The 12 Best Electric Shaver Reviews - Braun, Norelco, Panasonic & More

You can set this shaver to any of 5 different intensity settings depending on your particular needs. Lower settings work best with sensitive skin, whereas higher-intensity settings can be used on normal or tougher skin.

The Panasonic Arc5 has a similar feature, but in that case the shaver automatically adjusts the intensity, automatically tweaking it according to the pressure you’re applying. When it senses that you are pressing too hard, it will slow down so as to avoid razor burn. It also gives you the option of adjusting the speed yourself based on your preferences.

The Philips Norelco 9700 also features variable intensity settings, but it has only three different settings instead of this Braun’s five.

Worth the Price

Without question, this is one of the more expensive shavers on our list. Arguably, though, it’s still good value for money on account of its many desirable qualities. Not only is it highly adaptable, it incorporates pulse technology that’s also found only in the Braun Series 9. This helps to elevate hairs above the skin and into the cutting zone using tiny vibrations.

A flexible head helps this shaver get to all those difficult-to-reach areas without much effort on your part as you enjoy a dry shave. The battery level is shown on the tip of the shaver’s handle, keeping you from having to guess how much charge is left.

A travel case makes it easier to take this shaver with you as you travel for business or adventure. This has a hard shell to ensure that your shaver is protected from bumps and drops.

You’ve probably noticed that most shavers on our list feature a precision trimmer that helps you get that perfect edging along your beard or sideburns. Like those, this one comes with an attachment that allows you to do that very thing. What’s different is that this attachment has a few other functions as well.

Instead of one shave length (clean and close), this one can be set to a total of five different options. You can therefore trim the outer edges of your beard and sideburns with the shortest option and gradually increase the bushiness towards the central part. We will even argue that, thanks to these five length settings especially, this shaver can be useful as a whole-body groomer. You can in other words trim the hair on your scalp, get those wild chest hairs under control, and much more. If this isn’t enough for you, the only other option is laser removal.

Convenient Charger Stand

How important this is depends on how your bathroom is organized, but you should be aware that some of the electric razors we’ve selected come with a charging/cleaning station, and others not. Of those that don’t include a charging station, only this one comes with a stand.

A corded shaver without a stand can cause a fair amount of annoyance in certain bathrooms, as they take up space on countertops and often end up on the floor as the result of a careless elbow. The stand included with this shaver allows you to keep things neat and tidy and prevents it from being damaged. Even better, this stand conveniently folds up to slide into your travel case with ease.

One of the best aspects of this shaver is its smart sensor shaving technology. Special sensors detect how hard you press; the shaver automatically adjusts how fast the blades spin in order to reduce friction and avoid razor burn when you push down a little too forcefully.

Since it’s difficult to maintain the correct pressure on your face all the time, this is a really handy feature. It’s especially helpful for anyone with specific health issues (such as Parkinson’s disease) that makes it difficult for them to apply pressure evenly.

This sensor also measures the coarseness of your hair and adjusts the power output accordingly. Since denser hair requires a different action, this helps a great deal in getting an even shave along your jawline and chin as well as on the cheeks and neck where beards tend to be sparser. The same functionality works with this electric razor’s wet shave ability, giving you the shave you need with or without water and shaving cream.

Among its many other nice qualities are its hypoallergenic nanotech blades which are designed to give a close, non-irritating shave even on very sensitive and reactive skin.

Optional Charging Station

If you like this shaver but don’t have room for it in your bathroom cabinet, you’ll be glad to know that a charging station is available for a little extra money. Including one of these does seem to affect the price of any shaver; the only others on our list to offer you a charging station as an option are the Braun Series 3 and the Panasonic Arc4.

For the most part, this charging station is very similar to those of the other foil-type shavers we’ve chosen to review, including the above two options and the Braun Series 5, Braun Series 7, and Braun Series 9.

One thing that distinguishes the Arc5 slightly, however, is that it includes a special stand to hold the shaver upright while stored. Many other charging stations let it sit inside at an angle. While this won’t be a big deal for people with ample counter space, those with cramped bathrooms may find that their shaver gets in the way a lot. That won’t be a problem with the Arc5, as long as you purchase this optional charging station.

Let us be clear up front: this shaver doesn’t hold a candle to others we’ve reviewed in terms of add-on features. It does, however, come quite close in terms of quality.

