Electric Shaver Buyer’s Guide

Advanced electric shavers are the combination of technology which comes in a small package.

Before choosing your electric shaver either from the list above or somewhere else, I recommend you to still read our Buyer’s Guide, it will help you to understand the technology that goes with in these modern electric shavers.

So without further ado, let’s continue with our electric shaver buying guide.

Rotary vs Foil – Which is best for you?

A few generations ago, when you wanted a really close shave, you’d head to the barber shop, where you’d put your life in the barber’s hands. The barber would hold a straight razor inches from your jugular, and then tell you to relax.

Fat chance.

Fortunately, today you can achieve a close shave at home using electric razors, which remove the possibility of slicing your skin open or worse.

Electric razors can’t quite match the closeness of the shave you’d receive from a talented barber, but they’re far more convenient and safe than the straight razor.

An electric razor uses spinning blades or blades that oscillate back and forth to cut the coarse hairs on the face tightly to the skin.

Guards surround the blades on the razor to protect your skin from the moving blades. Most guards also contain slots or holes that catch the hairs and lift them upward, so the blades can clip them more effectively.

The heads on the electric shavers will flex singularly from each other, allowing the razor to match the contours of your face, which helps you achieve a closer shave.

One of the best features of modern electric razors is the ability to use them in wet or dry environments, as well as with shaving gel or foam.

Foil vs. rotary electric razors

The primary choice you’ll have with electric razors is the design you want. Some people prefer a foil-style shaver, while others like a rotary-style shaver.

• Foil: The foil electric shaver contains oscillating blades that move back and forth at high speeds. These blades are covered with guards that lift hair for cutting and that protect the skin. A foil razor will often have a few separate cutting blades that flex independently to match the contours of your face. However, because a foil head has a rectangular shape, it might not match your face as well as a rotary razor.
• Rotary: The rotary razor has round blades that spin. You’ll receive protection from the spinning rotary blades with a slotted guard that sits atop the blades and helps to lift the hairs so they’re easier to cut. The heads flex in multiple directions, giving you a close shave by hugging the contours of your face. However, rotary heads are more difficult to clean after shaving versus the foil shaver.

I prefer Foil shavers over Rotary shavers because of the closeness, smoothness, and design.

Rotary shavers were introduced first to provide comfortable shaving experience and shaving head. No doubt that rotary shavers are much more comfortable as compared to the foil shavers but they failed to provide a close shave.

Whereas on the other hand, foil shavers are expert in closeness. They contain sharp blades and advanced technology which I really like.

• LED Indicator: A charger with a LED indicator is good enough to keep you updated with the current battery level. Notify you when you plugged in the charger and warn you with the low battery.
• Corded and Cordless Shaving: Few of the electric shavers allow you to shave while your electric shaver plugged in while few don’t. Braun series 9 doesn’t allow corded shaved while Braun series 7 due allow it.
• Easy to use and clean: Make sure the electric shavers design is easy to use and clean. Almost all of electric shavers listed above are easy to use and easy to clean. Most of the electric shavers above come with cleaning dock, all you have to do is to put the shaver inside that dock and press the button, that dock will clean your shaver. Some models don’t come with that cleaning dock, so you have to do it manually. But that won’t take more than 1 minute!
• Charging: Electric shavers can be mains powered, battery operated or rechargeable and the option you go for will probably be dependent on your lifestyle. Rechargeable shavers are ideal for use on the move, providing the flexibility and convenience to shave anywhere, anytime, however, the battery life may become a hindrance if it needs to be recharged too frequently. There are a number of battery operated travel shavers on the market; these are great for occasional use but are not cost effective for more regular shaving as the cost of batteries will soon stack up.
• Pop-up Trimmer: Most of the shavers come with an integrated trimmer which can be popped up. You can use that trimmer for grooming, sideburns, and mustache.
• Wet & Dry Technology: Wet & Dry technology allows electric shavers to be used either under the shower or on dry skin. If you got a sensitive skin, then you might prefer shaving with gel foam. That’s where this technology comes handy.
• Manual Clean Vs Cleaning and Charging Stations Cleaning is a vital component of your electric shaver care and maintenance routine and you should clean your shaver after every usage. If you do it regularly it’s a quick job and not a big deal but some men just don’t have the time or inclination. The more advanced models of shaver come with their own built in cleaning and charging stations so they can clean themselves. Simply pop your shaver into the base unit and leave it to do it’s magic. It’s a hassle-free way to keep your shaver clean and hygienic. You do however need to do is top up the cleaning fluid or replace the cleaning cartridges from time to time so there is an additional cost.
• BudgetPrice points on electric shavers vary enormously; a quality electric shaver will set you back anywhere between £50 and £300. It is worth spending as much as you can afford as a quality shaver well looked after will last many years. Having said that, as feature advancements have trickled down to the less expensive ranges all of the major brands have really good options at all price points and our offering includes excellent buys regardless of your budget. Don’t forget to bear the price of spare parts and replacement blades in mind. Ensure that the expense of keeping your shaver functioning properly fits into your overall budget.
• Ready to get started? Check out our best electric shavers ranked and rated for a list of our bestselling electric shavers, broken into popular price brackets. This is great way to ensure you’re focusing on just the models that other customer considered the best option at each price range.
• Every electric shaver is different but the same fundamental rules always apply. The best way to ensure a close and comfortable shave every day is to choose a quality shaver, use it correctly and look after it. It does take time for your skin to adjust to a new shaving routine so give it time and be persistent. However if your shaver’s really not suiting you don’t suffer in silence. Most leading brands offer a returns policy so give us a call if you are still struggling after a few weeks.