The 15 Best Electric Razors for Men, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

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If there’s one go-to grooming tool that pays for itself the quickest, it’s the electric razor. Convenient and versatile, it’s both a bathroom counter and travel kit staple. It’s also a tool that both men and women can use, as several new categories have recently emerged, such as the best electric razors for women with a variety of features designed for the female body, as well as a more niche sub-section of the best body groomers for men to easily manscape.

Today’s electric razors for men can cut close with little irritation, and many guys now prefer electric over manual razors. And that’s understandable. Unlike manual razors, many electric razors are waterproof and can be used for wet or dry shaves. Another big plus of going electric is the power, speed, and smart technology that electric razors offer to prevent skin irritation, razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

To narrow down the best men’s electric shaver for your situation, visualize your grooming routine. Maybe you’re looking for a men’s electric razor that can trim, fade, and shape-up your neckline and beard daily. Or you could be in need of a hair and beard tool kit to effortlessly manscape your whole body. Shannon Davis, Senior Barber at Fellow Barber in Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers her advice for narrowing the search.

“Guys should look for an electric razor that’s easy to maneuver and has multiple settings and guards,” Davis says. “For home, you will definitely want [a shaver] to line up your beard [and] to capture a range of looks — from stubble to a thicker winter beard.”

When it comes to the shaving process, Davis advises men to take their time and not to rush, or you might regret it later. “Make sure that your guards are on and clipped-in, says Davis. “I’ve had a few guys come in with spots missing from their beards.” Like most hair tools, ongoing maintenance is also crucial to optimal performance. Unclean razors can spread acne-causing bacteria. “Pick up Clippercide to disinfect it between uses. Brushing is also key to keeping [blades] clean, and it helps to add lifespan to your electric razor.”

Related Story: Here’s How to Shave Your Legs

Top Electric Razors for Men 2023

How We Tested the Best Electric Razors for Men

It was no small feat, but we tested and reviewed each of the 15 electric shavers for men in this story. We selected these shavers after pouring over dozens of products and customer reviews to bring you the very best electric razors for men to achieve the closest shave possible. To ensure all razors were thoroughly tested, each one was used — where directions allowed — on wet and dry skin, as well as on the face and body. For most electric razors, the writer enlisted additional testing help from the WWD editorial team and other peers to tap the full range of how each electric shaver interacted with a variety of hair types and styles, including men with longer beard hair, men who are clean shaven, men with coarse hair and men with fine hair, to name a few. These new 2023 electric razors were tested over a week-long period. We want to put our hair in the best hands, so we did the hard product testing to highlight top electric razor options for every man at a variety of price points, hair lengths and types, whether you prefer a clean shave, a full beard, or somewhere in between.

Here are the best electric razors for men to shave and trim just about every body part. A great gift for men this Father’s Day, grab one for yourself and dear ol’ dad.

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Braun Series 9 Electric Razor

Best Premium Electric Razor for Men

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 1.38 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging stand
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Warranty: 2 years with a 100-day money back guarantee
• Trimmer: Yes

The Braun Series 9 is one of the best premium electric foil shavers, and it’s built to last for up to seven years. Weighty in just the right way, the cordless wet and dry razor features titanium blades that are designed to smoothly glide across the skin with no irritation. With up to 50 minutes of cordless shaving time, morning shaves just became a little quicker. The flexible shaver head features smart technology that automatically adapts to capture more hair on the face, neck, and body with every stroke.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “Braun’s Series 9 Electric Razor looks slick and feels solid in your hand — not too light but not too heavy, either,” says one tester, who added that the razor’s gold colored design and detailing was a refreshing change from the standard silver or black. “It feels extra buzzy as soon as you turn it on, so it’s kind of like you get a mini facial massage as you shave. It’s not great for shaving long hair, even after trimming, so it’s a better option for those starting off with a few days worth of stubble versus a healthy beard length.”

