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10 best electric shavers for men
Stamp out stubble rash and face fuzz and hunt down the best electric shaver to give the man in your life.
By Louise Baty | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
Whether you’re looking for a gift for your other half or a shaving solution for a teenager who’s sprouted some face fluff, it can be hard to know which style and brand of electric shaver to choose.
There’s nothing wrong with a straightforward razor and foam, but shaving mishaps are less likely with electric shavers as they tend to be easier to handle. Most electric shavers can be used wet (with foam or gel) or dry and you can choose between foil blades or spinning rotary blades.
Shaving with an electric razor also tends to be quicker and doesn’t necessarily have to be done in the bathroom over a sink (although whoever is doing the shaving needs to clear up after themselves wherever they are, of course).
Some folk reckon that electric shaving doesn’t give as close a shave as a wet shave with a traditional razor but it’s all down to personal choice.
Many parents go electric when it comes to buying a first shaver for their children. As these wise Mumsnetters advise:
“Just got mine an electric shaver when he started to get beardy. I did ask him whether he wanted to grow a beard before I bought it. Answer was a resounding 'No!’. Main reason to choose electric is that they’re less likely to cut their face to ribbons.” veryvery
“Another for the electric shaver camp. My teens have used them from the beginning as do all their mates. No faffing and no creams needed. No cuts. No worries about blunt blades. Just recharge and you're off. Plus you don't need a man around for a demo!” Mustgetonwithit
We’re all for equal opportunities so it’s no surprise to hear that Mumsnetters also love using men’s shavers for keeping their legs and other bits fuzz-free. As Mumsnetter Ava5 said on our forums: “Had I discovered mens' electric shavers earlier, it would've saved me years of grief due to struggling with nasty hair removal methods.”
Here are our top 10 electric shavers for men for 2022.
1. Best overall electric shaver: Philips Series 5000 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver
Price: £79.99 | Buy now from Argos
“My DS was 14 when he started getting facial hair. I bought him a Philips electric shaver. I wouldn't trust him not to cut his face to pieces with blades.” Itsagrandoldteam
Philips is a trusted name in personal care gadgets so it's no surprise that one of their latest offerings has topped our list. It ticks every box that we can come up with, making it the best electric shaver we’ve found.
Fully waterproof, the Philips Series 5000 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver can be used dry, wet and even in the shower. It charges at the speed of light thanks to the powerful lithium-ion battery, meaning it will come to the rescue on hectic, last-minute mornings and a five-minute charge will grant you one shave. To get it fully charged, you only need to charge it for an hour.
Philips’ clever SkinIQ technology apparently cuts more hair per stroke because the shaver head adapts to the density of your hair. A pop-up precision trimmer tackles moustaches and sideburns.
Pros
Versatile
Super quick charging
Cons
More of an investment buy
Specs
Battery life: 40 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes
2. Best budget electric shaver: Remington Style R4
Price: £29.99 | Buy now from Amazon
This cordless, rechargeable electric rotary razor offers great value for money. There’s a rechargeable battery, three heads and a pop-up trimmer, including flexing cutters and dual-track blades.
Reviewers say the Remington Style R4 works well in difficult-to-reach areas and is also a good option for use on thicker, wiry hair.
The main drawback is the really long charging time. It takes 16 hours to fully recharge the battery so is no good for disorganised or impatient types. It’s efficient enough for daily use though and won’t leave you out of pocket in the process.
Pros
Affordable
Cordless and dry shaving only
Cons
Long charging time
Specs
Battery life: 40 minutes
Charging time: 16 hour
Waterproof: No
3. Best electric foil shaver: Panasonic Wet & Dry Dual Blade Electric Razor
Price: £18.99 | Buy now from Amazon
At under £20, this electric wet and dry shaver is excellent value. Foil blades are generally considered to be more gentle on sensitive skin so it’s a good choice as a first electric razor.
