Best Overall
Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover
- The handle is easy to hold.
The handle is easy to hold.
- The collection bin is on the small side.
The collection bin is on the small side.
After testing 20 models, we found the Conair Portable Fabric Shaver CLS1 to be the best fabric shaver overall. The shaver comes in six different colors and is safe to use on most household fabrics. We liked that it didn’t take many passes to collect the pilling on clothing, and it was easy to remove lint. After the first swipe of the fabric shaver, it removed 75% of the pilling on the fabric swatch we were working with.
Compared to others we tested, we found that this Conair model was the most comfortable shaver to hold, and we appreciated the ergonomic handle. The fabric shaver is on the smaller side, which makes it easy to travel with. However, this means that the collection bin is also on the smaller side, which requires more emptying during larger jobs.
We found the lint chamber the easiest to remove and put back on. We also liked the different adjustments to blade height, as well as the option to remove the cover completely without causing any holes or snags. It did take a few passes to clear the swatch, but it worked quickly overall.
Keep in mind, batteries are required but not included with the product.
Product Details: Type: Electric (battery) | Number of Settings: Three | Dimensions: 3.8 x 7.75 x 7.75 inches| Weight: 6.4 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Budget
Ruri's Portable Lint Remover
- This manual model doesn’t require any batteries.
This manual model doesn’t require any batteries.
- The wooden handle is a little slick.
The wooden handle is a little slick.
This basic, no-frills fabric shaver from Ruri’s is the best if you’re on a budget. At the time of publishing, these are priced at less than $10 for two shavers, which is a great value. The pure copper head is made to be long-lasting, along with a beech wood handle. There are no batteries needed and the lightweight product is easily portable.
The handle is comfortable to hold, but keep in mind that we did experience some slickness despite grooves which are meant to keep your grip in place.
The double-sided fabric shaver just requires a quick flip of the product to use which side you’d like—both use the same method to remove pilling. Keep in mind, our first pass didn’t do much, but with subsequent passes, this fabric shaver completed the job.
We found that the fabric shaver was safe to use as there are no exposed blades. However, cleaning was a bit trickier as there isn't a handy collection bin as with electric models.
Product Details: Type: Manual | Number of Settings: Zero | Dimensions: 6.53 x 1.08 x 5.48 inches | Weight: 3.5 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Adjustable
Rowenta Portable Lint Remover Shaver
- Batteries are included.
Batteries are included.
- We found it to take a bit longer to use than other fabric shavers.
We found it to take a bit longer to use than other fabric shavers.
If you're looking for an adjustable model, we recommend the Rowenta Portable Lint Remover Shaver. With a control guard that can be changed to three different height levels, we think this pick will well on clothing, bedding, and upholstery alike.
We liked that the shaver was lightweight and easy to hold. Our wrists didn’t get sore in testing, despite having to hold the shaver at a bit of an angle, mimicking how hands are typically placed while ironing clothing.
The lint container was easy to empty as the compartment pops out and snaps back in by hand. We simply tapped the container on the surface we were working on to get the fuzz out. In the event of a clog, we noticed that when the container is off of the shaver, the backside of the blade can be accessed using the small cleaning brush included with the item.
The shaver is powered by two AA batteries, which are included. The fabric shaver has a switch on its handle to turn the shaver on and off and a guard on the shaver that turns clockwise to lower and counterclockwise to raise between three heights.After one swipe across the material, the fabric shaver did not noticeably remove pilling. We eventually removed the guard entirely and found that it worked quickly, taking about 10 passes to begin noticeably removing pilling and lint.
Overall, the shaver was effective despite the time it took to see discernible results. After we completed testing, the fabric we used was visibly smoother and felt smoother as well.
Product Details: Type: Electric (battery) | Number of Settings: Three adjustable height levels | Dimensions: 5.3 x 7 x 2.99 inches | Weight: 4.8 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Corded
Allisable Fabric Shaver
- It works quickly and effectively—in testing, we saw almost all of the pilling on our item gone in just four minutes.
It works quickly and effectively—in testing, we saw almost all of the pilling on our item gone in just four minutes.
- There’s only one speed setting.
There’s only one speed setting.
If you’re looking for an effective item to refresh your clothing and upholstery that’s affordable too, this is the best choice for you. The Allisable Fabric Shaver worked quickly and efficiently. After one swipe through our sample fabric, we noticed about 25% of the pilling was gone. After seven times going over the entire piece (which took about four minutes), 90% of the pilling was taken care of.
We noted no clogging or jamming, and the item came with a small brush to clean the blades. There are two additional blades that come with the item, in case the first blade starts to become dull.
With high ratings in ease of use, we found it simple to remove the lint collector and place it back on the item. We also thought it was easy to clean and felt safe handling it, with no worry about accidentally cutting ourselves. Like with other models, this shaver did vibrate a bit while in use, but it didn’t bother us.
Overall, we felt that it was effective at removing pilling, comfortable to hold and very user-friendly, even for those who have never used a fabric shaver before.
Product Details: Type: Electric (corded) | Number of Settings: One | Dimensions: 7.28 x 2.68 x 3.54 inches | Weight: 10.2 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Manual
Gleener Portable Compact Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover
- There are adjustable inserts to tailor the shaver to what type of fabric you’re working with.
There are adjustable inserts to tailor the shaver to what type of fabric you’re working with.
- Fuzz builds up in the shaver after extended use, and no tools are provided to help with removal.
Fuzz builds up in the shaver after extended use, and no tools are provided to help with removal.
