Best Electric Shavers 2018 – Reviews and Buyer’s guide

by David Wright | Last updated October 17, 2018

There is no consensus on what is best to use for (men’s) shaving: electric shavers or traditional manual razors. In this question everyone has his own best-shaving solution. For example, my father tried several times a high-quality Braun series electric razor, but found that “old-school” shaving with manual razors suits him best.

But for me it was vice versa: since I first tried to use electric razors more than a decade ago, I have never used manual razors anymore (except a few situations when I simply forgot to take my electric shaver on a trip). And for many of my friends, it’s the same story – they also think that electric razors rock! So let’s find what the best electric shavers are now.

There are a lot of different electric shavers on the market. I researched and compared many-many of them and, in this article, you will find the list and reviews of the top electric shavers for 2017.

A quick note: remember that electric razor is a very personal device. So, while one shaver will suit one man better, another model may be better suited for someone else. All of the presented below models are high quality with hundreds and thousands of positive reviews, so no matter which one you will choose – you will not be disappointed with its quality and shaving comfort.

Best Electric Shavers 2018 – our list

1. Braun Series 7 (790cc) – Best Electric Shaver of 2018

Well, the Braun is what I personally use for more than 5 years. I don’t own this modern Series 7 model though – my shaving device currently is Series 5. I have nothing but good words regarding my shaver, but here I would like to review this electric razor as unbiased as possible – as if I had never used any razors by Braun before.

Braun Series 7 is also called Pulsonic Shaver System. The Pulsonic has an ergonomic design and it perfectly lies in the hand. There are two sections of black rubber on the sides of the shaver for more secure hold. The foil-style shaver is located at the top of the grip and can flex and pivot for more comfortable shaving.

At the bottom of the shaver is an LCD display that shows all the important information: battery status, amount of time needed for charging and a notice of the need for cleaning at the station. On the front of the shaver is a trimmer which opens when you click on the suggestive word “Trimmer”. As well as Braun Series 5, these Pulsonic shavers are also 100% waterproof and can withstand water pressure up to 5 meters. Sure, the shaver is also completely washable and can be rinsed under the tap.

This shaver uses Braun’s Sonic technology that automatically adapts and adjusts the power based on the read characteristics of the beard. You can also choose between five different shaving modes depending on the needs, preferences and skin type. The shaver’s head is fully flexible and it moves and adapts to the individual skin.

The 790cc model comes with 5-action Clean and Charge station that does a similar process as the cleaning station of Braun 5 Series – it hygienically cleans, charges and lubricates the shaver. The battery of the Pulsonic provides up to 50 minutes of cordless shaving and it fully recharges in one hour.

If you ask me to describe this shaver in one sentence, I would say: Braun is Braun. Incredible comfort, many useful technologies, great design and reliability and these all in one package.

2. Philips Norelco 9700 (S9721/87) – Best Rotary Electric Shaver 2018

The Philips Norelco 9700 is a top electric shaver that is equipped with many up-to-date technologies and provides outstanding shaving experience. The S9721/87 model comes with the SmartClean Plus station that cleans, dries, lubricates and charges the shaver. The shaver is made in a graceful black color with an attractive and effective design and ergonomic grip.

The shaver’s head moves in 8 directions and helps to achieve closer shaving. To be more precise, there are 3 shaving heads that work separately and each of them can move in eight directions – it provides a better slip on the contour of the face and leads to more efficient shave without irritation. Philips uses V-Track self-sharpen blades inside each head and these blades also contribute to a more comfortable shave that is, as Philips claims, up to 30 percent closer than most other electric shavers.

Norelco 9700 shaver can be used wet and dry, so shaving foams and gels are welcome to use. The shaver can also be used in the shower and, even though this particular model comes with a cleaning station, it’s pretty easy to clean the heads under running water.

Inside the Norelco S9721/87 shaver is a Lithium-Ion battery that provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving and it takes 1 hour to fully charge it. A quick five-minute charge will be enough for one full shave, which is useful in case when you forget to charge the shaver.

