grooming
“Using electric razors can be so much better for the skin.”
By Rachael Griffiths, a writer at the Strategist covering beauty, fashion, and travel. She joined the Strategist in 2021 after interning for the site.
Photo: Marcus McDonald
Photo: Marcus McDonald
In this article
- Best rotary electric razor
- Best foil
- Best barbershop-style foil
- Best single-foil
- Best for longer facial hair
- Best for traveling
After three years of grooming reporting, I know thatan electricrazorcan give a close, comfortable shave, with minimal razor burn or rash —even for guys with sensitive skin. Chad Beightol, founder of grooming boutique Consigliere, agrees: “There was a time when electric razors would burn the skin and not get a very close shave, but that time has long passed.” But depending on how much hair you have (and how sensitive your skin is), certain electric razors will be more suited to your needs than others. Foil razors work best with stubble, for example, where longer hair demands a shaver with a rotary head.
To find the best electric razors — both foil and rotary — I spoke to 16 grooming experts about their favorites. I also got my hands on their picks to test their quality and battery life, and recruited the help of guys I know who shave regularly to test them for me.If you know the type of shaver you’re after, you can use our handy menu to jump straight to that category. Otherwise, read on for my picks of the ten very best.
Update on August 21, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Rotary vs foil
Rotary vs foil
A foil razor will provide a slightly closer shave than a rotary-style razor. But foil razors really only work well on short facial hair. Beightol explains that a foil razor is most effective if used every day or at least every three days, while rotary shavers can get a very close shave on up to ten days of growth. Another benefit of rotary-style electric razors is that they have a larger “surface area,” so it takes less time to pass over your face for a full shave. Still, my experts agree that because rotary and foil electric razors each work better for different lengths and types of facial hair, having one of each in your arsenal is a good idea if you’re looking for a professional-quality electric shave at home. “Use a rotary for cutting down short enough, then a foil to get super close,” explains Vince Garcia, co-founder of L.A. barbershop Grey Matter, who told us he likes to use both on his clients — including some of the NBA’s biggest names. For this reason, I decided to structure this list slightly differently than usual — designating separate “best overall” rotary and foil-electric razors.
Pivoting head(s)
Pivoting head(s)
The more a razor follows the contours of your face, the more efficient it will be — catching every hair on the first pass. Many electric razors achieve this with flexible pivoting heads that move in response to the curves and angles of cheeks, chin, jawline, and neck. This helps protect you from cutting yourself while shaving.
Wet and dry functionality
Wet and dry functionality
“When your hair is wet, it softens, which allows the blade to move much better — preventing any irritation,” says barber Craig Whitely, explaining why lots of people prefer shaving in the shower or with shaving cream or gel for lubrication. But shaving dry is also handy when you don’t have time for a full wet routine. Ideally, you’d have one tool that can give you a great shave — wet or dry.
Battery life
Battery life
An electric razor that you don’t have to charge very often is extremely convenient, especially if you travel a lot or work as a professional barber. And if you shave every day, you don’t want to find yourself running out of battery life as you’re rushing to get ready for work. All of the electric razors on this list will hold a charge for at least 45 minutes. Some will even let you quickly charge them for five minutes — giving you enough power for one shave in case you find yourself in a pinch.
Extras
Extras
Although the essential criteria above are what’s most important, sometimes it’s the extra bells and whistles that make using an electric razor more enjoyable and convenient. Things like pop-up trimmers, cleaning brushes, self-cleaning pods, a USB charger, a bold and easy-to-read digital display, pressure sensors, or companion apps can improve your experience and how you look after you shave.
Best rotary electric razor overall
$160
Rotary | Pivoting heads: Three 360-degree pivoting heads | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 60 minutes + five-minute quick charge | Extras: Cleaning pod, pop-up trimmer, digital display, pressure sensor, app-enabled
I’m a big fan of the Philips Norelco range —it’s reliable and not too expensive. Barbers agree — two experts I chatted with recommended its 7700 shaver. It’s a rotary-style razor and a solid all-rounder.
Steve Waldman, artistic and technical director at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, appreciates how the razor contours to the face’s bone structure — providing a really close shave, even along trickier parts to reach along the jaw and neck. My tester, Andre Gill, also found this. He usually shaves with clippers, but he told me that when he tried the 7700 wet, it was one of the closest shaves he’d ever achieved at home. Gill was particularly pleased as he sometimes finds little spots of irritation along his neck after shaving, but didn’t have that problem with the Norelco. “It means I can use it a few times per week and stay as clean-shaven on my neck as I like to,” he says. Gill also liked that the razor’s charger, which he says only has to be used once a fortnight (or after around ten shaves), doubles as a handy stand for the device.
