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The Best Electric Razors for Men, Tested for a Close, Comfortable Shave

These are tops for a close, comfortable shave.

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Three electric shavers displayed against a gradient blue background.

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I have been shaving my face for nearly two decades and I still struggle to avoid turning my bathroom (and face) into a bloody mess with a manual razor. For accident-prone guys like me, an electric razor can eliminate some of shaving’s biggest annoyances, from nicks and cuts to the hassle of working around tricky areas. The best electric shavers can also deliver a close, comfortable shave without the fuss of a traditional razor.

Our top picks

Separating the good ones from the pack is where the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab comes in. I’ve logged plenty of time there, watching and participating in the team’s rigorous in-Lab testing, consumer polls, and at-home road testing of grooming essentials. Drawing on the latest Lab and consumer tests conducted by Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, along with my own road testing, these are the best electric razors for a smooth, hassle-free shave.

ARC6 Luxury 6-Blade Men’s Electric Shaver

Pros

  • Gives a close shave
  • Glides on skin easily for a more comfortable shave
  • Charges quickly so a dead battery won't stop your shave
  • Among the quietest models we tried

Cons

  • Bulky cleaning station requires more counter space

The highest-scoring electric razor from GH Beauty Lab testing earns its spot at the top of our list for performing well both in-Lab and at home with consumers. In the Lab, it had the fastest charging time out of the razors we looked at, and was among the quietest per Quiet Mark evaluation.

Our testers gave this flexible-headed shaver the highest ratings for closeness, speed, ease of gliding over skin, and overall satisfaction. While our pros noted that the cleaning station is a bit bulky, several at-home testers remarked that they were happy with the inclusion, giving them peace of mind that their razor is fully prepped for their next shave.

Norelco OneBlade 360 Face Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver

Pros

  • Close shave at a bargain price
  • Small and easily portable
  • Durable enough to withstand accidental drops

Cons

  • Shaver head can pop off if dropped

There’s a good reason why almost every single guy friend of mine has one of these in his bathroom. The Philips Norelco OneBlade delivers a remarkably close shave wet or dry, and at a price that seriously undercuts much of its competition.

I’ve used one for years on and off, coming back to it whenever I need a quick shave or am headed on a trip without shaving cream. The form factor is significantly smaller than most electric shavers, meaning it’s great for travel and won’t take up too much space in your bathroom. While dropping it is almost certain to eject the shaver head, a quick snap back into place gets it working again—something I can personally vouch for after 30-plus drops in my shower (whoops).

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Norelco S9000 Prestige Electric Shaver

Pros

  • Great for trimming hard-to-shave contours of the face
  • Wireless charging pad makes forgetting to charge a thing of the past

Cons

  • Charging pad and cleaning kit take up considerable countertop real estate

Rotary electric razors are great for anyone who struggles with nabbing hair in the tighter contours of the face. I can personally attest to this—and it’s for that very reason that the Philips Norelco S9000 is the shaver I reach for most days. The flexible, three-blade head makes it easy to get under my jaw, a place I struggle with even when using a manual razor.

I’m not alone in feeling this way either. Consumers in Beauty Lab testing rated it the highest for removing unwanted hair around the upper lip and mouth area, with one saying, “I have used other electric shavers, and never had such a close shave first time around.”

The wireless charging pad makes keeping the razor’s battery topped up seamless, though it can be annoying to find space for it and the razor’s cleaning kit in a cramped bathroom. The detachable head is also easy to clean since it flips open, letting you rinse both sides of the blades at once.

Ultimate Trim Precision All-in-One Groomer

Pros

  • Wide array of heads and attachments for a low price
  • Powerful motor cuts through thick hair easily
  • 15 minutes of shave time with just 5 minutes of charge

Cons

  • Takes long to reach a full charge

With four interchangeable heads for shaving, hair and body trimming, precision trimming, and ear and nose grooming, plus a range of attachments, this all-in-one groomer packs impressive versatility into a relatively affordable package. What’s more, our Lab testing found that a quick 5-minute charge can give you 15 minutes of active shave time—the best in the group we tested. That said, it’s worth noting that this razor took the longest to get a full charge at a whopping three and a half hours, so you’ll want to plan ahead before extended trimming sessions.

Consumers noted that this razor worked well on thicker beards and mustaches, praising its versatility and precision. "It has a strong motor and cuts my beard easily," said one tester. "The trimmer and the shaver are both sharp, precise, and comfortable to use and the attachments for ear and nose grooming are a plus."

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How we test electric razors for men

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In our most recent testing, Good Housekeeping Institute Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek evaluated seven electric razors in the Beauty Lab. She recorded cord length, noted features, and measured how long it took each razor to charge and discharge without a load. She also measured how much use each razor got from a five-minute quick charge, conducted a drop test to assess durability, and used Quiet Mark evaluations to identify the quietest models.

We also worked with a panel of 35 men (five per razor), who were instructed to use their assigned razor at least twice according to the manufacturer’s directions before completing a questionnaire rating ease of use, performance, and overall satisfaction.

Beyond Lab and consumer testing, Nikolas Greenwald, who frequently collaborates with the Beauty Lab on men’s grooming stories, drew on his firsthand experience testing razors at home to help select the four models featured here.

What to look for when shopping for an electric razor

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Wnek suggests keeping the following criteria in mind and choosing a shaver based on your preferences for each factor:

✔️ Type of electric razor: Rotary or foil—keep reading for the main differences between the two below.

✔️ Electrical needs: Are you traveling? Do you need a dual voltage product? If so, double-check the packaging information.

✔️ Size: Many of these products come with accessories that are bulky, like the cleaning and recharge stations. If you don't have a lot of counter space, factor that into your choice.

✔️ Storage case: Not all products come with a storage case but our consumer testers really liked the ones that did, particularly for traveling purposes.

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Are rotary or foil shavers better?

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One isn't better per se, but they do have points of difference. Rotary razors typically have multiple circular blades that rotate and pivot independently. "They are usually easier to maneuver around the contours of your face and are thought to be better for coarser hair types compared to foil razors," Wnek says. Foil razors, the more common of the two, typically have one or more linear blades and tend to be easier to clean.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Danusia Wnek is a Senior Chemist in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Beauty Lab, where she uses her 15+ years of experience in the personal care industry to evaluate haircare, skincare, cosmetics, and beauty tools—including the Lab-tested razors in this article.

Nikolas Greenwald is the Data & Product Operations Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where he works on internal tools for collecting and analyzing lab data. When he’s not coding, he collaborates with the Beauty Lab on stories related to men’s grooming.

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