On the front side of the shaver is a digital user interface that also includes a built-in motion sensor. This interface displays battery level in percentage, battery low status, cleaning indicator, replacement head and a travel lock indicators. And, of course, this shaver also has a trimmer which is called SmartClick Precision trimmer.

Norelco S9721/87 has several different speed settings, so anyone will find his best personal experience during shaving.

The price for this shaver is pretty high, but the Philips Norelco S9721/87 is definitely one of the best electric shavers available on the market.

3. Panasonic Arc4 (ES-LA63-S) 

This electric razor has some unique features that help to achieve comfort and smooth close shave. One of those features is Panasonic’s Multi-Flex pivoting head that provides smooth shaving on the face and neck. Stainless-steel foils also have a desing that follows facial contours for better comfort and closeness.

The Panasonic Arc4 is 100% washable electric razor and can be used wet or dry. There is a pop-up trimmer for grooming on the back side of the shaver. This razor is equipped with Sonic vibration cleaning mode that helps to rinse away debris during rinsing the shaver under the stream of water.

On the LCD display, which is located on the front of the razor, are a charging/battery’s status indicator and an indicator that tells when to clean the shaver. The display will also suggest when to change the blades.

Thanks to the water resistance, with Arc4 it’s possible to shave not only in the sink, but in the shower as well. This is a Wet & Dry shaver, so you can shave with foams, soaps, creams and gels without any issues. But dry shave with Panasonic Arc4 is pretty well and comfort too, so, despite the presence of this technology, I guess not everyone will use wet shaving option. (However, having two options is always better than having just one anyway, isn’t it?)

Panasonic Arc4 has four cutting blades that are angled at 30-degrees – it provides cutting the hair at its base for a closer shave. These blades are also made with hypoallergenic steel. Summing up the line, I will confidently say that the Panasonic Arc4 is a great electric shaver with a reasonable price that will suit the vast majority of men.

4. Braun Series 5 (5090cc)

Overall, you can’t go wrong with Braun – no matter what. Of course, one model will suit you better than another, but, in general, all the modern electric shavers made by this famous German electronics manufacturer are the right choice. Let’s take a closer look at the Braun Series 5 shavers.

Braun Series 5 comes in two colors – it’s black or black/blue combination. For someone it may look not as brutal as some models by other brands (though, I do like its design), but it has nothing to do with how this shaver do the job and what feelings it provides during shaving.

This 5 Series models have several technologies that help to ensure the highest comfort of shaving. One of them is the AutoSense Technology that adjusts the power of the shaver by reading the beard’s thickness – these adjustments are carried out 13 times per minute. This allows to complete shaving with fewer strokes which is always good for our skin.

The shaver’s head flexes in 8 directions – it provides maximum skin contact for less irritation and pressure. Braun company claims that Series 5 shaver is 100% waterproof and can be submerged in up to 5 meter deep water. It means that you can easily clean it under running water and use the shaver both in the sink and in the shower, without worrying about the possible impact of water flow.

With all the features that Braun Series 5 has it would be strange if it didn’t support wet & dry shaving. So, of course, this razor can be safely used with gel or foam. And even though I prefer dry shaving, I’m pretty sure that there are many men who can’t imagine shaving process without foam, soap or cream – so it’s definitely a very important feature that, in my opinion, nowadays any electric shaver must have.

On the front side of the shaver you will find LED display which indicates battery status, travel lock and hygiene. On the back side is a slide-up trimmer. The Li-Ion battery provides up to 45 minutes of cordless shaving and it takes 1 hour for full charge.

Depending on the model of the Braun Series 5, there is a cleaning station in the package (5090cc has it). This is a 4-action station that at first hygienically cleans the shaver’s head with alcohol-based fluid, then charges the battery and lubricates all the moving parts of the shaver. Braun declares that using the Clean & Charge Station is 10x more hygienic than just washing the shaver under running water.

