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Electric razors are ideal for a close, comfortable Vince Garcia, co-founder of L.A. barbershop Grey Matter.
If you’re looking for the right electric razor for you, below I’ve included some expert commentary on how to go about making your selection. I also included the recommendations of those experts — barbers, salon owners, and one technical director in the grooming space — across foil and rotary razors for the face, neck, and skull. If you know the type of shaver you’re after, you can use our handy menu to jump straight to that category. Otherwise, read on for my picks of the six very best.
Updated on September 17, 2025
These electric razors are still our favorites, and our Andis pick for best less-expensive razor is over 30 percent off now.
Our top picks
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What we’re looking for
Rotary vs foil
Foil razors provide a closer shave than a rotary-style razor. But foil razors really only work well on short facial hair. As Chad Beightol, founder of grooming boutique Consigliere, explains, “A foil razor is most effective if used every day or at least every three days, while rotary shavers can get a very close shave up to ten days of growth.”
There are more foils on this list, as the experts recommend them to me more frequently. Both the experts and men I know who shave with foils say that not only do they get super close, but they’re kind to sensitive skin and tend not to cause razor bumps. Rotaries do have their virtues, though, like tackling hairs on larger areas such as the neck or the skull, and for guys with thicker, longer, or coarser hair. But those guys can finish things off with a foil razor, too.
Wet and dry functionality
“When your hair is wet, it softens, which allows the blade to move much better — preventing any irritation,” says barber Craig Whitely, explaining why lots of people prefer shaving in the shower or with shaving cream or gel for lubrication. But shaving dry is also handy when you don’t have time for a full wet routine. Ideally, you’d have one tool that can give you a great shave — wet or dry.
Battery life
An electric razor that you don’t have to charge very often is extremely convenient, especially if you travel a lot or work as a professional barber. And if you shave every day, you don’t want to find yourself running out of battery life as you’re rushing to get ready for work. All the electric razors on this list will hold a charge for at least 45 minutes. Some will even let you quickly charge them for five minutes — giving you enough power for one shave in case you find yourself in a pinch.
Best electric razor overall
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Foil | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 60 minutes
Darius Davie, founder of sensitive skin because they’re able to achieve so much power with thinner metal on the foil.” (Thicker foil pulls more, and is less efficient, for context.) The fact it’s designed to work on wet hair also means your skin is less likely to feel any irritation afterward. “It gets the job done, between being in the shower and being outside,” adds Davie.
It also has plenty of the desirable features that, to me, make a well-rounded trimmer: a 60 minute run time, a pop-up trimmer for detailing, a cleaning brush and self-cleaning pod. The ability to disinfect between uses helps prevent shaving-induced breakouts — important for those with sensitive skin but also those who shave their heads, says Ruscetta. He also adds that he finds he has to replace the blades on cheaper razors often, but it’s extremely rare he’ll have to with a Braun series. So, while it is expensive, I’m confident (and so are the experts) that it is worth the investment — and its spot as best overall electric razor.
Best (less expensive) electric razor
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Foil | Wet and dry | Battery life: 60 minutes
Darius also likes this foil razor from Andis — which you’ll notice is a fifth of the price. It’s by no means a cheap razor, though, and considering its specs, it’s really quite a bargain. Not only does it have a 60-minute run time, hypoallergenic foils, and wet and dry functionality, it comes with an integrated long-hair trimmer. That means you need fewer tools (and spend less time) trimming that long hair before getting to the close foil shave. Meanwhile, Darius recommends this razor due to its unique design: “It almost feels like you’re holding a phone — when you’re holding it the way you would an iPhone, the absolute comfort is there, making shaving a little more stress-free.” As with the Braun, the Andis can be used both by professional barbers or by guys at home.