If you’re someone who needs to save money and is willing to live without special extras (but still insist on well-built, durable products), this Remington has you covered.

Why a Bargain Price?

This shaver doesn’t bother with special features like clip-on attachments, a charging/cleaning station, or various intensity settings. It’s intended only to be a basic, straightforward electric razor.

Another reason for its bargain price (which will certainly put off some shoppers) is that its trimmer blade isn’t really designed to accommodate curly hair, as is the case with Braun products – it’s toothed instead.

Generally Good Value

While this shaver is not quite as full-featured as most of the other shavers we’ve chosen for you, it still packs a lot of punch at this price. Compared to others in this price range, it’s miles ahead. Some of its competitors can boast one or two of the following characteristics, but few if any have them all in combination.

This shaver has soft rubber side grips designed to help you keep a firm grip on its handle as you shave. It also includes a pop-up precision trimmer to help clean up the line around your beard, mustache, and sideburns. It’s also waterproof; though this may not sound like much, since all the others on this list are also waterproof, it’s actually a huge bonus for any shaver at this price point.

Finally, although we pointed out that this shaver’s trimmer blade isn’t as effective as that found on a higher-end model, we’d also like to mention that very few comparably-priced shavers include trimmer blades at all.

The Philips Norelco 9700 has multiple speed settings you can select from to suit your skin’s level of sensitivity. If your skin abrades easily and you want to protect it during a dry shave, simply turn the intensity down. When shaving with gel or cream, you can turn the intensity up for a faster shave.

The Braun 790cc and Panasonic Arc5 also allow you to adjust the power, but do not offer many of the other qualities this Phillips does at a reasonable price. For example, it pivots in a total of 8 directions, creating a nearly 360-degree swivel that hugs every curve of your face as you shave.

Advanced Charging and Cleaning Base

At first glance, this shaver’s charging and cleaning base seem similar to the many others on our list. It’s shallow, somewhat small, charges as it cleans, lubricates as well, and uses cleaning cartridges. The only thing that really seems different is that it locks your shaver into place so you can’t accidentally knock it over as easily.

However, when you look a little deeper, you can see that this charging station is actually a cut above the rest. To begin with, it uses lights to show how far along in the cleaning and charging process it is so you don’t turn it off or take it out prematurely.

It also has a unique filtration system, meaning that the cleaning solution, even though it’s reused, is actually much purer than you’d expect. What’s most impressive, however, is that this charging station actively dries your shaver using a heating system built into the base.

Great Value

Despite a somewhat steep price tag, it’s hard to argue that this shaver doesn’t give value for money. This is especially true when you consider that it also features “smart click” attachments. Though it comes with only the precision trimmer attachment, you can also purchase a beard styler and cleansing brush that clip onto the handle to help you get full-face grooming.

One of Braun’s top electric razors, the Series 9 9290cc is clearly a step above the Braun Series range of shavers. The most noticeable improvement it offers is its 4 foils and trimmer blade. Most of the other foil-type shavers on our list feature only two.

Obviously, there is a point beyond which more foils will not make a difference – a shaver with 14 foils would just be ridiculous. Using four of them, however, has been shown to result in a closer shave than competing options, cutting more strands per stroke than any of the other foil shavers we’ve reviewed.

This shaver’s ability to handle the contours of your face effectively is another reason why it’s suitable for even the most demanding men. The head moves back and forth as well as from side to side, while the foils themselves tilt as you apply pressure from different directions. This means that you’ll cover more square inches of your face with a single pass than you would with a typical stationary-foil shaver.

The sonic pulse incorporated into this shaver uses vibrations to jolt hair up and away from the face, allowing you to get even those strands that usually lie flat against the skin and will escape other shavers. The ability to use this shaver with water, shaving cream, or gel further improves the results you can expect, even if you have sensitive skin.

All the Extras

As if all that wasn’t enough, this shaver is also packed with almost every special feature and function you can imagine.

Built-in lights show you its battery level while in use and count down how many minutes of charge you have left. A textured handle helps you keep a solid grasp at all times. Its charging station also cleans and lubricates the head while the shaver is inside. This requires branded cleaning solution cartridges that include a special lubricant designed to keep your shaver working effectively.

