The best fabric shavers to remove pilling and get your jumpers in shape

How we test fabric shavers

We test fabric shavers just as you use them at home. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts gather together their bobbliest jumpers and set to work to see which fabric shaver produces the neatest results. These are the factors we take into account when awarding our score.

• Debobbling performance: Each device is used across cashmere, merino wool, lambswool and polyester, so we can see how they fare across the most common fabrics in your wardrobe. Our experts first see how much it removes in one sweep from a set area of pilling, before assessing how long it takes to remove all pilling from the same area.
• Ease of use: Throughout testing, our experts examine how easy each device is to use, including how comfortable it is to hold for long periods and how much mess it makes.
• Design: We consider the usefulness of each fabric shaver's design, including features like a lint catcher and travel lock, and assess how easy it is to keep clean.
• Instructions: As always, our testers assess the clarity of any instructions each fabric shaver comes with. Guidance on using it properly – including tips to prevent damaging delicate fabrics – is crucial.

These are our winners.

Score: 92/100

This egg-shaped debobbler received glowing praise from our in-house textiles expert. They said it was comfortable to hold and cut through piling with ease – from cashmere to polyester and lambswool. Most garments looked as good as new after a quick pass, with a few more goes needed occasionally to catch smaller, stubborn bobbles.

It was neat to use, collecting all the lint inside, and you can see inside to check when it needs emptying. Opening it was slightly fiddly to master at first, but our expert got used to it after a few attempts.

It's rechargeable, and the battery lasted 90 minutes on test, recharging quickly too. Plus, a low battery indicator means you won't be caught by surprise. It's a superstar debobbler for jumpers, upholstery and more.

Read our homes editor's full Philips Fabric Shaver review

Key specifications

Score: 90/100

Needing just two passes to fully de-bobble our cashmere and merino wool jumpers, this fabric shaver excelled when it came to tackling more delicate fabrics. Even large bobbles on lambswool were removed after a few passes and our knits looked wonderfully refreshed. Lint on common fabrics such as polyester was removed in just one pass too.

Some light fluff escaped its bin storage, leaving a light dusting over the testing surface, and while we love the magnetic design that makes the bin easy to remove (and empty), we’d avoid popping the fabric shaver in a bag while full in case it pops open!

Key specifications

Score: 88/100

This electric fabric shaver removed pilling with ease across cashmere, merino wool and more, making it ideal if your wardrobe is full of different fabrics. Testers liked that its well-sized head could cover a large surface area quickly and it tackles all sizes of pilling as it goes.

They found it simple to use thanks to an ergonomic handle and an internal waste bin that trapped removed lint, keeping everything tidy. It also emptied easily. It comes with two batteries to operate, a cleaning brush and a height adjustment cap for delicate textiles. Handily if this is your first fabric shaver, the accompanying instructions are clear too.

Key specifications

Score: 87/100

This affordable fabric shaver whipped away most pilling from all fabrics in a single sweep during testing – just a few more passes were needed to fully de-fuzz. It also worked well around awkward areas, such as armpits, without damaging or catching on the fabric.

Our tester found the finger loop tended to get in the way and would have preferred a moulded handle for a better grip, and they found the bin somewhat small, so you may find yourself needing to empty it a few times during bigger projects. However, no lint escaped, which makes it a tidy option.

Our tester enthused about one feature, in particular. “I love that when you’re cleaning it with the brush, the ‘on’ button will activate a light that allows you to see all the little bits of fabric you need to clean up more clearly,” she said. “Very handy!”

Key specifications

Score: 86/100

We love that this fabric shaver has two speeds, which means it can handle more robust fabrics while being able to go more slowly on delicates. It removed most pilling in just one pass, with just one or two more sweeps needed for smaller bobbles and fine fluff.

The magnetic bin cover makes emptying it very fast and easy – a real plus when you’re tackling bigger projects – and the mini cleaning brush provided is great for getting under the blade. Our tester just noted that while the handle is comfortable for short periods, anyone with larger hands may not be able to get a good grip through the hole. A simple gadget at a good price, though.

Key specifications

Score: 83/100

Does the thought of taking electric blades to your favourite jumpers make you feel nervous? Then this manual jumper defuzzer is an excellent alternative. Despite requiring a touch more work to achieve the desired results, it did a great job of freshening up fabrics, particularly with merino wool, lambswool and polyester. Plus, it has three different heads so you can tailor it to different textiles, and there’s no worrying about batteries or recharging.

