The 9 Best Razors for Men of 2024

Best Overall Razor

Gillette ProGlide Shield

Number of Blades: 5 | Style: Refillable cartridge

The Gillette ProGlide Shield is our favorite overall razor for its low friction glide and high-quality shave. The razor's proprietary FlexBall technology allows the blade head to simultaneously pivot up, down, and side to side. This multi-directional pivoting allows the razor to quickly adjust to the varying contours of the face, chin, and neck, resulting in a near-perfect shave. The ProGlide Shield's five blades are proceeded by a micro-thin, comb-like strip that divides individual whiskers and feeds them separately into the blades. The result is a very smooth glide without snagging or tugging. The ProGlide Shield boasts some of the best lubrication strips on the market, which provide excellent coverage before and after the blades. We find this feature to be extremely effective at minimizing irritation. Additionally, a patented attachment process makes swapping out blade heads a breeze. This unique process also allows the blades to be completely unobstructed on both sides, allowing for an easy rinse.

Multiple shaves with the same blade cartridge resulted in identical superior shaves, giving us very little to complain about. The only negatives we could find were quite minimal compared to the overwhelming results we experienced. That said, the ProGlide Shield's handle could be improved to make it a little more ergonomic; likewise, the handle's rubber accents need a more aggressive pattern to allow for a better grip. We also found the razor's precision trimmer blade to be a little less effective than we had hoped, but it still performs adequately enough to allow for decent sculpting. Despite these minor complaints, the ProGlide Shield is built to last, performs at a very high level, and simply provides a noticeably superior shave compared to other models in our side-by-side tests. For a reasonably high-quality manual shave at a more affordable price, have a look at the dependable and ergonomic 4-blade cartridge design of the Schick Quattro Titanium.

Best Overall Electric Razor

Braun Series 9 Pro

Run Time on Full Charge: 60 minutes | Usage Options: Wet & Dry

We love the Braun Series 9 Pro for its superior shaving performance. It has wet or dry settings, producing a super smooth shave with minimal irritation. It has a self-cleaning base and a travel case that also serves as a charger, so you don't have to bring a cord on long trips. Its powerful motor tackles stubble quickly. The rechargeable battery lasts 60 minutes, so it may only need to be recharged every few weeks.

Unsurprisingly, all of these fantastic features come at a premium. Along with the high cost, the self-cleaner fluid must be replaced on a regular basis. This purchase, in addition to the blade cassette, results in significant maintenance costs. The pop-up trimmer is adequate but not our favorite. However, this model is unbeatable if you're looking for a top-tier daily electric razor offering a close shave. If you are just looking for a solid electric razor at a great price and you can do without the premium perks, give the Braun Series 3 ProSkin or the Remington F5 Foil a look. Both are solid options with a lower price point.

Best Overall Beard Trimmer

Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000

Power Source: Battery (Rechargeable) | Waterproof rating: None

The Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 is an adaptable top-tier beard trimmer. It comes with a couple of cutting heads, two adjustable guards, and even more fixed guards. The cutting heads are simple to switch between and simply require light pressure to release and replace. The 7000 is one of the least maintenance-intensive versions of trimmers we tested, as the updated model is now showerproof and can easily be rinsed under a faucet or shower head. While the cutting blades are self-sharpening, they are like many trimmer heads, and you'll see the greatest longevity with an occasional oiling. This model stands out in a market flooded with good trimmer options thanks to its exceptional all-around performance, high-quality stainless steel body, rubber-molded grip, gratifying heft of a high-quality tool, and an incredible battery life of about five hours.

The Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 trimmer is excellent; however, it isn't the most affordable model, and we wish a foil shaver came with it. If you are shopping for a beard trimmer on a tight budget, models with fewer bells and whistles still get the job done. Minor gripes aside, this model has you covered if you want to get a clean but stubbled look, spruce up an outdated hairstyle, groom your entire body, or get the sharpest edging on a beard. If you are committed to a shower shave, this model will suffice, but we found the Braun 9-in-1 Trimmer to be a better full-body groomer for in-shower use.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Schick Quattro Titanium

Number of Blades: 4 + 1 edging blade | Style: Refillable cartridge

With another classic design on the market for several years, the Schick Quattro Titanium has a 4-blade system that glides smoothly and provides a close, comfortable shave. The simple design includes an ergonomic handle with a comfortable heft, a rubberized grip, and a 4-blade cartridge that is a nice compromise between older 3-blade systems and modern 5-blade models. We think that the Quattro shaves as well as anything on the market and does so with a reasonable price tag that is much more affordable than most modern multi-blade designs.

