The 23 best electric shavers for a clean-shaven dream: Tried and tested by GQ's grooming editors

Skip to: How we test the best electric shavers | Which electric shaver brand is rated the best? | Is an electric shaver better than a razor? | Which is better a foil or rotary electric shaver? | How do you use an electric shaver? | Do you use shaving cream with an electric shaver? | How often should you shave with an electric razor? | Do I need to clean an electric shaver? | Can I use an electric shaver on my body? | Can I use an electric shaver on my head? | How much should you pay for a good electric shaver? | How often should I replace an electric shaver? | GQ's pick of the best grooming guides

Scroll on for GQ’s pick of the best electric shavers in 2024…

Best overall electric shaver: Braun Series 9 Pro

Braun Series 9 Pro

£540 £260

Amazon

Pros: Cleaning and self-sharpening charge station | Leather travel case included | Exceptional shaving
Cons: Very expensive

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

The cream of Braun's shaving crop, the Series 9 Pro represents the absolute pinnacle of modern grooming equipment, though it comes at a steep cost for the pleasure. It's basically a level up on the Series 9 further down on this list, with all your favourite features making a comeback with a bang, but this time, it's got an additional shaving feature for a deliciously close shave across multiple hair types, a longer battery, a precision trimmer for finer detailing, and a more robust chassis (to last you five years on the warranty – and that's an awful lot of shaving).

Our own testing was truly a spectacle, which isn't often a word you'd use to describe your morning routine. It's incredibly soft and sensitive to your skin, delicately plucking out the hairs –even ingrown hairs if that's an issue that blights you – with the fie-blade foil system that senses the density of your scruff before lifting and slicing with expert efficiency. It's so smooth and close to your skin, you'll only need to make one pass on each cheek for the hairless face you've been hunting for all these years.

You'll also get a delightfully useful cleaning cartridge, sharpening tool and charging station rolled into one; a triple-threat combo that clears the blades of gunk, lathers them up for next time (with an added zesty aroma) and ensures it's fully topped up on battery for the next session. If you can afford the steep cost, it's the best shaver around.

Read GQ's Braun Series 9 Pro review

Best foil shaver: Manscaped The Handyman

Manscaped The Handyman

£70

Amazon

Manscaped The Handyman

Pros: Fully waterproof | Great for trimming down longer hair | Included magnetic protection cover
Cons: Quite noisy

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: No
• Charging stand: No

Have you ever wanted to own a grooming tool that's named after some gardening gear? Granted, it's not a very common fantasy, but Manscaped fulfils it for the few who like that sort of thing, with yet another quality shaver. The Handyman is an all-round shaving dream if foil razors are your chosen weapon against the onslaught of unwanted hair, with a powerful motor that powers the blade to revolutions of 9,000 per minute. The independently-moving foil strips can adjust and flow with the contours of your face for an even shave throughout, and it's surprisingly comfortable to use, despite its diminutive stature.

Sure, it comes with a hefty cost and it's known to produce quite a loud buzz as you get on with your routine, but then again, so does your lawn mower, and you probably still use that at least once every few weeks.

Best overall electric shaver: Braun Series 9

Braun Series 9

£130 £85

Amazon

£120 £80

Boots

£119 £80

Braun

Pros: Sleek looks | Improved head for lifting tricky hairs | Five-minute quick charge
Cons: Expensive | Expect more than a charging stand at this price

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

Ever a byword for German efficiency, Braun's top-tier shaver prioritises comfort above all else with a multi-directional swivelling head and two titanium-coated trimmers for optional wet & dry shaving. That hard-to-reach scruff you just can't get shot of? It'll be gone with a couple of flicks of your wrist. Of course, you'd expect as much given the fact that this shaver costs double the price of most other entries on this list – even if it is available for a near-constant discount from its claimed starting price right now.

That extra expense shows in its suitably weighty design and added directional flex, not to mention fancy micro-vibration technology. The latter is also known as Sonic Technology, which uses improved vibrations to help you shave up to 10 per cent faster compared to the last generation Series 9. Did it work? It was the equivalent of paying some highly skilled samurai to precisely remove every strand of our hair: both elegantly and efficiently done.

Our only real gripe is the lack of any extras like a cleaning station, considering the price you'll be forking out for it. Still, if that's the sort of extra you'll never actually use, you can be content knowing that you've got one of the best shavers on the planet sitting in your bathroom cupboard.

