A Practical Guide • ShaverCheck (2024)

Finding the right electric razor should be easy and straightforward.

After all, getting a close and comfortable shave, preferably without spending a ton of money, sounds like a reasonable expectation.

However, choosing a good men’s electric shaver seems to be anything but simple.

This actionable guide aims to change all that by redefining the way we approach this problem.

Specifically, we’ll start with you — the user — and get to the actual shavers from there.

In my opinion, this is what’s fundamentally wrong with all the roundups of the so-called best shavers we see crop up all over the web: they barely account for the user and his needs.

I’ve bought and tested all the shavers recommended in this guide, so I will present their pros and cons from the perspective of someone who owns and uses them regularly:

I’m confident that by the time you finish reading the article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a certain shaver suitable in a given situation and ultimately decide which one is best for you.

Why is choosing a shaver so complicated?

For starters, I’d say that the sheer number of models and variations creates some sort of paradox of choice. There are just too many of them.

You’ve probably been in the position of needing to buy something only to go back and forth repeatedly between several options, constantly debating which one would be the best option.

And to add insult to injury, choosing an electric shaver is plagued by yet another issue: a poor documentation of the differences between the various models.

Oftentimes the model names make absolutely no sense and the manufacturer doesn’t showcase the actual differences between the razors in a series.

Many review sites are also filled with conflicting or irrelevant information about the newly released models.

We often see product updates being rolled out with no indication of how significant they are or if the older shavers still represent a viable option.

In some cases, the new models are nothing more than a cosmetic makeover.

Case in point: the various Braun Series 8 generations — all of them shave exactly the same.

But there are also times when a shaver is a completely new product, employing important changes that will impact the actual performance.

For example, the old (discontinued) Braun Series 7 and the current Series 7 360 Flex:

They are vastly different shavers and in this case, the old one is actually better in every single way.

All of these are in my opinion very important aspects to consider when recommending or comparing electric shavers.

The problem with most best shavers lists

You’ve probably done a bit of research on what would be the best electric razor for you and stumbled upon a myriad of results.

Unfortunately, there are a few major problems with most of these roundups.

First and foremost, that elusive best shaver doesn’t exist.

The best you can hope for is to find an electric razor that checks most of the boxes for your particular needs and comes with the fewest shortcomings.

Secondly, most reviewers out there have never actually tested the razors in question.

They just come up with lists of the most popular and over-hyped models, copying what others are saying and repeating some marketing fluff taken straight out of a press release or product page.

You’ll rarely see on-point criticism and genuine assessments.

I know this is a very serious claim, but unfortunately there are only a handful of reliable resources out there when it comes to testing electric shavers.

I think it’s pretty obvious why this is a flawed approach.

Apart from the reliability of the information that is questionable at best, almost all of these articles never seem to consider that men are different, their needs are different and their shaving habits are different.

Which leads us to the next part.

Choosing the right shaver comes down to personal needs

It’s important to note that recommending a shaver is based on personal experience and at least some parts will be affected by user bias.

A particular shaver may be the best option for me, but could also perform poorly when used by someone else.

And this is the result of us men being different and expecting different things from an electric razor.

Accounting for these differences and use cases is key when recommending an electric shaver as it will exponentially increase the odds of you buying a suitable shaving machine.

So how does one go about this? What are the most important factors to consider when coming up with a list of the best electric razors that should suit different users and situations?

After using and reviewing electric razors for over 20 years, I believe that it comes down to the following factors:

I am confident that this holistic approach is the way to go when it comes to choosing an electric razor that will perform great in your case.

Today’s modern electric shavers have come a long way and you can currently find some great products out there.

But as I already said, a particular razor won’t be ideal in every situation.

To address this, I will share some of the best electric shavers I’ve tested so far, centered around those 5 key aspects mentioned above, hopefully helping you pick the right one.

I will present only the truly important things — including the negatives — after using most of them for years.

With every shaver on this list, I will also try to explain why I chose that particular model over another.

Most of the time this will be a matter of price, availability in 2024 and whether the razor has genuinely useful features.

I will also explain why I left out other shavers that only offer marginal benefits for a lot more money.

The best electric shavers for men in 2024

1. Braun Series 9 Pro 9465cc

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.

Deal alert: The newer Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9567cc can sometimes be bought for even less and shaves exactly the same.

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: the much debated Braun Series 9 (and its Pro variations).

Arguably one of the most popular electric shavers in recent years, the Series 9 was the topic of many heated discussions in the online community.

Launched 10 years ago to take over the Series 7 as Braun’s new range-topping shaver, the Series 9 had a couple of hiccups along the way.

Among those, there was a shortage of replacement shaving heads and some reports of the cutters falling apart after only a few months of use.

Moreover, if you somehow managed to find the replacement parts, the price was prohibitive.

Braun eventually sorted out the problems by fitting the Series 9 with new shaving heads (press release).

The current Series 9 models that come with updated shaving heads start with 93, 94 (Series 9 Pro) and 95 (Series 9 PRO+).

The new replacement shaving heads — called cassettes — are also readily available.

For these reasons, the Series 9 finally represents a viable option.

As of 2024, you basically have three options in the Series 9 family:

• the standard Series 9 (93xx models)
• the Series 9 Pro (94xx models)
• the Series 9 PRO+ (95xx models)

The 93 models which represent the latest iteration of the standard Series 9 were released in 2019.

These include models like the 9370cc, 9385cc, 9390cc, 9330s, etc.

Soon after that, while we were all expecting a Series 10, Braun released the Series 9 Pro (94xx).

The Pro models come with a tweaked cassette (called 94M) that is also backward compatible with the standard Series 9, a redesigned head locking switch and the shaver feels slightly more powerful.

Last year the Series 9 Pro got a refresh in the form of the Series 9 PRO+ (the 95 models).

Apart from a new (marginally better) hair trimmer, the PRO+ is exactly the same as the Pro.

Considering the performance, I think any of the three sub-series (standard, Pro, PRO+) represent a viable option.

To me, the Series 9 Pro and PRO+ feel a bit more powerful, but that also comes with a small compromise to the comfort — they’re not quite as gentle as the standard S9.

I think all of them are still perfectly suitable for users with sensitive skin, but having used all of them, the standard S9 just feels ever so slightly more forgiving.

Again, the differences are subtle and all three variations are more similar than different.

Further reading: for more details on the differences between all Series 9 models, you can check out my Series 9 guide.

However, given the availability and price drops we’ve seen lately, I think the Series 9 Pro is now the better pick.

I went with the Braun Series 9 Pro 9465cc as my top pick simply because it’s usually priced lower than other similar variations.

On top of that, it also includes a nice solid leather case.

Most Series 9 models, Pro or non-Pro, usually come with a hard textile case. Nothing wrong with it, but the leather one looks and feels a lot nicer.

But any of the models starting with 94 or 95 are equally good options since the shaving performance is the same.

In the past, I used to be reluctant to recommend the Series 9 and I would often advise the readers of this website to take the safe route and choose the tried and tested Series 7 or 8 instead.

However, since the original issues have mostly been ironed out, I think we can finally focus on the actual performance of the Series 9/Pro/PRO+.

After thoroughly testing several Series 9 variations, I can confidently say that it is an excellent electric razor and probably the best all-rounder.

As expected, the Series 9 won’t be the best in every situation and I’ll get to that as well.

But I’ll first go over the good parts and when it would be a great choice.

The best part about the Series 9 (and the Pro models) is the comfort and effectiveness.

I’ve used dozens of electric razors and this one is among the most comfortable and gentle shavers you can currently buy.

And because it’s so effective at catching the hairs, including the difficult ones, most men should experience a quicker and more enjoyable shave.

When using a Series 9 I can even get away with things that would normally inflict some razor burn and discomfort (like pressing too hard or doing multiple passes over sensitive areas).

If you have sensitive skin, suffer from razor burn, rashes, or ingrown hairs, the Series 9/Pro/PRO+ is arguably the best men’s electric razor you can buy right now.

The foils never get hot even after prolonged use and remain perfectly comfortable.

The shaving head is comprised of 4 individual cutting elements: two finishing foils (called Optifoils) and two cutters specially designed to tackle longer, flat-lying hairs that grow in different directions.

Braun’s implementation of these specialized cutters on the Series 9 works better than anything found on any other foil shaver.

They manage to capture and cut stray, wiry and flat-lying hairs impressively well.

Side note: you’ll sometimes see things like 5 ProShave Elements in the case of the Series 9 Pro or PRO+. That’s just a marketing stunt, all Series 9 generations, Pro or non-PRO have 4 active cutters.

Most other electric razors, particularly the foil ones, only manage to perform average at best when used on a longer beard (hair length is more than 2mm).

As such, they tend to miss hairs, requiring multiple passes in order to get a clean shave.

Less capable foil shavers will also pull some of the hairs if they’re too long.

I haven’t experienced any of that with the Series 9, not even when I deliberately tried to be sloppier with my technique.

If you sometimes shave less often, like every three days or even more and have problem areas where the hairs grow parallel to the skin and in different directions, the Series 9 will again be a suitable option.

