The Complete Hair Salon Equipment List 2024

Are you planning to open a salon and wondering what equipment you need?

Then you’ve landed in the right place.

Today, I’ll show you all the hair tools, hairdressing equipment, and accessories you need to succeed in your salon.

You’ll get a complete hair salon equipment checklist with prices to use as a starting point when planning your salon. This article is part of my step-by-step guide for opening a salon business, covering everything you need to know when starting a salon.

I’ll share all my favorite salon tools and hairdressing equipment, as well as advice to help you avoid making expensive mistakes when acquiring equipment for your salon. Because let’s face it, salon equipment is one of your largest expenses when you’re starting.

To help you manage this, I’m including a lower-priced alternative for each more expensive salon item. 

Sounds good?

Let’s go

Best Hair Salon Software 2024

I’m calling out your salon software choice at the top of this list. In 2024, your software runs (or should run) a big part of your business.

And out of everything I’m listing here, this is the equipment that will have the biggest impact on the success of your business. And not getting this right from the start will be painful down the line.

The software we use at The Salon Business is Mangomint. It’s not the lowest-cost option out there, but this thing will automate a big part of your business and help you save a ton of time in your day-to-day.

It’s also the most well-designed platform that ensures the experience for you, your staff, and your clients is the best you can get. Below is a quick overview of what the calendar would look like for you and your staff.

You can learn more about the system in my detailed Mangomint review or just jump over to Mangomint.com to try it out for free.

Service Accessories

You need several different service accessories for your hair salon. I’ve collected the more common ones in the hair salon equipment list below together with the specific products I recommend.

Best Hair Salon Aprons & Cutting Capes

You want your staff to wear aprons that fit the image of your salon and your staff to have fresh, comfortable, and good-looking capes. Good quality cutting capes don’t need to be expensive. I recommend the below because of good quality at a fair price.

Best Hair Salon Towels

Keeping a good supply of towels is essential for any salon. Ensure you get good quality bleach and chemical-safe premium towels that last.

Best Salon Hand Mirror

The tool you need for the most important part of the salon service – when you show your client the result :). There’s not really a right or wrong here, but go for one that is practical and fits the style of your salon. 

Other Salon Service Accessories

There are a few other things you’ll soon notice that you need. 

Combs & Brushes

You need a variety of combs and brushes for your salon. There’s many different types of brushes. Below are the six most common ones in the hair stylists toolkit.

Professional Scissors/ Shears

Your scissors are arguably the hairdresser’s most important tools and a central item in this hair salon equipment list. Let me take you through a few things to consider before getting a pair of new shears first, and you’ll then also get my personal recommendations. 

Straight Shear vs. Blending Shear: What to Consider When Buying

What is a straight shear? The straight shear is what you’ll use most of the time when cutting hair. You should ideally have two different sizes of a straight shear. A longer one (above 6 inches) is good for the basic trims and for achieving a clean cut. When cutting a bob for example, you’ll want to have a longer scissor. A good reference when buying a long scissor is that it should be about the same length as your hand.

You’ll need shorter scissors (4.5 – 5.5 inches) for more detailed cuts. For example, when cutting around the ears and back of the neck. You’ll typically cut using the “scissor over finger” technique with a small scissor, while you’ll cut over a comb with the longer one.

What is a blending shear? A blending shear (also called thinning shear) has a straight blade on one side and evenly spaced teeth on the other. This is the scissor you need if you want to remove weight from the hair in a fast and easy way. You can also use it to add texture to the hair, depending on the technique you use.

There are two common types of blending/thinning shears: The 40-44 tooth blending shear is used for blending, tapering, and texturizing, which are common cutting techniques for men. There is also the wide tooth scissor, which generally has 28 teeth and is used when texturizing very thick hair.

How Much Do Professional Hair Scissors/Shears Cost?

Professional hair scissors cost around $100 but can range all the way from $20 up to $600. Below you have my recommended scissors – one pair at the lower end and another at a good price/value level.

My Recommended Professional Shears

Electronic Hair Styling & Grooming Equipment

One of your bigger expenses in this hair salon equipment list will likely be the electrical styling and grooming tools. In this section I’ll show you what you need to know. I’ll also recommend both a high quality and value optiocn for each tool as I understand it can be difficult to afford the best if you’re just starting up your salon. 

What You Should Consider When Getting Your Styling & Grooming Tools

For all grooming equipment, you want to make sure you get something from a quality brand that also offers a product warranty, as it’s common that they break – even if you buy good quality.

