The 11 Best Hair Scissors for Expert-Level Trims and Cuts (2024)

"There are so many different brands, styles, and lengths of scissors available on the market, but my current favorites are the fa*gaci 6-inch 440c hair cutting scissors," celebrity hairstylist Gabrielle Corney notes of this alloy steel model. "They have extremely sharp blades, which is perfect for utilizing precise cutting techniques." The shears also feature a dedicated finger rest along with a lifetime warranty.

One satisfied customer writes: "I've been cutting hair (unprofessionally) for over 30 years for family and friends, and have used a number of different scissors to do so. This is, by far, the best scissors I've used! They are lightweight yet substantial and cut so smoothly."—r saunders

With over 44,000 customer reviews and nearly a five-star rating, these 6.5-inch stainless steel scissors are a frequent cart addition for Amazon shoppers, and feature an ergonomic design with razor-sharp blades. They’re delivered ready to use but also come with a tension screw to make fit adjustments as needed.

One satisfied customer writes: "I am a repeat buyer of these shears. I used to spend way too much as a barber hairdresser. These stay sharp for a long time and you don't scream if you drop them. If you do drop. They seem to survive with little, if any damage." —Julie D.

“My go-to scissors for cutting hair are the ARC Phantom II," Hershberger says. "Handmade in Japan, these scissors are perfect for both wet and dry hair, and don’t ever tug accidentally. Plus, since they’re super sharp, they’re also great for creating smooth, precise cuts.” The pro-approved scissors are also made specifically for righties, with a built-in pivot that makes getting even cuts a breeze.

One satisfied customer writes: "I have tried a lot of different scissors in my career but this is my ultimate choice. Cuts so satisfying in both dry and wet hair. Point, blunt, dry, wet—you name it, feels effortless either way! Makes my job easy. Worth every penny! LOVE my new shears!" —Johanna

“When looking for scissors, it’s important for them to have a sharp blade no matter what the price point,” Hershberger continues. “For those on a budget, I recommend Tweezerman Stainless 2000 5.5-inch styling shears. They’re sharp and easily glide through hair for seamless cuts.” Along with being easy to use, this tool is also beloved by beauty shoppers for its accessible price point at under $30.

One satisfied customer writes: "I can't say enough good things about these shears. I purchased these in June, and four months later the blades are still ultra-sharp and the tension hasn't budged. I trim my bangs with these every week, and do an all-over trim about once a month. I will never buy no-name hair scissors again."—Court

"In my opinion, there is nothing better for cutting hair than Japanese steel. My absolute favorite shears on the market are Hanzo Shears," professional hairstylist Stephen Hudson explains. "The difference in my haircuts shows it, which makes them truly worth the investment.” While these scissors’ are best for dry cuts, they can also be used for wet cutting as well, along with several different cutting techniques.

Another maintenance favorite Hudson recommends? “To maintain healthy hair between trims, one of my favorite products to recommend to clients is the Sebastian Professional Potion 9, which works as both a leave-in conditioner and treatment."

One satisfied customer writes: "These are very comfortable to cut with and great on wet and dry hair (I do both pretty equally) and really good for point cutting which I do a lot of. Love them."—Kyndra

"The best shears on a budget are Tweezerman Spirit 2000," Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon and Spa in Hillsborough, NJ says. "These shears have a plastic handle that's easy to hold, plus stainless steel blades that provide a clean cut—they're extremely user-friendly."

One satisfied customer writes: "These scissors are small and the perfect size for my small hands. They are super precise and sharp—I use them to cut my husband’s hair and love how easily it cuts through the hair. They've been holding up well over the past year and still cutting strong." —Elie

This hairstylist-approved pick is created by one of the most celebrated and historic hair tool brands in Japan. "Mitzutani has a long heritage of scissor-making dating back to 1921 when the first pair was produced in Tokyo," Markenson explains. "They're made of a custom alloy Japanese steel with every pair being handmade and finished. Metalworking in Japan dates back to the time of the Samurai and has long been considered the finest in the world. The Japanese believe a soul is to live in the tool, and these scissors are made to last an entire career with proper care. I had the honor of collaborating with Mitzutani to create a pair of scissors for my hair care brand Reverie, which quickly sold out and are still sought after."