Remington ONE Head & Body Electric Shaver

Remington One

£79 £51

Amazon

£100 £66

Argos

Pros: Cleaning and self-sharpening charge station | Leather travel case included | Exceptional shaving
Cons: Very expensive

• Shaver system: Foil and blade
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

There's plenty to be said for an all-encompassing tool of magic and wonder, right? A device that can complete many tasks with confidence and capability is worth a dozen devices, but what truly sets Remington's One apart is that it's incredibly affordable for all the fun it offers. At £50 it arrives with no fewer than 10 attachment heads for you to explore and play around with, from a cross-head blade for beard edging and detailing to the foil razor that we used to clear up debris and stubble after we'd tidied up our facial fuzz.

But it's so much more than that, as we could clear up our eye brows and nose hair and, while we're at it, chop down our sideburns or spend some time clearing up the body hair we didn't want sprouting out. There aren't many devices that offer this level of value.

Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold PRO

Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro

£140 £110

Amazon

Pros: Small form factor | Water resistant | Four flexible rotary heads | LED LCD display
Cons: Better suited for head shaving

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 90 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

Looking for the sophisticated ‘hairless dome’ look? Not all men like wavy locks on their head and a chinful of beard, so what they should be looking for is a shaver that can tackle both the top and bottom of your head with similar verve. Skull Shaver's Pitbull Gold Pro is ostensibly a head shaver, designed specifically to eradicate stray wisps from the top of your head thanks to the concave head that features four flexible rotary heads for optimum skin coverage.

However, it's also perfectly adept at shaping up your jawline, with skin-safe blades to quickly clear up unwanted hair without damaging skin. Its unusual design lends itself to ergonomic performance, and is meant to be gracefully held between fingers like a delicate glass of wine.

A 90-minute runtime leaves wiggle room to shave carefully without the fear of running out of juice, and it can cope with a shower shave thanks to the IPX5 water rating.

Wahl Lifeproof Plus

Wahl Lifeproof Plus

£90 £59

Amazon

Pros: Sturdy | Reasonably affordable | Rubber texturised grip
Cons: Not as well-rounded as other options at this price point

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 90 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

We cannot overstate how important it can be to find a grooming device that's so robust and so good at its job that you really have no other reason to buy anything else. Wahl's Lifeproof plus lives by that sentiment, with the sturdiness of an iron dwarf and the blades of a shaving demon.

A waterproof foil model that is, according to Wahl, largely indestructible, while you're unlikely to be using it in a warzone or actively attempting to demolish as you groom, it's nice to know it won't combust in your hands. This lends itself to its long-term credentials, as it's also an incredibly accomplished shaver, with an ergonomic design, a 90-minute runtime and a floating foil system that delivers an even spread of shaving without irritation.

Remington X7 Limitless

Remington X7 Limitless

£169 £84

Amazon

£85

Argos

£85

Boots

Pros: Slimline, ergonomic design | Flexible, self-moving rotary heads | Pop-up trimmer included
Cons: A bit basic for the price

• Shaver system: Multi-head rotary
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

Front and centre of most men's grooming priority list is convenience. It's all well and good enjoying a tool that can whizz around your body and trim every hair you have to offer but, in most cases, you really want a specialist tool that does a good job and is easy to use for a reasonable price.

In steps Remington's X7 Limitless, a triple-head rotary blade that prioritises simplicity over party tricks. That's not to say it doesn't have a few accoutrements to its main course, as it's got a pop-up beard trimmer to tidy up the edges on your beard, and the 360° pivotball head makes it surprisingly easy to shave those sharp contours of your jawline, but you can rest assured your basic beard-trimming needs will be handled with ease.

The downsides? We didn't like the reasonably short 60-minute run-time, and we could definitely do with a travel case for when we take it on our travels, but given it's at half price for under £100 across most retailers, these gripes are easy to ignore.

Read GQ's Remington X7 Limitless review

Best self-cleaning electric shaver: Panasonic 900+

Panasonic Series 9000 Shaver

£300 £160

Amazon

Pros: Superb performance | Cleaning/charging stand | Suitable for thick hair
Cons: May be bulky for some

1. Shaver system: Foil
2. Battery life: 50 mins
3. Waterproof: Yes
4. Charging stand: Yes

It might be a little bulkier than some of the other offerings on our list, but you'll easily forgive the ES-LV9U for its stature once you've experienced just how well it performs. Among the most powerful and well-equipped shavers on the market, the 900+ is armed with six blades that sit beneath a foil to lift, slice and remove cut hair like a well-oiled combine harvester.

