In this article
As the Strategist’s resident grooming expert, I know how hard it is to find the right razor, no matter how you shave (or how often). However, a common factor across all my razor reporting is that the right razor for you depends on, well, you (specifically your skin type, budget, and facial hair).
It’s not as knotty as it sounds — certain brands are a good place to start. Wahl and Philips make my favorite electric trimmers, and my favorite cartridge-razor picks are (unsurprisingly) by Gillette. But if you’re already feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to guide you in the right direction. I’ve cross-referenced my reporting and exhaustive testing as well as the recommendations of 15 grooming experts for almost every type of razor. Read on for an overview of each kind of razor, whom it works best for, and a pick of my favorites. If you see a razor type that appeals to you, read on to find out more.
If you already know what type of razor you’re looking for, use our handy table of contents to skip ahead. Otherwise, read on to learn about every razor on the list (and pick up some shaving tips along the way).
Once you’re done here, you can read my more in-depth guides to electric razors, beard trimmers, and safety razors.
Update on August 20, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Price
I’ve listed a number of dollar signs corresponding to each razor’s price range: One dollar sign means the starting cost of the razor is less than $20, two means it’s between $20 and $50, three means it’s between $50 and $100, and four dollar signs means it’s over $100.
Special features
To help you make an informed decision based on your specific time constraints and shaving habits, I’ve noted any extra convenience features like wet-dry functionality and subscription blade refills.
Hair and skin type
All of the razors on this list are good for shaving, but some of them are better suited for tackling longer facial hair while others really only work on short stubble. In addition, my experts specifically noted when a razor is good for sensitive skin or anyone prone to ingrown hairs. They also told me which razors are best for achieving baby-smooth skin, which ones will help maintain a five o’clock shadow, and which ones are best for creating sharp edge lines.
Best razor overall
Price: $$ | Special features: Blades not included | Hair and skin type: Good for coarse hair
I’m confident in saying that a safety razor — when used properly — will provide the best shave. But it’s a little tricky to get the hang of. If you’re a complete novice, I’d suggest an electric trimmer (more on those below). However, Mike Gilman, the owner of Grooming Lounge, and my other experts told me most people are quick converts to safety razors once they master them. “Using a safety razor is all about learning to hold the handle at a specific angle,” explains Patrick Butler, technical director of education and operations at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop. “Unlike a cartridge razor that will pivot easily, the safety razor needs to be guided by your own hand.” You’ll have to be mindful of the angle, pressure, and steadiness as you shave, he adds.
The Merkur 34C has long been my — and my experts’ — top pick. Thanks to its short, easy-to-maneuver handle, it’s an especially good choice for beginners. “The Merkur handle is thicker, which gives you more weight to hold on to,” Butler says. And Paul Langevin of barbershop Mildred New York says the sharp single blade of a safety razor minimizes irritation. That’s great news for anyone who’s prone to razor burn or ingrown hairs.
Best (less expensive) safety razor
Price: $$ | Special features: Comes with a five-pack of blades | Hair and skin type: Good for coarse hair
All the razors from British shaving company Edwin Jagger are worthwhile, but this specific model is a standout. Both Joey Tasca of Brooklyn-based Persons of Interest and Mark Miguez of Friend of a Barber highlighted it for me. It features a short handle that’s similar to the Merkur’s, above, and Tasca told me it’s heavy enough that there’s “something powerful in your hand, which makes you less likely to cut yourself.” Miguez mentioned that he switched to this razor after bad skin experiences with Gillette and Bic cartridge razors — he hasn’t had any irritation with his Edwin Jagger. And despite being just $5 cheaper than the Merkur, the price includes a free five-pack of double-edged blades from Derby, a brand many barbers endorse.
