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  • 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed) 1
  • 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed) 2
  • 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed) 3
  • 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed) 4
  • 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed) 5

7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed)

Hair cutting isn't a difficult thing to master when you have the right tools in hand. Having the right pair of scissors is essential to getting a hairstyle done correctly. Online marketplaces have many choices suitable for both amateur barbers and professional hairstylists. Here we have formulated a list of the 7 best hair cutting scissors. One pair is sure to work for you. 


Our top pick is a pair of scissors from the Professional Razor Edge Series of Equinox International. A lot of people rave about the scissors, and we loved them too. They come with an optimal length of 6.5 inches, and the sharp Japanese stainless steel blades and crane handles make it easy to cut through dry and wet hair. If you need help choosing hair cutting scissors, scroll down to look at our comprehensive buying guide reviewed by a licensed cosmetologist. 

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Hair Cutting Scissors

1

Equinox International

Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor
Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor

Razor-Sharp Scissors With Crane Handles for Effortless Cutting

2

Sanguine

Professional Hairdressing Scissors
Professional Hairdressing Scissors

Small Classic Scissors Best for Detailing and Layer Cuts

3

Utopia Care

Hair Cutting Scissors
Hair Cutting Scissors

Basic Pair of Scissors for Precise Haircuts

4

Equinox International

Razor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors
Razor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors

Shear Set for the Perfectly-Finished Hairstyle

5

ULG

Hair Cutting Scissors
Hair Cutting Scissors

Professional Haircutting Scissors With Great Cutting Edge

Denise Campbell
Expert
Cosmetologist/Beauty Advisor
Denise Campbell

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Table of Contents

How to Choose Hair Cutting Scissors

Buying a pair of scissors can be tricky. If you're a hairstylist always in need of the right tools, you will need more than just one pair of scissors. But for regular home use, a pair of scissors that can do most basic hair cutting tasks will be ideal.

 
To find the right one, you need to look at its design, material, length, and more. This guide is formulated to help you find the best pair of scissors, regardless of whether you're a professional hairstylist or a DIY barber. 

1

See What Type of Scissors Work for You

Scissors are divided based on what they're used for. The classic scissors are for basic haircuts and trimming. For advanced hairstyling techniques, hairstylists use thinning shears. Read on to find more about each. 

Classic Scissors Are for Basic Haircuts

Classic Scissors Are for Basic Haircuts

Classic scissors are a pair of regular scissors similar to those we use at home but can vary in length. Most of them have a length of between 4.5 inches and 6.5 inches.


These scissors can’t be used to add texture to your hair and can only be used to create basic haircuts. Both the blades have the same shape, and one finger ring will stay on top of the other.

Thinning Scissors Can Texturize Thicker Hair

Thinning Scissors Can Texturize Thicker Hair

Also called blending shears, thinning scissors are perfect for adding texture to your hair. They feature two finger loops or handles, one for the index finger and the other for the thumb. They come with widely-spaced teeth or serrated edges on one blade. This enables the scissors to cut portions of hair with each cutting motion. They are suitable for texturizing or cutting thicker hair.


The blending and texturizing type of thinning scissors can cut 40 to 70 percent of your hair in just one or two cutting motions. These scissors will have an average of 25 teeth and can be used on any hair type.


Chunking shears are perfect for cutting hair chunks and creating notches. They can remove 40 to 80 percent of the hair and are suitable for cutting thick or curly hair. The finishing type scissors have finer teeth than the other types and remove fewer hair strands. They are perfect for creating an excellent finish to any hairstyle.

Razor Scissors Can Create Natural-Looking Texture

Razor Scissors Can Create Natural-Looking Texture

Razor shears feature a single handle and blade and are rarely used these days. The single handle is for the index finger, and the single blade is suitable for texturizing. With only one blade, these scissors cannot be used for cutting


Hairstyling professionals use this type of scissors only when the hair needs texturizing. You need to hold the hair with one hand and hold the razor scissor in the other to create natural-looking textures to the hair. 

2

Go for Scissors With Sharp and Angled Blades

Go for Scissors With Sharp and Angled Blades

Convex blades are the sharpest and suitable for smooth, flawless haircuts. The blades have a convex edge with a hollow inside that enables them to cut with more precision. They're perfect for trimming hair or creating advanced haircuts like layering and blunting. They last long but require regular sharpening, and are mostly preferred by professionals.


Beveled-edge blades are lightweight and require you to apply more force for cutting. They have a thick and flat cutting edge that limits their use to cutting on dry hair or fine hair. These blades can work for basic hair cutting techniques like the blunt cut.  If their blades are polished, you can use them to cut thick hair, as well.


Semi-convex scissors feature a narrow beveled blade with a little curve. But they are sharper than beveled-edge scissors and are ideal for layering or blunting.


Scissors with serrated blades can prevent slippage while cutting. As mentioned earlier, they are perfect for texturizing thick hair. Regardless, the blades need to be sharper in order to prevent causing split ends while cutting.

