Shaving your head with manual razors can be a chore. Finishing takes forever, and you're always afraid of getting nicked or cut.
It may be time to consider a safer, quicker, faster, and more comfortable alternative: Palm Head Shavers.
We've listed the best of the lot, plus share tips on how to pick the right head shaver for your specific needs.
Best Overall Palm Head Shaver: Freebird FlexSeries, $40
Runner Up: Remington Balder Pro, $70
Best Luxury Palm Head Shaver: Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum, $180
Best Compact Palm Head Shaver: Skull Shaver Palm, $40
Honorable Mention: Groomie Baldie Pro, $80
What is a Palm Head Shaver?
As its name implies, a palm shaver is an electric rotary shaver designed to be held in your palm. This unique ergonomic form factor makes shaving your head and face easy and comfortable as you hold the shaver in the palm of your hand.
Fast and Comfortable Shave: You can dry shave in 90 seconds with electric head shavers without razor burn, ingrown hairs, or irritation.
Ergonomic Grip: A palm-held head shaver's ergonomic handle fits snugly in your palm, giving you better control, especially when shaving hard-to-reach areas like the back of your head.
Maneuverability: A palm shaver for the head's compact design allows easier handling than bulkier counterparts.
No Nicks and Cuts: Painless head shaving? You bet. Electric razors have guards that prevent painful nicks and head cuts.
The 5 Best Palm Shavers for Heads
Freebird FlexSeries - Best Overall Palm Head Shaver:
The FlexSeries is the best palm head shaver you can buy. And at only $39.95, it's a steal.
You'll get cordless operation and a powerful 8,500 RPM motor that can finish shaving your head in just 90 seconds. It boasts sharp ScalpSafe technology blades that are safe for sensitive scalps. You'll experience a smooth shave without razor burns, ingrown hairs, and irritation.
The FlexSeries is also a safe and comfortable razor. You can forget about those nasty nicks and cuts.
You'll also get a complete grooming kit (worth $60 when bought separately) of valuable attachments free:
Clipper with three guards
Ear and nose trimmer
Exfoliation brush
Scalp scrubber
Remington Balder Pro - Runner Up
The Remington Balder Pro is our runner-up to the FlexSeries, and for good reason.
Balder Pro head shavers are built to last and are backed by a 5-year warranty. Its waterproof design allows for convenient shaving in the shower. Due to its non-slip grip feature, you shouldn't worry about dropping your shaver.
It also boasts a powerful battery, giving 50 minutes of juice, ensuring you'll finish your shave without worries.
Remington claims you can finish shaving in under 2 minutes, which is no surprise since its blades can easily tackle coarse and curly hair. The rotary heads are also safe to use for baldies with sensitive skin.
One reminder is that the Balder Pro rotary razors can't be used while plugged in.
Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum - Best Luxury Palm Head Shaver
If you're in the market for the best palm shaver for the head in the luxury category, the Pitbull Platinum is your best option.
Opting for a shaver alone will cost you $219.99, but subscribing can bring it down to $197.99. As a subscriber, you'll get the Forte Pro 4 replacement blades for a discounted $31.50 each.
Skull Shavers are known for their game-changing two-finger insert design.
The unique design allows a comfortable grip where users have their palm in between the blades and body, reducing wrist strain and providing a more comfortable shave.
The top-of-the-line Platinum Pro has a powerful motor that can shave for up to 90 minutes on a single charge. It's IPX5 waterproof, which allows for wet or dry shaving. It also features a travel lock and an LED display showing the exact battery percentage.
You'll also get extras like a rinse stand, a rubber charging port cover, and a travel case.
A Caveat: Some online user feedback shows users are experiencing battery problems and durability issues with Skull Shavers.
Skull Shaver Palm - Best Compact Palm Head Shaver
Skull Shaver has a compact palm head shaver if a standard-sized palm shaver is still too bulky.
For $43.99 (shaver only) or $39.59 with a subscription (10% off and discounted blade replacements), it's one of the best options for compact head shaver power.
With three shaver heads versus the usual four to five heads, the Palm is an excellent choice for those with smaller heads or who prioritize portability.
It is a great travel companion that you can also use to shave your face.
Don't let its size fool you. The Palm doesn't lack power. It can give you a smooth shave that's on par with regular rotary head shavers (with more passes).
It has a 60-minute battery life and IPX5 water resistance. You'll also get a nose and ear trimmer attachment with the purchase.
Groomie Baldie Pro - Honorable Mention (Best Newcomer)
Groomie may be the new kid on the block, but they've been turning baldies' heads with the Baldie Pro rotary shaver.
The Groomie shaving kit costs $79.99, or $49.99 with a subscription. Subscribers get an upgraded lifetime warranty (1 year without subscription), free shipping, and a 30-day shave trial.
One thing you'll notice about the Groomie Baldie Pro shaving kit is its similarity to the FlexSeries. The shaving kit also includes a nose and ear trimmer, a clipper with three guards, an exfoliating brush, and a scalp scrubber.
Since the FlexSeries is one of the top sellers on Amazon, selling a shaving kit with identical free attachments is a good marketing strategy.
Groomie noticeably upgraded by adding a numerical battery power indicator, a valuable feature for baldies who want to know how much charge is left. Groomie also claims a 90-minute battery life, which is longer than competitors in the same category.
Groomie is powered by a 10,000 RPM motor, providing a quick and efficient shave. It also has IPX7 waterproofing, which makes it perfect for wet and dry shaving. Our best newbie shaver also has SmoothShave patented blades, which, according to Groomie, can work well for all skin types. Groomie says they last for 60 shaves, and replacement blades cost $23.99 each.
Based on reviews, Groomie can improve its trimmer and make it more precise.
Buy from their website or Amazon.
