The Best Electric Razors For Men Based On Rigorous Testing

Here’s a confession: As precious as I am about all things grooming, I do not love every aspect equally. Namely, I loathe using a manual razor to shave my face. Sure, it feels nice to have a baby-smooth mug, and I’ll set aside the fact that I just look and feel better with a little stubble or more. Whenever I shave—and when I’m not otherwise testing manual razors for work—I always prefer an electric shaver. I love that they eliminate the worries that come with a manual shave: ingrown hairs, razor burn, bumps, irritation and so forth.

The best electric razors for men can even replicate the manual blade’s precision; sure, they’re not technically as close as an actual cartridge or safety blade shave, since those ones breach the surface of the skin. But given how much faster it is to tidy up with an electric razor, I don’t mind having to shave a day sooner in order to maintain that smooth finish. After 6 weeks of extensive testing, I chose the Braun Series 9 Pro 9419S Electric Razor as the best overall winner and the BaBylissPro Barberology GoldFX Double Foil Electric Razor as the top value pick. (Read my in-depth reviews of the Braun and the BaBylissPro shavers here.)

Over the course of several weeks, I tested eight worthy contenders to land on the very best electric … [+] razors for men.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

The major contenders for best electric shavers for men are mostly those bigger name brands you might recognize and may have spotted in my review of the top beard trimmers (you know, the Wahls, Panasonics, Brauns and Philips Norelcos). It takes a lot of technology, research and quality materials to go to bat in this game, so the key players tend to be those stalwart brands—even more so than with beard trimmers. My testing for the cream of the crop focused largely on newer models, and I landed on the following winners in the electric razor race:

My Expertise

I’ve been covering grooming for 10 years, and for numerous outlets. Besides Forbes, I write for GQ, Men’s Journal, SPY, Robb Report and more. There’s a good chance I’ve helped you make an informed grooming purchase or taught you how to look after yourself (like beard trimming or choosing the best moisturizer for your skin type) or perhaps clarified the benefits of a specific skincare ingredient. Even while currently based in Germany, I receive dozens of products a week from the latest U.S. brands, which I am constantly trialing in order to stay on top of the latest and greatest industry happenings. My own face, hair and body are more or less a testing lab, all for the benefit of readers like you.

For this piece, I also tapped into the expertise of three grooming professionals, all sources I work with often to get the best intel on these topics. For this article in particular, they gave advice on how to clean and maintain electric razors, how different versions offer specific results (like rotary razors versus foil razors) as well as shopping guidance for buying an e-shaver. The three experts are Ryan Gonzalez, cofounder of Church California grooming goods and Church Barber in San Francisco; barber Eric Becker of Blind Barber in Philadelphia; and celebrity groomer Melissa DeZarate.

My testing for the cream of the shaving crop focused largely on newer models from Braun, Panasonic … [+] and more.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

How I Tested The Best Electric Razors For Men

Here are the top factors I weighed when choosing the best electric razor, in order of importance. (Though they’re all paramount—let’s not forget.) My partner tested the devices as well, to double the efforts and to measure them against his thicker stubble and more sensitive skin.