Best open-comb safety razor
Price: $$ | Special features: Replacement blades not included | Hair and skin type: Good for coarse hair
I thought I’d add an open-comb safety razor to the mix too, since many experts — like Peter Solomon, the owner of Boston’s Tweed Barbers — insist it’s the way to get the absolute closest shave. Solomon does warn, though, that open-comb razors are “known to be a very aggressive shave, so it’s best for experts who know what they’re doing.” His recommended razor, the Muhle R41, is lightweight, with a rather handsome gilded handle.
Best cartridge razor
Price: $$ | Special features: Comes with four refill blades| Hair and skin type: Good for sensitive skin
Chances are, you started out with a cartridge razor — they’re so familiar and straightforward that you’ll spot them at every drugstore. I like Gillette cartridge razors for their ease of use and for how easy they are to track down. The brand’s ProGlide razor is one Gilman uses on himself and one that works well with his sensitive skin. It has an outer coating of lubrication around each side of the blades, helping to smooth the skin before and after shaving, he explains. He also appreciates the flexball-style handle that lets the blade pivot and angle around the contours of his face. “This has saved me plenty of times as I try to shave under the jawline,” he says. “In the end, you are left with an amazingly smooth shave.” Rasposo is another convert, explaining that this razor “gets closer than any other cartridge razor that I’ve tried, and that’s a lot.”
Best (less expensive) cartridge razor
Price: $ | Special features: Refills not included | Hair and skin type: Good for most hair types
If you want to go the even more affordable cartridge-razor route, the Gillette Mach 3, uses a three-blade cartridge, which is a nice middle ground between the single blade of a safety razor and the five blades of the Gillette ProGlide. “I just think the Mach 3 is the way to go,” Gilman says. Steve Waldman, technical artistic director at the Hair Cuttery family of brands, similarly likes how the three-blade design allows you to get around any uneven spots on your face, especially under your nose and around the corners of your mouth. The Mach 3 is also the cheapest razor on this list (and refills cost only around $2 a pop), making it a great starter razor for teens learning to shave.
Best electric razor
Price: $$ | Special features: Refills not included | Hair and skin type: Good for long and short facial hair
For the fastest and easiest shave, an electric razor will likely be your best bet. In 2022, Philips Norelco launched a new version of one of its most popular electric razors: the OneBlade 360. I’ve always liked the classic OneBlade — it’s sort of like the Le Creuset Dutch oven of the grooming world — so I wanted to test how the new version would measure up. The main difference is that the head of the One Blade 360 tilts 360 degrees (hence the name). All the other features I like have stayed the same — the replaceable cartridges, the great battery life, and the several trimming attachments that make it a real all-in-one product. Finally, it’s a perfect razor for travel because it’s lightweight, fits easily in a Dopp kit, and can be used wet or dry.
Best foil electric razor
Price: $$$ | Special features: Replacement blades and foils not included | Hair and skin type: Good for short stubble
For an even closer (entirely stubble-free) shave, the best option is a foil razor. These have a thin, perforated sheet of metal covering the blades; individual hairs are fed through the tiny holes and cut by the blade below. The resulting shave is the closest you can get with an electric style, and shaving with foil razors can even reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
Langevin, barber Karac Ruleau of Mott NYC, and Heather Manto, former owner of Austin’s Independence Barber Co., all recommend the Andis Cordless Profoil Shaver — Langevin uses the Andis 17200, and Manto and Ruleau use the slightly older 17150 but they’re essentially the same. “It helps to pull out ingrown hairs and doesn’t cause razor bumps,” Manto says. It’s lightweight and cordless, making it easy to maneuver in almost any setting. Adds Ruleau, “It gives you a super-close shave without any razor burn, is durable and inexpensive, and doesn’t require a frequent charge.” But one note from all of our experts: Foil shavers like this aren’t designed to cut long hair and work only on short, “stubble length” facial hair. While that may seem limiting, Manto thinks it makes them a great choice for people who shave regularly. According to the brand, the blades and the foils should be replaced about every six months if you use them daily, which is pretty quick compared with other electric razors, but on the plus side, replacement blades and foils are easy to find and affordable.