One of the only downsides of the Schick Quattro Titanium is that the closely spaced blades and the wireframe can catch and trap hairs and grime a little easier than 3-blade or even 5-blade models with more generously spaced blades. We were able to mitigate this by rinsing the blades more frequently in between shaving strokes. Overall, this was one of our favorite models, and the affordable price makes it more attainable. Although few other top-performing cartridge models are quite so well priced, the 5-blade Harry's Truman and the 3-blade Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive are both going to be a bit easier to clean and perform just as well, if not a wee bit better when it comes to comfort, glide, and shave performance.

Best Bang for the Buck Electric Razor

Braun Series 3 ProSkin

Run Time on Full Charge: 50 minutes | Usage Options: Wet & Dry

The Braun Series 3 ProSkin may be a base-model razor, but it doesn't skimp on construction quality or function, making it one of our favorite good deals. If you're looking for a world-class shave on a dime, you're not going to find it with this model, but it can chop whiskers well enough for you to feel comfortable at work, on a date, or just about anywhere else you're headed. Our favorite features of the ProSkin are its run time, great grip, wet and dry options, and its USB charging cord, which allows it to draw a charge just about anywhere. Lastly, this model is super easy to clean and maintain.

During months of hands-on testing, we found very little that we didn't like about the ProSkin; however, we did notice that the trimmer arm doesn't slide into place very easily, and the plastic travel cap tends to fall off. We also didn't like that the power button doesn't have a travel lock option, and we don't think this model has enough pep to tackle heavy, dense whiskers repeatedly. However, this unit's price and overall value easily overshadow these minor dislikes.

The Remington F5 Foil is also a great low-cost option, as are the Philips Norelco 2400 and the Wahl LifeProof. All three options are basic but offer a decent enough shave at a reasonable price.

Read more: Braun Series 3 ProSkin Review

An Affordable and Reliable Beard Trimmer

Wahl Lithium Ion All-in-One Grooming Kit

Power Source: Rechargeable Battery | Waterproof: No

If you're shopping for a beard trimmer on a budget, the Wahl Lithium Ion All-in-One Grooming Kit has the durability to tackle more demanding jobs and the size and adaptability to perform precise work. To provide adequate flexibility for almost any grooming operation, it has ten trimmer guards, a precision trimmer head, a double foil shaver, a normal trimmer head, and a broad trimmer head. Even more adaptability is provided by the largest standard-width trimmer guard's changeable height.

The rubberized body of the trimmer feels good to the touch and is comfortable to hold. However, because the model is not waterproof and cannot easily be rinsed, the textured rubber is a magnet for hair and dust, making cleaning difficult. As we adjusted the tiny, awkward lever, we also thought the adjustable trimmer guard should be improved — it seemed fragile in our hands. Matching this model as a specialized beard trimmer is difficult, especially at this pricing. Other models were strong competitors with comparable versatility at comparable prices, but they couldn't match the Wahl Lithium's cutting head durability, power, or battery life. If cleanup is a top consideration in your purchasing process, we would point you to another solid low-cost option with removable trimmer heads and guards for easy rinsing, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000.

Best Choice for Precision

Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body

Power Source: Rechargeable Battery | Waterproof: Showerproof

At first glance, the Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body looks like a delicate grooming device, suitable only for small jobs. However, it will surprise you with its remarkable capability to handle thick beards while delivering one of the smoothest and cleanest shaves achievable without resorting to a disposable razor or dedicated electric razor. Its compact size and waterproof design make it convenient for use in the shower and allow it to be rinsed clean. The blade heads pivot to smoothly move and glide over the skin, with or without guards attached, and are straightforward to replace when they wear out.

