Best electric shavers 2024: Tried and tested by GQ | British GQ

Looking for the best electric shaver? We’ve picked out the best top models from Braun, Philips and more

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Spend any time perusing the wide variety of men's grooming tools — the best electric shavers for men, for example — and you'll quickly be overwhelmed with the sheer volume of products on offer. Like buying a new car, there's a dizzying choice of brands, designs and additional features to wrap your head around, and none of it is particularly easy to navigate. You might even be tempted to check out the best razor blades to rid your jawline of unwanted hair, just to avoid the headache of choosing from a top-tier motorised one. But don't fret, our grooming experts are on hand to guide you through to a shaving nirvana.

The best dry electric shavers will get you a closer shave, if not the closest shave, without subjecting your skin to the wrath of razor burn. They’re not all made equal, though. You’ll want to take certain things into account. Durability. Run time. Accessories like cleaning brushes. All these things and much more can factor into which electric shaver is best for you.

But don’t just take our word for it. Jordan Armstrong, stylist and barber at London Barbershop, Supply 91, has also helped us out with some tips and tricks to help ensure that you pick the right grooming methods for your needs.

Skip to: How we test the best electric shavers | Which electric shaver brand is rated the best? | Is an electric shaver better than a razor? | Which is better a foil or rotary electric shaver? | How do you use an electric shaver? | Do you use shaving cream with an electric shaver? | How often should you shave with an electric razor? | Do I need to clean an electric shaver? | Can I use an electric shaver on my head? | Best electric shaver for pubic hair | How much should you pay for a good electric shaver? | How often should I replace an electric shaver? | GQ's pick of the best grooming guides

Philips OneBlade Pro photographed by Josephine Judd at Supply 91 Barbers in London for the British GQ best electric shavers guide

Philips Series 9000 shaver photographed by Josephine Judd and Jeeba Marri, modelled by Owen Gough

Keen to enjoy a silky-smooth, hairless jawline? Our grooming editors also love that feeling, so it goes without saying that, in all cases, we've endeavoured to thoroughly test out every single product on this list to see just how good they are. Our resident men's grooming expert, Owen Gough, has seven years of grooming journalism under his belt, testing out dozens of different trimming tools on his beard to assess the quality of shave, value for money and any additional features that are found on each device.

Key to any electric shaver scoring a recommendation from us is balance of ergonomics, aesthetics and ease of use whether its owner is a trimming pro or an absolute beginner. Elsewhere, we've looked at a combination of user reviews, specs, and features — combined with those years of grooming expertise — to pick the cream of the electric shaver crop.

To make sure you can figure out which product below is going to be the ultimate choice for you, we've also given each shaver a rating out of ten. To score a perfect ten, the device needs to be a premium model that deftly eliminates unwanted hair from your chin without irritation, while boasting superior blades, a long battery and self-cleaning systems to keep the tool in tip-top shape. We've not included any device we rated below a seven during our testing, largely because these devices are just not good enough to be worth recommending for you to spend your money on.

We've also taken great care to find out what our readers are buying. We've scoured Amazon review forums and Reddit threads like R/Shaving to peer into what genuine users enjoy or dislike about the best devices.

So now you know everything you should ever need to know about shaving, what makes a quality blade, and how to use it efficiently, but what do you do if that's now scratched an itch in you to expand your grooming repertoire? How well stocked is your bathroom cupboard with moisturisers, deodorants and other knickknacks that you'll need to make yourself look and feel at your best? If it's not that well stocked, then check out our collection of dedicated guides to help you become a grooming king.

Best beard trimmers | Best razors | Best body hair trimmers | Best head shavers | Best hair clippers | Best nose hair trimmers | Best ball hair trimmers | Best electric toothbrush | Best back shavers

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Braun

Amazon

The cream of Braun's shaving crop, the Series 9 Pro represents the absolute pinnacle of modern grooming equipment, though it comes at a steep cost for the pleasure. It's basically a level up on the Series 9 further down on this list, with all your favourite features making a comeback with a bang, but this time, it's got an additional shaving feature for a deliciously close shave across multiple hair types, a longer battery, a precision trimmer for finer detailing, and a more robust chassis (to last you five years on the warranty – and that's an awful lot of shaving).

