The 10 Best Fabric Shavers

For most closets, the Magictec Rechargeable is a cheap, no-fuss way to rescue pilled sweaters. A built-in battery means no cells to buy, and three fast blades spin under a curved top that protects the fabric. In a side-by-side trial by Today, it cleared small pills in a couple of swipes, and a lint pad hides in its back. It has just one speed, and a charge lasts about an hour.

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 removable cap raises it for long fuzz. It carries a two-year warranty. Philips lists it as discontinued in Ireland, and pressing hard on a thin sweater can cut a hole.

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 ring sets three shaving heights, so you can start high on loose knits and go closer on fleece. Conair now sells it as the CLS1X. The two AA batteries aren't in the box, and stubborn pills can take a second pass.

A clear spacer on the Beautural 719NA sets how close the blades get: a high step for big bobbles on coarse knits, a lower one for fine fabric, and off only for very fine fuzz. Two speeds let you start gently, and spare blades come in the box. The lint bin is small and fills fast, the batteries aren't included, and the maker warns it can still harm angora.

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.

The Electrolux LX-300R gives you a choice of speeds and a small screen that shows how much charge is left, so you can start low on a thin knit and step up for a blanket. Its manual rates a full charge at about 45 minutes, and a refill takes three hours. It's heavy for a handheld, and a U.S. licensee, Smartekusa, sells 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 sculpted dome from the Swedish clothing-care brand looks the part. It ships with two mesh covers: a fine one for delicate knits and small pills, and a coarser one for chunky knits and blankets. 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 a ring with 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: a full charge takes all night, and Conair promises just 25 minutes away from the wall.