You should also think about if you should re-sell the tools to your clients and, in this case, get the same brand for you as the one you’ll resell. It’s much easier to recommend a sale to a client that they’ve seen you are using it yourself in the salon and that they also experienced during their service.

In fact, re-selling electrical tools can be a great source of revenue for your salon as they typically have a high price (compared to care and styling products), which gives you a good cash margin on the products.

Blow Dryers and Diffusers

You’ll for sure need a blow dryer for your salon. This is probably the electrical tool you’ll work with the most – so get something good :). Consider the weight of the hair dryer as well as the sound. This is something that can easily be overlooked and, in the end, be the thing that will annoy you the most.

How Much Does a Professional Hair Dryer Cost?

A professional hair dryer costs somewhere between $70 and $200, but there are also brands that charge up to $450 (e.g., Dyson Super Sonic). I honestly don’t think you should spend that much – you’ll get something very good for around $150.

My Recommended Professional Hair Dryers

I recommend two different hair dryers in this hair salon equipment list. One top-notch option (at a higher price) and one if you want good quality but are on a budget.

Professional Hair Straightener

After blow dryer, the hair straightener is probably what you’ll use the most. With the right product you can do a lot more than just straightening hair but you can also use it to shape great curls. What’s important when you select the right straightener is the temperature, which should be at 185 Celsius/ 365 Fahrenheit for a good styling temperature that does not damage the hair.

How Much Does a Professional Hair Straightener Cost?

You should be ready to pay around $120 and $250 for a good professional hair straightener.

My Recommended Professional Hair Straightener 

There is one straightener that, in my opinion,  is the absolute best you can get, and this is the Platinum+ styler by ghd. But it’s also quite expensive. Below, you’ll find my recommended stylers that also include a lower-cost alternative in case you’re on a budget.

Professional Hair Curlers

Similarly to a straightener, when selecting a curler, you should make sure it operates at the right temperature and comes with a good warranty. If you’re good at curling hair using your straightener, you could potentially save some money here and just invest in a really good styler/straightener instead. 

How Much Does a Professional Hair Curler Cost?

A professional hair curler costs somewhere between $50 and $200.

My Recommended Professional Curler

Also, when it comes to curlers, I would recommend ghd and their Curl Iron and Curl Wand. They are built using a similar heat technology as the Platinum+ hair straightener I shared above, so they deliver the optimal styling temperature and result. However, if you’re on a budget you could try to learn how to use your styler for curls or go with a lower cost option like the one I recommend below.

Hair Clipper

You’ll need a good hair clipper to cut, shape, and design your clients’ hair. When buying a clipper, you want to make sure it has a powerful motor and self-sharpening stainless steel blades. The benefit of a cordless clipper is obvious but you often find the engine in cordless clippers is not as good. Good ones are typically also a bit more expensive. 

How Much Does a Professional Hair Clipper Cost?

A good profession hair clipper will cost you between $120 and $220.

My Recommended Professional Hair Clipper

There are two hair clipper brands that always deliver – Wahl and Andis.  

Salon Chairs

There are a few different types of chairs that you’ll need in your salon. Picking the best salon chair comes down to design and what will be practical for the type of service you perform in the salon.

The different types of salon chairs are:

• Styling chairs
• Barber chairs
• Shampoo chairs
• Dryer chairs
• Reception chairs
• Stylist chair & stools

If you’re starting out a new salon, you’ll most likely not need all of the above chairs. Where I’d put my money first is on a good styling chair and also a stylist saddle stool as you’ll not be able to run a salon without those. If you’re planning out a barber salon, you’ll, of course, also need a chair that supports your shaving and beard-trimming services.

You’ll not necessarily need a dryer chair or specific reception chairs, this you can get at a later stage, as you can use any chair you can get hold of that you find acceptable in the meantime.

What to Consider When Buying Salon Chairs

Is Product Quality Good?

You want your chairs to look good also in a few years from now. If you cannot afford good quality because you’re just starting out, I would rather not buy anything and instead try to work with a temporary solution until you can afford a chair of decent quality.

You and your client will spend a lot of time in the chair, so they will get worn quickly. In fact, you’ll save money by picking one with good leather material from the start that will be much more durable, and you do not need to replace it in just a year’s time.

Poor chair quality also adds negatively to the experience you want to give your client, as it will be less comfortable, and stability may be compromised.

Is it Practical to Use?

