Even the best electric shaver for men will be underestimated by the general shaving public. Which is a big miss in our book—whether you shave every day or just once in a blue moon, it’s important to have a razor that you trust. Generally, you want a smooth shave and minimal irritation in as little time as possible. And while we're not here to question the merits of a manual razor (let alone safety razors and straight razors, all of which are fantastic in their own right), we still think every guy should consider electric razors. Not only have these devices gotten much better since you manscaped for the first time, but it’s also easy to find one that suits your budget, skin, and specific facial hair type.
Rarely will you and your best bud have the same needs in all of these departments, which is why you’ve got a few things to consider when looking for the best men’s electric shaver. Yes, I’ve got my favorite device in a given year—and what I recommend to most guys may differ from the one I use personally. So, read on for a rundown of the best GQ-tested electric shavers of the moment, newly updated for 2026.
The Best Electric Shavers, According to GQ
Best Electric Shaver Overall: Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige Electric Razor
In a given year, it's always a three-horse race between Philips Norelco, Braun, and Panasonic, because each brand takes its turn issuing the latest muscled-up machine. And while we'd sooner prescribe a foil shaver to the average user (as mentioned in our sizing-up of foil versus rotary), the truth is, the best rotary shavers will satisfy the largest group of people, since they also serve thicker stubble, as well as more sensitive skin, body and head shaving, and even those folks with nickel allergies. And in the e-shaver game, nobody beats a Philips Norelco shaver.
The recently released is its most advanced electric razor yet, giving you the power to be your own professional at-home barber. No, you won't be getting a straight razor shave, but dammit, it's one of the closest shaves you could get from electric shaving. Associate commerce editor Tyler Chin has been using it for the past month, and he thinks it's actually giving a shave that's too close. “With my last electric razor, I was still left with a bit of a shadow, so that it didn't look like I was still waiting to hit puberty,” Chin says. “But with this Philips razor, I'm getting a shave that's as smooth as if i I used a manual razor—great for shaving a day or two off from needing to hack at my face again, but not so great for trying to look my actual age and not like a 16-year-old.”
The coolest thing about the razor is its light guidance system, which alerts the user to when they're applying too much pressure, too little, or just the right amount, as well as if they're shaving in the correct manner or not with a rotary-style razor (you should be going in circles and not up-and-down). Going from a foil shaver to this one was a bit of a switch up for Chin, but it's shaving—you're not learning to drive or ride a bicycle.
The shaver is easy to use, giving real-time feedback as to whether or not you're shaving properly. It also gets super close to the skin, pulling up hair from the follicle before hacking it off so that the result is a closer-than-usual shave, usually reserved for shaving with a manual razor. The ergonomic handle fits well in the hand, and you can adjust the speed so accommodate different skin types like if you're particularly sensitive.
| Shaving Head | Rotary |
| Battery Life | 1 hour |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Best Budget-Friendly Electric Shaver: Remington R5
Remington is in the business of hair removal, and its wallet-friendly R5 shaver has all the makings for a great electric shaver. It does what it's supposed to, tidying up hairs thanks to its sleek rotary head so you're left with a clean, smooth surface. “This razor is very light and easy to use,” GQ's director of social originals Peter Lee says. “Although it provides a close shave, the quality of the cut is hit or miss—but decent for the price.”
This is the cheapest shaver we recommend, and it's because we know there are folks out there who couldn't care less about having a high-end grooming tool. Cheap (and cheaper) models often pull and tug at the hair while they're supposedly shaving, but that's not the case with this Remington model. Though it's in a low price range, the shaver won't glide on your face like some of the more premium model shavers we've recommended (Lee says it takes a couple of passes with the razor to make sure it's actually cutting down hairs) but if you don't have to worry about sensitive skin (good for you!) then this is an excellent affordable pick for you.
| Shaving Head | Rotary |
| Battery Life | 60 minutes |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Best Electric Shaver for Curly Beards: Bevel
Bevel's array of haircare products is targeted towards men with curly or wiry hair, able to offer a comfortable shave with any of its neat gadgets. When it comes to shaving, it's especially important to find products that work with that hair type, which can often lead to ingrown hairs if not cut properly. This electric shaver from Bevel is dermatologist-tested so that it's great for folks with sensitive skin, and it's less likely to cause irritation, which is great for anyone who needs to shave pretty much every day.