3

Short Blades for Detailing, Longer Ones for Powerful Work

Short Blades for Detailing, Longer Ones for Powerful Work

Most hair cutting scissors come at a length of between four to seven inches. For precision cutting, a short pair of scissors of four to five inches works well. Their usage is limited to smaller sections of hair at a time. Short scissors also give better control for detailing near the ears or cutting the hair close to the skin.


Or, if you want to try graduated layers, a pair of short scissors will work. They are also ideal for the scissors-over-comb method. For blunting styles, some hairstylists prefer a shorter blade of five inches. Short scissors are what you need if you want to trim your growing beard

Scissors with longer blades can cut hair more efficiently and work for more advanced cuts. For hairstyles like a bob cut, longer scissors are preferred. They also work for slice or slide cutting, where you slide the scissors and cut portions of hair to create long and short hair for a unique texture.

4

Choose a Handle That's Comfortable for You

Choose a Handle That's Comfortable for You

The type of handle you should consider depends on your cutting style and your hand size. Classic scissors will have straight handles and finger loops of the same size. 


In offset type scissors, the thumb handle will be smaller than the other. These ergonomically-designed handles help keep your arm and elbow in a comfortable position. The handles induce less tension on your hands, thereby reducing fatigue. They are ideal for people using their ring finger along with the thumb for hair cutting tasks.


Scissors with crane-type handles are similar to the offset type. They come with a straight thumb handle, and the thumb loop will be placed at a sharp downward angle. The other handle is longer and angled and can allow you to take a lower elbow position while cutting.


Crane handles put less pressure on your hands and shoulders, allowing you to cut hair comfortably.


The most comfortable of all is swivel-type scissors. A swiveling thumb loop allows your thumb to stay put regardless of how much the blade moves around. This puts less tension on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. It can take a while for newbies to get used to this type of haircutting scissors.

One last consideration: for quieter cutting, go for scissors that have a bumper on one of their handles. 

5

Tension Adjustment Lets You Fine-Tune the Scissors

Tension Adjustment Lets You Fine-Tune the Scissors

Most scissors come with a dial spring or an adjustable screw on the handle or finger loop that lets you adjust the scissors' tension based on the cutting task at hand. Using that, you can adjust the tension between the blade and the handles. The screw will need a flat head screwdriver to adjust the tension. 


A dial-spring is easy to use and lets you fine-tune the scissors evenly. To see whether the scissors have the perfect adjustment for cutting hair, hold them vertically. If the blade with the finger rest drops to one-third to one-half of the way downwards, your scissors have the right tension for cutting hair.

6

Stainless Steel Scissors Are Strong and Reliable

Stainless Steel Scissors Are Strong and Reliable

Haircutting scissors made of stainless steel are most common. Japanese stainless steel scissors are highly sought after, and most premium scissors are made of German or Japanese steel. They are priced high due to their longevity and fewer maintenance requirements.

 
These days you can also find scissors made of molybdenum and cobalt. Scissors made of cobalt steel alloy or cobalt molybdenum alloy have better resistance to temperature, wear, and corrosion. But you won't find them to be as strong as a pair of stainless steel scissors.

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7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors Ranking

Here are the best Hair Cutting Scissors, ranked according to 7 Best Hair Cutting Scissors (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Equinox International

Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor

Equinox International Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor 1

Razor-Sharp Scissors With Crane Handles for Effortless Cutting

2

Sanguine

Professional Hairdressing Scissors

Sanguine Professional Hairdressing Scissors 1

Small Classic Scissors Best for Detailing and Layer Cuts

3

Utopia Care

Hair Cutting Scissors

Utopia Care Hair Cutting Scissors 1

Basic Pair of Scissors for Precise Haircuts

4

Equinox International

Razor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors

Equinox International Razor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors 1

Shear Set for the Perfectly-Finished Hairstyle

5

ULG

Hair Cutting Scissors

ULG Hair Cutting Scissors 1

Professional Haircutting Scissors With Great Cutting Edge

6

Ruvanti

Left Handed Hair Scissors

Ruvanti Left Handed Hair Scissors 1

Premium Offset Scissors for Left-Handed Users

7

Star Scissors

Thumb Swivel Hair Cutting Scissors

Star Scissors  Thumb Swivel Hair Cutting Scissors 1

Sharp Swiveling Scissors to Go Easy on Your Hands

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Equinox International
Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor

Razor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$24.99
Mid
Reference price
$24.99
Mid

Razor-Sharp Scissors With Crane Handles for Effortless Cutting

This ergonomically-designed pair of scissors has a slightly angled handle loop and curved finger rest. Hand-honed Japanese stainless steel blades and an easy-grip handle can help you deliver a range of precision cuts or bold haircuts.


The dial spring tension adjustment is a great feature. It's placed at the finger loop and lets you fine-tune the tension for each cutting task.


