The Best Electric Razors For Men (2023): A Definitive Guide • ShaverCheck

Finding the right electric razor should be easy and straightforward.

After all, getting a close and comfortable shave, preferably without spending a ton of money, sounds like a very reasonable expectation.

However, choosing a good men’s electric shaver seems to be anything but simple.

This guide aims to change all that by redefining the way we approach this problem. Precisely, we’ll start with you — the user — and get to the actual razors from there.

In my opinion, this is what’s fundamentally wrong with all the roundups of the so-called best shavers we see crop up all over the web: they barely account for the user and his needs.

I’ve bought and tested all the shavers recommended in this guide, so I will present their pros and cons from the perspective of what it’s actually like to own and use them regularly.

I am confident that by the time you finish reading the article you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a certain razor suitable in a given situation and ultimately decide which electric razor is best for you.

Why is choosing a shaver so unnecessarily complicated?

For starters, I’d say that the sheer number of models and revisions creates some sort of paradox of choice. There are just too many of them.

You’ve probably been in the position of having to buy a certain product only to go back and forth repeatedly between several options, constantly wondering which one would be the best option.

And to add insult to the injury, selecting an electric shaver is plagued by yet another issue: a poor documentation of the differences between the various models.

Often times the model names make absolutely no sense and the manufacturer doesn’t make the slightest effort to showcase the actual differences between the razors in a particular series.

Many review sites are also filled with conflicting or irrelevant information about the newly released models.

We often see product updates being rolled out with no indication of how significant they are or if the older shavers still represent a viable option.

There are cases where the new shaver models are nothing more than a cosmetic makeover.

But there are also times when a shaver is a completely new product, employing important changes that will impact the actual performance.

The problem with most of the best shaver lists

I am going to assume that you’ve tried searching for what would ideally be the best electric razor for you and stumbled upon a myriad of related articles.

Unfortunately, there are a few major problems with most of these roundups.

First and foremost, that elusive best shaver doesn’t exist.

The best you can hope for is to find an electric razor that checks most of the boxes for your particular needs and comes with the fewest shortcomings.

Secondly, most reviewers out there have never actually tested the razors in question.

They just come up with lists of the most popular and over-hyped shavers, copying what others are saying and repeating some marketing terms taken straight out of the press release.

You’ll rarely see on-point criticism and genuine assessments.

I know this is a very serious claim, but unfortunately there are only a handful of reliable resources out there when it comes to testing electric shavers.

I think it’s pretty obvious why this is a flawed approach.

Apart from the reliability of the information that is questionable at best, almost all of these articles never seem to consider that men are different, their needs are different and their shaving habits are different.

Which leads us to the next part.

Finding the right shaver is very personal

It’s important to note that an electric shaver review is based on anecdotal findings and at least some parts will be affected by user bias.

A particular shaver may be the best option for me, but it can also perform poorly when used by someone else.

And this is the result of us men being different and expecting different things from an electric razor.

Accounting for these differences and use cases is key when recommending an electric shaver as it will exponentially increase the odds of you buying a suitable shaving machine.

So how does one go about this? What are the most important factors to consider when coming up with a list of the best electric razors for men that should suit a plethora of different users and situations?

After using and testing electric razors for over 15 years, I believe that it comes down to the following factors:

• Shaver-specific pros and cons (closeness, comfort, speed, ease of cleaning and maintenance, etc.);
• Facial hair particularities (coarseness, hairs with different grain, flat-lying hairs, rate of hair growth);
• Sensitive skin (predisposition to razor burn, rashes, ingrown hairs, bumps etc.);
• Shaving habits (shaving more or less often, dry or wet, etc.);
• Budget (initial investment, replacement foils/blades, cleaning solution).

I am confident that this “holistic” approach is the way to go when it comes to choosing an electric razor that will perform great in your case.

Today’s modern electric shavers have come a very long way and you can currently find some great products out there.

But as I already said, a particular razor won’t be ideal in every situation.

To address this, I will share some of the best electric shavers I’ve tested so far, centered around those 5 key aspects mentioned above, hopefully helping you pick the right one.

I will present only the things that are truly important — including the negatives — from the perspective of someone that actually owns and uses these products on a regular basis.

With every shaver on this list, I will also try to explain why I chose that particular model over another.

Most of the time this will be a matter of price, availability in 2023 and whether the razor has genuinely useful features.

The best men’s electric shavers for 2023

1. Braun Series 9 9390cc

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Close shaves
• Great for longer, wiry, flat-lying hairs
• Suitable for very sensitive skin, ingrown hairs
• Practical and useful cleaning station
• Fast and powerful, suitable for coarse beards

Cons

• Not quite the closest shaving razor in this price range
• Pricey
• Overkill for light beards and/or everyday use

Deal alert: You can sometimes get the (slightly) better Braun Series 9 PRO 9465cc for even less money than the standard Series 9.

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: the flashy, chrome-covered Series 9 from Braun.

Arguably one of the most popular and highly-anticipated electric shavers in recent years, the Series 9 was the topic of many heated discussions in the online community.

Launched 7 years ago to take over the Series 7 as Braun’s new range-topping shaver, the Series 9 had a couple of hiccups along the way.

Among those, there was a shortage of replacement shaving heads and some reports of the cutters falling apart after only a few months of use.

Moreover, if you somehow managed to find the replacement parts, the price was prohibitive.

Braun eventually sorted out the problems by fitting the Series 9 with new shaving heads (press release).

The shaving head of the updated Series 9 with the new, Titanium Nitride coated trimmer.

The original Series 9, with the supposedly faulty shaving head, had model names starting with 90: 9090cc, 9095cc and so on.

The updated Series 9 models start with 92: 9290cc, 9291cc, 9297cc, 9293s, etc. and all of them are suitable for wet & dry use.

As we enter 2023, these Series 9 models have been slowly phased out and replaced by the newer 93 models, so I will be focusing on those.

The cost of the replacement shaving heads — called cassettes — has also dropped significantly and they are actually quite reasonably priced (for a high-end shaver).

For these reasons the Series 9 finally represents a viable option.

In 2019, Braun released yet another incremental update to the Series 9, precisely the 93 models: 9370cc, 9385cc, 9390cc, 9330s, etc.

The Series 9 9385cc in the new Graphite color option.

However, apart from a slightly larger battery, some minor visual changes, and a couple of new colors, the shaving performance has remained pretty much the same — not a bad thing actually.

Finally, last year, while we were all expecting a Series 10, Braun released the Series 9 Pro.

The Braun Series 9 Pro 9477cc.

The Pro models come with a new cassette (called 94M) that is also backward compatible with the standard, Series 9 and the shaver itself is slightly more powerful.

However, considering the price and performance, I think the regular Series 9 still is the best for most users, especially if you can get one for significantly less money.

To me the Series 9 Pro feels slightly more powerful, but that also comes with a small compromise to the comfort — it’s not quite as gentle as the standard S9.

Further reading: for more details on the differences between all Series 9 models, you can check out my Series 9 guide.

I went with the Braun Series 9 9390cc as my top pick simply because it’s usually priced lower than other similar variations.

But any of the Series 9 models starting with 92 (if you can still find one) or 93 are equally good options since the shaving performance is exactly the same.

The Braun Series 9 9290cc (left) and the Braun Series 9 9385cc (right).

In the past, I used to be very reluctant to recommend the Series 9 and I would often advise the readers of this website to take the safe route and choose the tried and tested Series 7 instead.

However, since these issues have apparently been ironed out, I think we can finally focus on the actual performance of the Series 9.

After thoroughly testing several Series 9 variations, I can confidently say that it is an excellent electric razor.

But as expected, the Series 9 won’t be the best in every situation and I’ll get to that right away.

But I’ll first go over the good parts and when it would be a great choice.

The best part about the 9390cc (and about the Series 9 in general) is the comfort and effectiveness.

I’ve used dozens of electric razors and this one is among the most comfortable, forgiving and gentle shavers you can currently buy.

And because it’s so effective at catching the hairs, including the difficult ones, most men will experience a shorter and more enjoyable shaving session.

When using the Series 9 I can even get away with things that would normally inflict some razor burn and discomfort (like pressing too hard or doing unnecessary passes over sensitive areas).

If you have sensitive skin, suffer from razor burn, rashes, or ingrown hairs, the Series 9 is arguably the best men’s electric razor you can buy right now.

The foils never get hot even after prolonged use and remain perfectly comfortable.

The shaving head is comprised of 4 individual cutting elements: two finishing foils (called Optifoils) and two cutters specially designed to tackle longer, flat-lying hairs that grow in different directions.

The 4-blade shaving unit of the Braun Series 9.

Braun’s implementation of these specialized cutters on the Series 9 works better than anything found on any other foil shaver.

They manage to capture and cut stray, wiry and flat-lying hairs impressively well.

Most other electric razors, particularly the foil ones, only manage to perform average at best when used on a longer beard (hair length is more than 2 to 3mm) and tend to miss hairs, requiring multiple strokes in order to get a clean shave.

Less capable foil shavers will also pull some of the hairs if they’re too long.

I haven’t experienced any of that with the Series 9, even when I deliberately tried to be sloppier with my technique.

If you tend to shave less often, like every two to three days or even more and have problem areas where the hairs grow parallel to the skin and in different directions, the Series 9 will again be a very suitable option.

The only razors that can match it in these situations are Philips Norelco’s advanced rotary shavers, like the Series 9000 and the Series 9000 Prestige, but those aren’t as comfortable nor do they shave as close — at least that was my experience with them.

The Series 9 has plenty of cutting power and will be more than suitable for dense, coarse beards.

It never felt underpowered during my tests and allowed me to finish my shave very quickly.

Again, the Series 9 Pro is slightly more powerful, but the differences are not enough to account for the current price difference.

Braun Series 9 Pro vs the standard Series 9.

The Braun Series 9 is also one of the best choices for men who shave their head.

And while I don’t shave my entire head, I have been cutting my hair myself for more than 2 years (forced by the lockdown) and I use a Series 9 for skin fades.

And for that it works extremely well: it cuts the hair on the back and sides of my head extremely close with zero irritation.

Also, many barbers used them in their shops specifically for this.

Let’s now talk about the closeness of the shave with the Series 9.

While for me it was definitely adequate, it wasn’t the best I ever got from an electric shaver.

A Panasonic Arc 5 or even an Arc 4 will likely give you a slightly closer shave, even though they’re not quite as comfortable as the Series 9.

The Panasonic Arc 5 and the Braun Series 9.

So if you’re particularly interested in getting the closest possible shave and your skin is not overly sensitive, the above-mentioned Panasonic models are probably the ones to get.

But keep in mind that they’re not as good or as effective when used on a longer beard — if you shave every 2 to 3 days (maybe even more), I would still pick the Series 9.

The Series 9 represents an excellent compromise of comfort and closeness, but again, it is not THE closest shaving electric razor you can get.

