I still remember when haircuts as a kid cost barely $8. These days, I'm forking out close to $20 for my regular bi-weekly trims. Add a beard shaping or a quick wash, and the bill creeps up to $30. Painful, especially when all you wanted was a quick tidy-up.

Prices have gone up across the board, but thankfully, not every haircut needs to cost a small fortune. If you're just looking for a clean, simple cut without the frills, there are still affordable options out there.

We've updated our list of Singapore's cheapest barbers and salons, all offering haircuts at $20 or less. Whether you prefer an express chain or a heartland gem, here are 15 wallet-friendly spots to keep you looking sharp without breaking the bank.

15 Affordable Barber Shops & Hair Salons in Singapore (Under $20)

Prices above are for basic adult haircuts. Some salons may charge more at certain outlets or for additional services. Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these budget haircut places:

Snip Avenue (haircuts $5.80 – $6.80)

Snip Avenue is known for being hands down the cheapest hair salon chain in Singapore. At $5.80 to $6.80 for a basic haircut, it’s even cheaper than the usual express haircut chains. What’s more, unlike Kcuts, QB House and EC House (their main rivals), Snip Avenue is a full-service salon. They offer hair treatments, dye jobs and other services on top of quick cuts.

For instance, a digital perm that’ll easily cost $150+ elsewhere is only $59.80 at Snip Avenue, and rebonding is the same price. If you just want to pamper your tresses, a hair treatment is $19.80. Add that to your haircut price, and the entire experience can still come in under $30. Shiok, right?

From online reviews, the quality of your cut may depend on the outlet and stylist (the Bukit Batok branch has pretty good feedback). Regardless, Snip Avenue’s rock-bottom prices make it almost impossible to complain too much about a less-than-perfect cut.

Kimage Hairdressing School ($8 for student cut)

Kimage Hairdressing School is where established salon chain Kimage trains their proteges. At the Kimage training academy, you pay only $8 for a haircut (including a wash and blow-dry) by a student stylist. 

That's a steal considering a cut at a regular Kimage salon would set you back $40 to $70! If you're not comfortable with a student, you can also opt for a fresh graduate to cut your hair — it costs more (about $17 now for a grad cut) but the stylists will be more experienced.

The major caveat is that you're leaving your locks in the hands of student stylists. They're supervised by instructors, but you should still come with an open mind, low expectations, and a lot of time to spare (budget at least two hours for a student cut). 

According to some reviews, you can request a recently graduated stylist for a quicker cut, and as mentioned, it'll cost a bit extra. Make sure to call ahead before going down, because if there are no students available, there won't be student-priced services (instructor haircuts are ~$18 instead).

TenDollar.com Salon Group (from $6)

Despite its name, TenDollar.com Salon Group actually charges way less than ten bucks for a haircut-cuts start from $6 and up. This heartland salon chain has outlets in places like Serangoon North and Pasir Ris, promising affordable cuts as well as colouring, perming, treatment and rebonding services. The name might be misleading, but the value is real: paying six dollars for a haircut in 2025 is almost unheard of outside of this shop.

From the online reviews, it sounds like their quality is way better than the price suggests. Of course, as with many budget salons, it helps to go in with a reference photo of the style you want. 

The staff may not all be fluent in English, so a picture ensures you get your point across. TenDollar.com proves you don't need a fancy storefront or name to deliver a decent trim at a crazy-low price.

eZen Hair, Nail & Beauty ($8 cuts, $4 for members)

With multiple locations and consistently cheap haircuts, eZen Hair, Nail & Beauty is fast becoming the new Snip Avenue (minus the uneven service quality). 

This chain has six outlets mainly in the West and North — Jurong, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands, etc. A standard haircut costs just $8 here, a flat rate across all outlets. But if you find a stylist you really like, you can join as a member for $25/year-and the member's price per haircut is only $4.

As you might guess from the name, eZen offers more than just haircuts. They also have nail and basic beauty services from $8 onwards. 

The general feedback is that eZen offers affordable haircuts without the notorious hit-or-miss experience of some other cheap salons. In other words, they're budget-friendly without making you feel like you paid rock-bottom prices. If you're in the West or North and need a quick snip, eZen is definitely worth a try.

Peter & E Hair Studio ($8)

Peter & E Hair Studio is a no-frills neighborhood salon with three outlets (Yishun, Fernvale and Serangoon). Their basic haircuts used to be dirt cheap at $3.50 (years ago), but prices have since climbed to $8 nowadays. 

They once had a membership deal (pay $30/year and get $1 off each haircut), but that's no longer available. $8 is the flat price for everyone now.

Even at $8, Peter & E is still one of the cheapest options around these areas. Expect a typical heartland salon setup. The chain has been around for a while and has its regulars, especially among older folks who just want a basic trim without salon chit-chat or sales pitches. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done for the price you pay.

The One Salon ($8)

The One Salon in Bedok is like any other neighbourhood hair salon, except super cheap at $8 for a haircut. They even offer a 16-session wash-and-cut package for $200 (which works out to $12.50 per session, with wash included, so still pretty affordable). As a full-service salon, they provide colouring, perming and other hair services too. 