My own testing was truly a spectacle, which isn't often a word I'd use to describe any morning ablution. It was incredibly soft and sensitive to my skin, delicately plucking out the hairs – even ingrown hairs if that's an issue that blights you – with the five-blade foil system that senses the density of scruff before lifting and slicing with expert efficiency. It's so smooth and close to the skin, that I only needed to make one pass on each cheek for the hairless face I'd been hunting for all these years.

You'll also get a delightfully useful cleaning cartridge, sharpening tool and charging station rolled into one; a triple-threat combo that clears the blades of gunk, lathers them up for next time (with an added zesty aroma) and ensures it's fully topped up on battery for the next session. If you can afford the steep cost, it's the best shaver around.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ reviewed by Tom Wiggins

Manscaped

Amazon

Have you ever wanted to own a grooming tool that's named after some gardening gear? Granted, it's not a very common fantasy, but Manscaped fulfils it for the few who like that sort of thing, with yet another quality shaver. The Handyman is an all-around shaving dream if foil razors are your chosen weapon against the onslaught of unwanted hair, with a powerful motor that powers the blade to revolutions of 9,000 per minute. The independently moving foil strips can adjust and flow with the contours of your face for an even shave throughout, and it's surprisingly comfortable to use, despite its diminutive stature.

I tend to use a foil shaver when tidying up the edges of my beard, like my neck or cheeks, but this dinky device can easily whip around the entire face and glean the cheeks of hair without irritating the skin underneath. Manscaped claims you'll get 60 minutes of battery, but through my testing, I only managed around 50 minutes, though that's not so bad when you notice the USB-C charging port that can top up the battery QuickTime.

Sure, it comes with a hefty cost and it's known to produce quite a loud buzz as you get on with your routine, but then again, so does your lawn mower, and you probably still use that at least once every few weeks. It's an exceptional travel companion for keeping the stubble at bay, and worth every penny if treating your skin to a clean shave regularly is your goal.

Braun

Amazon

Boots

Argos

Ever a byword for German efficiency, Braun's top-tier shaver prioritises comfort above all else with a multi-directional swivelling head and two titanium-coated trimmers for optional wet & dry shaving. That hard-to-reach scruff you just can't get shot of? It'll be gone with a couple of flicks of your wrist. Of course, you'd expect as much given the fact that this shaver costs double the price of most other entries on this list – even if it is available for a near-constant discount from its claimed starting price right now.

That extra expense shows in its suitably weighty design and added directional flex, not to mention fancy micro-vibration technology. The latter is also known as Sonic Technology, which uses improved vibrations to help you shave up to 10 per cent faster compared to the last generation Series 9. Did it work? It was the equivalent of paying some highly skilled samurai to precisely remove every strand of my hair: both elegantly and efficiently.

The only real gripe is the lack of any extras like a cleaning station, considering the price you'll be forking out for it. Still, if that's the sort of extra you'll never actually use, you can be content knowing that you've got one of the best shavers on the planet sitting in your bathroom cupboard.

Braun Series 9 Pro reviewed by Tom Wiggins

Panasonic

Amazon

Very

Panasonic continues to deliver some of the best shaving and grooming devices around with the LV97, decidedly comprehensive shavers that should easily keep the hair at bay without irritation or fuss. The headline stuff? It has super-charged foil head cuts with over 70,000 motions for smooth, even shaves from the Japanese blades. The head is flexible and pivots, with automatic sensors to adjust the foil to the shape of your chin and the density of the hair as you go.

The battery life is decent – if a little short for us – but there's quick charging so you can get back into the action and the charging station cleans the devices simultaneously.

Among the high-end shavers, there's a definite sense that you're missing some depth to this shaver comparatively speaking. Our own experiences were quick, efficient and gave decent results, but the foil head is a little too brought with our skin, and we much preferred the other Panasonic below for taking care of the chin fluff.

