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How to buy the best men's shavers and razors

Electric or manual hair removal? Find a smooth operator.

mens electric shaver

The age-old battle for domination of the shaving cabinet continues, with electric shavers versus razors getting both camps in a lather. Maybe you're thinking it's time to cut the razor and switch to electric, but you're not sure if the other side of the fence is smoother? We explain the pros and cons of each type and what to look for.

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A man will spend an average of five months of his life shaving and with that much time spent in front of the mirror, it's no surprise you'll want your shaver to be convenient, easy to use and tame your beard quick smart. And being hair-free doesn't come cheap. Electric shavers can cost more than $500. Disposables may seem like a cheap option, but they sure add up when you're using them every single day.

Each system has its pros and cons, and most often it will come down to personal preference. But with comfort and cost at stake, read on to find out which method is for you.

Electric or razor?

The main differences between shaving methods come down to convenience and price.

Electric shavers are convenient and mess-free. They can come with a range of features like multiple shaving heads, cooling heads, sonic vibration and shaving sensors that determine differences in beard density and adjust the power accordingly. A good shaver is less likely to leave nicks and razor burn than a razor. But the initial outlay can be expensive, especially if you find you don't like electric shavers. You'll probably only need to replace the head every six to 12 months, but this can cost around $50 or more for the more expensive models.

Razors are cheaper, they often give a closer shave, and there's no need to recharge. But they're messier to use and more likely to nick or cut the skin. You're also locked in to a brand's blades – which is tricky when you go shopping and can't remember if you have a Fusion, Mach, Hydro or Quattro, or if you're just getting confused with Transformer toys.

Either way, comfort is a personal thing. Some men find the electric shaver more comfortable, others the razor. Often it's just down to what you (and your skin) are used to. Whatever you decide, you need to give your skin time to adjust to the change.

Electric shavers: What to look for

Like their manual competitors, electric shaver manufacturers are always looking to add new features to their models. Multiple pivoting shaving heads, a cooling head to soothe the skin, sonic vibration to help lift and capture more hair, and variable levels of shaving intensity are some of the features you'll find.

Rotary or foil?

Rotary shavers use two or three rotating heads to lift and cut the hair. Foil shavers use oscillating blades beneath a perforated foil to cut the hair. Each type is said to train hair to grow in a particular direction, so if you're switching from foil to rotary or vice versa, give your face at least a month to adjust - similarly when switching from a manual razor to an electric shaver.

Power options

  • Cordless shavers are by far the most popular type. They are convenient to use, and often can still be used when they're plugged in for recharging.
  • Mains operated shavers only work when they're plugged into a power point, making them less flexible, and they are of course unsafe to use in the shower. There aren't many such models still on the market these days.
  • Battery shavers (powered by replaceable batteries such as AAs) are convenient if travelling in areas where power sockets will be hard to find.

Cordless models are more convenient than having to plug your shaver in to a power point. Some models use a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery which is fine but lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are becoming more common and may last longer. An indicator that tells you how much battery is left is handy, or at least a warning light when the battery is running low. But if the battery goes flat, most new models will have enough power for at least one shave after only a few minutes of recharging.

Wet and dry options

Give you the option to shave with or without water. Waterproof cordless models (often called wet and dry) can be used in the shower. They can also be used for shaving with water or a shaving balm, oil or foam to ease irritation.

Cleaning features

All shavers will require manual cleaning to some degree and cleaning under water is enough for the most part. If you don't think you need a wet and dry shaver, at least make sure you can clean the shaver under a running tap. Some come with a brush to remove hair and then there are shavers that come with a cleaning dock where the shaver cleans itself while recharging. Other models we've seen have a sonic vibration cleaning mode feature.

Pivoting heads

Adjust to the curves in your face and neck to assist shaving.

Trimmer

If you like to style your moustache, beard or sideburns, this feature is essential. A trimmer can be attached to the shaver or come on a separate head.

Low battery indicator

Is a helpful visual indication that it's time to recharge the battery.

Head tilt lock

Locks the shaver head in position (either a single position or multiple positions). It can be particularly useful when shaving hard to reach areas.

Razors: What to look for

Razors with reuseable handles and replaceable blades are called shaving systems. Most of these come with three, four or five blades, and some also come with a trimmer blade on the back of the blade cartridge.

Disposable razors are sold in multi-packs and are significantly cheaper than shaving systems. Disposables range from cheap and nasty versions that may leave you reaching for the band-aids, to models with multiple blades that deliver a similar quality shave to the one you'd expect from a razor shaving system.

Here are some more features to look for in your razors:

Multi-blade = better results

Razors with three or more blades are likely to give you a closer and more comfortable shave than razors with just one or two blades. More blades give the razor the best chance of shaving closely and cutting as many hairs as possible.

Powered vs manual razors

Battery-powered razors with oscillating blades look impressive, but we haven't found they work any better than standard manual razors.

Lubricating strips

Lubrication strips soothe the skin after the blades have shaved the stubble. Some of the disposable razors with a lubrication strip can deliver just as good a shave as a cartridge razor system but make sure they have multiple blades and a swivel/pivoting shaving head.

Trimmer blades

Trimmer blades are useful if you need to trim around sideburns or a beard. Guards beneath the razor blades also help to smooth the skin before the blades cut the stubble.

Cost

Electric shavers range in price from around $50 for a basic model, up to over $600 for a premium model. In our tests, we've generally found that a good shave doesn't come cheap.

A pack of disposable razors can cost less than a dollar per razor, but avoid the cheapest disposables if you want a close and comfortable shave.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.