The best electric shavers
A close, comfortable shave without the nicks, the foam or the queue for the bathroom.
A decent electric shaver is kinder to skin than a blunt razor and quicker in the morning. It’s a classic present for dads and grandads, and just as good for a teenager starting to shave.
Rotary heads (Philips) glide round the jaw; foil shavers (Braun, Panasonic) tend to cut closer on the cheeks. The OneBlade is a halfway house for stubble.
What matters
- Rotary or foil: rotary suits curves, foil cuts closer.
- Wet & dry shavers work with gel in the shower.
- Check the plug: some are two-pin.
- Replacement heads cost extra, so check the price.
Best overall
#1 of 5
9.0/10
Philips Series 3000 Wet & Dry Electric Shaver
Over £40 Price range
Philips has been making rotary shavers since the first Philishave in 1939, and this is the sweet spot of the range: close, comfortable and easy to live with.
- 27 self-sharpening blades
- 5D pivot and flex heads
- Wet & dry
- SkinProtect for comfort
- Travel pouch
What owners say: Owners say it gives an incredibly smooth shave, holds its charge well, and is easy to clean and to change the heads.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: Rotary heads follow the jaw and neck well, which makes them a good fit for someone moving from a razor. It can be used in the shower with foam or gel. It charges from any USB plug, so it travels light.
Best for: Most men, most days
- Type
- Rotary
- Wet & dry
- Yes
- Cordless run time
- 60 min
- Trimmer
- Pop-up
- Charging
- USB-A cable
Best premium
#2 of 5
8.9/10
Panasonic Series 800 ES-LV67 5-Blade Shaver (Arc5)
Over £40 Price range
Five blades, a very fast motor and a head that flexes in 16 directions, for a close shave on thick stubble with less irritation.
- 5 Japanese steel blades
- 70,000 cuts per minute
- Beard sensor adjusts power
- 16-direction flexing head
- 1 hr charge, 3 min quick charge
What owners say: Owners say it gives a very close, smooth shave without irritation, lasts longer than expected on a charge and is quick and easy to clean.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: The beard sensor adds power where the stubble is thickest, so there’s less going over the same patch. The three-minute quick charge rescues a morning when it’s been forgotten. It’s waterproof, so it rinses clean under the tap.
Best for: Thick stubble and sensitive skin
- Type
- Foil, 5 blades
- Wet & dry
- Yes
- Cordless run time
- 50 min
- Trimmer
- Pop-up
- Charging
- 1 hr, 3-min quick charge
Best for stubble
#3 of 5
8.8/10
Philips OneBlade 360 Face + Body
£15–£40 Price range
Not quite a shaver and not quite a trimmer: it shaves clean, trims to even stubble with three combs, and does the body too.
- Trims, edges and shaves
- 360° flexing blade
- 3 stubble combs (1, 3, 5mm)
- Body comb and skin guard
- 3 blades in the box
What owners say: Owners rate it very highly for performance and ease of use, and like that it works on face and body.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: It’s designed to cut hair rather than skin, which is why it suits faces that hate shaving. Three blades in the box will last a good while. It suits the man who keeps permanent stubble rather than a clean shave.
Best for: Designer stubble
- Type
- Hybrid blade
- Wet & dry
- Yes
- Cordless run time
- 45 min
- Trimmer
- 3 stubble combs
- Charging
- USB-A cable
Best for dry shaving
#4 of 5
8.3/10
Braun Series 3 Electric Shaver (3 flexible blades)
Over £40 Price range
A no-nonsense Braun foil shaver for a quick dry shave in the morning, washable under the tap afterwards.
- 3 flexible shaving elements
- Dry shave
- Washable under water
- 30 min per charge
- Smart plug for travel
What owners say: Owners think it’s one of the best in its class and a real bargain for a Braun.
Heads up: It’s for dry shaving only, and closeness varies with how tough the beard is.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: The smart plug adjusts to any voltage, so it works abroad with just a plug adaptor. Thirty minutes per charge goes a long way with quick morning shaves. It’s a good backup or travel shaver as well as an everyday one.
Best for: A quick dry shave
- Type
- Foil, 3 elements
- Wet & dry
- No
- Cordless run time
- 30 min
- Trimmer
- Centre trimmer
- Charging
- Smart plug, 1 hr
Best budget
#5 of 5
8.1/10
Panasonic ES-RT37 Wet & Dry 3-Blade Shaver
£15–£40 Price range
A gentle three-blade foil shaver with a slide-up trimmer, for a smooth everyday shave at a small price.
- 3-blade foil system
- Multi-fit arc blades
- Slide-up trimmer
- Wet & dry
- 100% waterproof
What owners say: Owners find it gives a close, smooth shave that’s kind to skin, and say it’s easy to rinse clean and good value.
Heads up: Several owners find the battery weakens after six months or so.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: The slide-up trimmer tidies sideburns and the edge of a moustache. It can be used dry or with gel or foam in the shower. A good choice for a teenager’s first shaver or a spare.
Best for: A first shaver or a spare
- Type
- Foil, 3 blades
- Wet & dry
- Yes
- Cordless run time
- About 54 min (18 shaves)
- Trimmer
- Slide-up
- Charging
- 2-pin plug
How they compare
| Feature | #1Philips 3000Best overall | #2Panasonic Arc5Best premium | #3OneBlade 360Best for stubble | #4Braun Series 3Best for dry shaving | #5Panasonic RT37Best budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picked Rating | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Price | £££ Over £40 | £££ Over £40 | ££ £15–£40 | £££ Over £40 | ££ £15–£40 |
| Type | Rotary | Foil, 5 blades | Hybrid blade | Foil, 3 elements | Foil, 3 blades |
| Wet & dry | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cordless run time | 60 min | 50 min | 45 min | 30 min | About 54 min (18 shaves) |
| Trimmer | Pop-up | Pop-up | 3 stubble combs | Centre trimmer | Slide-up |
| Charging | USB-A cable | 1 hr, 3-min quick charge | USB-A cable | Smart plug, 1 hr | 2-pin plug |
| Best for | Most men, most days | Thick stubble and sensitive skin | Designer stubble | A quick dry shave | A first shaver or a spare |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.