Pros

• Trimmer and razors are super easy to use and didn’t pinch or pull skin
• Feels nice and sturdy in hand
• Cordless
• Flexible razor head to move with curves of face and body
• Equally effective on dry and wet skin

Cons

• Not equipped to cut down longer hair
• Has a proprietary charger
• One of our testers with sensitive skin reported slight burning after 4 passes

Braun Series 9 Electric Razor $300 Buy Now

Remington Virtually Indestructible Rotary Shaver 5100

Best Budget Electric Razor for Men

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 5.76 ounces
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 60 minutes
• Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty
• Trimmer: Yes

Remington offers some of the best affordable electric razors on the market, and this newly launched razor — rightly titled as indestructible — is their latest iteration. Three stainless steel blades rotate on a pivoting shaver head to ensure that even the toughest corners are tidy and well-groomed, while the dual track blades hug the skin to prevent irritation and also provide a speedy shaving experience. This cordless electric shaver is great for beginners and is equipped with a built-in trimmer to finish off mustaches, sideburns, and necklines, regardless of whether the hair is long or a shorter stubble.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “It kind of looks and feels like a flashlight in your hand, which I didn’t love, but it worked just as well as shavers three times its price,” says our tester, who also said that he was initially skeptical of the circular-style razors. “I thought the circles were old school and would probably be less effective than a cartridge style, but it shaved really nicely and my skin felt fine even after a few passes. Even though I still don’t love the design, I can’t argue with how well it works, especially for the price point, which is a total steal.”

Pros

• Trimmer was very effective at cutting down longer body hair and collects inside the head, so it won’t shoot hair all over your counter/sink
• Circle blade design worked very well to provide a close face shave
• Didn’t irritate skin, even after a few passes
• Works on wet and dry skin
• When maintaining a recent clean shave, this works pretty well: it’s fast, non-irritating and pretty clean
• Using this is way faster than traditional shaving, reports our tester
• Our tester shared that it might finally get him out of his “shave every two weeks” pandemic approach

Cons

• Has a proprietary charger
• Pulled some hair on one of our testers who has a thicker beard, best to use when you only have 1-2 days of growth

Remington Virtually Indestructible Rotary Shaver 5100 $65 Buy Now

Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 9000

Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 2.09 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 60 minutes run-time
• Warranty: 2 years
• Trimmer: Yes

Meet the latest in the Philips Norelco shaver line. It’s the first Philips Norelco product to include artificial intelligence technology with SenseIQ — a trio of sensors that guide you to apply the right amount of pressure needed for your specific hair length in order to provide the closest shave in the fewest number of passes. Their new dual SteelPrecision blades — all 72 of them — are self-sharpening and perform 150,000 cutting actions per minute. The pressure guard ensures optimum comfort by preventing you from pressing too hard on your skin.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “It felt solid in my hand and ergonomic,” says one tester, who added that he was surprised by the expansive number of features. “I can pair with my phone using an app to give me feedback on the shave, which I did, and it says I took 6 minutes and 11 seconds to shave half of my face, and it felt comfortable and nice the whole time. It was also cool that the app suggested ways that I could enhance my shaving technique in order to be faster while the light-up feature helped me to use the right amount of pressure throughout the entire shave. I’m absolutely going to keep using it.”

Pros

• Battery life is fantastic — it took 1 hour to charge fully while 5 minutes of charge gave our tester a complete shave (he was in a hurry the first time he used). The battery used 7% to shave half the face for 6 minutes.
• The LED screen is nice in that it gives you information on the battery in real time.
• The pressure sensor is helpful — it lights up green when the tester used the correct amount of pressure, orange when he used too much and blue when he used too little.
• He reports that the app feature is cool and easy to use; he liked the feedback on shave duration and efficiency. It told him ways he could improve his shaving experience and protect his skin; it also recommended a total shave time of 3 minutes and an improved technique, but he was happy with the amount of time he used the correct amount of pressure.
• Trimmer was great to cut side burn lines
• Cleaning pod is very easy to use. It automatically detected being placed into the cleaning pod and it cleaned the razor in one minute. Also, the app tracks how many uses are estimated before the pod needs to be charged.
• Our tester normally get razor burn from shaving, but didn’t get any from this razor

Cons

• He cut myself with the trimmer, but it told him that he was pushing too hard.

Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 $215 Buy Now

Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor

Best Men’s Electric Razor for Everyday Use

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: .5 pound
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cords
• Battery life: Up to 50 minutes
• Warranty: 2 year limited warranty with 30-day money back guarantee
• Trimmer: Yes

There’s something to be said about one of the longest-standing men’s electric razors out there, and the Panasonic Arc5 cordless foil razor lives up to the hype. Built for efficiency and performance, the waterproof razor easily captures both thick and thinner hair textures, and the smart sensor adjusts the blades’ motor speed to cruise around the neck, chin, and jaw. With up to 40 minutes of battery life, there’s enough power to groom both the face and body in one go. Clean up and charging is easy — just drop the shaver into the dock and it’ll do the rest.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I was most excited about this razor because it had the coolest-looking design with so many blades and a super wobbly head,” says our tester, who used it to trim his medium-length beard and chest. “It has five foils, so I was expecting a super close and fast shave in just one or two passes, but even after using the trimmer to take my beard down to a stubble, I still needed to do several more passes to get my coarse hair down to nothing. I should say that I didn’t actually mind needing to do a series of passes because it didn’t irritate my skin or tug.”

Pros

• Razor didn’t pinch or irritate skin
• Trimmer took two passes for longer beard hair
• Bobble head enabled our tester to get into every crevice of his face, but he still felt like he had control of the razor
• Feels sturdy in your hand
• Works well on wet and dry skin, but our tester got a closer shave on wet skin
• Best for clean-shaven men or those with moderate stubble

Cons

• Has a proprietary charger
• Trimmer works better than the razor for longer hair; expect to do multiple passes with the razor to get a clean shave if starting with longer hair

Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor $226 Buy Now

Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000

Best Electric Razor for Long Hair

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: .93 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 5 hours
• Warranty: 2 years
• Trimmer: Yes

The Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000 is proof one can never be over prepared. A versatile and reliable entry-level kit that promises to last up to five years, the cordless Series 7000 lasts for up to five hours at a time (although it can also be used while plugged in, if you’re in a pinch and forgot to charge). It features 23 attachments that can easily tackle the beard, head, body, and face. A few of the handy attachments include the foil shaver, a precision trimmer, and a nose- and ear-hair trimmer. One of our favorite aspects of this tool is how easy it is to clean — it’s fully waterproof, so you can just rinse it under a running faucet and let the water pressure wash away any errant or stuck hair.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “This is a powerful electric razor with tons of features, but I would characterize it as more of a groomer versus a daily shaver,” says one tester. “I don’t think I’d use this for daily shaving, but I would definitely use it for any hair maintenance really, and the battery lasts forever; I still haven’t re-charged it and I’m a pretty hairy Italian guy, so it’s not as if my shaving sessions are all that quick.”

Pros

• Tons of attachments and guards (18!), which lets you use this one razor instead of a several different devices
• The nose hair attachment is a nice feature that you rarely see come with electric razors
• It’s really great for trimming down thick beards
• Worked equally well on wet and dry skin

Cons

• It shoots hair everywhere because there is no ‘catch’ for it, so be sure to put a towel down first

Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000 $60 Buy Now

Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0

Best Men’s Electric Razor for Manscaping

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Charge method: Proprietary charging base
• Battery life: Up to 90 minutes of run-time
• Warranty: 30-day money back guarantee
• Trimmer: Yes

Skin below the belt can be prone to shaving-related irritation. That’s where the cordless and waterproof Manscaped electric hair trimmer performs at its best — no more irritating itchiness. The rust-proof ceramic blades are specifically engineered to glide through even the thickest of stubble for a sharp-yet-delicate trim. Power through your shape-up session with up to 90 minutes of battery time.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I’ve used Manscaped electric razors for years, first the Lawn Mower 3.0 and then the 4.0 shortly after it launched and I have recommended it to countless friends for its effectiveness without risk of nicks in those hard-to-see areas,” says one tester. “The slender Lawn Mower 4.0 is provides a nice ergonomic grip, plus it has a powerful motor and sharp blades to trim down hair with ease, and the LED light makes it easier to see what you’re doing down there. The wireless charging base makes it easier to store in my medicine cabinet (and not cause a cord-tangling mess). Bonus points for great customer service: I once had to contact the brand for losing the charger and a replacement was sent within a couple of weeks.”