• Performance Efficiency: Of the tested devices, seven of the eight gave me a super-smooth, even shave. I tested each of them on 1- and 2-day stubble (since that’s usually the cutoff for using an electric shaver without first requiring a beard trimmer). However, the bar was set by those devices that gave me the cleanest results on the first pass, requiring the fewest repeat passes despite my hair growth patterns changing all across my face. On that note, remember not to be fooled by advertising ploys: You’ll see a lot of numbers from these big brands around how many cuts per minute they can administer, but this is fairly nominal, because obviously the more blades it has, the more cuts it can technically administer. You don’t need some 80,000 cuts per minute. You need an efficient, powerful first pass. Don’t get distracted by the numbers; more isn’t always better.
• Power And Longevity: The best electric shavers should last long on a full charge, and they should cut with some serious muscle, too (which more or less supports the first bullet on my checklist). And though a near 7-hour runtime is impressive (that’d be the Panasonic Arc6), there is a threshold for what is necessary to be a top-tier pick, and what is a bonus on top of that. For example, my top pick, the Braun Series 9 Pro, still impressed with a near 5-hour runtime. Both take just shy of an hour to charge.
• Ease Of Use: I look at ease of use in two ways. First, is the device intuitive for first-time users? Are its functions obvious and practical? Secondly, does it glide easily across the face? That maneuverability (and flexibility, where pertinent) plays a big role in this scoring category.
• Durability: I may have accidentally dropped one of these on my hard tile floor—and it showed neither damage nor wear. Now, I didn’t proceed with a drop test for the rest of them, but you can also feel quality in your grip. In large part, I picked a high-quality group of shavers, with one exception (because I wanted to see if the Hatteker could surprise me). So you won’t hear a ton about durability in this article, since the names Braun, Philips Norelco, Panasonic, Wahl, and BaBylissPro are more or less synonymous with quality, especially at this price point. Let’s call it a barrier of entry for competing.
• Additional (Nonoptional) Features: Most of these devices have add-on features like charging stands or self-cleaning stations. Those are helpful, but I’m not grading on those curves. Instead, I’m considering the built-in (nonoptional) features, like a trimming extension, a travel lock, the number or variety of shaving heads, LED display and so on. And yet one of my top picks, the BaBylissPro, doesn’t have any such bonus features. It’s an incredibly durable, powerful, close-shaving workhorse—and a beautiful one at that. It scored so well in all the other realms of consideration. Thus, this fifth bullet is important, except when it’s not.

Best Electric Razor For Men Overall

An Ultra-Close Shaver That Wins Where It Matters Most

Amazon

Braun Series 9 Pro 9419S Electric Razor

Key features: Two foil shavers and two crossbar/lifting shavers, protective SkinGuard bar, auto adjustments for thicker beards, flexible head and razors, head-locking switch to limit movement as needed, pop-up trimmer, LED battery display | Tested charge time: 1 hour | Tested runtime: 4 hours 55 minutes | Tested 5-minute quick-charge runtime: 6 minutes | Wet usage: 100% waterproof | Optional add-ons: Charging and cleaning station, leather travel charging case | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• Mimicking an ultra-close manual shave
• Precise trimming and tidying facial hair perimeters
• Shower shavers or those who prefer using shaving cream
• Those who want a tricked-out device with features that matter

Skip if:

• You shave infrequently or sparsely; this one really rewards the person who loves to be clean-shaven

While Braun’s Series 9 Pro shaver didn’t get the gold medal in any duration-tested category, in terms of runtime or charge time or performance on a 5-minute quick charge (the Panasonic Arc6 really swept those categories), it performed better where it matters most. Chief among the reasons, it indisputably delivers the closest shave. As in, I felt like I had shaved with a manual razor whenever I used it, and I actually needed a post-shave application to calm the skin. (It didn’t irritate or anything, but I could feel its presence in that refreshing, baby-smooth sense, as if I had just used a blade directly on the skin.) Electric razors should rarely (or dare I say, should not) give you this sensation, since they have a natural buffer between blades and skin. But Braun’s device is truly next-level in that way.

In my testing, the Braun Series 9 Pro indisputably delivered the closest shave.

ADAM HURLY FOR FORBES

And as for numbers: There’s nothing paltry about a runtime of 4 hours 55 minutes (on a 60-minute charge). I do wish it had a better quick-charge performance, as it ran for only 6 minutes on a 5-minute charge. Still, should it ever actually hit 0% battery (which I doubt you’d ever let it do), you could probably still do a full shave in that 6-minute window, since this thing gave me the best clean on a single pass compared to all other options. I even tried it on 4-day whiskers one day (which is a no-no if you want an efficient shave), and it mowed through probably 75% of them on the first go.

The Braun’s pop-up trimmer is especially handy for drawing clean lines around the perimeter of your … [+] facial hair.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

This one also has a useful suite of features, most notably a terrific detailing trimmer. I don’t think Braun even advertises it as a detailer, since these trimmers are designed to spot-check strays or trim away too-long stubble prior to shaving. But because Braun’s trimmer rises above the device head, it is terrific for drawing clean lines around the perimeter of your facial hair (should you want a manicured mustache but to shave the rest, for example).

