A Guide to the 12 Best At-Home Hair Cutting Scissors

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Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in a situation where you wish you had a pair of hair cutting scissors. Whether you’re trying to cut your own micro-bangs at home or giving yourself a little trim in between salon visits, shears are like the best razors or nail clippers—it’s always nice to have one on hand. Of course, unless you really know what you’re doing, dramatic style changes are best left to the professionals; even snipping off a few dead ends should be done with a dedicated pair of hair scissors. Using any old pair, especially a dull or rusty one, can lead to damaged locks and leave you prone to even more split ends.

Beyond sharpness, you should also pay attention to the length of the scissors, depending on your needs. Pick one that’s too long, and you could accidentally pull on and harm your strands; choose a pair that’s too short, and you may find yourself cutting for much longer than necessary. “The length of your shears should start at the corner of your wrist and end at the tip of your pointer finger, diagonally placed,” says Sarah Leah Rona, a New York-based hairstylist and co-founder of the salon Arisa. Rona also explains that shorter options are ideal for detail work and fine-tuning, and longer ones can speed up the process if you’re creating texture within the hair.

We consulted two professional hairstylists and pored over customer feedback on dozens of shears to compile a list of the 12 best hair cutting scissors for at-home haircuts and trims. Shop below!

Equinox Professional Hair Cutting Scissors 6.5"

With nearly 49,000 ratings, these shears are perfect for beginners. They’re crafted from high-quality Japanese stainless steel, and they’re also super sharp. Plus, the gold finish adds a touch of luxury.

Size: ‎8.5 x 3.19 x 0.75 in; 3.5 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5

An ELLE editor says: “I bought these in a panic last summer when I got bangs for the first time in a long time. I didn’t have the bandwidth (or the funds) to run back to my stylist every month for a touch-up to keep them fresh, so I wanted to learn to do it on my own. Unlike some of my other panic purchases, this one is a winner. My wallet was happy, but so were my strands; this tool is so sharp that it makes cutting an effortless task. I eventually grew out my bangs again, but it was no fault of these scissors—I just found bangs harder to style every day than anticipated. Maybe I’ll go back to them someday.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

Professional Hair Scissors

Constructed from high-quality steel, the barber-approved Fagaci Professional Hair Scissors are as sharp as your favorite movie star’s jawline. Be careful with it at first to prevent any accidental injuries on your fingers—but once you get used to them, they’re sure to become your best hair cutting friend.

Size: 9.02 x 3.98 x 1.14 in; 0.32 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “These are the best hair cutting scissors I have ever used. They are very sharp and excellent quality and worth every penny. Makes cutting hair a breeze. Wish I had bought them sooner!”

Tulip 5-3/4'' Hair and Body Shear

These shears are truly beginner-friendly, thanks to their lightweight handle and approachable price. Use them for a quick trim anywhere on your body.

Size: 9.25 x 3.27 x 0.94 inches; 0.01 ounces

Ulta star rating: 4.5/ 5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Perfect little scissors for home haircuts. I am no expert at hair cutting. I wanted something affordable and sharp so I could cut my family's and my own hair. These scissors cut easily, the blades are sharp, and [the] cuts are clean.”

Hair Thinning Shears

If you’re ready to go all in and give yourself or a loved one a full-on haircut, consider this kit. The set includes a versatile double-sided razor, a barber cape, and of course, a pair of top-notch hair cutting scissors.

Size: 8.82 x 4.09 x 1.89 in; 11.84 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I love all the tools this set comes with! Especially the compact bag that carries everything. It helps it feel more organized and sleek. The comb is a bit thin and flimsy, but hasn’t broken yet. Both scissors are sharp enough to work through your hair but not sharp enough to accidentally cut yourself. I love the razor comb (not sure what it’s called. I’m not a professional hairstylist). I love my hair to be more on the textured side, so the razor comb helps create that more natural, textured look. I did have a hard time cleaning it but overall, it works great. I will say, as a person who isn’t doesn’t have any haircutting training, this kit is easy to use.”

Brow Scissors

Anastasia Soare, the founder of her eponymous makeup brand, is the queen of brows. So naturally, the brand offers one of the best brow trimming scissors on the market. Crafted in Italy, its length and size is masterfully designed for precise brow sculpting.

Size: 8.82 x 4.09 x 1.89 in; 11.84 ounces

Nordstrom star rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “These were exactly what I wanted for those long, unruly, individual eyebrow hairs. Nice and sharp. Glad to have purchased.”

Stainless 2000 5.5" Styling Shears

This pair of hair scissors by the beloved brand Tweezerman is a jack of all trades. Alex Brown, who counts Chrissy Teigan and Kendall Jenner as clients, says they are perfect for beginners because “they are a great size which makes them easy to control, and are very sharp, plus priced really well.”

Size: 2.64 x 1 x 5.5 in; 1.76 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Size, value, and function make this hair cutting shear the best addition to your grooming kit.”

