Shaving with Power: The 5 Best Electric Shavers
There’s a whole wide world of electric shavers out there for those who have made the decision to move on from manual shaving. Whether you prefer foil or rotary, wet or dry, there’s something out there for everyone. Encapsulating a whole world of shavers that can cost anywhere from $30 to $300 is tricky. Nevertheless, we’re looking at a strong variety of electric shavers that should have something for everyone.
Braun Series 7
Critics and customers alike love the Braun’s Series 7 line. In particular, the Series 7 790cc has been a favorite for years. It’s easy to see why. This razor senses problem areas and intensifies its power accordingly for a smoother shave. It uses up to 1,000 micro-vibrations per minute, while its active left technology brings the razors close to the blade for a smooth shave without irritating the skin. It comes with a combination cleaner and charger, making maintenance easy. If you want to save a few dollars, the 760cc shaves off a few non-essential features in the name of saving some cash. And if you’re feeling super fancy, you can spring for the option of wet shaving with the newer 7865cc.
Braun Series 9
The Series 9 is Braun’s higher-end shaver. Its four-way shaving system boasts “40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute.” Various heads direct and lift hair, giving it perhaps the closest shave of any electric razor. Its battery can hold an hour’s worth of charge, but there’s also a five-minute “emergency charge” option in case your razor dies mid-shave. The Series 7 is a fantastic razor, and probably hits closer to the sweet spot of utility and cost for most folks. But if you want a high-end shaving experience, go for the Series 9. An older version is available, but at this price range, you might as well go straight for the best. Especially since price fluctuations mean that the newer 92xx models aren’t always more expensive than the older 90xx.
Panasonic Arc 4
Much like the Braun Series 7, the Panasonic ES8243A Arc 4 isn’t the top-of-the-line model for its brand. However, it is the perfect intersection of what you pay and what you get. This shaver is extremely similar to the Arc 5, but it has 4 blades instead of…well, 5. The motor runs at 13,000 cycles per minute, 1,000 less than the Arc 5 but still way faster than the Braun. It can be used wet or dry, and it comes with a pop-up trimmer for beards and mustaches. Some people complain about skin tugging, but the vast consensus is that this is a fantastic shaver. For the price, it’s even harder to top.
Remington F5-5800
Remington’s electric shavers tend to be less high-end, but they make solid products. You might not find as many bells and whistles, but the F5-5800 will take care of you. The head contains two foils and one trimmer, and it pivots to better follow the contour of your face. It may not come with a charging and cleaning station, but the head comes off to make cleaning as easy as possible. Let’s be honest–this shaver isn’t as quiet or as solid as the Braun, and it won’t last as long before you have to replace the head. But at a fraction of the price, it’s a strong product with lots of fans.
Philips Norelco 9300
While there’s a lot of contention over which Norelco is the best, the vast consensus is that Norelco, in general, makes the best rotary electric shavers you can buy. For our part, we’re choosing the high-end Norelco 9300. It shaves wet or dry and has improved contouring and carefully engineered blades to give you a faster, closer shave than ever before. Each head can move independently in 8 directions to follow the contour of your face. Furthermore, the SmartClean system cleans and lubricates the shaver with an alcohol-free formula designed not to irritate your skin. That said, it’s hard to go wrong with Norelco. They have an insanely wide product line that can accommodate any budget.