Our own testing resulted in an overall sense of professional gravitas, with the blades gently lifting hair away from our sensitive cheeks and neck and doing away with the detritus once we were done. It's easy to clean, got a marathon-length battery and looks like a genuinely impressive device propped up on your kitchen sink. Throw in the svelte charging dock/automatic cleaning stand, and it's worth every bit of its premium price.

Read GQ's Panasonic ES-LV9U review

Best premium electric shaver: Philips Series 9000 Prestige Edition

Philips Series 9000 Prestige

£650 £295

Amazon

Pros: Wireless charging pad | Premium design | Close shave
Cons: Expensive

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

It's an unfortunate truth that you need to pay top dollar to get the best results, but honestly, if you've got this kind of cash to throw around at a grooming device, you're only really after the smoothest results. And smooth results are exactly what you'll find with GQ's favourite, the Series 9000. We adored the 9000 beard trimmer for its weighty handle, superb performance and reasonable stock of accessories, and it's the same story here.

The triple rotary system is among the best we've tested, with pillow-soft heads that hide razor-sharp blades for a kind/no-nonsense approach to keeping your chin hair-free. As with all premium trimmers, it's got a charging station that cleans the blades thrown in, it's fully waterproof, can sense the density of your facial fur and adjust its power on the fly and has one of the longest batteries on the market. Sometimes it pays to indulge in a little overkill.

Read GQ's Philips Series 9000 Prestige review

Braun Series 6

Braun Series 6

£200 £104

Amazon

£200 £100

Boots

£100

Currys

£152

Argos

Pros: Rotating head provides greater flexibility and coverage | Decent battery life | Waterproof
Cons: A tad expensive

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 50 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

Braun has a staggering number of quality shavers, trimmers and grooming tools in its arsenal, so it can be hard to pick a great option for the vast majority of people. However, we think we've managed it with the Series 6. While its design and function is reasonably basic – it's essentially the Series 5 with an enhanced set of blades and an inflated price tag – the results are actually precise, easy to get in even novice hands, and is fully waterproof for a simple shave in the shower every day.

It's also easy to maintain, with a pop-clutch system that can make switching up the dull blades for sharp, new ones a doddle. Battery life is middling, but it's efficient enough to get you through your grooming routine quick enough for that not to matter.

Best multitool electric shaver: Panasonic Multishape

Panasonic Multishape

£70

Amazon

£120

Boots

£80

Currys

Pros: Multiple heads for tooth cleaning, beard trimming and nose hair clipping | Long battery life
Cons: Not a particularly powerful motor

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

Panasonic's Multishape is the absolute Swiss Army Knife of the grooming world, with enough attachments to tidy up your whole daily routine from hair and beard to teeth and nose. We absolutely loved how simple it was to flick between several grooming tasks from one device, but it's arguably where the shaving is concerned that we were most impressed. Touching up our cheeks and our neck beard around our edges is a painless, simple process, and once we're done, we can trim down the nose hair whiskers and clean our teeth for the easiest morning routine around.

We were impressed with the marathon battery that can last well into a two-week period of general grooming tasks, and the motor is powerful enough to make it feel like you're capable of tackling even the most stubborn of follicles. It’s one of our favourite new gadgets of the year.

Read GQ's Panasonic Multishape review

Best foil shaver with an LED display: Kemei

Kemei Foil Shaver for Men

£30

Amazon

Kemei

Pros: Bright LED display | USB recharging | Multiple cutting speeds | Easy to clean
Cons: Chunky design

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 120 minutes
• Waterproof: No
• Charging stand: No

Often found in the firm, confident grip of your local barber, Kemei's range of shavers are among the more illustrious options available. This particular option is packed to the rafters with pro-grade features but is just as suited to your hands as it is to someone who does this sort of thing for a living.

At first glance, you'll immediately notice the LED display window, which highlights the battery life –vital for avoiding a mid-shave death– and the speed the motor is moving. You can adjust the power based on the density of your stubble on the fly and, once you're done, simply flick open the gold-plated grills to clean out the gunk.

