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For most men, choosing the right razor is a critical choice. You can use a classic razor, a disposable razor, or an electric razor. But even when you’ve narrowed down which category of razor works best for you – there are still an overwhelming number of choices out there.
So we’ve done the legwork, tested a wide variety of different models, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews, to be able to confidently recommend to you the best electric razor. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Braun Series 7 790cc-4
With over 7,800 stellar online reviews, this Braun Series 7 is our top pick, for best electric razor. It offers an extremely close shave, great comfort, and even works on other types of body hair. It’s also very affordable, especially for a purchase that will last you a lifetime. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Panasonic ES8103S
With over 6,000 incredible reviews, and a budget price point, this razor from Panasonic is another top choice. We found it didn’t shave quite as close as our top pick, and it wasn’t quite as smooth. But with a much lower price point, and otherwise great performance – it’s still a great choice. Recommended.
Philips Norelco OneBlade
This budget pick from Philips is innovative, and has over 3,800 stellar reviews. We found that the shave wasn’t quite as close as our top picks, and the comfort factor was also slightly less. But nonetheless – it has great performance, and the price is definitely better. Another solid choice.
Remington F5-5800
This top pick from Remington has over 3,700 stellar reviews, and a great price point. We didn’t like it quite as much as our top picks, but it is certainly more than average in performance. If you want a great razor, but don’t necessarily want to spend a lot – this is a great pick.
Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s
The Braun Series 3 is a top razor – no doubt about that, but it is not quite as good as our top choices. With over 2,600 glowing reviews, and a budget price – it’s certainly still above average, though. Definitely recommended, and we especially loved the easy ability to use it wet or dry.
Panasonic Arc5
The Arc5 is a top-notch electric razor. With over 2,000 stellar reviews, and a very solid shaving experience – our staff absolutely loved it. It has a little ways to go, to truly compete with our top pick, but it is well on the way. Definitely recommended.
SweetLF 3D
With over 2,000 great reviews, this electric razor from SweetLF is another great pick. If offers a very smooth shave, and we especially loved how quiet this razor was. It also has one of the lowest price points we’ve ever seen, on a high-quality razor. Definitely worth a try, especially if you are looking to save money.
Braun M90
With over 1,800 stellar reviews, the Braun M90 is yet another great electric razor. It’s available at a bargain basement price too, which definitely doesn’t hurt the ranking we’ve given it. If you are going to be traveling, and are concerned about losing a more expensive razor – this is a great choice.
Philips Norelco 8900
This stylish electric razor from Philips is another great pick. With over 1,300 positive reviews, it’s great for anyone looking for a close and comfortable shave. While you can certainly spend more (or less) – this is a perfect mid-range option, on a shaver that will last years.
Braun Series 9 9290cc
A true luxury razor, the series 9 from Braun is one of the smoothest shaves we’ve ever experienced. We didn’t find that it outpaced the series 7 in all areas though (especially price) – but it is well on its way. Definitely the top pick, if money is no object.
What Is An Electric Razor?
An electric razor is a plug-in or battery operated shaver that has rotating or fluctuating blades. According to historians, the first ones to be successfully marketed were created by Jacob Schick, and hit stores in the spring of 1931.
Needless to say that the original design compared to the ones today look like vehicles did back then compared to cars and trucks in the 2020’s! But, the fact remains that people who need a faster shave everywhere are deeply appreciative that someone came up with the idea, and electric razors will continue to evolve as time goes on.
How Do You Use An Electric Razor?
The first thing you want to do is be sure that the hair on your face is dry, stiff, and clean, so using an alcohol-based pre-shaving product is your best bet to achieve this texture. Next, always hold the shaver at a right angle in relation to your face (if your electric razor is foil go back and forth, if it’s rotary, go in a circular motion when shaving).
Your shaver could heat up so, if you have sensitive skin, shave your most sensitive areas first. Then, simply clean it after every use, and you’re good!
Are Electric Shavers Better Than Razors?
Electric razors will get you cleaned up with a nice shave a lot faster than with a manual (or cartridge) razor. They do not get as close a shave as a manual razor, but some guys like electric shavers because they don’t have to go over the same areas of their face multiple times.
This of course depends on the man who is using it, and how much hair he has on his face. But, it’s worth it to say that the portability and convenience of an electric razor is one of the main reasons guys opt for them.
Also, electric shavers are much more versatile than cartridge razors, being that it’s easier to trim your mustache how you want it, or to line up your beard or sideburns.
Is It Better To Shave Wet Or Dry With An Electric Razor?
