-capture chamber that keeps clippings out of the sink.
It’s fully waterproof for wet or dry shaving, rinses clean under the tap, and runs about 50 minutes on a charge. The shave isn’t quite as smooth or as gentle as the Philips, and the build feels cheaper, but for the price it’s a capable shaver. Remington’s newer Balder and Balder MAX models cost $80 to $100.
Buy it if you want a good head shaver without spending $100.
Best Palm Shaver: Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO
Best palm shaver
Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO
The palm-held rotary shaver that started the category, with a 70-minute battery and wet or dry use.
Skull Shaver’s Pitbull popularized the palm-held head shaver. Instead of a handle, the body curves to sit under your fingers, so you shave by running your hand over your head the way you’d rub it, which makes the back of your head much easier to reach without a mirror.
The Silver PRO is the mid-range model, with an upgraded motor, roomy chambers that trap hair, and up to 70 minutes of runtime, the longest here. It works wet with cream, foam, or oil, or dry. Skull Shaver sells replacement heads, which you’ll want every year or so.
Some people find the palm grip awkward for detail work around the ears and sideburns. The Gold PRO (about $121) adds a stronger motor, a battery display, and a travel case.
Buy it if you like the idea of shaving your head with the palm of your hand.
Best Razor: HeadBlade ATX
Best razor
HeadBlade ATX
A finger-ring head razor that rides on small wheels to keep the blade at the right angle.
No electric shaver matches a sharp blade for closeness. The HeadBlade ATX is a razor designed for heads: you slide your finger through a ring and push it across your scalp, and small wheels at the back ride along your head so the blades stay at the right angle. It’s easier to control on the back of your head than a regular razor, and many longtime head shavers swear by it.
It takes HeadBlade’s HB4 four-blade cartridges, and costs about $15 to start. It’s slower than an electric shaver, needs shaving cream and water, and like any blade, it’s more likely to irritate sensitive skin or nick bumps and moles.
Buy it if you want the smoothest possible bald head and don’t mind a wet shave. For more razors, including safety and straight razors, see our guide to the best manual razors.
Electric Shaver or Razor?
| Rotary electric | Razor | |
|---|---|---|
| Closeness | Very smooth, cuts just above the skin | Closest |
| Irritation | Less, better for sensitive skin | More, especially when rushed |
| Speed | 2 to 5 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Wet or dry | Either | Wet only |
| Running cost | Replacement heads every 6 to 12 months | Cartridges every 1 to 2 weeks |
Many people use both: an electric shaver for quick daily touch-ups, and a razor when they want a glassy-smooth finish.
How to Shave Your Head Smoothly
- Trim first if your hair is longer than about a quarter inch. Use clippers without a guard; shavers and razors clog on long hair.
- Shave after a warm shower, when hair and skin are soft.
- With an electric shaver, use small circular motions and light pressure, and don’t press hard to get closer; let the heads float. Go against the grain on a second pass if you want it closer.
- With a razor, use a proper shaving cream, shave with the grain first, rinse the blade often, and re-lather before any pass against the grain.
- Check by touch, not sight. Run your palm over your head in all directions to find missed patches, especially behind the ears and at the crown.
- Moisturize afterward with a fragrance-free lotion.
Head Shaving With Sensitive Skin
The best razor for sensitive skin is usually an electric one. Rotary shavers cut hair just above the skin instead of slicing at skin level, so they cause fewer nicks, less razor burn, and fewer ingrown hairs, the red bumps that form when a cut hair curls back into the skin. Ingrown hairs are especially common for people with curly or coarse hair.
If you prefer a blade:
- Use a sharp blade. Dull blades drag and irritate. Replace cartridges often.
- Shave with the grain, and avoid stretching the skin tight.
- Don’t go over the same spot repeatedly.
- Skip alcohol-based aftershave, which stings and dries the skin.
If irritation, bumps, or dark spots persist, a dermatologist can help, and may suggest shaving less often or using a shaver that leaves a little stubble.
Protect Your Scalp From the Sun
A newly bald or shaved scalp gets sunburned quickly, and the scalp is a common spot for skin cancer. Wear a hat outdoors, or use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on your head; lightweight sprays and sticks are easiest to apply over a shaved scalp.
How We Chose
We compared popular head shavers on how well they follow the contours of the head, closeness and comfort, irritation on sensitive skin, waterproofing, battery life, ease of cleaning, replacement-part costs, owner ratings, and price. We included one manual razor because many people who shave their heads prefer a blade’s closeness.
Head Shaver FAQ
What is the best head shaver for a bald head?
The Philips Head Shaver Pro for most people. Its 360° flexing head follows the curves of your scalp and gives a smooth, comfortable shave. The Remington Balder Pro is a good budget alternative.
Is it better to shave your head with a razor or an electric shaver?
A razor gives the closest shave; an electric shaver is faster and gentler on sensitive skin. Many people use an electric shaver day to day and a razor occasionally.
How often should you shave your head?
Every one to three days, depending on how fast your hair grows and how smooth you like it. An electric shaver makes daily shaving easy.
Can you shave your head with a face shaver?
Yes, but it’s slower and harder to reach the back of your head. Head shavers are shaped to fit in your palm and follow your scalp.
How do I stop bumps after shaving my head?
Use an electric shaver or a sharp blade, shave with the grain, don’t press hard, and moisturize afterward. Persistent bumps may be ingrown hairs, which a dermatologist can treat.
How long do head shaver blades last?
Most rotary heads last six to 12 months with regular use. Replace them when the shave gets slower or starts to pull.
