Manual razors have ruled the grooming industry for a very long time because of its capability of generating unmatched close shaves.
But modern technology has finally caught up and given us a certain number of products that can replicate the outcome of a manual razor but at great ease!
These products are called electric shavers and you’ll find tons of them being bought and sold on the internet everyday in rapid fashion!
But which one is the best electric shaver among them, or which precise shaver is great for your particular needs?
My article thus enlists 10 of the standout electric shavers in the 2024 market with hand-tested reviews to guide you through this process!
Contents
- 1 Best Electric Shavers to Buy in 2024
- 1.0.1 BaBylissPRO MetalFX Foil Shaver
- 1.0.2 Panasonic ARC5 Electric Razor for Men, ES-LV65-S
- 1.0.3 Braun Series 9 9370cc Men’s Electric Shaver
- 1.0.4 Braun Series 7 7071cc Flex Electric Razor for Men
- 1.0.5 Panasonic ARC5 Electric Razor for Men, ES-LV67-K
- 1.0.6 Philips Norelco Shaver 7200, S7887/82
- 1.0.7 MANSCAPED The Handyman Compact Face Shaver
- 1.0.8 Philips Norelco Shaver 3800, S3311/85
- 1.0.9 Remington Foil Shaver
- 1.0.10 Braun Electric Series 3 Foil Shaver for Men
- 1.1 Why Trust My Verdict?
- 1.2 Testing Results
- 1.3 Buyer’s Guide for the Best Electric Shaver
- 1.4 How to Get a Close Shave using Electric Shavers?
- 1.5 General Maintenance for Electric Shavers
- 1.6 FAQ
- 1.7 Concluding Remarks
What are the Different Types of Shavers?
There are certain jargons these days to distinguish between shavers and razors. Some even consider trimmer to be a part of the shaver category but you and I both know it’s really not.
If we do it by the books, then there are broadly two categories of shaver – manual and electric. Under the electric shaver list, you’ll find rotary and foil to be up there with prominence.
The amount of consumers for both manual razor and electric shaver is massive! Based on U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS), the statistical website Statista, has some projection of user numbers for us!
So let’s learn the basic differences between these three before heading to our review section!
Manual Shaver/Razor
As you can see, there are around 160 million projected manual razor users only in America! Imagine how many there are in the rest of the world!
It’s because these razors are affordable and get a good close shave done. The basic idea of a manual shaver is a set of sharp blades placed over a handle.
Then it’s left at your ability of gliding over your skin without cutting or nicking anything. There would be no electric system aiding you or protecting you from these cuts. It’s only the modern day adaptation of ancient hair cutting using sharp rocks.
Foil Electric Shaver
Foil electric shavers imply a metal mesh guarding sets of sharp blades. These meshes are built to vibrate and pull your beard through them for feeding the blades underneath.
This way, you get a good shave even with an electric shaver which is safe and comfortable. Also, it takes way less time to get done than a manual razor and creates very little mess with stray hair.
While these are almost the perfect electric shavers, certain units are limited by the size of their shaver head and it’s somewhat preventive about cleaning out the mustache area neatly.
Rotary Electric Shaver
Rotary shavers are the ones you’ll see holding three to five circular foils on the blade face. Underneath these foils are some agile cutting elements ready to trim your beard off.
Despite the similarity in philosophy, the architecture is quite different from foil shavers. You are bound to move your hand in a motion while holding the shaver against your face so that the rotary foils pick up your stubble.
This way you can make passes as many times as necessary without irritating your skin. However, the limitation of this shaver type is around tight spots where it’s tough to grind the shaver in a motion.
Best Electric Shavers to Buy in 2024
Electric shaver’s market is huge in 2024 and singling out one from them isn’t the easiest task. That’s why, I’ve sorted out 10 of the best you could hope for in my list to see which one fits your description of the ideal electric shaver!
Shaver | BaByliss PRO shaver | Panasonic ARC 5 | Braun Series 9 |
---|---|---|---|
Blade Head | Double Foil | Multi-Flex Pivoting Head (5 Blades) | 10-D Contour Adaptation (5 Shaving Elements) |
Water Proof | No | Yes | Yes |
Automatic Technology | None | Active Shave Sensor Technology | Sonic and AutoSense |
Battery Life | 3 Hours | 45 Minutes | Around 1 Hour |
Warranty | 2 Years | 2 Years | 2 Years |
Rating (out of 5) | ⭐ 4.5 | ⭐ 4.75 | ⭐ 4.8 |
Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Note: The star ratings for each shaver show an overall assessment in the electric shaver category and does not indicate any specialized shaving operation.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Foil Shaver
Babyliss is a big name in the present day market of best electric shavers. Their FOILFX02 shaver from the MetalFX series stands out as one of my favorite portable units out there!
First of all, let’s get the aesthetics out of the way. The shaver is a pitch-black device housed in solid metal. Only other thing to see is the BabylissPRO logo at its feet in gold.
It’s safe to say that despite being a full metal housing without any rubber grip, it feels really good to hold on to! Never felt like slipping as it can only perform in dry mode. It passes my ergonomic assessment with almost full marks.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Grip
There’s a cap that covers the foil blades. It comes on and off comfortably, and a click should tell you that you’ve done it right.
In terms of the foils, it’s a double foil system that responds to pressure. Meaning, I can press it firmly against my face or neck and the foil will adjust accordingly over the contour.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Foil System
These foils are made with hypoallergenic material draped in gold. I tried it out on my neck numerous times to see how it works on sensitive skin and I felt almost nothing!
The results are shocking to be honest! With a dry shave, I never expect a smooth outcome which you’d only get with a manual razor and some gel or foam scrubbing.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Foil Removed
After making sure I’ve had enough passes, I ran my thumb down over the patches and felt nothing but the smoothness of my skin!
Such great performance is achieved by the sharp blades and a powerful motor. Babyliss advertises the motor to be capable of running 10,000 RPM.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver On/Off Switch
Pairing these two ensures nothing but supreme results. However, I’d advise you not to press the shaver against your sensitive skins too hard, rather make gentle passes, more if needed.
The on/off switch is situated at the side of the shaver. Slide it up to turn it on and slide down to kill the power.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Weight
Now there are a couple of concerns I should tell you about. First of all, it’s quite heavy due to the full metal housing and premium parts installed inside.
The other concern is the sound. You can imagine how loud a shaver could be when it runs 10,000 RPM or 20,000 SPM. But it’s necessary to get all the beard out completely.
A round button at the opposite side of the on/off switch allows you to take the foil head off. Once there, you can brush off all the stray hair with the brush included in the box.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Accessories
You’ll also find a charging adapter with one of the sturdiest & longest cables attached to it. Charging takes a couple of hours and the battery lasts for almost 3 hours with one full charge!
This power cable attaches at the bottom of the shaver. Right beside it, an indicator light shows the charging progress.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Charging Light
NEVER use the shaver in wet conditions or if there’s sprinkled water in any capacity. It probably is not water resistant as no one mentioned it and I don’t dare stress it out that far.
The carry pouch coming as an accessory is a lifesaver! I can store it inside easily or even throw it inside my luggage once I’m traveling.
BaBylissPRO MetalFX Shaver Cap off
Overall, if you don’t mind the weight or the noise, this one is the perfect and portable electric shaver for your daily beard trimming.
With a very close shave outcome, durable chassis and 2-year warranty, I’d say Babyliss got the price for the device just about right!
What I Like
- Luxury electric shaver for daily beard maintenance
- Powerful motor and sharp foil blades
- Long-lasting 3-hour battery life
What I Don’t Like
- Heavy
- Quite noisy
Panasonic ARC5 Electric Razor for Men, ES-LV65-S
Now I’m going to introduce you to the AI technology in beard shaving! The Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S is by far one of the finest shavers I’ve used, even if I assess it on different criteria!
This shaver has so many premium qualities that I don’t even know where to get started! From the design to the performance, everything feels too good to be true for an electric shaver!
I’ll begin with the design of this device. The entire housing consists of two colors – black and silver. The handle features shiny black in the middle and thick outlines with a matte silver finish.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Housing Close up
The back is also the combination of these two colors. At the shaver head, the lower half is black while the top half is equally silver toned, blades of same color and black accent.
Ergonomics is wonderful in this device! The back is reinforced with rubber grip and the lightweight renders the experience a heavenly one!
