An electric shaver is a vital tool for men that want a close shave, without the hassle and inconvenience of razor shaving. For men, having a smooth and groomed face is essential in presenting yourself at the apex of your ability.

Whether it’s going on a date or getting that important job interview, you want one tool to work with in your grooming arsenal, and that is none other than the Electric Shaver.

In this page, we will discuss the qualities to look out for when purchasing one of these products as well as give you a list of our top 6 picks for the best electric shaver after running our thorough testing and grading process. Let’s get right into it:

What To Look For Prior To Purchasing an Electric Shaver

• Battery life and Charging Speed: 

The battery life is important because you want to be able to use it when you want without having to charge it every minute of the day. All the products listed here are great on battery life and will provide you with an ample amount of time for use compared to the time needed for charging.

• Type of shaver; Foil or Rotary:

There are two different styles when it comes to shavers. Foil shavers have a linear, thin layer of blades that are covered by metal to provide a smooth and very close shave. They are ideal for men with sensitive skin, short hair, and who shave daily. These provide the closest shave as far as electric razors go. Rotary shavers use a spinning mechanism that goes around in a circle, removing the hairs in between. They are designed in an intricate way to match the contours of the face and they provide a great shave. These are ideal for men who do not shave daily, have thicker and longer facial hair, and who do not want a very close shave. Our list offers a nice mixture of the best in each type so that you can make the right choice. Remember, if you are trying to maintain a beard, an electric shaver is not the right product. If this what you are looking for, check out our top 7 beard trimmers guide instead.

• Features:

The features on the products can be very useful, so we have included this as a quality. Some of them have an automatic cleaning system which can take the hassle and maintenance of having to clean up after yourself completely away. Others are able to be used both wet and dry so that shaving in the shower or with cream on your face is possible. And lastly, some come with some unique and useful attachments. Now that we covered the qualities, let’s move on to the electric shaver reviews that you’ve been waiting for.

Top 6 Electric Shavers of 2019

6. Braun 3Series 340S-4 Wet & Dry Shaver

The Braun 3series 340S-4 is a great first choice for a decent but cheap electric shaver. If you are new to this type of shaving and want a reliable and cost effective product, then this is the top recommendation. It uses Sensofoil technology with a triple action cutting system to give you an easy shave without grabbing onto your hair and pulling at your face. It also has built in skin conditioners to offer you less skin irritation as well.

The battery is a very powerful NiMh one and it cuts down full charging time significantly. We had no issues with this razor, and barring the price tag it does the job and does it well. It does not get as close as the Panasonic’s we chose below and the 7 series Braun, but it is more than serviceable and a solid low budget option.

Highlights of the Braun 340S

• 3 blades foil shaver.
• Can be used Wet or Dry.
• Full Charge: 1 hour for 45 minutes of use.
• 5 minute quick charge.
• Great for precision trimming.
• Waterproof and fully washable.
• Replace shaver head every 18 months.
• 2 year warranty.

Price: $

5. Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 Men’s Electric Shaver

Panasonic has a wide variety of relatively similar electric razors that are top of the line choices. The ES-LA63-S is without a doubt no exception to that. Equipped with a clever 4-blade cutting system and 30 degree nano blades, this product offers one of the closest shaves you can achieve with an electric razor.

It has a 14,000 CPM motor drive system that works to cut even the shortest hairs right off your face like hot butter. The NimH battery is very smart and doesn’t suffer from memory problems when overcharged, which is key because a lot of these products do. The sleek ergonomic design allows for a smooth grip.

The multi-flex pivoting head works well in doing its job with shaving around the neck and jaw area that would normally be a bit difficult otherwise. Overall, it is a professional foil shaver by a reliable company and comes with a respectable price tag that provides you with a very close shave.

Highlights of the Panasonic ES-LA63-S

• 4 blades foil shaver.
• Can be used Wet and Dry.
• Full Charge: 1 hour for 45 minutes of use.
• Multi-Flex pivoting head offers a close shave for those with short hairs.
• Sonic Vibration cleaning mode feature is very useful.
• Fully washable. Can be immersed in water with no damage.
• Replacement heads are cheap and last about 12 months.
• 2 year warranty.

Price: $$

4. Philips Norelco 5500 5370/81 Rotary Electric Shaver

You`ll soon notice that the whole line of Philips Norelco electric shavers are rotary, and they really are the kings when it comes to them. The new 5000 series ( currently in the USA only ) brings us a couple of decent products, with the 5500 5370/81 being the most cost effective purchase. This model does not come with the Smartclean system, however you really don’t need the extra expense on when you can just use liquid soap and water to clean it yourself.

Performance wise, Philips boasts a “turbo powered shave” with this new line and they aren’t lying. For a rotary razor, this one is pretty strong and it comes with a turbo powered button that boosts that power by 10%. This is similar to what they do with their beard trimmer line, however it is interesting that they carried it over to their electric razors. It makes sense on a beard trimmer, but why have a turbo button on an electric razor?