The only razors that can match it in these situations are Philips Norelco’s advanced rotary shavers, like the Series 9000 and the S9000 Prestige.

But those aren’t as easy to use nor do they shave quite as close — at least that was my experience with them.

The Series 9 has plenty of cutting power and will be more than suitable for dense, coarse beards.

It never felt underpowered during my tests and allowed me to finish my shave very quickly.

Again, the Series 9 Pro/PRO+ is slightly more powerful, but the differences are rather minor.

The S9 and S9 Pro/PRO+ are overall very similar and either will work just fine, but the price should be the decisive factor.

The Braun Series 9 is also one of the best choices for men who shave their head.

And while I don’t shave my entire head, I have been cutting my hair myself for years and I use a Series 9 Pro to give myself a skin fade.

And for that it works extremely well: it cuts the hair on the back and sides of my head extremely close with zero irritation.

The Series 9, 9 Pro and 9 PRO+ are all fitted with a slide-out hair trimmer.

I use the trimmer on my shavers a lot (mainly for my sideburns) and the one on the Series 9 is not great.

You must hold the shaver at a very awkward angle, it takes many passes and the blade just doesn’t cut the hair very close.

The S9 PRO+ has a slightly improved hair trimmer with a straight instead of curved blade, but it’s still nowhere near as good as the one on the Panasonic Arc 5 for example.

Let’s now talk about the closenessof the shave with the Series 9.

While for me it was definitely adequate, it wasn’t the best I ever got from an electric shaver.

A Panasonic Arc 5 will likely give you a slightly closer shave, even though it’s not quite as comfortable as the Series 9 during a dry shave.

So if you’re particularly interested in getting the closest possible shave and your skin is not overly sensitive, the above-mentioned Panasonic is probably the one to get.

But keep in mind that a Panasonic is not as good or as effective when used on a longer beard — if you shave every 3 days (maybe even more), I would still pick the Series 9.

The Series 9 represents an excellent compromise of comfort and closeness, but again, it is not THE closest shaving electric razor you can get.

And the same is true in the case of the Series 9 Pro and PRO+ — the closeness is the same or maybe marginally better compared to the standard one.

Another issue with the Series 9/Pro/PRO+ is the price.

While it has dropped since the launch, the Series 9 family is still rather expensive.

The replacement shaving heads called cassettes (part number 92s/92b/92M/94M) are pricey as well but on par with the high-end parts from other brands.

As for which Series 9 to buy, I would actually recommend a cc model that includes an automatic cleaning and charging station.

Having used them for years, here are the main reasons why I think a Braun cleaner is worth considering:

• a cc Series 9 only costs marginally more than a shaver-only variation;
• the station is very effective at cleaning and lubricating the shaving head;
• you can take out the cartridge, seal it and store it somewhere safe when not in use. This also saves cleaning fluid and prevents it from evaporating;
• there are many inexpensive third-party cleaning solutions available that work the same as the OEM solution.

Manually cleaning the shaver can get fiddly as you can’t always get all the hair clippings and dirt out.

This is caused by the design of the shaving head, with the foils and blades being merged into a single piece that offers limited access for a thorough cleaning.

In time, and especially if you don’t clean it after every shave, this can lead to dirt, dead skin and hair buildups inside the shaving head.

Luckily, the cleaning station takes care of everything for you.

You absolutely don’t have to use it after every shave — for me once or twice a week is more than enough and I simply clean the shaver with tap water during the rest of the time.

This ensures excellent hygiene and you also won’t have to replace the cleaning cartridge as often (here are more tips on how to make the refills last longer).

As with all Braun shavers, the models ending in cc include a cleaning system, while the ones ending in s (for example the 9330s) do not.

Please note that an s model (standing for Solo) that starts with 90 or 92 (like the 9293s)will not work with a cleaning station.

And that is despite the fact that they look identical to the cc variations and even have the two metal studs on the back that charge the shaver when placed in the station.

Those older s models (now discontinued) lack a dedicated chip needed to communicate with the station.

On the other hand, the latest solo Series 9 models that start with 93 (like the 9330s), 94 (the Pro Series 9 like the 9419s) or 95 (for example, the 9517s) will work with a compatible cleaning station purchased later on (more details here).

Braun Series 9 9330s

See the price on Amazon

I never recommend cleaning stations if they’re not needed, but in the case of the Series 9, I think they add to the experience and are genuinely useful.

I especially like the fact that I can take the cartridge out, put the cover back and store it until the next time I use the station.

This prevents the alcohol-based solution from evaporating and the station won’t take up unnecessary space on the countertop.

Also, the price difference between an s and a cc model is not that steep.

And on that matter, considering the purchase price and the costs of the cassettes, the Series 9 doesn’t quite offer the best value for money.

If your budget is limited, consider the Series 8 instead (more on that later on).

The purchase price of the Series 8 is lower and the replacement shaving heads also cost less.

If you have a light to medium beard and also shave often, the Series 9 with its 4 blades is probably overkill and again in this case the Series 8 will easily be good enough.

Finally, if you just want a close shave above everything, the next shaver should be a better option for most users.

2. Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65-S

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Panasonic.com.

Deal alert: The Panasonic ES-ALV6HA is identical performance-wise (it even uses the same foil & blades) but can sometimes be bought for less money.

Panasonic is Braun’s only real competitor in the foil shavers segment.

Even though Panasonic never managed to achieve the same popularity as Braun in the USA or Europe, the quality and performance of their shavers are usually outstanding.

The Arc 5 line represents Panasonic’s take on what should be the ultimate electric razor: 5 individual cutting elements, a fast linear-drive motor, and extremely sharp blades.

As a result, choosing the Arc 5 over the Arc 6 seems, at least for the time being, the more sensible decision.

Remember what I previously said about the sheer number of options and the lack of proper documentation regarding the differences between them?

Well, there are 4 different generations of Arc 5 shavers (plus 9 different revisions of the third one), and almost all of them are still available for purchase.

Further reading: you can check out my in-depth Panasonic Arc 5 guide for a complete overview of all the models.

However, the purpose of this article was to make it easier for anyone to find the right shaver.

And that also means eliminating the clutter created by the excessive number of similar or redundant shaver models.

As a result, I will only come up with a single Arc 5 option: the PanasonicES-LV65-S from the second generation (full review).

This shaver currently represents the best Arc 5 variation in terms of costs and performance.

However, you can sometimes find the ES-LV67 model for less money (especially in Europe).

This is a newer Arc 5 iteration with a different design, but it shaves exactly the same as the ES-LV65-S.

It uses the exact foil and blades and the differences are only related to things that don’t affect shaving performance (aesthetics, LED display, operating the travel lock).

Apart from the black ES-LV67-K, there are three new color variations, currently only available in the USA:

• ES-ALV6HA (blue)
• ES-ALV6HR (red)
• ES-ALV6HS (silver)

Again, any of the ES-LV67-K, ES-ALV6H (A, R or S) and ES-LV65-S will shave the same.

My advice would be to simply buy the one you can get (for less money).

In my opinion the price should again be the decisive factor — unless you want a certain model for another specific reason (like the color).

Side note: the last letter (-K, –A, –S, –R) only refers to the color and can often be left out of the name completely.

Tip: if you live in the UK/Europe, the blue ES-LV67-A is usually the best pick thanks to its lower price:

See on Amazon.co.uk

While the Series 9 (and Braun shavers in general) excel in comfort and in dealing with longer whiskers, Panasonic is arguably the best when it comes to closeness.

And this isn’t the case with just the Series 9 and the Arc 5.

It’s the same situation in the lower-end spectrum as well, where models like the Panasonic Arc 4 and Arc 3 out-perform Braun’s Series 8 and 3 respectively when it comes to closeness.

This inevitably comes with a small trade-off in comfort for Panasonic.

But the Arc 5 is the razor to have if your priority is getting a very close shave.

It’s probably the closest an electric shaver can get to a razor blade with the current technology and without any major tradeoffs to comfort.

Panasonic manages to deliver this excellent performance by using extremely thin foils machined with great precision and high-quality, sharp blades that feature an aggressive 30-degree bevel for effective cutting.

The motor powering the Arc 5 is a 14 000 CPM (cycles per minute) unit, the fastest yet to my knowledge.

Actually, there is a Xiaomi 5-blade shaver out there that supposedly reaches 15 000 CPM, but during my tests, its performance proved to be underwhelming compared to the Arc 5.

For the sake of comparison, the Braun Series 9 has a 10 000 CPM motor.

Specs aren’t everything of course, but this difference between the Arc 5 and the Series 9 is hard to ignore.

The result of all these features is one of the fastest, closest shaving electric razors you can buy in 2024.

As expected, the Panasonic Arc 5 will have no problem shaving a very coarse beard with ease.

Being a wet/dry model, you have the option to use it with your favorite shaving cream and further improve the closeness and comfort of the shave.

And for me, this option also works really well.

Since Panasonic razors aren’t quite as gentle as the ones from Braun, adding a quality shaving cream will improve the comfort significantly.

This way you can still get that close shave without any major trade-offs in comfort.

