:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-06-09at5.08.21PM-44a830fbe12c47dfa332f895c05b6358.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-12-best-professional-hair-shears-4845944-primary-cbb274a9df584a52afc1bf9759583c88.jpg)
Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Once upon a time, we would have shuddered at the thought of an at-home haircut. But nowadays, it doesn’t feel so foreign (global pandemic, we see you). However, if you’re going down the DIY path, it’s so important to have the right tools, namely a pair of quality hair shears.
While shears aren’t our usual go-to topic of choice, it’s still an important sub-section of beauty, so we’ve done the hard yards and found the best shears on the market for all hair types, skill sets, and style preferences. According to stylist and Raw salon owner Anthony Nader, at-home haircuts are a slippery slope, but totally possible if you take the approach that less is more and use the best shears for the job.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick in hair shears is the Matsui Matte Black Aichei Mountain Offset Shear because they're super sharp for a precise cut and made with high quality steel. We also love the more affordable Coolala Stainless Steel Hair Cutting Scissors they have an adjustable handle and cut efficiently for all hair types.
To find the best hair-cutting shears on the market, we conducted hours of research—evaluating our options based on their sharpness, material, and how long-lasting they were. After consulting an expert and considering dozens of models, we landed on these top-rated picks,
Keep scrolling to find the best professional hair-cutting shears whether you're a novice cutter or a pro.
Best Overall: Matsui Matte Black Aichei Mountain Offset Shear
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MatsuiMatteBlackAicheiMountainOffsetShear-2777a76bc863473380b7837ea293745c.jpg)
Great for adding texture
Comes with a sleek case and other accessories
Super sharp
Reviewers note that they can get blunt quickly
Fancy yourself a bit of a semi-pro at-home hairdresser? Invest in a great pair of shears like these from Matsui. They’re made from Aichei Japanese Steel and come with finger inserts so you get your best fit, plus the fine point means you can feather or add texture to the hair.
Price at time of publish: $249
Size: 5.5, 6" | Materials: Cobalt-infused steel
Best Budget: Coolala Stainless Steel Hair Cutting Scissors 6.5"
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CoolalaStainlessSteelHairCuttingScissors6.5Inch-b69b687ddb004814809eb335dc9bf76b.jpg)
Includes comb and adjustable screw
Helps create versatile cuts
Comfortable to hold
Could be sharper
It's kind of hard to believe this shear and comb kit comes in at about the same cost as a lox bagel, but such is the wonder of affordable beauty. Made from high-quality steel and with an adjustable screw for customized tension, these work well on all hair types and styles, from crops to long layers.
Price at time of publish: $8
Size: 6.5" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best Drugstore: Tweezerman Spirit 2000 Styling Shears
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TweezermanSpirit2000StylingShears-c81e8554e8824d8ab0a7f95e9abdbdf9.jpg)
Great for precision cuts
Easy to trim bangs
Comfortable to grip
Could be sharper
With a plastic handle and stainless steel blades, these shears from Tweezerman are simple and user-friendly. According to online reviews, they last forever as well (up to 25 years, according to one Amazon customer).
Price at time of publish: $22
Size: 5.5" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best Adjustable: Equinox International Professional Razor Edge Series Hair Cutting Scissors
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/EquinoxProfessionalRazorEdgeHairCuttingScissors-d137e64f69f440f695e98d2b47146ce7.jpg)
Ergonomic design
Very sharp
Won't rust
Must be washed before first use
These handy shears allow you to easily change the tension setting to suit your hair type and style preference. They also come coated in a thin layer of oil to ensure the blades are fresh, so be sure to wash them thoroughly before use.
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 6.5" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best Ergonomic: ULG Hair Cutting Scissors
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ULGHairCuttingScissors-b328070c048447e79122c40da4cdc5d1.jpg)
Comfortable to grip
Won't slip
Very sharp
Metal can get scratches over time
No one wants crampy, uncomfortable fingers when snipping away. Enter the ULG Hair Cutting Scissors. The ergonomic shape is designed to facilitate easy movement with an inner silicone finger grip to prevent slipping.
Price at time of publish: $16
Size: 6.5" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best Kit: Sirabe 10 Piece Hair Cutting Scissors Set
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sirabe10PieceHairCuttingScissorsSet-474eb6ee31e542e1830987cf19cd2f4d.jpg)
Comprehensive kit
Great value
Includes adjustable screw and other accessories
Scissors could be sharper
Feeling confident? Try expanding your DIY haircutting repertoire to include this 10-piece kit from Sirabe. Complete with thinning scissors, regular shears, clips, a comb, and a cape, you’ll have everything on hand to give yourself (or someone else) a professional-ish job from the comforts of home.
Price at time of publish: $22
Size: 6.7" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best for Wet and Dry Cuts: Fromm Explore 5.75" Hair Cutting Shears
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FrommExplore5.75Shear-93cc2d0a982c4fcfae0f49f70a89a2f6.jpeg)
Easy to adjust
Great for precision cuts
Comfortable to grip
Must be washed before first use
These handy shears allow you to easily change the tension setting to suit your hair type and style preference. They also come coated in a thin layer of oil to ensure the blades are fresh, so be sure to wash them thoroughly before use.
Price at time of publish: $34
Size: 5.75" | Materials: Steel
Best for Touch-Ups: JAVENPROLIU Professional Hair Cutting Shears
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JAVENPROLIUProfessionalHairCuttingShears-514732f296ca417aa2f9b0362f6b3d9f.jpg)
Fun design
Lifetime warranty
Great for beginners
Could be sharper
Handmade from steel, these colored shears are not only fun to look at but work a treat on all hair types. High quality and comfortable to use, they’re everything you need to touch up split ends, layers, or bangs. One Amazon customer mentioned that should you ever find the joint jams up, try adding a drop of baby oil.
