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Gadgets that you need to have in your grooming arsenal.
No grooming routine is complete without an electric shaver. If you're fond of a close shave but don't want the responsibility of a sharp blade – because, let's face it, we can't all be Wolverine – an electric razor is your best bet for erasing that day-old stubble.
The tech has come a long way since the analogue days. With shavers now linking to apps on your phone and using AI technology to achieve your best shave ever, it's no wonder they can set you back hundreds of pounds.
To make sure you're investing in the right hair-removal method for you, we asked 152 men to trial an array of different electric shavers for up to six weeks to see which were the best. Scroll down for the gadgets that got their seal of approval.
You might not be familiar with these terms, so let's run you through them:
Foil: These are better for a closer shave, thanks to the long strip of blades that work in an oscillating motion, lifting hair away from the skin to provide a cleaner cut. They do have a downside: due to the shape, they work better on flatter surfaces, meaning they might struggle in certain areas, such as the jawline.
Rotary: These resemble an alien spaceship due to the two (or three) rotating blades that gently pull hair in a circular motion. They won't cut as close to the skin as a foil design, but they are easier to manoeuvre around the contours of the face.
Do you really want a device that's been very familiar with your genital area to then touch your face? We thought not.
There are specialised body grooming devices that are set up for the task at hand. The pubic area tends to be more sensitive and requires smaller attachments to avoid any accidental nicks and cuts, which is why using your electric razor could easily go wrong.
To avoid any malfunctions, start by checking to see if your electric shaver is waterproof. Although the majority on our list are, there are some budget corded options that tend to skip the luxury of surviving under water.
A dry shave is great for a quick job, and avoids more cuts and scrapes than if you used a traditional blade razor because they don't come into as close contact with the skin.
An electric razor on wet skin, combined with some shaving foam, however, can make the process smoother and keep irritation to the bare minimum. Once wet, hair becomes softer too, so you're more likely to catch a greater number of pesky stragglers.
Our panel of 152 men tried and tested a range of electric shavers for up to six weeks. They used them on a variety of different stubble lengths and hair types to see which ones were up to scratch.
Testers noted how well each one manoeuvred along the contours of the face, as well as how close and smooth the shaving experience was. They flagged if any irritation or pain occurred, too.
We also used a noise meter to measure how loud each shaver was during use.
Below are the ones we suggest you buy:
Here, a built-in sensor automatically detects your beard's density and adjusts the power to suit, while the sonic vibrations produce a comfortable shave.
Everyone was pleased with how gentle it was and appreciated how smooth it left skin feeling. All appreciated the high-quality feel of the design too, and how easy it was to use, providing a close shave for 92%.
Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: Yes, 5 mins Accessories: Clean & Charge station, cleaning cartridge, leather travel case, smart plug, cleaning brush
This rotary option comes with a Qi charging pad and features an LCD screen that lets you know how much power you have left. The built-in sensors pick up on your beard density too, and will automatically adjust the power to suit your needs.
It stood up against longer stubble, providing a close, irritation-free shave. Everyone liked the design and how easy it was to control, leaving all satisfied with their final look.
Key specifications Type: Rotary Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: Yes, 18 mins Accessories: Charging pad, pouch, precision styler
The pop-up trimmer was a winner for how precisely it shaped edges and sideburns, making it easy for 78% of testers to shave around the jawline – all for under £30.
Although it isn't waterproof or cordless, it's a great option if you're new to shaving; all testers found it easy to control, straightforward to use and comfortable to hold. The majority said it was easy to clean and convenient to store, too.
Key specifications Type: Rotary Able to use wet and dry: No Cordless: No Quick charge: No Accessories: Three-day stubble styler, cleaning brush
With a run time of up to 90 minutes, this device is not going to die on you halfway through a shave. The design is supposedly "lifeproof" too, due to its shock resistant materials, a durable foil guard and an ergonomic grip.
How did it do? The design was a big hit with all testers, particularly because it was easy to control. The pop-up trimmer defined edges superbly for 91% of testers, and didn't falter when being used on longer stubble either.
It was so impressive, 92% said they'd carry on using this tool.
Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Storage bag, cleaning brush, blade oil, foil guard
Your average electric razor may struggle to get through thicker, coarser hair, but not this one. All testers noted how powerful the motor was, getting through hair in a flash.
The result? 93% raved about their smooth, close shave, which was still gentle on skin. It did well on longer, seven-day stubble too, thanks to the variety of attachments that allowed testers to achieve different styles.
Switching heads was simple, and it left 93% of our panel with their ideal look.
Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Travel case, blade oil, cleaning brush, charging system, detergent for charging system
If shaving usually leaves skin looking and feeling a little raw, this should be your go-to. Everyone said it provided a gentle shave, with 92% experiencing zero irritation.
It did a great job on both wet and dry skin too, with all of our testers happy with their finished look. Skin felt smooth after shaving, and 90% of testers were particularly impressed with how great it was at shaping edges.
The power-charging case was an added bonus and while it did flag up as loud in our noise test, none of our panel reported the sound as an issue.
Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Powercase, cleaning cartridge, cleaning brush, cleansing station
Yes, this is a splurge. But with AI-powered tech that adapts to your hair and skin combo, a shave doesn't get more customisable than this.
The Qi charging pad makes charging sleek and efficient too, while the device itself can be connected to the brand's app, to provide you with even more features.
The digital display made it easy to see when it was running low on juice, while one tester commented that "the different colours indicating optimal pressure was very useful".
It gave a close, smooth shave for 83% of testers, with 92% loving how their hair looked and felt after use.
Key specifications Type: Rotary Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Precision trimmer, premium pouch, Qi charging pad