Best electric shaver for sensitive skin: Panasonic ES-LS9A

Panasonic ES LV97

£160

Amazon

Pros: Complete shaving device | 70,000 cutting motions | pivoting head
Cons: Quite a large foil head

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 50 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

Panasonic continues to deliver some of the best shaving and grooming devices around with the LV97, decidedly comprehensive shavers that should easily keep the hair at bay without irritation or fuss. The headline stuff? It has super-charged foil head cuts with over 70,000 motions for smooth, even shaves from the Japanese blades. The head is flexible and pivots, with automatic sensors to adjust the foil to the shape of your chin and the density of the hair as you go.

The battery life is decent – if a little short for us – but there's quick charging so you can get back into the action and the charging station cleans the devices simultaneously.

Among the high-end shavers, there's a definite sense that you're missing some depth to this shaver comparatively speaking. Our own experiences with quick, efficient and gave decent results, but the foil head is a little too brought with our skin, and we much preferred the other Panasonic below for taking care of the chin fluff.

Best shaver for most people: Philips OneBlade Pro 360

Philips OneBlade Pro

£100 £80

Amazon

Pros: A great travel shaver | Multiple attachments | 14 length settings for precision shaving | Can be used around your body
Cons: Not the most adept shaver for a completely clean shave | Fairly pricey

• Shaver system: Oscillating blade
• Battery life: 120 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

There are three other Philips OneBlade models on this list, but the best one by a fair way is the Pro edition. Besides the obvious hint given the name, the Pro 360 is a complete package for most of your grooming needs, with an oscillating blade for all your detailing and precision trimming, but it also comes with clip-on combs and guides if you fancy taking a swipe at longer hair.

The price might make you wince at first glance – it is notably spenny for what you get – but once you get past that, it's a genuine contender to gently remove hair from your face. Our own testing was remarkably smooth, with the flat head rotating and gyrating around our jaw for a clean finish. It's also powerful, with a decent motor that chunks through thicker bushes should you need it.

It's a solid option for the travelling man, with a hardy case to protect it (and to stop hair from gunking up your clothes) and a charging stand that tops up the battery lightning quick.

Read GQ's Philips OneBlade Pro 360 review

Most comfortable electric shaver: Philips Oneblade 360

Philips OneBlade 360 with Connectivity

£60 £50

Amazon

Pros: Multipurpose beard trimmer, detailer and shaver | Sharp, fast-moving blades for supreme shaving | Affordable
Cons: Doesn't excel at one particular task

• Shaver system: Trimmer
• Battery life: 90 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

Philips' Oneblade series is a popular choice among men looking to get a sharp edge to their beard or stubble, and the latest iteration, the 360, is the culmination of what affordable, quality shaving should look like.

Take a journey as you trim down your beard (with up to 12 length settings for longer beards), shave off the edges, and detail around the mouth and neck without running out of the impressively-long battery. How does it differ from the older models? Well, the longer battery and more versatile guiding combs make it worth the additional cost, which is still not so significant compared to other options.

Read GQ's Philips OneBlade 360 review

Best rotary electric shaver: Philips Series 5000

Philips Shaver Series 5000

£115

Amazon

Pros: SkinIQ tech adapts to your hair density | Pop-up trimmer
Cons: Slightly bulky design

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

The latest version of Philips' Series 5000 groomer features a wet and dry build for easy shaving in the shower, with hassle-free cleaning to boot. If you've never known the joy of quickly rinsing away hair under the tap for an instant clean, you're in for a treat. The company's SkinIQ tech promises to cut even more hair per stroke by allowing the shaver head to detect the density of your hair and adapt accordingly, which also results in better overall skin comfort. The more hair cut per stroke, the less you'll have to go over the same area twice, the less friction and heat produced, and the happier and more relaxed your skin will be. Simple, really.

Peer a little closer, and you'll spot a pop-up precision trimmer that can help you tackle sideburns and moustaches, while a five-minute charge should provide enough juice for one full shave if you're tight on time. If you're a little more organised, a full one-hour charge will provide an hour of full use.

Although the Series 5000 is a reasonably-priced proposition, it's one of the better-looking shavers around thanks to a matte grey design, solid ergonomics, and a handy display showing its battery level. All of these join forces to make this more of a men's grooming tool than a boyish plaything.