And the same is true in the case of the Series 9 Pro — the closeness is the same or maybe marginally better compared to the standard one.

Another issue with the Series 9 is the price.

While it has dropped since the launch, the Series 9 is still a rather expensive shaver.

The replacement shaving heads called cassettes (part number 92s/92b/92M/94M) are pricey as well but on par with the other high-end parts from the competition.

As for which Series 9 to buy, I would actually recommend a cc model that includes an automatic cleaning and charging station.

In my view, here are the main reasons why I think a Braun cleaner is worth considering:

• a cc Series 9 (like the 9390cc) only costs marginally more than a shaver-only variation;
• the station is very effective at cleaning and lubricating the shaving head;
• you can take out the cartridge, seal it and store it somewhere safe when not in use. This also saves cleaning fluid and prevents it from evaporating;
• there are many cheap third-party cleaning solutions available that work the same as the OEM solution.

The Series 9 during the automatic cleaning cycle.

As I mentioned in my reviews of the Series 9, manually cleaning the shaver can be fiddly as you can’t always get all the hair clippings and dirt out.

This is caused by the design of the shaving head, with the foils and blades being merged into a single piece that offers limited access for a thorough cleaning.

In time, and especially if you don’t clean it after every shave, this can lead to dirt, dead skin and hair buildups inside the shaving head.

The very intricate inner part of the Braun Series 9 shaving head makes it difficult to clean manually.

Luckily, the cleaning station takes care of everything for you.

You absolutely don’t have to use it after every shave — for me once or twice a week is more than enough and I simply clean the shaver with liquid soap and warm tap water during the rest of the time.

Rinsing the Series 9 with tap water.

This ensures excellent hygiene and you also won’t have to replace the cleaning cartridge as often (here are more tips on how to make the refills last longer).

As with all Braun shavers, the models ending in cc (like the 9390cc or 9370cc) include a cleaning system, while the ones ending in s (for example the 9330s) do not.

Please note that an s model (standing for Solo) that starts with 90 or 92 (like the 9293s) will not work with a cleaning station, despite the fact that they look identical to the cc variations and even have the two metal studs on the back that charge the shaver when placed in the station.

The back of a Series 9 (you can see the two metal contacts that pair the shaver with the station).

These s models lack a dedicated chip (or use a different one) needed to communicate with the station.

I’ve also read that such a solo Series 9 could theoretically work with a cleaning station after a firmware update, but it can only be performed by Braun in their service centers and I don’t know if they’re willing to do it or how much it would cost.

On the other hand, the latest solo Series 9 models that start with 93 (like the 9330s) or 94 (the Pro Series 9 like the 9419s) will actually work with a compatible cleaning station purchased later on (more details here).

Braun Series 9 9330s

See the price on Amazon

I don’t usually recommend cleaning stations if they’re not needed, but in the case of the Series 9 I think they really contribute to the experience and they’re genuinely useful.

I particularly like the fact that I can take the cartridge out, put the cover back and store it somewhere safe until the next time I use the station.

This prevents the alcohol-based solution from evaporating and the station won’t take up unnecessary space on the countertop.

Also, the price difference between an s and a cc model is not that steep.

The Series 9 9390cc and 9385cc are two such models that come with an automatic cleaning station.

Both sport the newer silver and grey color options that have a matte finish and should handle better any scratches and smudges compared to the glossy/chrome Series 9 models.

Given that the shavers themselves are identical performance-wise, the price (and availability in your country) should be the decisive factor when choosing between any similar Series 9 models.

And on that matter, considering the purchase price and the costs of the cassettes, the Series 9 doesn’t quite offer the best value for money.

If your budget is limited, consider getting the old Series 7 or even the Series 8 instead (more on those later on).

They are cheaper to buy and the replacement shaving heads also cost less.

If you have a light to medium beard and also shave often, the Series 9 with its 4 blades is probably overkill and again in this case the cheaper Series 7 or 8 will easily be good enough.

2. Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65-S

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Extremely close shaves
• Adequately comfortable for most users
• Very fast and powerful, suitable for coarse facial hair
• High quality, sharp blades
• Excellent wet shaving performance
• Very easy to clean manually
• Great value for money

Cons

• Not quite as comfortable as a Series 9 or 7
• Replacement foils & blades are pricey
• Overkill for light beards
• Bulky shaving head needs some getting used to
• Not as good as a Series 9 or 7 for flat-lying, wiry hairs

Deal alert: If you can get it for less money, the newer Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV67-K is identical performance-wise (it even uses the same foil & blades).

Panasonic is Braun’s only real competitor in the foil shavers market segment.

Even though Panasonic never managed to achieve the same popularity as Braun in the USA for example, the quality and performance of their shavers are usually outstanding.

The 5-blade shaving head of a Panasonic Arc 5.

The Arc 5 line represents Panasonic’s take on what should be the ultimate electric razor: 5 individual cutting elements, a fast linear-drive motor, and extremely sharp blades.

Side note: Panasonic also released the 6-blade Arc 6 last year, initially only in Japan. And while it’s a fantastic shaver, the improvements over the Arc 5 are marginal and mainly related to comfort. The Arc 6 is also much more expensive.

As a result, choosing the Arc 5 over the Arc 6 is, at least for the time being, the right decision.

Remember what I previously said about the sheer number of options and the lack of proper documentation regarding the differences between them?

Well, there are 3 different generations of Arc 5 shavers (plus 8 different revisions of the third one), and almost all of them are still available for purchase.

Further reading: you can check out my in-depth Panasonic Arc 5 guide for a complete overview of all the models and the differences between them.

However, the purpose of this article was to make it easier for you to find the right shaver.

And that also means eliminating the clutter created by the excessive number of model names that make no sense.

As a result, I will only come up with a single option: the Panasonic ES-LV65-S from the second generation (full review).

The Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65.

This shaver currently represents the best Arc 5 variation in terms of costs and performance.

Tip: if you live in the UK/Europe, the very similar Arc 5 ES-LV67-A can sometimes be found at a lower price:

See on Amazon.co.uk

While the Series 9 (and Braun shavers in general) excel in comfort, Panasonic is arguably the best when it comes to closeness.

And this isn’t the case with just the Series 9 and the Arc 5.

It’s the same situation in the lower-end spectrum as well, where models like the Panasonic Arc 4 and Arc 3 out-perform Braun’s Series 7/8 and 3 respectively when it comes to closeness.

This inevitably comes with a small trade-off in comfort for Panasonic.

But the ES-LV65-S Arc 5 is the razor to have if your priority is getting a very close shave.

It’s probably the closest an electric shaver can get to a razor blade with the current technology and without any major tradeoffs in comfort.

Panasonic manages to deliver this excellent performance by using extremely thin foils machined with great precision and high-quality, sharp blades that feature an aggressive 30 degrees bevel for effective cutting.

The exposed inner blades of the ES-LV65-S.

The motor powering the ES-LV65-S is a 14 000 CPM (cycles per minute) unit, the fastest yet to my knowledge.

Actually, there is a Xiaomi 5-blade shaver out there that supposedly reaches 15 000 CPM, but during my tests its performance proved to be underwhelming compared to the Arc 5.

For the sake of comparison, the Braun Series 9 has a 10 000 CPM motor.

Speed isn’t everything of course, but this difference between the Arc 5 and the Series 9 is hard to ignore.

The result of all these features is one of the fastest, closest shaving electric shavers you can buy.

As expected, the Panasonic Arc 5 will have no problem shaving a very coarse beard with ease.

Being a wet/dry model, you have the option to use it with your favorite shaving cream and further improve the closeness and comfort of the shave.

And for me, this option also works really well.

Since Panasonic razors aren’t quite as comfortable as the ones from Braun, adding a quality shaving cream will improve the comfort and this way you can still get that close shave without any major trade-offs in comfort.

If getting back to using creams and gels doesn’t sound too appealing, you can throw in a pre-shave lotion and enjoy a quick dry shave.

It’s the next best thing if you want to improve your dry shave comfort (and closeness) with minimal costs and basically no extra work.

To sum it up, the ES-LV65-S is one of the best electric razors you can get for very close shaves, coarse facial hair, and fast shaving sessions.

This model is also one of the top-rated electric shavers out there and with the current price drops, it makes a really strong case for itself.

You can get an Arc 5 with a cleaning station as well in the form of the Panasonic ES-LV95-S.

That one comes with the updated and more compact cleaning station, the detergent-based cleaning fluid lasts a long time and you also have the option to just dry your shaver (you can’t do that with a Braun station for example).

The Panasonic ES-LV95 with the updated cleaning system.

However, I would actually recommend you to skip the station because unlike the Series 9, the ES-LV65-S is dead easy to clean manually and it costs less than the model that includes the cleaning base.

The Panasonic cleaning center is also not as practical (you must mix the detergent with water in the station’s tray and you can’t take it out and store it for later use).

Regarding the costs associated with the ES-LV65-S, it actually fares very well for a high-end shaver.

The purchase price is very reasonable considering the performance and it undercuts a Series 9 for example by quite a lot.

Not including a cleaning station with the ES-LV65-S definitely helps with this.

The foils and blades are a bit pricey (part number WES9032), but similar to other premium replacement parts like the 92s/92b/92M/94M needed for the Series 9.

Here’s another bonus tip for current ES-LV65-S users (Panasonic probably won’t appreciate me sharing it).

You can actually use the new foils and blades of the latest (third) generation Arc 5 shavers. They will fit the ES-LV65-S perfectly.

The new Arc 5 foils and blades with the distinctive golden comfort rollers.

The part numbers for those are WES9034P (found on the third generation Arc 5 revision A and B), WES9036 (revision C and D), ES9038 (revisions E and F), ES9040 (revisions G and H).

The Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65 with the latest revision G/H foils.

While the closeness offered by the new foils is pretty much identical, they are a bit more comfortable than the older ones that originally come with the ES-LV65-S.

So this would be a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your ES-LV65-S when it’s time to replace the foil and blades.

Still related to costs, you won’t be spending any money on cleaning detergent, but if you opt for the ES-LV95-S variation, the detergent packs are quite reasonably priced and will last longer than Braun’s alcohol-based cleaning solution.

Let’s now see when you shouldn’t get the ES-LV65-S and what other razors would be better.

If you have very sensitive skin or suffer from ingrown hairs, you should opt for a Braun Series 9 or 7 — depending on your budget.

The ES-LV65-S can be a bit aggressive in this case, even though it doesn’t get hot like some Arc 4 or Arc 3 models do.

Again, if you don’t have very sensitive skin you’ll probably be perfectly fine using an Arc 5.

Another scenario that can cause some problems would be when shaving longer hairs, particularly if they grow parallel to the skin and/or in different directions.

The problem isn’t cutting the hairs, but rather capturing them.

If we take a close look at the shaving head of the ES-LV65-S, we can clearly see that Panasonic focused on closeness and not on enhanced capabilities of catching flat-lying hairs, despite the use of a specially designed slit foil.

