The 9 Very Best Electric Razors

Foil | Pivoting heads: One with five shaving elements | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 45 minutes | Extras: Pop-up trimmer, pressure sensor, digital battery-life display

I thought I’d also throw in a more budget-friendly option. When I asked my experts for some pointers, Kim told me he found this Panasonic foil electric razor to be “comparable in terms of quality but for around $100 less.” He says he uses it every day, that it provides a “very smooth cut that’s never harsh on the skin,” and that the razor’s flexible head “moves really well — so that you can get to every area of your face without having to angle your arm.” He prefers to shave while his hair is dry, but Kim adds that the razor is true to its wet-dry name: “You can use this on wet hair and run it under water without any problems.”

Foil | Pivoting heads: One with five shaving elements | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 60 minutes | Extras: Pop-up trimmer, cleaning brush, self-cleaning pod

When it comes to foil-electric razors, the Braun Series 9 takes the top spot. It’s powerful and precise, and shaves “almost as close as a straight razor,” says master barber Angelo Ruscetta of American Haircuts in Kennesaw, Georgia. Like the Philips 7700, it was designed to work on wet hair — meaning that even though you’re cutting as close as possible to the face, your skin shouldn’t feel any irritation afterward. Garcia uses this electric razor in his shop, but says it’s just as suitable to use at home for nonprofessionals. In addition to this razor getting nice and close, he says that “the higher quality of Braun blades makes them less prone to irritating sensitive skin, because they’re able to achieve as much power with thinner metal on the foil; the thicker the foil, the harder it is for the blade to cut hair and the more it pulls.” Garcia adds that he has had to replace the blades on cheaper foil razors because they’ve dulled down over time, but he has never had to do that with his Braun. Whitely, another fan, praises Braun’s technology — explaining that the brand has “perfected the balance between a strong motor and a gentle shave.”

It is, of course, quite pricey, but it’s worth noting that this is Braun’s top-of-the-line model — made in Germany and packed with features like an automatic self-cleaning base. The ability to disinfect between uses, which helps prevent shaving-induced breakouts, is especially important to people who shave their heads, adds Ruscetta, so this would be a great choice for anyone looking for a razor that can shave their face and give them that cue-ball look.

Foil | Head: Non-pivoting | Dry functionality | Battery life: 80-minute battery life | Extras: Can be used corded or cordless

Almost every single barber I spoke with mentioned this razor: It’s simple, effective, and inexpensive. However, it’s not exactly designed for consumers — note the clunky box shape and less appealing gray plastic — but it’s the model most of them trust to deliver professional-grade results and handle a high volume of use. They rely on it for everything from a face shave to skin fades for haircuts to cleaning up their clients’ necks. Master barber Karac Ruleau told me it’s what he uses “at the shop and at home. It gives you a super-close shave without any razor burn. It’s light, durable, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a frequent charge.” He tells us that he often spots contestants using it on RuPaul’s Drag Race — which I take as a strong endorsement.

Foil | Head: Non-pivoting | Dry functionality | Battery life: Takes AA batteries | Extras: Auto cover shutoff

Conventional foil-electric razors, like those I’ve mentioned thus far, are designed with multiple foils so that they can more efficiently cover a wider surface area. But according to Tuft barber Alejandro “AJ” Albano, who has been cutting hair for more than two decades, some folks find those multiple foils a bit unwieldy, which is why he prefers this streamline razor with only one foil. “I prefer having one straight bar, because it’s more conducive to having control when you’re shaping up,” he says. Albano adds that the FX01 is “compact and lightweight but still feels more solid than the plastic ones” from brands like Andis and Wahl. And this one has a sleeker body compared to those other barbershop models, which he thinks look “a little dated.” Lesley Bryant, owner of the Lady Clipper Barbershop in Washington, D.C., has similar praise for this razor, adding that it really “traps every hair.”

Dual-side cartridge-style blade | Head: Pivoting | Wet and dry functionality | Battery life: 45 minutes| Extras: Three guard attachments for trimming

This Philips model (another Norelco) acts like an electric version of the classic cartridge razor (think Gillette). “It’s really an all-in-one product,” celebrity groomer Marissa Machado says, noting that it comes with useful “trimming attachments” and the razor itself “gives a smooth finish.” It’s a trimmer-style razor, so it’s not going to be as close of a shave as a foil or rotary, but it should be just right if you’re going for a five-o’clock-shadow look or want to trim down longer beard hair. The fact that this one’s designed more like a cartridge razor makes it a bit easier to maneuver, which means creating neat lines around the ears and jawline will be even easier. In addition to being a great tool for styling facial hair (long or short), it’s designed to be used on the body, and Strategist contributor Kurt Soller notes that it’s great for traveling: “The small size, decent battery life, and punchy color make it just right for my Dopp kit.” Samuel Hickey, head barber at Murdock, is also a fan of the long battery life, which is “ideal if you’ve got a lot of hair to work on.” The razor’s a great option for anyone who “wants to maintain a bit of stubble but worries about using a conventionally bigger set of clippers.”