Best (less expensive) electric razor
Panasonic Arc5 Wet/Dry Electric Razor
now 19% off
$130
Foil | Pivoting heads: One with five shaving elements | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 45 minutes | Extras: Pop-up trimmer, pressure sensor, digital battery-life display
I thought I’d also throw in a more budget-friendly option. When I asked my experts for some pointers, Kim told me he found this Panasonic foil electric razor to be “comparable in terms of quality but for around $100 less.” He says he uses it every day, that it provides a “very smooth cut that’s never harsh on the skin,” and that the razor’s flexible head “moves really well — so that you can get to every area of your face without having to angle your arm.” He prefers to shave while his hair is dry, but Kim adds that the razor is true to its wet-dry name: “You can use this on wet hair and run it under water without any problems.”
Best rotary electric shaver for bald heads
Rotary | Pivoting heads: Four | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 90 minutes | Extras: USB charger
Those with bald heads should look for an electric razor that can be easily maneuvered across the curve of the skull and doesn’t miss hairs. Waldman adds that the key is to find one with pivoting and adjustable blades that can “navigate the head’s uneven landscape.” Two experts I chatted with say this Skull Shaver electric razor fits the bill — with its ergonomic design and rotary blades. The blades cut close but skip over any of the scalp’s irregularities and won’t irritate the skin, according to Brittany Raposo, master barber and educator at the Honed Barber. Waldman recommends going in with gentle pressure and maintaining even contact for the best shave.
Best overall foil electric razor
$250
Foil | Pivoting heads: One with five shaving elements | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 60 minutes | Extras: Pop-up trimmer, cleaning brush, self-cleaning pod
When it comes to foil-electric razors, the Braun Series 9 takes the top spot. It’s powerful and precise, and shaves “almost as close as a straight razor,” says master barber Angelo Ruscetta of American Haircuts in Kennesaw, Georgia. Like the Philips 7700, it was designed to work on wet hair — meaning that even though you’re cutting as close as possible to the face, your skin shouldn’t feel any irritation afterward. Garcia uses this electric razor in his shop, but says it’s just as suitable to use at home for nonprofessionals. In addition to this razor getting nice and close, he says that “the higher quality of Braun blades makes them less prone to irritating sensitive skin, because they’re able to achieve as much power with thinner metal on the foil; the thicker the foil, the harder it is for the blade to cut hair and the more it pulls.” Garcia adds that he has had to replace the blades on cheaper foil razors because they’ve dulled down over time, but he has never had to do that with his Braun. Whitely, another fan, praises Braun’s technology — explaining that the brand has “perfected the balance between a strong motor and a gentle shave.”
It is, of course, quite pricey, but it’s worth noting that this is Braun’s top-of-the-line model — made in Germany and packed with features like an automatic self-cleaning base. The ability to disinfect between uses, which helps prevent shaving-induced breakouts, is especially important to people who shave their heads, adds Ruscetta, so this would be a great choice for anyone looking for a razor that can shave their face and give them that cue-ball look.
Best barbershop-style foil-electric razor
$58
Foil | Head: Non-pivoting | Dry functionality | Battery life: 90 minute battery life | Extras: Charging station
Barbershop-style foil-electric razors are slightly wider and thicker — and lack the user-friendly ergonomic handles of the suggestions above. But Mark Miguez, barber and co-owner of Friend of a Barber, prefers that, and shaves with the Wahl’s foil-electric razor (and not the very popular Andis below), because the thick, wide model “feels nicer in the hand.” (I should note that Wahl also makes barber-favorite beard trimmers and hair clippers.) Miguez says he uses it for full shaves and beard neatening on clients, and no one has complained of irritation — a telling sign he always looks for. While he prefers the razor in black (“an aesthetic thing”), you can get the same model a little cheaper in a reddish-purple color. Multiple experts assured us that there’s no reason for professional foil shavers like this one to only be used by barbers, but you might need to be more aware of technique than you would be otherwise (since it doesn’t have a pivoting head), and, as with any electric razor, it’s important to swap in new blades as recommended by the manufacturer.
