The 10 Best Fabric Shavers

For most closets, the Magictec Rechargeable is a cheap, no-fuss way to rescue pilled sweaters. It charges from any USB port, so there are no batteries to buy, and its blades spin under a curved steel guard that glides over knits and fleece. In a side-by-side trial by Today, it cleared small pills in a couple of swipes. A charge lasts about an hour, and some units quit without warning after several months.

If you'd rather pop in batteries than charge one more gadget, the Philips GC026 is a solid pick, and the batteries come in the box. Its wide head has holes in three sizes, so it grabs both fine fuzz and bigger bobbles, and a snap-on cap lifts it off delicate knits. Philips backs it with a two-year warranty. Pressing hard on a thin sweater can cut a hole, and the blades dull over time.

The Conair CLS1 costs little and handles the basic job of tidying a pilled sweater or a fuzzy couch throw. Its wide head covers plenty of fabric per pass, and a dial sets three shaving heights, so you can start high on loose knits and go closer on fleece. Conair's design is gentle on fabric. It works slowly, though, and stubborn pills can take a few passes with steady pressure.

Wool sweaters get a safety net with the Beautural 719NA. A clear cover snaps over the mesh to keep fine yarn away from the blades, and it comes off for tougher cotton and synthetics. It also has two speeds and three heights, and spare blades come in the box. The lint bin is small and fills fast, the motor goes through AA batteries, and Beautural says it isn't meant for pet hair.

No motor means nothing spinning near your yarn, which is why the Gleener Ultimate Fuzz Remover suits cashmere, fine merino and anything you're nervous to shave. You draw it across the fabric with light strokes, choosing one of three edges for bulky, medium or fine weaves, and the other end is a lint brush. Gleener covers defects for life, but not worn edges. It takes more effort and time than a motor.

A pilled blanket or a whole winter's worth of sweaters suits the Electrolux LX-300R. Its battery is rated for up to three hours, a small screen shows how much charge is left, and it tops up with a phone-style USB-C cable. A low speed lets you go gently on thin fabric. It's heavy for a handheld, and we couldn't confirm which company builds it under the Electrolux name.

Two spinning heads side by side let the Vasson HHLR01 clear a sofa cushion or a fleece throw in fewer passes. It charges by USB, runs a couple of hours, and comes with a brush that lifts loose lint and pet fur. Vasson tells you to test a hidden spot first and to stay away from loose threads. The wide body is awkward on sleeves and collars, and independent reviews are scarce.

The Steamery Pilo Icon is made to sit out on a dresser, and the sage-green dome from the Swedish clothing-care brand looks the part. It ships with two mesh covers: a fine one for merino and cashmere, and a coarser one for chunky knits. The battery pops out and can be replaced, so a tired cell doesn't mean a new shaver. It's expensive, and it's too new to have a track record.

Coat sleeves and chair backs are less of a wrist twist with the Popchose M2, whose head swivels on its neck so your grip stays comfortable at odd angles. It has two speeds, a readout for the charge, and a battery rated for a few hours that refills over USB-C. Spare blades and a spare mesh come with it. There's little outside testing, so how well it lasts is an open question.

Plug in the Conair CLS2 and it keeps running from the wall, which saves a long couch job when the charge runs low. It has a wide head and three height settings for anything from socks to sofa cushions, with a built-in battery in place of throwaway cells. That battery is the weak spot, though: some units stop holding a charge after a few months.