The salon chair is a working tool for you and the stylists working in your salon. Thus, you want to make sure the chair has the features you need to perform your services. You’ll need a hydraulic styling chair so that you can effectively adjust the position of your client when working.

If you’re offering barber services you’ll also need to be able to tilt the chair. Make sure you think through the different usages you may have before you select the right chairs for your salon.

Does the Design Fit Your Salon Image?

There are many different types of chair designs and you should pick something that goes with your salon. Similar to when choosing the right styling station, I’d not get too creative here. I would focus on timeless quality here vs. what’s trendy right now. This will last you longer and also maintain its value better.

How Much Does a Salon Styling Chair Cost?

The cost for a good salon styling chair range from $300 to $700 and costs on average $500. The cost for a good stylist chair or saddle stool is on average $250 and ranges from $150-$300. For a good basic setup, you should expect to spend about $750. Reception chairs, shampoo chairs, and dryer chairs would then come on top of this.

My Recommended Salon Chairs

The chair that is right for your salon is very individual. I have summarized here the two client chairs that currently hold the highest rating for salons and barbers as well as the best-rated stylist chair with matte.  

Ring Light – Get the Best Hair Images for Your Salon Instagram 

If you’re good at marketing your salon, you probably have an Instagram or other social media account where you showcase your work. You want to make sure you take good pictures that give justice to the great service you provide.

If you’re serious about improving your salon’s Instagram, I also recommend you check out the social media tools that grow your salon business here. 

Most mobile phones today allow you to take very good pictures, which in many cases is sufficient for your salon’s social accounts. However, the second most important thing for good pictures is the light.

It’s easy to get good light for your hair pictures with a ring light that you can order for around $150 which will make all your pictures so much better. Make sure you get one for your salon and place it on a clean wall somewhere so that you can take good, professional images for your portfolio.

Salon Carts & Trolleys

Salon carts and trolleys are used to keep your service tools at hand when performing the service. This helps you and your stylists stay organized with everything at hand when needed.

There are many different options and sizes available for this, but what’s most important is that you get one that fits the needs you have, as a trolley with the wrong setup will not be of value but only in the way.

What to Consider When Buying a Salon Cart or Trolley?

Think about how you’ll use your cart or trolley and summarize your needs. Below are some salon trolley usages to consider:

• Do you need to be able to lock your trolley? E.g. if you are working in a shared space, this can be helpful.
• Do you work with hot tools? In this case, you want somewhere in the trolley that can support holding those.
• Do you work standing or sitting, or maybe both? Consider the best height of the trolley
• Does it fit with the rest of the salon’s design? You’ll have it next to your client so you want to make sure it looks good and fits the salon.
• Is it easy to clean? It will collect hair, dust, and products, so you want to be able to clean it easily.
• Does it have a sufficient amount of drawers and storage space? Think about what products you’ll want to have with you in the cart and if there is room for those.

How Much Does a Salon Trolley Cost?

A salon trolley costs around $190 but can vary from $50 to $350 depending on how sophisticated a trolley you need.

My Recommended Salon Trolleys

Below are the two most popular salon trolleys and trays right now. 

Shampoo Station/ Backwash Unit

The shampoo station (also called the backwash unit) is where you’ll wash your client’s hair before and/or after their salon service. It is also where you perform various hair care treatments in the salon.

There are a few different ways in which you can build your backwash unit. You can buy a separate shampoo bowl and chair or you can go for a complete backwash system unit where you have all included and fitted together. There are pros and cons to both approaches.

Separate Chair and Bowl

This is a more flexible option that typically is more cost-effective. With a separate chair and shampoo bowl, you are in more control of the overall look of the unit, as you can choose the design of the chair and bowl independently. It is also more cost-effective as you can use the chair for more purposes than the shampoo bowl. This is why this approach is often preferred by smaller salons that are on a budget and have less space and, therefore, want to be able to re-purpose the chair’s use.

Backwash with Attached Bowl and Chair

Although this option is typically a little bit more expensive, it is also what will give the best salon client experience. Your clients do seek to be pampered at the shampoo station, and you have a lot to win by giving the ultimate experience to them, as this is what will build client loyalty in the long run.

If you have the space, I would go for this option and place your backwash unit in a space of tranquility where you can bring the best possible experience to your clients.

What is the Shampoo Station Price?

A shampoo station (or backwash unit) costs $800 on average but ranges from $500-$1,200. A separate shampoo bowl costs $300 on average and ranges from $150-600.