Best Value Electric Razor For Men

A No-Frills, High-Powered Pick

Amazon

BaBylissPro Barberology GoldFX Double Foil Electric Razor

Key features: Two foil shavers, auto-locking lid, charge indicator light | Tested charge time: 2 hours 20 minutes | Tested runtime: 3 hours 10 minutes | Tested 5-minute quick-charge runtime: 5 minutes | Wet usage: Rinseable head, wet shave okay | Optional add-ons: None | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• A straightforward, efficient and ultra-close shave
• Infrequent shavers and travelers
• Those who only shave their necks
• Flashy Dopp kits—that gold metal casing is eye-catchingly beautiful

Skip if:

• You want bonus features beyond the simple shave

When you think of “best value,” you may think it means “the most options for less money.” And while BaBylissPro’s beautiful, gilded foil shaver is one of the less expensive options from my roster, it also has the fewest features. In fact, it shaves with only two foil heads. So how did it get the distinction in this category?

The BaBylissPro electric razor is ideal for the person who needs a reliable device but doesn’t need … [+] the bells and whistles.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

If you find yourself needing a shaver that provides a razor-close finish but doesn’t feel like a handheld Tesla, then you’ll want this one. (Funny enough, it still looks like a Ferrari.) BaBylissPro’s shaver is terrific for paving pristine necklines, periodic all-over cleanups and on-the-go necessities. In short, it’s perfect for the person who needs a reliable device but doesn’t need the bells and whistles. That person is going to get the same value out of this device—namely, an efficient and razor-close shave—without having to spend $300.

Besides looking good, the device itself is very durable—surviving a drop test without a scratch.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

And for what it’s worth, that sexy gold shell is strong. It’s got some serious heft, weighing in at 12.1 ounces, but I might have accidentally dropped it on my hard tile floor. (Not because it’s slippery, but because I was carrying far too many things and didn’t secure it.) I dreaded looking down at the device once I heard it crash, and yet, nothing—no damage. The lid popped off, and that’s it. Not even a scratch or a dent on the shell.

Best Rotary Electric Razor For Men

A Must-Own Device For Coarse, Unruly Or Ingrown-Prone Whiskers

Amazon

Philips Norelco 9800 Electric Razor

Key features: Three rotary panels, flexible head and panels, device locking function, pop-up trimmer, OLED battery display | Tested charge time: 1 hour | Tested runtime: 2 hours 55 minutes | Tested 5-minute quick-charge runtime: 3.5 minutes | Wet usage: Rinseable head, wet shave okay | Optional add-ons: Cleaning and charging station | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• Thick hairs, awkward growth patterns and ingrown-prone stubble
• A broad pop-up trimmer for drawing clean, straight lines
• Those who want to shave parts of their facial hair—but not all of it
• Those who want to shave less frequently (every 3 days or so)

Skip if:

• You need to shave daily
• You want an ultra-close shave

Rotary razors get an unfairly bad rap in the e-shaver game. That’s because they don’t typically cut as close as foil heads. But why is that a negative? In fact, some guys prefer this, particularly those who have curly, coarse and ingrown-prone stubble. These devices—and best of all, the Philips Norelco 9800—glide seamlessly around the contours of the face, while the panels and head flex every which way. This makes it easy to cut sporadic growth patterns (for the guy whose whiskers angle every which way when they grow out).

The Philips Norelco 9800 is especially great for those with curly, coarse and ingrown-prone stubble.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

What makes this the best rotary razor in the game goes beyond this effective trimming. You’ll also get a super-close shave on the first pass, no matter how difficult your hair tries to be. It’s among the more intuitive devices, and its OLED screen easily guides you on locking the tool between uses. Its pop-up trimmer rises high enough in the back (and far enough away from the body itself) to allow for good detailing visibility. And because of the spacing of each panel, this device is far and away the easiest to rinse and maintain—another benefit of rotary head designs, in my opinion.

The Philips Norelco’s pop-up trimmer rises high enough in the back to allow for good detailing … [+] visibility.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

Lastly, if my partner were writing this article, the Philips Norelco 9800 rotary razor would be the top winner. He’s got thicker whiskers and more stubborn stubble than me (not to mention a lower pain threshold when it comes to shaving, so he appreciates the less-close finish). He has thus staked his claim in this tool, while I’m territorial about the Braun and BaBylissPro.

