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Even the best electric shaver for men is often underestimated by the general shaving public. Which is a big miss in our book—whether you shave every day or just once in a blue moon, it’s important to have a razor that you trust. Generally, you want smooth results and minimal irritation in as little time as possible. And while I’m not here to question the merits of a manual razor (let alone safety razors and straight razors, all of which are fantastic in their own right), we still think every guy should own the best electric razor that suits his budget, skin, and specific facial hair journey.
The Best Electric Shavers for Men
- The Overall Pick: Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige Electric Razor, $380
- The Foil Shaver Pick: Panasonic Arc5 Electric Foil Shaver, $155
- The Upgrade Pick: Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver, $430
- The Travel-Ready (and Barber-Favorite) Pick: Wahl Professional Vanish Foil Shaver, $90
- The Hybrid Electric Shaver/Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Electric Trimmer and Shaver, $38
- The Best Head Shaver: Remington Balder Pro Electric Head Shaver, $60
Rarely will you and your best bud have the same needs in all of these departments, which is why you’ve got a few things to consider when looking for the best electric razor for men. Yes, I’ve got my favorite device in a given year—and what I recommend to most guys may differ from the one I prefer to tote around with me—so read on for a rundown of the best electric razors across a handful of different needs, budgets, and conveniences.
How I Tested
How I Made My Picks
The Barbers I Consulted
- Dale Grinstead-Mayle, owner and barber at Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor in Columbus, OH and White Salmon, WA.
- Evelyn Gutweniger, barber at Nomad Barber in Berlin, Germany.
The Best Electric Shaver Overall: Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige Electric Razor
In a given year, it's always a three-horse race between Philips Norelco, Braun, and Panasonic, because each brand takes its turn issuing the latest muscled-up machine. And while we'd sooner prescribe a foil shaver to the average user (as mentioned in our sizing-up of Foil v. Rotary), the truth is, rotary shavers will satisfy the largest group of people, since they also serve thicker stubble, as well as more sensitive skin, body and head shaving, and even those folks with nickel allergies. And in the e-shaver game, nobody beats Philips Norelco at rotary razors.
The S9000 won a GQ Grooming Award this past year for good reason: space-grade steel razors that practically cut at the speed of light, while providing the smoothest and closest shave any rotary razor has ever been capable of (arguably, as close if not smoother than the foil competition). Usually, when a brand touts "more razors", it doesn't necessarily mean it impacts the shave in the big picture, but in the S9000 Prestige's case, there are two razors on each rotary panel (compared to the usual one), working independently of one another, which provides results that could convert the stodgiest of foil shavers, and maybe even the bare-razor holdouts.
And while I usually feel like a rotary razor requires a second "assurance" pass, I've saved time and had fewer missed spots than ever before (the few I've had are because I made so much haste, I legitimately just skipped spots entirely, as opposed to the device not adequately doing its job). I've even bought a few extra days between tidyings on my shoulder and upper back with the Prestige S9000 too. In most years, I'd let the two foil kings at Panasonic and Braun duke it out for the top spot, but for now, it's Philips Norelco's throne to yield.
The Best Value Electric Shaver: Panasonic Arc5 Electric Foil Shaver
While the Arc6 is one of the best razors in the game right now, I want to call out the Arc5 in particular here. When new devices enter the market, it's important to keep their predecessors in mind rather than writing them off as has-beens—it'd be like shunning the BMW E28 as soon as the E30 was released the following year. So don't go discounting the Arc5's abilities just because the Arc6 is the more advanced machine.
With the Arc6 on shelves, the Arc5 dropped to a quarter of the cost of the newer toy. But you know what hasn't dropped? The superior standard-setting extra-flexible performance that the Arc5 provided for over a decade. It already had five blades; it's never missed a spot on a first pass for me, even with week-long facial hair thanks to the trimming bar fixed between those four foil blades. And the closeness of the shave is, to embrace a cliché, chef's kiss.
I'm shocked they even found room for a sixth razor on the Arc6. But it's size isn't to its detriment, either; while I'd argue that there are better devices for a simple neckline or cheek line cleanup (see below), I think this is the single best "set it and forget it" autopilot-style full-face shaver you can use. So if you're the guy who just want to do a once-over every day in the shower or just before, then a 30-second pass with the Arc5 will keep you smoothly polished without worry. It'll be a sad day if and when Panasonic retires the Arc5, because it feels so pivotal to where we are in electric shaving these days. So consider this my part to keep its legacy alive, and to save you some big bucks in the process.
