Amelia Yeomans
As a fashion editor, I always get asked for sartorial advice, from which fashion trends to follow to which designer handbags are actually worth investing in. And, there is one product I always recommend, without fail: a fabric shaver, aka a "debobbler".
There is nothing more annoying than a gorgeous jumper that is ruined with bobbles after just a few uses, something (in my experience) that even the highest quality cashmere jumpers fall prey to. After all, it's only a natural process that comes with wear and rubbing. The more you love something, the more it bobbles.
That's why I've invested time over the years in trying the best fabric shavers to solve this. If you find the right one, it should only take a few minutes to get rid of bobbles, and you won't need to do it very often. I check my jumpers every winter and give them a quick once-over if necessary to ensure they look and feel fresh.
I've tested a whole host of them based on their effectiveness, battery life, and design, and I have genuinely recommended and bought these for friends and family. In fact, they are one of my most clicked-on products on my personal Instagram.
They might seem boring, but trust me when I tell you they'll change your life (and so will one of the best crease releaser sprays and these jewellery cleaning machines if you care to take a look). Some are even discounted in the Black Friday sales right now, too.
Best Fabric Shavers: Quick Shopping Links
- Most affordable: £7.99 at Amazon (save 50%)
- Best for travel: £33.75 at Amazon (save 25%)
- Best all-rounder: £26.99 at Amazon
- Most stylish: £55 at Selfridges
The Best Tried-and-Tested Fabric Shavers
This fabric shaver scores points with its design. It has a handle which makes it easy to grip and a digital display that tells you how much battery you have left at a quick glance. It's got a 6-blade design that makes it super effective, as well as three speeds. The highest one worked wonders on my thicker knits, while the lower setting was great on thinner fabrics. It has a a decent sized tank where the piles end up, which you can remove easily to get rid of them. You can charge it via a USB cable and I've found the battery easily lasts for a dozen jumpers—though it depends on how many bobbles you're dealing with.
This is by far the sleekest debobbler I own. The Pilo 2 is the newest iteration of the original Pilo 1 shaver; it's a slightly different shape that fits nicely in your hand and is super compact, so it's the one I take with me when I travel. It works best if you place your garments on a flat, hard surface (rather than a bed). The bonus for me is that you can use it when you're charging, so even if you're out of battery you're not left in a pinch. It's quicker to charge than its predecessor (2.5 hours) and lasts longer (up to 2 hours).
I had this one for years before trying its newer version and it's served me well. The Pilo 2 is a bit easier to hold but this is still a great option, especially for travel. It is quite gentle so you need a bit of extra pressure for thicker knits, but it works a dream on all other fabrics. I use it for cutting threads off clothes as well. Its running time is up to 50 minutes and take 5 hours to charge.
This Philips debobbler is one of the most affordable options, and it has three hole sizes to tackle all manner of pills. It's battery operated so doesn't need charging, and it comes with a cleaning brush and delicate fabric protector head too—ideal for keeping your more precious knits in tact.
This is one is similar to the first fabric shaver in this article, with the handy addition of a removable lint roller for removing fluff and hair from garments whilst you're at it.
This all-in-one is a bit clunkier in size and shape than the other fabric shavers in this buying guide, but more importantly has no battery so is a more sustainable option. It has a lint brush on one end and a fabric shaver on the other, and has a slim handle that is easy to grip.