The 5 blade shaving block of the ES-LV65-S: 1) Finishing foils 2) Reversed tapered foils 3) Slit foil

A Braun Series 9 or even 7 will simply work better in this case.

If you’re still sold on getting the Panny, one workaround would be to shave more often.

The problem of wiry, flat-lying hairs is less of an issue if you shave daily or every other day for example.

And finally, if you have a light beard or you’re just getting started with electric shavers, an ES-LV65-S with a whopping 5 blades and a massive shaving head is probably too much.

In that case, I would suggest saving some money and going for a Panasonic Arc 4 or even Arc 3 — I’ll get to them later on.

3. Braun Series 7 790cc

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Suitable for very sensitive skin
• Adequately close shaves
• Reasonably priced compared to a Series 9
• Works surprisingly well with longer, flat-lying hairs
• Suitable for coarse beards
• Useful and effective cleaning station

Cons

• Not the closest shaving razor in this price range
• A Series 8 is cheaper and similar performance-wise
• Poorly implemented head locking mechanism

The original Series 7 from Braun is probably the best-selling electric shaver of the past decade.

It was first introduced more than 13 years ago and quickly gained an iconic status.

The Braun Series 7.Important: Braun released a completely new

: Braun released a completely new Series 7 line in 2020. However, the performance is actually a downgrade from the previous Series 7 models discussed here (like the 790cc). You can read my comparison of the two generations for more details.

With that out of the way, there are definitely a lot of good things about the classic/previous Series 7 generation, but there are some shortcomings as well.

First and foremost, let’s address the most common question regarding the Series 7: which one should I buy?

To answer that, it’s important to set a few things straight.

Since its original launch, the Series 7 had received several updates.

They mostly consisted of minor cosmetic changes and the introduction of certain gimmicky features, like 5 personalization modes instead of 3.

As a result, the outcome is pretty easy to guess: the actual shaving performance wasn’t improved in a significant manner.

Again, we are not taking into account the new shavers from 2020 (the 360 Flex models which are in fact worse).

Because of this, choosing a Series 7 should come down to three things:

• Whether you need a cleaning station or not
• Whether you need a shaver that can be used both wet and dry
• Price

Let’s say that you need a dry-only shaver that includes an automatic cleaning station and you found several Series 7 models that satisfy these requirements. Which one should you get?

The answer is very simple: just buy the cheapest one. The actual performance will be the same.

For reference, here is a complete breakdown of all the different Series 7 models that I wrote a while back.

The reason why I chose the Series 7 790cc over other variations is that it still seems to be the most reasonably priced cc model and it’s (still) available.

Another model you should check out — for the same reasons — is the Braun Series 7 7865cc.

Again, you should simply get the one you can find at a better price since the performance is identical.

Just like with the Series 9, my choice would be a Series 7 that comes with an automatic cleaning station.

The reasoning is the same — in time, manual cleaning may not be enough and it’s nice to be able to give the shaving head a thorough, effortless cleaning.

The Braun Series 7 during the automatic cleaning process.

The original station included with the older Series 7 variations was in my opinion the best that Braun has ever made.

It was the only one that used induction heating instead of a fan for drying the razor.

As a result, the drying phase of the cleaning cycle was very short compared to other cleaning stations.

Another side benefit of induction heating is the complete lack of any noise since there’s no fan spinning.

The newer Braun Series 7 cleaning station.

Please note that Braun ditched this feature, along with the quick clean setting for all the Series 7. So you’ll get the 790cc with the downgraded station (no active drying).

In my opinon, the lack of an active drying system is not a deal-breaker, but it is disappointing that Braun decided to eliminate it in an effort to cut down the manufacturing costs.

As usual, the cc models come with a cleaning station, while the s shavers do not.

But unlike some of the Series 9, all the Series 7 s models will actually work with a compatible cleaning station if you decide to buy one later on.

Braun officially recommends against doing so as the Solo models lack the special coat of paint used on the cc variations that should withstand the constant exposure to the alcohol-based fluid.

However, this didn’t prevent a lot of Series 7 owners from successfully using their solo models with a station.

The Series 7 7865cc, 7898cc (wet & dry) and 790cc (dry only) seem to be the best options since they cost less than other similar variations.

Again, only the 790cc variation seems to be available today in most countries.

Let’s now see if the Braun Series 7 would be a good fit for you.

The best thing about this line of electric shavers is again the comfort and effectiveness on difficult facial hair.

Until the launch of the Series 9, the Series 7 was the shaver to beat in terms of comfort.

This makes it a perfectly suitable option for men with very sensitive skin that don’t feel like spending a premium price for a Series 9.

The difference in closeness is negligible in my experience. However, the Series 9 is a bit more refined and it will shave faster.

The differences will be even less noticeable if you shave more often; as I said previously, one of the strong points of the Series 9 is shaving longer, flat-lying hairs, but the Series 7 is no slouch either.

A clear advantage of the Series 7 over the 9 is its compact shaving head.

Braun Series 7 (left) and Series 9 (right).

Because it has 3 cutters instead of 4, it feels very nimble and it’s very easy to maneuver in tricky areas.

Shaving right below the nose and below the jawline for example is definitely easier with the Series 7 thanks to its smaller head.

The foils move independently and also have a great range of motion, remaining flat on the skin without the need to apply excessive pressure.

If you’re not particularly concerned with getting the closest possible shave and just want a shaver that is a great all-rounder and very gentle to the skin, the Series 7 would be a prime candidate.

In my experience it works best when used on shorter facial hair, but you can get excellent results on a three-day beard as well.

It works surprisingly well for a foil shaver and seems to be very capable at capturing those annoying flat-lying hairs.

The Series 7 will have no problem with thick beards, but a Series 9 will shave a bit faster and with fewer strokes.

The price of the Series 7 tends to vary a lot, so make sure to do some research beforehand.

Again, the 790cc and the 7865cc are usually the best cc options, while the 7893s is the best solo model.

The solo variations are of course a bit cheaper and again the performance will be the same. But as mentioned earlier, I think the station is quite useful to have.

The replacement shaving heads (part no. 70s/70b) are widely available and the cost is pretty reasonable, especially compared to a Series 9 or an Arc 4 shaving head.

Now, the Series 7 has two major problems in my opinion.

The first one is that a Panasonic ES-LV65-S or even an Arc 4 like the ES-LA63AA will shave slightly closer and faster provided that your facial hair is reasonably short.

They also cost less — sometimes a lot less.

Granted, they aren’t as comfortable, but if you don’t have very sensitive skin you’ll probably have no problem using them.

This is something to keep in mind if closeness is what you’re after.

The second major issue with the Series 7 is actually Braun’s very own Series 5 (old generation) and Series 8 (more details later on).

The Series 5 and 8 usually cost less and shave almost as good.

Moreover, the replacement shaving heads are cheaper and the Series 5/8 also addresses several potential problems of the Series 7, like the head locking mechanism that was prone to breaking.

So what do all of these mean? Should you stay away from the Series 7?

Absolutely not, especially if you can still get a great deal on it.

It’s one of the most enjoyable and versatile electric razors out there and my default recommendation for someone looking to buy a capable Braun shaver.

However, depending on your priorities (comfort or closeness) and budget, the above-mentioned alternatives may represent better options.

4. Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LA63AA

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Very close shaves
• Adequately comfortable
• Very fast and powerful, great for coarse facial hair
• High quality, sharp blades
• Excellent wet shaving performance
• Very easy to clean manually
• Great value for money

Cons

• Not as comfortable as a Series 7 or 8
• Replacement foils & blades are pricey
• Overkill for light beards
• Bulky shaving head needs some getting used to
• Not great for longer, wiry, flat-lying hairs

Side note: This model is not available in Europe. A good and inexpensive alternative would be the

: This model is not available in Europe. A good and inexpensive alternative would be the Panasonic ES-RF31-S

In a previous post from almost 5 years ago, I mentioned that the Panasonic Arc 4 shavers are probably the most underrated shavers that you can (still) buy today.

My stance on this hasn’t changed in 2023 and I still consider them to be very compelling as they offer fantastic performance for usually a fraction of the price of other high-end shavers.

That wasn’t always the case as they used to cost a lot in the past. Luckily the price has dropped significantly and the Arc 4 shavers now offer excellent value for money.

Granted, some of the Arc 4 models can’t be bought anymore, but the ES-LA63, arguably the most capable of the line, is still available.

The Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LA63 comes in two variations: silver (ES-LA63-S) and blue (ES-LA63AA) and it’s an electric shaver that I recommend quite often.

The Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc 4 is one of the best foil shavers for the money.

I own the silver version, but it shaves exactly the same as the blue ES-LA63AA. Also, the ES-LA63AA seems to be readily available in 2023.

Compared to other shavers in the Arc 4 line, the ES-LA63AA has a few advantages, at least on paper: a more advanced flexing shaving head with a second vibrating motor, a 14 000 CPM motor and (usually) a reasonable price.

While the real-world advantages of a more flexible head and of that second motor are questionable, the performance and excellent value for money offered by the ES-LA63AA are undeniable.

Side note: The Panasonic ES-LA93-K is an identical shaver, only that it comes in black and includes an automatic cleaning station. That one is a viable option as well if can find it at a great price.

But as I said previously, Panasonic razors are extremely easy to clean manually, so the station isn’t a must-have.

Cleaning the ES-LA63 manually is extremely easy, making the cleaning station almost redundant.

As the name implies, the Arc 4 models have 4 individual, slightly curved (ARChed) cutting elements, so that’s one less compared to the Arc 5 range.

The Arc 4 shaving head structure: 1) Cutting foils 2) Finishing foil 3) Slit foil

Even so, 4 blades are still plenty enough and together with that zippy 14 000 CPM motor (the same as the one in the Arc 5), the ES-LA63 offers top-notch performance.

As a result, there are only a few situations where an Arc 4 shaver wouldn’t be a suitable choice.

But let’s start with the good parts first.

Just like the Arc 5, the Arc 4 electric razors excel at two things: closeness and speed.

I can confidently say that an Arc 4 is the closest shaving electric razor in this price range — I’m talking about the mid-range segment with shavers like the solo Series 7, Series 8 or the Philips Norelco Series 6000/7000.

For the budget-conscious buyer that needs an electric razor capable of very close shaves, the ES-LA63AA (or any other Arc 4 variation with a 14 000 CPM motor) is probably the best option out there.

It’s just as impressive as the Arc 5 at cutting very coarse hairs and the massive shaving head allows you to shave very fast.

If you’re a complete beginner, the bulky head may seem cumbersome to use, particularly in tight spots, but you’ll eventually get used to it.

The shaving experience with the ES-LA63 is quite similar to the ES-LV65-S from the Arc 5 line.

A fifth blade only offers diminishing returns, but the Arc 5 is however a bit more refined and more comfortable.

To sum it up, the ES-LA63AA packs a lot of punch, is reasonably priced, easy to clean and will satisfy pretty much anyone who’s looking to get a very close shave without paying a premium price.

