Welcome to the bald head shaving club! Whether you're a first-time head shaver or a grizzled veteran, choosing the best head shaver can make all the difference in the world!
Choosing the best head shaver can be tricky, given the different types available, including safety, cartridge, straight, disposable, and electric head shavers.
Join us as we examine the best razors for achieving that smooth head shave you've always wanted.
What are the Different Types of Razors?
You can choose from several weapons for shaving your head.
Safety Razors
Safety razor blades use a single sharp blade and are a popular choice among head shavers as they provide a gentle, classic, smooth shave on the skin.
Straight Razors
A classic barbershop favorite, straight razors require more skill and technique, but they give you the closest shave you will ever experience.
Cartridge Razors
Cartridge razors are convenient and easy to use. They feature multiple blades in plugin cartridges.
Disposable Razors
Efficient and affordable disposable razors are a good choice if you don't mind buying a new razor after every shave. After one or two shaves, disposable razor blades go dull. Not very eco-friendly.
Electric Razors
Electric head shavers are fast, easy, safer, and designed explicitly for bald heads. You can choose from foil or rotary shavers. If you're considering switching to electric shavers, read our guide to help you decide between manual and electric razors.
The Top 8 Best Razors for Shaving Heads
The Leaf Razor - Best Plastic-Free Razor
GQ named the Leaf Razor the most innovative shaving razor in 2021, and for good reason. Its blades are super sharp, giving a smooth shave every time. The Leaf is 100% plastic-free, so it's heavier and may need some time getting used to.
The trick is to go slower and be more careful during the first few shaves.
The Leaf Razor is on the higher end of the spectrum. If it's too much for your budget, you might want to consider the next head shaver on our list.
Omni Shaver Premium - Best Innovative Design
The Omni Shaver Premium features two 5-blade cartridges, making shaving quicker and easier. You won't find any design like the Omni Shaver. Cartridge blades that move in multiple directions? That's unheard of until the Omni Shaver.
Follow instructions carefully on how to shave with the Omni. When misused, it can cut your skin. The back-and-forth technique is the right way to shave with the Omni. Avoid shaving sideways, which can cause some nasty nicks and cuts.
Henson AL13 Mild - Best Mild Safety Razor
If nicks and cuts are a problem, you need a mild razor blade like the Henson AL13. The Henson's design features no blade exposure, making it safer to shave your head without cutting or nicking.
Buy from their website or on Razor Emporium.
The Truman Razor by Harry's - Best Cartridge Razor
It's weird why Harry's discourages shavers from using the Truman for head shaving. The Truman's five high-quality blades may be designed for facial hair, as Harry claims, but they perform well on heads as well.
Gillette ProGlide Shield - Best Budget Razor
The shaving pioneers at Gillette are at it again with what we believe is the best budget razor for shaving your head.
The ProGlide Shield boasts a FlexBall handle that pivots which helps blades maintain contact with the head. This left and right pivoting action gives a closer and smoother shave.
It also has lubrication strips before and after the blades, which reduces irritation.
OneBlade Element - Best Premium Safety Razor
The OneBlade Element may look like a disposable razor, but don't let its appearance fool you. It features all-metal build with an anodized aluminum handle and matte chrome zinc alloy pivoting head that separates it from disposable razors.
Newbies will love the milder razor head design, which offers less irritation and more room for error.
Schick Hydro Sensitive Razor - Best for Sensitive Skin
For baldies with sensitive skin, a razor that does the job with minimal passes is essential to avoid skin irritation. The Schick Hydro Sensitive Cartridge Razor gives you a smooth shave with just a few passes. It also features skin guards on all 5 blades for added protection against skin irritation.
Freebird FlexSeries Pro - Best Electric Razor for Shaving Heads
Investing in a great rotary shaver is a good option if you're tired of nicks and cuts while shaving your head and want to save time in the bathroom.
We recommend Freebird's FlexSeries Pro, an upgraded version of the best-selling FlexSeries classic.
It can shave your head in 90 seconds without nicks, cuts, or irritation. Its powerful and quiet adaptive motor can easily cut through coarse and thick hair with ease.
The FlexSeries Pro also has ScalpSafe technology blades that shave closely and comfortably even for baldies with sensitive scalps.