If getting back to using creams and gels doesn’t sound too appealing, you can throw in a pre-shave lotion and enjoy a quick dry shave (here’s a roundup of my favorite pre-shaves for 2024).

A pre-shave is the next best thing if you want to improve the comfort and closeness of a dry shave with minimal costs and no extra work.

To sum it up, the ES-LV65-S/ES-LV67/ES-ALV6H are some of the best electric razors you can get for very close shaves, coarse facial hair, and fast shaving sessions.

This Arc 5 trio makes a really strong case for itself, especially with the current price drops.

You can get an Arc 5 with a cleaning station as well in the form of the Panasonic ES-LV95-S or ES-LV97-K.

These come with an updated and more compact cleaning station and the detergent-based cleaning fluid lasts a long time.

You also have the option to just dry your shaver (you can’t do that with a Braun station for example).

However, I would recommend skipping the station because an Arc 5 shaver is easy to clean manually and it usually costs a lot less than the models that include the cleaning base.

The Panasonic cleaner is also not as practical as let’s say Braun stations (you must mix the detergent with water in the station’s tray and you can’t take it out and store it for later use).

Regarding the costs associated with the Arc 5, it fares very well for a high-end shaver.

The purchase price is very reasonable considering the performance and it undercuts a Series 9 for example by quite a lot.

Not including a cleaning station with the ES-LV65-S definitely helps with this.

The foils and blades are a bit pricey (part number WES9032), but similar to other premium replacement parts like the Series 9 cassette.

Here’s another bonus tip for current or future ES-LV65-S/ES-LV67/ES-ALV6H users (Panasonic probably won’t appreciate me sharing it).

You can actually use the new foils and blades of the third generation Arc 5 shavers. They will fit the ES-LV65-S and ES-LV67/ES-ALV6H perfectly.

The part numbers for those are ES9036 (revision C and D), ES9038 (revisions E and F), ES9040 (revisions G, H and J).

While the closeness offered by the new foils is pretty much identical, they are a bit more comfortable than the older ones that originally came with these Arc5s.

So this would be a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your ES-LV65-S when it’s time to replace the foil and blades.

Still related to costs, you won’t be spending any money on cleaning detergent, but if you opt for the ES-LV97-K variation, the detergent packs are quite reasonably priced and will last longer than Braun’s alcohol-based cleaning solution.

Let’s now see when you shouldn’t get an Arc 5 and what other razors would be better.

If you have very sensitive skin or suffer from ingrown hairs, you should opt for a Braun Series 9 or 8 — depending on your budget.

The ES-LV65-S can be a bit aggressive in this case, even though it doesn’t get as hot as some Panasonic Arc 4 models used to.

Again, if you don’t have very sensitive skin you’ll probably be perfectly fine using an Arc 5.

Another scenario that can cause some problems would be when shaving longer hairs, particularly if they stay flat on the skin and/or grow in different directions.

The problem isn’t cutting the hairs, but rather capturing them.

If we take a close look at the shaving head of the Arc 5, we can see that Panasonic focused on closeness and not on catching flat-lying hairs, despite the use of a specially designed slit foil.

A Braun Series 9 or even 8 will simply work better in this case.

If you’re still sold on getting the Panny, one workaround would be to shave more often.

The problem of wiry, flat-lying hairs is less of an issue if you shave daily or every other day and your beard is short.

And finally, if you have a light beard or you’re just getting started with electric shavers, an Arc 5 with 5 blades and a massive shaving head is probably too much.

In that case, I would suggest saving some money and going for a Panasonic Arc 4 (if you can still find one) or even an Arc 3.

3. Braun Series 8 8457cc

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart.

Deal alert: If you don’t need a cleaning station, you can get the Braun Series 8 8517s that shaves the same and (usually) costs less. It will even work with a station purchased later on should you change your mind.

Even though the Series 8 was launched 4 years ago, it’s one of the more recent entries to my list of recommended shavers for 2024.

And that’s because for many years, the number 3 spot on my list of recommended shavers used to be reserved for the iconic Braun Series 7.

One of the best-selling shavers of all time, the Series 7 was versatile, reliable, comfortable and easy to use. A perfectly safe buy for anyone.

Sadly, Braun discontinued the Series 7 and replaced it with a new generation, the Series 7 360 Flex.

Unfortunately, that one proved to be underwhelming and in my opinion a downgrade from the original Series 7.

As such, the only worthy successor of the mighty Series 7 is now the Series 8.

Luckily, the Series 8 is a viable alternative that excels at precisely the same things as the discontinued Series 7: comfort, ease of use, versatility (being effective on short and longer stubble) and value for money.

So where does the Series 8 sit within Braun’s current hierarchy?

At least on paper, it should be superior to the Series 7 (the original one).

The original Series 7 was however the slightly better shaver (a bit more refined, comfortable and slightly more capable with longer, flat-lying hairs).

But the Series 8 is no slouch either and especially if you can get one at a great price, it’s a very capable shaver.

Just like the Panasonic Arc 5 is a more budget-friendly Arc 6, the Series 8 represents a more cost-effective alternative to Braun’s Series 9 models.

The Series 8 appears extremely similar in terms of proportions, construction, and aesthetics to the Series 9.

With its mostly black or silver color scheme, the S8 is however more subdued and strictly from an aesthetic point of view, I think it’s one of the better-looking shavers out there.

The long hair trimmer, as well as the head locking mechanism of the Series 8, are again the same as the ones on the Series 9.

Upon taking a quick look at the actual shaving head of the Series 8, you’ll notice a striking similarity with the original Braun Series 7:

The Series 8 uses an identical setup, with three individual cutting elements: two finishing foils and one middle trimmer that captures longer hairs.

It’s therefore no surprise that performance-wise, the Series 8 and 7 are quite similar.

As mentioned earlier, the Series 7 was more refined, a bit more comfortable and slightly faster.

The Series 8 also vibrates a bit more when cutting the hairs and makes more noise. But the final result, both in terms of closeness and comfort, is similar.

The Series 8 is readily available globally and you shouldn’t have any problems buying one.

There are many S8 variations you can buy, but the 84xx generation would be my pick, mainly because of the price.

The S8 8457cc or 8467cc seem to be the best options as they cost less than other Series 8 models and they shave exactly the same.

I own the older S8 8370cc model, but the shaving performance is identical to the newer 84 and 85 models.

You can of course buy the older Series 8 models (like the 8370cc or 8330s) if you can find a great deal.

But if the price is almost the same, I recommend getting the 84 or 85 Series 8 as it comes with a better cleaning station that also includes a fan for drying the shaving head.

Those stations are actually the same ones that come with the Series 9 93xx and 94xx models.

The one included with the 83 Series 8 models (like my 8370cc) lacks an active drying system.

However, all of them are equally effective at cleaning the shaver and use the same cleaning cartridges.

You can also get a solo Series 8 model like the 8417s or 8517s if you don’t want the station.

Cleaning it manually is fairly straightforward, but you should do it after every shave to avoid dirt buildups inside the cassette.

The Series 8 represents one of the best choices for men with sensitive skin who are primarily interested in shaving comfort and effectiveness as opposed to getting the closest possible shave.

I find the closeness of the Series 8 to be easily good enough, but again, something like a Panasonic Arc 5 will provide a closer shave for most users.

The Series 8 seems to be fitted with a similar motor to the one in the old Series 7, so it will have plenty of power to shave coarse stubble.

It works great when used on reasonably short facial hair, so if you shave more often you should get excellent results.

I even manage to get a really good shave when I use it on a three-day beard, so the Series 8 works a lot better in these situations than a similarly priced Panasonic like the Arc 5.

That middle trimmer manages to catch stray hairs efficiently and in fewer strokes.

All Series 8 models are suitable for wet & dry use, but to be perfectly honest, shaving cream doesn’t do much for the Series 8 in terms of improving the results.

Braun shavers in general are very comfortable during a dry shave and the closeness won’t be improved to a significant degree if you shave wet.

A pre-electric shave lotion would be a better option as it’s very easy to apply and you’ll likely notice a difference.

The slide-out hair trimmer on the Series 8 is the same as the one on the Series 9, so it isn’t the best out there as it suffers from the same shortcomings.

Regarding the costs, a cc Series 8 does quite well, even though recently the prices have gone up a bit.

A cc Series 8 model costs less than a cc Series 9 and the replacement shaving head (83M) is more reasonably priced as well.

To save even more money, you could opt for a solo variation of the Series 8 like the 8517s, but in my opinion, the cleaning station is worth spending a bit more.

Also, if you decide to get one later on, it will work with any solo Series 8 model (more details about the compatible Series 8 stations here).

To sum it up, the Series 8 is a more affordable Series 9 that delivers on the expectations, especially if you shave somewhat more often (daily up to three days).

4. Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Philips.com.

Let’s now shift our attention to the first rotary razor on this list, the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige.

When it comes to great-performing rotary shavers, we’re only left with two options: the Philips Series 9000 and the Series 9000 Prestige (old and new generations).

Having used all of them, the Prestige still has the edge in my opinion over the standard Series 9000: a bit faster, slightly closer shaves, better ergonomics.