Pros

• Ergonomic grip
• Powerful trimmers
• LED light so you can see the areas which may need a second pass
• Wireless charging base
• Helpful customer service

Cons

• Proprietary charging base

Manscaped 4.0 $80 Buy Now

Panasonic Body Groomer GK80

Best Electric Body Razor for Men

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 1.63 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 50 minutes
• Warranty: 2 years
• Trimmer: Yes

The Panasonic Body Groomer is one of the top men’s electric razors that is specifically designed to reach multiple angles of the body’s most sensitive and hard-to-reach regions. No matter where you are grooming or how challenging the angles or contours are, the wide-edge blade won’t cause irritation while the ergonomic, I-shaped body design allows for total control. And don’t be afraid of causing any nicks down below — the blade and its three attachments were developed to comfortably skim just above the skin surface, trimming hair down to to 0.1mm. The Panasonic Body Groomer holds a 50-minute charge and is an ideal size for travel. It’s also completely waterproof, allowing you to shave in or out of the shower without a worry.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I really like this razor,” says our tester, who used the groomer in the shower to trim his back and below the belt. “It was very sturdy and delivered a closer shave than any of the previous electric razors I’ve used. I also appreciated the feature that allows for a better grip, especially because I use it in the shower, which can be slippery. Even though the testing period is over, I’m keeping it in my routine.”

Pros

• Very sleek look — our tester appreciated its black and matte dark gray coloring, as opposed to the generic steel look
• It took an average of two passes to trim his hair down significantly/completely, depending on the attachment he used and the length of hair in the area
• He loved the waterproof feature because he prefers shaving his body in the shower
• It has a sturdy grip, making it easy to hold in the shower (our tester says he always worries about slippage)
• Very easy to use and straightforward

Cons

• Took a long time to charge before you could use it for the first time, but he hasn’t had to charge it again since

Panasonic Body Groomer GK80 $100 Buy Now

Andis Titanium Foil Electric Shaver

Best Barbershop-Quality Electric Shaver

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: .2 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord + stand
• Battery life: Up to 80 minutes runtime
• Warranty: 3 years
• Trimmer: No

Evocative of a classic and clean barbershop cut, the Andis Titanium Foil Shaver offers one of the best close shaves for cleaning up stubble on the head, neckline, and body. The cordless, handheld tool features titanium foils that are hypoallergenic for a cleaner shave and was designed with sensitive skin in mind. With 80 minutes of battery run time, you can work your way around your neckline and up to your head with zero lag, pinching or snares. It’s especially great for finishing fades and doing away with stubble or the dreaded five o’clock shadow.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “This is unlike any other razor I’ve seen — it looked almost like a Gameboy razor — and I was surprised that I liked it so much,” says our tester, who used it on his face. “Because of the way you’re able to grip this razor, I felt like I had complete control as I was shaving. I could also feel my facial angles more fully as the razor went over them, which enabled me to customize the amount of pressure I applied for specific areas, like the jawline, which I always seem to nick, except for this time.”

Pros

• Our tester loves that it has the universal USBC charger (proprietary chargers make him nervous in cases he loses it)
• He thought the design was funny at first but he really liked holding it in his hand; he felt like he had more control.
• Without a trimmer, it’s best for daily shaving, a stubble or a five o’clock shadow.
• Only took three passes to get a clean shave and his hair is coarse/thick.

Cons

• No trimmer
• Those with beards will have to trim down with an additional product before using this razor.

