5 Best Fabric Shavers for Sweaters, Blankets and More
Everything from your sweater to your sofa can look new again.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
When your favorite sweater starts showing pills—those small balls of fiber that form in areas prone to friction, like under the arms, along side seams, or where a bag strap sits on the shoulder—a good fabric shaver can help reverse that and make it look brand new again.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover
- Best value: Lona Scott Store Cashmere Comb
- Best rechargeable: Steamery Pilo No.2
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab have tested more than 18 fabric shavers (both electric and manual options like fabric combs) to find the ones that actually work. We washed and dried rayon-polyester blend sweaters 15 times to produce extreme pilling, then put each tool through its paces—Conair, with its large head to cover more surface area at once, came out on top. Below, the best fabric shavers for everything from cashmere pullovers to upholstered sofas.
Best Deal
Pros
- Large lint bin so you won't have to empty it as often
- Adjustable head for different fabric weights
- Easy to store and pack
Cons
- Batteries not included
The Conair fabric shaver is an easy, affordable way to revive sweaters, blankets, and other knits. In testing, it removed pills quickly and consistently, and the oversized lint bin kept fuzz contained between passes without frequent emptying. It's cordless and battery-powered (batteries not included), so it's simple to maneuver, and the detachable catcher makes cleanup simple.
The 2-inch head covers more surface area with each pass, and three depth settings let you safely tackle thin, medium, and heavy fabrics. Its compact size means it can easily be stashed in a drawer or packed in a suitcase.
| Power | 2 AA batteries |
| Head size | 2-in. diameter |
| Adjustable to fabric | Yes |
Pros
- Won't nick delicate fabrics
- No batteries or outlet required
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Takes longer to remove pills
This double-edged comb is the safer choice for lightweight, delicate knits like cashmere, merino wool, or anything else that might snag on a motorized blade. It removes pills without pulling or stretching the fabric, and works across a range of materials.
It's also small and lightweight, so it's a breeze to stash in a desk drawer or carry-on. And while you won't need batteries or an outlet, the manual device takes more time and effort to use than a powered shaver.
| Power | Manual |
| Head size | 4 in. wide |
| Adjustable to fabric | No |
Pros
- Works quickly and easily
- Compact and comfortable to hold
- Includes small brush to remove lint from head
Cons
- Batteries not included
- Lint bin is small
In Lab testing, this compact shaver de-pilled sweaters faster and more smoothly than pricier models. It's ergonomic and easy to grip, simple to stash in a drawer, and travels well, making it a strong value compared to bulkier, more expensive options.
It comes with a small brush to clean fuzz from the head and a protective cap to cover the blades when not in use. The lint catcher is on the smaller side but detaches for easy emptying, and the shaver runs on two AA batteries (sold separately) for cord-free operation.
| Power | 2 AA batteries |
| Head size | 1.5-in. diameter |
| Adjustable to fabric | No |
Pros
- Doesn't need batteries or charging
- Comes with three heads for different fabrics
- Includes a lint brush
Cons
- May take multiple passes for completely clean results
This model combines clever design with versatile performance. It has a depilling head on one side and a lint brush on the other, plus three interchangeable heads to handle delicate, medium, and thick fabrics. In tests, we found the soft-grip handle comfortable to hold and easy to use.
What we appreciate most is that it won't accidentally snag or cut knits. A worn black dress looked new again after a pass, and it safely and evenly depilled a sweater that had been nicked by a motorized shaver. Because it's manual, there's no need for batteries or charging, though it does require more time and effort than electric models. Multiple passes may be needed, and a gentle hand helps avoid stretching the fabric.
| Power | Manual |
| Head size | 4.75 in. wide |
| Adjustable to fabric | Yes |
Pros
- Good size for travel
- Comes with brush for cleaning
- No batteries required
Cons
- Tricky to clean
The Steamery brings a modern, minimalist aesthetic to fabric shavers. Its USB-C rechargeable design makes it a convenient travel companion, since there's no batteries required. In testing, it removed pills quickly with just a few gentle passes and gathered them neatly into a satisfying clump.
