Cutting fabric can be hard work, especially when you have to cut large quantities of thicker materials for major projects. You could use a standard pair of fabric shears, but these can get uncomfortable in the hand after a while and your fingers start seizing up. When this happens, you might find that you aren’t as precise anymore, or simply aren’t able to finish the task in the time allotted.
That is where a good set of electric fabric scissors can help. These motorized fabric tools handle the hard work for you to power through the material and your workload. With the right tool, you should be able to enjoy a more efficient process. But, you need to be sure that you have the right tool for the job.
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Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Fabric Scissors for your Project
1) The materials the scissors are capable of cutting
This is an important place to start because there is such a massive difference between products. You can get some heavy-duty models that are capable and powerful enough to deal with thick denim and fleece. Some even come with other blades for additional harder materials. Then there are those better suited for thinner materials like cotton and felt. You will see many labeled as scrapbooking scissors. As long as you appreciate the purpose you can match a device to your own needs.
2) The quality of the battery
Next, there is the issue of battery life and charge times. You can’t have an effective pair of electric scissors without a reliable cordless system. Corded models would be far too restrictive. The run-time of these devices varies from around 45 minutes to a couple of hours, and this can depend on the quality of the battery used. Some companies will compensate for shorter run times by adding a second interchangeable battery. You also need to consider the charge time on these rechargeable models. Are you going to have to wait for 3 hours or more before you can start?
3) The ease of use
These tools are meant to make things a lot easier than using normal fabric sheers. Otherwise, what would be the point in making the switch? Ideally, you should be able to switch them on, get the motor working, and then guide the blades in a straight line through the material. The best electric fabric scissors will create clean cuts in a short space of time with minimal effort. But, be aware that there are some models where you have to hold down the trigger continuously for a fluid motion. You also don’t want to have to force the scissors too much.
4) The ergonomics of the design
On a related note, these scissors need to feel comfortable in the hand at all times to eliminate the issue of fatigue that comes with some traditional fabric scissors. You should find that the best models are suitable for both left and right-handed users. The handle should have a nice grip in the ideal position on the body of the device. The position of buttons is also important to ensure that you aren’t straining or aren’t going to accidentally turn it off. The weight of the device helps too. But, you don’t want something so light that it feels like it will break.
5) The cost
Finally, it helps to have a budget in mind when choosing the right set of fabric scissors for your project. There is no need to pay too much for something that doesn’t offer value, or that you won’t use that offer. But, you shouldn’t go too cheap and get something prone to malfunctions or breakages. The cheapest option in this guide around $20 and serves a very basic purpose. Then there are some around $150 that are possibly overpriced for low-key needs. Then there are those that are between $40-60 that are a better deal.
Below are eight different motorized fabric scissors for consideration. Some of these are more reliable than others when it comes to handling thicker fabrics. There are heavy-duty options and those better suited to light work and scrapbooking. They all do their best to cover the majority of the points above. I believe that among them you should find something that is ideal for your needs.
1) POWERGIANT Electric Scissors for Cutting Fabric
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This first model is a great place to start when looking at the best electric scissors because it has such a common design and standard specification. I don’t have much to say against this option if you are looking for something to get started within the middle of the price range. It ticks a lot of the boxes mentioned above with the powerful 8000rpm rotation on the tungsten steel blades and the ability to handle a range of different fabrics. There are also two spare sets of blades in case the first starts to wear down or develop an issue.
The battery life from the 4v Li-ion battery is also decent, with 2 hours of life and a charge time of 2 hours. There are other models in this guide that are more interesting, but also others that aren’t as reliable. So, this really is a middle-of-the-road option that should help a lot of people.
2) POWERAXIS Rechargeable Cordless Power Fabric Shears
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I’m going to be honest here. When I first saw this model online next to the Powergiant option above, I wondered who was copying who. The brand name is far too similar and the look of the device is almost identical. But, the performance and specification do show that this a separate device and worthy of its own entry. There are some nice features here with the quality of the blades and the impact that they can have on different materials. There are promises that it will work well on thicker fabric and also cardboard.
However, there are two factors that let this device down in comparison to the Powergiant option. The first is the charge time on the 2000mAh lithium-ion battery. The description says that you should allow as long as 5 hours on the initial charge, and it might not be that fast on subsequent charges either. Also, you need to hold down the trigger at all times, which can get a bit cumbersome.