Andis Titanium Foil Shaver $63 Buy Now

Braun Series 7 Electric Razor

Best Mid-Level Electric Razor for Men

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging station
• Battery life: Up to 50 minutes run time
• Warranty: 2 years with 60-day money back guarantee
• Trimmer: No

Braun Series 7 is a tried-and-true electric razor system that features a sleek design with an ergonomic handle and a durable titanium blade constructed to provide a gentle face and body shave. To minimize inflammation and in-grown hairs, the Series 7 features five modes that allow the flexible foil head to navigate the contours of the skin and cut more hair with every stroke. Its AutoSense technology is able to read the hair’s density and thickness to then tailor the power delivered to trim your specific hair type. Plus, it’s a 100% waterproof model designed to shave dry, or with foam, gel and soap, either inside the shower or out. The Series 7 is available with a 2-in-1 cleaning and charge station that will rid the razor of impurities after each use. It also comes with a handy travel case, so you can toss it into your weekender and go.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I love the design of this razor,” says the tester. “Its self-cleaning charger port is fancy and the swivel head is easy to push around your face. The trimmer attachment fits on top of the foil piece, which makes it easier to manage and provides a better trimming experience than the ones with integrated trimmers.”

Pros

• Cool design
• Foil swing head is flexible
• Three jumbo foil blades
• Feels comfortable in your hand and against your skin
• Trimmer attachment is easy to use

Cons

• Proprietary charging station

Braun Series 7 Electric Razor $150 Buy Now

Panasonic Rechargeable Beard + Hair Trimmer ER-GB80

Best Electric Razor for Beards

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 1 pound
• Charge method: Proprietary charge cord
• Battery life: Up to 50 minutes run-time
• Warranty: 2 years
• Trimmer: Yes

The Panasonic Beard and Hair Trimmer is a multi-faceted and reliable trimmer that works for your entire body, including your head. This waterproof, cordless and ergonomic trimmer features a dial and 3 comb attachments to provide 39 settings for up to 60 minutes of precision cutting, trimming, and sculpting in one sitting. The ‘A’ comb attachment trims mustache and beard, while the ‘B’ snap-on comb is designed to trim longer beads or hair and the ‘C’ attachment is for overall body trimming, including the chest, shoulders or legs. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs or razor bumps, these wide-tip blades will capture flat-lying hairs, so your ingrowns will become ancient history.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I used this razor almost exclusively in the shower, which was very convenient for both shaving my face, head, and other hair,” says our tester, who added that he also really liked the comfortable rubber grip on the razor’s handle that promised complete control and steadiness, especially in the shower. “However, I felt like there were almost too many options to choose from, like all the various trim lengths. With fewer options, I think I’d feel a little less intimidated and overwhelmed, and it’d probably be a little easier to use. Although if you’re someone who loves to have lots of choices, this could definitely be the gadget for you.”

Pros

• He liked that it came fully charged and could start using it immediately.
• He got a very close shave with the very first try, even with the attachments.
• His first impression was that it is clearly very well made and he was shocked at how close the shave was after the first pass
• He reports that he’s “psyched” about this razor and has continued to use after the testing period.

Cons

• The dial was not intuitive and he needed to play around with it to figure out how to use it

Panasonic Rechargeable Beard + Hair Trimmer ER-GB80 $80 Buy Now

 

Bevel Beard Trimmer

Best Men’s Electric Razor for Thicker Hair

• For wet/dry skin: Dry
• Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours run-time
• Warranty: 30-day money back guarantee
• Trimmer: Yes

The Bevel Beard Trimmer is one of the best electric razors for men who are prone to ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and general skin irritation — just like the founder, which spurred the brand’s inception. So the story goes, founder Tristan Walker couldn’t find a razor that wouldn’t irritate his sensitive skin — so he invented his own. This cordless trimmer’s handsome ergonomic design is a favorite among at-home and master barbers alike. It’s designed to last up to eight hours, but can keep on going if it is plugged in. One of our favorite features is the 360 degree non-slip handle that grants superior control. Its blades repel dirt, oil and buildup to further prevent skin irritation. We also like how easy it is to clean (especially because it’s so pretty, it’d be a shame to not maintain the shiny, pristine look). To give it a thorough wipe down, just take a damp cloth and firmly hold the base to clean the blade. Not to mention, this fancy electric razor also makes a perfect Father’s Day gift for all of the dads in your life.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “I’ve used Bevel in the past and they keep on updating their design,” says the reviewer. “This one is super sleek and smooth, and they’ve come a long way design and performance-wise.”