Philips Travel Shaver

Philips Travel Shaver

£19 £18

Amazon

Pros: Compact design | Affordable price | Battery-powered
Cons: You may prefer cable-charging

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: No
• Charging stand: No

Obviously, this dinky Philips travel shaver won’t be able to match the raw power of its larger rivals on our list. But if you're after something incredibly compact and lightweight for throwing into your wash bag for a weekend away, it perfectly fits the bill.

Its dual-head system means it takes up far less space, and the fact that each head independently floats makes for a more comfortable, closer shape in the process. Better yet, it’s powered by regular batteries, which means you should be able to instantly top it up to 100% battery, wherever you happen to be in the world. This might be a negative for some buyers, mind, but we think it’s far more convenient than carrying an extra cable/adaptor around when trying to travel light.

Qhot Electric Razor

Qhot Electric Razor

£30

Amazon

Pros: Extremely affordable | Pop-up trimmer | USB charging cable
Cons: Build may feel cheap compare to more expensive options

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

Electric shavers don’t come much more affordable than this. With a borderline ludicrous RRP, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this offering from Qhot is a toy, but rest assured, it’s a real, working electric shaver, with plenty going for it (besides its wallet-friendly price tag).

Stainless steel blades promise to make quick work of beard hair, for a start, while a fully washable design provides easy clean-up and maintenance. As with the best rotary shavers, the blades are able to pivot, making for a closer, more comfortable shave. It even has a pop-up trimmer for detailing and additional functionality, with a USB charging cable for convenience. Sure, it’s not going to match the formidable performance of electric shavers ten times the price, but if you’re after a decent shave without blowing your budget, it should definitely be on your shortlist.

Philips Electric Shaver 3000 Series

Philips Electric Shaver 3000 Series

£120

Amazon

Pros: Self-sharpening steel blades | USB charging cable | Wet and dry use
Cons: Design may be bland for some

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

It may lack the swankier design finesse of its more expensive siblings, but don’t let that put you off — the Series 3000 still serves up a premium Philips rotary shaver experience at a price that undercuts the higher-end models by a substantial amount.

Your cash nets you a sturdy shaver, complete with a triple-rotary setup, with a total of 27 self-sharpening blades which provide 55,000 cuts per minute. Each set of blades should be good for up to two years of razor-sharp use, while a five-direction pivot head follows face contours for a smoother shave.

A USB-A charging cable makes for flexible top-up options, while a 60-minute battery life should see you through trips away without a cord. With a waterproof build for easy clean-up, it has everything you’d want from a Philips shaver, for a more reasonable price.

Remington R4 Style

Remington R4 Style

£43 £37

Amazon

Pros: Pivoting neck helps get more coverage | Affordable | 3-day stubble guard | included pop-up beard trimmer
Cons: Very basic | There are better options found elsewhere at a similar price | Weak battery life

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 40 minutes
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

There's nothing wrong with going for a cheaper option to keep your jawline clean and tidy, and our top pick at this price range is Remington's impressive, if a little lacklustre, R4 Style.

The triple rotary blade system is on a flexible neck that can adjust to give you a closer, gentler shave along a sharper chin and jaw, while a pop-up trimmer unlocks the option to trim and tidy edges if you've still kept any hair on your face.

A nice touch is the antimicrobial plastic casing that surrounds the rotary heads and are infused with skin-soothing additives to keep your face young, fresh and rash-free.

Best mid-range electric shaver: Braun Series 7

Braun Series 7

£350 £205

Amazon

£310

Boots

£215 £155

Argos

Pros: Premium design | Charging/cleaning station
Cons: Pricey

• Shaver system: Foil
• Battery life: 50 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

It might not be the absolute high-end offering in Braun's lineup, but the smart Series 7 shaver still has enough going for it that it could even tempt you away from splurging out more cash on the pricier Series 9. Similar design and premium looks aside, its main selling point is the fact that it has built-in sensors that are able to detect your beard density and adjust the power accordingly. This not only makes it more efficient (in turn, making the battery life stretch further), but also helps reduce irritation. That's because by using only the power that's needed, you can rest assured that more hair will be picked up per stroke, at levels that won't be overkill, resulting in less irritation in the process.