Thanks to its specially designed head, the Bevel electric shaver is great for getting into the contours of the face for close, even shaving. The three blades are able to mow through the thickest, coarsest hair, getting down to as close to the skin as possible. We're impressed by the shaver's auto-detection feature, which can adjust the power of the the shaver to adapt to the density of the hair it's going over. You can use it wet or dry, and the five-minute quick charger lets you get a shave in should you have forgotten to juice it up from the last use.
| Shaving Head | Foil |
| Battery Life | 50 minutes |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Best Electric Shaver for Beginners: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360
While it's not our recommended trimmer or shaver for guys with beards, it can handle your stubble no problem. Without turning this article into a full-on Philips-Norelco love fest, let us just say this: The OneBlade is perfect for shaving clean edges, and its rechargeable, flexible, oft-imitated design remains unmatched. Here is a device that, when it lacks any guards, moves like a cartridge shaver or a line-up trimmer in order to keep you looking fresh-faced. Or, if you snap on its trimming guard, you can work your way up past designed stubble and into proper beard trimming territory. There are a few iterations of the OneBlade (some include body trimming heads, some more than a dozen trimming lengths, some a longer charge), but we think this is the perfect one for guys who primarily need clean necklines and cheek lines, who rarely do a full shave, but who have a dedicated beard trimmer for the bulkier jobs.
What makes this a good pickup for young guys and grooming beginners? It’s the versatility and the low price point compared to elite trimmers and shavers. Because it can’t handle longer hair and has a shorter battery, it’s not a great pick for guys who take grooming seriously. If you want a true multi-purpose electric shaver and trimmer, pick up the Panasonic Multishape instead.
| Shaving Head | Dual-sided head trims or shaves from all sides; trimmer attachment allows for 5 length settings |
| Battery Life | 45 minutes |
| Quick Charge | N/A |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Best Shaver & Trimmer Combo: Panasonic MultiShape Clean Cut Kit
After its 2021 debut, GQ called the innovative Panasonic MultiShape a “god-tier grooming product.” And our contributor Timothy Beck Werth still swears by its capabilities as an everyday electric shaver. “I’ve been using the electric shaver head consistently for at least three years, and it’s still going strong. The ability to swap it out with a beard trimmer, nose hair trimmer, and electric toothbrush just sweetens the deal,” Werth says.
The MultiShape comes with a variety of swappable grooming heads. You can (and should) get the all-in-one kit for $210, but if you’ve already got a toothbrush and beard trimmer you like, then this Clean Cut kit is our top recommendation. It features two foil shavers and an inner blade to come at stubble from a variety of angles, and it’s not quite as bulky as some other premium electric razors.
Even three years after its release, the MultiShape remains unmatched. While it’s not the best electric shaver you can buy, the overall utility can’t be beat. In our testing, it’s more than capable of eliminating stubble on the cheek, neck, and shin, though it may require an extra pass or two compared to a $300 shaver.
| Shaving Head | Foil |
| Battery Life | 50 minutes |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Best Travel Electric Shaver: Panasonic Arc5 Palm-Sized Electric Shaver
The Panasonic Arc series has always been great, and in 2024, Panasonic released the latest iteration of the Arc5. If you’re looking for an upgrade over the past-gen Arc5, then you’ll appreciate this gorgeous grooming tool. The stylish marbled exterior is made from a ceramic-like eco plastic, made with upcycled minerals leftover from seawater purification (an all-black version is less expensive). Unlike your average e-shaver, it fits squarely in the palm of your hand. With five blades and a powerful motor, it leaves your face as smooth as a baby’s.
