In our time poor, technologically abundant world, convenience rules. That means lathering up a handful of shaving foam each morning is no longer deemed an efficient use of time. Thankfully, the best electric shavers deliver an effective and consistent clean shave in a matter of minutes, without the mess or irritation. As someone whose grooming routine is deliberately built around maximum results and minimal effort, making the switch from a traditional razor to its motorised successor has been a gamechanger for my morning routine.
The 7 Best Electric Shavers
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There are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider switching to an electric razor. Like me, it could be to get yourself out the house quicker each morning. Electric shavers also minimise the risk of accidental nicks and cuts (no bare blades) and help to declutter your bathroom cabinet (goodbye shaving cream and replacement razor heads). They're also easier to travel with: just remember to pack a charging cable and you're guaranteed a clean shave wherever you're headed, even if you find yourself without a sink (road trip?).
Electric shavers also tend to be more gentle on your skin. They're less prone to pulling and tugging on hairs, as the blades don't cut as close to the skin as traditional razors, which can help to minimise irritation and reduce the likelihood of hair curling back into the follicle, leading to ingrown hairs. The blades also last far longer, which means you're less likely to find yourself with a dull blade and a mane to tame.
More grooming reviews: Best Beard Trimmers | Best Hair Clippers | Best Body Groomers | Best Head Shavers | Best Nose Hair Trimmers | Best Razors for Men
Now you know the benefits of electric shavers, how do you find the best for your beard style and budget? To help you decide, I've spent time testing devices from the leading men's grooming brands – from Braun and Philips to Manscaped, Panasonic and Wahl. During the testing period, I considered everything from battery life and cutting performance to ease-of-use and longevity in order to find the shavers and razors that truly deliver on performance and practicality.
What to Consider
Before we get into my top buys, it's worth considering the type of electric shaver best suited to your beard style, plus any extra features you might want to consider.
Blade Type
There's two blade types to consider when shopping for an electric shaver: foil and rotary. Ultimately, that choice comes down to personal preference.
Foil Blades
Foil blades oscillate, moving rapidly in a back and forth motion. Shavers with foil blades generally use a series of horizontal blades with holes in that catch the hairs as they pass over. In general, foil blades are better if you have shorter beard hair that needs a regular trim, and for achieving a close, stubble-free finish.
Rotary Blades
Rotary blades are circular and spin. They make it easier to reach tricky areas, such as around your jawline and nose, as the blades work independently from one another, enabling them to cut your hair at any angle. Rotary blades are generally better suited to people with wild, unruly hair that tends to grow in nonconforming patterns.
Accessories
This will ultimately boil down to how much you spend. Some of the more expensive electric shavers on this list come with portable charging cases, which can be handy when travelling, and cleaning stations, which as well as keeping things sanitary, will help to lubricate the blades and extend their lifespan. Neither of these are essential, but worth considering.
Some of the more affordable options also come with interchangeable trimmer heads and length adjusters, which can help to save time.
Battery Life
Look at the run-time of the electric shaver you intend to buy. Anything from 60 minutes to 90 minutes is standard – less than that and you might find that you're having to recharge it more often than you might like. Also consider choosing an electric shaver with a battery level indicator, which will let you know when the battery is running low – otherwise, you'll be left guessing.
Wet and Dry Use
Some people prefer to wet shave, as it can give a closer finish. But shaving dry can help to minimise irritation. I've expanded on the pros and cons of wet vs dry shaving further down, but regardless of how you shave, everyone should consider an electric shaver that's waterproof, as it makes cleaning and rinsing the blades under a tap more straightforward.
How We Selected
I tested each electric shaver for at least a fortnight, making use of all the modes, features and accessories, including any portable charging cases and other accessories. I tasked every device with clean-shaving five days' worth of facial hair in order to test their capabilities, noting down how well they glided over my skin, how thorough the end result was, and any irritation I experienced. Where applicable, I also used detailer features and other attachments to assess how effective they were at lining up edges.