And while the new Series 9000 is a very capable rotary, especially considering the price point, I ultimately chose the S9000 Prestige as my rotary shaver of choice for 2024.

Until this year I used to recommend the original S9000 Prestige because its price was lower and the performance was pretty much identical.

However, things have changed and the new one is now the one to buy.

The old generation is getting difficult to find and the price of the new one has dropped, especially for the SP9840 variation that includes a Quick Clean Pod and an extra set of blades.

For an in-depth comparison, you can check out my review of the new Prestige.

The Philips S9000 Prestige is arguably the best-performing rotary shaver you can currently buy, so if you want the crop de la crème and money is not really an issue, this is the one to have.

There are some caveats of course and I will get to them as well, but first let’s see the pros of this shaver as they’re quite a few.

Being a rotary razor, the S9000 Prestige has some specific advantages over most foil shavers.

In my opinion, the most important one is the way rotary razors can capture and cut difficult facial hair. I’m talking of course about long, wiry, flat-lying whiskers.

The shaving unit has three individual cutting heads that can flex inward and adapt to the contours of the face.

The cutting heads of the Prestige models feature both holes and wide slots that capture long and flat hairs with ease, even if they grow in different directions.

By using a combination of overlapping circular and straight strokes, the hair can be captured very efficiently.

Being able to shave a 5-day beard without significantly compromising the experience is probably the most impressive thing about this razor.

Not only did it manage to cut the hairs, but it did so without any pulling, which can often happen when trying to shave a long beard.

Philips claims that it can handle a week’s worth of beard growth; I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it’s doable given how good it was with a 5-day beard.

An advanced rotary shaver that can handle long hairs is not something out of the ordinary though.

In fact, even the older and less expensive models like the Philips 9300/9700 or 8900 performed very well in these situations.

What sets the Prestige apart though is the comfort.

In this regard, it is a massive improvement over the old Series 9000 or 8000.

It’s one of the very few rotaries that I would actually recommend to users with sensitive skin.

I always had to deal with irritation and razor burn and most rotary shavers would inflict some of that, no matter how careful and thorough I was.

My neck is particularly susceptible to this, so I was pleasantly surprised at how gentle and smooth the Prestige is.

The key is of course to use controlled, circular motions and, most importantly, not to apply excessive pressure.

I tried to see how forgiving the shaver is and it turns out it’s not too forgiving — at least when compared to a Series 9.

Pressing too hard or moving the shaver too fast can cause some stinging and even tiny nicks on my neck.

So while it is a comfortable and smooth shaver, it will fight back if you’re sloppy.

Just let the shaver do the work, take your time, and again, do not apply excessive pressure.

The closeness was again among the best I ever got from a rotary shaver.

Because the Prestige is very comfortable, I’m able to be more thorough and get a smooth shave.

Overall I was happy with the closeness, but the Prestige is not the best in this regard, at least not for me.

A quality foil shaver will yield better results in most cases, with Panasonic being the best overall in my opinion.

Another aspect worth mentioning about the Series 9000 Prestige is the build quality.

The old one came with a metal body and it had an exquisite premium feel in the hand.

The new generation is however made of plastic with only a couple of metal trims (the knurled plate below the had and the comfort settings rocker).

But even with the use of plastic, it’s still very solid and feels sturdy and durable.

The battery life is fantastic as well.

Let’s now check out some of the cons and see when you should and shouldn’t get this shaver.

And I’ll start with the price as there’s really no other way to put this: the Prestige is an expensive shaver.

It’s among the most expensive on this list and it doesn’t even come with an automatic cleaning station.

Regardless of how useful a cleaner would be, I think they should have included one with such a premium-priced product.

However, Philips doesn’t include an automatic cleaning and charging station anymore with any of their shavers.

The change of paradigm probably has something to do with cutting manufacturing costs.

With certain S9000 Prestige models like the SP9841/84 we do get a so-called Quick Clean Pod.

This is a very compact and basic cleaning device that uses a detergent-based solution to clean and lubricate the shaving head.

However, it is not electrically powered and relies on the shaver itself to pump the cleaning fluid from the cartridge and into the cleaning chamber.

It has some inherent shortcomings, like the fact that it doesn’t have a mesh filter to retain the clipped hairs inside, it can’t charge the shaver and the solution foams a lot.

But it’s still practical, pretty effective, easy to store and I guess better than nothing.

For an in-depth overview of how it works, you can check out my review of the new S9000 Prestige.

Cleaning the Prestige manually is pretty straightforward most of the time (involving rinsing the shaver with tap water and optionally some liquid soap).

But it can be time-consuming and fiddly when performing a so-called thorough cleaning.

That involves taking apart each cutting head, cleaning the rotary blade and comb, and putting them back together.

The combs and blades are matching pairs, so you’ll have to take extra care not to mix them as the performance of your Prestige will take a hit.

It’s a shame that Philips didn’t include a fully automatic cleaning & charging station, but if you want the very best rotary shaver, you’ll have to shell out and overlook this.

As for which Prestige model to buy, my picks would be the SP9840/90 or SP9841/84 models with the cleaning pod.

They’re readily available and don’t come with the gimmicky wireless charging pad.

If you live in Europe, any Prestige variation with a cleaning pod would be fine (the performance across the range is the same).

The SH91 replacement heads last a long time and the price is on par with a Series 9 cassette.

The Philips Prestige can be one of the best options for you if you shave less often and you have a lot of flat-lying hairs.

Some men prefer to shave once or twice a week, which can be a problem for most electric razors out there, regardless of the price point.

The Philips Prestige can however handle that.

Rotary razors are often considered to be better for coarse facial hair compared to foil shavers.

While I don’t agree with this as a general rule, the Prestige is indeed adequate for shaving thick, wiry hairs.

But if you’re interested in getting a very close shave, you should probably look elsewhere.

Again, the closeness is excellent for a rotary razor, but most quality foil shavers will outperform the Prestige in this regard.

Panasonic shavers are still on top and depending on your budget, an Arc 5 or even an Arc 6 will be better for a very close shave.

Panasonic is nowhere near as good with long and flat-lying hairs as the Prestige, so you’ll probably have to shave more often to compensate for that.

A Braun Series 8 or 9 will also be a safer choice for most users if you don’t need a shaver that can handle a one-week beard.

Also, unless you’ve used a rotary shaver before with excellent results, I think you should probably consider a Panasonic or Braun (depending on your needs).

You’ll likely be saving some money as well, especially with the Panasonic.

To sum it up: a rotary razor like the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige can be an excellent choice for men who don’t shave often and have wiry, thick hairs that grow in different directions.

However, it may not be ideal if you have very sensitive skin or you want a very close shave.

In that case, a Braun Series 8/9 or a Panasonic Arc 5 respectively will be more suitable.

5. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.

The Series 3 is Braun’s entry-level family of electric shavers and a direct competitor to Panasonic’s Arc 3 line.

The highlights of the Series 3 ProSkin shavers are the affordable price and the very decent performance for the money.

Both the shavers and the replacement shaving heads (called cassettes, part number 32B/32S) usually cost less than the corresponding Arc 3 parts from Panasonic.

While the closeness is not quite as good, the Series 3 is slightly more comfortable and gentler to the skin compared to an Arc 3.

It’s also more effective when used on a slightly longer beard, requiring fewer strokes for a clean shave.

There are several Series 3 ProSkin models available, ranging from dry-only models that include a cleaning station (like the 3050cc) to wet/dry models like the 3040s or 3010s.

My default recommendation for a Series 3 model is the Braun S3 ProSkin 3040s as it represents a great balance between price and features.

Alternatively, the 3010s that I reviewed hereis also worth considering, but keep in mind that it doesn’t include a slide-out hair trimmer.

So it’s basically a 3040s but without the hair trimmer. That’s the biggest (potential) deal-breaker in the case of the 3010s.

The prices and availability of these models tend to change a lot, so make sure to check out both before buying.

For example, if you can grab the 3040s for roughly the same money, definitely go for it.

I will however say that the slide-out trimmer on the 3040s isn’t that good, requiring many passes to cut all the hairs.

But it is better than nothing.

The Series 3 3040s can be used wet or dry and the simpler shaving head is easier to clean manually compared to a Series 9 for example.

So a cleaning station is not a must-have in this case.

Moreover, models like the Series 3 3050cc that come with a cleaning base cost quite a lot more.

Whichever Series 3 ProSkin you end up choosing, the shaving performance will be the same.

Choosing the best one for you should come down to the features that you’ll be needing (hair trimmer, cleaning station, wet/dry capabilities, etc.) and, of course, the price.

The dry-only Series 3 models can also be operated with the cord plugged in, while the wet/dry ones won’t work due to safety concerns.

If cordless & corded use is a must-have feature, you may want to check out the dry-only Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s.

The 3000s does not feature a hair trimmer like the 3040s but other than that it shaves exactly the same.

All Series 3 razors will work best when used daily or every other day. Longer hairs will cause problems to most basic foil shavers, including the Series 3.