As a final word about Braun Series 5 shaver, I can only say that it’s a modern and comfortable electric razor that is equipped with all the latest technologies and made with the inherent reliability of the Braun company.

If you prefer to clean the shaver under the tap and don’t need a cleaning station (like me), there is also the ** Series 5 model which comes without the station.

5. Panasonic Arc4 (ES-LF51-A)

Another great razor by Panasonic in our list is the ES-LF51-A model. As well as the ES-LA63-S, this model is also applicable for wet & dry use and 100% waterproof. In fact, there are many features here that are the same as in the ES-LA63-S model, though there are a few differences as well.

The Panasonic ES-LF51-A shaver has 4 blades which are tilted by 30 degrees – as well as in the ES-LA63-S, it’s made for more comfort and close shave. The shaver also has a flexible pivoting head that smoothly follows the contour of the face and reduces possible skin irritation. There is a pop-up trimmer on the back side of the razor.

On the front of the razor is a LED indicator which informs about battery level and helps to choose one of the five different levels of shaving. This LED indicator is one of this model’s differencies from Arc4, in which the indicator is LCD (but, honestly, for me it doesn’t matter at all because both types successfully fulfill their basic function). On the front side of the shaver above the indicator is located a lock switcher which can be useful when you need to make sure that it will not accidentally turn on when it’s not needed.

Due to its wet & dry compatibility, with the ES-LF51-A you can use foams, gels and lotions for shaving. The shaver is very easy to clean under the tap and there is also a Sonic Vibration cleaning mode that makes the process even more simple.

Just like Panasonic ES-LA63-S, the ES-LF51-A is a superior compact razor with a moderate price, that is unlikely to disappoint anyone.

6.  Remington F5-5800 Foil Shaver

Remington is a well-known and reliable brand. The history of the company starts from 1816, but the origin of their personal care products dates back to 1937, when the company (it was called the Remington Rand at that moment) began to create electric shavers. So, we can clearly see that this company has a really great experience in creation of electric razors.

One of the biggest (but not the only one) advantage of the F5-5800 shaver is its affordable price. The shaver doesn’t have as many super extra features as most top electric shavers have, but if we are talking about clean, effective shave in the first place, then everything is perfect in this electric razor. It does the job extremely well and it’s doubly nice considering the shaver’s price.

The Remington F5-5800 is a foil-style shaver and its head is built with the company’s Pivot and Flex technology. The shaver supports both wet and dry shaving and it’s completely washable under the faucet. In my opinion, having wet & dry option in such an affordable model is a great thing, because not even all top and expensive models support both types of shaving.

On the back side of the shaver is a pop-up trimmer and on the front there is a LED battery indicator under the power button. The battery provides up to 60 minutes of cordless runtime and has a quick 5-minute charge option. By the way, the shaver can be used both corded and cordless, so if it’s fully discharged and there is a socket you don’t have to wait even those quick 5 minutes to finish your shaving.

All in all, despite a very affordable price, the Remington F5-5800 shaver provides great comfortable shaving experience. This is another shaver in our list with which no one will be dissapointed.

7. Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 (AT830/46)

Here is another Norelco shaver in our list and this is the 4500 model. Philips has been producing electric shavers since the beginning of the last century and, while one model differs in some features from another, all electric shavers made by Philips have a proven quality, reliability and efficiency.

The Norelco 4500 (formerly called PowerTouch) shaver keeps all the important features and a quality of the Philips brand, but at the same time it doesn’t shine with some unnecessary technologies and therefore this model has an affordable price.

This is a rotary-style shaver and its shaving heads, which is called DualPrecision, pivot to keep a close contact with the skin for fast and gentle shaving. It can be used for dry or wet shaving and it’s completely washable – you can simply hold the shaver under the tap to clean it. There is also a cleaning brush in the package that will help to clean shaving heads more carefully – when it’s necessary.