Testers found its handle comfortable and said it was good at getting into corners and seams. It requires more clean-up since you need to collect fluff as you go, but it does have an integrated lint brush to speed this up. It comes with detailed instructions, and you can store it neatly in an accompanying travel pouch.

Key specifications

Score: 82/100

For a wool bobble remover that looks as sleek as the garments it’s working on, look no further than this premium electric model. It's rechargeable, so you don’t need to worry about batteries, but you still benefit from added power.

Testers found the debobbler’s large head covered their garments quickly, reliably removing pilling within a few sweeps. It worked the fastest on polyester, and all our wool was left looking refreshed.

Note that while the lint is stored within the body, our testers recommend cleaning the blades regularly during use to prevent clogging. Otherwise, it’s another great buy for beginners, with clear instructions, making it a chic and effective wardrobe companion.

Key specifications

Score: 71/100

If you’ve got a whole wardrobe in need of some TLC, we wouldn’t recommend this comb as you’ll be working for a while. That said, if you just need a debobbler for small touch-ups on the go, the compact design is ideal.

As it’s entirely manual, you have to put some effort in for the best results, and because it has just one texture, it's not suitable for more delicate fabrics. But for knitwear, testers found their jumpers started to look noticeably revived after a few sweeps. We found it wasn’t too messy to use either. One to keep in your bag or suitcase.

Key specifications

Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’re all about extending the life of our clothes – so we couldn’t wait to put these fabric shavers through their paces. The strict testing protocols we used were developed by our highly experienced homes testing manager Blossom Boothroyd, and were designed to reflect how you'd use them at home.

Our senior homes writer, Megan Geall, then took the results and turned them into easy-to-read reviews, pulling out the best buys for every need and budget. Megan has her finger firmly on the pulse of the latest homes product launches, talking to brands and attending industry events.

No one can buy the Good Housekeeping Institute’s seal of approval. It only appears on products that have passed our rigorous, independent assessments, which are carried out in our dedicated testing lab. We’ve been reviewing products for over 100 years, so we know exactly what separates the great buys from the disappointing ones.

Final verdict: what is the best fabric shaver?

If you're wondering whether you need a fabric shaver, our answer would be a resounding yes. These handy gadgets can give your clothes numerous new leases of life, and they'll help care for those treasured pieces. Bye-bye bobbles!

In terms of which one our experts recommend, the Philips 1000 Series Fabric Shaver shot straight to the top of our list following its impressive performance on test.

If you prefer the control of a manual fabric shaver, opt for Gleener's Fuzz Remover 2 in 1 Clothes De-Piller and Lint Brush. It's versatile and effective, and you'll never need to worry about battery life.

Do fabric shavers really work?

Yes – when used correctly, a fabric shaver (also known as a debobbler or bobble remover) is very effective at removing pilling and giving clothes a smarter-looking finish. In our tests, the best models removed bobbles quickly from a range of fabrics including cashmere, merino wool, lambswool and polyester.

While they won’t make heavily worn garments brand new, they can significantly extend the life of your knitwear and keep clothes looking well cared for.

What is the difference between a fabric shaver and a lint remover?

A fabric shaver is designed to remove pilling (those small bobbles that form when fibres rub together), usually by cutting them away.

A lint remover, such as a sticky roller or brush, lifts surface debris like hair, dust and fluff but won’t tackle embedded bobbles. In short, lint removers tidy the surface, while fabric shavers deal with more serious wear and refresh the fabric itself.

Are fabric shavers safe to use on delicate fabrics like cashmere and wool?

Many fabric shavers are designed with protective heads or height adjustment caps to reduce the risk of damage, so they’re safe to use on delicates, as long as you go carefully. Always hold the fabric taut, use light pressure and avoid lingering over one area. For very delicate or loose-weave knits, a manual fabric shaver or comb may offer more control.

What’s the difference between an electric fabric shaver and a manual one?

Electric fabric shavers use rotating blades to cut away bobbles quickly and usually collect lint in an internal bin, making them faster and neater to use. A manual bobble remover – such as the Gleener 2 in 1 Fuzz Remover and The White Company Beech Wood Pilling Comb – rely on scraping away pilling by hand.

Manual debobblers take more time and require a bit more effort but give you greater control and don’t need batteries or charging. Both can be effective; the best choice depends on your most-worn fabrics and how much debobbling you plan to do.

If you’re replacing an existing fabric shaver, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.

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