Phillips

Amazon

It's an unfortunate truth that you need to pay top dollar to get the best results, but honestly, if you've got this kind of cash to throw around at a grooming device, you're only really after the smoothest results. And smooth results are exactly what you'll find with GQ's favourite, the Series 9000. I adored the 9000 beard trimmer for its weighty handle, superb performance and reasonable stock of accessories, and it's the same story here.

The triple rotary system is among the best I've tested, with pillow-soft heads that hide razor-sharp blades for a kind/no-nonsense approach to keeping my chin hair-free. I used to rock a beard and was proud of that fact, but now I'll happily forego the facial fuzz in favour of a clean, hairless jawline wrought from the power of this exceptional piece of kit. As with all premium trimmers, it's got a charging station that cleans the blades thrown in, it's fully waterproof, can sense the density of your facial fur and adjust its power on the fly and has one of the longest batteries on the market. Sometimes it pays to indulge in a little overkill.

Philips Series 9000 Prestige reviewed by Esat Dedezade

Remington

Amazon

Boots

Argos

Front and centre of most men's grooming priority list is convenience. It's all well and good enjoying a tool that can whizz around your body and trim every hair you have to offer but, in most cases, you really want a specialist tool that does a good job and is easy to use for a reasonable price.

In steps Remington's X7 Limitless, a triple-head rotary blade that prioritises simplicity over party tricks. That's not to say it doesn't have a few accoutrements to its main course, as it's got a pop-up beard trimmer to tidy up the edges on your beard, and the 360° pivot ball head makes it surprisingly easy to shave those sharp contours of your jawline, but you can rest assured your basic beard-trimming needs will be handled with ease.

The downsides? I didn't like the reasonably short 60-minute run-time, and I could definitely do with a travel case for when we take it on my travels, but given it's at half price for under £100 across most retailers, these gripes are easy to ignore.

Remington X7 Limitless reviewed by Aaron Toumazou

Panasonic

Amazon

It might be a little bulkier than some of the other offerings on our list, but you'll easily forgive the ES-LV9U for its stature once you've experienced just how well it performs. Among the most powerful and well-equipped shavers on the market, the 900+ is armed with six blades that sit beneath a foil to lift, slice and remove cut hair like a well-oiled combine harvester.

My testing period resulted in an overall sense of professional gravitas, with the blades gently lifting hair away from my sensitive cheeks and neck and doing away with the detritus once I was done.

I loved how easy it is to clean, with its own charging and cleaning station that elegantly buffs the blades ready for next use, and then ensures it smells nice and spa-like with a hint of lemon. It's the small things that please me. There's a marathon-length battery and it looks like a genuinely impressive device propped up on your kitchen sink. Sure, it's premium, but I can't really fault it for its value when you get this much for your money.

Panasonic ES-LV9U reviewed by Garry Wilson

Braun

Amazon

Boots

Currys

Braun has a staggering number of quality shavers, trimmers and grooming tools in its arsenal, so it can be hard to pick a great option for the vast majority of people. However, I think we've managed it with the Series 6. While its design and function are reasonably basic – it's essentially the Series 5 with an enhanced set of blades and an inflated price tag – the results are actually precise, easy to get in even novice hands, and fully waterproof for a simple shave in the shower every day. And look, it's often better to invest a little extra to truly enjoy quality and longevity from your grooming tools, but here, I think the price is just about right.

For the man who prefers a no-nonsense approach to shaving, the Braun 6 is essentially a big, bulky foil head that glides across the jaw and chops up the hair it finds. There's not much more to it, and that's totally fine. It's easy to maintain, probably won't break within at least the first two years of use, and you can swap out older, dulled blades for new ones easily with the pop-clutch system.

I'd be happier with more battery, and it would be great to get a full battery quicker than the seen-hour wait time I suffered through, but otherwise, it's a solid, serviceable shaver for the masses.

Wahl

Amazon

I cannot overstate how important it can be to find a grooming device that's so robust and so good at its job that you really have no other reason to buy anything else. Wahl's Lifeproof Plus lives by that sentiment, with the sturdiness of an iron dwarf and the blades of a shaving demon.