Suitable for wet and dry shaves, its 360-degree flex head can easily adapt to the contours of your face too, resulting in a more comfortable and effective shave. With Braun’s EasyClick system for attaching handy tools such as a precision trimmer, along with a battery that lasts three weeks, this is a tempting package, especially with the included SmartCentre, which charges, cleans and lubricates at the press of a button. Who needs the Series 9?

Best multi-head rotary shaver: Philips Series 7000

Philips Series 7000

£92 £70

Amazon

£80 £40

Boots

£90 £70

John Lewis

Pros: Useful LCD display for battery life and cutting length | Charging stand
Cons: Expensive | Heavy to use over long shaving sessions

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: Yes

If you suffer from overly sensitive skin when shaving, then you need to invest in better gear, my friend. Rotary razors can sometimes pull at your hair, but Philips' 7000 should clear up any of your issues quick-time, with a manoeuvrable head that rolls to the shape of your jaw and fast-moving, self-cleaning blades that keep stubble to a minimum.

For the ultimate comfort, the Series 7,000 boasts 2,000 micro-tech beads per square millimetre that glide over your skin at speeds of 90,000 cutting actions per minute, joyously plucking the hair from your face, giving you a smooth result with minimum friction. It will also learn your shaving routine and guide you to a faster, more efficient shave so you're not wasting time trimming bits that don't need to be trimmed. Prices are always high for this item, but sales periods can do a lot for saving you some money.

Best functional electric shaver: Hatteker 4-in-1

Hatteker Electric Shaver

£29

Amazon

Pros: Affordable | Comes with lots of accessory heads for different functionality
Cons: Basic design

• Shaver system: Rotary
• Battery life: 60 mins
• Waterproof: Yes
• Charging stand: No

Taking inspiration from many a beard trimmer, Hatteker's entry into the electric shaver fray is a bona fide multitool with a variety of removable heads that support several different functions. These include a rotary shaver with four directional floating heads, a precision trimmer, a nose trimmer, and even a facial brush for exfoliating. Are all of these as accomplished as a more focused alternative? Not quite, but we're swimming in the more budget-friendly end of the pool here, and you're getting a hell of a lot of bang for not very much buck.

The 4-in-1 is waterproof for easy cleanup and maintenance, as well as letting you wet shave with comforting foam if you fancy. Its USB charging cable means you don’t need to worry about proprietary plugs or frayed cables. It only takes an hour and a half for a full charge too, thanks to built-in fast charging smarts, offering an hour of use per full charge. This is a shaver that does a lot for very few of your hard-earned pennies, although there's no denying that its design language is far from the prettiest one out there. We wouldn't go as far as calling it flat-out ugly per se, but the thought has crossed our mind a few times.

Keen to enjoy a silky-smooth, hairless jawline? Our grooming editors also love that feeling, so it goes without saying that, in all cases, we've endeavoured to thoroughly test out every single product on this list to see just how good they are. Our resident men's grooming expert, Owen Gough, has seven years of grooming journalism under his belt, testing out dozens of different trimming tools on his own beard to assess quality of shave, value for money and any additional features that are found on each device.

Key to any electric shaver scoring our recommendation is each model's balancing of ergonomics, aesthetics and ease of use whether its owner happens to be a trimming pro or an absolute beginner. Elsewhere, we've looked at a combination of user reviews, specs, and features – combined with those years of grooming expertise – to pick the cream of the electric shaver crop.

There are a fair few electric shaver brands out there which are widely regarded to be some of the best around. And you’ve probably come across all of them multiple times in your search for the best electric shaver. Braun is one of the top contenders, as are Philips shavers, Panasonic, and Wahl.

Overall, the best shaving kits will mostly depend on your budget, which brands you’re familiar with, and/or which ones have the best features. These brands tend to be highly rated across all manner of grooming product categories, as well. If you fancy shaving your head, for example, then feel free to check out our roundup of the best bald head shavers to help you nail that super-smooth look.

Rotary shavers are your traditional-looking trimmers with three pivoting heads that move in a circular motion and roll with the contours of your jawline, meaning you can quickly zip around your face and keep stubble to a minimum without much fuss. The larger surface area makes rotary heads a little tougher to reach areas around your ears and under your nose, but you can cut through the rest of your facial fuzz in no time at all.

Foil shavers, on the other hand, have a solid block of blades in a line and are worth considering if you have shorter beard hair that requires regular cutting down or you want to keep stubble around your neck or on your cheeks down to a minimum, replacing that dry shaver or trimmer you might be using to tackle edges. They’re also regarded to be better for sensitive skin, as they’re less likely to cause irritation or razor burn.

