Best fabric shavers to remove bobbles from your knitwear

Banish the bobbles

The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Steamery
Peter Bevan27 February 2025
ES Best

Pilling on jumpers is a real bugbear.

Most often found under the arms, along the side seams, or, in the worst cases, simply all over after a couple of washes, the tiny bobbles instantly make knitwear look worn out and tired.

While a pure fabric tends to less easily succumb to the irksome fluff than blended, no fibres are completely safe - even the holy grail, cashmere, can’t fully fight the fuzz (yelp!).

Enter the fabric shaver, the easy solution that will maintain your clothes so they always stay looking as fresh as the day you bought them. Better yet, you can use them on the likes of bedding and furniture, too, so your interiors stay just as sharp as your wardrobe.

From traditional manual cashmere combs to automatic electric shavers, we’ve researched the best on the market so you, and your knits, are left looking your best.

Best fabric shavers at a glance

  • Best for overall performance: Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver - £55, John Lewis
  • Best for interiors: Liphier Rechargeable Fabric Shaver Lint Remover - £21.24, Amazon
  • Best for battery-powered: Philips Fabric Shaver - bobble remover for clothes - £9.99, Amazon
  • Best for value for money: Homeasy Fabric Shaver Lint Remover 2 in 1 - £9.99, Amazon
  • Best for substantial pilling: Cosicosy Rechargeable Lint Remover Debobbler - £17.99, Amazon
  • Best for delicates: Gleener Fuzz Remover 2 in 1 Clothes De-Piller and Lint Brush - £19.99, Amazon
  • Best for cashmere: The White Company Beech Wood Pilling Comb - £8, The White Company
  • Best for a full kit: Yafe Clothes/Lint Brush and Cashmere Comb - £7.73, Amazon

Electric

Steamery Pilo 2 Fabric Shaver

Mr. Porter

Best for: overall performance

As a brand that was founded for clothing care, Steamery is a go-to for garment maintenance.

With a sleek design, this shaver is an electric option that features six precision blades which gently yet effectively remove lint and bobbles. Not only is it rechargeable, but it’s also super easy to use.

Buy now£55, John Lewis

Liphier Rechargeable Fabric Shaver Lint Remover

Amazon

Best for: interiors

Treat your home to a makeover with Liphier’s double-headed shaver. Ultra-efficient, it works well for blankets, carpets and cushions.

Buy now£21.24, Amazon

Philips Fabric Shaver - bobble remover for clothes

Philips

Best for: battery-powered

For a shaver that’s cheap, cheerful and also reliable, Philips has you covered. With an adjustable blade, a removable pill container and a cleaning brush, it ticks all of the boxes. Also available in black.

Buy now£9.99, Amazon

Homeasy Fabric Shaver Lint Remover 2 in 1

Amazon

Best for: value for money

In a soft green shade, Homeeasy’s rechargeable shaver features a powerful three-blade construction and a manual lint brush on the back to keep you looking pristine post-debobble. At this price, it’s a no-brainer.

Buy now£9.99, Amazon

Cosicosy Rechargeable Lint Remover Debobbler

Amazon

Best for: substantial pilling

Larger in size, Cosicosy’s green-hue de-bobbler is perfect for larger garments that have experienced substantial pilling - and the iron-like handle upgrades the entire experience.

Buy now£17.99, Amazon

Manual

Gleener Fuzz Remover 2 in 1 Clothes De-Piller and Lint Brush

Lakeland

Best for: delicates

If using an electric style is too much for you, Lakeland’s fuzz-removing brush offers a more gentle approach. It may take you longer, but it’s certainly a more eco-friendly option. And, with a lint brush included, it’s essentially a buy one get one free!

Buy now£19.99, Amazon

The White Company Beech Wood Pilling Comb

The White Company

Best for: cashmere

To help your cashmere pieces last longer and look fresher, a pilling comb is a great option that removes fluff in the least vigorous way. Our favourite is The White Company’s wooden design.

Buy now£8, The White Company

Yafe Clothes/Lint Brush and Cashmere Comb

Amazon

Best for: a full kit

Keep a trusty brush on standby for when you need a quick cashmere spruce up. This brush can be used to clean cashmere, wool, velvet and suede, making it the perfect pick for pet owners or parents prone to muck. The lint brush bristles are made from wild boar hair that gently lifts fibres or hair from clothing, ensuring you look camera-ready at all times.

Buy now£7.73, Amazon