Pros

• This tester prefers to shave dry and says that the stubble setting was terrific — he only needed one pass to get exactly the length he wanted
• Plenty of hair length settings to choose from
• Battery life is super (he hasn’t needed to re-charge yet)
• It looks and works great; he likes the way it looks on his sink

Cons

• He primarily used the stubble option, but imagines it would give a nice, totally clean shave, too.

Bevel Beard Trimmer $186 Buy Now

Balls Trimmer by Balls

Best Men’s Electric Razor for Lower Body

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Charge method: Proprietary charging stand
• Battery life: Up to 1 hour run-time
• Warranty: 1 year
• Trimmer: Yes

Designed specifically for your most delicate areas, the Balls Trimmer by Balls has all the safety features you’d want without compromising a close shave. With layers of micro-trimming ceramic blades and a 6,200 rpm motor, hair of all textures are easily groomed, without any of the pulls or pinching. It’s also waterproof, wireless and coated with a layer of matte material so you can hold on tight without any fear of slipping.

Our tester’s electric razor review: “My first impression is that it has a very clean, slick look and feel to it. It holds like it’s a quality piece of equipment,” says our tester, who used it on his groin and chest areas. “This Balls electric shaver really lives up to its name. I used this razor to remove unsightly hair from my undercarriage and front-business district, because as they say, happy wife, happy life! Anyway, this machine worked like a treat. The shave was very close on the first pass and the comb protected my sensitive skin without tugging on my nuggets. After two passes, I felt as smooth and soft as the day I was born. I’d give this razor 4 out of 5 balls!”

Pros

• Solid battery life
• The light is a nice feature so you can get a better view of the areas you need to go over again
• Length adapter was convenient
• He really liked the look, feel and power of it
• He’s continued to use this after the testing period ended

Cons

• Quite loud, so discretion is out the window

Balls Trimmer by Balls $69 Buy Now

Remington UltraStyle Rechargeable Rotary Shaver

Best Electric Razor for Wet Shaving

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: .35 pounds
• Charge method: Universal USB charging
• Battery life: Up to 40 minutes run-time
• Warranty: 3 year limited warranty
• Trimmer: Yes

Remington’s new and improved rotary shaver boasts several updated features. Updates include the universal USB charger, the stubble attachment to master an effortlessly well-groomed stubble look, the anti-microbial additive to prevent bacteria growth around the blades and an increased battery time of up to 40 minutes of run time. The slots and holes found on the rotary heads are designed to shave both long hair and short stubble easily, while the TwinTrack Blades cover twice the amount of facial real estate in the same pass.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “I’ve used Remington razors in the past and this one is super traditional, like they’re not budging from their basic model, but I only needed one pass to get the length I wanted. This didn’t miss a hair,” says one tester. Despite strong first impressions from our second tester, who believed that the razor was “so light it felt a bit like a toy,” but it was the razor’s efficiency that ultimately won him over. “I needed to lubricate my skin and the shaver with warm water before using it effectively, which was surprising, although it did produce a very close shave and dealt well with the curves of my jawline, which is important to me because I tend to easily get razor burn and skin irritation. I wish it was a little heavier, but you can’t argue with a great shave.”

