If you have sensitive follicles you might consider Braun’s smoother shave worth the extra $80 over Panasonic’s close and efficient cut. Braun’s Series 5, however, which is closer in price to the Arc3, is just buzzy and inefficient by comparison. You’ll have to rinse lather off the Arc3 more frequently than the Arc5, but it doesn’t smear the lather around your face the way Braun’s shavers do. Combining a slick shaving cream and the Arc3 is a luxe upgrade to your morning shave routine without the risk of nicks. According to instructions supplied with the units, the shaving heads need cleaning every 2 months and replacing every 18 months. The Philishave shaver was invented by Philips engineer Alexandre Horowitz, who used rotating cutters instead of the reciprocating cutters that had been used in previous electric shavers.
We’re not 100 percent convinced that the lubrication from the cleaning solution is required, but if you don’t want to buy the stand, some light mineral oil or cleaning spray can’t hurt, especially if you’re dry shaving. Braun is the other reigning champ, and many reviewers happily give up a bit of closeness and pay more for Braun’s great design. There are even more expensive shavers out there, but we think this one is actually worth the splurge.
The device uses a three-blades, a set of trimmers, and a hypoallergenic foil to lift and cut hair in minutes. Our hair is as individual as our fingerprints, but we hope that we’ve given you enough info to buy an electric shaver that you’ll love using. Our hypothesis is that the more expensive shavers are cutting more efficiently, which means you don’t need to press the shaver into your skin as much to get close; less abrasion always means less redness. On the whole, though, it seems clear that most people will be happier with the bar-shaped foils than the triangular pattern of circular foils.
For dry shaving, simply run the shaver over clean, dry skin to remove hair. Again, be sure to read the directions on your individual product for any additional things to know before shaving. Whether you use it wet or dry, this gentle trimmer aims to minimize skin irritation while providing a super close shave, and is ideal to use on body parts like the underarms, legs, and even philips shaver your sensitive bikini line. It’s powered by four hypoallergenic, stainless steel blades and coils to leave your skin feeling baby soft. The blades of rotary shavers are designed to catch hair growing in all directions, for a close shave. It is important to know that it takes approximately three to four weeks for the skin to get used to being shaved with electric razors.
For the closest shave that modern engineering can provide, our top pick is the Panasonic – Arc3. This isn’t Panasonic’s most expensive razor, but the head design is easier to work with than their other models and it shaves just as close once you get a feel for it. This is also a shaver that’s easy to clean, and that goes a long way to making it our favorite in long-term testing. Our wet-shaving enthusiast tried the different shavers with our pick for the best shaving cream and some brush-lathered soaps. The biggest difference when wet shaving with an electric is that the foil glides smoothly over your skin with no resistance at all, a welcome relief after rubbing foils into his neck to get as close as possible.
If the cover comes off in your gym bag when you stuff it in your locker, it’s still vulnerable to accidentally powering on, but we like the simplicity of the design. The Arc3 also features our favorite pop-up trimmer of the bunch; it’s not a replacement for a full beard trimmer that can help you maintain a consistent length, but for edging a moustache or sideburns it’s perfect. Panasonic’s secret weapon has always been in the motor, and this shaver has that same strength. While the Braun shavers (even the spendy Series 7 and Series 9) sound like hair clippers, Panasonic’s shavers give a higher-pitched and much smoother whine, like an angry bumblebee to Braun’s runaway sewing machine. In the past, I acted as the spokesperson for two global brands, Lab Series by Estee Lauder and Philips Norelco.
However, even after this warning pops up, you can feel comfortable knowing that you can still achieve at least two more shaves. If you’ve ever stepped foot into a barbershop, the odds are good that you may have seen an Andis Pro-Foil shaver. This powerful electric razor is a go-to for barbers looking to finish off a haircut or quickly remove stubble. Its wide, staggered, philips shaver raised blades allow the Pro-Foil to choose what portion of the blade is needed to remove hair. This is an advantage for more detailed and more gentle hair removal (i.e. maintaining a mustache line or cleaning up the neckline). Unlike many of its predecessors, the Philips Norelco 9500’s ComfortGlide rings make circular-motion-shaving virtually friction-free.
We looked long and hard at the Series 9, and we don’t see much reason to spend an extra $100 on metallic platings and an extra “Hyperlift and Cut” trimmer bar. Plenty of people who spring for the upgrade are happy to say that it shaves closer and with less irritation, so if buying the best is worth $250 we say go for it. For the rest of us, Series 7 is already enough of a stretch that we’re happy with our pick.
This is quite a feat considering most foil shavers can find it challenging to deliver a close shave on wavy and curly beards without multiple passes. Its foiled shaving heads (“Flex Foils”) offer a nicely cushioned shave that navigates the face comfortably and effectively. The best electric shavers are your last defence against the wispy, scraggly jawline of your worst nightmares. We can all dream of a razor-sharp 5 O’clock shadow or a beard to rival Dumbledore’s, but not all of us are follically blessed, and must resort to shaving down the unwanted hair for a supremely clean cut. And while many are stuck using wet razors to clear away the fuzz, we’re here to tell you there’s a world free of razor burn and patchy cheeks, so long as you’re willing to invest in a quality electric shaver. We’ve seen mixed reviews for rotary-type foils, but Pauper’s Dime (a website focused on smart spending) is the token enthusiast, lauding the easy cleaning and quiet performance of the Philips rotary shavers.
Braun’s latest electric shaver is by far one of the best and most complete options we’ve ever seen, though it is mighty expensive. Here’s another travel-ready electric trimmer that uses a pivoting head to remove unwanted facial or body hair without tugging at your skin. The device also contains a built-in light that helps you track down even the finest of hairs. This shower-safe shaver is one of the best options to pack in your carry-on, since it’s compact and cordless, making it extremely travel-friendly.