The AT830 uses DualPrecision shaving system that is designed to shave both longer hair and short stubble more effectively. Pop-up trimmer is on board too and it’s very convenient for trimming goatees, mustaches and sideburns. The shaver is also equipped with Super Lift & Cut dual-action blades that lift hair and help to effectively cut hair below the skin level.

With one hour of charging the battery of Norelco AT830 provides about 50 minutes of cordless shaving. A quick-charge option is also here. There is a LED indicator on the front of the shaver that informs about charging level.

Summing up, the Philips Norelco 4500 AT830/41 model is a good shaver that provides a clean and comfortable shaving experience. If you don’t need accessories like cleaning and charging station, AT830 will be a great choice at an excellent price.

8.  Braun M90 MobileShave – Best Compact Electric Shaver

The Braun M90 is an affordable electric shaver with very compact dimensions. As it’s typical to all Braun’s devices, despite the low cost this shaver is made with high quality and provides comfortable and clean shaving. One key difference that distinguishes this model from most others electric shavers is that the M90 uses standard replaceable batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable one.

It’s hard to say unequivocally whether using conventional batteries is an advantage or disadvantage. Personally, I would say that it’s rather a disadvantage, but I’m sure there are many men who will say the opposite, because in some situations and depending on lifestyle the ability to buy batteries anywhere and insert them in the electric shaver may definitely help. Also, it’s always possible to buy and use standard rechargeable AA batteries with this shaver, so, all in all, at least it’s not that bad.

The Braun M90 Mobile shaver is a foil-style electric razor with a rotatable cover (Braun calls it Twist Cap) that protects the shaver’s head while carrying. The Flexible SmartFoil helps to achieve more comfortable and close shave by adjusting to the contours of the face. The shaver is fully washable and can be easily cleaned under running water.

The M90 MobileShave is also equipped with a slide-out long hair trimmer, so you can trim beard and sideburns with this razor as well.

Braun did a good job creating this electric razor which provides effective, comfort and close shaving. If you travel a lot and need some inexpensive portable electric shaver, then Braun M90 will be the right choice. With replaceable batteries this shaver can be truly used, what is called, “on the go”.

9. Philips Norelco Shaver 3100 (PT724/46)

The Philips company is one of the leaders in electric razors area. They have all the range of different shavers – from simple and inexpensive models to more premium ones. The Philips Norelco Shaver 3100 (formerly called PowerTouch) is an affordable waterproof razor that provides great shaving experience.

It’s a rotary shaver and the rotary head here is also a part of the shaver – which is not common for rotary shavers created by other brands (where it’s usually a separate part). Norelco 3100’s Lithium-ion battery allows to shave up to 40 minutes and it takes 8 hours for full charge. And, of course, there is a charging indicator on the front of the shaver that keeps you informed of the battery’s status.

The shaver has a fully washable head, which makes washing very convenient under the tap. It’s fully waterproof so you can use the shaver in the shower or in the sink without worrying about ingress of water. There is a cleaning brush included in 3100’s package, so you can use it in addition to rinsing under the tap when necessary.

Norelco 3100 has Philips patented ComfortCut Heads – it means that its heads have rounded edges with gliding effect. This design provides more comfort while shaving and allows to glide more smoothly, which, in turn, reduces skin irritation. These heads also provide a closer shave – up to 66% closer than other brands as claimed by Philips.

There is also a quick charge option which may be useful if you forget to charge the shaver – just charge it for three minutes and it will give enough power for one full shaving procedure.

At the back of this Norelco shaver is a pop-up trimmer that, as usually, can be used on some other types of hair where main shaving heads can’t do the job or simply are not combortable to use. The shaver is lightweight, compact and very convenient to use during traveling.

10. Philips Norelco OneBlade – Best Hybrid Shaver

The Philips Norelco OneBlade is all-in-one electric trimmer and shaver. It’s very different from all other shavers and you can see it even from a photo – OneBlade’s design is a brand new and unusual for electric razors. This shaver/trimmer will be suitable for men who have any kind of facial hair – stubble, mustache, sideburns and beard.