My Recommended Shampoo Backwash Units

There are a lot of different shampoo units available with different features and levels of comfort. I have listed below two popular units that have high user ratings and good reviews. However, I would encourage you to browse the complete list of shampoo stations here to find what you think will fit your salon the best.

Hood Dryer

Hood dryers are an essential part of the salon and have many different use cases. They are used both to dry hair and also to provide heat so that care and color services can develop.

There are freestanding hood dryers, wall-mounted hood dryers, chairs with a built-in hood dryer, and portable hood dryers.

A freestanding hood dryer gives you the flexibility to move it around in the salon and use it with existing chairs, which makes it cost-effective and flexible. This is why this is the most commonly used type of hood dryer.

Wall mounted hood dryers are less flexible but frees up floor space in your salon so this a good option if you have limited space.

Hood dryer chairs contain both the hood dryer and chair. This gives a good client experience while at the same time limiting the flexibility in your salon.

A portable hood dryer is the best solution for mobile hairdressers, as you can bring it along where you go. Typically, the quality is lower on those than the other options above, so I would only go for this if your work requires you to be mobile. There are also cheap mobile options that you can mount to a regular hair dryer if you need a pragmatic solution but the result can obviously not be compared to a real professional hood dryer.

Important Hood Dryer Features to Consider

When buying a hood dryer, you should consider the following features:

• After-sale service: Hood dryers have a high upfront cost and can break, so you want to make sure you have a good after-sale service on the product in case you run into issues.
• Adjustable heat and speed setting: Different hair types and services require different heat, so it’s important you can control this.
• Ionic technology: This gives a smoother and shinier hair result as it better locks hydration in the hair and reduces ions in the air.

How Much Does a Professional Hood Dryer Cost?

A professional hood dryer costs $1,000 on average but can vary from $600 to $3,000. There are also hood dryers for personal use starting at $200, but the quality is very different from a professional dryer used by a salon, which is what I focus on in this hair salon equipment list.

My Recommended Professional Hooded Dryers

Buying a hood dryer is a big purchase; it’s the most expensive item on this hair salon equipment list. Make sure you do your research first so that it fits all your needs. Below are two good options at attractive prices from Salon Pro. They both have good user ratings and can be a good option for you. 

Hair Styling Station

The hair styling station is where your client sits during their hair service and also where your staff spends a big part of their working day.

The styling station has a big impact on the overall look and feel of your salon, so you want it to look good and also fit the image of your salon. At the same time, it is at the salon station where the services are performed, so it needs to be practical to use, or you’ll get very frustrated over time.

You want to make sure you get this right from the start.
I have summarized below what you should consider when choosing your hair styling station.

Is it Optimized for Your Salon Floor Plan?

Styling stations will take up space, so you want a solution that fits your floor plan. There are styling units that are double-sided in case you want the stylist to work on both sides of the mirror, and there are also ones that separate the mirror from storage. The solution that is right for you depends on how you want to lay out your salon.

Does the Design Fit Your Salon Image?

You should pick a styling station that fits the rest of your salon and your brand. You need to consider the overall appearance of your salon and how the styling stations fit naturally into that. Your client will also spend a big part of their time in the styling station, so you’ll want the experience to be good.

I’d recommend you keep the design of your styling station simple. The styling stations should last for a while, so if you get something that is trendy right now, it may look dated in a few years. So I’d recommend you to go with a simple design and rather use other decorative elements in your salon to bring to life the atmosphere.

This way, your stations can last for years while you can easily and more frequently update the look and feel of your salon instead of having a very advanced styling station that you are tired of just a year after purchase and that makes it difficult to easily change the look and feel of your salon.

Is it Practical to Work With?

Finally, it should be easy for you and your stylists to work at the styling station. This is the most important part, as you’ll go crazy after a while if you do not have the space you need in the stations to work with your client, tools, and products. So don’t go blind on a good-looking design, but make sure there is a place for all you need at the station.

How Much Does a Salon Styling Station Cost?

A styling station costs from $150 to $1200, where the average cost would be around $600.

My Recommendation

It’s difficult to recommend one styling station unit that is right for you. You really need to measure the space you have for it and judge the design that will fit your salon image.

I have also created a Pinterest board where you can find some inspiration for your salon.

Conclusion

I hope you found this hair salon equipment list helpful.

This list is part of my step-by-step guide to opening a salon. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly recommend you read this salon startup guide.