A waterproof foil model that is, according to Wahl, largely indestructible, while you're unlikely to be using it in a warzone or actively attempting to demolish it as you groom, it's nice to know it won't combust in your hands. This lends itself to its long-term credentials, as it's also an incredibly accomplished shaver, with an ergonomic design, a 90-minute runtime and a floating foil system that delivers an even spread of shaving without irritation.

I'd say its hardiness comes at a price; it's a physical beast to use and more than a little unwieldy given the broad, flat front and deep profile. It wasn't an issue when I was quickly tidying up some unwanted stubble, but when I attempted to shave for a longer period of time, it became weighty and harder to use, especially under the chin. The battery life and cost makes up for this issue, but it's worth considering.

Kemei

Amazon

Often found in the firm, confident grip of your local barber, Kemei's range of shavers are usually among the more illustrious options available. However, I appreciate the budget-friendly options when compiling these roundups, and this particular option fits the bill, packed to the rafters with decent shaving features that would make your barber proud, but without the extortionate price tag found on many other options in this list.

At first glance, you'll immediately notice the LED display window, which highlights the battery life –vital for avoiding a mid-shave death– and the speed the motor is moving. You can adjust the power based on the density of your stubble on the fly and, once you're done, simply flick open the gold-plated grills to clean out the gunk.

A great travel option for keeping stubble at bay on holidays and business trips, it features a travel lock and case to keep it looking its best in transit and even comes with a replacement foil head to get you started.

Philips

Amazon

Boots

There are several other Philips OneBlade models available, but the best one by a fair way is the Pro edition. Besides the obvious hint given the name, the Pro 360 is a complete package for most of your grooming needs, with an oscillating blade for all your detailing and precision trimming, but it also comes with clip-on combs and guides if you fancy taking a swipe at longer hair.

The price might make you wince at first glance – it is notably spenny for what you get – but once you get past that, it's a genuine contender to gently remove hair from your face. Our own testing was remarkably smooth, with the flat head rotating and gyrating around our jaw for a clean finish. It's also powerful, with a decent motor that chunks through thicker bushes should you need it.

It's a solid option for the travelling man, with a hardy case to protect it (and to stop hair from gunking up your clothes) and a charging stand that tops up the battery lightning quick.

Read GQ's Philips OneBlade Pro 360 review

There are a fair few electric shaver brands out there which are widely regarded to be some of the best around. And you’ve probably come across all of them multiple times in your search for the best electric shaver. Braun is one of the top contenders, as are Philips shavers and Panasonic.

Overall, the best shaving kits will mostly depend on your budget, which brands you’re familiar with, and/or which ones have the best features. These brands tend to be highly rated across all manner of grooming product categories, as well. If you fancy shaving your head, for example, then feel free to check out our roundup of the best bald head shavers to help you nail that super-smooth look.

Rotary shavers are your traditional-looking trimmers with three pivoting heads that move in a circular motion and roll with the contours of your jawline, meaning you can quickly zip around your face and keep stubble to a minimum without much fuss. The larger surface area makes rotary heads a little tougher to reach areas around your ears and under your nose, but you can cut through the rest of your facial fuzz in no time at all.

Foil shavers, on the other hand, have a solid block of blades in a line and are worth considering if you have shorter beard hair that requires regular cutting down or you want to keep stubble around your neck or on your cheeks down to a minimum, replacing that dry shaver or trimmer you might be using to tackle edges. They’re also regarded to be better for sensitive skin, as they’re less likely to cause irritation or razor burn.

So which is better? Jordan says, “Both are great, but for home use, I would recommend a rotary shaver. They feel slightly easier on the skin but are best suitable for hair between 00 to 0 (1 day-old stubble) in length. Foil shavers work well, able to cut as close as a hot towel shave, but require a little more skill to use.”

The age-old battle between traditionalists and modernists: is an electric shaver better than a manual or straight razor? There are pros and cons to both, but if you're after a quick job without the faff or you lack the dexterity to use a sharp blade around your neck, an electric shaver is your best option. Why? A motorised device covers a greater surface area and is specifically designed to trim down hairs as close to the skin as possible while reducing razor rash or nicks. Sure, a straight razor might give you a cleaner cut that lasts longer, but it requires a steady hand that's far from convenient.

