
“A foil razor is most effective if you use it regularly, daily to every three days,” says Beightol, whereas a rotary “gets a very close shave and can be used when you have up to seven to ten days of growth.” That flexibility is one of the main reasons we feel this is the best overall, as is the fact that this electric rotary razor will work on wet hair in addition to dry hair. “They get as close a shave as a safety razor without that scraped-skin feeling.” Patrick Butler, the technical director of education at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, seconds this: “Norelco definitely leads the way with their electric rotary razors.” While the experts tended to agree that a foil razor will provide a slightly closer shave than a rotary-style razor, they all noted the limitation that foil razors really only work well on short facial hair. “I swear by the Philips Norelco triple-head models,” says Beightol. When it comes to ease of use and efficiency, a rotary-style razor will likely be the best all-around option. barbershop Grey Matter, who told us he likes to use both on his clients (who include some of the NBA’s biggest names). “Use a rotary for cutting down short enough, then a foil to get super close,” explains Vince Garcia, the owner of L.A.

#PHILIPS SHAVER PROFESSIONAL#
In fact, because rotary and foil electric razors each work better for different types of facial hair, having one of each in your arsenal wouldn’t be excessive if you’re truly looking for a professional quality electric shave at home. For that reason, we decided to structure this list slightly differently than usual, designating separate “best overall” rotary and foil electric razors. But one limitation with foil razors is that they really only work well on short facial hair. According to the 20 experts we spoke with - including 14 professional barbers - a foil razor will provide a slightly closer shave than a rotary-style razor.
#PHILIPS SHAVER SKIN#
Since everyone’s skin and shaving preferences are different, it’s hard to choose a one-size-fits-all electric razor. As Chad Beightol, the owner of men’s grooming boutique Consigliere, in the East Village, puts it: “There was a time when electric razors would burn the skin and not get a very close shave, but that time has long passed. That’s partly because many nowadays are designed to work on dry and wet hair. Powered by motors and high-tech cutting mechanisms, electric razors are without a doubt the most efficient option, requiring minimal maintenance and prep. That’s why he says “using electric razors can be so much better for the skin.” (And, over time, your wallet.) “A lot of guys get irritation from blades,” as barber Mark Miguez, co-owner of New York City’s Friend of a Barber, puts it.
#PHILIPS SHAVER FULL#
And if you’re not careful with one, you could easily end up with a face full of toilet-paper-covered cuts and the occasional razor burn. The cost of regularly replacing their blades can make this option pricier with time, even though the razors themselves are usually cheap. They’re designed to be as simple as possible, but shaving cream is still required. Others prefer cartridge razors, like a classic Gillette, which offer more of a middle ground in terms of effort. Some swear by more old-school “wet shaving” methods, using a safety razor or a straight razor with shaving cream. It’s far superior to the stubble that you’ll get from a guard-free beard trimmer, and the same can be said for bald-headed guys needing an electric shaver over the buzz-inclined hair clippers.There are no shortage of options for men when it comes to shaving. The best electric shaver will get the hair so close to the skin that, to the naked eye, you have a noon-o’clock shadow, if anything at all. There are even electric shavers designated for long beards and bald heads.īut the main thing they do is clean up your face in a hurry. They have foil heads for an antimicrobial clean, or a cleaning station that helps flush out debris and preserve the quality of the device.

Others are lightweight and hold a long charge, making them easy for on-the-go shaves for a weekend away or post-gym freshening. Many of the best electric razors can be used for wet shaving or dry shaving-that is, with shaving cream or oil, in the shower, and rinsed clean. This is highly favored by guys with sensitive skin who want to do a clean shave frequently, but would rather not risk irritation and redness. That’s because they buzz you as close to the skin as possible, without breaking the surface (and thus without inviting ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and razor burn). But anyone who does rely on them knows that they deliver a nearly-perfect shave, minus any irritation. Even the best electric shaver is often underestimated and underused by the general shaving public.