Best rotary electric shaver
Price: $$$$ | Special features: Replacement blades not included | Hair and skin type: Good for acne- or ingrown-hair-prone skin
I’m once again featuring a Philips Norelco recommendation as I really like the brand. Butler is another fan: He appreciates this shaver’s cleaning pod — you dip the top of the razor into the pod after shaving and within a minute, it’s clean and ready for your next shave. This makes it a great choice for men prone to ingrown hairs and acne as it reduces any bacteria left on the razor. Although it works for a wet or dry shave, Butler prefers using it to shave wet — washing his face first, applying a shaving gel and letting it sit for a minute, and then going in with the razor. This razor is cordless for convenience, and the whole thing is waterproof so you can use it in the shower. The shaver’s circular motion helps you get a closer shave, and its pop-up trimmer can be used to clean up edges along the hairline, Butler adds.
Best electric trimmer for longer hair
Price: $$$ | Hair and skin type: Good for longer hair and sensitive skin
If you’re looking for an electric option to tackle longer hair (or to use on sensitive skin), I’ll recommend the Wahl Peanut every time — I mention it in my guides to the best electric razors and beard trimmers. DeAngelis calls it a “compact, sturdy machine that is going to cut what you need it to cut, but still allow you to work safely around your mustache and lips.” If used without those guards, the trimmer will cut facial hair down to a covetable five-o’clock-shadow length, say the pros, who note that a trimmer like this is also the best style of electric razor for people with sensitive skin — because it doesn’t cut so close, it’s less likely to cause irritation. While Wahl also makes a cordless version of the Peanut, most of my barbers prefer the corded style because they say it offers more consistent power.
Best electric trimmer for traveling
Price: $ | Special features: Comes with three stubble guides and ear- and nose-trimmer attachments | Hair and skin type: Good for most hair types
If you need a razor for trips, celebrity hairstylist Charley McEwan recommends the Wahl All in One: “It only has one setting, so it’s more for maintaining shape rather than replacing a larger trimmer. But you can do your ears with it too — not enough guys pay attention to the very fine hairs on their ears.” It comes with a nose trimmer as well, making it a solid three-in-one when you’re far from home.
Best straight razor
Price: $$$$ | Special features: Blade requires regular sharpening | Hair and skin type: Good for most hair types
When I asked hot-towel barbers about their favorite straight razors, Dovo was the brand I heard most about. Grooming expert Arthur Iskhakov, owner of Barber’s Blueprint in New York, likes the razor for its five-eighths-inch blade, which he says is the standard for a good straight razor. He joins Yvey Valcin, founder of Yvey Salon, and three other experts in naming Dovo’s Inox straight razor the very best. “Handling a straight razor requires patience, practice, and discipline,” says Valcin. (Anyone curious about mastering the technique can read my in-depth guide to straight razors.)
Some more men’s razors we’ve written about
Our experts
• Patrick Butler, senior director and technical director of education and operations at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
• Tony DeAngelis, co-owner of Blue&Black
• Mike Gilman, owner of Grooming Lounge
• Arthur Iskhakov, owner of Barber’s Blueprint in New York
• Paul Langevin of barbershop Mildred New York
• Marissa Machado, celebrity groomer and makeup artist
• Heather Manto, former owner of Independence Barber Co.
• Charley McEwan, celebrity hairstylist
• Mark Miguez of Friend of a Barber
• Conrad Quilty-Harper, Bloomberg U.K. digital editor
• Karac Ruleau, barber at Mott NYC
• Kurt Soller, Strategist contributor
• Peter Solomon, owner of Boston’s Tweed Barbers
• Joey Tasca of Brooklyn-based Persons of Interest
• Yvey Valcin, founder of Yvey Salon
• Steve Waldman, technical artistic director at the Hair Cuttery family of brands
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