The most requested men’s haircut for 2026 is the textured crop, with the modern mullet and the low taper fade close behind, according to barber and style-guide reports. The old 2015 guide covered five looks: side part, undercut, rugged medium-long, slicked back and geometric lines. We kept the ones that lasted, updated them for 2026 and added the textured crop, the modern mullet and the taper fade. The trend reports we read agree on direction, not on exact rankings.
| # | Haircut | Best for | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Textured crop | Most hair types, low effort | Matte clay, no blow-dryer needed |
| 2 | Modern mullet | Wavy or thick hair | Regular trims at the back |
| 3 | Low taper fade | Works with almost any top | Trim every few weeks |
| 4 | Side part | Office and formal wear | Light product, natural texture |
| 5 | Slicked back | Longer hair on top | Pushed back with fingers, less wet-looking |
| 6 | Undercut | Defined, edgy contrast | Frequent sides clean-up |
| 7 | Medium-length natural | Waves and texture | Few trims, more product-free |
1. Textured crop
Short faded sides with choppy length on top, pushed forward. Several reports call it the most requested cut in barbershops, and one says that has been true for most of a year.
It is also the lowest effort on the list: a small amount of matte clay is usually enough.
2. The modern mullet
The 2026 mullet is a cleaner, more deliberate version of the 1980s cut. It has a textured top, some length at the back and sides in a low fade or clean taper.
Barbers say it works best on wavy or thick hair.
3. Low taper fade
The low taper fade is the default finish under most of the other cuts in the reports. The trend is toward softer tapers and natural necklines and away from the high, sharp skin fade.
Ask for it with any length on top.
4. The side part
The side part from the 2015 guide is still here, tied to the old-money look, with a softer part line and more natural texture on top.
It still works in formal and casual settings. Skip the heavy pomade and let the hair move.
5. Slicked back, looser
We called the slick back a comeback in 2015. In 2026 it is looser and less wet-looking, pushed back with fingers instead of a comb.
The slicked-back undercut is the edgier variant.
6. Undercut
The undercut grew out of the TV-drama look in the old guide, and it remains a favorite for contrast between top and sides.
Let the top grow and keep the sides clean. The difference is the point.
7. Medium-length natural
One report for 2027 expects barbers to leave more length on top and softer, scissor-cut texture with natural movement. That is the same idea as the rugged medium-long cut of 2015, with less product.
A good scissor cut matters more than the styling.
What fell out?
The lined and geometric looks of 2015 do not appear in the 2026 reports we read, so we dropped them. The theme across the reports is texture and low-effort wear over sculpted, product-heavy looks, and matte products are gaining on gel and wax.
FAQ
What is the most popular men’s haircut in 2026?
The textured crop, according to barber and style-guide reports, with the modern mullet and low taper fade close behind.
Is the slicked back look still in?
Yes, in a looser, less wet-looking version pushed back with the fingers.
What is a modern mullet?
A cleaner take on the 1980s cut: textured top, some length at the back, and sides in a low fade or taper.
Is the undercut still in style?
Yes, though softer tapers have replaced sharp, high skin fades as the standard finish.
What styling product should I use?
Matte products such as clay are replacing gel and wax in the 2026 reports.
How we put this list together
We kept the 2015 looks that lasted and added the cuts that barber and style guides named most often for 2026 and 2027. These sources are style blogs, so the order is directional. Styling tips are our own.
Last updated: October 2026.