It is however noticeably better than the Panasonic Arc 3 in this regard.

Because it’s very comfortable, with the foils remaining cool during the shave, the Series 3 is a suitable razor for users with sensitive skin.

Also, both from my own experience and from numerous user reports I can confirm that the Braun Series 3 is one of the most durable shavers out there and should last for many years.

Let’s now see when you should maybe consider a couple of different options.

If you’re mainly interested in getting a close shave, then a Panasonic Arc 3 will be better in most cases.

If you have very coarse facial hair, the Series 3 will eventually get the job done, but it’ll probably take you longer to shave and it won’t be that enjoyable either.

If that’s the case, investing in a more powerful shaver like the Braun Series 8 or a Panasonic Arc 5 would be a good idea.

6. Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Panasonic.com.

Another great option for an affordable electric shaver is the Arc 3 from Panasonic.

As the name suggests, the Arc 3 electric razors have a three-blade shaving system with the trademark arched profile of the cutters.

This feature is common throughout all the different Arc 3 variations.

What isn’t common though is the output of the motors that the razors are equipped with, ranging from 7 600 to 13 000 CPM (Cycles Per Minute).

It comes as no surprise that the ones fitted with the more powerful units perform exponentially better.

As a result, I highly recommend considering only those particular Arc 3 variants, like for example the ES-LL41-K, ES-LL21-K, ES-LT67-A, etc.

There are of course other Arc 3 models besides those that will perform identically, including the newer ES-LT4B fitted with the same powerful motor.

Side note: You may see these newer models listed as Series 700 instead of Arc 3. Just know that the Series 700 is just a rebrand of the Arc 3 family.

So as long as you see in the specs sheet that the shaver has a 13 000 CPM motor, you’re all good.

My personal pick from the Arc 3 line would be the ES-LL41-K (or ES-LL21-K in Europe) as it’s usually the most reasonably priced of them all.

Since we’re talking about an entry-level shaver, the cost should be a decisive factor when making your pick.

In the past, my choice for an affordable Arc 3 would have been the venerable ES8103S:

Despite looking a bit dated — it was launched 15 years ago — its performance was very similar to the latest Arc 3 models (they even use the same inner blades).

Sadly, it has been discontinued, so my new budget-friendly Panasonic razor for 2024 is the ES-LL41-K.

There are other Arc 3 models that look more premium, like the ES-LT67, but the shaving performance is the same.

Moreover, those LT Arc 3 are unnecessarily large and particularly the foil frame is somewhat bulky compared to the one on the ES-LL41-K.

Here’s a side-by-side picture and the difference is quite significant:

Even though the LT Arc 3 represents an upgrade in terms of aesthetics, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend one over the ES-LL41-K.

The shaving performance is the same but again, the ES-LL41-K is just a bit nimbler thanks to its compact form factor.

It’s the main reason why I tend to recommend it over the ES-LT67 for example.

The ES-LL41-K is a relatively new addition to the Arc 3 family and includes two unique beard trimmer attachments.

You may or may not use them, but they are very practical for trimming or maintaining a stubble/designer beard.

They fit over the shaver’s integrated popup trimmer (which is very good on its own) and allow you to cut the hair at a specific length (1 to 7mm in increments of 1).

The European ES-LL21-K model only comes with the small attachment (1 to 3 mm).

These combs may be very practical if you haven’t shaved in a long time and you need to pre-trim your beard before shaving.

So it’s somewhat of a 2 in 1 shaver and trimmer, but the shaver part is the main reason why I picked it.

I think the ES-LL41-K is one of the best affordable foil shavers out there.

With a punchy motor, sharp blades and solid construction, it offers great performance and good value for money.

I previously mentioned that the Panasonic Arc 4 and Arc 5 excel at providing close shaves, particularly when compared to similarly priced foil razors from Braun.

This trait trickles down to the entry-level offerings as well, the ES-LL41-K (and other Arc 3 models) being some of the closest shaving razors at this price point.

Again, as long as they’re not fitted with less powerful motors (like the underwhelming ES-SL41-S Arc 3), all Arc 3 variations will offer similar performance.

So with regards to closeness, the ES-LL41-K fares excellent, better than a Braun Series 3 for example or a similarly priced Philips.

The powerful 13 000 cycles per minute motor and the high-quality blades make it suitable for a coarser beard as well.

Shaving light or medium facial hair is a non-issue for the Arc 3.

When it comes to comfort, the ES-LL41-K is very good, but could sometimes cause some irritation if you have very sensitive skin or if you press too hard.

These shortcomings can be reduced by lubricating the blades regularly and by using a pre-shave lotion.

But the most effective method is in my opinion the addition of a good shaving cream.

Again, I know most men will prefer to shave dry, but Panasonic electric razors perform the best out of all the brands when shaving wet.

So at least give it a try if you’re not entirely satisfied with the comfort or the closeness.

To get the most out of a Panasonic Arc 3, shaving more often would be a very effective workaround (daily or every other day will yield the best results).

The ES-LL41-K can usually be found at a reasonable price and you’ll often stumble upon great deals.

The replacement foil and blades set (model number WES9013PC) costs less than the 4 or 5-blade Panasonic parts and it’s widely available.

However, a Braun Series 3 replacement cassette costs even less and in my experience will last a bit longer as well.

The Arc 3 is an excellent choice for beginners because it’s dead easy to clean and operate, it’s fully waterproof, the shaving head is quite slim and nimble and the shavers themselves can take a beating.

If you have very sensitive skin and you want an even lower cost of ownership, you’ll be better off with a Braun Series 3 ProSkin that you can buy for less money.

7. Philips Norelco Series 3000 Shaver 3600

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Philips.com.

Deal alert: If you can still find it, the Philips Norelco Shaver 2500 performs exactly the same but will also work corded (directly from the mains).

If you don’t want to shell out for a Prestige, then you should consider the new Series 3000 from Philips.

While there are a couple of other rotaries that fill the gap between the top-end Prestige and the affordable Series 3000 — like the new Series 7000 and 5000 — I would pick the Series 3000 over those.

There are a couple of reasons for that.

First of all, the Series 3000 models, as well as the replacement shaving heads, cost less.

Secondly, the performance of those shavers like the Series 7000 and 5000 isn’t significantly better.

In fact, I would argue that the Shaver 3600 and 3800 from the new Series 3000 are better in several ways.

The closeness and comfort are just as good, while the Series 3000 form factor, ergonomics and ease of use are superior.

In my opinion, those things make the new Series 3000 a more compelling option for someone who needs a reasonably priced rotary shaver.

As a side note, there used to be another mid-range rotary from Norelco that I absolutely loved: the Series 6000.

That one was basically a budget Prestige that came with almost identical shaving heads (check out the side by side comparison shot below) and it shaved almost as good for a fraction of the price.

Oddly, Philips decided to discontinue the Series 6000 less than 2 years after this shaver was launched.

It used to be my default recommendation for an affordable, but still capable rotary.

But since you can’t get it anymore (or the cost is prohibitive if you still manage to find one), the new Series 3000 is the next best thing and in some ways, it’s even better.

Just like the Braun Series 3 and the Panasonic Arc 3 are the go-to options for an affordable foil shaver, the Series 3000 is a worthy contender from the rotary camp.

There are two widely available models in this series: the Shaver 3900 (this is the one I got) and the Shaver 3600.

The only differences between the two are the color and a charging stand that comes bundled with the 3900.

As such, the Shaver 3600 usually costs less, so if you don’t need a charging stand, you might as well save some money and get that one.

Performance-wise, they are absolutely identical.

While its name and price would suggest a low to mid-range shaver, I think it punches above its weight and it is in my opinion the most compelling mid-range rotary you can buy right now.

Precisely, the comfort and the closeness are surprisingly good.

And being a rotary, it deals with longer and flat-lying hair noticeably better than a foil razor that costs roughly the same — like a Panasonic Arc 3 or any Remington for that matter.

The way the Series 3000 handles difficult hair is pretty impressive, but that’s to be expected from a shaver of this type.

I wouldn’t say it was quite as good as the Prestige or the new Series 9000, but it will nevertheless be more than capable of shaving a 3-day beard.

The closeness of the shave is on the other hand typical for an affordable rotary shaver, meaning not quite the best out there.

I found the Prestige to give a closer shave, but again, you should probably consider a foil shaver if closeness is more important.

As someone who never really got along well with rotaries, the comfort of the new Series 3000 was remarkable during my tests.

I’d say it’s only second to the Prestige and the new Series 9000.

If you don’t press too hard and don’t move the shaving head too quickly, it’s about as smooth as a Braun Series 3.

It’s got a decent amount of power too and will probably be good enough for users who don’t have a very coarse beard.

This is the only area where the top-of-the-line rotaries like the S9000 Prestige are superior, but also cost a lot more than the Shaver 3600 or 3900.

On the other hand, the Series 3000 manages to one-up those in other areas.

For example, it comes with a handy flip-open shaving head which is a lot more practical than having to pry it off with your fingernails.

And you’ll be doing this quite a lot when cleaning the razor. The original S9000 Prestige for example doesn’t have this feature.