The whole point of these is to get as much power as possible for a close shave. You`ll soon notice that you are always using the turbo mode regardless, making you question why this was a feature and not just implemented in the system from the start. As far as the heads go, they are very well designed flex heads that move in 5 directions and aptly utilize Norelco’s dual blade super lift and cut action system.

Furthermore, the 5500 includes Philips Aquatec technology, meaning that it can be used for wet or dry shaving ( with wet shaving being a closer shave as long as you use a shaving gel ). Overall, this is the best electric shaver under $100 and the quality per cost ratio is incredibly high ( meaning that you are getting a superb value! ).

Highlights of the Philips Norelco 5500

• Rotary shaver.
• Aquatec technology for both Wet/Dry use.
• Full Charge: 1 hour for 45 minutes of use.
• 5 minute quick charge function.
• Flex heads move in 5 directions, which is better than most.
• MultiPrecision blade system is pretty ingenious with the first blade raising the facial hair up so the second blade can do it’s job of slicing it right off as smooth as possible.
• Smartclick precision trimmer is included for detailing the mustache and sideburns to your specifications.
• Decently priced flex heads that need replacement around every 12 months.

Price: $$

3. Philips Norelco 8950/90 Special Edition Rotary Shaver

The best rotary electric razor out there goes to the Philips Norelco 8950/90. This is a near perfect rotary shaver, equipped with a sleek modern look that makes you want to keep holding onto it even after you’re done shaving. The new V-track precision blades that are equipped in this shaver are innovative and they can get you a much closer shave than possible from other rotary razors.

This also comes with smart contouring technology that detects the curves on your face and renders each independent head to move in an astounding 8 different directions for the most optimal positioning. We found that this function works very well and you will definitely notice a difference from other shavers that you may have used in the past. The price is not as high as the Sensotouch 1280x that we had #1 previously, so you definitely get more than what you pay for with this product and the shave is actually improved from the Sensotouch.

Speaking of which, Philips parted with the charging stand and you can now plug the wire directly to the shaver. This is great news for those of you businessmen who are always on the road. We literally couldn’t let go of this product during the testing phase and were amazed by how quiet it was compared to it’s foil shaver counterparts.

Furthermore, the reason we have it #3 is because of the lower cost you require to maintain this product and the increased durability. It is a very nice upgrade to the 5500 we have above, and if you find yourself with a very thick facial growth that requires a strong and manly rotary shaver, this is the one to get. Now lets go on and see some of the key features.

Highlights of the Philips Norelco 8950

• Rotary shaver.
• Aquatec technology for both Wet or Dry use.
• Full charge: 50 minutes for 1 hour of use.
• 3 minute quick charge.
• Most advanced 8 direction contour detection system out there that pivots each V-track precision blade head around, cutting 20% more hair from 1 pass.
• Comes with a Smartclick beard styler that acts as a mini beard trimmer. 5 settings for stubble to short beards.
• Very effective Smartclean system that thoroughly washes, lubricates, and recharges the shaver to feel like brand new after every shave. Replace solution every 15 days if used daily.
• Decently priced shaving heads that need replacement every year.

Price: $$$

2. Braun Series 7-790cc Pulsonic Electric Foil Shaver

Braun’s more powerful and in our opinion their best electric shaver, the Series 7 790cc is an incredible product overall. Powered by Braun’s Optifoil system, the closest shave you can possibly get is just a walk in the park for this razor. What separates this foil shaver from the rest is the zigzag Activelift system that is implemented in the middle of the trimmer, which basically catches those pesky flat hairs that otherwise wouldn’t be touched if you used another product.

The pivoting head allows you to easily manage hairs that are on awkward places on your face, which most men can attest to is a must nowadays. Ergonomically, the design is conducive to the touch and it feels very comfortable and almost natural to hold when shaving. Another great aspect of the 790cc is the three personalized modes function; extra sensitive, normal, and intensive. It gives you customization to match perfectly with your skin and beard type in order to get a high quality shave all the time.

Furthermore, the design is very elegant and comfortably fits to your hand so just palming this beauty is an experience you look forward to in the morning. The one and only issue we have with the 790cc is that the “wet” label is a bit misleading. For other wet/dry shavers, you can use them in the shower and not have to worry. For this one, it is best that you only use it in the sink for wet shaving because the power insert is located in the bottom of the shaver and is actually not waterproof. Although this won’t be an issue for most of you, it is something that we need to mention so that you don’t accidentally damage the shaver.

Overall, this is one of the top foil razors ever made, and the fact that we think it is under-priced is a testament to how good of a product it really is. Braun electric shavers are usually always priced favorably and you should know that you always get a great deal with them given the features and potency of the motor and blades. If you are looking to give yourself a very short buzz cut, the Braun 7-790cc works perfectly and is the best electric shaver for head shaving.