Pros

• Decent battery life and our tester loved the USB charger; it also charged quickly before he used it for the first time (and hasn’t needed to re-charge since, despite multiple uses)
• He liked the stubble attachment, since that’s his go-to look, and it did the trick
• Produced a very close shave and dealt well with facial curves
• The trimmer was easy to use to clean up spots where a hair was missed and got a nice line on the side burns
• Very easy to clean
• Didn’t give him a single cut!
• Charged quickly
• Overall, both testers liked the razor, especially for the cost; “it’s a great value,” says one tester

Cons

• Dry shaving was uncomfortable —  he had to wet his face first — but then it was fine
• Took a few passes to get the close shave he wanted, but still faster than a regular razor

Remington UltraStyle Rechargeable Rotary Shaver $40 Buy Now

Andis Resurge Shaver

Best Electric Razor with Universal Charger

• For wet/dry skin: Both
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Charge method: Universal USB charger
• Battery life: Up to 60 minutes run-time
• Warranty: One year
• Trimmer: Yes

One of the newer launches from Andis, this Resurge Shaver is professional-grade — and looks like it too. Key features include hypoallergenic foils to prevent razor burn, ingrown hairs and irritation while protecting skin, an ergonomic body shape with a non-slip grip for easy handling, and a 60 minute run-time on a single charge. The foils are staggered and independent, meaning that each one can reach tough areas, like the mustache and above the ear. The razor also comes along with a cleaning brush to remove errant hairs from the foils.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “I tested two razors for this story and this one needed fewer passes, which earns it a gold star in my book,” says the reviewer, who has continued to use the razor even after the testing period ended. “I have a beard, so I needed to trim that first before shaving, but the long hair trimmer was fast and saved me a lot of time. I used this razor both wet and dry, and although I preferred the slip that the wet shave gave me, the dry shave was equally effective and didn’t irritate my skin the way that a lot of other razors do when I don’t use a lubricant, like water or shaving cream.”

Pros

• Long hair trimmer saves time for pre-shave trims
• Easy to clean
• Glides easily across wet and dry skin
• Head is flexible and adjusts to the shape of a jawline
• Tester loves that it has the universal charger
• Design is very cool and minimalist

Cons

• Only one speed

Andis Resurge Shaver  $128 Buy Now

Bevel Pro Trimmer + Clipper

Best New Electric Razor for Men and Trimmer

• For wet/dry skin: Dry
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Charge method: Proprietary charging cord
• Battery life: Up to 4 hours
• Warranty: 1 year

Bevel’s hotly anticipated new release is finally here, and men are loving it. Bevel’s been a favorite among men because it is great for nailing those details and cutting sharp lines, while also allowing you to customize the hair length you’d like to trim to. This weighted, cordless Pro Trimmer and Clipper combines the hyper-focus of a beard trimmer with the power of a hair clipper, while also tossing in the customizable trim length we want for our beards, scalps and bodies. You can adjust the the blade from 0mm to 2.5mm by simply pressing a button, which then ignites your selection on the bright LED screen display. The five magnetized guard heads promise that you get exactly the kind of shave you want, whether it’s a super close fade or a hint of stubble.

Our tester’s electric shaver review: “This was the best and most fun beard trimmer I’ve ever used,” says our reviewer, who tested the trimmer in the shower on his dense, grown-out beard and torso. “The design is really cool and masculine. I felt like a professional barber and it was really fun to play with all of the different settings and see them light up on the LED screen.”

Pros

• Trimmed significantly on first pass
• Adjustable guide was fun for our tester to play with and gave hm options to select his desired hair length
• Really great for body, especially in the shower
• Has the ‘wow’ factor look
• It is a little heavier to hold; he felt like a professional barber and it trimmed like one too.

Cons

• Proprietary charger
• He’d love to see more attachments for different beard lengths

Bevel Pro Trimmer + Clipper $306 Buy Now

Types of Electric Razors: Rotary Shavers vs. Foil Shavers

There are two primary types of electric shavers — rotary shavers and foil shavers. A classic rotary shaver will have three circular blades on a rotating head. Rotary electric shavers are ideal for shaving larger surface areas, including the head and body. Rather than moving in a circular motion, the blades of foil shavers use oscillating blades that move from side to side — most shavers found in barber shops are vertical foil shavers.

“Foil electric razors are a better option for most men because they get a closer shave and are less irritating on the skin,” explains Brittany Raposo of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa. “Rotary razors on the other hand, can trim down longer hair. They are a good option for men who like to wait a week between shaving and don’t have sensitive skin.”