The Series 3000 is fully waterproof and you can easily rinse it clean with tap water.

All the models are wet/dry, cordless only shavers, but the battery life is excellent.

I also prefer the shaving head and form factor of the Series 3000 to the Prestige, Series 9000, 7000 and 5000.

Precisely, it’s easier to use and more manageable for beginners, particularly when compared to the large angular slabs of the new Series 7000 and 9000/Prestige.

The cutting heads themselves are also suspended on these tiny springs which are extremely responsive and help maintain the guards in contact with the skin.

This is in addition to the flexing of the plastic holders in which the cutters sit.

For some reason, the high-end rotaries like the Prestige and Series 9000 lack these springs and they are truly useful, not just some gimmicky feature.

Finally, the Series 3000 has an integrated pop-up trimmer. The Prestige models only have a separate click-on attachment.

And while it’s far from being the best (Panasonic is in a different league when it comes to hair trimmers), it’s nevertheless handy for some quick grooming.

The replacement cutting heads (called SH30) are inexpensive and last a long time.

And despite using a single track, these cutters proved to be quite effective in practice.

To sum it up, the Philips Series 3000 is a great option for users who also sometimes shave less often and need a comfortable electric razor that can handle longer facial hair but don’t want to pay a premium for a high-end rotary.

Just remember that the closeness won’t be quite as good compared to a decent foil shaver in that price range (like the Braun Series 3 ProSkin or the Panasonic Arc 3).

Also, if this is your first electric razor, again a Series 3 or the Arc 3 will probably be safer options (more on foil vs rotary shavers in the next section).

8. Remington F5 (F5800)

See the price on Amazon

Also available at Walmart, Remington.

Finally, my last pick for 2024 is a very intriguing shaver that comes from a remarkable brand.

Remington was one of the electric shaver pioneers back in the day and they’re the ones that came up with the micro-foil.

Sadly, their shavers from the past 20 years or so just couldn’t keep up with the big three.

However, there’s one model that deserves attention.

The Remington F5-5800 is the most successful shaver in their lineup and for good reason.

It’s a reliable 3-blade foil shaver with a fair price and surprisingly good performance.

In particular, the closeness is excellent, very similar to a Panasonic Arc 3.

But the F5-5800 is half the money and the replacement foil and blades will also set you back less.

Granted, the design is nowhere near as nice and it has some quirks, like the very large body and the wonky hair trimmer.

But as a shaver, it can hold its own.

Moreover, it’s one of the few that works cored and cordless, making it even more appealing for the budget-conscious user.

I’d say its main competitor is the Braun Series 3 ProSkin as it costs pretty much the same (to buy and to own).

The Remington F5-5800 is in my experience a bit better with the closeness, but the Braun is more comfortable and catches flat-lying hairs with fewer passes.

The Series 3 ProSkin is also more compact and has better ergonomics.

So I can’t really say that one is better than the other. But one of them should make more sense depending on the user’s needs and shaving habits.

The F5-5800 would be a good option for a close shave and frequent use.

It’s a dry-only shaver, but it is waterproof, so cleaning is a breeze.

Battery life is very solid as well at 60 minutes of cordless use and you can always shave with the cord plugged in.

The hair trimmer is pretty bad, among the worst I’ve used actually; it just doesn’t cut the hair efficiently and folds back during an upstroke.

So that’s something you’ll have to put up with.

But even so, I think the Remington F5-5800 is still a very compelling option for a shaver that’s very affordable, shaves close and should last for many years.

Honorable mentions

There are a couple of shavers I would like to mention but didn’t make the cut.

Specifically, the Original Braun Series 7 and the Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LF51-A.

These two used to be my default picks for a foil shaver in the mid-range price category.

Sadly, they have been either discontinued or replaced by a new (and inferior) generation.

I still decided to mention them as they used to be extremely popular a few years ago and there are still many who own and use them regularly.

The Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LF51-A is a 4-blade foil shaver fitted with the same punchy motor as the Arc 5.

But with a much slimmer head and an overall more compact body, it was more manageable and more user-friendly.

It was one of the most powerful and closest shaving electric razors I’ve ever used.

The build quality was rock solid as well.

And it was only marginally more expensive than an Arc 3 for example, making it a very compelling option for someone concerned mainly with the closeness of the shave.

If you somehow manage to still find one for a good price, I think the Panasonic ES-LF51-A is one of the all-time greats.

It’s a shame Panasonic decided to abandon the Arc 4 line completely.

As a result, for 2024 the best alternative to an Arc 4 would be a reasonably priced Arc 5 (regardless of model).

Last but not least, there’s the legendary Braun Series 7, probably the most successful electric razor of the past 20 years.

I am referring of course to the original Series 7, with models like the 790cc or 7865cc that got replaced by the new Series 7 360 Flex.

Sadly, the new one is just underwhelming and feels like a more powerful Series 3.

It’s a step down in every aspect from the old generation which was a top-rated and highly acclaimed shaver.

The OG Series 7 was a versatile, powerful, very comfortable and easy to use 3-blade foil shaver.

You might still be able to find one, but since the replacement shaving heads are difficult to source, it’s probably not a viable option anymore.

As I said earlier, the best alternative to the original S7 would be the Braun Series 8 which is similar performance-wise.

Not quite as refined or effective with flat hairs, but still pretty good and a lot better than the new Series 7 360 Flex.

Rotary vs foil: picking the right type for your needs

You may have noticed by now that there are a lot of foil shavers in this list and only a few rotaries.

And while both can be viable options in various situations, I think for most users a foil shaver will usually be a safer choice.

They exhibit fewer specific shortcomings and it’s easier to get around most of them.

In my opinion the foil vs rotary razors is a futile debate if we don’t take the context into account.

Just like we did previously for individual shavers, we can do that for foil and rotary shavers in general.

The Pros and Cons of rotary shavers

Most rotary shavers have four clear advantages over the foil type:

• they are generally better at cutting longer hairs
• the cutting heads usually last longer
• they’re better at containing the clipped hairs inside the head unit
• they are significantly quieter

I don’t know how important the last aspect is, but it’s the one thing we can objectively determine with a smartphone app for example.

And in that regard, the Philips Norelco Shaver 3600, one of the most affordable on this list, is also the quietest.

But the ability to capture and cut longer hairs is in my opinion something that rotary razors generally do better, regardless of the price point.

As we saw previously, some foil shavers are actually surprisingly good in this regard.

For example, the Braun Series 8 and particularly the Series 9, but the rest of them will only perform well on shorter facial hair.

This is especially obvious with entry-level foil shavers, but sometimes even very advanced and expensive razors like the latest (global) Panasonic Arc 5 or Arc 6 are still nowhere near as good as similarly priced rotary shavers from Philips.

So if your budget is limited and you need a shaver that can handle a 3 to 4-day beard, you may want to consider a rotary razor.

As for which one to get, that really depends on your budget.

You can opt for an entry-level model like the Philips Norelco 2500, a mid-ranger like the Series 3000/7000 or a high-end shaver like the Series 9000 Prestige or the new Series 9000 (9500/9800).

I’ve read numerous comparisons of rotary and foil shavers and one aspect that constantly pops up is that rotary shavers are better for coarse hair.

In my experience, this is not always true.

Both can be just as good for coarse hair, but as expected, the very basic models will lack the power of the premium razors.

This will of course cause your shaving sessions to take longer and won’t be as enjoyable, regardless if you’re using a foil or a rotary shaver.

A rotary head does have wider slots, so if the hair is unusually thick, it will be more effective than a foil razor.

Let’s now take a closer look at the cons of rotary shavers.

Since the main advantages of foil shavers are the closeness and comfort of the shave, we can easily guess the main disadvantages of rotary razors.

Because of the very way they work, rotary shavers generally cannot shave as close or as comfortably as foil shavers.

The rotary cutters sit behind pretty thick metal guards compared to the thin perforated metal screens on foil shavers.

This creates a larger physical barrier between the blades and the skin.

In the past, Philips tried to compensate for this by using a double-blade design for most of their shavers.

In theory, the first blade would lift the hair and the second would do the actual cutting.

In reality, this didn’t seem to work very well, even with high-end shavers.

Entry-level foil razors like the Panasonic Arc 3 or the Braun Series 3 ProSkin will usually shave closer and gentler than most rotary shavers (provided your beard is reasonably short).

When using a rotary shaver that features this Super Lift & Cut technology, the first blade tends to yank the hairs and I can definitely feel it, especially when shaving my neck.

It’s very unpleasant and it can cause small cuts in the skin as well if tiny bits of skin tissue (surrounding the hair follicle) poke through the slots in the combs.

It’s one of the reasons why applying a bit more pressure generally leads to more discomfort when using a rotary shaver.

This is made worse by the very low speed at which the blades rotate (around 2000 RPM compared to 10 000 – 14 000 CPM in the case of most foil shavers), increasing the chances of hairs getting pulled, so you must take your time and don’t rush through a stroke.

Some users don’t seem to experience this type of discomfort and that’s great. Again, some men get fantastic results with rotary shavers.