Despite the outstanding performance and portability of the Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body, it does have a couple of limitations. Primarily, it lacks larger guard sizes suitable for trimming longer, thick beards like a clipper does and focuses more on precision work, close shaves, and shorter beard styles. The second significant drawback is twofold. While the replaceable blades are low-maintenance, they incur ongoing costs that other beard trimmers do not. Although the OneBlade 360 is showerproof, we found that it lacks some of the comprehensive grooming attachments found in the Braun 9-in-1 Trimmer, making the Braun a preferable option for those seeking a beard trimmer capable of full-body grooming in the shower.

Best Double Edge Safety Razor

Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge

Number of Blades: 1 + 1 | Type of Style: Double edge safety razor

The noticeable weight, superior shave, and durable design make The Godfather Stonehenge our hands-down favorite double-edge safety razor. If you're an experienced shaver who loves tradition or you simply want to try a more eco-friendly option, this model will not disappoint. The Stonehenge model we tested has a classic weathered finish that looks and feels like a heavy-duty tool. The substantial handle is nicely weighted and has a comfortable ergonomic shape and textured grip, providing plenty of control to let the blade gently glide across your face. Using the standard Mild DE Razor blades from Vikings Blade, we found the shave quality slightly better than other safety razors we've tested. Still, an inexperienced user may find the Vikings Blade a little less forgiving. It requires a more confident hand for a comfortably smooth shave. Patience is important. However, we were pleased that the learning curve wasn't as slow as anticipated. Allowing the weight of the Vikings Blade to do all of the work is key to a smooth, nick-free shave.

As with any safety razor, the shaving technique with Vikings Blade may take some practice and getting used to for those transitioning from a modern multi-blade design. While this model provided a great close shave, we sometimes experienced a little more irritation. Experienced shavers or anyone looking to transition away from a multi-blade cartridge and willing to trade some patience for a great shave should check out this model. Although it didn't handle quite as easily as the Viking Blade due to its more modern shape, we were impressed with the overall performance of the single-blade Bevel Safety and Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin razors and consider them both to be close seconds to The Godfather Stonehenge.

Our Favorite Disposable Razor

BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable

Number of Blades: 5 | Style: Disposable

The BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable offers more features than typical run-of-the-mill throwaways, making it our favorite disposable razor. Its most identifiable attribute is an extra wide ergonomic handle surrounded by easy-to-grip rubber traction strips. The blade end of the handle is embedded with a metal ball-bearing, which adds extra weight to the razor and provides a unique finger rest during shaving. Another standout feature is the Flex 5's top-side edging blade, which rivals any cartridge razor on our list. Extra sculpting blades are generally not found on disposable razors, and we feel having a blade dedicated to edging beards and sideburns is a great added-value feature.

Added features aside, overall shave quality is where the Flex 5 lags compared to more expensive razors on our list. Its 5-blade design looks impressive but leaves a lot of stubble behind, even after two or three passes. Patience is a must with this blade, as several repetitions are required to achieve an acceptably smooth shave. Additionally, this razor's head design prevents water from passing through the blades easily, making it harder to rinse clean. Despite these two negatives, the Flex 5 is still an impressive razor that performs well enough to easily be considered our favorite disposable model. Whenever you are ready to consider a reusable model, many high-performing, low-cost options exist. You might want to start with the Quattro Titanium by Schick for four blades or the Harry's Truman for five, both of which come packaged with multiple cartridges for easy replacement and won't set you back much more than your disposables.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	86	Gillette ProGlide Shield Best Overall Razor	$23
	86	Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge Best Double Edge Safety Razor	$38
	84	Gillette ProGlide	$23
	83	Schick Hydro Sensitive	$25
	77	Bevel Safety	$50
	73	Gillette Fusion5	$20
	73	Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin	$52
	72	Schick Quattro Titanium Best Bang for Your Buck	$10
	72	Harry's Truman	$33
	64	BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable Our Favorite Disposable Razor	$11
	64	BIC Flex 4 Sensitive Hybrid	$12
	60	Amazon Basics 5-Blade MotionSphere	$8
	45	Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive	$9
	44	Gillette Sensor3 Smooth Shave Disposable	$11
	34	Gillette Sensor2 Plus	$20