Best of all, a titanium coating on the cutting blades is a huge step above the stainless and surgical steel used in other models. Titanium is stronger and more durable, which means that these blades will last much longer before they need to be changed.

Arguably the biggest selling point of this shaver is its outstanding 90-minute battery life. Just like most of the others on our list (with the exception of the Remington), this shaver takes approximately 60 minutes to reach a full charge. In contrast to the rest, though, it will run for a total of 90 minutes shaving time after that. Supposing it takes about 5 minutes per shave, this means you’ll get 18 full shaves from one charge.

Unfortunately, it comes with a less-than-stellar soft travel case, and is therefore less well protected than something like the Braun 5090cc or Braun Series 7 790cc. Still, the 90-minute battery life does make it perfect for someone who sometimes can’t find a compatible power source and perhaps wants to use it in their car. If the travel case is that big an issue, you can always purchase a tougher one separately.

The Flex Factor

This shaver is extremely flexible, in the literal sense. The shaving head pivots back and forth and the individual foils flex from side to side. It will therefore be gentler and more effective along the hard curves of your face than many of its competitors.

The Wahl Speed Shave’s versatility is further enhanced by being capable of both wet and dry shaving. You can either do a quick dry shave before darting out the door or take your time and get the best possible result, even on sensitive skin, with water and shaving cream.

For Multiple Hair Types

Usually, foil shavers are best for people with fine to regular hair that grows relatively straight. This is because the linear shape of the foils, combined with the way in which electric shavers typically work, makes it difficult for them to get those hairs that grow in atypical directions or cling tightly to your skin’s surface.

The serrated trimming blade on this foil shaver isn’t quite up to par with the cutting-edge design of some others, but it still helps to pull tightly curled hairs into a position where they can be cut. Many other foil shavers don’t feature trimming blades at all. This shaver’s two foils are also designed slightly differently from each other. One has symmetrical holes that catch typical, straight-growing hairs. The other, however, has asymmetrical holes that catch hairs that don’t follow the prevailing direction.

Best Grip

Finally, of all the shavers on this page, this one boasts the best grip. Not only is the handle covered with a soft, textured rubber coating, but it also has grooves for each finger. This may seem like a minor point, but comfort, which leads to better control, can by itself improve the quality of your shave.

This shaver offers a very serviceable combination of features, especially when taking its affordable price into account. At first glance, you will notice its convenient shape and soft rubber grips. You will also appreciate that it has the ability to give you either a dry or a wet shave, in case you prefer shaving with foam, gel, or even in the shower. What is most impressive, however, is that it is pressure-sensitive, cuts with precision, and can be used with an optional charging station.

Pressure Sensitive

This shaver has special sensors built in which detect how hard you are pressing it into your skin. This may not sound like a big deal, but people with sensitive skin will know just how important it is. Especially if you’re in a hurry, it can be difficult to guess how hard you should hold it down in order to get a good cut while still avoiding skin irritation.

Since razor bumps and rashes are a problem many men experience, those with sensitive and normal skin alike, it is nice to see that this feature takes away all the guesswork. Under light pressure, it will amp up the speed of the blades to make sure they get as many of those difficult hairs as possible. When you’re pressing a little too hard, however, it will slow down so that the epidermis remains intact.

Precision Cuts

Two foils and a trimmer blade work together to produce a cleaner cut. If two foils don’t sound like much, that’s because it really isn’t. The Panasonic Arc4 uses three while the Braun 5090cc and the Braun 9290cc each have 4 foils. This shaver compensates for this lack somewhat with its unique trimmer blade.

The Series 3 has a special trimmer designed to pull hair away from the skin and up into the shaving area. Some hairs cling to the skin due to them being naturally curly or simply growing in that direction. In this case, the micro comb will capture them and place them in the path of the blades.

The flexible head of this shaver moves back and forth as necessary to fit into the hollows of your face. However, you can also lock it into position in order to get a specific spot. This is especially helpful when using the popup trimmer for sculpting the edges of your beard or sideburns.

At first glance, it’s obvious that this shaver looks very different from most others on the market today. It’s bulky head looks almost alien atop its regular-sized handle.