The Panasonic Dual Blade Electric Razor offers floating blades, and a pivoting head to follow facial contours and provide a quicker closer shave. It’s fully waterproof, making it suitable for wet and dry shaving, and it can also be used with foam or gel.
There’s also a pop-up trimmer for sideburns and taches. It plugs into a two-pin bathroom plug for charging.
Pros
Very affordable
Wet and dry shaving
Cons
Long charging time
Specs
Battery life: n/a
Charging time: 12 hours
Waterproof: Yes
4. Best electric shaver for sensitive skin: Philips OneBlade QP2520/30 Hybrid Stubble Trimmer & Shaver
Price: £54.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“DS uses the Philips OneBlade. I think it would be almost impossible to cut himself with it, it has no sharp edges at all.” Juicyfrooty
Versatility is key with this electric shaver. It may only have one blade but, as it comes with a selection of handy stubble combs, it can cope with close shaves or beard trims. It’s water-resistant rather than waterproof but can be used dry or wet and cleaned without any bother.
Reviewers praise the Philips OneBlade for achieving a quick, comfortable shave. This electric shaver is great for sensitive skin and unlikely to cause painful stubble rash, making it ideal as a first electric shaver for teens.
Be warned: the NiMH battery takes a long time to charge - eight hours - so it will need to be plugged in the night before use. Blades last up to four months and extra blades tend to be expensive to buy but, with this exclusive Amazon bundle, you’ll get a handy second blade included.
Pros
Choice of beard trimmers
Extra blade included
Cons
Relatively long charging time
Specs
Battery life: 45 minutes
Charging time: 8 hours
Waterproof: No, water-resistant
5. Best electric shaver under £50: Philips Shaver Series 1000 (Model S1332/41)
Price: £34.99 | Buy now from Amazon
"My 16 and 12-year-old boys both use a Philips electric razor. They were around £50 each on sale on Amazon. Much less faff than wet shaving for them.” Lara53
Yes, it’s another Philips. The Philips Shaver Series 1000 (model S1332/41) is one of their more basic rotary blade models but it has plenty of useful features.
Using 27 precision-engineered PowerCut Blades, 4D flex heads and floating head movements to adapt to facial contours, there’s also a pop-up Philips beard trimmer.
The ergonomic, non-slip rubber handle makes it easier to hold and one hour of charging is needed for a full charge of up to 45 minutes of cordless use. For a quick, last-minute shave, simply charge it for five minutes. However, as it’s only water-resistant, not waterproof, it won’t survive being drenched in the shower.
Pros
Quick to charge
Affordable yet high-specs
Cons
Water-resistant not waterproof
Specs
Battery life: 45 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: No, water-resistant
6. Best electric shaver for everyday use: Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s
Price: £49.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“DS1 is 16 and has a Braun Series 3 which seems to do the job. DH has shown him how to have a 'proper' shave but he hates it so sticks with the electric shaver for the most part.” BearSoFair
Affordable and easy to use, the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s waterproof foil shaver can be taken into the shower. It also uses three independently floating elements to adapt to facial contours.
Reviving the rechargeable battery is straightforward - one hour of charging gives up to a week’s worth of shaving, while a speedy five-minute charge is enough for one quick shave. The results are reliably good and it’s easy to clean too.
Reviewers say that the power button can be easily flicked off mid-shave, which could get a trifle annoying, but overall this is a brilliant electric shaver for the money. It also comes with a charging cord and plastic foil guard.
Pros
Easy and quick recharging time
Waterproof
Cons
Power button is overly sensitive
Specs
Battery life: 45 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes, IPX7-rated
7. Best electric shaver for your head: Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver PRO
Price: £99.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“Pitbull Skull Shaver - like an electric shaver shaped especially for heads. Less risky than a hand razor.” OpthalmosVerde
Great for unconventional types, the Pitbull Skull Shaver is a different kind of electric shaver. Easier to grip in the hand than more traditional electric shavers, the four-head Carver PRO rotary blades not only keeps a shaved bonce looking neat, they can also be used for close facial shaves.