Electric Razor vs Manual Shaver

When it comes to selecting a razor, whether it’s a traditional design or an electric razor, one key factor to consider is what kind of skin you have — sensitive? Acneic? Prone to little red bumps? Identify your skin type first before you begin your research.

Electric razors for men are popular of all skin types, they tend to be especially helpful for those with sensitive skin. There are many reasons why an electric razor is a better option for sensitive skin than a traditional razor. First, an electric razor’s foils or rotary designs have a protective casing over top of them, meaning that there is a safety barrier between your skin and the blades. This safety barrier reduces the blades impact against the skin, which means less irritation and risk of razor burn.

Another reason that electric razors are great for sensitive skin is that the motor within the electric razor operates via vibration — which is the buzzing you hear and the slight “shake” of the razor you feel — to move the blades in a back and forth motion. This produces thousands of micro cuts per second against the hair, making each pass more efficient than the one you’d get with a traditional razor. The result? Fewer passes overall. And when it comes to sensitive skin, the more passes you have to do over an area, the higher your chance of razor burn, irritation and redness, so getting the most bang out of each pass is crucial.

Although sensitive skin will always be a concern for those who are prone to irritation, electric razors are your best bet to keep your shave close and your skin healthy.

How to Clean Electric Razors

Cleaning your electric razor thoroughly and regularly is one of the most important things you can do to prolong its lifespan and maintain its high quality performance. Without sudsing up regularly, grime and bacteria can begin to build up between the blades and spread to your skin during a shave. Remember that warm, damp areas are an especially potent breeding ground for bacteria, but by rinsing away the gunk that has collected or gotten wedged between the blades, you’ll keep your razor free of bacteria and your skin healthy. A good rule of thumb is to rinse out your razor after every use, while a deep clean should be done at least once every two weeks, but more if you’re a daily shaver.

As with all electronic devices, cleaning instructions may vary depending upon the brand, make and model, so it’s important to read the product’s specific care instructions before starting to clean. Some of the newer models come with an automatic cleaning station, which will take care of the hassle after each use, but cleaning the old fashioned way is just as easy, if you follow these steps below.

1. Gently tap the razor on the sink or countertop to remove loose hair from the shaving head. If your razor came with a brush, use the brush to swipe back and forth, aiming to dislodge as many hairs as you can.
2. If your electric razor is waterproof, simply rinse out the head with warm tap water and squirt a few drops of liquid soap over the foils or combs.
3. Turn the shaver on to produce a strong, soapy lather and let the shaver run for at least 15 seconds.
4. Rinse out all the suds with warm water while the shaver is still running.
5. Turn it off, remove the detachable head and rinse it under warm water, along with the inner blades.
6. Shake off the excess water and lay each piece down flat to dry.

If your razor is not waterproof, don’t go near the sink and instead purchase this Cleaning Lubricant from Remington and follow the instructions carefully.

Tips for How to Shave with an Electric Razor

Whether you’re new to the electric razor game or you’ve been honing your technique for years, there are certain guidelines that will keep your skin healthy and your razor buzzing. Below are our answers to frequently asked questions about how to use an electric razor or trimmer. 

• Read the instructions

  : This is important because not all razors are waterproof, meaning that you should only be using them outside the shower.

• Trim your facial hair first

  : If your facial hair is on the longer side, use the trimmer first to cut hair down to a stubble before you attempt to shave. Otherwise, it can lead to yanking and just general discomfort. 

• Stubble is the sweet spot

  : Hair that is too long will jam the blades in seconds and hair that is too short is harder for the blades to catch. Most electric razors are designed to tackle stubble-length hair.

• Go against the grain

  : This is the golden rule of shaving, whether it’s with an electric or traditional razor. Shaving against the grain minimizes skin irritability and will also reduce your overall shave time.

• Pull skin taut

  : Use your free hand to lightly pull the skin taut in order to make the hair stand upright. This results in a closer shave and fewer tries.

Meet the Experts

• Shannon Davis is the Senior Barber at Fellow Barber in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
• Brittany Raposo is a barber at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in New York City.