The 11 Best Electric Shavers for Sensitive Skin (2023)

There are some painfully obvious (and potentially just painful) reasons why guys might want to find the best electric shaver for sensitive skin. 

Electric shavers are super convenient and can provide quite a close shave, while sparing you from the nicks, cuts and razor bumps you would normally get from a manual razor.  

The problem is that bad (i.e. cheaply made) electric shavers can often cause redness, irritation and discomfort, especially for guys with sensitive skin. 

When you have sensitive skin, the results of using the wrong electric shaver can be as painful as they are obvious [Image via BLACKDAY / Shutterstock]

Fortunately, a small handful of the top electric shaving brands have come out with models that combine convenience and sensitivity in equal measure, resulting in a close and comfortable shave that avoids irritation. 

To help your skin look smooth and feel soothed, in this post I’ve rounded up some of the best electric razors for sensitive skin.

The (Absolute) Best Electric Shavers for Sensitive Skin

Breaking Down the Best Electric Razors for Sensitive Skin 

Overall Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin ↓

Braun Series 9 9390cc

Features:

• 4.5 Stars on Amazon
  • 2,023 Ratings 
• Designed, engineered and made in Germany
• Uses sonic vibrations for maximum comfort 
• Safe for both dry and wet shaving 

Advantages:

Why is the Series 9 the best option for men with sensitive skin?

Because it’s basically the BMW of the foil razor industry:

German-engineered with titanium blades, this Braun electric razor provides a closer shave than just about any other model on the market, and intelligently adjusts to the density of your facial hair.

The razor sharp blades can mow hair down to an almost-invisible 0.05 mm length, which is closer than rotary shavers and other electric options can usually get.

But for guys with skin sensitivity, the real draw here is the way Braun has blended powerful performance with a gentle shave.

The Series 9 pulses with 10,000 sonic vibrations that allow it to glide softly and smoothly over your skin, providing a smoother and gentler shave than damn near any other razor on the market.

Promising Review:

It’s fantastic! I feel no burn, no skin irritation.. it’s just like my beard melted away and hasn’t come back.

​​I really am looking forward to shaving again tomorrow and using this razor many, many years into the future. It was pricey, but well worth it!

–  Greg B. Gallagher

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Features: 

• 4.6 Stars on Amazon
  • 13,982 Ratings 
• ActiveLift trimmer captures flat-lying hairs
• Increases power while shaving denser hair

Advantages:

Another excellent option from Braun, the Series 7 was the company’s flagship shaver before the upgraded Series 9 came out, which is why it comes in a close second on this list.  

As you’d probably expect, the two are fairly similar and the Series 7 still  has a powerful motor that provides quite a smooth shave. 

Like the Series 9, it can be used for both a dry and wet shave, and has a swivelling head that can easily shave in multiple different directions. 

It also has a cool feature that allows it to detect longer hairs and increase the amount of power it uses in denser areas. 

While the comfort-providing sonic technology wasn’t quite as advanced when the Series 7 came out, it’s still a great razor for sensitive skinned guys—and now available at a more affordable price since it’s no longer the newest model. 

Promising Review: 

I am a black guy with sensitive skin…. Now that I have qualified myself……this is a great shaver! 

Once I put the shaving foam on, the strokes feel like butter compared to my older shavers. 

– True-Reviews

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Features: 

• 4.4 Stars on Amazon
  • 2,675 Ratings 
• Stainless steel blades 
• Comes with clean and charge docking station 

Advantages:

Rolling the clock back further, the Series 5 was the precursor to the Series 7, so it doesn’t have quite as many extra features as the more recent models. 

But like its two successors, the Series 5 is a completely waterproof shaver that works just as well for dry shaving. 

In both cases, it’s designed to minimize pressure and protect your skin, even when shaving sensitive areas. 

Though it doesn’t swivel in quite as many directions as the Series 7 and 9, it still has quite a flexible head that moves well along the contours of your face and can even make close contact with the hard to reach areas. 

It also comes with a precision trimmer attachment that can handle detailing work around your sideburns and has a quite respectable battery life, especially for what’s now an older model. 

Promising Review: 

I have very sensitive skin and a beard like copper wire. I’ve always avoided screen type shavers because they can be harsh….at least the cheap ones are. This is an incredible shaver… 

It’s the closest shave I’ve had in years. Cleaning system is easy to use too. 

– Dan Myers

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Features: 

• 4.6 Stars on Amazon
  • 2,320 Ratings 
• Coated blades rotate smoothly over skin

Advantages:

A lot of guys swear by a rotary razor as their personal preference, and the S9000 Prestige is probably the best one on the market, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

The first Philips Norelco model to grace this list, the Prestige boasts three rotary heads coated with Norelco’s SkinComfort rings, which allow the heads to glide smoothly and gently over the skin. 

In addition, it has a lithium-ion battery that provides up to an hour of shaving time on a single charge, and a sensor feature similar to the Braun Series 7 mentioned above, which can detect long hair and adjust the power accordingly. 

Promising Review: 

I have been using Norelco razors for years, most recently a 7000 series razor. I just got the new 9820/87 and it is incredible. 

The booklet says give it 21 days for your skin to get used to it. But since I received this razor I have been getting the best shave ever. The device is quiet and has adjustable speeds.

– Mark H. Kolman

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Features: 

• 4.5 Stars on Amazon
  • 1,372 Ratings 
• Anti-friction coating on blades 
• Pop trimmer to handle detailed work 

Advantages:

This cordless shaver was the precursor to the Norelco 9000 Prestige listed above, and boasts the same basic design with three rotary shaver heads that trim hair by rotating in a circulation motion, providing up to 90,000 cutting actions per minute. 