Despite its odd appearance, this shaver is actually pretty similar to most mid-range electric razors in terms of function. It doesn’t really stand out among the rest of those we’ve chosen to review in any one way. Still, since all of the options included on this page are already a cut above what’s average, it being chosen is already a sign of superior value and performance.

Like many others on this list, it charges through a cord. Though this is less convenient than a plug-in charging station, it also helps to keep this shaver’s price under control. Its flip-up precision trimmer, wet shave ability, and pivoting head are also unexceptional among our preferred shavers, though you won’t necessarily find them in less satisfactory models.

The median price of shavers on this list is about $165USD. At around $110, this shaver gives you top-class performance for less than what many otherwise-similar electric razors cost.

Travel Lock

This shaver’s travel lock allows you to deactivate the normal controls so it will not accidentally turn on if the button gets bumped during transportation. This feature is something people who travel a lot should look out for: relatively few shavers, regardless of price, feature a travel lock.

Optional Charging Station

In case you enjoy the tidiness and convenience a charging station offers, you’ll be happy to know that paying just a little bit more for this shaver will get you a charging station. Several others are designed so the shaver just sit loosely inside the charger where it can be easily knocked over. This charging station both cleans and charges, all while holding the shaver securely in place.

The special “super lift and cut” dual blade has differently-shaped holes and slots for hair to go through as you shave. In a way, these special rotary heads actually work a lot like a foil trimmer. The holes function like a typical foil, whereas the slots work to grab those difficult hairs just like the foil’s trimmer blade does. The combination of the two on these special heads get you a shave as close as that of a foil shaver.

Many people prefer rotary shavers because their spinning motion helps remove hairs growing in different directions. This is great for guys whose beard hair grows a little haphazardly. The downside to most rotary shavers is that they can rarely achieve a very close cut. This means that guys with erratic beard growth are often left to spend extra time with a foil shaver or have to accept a rotary’s limitations. Thankfully, this shaver gives them the best of both worlds.

Great Grip

The extra-convenient rubbery grip built onto this shaver’s handle nearly rivals that of the Wahl Smart Shave. It isn’t simply a layer of non-slip rubber-like you’ll find on many of the other shavers we’ve featured here. Instead, it’s textured to make sure you never lose control of your shave (no one likes to accidentally slice through their goatee because of finger trouble!).

Good Value

You get a lot for your money with this shaver. At least in our opinion, it’s not as good a deal as the Remington F5-5800, but it does compare well to most rotary shavers. This may be partly explained by the fact that it doesn’t come with a charging station, which makes it more affordable.

As you may have already read in our Buying Guide located at the bottom of this page, or as you may know from personal experience, people with curly hair require a very specific type of electric razor. Since their hair often grows in multiple directions and clings to the skin on their face, many shavers struggle to actually get to the base of the hair to cut it cleanly.

For this reason, people with curly hair usually have to stick with a rotary shaver or a plain old straight razor. Thankfully, they can confidently use this foil shaver without worrying that it will miss hairs (like many foil shavers do) or not give them a close cut (like most rotary shavers).

The secret lies in this shaver’s special trimming blade. The trimming blade, located between the two foils of the shaver, is designed to pull curly hairs up and away from the face. Its multi-directional, almost squiggly design captures hairs facing in directions that toothed trimming blades such as those featured on the Panasonic Arc5 and Remington F5-5800 would miss.

The shave head’s pivoting mounting, as well as the free-floating foils, add further to its remarkable ability to give you a close shave even if you have coarse, curly hair. The head itself pivots forward and backward; it can also be locked into any position you like or left to freely flow with your facial contours. The foils can move both up and down and sideways, depending on pressure, reducing the likelihood of razor burn.

Charging and Cleaning Unit

Many of the other options on this page also feature charging units capable of cleaning your shaver head while it charges. Since they are all rather similar, we’re going to focus on this particular charging unit to illustrate its differences.

The charging unit is made with a special low-voltage power supply which reduces the risk of shocking yourself when using the charging station as a cleaning station. This is important because the cleaning action of this station, unlike most charging bases you’ll find here, requires a liquid cleaning solution.

This is less burdensome than you might imagine. All you have to do is replace a cartridge once a month or so. The cartridge is self-cleaning in order to prolong the life of the solution. As an added bonus, the cleaning solution not only scrubs the head and foils but also lubricates the working parts of your shaver to make it last longer.