Electric Shavers Review

Electric shavers are getting close to manual shavers when it comes to getting a quick shave without the hassle of water or shaving cream. They let you shave anywhere and anytime. Electric shavers come in a wide variety such as foil, rotary, wet/dry and travel shavers.

Before you go on to learn about electric shavers, it would interest you to know about the 5 rules of electric shaving that you need to know before you buy an electric shaver. These tips would help you maximize results from your electric shaver. 

Best Electric Shavers

1.) Braun Series 7 760cc – Best Foil Electric Shaver

The Braun Series 7 760cc foil shaver is our top pick for best foil electric shaver. It has a flexible head and flexible settings that can be customized to your convenience for a close and comfortable shave for different skin and beard types. It has a docking station that cleans the shaver and charges the battery simultaneously.

2.) Philips Norelco Shaver 9300 – Best Rotary Electric Shaver

The Philips Norelco Shaver 9300 is our top pick for best rotary shaver. It is loaded with cutting technology that can cut 30 percent closer than previous rotary models. It performs well as a dry shaver as well as a wet shaver.

3.) Panasonic ES-LA63-S – Best Wet/Dry Foil Shaver

The Panasonic ES-LA63-S is gentle on sensitive skin and it is a top performer for shaving with a shaving cream or lotion. It is fully waterproof and easy to use and quiet during operation.

4.) Philips Norcelo PQ208 Travel Electric Razor – Best Battery Powered Shaver

For frequent travelers who need a light and efficient travel razor, the Philips Norcelo PQ208 is the perfect choice. It works quietly and does excellently well for different beard styles and skin types. It comes with two rotating cutting heads that are powered by a pair of AA batteries.

Types of shavers

There are so many shavers out there that it can sometimes be overwhelming picking the right electric shaver that would suit your skin, hair and personal style. There are two main types – rotary and foil. Although these two types of shavers would accomplish the same goal, they do so by different means.

Rotary shavers use circular blades which swivel independently to accommodate the contour of your face. These shavers do a much better job than foil shavers by following the contours on your face for a perfect shave. They are also quieter, handle longer and stubborn hairs and it can be used in any direction – up to down and side to side.

Foil shavers have oscillating blades hidden behind perforated steel foils. The foil lifts your hair to the blades beneath the foil for a close shave. Foil shavers come with 3 to 5 blades beneath the foil. The number of the blades hidden beneath the foil determines the size of the shaving head and in theory, the speed of your shaver.

Most experts agree that foil shavers give the best shave of all electric shavers, though they tend to struggle with different contours and hair types and could be a bit loud during usage. 

Which one do you choose?

According to Remington:

Use a Rotary Shaver If you…

Shave infrequently
Have thick or coarse hair
Have hair that grows in many directions
Don’t clean your shaver as often
Don’t need the closest shave

Use a Foil Shaver If you…

Shave every day
Have fine hair
Have straight hair growth
Clean your shaver often
Want an exceptionally close shave
Want more precision

Buying Guide

There are somethings that need to be considered before you purchase an electric shaver such as how sensitive you are to noise. Rotary electric shavers tend to be quieter compared to foil shavers. Knowing this from the beginning would help you narrow down your choice.

Two things to consider also are how long you expect to go between shaves and smooth shaving along contours. Some electric shavers handle longer hairs between than others. This is true especially for foil shavers due to the swiveling blades that hide beneath the foil. Rotary shavers are also much better equipped to deal with contours (chin and neck) than foil does.

Is close shave important for you? Electric shavers can never give you as close a shave as manual razors but it can get you something very close. If you want an electric shaver for a close shave then you are better off with foil shavers as it gets you closer to the feel of shaving with a razor.

If you intend to shave with a cream or lotion, you would need an electric shaver with wet/dry capabilities. This is also important for guys with sensitive skin or those that get irritation during dry shaving.

What the best men’s shaver has?

1.) A trimmer.

Most electric shaver that we reviewed came with a trimmer for dealing with long and stubborn hairs or shaping sideburns. These could come as an attachment or as a pop-out trimmer.

2.) A respected brand name.

When it comes to buying men’s shavers, you get what you pay for. The best products are from the top brands in this niche. These brands include Braun, Panasonic and Philips Norelco. They are top performers and they are also durable.

3.) 2-year warranty.

When you decide to buy an electric shaver, make sure you pick a model that comes with a minimum of 2-years warranty which is the industry standard for shavers. Also, check to see whether the foil and blades are excluded from the warranty. This is quite common but it is good you know about it up front so you don’t get disappointed later on.

4.) Quick charge feature

You don’t want to be stuck with only half of your beards shaved while you wait for 2 -3 hours to charge your shaver. The best electric shavers can get you enough power to continue shaving even after being charged for a few minutes.