So which is better? Jordan says, “Both are great, but for home use, I would recommend a rotary shaver. They feel slightly easier on the skin, but are best suitable for hair between 00 to 0 (1 day-old stubble) in length. Foil shavers work well, able to cut as close as a hot towel shave, but require a little more skill to use.”

The age old battle between traditionalists and modernists: is an electric shaver better than a manual or straight razor? There are pros and cons to both, but if you're after a quick job without the faff or you lack the dexterity to use a sharp blade around your neck, an electric shaver is your best option. Why? A motorised device covers a greater surface area and is specifically designed to trim down hairs as close to the skin as possible while reducing razor rash or nicks. Sure, a straight razor might give you a cleaner cut that lasts longer, but it requires a steady hand that's far from convenient.

Top models from the likes of Braun or Philips are purpose-built to offer speed and comfort in your daily routines, with some premium models unlocking self-cleaning stations and huge batteries to cut down on maintenance time.

Still not sure how to actually use the best electric razors? It's ok, we all need to learn somehow. And learning from the best is probably a good way to avoid mistakes and skin irritation further down the line. “First off, you need to ensure your skin and stubble are clean,” says Mills. "Then apply a small amount of electric shaver skin prep cream and rub it into the skin and stubble you are trimming.

“Then start shaving from one side of the face and work your way around the neck and cheeks removing the stubble. Clean the blades during the process and allow the shaver to work. Don’t rush though, as this can cause irritation and pull your hair, causing you more grief the next time you shave. Once you have done those areas and are happy with how close the shave is, start working around the chin and around the mouth making sure you have shaved all the areas and got any small hairs. After you have shaved cleanse the face again and moisturise. Job done.”

If you're sporting a particular facial style like a goatee or something similar, you might need to grab a beard trimmer to keep the hairy bits tidy. We've got a rundown of the best beard trimmers, which you should definitely pay attention to if you're planning on experimenting with a new look.

As for Jordan, we suggests, “If the hair is longer than stubble, you’ll need to start by using your beard trimmer or clipper on the lowest setting to get the hair as short as possible. This will ensure your rotary or foil shaver won’t pull and irritate the skin. There’s no one way of using an electric shaver, but a good technique for a rotary machine is to use it in small, circular motions, until the face is fully shaven.

Then, repeat this action until the face is smooth. When using a foil shaver, an up-and-down motion is best, starting slow to ensure all the hair is picked up. From there, repeat this action in different directions to clear up any remaining stubble.”

Most electric shavers are waterproof, rechargeable and cordless, which also means they can be used in the shower and easily cleaned — and yes, that means they pair nicely with shaving cream too. We actually recommend using shaving cream or shaving foam with your razor, even if you’re shaving in the shower, as you can shave and wash off all in one go to reduce nicks and burn for irritated skin types, and we’re sure we don’t need to talk about how much easier it is to wash hair away in the shower drain than the bathroom sink.

Having said that, the main appeal of electric shaving over a traditional razor is that it’s quicker and more convenient, so unless you have particularly sensitive skin, you might be able to get away with a dry shave that requires little to no lubricating or cleanup.

It can be tempting to whip the shaver around your jaw several times a week, but Mills advised us that the type of skin that you have will dictate how often you should shave. He told us, "It is down to how 'clean' you want your skin to look. Ideally, you want to shave every day but it depends on the rate of your facial hair growth. I wouldn’t use one on more than two days of growth as most shavers are not designed for much more than that. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to wait at least a few days in between shaves to give yourself time to recover.”

Absolutely, says Jordan, “but this is easy to do! Most shavers out there, whether a rotary or foil shaver, have a detachable head that allows you to easily empty the hair out for disposal. I'd recommend using an old toothbrush to remove any remaining hair stuck inside. Once you've done that, pop the head back on and spray some skin-safe disinfectant on your machine (Clippercide or Andis Cool Care will do the job, and help keep your machine lubricated so that it runs well and lasts longer).”

You might be hoping that shaving in the shower will help clean the blades, but you definitely want to check out ones with dedicated cleaning stations, as the blades will need regular lubricating to keep a keen edge.