Other notable upgrades in the Pro version are:
A travel lock
Longer 90-minute battery life
Larger hair capture chamber
Enhanced four blade design with independent foils
Two-part blade system for easier cleaning
IPX 7 waterproofing
Anti-slip coating and rubber grips
Three-level LED battery indicator
The FlexSeries Pro comes with several attachments worth $60
Upgraded Precision Clipper
3, 5, 7mm Safety Guards
Advanced Nose & Ear Trimmer
Micro Cleaning Brush
Get one now for only $69.95 from the Freebird website or on Amazon.
Things to Consider When Buying a Razor for Head Shaving
Before you buy a razor for head shaving, there are several factors you need to consider:
Skin Sensitivity
For sensitive skin, you must look for manual razors designed for sensitive scalps to limit or avoid skin irritation. You should consider hypoallergenic blades or razors with mild blades.
Razors Designed for Head Shaving
Not all razors are designed for head shaving. Some are designed for facial hair, legs, arms, chest, and private areas.
While they may still shave your head, it won't give the same results as a shaver meant for the head.
Investing in manual razor blades specifically designed for head shaving is a no-brainer. Head shavers feature pivoting heads and moisturizing strips that help minimize irritation.
Budget
Before you buy a head shaver, you need to check your budget and the cost of your preferred razor and replacement blades. There are expensive razors that are worth the investment and budget-friendly disposables.
Always look for the best value and not just the lowest-priced shavers.
Time Spent on Shaving
Manual shaving takes longer to finish, and only some people have the time to devote to a head-shaving routine.
Electric head shavers are worth considering if you want speed and convenience. Imagine shaving in just 90 seconds; that's possible with electric razors.
Type of Razor
If you want the closest shave possible, straight razors are your best option, but you must learn how to use them correctly to avoid nicks and cuts. Safety and cartridge razors can also give a close shave and are easier to use than straight razors, but there's still a chance you'll get nicked.
Electric head shavers are your best choice if you want to avoid nicks and cuts altogether (which we all dream about). They may not give you the closest shave like manual head shavers, but they shave pretty close.
Safety vs Cartridge vs Electric Razors
Now that you know about the various types of razors, you may wonder which one is right for you.
Safety razors give a closer shave, but the learning curve is longer than that of cartridge and electric razors.
Cartridge razors are convenient and easy to use; even beginners can use them safely.
Electric shavers are quick and, compared to manual razors, you can shave dry, which is convenient for some who don't have the time for a wet shave.
The choice boils down to personal preference and specific needs.
A safety razor is your best option if a close shave is a priority. A cartridge razor can do the job if you're a newbie on a budget while an electric shaver is more suitable if you're on a tight schedule daily.
How To Shave Your Head with a Manual Razor
Shaving your head with manual razors requires practice before mastering the routine. We begin by taking a hot bath to soften hair and open pores. Next, we apply shaving cream or gel to cover all areas.
Start shaving with the grain using short and gentle strokes. Always rinse your razors after a few passes to prevent clogging. Feel your scalp for missed spots and make a final pass with your razor. Rinse your scalp, pat dry, and apply a moisturizer or aftershave for hydration and protection.
The Bottom Line
Remember the freedom when you finally decided to shave your head? It's a liberating experience you wish you had chosen to do earlier.
You can get a smooth and irritation-free dome with the right manual razor.
Check out the best head shavers on our list and pick one that suits you.
You'll be rocking that smooth bald head in no time.
FAQs
What about the HeadBlade?
While the HeadBlade is a unique and interesting device, we've heard reports from many guys that say it doesn't work for them, or worse, slices the skin right off their domes. We recommend staying away from this product.
Is a manual or electric razor better for shaving my head?
While manual razors, such as safety, cartridge, straight, and disposable razors, shave closer than electric shavers, there's a chance of getting nicks and cuts because the blades on manual razors are exposed.
Electric shaver blades have guards that keep them from making direct skin contact. They're the safer choice if you don't want a bleeding head after shaving.
If a super close shave is really important to you, a manual razor is your best option. Just be careful and learn the right way to shave to avoid shaving accidents.
Should I shave my head in the shower?
If you haven't tried shaving in the shower yet, it's a different experience with some benefits.
First, you don't have to clean up your sink or bathroom floor since all the hair clippings and shaving cream are washed off in the shower. Some baldies claim they experience a closer shave when shaving in the shower since the warm water keeps the pores open.
Can I use beard-shaving products for my head?
Yes, but remember that scalp skin differs from facial skin. Scalp skin is thicker but more sensitive, so it's better to use products specifically designed for the scalp.