Pros
Superior power and cutting performance- Quality build with plenty of premium components and accessories
- Charging stand and portable charging case included
Cons
- Expensive
A 2024 Men's Health Grooming Awards winner, the Braun Series 9 Pro+ is, in our opinion, the best electric shaver. Expertly placed to deliver a close shave with minimal fuss, the Series 9 Pro is the most cutting edge in Braun's line-up. Using Sonic Technology to speed up shaving, this German-made workhorse lasts up to six weeks on a single charge, is waterproof and comes with a nifty portable charging case.
The Pros: Let's start with the shave. The Series 9 Pro+ delivers 10,000 micro vibrations per minute and 40,000 cuts per minute, resulting a super thorough and powerful shave. It glides through beard stubble of varying thicknesses, with virtually no pulling or irritation, slicing hair down to a precise, baby smooth 0.05mm. The blades themselves are surgical-grade stainless steel so they stay sharper for longer, while the addition of an ultra-thin ProLift blade helps to lift hair away from the skin for a close finish.
But it’s not the performance alone that makes the Series 9 Pro+ so recommendable. The portable charging case and separate charging doc ensure that you're never caught short when you need to make yourself look more presentable – whether you're getting ready at-home or shaving on the go. Then there's the way if feels in your hand. Thanks to the combination of its ergonomic shape and grippy texture on the back, the shaver feels pleasant and super secure in your hand.
The Cons: The only drawback is that the Series 9 Pro+ is not exactly cheap. At it's standard price (which it's usually never listed for) it retails for a hefty £539.99. It's often discounted during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, so it's worth looking around for deals before buying. If you can't justify the cost of the Braun Series 9 Pro+, the Braun Series 7 and Braun Series 3 share many of the mechanics of this flagship device, but at a fraction of the cost.
Read More: Braun Series 9 Pro+ Review
| Blade Type | Foil |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 90 minutes with charging case |
| Accessories | Mobile charging PowerCase, charging cable and cleaning brush |
Pros
- Premium blades deliver a close
- Gently on skin thanks to smart pressure sensors
- Contoured head hugs skin when shaving chin and jaw
Cons
- Rotary blades are tricky for detailing
- Pricey
If you find yourself pressing down too hard trying to get a close shave, the Philips Shaver Series 9000 uses AI to provide immediate feedback on shaving pressure to protect your skin, while the Power Adapt Sensor reading hair density 500 times per second and adjusts the cutting power for a closer and more gentle shave.
The Pros: The Series 9000 makes up to a staggering 150,00 cutting actions per minute to cut more hair per stroke and save you going over areas you've already shaved. The rotary blades are designed to follow the way your hair grows naturally and capture any wayward hairs that are difficult to reach. There are also sensors in the head that read the pressure you're applying while shaving and light up when you press too hard or too little. To minimise irritation, 50,000 micro-tech beads line the blades, which acts as a barrier between your skin and help it to glide over your skin.
The Series 9000 comes with a wireless charging pad for easy storage and cable-free charging, plus a handy travel pouch. This is also one of the few electric shavers that has a screen, showing you the battery level as a percentage, so you're never caught by surprise when it runs out of charge.
Other features include the Philips companion app, where you can dial in your preferred shave and pick up tips for perfecting your shaving technique. It also comes with a cleaning pod, which cleans and lubricates the blades between shaves more effectively than a manual rinse.
The Cons: Aside from the cost, we have few complaints with this electric shaver.
Read More: The Best Beard Trimmers
| Blade Type | Rotary |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Accessories | Premium pouch, Qi charging pad |
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Pros
- Provides a close shave and beard trim in one device
- Length adjuster speeds up trimming
- Battery displayed as a percentage
- Compact travel case
- Body comb included
Cons
- Shave not as close as more premium options
- Razor heads need replacing every four months
- No USB-C port
Unlike the other electric razors in this list, the Philips OneBlade Pro 360 is more of a multi-use gadget than a dedicated shaver. Described by Philips as a 'hybrid styler', it's reminiscent of a safety razor in appearance as opposed to a rotary or foil blade shaver. It's great for clean shaving your face, neck and head, and the straight-edged blade is especially effective at creating sharp lines and edges. For styling, the clip-on adjustable precision comb has 14 lock-in length settings, letting you achieve the perfect beard length with the flick of a dial.