It will also work great when used as a head shaver.

Now, there’s no electric razor that does everything right and shines in every possible situation.

The replacement foils and blades set (part number WES9025PC) is priced pretty high compared to the competition.

Just like the Arc 5 and pretty much any other Panasonic, the Arc 4 is not quite as comfortable as a Braun Series 7 or 8.

This slightly aggressive profile is a side effect of that excellent closeness.

I currently have three Arc 4 shavers in my rotation: the ES-LA63-S, ES-LF51-A, and ES8243AA.

Unfortunately, the last two are getting very difficult to find nowadays (that’s actually the reason why I didn’t include them in the list).

To put things into perspective, I have sensitive skin and medium to coarse facial hair.

Panasonic ES-LF51-A (left) & Panasonic ES-LA63-S (right).

Using them dry can leave me with a rash and some razor burn on my neck if I’m not careful; adding a pre-shave to the mix does improve the comfort, but it’s still not ideal.

The only way I can get an irritation-free and very close shave with most Panasonic razors is by adding a shaving cream.

The ES8243AA however managed to be a bit more comfortable than the other two during a dry shave — mainly because the foils don’t get too hot.

But if you’re careful not to press too hard, the ES-LA63AA can be adequately comfortable as well.

I wanted to make this side note so you can decide for yourself if an Arc 4 would work well for you.

If you don’t have particularly sensitive skin, you should be fine using one wet or dry.

Another potential problem with the Arc 4 stems from Panasonic’s focus on closeness: it can miss those long, flat-lying hairs, especially on the neck or jawline.

Again, shaving more often can eliminate this shortcoming almost completely.

Despite having a vibrating motor inside the head that should help with catching longer hairs, it just doesn’t seem to work any better than the other Arc 4 models that lack this feature.

If your lifestyle doesn’t allow you to shave regularly, then a Braun Series 7/8 will probably be more suitable.

Also, if you shave daily and your beard isn’t particularly dense or rough, an Arc 3 like the ES8103S will probably be good enough.

The Arc 3 costs less and the replacement foils and blades are cheaper as well.

5. Braun Series 8 8457cc

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Very comfortable
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Similar to the Series 7 performance-wise
• Good value for money
• Useful cleaning station
• Suitable for medium to coarse beards

Cons

• Doesn’t shave as close as a Panasonic Arc 4
• Noisy during use
• Not as refined and enjoyable as a Series 7

Deal alert: If you don’t need a cleaning station, you can get the solo Braun Series 8 8417s that shaves exactly the same and costs less. It will even work with a station purchased later on should you change your mind.

Even though the Series 8 was launched almost 3 years ago, it’s actually the newest entry to my list of recommended shavers for 2023.

And that’s because until recently the number 5 spot was taken by the old Braun Series 5 generation, with shavers like the 5190cc, 5040s etc.

Unfortunately, Braun gradually phased them out in order to make room for the new (and inferior) Series 5 generation.

The new Braun Series 5 (left) next to the old Series 5 generation.

The old Series 5 was an excellent shaver that offered great performance at that price point.

It was basically a cheaper alternative to the Series 7 and it shaved almost as good.

However, it’s really difficult to find one now or it’s outrageously expensive.

Luckily, the Series 8 is a worthy alternative that excels at precisely the same things as the discontinued Series 5: comfort, ease of use, versatility (being effective on short and longer stubble) and value for money.

I’d go as far as saying that the Series 8 is basically a Series 5 with a larger battery.

If you look at them side by side, you’ll have a hard time pointing out the differences (except for the color):

The Braun Series 8 next to the old generation Series 5.

So where does the Series 8 sit within Braun’s current hierarchy?

At least on paper, it should be superior to the Series 7 (790cc). However, it is not.

The Series 7 is still the slightly better shaver (a bit more refined, comfortable and slightly more capable with longer, flat-lying hairs).

But the Series 8 is no slouch either and especially if you can get one at a great price, it’s an excellent performer.

The Braun Series 8 8370cc.

In the same way the Panasonic Arc 4 above is a budget-friendly Arc 5, the Series 8 represents a more cost-effective alternative to Braun’s original Series 7 models.

The Series 8 however appears extremely similar in terms of proportions, construction, and weight to the discontinued Series 5, but also to the Series 9:

The Braun Series 8 next to the Series 9.

With its mostly black or silver color scheme, the S8 is however more subdued and strictly from an aesthetic point of view, I think it’s one of the better-looking shavers out there.

The long hair trimmer, as well as the head locking mechanism of the Series 8,  are again the same as the ones on the Series 9.

This also means there won’t be any potential problems with the locking mechanism.

Upon taking a quick look at the actual shaving head of the Series 8, you’ll notice a striking similarity with the original Braun Series 7:

The Series 8 uses an identical setup, with three individual cutting elements: two finishing foils and one middle trimmer that captures longer hairs.

It’s therefore not a surprise that performance-wise, the Series 8 and 7 are quite similar.

While it’s not that obvious from the side-by-side shot above, the shaving head of the Series 7 is a bit more compact because the frame surrounding the foils is not as wide.

As a result, the Series 7 feels slightly nimbler during use.

As I mentioned earlier, the Series 7 is more refined, a bit more comfortable and slightly faster.

The Series 8 also vibrates more when cutting the hairs and makes more noise. But the final result, both in terms of closeness and comfort, is similar.

So if you found the Series 7 790cc to be a good match for your needs, but the price was more than what you were willing to pay or you couldn’t find one, the Series 8 represents a perfectly good alternative.

It’s widely available globally and you shouldn’t have any problems getting one.

There are quite a few variations of the Series 8 available and you can read my complete guide on that topic here.

The S8 8457cc (cleaning station) and 8417s (solo) seem to be the best options at this moment as they cost less than other Series 8 models and the shaving performance is identical.

I own the older S8 8370cc model, but the shaving performance is identical to the newer 84 models.

The Series 8 8370cc during the automatic cleaning process.

You can of course buy the older Series 8 models if you can find better deals (like the 8370cc or 8330s).

But if the price is the same, I recommend getting the 84 Series 8 (like the 8457cc) as it comes with a better cleaning station that also includes a fan for drying the shaving head.

Those stations are actually the same that come with the Series 9 93xx models.

The one included with the 83 cc models (like my 8370cc) lacks an active drying system.

However, all of them are equally effective at cleaning the shaver and use the same cleaning cartridges.

In the case of the 8370cc, the alcohol-based fluid will naturally evaporate from the shaving head within a few hours.

In my opinion this isn’t a big deal as you probably don’t need to use the razor again just hours after completing a shave.

You can also get a solo Series 8 model if you don’t want the station.

Cleaning it manually is fairly straightforward, but you should do it regularly to avoid dirt buildups inside the cassette.

Because the shaving performance of the Series 8 is similar to the Series 7, it represents one of the best choices for men with sensitive skin that are primarily interested in shaving comfort as opposed to getting the closest possible shave.

I personally find the closeness of the Series 8 and 7 to be good enough, but again, something like a Panasonic Arc 5 or even Arc 4 will provide a closer shave in most cases.

The Series 8 seems to be fitted with a similar motor to the one in the Series 7, so it will have plenty of power to shave coarse stubble.

It works great when used on shorter facial hair, so if you shave more often you should get excellent results.

I actually managed to get a really good shave even when I used it on a two or three days beard, so in my opinion the Series 8 works a lot better in these situations than any other similarly priced Panasonic for example (ie the Arc 4 and Arc 5).

That middle trimmer manages to catch stray hairs efficiently and with fewer strokes.

All Series 8 models are suitable for wet & dry use, but to be perfectly honest, shaving cream doesn’t do much for the Series 8 or 7 in terms of improving the results.

Braun shavers in general are very comfortable during a dry shave and the closeness won’t be improved to a significant degree in the case of a wet shave.

A pre-electric shave lotion would be a better option as it’s very easy to apply and you’ll likely notice a difference.

Regarding the costs, a cc Series 8 does quite well, even though recently the prices have gone up a bit.

The 8457cc usually costs less than a cc Series 7 (old generation) with similar specs and the replacement shaving head (83M) is also cheaper.

To save even more money, you could opt for a solo variation of the Series 8 like the 8330s or 8417s, but in my opinion, the cleaning station is worth spending a bit more.

Also, if you decide to get one later on, it will work with any solo Series 8 model (more details about the compatible Series 8 stations here).

To sum it up, the Series 8 is a more affordable Series 7 that really delivers on the expectations.

6. Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige SP9820

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Great for long, flat-lying hairs
• Close and comfortable shaves
• Suitable for coarse beards
• Can be used as a head shaver
• Excellent build quality

Cons

• A Panasonic Arc 4 or 5 will shave closer
• The Braun Series 7 and 9 are still more comfortable
• No integrated hair trimmer
• No cleaning station
• Pricey

Let’s now shift our attention to the first rotary razor on this list, the Philips Norelco Series 9000 Prestige.

While in the past I used to recommend the Philips 8900 due to its decent performance and excellent value for money, that model has been discontinued and it’s getting difficult to find nowadays.

So when it comes to great performing rotary shavers, we’re really only left with two options: the older Series 9000 and the Series 9000 Prestige.

Side note: There’s a new Philips Norelco Series 9000 9500 that also performs really well. But having used both, the Prestige still has the edge in my opinion (a bit faster, slightly closer shaves, better ergonomics).

And while the old Series 9000 is still a good option, especially considering the price point, I ultimately chose the Prestige as my rotary shaver of choice for 2023.

The Philips S9000 Prestige is arguably the best performing rotary shaver you can currently buy, so if you want the crop de la crème and money is not really an issue, this is the one to have.

There are some caveats of course and I will get to them as well, but first let’s see the pros of this shaver as they’re quite a few.

Being a rotary razor, the S9000 Prestige has some specific advantages over most foil shavers.

In my opinion, the most important one is the way rotary razors are able to capture and cut difficult facial hair. I’m talking of course about long, wiry, flat-lying hairs.

The shaving unit has three individual cutting heads that can flex inward and effortlessly adapt to the contours of the face.

The cutting heads of the Prestige models feature both holes and wide slots that capture long and flat hairs with ease, even if they grow in different directions.

By using a combination of circular and straight strokes, the hair can be captured very efficiently.

Being able to shave a 5 days beard without significantly compromising the experience is probably the most impressive thing about this razor.

Not only did it manage to cut the hairs, but it did so without any pulling, which can often happen when trying to shave a long beard.

Philips claims that it can handle a week’s worth of beard growth; I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it’s doable.

An advanced rotary shaver that handles long hairs is not really something out of the ordinary though.

In fact, even the older and less expensive models like the Philips 9300/9700 or 8900 performed really well in these situations.

What sets the Prestige apart though is the comfort.

In this regard, it is a massive improvement over pretty much any other rotary razor on the market.

It’s one of the very few rotaries that I would actually recommend to users with sensitive skin.