The Best Rated Electric Shaver: Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver
The recently released Series 9 PRO+ is like a victory lap for Braun's Series 9 family, which has been top of the e-shaver field for a while. What stands out most here is the quintet of elements atop the head: two foil shavers to buffer the shave at both ends, with three trimming and lifting components in the middle so that no hair goes untamed. It makes the Arc5 and 6 feel like a class of SUVs (that's not a criticism), while this feels more like a luxury sedan.
And you cannot ignore its endlessly flexible, movable head; you could cast this razor in a Bob Fosse musical for all of the neck movement it serves. I also find that its features are the best of the best: From the most superior, mustache-managing pop-out trimmer to a safekeeping lock (for both that movable neck and for the trimmer as a whole). And while I'm not scoring on the basis of charging stations or other attachments, I do have to call out the incredibly useful charging case that this device comes with. Its hard shell keeps your precious trophy of a shaver safe, as well as fully charged (not that its hourlong juice will deplete during a week on the go).
And while the Arc5 and Arc6's bevy of foil shavers will provide you with a closer shave than the Braun, it's going to be nominal to most people. Again, in the debate between foil shavers, it's an SUV vs luxe sedan. You probably know which one sounds more appealing to you.
The Best Barber-Favorite Electric Shaver for Travel: Wahl Professional Vanish Foil Shaver
A barbershop staple (and Grinstead-Mayle's go-to brand for shavers), Wahl's foil device is my favorite for many specific tasks: For starters, it delivers a quick neckline shave, with enough endurance to last a few months (assuming you're just tidying that neckline each time). It's my go-to less-bulky traveling shaver, as well as my top recommendation for any friends who only want a fresh "appearing" shave once in a blue moon without forking over $300 for a device.
It's equally fantastic for thick-haired frequent shaves, but I feel like most of you barely do a true razor shave, and you want an electric shaver for the "if and when" you need to look babyfaced. The tiered foil heads make thing quick and easy, while the ultra-thin foils give you that barbershop-caliber smoothness minus any irritation, so it's not going to be damning on skin that isn't used to a shave.
And funny enough, Grinstead-Mayle likes Wahl's shavers for the complete opposite reason: Because it's terrific for extremely frequent shaves, which explains why it's such a mainstay across barbershops worldwide. "I charge mine once a week, and I use them many times a day," he explains. "Plus the replacement blades/foils are easy to get! Also, the battery life on them is exceptional."
The Best Hybrid Electric Shaver/Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360
Not to turn this article into a full-on Philips-Norelco love fest, but the brand really does lead the way in grooming device innovation. The OneBlade is perfect for shaving clean edges, and its flexible, oft-imitated design remains unmatched; here is a device that, when it lacks any guards, moves like an cartridge shaver or a line-up trimmer in order to keep you looking fresh faced. Or, if you snap on its trimming guard, you can work your way up past designed stubble and into proper beard trimming territory. There are a few iterations of the OneBlade (some include body trimming heads, some more than a dozen trimming lengths, some a longer charge), but I think this is the perfect one for guys who primarily need clean necklines and cheek lines, who rarely do a full shave, but who have a dedicated beard trimmer for the bulkier jobs.
The Best Bald Head Shaver: Remington Balder Pro Electric Head Shaver
I've long maintained that a rotary shaver is the best tool for bald guys, period. The math is simple: it takes the least effort and time to get a smooth shave. Maybe not as silicone-smooth as a bladed shaver, but close. A built-for-baldness rotary shaver manages the curvature of the head really effectively, and can mow down thick and curly strands—plus those follicles that point off in odd directions—better than foil shavers. Plus, it fits in your hand really nicely, keeping you from having to contort yourself like a young Jackie Chan just to get a shave.
Remington's palm-fit shaver is an Amazon best-seller for a reason: it's best in class rotary head provides the cleanest results on the first pass. It's also waterproof, making it easy to mow over stubble in the shower, and maintains enough juice (50 minutes per charge) to get you through most of the month. Remember how I said that everyone should own an electric head shaver, even if you prefer manual options? What I really meant was that everyone should own this specific one. (I didn't have a chance to photograph myself using it—thanks to a potent cocktail of this stuff my mane looks more glorious than ever—but in my less hirsute days it was a reliable go-to.)
How I Tested
We get these devices as they’re made available to press (which is usually a few months before a public launch). Personally, I’ve got a couple dozen shavers at home, often in duplicate, which means I’m even giving the doubles to my friends. It’s all part of the job; while we’re not typically doing a side-by-side of one product against the other, that’s because these takes need to be “lived in” in order to make a true impression. The opinions I share here aren’t formed from a quick test run over a long week, but over experience I’ve gathered for more than a decade in the grooming field.
How I Made My Picks
A quick glance at the products on our list, and you’ll notice that I only chose the big-name brands. Just four of them, in fact (excluding the head shaver): Wahl, Panasonic, Philips Norelco, and Braun.