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Rubber Grip
This head tilts beautifully to accommodate the contours of your face! The technology is regarded as the Multi-Flex Pivoting Head as it ensures maximum skin to blade contact.
It allows you to move around the shaver as you like and it’ll automatically pick up your facial hair by compensating your movement.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Pivoting Head
Now comes the grand prize – a 5-Blade System sitting pretty up to. 4 of these are foil units with tight dots and one in the middle consisting of vertical mesh foil.
Underneath are sharp blades ready for action! The material on these foils are hypoallergenic stainless steel – ideal for sensitive skin and made to last for years!
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Blade System
Apart from the tilting head, even the foils micro adjust to your facial traits up to a 30-degree horizontally.
The blades are powered by Panasonic’s Fastest Hyper-Performance Linear Motor capable of running at 14,000 CPM (cuts per minute). It can get loud but that’s understandable considering the motion it generates.
Now comes the treat – the Active Shave Sensor Technology! This technology detects the density and thickness of your beard to adjust motor power accordingly.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S LED Panel
Meaning, if you have a light beard, it won’t run at full pace to ensure maximum comfort. And if your beard is dense, it cranks up automatically to minimize any sort of tug or pull when you glide!
The power button sits on the chest of the handle. You’ll notice there’s a little notch underneath that slides to enable travel lock.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Travel Lock
Once unlocked, one press should bring the device to life. Right underneath, you’ll see the advanced LED panel showing how long you’ve been shaving, where you are in terms of battery level and indicates if the Active Sensor is turned on!
Basically, one press on the power button turns on the shaver with Active Sensor, another press will turn the feature off and keep the motor running at its fullest power. A third press will turn the shaver off.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Precision Trimmer
At the back, there’s a precision trimmer to outline your sideburns, hair or clean out a patch at a risky position.
A slider there controls the trimmer as well as the tilting of the shaver head. Keep it at the bottom to use the shaver freely, take up a notch to lock the head’s tilting.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Back Slider
Push it all the way through to pop the precision trimmer out! And it gets the smaller tasks done neatly, although don’t expect it to perform like a heavy-duty trimmer!
This Panasonic shaver is capable of both shaving wet and dry. By dry, I mean you can use anything between water to shaving foam or gel.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S Foils Removed
Once you’re done shaving, you’ll notice how close to your skin it gets without any sort of irritation or risk of cut! It’s truly amazing what technology can achieve!
However, there’s still some cleaning to be done. On both sides of the shaver head, two lock mechanisms hold the foils together. Press both at the same time and pull the head off for a good rinse.
Clean out the hair chamber the same way to keep it ready for the next shave! Although there’s no statement of rating, it’s sufficiently waterproof and leakproof from what I’ve witnessed.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV65-S with Accessories
I must mention the battery life as it runs around 45 minutes with a full charge each time. Since my shaves never took more than 5 minutes, you can squeeze out about 9 shaves with one charge – truly mesmerizing!
For the price, I think Panasonic has done a superb job with this electric shaver! It’s an all-round complete product for your beard trimming, and don’t forget the durable carry pouch it comes with to make your storage and carrying effortless!
What I Like
- Infused with latest AI shaving technology
- Tilting head & 5 foil system grants closest shave
- No irritation & long battery life
What I Don’t Like
- A little expensive
- Large shaver head makes shaving mustache tricky
Braun Series 9 9370cc Men’s Electric Shaver
The Braun Series 9 has featured a number of premium electric shavers over the years, out of which I found the 9370cc to fit my ideal description considering every aspect.
It’s a worthy competitor to the previously reviewed Panasonic ARC5 for numerous reasons. While there’s no AI shown on display, the Advanced 32-bit processor senses the beard density and performs cutting actions accordingly with the AutoSense technology!
While it’s one of the best electric shavers for professionals, individuals at home can get long-term benefit out of it anyday! Like ARC5, the Braun unit as well is draped in matte silver and black.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Rubber Grip
Despite the housing being made with plastic and is quite lightweight, you can sense that the shaver is made to last by the feeling of it.
Up front, there’s an ergonomic thumb resting place that functions as the tilt-lock at the same time. This gripping area was absent on the ARC5 shaver.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Thumb Resting Place
At the back, it’s all ergonomic rubber that makes grabbing the shaver a grand experience! Never slipped even when fully wet, my heart just melted at this!
Right below you’ll locate the power button which turns the shaver on and off with one click. It fits perfectly in my palms and such comfort is important if you want to give yourself a comfortable shaving session.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Grip
As per the shaving head, it mimics the colors of the housing with a thin black accent around the middle. The foils up top are silver with one exception of a golden trimmer head.
Let’s see how the head tilts to follow facial contour. As the ARC5 tilts both back-front and side-to-side, the Braun device head tilts only back and front to adapt to your skin.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Tilting Head
With the head, the foils and blades adjust as well up to 10 directions altogether. Braun has branded it as the 10-D contour adaptation technology.
In my opinion, it works perfectly well! The absence of sidewise tilting has been made up for by the foils micro adjustment, ensuring no degree of hair is left unshaved on your face.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Shaving Elements
There resides a total of 5 shaving elements on the head. Two oval OptiFoils on either side, two different types of specialized cutting trimmers in the middle and one SkinGuard sitting between the top foil and first cutting trimmer.
Cutting units are one of Direct & Cut and the other of Hyper Lift & Cut technology, the latter coated in titanium to spare you any burning sensation at any time.
The shaving technology is a game changer I reckon. The foils micro vibrate due to the Intelligent Sonic and AutoSense Technology 10,000 times to feed every bit of your facial hair through the blades.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Shaver Different Angle
It has been made possible due to the powerful motor embedded inside that torques at a high speed. Thus, you’ll notice some noise while shaving, similar to the ARC5 shaver.
This shaver performs 40,000 CPM which is significantly more efficient that ARC5! Foils on either side grab your beard and the specialized trimmers fused with titanium coating cut through the bush effortlessly!
Braun Series 9 9370cc Head Removed
Due to the material and technology, I’ve found the shaver to be friendly for sensitive skin, as the SkinGuard prevents your skin from getting too close for discomfort.
This device is waterproof, landing you the opportunity to shave both dry or wet. And at the same time, cleaning has been made easy due to this feature.
The shaver head has two thick buttons on either side that clicks the foil system out directly. That point onward, you can rinse the foils and clean off the residue.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Docked on Cleaning Station
One of the grandest inclusion in this shaver is the Clean & Charge station that’s included in the package – thus the higher price
It not only cleans or lubricates the blades, but also charges the shaver up as long as it’s docked. You’ll find the shaver to be as good as new upon every thorough yet automatic maintenance. Only replacement you’ll be needing is the cleaning cartridge.
Braun Series 9 9370cc LED Indicator
Battery life is slightly better on the Braun than on the ARC5, lasting slightly shy of 1 hour with a full charge. The LED panel for the Braun shaver is weaker though, showing battery levels in only 5 increments.
Otherwise, it shows the charging indicator, cleaning warning and the travel lock icon – which you can prompt by pressing and holding the power button for 5 seconds.
Braun Series 9 9370cc Pop-up Trimmer
On the back of the shaver, a pop-up trimmer exists which you need to press on the button to slide up. It’s similar to the ARC5 in terms of performance, and turns on with the same power button.
There are three reasons for you to buy this shaver: it’s built to last due to the durable German technology used in making it, it’s a complete shaver for your everyday shaving needs and it has the least maintenance duties due to automatic features!
Braun Series 9 9370cc Accessories
So don’t let the price tag scare you! It’s well worth it if you ask me! Carry it around with you no matter where you go storing it in the solid carry case you’ll find the shaver sleeping inside!
What I Like
- Perfect and long-lasting solution for daily close shaving
- Waterproof, can shave wet and dry
- Comes with cleaning dock for automatic maintenance
What I Don’t Like
- Quite expensive
- Large shaver head makes it troublesome to shave off mustache area
Braun Series 7 7071cc Flex Electric Razor for Men
It’s time for us to take our eyes off of the most exclusive electric shavers in the market toward the more affordable and premium ones, thus we stumble upon the Braun Series 7 7071cc.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Body
You’ll be able to notice the long way Braun has come from the Series 7 to Series 9, but it doesn’t mean this shaver in particular is no good!