However, we don't really suggest going there for dramatic whole-head makeovers or complex dye jobs. The reviews on this place are scant and, frankly, not very flattering. The few online reviews they have are mostly negative, citing inconsistent service or quality.

That said, if you're in the Bedok area and just need a quick, cheap trim, The One Salon could be a convenient option. Just manage your expectations (maybe keep your hairstyle request simple) and you'll walk away $8 poorer but freshly shorn. Sometimes, that's all you need.

Aoska Unisex Hair Styling ($8 - $12)

Long before Snip Avenue made sub-$5 haircuts a thing, there was Aoska Unisex Hair Styling. This old-school budget salon has been offering single-digit haircut prices for ages. Aoska currently has 2-3 outlets in the heartlands (Ang Mo Kio, Whampoa, and reportedly Yishun). 

Back in the day, you could get a cut for $5 at Aoska, but nowadays their haircuts are priced at $8 and $12 depending on the outlet and perhaps the complexity of the cut. Even at those prices, Aoska remains a bargain and has a loyal following among heartlanders.

Apart from haircuts, Aoska is a good place for other wallet-friendly hair services too. For example, hair colouring starts at $35 (versus $60+ at regular salons) and a perm begins at $50. 

The salons themselves are as no-frills as they come, but the experienced aunties and uncles there know how to give a decent trim. If you're near AMK or Whampoa and want an old-school cheap haircut experience, Aoska is worth checking out. Just don't expect hip decor or any Instagrammable moments.

KIMarie Hair & Beauty Training Centre ($9)

KIMarie Hair & Beauty Training Centre is another trainee hair salon, similar in concept to Kimage's school. In fact, KIMarie has been around even longer — since 1979 — founded by a certified hairstyling trainer. For just $9, you can get your hair shampooed, cut and blown dry by their student stylists. That's an incredible deal, considering you're also enjoying a proper wash and blow.

The experience is much like Kimage's: come with an open mind, be prepared to sit for a long time, and you might just walk out pleasantly surprised. KIMarie has had pretty good reviews online for its student haircuts (for whatever that's worth). 

If you're lucky, the instructor might supervise closely or even assist, so you get two people fussing over your hair for the price of one. Just be sure to call before heading down. Sometimes there are no classes in session, meaning no student stylists available.

In that case, you could opt for a cut by an instructor, but it'll cost about $18 (still under $20, but double the trainee price)

New Star Hairdressing Saloon ($10 to $12)

Established in 1960, New Star Hairdressing Saloon in Little India is often hailed as perhaps the best Indian barber in Singapore. It's a true old-school barbershop turned unisex salon that has retained much of its retro charm. 

Here, a basic no-frills haircut is $10, which includes all the classic barber trappings like a straight razor neck shave and even a head massage if you're lucky (They also have a second outlet in Siglap where haircuts cost around $12.)

Guys, one of the best things to try here is a traditional Indian barber shave. Few places do it as authentically as New Star-think hot towel, straight razor, and maybe even an old-school aftershave slap. Over the years New Star has moved with the times too: it's now a unisex salon offering perms, hair treatments, rebonding, colouring, highlights, you name it.

But its bread-and-butter is still the no-fuss haircut that's delivered with skill and pride. Some of their barbers have been cutting for decades. The Little India outlet (currently at 164 Serangoon Road) opens daily from 9am to 9pm (closed Tuesdays). It can get busy on weekends, so consider booking an appointment if you can

Dragon Phoenix Unisex Beauty Salon & Hair Spa (from $10)

With a name like "Dragon Phoenix Unisex Beauty Salon & Hair Spa", you might expect a super old-school, slightly obiang setup, and you'd be right. Tucked away in a vintage Toa Payoh block among TCM shops, foot reflexology parlours and aunty beauty salons, Dragon Phoenix is a hidden gem for cheap haircuts. 

Haircuts here start from $10 and are handled by the proprietor, Anne, who is something of a legend to her regulars. (She sometimes even sports bright pink hair to match the salon's bright fuchsia sign-talk about character!)

Despite its unassuming facade, Dragon Phoenix offers a whole host of services: beyond the usual cut, wash, colour, perm, they also do make-up, facials, and even image consultancy. But most folks come for Anne's skilled haircutting at $10. She has long-time customers who drive from all over the island for her services. You won't easily find online reviews for this place. It's sort of intentionally a "secret find".

If you do venture a visit, be prepared for potentially long queues (regulars swear by her, and now that the secret's out, more might flock here!). The atmosphere will transport you back a few decades, but the haircut you get will be perfectly up to date.

Kcuts ($14 for a 10-minute cut)

As far as cheap hair salons at shopping malls go, Kcuts has one of the best prices-currently about $14 per haircut for adults. (Kcuts used to be $10, then $12, and due to rising costs is around $14 nowadays.) As with anything marketed with a Korean spin, Kcuts remains super popular.

They offer "no-frills Korean-themed haircuts" in just 10 minutes. That's right — you're in and out in ten minutes, no appointment needed. Don't expect any wash, blow, or shave services though. It's literally sit down, get your hair snipped, and go.