There’s some reasoning behind this, and Grinstead-Mayle backs me up. He preaches "quality over cost" to his clients: “There are many affordable options, but the thing to remember is that these purchases should last you years at home. Don't let the sticker shock of $100 (or more) scare you. If they are made well and you take care of them, they will last you 5 years or more. That could mean just $20 per year. Stick with professional grade products, because cost usually equals durability.” His go-to are Wahl's 5-star shavers (you’ll see those below), which are under $100—and the replacement blades and foils are easy to get because Wahl is such a known brand.
There are plenty of options aside from them (honorable mention to the BaByliss PROs, Andises, and Remingtons, which makes my favorite head shaver), but these core brands have the necessary resources and innovation behind them to provide the best options for you. Not to mention, you can access all of these brands at pretty much any budget; not everyone is going to need the latest souped-up shaver, but if you do want that, then you can bet that these brands will have something with the absolute latest and most cutting-edge technology.
But if you want something more affordable, then good news: Their best-selling devices from the past 10 or 20 years are often still manufactured, and as soon as something new comes along, the prices on these earlier models plummet. Which means you can get an unused but never-before-used device, which would have topped this very list five years ago—and for under or around $100, in most cases. And you’ll get more reliable customer services and warranties.
How to Choose an Electric Shaver
Aside from budget, the first thing you need to decide is whether or not you want a foil shaver or a rotary shaver. Here's the shorthand information to know:
- Foil shavers have a long nickel-plated crossbar, with a bunch of little holes that receive the whiskers and which protect skin from the actual razors. They will usually provide a closer shave between the two types of electric shaver options, making foil more optimal for the average user. (Though our top spot this year goes to a rotary shaver that defies the norm.)
- Rotary shavers, however, will satisfy more users. Or rather, they will polarize fewer people, notes Gutweniger. “Rotary shavers cut in different directions and are especially good for targeting coarse and curly hair, because their circular panels cut in a broader range of directions.” While rotary shavers won’t usually cut as close as foil razors, the difference might be a half day’s growth for most guys, at most.
In the end, it’s usually a matter of preference. However, if you do have coarse, thick, or curly whiskers—or if you have a nickel allergy—then rotary shavers tend to be a better bet. Still, most professionals will use foil shavers for good reason, including the two barbers interviewed for this article: “Yes, there are many directions the rotary shavers cover, but they can pull at hairs from every-which-way,” Grinstead-Mayle says. “Foils allow for each individual hair to slide into the perforated head with a blade underneath to cut them. Both the foil cover and the moving blade have a ‘give’ to them allowing you to follow the contour of the jawline, chin, or head.”
There’s a lot of marketing mambo jumbo when it comes to selling electric shavers. Here are the key things you don’t really need to give value to.
Cutting power: Things like “cuts per minute” or “cross cuts” don’t really translate to performance, at least not in the eyes of the average consumer. Yes, a device posting big numbers in this department probably means a more confident, smooth shave, but compared to what? How many hairs do you need that shaver to cut in a minute, exactly. The bravado behind these numbers is so arbitrary. Trust that the reputable brands’ shavers have the necessary power and endurance, alright?
Auto-sensors: The same goes for any “auto sensor” that most brands tout these days. Apparently these sensors will adjust their intensity based on how thick your whiskers air, or how patchy, etc. It’s nice to know that these device can do so, but again, those shifts are going to be so nominal that you needn’t worry. Instead, place stock in the type of razor that works with your hair growth patterns, hair density, or skin sensitivities (like, foil vs. rotary shavers).
Warranties: Lastly, you can usually disregard the warranty. While it’s nice that these big brands can be trusted to replace a faulty product, odds are that your retailer will also honor any faults by just letting you return an item that doesn’t perform properly. “I have never found value in these warranties,” says Grinstead-Mayle. “Most of them are worded to entice you, rather than protect you. This is a shaver, not a car.” Plus, they’re only really useful if you get a “lemon” of a product, which you will probably realize from the moment you start to use it. And at that early stage, it will be returnable.
Warranties won’t protect you from things like dropping, rusting, or blades that grow dull. Any damage you cause to the device is not going to be covered. It’s better to think of things this way: If the blades get dull or the cap cracks from being dropped, which brand is going to be reliably ready to replace the part, even if you have to pay $10 or $20 to do that? Get a shaver from a brand you can rely on to still be around, to have replacement pieces, and to have a high-quality product that won’t require any big fixes for 5 years. After that, you’ll feel comfortable just replacing the entire product, since you got your money’s worth. That is all the assurance you need, warranties be damned.