As I already mentioned, I always had to deal with irritation and razor burn and most rotary shavers would inflict some of that, no matter how careful and thorough I was.

My neck is particularly susceptible to this, so I was pleasantly surprised at how gentle and smooth the Prestige is.

The key is of course to use controlled, circular motions and, most importantly, not apply any pressure at all.

I tried to see how forgiving the shaver is and it turns out it’s not too forgiving — at least when compared to a Series 7 or 9.

The Series 9, Series 7 and Prestige side by side. Braun is still on top when it comes to comfort.

Pressing too hard or moving the shaver too fast will cause some stinging and even tiny nicks on my neck.

So while it is a comfortable and smooth shaver, it will fight back if you’re sloppy.

Just let the shaver do the work, take your time, and again, do not apply excessive pressure.

The closeness was again among the best I ever got from a rotary shaver.

Because the Prestige is very comfortable, I was able to be more thorough and really get a smooth shave without any stinging and rashes.

On the cheeks it was actually extremely good but could have been better on the neck and chin.

Overall I was pretty happy with the closeness, but the Prestige is definitely not the best in this regard.

A quality foil shaver will yield better results in most cases, with Panasonic being the best in my opinion.

Another aspect worth mentioning about the Series 9000 Prestige is the build quality.

It’s made out of an aluminum-like material and just oozes quality.

Compared to other Norelco shavers, it’s just in a different class.

Even the blade retaining rings are reinforced with metal and everything feels premium and very sturdy.

The battery life is fantastic as well.

Let’s now check out some of the cons and see when you should and shouldn’t get this shaver.

And I’ll start with the price as there’s really no other way to put this: the Prestige is an expensive shaver.

It’s probably the most expensive on this list and it doesn’t even come with a cleaning station.

Regardless of how useful a Philips cleaner would be, I think they should have included one with such a premium-priced product.

Cleaning the Philips S9000 Prestige.

Cleaning is pretty straightforward most of the time (involving rinsing the shaver with tap water and optionally some liquid soap), but it can be time-consuming and fiddly when performing a so-called thorough cleaning.

That involves taking apart each cutting head, cleaning the rotary blade and comb, and putting them back together.

The combs and blades are matching pairs, so you’ll have to take extra care not to mix them as the performance of your Prestige will take a hit.

So it’s a shame that Philips didn’t include a station (or at least a cleaning pod), but if you want the very best rotary shaver, you’ll have to shell out and overlook this.

And the thing is that the Prestige is better by quite a lot, which is why I ultimately decided to choose it over the regular (older) Series 9000 line.

I went with the SP9820 model which is widely available and doesn’t come with the gimmicky wireless charging pad (that model costs even more and can only be charged wirelessly).

If you shave less often and you have a lot of flat-lying hairs, this can be one of the best options for you.

Some men prefer to shave once or twice a week, which can be a problem for most electric razors out there, regardless of the price point.

The Philips Prestige can be a solution in that case.

Rotary razors are often considered to be better for coarse facial hair compared to foil shavers.

While I don’t agree with this as a general rule, the Prestige is indeed adequate for shaving thick, wiry hairs.

But if you’re interested in getting a very close shave, you should probably look elsewhere.

Again, the closeness is excellent for a rotary razor, but most quality foil shavers will outperform the Prestige in this regard.

Panasonic shavers are still on top and depending on your budget, an Arc 4 or Arc 5 will be a better pick.

Keep in mind though that they’re nowhere near as good with long and flat-lying hairs as the Prestige, so you’ll probably have to shave more often to compensate for that.

Finally, a Braun Series 7 or 9 is more comfortable, more forgiving, shaves closer and it’s still a better choice for users with very sensitive skin.

The Prestige can work decently in that case, but you’ll have to be more careful to avoid discomfort and irritation.

Unless you’ve used a rotary shaver before with excellent results, I think you should probably consider a Panasonic or Braun (depending on your needs). You’ll likely be saving some money as well.

To sum it up: a rotary razor like the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige can be an excellent choice for men that don’t shave often and have wiry, thick hairs that grow in different directions.

However, it may not be ideal if you have very sensitive skin or you want a very close shave. In that case, a Braun Series 7/9 or a Panasonic Arc 4/5 respectively will be more suitable.

7. Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Very close shaves
• One of the best all-around budget razors
• Fast and powerful, suitable for coarser facial hair
• High quality, sharp blades
• Excellent wet shaving performance
• Very easy to clean manually

Cons

• Not as comfortable as a Braun Series 3
• Replacement foils & blades are pricey
• Works best for shaving daily or every other day
• Not suitable for very sensitive skin
• No travel lock

Deal alert: If you can get it for less money, the newer Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K is a perfectly good alternative. It’s identical performance-wise but comes with an updated design, travel lock and two trimming attachments.

Stepping into the segment of more affordable electric shavers, we have the Arc 3 family from Panasonic.

As the name suggests, the Arc 3 electric razors have a three-blade shaving system with the same arched profile of the foils.

Panasonic Arc 3 shaving head (3 foil elements).

This is common throughout all the different Arc 3 variations.

What isn’t common though is the output of the motors that the razors are equipped with, ranging from 7 600 to 13 000 CPM (Cycles Per Minute).

It comes as no surprise that the ones fitted with the more powerful units perform exponentially better.

As a result, I highly recommend considering only those particular Arc 3 variants, like for example the ES8103S, ES-LT41-K, ES-LV67-A etc.

There are of course other Arc 3 models besides those that will perform identically, so as long as you see in the specs sheet that they use the 13 000 CPM motors, you’re all good.

My personal pick from the Arc 3 line would be the older ES8103S as it’s usually the most reasonably priced of them all.

Since we’re talking about an entry-level shaver, the cost should be a decisive factor when making your pick.

Despite looking a bit dated — it was launched 14 years ago — its performance is very similar to the newer Arc 3 models and they even use the same inner blades.

As a result, you should simply go for the one you can find at a better price.

And speaking of prices, the newer Arc 3 generation (the so-called LT Arc 3, with shavers like the ES-LT67) used to be very expensive at launch, but can now be bought for even less than the older models.

The Panasonic ES-LT3N-K from the newer Arc 3 generation.

Even though they represent an upgrade in terms of aesthetics, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them over the older ones — again, unless you can get them for the same price or even cheaper.

Performance-wise they’re not really an improvement over the ES8103S for example — on the contrary

As I said in the review of the ES-LT3N-K, they don’t actually shave better, the shaving head is bulkier and the new sensor technology is pretty much useless.

A new and unique addition to the Arc 3 range is the ES-LL41-K (or ES-LL21-K in Europe) which comes with two unique beard trimmer attachments.

The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K with the two adjustable combs for trimming/maintaining a beard.

You may or may not use them, but the shaving performance is identical to the ES8103S in case you can’t find it anymore.

Getting back to the ES8103S, I think it’s one of the best affordable foil shavers out there.

With a punchy motor (only slightly less powerful than the ones on the Arc 5 models), sharp blades and solid construction, it offers great performance and good value for money.

I previously mentioned that the Panasonic Arc 4 and Arc 5 excel at providing close shaves, particularly when compared to similarly priced foil razors from Braun.

This trait trickles down to the entry-level offerings as well, the ES8103S (and other Arc 3 models) being likely the closest shaving electric razors at this price point.

Again, as long as they’re not fitted with less powerful motors (like the ES-SL41-S Arc 3 that I reviewed a while back), all Arc 3 variations will offer similar performance.

So with regards to closeness, the ES8103S fares excellent, better than a Braun Series 3 for example or a similarly priced Philips.

The powerful 13 000 cycles per minute motor and the high-quality blades make it suitable for a coarser beard as well.

Shaving light or medium facial hair is a non-issue for the Arc 3.

When it comes to comfort, the ES8103S can cause some irritation if you have very sensitive skin or if you press too hard.

I find it to be just a bit harsher than the Arc 5 models and the foils can get a bit too hot after a few months of use which can cause some discomfort.

These shortcomings can be reduced by lubricating the blades on a regular basis and by using a pre-shave lotion.

But the most effective method is in my opinion the addition of a good shaving cream.

Again, I know most men will prefer to shave dry, but Panasonic electric razors perform the best out of all the brands during a wet shave, so at least give it a try if you’re not entirely satisfied with the comfort.

To get the most out of the ES8103S or any other less advanced electric razor, shaving more often would be a very effective solution (daily or every other day will yield the best results).

The ES8103S can usually be found at a reasonable price and you’ll often stumble upon great deals.

The replacement foil and blades set (model number WES9013PC) costs less than the 4 or 5-blade Panasonic parts and it’s widely available.

However, a Braun Series 3 replacement cassette is even cheaper and in my experience will last a bit longer as well.

The Arc 3 is an excellent choice for beginners because it’s dead easy to clean and to operate, it’s fully waterproof, the shaving head is quite slim and nimble and the shavers themselves can really take a beating.

One downside of the Panasonic ES8103S is that unlike newer Arc 3 models, it doesn’t have a travel lock.

But I don’t think that’s by any means a deal-breaker and since it’s usually cheaper, I still consider it to be the pick of the range.

If you have very sensitive skin you’ll be better off with a Braun Series 3 that you can buy for even less money and it’s more comfortable and forgiving.

8. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Inexpensive replacement shaving head
• Very good value for money
• Wet & dry use
• Excellent for beginners
• Better than an Arc 3 for longer, flat-lying hairs

Cons

• Doesn’t shave as close as a Panasonic Arc 3
• A bit underpowered for very coarse facial hair
• Works best when used on shorter facial hair
• Not as easy to clean compared to an Arc 3

The Series 3 is Braun’s entry-level family of electric shavers and a direct competitor to Panasonic’s Arc 3 line.

The highlights of the Series 3 shavers are the affordable price and the comfort during the shave.

Both the shavers and the replacement shaving heads (called cassettes, part number 32B/32S) usually cost less than the corresponding Arc 3 parts from Panasonic.

The shaving head of the Braun Series 3, with the typical 3 blade setup (2 finishing foils and one middle slit foil).

While the closeness is not quite as good, the Series 3 is slightly more comfortable and gentler to the skin compared to an Arc 3.

There are several Series 3 ProSkin models available, ranging from dry-only models that include a cleaning station (like the 3050cc) to wet/dry models like the 3040s or 3010s.

The Series 3 3040s Proskin (black & blue) alongside the Series 3 3050cc (black & grey)

My default recommendation for a Series 3 model is the Braun ProSkin 3040s as it represents a great balance between cost and features.

Alternatively, the cheaper 3010s that I reviewed here is also worth considering, but keep in mind that it doesn’t include a slide-out hair trimmer.

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3010s (front and back). You can notice the absence of the slide-out trimmer on the back.

So it’s basically a 3040s but without the hair trimmer. That’s the biggest (potential) deal-breaker in the case of the 3010s.

The prices and availability of these models tend to change a lot, so make sure to check out both before buying.