Price at time of publish: $8
Size: 6" | Materials: Steel
Best for Short Hair: Diane Home Cut Kit
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DianeHomeCutKit-21f219dd4bbf45da824f0c83a9992f8c.jpeg)
Ideal for quick trims
Includes clips, comb, and a cape
Good value
Comb could be better
If you’re looking for a shorter blade for more specialized work, this kit from Diane is a great option. Sharp, easy to use, and comfortable to grip, they work well on crops and bobs. The inclusion of clips and a comb is a nice touch, too.
Price at time of publish: $22
Size: 7.5" | Materials: Steel
Best for Left-Handers: Pacinos Styling Shears
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PacinosStylingShears-a415b77e848f439a8a435e590923b6ef.jpg)
Comfortable to grip
Easy to adjust
Chic design
Could be a bit sharper
Panicos get that not everyone cuts hair in the same way, so they offer both a right/left and specialized left-handed variation of its Stylish Shears. The forged blade is made from stainless steel, and the adjustable screw set means you can customize it to your preferred tension.
Price at time of publish: $55
Size: 5.5" | Materials: Stainless steel
Best for Beginners: Tecto Professional Stainless Steel Barber Scissors 6.6"
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ProfessionalStainlessSteelBarberScissors6.6-ba549d569a6e41d694fef9b96fac5b28.jpg)
Comes with a case
Comfortable to grip
Inexpensive
Scissors must be closed gently
Could be sharper
These sleek black shears are high quality and a great choice for beginners. With a long, razor-sharp cutting edge, they move freely and have a comfortable handle for a clean cut at home.
Price at time of publish: $12
Size: 6.6" | Materials: Alloy and stainless steel
Best Splurge: Hattori Hanzo Shears HH8 Talon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hh8-cc779dc0a7ca442681f26f84de172452.jpg)
Lifetime warranty
Comfortable to grip
Works equally well wet or dry
Range of sizes available
Somewhat heavy
Okay, these are not cheap, but if you’re happy going your own way in the hair department and want the tools to match, these HH8 shears are gold glass. They feature a permanent finger rest, tension control, even balance, and a screw-in bumper for a precise cut every single time. While a splurge, they come with a lifetime warranty as well.
Price at time of publish: $607
Size: 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5" | Materials: Cobalt and molybdenum alloys
Final Verdict
The shears you go for will more or less depend on your hair and skill set, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a few team Byrdie favorites. We love the Matsui Matte Black Aichei Mountain Offset Shear the most for their sharpness, longevity, and the fact you can tweak the finger grips to suit you. We also love the more budget-friendly Coolala Stainless Steel Hair Cutting Scissors 6.5" because they hit a sweet spot between quality, ease of use, and affordability.
Meet the Expert
Anthony Nader is a professional hairstylist and owner of RAW Salon. He is based in Sydney, Australia.
What to Look for When Buying Professional Hair Shears
Material
When looking to buy hair shears, stainless steel is by far the best material to go for as it retains a sharp edge, won’t rust, and will last forever.
Length
While this is more so important for professional stylists than at-home stylists, you can still consider the length of your shear. First of all, choose something that aligns with the size of your hands. If they’re bigger (and your fingers are longer) go for a longer shear and vice versa.
Your hairstyle matters as well. Longer shears are better at cutting curves and long layers, whereas shorter shears are great for ends, bangs, short choppy styles, and crops.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Algar is an experienced freelance journalist who covers all things beauty. She has written for various publications such as Allure, Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and, of course, Byrdie.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any professional hair shears from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-nail-clippers-4801848recirc-f697b0d508fa46da93f9da7d1966939c.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Recirc-Best-Eyebrow-Trimmers-4772865-75f1f2cf9db64f95bde365f73668611e.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BraunAll-in-OneTrimmer-3ad0f3b793e94be2a20d7c4a7e381def.jpeg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-water-bottles-4769736-Byrdie-Recirc-DD-68cc88848e4b400c89377e57573946b4.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYR-Gillette-Venus-Platinum-Extra-Smooth-Juliao-1-b8be4769c3204e5584480da359fbb489.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-razors-for-men-4842510-recirc-4ad7716eadc341aab454e81d32853ce6.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-GROUP_BYD-0347-8246e64e25d542888f303effa8398142.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-BYD-Tweezers-Hansen-Beauty-Tools-Raise-SomeBrows-Slant-Tip-Tweezer-Tamara-Staples-0095-575e53cd84c7401aa7074643418fb672.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1227503564-a5e187f0458f41a0acc617cc8c8e34ba.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-12-best-shower-mirrors-4846274-primary-93c37df7def5497f8f393aa38b026f73.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-work-bag-847d849e7fe24e5990252cd0ae6742e3.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-10-best-derma-rollers-4587502-primary-4ac7bbe1aae94f42b98c428121281be9.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stacked-skincare-dermaplaning-face-exfoliating-tool-jessica-juliao-05.jpg-8d0280b899f9464a804d1f694d3b2b0d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-professional-hair-clippers-4845632-Byrdie-Recirc-DD-3dd19b9d0c704a7caebfea3f6f00740c.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-ab-machines-5192053-Byrdie-Recirc-DD-233c0bd7ee504c3686ec3012423fcf40.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-13-best-ice-rollers-4773213-primary-1c2d24b320af459aa732af582e1de77c.jpg)