How We Test Razors

Understanding today's grooming marketplace can be daunting, with so many different products and so much confusing marketing jargon. After scouring the market, we paid retail prices for the most promising and popular products for our side-by-side testing. We tested 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-blade designs, simple disposable styles, cartridge models, and traditional double-edge safety razors. We tested each product through several shaves, using the same skin preparation routine and shaving gel each time. With the double-edge safety razors we tested, we took our shaving routine up a notch by adding a high-quality shave soap and using a badger hair shaving brush to complete the traditional shaving ritual. Throughout the testing process, we even compared products directly against each other on how they shaved, rinsed, contoured, and how they felt in our hands. We even shaved one-half of our faces with different products simultaneously. Our in-depth analysis aims to help you find the right product for your shaving needs.

Our razor testing is divided across five different metrics:

• Shave Quality (25% of overall score weighting)

• Glide and Comfort (25% weighting)

• Handle Ergonomics (20% weighting)

• Build and Durability (20% weighting)

• Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement (10% weighting)

Why You Should Trust Us

This in-depth review is brought to you by Jason Wanlass and Nick Bruckbauer. Leveraging his nearly seven years of experience at GearLab, Jason, a former journalist and outdoor enthusiast, meticulously analyzes all the products on our list. With a keen eye for detail and a user-centric approach honed from his own daily shaving routine, Jason excels at finding hidden features that elevate a product from good to great. His background in journalism translates into insightful reviews that cover everything from camping gear to home appliances.

Nick is a civil engineer with a B.S. Degree from Purdue University who enthusiastically uses research, objective testing, and data to solve real-world problems. In recent years, he's turned his analytical mind to evaluating a wide range of home and outdoor products so that he can share his expertise with others. With coarse, dark hair and soft, sensitive skin, Nick has also been on a lifelong journey to optimize his shaving ritual to mitigate his constant struggle with bumps, irritation, and frequent ingrown hairs.

How to Choose a Razor

Trying to decide on the right razor? We put together four key considerations, including blade type, budget, and lifestyle, to help narrow the selection process.

Electric or Manual?

The choice between the two is ultimately a personal preference, but it's still a good idea to consider how each style performs. An electric razor offers convenience and is generally less irritating on the skin. A manual razor offers a closer shave and provides more precision in your routine to achieve certain lines and shapes. If you are on the fence, consider how often you shave, how much time you have, and how close of a shave you prefer.

What About Blade Type?

Choosing between cartridge and safety blades is also a personal preference, each having strengths and weaknesses. If you value convenience and ease of use, a cartridge razor fits the bill. In contrast, a safety razor requires practice and precision but creates a great shave and works well with sensitive skin. Both require the replacement of blades, but in most instances, a safety blade is significantly cheaper than replacement cartridge blades.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Those who value their time before work know how important saving a few extra minutes is in the morning. Finding a razor that is efficient and quick can be one of the most important aspects when looking for a razor. If you know you're tight on time, electric razors are by far the most efficient option. If you absolutely prefer handheld razors, then cartridge-style razors are the route to go over safety razors. Other features, such as quick rinsing and well-designed pivot heads, also make a difference in your shave's overall time and quality.

Does the Handle Matter?

Finding a razor with a quality handle can improve your shaving experience and avoid unwanted knicks and slips. Additionally, a good razor handle helps improve the maneuverability around your face and can make shaving smoother and require fewer strokes. Look for a well-designed, ergonomic handle if you plant to use your razor in the shower.

Analysis and Test Results

Much more goes into a comfortable, high-quality shave than just the blade quality of your preferred tool. To find the best products, we evaluated each product across five performance metrics: shave quality, glide and comfort, handle ergonomics, build quality and durability, and ease of cleaning and blade replacement. We recommend taking note of the high performers in whichever metrics you prioritize for your personal needs.