Our tester found that it works best if you use a rocking, back-and-forth motion as you shave along your neck and other contoured parts of the face. Because of the extra powerful motor and rows of blades, you can nick your face if you press too hard. “Aside from its frustratingly high price point, Panasonic's Series 900S electric shaver is a dream grooming tool for travelers," our tester says. "The pebble shape is easy to store, unobtrusive in your dopp kit, and actually looks rather handsome (something I didn't picture myself saying about an electric shaver).”
Looking for a grooming gift—for yourself or a lucky guy? This palm-sized shaver is a fun splurge. Panasonic doesn’t think of it as a travel shaver, but it fits perfectly into a dopp kit. As you’d expect from a premium product, you can get away with a quick once-over. Longer stubble may take a couple of passes.
| Shaving Head | Foil |
| Battery Life | 50 minutes |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes |
| Waterproof | Yes |
More Electric Shavers We Love
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
Braun
Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver
The Braun Series 9 PRO+ is like a victory lap for Braun's Series 9 family, which has been top of the e-shaver field for a while. (At least, best-rated according to the masses; we’ve also heard grooming editors call it the most over-rated grooming tool on the market since the Braun Series 7.) What stands out most here is the quintet of elements atop the head: two foil shavers to buffer the shave at both ends, with three trimming and lifting components in the middle so that no hair goes untamed. It makes the Arc5 and 6 Braun shavers feel like a class of SUVs (that's not a criticism), while this feels more like a luxury sedan.
The accompanying cleaning station is great for making sure all of the leftover hairs in the razor are taken care of, while ensuring you have a clean, sanitary shave every time. We also have to call out the incredibly useful charging case that this device comes with. Its hard shell keeps your precious trophy of a shaver safe, as well as fully charged (not that its hour-long juice will deplete during a week on the go).
And while Panasonic’s bevy of elite foil shavers will provide you with a closer shave than the Braun, it's going to be nominal to most people. Again, in the debate between foil shavers, it's an SUV vs luxe sedan. You probably know which one sounds more appealing to you.
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
Wahl
Professional Vanish Foil Shaver
A barbershop staple (and barber Grinstead-Mayle's go-to brand for shavers), Wahl's foil device is my favorite for many specific tasks: For starters, it delivers a quick neckline shave, with enough endurance to last a few months (assuming you're just tidying that neckline each time). It's my go-to less-bulky traveling shaver, as well as my top recommendation for any friends who only want a fresh "appearing" shave once in a blue moon without forking over $300 for a device.
It's equally fantastic for thick-haired frequent shaves, but we feel like most of you barely do a true razor shave, and you want an electric shaver for the "if and when" you need to look babyfaced. The tiered foil heads make things quick and easy, while the ultra-thin foils give you that barbershop-caliber smoothness minus any irritation, so it's not going to be damning on skin that isn't used to a shave.
And funny enough, Grinstead-Mayle likes Wahl's shavers for the complete opposite reason: Because it's terrific for extremely frequent shaves, which explains why it's such a mainstay across barbershops worldwide. "I charge mine once a week, and I use them many times a day," he explains. “Plus the replacement blades/foils are easy to get! Also, the battery life on them is exceptional.”
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
- Courtesy of Adam Hurly
Panasonic
Arc5 Advanced 5 Electric Foil Shaver
The Arc5 is now a generation behind, and we'll admit that the newer Panasonic Arc6 is one of the best men’s razors in the game right now. Still, we want to call out the Arc5 in particular here. When new shavers enter the market, it's important to keep their predecessors (and best sellers) in mind rather than writing them off as has-beens—it'd be like shunning the BMW E28 as soon as the E30 was released the following year. So don't go discounting the Arc5's abilities just because the Arc6 is the more advanced machine.