The Pros: The Philips OneBlade Pro 360 is super versatility. The cutting power is impressive for such a small shaver and, despite owning some much more powerful devices – like the Braun Series 9 Pro – this is the one I always reach for when I needed a fast trim and a close shave while still leaving a shade of stubble.
The 360 Blade head flexes in all directions to adjust to the contours of your face, leaving behind a clean-enough shave and with minimal irritation thanks to Philip's skin-safe 'Dual Protective System' technology. As for trimming, the clip-on length guard enables you to easily and quickly flick between settings, ranging from from 0.4 up to 10mm.
Like the Philips Series 9000, the OneBlade Pro 360 also comes with a charging stand (though not wireless) and, conveniently, the battery is displayed on the front of the device as a percentage, so you always know when it's time to recharge. If you're not fussed with having these extra perks, you could pick up the Philips OneBlade 360 Face, which has the exact same blade, but a different length adjuster and without the changing stand, and save yourself some cash.
The Cons: The only real downsides to the OneBlade Pro 360 is that its not the most powerful and not the best for tackling longer, thicker beards – although for that you'll want a dedicated beard trimmer anyway. Unlike the other electric savers on this list, the OneBlade heads go dull after four months of use, which means they'll need replacing.
Read More: Philips OneBlade Pro 360 review
| Blade Type | Razor |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 120 minutes |
| Accessories | Spare razor, Precision comb, Body comb, Charging stand, Travel case |
Pros
- Slim, compact and packs light
- Stylish look and feel
- Waterproof
Cons
- Blade not as effective as other devices
The Manscaped The Handyman shaver is the perfect travel companion. Housed in a slim, stylish unit that doubles as a travel case, it easily slots into your luggage for a quick shave on the go. The slip-on sleeve also protects the blade in your wash bag and prevents it from accidentally turning on and draining the power mid-transit. With a 5-minute quick charge function, you're never too far away from a tidy-up, even if it's fully out of power.
The Pros: Performance-wise, this shaver has a dual-action SkinSafe blade head that includes a long-hair leveler and a foil shaver blade for differing stubble lengths. It didn't give me the closest shave compared to other devices on this list, but the closeness and efficiency is decent enough to rely on for either stashing in your gym bag or carry-on.
The Handyman's main selling point is its compactness. It's ideal when you're packing light and don't have the space for a bulky shaver (looking at you budget airlines), and the USB-C charging port means you can use the same cable as all of your other tech. You could even shove it in your glove box or locker at work for those unplanned touch-ups.
The Cons: If you don't require the extravagant features and accessories that some of the more expensive options possess, this shaver is as no-nonsense as they come. But because of its simplicity, it does inevitably fall short when it comes to power and shaving performance.
Read More: The Best Body Hair Groomers
| Blade Type | Foil |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Accessories | None |
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Most Durable Electric Shaver
Wahl Lifeproof Foil Shaver
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Pros
- Excellent durability
- Good quality foil shaver head
- Handy detailer
Cons
- Garish colourway
This is the tough guy of electric shavers, not least because of its name. Built to stand up to whatever you throw at it, the Wahl Lifeproof feels super durable thanks to its rubber casing and sturdy construction. It also lasts what seems like forever off a single charge.
The Pros: In terms of performance, the foil shaver head was great at delivering a close shave and proved decent at lining up stubble thanks to both the shape of the main foil head and the built-in detailer. The shave was thorough, I experienced minimal irritation, and in general I was pleased with the end results. The pivoting head also did a great job at contouring the curves of my face, ensuring a consistent finish. Overall, I was pleased, though not blown away, by the Lifeproof's performance.