3) Dr. Snipper Cordless Electric Scissors w/ Long-Life Lithium Battery
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There are some great reviews for the Dr. Snipper model because it is another simple middle-of-the-road option that does a basic job of cutting fabric. Newcomers with simple projects should find that the all-purpose blade and knife-edge cutting head are fine for their needs. You can also benefit from the ergonomic shape, which should be comfortable and light enough in the hand, as well as a helpful wall charging cord.
However, there is no indication in the product listing of how long the battery will last or how long to charge it for. There are no obvious complaints about either, but it might not be as long-lasting as hoped for. There are also comments that it is not great on thicker materials.
4) MXBAOHENG WBT-2 Cordless Electric Scissors
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What is most interesting about this option is that it is an upgraded model. The company has an older WBT-1 that you may be able to find for a better price somewhere. This new model is meant to be 30% more efficient and powerful with the new head. There is also a new grip for increased comfort long-term and a new 5000mAh battery. Overall, it does seem to be a better choice if you are willing to pay more for a powerful, quality item. It should be able to handle all the thicker materials previous options struggled with.
The experience for users isn’t 100% positive, however, and it is important to note that while that new battery only takes 2 hours to charge, it lasts for 1 hour with continuous use. That might not be enough for some large-scale projects. There is also a warning from the company that the upgrading motor means a noisier system. These electric scissors also comes with a 1 year warranty which makes the higher price point more attractive.
5) Loboo Idea EC-01 Cordless Power Electric Scissors
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The first thing that stands out about this device is that it is designed for crafts, fabric, and scrapbooking. This immediately gives the impression that it is a weaker option than the heavy-duty models that can cut through all kinds of material. The company recommends working with nothing thicker than 3mm of soft material – so fleece, carpet, and denim are out. With that said, there are positive comments from those that use it for scrapbooking and lighter fabrics because of the effectiveness of the cutter and the feel of the device.
Another important factor here is the battery life. At first, you might see the 50-minute run-time as being too short for your needs. However, there are two batteries in this pack and you can swap them out. It also only takes 90 minutes to charge them back up.
6) Mifxin Cordless Electric Fabric Scissors
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This next option is another one focused on the lighter side of sewing and crafting. The emphasis here lies with the user-friendly features rather than the performance – even though the system does a good job with the right materials. Again, there is an interchangeable battery that should make it easier to enjoy longer sessions. There is also a nice ergonomic design with the position of the handle, grip, and safety switch. It is also lighter than some others to reduce hand fatigue.
This might not be as impressive as some of the other models out there, but there is no doubt that it will help a lot of newcomers that may find heavy-duty electric scissors more intimidating. The battery life and the power behind the blades still lead to a good clean cut and you get spare blades.
7) Walowalo Electric Fabric Scissors
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This model might actually be my favorite of them all in this guide because there are so many positives in the features and the performance. The system centers around two very different blades. There is an “O” blade for plastic straps, aluminum sheets, cotton, leather, and felt. Then you also get the while the “D” blade for corrugated cardboard, thick polar fleece, carpet backing, and rose stems. This adds greater multifunctionality to the device.
Then there is the 2200 mAh battery. While this isn’t the best battery out there, you still get at least 45 minutes of use after charging it for an hour. You can also swap out the dead battery with the spare. Finally, I love that this one doesn’t require you to continuously hold down the trigger.
8) MOSTOP Electric Scissors Cordless Multipurpose Home Electric Fabric Scissors
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I could have ended with the Mifxin option and saved the best until last. But, I decided to end with something a little different. So far, we have seen products ranging on average between $50 to $150. Some may still be a little too much for those that have never used electric scissors before. That is where this budget battery-powered option comes in.
Here we have a cheap set that gives new users an idea of what electric scissors can do. All you need to do is all 2 AA batteries and take some of the hassle out of cutting your material. It isn’t ideal and there is the concern that it will break down too easily. But, this could be a good option to test the water before getting something more high-end and reliable.
Choosing the Best Electric Fabric Scissors for your Project
As you can see, there are lots of different options for various purposes and experience levels. I wouldn’t recommend the heavy-duty options until you are more comfortable using something in the middle of the scale. These mid-range models with the interchangeable batteries, reliable blades, and ergonomic shapes are great when you are just starting out and playing around with different fabrics. Take your time to compare your options and you are sure to find the right fit.