What to Look for in a Palm Shaver
Before you buy the best palm shaver for your head, here are things to look for:
Number of Shaving Heads
A palm head shaver usually has 4 to 5 shaving heads. More heads cover more area, which means faster shaving, but they may be bulkier and less maneuverable. To learn more, read our article on how many heads are optimal for rotary shavers.
Long Battery Life
Look for electric shavers that have a long battery life. Sixty minutes of power is a good baseline and will ensure you can finish shaving your entire head without running out of power mid-shave.
Sharp Blades
Dull blades can wreak havoc on our scalps. The pulling and tugging can be uncomfortable. A head shave with dull blades can result in a patchy and uneven shave. Even worse, you'll have a higher chance of ingrown hairs, razor burn, or irritation.
Choose electric shavers with razor blades made from high-quality hypoallergenic stainless steel. They're sharper and last longer than other low-quality blade materials. Ensure that your electric razor has readily available replacement blades. For example, Freebird's ScalpSafe blades generally last for 50 shaves (dependent on hair thickness) and have blades available for replacement.
Powerful Motor
A higher RPM motor is what you're looking for when buying the best electric head shaver. Electric shavers with 8,500 RPM and up are a good baseline to ensure a smooth and close shave, especially if you're prone to ingrown hairs or have coarse and curly hair.
Wet and Dry Capability
While wet and dry capability is increasingly common for a rotary shaver, there are still rotary shavers with dry shave capability only. If you have sensitive skin, wet shaving is a better method, so your electric razor needs to have both wet and dry capability.
Travel Lock
If you're a frequent traveler, look for an electric head razor with a travel lock to prevent your shaver from turning on accidentally while inside your bag. You'll avoid damaging your rotary shavers' blades or wasting battery life.
Warranty
For peace of mind, look for bald head shavers with a good warranty. Malfunctions due to defects happen even with the best palm head shaver brands. Freebird's FlexSeries has a 60-day shave trial and lifetime warranty, which is one of the best deals you can find.
How to Shave Your Head with a Palm Shaver
Shaving with an electric head shaver may not be as close as a manual shaving razor. But they shave easier, faster, safer, and are more comfortable than traditional razor blades like safety razors, cartridge razors, or straight razors.
Wet or Dry Shaving
Before shaving, determine which method to use: wet or dry shaving.
A dry shave is best for you if you're busy (save time) and always in a hurry. You won't get as close a shave compared to wet shaving, though, and it may only work if you have tough skin.
Wet shaving is best for those with sensitive scalps or who prefer a close shave.
We've written a more in-depth article on wet vs. dry shaving that you can check out.
Shaving your head bald with your palm shaver is pretty straightforward:
First, ensure your head shaver is fully charged or has enough battery life.
Trim hair with a hair clipper or beard trimmer if it's too long.
For dry shavers, you can shave away! (proceed to number 6).
For wet shavers, apply warm water on your head to open pores and soften hair.
Apply shaving cream or gel, then shave.
Check for missed spots and make a pass again.
Once done, rinse your scalp with cold water to close the pores.
Apply a moisturizer or aftershave, and you're done. If you're going outdoors, applying sunscreen is a good idea.
You can read our article on how to shave your head to learn more.
Palm Head Shaver Alternatives
Traditional Rotary Shaver (3-head face shaver)
Traditional rotary shavers usually have three heads designed for the face and body. They can work for the head in a pinch, but they're bulkier and not ideal for shaving your head.
Foil Shaver
Foil shavers resemble the traditional rotary shaver but have a thin foil head with oscillating blades underneath. Foil head shavers shave closer than palm head shavers but may irritate the skin due to the close-cutting action. They're also less effective on coarse and thick hair than rotary palm shavers.
You can read our guide on foil vs. rotary shavers for a better comparison.
Manual Razors
Manual razors give the closest shave, but you're more prone to painful nicks and cuts.
For manual razors, you can choose between the safety razor, cartridge razor, and straight razor.
Safety razor: has a single-edged blade held in a safety head.
Cartridge razor: has multiple blades in replaceable cartridges.
Straight razor: single, honed blade in a folding metal handle.
You can read our article on electric vs manual razors to learn more.
The Bottom Line
Once you experience the ease, safety, comfort, and speed of electric palm shavers, you won't consider manual razors again.
Pick one from our list, and you'll surely have a great bald head-shaving experience.
FAQs
Can I Use a Palm Head Shaver on My Face?
Yes, palm head shavers can also be used on the face. This makes it more convenient since you won't need a separate face shaver. Take note, though, that bald-head electric razors are designed to cover more area and head contours. They also have powerful motors that may irritate sensitive facial skin.
Try to shave a small portion of your face first and see how it goes. If you don't have irritation, congratulations - you now have an electric shaver for your head and face!
How Do I Clean My Palm Head Shaver?
Keeping your head shaver clean should be a part of every bald man's head-shaving routine. It's vital for maintaining hygiene and making your unit last longer.
Turn off and unplug the shaver.
Empty the hair-clipping compartment.
Use your cleaning brush to remove all the hair from the shaving heads.
Rinse shaving heads under running water (for water-resistant palm shavers)
Remove excess shaving cream and clippings.
Air dry completely before storing.
You can read our piece on how to clean electric head shavers for more information.
How Often Should I Replace the Blades on my Palm Shaver?
A good electric head shaver blades last between 1 to 3 months, depending on head shaving frequency and hair type. It's time to replace your blades once you notice decreased performance, pulling, tugging, discomfort, and a less smooth shave.
To learn more, you can check out our guide on how often blades last.
Can I Travel with my Palm Shaver?
While most airlines allow electric head shavers in carry-on luggage, you should check with your airline or country you are flying to for specific regulations.
You can check TSA guidelines on packing razors and head shavers in carry-on baggage.