But for someone with sensitive skin (and for the majority of users in general), a foil shaver is probably the safer choice.

Philips actually ditched this technology and only uses a single-blade design for most of the shavers.

The only exceptions are the new Series 9000 and the latest S9000 Prestige (2023) models.

However, those use a refined version of that system (now called Lift&Cut) where the gap between the two blade edges is a lot smaller, so there’s really no more yanking and pinching.

The result is a massive improvement in comfort, but the price of the Prestige models for example is very high and in my opinion a Braun Series 8 is still more comfortable, it costs a lot less, it shaves closer and also comes with a cleaning station.

And even some Series 9 variations, like the 9370cc or Series 9 Sport cost less than the Prestige.

I still included the S9000 Prestige in this list of what I consider to be the current best men’s electric razors because it’s objectively the most capable rotary shaver you can buy right now.

The comfort of rotary shavers can be improved with a few adjustments (pre-shave lotion, shaving cream, proper technique), but still not to the extent of representing a better option for most men with very sensitive skin.

The same goes for closeness — most users will have a better chance of getting a close shave with a decent foil shaver.

The Pros and Cons of foil shavers

Generally, the pros of foil-based machines will be the comfort and the closeness of the shave.

You’ll probably agree that those are some pretty significant pros.

I think most users, including those just getting started with electric shavers, will have a better chance of getting a satisfactory shave using a foil razor.

The very thin foil screens help achieve a closer shave and because the blades oscillate at a much higher speed compared to a rotary shaver, there are fewer chances of hairs getting pulled during a faster stroke.

This usually results in a smoother, gentler shave.

Another advantage that stems from this is that foil razors are more forgiving when you’re not too careful with your technique.

For example, when pressing a bit too hard or when moving the shaving head too fast.

There are of course foil shavers that are plain bad.

But in the case of similarly priced, decent shavers, a foil razor will usually get you a closer and more comfortable shave vs a rotary.

Yes, a basic, inexpensive foil shaver will have trouble with longer, flat-lying hairs, but you can get around that by shaving more often or pre-trimming the beard.

A pre-shave lotion or shaving cream can help as well.

And finally, if your budget allows it, some foil razors are really good with longer stubble as well.

Braun is clearly on top here, with models like the Series 9/9 Pro or even the Series 8.

Most foil shavers are also easier to use and to clean in my opinion.

The shaving unit of most foil razors is comprised of 2 to 6 shaving elements.

These are narrow, straight foils or trimmers that allow greater precision and control, especially below the nose or around the sideburns.

Even the Arc 5 with its behemoth shaving head takes less effort to shave those areas compared to any 3-blade rotary razor.

The use of short, straight strokes against the grain makes foil shavers suitable for beginners as well.

And with foil shavers, you also have a lot more options (Braun, Panasonic, Remington, Wahl, Andis), while you’re basically stuck with Philips if you want a decent rotary shaver.

Remington has a few rotary models as well, but I’ve tried several and I honestly cannot recommend them.

Finally, foil shavers aren’t perfect either.

For starters, they just don’t work very well on long facial hair (usually this means a 3-day beard or more, depending on how fast your hair grows).

As mentioned previously, you can get around this issue by shaving more often or by getting a more capable shaver.

Another problem is the heat generated during use.

Because the blades oscillate at a very high rate and they rub against the foils, some of them can get pretty hot.

Braun shavers fare very well in this regard, usually remaining very comfortable and cool to the touch. Panasonic and Remington foil razors tend to get hotter.

Lubricating can help with this, and you can use either a light mineral oil or a special cleaning & lubricating spray. The Andis CoolCare Plus spray works particularly well.

The foils and blades also tend to wear out faster compared to the guards and blades of rotary razors.

A foil is much thinner, the tolerances are tighter and the oscillating speed of the blades is a lot higher.

This generates a lot of friction and wear. The blades are also much thinner compared to a rotary cutter.

Finally, foil shavers vibrate more and are generally much louder.

This can be a real issue in several situations (for example, I get a lot of emails from parents of teenagers with autism who need a really quiet electric shaver).

There’s not much to do about it except getting a rotary shaver; that’s simply the best option in such a case.

When should you pick one over the other?

I think we can conclude that overall, foil shavers have fewer drawbacks and most of them can be mitigated.

But the choice of a rotary or foil shaver should come down to your personal needs and what would work best for you, so we cannot simply postulate that foil shavers are better than rotary or vice-versa.

If I were to summarize this rotary vs foil dilemma, it would be something like this:

Is it better to shave wet or dry with an electric razor?

This continues to be one of the more frequently asked questions when it comes to electric shavers.

And the answer is a bit more nuanced and not as straightforward.

Both methods have their merits and one may be better than the other depending on the situation.

You can also alternate between them and that’s a perfectly viable option as well.

1. Shaving dry with an electric razor

The most popular way of using an electric razor is the so-called dry shave.

And it’s exactly what it sounds: you just pick the shaver and start shaving right away, without any additional prep work.

Granted, you can apply a pre-shave lotion for example and I think doing so is beneficial in most cases, but that’s still practically zero overhead.

And that’s why shaving dry is so popular: it’s quick, effective and cleaning your shaver takes less time.

The downside? Difficult facial hair (very coarse, wiry, flat-lying) and sensitive skin, along with a less capable shaver can make things more difficult.

For example, several Panasonic and Philips shavers are a bit harsh when used dry and can cause some razor burn.

The same shavers are however milder and more forgiving during a wet shave.

In some cases, the closeness of the shave will also be improved with the addition of a good shaving cream, although the improvement can vary quite a lot among different users.

The actual electric razor matters as well.

For example, in my experience, any closeness gains as a result of using a Braun razor with shaving cream aren’t really worth the trouble.

And the comfort should already be good enough even for men with sensitive skin.

Personally, I always shave dry with Braun electric razors as they’re good enough in all the areas that matter (comfort, closeness, and effectiveness when shaving flat-lying hairs).

Side note: you can read more about all the shavers and products I currently use here.

That doesn’t mean other brands or types of shavers can’t work well when shaving dry, especially if you don’t have any serious issues with post-shave irritation.

But I think using a Braun razor for shaving dry is a safe bet.

Also, compared to other foil shavers (Panasonic, Remington), Braun is better at catching the clipped hairs inside the head.

When I shave dry with a Panasonic razor, there’s significantly more mess on my t-shirt and forearms.

The clipped hairs that end up on the face can be annoying as you can’t always tell them apart from a patch that still has some stubble left.

This is yet another reason why I tend to grab a Braun razor when I want to shave dry.

If you don’t have a cleaning station, the cleaning part is also less of a burden when you shave dry.

A quick rinse with tap water can be enough.

No soap also means you can get away with lubricating your shaver less often.

If you use shaving cream, cleaning with soap is a must, otherwise the lather will solidify and remain stuck in the nooks and crannies of the foil.

I would however recommend cleaning your razor with water and soap every once in a while, even if you only shave dry.

To sum it up, considering the decent results and the minimal work involved, I think a dry shave will work best for most users as the default way of shaving.

2. Shaving wet with an electric razor

The prospect of lathering probably doesn’t sound too appealing for someone who ditched the razor blade for an electric shaver.

And it’s totally understandable.

A wet/dry electric shaver will however allow you to use pretty much any of the (pre) shaving products you’d normally be using with traditional shaving.

These include shaving creams and soaps, shaving gels, pre-shave oil or even pre-shave creams.

And the purpose of all that is to make your shave better — closer and more comfortable.

So what is normally recommended for an old-fashioned wet shave, like washing your face with a mild cleanser and warm water, hot shower beforehand, hot towel on the face and so on, is still recommended here.

The only difference is that you’ll be using an electric shaver instead of a manual razor.

In my opinion the only tweak you’ll need to make in order to get the best possible shave is with regards to the lather.

Precisely, the consistency.

With traditional wet shaving, you’ll want that nice, rich, cushioning layer of lather.

But with an electric razor, that type of lather will likely be detrimental to the quality of your shave.

Moreover, you’ll have a hard time assessing the areas that need more passes.

Instead, you only need a thin layer of watery, pasty lather. Palm/face lathering works best in this situation.

Further reading: I wrote a dedicated guide on how to wet shave with an electric razor. I highly recommend checking it out for more info.

While it takes longer than a dry shave, the results can be quite astonishing.

For example, if you have a really coarse, thick and dense beard and you’re usually having trouble with getting a close shave, this may be the answer.

I don’t shave wet too often anymore (because of time constraints), but I do treat myself every once in a while or when I have an event to attend, like a wedding or a more formal dinner.

For me, a Panasonic Arc 5 (or an Arc 6) + shaving cream is unbeatable. The closeness is just phenomenal and so is the comfort.

A rotary wet/dry Philips Norelco will also work impressively well.

As mentioned previously, with other shavers (Braun) the differences aren’t really that impressive, even if the shave itself is very enjoyable.

Apart from wanting to get a closer shave, men with sensitive skin should also consider wet shaving, especially if using the shaver dry leads to irritation and razor burn.

I already hinted at the downsides of wet shaving, so there are no surprises here: it’s time-consuming.