Top models from the likes of Braun or Philips are purpose-built to offer speed and comfort in your daily routines, with some premium models unlocking self-cleaning stations and huge batteries to cut down on maintenance time. The inclusion of a lithium battery supercharges your shaving time and effort, cutting through more hair faster than you could attempt with a straight razor, and eliminating razor burn and irritation in the process.

Still not sure how to actually use the best electric razors? It's ok, we all need to learn somehow. And learning from the best is probably a good way to avoid mistakes and skin irritation further down the line. “First off, you need to ensure your skin and stubble are clean,” says Mills. "Then apply a small amount of electric shaver skin prep cream and rub it into the skin and stubble you are trimming.

“Then start shaving from one side of the face and work your way around the neck and cheeks removing the stubble. Clean the blades during the process and allow the shaver to work. Don’t rush though, as this can cause irritation and pull your hair, causing you more grief the next time you shave. Once you have done those areas and are happy with how close the shave is, start working around the chin and around the mouth making sure you have shaved all the areas and got any small hairs. After you have shaved cleanse the face again and moisturise. Job done.”

If you're sporting a particular facial style like a goatee or something similar, you might need to grab a beard trimmer to keep the hairy bits tidy. We've got a rundown of the best beard trimmers, which you should pay attention to if you're planning on experimenting with a new look.

As for Jordan, he suggests, “If the hair is longer than stubble, you’ll need to start by using your beard trimmer or clipper on the lowest setting to get the hair as short as possible. This will ensure your rotary or foil shaver won’t pull and irritate the skin. There’s no one way of using an electric shaver, but a good technique for a rotary machine is to use it in small, circular motions until the face is fully shaven.

Then, repeat this action until the face is smooth. When using a foil shaver, an up-and-down motion is best, starting slowly to ensure all the hair is picked up. From there, repeat this action in different directions to clear up any remaining stubble.”

British GQ's senior commerce writer, Owen Gough, modelling alongside Supply 91 co-founder, Maxwell Oakley

Most electric shavers are waterproof, rechargeable and cordless, which also means they can be used in the shower and easily cleaned — and yes, that means they pair nicely with shaving cream too. We recommend using shaving cream or shaving foam with your razor, even if you’re shaving in the shower, as you can shave and wash off all in one go to reduce nicks and burn for irritated skin types, and we’re sure we don’t need to talk about how much easier it is to wash hair away in the shower drain than the bathroom sink.

Having said that, the main appeal of electric shaving over a traditional razor is that it’s quicker and more convenient, so unless you have particularly sensitive skin, you might be able to get away with a dry shave that requires little to no lubricating or cleanup.

It can be tempting to whip the shaver around your jaw several times a week, but Mills advised us that the type of skin that you have will dictate how often you should shave. He told us, "It is down to how 'clean' you want your skin to look. Ideally, you want to shave every day but it depends on the rate of your facial hair growth. I wouldn’t use one on more than two days of growth as most shavers are not designed for much more than that. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to wait at least a few days in between shaves to give yourself time to recover.”

Absolutely, says Jordan, “but this is easy to do! Most shavers out there, whether rotary or foil shaver, have a detachable head that allows you to easily empty the hair out for disposal. I'd recommend using an old toothbrush to remove any remaining hair stuck inside. Once you've done that, pop the head back on and spray some skin-safe disinfectant on your machine (Clippercide or Andis Cool Care will do the job, and help keep your machine lubricated so that it runs well and lasts longer).”

You might be hoping that shaving in the shower will help clean the blades, but you want to check out ones with dedicated cleaning stations, as the blades will need regular lubricating to keep a keen edge.

We’d also recommend slapping on some high-quality moisturiser once you’ve shaved, as the skin can quickly dry out through regular shaving. Facial cleansing and maintaining a solid skin-care routine are paramount to looking fresh and younger, but if you’re unsure where to start, check out our guide to the best moisturisers.

