The Best Electric Sweater Shavers

If you've ever looked down at your favorite sweater only to discover that it's covered with unsightly pills, you're not alone. Although you can pull them off or use a manual shaver to remove them, an electric sweater shaver is a quick and effective way to get your sweaters back in tip-top shape. Electric sweater shavers have a sharp rotating blade inside a mesh casing, so they cut lint and pills off the surface without tugging at the fabric. We've checked out the best of these innovative gadgets to bring you some reviews of our favorite options.

What to Look For

While searching for the best electric sweater shavers, we looked for items that are easy to hold, come equipped with sharp blades, and have a roomy basket to collect fuzz and lint. Our overall favorite was the fabric shaver and lint remover from Beautural, which has three blades to quickly cut through pilling and has a comfortable handle that doubles as a lint collector. If you’re looking for something that won’t need batteries, we also love Magitec’s rechargeable option. The hour-long battery life is suitable for most needs, and its powerful suction ensures you won’t find errant pills all over your space when you’re done. Keep reading to see our in-depth reviews of the best electric sweater shavers on the market.

Beautural Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover

Sweater saver

This dual-speed shaver will rescue your worn sweaters in no time.
Best Overall

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Powered by two AA batteries, this sweater shaver is lightweight and powerful. It has an adjustable shave height, which means you can use it on different fabrics without snagging. It also has two shave speeds, so you can take it slow or power through.

Pros:

  • The multi-sized holes catch both small and large pills without snagging your fabric.
  • We like that the blades are very durable, and there are even two replacements included in case you need them.

Cons:

  • The motor may start to slow as the lint collector fills up, so you’ll have to empty it for best results.

Magictec Rechargeable Fabric Shaver

Again and again

Since it doesn't use disposable batteries, this sweater shaver is a convenient and lightweight option.
Best Rechargeable

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Get a close shave with this rechargeable fabric shaver. You can charge it from a wall port, computer, or even a car charger, so it’s ready to go whenever you are. The mesh cover tackles lint, fuzz, and pills of all sizes, leaving you with soft, smooth fabric.

Pros:

  • This shaver works equally well on heavy, thick knits and thin cotton fabric.
  • A strong suction action draws lint into the collection chamber, so you don’t need to worry about fuzz flying all over.

Cons:

  • The charge lasts for about an hour, which is perfect for small items like sweaters but may be too short for larger spaces like upholstery.

Conair Battery Operated Fabric Defuzzer

Clean sweep

The lint collector on this shaver is completely detachable, so cleaning it out between uses is easy-peasy.
Easiest To Clean

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This fabric defuzzer features an ergonomic grip handle that’s super comfortable to hold, and because it’s battery-operated, you don’t need to worry about working with a cord. The lint collector is fully detachable, so it’s easy to open and empty over a trash can without losing any fuzz around your house.

Pros:

  • This sweater shaver has a bigger head than other models, so it can quickly cover large areas.
  • The adjustable blade height is great because you can use it on many different kinds of fabric.

Cons:

  • The lint collector is a bit small, and because this sweater shaver is very effective, it fills up quickly.

Pritech Rechargeable Fabric Shaver

Cut through pills and lint fast with this rechargeable sweater shaver. The unique magnetic closure makes it easy to open and clean out, and the slim handle makes it comfortable to hold. It also has a convection design that sucks everything directly into the collection container, and the blades run 60% faster than other shavers on the market.

Pros:

  • We love that this works equally well on thick and thin fabrics.
  • This shaver works very fast — so much so that you can de-pill several sweaters in a quarter of an hour.

Cons:

  • The charge lasts about 45 minutes, which is shorter than some other rechargeable sweater shavers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do sweaters get pills?

Fabric begins to pill with wear and tear because fibers and lint come loose and clump together on the surface. You might notice it most on areas of clothing that rub together, like around the underarm seams of a sweater. Although most fabric will start to pill eventually, removing them with a sweater shaver will leave your clothes looking as good as new.

What materials can I use a sweater shaver on?

Sweater shavers are designed to remove fuzz and pills from wool, cashmere, or angora sweaters. However, you can use them on a variety of surfaces and materials. An electric sweater shaver can remove pills from cotton hoodies, bedsheets, and blankets, and you can even use one to efficiently de-fuzz carpets.

Are electric sweater shavers better than manual ones?

It mostly depends on how delicate your sweaters are and what kind of features you prefer. Manual shavers are typically more gentle on fabrics, but they do require more effort, so if you have arthritis or other similar conditions, keep this in mind. Electric shavers make quick work of the task at hand, but they’re typically costlier, less precise, and require more maintenance.

About the Author

Madeleine is always on the lookout for new styles, so you can usually find her perusing Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. She treats herself to the occasional splurge on nice shoes, but she also loves bargain-hunting at the thrift store. She's developed quite the eye for fashion through the years, and now she wants to share her expertise with anyone looking to give their wardrobe an upgrade.

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