It can be a sad day when your favourite jumpers or cardigans start to look old and worn out, but there's a quick and easy way to make them look a little fresher. Coming as either an electric or manual device, a fabric or pill shaver can remove all the bobbles, fluff and scraggly threads that develop over time to restore the look of your knitwear and other clothing.
Whether you're looking for a quick and easy lint remover to use around the home or something portable to take on the road, we've picked out the best fabric shavers for de-bobbling clothes available online. From electric versions by top brands like Philips, Steamery and Duronic to more traditional designs for carpets and upholstery, we've found the best options in the UK on Amazon, eBay and Argos for your convenience.
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of fabric shavers available and understand how our ranking was determined.
Image | 1 ![]() Philips | 2 ![]() Steamery | 3 ![]() Duronic | 4 ![]() BEAUTURAL | 5 ![]() SHIKING | 6 ![]() JML | 7 ![]() Crazyanna | 9 ![]() Liphier | 10 ![]() Magictec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Fabric Shaver | Fabric Shaver | Fabric Shaver | Fabric Shaver | Fabric Shaver | Bobble-Off | Portable Lint Remover | Double-Headed Fabric Shaver | Rechargeable Fabric Shaver |
Features | A Reliable Choice for Both Delicates and Hardy Materials | Comfortable and Compact for Fans of Scandinavian Design | A Rotating, Ergonomic Handle Sets This Apart From the Crowd | A Powerful and Efficient Option With a Large Lint Tray | An Extra-Safe Option That Comes Bundled With Plenty of Extras | Great Value for Those After a Budget Option | A Traditional Design That Never Runs Out of Power | A Double-Headed Design Makes This Ideal for Larger Surfaces | A Professional, Sleek Option That's Helpful When Travelling |
Price | £13.48 | £33.70 | £13.99 | £19.99 | £15.99 | £5.99 | £5.98 | £29.98 | £29.02 |
Adjustable Heights | 3 | - | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | - | 2 | - |
Power | 2 x AA batteries | Rechargeable USB | Rechargeable USB | Batteries, mains | Rechargeable USB | 2 x AA batteries | - | Rechargeable USB | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | 3 | 3 |
Other Features | 8800 RPM, see-through lint tray | Three blades | Adjustable ergonomic handle | 9000 RPM, 6-leafed blades, two speed settings, extra accessories | Intelligent safety lock, stainless steel 6-leafed blade | See-through lint tray | - | Double-head, two speeds | Three blades, electrostatic cloth |
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If you're looking for a general-purpose option for a variety of different materials and clothes, it's important to opt for a fabric shaver that has various height settings for different fabrics. This is especially important if you're planning on restoring delicate items.
When working with different materials, you'll also want a shaver that is able to catch all the different types of bobbles. While there is a difference between a heavy knit jumper and a plaid shirt, if you're looking for something that also works with upholstery, like sofas and curtains, having different hole sizes is a must.
Keep your most-loved garments in tip-top condition by teaming your fabric shaver with a clothes steamer.
While you may think that all fabric shavers are powered, there are a few traditional designs on the market that don't require power and work in a similar way to a large safety razor. These aren't suitable for more delicate items of clothing but they are perfect for upholstery, durable knitwear and denim.
Electric shavers work well as all-rounders and are suitable for most fabrics. Most are powered by batteries, usually AA, but there are some models on the market that have internal USB rechargeable batteries which have the additional benefit of being able to be plugged into the mains when out of juice.
The overall size of the head determines how easy it is to use as a bigger head means you'll be able to debobble a larger item of clothing quicker. A smaller head, and a well-placed handle or overall design, makes it easier to work in hard-to-reach places like the crevices of a sofa or when working with delicates.
Similarly, a high rotation speed (RPM) for powered shavers will make covering a large surface space quicker as you won't have to go over particularly difficult areas multiple times. Even for smaller areas, a high-speed, multi-bladed shaver will require a lot less effort to use, and those with multiple speed settings can be useful for uneven objects.
Did you know that the right fabric conditioner can help with bobbles too?
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
GC026/30
£13.48
Adjustable Heights | 3 |
---|---|
Power | 2 x AA batteries |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | 8800 RPM, see-through lint tray |
£33.70
Adjustable Heights | - |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | Three blades |
£13.99
Adjustable Height | 2 |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | Adjustable ergonomic handle |
£19.99
Adjustable Heights | 3 |
---|---|
Power | Batteries, mains |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | 9000 RPM, 6-leafed blades, two speed settings, extra accessories |
£15.99
Adjustable Heights | 2 |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | Intelligent safety lock, stainless steel 6-leafed blade |
£5.99
Adjustable Heights | 2 |
---|---|
Power | 2 x AA batteries |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | See-through lint tray |
£5.98
Adjustable Heights | - |
---|---|
Power | - |
Hole Sizes | - |
Other Features | - |
£19.99
Adjustable Heights | - |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | 6800 RPM, 6-leafed blades |
£29.98
Adjustable Heights | 2 |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | Double-head, two speeds |
£29.02
Adjustable Heights | - |
---|---|
Power | Rechargeable USB |
Hole Sizes | 3 |
Other Features | Three blades, electrostatic cloth |
Written and researched by David Sexton
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