Best Upgrade Electric Razor For Men

A Boundary-Pushing, Standard-Setting Shaver

Amazon

Panasonic Arc6 Electric Razor

Key features: Four foil shavers and two crossbar shavers, flexible head and razors, head-locking trigger to limit movement as needed, pop-up trimmer, LED battery and cleanliness display | Tested charge time: 49 minutes | Tested runtime: 6 hours 55 minutes | Tested 5-minute quick-charge runtime: 64 minutes | Wet usage: 100% waterproof | Optional add-ons: Cleaning and charging station | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• Big numbers; this device runs on “more is more,” with its industry-high six-razor head, a nearly 7-hour tested runtime and an impressive 22-position head pivot
• Those whose shave pattern is inconsistent, as this device can lift and cut errant hairs
• A zero-to-60 quick charge; or rather, 64 minutes, per my test after a 5-minute charge

Skip if:

• You prefer a more basic or streamlined device
• It’s too much of an investment

There is no denying the power and prowess of Panasonic in this category. If this contest were The Hunger Games, then the Arc6 would be those intimidatingly muscular and skill shooting contestants from the early districts—the ones who have been training their whole lives for this moment. And while many people would bet their money on the Arc6, I do think its power lies most within its impressive runtime and quick-charge metrics. Look: The brand advertised a 1-hour runtime, yet I was getting nearly 7 hours. Granted, if the device were flush against my whiskers for that long, adjusting its cutting strength and demands as it mowed through hairs, then maybe it wouldn’t last quite as long. But surely, it would still blow the competition out of the water. (The next two closest models in my testing, the Braun Series 9 Pro and the Panasonic Arc5, lasted 4 hours 55 minutes and 4 hours 50 minutes, respectively.) Plus, a 5-minute quick charge is advertised to provide 5 minutes of shaving time; my 5-minute quick charge generated 64 minutes of runtime.

The Panasonic Arc6 has a slew of features—a six-razor head, nearly 7-hour tested runtime and an … [+] impressive 22-position head pivot—to make it worthy of the best upgrade razor award.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

Performance-wise, this thing will reward you for your investment. It didn’t leave the skin as tingly as the Braun did, but both of us could still run our hands with the grain of the stubble and feel the total smoothness of our faces. Between my partner and me, I’m the one with a more unruly facial hair growth pattern, and I found this one adept—perhaps marginally better than the Braun—at tackling errant hairs in a single pass. To be fair, though, the Arc5 did the same, and with one less foil blade. So if you choose the Arc6 over the Arc5, it’s for those impressive metrics that blow every other device out of the water.

I found the six-razor head to give ultra smooth results.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

Panasonic’s latest device is worth the money. It’s setting the standard for other brands and far outpaces its predecessor, which itself remains one of the best in class. But I found that it gave me a slightly less-close shave than the Braun, and at the end of the day, that was the most heavily weighted scoring category. But when you tally everything else, it makes perfect sense to put your money behind the sheer bar-raising muscle here.

Other Electric Razors I Tested

For this story, I rounded up the top dozen devices based on research, reviews, reputation and conversations with my most trusted barber and grooming sources. I narrowed that list down to the eight most likely contenders, including the four distinct picks above. Below are the other four products I tested, along with overall thoughts on each device.

Andis Resurge Electric Razor: Andis is a barbershop staple, and the Resurge is one of its newest offerings. I find it wonderfully straightforward, with its two flexible foil heads and a crossbar blade, but it doesn’t have the same pivoting powers or sheer muscle as the other horses in this race. It placed in the lower middle of the pack across tested charge time, runtime and 5-minute quick charge. Still, it remains a favorite of the pros, and that counts for a lot: “The Andis Resurge is the foil shaver in my current lineup,” says Becker. “It’s super comfortable in hand and offers a very close shave, either with a warm, wet face or completely dry. I also like that it uses a USB-C charger, so it’s great for when I travel and sharing with other devices.”

Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor: This is the one older model I allowed into the contest; all the options on this list are predated by slightly less powerful options, since technology is constantly raising the bar. I primarily included the Arc5 for two reasons: Firstly, because the Arc6 is so new and is currently the most expensive device on the list, the Arc5 serves as a worthy side-by-side comparison (to see if it makes sense to upgrade from the latter’s five-blade head to the Arc6’s six). Secondly, DeZarate trusts the Arc5 for her A-list clientele. “There’s never any irritation, which my clients love,” she says. “I know there are bells and whistles that aren’t necessary, but this is the most luxurious shaver with the tightest shave. This is also the only shaver that I will let a client use when we’re on set and they have a 5 o’clock shadow popping up.”

So my Arc5 conclusion is nuanced: If you want a five-star device that is next to perfect, then the Arc5 is yours for the taking. But the Arc6 does outperform it across the board, in terms of once-over tidiness and in all the tested timings. The newer device lasts about 40% longer, charges just a few minutes faster and blows the Arc5 out of the water on that 5-minute quick charge (64 minutes versus 39). Still, 39 minutes on a quick charge takes the silver medal in this contest, and given the price, the Arc5 is one of the best buys since it also competes closely with the Braun and Philips Norelco devices I tested. Still, when all these top brands are delivering such high numbers, I think the most important factor is that once-over cleanliness and even the detailing trimmer, and the Braun really does outperform both Panasonics in this regard. Does the Arc5 have my endorsement? Absolutely. But it’s a close contest, and it just didn’t eke out the ultimate win.

Wahl Professional 5-Star Series Shaver: Another pro-grade foil shaver, Wahl’s would be my top pick for on-the-go usage, since it is so lightweight despite managing some heavy lifting. (In fact, it’s nearly half the weight of its closest comp, the BaBylissPro GoldFX shaver, at 6.6 ounces compared to the GoldFX’s 12.1 ounces, according to my measuring.) And while I appreciated its LED status bars and relatively quiet trimming, it just didn’t have the same muscle, lasting power or once-over cleanliness that others on the roster provided (including that same gilded competitor). In fact, it had the worst runtime of all eight competitors (87 minutes), and by 28 minutes at that. Still, it has the fastest charge and the third-longest runtime on a 5-minute quick charge (at 11 minutes; granted the top two, the Panasonics Arc5 and Arc6, were a massive 39 and 64 minutes, respectively).

Hatteker Electric Razor: Hatteker was a write-in on my final ballot of competitors, if only because it was the underdog in my best beard trimmers story, where it sailed to a best value beard trimmer victory. Sadly, this electric razor was nowhere near the front of the field here, and its low cost reflected that (as opposed to upending the race like that beard trimmer did). Compared to the other main rotary shaver in this race—the Philips Norelco—there was no contest in terms of muscle, efficiency and once-over tidiness. And it tied for the second-worst runtime, at 1 hour and 55 minutes, but took twice as long to charge as that same device. On top of that, its 5-minute runtime on an equal amount of quick charge was paltry; you could not have shaved anything with that weak effort. Pass.

How To Pick An Electric Razor For Men

There are a few things that separate the best electric razors from the pack. Here are the standards you should hold them to, with insights from the grooming experts I interviewed.

Foil Vs. Rotary Shavers

While there is a general consumer preference for foil shavers over rotary ones, rotary options are still optimal for a certain group of users. Foil shavers tend to cut near to the skin’s surface, replicating the manual shave more closely (literally), Becker notes. Foil shavers are better for sensitive skin and for short stubble, though the proximity of the shave can also necessitate a soothing post-shave cream. On the other hand, rotary shavers are better for shaving select areas of the face and for trimming hair that grows in all different directions, since you use it in circular motions to nix all those errant hairs. Rotary shavers are better also for hair that is slightly longer, like 3 days’ length (though it’s recommended to try to shave every day or every other, for the easiest job).

Rotary shavers, like the Philips Norelco 9800, are especially good for shaving select areas of the … [+] face and for trimming unruly hair growth.

Adam Hurly For Forbes

Cordlessness

No excuses here; your electric razor should absolutely have cordless use. These aren’t barbershop hair clippers (which are usually cordless these days, too). Even the most powerful electric shavers can hold a good charge for 2 to 7 hours without needing to be plugged in. They’ll get hot, and no you won’t ever need them to run for 2 hours (much less 7) on end. But you should be able to get a half dozen or more sessions on a single device (even the lower-cost ones) without requiring a recharge.