No, not at all! I mean, yes, it doesn’t have all the latest features of the Series 9, still there are some unique aspects that ranks it among the top devices even in 2024!
Braun Series 7 Shaver Housing Close up
For starters, the design of the shaver is quite sleek and handy. Since the motor isn’t as gigantic as the Series 9, the housing was limited to a pleasant proportion, making it easier to handle.
The colors are all the same, black and silver matte finish. However, there’s something different on the neck – a shining silver oval region. Why, you may ask?
Braun Series 7 Shaver Head
Because this shaver was the last generation to host the 360 degree Adaptive System to follow your facial contours for the closest shaves.
No that this technology is redundant, rather simply replaced by a separate approach of contour adaptation. This 360 degree system tilts the shaver head in all directions but not out of control.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Blades
Such an impeccable degree of movement has been matched by the 3 flexible blades sitting on top of the shaver head. Two SensoFoils on either side with a trimmer in the middle.
I’d say one shortcoming could be the comfort on sensitive skin since the foil unit doesn’t have any hypoallergenic coating. My neck area was slightly red after the shave, but an application of moisturizer quickly neutralized it.
Braun Series 7 Shaver LED Display
I won’t disregard the motor entirely because it does live up to the Braun name. It’s quite powerful and sufficient enough to grant a tug or pull free shaving experience.
You’ll find the AutoSense technology even in this Series 7 shaver as it controls the motor power and overall operation upon detecting your beard’s density and condition.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Grip
Now I must address the handle. You’ll get to rest your thumb on the rubber texture on the chest and one finger on the texture at the back. The rest of your fingers will dwell on the plastic bits.
Due to the size of it, there’s little risk of slipping. Although the plastic portion at the lower back of the handle isn’t the most grippy while shaving wet.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Head Removed
Yes, it is also waterproof and can do both types of shavings equally well. There’s no button to remove the shaver head’s foil unit.
You must locate the crevice up front to wrench it open, not convenient for me, truth be told. However, there’s an additional technology included by Braun.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Precision Trimmer Attached
They’ve named it the EasyClick technology that creates room for attachments other than the foil unit. One precision trimmer is already included in the package for your fine tuning.
This philosophy has been later on discarded by Braun, as you could see that they’d built a pop-up trimmer in for convenience.
But the attachment in the Series 7 works! You can also put on a comb guard or other trimmer heads for the shaver to get your basic trimming jobs done with one device alone!
Braun Series 7 Shaver Docked
I found the battery life to be really good, around 50 minutes with an hour’s charge. Also, there’s the option for a quick charge of 5 minutes to get yourself a swift shave.
The LED panel seems identical to the Series 9, only the battery level shows in a singular line of increments rather than isolated incremental units. A separate button turns on the display.
Power button on this felt underwhelming. There’s no tactile, clicky feeling and I’m not even sure if I’m pressing it right. 5 second press & hold triggers the travel lock.
Braun Series 7 Shaver Accessories
I think what’ll interest you is that the shaver comes with a 4-in-1 SmartCare Center. It’s hard to believe that Braun is letting us have it at this killer price!
This dock cleans and charges your shaver. Otherwise, you can undo the head for a quick rinse.
I’d call the shave to be very close, mimicking almost 90% the closeness of the Series 9 or ARC5. It comes with the dock, adapts well to skin, contains a carry case and the battery lasts long enough.
All of these features at such a price point is a steal if you ask me. And the balance between all of these has earned the shaver a right to be here!
What I Like
- 360 Degree head adapts well with skin
- Good motor & sharp blades get the job done in around 5 minutes
- Complete package at a good price
What I Don’t Like
- Power button isn’t tactile
Panasonic ARC5 Electric Razor for Men, ES-LV67-K
Here I am with another Panasonic ARC5 shaver and this time it’s the ES-LV67-K. This shaver is quite similar to the previous ARC5 I discussed in this article but contains some minor variations.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Body
For starters, it’s a shaver that comes in a solid black with a matte finish. The accent colors are gold and silver – gold on the logo as well as the pivoting neck while silver is the button and the blades.
Designwise, the LV67 and LV65 are quite the same and host almost uncanny features, probably because of them being adjacent variants in the same ARC5 series.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Shaver Head
As you can realize, the shaver head adapts to up to 16 directions of adjustment angles to reach the closest to your shave without causing you any sort of irritation or discomfort.
The blades too are of the same technology but cannot be interchanged (trust me, I tried my best) due to certain gaps in design.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Foil Close Up
These 5 blades with stainless steel foils and cutting units provide a really close shave with utmost comfort. Nothing to split between the two just yet.
I tested out the battery life in this, and it felt much like the same at around 50 minutes of runtime with a one hour charge.
There’s also an additional feature where a 3-minute quick charge lets you get away with a 5 minute shave. Handy if you ask me.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Foil Removed
Both LV65 and LV67 are waterproof, capable of dry/wet shave and cleaning remains the same with removing the foil head pressing on to the two buttons on the sides.
The differences start to show when you closely inspect the ergonomics of the shavers. LV67 has allowed for a dedicated thumb rest area which is quite limited in the LV65.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Thumb Rest Area
Also, LV67’s power button is dipped inside and slightly less tactile. While it contains the Sensor technology to assess beard density and adjust power accordingly, one limitation remains.
On the LV65, you could switch between the Auto mode to full throttle mode by tapping on the power button again. But LV67 seems to be fixed on the Auto mode at all times.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K LED Display
The LED display is quite different too, showing the battery levels in 5 incremental numbers between 20 to 100.
Also, there’s no visible travel lock underneath the power button in the LV67. You’ll have to press and hold the power button for 3 seconds to activate and deactivate it.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Pop-up Trimmer
There’s still the pop-up trimmer, shaver head lock at the back and both of them arrive in solid carry cases.
But in terms of housing texture, the LV67 excels LV65. The former has a rubber padding all over the back that has some character to it.
Panasonic ARC5 ES-LV67-K Accessories
It’s better to hold on to and feels much safer during wet shaves. Together with the thumb rest, LV67 is the superior electric shaver when you count the degree of grip.
So which one should you pick between the two? My opinion is, go for the LV67 if grip is your priority over looks and certain conveniences.
There’s little to distinguish between them even from a price-tag point of view. In the end, picking between the two semi-identical shavers is left up to your preference because performance-wise, they’re exactly the same.
What I Like
- Built for higher grip
- Close shave in both dry and wet
- Advanced technology for comfortable shaving sessions
What I Don’t Like
- On/off switch isn’t enough clicky
- Can be loud
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200, S7887/82
Let me now introduce you to the Norelco Shaver series by Philips. The one I’m mentioning is a rotary shaver endowed with the latest technology to grant you the most comfortable and closest shaves within minutes!
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Shaver
The 7200 Norelco Shaver is quite light, convenient to hold on to from my point of view. Since it demands circular motions for getting the shave done, I’d say the weight is ideal for such operations.
In terms of design, it looks really cool! The color tones are shades of gray running from top to bottom and a shiny neck holds the inscriptions that read the model name.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Ergonomics
When it comes to ergonomics, this shaver seems to belong to the better side among all. Both the sides are reinforced with textured rubber grip, making it impossible to slip at any condition.
It’s a great shaver for sensitive skin if you ask me. The rotary units are coated with Nano SkinGlide materials to reduce discomfort to the utmost degree.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Blades Close Up
Such an inclusion makes gliding smoother on skin. From my experience, there’s no tugging or pulling as it glides effortlessly over any part of my stubble.
Speaking like a geek, the sharp micro blades placed underneath the foils ensure 90,000 cutting actions going on, reducing shaving time and friction duration with skin.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Shaver Head
The blades are branded as Steel Precision blades. There are 45 of them in one shaver head and they self-sharpen over the course of time to guarantee the closest shaves for the longest time.
About the shaver head, it reads that the shaver can follow contour at a 360 degree rotation adaptation.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Adaptive Blades
However, this isn’t achieved alone with the flexible neck, rather the three foil units too adjust according to contour and pressure.
It’s not finicky and the build is quite strong, so the 7200 has my blessing in this regard.
A technological gift I must say that this shaver is. There’s a smart hair sensor built inside the shaver which analyzes the beard density 250 times per second to adjust the motor power accordingly.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 LED Panel
What this does is to play kind on your skin based on your necessity and doesn’t overpower to leave behind after burns.