The Pitbull Silver PRO is 100% water-resistant, making it suitable for shower use, and gives fast results - Skull Shaver claims that it can smooth all those hard to reach areas in 90 seconds.
It can also be used for dry shaving, with the LCD battery display indicating when it needs charging to avoid nasty surprises.
Pros
Unique design
Versatile - can be used on head and face
Cons
Expensive
Specs
Battery life: 30 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: 100% water-resistant
8. Best electric shaver under £200: Philips Series 9000 S9711/31
Price: £159.99 | Buy now from Amazon
“I treated him to a good one (>£200, think its Philips maybe Braun - the one with the 3 floating circular heads.” BrokenWing
If you want to splurge on a quality electric shaver, the Philips Series 9000 S9711/31 is bursting with high spec details including V-Track PRO precision blades, ContourDetect heads, a beard trimmer and a travel pouch.
The Aquatec Wet and Dry seal means it can be used dry, wet or in the shower and it’s also possible to tailor the settings for the closest, most comfortable shave. An hour of charging gives 50 minutes of shaving.
Our favourite feature is the SmartClean Plus Clean and Charge system which cleans, lubricates, dries and charges the shaver ready for its next use.
Pros
Can be used in the shower
Hygienic SmartClean Plus system
Cons
Not quite as close a shave as some shavers
Specs
Battery life: 90 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes, Aquatec Wet & Dry seal
9. Best wet and dry electric shaver: Wahl Lifeproof Shaver
Price: £34.66 | Buy now from Amazon
“[Recommendation for a first razor for a teenage boy?] The Wahl Lifeproof Shaver.” needthisthread
Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t at our best first thing in the morning, but the Wahl Lifeproof Shaver claims to be ‘practically indestructible’ so if it’s dropped, then no worries at all. It’s waterproof up to one metre and can be used in the shower with shaving foam or gel or dry.
The charging abilities on this funky-looking bit of kit are really impressive too. The lithium-ion batteries will last for 90 minutes after a 60-minute charge. A five-minute charge gives a five-minute shave.
Reviewers say that it won’t achieve quite as close a finish as some electric shavers but at least it will survive 6am mishaps in style, even if a clumsy teen is involved.
Pros
Very hard-wearing
Long-lasting battery life and super quick charge
Cons
Not quite as close a shave as some shavers
Specs
Battery life: 90 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes, to 1 metre
10. Best electric shaver for pubic area: Panasonic ER-GB80 Wet & Dry Electric Beard, Hair and Body Trimmer
Price: From £43.90 | Buy now from Amazon
“He gives it a trim now and then. I don't like the idea of completely shaved but then I don't like it on myself either.” LettuceP
It’s all very well keeping your facial hair neatly trimmed but what about everywhere else? When it comes to men and the pruning of their body hair, some Mumsnetters report that their partners are all for it, while others wouldn’t dream of going south with a razor.
Obviously, it’s down to personal choice but if the man in your life wants to trim their privates, they could do a lot worse than the Panasonic ER-GB80 multi-groomer.
There are three attachments which cover beard and body ‘manscaping’. The body care attachment trims delicate areas including underarms, shoulders, legs and groin to a neat 1.5 mm.
It can be used with the cord or cordless for wet use and it’s also water-resistant making it easy to clean. To fully charge, plug it into a two-pin bathroom socket for an hour. This will keep it running for an impressive 50 minutes.
Pros
Ideal for body hair and beards
Can be used with cord or cordless
Cons
May be too bulky for some
Specs
Battery life: 50 minutes
Charging time: 1 hour
Waterproof: No, water-resistant
Do I need an electric shaver?
While many blokes manage just fine with a no-frills disposable razor and shaving foam combo, pitfalls of traditional wet shaving include cuts and scrapes if they’re not quite sure what they’re doing. Electric shavers tend to be quicker and cuts are less likely.
Which is better - a rotary or foil electric shaver?
To decide which type of electric shaver is best for your requirements, it’s important to understand how the different types work.