Some guys like a wet shave with their electric shaver because it can be more comfortable for them, and also because it is healthier for the skin. A large number of wet/dry electric razors run slower (which can lessen their good performance), but there are some men who actually feel that they get a closer shave when doing it with water.
On the other hand, the fact that a man can pull out, say, a rotary shaver minutes before a company meeting and get that fresh look right there in the moment, will make him appreciate and value a dry shave more.
Are Electric Razors Worth Buying?
It really just depends on your lifestyle, what you will be using the electric razor to do, and your skin’s level of sensitivity. For instance, if a man gets lots of razor bumps from using a cartridge razor, he would switch to an electric shaver to limit this very common skin reaction. Men who live a fast-paced lifestyle who get a five o’clock shadow faster than others will likely go for an electric one for its convenience, and that may very well be the reason that he switches to one permanently. So, to him, it would be worth it, but a guy who has more time and wants that super clean baby-faced shave will opt for the manual razors.
Are Electric Razors Good For Pubic Hair?
This is obviously one of the more sensitive areas, and many feel that if you are going to shave your pubic hair with an electric razor, then it should be one that can be used in water and you do it after a warm shower. The reason for this is because, in most cases, simply because of its location on your body, pubic hair is generally more coarse than hair in other places on your anatomy. So, your pubic hair will be much more loosened and soft after bathing, making it easier to shave with your electric razor.
Can You Share Electric Razors?
Can you, yes…but you definitely should not. One of the similarities between cartridge razors and electric ones is that they are personal items that really shouldn’t be shared among different people. First of all, you don’t want to use an electric shaver that someone may have shaved their pubic hair with on your face do you? Secondly, even if they didn’t use it down there, you could still possibly contract a skin infection by using someone else’s shaver. It could be even worse for you if you have sensitive skin, especially with all the bacteria that can be transmitted.
How Long Do Electric Razors Last?
Electric razors are like many other devices, in that if you take care of them, they’ll take care of you for a long time. Doing the simple things like cleaning it regularly and not dropping it on the hard bathroom floor so many times will render years of effective use of it. Still, there are guys who don’t maintain their electric razor hardly at all, and it can become defective in just a couple of months. But, with proper care, yours could quite possibly last you five years, maybe even a decade if you have a durable, more pricey one.
Do You Use Shaving Cream With An Electric Razor?
No, you don’t. Many guys switch to electric razors for the simple fact that they want to not have to use shaving cream and a manual razor anymore, whether they make the decision for sensitive skin reasons or because of the convenience and efficiency of the electric models. Still, there are electric razors that you can use for a wet shave, if that’s something that you want to do from time to time.
How Do I Prepare My Face For an Electric Razor?
The first thing you want to do is make sure your face is dry, simply because it will be a much more comfortable shaving experience for you when it is. There are pre-shave lotions and powders to achieve this texture, and lots of guys prefer the powder because they are seemingly more effective, depending on the person.
What the lotions and powders do is make the hair on your face stand out straight, and help your skin to stay hydrated and toned. Other than that, just make sure your electric razor is cleaned and charged, and you’ll be ready to go.
Is There An Electric Razor That Shaves As Close As A Blade?
An electric razor can’t shave as low and as cleanly as a blade can. A cartridge blade will exfoliate, or shed, the top layer of the skin on your face, neck, or wherever else you use them on your body, which is actually a good thing.
But, there are other ways to exfoliate other than using a manual razor. And, although sometimes it can take a person’s skin a little while to adapt to an electric razor, if all they’ve used in the past is traditional ones, the convenience of them makes them a good investment for most folks.
Do Electric Razors Leave Stubble?
The truth is, some guys want to have the stubble look, and purposefully leave some hair on their face for stylish reasons. But, for the fellas who want their electric razor to give them the same face they had in junior high school with not even a whisker left on it, there are electric razors out there that can get you just about that close.
Can You Bring An Electric Razor On A Plane?
Sure. You’ll have no hassle with your checked baggage with an electric razor inside, or a manual razor for that matter. The only kind you can’t bring on the plane is a straight razor.
How Do You Clean An Electric Razor?
It only takes a couple of minutes. All you need’s a little warm water, and a dab of liquid soap. Take the head of the electric razor off and tap it on the counter to remove the little hairs from it.
Key word, TAP the foils on the sink top, otherwise they’ll be easily damaged. Rinse them, put ‘em back on, dab a little liquid soap on them, and switch the razor on.
Let it run for 20 or 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water. Remove them again, rinse all the inner and outer parts one last time, then lay all the parts on the counter to air dry.
The Best Electric Razor
There you have it – our picks for the best electric razor. There are a ton of great personal care items besides these, so be sure to take a look at our other reviews, in the home and grooming categories.