For example, if you can grab the 3040s for roughly the same money, definitely go for it.

The Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s with the integrated slide-out trimmer.

The 3010s and 3040s can be used wet or dry and the simpler shaving head is easier to clean manually compared to the Series 7, 8 or 9. So a cleaning station is not a must-have in this case.

Cleaning the Series 3 is pretty easy and straightforward.

Moreover, models like the Series 3 3050cc that come with a cleaning base cost quite a lot more.

Whichever Series 3 ProSkin you end up choosing, the shaving performance will be the same.

Selecting the best one for you should come down to the features that you’ll be needing (cleaning station, wet/dry capabilities, hair trimmer, etc.) and, of course, the price.

As with most electric shavers, the dry-only Series 3 models can also be operated when they’re plugged in, while the wet/dry ones cannot due to safety concerns.

If cordless & corded us is a must-have feature, you may want to check out the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s which is basically a dry-only 3010s.

All Series 3 razors will work best when used daily or every other day. Longer hairs will cause problems to most basic foil shavers, including the Series 3.

It is however noticeably better than the Panasonic Arc 3 in this regard.

Because it’s very comfortable, with the foils remaining cool during the shave, the Series 3 is a suitable razor for users with sensitive skin.

If you’re mainly interested in getting a very close shave, then a Panasonic Arc 3 will be better in most cases.

Finally, if you have very coarse facial hair, the Series 3 will eventually get the job done, but it’ll probably take you longer to shave and it won’t be that enjoyable either.

If that’s the case, investing in a more powerful shaver like the Braun Series 8 or a Panasonic Arc 4 would be a good idea.

9. Philips Norelco Series 3000 Shaver 3500

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Suitable for 1 to 3-day beards
• Close and comfortable shaves
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Durable & inexpensive shaving heads
• Great value for money

Cons

• An Arc 3 or Series 3 will shave closer
• No travel lock

If you don’t want to fork out for a Prestige, then you should really consider the new Series 3000 from Philips.

While there are a couple of other rotaries that fill the gap between the top-end Prestige and the affordable Series 3000 — like the new Series 7000 and 5000 — I would actually pick the Series 3000 over those any day.

There are a couple of reasons for that.

First of all, the shavers themselves and the replacement shaving heads are cheaper.

Secondly, the performance of those theoretically better shavers like the Series 7000 and 5000 isn’t really better.

In fact, I would argue that the Shaver 3500 and 3800 from the new Series 3000 are better in almost all regards.

The Philips Norelco Series 3000 (Shaver 3800).

The closeness and comfort are at least as good, while the form factor, ergonomics and ease of use are superior.

In my opinion that makes the new Series 3000 a much more compelling option for someone that needs a reasonably priced rotary shaver.

As a side note, there used to be another mid-range rotary from Norelco that I absolutely loved: the Series 6000.

That one was basically a budget Prestige that came with almost identical shaving heads (check out the side by side comparison shot below) and it shaved almost as good for a fraction of the price.

The SH60 blades (left) and the SH98 (right) used on the Series 6000 and Prestige, respectively.

Oddly, Philips decided to discontinue the Series 6000 after less than 2 years since this shaver was launched.

It used to be my default recommendation for an affordable, but still capable rotary.

But since you can’t get it anymore (or the cost is prohibitive if you still manage to find one), the new Series 3000 is the next best thing and in some ways, it’s even better.

The Philips Series 3000.

Just like the Braun Series 3 and the Panasonic Arc 3 are the go-to options for an affordable foil shaver, the Series 3000 is a worthy contender from the rotary camp.

There are two widely available models in this series: the Shaver 3800 (this is the one I got) and the Shaver 3500.

The only differences between the two are the color and a charging stand that comes bundled with the 3800.

Charging the Norelco Shaver 3800 via the stand.

As such, the Shaver 3500 usually costs less, so if you don’t need a charging stand, you might as well save some money and get that one.

Performance-wise, they are absolutely identical.

While its name and price would suggest a low to mid-range shaver, I think it punches way above its weight and it is in my opinion the most compelling mid-range rotary you can buy right now.

Precisely, the comfort and the closeness are surprisingly good.

Moreover, being a rotary, it deals with longer and flat-lying hair noticeably better than a foil razor that costs roughly the same — like a Panasonic Arc 3 or any Remington for that matter.

The way the Series 3000 handles difficult hair is pretty impressive, but that’s to be expected from a shaver of this type.

I wouldn’t say it was quite as good as the Prestige, but it will nevertheless be more than capable of shaving a 3 days beard.

The closeness of the shave was on the other hand typical for a rotary shaver, meaning not quite the best out there.

I found the Prestige to give a closer shave, but again, you should probably consider a foil shaver if closeness is more important than shaving a longer beard for example.

As someone that never really got along well with rotaries, the comfort of the new Series 3000 was remarkable during my tests.

I’d say it’s only second to the Prestige and to the new Series 9000 (that uses the single-blade SH91 blades).

If you don’t press too hard and don’t move the shaving head too quickly, it’s about as smooth as a Braun Series 3.

The Braun Series 3 3040s and the Philips Norelco Series 3000.

It’s got a decent amount of power too and will probably be good enough for users with moderate to coarser facial hair.

This is the only area where the top-of-the-line rotaries like the S9000 Prestige are superior, but also cost a lot more than the Shaver 3500 or 3800.

On the other hand, the Series 3000 manages to one-up those in other areas.

For example, it comes with a handy flip-open shaving head which is a lot more practical than having to pry it off with your fingernails.

And you’ll be doing this quite a lot when cleaning the razor.

Speaking of it, the Series 3000 is fully waterproof and you can easily rinse it clean with tap water. All the models are wet/dry, cordless only shavers, but the battery life is excellent.

I also prefer the shaving head and form factor of the Series 3000 to the Prestige, Series 9000, 7000 and 5000.

Precisely, it’s easier to use and more manageable for beginners, particularly when compared to the large angular slabs of the new Series 7000 and 9000.

The cutting heads themselves are also suspended on these tiny springs which are extremely responsive and really help maintain the guards in contact with the skin.

This is in addition to the flexing of the plastic holders in which the cutters sit.

For some reason, the high-end rotaries like the Prestige and Series 9000 lack these springs and they really are useful, not just some gimmicky features.

Finally, the Series 3000 has an integrated pop-up trimmer. And while it’s far from being the best (the Panasonic razors are in a different league when it comes to hair trimmers), it’s nevertheless handy for some quick grooming.

The replacement cutting heads (called SH30) are inexpensive and last a long time.

And despite using a single track, these cutters proved to be quite effective in practice.

To sum it up, the Philips Norelco Series 3000 is a great option for users that also sometimes shave less often and need a comfortable electric razor that can handle longer facial hair but don’t want to pay a premium for the high-end models.

Just remember that the closeness won’t be quite as good as what you’ll be getting from a decent foil shaver in that price range (like the Braun Series 3 ProSkin or the Panasonic Arc 3).

Also, if this is your first electric razor, again a Series 3 or the Arc 3 will probably be safer options (more on foil vs rotary shavers in the next section).

10. Philips Norelco Series 2000 Shaver 2300

See the price on Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable (for a basic rotary shaver)
• Very good value for money
• Suitable for 1 to 3-day beards
• Excellent rotary shaver for beginners
• Corded and cordless operation

Cons

• Doesn’t shave as close as an entry-level foil razor
• No travel lock
• Can feel underpowered when shaving a coarse beard

A best-seller in its category, the Philips Norelco Shaver 2300 is a basic, inexpensive rotary shaver suitable for dry-only use.

Tip: the European version is (oddly) called the Philips Series 1000 S1332/41. Despite what the model name might suggest, the shaver looks and performs identically.

The Series 2000 sits right below the Series 3000 in Norelco’s shavers hierarchy.

So in what way is it inferior, you might ask?

Well, after using both, I can definitely tell that the Series 2000 is fitted with a less powerful motor compared to the Shaver 3500/3800 in the Series 3000.

The Philips Series 3000 next to the Series 2000.

In practice, this translates to somewhat lengthier shaving sessions and a bit more work in order to get the same smooth result with the Shaver 2300.

I also find the Shaver 3500/3800 more enjoyable to use than the Shaver 2300 for precisely that reason.

The end result is extremely similar though.

That’s hardly a surprise since the Shaver 2300 uses the same SH30 cutters and everything about the shaving system is pretty much the same, including the tiny springs on which the cutters sit.

The Shaver 2300 does cost less and it will also work with the cord plugged in.

These are rather important aspects to some users and may tip the balance in favor of the Shaver 2300 despite the less punchy motor and a smaller battery.

Again, it all comes down to what would make more sense for your needs.

If you don’t have a coarse beard and don’t want to invest a lot in a shaver, the 2300 should be on your shortlist.

You can only shave dry with it though, but that probably won’t be an issue. It is however fully waterproof and can be rinsed with water.

Despite the fact that I would choose a foil shaver over a rotary one, during my time with the Philips Norelco 2300 I was impressed by how efficient it was at capturing and cutting longer, flat-lying hairs, particularly on my neck.

Usually the more advanced a shaver is, the better it will cope with difficult facial hair.

But a rotary razor, even a basic one like the Norelco 2300, can perform surprisingly well in a situation like this one.

While the closeness won’t be as good compared to what you’ll get from a Panasonic Arc 3, the 2300 will make it easier for you to get all those stray hairs that a basic foil shaver would sometimes leave behind.

The Norelco Shaver 2300 is also pretty comfortable during use (very similar to the Shaver 3500/3800), so it can be a viable choice if you don’t have very sensitive skin.

The 3-blade shaving head of the Philips Norelco Shaver 2300.

If you do, the Braun Series 3 ProSkin for example will probably be a better option for roughly the same money.

Even though it performs very well at this price point, don’t expect anything spectacular. The 2300 is still a no-frills, inexpensive rotary shaver.

If you want something a bit more powerful you’ll have to spend more, the next best thing being the Series 3000 above at number 10 on our list.

Other Series 2000 variations like the Shaver 2500 (S1311/82) come with the same shaving heads as the 2300.

Apart from a slightly larger battery or a better LED display, other Series 2000 models don’t really bring anything that would improve the performance.

For this reason, I think the Philips Norelco 2300 is the budget rotary razor to get in 2023.

The inclusion of a pop-up trimmer is definitely welcome; other more expensive razors from Philips like the Series 6000, 7000 or the Prestige come with a separate click-on trimmer (which isn’t very good, to be honest).

And while the one on this shaver isn’t anything spectacular (nowhere near as good as the one on the Panasonic Arc 3, for example), it’s again useful to have.

The SH30 replacement heads (that are also fitted to more expensive models in the Series 3000) are durable and reasonably priced.

For example, they cost less than the foils and blades of other entry-level shavers like the Braun Series 3 and Panasonic Arc 3.

To sum it up, if you’re looking for a very affordable electric shaver, you tend to shave less often and have wiry, flat-lying facial hairs, the Philips Norelco 2300 can be a good starting point.