Value

In addition to our primary testing metrics, we also delve into value. In our years of testing thousands of products, we have often found that the most expensive products aren't necessarily worth the investment and that price doesn't always equate to performance. If you're on a tight budget, we found the Schick Quattro Titanium to offer suitable performance for most hair and skin types. The Gillette ProGlide scores a few points higher in our overall assessment but doesn't cost much more than the Quattro Titanium. Upping the price tag a bit, the GillettePro Glide Shield is one of our all-time favorites. If you're willing to invest a bit more for a razor that will add some class and style to your bathroom counter or shower, the Godfather Stonehenge by Vikings Blade offers one of the best shaves, but it is also one of the most expensive models we've seen.

Shave Quality

For our first performance metric, we rated each product's shave quality simply by evaluating how well and easily the blades cut our hair and how smooth our faces were after shaving. The potential tradeoff with a close shave is that sharper blades with a more aggressive cut can lead to increased skin irritation, bumps, or ingrown hairs. We assess those side effects further in our glide and comfort ratings, but for now, we'll only focus on shave closeness and quality.

Two Gillette 5-blade cartridge razors tied for the top score for this metric, with very similar and almost indistinguishable shave qualities. The Gillette ProGlide Shield and Gillette ProGlide both provide close, smooth shaves with ease. Additionally, we were highly impressed with the equally performing Schick Hydro Sensitive. What separated their overall rankings was their smoothness and glide, which we'll get into later, but each left our faces feeling smooth and fresh.

Similarly, the Schick Quattro Titanium provided excellent shave quality. It is our favorite 4-blade design and one that we'd highly recommend with its affordable price and excellent value. The Quattro has similar shave quality as its 5-blade competitors but causes slightly less irritation due to having one less blade.

We also tested two top double-edge safety razors and felt The Godfather provided the closest high-quality shave, followed closely by the Bevel Safety. The Godfather gets the nod here with a slightly more aggressive blade that shaves more closely than the Bevel.

Glide and Comfort

While most shaving tools will do a decent job of closely trimming your hair, what separates the highest-performing products from the pack is how smoothly they glide and how comfortably they leave your skin afterward. Sometimes, the additional blades in modern designs that help achieve a smooth, close shave can also stretch and tug at your skin and make it feel depleted. Products that pull or tug at the skin too much can also lead to bumps and ingrown hairs.

Two products stood out in this metric for their smooth, comfortable performance. The Gillette ProGlide Shield and the Schick Hydro Sensitive glide smoothly across the skin with less irritation than others and do an excellent job of balancing a close shave with reduced tugging and irritation. Both razors offer different multidirectional pivoting features, which allow the razor to more effectively track and adjust to the face, neck, and chin contours.

The Gillette ProGlide, Gillette Fusion5 , and Harry's Truman also do an excellent job at balancing comfort with a high-quality shave but have a little more friction and don't seem to glide quite as smoothly as our top two models.

Our safety razors, the Vikings Blade, Bevel Safety, and Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin, also stand out in this metric for their smooth, comfortable glide. Each is a good option for those inexperienced with a double-edge safety model but looking to transition. This type of tool requires more patience and finesse than modern multi-blade cartridges, but these models have a mild enough blade to balance a close shave with a smooth glide and limited irritation. One potential drawback to these types of razors is they lack pivoting heads, which requires the user to actively adjust for the contours of the face and neck.

Handle Ergonomics

Any tool is only as useful as the person operating it, and razors are no different. It doesn't matter how well the blades work if you don't have confident, precise control over them. A product's handle ergonomics is an essential piece of the shaving experience. A handle with a curved, ergonomic shape, some kind of textured grip, and a little bit of an added weight tend to allow you to operate the most efficiently.

The standout performer in this category is the Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge. This razor's heavily weighted metal handle offers a nicely curved shape and textured grooves for added grip. The handle inspires confidence in the task at hand, and its heavier weight allows you to use gentle grip pressure to still achieve a close shave. This product is much heavier than anything else in our lineup and gives the perception that it's built to last a long time.