Yes, the Arc6 has six blades to the Arc6’s five. But—and say this with us, guys—more blades does not automatically equal a better razor. Give it a few more years, and we have no doubt there will be seven, eight, or even 12-blade razors for sale, but that doesn’t mean you should use them.
With the Arc6 on shelves, the Arc5 dropped to a quarter of the cost of the newer toy, which is priced at a really-hard-to-justify $400. But you know what hasn't dropped? The Arc5’s standard-setting, extra-flexible performance that’s erased stubble for over a decade. With five blades, it's never missed a spot on a first pass for us, even with week-long facial hair thanks to the trimming bar fixed between those four foil blades. And the closeness of the shave is, to embrace a cliché, chef's kiss.
Philips Norelco
Wet & Dry Facial Shaver
This right here—it’s one of Philips Norelco’s most under-looked products. I’m going to age myself here, but this rotary shaver is about the size of a beeper (kids, a beeper is an ancient communication technology that allowed your grandparents to send text messages). So, like the Arc5 Palm, it fits easily into any toiletry bag and takes up next to no space on a bathroom counter. It also has a hidden compartment under the blades to catch all your hair and stubble, and you can pop off the head and dump it as needed. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, so you can use it wherever.
Our tester was surprised by how well this shaver worked, even if the whine of the rotary blades takes some getting used to. Each circular blade contains 18 self-sharpening blades, and they pivot and bend to glide along every curve of your face. It takes a few more passes for a perfectly clean shave, but the end result is the same as with the other razors in this guide.
If you like to create clean, defined lines, this shaver will actually work better than bulkier five-blade designs from Braun or Panasonic. Thanks to the slim, compact design, you can easily see where you’re shaving. For guys with goatees or hard edges along their beard line or sideburns, it makes it easy to maintain your look. It can also cut more than just stubble, so be careful.
What to Look for in an Electric Shaver
If you're ready to put down the shaving cream and make the switch from classic wet shaving to an electric shaver, there are a few things to keep in mind. Fist, rotary vs foil: Foil shavers have a long nickel-plated crossbar, with a bunch of little holes that receive the whiskers and which protect skin from the actual razors. They will usually provide a closer shave between the two types of electric shaver options, making foil more optimal for the average user. (Though our top spot this year goes to a rotary shaver that defies the norm.)
Rotary shavers, however, will satisfy more users. Or rather, they will polarize fewer people, notes Gutweniger. “Rotary shavers cut in different directions and are especially good for targeting coarse and curly hair, because their circular panels cut in a broader range of directions.” While rotary shavers won’t usually cut as close as foil razors, the difference might be a half day’s growth for most guys, at most.
In the end, it’s usually a matter of preference. However, if you do have coarse, thick, or curly whiskers—or if you have a nickel allergy—then rotary shavers tend to be a better bet. Still, most professionals will use foil shavers for good reason, including the two barbers interviewed for this article: “Yes, there are many directions the rotary shavers cover, but they can pull at hairs from every-which-way,” Grinstead-Mayle says. “Foils allow for each individual hair to slide into the perforated head with a blade underneath to cut them. Both the foil cover and the moving blade have a ‘give’ to them allowing you to follow the contour of the jawline, chin, or head.”
Auto-sensors: These sensors will adjust their intensity based on how thick your whiskers air, or how patchy, etc. It’s nice to know that these device can do so, because then you won't apply too much pressure on your face, which can damage the skin, particularly if you have sensitive skin. And if you don't apply enough pressure, which you can be notified about, you'll have to go over the same patches of skin repeatedly, which can cause irritation.
Pivoting head: Faces are curved, and the head of your razor should be able to pivot to get into every nook and cranny that may sprout hair. These pivoting heads are particularly good for the chin, around the jawline, and neck.
Sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, you'll want to choose a razor that'll help you get a close shave but won't leave you red or with some serious bumps after a dry shave. Because of the oscillating blades of a rotary razor, hair is more likely to be pulled and tugged on, so it's recommended that those with sensitive skin opt for a foil razor, which has a layer of protection so it's less likely to cause irritation. (You also want to optimize your pre-shave routine.)