But what I was impressed with was with its build quality and durability. This thing is a tank, in the best possible way. The case is drop-proof and the rubber coating makes for a satisfying in-hand feel, without feeling overly heavy. The battery life is great, too, lasting up to 90 minutes.
The Cons: It doesn't look or feel like a premium device, nor does the shaving performance match the more expensive options on this list. The lack of a battery life indicator also leaves you guessing when it's about to run dead. But based on the quality of the build and the above-average shaving performance, it's easily one of the most useable and convenient devices on this list.
Read More: The Best Nose Hair Trimmers
| Blade Type | Foil |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 90 minutes |
| Accessories | Foil guard, Storage pouch, Cleaning brush, Blade oil |
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- USB-C port and wireless charing compatible
Cons
- Not the closest shave
Ease-of-use is a theme that runs across Manscaped's line-up of men's grooming tools and The Chairman Pro is one of the best examples of that. From the two magnetic, clip-on combs to the USB-C charger and built-in light, it's ready to use straight from the box, easy to recharge along with all your other tech, and equipped to help you achieve perfectly-styled stubble with minimal fuss.
The Pros: The Chairman Pro falls at the lower-end of the more premium electric shavers, at £140, and it's shaving performance reflects that. What it's really built to do is save you time. Having two blades leads to a quicker and more streamlined shave, and removes the need to switch between two separate devices. The stubble trimmer attachment helps to tidy edges and keep short hair in check, while the four-blade foil head is designed to clip up to five days of growth down to the skin.
The Cons: It won’t give you a baby smooth shave, but you can run it across your face fairly quickly without worrying about irritation.
Read More: Manscaped The Chairman Pro Review
| Blade Type | Foil |
|---|---|
| Wet and Dry Use? | Yes |
| Battery Life | 75 minutes |
| Accessories | Two interchangeable blade heads, Carry case |
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What's the Best Electric Shaver for Sensitive Skin?
If you have sensitive skin, foil shavers, like the Philips Shaver Series 9000 are the way to go, as they’re known for being less likely to cause irritation or a dreaded razor burn.
Is It Better to Shave Wet or Dry with an Electric Razor?
It's an age-old debate: is wet or dry shaving better? Both ways have their pros and cons, depending on your skin type and grooming routine.
Wet shaving can feel more luxurious and give you a closer shave, resulting in superior smoothness and hair that takes longer to regrow, but this regrowth can be itchy and lead to dryness if you don't moisture regularly.
Dry shaving, meanwhile, can be less irritating to sensitive skin, but it doesn't provide as close a shave as the blade doesn't actually come into contact with your face. Some men, however, find dry shaving more uncomfortable, as there are no shaving creams or other lubricants at play.
How Often Should You Replace Blades On An Electric Shaver?
It depends on how regularly you use it, but on average it’s recommended by grooming brands that you change your blades every 12-18 months. If you have thicker hair and shave more often, you might need to bring this timeline forward a tad. In reality, you could probably get away with over two years of use.
Do Electric Shavers Cause Ingrown Hairs?
Electric shavers are actually better than your regular razor if you often suffer from ingrown hairs. The closer the shave, the more likely you are at creating pesky bumps. Electric razors don’t cut directly at skin level, making them less likely to cause irritation but still provide a clean shave.
Do I Need To Clean An Electric Shaver?
We're sure this will come as no surprise that, yes, you should clean your electric shaver. Look after your shaver and it'll look after you, but the more you spend on your razor, the easier this is.
More expensive electric shavers can come with fully fledged cleaning stations, which clean, dry and even lubricate your razor's blades. Even if you do have one of these, you’ll still want to replace the cleaning cartridges, as well as the blades or foil heads because they will dull the more they're used.
Why Trust Us?
At Men's Health, we're dedicated to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men — ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving.