Although the motors aren’t as powerful as the Panasonic or Braun units because the Norelco shaver has committed to a different technology entirely.
For its purpose, the power feels sufficient enough. This is also a blessing since the motor makes much less noise, so that’s a plus if sound level is a major concern for you.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Blades Undone
Another technological gift is the Motion Control sensor. As I’ve mentioned, rotary shavers don’t shave in linear motions, rather you’ll have to move it in circles.
So this technology reads how you have been moving the shaver around your face. If your motion is incorrect, you’ll see the Motion Control light turning on in orange.
It gives you room for improvement and the more accurately you control your shaving motion, the better outcome you’ll get.
Once you get the hang of it, the light will turn green to tell you that the shaving operation has been done correctly with maximum efficiency.
The Norelco 7200 is capable of both wet and dry shaves. I’d rather you did it with some moisture for the best experience. Dry shaves are okay, but you might feel your beard being crunched down.
This waterproof nature makes cleaning significantly easy. There’s one button that unlocks the blades attached to a hinge and a quick rinse gets your cleaning done instantly!
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Accessories
Battery life is ideal in my opinion, you get around 40 minutes of relentless performance with a 1-hour full charge and there’s the option of quick charge for one swift shave.
There exists a pop-up trimmer at the back which is suitable for outlining your sideburns or hair. I wouldn’t go further than that with this thing.
The LED panel shows battery levels in three increments and other smart icons for a great shaving experience and ideal maintenance.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7200 Pop-up Trimmer
I’d say the Norelco 7200 is a complete shaving package built with a rotary system. It’s ideal for fast, clean shaves taking 2-3 minutes for stubble growth of not more than 3 days.
Also, people with uneven and unruly beard growth may find greater benefit with it. The rotary system does well to clean out short, coarse hair with swift glides.
For a daily shaver used at home, charged once in two weeks, carried around easily and built with durable materials, the price point under $100 is indeed a steal!
What I Like
- Comfortable, quick close shaves
- 45-day money back guarantee
- Long lasting blades can be easily replaced
What I Don’t Like
- Not ideal for longer beard
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
1. Comfortable, quick close shaves | 1. Not ideal for longer beard |
2. 45-day money back guarantee | |
3. Long lasting blades can be easily replaced |
MANSCAPED The Handyman Compact Face Shaver
I feel obligated to introduce a suave electric shaver which is almost effortless to use and you are allowed to carry it around in your pocket no matter where you go.
It’s called the Handyman shaver from Manscaped. The brand has branched out from their concentration on body grooming devices to this quality face shaver over the span of time.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Shaver Body
This shaver looks so great out of the box that it seems like something else entirely – maybe a gadget from the future ready to do all of your biddings.
The weight is great, not too heavy and yet not a feather-like shaver since you need a certain amount of weight for ideal maneuvers.
MANSCAPED The Handyman without Cap
Designwise, I’d say it’s the best one in my list! Draped in black as the grip area is finished with a matte texture and the cap remains shiny.
As per the cap, it’s magnetic so it opens and closes in an instant. It even covers the power button so there’s no need for an additional travel lock.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Grip
Even the compact size doesn’t compromise grip at any degree. Since such shavers are meant to be held by the palm of your fingers and not a full grasp, Manscaped has nailed the design in this regard.
You’ll locate the oval power button upon removing the cap. It’s outlined with silver and is clicky enough to get the feel of turning it on or off in an instant.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Foil Unit
Now let’s head on to the foil system. The device contains Skin Safe blades that are meant to ensure burn-free shaving experiences.
However, it takes some getting used to as the shaver is a completely new entity to your skin. Manscaped suggests there’s going to be some itchiness and redness in the first month.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Head Removed
Once your skin adjusts to this shaving system, you’ll find it to be more comfortable and itch-free with the closest shaves.
I won’t recommend it to people with sensitive skin though. It is waterproof with an IPX7 rating, but I’d rather utilize this feature during cleaning – rinsing under the tap.
The motor is quite powerful, although not as much as the Babyliss shaver I mentioned earlier. Thus, it’s less loud than most other electric shavers.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Power Button
How close does it get to the skin? I’d say it doesn’t deliver a smooth-skin outcome since I could feel the heads of my beard strands after a clean shave. But it does a well-enough job to generate an evening stubble in the quickest time.
The foil units in this shaver are quite unorthodox. You’ll see one foil portion and one trimmer portion on the head. It does however work better on slightly longer stubble compared to other shavers.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Brushing
These foils don’t tilt much, making contour following slightly difficult. This results in razor burns around those areas, so I’d ask you not to press it too hard against the skin.
Manscaped recommends you to replace the foil head every 12-18 months. I’d say that’s fair and more durable than most electric shaving units.
In terms of cleaning, the shaver head can be removed by pulling it apart. You can then brush off the stray or simply wash it under running water.
Make sure to keep the shaver unplugged while dealing with water. For an easy clean, remove the head, hold it under running water and turn the shaver on. It gets most of the work done.
MANSCAPED The Handyman Accessories
Shaving operation demands you to hold the shaver horizontally against your face with the trimmer side facing the earth.
There’s an LED light on Manscaped Handyman shaver is a little tricky to understand so let me break it down for you:
- LED Light Blinking: If your shaver is plugged in and the light is blinking, it means that the shaver is charging.
- 3 Blinks: It means the shaver has around 15 minutes of battery left.
- Constant Blinking: Indication of battery life remaining of about 5 minutes.
- LED Turned off while Charging: This suggests that the shaver is fully charged.
- Blinking while Powered off: It implies the batteries have zero charge.
MANSCAPED The Handyman LED Light
Once you master the interpretation of the LED light, you’ll get a better hang of your charging time.
In short, the battery lasts for around an hour with a full charge. Since each shave completes within 5 minutes, you won’t have to worry about the battery repeatedly.
MANSCAPED The Handyman USB Port
Another great thing about this shaver is the USB Type-C charging port. You don’t need to carry around a separate charger since your phone’s existing charger can get the job done easily.
Although it’s not the best electric shaver overall, I’d call it the best shaver for traveling due to a lot of factors.
MANSCAPED The Handyman inside Box
First, it’s highly portable, gets a good enough shaving done with least maintenance. The battery life is good, charging is convenient and you can simply put it inside your pocket before running off to any corner of the world!
What I Like
- Portable, lightweight and covers the head with a cap
- Ideal battery life that lasts weeks
- Best electric shaver for traveling
What I Don’t Like
- Shaving is not the closest
- May leave razor burns in the first month
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800, S3311/85
We must enter the area of best electric shavers at medium price range. The Norelco Shaver 3800 from Philips is ideally placed for this category – bringing together quality features with a lesser hit on your wallet!
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Body
This rotary shaver has many good qualities as well as shortcomings, so I’d say the value for money is acceptable. Also, it comes with a few extra accessories so that’s an added bonus!
Starting off with the design, the housing is not the thinnest one out there, although it doesn’t compromise grip at any degree. There are a couple of ways to hold it for face shaving.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Ergonomics
In terms of color, most of the shaver’s body consists of matte black and the frontal regions are accented with a thick silver. The blades follow a similar duotone approach.
I really love the textured rubber on the housing that takes up most of both sides and a thick patch on the neck.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Grips
Such ergonomics has rendered gripping effortless and I find it comforting even when the shaver is dripping wet with water and soapy foam.
Philips has advertised the shaver head to carry 5D pivot and named it Flex Heads. After reviewing other ‘more expensive’ shavers, the pivoting feels significantly limiting.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Blades Close up
For instance, the neck doesn’t tilt or adapt much. It’s supposed to pair up with each of the three blade’s adaptive capability.
They do adapt, don’t get me wrong, but to a certain extent. Unlike newer shavers, the Norelco 3800’s blade adjustment is quite under par from where I see it.
When the blades adapt to contour, they take a dip and hide inside their crevice if the pressure is over their capacity.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Head Removed
It means that sharp contoured areas are likely to be needing more passes than you would with a finer electric shaver.
But if comfort is considered, the wider foils with ComfortCut blades certainly offer a grand treat! No burns or irritation whatsoever if you follow proper pre-shave procedures.
There are 27 self-sharpening blades under three cap shields. These blades are meant to last a long time as Philips recommends replacement every 12 months. Very durable in my opinion!
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Foils Dipping in
You’ll feel the motor to be almost as powerful and noisy as the Norelco 7200 – perfect for a foil electric shaver as such.
The shaves are very close and if done with gel, you’ll end up with a smooth outcome! Wet shave is guaranteed by the waterproof nature.
This also makes cleaning remarkably easy! Much like the Norelco 7200, this 3800 shaver’s head is attached to a hinge and unlocks with only the press of a release button up front.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Pop-up Trimmer
It has a pop-up trimmer at the back as well which doesn’t have much to offer except for outlining your facial hair.
The power button has a significant deadzone before you meet the click, but still I’d give it a pass. An LED indicator is situated right underneath the power button.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 LED Indicator
It only shows the battery level in three increments and nothing more. With the li-ion battery, the charge lasts around an hour at one go.
With shaving operations taking around 5-6 minutes, you could easily get 10 shaves with one full charge.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Charging Stand
Shaving every 3 days would mean one charge per month is sufficient! Quite handy, isn’t it?
I was surprised to find the charging stand inside the box. It plugs in the shaver to have it standing upright and utilizes the same charger for both units.
You can use it as the dock at your washroom, but I wouldn’t go as far as keeping it plugged in at all times because it’s unwise to keep power running in an area that’s likely to get drenched.
Philips Norelco Shaver 3800 Accessories
Although the shaver comes with a shaving pouch, there’s no travel lock feature. But for what it’s worth, I think Philips is giving more than they were supposed to at this price.
So for ones who are looking for a regular electric shaver that has great features, shaves very close, doesn’t irritate sensitive skin and holds juice for longer durations, the Norelco 3800 would be the ideal candidate!
What I Like
- Medium-range killer electric device
- Close and comfortable shave each time
- Waterproof, good battery and great ergonomics
What I Don’t Like
- Contour adaptation has limitations
Remington Foil Shaver
Remington’s Foil Electric shaver enters the market as the budget king due to its combination between premium performance and affordable price point!
Note that this shaver is also known as Remington’s F5 Power Series Shaver with Intercept Shaving Technology.
Remington Foil Shaver Body
One of the most solidly built shavers I’ve tested out so far, the Remington unit has indeed exceeded my expectations in numerous avenues.
Starting off with the color, the chest area is a somewhat shiny version of silvery shades. Around it, black plastic encases the rest of the body.
As per the shaver head, it’s much shinier than the body with mirror-like silver accents. The materials are different here than they were in the housing.
Remington Foil Shaver Ergonomics
If I’m being completely honest with you, I personally don’t like the shape of the housing. It’s not really fun to hold on to and absence of rubber grip makes it much worse.
My distaste for the grip probably comes from my habituation with thin-necked electric shavers. I can easily wrap my hand around those and Remington’s extraordinary shape is somewhat preventive.
Remington Foil Shaver Pop-up Trimmer
There are other ways to grip the shaver though but the pop-up trimmer’s fidgety back piles down on the grip’s comfort. After certain adjustments, I did however manage to get a strong hold of it.
Don’t expect to wrap your fingers around the entire shaver if you have small fingers. Rather you can follow my last instruction to get it working properly.
Remington Foil Shaver Grip
Now in terms of the shaver head, it tilts back and forth to adapt to your contour and not sideways. That tilting has been balanced out by the foil’s adjustment, so in general it’s a smart design.
Remington calls this Pivot & Flex head that’s made to reduce irritation. I’d say it works well as long as you’re not too firm with the press.
The foils are named as Dual Flexing Foils due to their nature. It’s designed with two foils on either side with a trimmer cassette in the middle.
Remington Foil Shaver Foil Close-up
While Remington claims the trimmer unit allows for longer beard trimming made-easy, it’s not entirely true.
You’ll need more passes and endure some tugs before cleaning everything out if you have a stubble grown over 5 days.
The power button is a shiny silver one, not made with the most premium material. Right underneath there’s a series of green LED lights to show battery levels, titled as fuel gauge.
Remington Foil Shaver LED Lights
Battery life is however really good – over 50 minutes with a two-hour full charge. There’s also the option for a 5-minute quick charge or shaving with the power cable plugged in.
Although the shaver is wash-friendly by removing the head and rinsing it under water, it’s not entirely waterproof. Meaning, you can’t get wet shaves done expecting the cleanest outcome.
Motor power is ideal and does make some noise. However, Remington claims it to be 36% more quiet than their previous version, so that’s something to take away from this.
Remington Foil Shaver Power Button
While the stainless steel blades are sharp and the motor is good enough, the closeness isn’t absolutely premium. It does feel comfortable to shave with no burns afterward, and I honestly can’t expect anything more from a shaver priced at that range.
The quality of shave isn’t compromised, rather, housing or buttons or aspects like that are hit with the price cut and that is totally understandable.
Remington Foil Shaver Accessories
From the sturdiness of the build however, I think this shaver will last over 5-6 years easily. This could be your one time purchase without going the extra distance in your pocket.
You can buy and try it out since it’s covered by a 60-day money back guarantee. If you don’t like its performance during that period, Remington will issue you a full refund!
What I Like
- Highly affordable
- Convenient to use and maintain
- Quick, clean shaves without any discomfort
What I Don’t Like
- Thick neck not ideal for palm grasp
- Not the closest shave for a good electric shaver
Braun Electric Series 3 Foil Shaver for Men
The final electric shaver I’m going to feature in my list is the Braun Electric Series 3 Foil Shaver. It holds the foundational technology that later on took prominence over the newer Braun shavers, so it’s worth having a look into!
Braun Electric Series 3 Body
For the price point, it’s placed alongside the Remington Foil Shaver, so my review will compare these two products more often than holding it side by side with its more expensive successors.
Out of the box, this shaver looks amazing! It has to do with the punchy blue side colors pairing up with the black housing on the remaining areas.
Braun Electric Series 3 Ergonomics
It does however have one thing in common in terms of design – the neck area is quite bulky. Although the bulkiness isn’t matched with the Remington shaver, thus it’s more convenient to hold on to.
Also, the side portions of the shaver are blessed with rubber grips, making it difficult to slip out of your grip at any given point of shaving operation.
Braun Electric Series 3 Power Button
The chest begins with a matte finish and the belly ends up being a shiny, glassy one. In the middle, the rubbery power button rests which is much like any other dipped on/off switch.
Now let’s get some clarity on the results. I found it slightly difficult to move around my contour since the head is fixed and doesn’t tilt at any angle.
Braun Electric Series 3 Foils Close up
There are three flexible blades placed on the shaver’s head – two foils and one trimmer in the middle – similar to the design of Remington.
These blades do adjust according to pressure, but only horizontal adjustments aren’t enough to generate the most comfortable shaving experience.
The foils are the same SensoFoils as the Braun Series 7 shaver but aren’t as agile as their future grandson.
Braun Electric Series 3 LED Indicator
The LED display only indicates the battery level at three increments. These LEDs blink as you charge them and go completely blank at full charge.
This shaver excels over Remington due to the inclusion of the AutoSense Technology that detects the density of your beard to adjust the motor power.
While Remington’s quality of shave and ability to follow contour is slightly better than the Braun Series 3, the latter is kinder on sensitive skin.
Braun Electric Series 3 Rigid Neck
But it’s bottlenecked at the same time for the rigidity of the neck. Despite this, carefully guiding it around my contours seemed to grant me some fine shaves! It just took a little extra time.
Shaving closeness is almost identical with the Braun Series 7 – giving a clean outcome but not the cleanest overall as there’s still much room for improvement.
Braun Electric Series 3 Shaver Head Removed
Cleaning is quite easy for the shaver, just remove the head with a snap and hold it under running water to get all the residue out.
Being waterproof has allowed the Braun Series 3 shaver not only an easy cleaning task, but also enables wet shaving.
Braun Electric Series 3 Cleaning
Both categories of shaving felt evenly matched in terms of comfort as there’s no razor burn, pull or tug in any case. I guess the sharp blades, powerful motor and the automatic technology are to be thanked for this.
I found the battery life to be matching with the Remington shaver as it survives over 45 minutes. The charge remains for a long time and makes carrying it without the charger possible.
In case of charge time, it doesn’t take long – my take is within an hour from zero. Also, a 5-minute quick charge option is also available to get one rapid shave in urgent hours.
Braun Electric Series 3 Pop-up Trimmer
There’s a built-in pop-up trimmer like Remington as well as the scope to attach a separate Precision Trimmer head supported by the EasyClick feature.
Simply undo the blades and plant the trimmer for conveniently outlining your hair, beard or even operate around pimples or other extrusions on skin.
Braun Electric Series 3 Accessories
The Braun Series 3 shaver is indeed your best budget electric shaver. Despite the price, the brand doesn’t compromise the performance or the quality of necessary parts..
Considering a premium build, great ergonomics, wet shaving capacity, trimmer head alteration diversity – meaning, a feature-heavy shaver, the Braun Series 3 definitely has Remington running for their money!
What I Like
- Handy device with great ergonomics
- Shaves under 5 minutes
- Good battery life, durable housing and automatic technology
What I Don’t Like
- Shaver’s head doesn’t tilt for contour adaptation
- Not as close shave as newer Braun electric shavers
Why Trust My Verdict?
Before moving on to the next section, let me break down my way of testing out each of the shavers I’ve reviewed so far.
That way, you’ll know that my verdicts are valid and well-placed so that we can build trust before you head out to make your purchase.
My primary assessment began with the studying of the features shared by each of the brands about their products and comparing those against real life performance.
First off, I begin with a close inspection of each product to check how strong the housing is, how it feels to hold on to, how the buttons feel and so on.
From that point onward, my tests become more practical. I drain the shavers down to zero power and charge them back up with stopwatches on.
Then it comes to the phase where I utilize each device on my face. This is done in both dry and wet conditions (should the shaver be wet shave-friendly).
Once that’s cleared, I note down my sensations and post-shave feelings with each shaver, be that rotary or foil, to use in my article.
I also do the cleanings myself and follow proper maintenance procedures. It tells me if the shaver is a heavy-duty one or a low-maintenance.
Another test I run is to keep the shaver running constantly. However, it doesn’t grant the authentic outcome since using a shaver drains battery more aggressively.
But a rule of thumb of deducing 10% of that duration usually gives me a somewhat accurate take on the battery life.
Finally, I take all the notes on each shaver, categorized into 8 essential aspects and rate them separately on a scale of five.
These scores in the end are averaged to generate my final rating of the shaver!
Testing Results
The time has come for us to accumulate and assess the testing results you’ve all been waiting for! There are 8 categories that I’ve taken into consideration for announcing the ultimate winner!
Rest of the two categories are there for your information and nothing more. Because I don’t want the price tag to be something worth considering while cumulating the ultimate electric shaver.
Shaving Closeness
Foil and Rotary Units
Shaving closeness has been tested by doing a full shave down to zero with each shaver and tactile feeling to understand how close the shaves have been.
According to my findings, the two Panasonic ARC5 shavers as well as the Braun Series 9 share the stage since these are the only three that went close enough to even embarrass a manual razor.
The Braun Series 7 and Norelco 7200 are a little bit behind because my skin didn’t feel silky smooth after the shaves the way it did with the top 3 shavers.
Braun’s Series 3 shaver did a pretty good job and I was left dumbfounded at the result considering its price point! Certainly a commendable shaver after all!
The BabylissPRO, Norelco 3800 and Remington shavers are good but not good enough to be categorized alongside the shavers mentioned above.
It’s because shaving within a similar duration saw them leaving out a few hair heads. But for what they’re worth, it’s acceptable.
Lastly, the Manscaped shaver does what any other pocket foil shaver would do but better. Still, it’d be stupid to expect it performing as good as a dedicated close shave unit!
LED Display/Indicator
Why does LED indicator matter in this assessment? Because these days it doesn’t only warn you before your battery dies, rather good LEDs show where you are in terms of battery life.
Also, more advanced shavers tend to show tons more with the display and Norelco has taken a big leap to go as far as teaching you its shaving method!
However, my only top pick in this category is the Panasonic ARC5 LV65-S because of its premium display, appealing presentation and all the information the display shows.
Norelco 7200 and ARC5 LV67-K are tied for second. Braun Series 9 has a more blunt way of going about their display with the bar style battery life.
But on top of that, it shows when you need cleaning, when the travel lock is on and some more additional data.
Braun Series 7 and Norelco 3800 are slightly more straightforward with their LED display as the major focus of design has been on the battery level indicator.
Manscaped, Remington and Braun Series 3 are pretty basic in terms of LED indicator. Manscaped has pulled a brilliant design using just one light that can hint at different things!
BabylissPRO FoilFX has the most ordinary LED indicator with one light showing charging status and low battery signal, earning it the last spot in this ranking.
Advanced Technology
Automatic Technology Icon on Shaver
You’ve already seen how much technology is incorporated in electric shavers these days. Which of them are necessary and perform well, you may ask? Let’s find the answers.
Panasonic ARC5 LV65-S is the clear winner here despite sharing the same technology with LV65-K. Both of them are good at assessing beard density and adjusting power accordingly.
The shaving experience has been great so far, but the LV65-S gets the edge because you can turn off the sensors for a full blast of the motor!
Braun Series 9 and Norelco 7200 share the stage with LV67-K in this regard. Series 9’s chipset is indeed good enough for continuous shaves catering to all types of skins.
Norelco 7200 on the other hand allows self-learning due to the technology and the motor power adjustment has felt on-point for a rotary shaver!
Braun Series 7 AutoSense is slightly off-course from the Series 9 but it still stacks up well. Series 3 is quite basic since the density reading is less frequent than its successors. Yet, for the price, I don’t think it matters much.
Norelco 3800 has been a pivotal shaver in this series with the introduction of a smart shaver head with 3 rotary foils adapting to contour. Although it has its limitations, shaving with this is certainly a lot enjoyable!
Babyliss, Manscaped and Reminton don’t have any AI technology guiding them. But their blade designs are modern and contour adaptation is still better than most shavers out in the market!
Battery Life
Shavers Charging
No one can beat the Babyliss FoilFX shaver when it comes to battery life, this much I can tell you now. The FoilFX lives up to the brand’s reputation with an enormous 3 hour battery as it tops my list.
From my perception, any electric shaver that can last 30 minutes at one go is a good enough shaver and all of my top picks have most conveniently exceeded this threshold.
Braun Series 9, Manscaped and surprisingly the much older Norelco 3800 flaunt a one-hour battery life, leaving behind even the newer shavers in this regard.
For the latter two, it’s because of their motor power and lesser number of blades that demand to be spun around rapidly per second. Braun Series 9 is simply a beast and lasts that long even with the most powerful motor!
The two Panasonic shavers, two remaining Braun shavers and Remington last between 45 to 50 minutes – meaning you could get away with charging them twice per month.
Lastly, Norelco 7200 can perform up to 40 minutes and the charges are probably drained because of so much stuff going on at the same time – separate motors running, AI detection and sensor picking up your motion.
Considering all of that, it’s really surprising that the shaver can run this long with one full charge!
Ergonomics
Shaver Ergonomics (Rubber, Plastic, Metal)
The ergonomics section measures how much grip is available to the shaver, how great it feels to hold on to while shaving and the weight of the device.
By my assessment, the Braun Series 9, Series 3 and the Panasonic ARC5 LV67-K are at the top of my list!
Series 9 has probably the most perfect feeling to it, something I cannot describe as it must only be felt. The thumb resting area is superb and the rubber texture at the back makes it more comfortable than ever.
Series 3 has all the textured rubber going on either side in vibrant blue, making it impossible to slip no matter what you do. Despite the head’s thickness, it’s still one of the best.
LV67-K is designed to be held with all the padding and a dedicated thumb resting place. Even though I’d prefer the shape of Series 9 over this, the feeling of control holding the LV67-K compensates for that!
LV65-S, Braun Series 7 and Norelco 7200 are tied together for the next spot. With sufficient grip pads made with rubbers, these shavers too are great but just a little shy to reach the level of my first 3 picks.
While Norelco 3800 has good textures, the thick head isn’t the most fun to hold on to. On the other hand, Mascaped’s shaver doesn’t have any padding, but the size balances out to ensure a firm grip.
Babyliss and Remington devices are the least ergonomic from my choices. Babyliss shaver’s metal body is huge and heavy for a pocket shaver. Holding it might seem a little tricky for many.
Remington has cut costs in the ergonomic department to sell at a lower price. The body is made of plastic with some bumps for grip but it’s simply not enough to topple the other shavers in my list.
Wet Shaving Capability
Wet Shaving Capable Shaver Grip
Wet shaving comes hand in hand with ergonomics but goes a long way further because the shaver must be capable of running that sort of operation.
My assessment this time round comprises only 8 shavers out of the 10 because the Babyliss and Manscaped shavers aren’t waterproof, so there’s no reason to include those.
For the test, I used the same shaving gel for the eight shavers in the same manner with a stubble growth of 3 days.
I was really surprised to see the Norelco 7200 outperforming the rest of the shavers! This rotary unit is indeed made for such a type of shaving!
What’s great is that the shaver’s head flings open with one tap for rinsing under water and it’s attached with a hinge – so efficiency has been maximum and it earned the shaver some bonus points.
Braun Series 9 and Panasonic ARC5 LV67-K came home in second place. Both excelled at wet shaving and generating a smooth finish! Removal of the shaver head was easy with the side buttons on the head.
LV65-S, Braun Series 7, Series 3 and Norelco 3800 performed somewhat similarly. Although the LV65-S has better shaving outcome than the three in wet condition, its ergonomics gave away that clear lead.
Rest of the three are built to be slip-proof with all the water and soap rendering your fingers slippery.
Last one is the Remington which I wouldn’t recommend you to shave in the wet even though the head is washable.
The outcome isn’t terrible but the lack of grip was made very apparent once things got all moist.
Cleaning/Maintenance
Shavers in Cleaning Station
Come on, admit it, you hate the cleaning and maintaining part just as much as I do! It’s something I dread after every shave, like having to clean up all the mess after cooking up a dish.
No matter what, cleaning/maintenance are stuff we can’t walk around. Thus, it’s better to know how demanding each of the shavers are before getting our hands on them.
I prefer the two Braun shavers, Series 9 and Series 7 since both of them come with cleaning stations. Just dock them in, turn up the power, the station takes care of the rest!
The two ARC5 shavers as well as the Braun Series 3 are second when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Their heads come off easily, you can rinse them under water or simply brush off the stray.
Also, applying lubricant has proven to be quite straightforward on them. Takes me less than 1 minute to lube up and store in their pouch.
Despite the two Norelco shavers’ heads popping off with a press, I sometimes find it slightly annoying to clean out the rotary parts.
Since these are tiny, residues often take prominence there which needs to be scrubbed off for a complete clean.
Babyliss, Manscaped and Remington shavers are generally more brushed than washed. Although from time to time I have to put the head separately under running water, but for the first two, motor parts should not be washed.
Although Remington promotes a wash-friendly shaver, it’s only applicable for the shaver head. Based on the build quality, I don’t want to risk leakage with a full wash, thus the lower score.
Ease of Use
Shaver Heads Removed for Cleaning
The ease of use is a mixed bag of criteria that includes how easy it is to use the shaver, convenience of shaver head removal, charging efficiency, response of the power button and so on.
These little things do add up in the end and cut down on your shaving time. In general, none of these shavers should take you more than 5 minutes to shave your stubble, but additional time is often lost depending on the mentioned circumstances.
Considering it all, Braun Series 9 feels like the most convenient and perfect shaver for me. From its tilt lock to the one charging cable powering both the shaver and the dock, it simply hits the right spot at all times.
Series 7 and the two ARC5 shavers come home tied below the Series 9. They are easy to use but there’s a bit of a learning curve in terms of use and maintenance.
Series 3 and the two Norelcos come right after. Series 3 is old-school, lacks a few modern touches on the shaver which marks it to be somewhat rigid.
Norelco rotary’s mode of operation, the circular motion, needs to be learned and adopted. Thus, these are not the most straightforward shavers out of the box.
You’re probably shocked to find the two double foil shavers of Babyliss and Manspot at the bottom of the scoresheet alongside Remington since the former are the most easy going shavers.
While that’s true, there remains the fact that their shaving times aren’t the quickest, charging times are quite long, not being able to wash completely takes a toll and are tricky to maneuver around contours.
Value for Money
4 Shavers Together
So far we’ve seen how these electric shavers perform regardless of what they’re worth. But based on their price tag, are they really worth it or are they overkill in this regard?
Let’s clear the air first with the most expensive shaver in the list – Braun Series 9 that costs almost twice as much as the second most expensive shaver.
However, it’s often on sale and that reduces the price significantly almost all year round. The reason behind such pricing is because it’s the best!
I’d say Series 9 shaver is the all-round package and it even comes with a cleaning station, so the price point is justifiable.
Then there are the Braun Series 7, Panasonic ARC5 shavers and Babyliss FoilFX priced halfway down the Series 9.
Still over $100 might feel expensive for many (trust me, it used to feel this way for me until I used them first-hand).
The Series 7 is priced higher because of the cleaning station. ARC5 shavers are bound to be expensive because of all the heavy-duty technology and 5-blade system with multidirectional tilt.
Babyliss FoilFX is a luxury shaver that cleans out well, hosts a gigantic battery and equally powerful motor, solid metal housing that can last decades and looks premium! I’d say all the price went into all those expensive materials.
Right around the $100 mark is the Norelco 7200. It’s really great value for money considering the quality of wet shave and all the sensor technology aiding you out there.
Norelco 3800 and the Manscaped shavers come below $100. For the former, it’s understandable since the shaver is a rotary unit. As per the latter, again, it’s a product built for precise needs and the price gets higher due to speciality.
Lastly, on the affordable end stand the Braun Series 3 and Remington shavers. Both of these are steals if you ask me, delivering the smooth outcome at that price range!
It’s true that the two don’t contain some of the latest technological gifts, but the shavers, particularly Braun Series 3, have some amazing features that many electric shavers out there lack!
Warranty
There’s nothing much to say about warranty periods really since most of the good electric shavers are covered by a 2-year limited warranty.
Only exception is the Manscaped Handyman which is only covered by a 90-day warranty. Apparently it’s the standard duration for all Manscaped products.
Heading back, a limited warranty means that the parts will be provided by the company whereas you’ll still have to pay for the labor cost.
However, if there’s a guarantee period like Remington, you’ll get a complete replacement should your shaver breaks down.
Also, some of the brands in my list offer warranty expansion if you pay a little extra during purchase, but I don’t reckon that’s necessary.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Electric Shaver
You’ve heard my take on the most suave electric shavers available for purchase in the grooming market. What’s your opinion? Which one do you think is the most suitable for your particular needs?
I have some suggestions for you if you’re still lost. These suggestions aren’t to be strictly followed, but it’ll help you see the shavers under the light from a buyer’s point of view.
Starting off with the Braun Series 9, I’d call it the ideal shaver for barbers. It has got everything – including durability, good grip, ability to run relentlessly and the charging station for swift maintenance.
Then comes the shavers for sensitive skin. I’d lean toward rotary shavers if I were you and pick the Norelco 7200 for its supreme wet shaving capability and comfort of gliding on the skin.
But if you think that such scrubbing motions could irritate your skin, then there’s the alternative foil shaver of Panasonic ARC5 LV67-K. It’s also an ideal shaver for home use.
And for the closest dry shaves, I’d tell you to pick up the ARC5 LV65-S because of the ability to control the AI power adaptation, great looks and overall ideal performance.
Also, for coarse hair that’s mostly the case for African American texture, the LV65-S is a great choice as the 5-blade system tends to cater to such precise needs.
If you’re looking for a powerful foil shaver for regular use, don’t want to be bothered by battery life, built to last and can shave your head along with your face from time to time, BabylissPRO FoilFX should be the perfect choice.
For traveling, you’d want something lighter so that it can fit inside your pocket. You’ve guessed it right – Manscaped Handyman is supposedly made for this purpose, so see if it fits your requirements!
I’d suggest the Braun Series 7 for home use if you think the Series 9 is an overkill. Endowed with similar features and a charging station included in the package, this could serve you well when it comes to getting close shaves each time!
Another recommendation for very close shaving within budget for people who shave in wet regularly and don’t mind a little hefty maintenance is the Norelco 3800. The rotary head ensures you get the maximum out of each wet shave.
Do you shave once a week and your slightly longer beard gets tugged or pulled inside the electric shaver? Go for the Remington shaver, the trimmer head is well-suited for such contexts.
And the budget winner is most certainly the Braun Series 3 shaver. There’s nothing better than this one if you consider all-round performance with a touch of different features without crashing your wallets.
So there you go! Hope this buyer’s guide has helped you identify which shaver you need the most for your frequent beard grooming!
How to Get a Close Shave using Electric Shavers?
I’ve heard from many people that electric shavers suck. Such allegations usually arise due to two things: one, they bought a poor quality shaver and in most cases, two, they don’t know how to use it.
With that in mind, I think it’s best for everyone if I break down the shaving how-to using an electric shaver. Following in my footsteps should land you with an ideally close shave on each occasion.
Pre-Shave Routine
A good pre-shave routine dictates that your skin has gotten rid of all sorts of dirt particles. Otherwise, these tend to create build ups and lead to unwanted tugs or pulls.
You are free to use any face wash that’s suited for your skin type. Make sure to cover all of your shaving area for good measure.
Secondly, exfoliation is another step you should learn to pick up. It removes all the dead cells from your skin and prepares for the most effortless as well as comfortable shaving experience.
Trim Longer Beard
By this time, you have learned that longer beard doesn’t bid well with electric shavers, be that foil or rotary.
Because such electric shavers are built for regular shaving as the foils drag stubble and feed the blades to trim from the root.
If your beard is slightly longer than that, you’d find it difficult to shave and experience all sorts of painful tugs.
So it’s ideal to trim the beard using a good trimmer. Some of the shavers I’ve covered come with built-in ones and some offer extra trimmer heads.
However, I’d rather suggest using a separate trimmer if your beard is significantly lengthy. Once done, you’ll be ready for operation using your electric shaver!
Applying Pre-Shave Lotion
If you’re planning on a dry shave, there are certain pre-shave lotions you can consider buying. These often down your beard and relax your skin to sustain the rough contact with foils or blades.
For wet shaves, there are alternatives to lotions like gel or foam. But my opinion would be sticking to gel as it gets the best outcome from wet electric shaving.
Our next task would be diving straight into the shaving part. However, methods to shave using a foil shaver and a rotary shaver are quite different.
I’m mentioning each individually hereafter for your convenience. Note that up to this portion, both share identical steps.
For Foil Shaver:
Grab your beard-free portion of the skin to stretch it out before you start shaving. Turn on the shaver, hold it at a 90-degree angle against your skin and start scrubbing.
This scrubbing shouldn’t be vigorous. Rather short strokes in a tempo is the better way to go about it.
If your electric shaver has better contour adaptation, make sure you press it firmly against your skin but not too much that overwhelms the shaver head.
Stay extra cautious while gliding over your sensitive parts. Put less pressure and make additional passes if necessary.
Over time, you’ll find the sweet spot and end up with the closest shave you could achieve with your electric shaver!
One thing I must mention is that, keep a pint of water or the tap running while shaving your beard using gel.
Because the residue build is significantly fast in such tasks and you’ll need to clean the shaver’s head numerous times throughout one shave.
For Rotary Shaver:
Using rotary shavers is completely different than using foil shavers because of the motion it demands out of you.
Once you’ve turned on the shaver, place the rotary head parallelled with your facial skin to firmly place against it.
Then, instead of going in a line, you have to move the shaver in circles and allow it to glide over your beard in the same motion.
It’s not the easiest task as this requires some time to master, but you’ll get there soon. If you get something like the Norelco 7200, the AI technology is there to guide you.
One tip I have for you is going ‘against’ the grain using rotary shavers. It means start from the bottom, circle the shaver over your skin and move upward at the same time.
Recheck Unshaved Patches
As soon as you’re done shaving, wash your face once using water. Then, run your thumb down the contours of your face to check if there’s any uneven cut or an unshaved patch left.
If so, run your shaver again over those parts, a couple of passes should do the trick. Also, should your shaver come with any sort of trimmer, use that to outline your sideburns.
Post-Shave Routine
It’s ideal for you to wash your face with cold water once you’ve finished shaving. Cold water tends to close the open pores from which your facial hair grows out.
It also relaxes your skin after tension because friction with foils or blades is never a pleasant aspect for your facial skin.
Additionally, apply alcohol free aftershaves to nourish your skin. Many people suggest using alcohol-based aftershaves, but that’s only ideal for manual razors as there may be cuts or nicks that need antiseptic.
Otherwise, doing it with an electric razor is better-suited with non-alcoholic aftershave. One, it moisturizes your skin and doesn’t tighten it or dry it up the way alcohol based-aftershaves would do.
And that’s it! Now you know how to safely get yourself a very close shave using your electric shaver!
General Maintenance for Electric Shavers
If you want your electric shavers to last a long time, there are certain practices you must start to build starting today. Following these would not only ensure the durability of your shaver, but also render every shaving experience a comfortable one!
Brush the Foil Heads
The regular way to go about your cleaning would be to brush off the stray hair from your shaver head upon you’ve finished your shaving.
This cleaning method is only applicable for dry shaves. All you’ll need is to undo the shaver’s head, brush underneath as well as brush the chamber that holds stray hair.
But if you’d put on shaving lotion before, this dry cleaning won’t budge because the residue would be quite firm. In that case, you’ll need to endorse the following method.
Clean the Shaver & Blades after Every Shave
This might sound like a hectic job for many people, but trust me, I’ve seen many people ending up with ruined blades or even the motor just because they avoided cleaning right after.
If you keep the blades clogged with stray hair and residue, these tend to solidify over time and often spread bacteria which can cause infections on your next shave.
So wash the foils, blades and clean up the housing every time. Go on to disinfecting if you have the time as that guarantees your shaver is safe and ready the next time you use it!
Mop the Shaver & Blades after Washing
It’s essential for you to mop the moisture off the blades and underneath after washing using a cloth towel.
If you let it air dry completely, there might still be some residue formation due to air’s dust coming in contact with the moisture.
Once you’ve mopped up everything, you can let it air dry for half an hour before storing it inside a storage unit.
Note: Don’t have your electric shaver lying around in the open, instead, put it inside somewhere concealed with zero moisture. It tends to prolong the life of the blades and the motor.
Lubricate the Shaver Head
Lubricating your blades keeps them sharp and causes less friction in the motor. This is a hidden tactic to increase durability of your shaver and keep it running longer than it’s supposed to be.
With most good electric shavers, you’ll find a tube of lubricating agent ready for use. After the cleaning phase, you’ll need to put in droplets of lubricant on the blades and the motor.
Don’t overdo it since that can cause some build-up to jam the units and backfire at your intention.
Place in the Smart Care Station/Cleaning Dock
Electric shavers like Braun come with a cleaning station and some shavers allow you to purchase them separately.
If you got that already, you can simply place it inside the station after shaving and the station will take care of the rest!
FAQ
Questions concerning best electric shavers or the category as a whole have roused the minds of many grooming enthusiasts. We should at least answer the fundamentals if we want to solidify our knowledge on the matter.
Q: Which type of shaver gives the closest shave?
Ans: The battle between foil, rotary and manual shavers have been going on for decades now and yet there seems to be no definitive answer to this question. It is quite certain that manual razors do the best in terms of closeness but the drawback lies in the safety and ease of operation.
Out of the remaining two, my verdict goes to some good foil shavers that the top brands managed to pull out these days. Something like a Braun or Panasonic guarantees the closest shaves that can embarrass even the most visited manual razors! I think foil shavers just fall a little shy in this regard.
Q: Is an electric shaver better than a razor?
Ans: As I mentioned earlier, in terms of closeness, manual razors always hold a subtle edge over any other shaver category. But if you ask me which one is better, I’ll always side with electric shavers. These are easy to use, get the job done quickly and much safer to skin than manual razors.
Q: What are the disadvantages of electric razors?
Ans: Well you’ve already figured out one disadvantage of electric razors – they are almost as close as manual razors when it comes to closeness. Otherwise, you have to charge an electric razor, follow certain maintenance routines and some may even prove to be difficult to use in wet conditions.
Concluding Remarks
This has been a long and elaborate journey through the world of best electric shavers and dissecting their true capabilities.
I’d say it’s been a tough call to make, announcing Braun Series 9 shaver to be the winner despite its gigantic price point.
But honestly, this one is hands down the greatest performing electric shaver in my list that consists of every necessary feature and produces the smoothest results.
If this shaver didn’t exist, I’d probably announce the Panasonic LV65-S to be the winner and it’d probably be a balanced one considering price, features and performance.
Anyway, at this point, the decision is yours to make for bringing in any of these 10 unique electric shavers home real soon!