The Best Hair Scissors for Taming Your Locks at Home

For most people, the idea of giving yourself a haircut used to be unthinkable—until COVID-19 came around and changed everything. With salons closed, a DIY haircut was truly the only option—or making a friend or family member give you a trim. Hopefully you didn’t have to learn this the hard way, but the most important element of a DIY haircut is having the best hair scissors. 

Rule number one of cutting hair at home: Do not use kitchen scissors or any old scissors you have laying around—ever! Using household scissors can actually damage your hair as you cut it, leading to split, broken ends. It’s absolutely crucial to buy a pair of hair shears that are only used for this purpose. Hair scissors are specifically designed for cutting hair, with extra sharp blades that make cutting easier and deliver better results. 

To give yourself the best haircut, a three-way mirror is another worthy investment so that you can see where you’re cutting your hair from every angle, so you’re less likely to need to see a pro for a fix. Combine that with the best hair scissors and you’re ready for a DIY haircut!

Since most people who are reading this aren’t professional hairstylists, we looked for the best hair scissors that anyone can use, regardless of whether you attended beauty school. Taking out the guesswork is key for amateurs going the DIY haircut route. Quality blades made from sturdy materials like stainless steel are specifically what elevate hair scissors from good to great, so we made sure to look for top-notch options there. We also focused on shorter blades—maxing out at around 6 inches—because they’re easier for newbies to handle. Hair scissors can also range wildly in price—professional shears can cost thousands of dollars—so we sought out pairs that were accessibly priced but still good quality. 

Though professional hairstylists probably aren’t scouring the aisles of their local drugstore for hair scissors, they still know which are the best for DIY cuts at home, so their recommendations went a very long way. Finally, it’s important to listen to the people who have experienced a cut with their own hand, so customer reviews also had a big impact on putting together this list.

Why They Made the Cut: Designed to work for professionals with the quality to prove it, they’re easy for amateurs to use, too.  

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Though the Equinox Professional Razor Edge Series Barber Hair Cutting Scissors were designed for professional barbers, you certainly don’t have to be one to work these excellent hair scissors. They’re made from Japanese stainless steel, the most desired material, and feature hand-sharpened cutting edges to ensure an even trim. 

The hair scissors have an ergonomic design with an easy to grip handle, making it easier to give a quality haircut. The 6.5-inch length lends them versatility, so they can be used on long or short hair. Weighing in at just 4.8 ounces makes them super easy to handle. 

The blades are designed to keep hair from getting caught in between them, preventing a mess. Plus, the hair scissors can be tweaked to your personal preference with the adjustment screw to dial in the level of tension and tightness.

Why They Made the Cut: Proof that you don’t have to break the bank to get top-notch hair scissors.

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Sure, you could really invest in a great pair of hair scissors—or you could just nab the COOLALA Stainless Steel Hair Cutting Scissors at an extremely affordable price. Despite the low sticker, they’re made from high-grade Japanese stainless steel, with the sharp blades they’re known for.

Measuring 6.5 inches, these scissors are impressively versatile and can be used on a range of hair lengths and types. A hair comb is included to make cutting even easier. The adjustable screw allows for tension changes, ensuring they’re comfortable.  

Why They Made the Cut: Razor sharp blades make these ideal for sleek, short haircuts.

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Those looking to trim short hair will be pleased if they pick up the ONTAKI Professional Japanese Steel Salon Shears. They’re hand-forged from premium Japanese steel to ensure an excellent cutting experience. The 5-inch shears are ideal for short hair, including facial and body hair.

Designed for comfort, the ergonomic shape includes a removable finger rest, an adjustable tension knob, and rubber comfort ring inserts to ensure the finger holes are just right. The ONTAKI Salon Shears have convex blades for accurate barber whisping, with a rounded tip for safety and smooth cuts. 

Why They Made the Cut: Worth every penny, these investment shears will make you feel like a pro.  

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Those who are into DIY haircuts for the long haul will want the JW XO Professional Shear and Blending Kit for their at-home salon. Yes, it’s a splurge, but it will certainly pay off over time since they’ll last for many, many haircuts. The top-rated shears deliver a super-clean cut with their Japanese steel blades. 

As a nice bonus, they come with a case and thinning shears that can deliver layers, blending, or even bangs. The shears have a convex blade with an offset handle for ease of use, plus black titanium coating. To promise they’ll last forever, they come with a lifetime warranty.

Why They Made the Cut: With everything you could possibly need for a DIY haircut, this set will set you up.

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You could practically set up your own barbershop with everything that comes with the CIICII Professional Hairdressing Scissors Set. The kit includes hair cutting shears, hair thinning scissors, a comb, two hair clips, a cleaning cloth, and a scissors adjuster, all tucked into a leather case. With all those tools, you can give a haircut to anyone. 

The 6.7-inch scissors can be used to cut hair, trim facial hair, or even groom your pets. Crafted from titanium black plated stainless steel, the blades are hand-polished and cut an even line. The simple style is ergonomic, featuring an offset grip to reduce fatigue, an adjustable screw to change the tightness of the scissors, and are designed to minimize friction when cutting. 

To purchase hair scissors that will provide quality haircuts over time, keep the following in mind as you make your selection:

The most important aspect of hair scissors is finding a pair with sharp, good-quality blades. Essentially, the sharper the blade, the cleaner the line will be when you cut it. These blades are also easier and safer to wield—not to mention your hair won’t be crooked. Japanese and German steel is the most prized, but they sometimes have the heftier price tag because of it. However, if you plan to use hair scissors regularly, it’s an investment that will pay off, since they’ll last for a long time.

The best hair scissors can easily get expensive. Before you choose your pair, decide how often you’ll be using them and for how long. It might be worth it to splurge on a solid pair if you’re in it for the long haul. But there are plenty of shears that are affordable and work well. Those who don’t want to invest in Japanese or German steel blades can opt for American stainless steel, which will also get the job done while going easier on your wallet.

Ergonomic options are most certainly the way to go. If your hand isn’t comfortable, it’s hard to give yourself a good haircut. Typically, the longer the thumb and handle, the easier the hair scissors are to manipulate. When you’re shopping, make sure the pair fits your hand well. Pay extra attention to the handle and thumb design to get the right fit.

Like any tool, choosing the right hair scissors is a personal decision, since you should select a pair that feels comfortable in your hand and is the best size for you. However, when it comes to the best hair scissors, they all have a few things in common: top-quality blades that are made from materials like Japanese stainless steel. With those criteria in mind, we selected the best hair scissors to make DIY haircuts easier all around.