We’d also recommend slapping on some high-quality moisturiser once you’ve shaved, as the skin can quickly dry out through regular shaving. Facial cleansing and maintaining a solid skin-care routine are paramount to looking fresh and younger, but if you’re unsure where to start, check out our guide to the best moisturisers.

We shouldn't have to talk about the hygiene issues with using the same device you use on your body as your face, but in case we do, you definitely shouldn't use the same electric shaver all over your body. In fact, we'd happily point you towards our best body hair trimmers article to learn about the best tools for that job. Unless you've already got stubble all over your body, these razors aren't well-equipped for a total groom where the sun doesn't shine, and you should definitely invest in the right tools if that's what you're keen on.

Of course, most people are hunting for versatility when they buy their grooming tools, so you’ll likely want a model that can tackle head hair as well as body and jawline hair. Trimmers for shaving head hair can usually be transferred across your entire body, so you’ve got no issue there, but there are, of course, dedicated hair clippers and shavers that are purpose-built for this task. We’ve got a roundup of the best bald head shavers if you’re looking for new ways to keep the wisps off your bonce, but you can certainly get the job done with the usual shavers.

Premium options might have attachments or specific designs that open up the option to shave multiple areas of your body, such as trimmer attachments or independently moving shaver heads that can move and flex over the ridges and bumps of your head.

Again, this is all down to your own personal financial situation and how much you really care about the top-tier aspects of electric shaving, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when buying. First off, we'd recommend spending at least £20-£40 if you're working on a budget, as anything cheaper will be scratchy, low quality and will likely require an upgrade in the near future. The best-placed product in this category is the Philips OneBlade. It's affordably priced, packed full of useful guiding combs and does a decent job of managing your stubble or shaping up beards, but by no means arrived armed to tackle your every follicle-related need.

If you're after a mid-tier option, anything between £40 and £120 is a solid option for keeping on top of stubble with long-lasting batteries, self-sharpening blades and a few extra features to improve the experience. Here, we'd point you in the direction of the Panasonic Multishape, a versatile shaver that can also double up as a toothbrush, beard trimmer and body hair groomer. If it's a dedicated shaving experience you're after, you can't go wrong with the Wahl Aqua Blade for value.

However, shavers can get pricey if you want the very best of men's grooming, so if it's the pinnacle of shavers you're after, anything upwards of £200 is what you should expect to pay. For this price, you'll get a kinder experience for sensitive skin, more robust, hair-decimating blades and extra utility like wireless charging stations, travel bags and replacement heads. Up in the heady heights of this price point, the top options will be the likes of the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, the Braun Series 9 or the Panasonic ES-LS9A. All three are top picks and are worthy of your cash, but your budget needs to be able to cope with the large burden of such a costly device.

As for the professional opinion? Jordan suggests, “For a decent electric shaver, anywhere from £60 to £200 will give you an amazing cut. The more you're willing to spend, the more powerful the shaver will likely be (essential for avoiding skin flare-ups or irritation), and the easier your at-home job. Investing in a quality shaver will both physically and mentally help take the edge off.”

As with all grooming tools, it's worth investing in a new blades reasonably often to ensure they stay sharp and reduce irritation. That's not to say every shaver needs to be thrown in the bin for a new one every month, though. In fact, most are well-equipped with their own personal blade-sharpening equipment to extend the life of the shaver. It's worth buying some blade oil to further push the longevity beyond a couple of years (in some cases), but inevitably, it will need replacing eventually.

When exactly you need to that will be down to how often you shave. Some shavers allow you to simply purchase new blade heads, which should be switched up every six to eight months if you want to keep them supremely efficient and sharp. In most cases, you can sign up for a subscription package to get new blades when you need them, which can keep costs down and it means you don't have to remember that it needs doing.

Otherwise, it's mostly down to you figuring out when you should be putting your shaver out to rest. A dull blade will certainly be felt on your cheeks, and if you find it tugging at your whiskers and scratching along your jaw, you'll know it's probably time to bite the bullet and buy something new.

So now you know everything you should ever need to know about shaving, what makes a quality blade, and how to use it efficiently, but what do you do if that's now scratched an itch in you to expand your grooming repertoire? How well stocked is your bathroom cupboard with moisturisers, deodorants and other knickknacks that you'll need to make yourself look and feel at your best? If it's not that well stocked, then check out our collection of dedicated guides to help you become a grooming king.

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