The experience at Kcuts is very transactional: you buy a ticket from a machine, wait for your number, then get your cut and leave. The stylists aren't going to chat you up much because they're focused on speed. If you miss your queue number, you'll have to wait for a couple of customers to finish before you can rejoin (so pay attention!).

With dozens of outlets islandwide, Kcuts has become a household name for quick and reasonably priced haircuts. Just avoid peak hours if you can — weekends or lunchtime can see a line of people waiting despite the speedy service.

(Bonus tip: Kcuts sometimes runs promotions or partners with apps for queue reservations, so check their website or Facebook for any updates. But generally, it's a straightforward walk-in system.)

EC House ($12 to $15)

EC House is another ubiquitous express haircut chain in Singapore. You've probably seen their bright orange branding in many malls. Their tagline is "all-range cuts" (because they are, um, orange… get it?). 

Marketing puns aside, EC House prides themselves on being adept at all kinds of hairstyles within that quick-cut format. Like Kcuts and QB, you purchase a ticket at the machine and wait in line for the next available stylist.

Prices were $12 flat for the longest time, but by now most EC House outlets charge around $14 for a cut (still the same for children, adults, or seniors). A few "premium" locations charge a bit more. At Thomson Plaza, 100AM, SingPost Centre, etc., a cut can cost $15 or $16.

The online reviews for EC House are mixed, simply because with so many outlets and hairstylists, experiences vary. It can be a hit or miss depending on which outlet and who you get. One thing consistent is their hygiene measures. Similar to QB House, they give each customer a fresh disposable comb and have sterilizer machines for their tools.

If you need a quick trim and an EC House is nearby, it's a convenient option. Just keep your hairstyle request simple for the best results, given the 10-minute limit.

QB House ($12)

QB House is the original Japanese 10-minute haircut chain that set the template for express salons here. A standard QB House cut still costs $12 (for all ages, as long as the kid can sit still). 

They've stuck to this price for years even as others have increased. However, note that QB has also introduced a separate "QB Premium" line at some locations, offering a bit more styling at around $18 (but for a basic quick cut, just look for the normal QB House logo).

The concept at QB House is the same: insert cash into the machine, get a ticket, wait your turn, 10 minutes in the chair and you're done. Their philosophy is to help customers maintain their hairstyles by trimming ends only. That said, you can go from long to short with them-just be aware it might not be as styled as a full-service salon cut.

For hygiene, QB gives each customer a new comb (which you can keep after), and they famously use a "magic" vacuum at the end to suck up all the loose hair trimmings so you don't leave itchy. They even have a microwave-looking steriliser machine to zap their scissors and tools between customers. The efficiency and consistency at QB House are why it's still many people's go-to for a quick fuss-free haircut.

Kojimaya ($15)

There aren't many places in the city you can go to for bargain haircuts. So, Kojimaya at The Central, above Clarke Quay MRT, is quite a find.

Up until recently, Kojimaya charged $12 for a haircut by an experienced stylist of your choice. As of last year or so, they've raised it to $15 per cut (likely due to higher operating costs). Even at $15, it's a great deal considering this is downtown Singapore and you're getting a proper salon-style cut without a rush.

Unlike the typical express chains, Kojimaya's stylists aren't racing a 10-minute timer. They aren't exactly going to spend an hour on you, but they do take a bit more care and give more personalised attention to your hair. The salon is located in the basement of The Central mall (above Clarke Quay MRT) and you still pay via a machine at the entrance (exact amount only, so have a $10 and a $5 bill ready).

Kojimaya's popularity has grown through word-of-mouth; they often have long queues during peak hours, so be prepared to wait (you can always shop or grab a bite and come back when your turn nears). 

Regulars like that each stylist has their own flair but all are quite experienced. In short, Kojimaya offers a nice middle ground between the ultra-basic $12 chains and the expensive $40+ salons — quality cuts at a fair price.

(Do note: Because they require exact change, any price hike tends to be in $2 increments-hence $15 now. Keep an eye out in case this changes again.)

Hair Buzz Salon ($15)

Another old-school hair salon, complete with the iconic twirling red, white, and blue barber's pole outside, Hair Buzz Salon is quite an institution in the Serangoon Gardens area. 

Haircuts here are $15, a little pricier than the other options on this list, but Hair Buzz has a steady stream of loyal regulars who have been coming to owners Freddy and Sabrina for more than a decade. In other words, it's cheap by normal salon standards and worth it for the service, even if $15 is the upper end of our list.

Despite being a small, cosy salon, Hair Buzz prides itself on providing remarkable service. Many customers say they feel right at home thanks to the friendly conversations and personal touch from the stylists. They aim to guarantee a haircut that fits your style and if you have no idea what style you want, they'll happily advise you.

It's the kind of place where the stylists remember your usual cut, ask about your family, and genuinely care that you're happy with the result. As one customer review puts it, co-owner Sabrina is super friendly and gives great hair care tips, and people love the results of her cuts. For $15, that kind of attentive service makes the trip worth it, especially if you're not just looking for a quick chop but a bit of human touch as well.

This article was first published in MoneySmart.