If closeness is also important, I would get a Panasonic Arc 3/Braun Series 3 and try to shave more often.

Rotary vs foil electric razors: picking the right type for your needs

You may have noticed by now that there are a lot of foil shavers in this list and only a few rotary razors.

And while both can represent viable options in various situations, I think for most users a foil shaver will usually be a safer choice.

They exhibit fewer specific shortcomings and it’s easier to get around most of them.

In my opinion the foil vs rotary razors is a futile debate if we don’t take the context into account as well.

Just like we did previously for individual shavers, we can do that for foil and rotary shavers in general.

The Pros and Cons of rotary shavers

Most rotary shavers have three clear advantages over the foil type:

• they are better at cutting longer hairs
• the cutting heads usually last longer
• they are significantly quieter

I don’t know how important the last aspect is, but it’s the one thing we can objectively determine with a smartphone app for example.

And in that regard, the Philips Norelco Shaver 2300, probably the cheapest on this list, is also the quietest.

But the ability to capture and cut longer hairs is in my opinion something that rotary razors generally do better, regardless of the price point.

As we saw previously, some foil shavers are actually surprisingly good in this regard (for example, the Braun Series 7 and particularly the Series 9 and 9 Pro), but the rest of them will only perform well on shorter facial hair.

This is especially obvious with entry-level foil shavers, but sometimes even very advanced and expensive razors like the latest Panasonic Arc 5 are still nowhere near as good as similarly priced rotary shavers from Philips.

So if your budget is limited and you need a shaver that can handle a 3-day beard (or even more), you may want to consider a rotary razor.

As for which one to get, that really depends on your budget, so you can opt for an entry-level model like the Philips Norelco 2300, a mid-ranger like the Series 3000/6000 or a high-end shaver like the Series 9000 Prestige.

The Philips Series 6000 and the S9000 Prestige, two of the best rotary shavers you can buy at their respective price points.

I’ve read numerous comparisons of rotary and foil shavers and one aspect that constantly pops up is that rotary shavers are better for coarse hair.

In my experience, this is not exactly true.

Both can be just as good for coarse hair, but as expected, the very basic models will lack the power of the premium razors.

This will of course cause your shaving sessions to take longer and won’t be as enjoyable, regardless if you’re using a foil or a rotary shaver.

Let’s now take a closer look at the cons of rotary shavers.

Since the main advantages of foil shavers are the closeness and comfort of the shave, we can easily guess the main disadvantages of rotary razors.

Because of the very way they work, rotary shavers generally cannot shave as close or as comfortably as foil shavers.

The rotary cutters sit behind metal combs that are pretty thick compared to the perforated metal screens on foil shavers.

A comb and a rotary cutter from the Philips S9000 Prestige.

This creates a larger physical barrier between the blades and the skin. Philips tried to compensate for this by using a double-blade design for most of their shavers.

In theory, the first blade would lift the hair and the second would do the actual cutting.

The lift and cut system from Philips. Image credit: philips.nl

In reality, this doesn’t seem to work very well, even with high-end shavers.

Entry-level foil razors like the Panasonic Arc 3 or the Braun Series 3 ProSkin will usually shave closer and gentler than most rotary shavers (provided that your beard is reasonably short).

When using a rotary shaver that features this Lift & Cut technology, the first blade tends to yank the hairs and I can definitely feel it, especially when shaving my neck.

It’s very unpleasant and it can cause small cuts in the skin as well if tiny bits of skin tissue (surrounding the hair follicle) poke through the slots in the combs.

It’s one of the reasons why applying a bit more pressure generally leads to more discomfort when using a rotary shaver.

This is made worse by the very low speed at which the blades rotate (less than 1000 RPM compared to 10 000 – 14 000 CPM in the case of most foil shavers), increasing the chances of hairs getting pulled, so you must really take your time and don’t rush through a stroke.

Some users don’t seem to experience this type of discomfort and that’s great. Again, there are men that get fantastic results with rotary shavers.

But for someone with sensitive skin (and for the majority of users in general), a foil shaver is probably the safer choice.

With the latest Series 9000 Prestige and the Series 3000, Philips actually ditched the lift and cut technology and only used a single-blade design.

It’s the same story with the entry-level Series 2000 and 3000.

The result is a massive improvement in comfort, but the price of the Prestige models for example is very high and in my opinion a Braun Series 7/8 is still more comfortable, it costs a lot less, it shaves closer and also comes with a cleaning station.

I still decided to include the S9000 Prestige in this list of what I consider to be the current best men’s electric razors because it’s the most capable rotary shaver you can buy right now.

The comfort of rotary shavers can be improved with a few adjustments (pre-shave lotion, shaving cream, proper technique), but still not to the extent of representing a better option for someone with very sensitive skin.

The same goes for closeness — most users will have a better chance of getting a close shave with a decent foil shaver.

The Pros and Cons of foil shavers

In most cases, the pros would be the comfort and the closeness of the shave.

You probably agree that those are some pretty significant aspects.

I think most users, including those just getting started with electric shavers, will have a better chance of getting a satisfactory shave using a foil razor.

The Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 4, two foil shavers with 4 cutting elements.

The very thin foil screens allow a closer shave and because the blades oscillate at a much higher speed compared to a rotary shaver, there are fewer chances of pinching or pulling the hairs, which usually results in a smoother, gentler shave.

Another advantage that stems from this is that foil razors are more forgiving when you’re not too careful with your technique; for example, when pressing a bit too hard or when moving the shaver too fast.

There are of course foil shavers that are plain bad, but in the case of similarly priced, decent shavers, a foil razor will usually get you a closer and more comfortable shave.

Yes, a basic, inexpensive foil shaver will have trouble with longer, flat-lying hairs, but you can get around that by shaving more often.

A pre-shave lotion or shaving cream can help as well.

And finally, if your budget allows it, some foil-based razors are really good at this as well.

Braun is clearly on top here, with models like the Series 9, 7 or even the Series 8.

Most foil shavers are also easier to use and to clean in my opinion.

The shaving unit of most foil razors is comprised of 2 to 5 shaving elements.

These are narrow, straight foils or trimmers that allow greater precision and control, especially above the upper lip or around your sideburns.

A few 3, 4 and 5-blade foil shavers alongside a typical 3-blade rotary.

Even the Arc 5 with its behemoth shaving head takes less effort to shave those areas compared to any 3 blade rotary razors.

The use of short, straight strokes against the grain makes foil shavers suitable for beginners as well.

And with foil shavers, you also have a lot more options (Braun, Panasonic, Remington, Wahl, Andis), while you’re basically stuck with Philips if you want a decent rotary shaver.

Remington has a few rotary models as well, but I’ve tried several and I honestly cannot recommend them.

Finally, foil shavers aren’t perfect either.

For starters, they just don’t work very well on long facial hair (usually this means a 3-day beard or more, depending on how fast your hair grows).

As mentioned previously, you can get around this issue by shaving more often or by getting a more capable shaver.

Another problem is the heat generated during use.

Because the blades oscillate at a very high rate and they actually rub against the foils, some of them can get pretty hot.

Braun shavers fare very well in this regard, usually remaining very comfortable and cool to the touch. Panasonic and Remington foil razors tend to get hotter.

Lubricating can help with this, so you can use either a light oil or a special cleaning & lubricating spray. The Remington Shaver Saver works particularly well.

The foils and blades also tend to wear out faster compared to the combs and blades of rotary razors.

A foil is much thinner, the tolerances are tighter and the speed of the blades is a lot higher.

Finally, foil shavers vibrate more and are generally much louder.

This can be a real issue in several situations (for example, I get a lot of emails from parents of teenagers with autism that need a really quiet electric shaver).

There’s not much to do about it except getting a rotary shaver; that’s simply the best option in this case.

When should you pick one over the other?

I think we can conclude that overall, foil shavers have fewer serious drawbacks and most of them can be reduced to a minimum.

But again, your choice of a rotary or foil shaver should come down to your personal needs and what would work best for you, so we cannot simply postulate that foil shavers are better than rotary.

If I were to summarize this rotary vs foil dilemma, it would be something like this:

Buy a rotary shaver if you:

• Shave less often (every 3 days or more) and your budget is rather limited; an inexpensive rotary shaver will likely perform better than an inexpensive foil razor in this case;
• Don’t have sensitive skin;
• Need a really quiet electric shaver.

Buy a foil shaver if you:

• Want the best chance of getting a close and comfortable shave;
• Shave more often. Most entry-level foil shavers don’t perform very well on longer, flat-lying hairs; if shaving more often is not an option, spending more money on a Braun Series 7 or 9 is well worth it;
• Have sensitive skin;
• Have never used an electric shaver before. I think foil shavers are easier to use, clean, and care for, making the transition from razor blades a lot smoother.

Is it better to shave wet or dry with an electric razor?

This continues to be one of the most popular questions when it comes to electric shaving.

And the answer is a bit more nuanced and not as straightforward.

Both methods have their own pros and cons and one may be better than the other depending on the situation.

You can also alternate between them and that’s a perfectly viable option as well.

1. Shaving dry with an electric razor

The most popular way of using an electric razor is the so-called dry shave.

And it’s exactly what it sounds: you just pick the shaver and start shaving right away, without any additional prep work.

Granted, you can apply a pre-shave lotion for example and I think doing so is actually beneficial in most cases, but that’s still practically 0 overhead and no preparation.

And that’s why shaving dry is so popular: it’s quick, effective and cleaning your shaver takes less time.

The downside? Difficult facial hair (very coarse, wiry) and sensitive skin, along with a less capable shaver can make things more difficult for the user.

For example, several Panasonic and Philips shavers are a bit harsh when used dry and can cause some razor burn.

The same shavers are however milder and more forgiving in the case of a wet shave.

In some cases, the closeness of the shave will also be improved with the addition of a good shaving cream, although the improvement can vary quite a lot among different users.

The actual electric razor matters as well.

For example, in my experience, any closeness gains as a result of using a Braun razor with shaving cream aren’t really worth the trouble.

And the comfort should already be good enough even for men with highly sensitive skin.

Personally, I always shave dry with Braun electric razors as they’re good enough in all the areas that matter (comfort, closeness, effectiveness when shaving flat-lying hairs).

The Braun Series 7 and Series 9, two of the best men’s razors for shaving dry.

That doesn’t mean other brands or types of shavers can’t work well when shaving dry, especially if you don’t have any serious issues with post-shave irritation.

But I think using a Braun razor for shaving dry is a safe bet.

Also, compared to other foil shavers (Panasonic, Remington), Braun is better at catching the clipped hairs inside the head.

When I shave dry with a Panasonic razor, there’s significantly more mess on my t-shirt, forearms and on my face as well.

The clipped hairs on the face can actually be annoying as you can’t always tell them apart from a patch that still has uncut stubble.

This is yet another reason why I tend to grab a Braun razor when I want to shave dry.