The prep, the shave itself and the more thorough cleaning required all add up.

But in some cases, it’s totally worth it.

Cleaning an electric razor after a wet shave needs to be pretty thorough.

I prefer to use warm water and liquid hand soap because it’s highly effective.

If you also have a cleaning station, you should rinse and pat dry the shaver before putting it into the station.

The lather/foam cause pressure buildup inside the cartridge (mainly with Braun stations) and the solution will not last as long and you’ll need a new cartridge sooner.

In case of a manual clean, soap also strips away any lubricant, so you will need to oil your shaver after every soap + water cleaning.

You can use either a light mineral oil (like clipper oil) or a spray lubricant for electric shavers.

Further reading: How and when to lubricate your electric razor.

So wet shaving isn’t intrinsically better than dry shaving (and vice versa) and you should just stick to the one you prefer and that gets you the best results.

I’m a proponent of always trying something to see if it works and it’s worth your time, so just give it a try if your shaver is a wet/dry model.

Apart from the Remington F5-5800, all the shavers recommended in this guide are waterproof and suitable for wet/dry use.

How much should you pay for a good electric razor?

Generally, you should expect to pay anywhere from $30-40 for an entry-level electric shaver to around $300 for a high-end model.

That said, what constitutes an expensive or an inexpensive electric razor is relative.

But what is pretty clear though is that some shavers offer better value for money than others.

The above list of recommended shavers includes the ones I truly consider to be the best in that regard as well.

For example, the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65-S shaves almost the same as the latest but significantly more expensive Arc 5 models.

So it makes perfect sense to recommend it over those.

But if you don’t mind paying more for nicer features that don’t really improve the performance, like a nicer design or a hard leather case vs a textile pouch, then you should get a newer model.

I won’t be mentioning explicit price points as I don’t think my idea of an affordable or expensive shaver is very important or relevant.

What truly matters is being able to decide when upping your budget will be worth it.

For example, if you have very coarse, thick stubble, buying a Panasonic Arc 5 instead of an Arc 3 will probably be worth the price difference.

Likewise, if you have very sensitive skin and often have to wait a couple of days or even more between shaving sessions, getting a Braun Series 9 instead of a Series 3 will be money well spent.

On the other hand, even an entry-level foil shaver will be enough for men with light beards and getting something like a Braun Series 9 PRO+ or an Arc 6 would be overkill.

Of course it will still work great, but so will an inexpensive Series 3.

I tried to emphasize precisely these situations for every shaver I picked, so hopefully you’ll be able to buy the one that makes more sense for your needs.

The cost of the shaver itself and of the replacement cutters/foils should cater to various budgets.

How to get the most out of your shaver

Now that you’ve hopefully settled on a shaver that is suitable for your needs, it’s time to put it to good use.

While this won’t be a comprehensive how-to guide, I’ll try to outline the most important aspects of using an electric shaver and getting the best possible shave.

This often comes down to making small tweaks to your shaving routine/technique in order to compensate for certain shortcomings of the shaver.

As we saw, almost every electric razor has its pros and cons and we just have to pick the one that checks most of the boxes for our needs.

In no particular order, here’s how to use your shaver the right way.

Get the basics right.

Apart from choosing a suitable shaver, these will likely have the biggest impact on the quality of your shave.

• Always shave dry before washing your face or taking a shower.
• Always shave against the grain.
• Do not apply excessive pressure and use controlled, slow strokes to avoid hairs getting yanked and pinching.

I know you’ve probably been told to shave with the grain to avoid irritation, but that advice is specific to traditional shaving (with a manual razor).

An electric shaver needs to go against the grain in order to cut the hair effectively and with great comfort.

Make sure your facial hair has a reasonable length.

I’ve seen quite a few user reviews accompanied by photos of nicks and bloody faces, stating that a particular shaver is terrible and will just shred your face to pieces.

But almost all of these reviews had something in common: the users were trying to shave a half-inch beard. With an electric shaver.

I cannot stress this enough, electric shavers are NOT beard trimmers and are only intended to work on short facial hair.

Apart from a couple of models like the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige and even the Braun Series 9 that can handle longer hairs (4 to 5-day of growth), most electric shavers will only perform optimally on short stubble.

So if you haven’t shaved in a long time, definitely use a beard trimmer beforehand.

Shave more often if your shaver struggles with flat-lying hairs.

As mentioned throughout this post, some electric razors, especially the less advanced models, can sometimes miss hairs that stay flat on the skin.

The problem becomes worse as the length of the hair increases, so shaving more often can result in better performance.

Braun and Philips shavers are quite good at cutting difficult hairs, so this mainly concerns Panasonic and Remington foil razors.

Use a pre-shave lotion to improve the comfort and closeness of your shave.

Generally, an electric razor that’s able to shave extremely close won’t be that great for comfort — and vice-versa.

In order to address this without adding too much overhead to your dry shaving routine, a high-quality pre-shave lotion is the way to go in my opinion.

They’re fairly inexpensive and take seconds to apply.

You should notice an improvement especially if you use a less capable electric shaver like the Braun Series 3 or Panasonic Arc 3.

It can also help with flat-lying hairs.

My current picks for pre-shave lotions are the ones from Speick and Tabac.

See the price on Amazon

After testing pretty much all the popular pre-shave brands out there, these proved to be the best in terms of effectiveness, quality, fragrance and even cost.

Allow your skin a few days to heal if you suffer from severe post-shave irritation.

Subjecting your skin to another shave while it’s still tender will just make things worse.

Instead, you should wait at least a couple of days between shaving sessions.

A gentle shaver that can handle longer hairs would make the most sense here. Depending on your budget, you should consider a Braun Series 8 or 9.

Avoid switching back and forth between an electric shaver and a razor blade.

Some men prefer to use razor blades for that really close shave, but also grab an electric shaver when they’re in a rush and just need a quick dry shave.

This is not ideal and should be avoided.

A razor blade will scrape off a thin layer of skin cells which triggers the body to produce scar tissue.

It takes a few weeks to get rid of it and during that time you won’t get the best results with an electric shaver.

This is why all electric shaver manufacturers state that you should allow your skin a few weeks to get used to the new way of shaving.

So it’s best to simply pick one method and stick to it.

Side note: some lucky few aren’t really affected by this. If you’re one of them, great, feel free to use whatever whenever.

Clean your shaver after every use and lubricate the cutters regularly.

While you don’t have to be extra thorough every time, make sure to clean your shaver after every use.

Most shavers are waterproof and can be simply rinsed with water.

Lubrication is also vital to the shaver’s performance and longevity. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.

If you use a cleaning station regularly, there’s no need for additional lubrication.

Get a spray cleaner & lubricant.

They’re fairly inexpensive and can work wonders in several cases.

Apart from cleaning and lubricating the blades, a spray cleaner will also remove mineral deposits and stubborn dirt.

This will reduce the friction between the blades and the foils/guards, thus generating less heat during use and increasing the lifespan of the cutters.

You can use the spray in addition to your usual cleaning and lubricating routine.

See the price on Amazon

As for which spray cleaner to choose, the Remington Shaver Saver and the Andis Cool Care Plus are two great options.

The former has been discontinued unfortunately, so the Andis is now my default recommendation (readily available and cost-effective).

Make sure the battery has enough charge.

With some shavers, you will notice a performance drop once the battery charge goes below a certain threshold.

This is generally the case with older or entry-level electric shavers.

You’ll want to have at least 30% battery charge in this case, otherwise you will likely experience some hair pulling and the closeness of the shave will suffer as well.

Modern batteries aren’t affected by the memory effect like the old NiMh/NiCd batteries, so you can charge your shaver as often as you need.

Take care of your skin.

A great shave starts with a healthy skin.

And men’s skincare is actually extremely simple. Here’s the very basic that works for most men:

• Cleanse your face daily with a mild face wash. My favorite is the Biotherm Homme Aquapower cleaneser.
• Use a moisturizer that works well for you in the morning and evening. Also, you should definitely apply sunscreen in the morning.
• Follow up with a hydrating, moisturizing balm after every shave. Yes, you should still do it even if you don’t shave with a razor blade anymore. You can check out a list of my current picks here.

If you have any particular skin condition, make sure to check with your dermatologist before making any significant changes to your routine.

Final word on choosing the right electric shaver

This pretty much concludes my take on the difficult task of recommending an electric razor.

I tried my best to find the ones that provide great value, not just hype.

If there are several electric shavers that offer almost identical performance, it makes perfect sense to recommend the one that costs less.

This was the reasoning behind selecting these particular shavers; however, if you can get a great deal on a different model that also meets your requirements and you know it performs similarly, then by all means you should get that one instead.

Some of these shavers will be discontinued or updated at some point.

And as we know, an update can be anything from a minor visual overhaul to a completely new shaver.

I will update this list regularly to keep it relevant to the ever-changing landscape of electric shavers.

I hope that this approach of determining what’s thebest electric shaver for your needs will streamline the process and make it less of a chore to decide what would work great for you.

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As always, if you have any other questions, make sure to post them in the comments below.