The large depilling surface and ergonomic shape make it comfortable to use. We also appreciate that it comes with a cleaning brush to help maintain the electric shaver, though we found the blades were still a bit tricky to clean.
| Power | USB-C rechargeable |
| Head size | 2 in. diameter |
| Adjustable to fabric | No |
How we test fabric shavers
While testing fabric shavers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we considered everything from electric shavers to fabric combs and pumice stones for a total of 18 different products designed to remove pill balls from clothes.
When we previously tested this category, we bought multiple identical cardigan sweaters made of a rayon-polyester blend that we knew was likely to pill, then we washed and dried them 15 times each to create the worst possible pilling situation. We then tested each tool on the garments and scored how well they removed pills in one pass and how many passes it took to completely depill the fabric. We also evaluated the shavers for ease of use, comfort in the hand, and ease of cleaning.
For hands-on home testing, we sent the fabric shavers to consumers to track their experience and scores for how easy—or difficult—the models were to operate and clean, how long the shavers held a charge (if rechargeable), and any other feedback. Since then we've also tested some newer models that have come out on the market.
What to look for when shopping for a fabric shaver
Don't rush into buying another gadget that doesn't fit your needs and ends up in the junk drawer. Weigh these factors first to be sure you get your money's worth.
✔️ Surface area of the shaver head: How big is the part that sweeps over the fabric? Check product specs on our list for each model's head diameter in inches. The bigger it is, the more area it can cover in one pass.
✔️ Power source: What's nice about a rechargeable fabric shaver or a battery-operated one is that you can take them anywhere and smooth away pills without a cord getting in the way. However, if you have a big de-pilling job (furniture or a lot of sweaters at once), a plug-in fabric shaver will give you the most lasting power. With a manual shaver or sweater comb, you'll never have to worry about recharging or replacing batteries and these are the most compact, so they're good for travel, but expect to spend a little extra time to achieve the same effect as with a powered-up model. A manual shaver may also give you a bit more control when working with delicate fabrics.
✔️ Design: Larger models with long handles are a more ergonomic choice for smooth maneuvering , but compact models are easier to store or pack.
✔️ Bin size and ease of emptying: A larger lint bin means fewer interruptions mid-shave, but it's worth checking how easily it detaches and empties. Some designs trap fuzz in ways that make cleanup more difficult.
✔️ Fabric weight options. If you plan to de-pill a wide range of garments, it's a bonus if you can adjust the shaver speed based on garment weave from delicate to bulky.
How do fabric shavers work?
Electric fabric shavers work by using rotating blades, a mesh screen, or a rough stone texture to lift and cut away the loose, broken fibers that form pills.
Manual options, like combs and stones, work differently. Rather than cutting, they pull pills from the fabric and collect them on a metal comb or pumice-like surface to be cleaned off later.
To get the best results, hold the fabric taut with one hand and move the shaver gently over the surface with the other. Avoid pressing too hard. Several light passes usually do the job, and a heavy hand risks damaging the knit.
What's the difference between a lint remover and a fabric shaver?
While sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. A fabric shaver cuts away pills and fuzz, often attached to the fibers, to refresh worn fabrics, while a lint remover lifts loose lint, pet hair, and debris from the surface. Some products, like Gleener, do both.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté is the former executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She spent more than 40 years guiding tests in the Good Housekeeping Institute, assessing the appearance of clothing, bedding, upholstery fabrics, and more after laundering and abrasive wear-and-tear tests.
Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with 15 years of experience covering home care and lifestyle products, used Forté’s testing notes and guidance to update this roundup of the best fabric shavers.
Readers Also Read
125 Unique Birthday Wishes for Friends
The Best Vacuum Cleaners
Vitamins You Shouldn’t Take Before Bed
Every Place You Can Order a Thanksgiving Dinner