Hitachi Professional Hair Cutting Scissors

For an investment worth every penny, these scissors are as sharp as a razor (we aren’t exaggerating), giving you complete, precise control of your cuts. They come in two different lengths and offer designs for right-hand dominant users and lefties. If you’re cleaning up your ends, go for the small size and if you’re doing a major transformation, you should opt for the large pair.

Size: 6 x 2.25 x 0.25 in; 2.4 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m a ‘recently turned barber’ apprentice, so I’ve been cutting hair for a just a little bit over a year. The shears are nothing short of phenomenal. The quality is fantastic, the cutting precision is like nothing I’ve used before, and it’s difficult enough for me to purchase scissors that are truly left handed.”

Hair Cutting Shears Professional

Don’t let the low price tag on these “Amazon’s Choice” hair scissors fool you; the blades are sharp, so definitely proceed with a hefty dose of caution. They also feature rubber finger grips to steady and cushion your hold and an ergonomic handle that reduces overextension in your thumb and wrist.

Size: 6 x 2.25 x 0.25 inches; 2.4 ounces

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “They’re comfortable to use/hold and with one clean snip I was able to cut my daughter’s hair. Its precision and sharpness had me sold! Glad I found these!”

Professional Hair Cutting Shears

These shears are perfect for beginners. They are just sharp enough to get the job done, yet not razor sharp to where you could easily injure yourself. Not to mention the price is unbeatable.

Size: 6.5 x 2.17 x 0.28 in; 4.96 ounces

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I trim my own hair every now and then and used to do it with regular scissors until I finally bought these and it’s a HUGE difference. I don’t have to do it half as much anymore because the ends don’t grow out all choppy and gross like they do when you cut them with regular scissors.”

Explore 5.75" Hair Shears

For wet and dry hair, these just-sharp blades are perfect for all your at-home haircut needs. As for whether you should trim your hair wet or dry, that depends on your hair type. Oftentimes professionals will trim straight or wavy hair while wet, while curly and coily hair is usually trimmed dry. Make sure to consult a professional to figure out what’s best for your hair.

Size: 9.4 x 3.6 x 0.8 in; 0.01 ounces

Ulta star rating: 4.3/5

An Ulta reviewer says: “The shears are amazing quality for the price! They cut like butter and the length of them is so perfect. I would definitely recommend this if you’re in the market for a good priced but amazing quality shear!”

10 Piece Hair Cutting Set

For everything you need to set up your hair workstation at home, this set comes with a small cleaning cloth, a pair of cutting scissors, a pair of thinning scissors, a salon cape, two hairpins, and two combs in a leather zip bag.

Size: 2.76 x 1.97 x 0.28 in; 9.5 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s really a beautiful kit for DIY haircuts. Everything you need is in here, and for a non-professional who just needs to give yourself or the spouse or the kids a haircut from a YouTube tutorial, it is absolutely perfect! Tested it on my mama and the shears are wonderful:)”

Professional Hair Cutting Shears 6"

Looking for a pair of scissors that comes to a flat point at the tip yet still boasts a sharp blade? It doesn’t get more affordable and effective than this pair of shears. One reviewer explains, “They are good enough for fine stuff like trimming bangs and strong enough for the heavy lifting of cutting about 8” off my head in big hacking cuts. They are obviously not salon quality, but they do the job perfectly.”

Size: 6.5 x 1 x 3 in; 2.11 ounces

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been cutting my own hair since the beginning of the pandemic, and these have been a life saver for clean edges! I used to work at a salon and was very impressed with the quality of these.”

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Meet the Experts

Alex Brown Glover is a celebrity hairstylist for clients like Chrissy Teigen, Kendall Jenner

Sarah Leah Rona is a New York-based hairstylist and co-founder of the salon Arisa.

What is the difference between regular scissors and hair scissors?

According to Alex Brown Glover, a celebrity hairstylist for clients like Chrissy Teigen, Kendall Jenner, it all comes down to the design. “They’re made to cut hair so both the shape and sharpness are different. They’re thinner and easier to hold when cutting hair so it helps make the cut more precise. They’re usually sharper so you can cut hair in one snip for a more-even cut without it getting stuck between the blades,” she says.

What are some best practices for cutting hair at home?

Glover suggests going to a professional, but if you can’t wait, start by just trimming your hair. “I recommend only trimming bangs or split ends at home, I never recommend doing anything more than that.”

- Make sure hair is dry.

- For bangs, make sure hair is styled exactly how you’ll wear it before cutting.

- Don’t cut more than an inch if trimming split ends. If you can visibly see the damage or split end, only cut that off.

Glover also advises applying the “point cutting” technique. “Point cutting is when you take the tip of the scissors and cut directly parallel into the hair, rather than leaving a perpendicular, blunt line. This technique works best for bang trims and for trimming split ends.”

Why Trust ELLE Beauty

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, writer Lauren Tappan spoke with trusted hair experts about hair cutting scissors. She and beauty writer Carol Lee also searched the internet for hair cutting scissors, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.

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