One satisfied customer writes: "I have been through a lot of scissors and this is by far the best I used. Perfect for blunt cutting, point cutting, scissor over comb, plows through thick dense hair all while not being heavy in the hand." —Ron

You'll receive a handy comb as a bonus with this highly popular pair of Japanese stainless steel shears to keep your trims even. They also contain an adjustable tension screw and finger rest to help keep your hands cramp-free mid-cut.

One satisfied customer writes: "These scissors are sharp and easy to use. The comb is a great companion and also very high-quality. Like a lot of people, I learned to give amateur haircuts during the pandemic." —Mamabear22

You won't have to worry about losing your grip on these professional-level haircutting scissors, since they're not only lightweight but also designed with grippy finger loops, making them easier to control as you cut. And at under $10, they’re ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly addition to their haircutting toolkit.

One satisfied customer writes: "I got these during the pandemic when we weren't going out to get our hair cut but we needed our hair cut. They work great. Very high quality and really sharp. I had no problems with it cutting hair. The rubberized grip part was also appreciated. Super comfortable to hold and easy to use." —Sue

Touch-up split ends with ease thanks to these professional-level Japanese stainless steel scissors. Available in pink, blue, and gold, the versatile tool is getting rave reviews from beauty shoppers for being extremely comfortable and extra sharp.

One satisfied customer writes: "I am not a hair professional but purchased these scissors for personal use. They are very sharp, nice weight and very comfortable in my hand. I am extremely happy with these scissors and bought a second set. Highly recommend." —Shannon K.

• Kim Pags is the owner of Sola Salons' Journee Styling Salon in Milwaukee.
• Garrett Markenson is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles and owner of the hair care brand Reverie.
• Sally Hershberger is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Sally Hershberger Salon in New York City.
• Gabrielle Corney is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City.
• Stephen Hudson is a professional hair stylist based in Long Island.
• Jennifer Korab is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Renaissance Salon and Spa in Hillsborough, NJ.

It's a big no-no to use regular scissors on hair. Haircutting scissors are designed specifically for hair, with the correct sharpness and ergonomic shape. "Cutting with a dull pair of scissors can produce uneven results and leave the hair cuticle damaged, causing split ends to develop sooner," Pags explains. "Your hair and your stylist will thank you for using the appropriate tool."

Celebrity hairstylist Garrett Markenson agrees, noting that while purchasing one of the best hair-cutting scissors may be pricey, it's ultimately worth it, in the long run, to keep a quality beauty tool in your arsenal for years to come. “It's worth it to invest in a pair of scissors you’ll love for many years," Markenson adds. "Investing in a pair of scissors that feel right in your hand will be key. A dull blade will only lead to issues that could have been avoided with a good set of shears.”

Pags continues that a good pair of hair-cutting scissors are made with high-quality stainless steel that will stay sharp over time. "The quality of shears is ranked by a number and letter system. A 440C is a nice middle-of-the-road scissor that will get the job done," she says.

Additionally, Pags explains that there’s no specific brand that she wholeheartedly recommends. "I look for quality metal, blade length, and blade types," she says You'll also want to keep in mind specifics like blade size, and whether you want one designed for cutting wet hair or dry hair. "Understanding how you’re going to use your tool will help when making your purchase," the expert adds.

"Seasoned stylist or not, we've all had that moment when we needed to do a little at-home maintenance. Keyword, maintenance!" Pags continues. "DIY cuts should be tiny touchups at home. A bang trim, face-framing, but an overall haircut should be left to the professionals."

The key is to play it safe and avoid getting carried away. "Trust me, I’ve been there when a little at-home haircut has turned into too much hair on the floor. Things don’t look even so we just keep cutting. It's never a good feeling." To avoid that moment, she notes, "Keep the big haircuts to a relaxing day at the salon and the little maintenance cuts to your bathroom."

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