The Philips’ goal of creating the Norelco OneBlade was to provide men with one shaving tool that does different tasks – it was specifically designed for men who grow beards and wear facial styles. With OneBlade you can shave, trim and create edges and lines regardless of hair length. So this electric shaver may really replace several shaving tools.

OneBlade shaves not too close, so it provides comfort and allows to shave hair of any lenght. The shaver comes with three click-on combs – 1, 3 and 5mm, so you can choose the best one depending on your needs. The OneBlade can be used dry or wet, so foams and gels can also supplement shaving.

This shaver has the dual-sided blade, so you can shave in both directions. OneBlade is water resistant and can be easily cleaned under the tap.

The OneBlade has a NiMH battery that gives about 45 minutes of cordless shaving. The downside of the battery is that it takes 8 hours for full charge.

Philips Norelco OneBlade has an affordable price and this is really an interesting hybrid shaver which will perfectly suit men who often trim their facial hair.

Electric shavers – Buyers guide

Foil vs Rotary shavers

There are two main types of electric shavers – foil-style and rotary-style. Both types are effective, but they have some differences and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Foil shavers provide closer and smoother shave than rotary shavers, but at the same time, rotary shavers follow the contours of the face much better than foil shavers (simply due to its design and pivot heads).

There is no the only best option between rotary and foil shavers. Each type has its own advantages, so everyone should decide for themselves what is most important – to have a closer shaving or to have a shaver that better follows the facial contours. But I’m sure of one thing: no matter what type you will decide to buy and use, if you use one of the modern electric shavers (e.g. any model from the list above), you won’t be disappointed, because top manufactures always care about their customers and constantly improve their models in such a way as to reduce disadvantages of each type while keeping and improving its benefits.

Wet & Dry shaving

You might have noticed that most shavers in the list above support both types of shaving – dry shaving without using water or any other liquid, and wet shaving where you can add shaving gel, cream, foam, soaps, water and so on. There is a simple reason why manufacturers equip their electric shavers with this feature – simply because, again, there is no “right or wrong” thing regarding wet or dry shaving, it depends on the personal preferences of each man and companies just want to (reasonably) expand the number of their customers.

Wet shaving doesn’t mean just an ability to use water – it means that you can add foams, shaving creams, soaps, lotions or gels during the shaving. So, if you prefer wet shaving, before buying an electric shaver make sure that it does support true Wet & Dry option and it’s not just a water-resistant shaver that works only with water, but doesn’t allow using shaving creams.

Corded and Cordless shaving

Cordless shaving simply means using an electric shaver on batteries without connecting to a stationary power source (e.g. household sockets).

Most modern electric shavers don’t support corded shaving (while plugging in) – it’s done for safety reasons, so people are safe from electric shock. At the same time, most electric razors now have fast charging time and some of them have a quick charge when only 3-5 minutes of charging is enough for a full shave.

So, even though corded shaving is convenient in certain situations, I would say that shavers that support cordless shaving only are better, because human safety should always be in the foreground. If you are using plugged electric shaver just make sure you’re doing it safely – avoid any water or moisture.

Cleaning station or manual cleaning

Some of the models mentioned in this article come with a cleaning & charging stations. This cleaning stations simplify shaver’s cleaning and maintenance. In most cases, the cleaning station not only cleans and charges the electric shaver, but also lubricates moving parts of shaver’s head.

The only disadvantage of cleaning stations is in additional expenses – you will pay more for a shaver that comes with cleaning station (or buy a station separately) and also you will have to regularly purchase containers with cleaning fluid (usually it’s an alcohol-based fluid).

Even though cleaning stations definitely make the whole cleaning/lubricating process easier, there is nothing complicated in manual cleaning of the electric razor. Just make sure that the shaver supports washing its shaving head (or heads) under running water (all of the above-mentioned shavers support it) and you will be able to easily clean it after each shave in just 20-30 seconds.