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How we test men's electric shavers

We use lab testing and a user trial to score a range of men's electric shavers.

man using electric shaver HWT
Last updated: 16 August 2018
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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

Do you find shaving to be a hassle? Or do you like to tame and style your beard to keep you looking cool and fresh? A man will spend an average of five months of his life shaving, so it's no wonder you're looking for a shaver that's easy to use and comfortable too. 

For our electric shaver reviews, we put each model through performance testing in our CHOICE labs, and conducted a user trial to find out how easy they are to use. 

Our expert testers

With 10 years of testing experience, our tester Matthew Tung is passionate about determining a product's technical performance. He tests a wide range of products in the CHOICE labs from cots and strollers to electric blankets and blood pressure monitors. He also sits on Australian Standards committees. 

How we choose what we test

With so many models to choose from, what makes us choose one men's shaver to test over another? As with most of our product testing, our aim is to test the most popular models on the market and what you're most likely to see in the retailers.

We survey manufacturers to find out about their range of models, we check market sales information and we also check for any member requests to test specific models. From this information we put together a final list that goes to our buyers. They then head out to the retailers and purchase each product, just as a normal consumer would. We do this so we can be sure the products are the same as any consumer would find them and not 'tweaked' in any way.

How we test

Lab component

Our tester assesses each shaver's battery operating time and charging time in the lab. The results of these measurements form our battery score.

He also puts each shaver through a drop test.

User trial

We recruited 22 CHOICE staffers to help us determine how easy each electric shaver was to use. Triallists used several shavers twice (on one-day beard growth and on three-day beard growth) and answered a range of questions relating to how comfortable the shaver is to hold, how heavy it felt, how easy it is to read and operate the controls, and how much shaving pressure is needed during use (a high score for shaving pressure means the shaver was excellent). We also asked them how their skin felt after using each shaver. 

Test criteria explained

The overall score is made up of:

  • Ease of use (50%)
  • Skin feel (40%)
  • Battery performance (10%)

Ease of use is made up of:

  • Hold comfort
  • Heaviness
  • Easy to read controls
  • Easy to operate controls
  • Shaving pressure

All these aspects are weighted equally.

Our test lab

Our test laboratory is up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools for our testers to bring you the right results.

We care about accuracy. See something that's not quite right in this article? Let us know or read more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.