Best Men's Electric Shavers

Types of men's electric shavers

There are 2 main types of electric shaver: foil shavers and rotary shavers. So, are foil shavers better than rotary shavers?

Foil shavers

Foil shavers have angled blades that pull hair beneath a perforated foil screen and then cut them.

Rotary shavers

Rotary shavers have rotating circular blades (usually 2 or 3) that cut the hair.

Neither type is better than the other - what’s right for you will depend on your hair type, your shaving needs, and your personal preferences.

What to look for in an electric shaver

Performance

Some brands will advertise the minimum length of hair that a shaver can cut - some say they can cut hair as short as 0.05mm long. Some brands will also talk about a shaver’s performance in terms of the number of cutting actions they make (some make up to 40,000 per minute).

It’s difficult to cut through the noise and read past big claims, but in a lot of cases, generally, the more you pay, the better results you can expect.

Features

There are some additional features that can help make your electric shaver easier to use.

• Beard trimmer: Sometimes we don’t always want a close shave, which is why a hair trimmer attachment that lets you cut to a certain length can be a useful extra to have.
• Precision trimmer: This is usually a T-shaped blade that lets you remove unwanted facial hair with more detail, letting you easily get rid of hair in places such as around the lip, nose, and chin.
• Body groomer: This attachment is designed to shave or trim body hair.
• Flexible blades: A flexible shaver head or blades helps you easily shave more uneven surfaces, such as around the neck, helping you achieve consistently close results.
• Cleaning brush: A cleaning brush is used to brush away hair, dead skin, and other kinds of debris from your blades.
• Battery indicator: A battery indicator lets you know when it’s time to give your machine a charge, so you’re not left hanging mid-shave.
• Quick charge: This lets you charge just enough for one use, so you can quickly get the job done even if you’ve forgotten to recharge.
• Travel case: This makes taking your shaver out and about simple.

Wet and dry use

Some electric shavers can be used both wet and dry - this means that they’re either 100% waterproof and can be used in the shower, or are suitable to be used with shaving gel, balm, or foam (or both).

Ensure you consult the product manual or manufacturer website to double check whether a shaver can be used wet - some recommend against completely submerging a device, even if it’s advertised as waterproof.

Power source

Most electric shavers are battery operated rather than mains powered, as this lets you more easily move the shaver around the face, travel with the shaver, and in some cases, lets you use it in the shower. They can also often still be used when they’re plugged in and charging.

Make sure you check whether a shaver’s running time suits your shaving needs - some run for at least 60 minutes without needing another charge.

If you’re looking for a corded model, you can choose between either a solely mains-powered model, or a mains rechargeable model that works on a battery when it isn’t plugged into a socket.

Cleaning and maintenance

If you’re considering buying an electric shaver, then you should know what kind of care they need, as some people find that regularly needing to clean and maintain their device doesn’t suit their routine.

Different shavers will have different recommended cleaning methods, but generally speaking, you’ll need to do the following:

• Clean. Brushing away the buildup of hair, dead skin, and other things caught in your shaver’s blades daily can help maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. If your shaver doesn’t come with a cleaning brush, then you can use a toothbrush to brush away debris.
• Lubricate. Oiling and lubricating your blades help keep them working as well as they did when you first bought them.
• Sanitise. Use a blade spray every few days to disinfect your shaver, keep it clean and reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Some pricier models even have a self-cleaning and lubricating stand that does most of the work for you.

Are electric shavers worth it?

Electric shavers for men can cost anywhere from $20 to upwards of $700. The more you fork out, the more likely a shaver will be 100% waterproof, have a durable battery, a self-cleaning system, and different attachment heads for you to personalise your shave.

Because the blades of electric shavers get dull, you’ll need to replace them every now and then - manufacturers will often recommend you replace these anywhere from every 6 to every 18 months. Ensure you consider the ongoing costs of buying new blades - as well as the availability of any spare parts you may need - before committing to a shaver.

For many, electric razors for men are considered a worthwhile investment because they’re considered easier and quicker to use, and may be more cost-effective than continuously buying disposable manual razors.

However, this depends largely on whether a shaver’s performance and features suit your shaving needs, so it’s a good idea to weigh your options carefully before settling on a specific model.