House & Home / Electric Shavers

Introduced in the 1930s, men’s electric shavers are certainly a convenient alternative to blade shaving, which requires hot water, lather, and a fair bit of patience. In contrast, if you are stuck for time and have no access to warm water or shaving cream, an electric shaver is a useful, portable option that will leave you stubble-free in a matter of minutes. And if you don’t want to be completely stubble-free, many electric shavers have the ability to control how close a shave you achieve. Electric shavers with built-in trimmers are great at administering an even length of facial hair, letting you sport that stubbly look.
Waterproofing on electric shavers is becoming increasingly common, so many models can now also facilitate wet shaving using gel or foam and can even be taken into the shower for a spot of multitasking. Of course, the initial investment involved in buying an electric shaver is significantly higher compared to a hand razor, and the heads will need replacing approximately every two years. In addition, many men believe that a wet razor blade delivers a closer shave than an electric model can manage. However, if you are looking for an electric shaver, here is what you need to know and we have some Choice Buys for you to consider.

Shaver types

When it comes to electric shavers, the main choice to be made is between a foil system or a rotary system. Foil shavers have straight floating heads designed to glide over facial contours, with oscillating blades behind a fine perforated foil to cut hair. In contrast, rotary shavers have usually three circular floating heads that again glide over the face’s curves, with blades that spin behind a fine grid to lift and then cut stubble. Each type has its fans, and the decision here is largely a matter of preference as they both do a good job, with examples of each among our Choice Buys. In terms of powering electric shavers, some basic models are corded and need to be plugged into the mains in order to work, but more common are models that give you the option of being used either cordless or connected to the mains. This gives you the best of both worlds, as you have the freedom to be able to move around as you shave but you can plug the device in if you have forgotten to charge it and are in a hurry. Cordless-only models will need to be charged before you can use them so you will need to think ahead – though, if you have run out of charge, many provide a quick-charge option that will give you sufficient power for an emergency shave in just a few minutes. All “Wet and Dry” models are cordless-only to ensure that you won’t be tempted to plug them in while you are in the shower.

Features to look for

When choosing an electric shaver, here are some features you might like to consider before you buy:

Battery life – cordless shavers are very popular due to the freedom to move around that they offer but there are significant differences in the number of shaves a fully charged battery will deliver. For example, among our Choice Buys, testers found that the Philips Senseo Touch 3D RQ12150/17 was good for nine shaves, whereas the Braun Series 5 5030 delivered an impressive 26 shaves – this could be the difference between having to pack your charger when going on a two-week holiday or being able to leave the charger at home and just popping your fully charged shaver into your luggage.
Battery indicator – Some shavers have a warning light to let you know when the battery is running low so you can take action and recharge it before you get caught short.
Quick-charge option– If you do find yourself with an uncharged shaver, many models have a quick-charge feature that will power up the device in three-to-five minutes and provide enough energy for one good shave.
Pop-up trimmer – Some shavers incorporate a pop-up trimmer that is useful for tidying up sideburns and other facial hair. Because this is integrated into the shaver, you don’t have to keep swapping gadgets as you get ready in the morning. However, it is useful if the trimmer can lock into position as otherwise it can pop down again once pressure is applied, making grooming a bit awkward.
Cleaning stations – Like most devices, shavers need a bit of maintenance in order to keep them in tip-top condition, and this involves regularly cleaning the heads to remove cut hair and skin particles. Some pricier models come supplied with cleaning stations that users can pop their shaver into after use and a sanitising liquid is pumped through the cutters. Although undoubtedly a convenient option, cleaning stations push up the shaver’s purchase price and may require proprietary cleaning solutions and cartridges that will add further expense. For a cheaper option that requires only a small amount of effort, you can usually clean the shaver’s head yourself by rinsing it under the tap.