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Best electric razor for men: top picks on Amazon

An electric razor shaves facial hair without water, foam or blade replacement. Foil vs rotary design, wet/dry capability, battery life, whether the head is self-cleaning and closeness of shave on flat vs contoured skin separate the major categories.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The Braun Series 9 Pro at $280 is the best electric razor for most men: the five-sync blade system adapts to face contours to capture flat-lying hairs in a single pass, the self-cleaning station cleans and charges the unit automatically and the foil design cuts closer than rotary on flat surfaces like cheeks and neck.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Electric razors are evaluated by shaving technology (foil vs rotary), number of cutting elements, wet/dry capability, battery life per charge, self-cleaning station availability, skin sensitivity rating, price and whether the unit handles thick or dense facial hair. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best premium foil electric razor
Braun Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver

Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver

Brand: Braun

Best for

Men who want the closest foil shave available and are willing to pay for a self-cleaning station, where the Braun Series 9 Pro's five-blade system captures flat-lying hairs that single-foil shavers miss.

Skip if

Budget is under $200. The Braun Series 9 Pro at $280 is a premium purchase. For men who shave every day with moderate beard density, the Braun Series 7 at $180 provides a close foil shave at a lower price without the fifth blade.

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The Braun Series 9 Pro uses five synchronized cutting elements: two foil screens and three blade types that capture flat-lying hairs, normal hairs and longer hairs in a single pass. The AutoSense motor adjusts power based on beard density automatically.

The included Clean and Charge station cleans the shaver head with cleaning fluid, dries and charges it in a single dock cycle. The shaver is waterproof for use in the shower.

At $280, the Braun Series 9 Pro is the top-tier foil electric shaver for daily close shaves.

Specifications

Specifications for Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver
TechnologyFoil (5 sync blades)
Wet/dryYes, waterproof
Battery life60 minutes
Price$280

Specs from Braun, Series 9 Pro shaver Amazon search

02
Best rotary electric razor
Philips Norelco Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige

Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige

Brand: Philips Norelco

Best for

Men with circular beard growth patterns or heavy jawline contours where a rotary shaver follows the curved skin surface better than a straight foil plate, particularly for multi-directional growth around the chin and jaw.

Skip if

Flat-lying hairs on cheeks and neck are the primary concern. Foil shavers like the Braun Series 9 cut closer on flat surfaces. Rotary shavers work best on men with heavy, multi-directional growth where the rotating heads follow the beard angle naturally.

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The Philips Norelco 9000 Prestige uses three rotary heads with NanoTech precision blades that cut at a 30-degree angle, closer to the skin surface than standard rotary blades. The ContourDetect heads flex in eight directions independently to follow jaw and cheek contours.

The SmartClean station cleans, lubricates, dries and charges the unit. The 50-minute battery runtime handles multiple shaves per charge.

At $220, the Philips Norelco 9000 is the premium rotary shaver for heavy or multi-directional facial hair.

Specifications

Specifications for Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige
TechnologyRotary (3 heads)
Blade typeNanoTech blades
Self-cleaningYes, SmartClean station
Price$220

Specs from Philips Norelco 9000, rotary shaver Amazon search

03
Best mid-range foil shaver
Braun Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver

Brand: Braun

Best for

Men who want a close foil shave with a self-cleaning station at a lower price than the Series 9, where the Braun Series 7's four-element system handles most beard densities at $100 less than the top model.

Skip if

Very heavy or dense beard growth is the main challenge. The Series 7's four blades handle moderate to dense growth well, but very thick beards benefit from the additional fifth blade and stronger motor in the Series 9.

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The Braun Series 7 uses four synchronized shaving elements, including a precision trimmer for longer hairs and dual foil screens for a close finish. The AutoSense technology reads and adapts to beard density in real time.

The included Clean and Charge station handles cleaning and charging in one dock. The unit is fully waterproof for shower use.

At $180, the Braun Series 7 is the mid-tier foil shaver that handles daily shaving for most beard types.