Best (less expensive) barbershop-style foil-electric razor
Foil | Head: Non-pivoting | Dry functionality | Battery life: 80-minute battery life | Extras: Can be used corded or cordless
Almost every single barber I spoke with mentioned this razor: It’s simple, effective, and inexpensive. However, it’s not exactly designed for consumers — note the clunky box shape and less appealing gray plastic — but it’s the model most of them trust to deliver professional-grade results and handle a high volume of use. They rely on it for everything from a face shave to skin fades for haircuts to cleaning up their clients’ necks. Master barber Karac Ruleau told me it’s what he uses “at the shop and at home. It gives you a super-close shave without any razor burn. It’s light, durable, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a frequent charge.” He tells us that he often spots contestants using it on RuPaul’s Drag Race — which I take as a strong endorsement.
Best single-foil electric razor
Foil | Head: Non-pivoting | Dry functionality | Battery life: Takes AA batteries | Extras: Auto cover shutoff
Conventional foil-electric razors, like those I’ve mentioned thus far, are designed with multiple foils so that they can more efficiently cover a wider surface area. But according to Tuft barber Alejandro “AJ” Albano, who has been cutting hair for more than two decades, some folks find those multiple foils a bit unwieldy, which is why he prefers this streamline razor with only one foil. “I prefer having one straight bar, because it’s more conducive to having control when you’re shaping up,” he says. Albano adds that the FX01 is “compact and lightweight but still feels more solid than the plastic ones” from brands like Andis and Wahl. And this one has a sleeker body compared to those other barbershop models, which he thinks look “a little dated.” Lesley Bryant, owner of the Lady Clipper Barbershop in Washington, D.C., has similar praise for this razor, adding that it really “traps every hair.”
Best electric razor for longer facial hair
Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body
now 22% off
$39
Dual-side cartridge-style blade | Head: Pivoting | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 45 minutes| Extras: Three guard attachments for trimming
This Philips model (another Norelco) acts like an electric version of the classic cartridge razor (think Gillette). “It’s really an all-in-one product,” celebrity groomer Marissa Machado says, noting that it comes with useful “trimming attachments” and the razor itself “gives a smooth finish.” It’s a trimmer-style razor, so it’s not going to be as close of a shave as a foil or rotary, but it should be just right if you’re going for a five-o’clock-shadow look or want to trim down longer beard hair. The fact that this one’s designed more like a cartridge razor makes it a bit easier to maneuver, which means creating neat lines around the ears and jawline will be even easier. In addition to being a great tool for styling facial hair (long or short), it’s designed to be used on the body, and Strategist contributor Kurt Soller notes that it’s great for traveling: “The small size, decent battery life, and punchy color make it just right for my Dopp kit.” Samuel Hickey, head barber at Murdock, is also a fan of the long battery life, which is “ideal if you’ve got a lot of hair to work on.” The razor’s a great option for anyone who “wants to maintain a bit of stubble but worries about using a conventionally bigger set of clippers.”
Best electric razor for traveling
Wahl All In One
$20
$20
Foil shaver head and rotary ear and nose head | Head: Non-pivoting head | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 80 minutes | Extras: Stubble guides and carry case
Another trimmer that’s great for grooming on the go comes from Wahl. Celebrity hairstylist Charley McEwan appreciates the fact that it comes in a set with tweezers and nail clippers for some added convenience when living out of a suitcase. “It only has one setting, so it’s more for maintaining shape rather than replacing a larger trimmer. But you can do your ears with it too — not enough guys pay attention to the very fine hairs on their ears,” says McEwan. He’s also a fan of the under-$20 price tag.
Some more beard-care products we’ve written about
Our experts
• Alejandro “AJ” Albano, barber at Tuft
• Chad Beightol, Consigliere founder and leader of apparel and accessories at Harley-Davidson
• Lesley Bryant, owner of the Lady Clipper Barbershop
• Patrick Butler, technical director of education at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
• Jason Chen, former Strategist deputy editor
• Andre Gill, grooming panel tester
• Vince Garcia, co-founder of Grey Matter LA
• Samuel Hickey, head barber at Murdock
• David Kim, barber
• Charley McEwan, celebrity hair stylist
• Mark Miguez, barber and co-owner of Friend of a Barber
• Brittany Raposo, master barber and educator at the Honed Barber
• Angelo Ruscetta, master barber at American Haircuts
• Karac Ruleau, master barber
• Kurt Soller, Strategist contributor
• Steve Waldman, artistic and technical director at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands
• Craig Whitely, barber
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