Barber Shop Essentials: 13 Must-Have Tools

The Zagato Barber Chair (pictured here) has a solid steel frame & adds sophisticated luxury to any barbershop setting.

Whether you’re opening a new barber shop or want to update your shop with the latest tools and accessories, it’s important to make sure your barbers and support staff have everything they need to do their best work. If you’re opening a new space, you'll want to prioritize shopping for barber chairs and barber stations before selecting tools and other essentials.

In this guide, we cover exactly what supplies a barber needs, as well as some accessories that will impress your clients, along with typical price ranges to help you budget. Minerva Beauty also offers financing for barber essentials, to make it easier for owners to invest in their business.

Essential Barber Shop Supplies

Here are 13 barber must-haves you should consider buying or upgrading:

Clippers

Clippers in a barber shop are essential for cutting hair and mastering precise fades and blending. There are many different kinds of barber clippers - from cordless and corded models to heavy-duty or close-cutting clippers. Usually, you can expect to spend anywhere from $40 to $200 on a set of clippers. If you are looking for a high-quality professional tool, we highly recommend the Caliber Pro line of clippers.

Trimmers

While similar to clippers, trimmers are also needed in the barber shop for services like dry shaving or edging. Since trimmers are used for precise line ups and other kinds of hair artwork, it's important to keep these on hand. For trimmers, you can expect to spend anywhere from $40 to $100. Our best-selling trimmer is the Wahl Professional Black Peanut Trimmer, which comes with multiple attachment combs and it also a great beard trimmer.

Shears

Your average pair of barbershop scissors are a great complement to trimmers and clippers, and can aid in the cutting and styling of longer hair. Scissors can cost as little as $10, with some high-quality professional scissors costing up to $600. Some barber shears are designed for all-purpose cutting, while others are meant for texturizing, wet cutting, dry cutting or blending.

Straight Razors

A straight razor is an essential barber tool for close shaves and beard shaping. Straight razors are also a traditional barber tool that require practice and expertise. Being able to use a straight razor for precision shaving can set your barber shop apart from the competition, and many clients appreciate the authentic, nostalgic barbershop experience that a straight razor provides. Depending on the style of razor you choose, these accessories cost anywhere from $50 to $200. The Feather Plier Razor is suitable for all straight razor cutting techniques and has non-slip grip handles.

Combs & Brushes

Of course, you will need to keep your barber shop stocked with combs and brushes. It’s a good idea to keep a variety of combs and brushes on hand for different hair textures. Combs and brushes with widely spaced teeth or bristles are better for thick hair, while close-together teeth and bristles are better for fine hair. Depending on the style and specialty of each comb or brush, you can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $100 per comb and brush.

Disinfectants & Accessories

It’s critical to run a clean and hygienic barber shop, which is why you will want to make sure you not only have disinfectants on hand, but also the right accessories to ensure your styling and cutting tools are regularly sanitized. Whole disinfecting agents will run you around $25, accessories like a disinfectant jar will run you about $30 and a UV sanitizer could cost as much as $250.

A well-equipped and organized barber shop makes a good impression & runs more efficiently.

Towels

Towels are an essential barber tool for clients and barbers alike. Barbers use hot towels to open pores and soften facial hair before a shave, which minimizes razor burn. Towels are also used to absorb excess water from clients' hair, remove excess product from skin, clean up spills, and keep your barbers' hands dry. Expect to spend around $10 to $40 for a set of barber towels. If you want to impress clients, you can also keep a towel warmer at your shop - these range in price from around $180 up to $655 for units that pull double duty as a hot towel cabinet and UV sanitizer.

Duster Brushes

Make sure your clients walk out of your barbershop looking fresh by dusting off loose hairs after a haircut or shave using a high-quality duster brush. Removing hair clippings also allows barbers to inspect their work and provide close attention to detail. Every barber in your shop should have a duster brush, which usually costs around $12.

Capes

Keep your clients’ outfits clean and free from hair and water by covering them with a cape. You can expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $30 for a high quality barber cape.

Cape Seals

For an elevated level of customer service, provide your clients with Zuka cape seals. These handy devices create a barrier between your customer’s neck and the edge of the cape to keep all those tiny bits of hair from ending up in their shirt!

Mirrors

Make sure you have spotless barbershop mirrors so your clients can admire their new hairstyle. Large mirrors also allow barbers to have a clear view as they work. If you have a smaller barber shop, strategically placed mirrors can help your space feel larger and more open.

Hair & Beard Care Products

Beard balms and hair styling serums can be just as important as the cutting and styling tools you use at your barber shop. To ensure each one of your clients leaves your barber shop feeling and looking confident, make sure each barber station is stocked with the latest and greatest products, and create an attractive retail display near reception to promote product sales.

Traditional Barber Pole

If you want to give your décor a bit of nostalgia, add a traditional barber pole to your shop. We offer rotating barber pole lights in a range of sizes, for indoor and outdoor use. This is a unique feature that we feel most barber shops should have!

Aside from these 13 must-have barber shop essentials, you can always ask for feedback from your barbers or your customers about supplies they would like to have or see. Once you have all the essential tools you need, make sure your overall barbershop design aesthetic represents your business well!