As with the Prestige, each blade head has an anti-friction coating designed to let it glide comfortably over sensitive skin, and works just as well for both wet and dry use. 

In addition to a precision trimmer, the 7700 also comes with a cleaning cartridge and quick clean pod that make maintenance fairly easy. 

Promising Review: 

Purchased this razor for it’s sensitive skin shaving features. Smoothest electric razor I have ever used. With proper rotation, shaves beneath nose effectively. 

Neck hairs are easy to shave with absolutely no shaving irritation – a first for me.

– Pragmatist

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Features: 

• 4.3 Stars on Amazon
  • 12,351 Ratings 
• Triple action cutting system

Advantages:

Braun’s Series 3 is admittedly a few years old now, but it was probably the best shaver on the market when it first came out.

And just as last year’s iPhone can still work quite well despite missing some of the newer bells and whistles that have been developed in recent years, even older Braun shavers have unique features that make them worth considering. 

The Series 3 features two foil heads that surround a third blade, which uses Braun’s Micro Comb technology to catch more hair and provides a quick shave that requires fewer passes. 

Unlike newer models, this one doesn’t come with a charging and cleaning station, but it’s 100% waterproof and can easily be cleaned under the faucet. 

Promising Review: 

For the last several years I used a double-edged safety razor.. but even after years of trying I could never quite perfect my shave. I was often left with irritated skin and cuts… 

I ultimately decided on the 3040s. I’ve only been using it for just over a week, but I already love the shave I’m getting and I’m shaving every day.

– John William Sherrod

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Features: 

• 4.5 Stars on Amazon
  • 13,395 Ratings 
• 5 blades 
• LCD battery indicator

Advantages:

Panasonic’s Arc5 features five hypoallergenic, stainless-steel blades on the shaving head, which provide a clean shave that won’t irritate sensitive skin. 

Aside from the five blades, the other important thing to note about the Arc5 is its motor speed, which provides up to 14,000 cuts per minute, and the pivoting head that can move in any direction to stay close to the contours of your face. 

Promising Review: 

After 20+ years of using many brands, this one takes the cake for comfort and performance all around. 

My sensitive skin is much happier using this shaver both in dry and wet use condition.

– Reyner N

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Features: 

• 4.2 Stars on Amazon
  • 512 Ratings 
• Anti-friction microbead coating
• 5-direction flex heads

Advantages:

A precursor to Norelco’s 9000 and 7700 models, the 7300 doesn’t have quite as many technical advancements. 

For instance, the pivoting head on the 7300 can only move in five directions, where the newer models can move in eight. 

With that said, five directions is enough to ensure that the shaver will maintain direct contact as you glide it along your face, and the 7300 boasts the same anti-friction microbead coating that makes the newer models so comfortable (and so good for sensitive skin). 

Promising Review: 

The shaving is as good if not better than the one I had and I can now shave with shaving cream, which is more comfortable… 

It’s good for my sensitive skin which really burns after shaving with a regular blade razor.

– Camera Buff

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Features: 

• 4.4 Stars on Amazon
  • 19,129 Ratings 
• 60 minutes of run time

Advantages:

Remington definitely doesn’t have the R&D budget of Braun or Philips, so the F5-5800 doesn’t boast intelligent sonic technology or even the most innovative design, which are important factors to some guys. 

But if you’re looking for a fairly straightforward foil razor that will get the job done without irritating your skin, causing razor burn or costing much money, this could very well be your top pick. 

Its three stainless steel blades pivot and flex enough to handle your jawline and chin, while the rechargeable battery offers up to an hour of cordless run time.  

Promising Review: 

I’m sorry Wahl but your best razor doesn’t even come close to matching the kind of shave from the Remington.

The closeness of the shave, no razor bumps (I am black so my skin is super sensitive) and ease of use!

The Wahl is literally a minor league player while Remington is a major league superstar.

– Kam

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Features: 

• 4.4 Stars on Amazon
  • 35,211 Ratings 
• Titanium blades 
• Barber grade 

Advantages:

This foil shaver from Andis is one of those old school types of electric shaver that gets the job without any fancy schmancy tech. 

It has two just two thin metal foil blades that are made from titanium and will cut close without having to apply too much pressure, and a lithium ion battery to give it a little extra power, helping it last up to 80 minutes on a single charge.  

Promising Review: 

I love it!. I used a double edge safety razor for a long time. This has nearly the same closeness. I’m black with very irritable skin, this get super close without any irritation. 

Feel sturdy in my hand, doesn’t slip, lightweight.

– gudlukchuck

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Features: 

• 4.6 Stars on Amazon
  • 4,693 Ratings
• Barber-grade
• Old school simplicity meets modern tech 

Advantages:

Another trimmer designed to be used by barbers when finishing taper and fade haircuts, the BaByliss Pro can also be used to get a full shave on your face and neck. 

Like the Andis above, it uses just two hypoallergenic foil blades that are safe for sensitive skin types. 

But this one has an even more impressive battery life, and can do up to three hours on a single charge. 

Promising Review: 

I’ve tried lots of machines but this one is different it definitely cuts the closest to skin that I’ve ever seen. I have sensitive skin so my problem is usually after trying something like this my skin would be burned or irritated. 

Luckily I didn’t have to worry about that with this machine it’s definitely worth every penny. 

– Richard Mendoza

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More Resources ↓

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Banner image: lightwavemedia / Shutterstock, illustration by Irreverent Gent

The Recap ↓

Overall Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin

Dave Bowden

Braun Series 9 9390cc

Summary

The Series 9 pulses with 10,000 sonic vibrations that allow it to glide softly and smoothly over your skin, providing a smoother and gentler shave than damn near any other razor, which makes it great for guys with sensitive skin.

4.5