Specifications

Specifications for Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver
TechnologyFoil (4 elements)
AutoSenseYes
Wet/dryYes
Price$180

Specs from Braun Series 7, electric shaver Amazon search

04
Best value electric shaver
Panasonic Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor

Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor

Brand: Panasonic

Best for

Men who want a five-blade foil shave at a lower price than the Braun Series 9, where the Panasonic Arc5's 70,000 cuts per minute linear motor provides an exceptionally close shave at about $40 less than the comparable Braun.

Skip if

A self-cleaning station is a priority. The Panasonic Arc5 at $160 typically does not include a self-cleaning station in the base package. Cleaning requires rinsing under water or using the sonic cleaning mode. For hands-off maintenance, the Braun models with included Clean and Charge stations are simpler to maintain.

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The Panasonic Arc5 uses five stainless steel foil blades driven by a linear motor at 70,000 cuts per minute, higher than most competing electric shavers. The 30-degree acute blade angle cuts closer to the skin surface with each pass.

The multi-flex pivoting head adjusts to follow the chin and jawline. The unit shaves wet with foam or dry.

At $160, the Panasonic Arc5 is the five-blade foil shaver at a price below the premium Braun models.

Specifications

Specifications for Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
TechnologyFoil (5 blades)
Motor speed70,000 cuts per minute
Wet/dryYes
Price$160

Specs from Panasonic Arc5, electric razor Amazon search

Electric razor comparison

Model Technology Blades Wet/dry Price
Braun Series 9 Pro Foil 5 sync Yes $280
Philips Norelco 9000 Rotary 3 NanoTech Yes $220
Braun Series 7 Foil 4 element Yes $180
Panasonic Arc5 Foil 5 blade Yes $160

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Braun Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver
Braun Series 9 Pro Electric Shaver
Philips Norelco Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige
Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige
Braun Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver
Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver
Panasonic Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
Our verdictBest premium foil electric razorBest rotary electric razorBest mid-range foil shaverBest value electric shaver
TechnologyFoil (5 sync blades)Rotary (3 heads)Foil (4 elements)Foil (5 blades)
Wet/dryYes, waterproofNot listedYesYes
Battery life60 minutesNot listedNot listedNot listed
Price$280$220$180$160
Blade typeNot listedNanoTech bladesNot listedNot listed
Self-cleaningNot listedYes, SmartClean stationNot listedNot listed
AutoSenseNot listedNot listedYesNot listed
Motor speedNot listedNot listedNot listed70,000 cuts per minute
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

What is the difference between a foil and rotary electric shaver?

A foil shaver uses a thin, perforated metal screen that hairs push through before being cut by oscillating blades beneath the screen. Foil shavers work best on flat surfaces like cheeks and necks, cut in straight strokes across the face and generally produce a closer shave on flat skin. A rotary shaver uses three or four circular cutting heads that rotate independently. Rotary shavers follow curved contours and work better on heavy, multi-directional growth around the jaw and chin. Most dermatologists and shaving product testers find foil shavers produce a closer shave on flat areas while rotary shavers handle contours better. For most men with moderate beard density and relatively flat cheek surfaces, a foil shaver produces the closer result.

How often should I clean my electric razor?

Electric razors should be rinsed or cleaned after every shave to prevent cut hair buildup inside the foil or rotary head. Hair buildup reduces cutting efficiency, dulls blades faster and can harbor bacteria that causes skin irritation. For shavers with a self-cleaning station, docking after each use is sufficient. For shavers without a station, rinsing the head under running water while running the shaver removes hair and skin cell buildup. A deeper clean with brush and cleaning spray once a week removes skin oils that water rinsing does not fully remove. Blade and foil replacement is typically needed every 12 to 18 months for daily shavers.

Can I use an electric razor on sensitive skin?

Electric razors are generally gentler on sensitive skin than manual razors because they do not drag a blade directly across the skin surface. The foil screen keeps the cutting element away from skin contact. For sensitive skin, use a foil shaver rather than rotary, as the straight-across stroke irritates skin less than the circular motion of rotary heads. Shave in the direction of hair growth on the first pass, then cross-grain on a second pass if additional closeness is needed. Avoid pressing the shaver hard against the skin. Let the weight of the shaver do the work rather than forcing it across the face.

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