Electric razors are often overlooked in favor of the $8 razors from the grocery store because it’s difficult to justify dropping $60 to $200 on a machine that does the job of a simple safety razor. Despite a less-than-ideal reputation, electric razors have a slew of well-designed features that can provide a wealth of benefits. The best ones provide consistent shaves in dry or wet conditions and are convenient for traveling to the gym and beyond — not to mention they can cut your morning routine by minutes. Electric razors don’t necessarily require shaving cream or water and can bust beards just as well, if not better, than the best safety razors.
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After taking a look at the high-tech razors on the market, we’ve picked out the best for your various shaving needs, starting with the incredible Braun Series 9-9290cc, a wet and dry razor that’s good at just about everything.
Braun Series 9-9290cc Wet and Dry Foil Shaver
The Braun Series 9 is one of the bestsellers in the market because it includes just about every important feature needed to give you a clean shave (Though you could also learn how to shave with a straight razor). It features five shaving elements on a super-adaptive head that can flex in 10 directions, and two different specialized trimmers for tackling every need, from detailed work on a beard to keeping your skin smooth. Waterproof up to 5 meters (just in case), this razor uses microvibrations and an adaptive motor that will adjust itself based on how rough your beard is. The goal is to create a comfortable experience, and this Series 9 model really delivers. The battery lasts for around 50 minutes of charge.
Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer and Shaver
The Philips Norelco OneBlade makes quick work of your facial hair, with a 200-cut-per-second motor and replaceable blades that are designed especially for men who prefer a little scruff (it’s recommended for two shaves per week, although it can handle close shaves too; the blade will need to be replaced more often, however). The rechargeable razor can trim, edge, and shave any length of hair, so you’ll get an even, precise trim, without ending up with cuts all over your face.
Philips Norelco PQ208/40 Travel Electric Razor
The biggest and most expensive razors aren’t always ideal for every situation. At 3.5 inches long and weighing 5.6 ounces, the tint Travel Razor by Philips is ideal for just about every traffic signal touch-up. Powered by two AA batteries (included), you won’t have to worry about packing a charger or finding a compatible outlet. The minimal approach makes the Philips Norelco Travel Razor one of the quieter options. One major setback: You won’t be able to take this one into the shower. The travel razor is meant for dry use only.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65-S
The Panasonic Arc5 series is filled with excellent razor models, and this one combines some of the best features with one of the most affordable price tags. It touts 5 blades and a multiflex pivoting shaver head (plus a pop-up shaving trimmer for careful grooming of longer facial hair). The razor is also equipped with sensors that can actually measure your beard density and adjust power when things get rough so that your cutting strength remains the same. The battery lasts for up to 40 minutes, and has a 10-stage LED indicator so you know just how much charge you have left.
Philips Norelco Bodygroomer BG2039
Are you interested in a razor to use primarily below the neck? The Philips Norelco Bodygroomer is excellent for manscaping, with a trimmer on one end and a razor on the other so you can switch back and forth as you need to. The blades are designed for comfort and avoiding any painful nicks, and the razor is fully water-resistant, so feel free to use it in the shower.
Panasonic ES-RT51-S 3 Blade Wet/Dry
You want an electric razor, but you don’t want to pay the equivalent of a cross-country plane ticket to get one. Meet the Panasonic ES-RT51. One of the most basic electric razors, it delivers a good shave in wet or dry conditions for under $50. The three-razor pivoting head ensures a close, comfortable shave. Added bonuses: A pop-up trimmer that will evenly trim sideburns and mustaches and an LCD screen that displays power levels and reminds you when you need to change its blades.