Of course, most people are hunting for versatility when they buy their grooming tools, so you’ll likely want a model that can tackle head hair as well as body and jawline hair. Trimmers for shaving head hair can usually be transferred across your entire body, so you’ve got no issue there, but there are, of course, dedicated hair clippers and shavers that are purpose-built for this task. We’ve got a roundup of the best bald head shavers if you’re looking for new ways to keep the wisps off your bonce, but you can certainly get the job done with the usual shavers.

Premium options might have attachments or specific designs that open up the option to shave multiple areas of your body, such as trimmer attachments or independently moving shaver heads that can move and flex over the ridges and bumps of your head.

Chances are, if you're reading up on how to eliminate the unwanted hair from your face or head, you'll also have some fuzzy issues elsewhere on your body that you want to sort out. Electric shavers can and should be used anywhere on your body, though, of course, some shavers are significantly better for sensitive parts of your body than others. Before we go into detail, it should go without saying that you'll want a separate shaver for tackling body hair to the one you use on your face. It's not a hygienically good idea to use the same device for both jobs and, in most cases, you're better off buying a dedicated face shaver that can cope with your cheeks and chin, and another one that's best suited for your nether regions.

First and foremost, you want to buy a shaver that will treat your body hair and skin with kindness. More generic shavers can be a bit cavalier with your skin, and you don't want razor burn in your pubic area. We have a dedicated article on the best body hair trimmers which will be purpose-built for this task, but if you want a quick recommendation, the Remington One and Philips OneBlade Pro are excellent choices for this very specific grooming chore.

To make your life significantly easier, consider a shaver that's waterproof so you can tidy up and clear away the cut hair in one go.

Again, this is all down to your financial situation and how much you care about the top-tier aspects of electric shaving, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when buying. First off, we'd recommend spending at least £20-£40 if you're working on a budget, as anything cheaper will be scratchy, low quality and will likely require an upgrade soon. The best-placed product in this category is the Philips OneBlade. It's affordably priced, packed full of useful guiding combs and does a decent job of managing your stubble or shaping up beards, but by no means arrived armed to tackle your every follicle-related need.

If you're after a mid-tier option, anything between £40 and £120 is a solid option for keeping on top of stubble with long-lasting batteries, self-sharpening blades and a few extra features to improve the experience. Here, we'd point you in the direction of the Remington One, which arrives with a heap of additional features and attachments to level up your grooming.

However, shavers can get pricey if you want the very best of men's grooming, so if it's the pinnacle of shavers you're after, anything upwards of £200 is what you should expect to pay. For this price, you'll get a kinder experience for sensitive skin, more robust, hair-decimating blades and extra utility like wireless charging stations, travel bags and replacement heads. Up in the heady heights of this price point, the top options will be the likes of the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, the Braun Series 9 or the Panasonic ES-LS9A. All three are top picks and are worthy of your cash, but your budget needs to be able to cope with the large burden of such a costly device.

As for the professional opinion? Jordan suggests, “For a decent electric shaver, anywhere from £60 to £200 will give you an amazing cut. The more you're willing to spend, the more powerful the shaver will likely be (essential for avoiding skin flare-ups or irritation), and the easier your at-home job. Investing in a quality shaver will both physically and mentally help take the edge off.”

As with all grooming tools, it's worth investing in a new blade reasonably often to ensure they stay sharp and reduce irritation. That's not to say every shaver needs to be thrown in the bin for a new one every month, though. Most are well-equipped with blade-sharpening tools to extend the life of the shaver. It's worth buying some blade oil to further push the longevity beyond a couple of years (in some cases), but inevitably, it will need replacing eventually.

When exactly you need to that will be down to how often you shave. Some shavers allow you to simply purchase new blade heads, which should be switched up every six to eight months if you want to keep them supremely efficient and sharp. In most cases, you can sign up for a subscription package to get new blades when you need them, which can keep costs down and it means you don't have to remember that it needs doing.

Otherwise, it's mostly down to you figuring out when you should be putting your shaver out to rest. A dull blade will certainly be felt on your cheeks, and if you find it tugging at your whiskers and scratching along your jaw, you'll know it's probably time to bite the bullet and buy something new.