The versatility and efficiency of the Gleener On The Go Portable Fabric Shaver makes it the best option for manual use. Its three interchangeable edges allow for use on most fabric types including cashmere, wool, fleece, and cotton. We found that the design was very easy and comfortable to grip for extended use, too.
We used a tea towel in testing and found that using the cottons option took about 10 to 15 swipes to clear the pilling, while using the wool edge took about twice as long. The delicate fabric option was ineffective on the tea towel.
The different edges are stored within the device to minimize the chance of misplacing them (or children or pets finding them). Keep in mind, after a lot of use, the shaver will accumulate a buildup of fuzz that reduces effectiveness. The buildup will need to be cleared by hand.
Part of what made Gleener’s fabric shaver stand out was its fuzz collection function. By blotting the fabric with the rough, velvety insert on the side of the fabric shaver, a fair amount of fuzz can be collected.
Product Details: Type: Manual | Number of Settings: Three interchangeable edges | Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 4 inches | Weight: 2.82 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Portable
Magictec Rechargeable Fabric Shaver
- This pick is extremely safe to use with an automatic shut-off if the blade cover is loose.
This pick is extremely safe to use with an automatic shut-off if the blade cover is loose.
- There is only one height setting.
There is only one height setting.
A sleek black design, comfort, and its ease of use makes this Magictec model the best choice for portability. We loved how comfortable and effective the razor was, despite having no adjustable heights or speeds.
Fuzz collection and emptying is simple, with a button at the bottom of the shaver to push and dislodge the bin from the rest of the shaver. We recommend facing the shaver down and pushing the button to allow the bin to drop into the palm of your opposite hand to slide the fuzz out of the bin. A brushing tool is included with the shaver to brush away any remaining fuzz after emptying.
After the first swipe, about 10% of the pilling was removed. We didn’t experience any clogs or jamming of the item during testing. The shaver did feel like it sat a bit too high, but in doing so it helped to prevent any snags or holes in the fabric. After the sample fabric, we used the fabric shaver on one of our own sweaters. We found it did a great job, with no additional wear and tear.
Magictec’s fabric shaver has a honeycomb, mesh-like cover that reduces the friction of clothes. We apprediated how safe we felt while using this shaver, as there’s an automatic shut-off with a safety lock if the blade cover is open or loose.
One of the best parts of this fabric shaver is its fast charging and how travel-friendly it is. There are multiple options to charge including direct plug to a laptop or desktop computer, car charger, or power bank. Two hours of charging gets you about one hour of use.
Product Details: Type: Electric (rechargeable battery) | Number of Settings: One | Dimensions: 5.12 x 1.97 x 2.76 inches | Weight: 8.4 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Sweaters
Philips Electric Lint Remover and Fabric Shaver
- It's easy and satisfying to use, and very effective on thicker fabrics.
It's easy and satisfying to use, and very effective on thicker fabrics.
- This fabric shaver is not as comfortable to grip as other similar products.
This fabric shaver is not as comfortable to grip as other similar products.
If you’re looking to refresh some sweaters in your closet, this easy to operate model from Philips is the best for thicker fabrics. We tested with a provided fabric swatch and after the first swipe, there was little visible difference in the fabric. After a bit more time, about 85% of the pilling was removed. After our inital test on a thinner swatch, we used the shaver sweater and found it performed even better.
You won’t have to pause often to empty the shaver, as it has a large compartment to catch lint and pilling. We were pleased to see that the fabric shaver kept performing well, even with a lot of fuzz in the compartment. There is also a small brush included, perfect for cleaning out hard to reach crevices if needed.
There is little risk or holes or tears due to the flexible metal covering protecting the blades from potentially ripping the fabric you’re working with. Keep in mind, we did have to be a bit cautious with the fluff compartment, as it can slide out more easily than other fabric shavers.
Product Details: Type: Electric (battery) | Number of Settings: One | Dimensions: 4.02 x 6.81 x 3.28 inches | Weight: 7.3 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best for Upholstery
Gleener Fabric Shaver and Lint Brush
- It includes a built-in lint roller, which is effective at cleaning off shaved bits of fabric.
It includes a built-in lint roller, which is effective at cleaning off shaved bits of fabric.
- It requires a bit more force and firm pressure to achieve desired effect.
It requires a bit more force and firm pressure to achieve desired effect.
If you have upholstery in need of a refresh, the Gleener Battery-Free fabric shaver is up for the job. The shaver has three different attachment brushes that can be swapped in and out depending on the type of fabric you’re working with. We used the medium brush for our test, but if you’re working with very delicate fabrics, it is advised to use the lightest attachment.
Overall, the shaver had an ergonomic design that was very easy to maneuver as needed. It is also quite sturdy, and we feel that it will last for a long time. We had to apply a decent amount of pressure to the fabric in quick and short movements repeatedly over the same spots to achieve pilling removal. Even with this manipulation of the fabric, we created no snags or holes.
The end of the shaver has a soft lint roller which helped us pick up leftover debris from the fabric. To clean the roller, we used one of the shaver attachments and ran it through the roller.
After testing, we're worried that thinner fabrics may stretch a bit too much with this shaver, but if you’re looking to revitalize upholstery, it works very well. We recommend following the instruction booklet included with the item. It advises which brush to use with certain fabrics, and which fabrics are not recommended to be shaved.
Product Details: Type: Manual | Number of Settings: Three fabric edges | Dimensions: 4 x 20 x 12 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK