In the modern era of electric shaving, you’ll often see advertisements from different prominent brands claiming their device is more efficient than the market standard.
And their claims are frequently based on a higher blade count, which implies the argument that ‘more blades mean faster cuts’.
But is it true? To find out the answer, I’ve put this hypothesis to test by comparing between electric razors containing one, two, three and four sets of blades in a single device.
So, without further ado, let’s see if more blades are better for electric shavers in this practical article based on real-life grooming data!
Contents
The Evolution of Electric Shavers
To understand what it means to have more cutting elements in an electric shaver, we must take a look at the history and evolution of such devices.
You’ll notice that the earlier versions of such shavers used to contain a singular foil cutter. But the game changed when Philips introduced rotary shavers with a higher blade count.
Gradually, brands like Braun and Panasonic increased these numbers up to 5 till date, and these have been among the groomers’ favorites.
Even today, brands like TPOB produce single-foil devices, BaBylissPRO comes with a double-foil design and so on.
Most rotary shavers contain three cutting rings but the blade count underneath varies as it may rise up to 45 tiny and sharp blade units.
But as per grooming standard, I believe the range between double-blade to four cutting element designs are among the consumer favorite!
How Electric Shaver Blades Work
Time for us to take a closer look at an electric shaver and its cutting elements to better understand the intricate mechanics behind it.
For most foil shavers, there are foil elements up top with meshes containing tiny holes that are wide enough to pass your facial hair through.
Underneath these foils are the actual blades placed above springs that are connected to the heads of the motors.
When the motor torques, it oscillates the blades rapidly and with this action, the hair fed through the foils are chopped off.
Modern devices like Braun Series 9 have a different approach of blades as the cutters are built into the underside of the foils.
Rotary razors also follow this method with pre-installed, mini-blades beneath the rotary head. These rotate rapidly to trim off the fed hair, therefore the name ‘rotary’ is associated with these devices.
The Pros of Having More Blades
There must be some benefits to having additional blades in an electric shaver, that’s why people often ask ‘are more blades better?’ so frequently.
In this section, let me briefly go through the pros of having more blades in an electric shaver:
- Faster Shave: It’s been tested and proved that a higher blade count equates faster shaves. Generally, each additional blade can reduce shaving time up to 10%, so you can understand the enhanced efficiency you’re going to get from having more blades.
- Closer Results: Since there are more cutting actions across a wider region of your skin, the shaving results are bound to be much closer with the same number of glides. So, if close shaving is your preference, do consider an electric razor with higher blade count.
- Less Scrubbing: A faster and more efficient shaving action suggests that you’re going to spend less time scrubbing your shaver on the skin. It caters to men with sensitive skin as the reduced cutting actions spare your skin from irritation and burning.
- Good for Skin: Having a higher number of blades is safer and healthier for your skin. The less time you spend shaving is the more skin quality you’ll be able to ensure.
There are a few more positive aspects to having more blades and for the most parts, it’s something I’d prefer over a device with less cutting elements.
The Cons of More Blades
Everything good very often has a downside, and an electric shaver with more blades than usual certainly doesn’t defy this natural order.
Therefore, it’s better to comprehend the negative aspects you’ll have to anticipate before making up your mind on blade count for your next device:
Difficult at Tight Spots: The more blades there are, the wider the overall shaver head is going to become. Therefore, maneuvering over tighter spots will prove to be a challenge, especially around the neck and mustache region.
Consumers More Power: A higher blade count demands more motor speed to function in an optimum manner, thus drawing more power from the battery. That’s why most of the electric razors with more blades average battery life at around 40 minutes.
Hefty Maintenance: Since you’re having to deal with more blades and cutting elements, the cleaning duty is going to be more engaging than normal. This is one of the major reasons premium electric razors with more blades come with a cleaning station.
I don’t think these cons of more blades outweigh the benefits, still it’s up for you to decide whether it’s worth it.
Is Blade Count the Only Factor?
It may seem like blade counts are the only considerable factor for assessing an electric shaver, but that’s not entirely true.
Because there are additional and almost equally important aspects for consideration which contribute to the overall shaving quality and experience.
- Ergonomics: Your ideal electric razor must be ergonomically sound. A slip-proof handle ensures that the device will stick to your hand at all times without any risk of accidents.
- Hypoallergenic Coated: If your skin is sensitive to rigorous shaving actions, you must pick out something with an anti-allergenic coating to protect your skin.
- Easy to Maintain: Devices that are difficult to undo and clean should be avoided if you’re not a fan of hectic cleaning routines. Washable electric shavers are therefore optimum choices for many consumers out there.
- Additional Features: Features like longer battery life, charging station, AI sensor, pop-up trimmer, multiflex heads etc. are also important when it comes to generating comfortable shaves.
So don’t put your faith only in the number of blades because without checking out most of the mentioned features, you might still have to struggle during your grooming operations.
Matching Blade Count to Your Needs
So, how many blades in an electric shaver is ideal for you? To properly evaluate, you must assess your needs first to make your glides smooth for your skin.
If you are a regular shaving enthusiast and prefer dry shaving, a double-foil system will serve you just fine.
For those with skin sensitivity, pick a device that caters to your skin safety with unique features. Mostly, rotary electric razors with three cutting elements fit this criteria in the best possible way.
Consumers with coarse beard should opt for devices with a higher blade count and capable of shaving in wet conditions.
Men with less time for maintaining their electric razor will find it handy to use a tool with fewer blades and washable design (or with a cleaning station).
Lastly, travel enthusiasts shouldn’t cross the threshold of two cutting elements, even one-blade or foil design can be good since it’ll consume less cleaning time.
Final Thoughts
So, we’ve covered every important aspect of the discussion ‘electric shavers: are more blades better?’
In short, the answer is ‘not necessarily’. More blades does imply higher shaving efficiency and closer results, but it’s not the only essential factor for consideration.
Even with less blades in your electric razor, you can give yourself smooth and convenient shaving experiences repeatedly.
It’s better to pick a device that caters to your needs the most, without placing blade count as the most vital aspect.