Best rotary electric razor
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Rotary | Wet and dry | Battery life: 60 minutes
Rotary razors cover a lot of area quickly — great news for guys with stubborn hairs on their neck and scalp. They can cause some irritation, though, which is why the Philips Norelco has upgraded its razors with “SenseIQ technology.” The razor basically tells you when you’re using too much pressure, similar to how an electric toothbrush flashes red. Each razor is also coated with microbeads, which are smoothing and reduce the chance of friction as the razor is maneuvered around the face. Beyond these improvements, all the features of the Norelco range so many experts have recommended to me remain: a 60-minute batter life (but fast charging, so the razor is good to go for a full shave after five minutes of charging time if you’re ever in a pinch), wet and dry functionality, a pop-up trimmer, cleaning brush, and 360-degree tilt-maneuverable head. Steve Waldman, artistic and technical director at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, particularly likes this last feature — he says that the razor contours to the face’s bone structure, providing a really close shave, even along trickier parts to reach along the jaw and neck.
Best electric shaver for bald heads
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Rotary | Pivoting heads: Four | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 90 minutes | Extras: USB charger
Those with bald heads should look for an electric razor that can be easily maneuvered across the curve of the skull and doesn’t miss hairs. Waldman adds that the key is to find one with pivoting and adjustable blades that can “navigate the head’s uneven landscape.” Two experts I chatted with say this Skull Shaver electric razor fits the bill — with its ergonomic design and rotary blades. The blades cut close but skip over any of the scalp’s irregularities and won’t irritate the skin, according to Brittany Raposo, master barber and educator at the Honed Barber. Waldman recommends going in with gentle pressure and maintaining even contact for the best shave.
Best electric razor for traveling
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Resembles a foil | Wet and dry | Battery life: 45 minutes
This Philips model (another Norelco) acts like an electric version of the classic cartridge razor (think Gillette). “It’s really an all-in-one product,” celebrity groomer Marissa Machado says, noting that it comes with useful trimming attachments and the razor itself “gives a smooth finish.” It’s a trimmer-style razor, so it’s not going to be as close of a shave as a foil or rotary, but it should be just right if you’re going for a five-o’clock shadow look or want to trim down longer beard hair. The fact that this one is designed more like a cartridge razor makes it a bit easier to maneuver, which means creating neat lines around the ears and jawline will be even easier. I own one myself, and it’s just so handy and nonirritating — despite using it in the shower for a couple of months, I’ve still never had to charge it, so that battery life is strong. Samuel Hickey, head barber at Murdock, is also a fan of the long battery life, which is “ideal if you’ve got a lot of hair to work on.” The razor is a great option for anyone who “wants to maintain a bit of stubble but worries about using a conventionally bigger set of clippers,” he adds.
Best barbershop-style foil-electric razor
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Foil | Dry functionality | Battery life: 80 minutes
Almost every single barber I spoke with mentioned this razor: It’s simple, effective, and inexpensive. However, it’s not exactly designed for consumers — note the clunky box shape and less appealing gray plastic — but it’s the model most of them trust to deliver professional-grade results and handle a high volume of use. They rely on it for everything from a face shave to skin fades for Karac Ruleau told me it’s what he uses “at the shop and at home. It gives you a super-close shave without any razor burn. It’s light, durable, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a frequent charge.” He tells us that he often spots contestants using it on RuPaul’s Drag Race — which I take as a strong endorsement.
Best single-foil electric razor
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Foil | Dry only | Battery life: 130 minutes
“This is a great choice for the at-home groomer; I don’t really see a need to get anything past this at the at-home setting,” says Giovanni Montoya, founder of the Fade District. As there is only one foil razor (as opposed to the standard two), the razor is a bit less irritating to the skin. But, according to Montoya, the battery life is where it truly shines. “It lasts so long that I don’t really remember the last time I’ve charged it, even with daily use,” he says. “For at-home use, I honestly don’t know if you’d need to charge it more than once a year.”
Some other electric razors we like
Our experts
• Chad Beightol, founder of grooming boutique Samuel Hickey, head barber at Murdock
• Marissa Machado, celebrity groomer
• Giovanni Montoya, founder of the Steve Waldman, artistic and technical director at Hair Cuttery Family of Brands
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