Table of Content:
Introduction
Most men do not spend a lot of time thinking about their hair every day. You wake up, run your fingers through it, and hope it looks good enough to get through the day. But the truth is that the right haircut can completely change how you look and how confident you feel. If you are stuck between keeping your hair short or letting it grow too long, medium length hair might be the perfect middle ground.
Medium haircuts for men offer the ideal balance between style and practicality. They give you enough length to experiment with different looks while still being easy to manage during a busy week. Whether you are heading to work, meeting friends, or attending an event, a well chosen medium length haircut can adapt to almost any situation. In this guide, we will explore some of the best medium haircuts for men that are popular right now and explain why they work so well for different hair types and personal styles. If you want help choosing the right style, read our guide on how to choose and style medium length hair for men.
What Are the Best Medium Haircuts for Men?
Before we jump into the actual styles, let us first clear up a very common question that many guys tend to ask. What exactly qualifies as medium length hair when we are talking about men’s hairstyles and grooming in general?
Generally speaking, medium length hair for men falls somewhere in the range of about 3 to 7 inches in total length. It is long enough to give you the freedom to style it in multiple different ways throughout the week. At the same time, it is short enough to keep things manageable without requiring hours of effort every single morning before you head out.
Think of medium length hair as the Goldilocks zone of men’s grooming, not too short and not too long either. This particular length gives you plenty of room to experiment with different looks without committing to the heavy upkeep that usually comes along with growing out longer hair. And that kind of flexibility is exactly the reason why so many guys are choosing to go for it these days.
Why Medium Length Men's Hairstyles Are Absolutely Worth Trying?
So why exactly should you consider making the switch to a mid length haircut instead of sticking with what you already have? Here are a few solid and convincing reasons that might just change your mind about your next trip to the barber shop.
Versatility is the biggest advantage you get when you choose a medium length hairstyle for yourself as a man. With medium length hair on your head, you are never locked into just one single look day after day. You can easily switch things up depending on your current mood, the occasion you are dressing for, or even the weather outside. One day you could be rocking a clean and polished slick back, and the very next day you could go with a relaxed messy style. You simply cannot get that kind of range and variety if you are working with a short buzz cut or a close crop.
Another great thing about medium length hair is that it works beautifully for most hair types out there. Whether your hair is naturally straight, wavy, curly, or falls somewhere in between those textures, there is definitely a medium length style out there that will work perfectly for you. It really all comes down to finding the right cut and then learning how to work with your natural hair texture.
Medium length hairstyles also have the advantage of suiting almost every face shape that men tend to have. Got a round face that you want to make look a bit longer and more defined than it currently appears? A pompadour adds height on top and creates the visual illusion of extra length in your face shape overall. Have a strong square jaw that you would like to soften just a little bit around the edges for a friendlier look? A textured crop can do exactly that by adding some natural softness and movement to your overall appearance and silhouette.
The 7 Best Medium Haircuts for Men You Need to Know About:
Now let us get into the really good stuff that you actually came here to read about in the first place. Here are seven of the best mid length male haircuts that every guy should know about heading into this year.
1. The Pompadour
The pompadour is an absolute classic hairstyle that has stood the test of time and never seems to go out of style. It features a generous amount of volume at the front of the head that gradually tapers down as it flows toward the back. The sides of a pompadour are usually kept noticeably shorter with either a clean fade or a sharp undercut to keep all the attention and focus directed toward that signature wave sitting up on top of your head.
If your hair is currently at a medium length, you will likely want to comb the sides gently over your ears for a clean finish. But you should keep in mind that this particular area can start to get a little bulky over time if left unchecked. Making regular trips to the barber every few weeks to clean up the sides will help keep the whole look sharp, balanced, and well proportioned.
This style is best suited for men who have oval and round face shapes and it works especially great with thicker hair. To pull off a solid pompadour, you will need some quality pomade, a reliable blow dryer, and a medium hold hairspray to lock everything nicely in place throughout the entire day.
2. The Blowout
If you are looking for a hairstyle that sits somewhere between messy and polished, the blowout might just be the perfect answer for you. But please do not go thinking that you can simply roll out of bed in the morning and call your messy bed hair a blowout. This particular style does take a bit of intentional effort and the right technique to pull off correctly and look presentable.
You will need to grab a blow dryer and use it to push your hair upward while creating volume and movement throughout the top section. After that, go ahead and apply some pomade to add texture and definition, then finish the whole thing off with a light coat of hairspray. The ultimate goal with a blowout is to achieve a windswept and effortless looking hairstyle that actually holds up and stays in place throughout the entire day no matter what you are doing.
This style works best for guys who are after a modern and effortless vibe that does not look like it took too long to achieve. It pairs really well with hair that is naturally wavy or straight, and you will need a blow dryer, some pomade, and a can of hairspray to get it right.