Battery Life

Look for 30-plus minutes, minimum, but ideally upward of 60 or 90 minutes. Again, the best ones will last months on end without needing a re-up. All of my top four picks in this list range from 2 hours 55 minutes (the Philips Norelco 9800) to 6 hours 55 minutes (the Panasonic Arc6). Know that the bar is high in this category.

Waterproofness

“Waterproof” means different things to different people, but when you see it on a product’s packaging, it likely means that the device is 100% waterproof. If you see only “wet/dry usage” listed, then it is probably merely rinseable and suitable for use with a shaving cream. At the very least, your device’s head should be able to rinse cleanly under running water, in order to mitigate bacterial accumulation and hair buildup. It’s a bonus, though, if the tool can handle shaving in the shower (meaning, it’s fully waterproof) or being used along with shaving cream or a similar product. “Shaving cream helps pre-soften the hair and allows the blades to cut more easily,” Becker says. “Usually people with coarse hair or difficult growth patterns fall into this category.” If you do shave in the shower, though, be careful about your grip; the device’s longevity won’t hold up if you keep dropping it.

Additional Features

Your electric razor doesn’t need to have any attachments unless you want it to perform multiple functions. For example, some have swappable heads for trimming or detailing longer hairs. The bestsellers tend to have a pop-up trimmer that allows for drawing clean lines or spot-check trimming prior to shaving down. But that’s secondary to the primary task at hand—shaving cleanly and efficiently.

What Is The No. 1 Rated Men’s Electric Shaver?

According to my research, testing and expert intel, the Braun Series 9 Pro 9419s Electric Shaver is the best yet. The waterproof, cordless foil razor uses proprietary technology to sense beard density and adjust its power accordingly. The versatile tool also has a pop-up trimming and detailing head to cover all your hair cleanup bases. “The Braun Series 9 Pro has been the go-to professional shaver for a while,” Becker says. “Its ease of use as well as charging and [optional] self-cleaning stand make it hard to beat. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth, as the build quality lasts a while. If you’re ever getting sticker shock, just remind yourself what 5 years’ worth of razor blade cartridges would cost you.”

Which Is Better, An Electric Razor Or Manual Blade?

Depending on your needs, it can be beneficial to keep both an e-shaver and manual blade on hand. Becker recommends electric razors for those concerned about ingrown hairs. “It’s easier and tends to be faster. Plus, if you are looking to maintain your beard and neckline, you are less likely to cut the wrong hair,” he says. If what you want is a speedy cleanup—and a nick-, bump- and irritation-free shave at that—then you need an electric razor. However, if you find that you shave infrequently or prefer a closer shave, opt for a manual blade.

What Is The Best Type Of Men’s Electric Razor, Rotary Or Foil?

Rotary and foil shavers both provide an exceptional shave, but each has its own characteristics. If you have longer and thicker hair or like to go days in between shaves (2 or even 3 days, for some guys), then a rotary razor is best. It’s also good for those with coarser beard hair, thanks to the circular heads that easily maneuver tougher hair patterns seamlessly. Foil shavers add a precise method of hair removal that’s especially ideal if you have fine to medium strands.

DeZarate prefers to use foil shavers on her clients because of the closeness the foil heads allow; on a red carpet or in an editorial shoot, that nominal difference can be big, especially if the client is in public for half a day or more. If you do choose a rotary shaver, she advises staying on top of the blade replacements in order to prevent hairs snagging in dull blades after extended use.

How Do You Wet Shave?

There are a few definitions of “wet shave”: One is when you shave in the shower itself (often daily and from memory, not requiring a mirror); typically, this is okay only if the device is listed as “waterproof.” Second would be when you shave on a damp face without any shaving cream. Third is when you do add shaving cream or a similar agent to help soften stubble and soothe the skin.

While an electric shave is never going to give you the same irritation threats as a manual shave, some guys (particularly those with thick, coarse hair) still find it more tolerable when they cushion the skin with some kind of product like this. In the event of this third option, using a lightweight shave agent (like a clear gel or a shave oil) makes it easy to track progress and see the stubble as you shave. And make sure that stubble is no longer than 1 or 2 days long when doing this. “Just remember to splash cold water on your face, and use an aftershave to prevent irritation,” Becker says.