The term “buzz cut” refers to hairstyles that are often cut too short (but not bald) and uniformly all around.

The name, itself, comes from the buzzing sound we get from hair clippers.

Yes, you read that right!

WiseBarber’s Top 15 Best Buzz Cut Haircut Styles in 2024

1) The Buzz Cut Fade

Well:

For a clean-cut and modern take on the classic haircut, the buzz cut fade will work perfectly.

This hairstyle features faded or tapered sides and back with relatively short hair on top.

How to get a buzz cut fade?

For starters, you’ll need to determine where the tapering or fading will begin.

It can start high, low, or in the middle.

Now:

If you choose a high fade, your cut will effectively become a high and tight buzz cut.

Anyway:

Adding a fade to your buzz cut can improve your look and give you some dimension.

2) High Fade Buzz Cut

What High Faders generally do to the face is bring a sharp contrast between the forehead and the length of the face.

So:

If you have a perfectly round face shape or a square face, High Faders should be on your hairstyle list.

Anyway:

For the sake of this article, a High Fade Buzz Cut simply means a traditional Buzz Cut paired with a High Fade. The style is most popular among black men because it has a punk-like structure (yes, blacks rock punks the most).

3) Mid-Fade Buzz Cut

Faders are some of the styles that are the hardest to trim. But once achieved, they make you look expensive and well-to-do.

However:

A Mid-Fade Buzz Cut has more to offer. While still being a low-maintenance cut, a Mid Fade Buzz Cut is edgy, youthful, and passes for both a wedding haircut and for a business setting.

Pro tip:

Lining up your Mid Fade Buzz Cut is an easy way to spruce your good looks up further and make the edginess of the style last longer.

Additionally:

If you’re bearded, pairing a Mid Fade Buzz Cut with a medium-size corporate beard or an Anchor beard will give it extra effects of masculinity.

4) Low Fade Buzz Cut

Low Faders are mostly recommended to men looking for a simple, yet stylish haircut that will give them a professional look.

Now:

With a Low Fade Buzz Cut, you get a polished, modern facial appearance that can be altered with a beard; depending on the beard you choose and the kind of alteration you want.

Anyway:

The main point of matching your cut with a beard is to add maturity to your looks, especially if you have a babyish face. Otherwise, rocking a Low Fade Buzz Cut without beards is okay too.

5) Taper Fade Buzz Cut

Rock the modern take on Classic Buzz Cut with this super clean Taper Fade Buzz Cut. This is the perfect style for men who want a low-maintenance haircut that will stay stylish and fashionable throughout the year.

For your info:

When trimming for the Taper Fade, the clipper is taken from both the nape of the neck and the edges of the sideburns; and then the clipper is worked down to make the hair length decrease progressively until it fades into the skin.

Do you get it?

A Taper Fade Buzz Cut is the perfect summer haircut that can be fixed for the beach, summer parties, and dates. And the good thing about it is its universality; any man regardless of hair type and face shape can rock a Taper Fade Buzz Cut.

6) Bleached Buzz Cut

For y’all rebellious souls and trendsetters alike, this is one of the easiest ways to style a Buzz Cut to your heart’s content.

Yes, you get it:

You bleach it. And the good thing about bleaching a Buzz Cut is that there’s no limitation to the kind of variation you can bleach.

Do you know what this means?

It means that you can get a Bleached Taper Fade Buzz Cut, a Bleached Buzz-inspired Pompadour, or even a Bleached Buzz-style Edgar cut.

Now, here’s what’s even better:

A Bleached Buzz Cut is not only universal in itself (i.e, any man or woman can rock it) but is also versatile (i.e) it passes for both an unofficial and official haircut.

7) Blonde Buzz Cut

Just like redheads, being naturally blonde is rare. And it can open the door to more hair grooming opportunities for you than people with normal hair types would have access to.

Thank your genes:

But this doesn’t mean that guys with black or red hair can’t rock a Blonde Buzz Cut too. It takes the same process as achieving a Bleached Buzz Cut.

How?

Well, once you’re done trimming for the Buzz Cut variation of your choice, you simply bleach it to become blonde.

Now, beware of this:

Before converting your hair into a blonde, make sure that it hasn’t been previously bleached or chemically altered for the past six months.

8) Long Buzz Cut

Unlike a traditional Buzz Cut that features skin-level hair (1-inch length), a Long Buzz Cut lends itself to be styled as modern punks in their short forms.

How do I mean?

Well, consider a Fader Pompadour with its long and voluminous “pomp” at the front top of the head. When that “pomp” is trimmed short to about 3 inches in length, it becomes a Buzz-inspired Pompadour. This is how Long Buzz Cuts are made.