3. The Slick Back
The slick back hairstyle has long been a favorite choice among working professionals and guys who genuinely appreciate a clean and put together appearance in their everyday life. This particular style works by sending all of your hair in one smooth and uniform direction straight toward the back of your head. There are no stray strands sticking out, no messy bits flying around, just smooth and sleek confidence from every single angle you look at it.
You are going to need a quality hair gel or mousse along with a fine toothed comb to properly pull this classic look off. For a more modern and updated twist on the traditional slick back, consider pairing it with a sharp undercut on the sides and a neatly trimmed beard on your face. It is a powerful combination that works incredibly well in both professional and social settings for men of all ages.
This style is best suited for men who have naturally thick and straight hair and it looks particularly great on square and oval face shapes. To achieve this look, make sure you have a good hair gel or mousse and a fine toothed comb ready to go before you start styling.
4. The Hard Part / Side Part
The hard part is widely considered to be one of the most distinguished and refined mens medium hair cuts that you can possibly ask your barber for. It features a clean and precisely defined line that visually separates the shorter hair on one side of your head from the fuller and more voluminous hair sitting on top.
The real trick to making this style work well is finding your natural part line before you start trying to style anything at all. You can do this by drawing an imaginary direct line from the center of your crown all the way down to the corner of your hairline. Once you have found that natural part line, everything else about styling this cut falls right into place quite naturally and easily. This particular cut looks incredibly sharp and put together and it transitions well between both casual and formal settings without any extra effort.
This style is best suited for men with oval and heart shaped faces who are looking for a refined and classic overall look. You will want to have some quality pomade or hair wax along with a fine toothed comb to style this cut properly every morning.
5. The Textured Crop
The textured crop is an excellent choice for guys who want something that looks stylish and modern without having to spend too much time standing in front of the bathroom mirror every single morning. It features a slightly messy and layered top section that sits above shorter and neatly tapered sides for a balanced overall silhouette.
What makes this cut so appealing is that it actually works with your natural hair texture rather than constantly fighting against it. If you happen to have naturally wavy or curly hair, that is even better because the texture adds character and dimension to the cut all on its own. Just spray in a little sea salt spray, tousle it with your fingers for a few seconds, and you are completely good to go for the rest of the day.
This versatile style works well with almost every face shape and is especially good for guys who have naturally textured or wavy hair. All you really need to style it is some sea salt spray or a light texturizing paste to add a bit of definition and hold.
6. The Faux Hawk
You can think of the faux hawk as the much more approachable and wearable cousin of the traditional mohawk hairstyle that you might picture in your head. It features noticeably shorter sides with a longer strip of hair running along the top of your head that gets styled upward and slightly forward to create a subtle peak. This gives you that edgy and bold look that turns heads without going full punk rock and making things awkward at the office on Monday morning.
The faux hawk is a fantastic option for any guy who wants to stand out just a little bit from the crowd without going too extreme or dramatic. It tends to look its absolute best when the sides are faded cleanly by a skilled barber and the top has enough length to create that signature upward peak that defines the entire style.
This particular style is best suited for men who have round and oval face shapes and it works well with most hair types and textures. To achieve this look, you are going to need a strong hold gel or wax along with a blow dryer to get the height and shape just right.
7. The Messy Medium Length Look
Sometimes the very best hairstyle you can rock is one that looks like you barely tried to style it at all in the first place. The medium-length, tousled style is all about channeling a relaxed, natural, and easygoing aesthetic. It’s a look that broadcasts confidence without seeming overly concerned with appearances. Picture intentional bedhead, a look that somehow manages to appear both effortlessly stylish and, well, put together.
The key to pulling off this particular style successfully is using only a minimal amount of product and letting your natural hair texture do most of the talking for you. A little bit of texturizing spray or just a small dab of light wax is genuinely all you need to make this work. Simply run your fingers through your hair a few times, shake it out gently, and you are completely done and ready to walk out the door.
This laid back style works best for guys who prefer a low maintenance approach to grooming and it looks especially great on wavy or curly hair. A light wax or a spritz of texturizing spray is all you need. This will provide your hair with definition and a bit of hold, but without the stiffness or overly polished appearance.
Final Thoughts:
Medium length hair gives men the perfect balance between style, flexibility, and everyday practicality. It offers enough length to experiment with different looks while still remaining manageable for daily grooming. From the timeless pompadour to the relaxed messy style, each haircut in this guide provides a unique way to elevate your appearance and express your personal style. The most important step is choosing a haircut that works well with your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle. Once you find the right cut, you will notice how much of a difference a well chosen hairstyle can make in your overall confidence and presentation. In the next part of this series, we will explore how to choose the right medium haircut based on your face shape and share practical styling tips to help you maintain your look every day. Discover more style tips on Freaky Thread.