Highlights of the Braun 7-790cc

• 3 blades foil shaver with smart Sonic technology that increases power up to 10,000cpm.
• Can be used “Wet” or Dry. Avoid using this in the shower.
• Full Charge: 1 hour for 50 minutes of use.
• 5 minute quick charge.
• Great for men with skin more on the sensitive side.
• Clean and renew system that charges, lubricates, and cleans the shaver with the touch of a button. Very quiet on this model.
• You`ll need to replace the clean and renew cartridges around every 2 months.
• Long lasting shaver heads that should be replaced every 18 months.
• 2 year warranty.

Price: $$$

1. Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV95-S Men’s Electric Razor

Panasonic electric shavers are known for their paramount strength and power, and the ES-LV95-S is the poster child of their line. This is one of the most impressive specimens in the shaving world and you would be honored to use this on your face. With a potent 14,000 cpm ( or 233 cutting cycles per second ), this is truly the closest shave you can get without even having to press down while using it. There is a lot to say about the ES-LV95-S, so we will try to break it down as simply as possible.

Firstly, the head is bigger than the Braun 790cc, however it is more maneuverable as well ( moving in a 360 degree axis ). Because of this Multi-Flex(TM) technology, it covers more of your face swiftly, which actually can cut down the time it takes to shave in the morning once you learn how to use this properly. The one outstanding feature about the ES-LV95-S is the sensor that detects the thickness of the hair it is passing over, and adjusts the cutting speed accordingly to avoid irritation. Couple that with the hypoallergenic blades and this product does a great job of avoiding ingrown hairs, however the Braun 7 790cc is better at avoiding irritation all together.

The clean and charge station is also vastly improved from the lower models, and does not leak at all as some of the previous one’s did. Furthermore, the detergent solution you need is much cheaper and takes up much less space than the Braun 7 790cc. For all these reasons stated above, the Panasonic ES-LV95-S is our choice for the best foil electric shaver, as well as the one that provides you with the closest shave on the market.

Highlights of the Panasonic ES-LV95-S

• 5 blade Foil shaver with MultiFlex(TM) pivoting head and linear motor that powers up to 14,000cpm.
• Can be used Wet and Dry.
• Full Charge time is approximately 1 hour.
• Comes with a pop-up trimmer for detailing precisely.
• LCD in the front of the shaver highlights all the functions for ultimate convenience to you.
• 100% Washable with an improved clean and charge station.
• Special detergent pack of 3 lasts you around 3 months. *Make sure you buy the right one!
• Expensive foil head that needs replacement around every 1 year.
• 2 year warranty.

Price: $$$$

That concludes the list. You should be more than content with any of the products above as they are widely regarded as top of the line electric razors in 2018, by our testing and by many other experts as well. We had a lot of fun with these products, as electric razors are probably our favorite male shaving tool next to beard trimmers. To get a better idea of how we came with our ratings, here is the factors that we paid attention to while testing the products above.

How We Graded The Top Electric Razors

The grading was based on a 4 week testing period per product because it takes a couple of weeks for the electric razor to adjust to your facial hair. The criteria we used while grading is based on the following factors:

• Cutting Power: The cutting power varied on how strong the motor and blades performed in unison. We took into account the differences between the motors in rotary and foil products, but also ensured that the strength was potent enough to get the job done.
• Durability: The durability is an obvious factor that must be taken seriously. You don’t want to buy a shaver that breaks down easily or has parts that are flimsy. These are manly tools and they should be very durable.
• Usability: You cant ignore the features so they were weighed in terms of how useful they are and if they work properly. For example, the clean and renew systems on both the Braun 7-790cc and the Panasonic ES-LV95-S work exceptionally well and offer an added convenience, so that definitely held weight in our final grades.
• Ergonomics: The design is something we took into account as well because you want to be able to hold each shaver with your hand firmly, ensuring that it does not slip while shaving. Furthermore, a sleek design rendered a slight boost in style points.
• Cost: Arguably one of the most critical variables is the price. You don’t want to overpay for a poor performing product for obvious reasons, but also want to be aware if you are getting a great value. If an electric razor performed phenomenally and was lower in cost than it’s competitors, then that was reflected in the rankings.

Before we leave you, remember that an electric shaver is different than a razor shave in that it will take your facial hair a couple of weeks to adjust to the new style of shaving.

This means that you should not be discouraged if the first couple of shaves do not go as well as you expected. Give it a couple of a weeks to a month and you will notice that your facial hair will grow in the direction that your shaver operates in, therefore giving you a better shave overall.

Remember To Replace The Shaver Heads

Lastly, if you feel that your product is not getting you a close enough shave as it once was, it is probably nearing the time to replace the heads.

Although the recommended time frame is listed above, you should keep in mind that sometimes the blades dull faster depending on how often you shave and how thick your beard is.

With that said, it is best to just replace the head as soon as you notice that it is just not getting as close of a shave as you`d like, or if it is irritating your skin like it never has before. This will bring it back to it’s former glory, comparable to the first time you ever used the shaver.

[LAST UPDATED: November 2019]