If you don’t have a cleaning station, the cleaning part is also less of a burden.

A quick rinse with warm tap water can be enough.

No soap also means you can get away with lubricating your shaver less often.

If you use shaving cream, cleaning with soap is a must, otherwise the lather will solidify and remain stuck in the nooks and crannies of the foil.

I would however recommend cleaning your razor with water and soap every once in a while, even if you only shave dry.

To sum it up, considering the decent results and the minimal work involved, I think a dry shave will work best for most users as the default way of shaving.

2. Shaving wet with an electric razor

The prospect of lathering probably doesn’t sound too appealing for someone that ditched the razor blade for an electric shaver.

And it’s totally understandable.

A wet/dry electric shaver will however allow you to use pretty much any of the (pre) shaving products you’d normally be using in the case of traditional shaving.

These include shaving creams and soaps, shaving gels, pre-shave oil or even pre-shave creams.

And the purpose of all that is to make your shave better — closer and more comfortable.

So what is normally recommended for an old-fashioned wet shave, like washing your face with a mild cleanser and warm water, hot shower beforehand, hot towel on the face and so on, is still recommended here.

The only difference is that you’ll be using an electric shaver instead of a manual razor.

In my opinion the only tweak you’ll need to make in order to get the best possible shave is with regard to the lather.

Precisely, the consistency.

With traditional wet shaving, you’ll want that nice, rich, cushioning layer of lather.

With wet electric shaving, that type of lather will likely be detrimental to the quality of your shave.

Moreover, you’ll have a hard time assessing the areas that need more passes.

Instead, you only need a thin layer of watery, pasty lather. Palm/face lathering works best in this situation.

Further reading: I wrote a dedicated guide on how to wet shave with an electric razor. I highly recommend checking it out for more info.

While it takes longer than a dry shave, the results can be quite astonishing.

For example, if you have a really coarse, thick and dense beard and you’re usually having trouble with getting a close shave, this may be the answer.

I don’t shave wet too often anymore (because of time constraints), but I do treat myself every once in a while or when I have an event to attend, like a wedding or a more formal dinner.

For me, a Panasonic Arc 5 (or an Arc 6) + shaving cream is unbeatable. The closeness is just phenomenal and the comfort too.

A rotary wet/dry Philips Norelco will also work impressively well.

As mentioned previously, with other shavers (Braun) the differences aren’t really that impressive.

Apart from wanting to get a closer shave, men with sensitive skin should also consider wet shaving, especially if using the shaver dry often results in irritation and razor burn.

I hinted at the downsides of wet shaving before, so no surprises here: it’s time-consuming.

The prep, the shave itself and the more thorough cleaning required all add up.

But in some cases, it’s totally worth it.

Cleaning an electric razor after a wet shave needs to be pretty thorough.

I prefer to use warm water and liquid hand soap as this is highly effective.

If you also have a cleaning station, you should rinse and pat dry the shaver before putting it into the station.

The lather can lead to pressure buildup inside the cartridge (mainly with Braun stations) and the solution will not last as long and you’ll need a new cartridge sooner.

In case of a manual clean, soap also strips away any lubricant, so you will need to oil your shaver after every soap + water cleaning.

You can use either a light mineral oil (like clipper oil) or a spray lubricant for electric shavers.

Further reading: How and when to lubricate your electric razor.

So wet shaving isn’t intrinsically better than dry shaving (and vice versa) and you should just stick to the one you prefer and that gets you the best results.

How much should you pay for a good electric razor?

Usually, you should expect to pay anywhere from $40 for an entry-level electric shaver to around $300 for a high-end model like the Series 9 Pro.

That said, what constitutes an expensive or a cheap electric razor is relative.

But what is pretty clear though is that some shavers offer better value for money than others.

The above top 10 list of recommended men’s shavers includes the ones I truly consider to be the best in that regard as well.

For example, the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65-S shaves almost the same as the latest, but significantly more expensive Arc 5 models.

So it makes perfect sense to recommend it over other similar variations.

But if you don’t mind paying more for nicer features that don’t really improve the performance, like an aluminum vs plastic body or a hard leather case vs a soft pouch, then you should get a newer model.

I won’t be mentioning explicit price points as I don’t think my idea of a cheap or expensive shaver is very important or relevant.

What truly matters is being able to decide when upping your budget will be worth it.

For example, if you have very coarse, thick stubble, buying a Panasonic Arc 5 instead of an Arc 3 will probably be worth the price difference.

Likewise, if you have very sensitive skin and often have to wait a couple of days or even more between shaving sessions, getting a Braun Series 7 instead of a Series 3 will be money well spent.

On the other hand, even an entry-level foil shaver will be enough for men with light beards and getting something like a Braun Series 9 Pro for example would be overkill.

Of course it will still work great, but so will a cheap Series 3.

I tried to emphasize precisely these situations for every shaver I mentioned, so hopefully you’ll be able to buy the one that makes more sense for your needs.

The cost of the shaver itself but also of the replacement cutters/foils should cater to various budgets.

How to get the most out of your shaver

Now that you’ve hopefully settled on a shaver that seems suitable for your needs, it’s time to put it to good use.

While this won’t be a comprehensive how-to guide, I’ll try to outline the most important aspects of using an electric shaver and getting the best possible results.

This often comes down to making slight adjustments to your shaving routine/technique in order to compensate for certain shortcomings of the shaver.

As we saw, almost every electric razor has its pros and cons and we just have to pick the one that checks most of the boxes for our needs.

In no particular order, here’s how to use your shaver the right way.

Get the basics right.

Apart from choosing a suitable shaver, these will likely have the biggest impact on the quality of your shave.

• Always shave dry before washing your face or taking a shower.
• Always shave against the grain.
• Do not apply excessive pressure and use controlled, slow strokes to avoid hairs getting yanked and pinching.

Make sure your facial hair has a reasonable length.

I’ve seen quite a few user reviews accompanied by photos of nicks and bloody faces, stating that a particular shaver is absolutely horrible and it will just shred your face to pieces.

But almost all of these reviews had something in common: the users were trying to shave a half-inch beard. With an electric shaver.

I cannot stress this enough, electric shavers are NOT hair trimmers and are only intended to work on short facial hair.

Apart from a couple of models like the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige and even the Braun Series 9 that can handle longer hairs (4 to 5-day beards), most electric shavers will only perform optimally on short stubble.

So if you haven’t shaved in a long time, definitely use a beard trimmer beforehand.

Shave more often if your shaver struggles with flat-lying hairs.

As mentioned throughout this post, some electric razors, especially the less advanced models, can sometimes miss hairs that lie flat on the skin.

The problem becomes worse as the length of the hair increases, so shaving more often could result in better performance.

Braun and Philips shavers are quite good at cutting difficult hairs, so this mainly concerns Panasonic and Remington foil razors.

Use a pre-shave lotion to improve the comfort and closeness of your shave.

Generally, an electric razor that’s able to shave extremely close won’t be that great for comfort — and vice-versa.

In order to address this without adding too much overhead to your dry shaving routine, a high-quality pre-shave lotion is the way to go in my opinion.

They’re fairly inexpensive and take literally seconds to apply.

You should notice an improvement especially if you use a less capable electric shaver like the Braun Series 3 or Panasonic Arc 3.

It can also help with flat-lying hairs.

My current picks for pre-shave lotions are the ones from Speick and Tabac.

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After testing pretty much all the popular pre-shave brands out there, these proved to be the best in terms of effectiveness, quality, fragrance and even cost.

Allow your skin a few days to heal if you suffer from severe post-shave irritation.

Subjecting your skin to another shave while it’s still tender will just make things worse.

Instead, you should wait at least a couple of days between shaving sessions.

A gentle shaver that can handle longer hairs would make the most sense here. Depending on your budget, you should consider a Braun Series 8, 7 or 9.

Avoid switching back and forth between an electric shaver and a razor blade.

Some men prefer to use razor blades for that really close shave, but also grab an electric shaver when they’re in a rush and just need a quick dry shave.

This is not ideal and should be avoided.

A razor blade will scrape off a thin layer of skin cells which triggers the body to produce scar tissue.

It takes a few weeks to get rid of it and during that time you won’t get the best results with an electric shaver.

This is why all electric shaver manufacturers state that you should allow your skin a few weeks to get used to the new way of shaving.

So it’s best to simply pick one method and stick to it.

Clean your shaver after every use and lubricate the cutters regularly.

While you don’t have to be extra thorough every time, make sure to clean your shaver after every use.

Most shavers are waterproof and can be simply rinsed with water.

Lubrication is also vital to the shaver’s performance and longevity. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.

If you use a cleaning station regularly, there’s no need for additional lubrication.

Get a spray cleaner & lubricant.

They’re fairly cheap and can work wonders in several cases.

Apart from cleaning and lubricating the blades, a spray cleaner will also remove mineral deposits and stubborn dirt.

This will reduce the friction between the blades and the foils/guards, thus generating less heat during use and increasing the lifespan of the cutters.

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You can use the spray in addition to your usual cleaning and lubricating routine.

As for which spray cleaner to choose, the Remington Shaver Saver and the Andis Cool Care Plus are two great options (widely available and inexpensive).

Make sure the battery has enough charge.

With some shavers, you will experience a performance drop once the battery charge goes below a certain threshold.

This is generally the case with older or entry-level electric shavers.

You’ll want to have at least 30% battery charge in this case, otherwise you will likely experience some hair pulling and the closeness of the shave will suffer as well.

Modern batteries aren’t affected by the memory effect like the old NiMh/NiCd batteries, so you can charge your shaver as often as you need.

Cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize.

A great shave starts with a healthy skin.

And men’s skincare is actually extremely simple. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Cleanse your face daily with a mild face wash. My favorite is the fragrance-free and inexpensive CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser;
• Exfoliate twice a week. Dead skin cells will clog the hair follicles and cause breakouts, so you must get rid of them. Since electric shavers don’t exfoliate your skin, it’s recommended to do it yourself in order to preserve a healthy skin;
• Use a hydrating, moisturizing balm after every shave. Yes, you still have to do it. You can check out a list of my current picks here.

If you have any serious skin conditions, make sure to check with your dermatologist before making any significant changes to your routine.

Final word on choosing the right shaver

This pretty much concludes my take on the difficult task of recommending an electric razor.

I tried my best to stick to the models that provide great value, not just hype.

After all, if several electric shavers offer almost identical performance, it makes perfect sense to recommend the one that costs less.

That was the reasoning behind selecting these particular shavers; however, if you can get a great deal on a different model that also meets your requirements and you know it performs similarly, then by all means you should get that one instead.

Some of these shavers will be discontinued or updated at some point. And as we saw, an update can be anything from a minor visual overhaul to a completely new shaver.

I will update this list on a regular basis to keep it relevant to the ever-changing market of electric shavers.

I truly hope that this method of determining what’s the best electric shaver for your needs will streamline the process and make it less of a chore to decide what would really work great in your case.

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