Words: Izzie Price
When it comes to men’s razors, there’s infinite scope to see your personality winking back at you in the mirror, depending on which variation you choose. Perhaps you typically opt for an old-school, classic straight razor? Or maybe you like to keep things safe and steady with the aptly-named safety razor? Or if you’re a busy man with multiple demands on his time, a cartridge razor might suit your character best.
Or, perhaps, you’re a modern man with an eye for (and interest in) the latest technological trends and advances: in which case, an electric razor is the razor for you. Colloquially known as electric shavers, these time-savers are the efficient answer to your morning shaving routine. They allow for a routine that’s free from both fuss and stress; and if you opt for a state-of-the-art iteration (a move we’d always advise), your morning routine will be a scintillating start to your day. And as for which men’s electric razor is the best, it really depends on who you are; and what you’re looking for. First prize is down to you, gents…
For the gentlest shave of your life: Braun Series 9 Pro 9427s Wet & Dry Shaver
It’s Braun’s top razor; and it’s been reinvented with a brand spanking new ProHead. It’s 100% waterproof — just the thing for shaving while in the shower (a trademark criteria of a busy morning); and with that gleaming silver charging stand, it’s sure to be an infinitely aesthetically pleasing addition to your bathroom.
Why so gentle? The answer lies in the razor’s ProLift trimmer, which elevates and cuts those tricky hair areas with the smoothest of ease. Combine this with the brand’s Sonic Technology — allowing you to shave up to 10% faster — and you’re in for a mercifully clement shave.
Battery life? The Li-Ion battery lasts for 60 minutes; charges the shaver for up to six weeks of shaving.
Any extras? What a question. The Precision Switch, for one; it lock’s the shaver’s head, which allows easy access to tricky hair for meticulous precision. Those Braun foils can cut hairs as short as 0.05mm; and the AutoSense technology helps the power match the density of your beard.
For an impeccably close shave: Phillips Shaver Series 9000 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver
It’s sleek; it’s shiny; it’s blissfully comfortable; and it’ll give you that close shave you’ve always wanted, but have never quite managed to find.
Why so close? The razor is powered by A.I; and so this (almost scarily) intelligent razor can give you exceptional skin comfort while sensing and adapting to your unique facial shape. Plus, its flexible heads turn 360°, allowing them to precisely follow your facial contours.
Battery life? It provides up to 50 minutes of cordless shaving after one full go with the charger.
Any extras? A precision trimmer in the handle, for one; a cleaning pod that cleans your shaver in less than a minute for meticulous hygiene, for two; a facial hair sensor that reads hair density at 500 times per second, for a third.
For a virtually indestructible razor: Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet Dry Shaver
It’s a razor that — by its own description — moves with you. It’ll adapt seamlessly to your shaving routine, slotting into your life like it’s been there the whole time; and it’s a razor more than able to deal with the rigorous, often troublesome aspects of everyday life.
Why so indestructible? It’s shock-proof, for one thing; and it boasts a durable foil guard, which means it can handle anything you throw about it. If you drop it on your bathroom floor, or if it topples off your shower ledge, never fear: it’ll just bounce right back up.
Battery life? This is one of the best parts. You’ll have 90 minutes of cordless use after a full charge, thanks to the advanced lithium battery; and speaking of battery power, the advanced LED power meter will demonstrate both battery life and charge level.
Any extras? It has a precision trimmer, naturally; and those ergonomic rubber grips allow for ease of movement.
For the ultimate versatility: Panasonic ES-LV95-S Arc5 Wet/Dry Shaver
If you’re a modern man, you’ll be a man with many and varying needs. Sometimes you’ll be looking to multi-task, and shave while in the shower; other times you’ll be keen to luxuriate over a slow shave with endless lathers of foam; and at other times, you’ll be far too time-pressed to do anything other than a dry shave whip-around. The good news? This Panasonic electric shaver can do it all.
Why so versatile? The shaving head comes equipped with hypoallergenic stainless foils, so you’ll be able to do a brisk dry shave without irritation. The five blades come with two finishing and lift foils, so you’ll be able to tackle every single hair even while in a rush; and the automatic self-cleaning system makes it the perfect companion for a quick dry shave or a luxuriant long shave alike — either way, you won’t have to bother to stop and clean it every few minutes.
Battery life? 45 minutes after an hour’s charge.
Any extras? The shaving head is flexible, curved and has a multi-fi arct; and the cutting system comes with a linear motor drive that boasts 14,000 cpm and even an automatic speed control. It also has automatic self-cleaning; so, once again, you won’t need to faff around where cleaning is concerned.
For a supremely powerful shave: CARRERA Shaver No 521
‘What is a “powerful” shave?’, you may fairly ask. Well, keep on reading to find out — but in the meantime, we’ll start by saying it involves a lot more blades on the razor’s part, and a lot less work on your part.
Why so powerful? It’s a question that can be neatly summed up with the words ‘4-track system’. The idea is to use the sharpest blades possible, on the largest possible facial area — and to do it all in one go. The system has three shaver foils and an integrated trimmer that allows for a neat, efficient pre-shave as you go.
Battery life? The lithium-iron batteries store 800mAh — without any sort of memory effect, which means you can use this razor for an hour after a single charge; or you can opt for a five-minute ‘Power Boost’, even when the batteries are flat, for a single (powerful) shave.
Any extras? The swivel axis on which the blades are mounted follows your facial contours; and once again demonstrating that more blades plus more skin equals a phenomenal shave.
For an attractive razor: Babyliss Dual Titanium Foil Shaver
It’s a heavy duty shaver, all right; it’s certainly not one for foil shaving amateurs. But we have a feeling it’s one you’ll want to take a risk on…
Why so attractive? Well, just take a look at that exterior…
Battery life? Up to 180 minutes from a single three hour charge.
Any extras? For starters, take those ultra-fine, hypoallergenic titanium foils; you’ll get a decent close shave with this one, all right. It can be used both cordless and corded; and considering it was designed with precision fading in mind, you’ll be the talk of the office after just one go-around.
For a razor you can travel with: Remington F9 Ultimate Series Rechargeable Foil Shaver
Technically, of course, you can travel with any razor. But are many razors actually built with travel in mind? That remains to be seen; but Remington’s offering most certainly is.
Why so travel-friendly? It all comes down to the case, really. The razor comes with a travel pouch; plus, there’s a travel lock that keeps the razor immaculately secure and that even saves your selected shave setting. We told you it travels well. It’s even 100% waterproof — not that we’d assume your razor will ever actually have to face the rain, but it’s good to know just in case.
Battery life? You’ll get 60 minutes’ lithium powered, cordless usage after a mere 90 minute charge; plus a five-minute ‘Quick Charge’ option, and an LED display which blinks out the number of minutes you have remaining.
Any extras? We’re pleased to report there are extras in abundance. The four-cutting system includes both hybrid and traditional intercept systems (focusing on comb and cut); not to mention the two Liftlogic foils, which result in a shave that’s 33% faster than it would have been without. The foils can fully flex, of course; and there’s a pop-up detail trimmer to boot.
Wondering how else to transport your treasured possessions? Bennett Winch’s Single and Dual Watch Rolls are the future of time travel…
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