However, those with big hands couldn't get their fingers inside the handles. Overall, many users loved the scissors for the quality and razor sharpness. They worked well for a variety of haircuts, and many would recommend the shears to others.

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No.2

Sanguine
Professional Hairdressing Scissors

Reference price
$24.20
Mid

Small Classic Scissors Best for Detailing and Layer Cuts

These classic scissors look very professional and classy and are a perfect choice for beginners. The Japanese steel blades have the same length and are angled to a sharper edge for a clean cut. The finger rest can be removed or attached as per your requirement. 


The round tension screw is smooth to use and makes it easy to tune the scissors for each cutting task. The scissors are smaller than regular hair cutting shears, so if you're looking for a pair of scissors for detailing around the ears, to trim your beard, or to cut layers of hair, you'll love these. 


Some users found the finger loops too small. But for most other buyers, the scissors did a great job cutting and trimming hair. The small size made it easy to control the scissors and made detailing easy. 

No.3

Utopia Care
Hair Cutting Scissors

Reference price
$5.94
Low

Basic Pair of Scissors for Precise Haircuts

If you're a hairstylist or an individual looking for a classic pair of scissors for basic haircuts, you will be happy with these shears. The stainless steel blades are sharpened to a fine cutting edge to make impeccable and precise haircuts or make the perfect stroke cut on your hair. 


The easy-to-hold handles make your movements more comfortable if you use the accompanying non-slip ring inserts. And, if you want more finger space, use without the ring inserts. 


However, some reviewers didn't find the blades sharp enough. And for some, the screws fell off. But from trimming split ends to making precision cuts, the scissors worked well for many reviewers. Several users recommended these high-quality scissors for regular hair cutting tasks.  

No.4

Equinox International
Razor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors

Reference price
$32.19
High Mid

Shear Set for the Perfectly-Finished Hairstyle

What we loved about this set is the inclusion of a pair of thinning scissors along with a pair of classic hair cutting shears. The cutting scissors can be used to make most basic and precision cuts. The thinning shears with more than 30 teeth can texturize and give a perfect finish to your hairstyle. 


The crane handles with the curved finger rest give excellent control to your movements. And when there's a need for tension adjustment, just tighten or loosen the tension screw depending on your preference. 


According to some reviews, the finger loops might not be comfortable for those with bigger hands. Some reviewers didn't find the scissors sharp enough. But for most reviewers, the scissors made most hair cutting tasks easier. The thinning shears texturized the hair well, especially on those with thick hair.

No.5

ULG
Hair Cutting Scissors

Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid

Professional Haircutting Scissors With Great Cutting Edge

These scissors have an amazing mirror finish and have Japanese stainless steel blades. The convex blades have a 30-degree cutting slope for a razor-sharp angle that helps you make advanced cuts or trim evenly


The smaller thumb hole prevents the thumb from overexerting while cutting hair of various textures. The comfortable rubber finger inserts can be removed so those with bigger hands can use them.  


There were reports of some buyers having trouble holding the scissors and getting them to cut. But others loved the sharpness and had no trouble with their use. The scissors were also reported as beginner-friendly and could be used on dry and wet hair

No.6

Ruvanti
Left Handed Hair Scissors

Reference price
$29.99
Mid

Premium Offset Scissors for Left-Handed Users

These scissors are specifically designed for left-handed people. The blades are long and are hand-honed to a sharp convex edge to make cuts effortless. Both the handles have a finger rest, so if you want to turn the scissors to cut from a different angle, this will help. 


A few users reported that the blades went dull after a couple of uses. On the other hand, several reviewers appreciated these well-made scissors for the sharp blades and their comfort. Although they didn't work well for those with big hands, many appreciated them being made for the left-handed. 

No.7

Star Scissors
Thumb Swivel Hair Cutting Scissors

Reference price
$44.99
High

Sharp Swiveling Scissors to Go Easy on Your Hands

For hair stylists, working for extended periods can add a lot of stress and fatigue to the wrist and arms and result in carpal tunnel syndrome. Try this set of swivel hair thinning scissors and hair cutting shears. The thumb moves along with the cutting movements, making this set of scissors more than just beautiful. 


The scissors are small, sharp and are suitable for most precision cuts and detailing tasks or for stacked or graduated layers. Or try these scissors to get those perfect bangs you always wanted. 


A few users weren't happy because they couldn't get their fingers into the handle loops. But most others loved both pairs of scissors for the sturdy construction, thumb swivel, and sharpness. It worked great for small hands

Buying Guide Reviewed by Licensed Cosmetologist Denise Campbell

Denise Campbell
Cosmetologist/Beauty Advisor
Denise Campbell

This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.

Top 5 Hair Cutting Scissors

No. 1: Equinox InternationalRazor Edge Hair Cutting Scissor

No. 2: SanguineProfessional Hairdressing Scissors

No. 3: Utopia CareHair Cutting Scissors

No. 4: Equinox InternationalRazor Edge Hair Cutting and Hair Thinning Scissors

No. 5: ULGHair Cutting Scissors

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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