Electric Shaver FAQ
What's the best electric shaver?
In our testing, the Philips Norelco Shaver i9000 Prestige Ultra is the best electric razor for its ability to get a smooth shave with minimal effort and without causing any skin irritation. It also can detect if you're not applying enough pressure (or too little pressure) so that you can finish your shaving routine quickly and efficiently with the closest shave possible.
Are foil or rotary shavers better?
It depends on preference. Guys with coarse, thick, or curly facial hair may prefer rotary shavers because they're better at hacking those away. However, they tend to pull hair in all directions, which can be irritating for some people's skin and make for a not-so-comfortable shave. Foil shavers are more than likely the safer bet, but can require a few more passes over hair to get a clean shave.
How often should I replace an electric razor?
Hopefully your men’s electric shaver should last you a few years, but the shaving head should definitely be replaced, no matter if it's a rotary or foil head. Depending on how often you shave and how much facial hair you tend to shave, you may need to replace your shaving head every six to 12 months. Pro Tip: Check the replacement heads warranty, and take advantage of Amazon returns.
What is the best electric shaver for sensitive skin?
If shaving on the regular causes discomfort—bumps, ingrown hair, redness—then you have sensitive skin. As we mentioned in the debate between rotary and foil shavers, foil shavers are less likely to cause irritation, making those style of razors better for those with sensitive skin. Sure, it might take a few more passes to get a close-to-the-skin shave, but foil shavers won't be as aggressive to your face.
How do you clean your electric shaver?
You should rinse your shaver after every shave, and after every few shaves (depending on how much hair you have), you should give your shaver a deeper clean. Remove the shaving head and rinse under hot water, using a brush to get rid of any hair that might get stuck. Consult your shaver's instruction manual for specific cleaning procedures to ensure you don't damage it.
Can you use shaving cream with an electric shaver?
Yes, but only if you have a wet/dry shaver.
How We Tested
We get these devices as they’re made available to press (which is usually a few months before a public launch). Personally, I’ve got a couple dozen wet & dry shavers at home, often in duplicate, which means I’m even giving the doubles to my friends. It’s all part of the job; while we’re not typically doing a side-by-side of one product against the other, that’s because these takes need to be “lived in” in order to make a true impression. The opinions I share here aren’t formed from a quick test run on a two-day beard after a Costco haul, but over shaving experience we’ve gathered for more than a decade in the grooming field. A quick glance at the products on our list, and you’ll notice that I only chose the big-name brands. Just four of them, in fact (excluding the head shaver): Wahl, Panasonic, Philips Norelco, and Braun.
There’s some reasoning behind this, and Grinstead-Mayle backs me up. He preaches "quality over cost" to his clients: “There are many affordable options, but the thing to remember is that these purchases should last you years at home. Don't let the sticker shock of $100 (or more) scare you. If they are made well and you take care of them, they will last you 5 years or more. That could mean just $20 per year. Stick with professional-grade products, because cost usually equals durability.” His go-to are Wahl's 5-star shavers (you’ll see those below), which are under $100—and the replacement blades and foils are easy to get because Wahl is such a known brand.
There are plenty of options aside from them (honorable mention to the BaByliss PROs, Andises, and Remingtons), but these core brands have the necessary resources and innovation behind them to provide the best options for you. Not to mention, you can access all of these brands at pretty much any budget—they’ve got more affordable options beyond what you’ll find here. Not everyone is going to need the latest souped-up shaver, but if you do want that, then you can bet that these brands will have something with the absolute latest and most cutting-edge technology.
Meet the Experts
- Dale Grinstead-Mayle, owner and barber at Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor in Columbus, OH and White Salmon, WA.
- Evelyn Gutweniger, barber at Nomad Barber in Berlin, Germany.