Next is the Schick Hydro Sensitive, which has our favorite handle for a refillable cartridge design. The handle feels slightly heavier than most other cartridge designs and has a soft rubberized texture to provide a confident, no-slip grip. The upper moisturizing pods also flip away to allow more control and precision for trimming around sensitive areas like below your nose.

Eight other models on our list, including the Amazon Basics 5-Blade MotionSphere, BIC Flex 4 Sensitive Hybrid, Harry's Truman, and several models from Gillette and Schick, earned respectable honorable mentions in this category, thanks to their simple handle designs with a nicely curved shape and large rubber inserts. They also include an additional single precision-trimming blade for edging along beards or sideburns.

Build Quality and Durability

In this metric, we evaluated the overall build quality of each product, including the handle materials, the initial blade quality, and the connection points between the handles and the blades or cartridges. We won't discuss blade sharpness or long-term durability since so many variables, like hair and skin coarseness, shaving cream type, and rinsing and storing habits, can vary from person to person. We focus on each model's initial quality and durability for a handful of shaves throughout our testing period.

The obvious thousand-pound gorilla in this metric is the hefty Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge, followed closely by the Bevel Safety The Bevel is constructed with a chromium-plated solid brass handle, while the Godfather Stonehenge is made from 304L stainless steel.

Both products have a heavy-duty feel and inspire confidence in their durability. They are also designed to use replaceable double-edge blades that are typically affordable and can be mixed and matched to suit your skin and hair type. The Vikings Blade's shear heft and density allowed it to outscore the Bevel and the Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin in this metric.

Next up are the Gillette ProGlide Shield, Gillette ProGlide, and the Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin. All three models have well-engineered metal handles that outshine the rest of the cartridge models on our list. Each is very balanced and has a hefty feel, which conveys a sense of quality not found in disposable models.

Finally, the Schick Hydro Sensitive boasts an above-average build quality. Its handle has more heft to it than most other products. It also provides an outstanding balance between shave quality and a smooth, comfortable glide. At the absolute bottom end of the spectrum, you'll find three options from Gilette, the Sensor2 Plus, Sensor3 Sensitive, and Sensor3 Smooth Shave Disposable.

Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement

Though perhaps not as crucial as other performance metrics, a product's ease of cleaning and blade replacement are critical elements to its longevity and continued shave quality. Models that are difficult to rinse, easily get jammed up with hair and grime, or trap moisture can cause the blades to rust or wear prematurely, which all tend to quickly diminish the shave quality and comfort. Designs with nicely spaced, easily rinsed and dried blades tend to last longer. Similarly, once it does come time to change to a new blade, most products have a simple button to pop the old cartridge out and a new one in, but some operate a little easier than others.

Our favorite products in this performance metric are some of the Gillette models. The Gillette ProGlide and Gillette ProGlide Shield are extremely easy to rinse clean and have exceptional blade replacement systems. Another high-scoring model for this metric is the Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin. Changing blades on the Chieftain Odin is fun and mildly addicting. More importantly, this model's twist-open design is much faster than most safety razors. It's also a little safer and makes cleaning a breeze.

The Harry's Truman also earned high marks in this metric. This razor is easy to rinse, and its blade replacement system is quick and effective, although not as effective as the Gillette system.

The Gillette Sensor3 Smooth Shave Disposable has a similar 3-blade design as the Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive, which does an excellent job of preventing grime from building up between the blades. When either razor has reached the end of its usable lifespan, simply discard the entire disposable handle and blade and replace it with a new one.

Most 5-blade cartridges struggle in this metric because their blades are so tightly packed together, making it easy for hair, shaving cream, or moisture to get trapped between them. However, the Gillette ProGlide Shield, Gillette ProGlide, and Gillette Fusion5 all perform better than most 5-blade models in this area, thanks to a wide-open backside of the blade head. Additionally, each model makes blade replacement super easy — just push and click into it place.

Conclusion

The shaving marketplace is filled with many similar-looking competing products. It can be daunting to sort through the nice to determine which product is right for you. We hope that our extensive head-to-head tests and attention to detail have helped you understand your options better and will help you choose the product that best suits your shaving needs. Looking for an electric model? Check out our review on the best electric razors. We also review the best women's razors.