So, there you go:

You can rock a Buzz-inspired Faux Hawk, Death Hawk, French Crop, 360 Waves, and just about any hairstyle with a Buzz Cut.

9) The Burr Buzz Cut

With the burr buzz cut, you get a very simple yet stylish look that is also very practical.

To get this haircut:

• You’ll want to use a clipper with guard #1 or #2 fitted.
• Then, get a good even shave all around.

Nevertheless:

The burr buzz cut is extremely low-maintenance; meaning you can spend all day without worrying about your hair.

10) The Butch Buzz Cut

While it may not be as short as the traditional buzz cut, the butch cut can be every bit as functional.

Basically:

It’s a haircut for any occasion and looks great on just about anyone.

To get this hairstyle:

• You’ll want to use a #2 or #3 guide comb.
• Also, make sure you get a clean and even cut all around your head.

You can also add a fade if you want.

11) Induction Buzz Cut

The induction cut is, by far, the shortest buzz cut you can ever get without shaving your head bald.

And:

As you probably know, this cut is usually common with our highly-appreciated military men (and women).

How to get it?

Simply use your clipper without a guard comb and make sure you get a clean and even cut all around.

Also:

You have the option of going with a skin fade on the sides.

12) The High and Tight Buzz Cut

A high and tight buzz cut always looks neat, stylish, and is also very easy to maintain.

Now:

Some often confuse it with a crew cut – mainly due to how similar the two look – but it’s not. 

To get this hairstyle:

• Have the sides and back shaved short and notably high or close to the top of your head.

Essentially, this is a very high fade on the sides and back.

13) Ivy League Buzz Cut

This hairstyle is a combination of the Ivy League haircut with a nice buzz cut on the sides.

Basically, the length of this hairstyle can be up to 1 inch long on the sides with an Ivy League style on top.

Note:

The thing that makes this hairstyle a buzz cut is the fact that it features evenly-sized and short hairs on the sides and back.

Despite not being popular, this Ivy League variation is a sure way of keeping up with recent trends.

14) Buzz Cut Skin Fade

If you are looking for something more stylish and contrasting, the buzzcut skin fade might just be it.

Much like its other variations, the skin fade is not only neat, low-maintenance, versatile, and in-style but also very easy to achieve.

Anyway:                                                                                                        

This hairstyle works great due to the sharp contrast provided by the fade between the top and the sides/back.

15) Buzz Cut Skin Fade with Beard

Want to add more balance and taste to your buzz cut skin fade?

Then you should consider keeping/growing your beard.

Now, here’s the thing:

Because of the short hair on your head and a nice skin fade on your sides and back, a lot of focus will go to your beard; making it one of your biggest highlights. 

But:

There is one problem with this hairstyle though. Which one?

Despite your beard complimenting your look and adding a little bit of style to it, your new hairstyle will lose its low-maintenance quality.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is that beards need a lot of TLC (tender love and care).

Anyway:

If you can pull this off, you’ll be very proud of the way it all turns out.

Now:

Enough of the buzzcut hairstyles, here are a few awesome life skills you can use to ensure you get the right buzz cut.

How to Ask for a Buzz Cut Haircut

You might also be wondering:

“How should I ask for a buzz cut in a barbershop?”

Well, for starters, if you use the name buzz cut, almost every barber will know what you are talking about.

If they don’t, just tell them you want an even cut all around your head.

Also:

Remember to specify the necessary clipper sizes, the type of fades, and any outlining and finishing works.

And that’s that.

Basically, the key here is effective communication.

Buzz Cut vs. Crew Cut

If you’ve always wondered if these two are different or the same, here’s what you need to know…

A buzz cut features short (#0 to #2) hair all around the head – too short to style – while the crew cut features relatively long hair.

Now, here’s where the confusion comes in.

When you combine a buzzcut with a fade, the end result will look more like a crew cut. That’s because both hairstyles (the crew cut and buzz cut fade) create some contrast with the top.

This can make the two hairstyles appear wildly similar.

To differentiate the two, remember that:

The buzz cut features short hair while the crew cut has longer hair – especially at the top – and is easy to style further.

Anyway, that’s that…

So, aside from the traditional buzzcut, are there any other variations or style combos to try?

Find out next…

Conclusion…

Now:

I think this post covers just about everything you need to know about buzz cuts and the various styling options available.

Note:

This haircut has withstood the test of time making it a classic and one of the most popular hairstyles today.

Its low-maintenance nature makes it convenient for everyone – even the busiest people.

Anyway:

If what you are after is a stylish, functional, tried-and-tested hairstyle, then the buzz cut haircut is for you.

As always, I hope this post has been useful to you.

Also:

Please, let me know what you think of the buzz cut hairstyle – along with any questions you might have – in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

Till next time… #StaySafe