A foil shaver is made of a thin metal foil covering a cutting blade. The foil glides over facial contours and the blade cuts stubble as it pokes through the foil.
Foil shavers are kinder on easily irritated skin as they’re less likely to cause razor burn - they’re a sensible option as a first electric shaver. They’re also suited to shorter beard hair which requires regular trimming.
A rotary shaver has three or more rotating heads which move in a circular motion, with cutters spinning below the heads to cut through hair. Rotating shavers are adept at moving over the contours of the face and can also handle difficult to reach areas around the nose and chin.
They generally suit slightly longer stubble, tougher skin and medium to coarse beard density. For that reason, they’re better for older men rather than teens with soft skin who aren’t used to shaving.
How do I choose the best electric shaver?
Here are some considerations when it comes to choosing the best electric shaver:
Brand
Choosing a reputable brand is always the sensible option when it comes to shaving because skin can be so easily irritated and damaged. Braun is the market leader for foil shavers while Philips scores consistently highly in rotary shavers. All the electric shavers we’ve featured on our list are rigorously tested and from well-known brands.
Foil or rotary
We’ve explained the differences between these two types of blades higher up but, generally speaking, foil shavers are more suitable for sensitive, younger skin and shorter stubble while rotary shavers work well on longer stubble, thicker hair and tougher, older skin that’s more used to shaving.
Cordless or mains-powered
All ‘wet and dry’ electric razors are cordless shavers, which means they’re powered by a rechargeable battery. Cordless may be easier to use, as the person shaving doesn’t have to hover near a plug during use. However, they need to be charged before use, which means forward planning is required. That said, many of the shavers on our list will provide one quick shave if they’re charged for five minutes. Some models can be used either while plugged in or cordless which is useful if they need to be used in a hurry. Mains only shavers aren’t rechargeable and need to be plugged in to work but these tend to be very basic models. None of the electric shavers on our list are mains only.
Charging time
On manic mornings when speed is of the essence, no one wants to be hanging around for their electric shaver to charge. Some of the electric shavers on our list take a while to rejuvenate - the Remington Style R4, for instance, takes 16 hours to fully charge. However, many others take around an hour to reach full charge and can then provide around 45 minutes of shaving. Some electric shavers, such as the Philips Shaver Series 1000 (model S1332/41) will have enough power for a quick shave after just five minutes of charging.
Extra attachments
Additional combs and pop-up beard trimmers can handle different lengths and types of facial hair including goatees and sideburns.
Waterproof or water-resistant
Some electric shavers can be used wet (with foam or gel) or dry. Some electric shavers are 100% waterproof and can be used in the shower - ideal for busy mornings. Always read the instructions before use.
Charge display
Some cordless shavers have a digital countdown display, indicating how much shaving time is left before recharging is required.
Do I need to clean an electric shaver?
It’s really important to regularly clean an electric shaver to prevent all the parts from getting clogged up with hair clippings, skin particles and shaving foam or gel, which could stop them working properly.
Whether you have a foil shaver or a rotary shaver, take off the casing holding in the foils or rotary blades and tap out any stray hair clippings.
Some shavers can be washed under running water to remove debris but check the manufacturer’s guide before doing this.
What is the best men's electric shaver?
The best overall electric shaver is Philips Series 5000 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver as it offers loads of great features and can be used dry, wet and even in the shower as well as charging in super quick time.
The best budget rotary electric shaver is Remington Style R4 - cordless and rechargeable electric razor, it has some great features for the price.
The best electric foil shaver Panasonic Dual Blade Electric Razor which offers excellent value and is gentle on sensitive skin, making it an ideal first electric razor.
How we chose our recommendations
Our suggestions for electric shavers for men came from recommendations on the Mumsnet forums and from consumer reviews on the web. We consulted independent review sites including Which? for opinions about products to ensure we were bringing you an honest summary of electric shavers.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping make parents’ lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
Want more product recommendations? Check out Mumsnet Reviews and Mumsnet Swears By.