Few of us love to shave. But the right razor can speed up the process and leave a smooth shave without irritation.
Over the last decade, we have bought and tested nearly 100 razors. Our team of grooming experts has multiple facial hair types to throw every conceivable razor at: three blades, four blades, five blades, disposables, safety razors, electric, rotary, and foil.
The Gillette ProGlide Shield is a 5-blade model that won us over for its build quality and pivoting head, which provides an extra close shave. If you’re on a tight budget, the Schick Quattro Titanium is much more affordable but still offers a reasonably good shave.
We’ve added a few of our favorite electric options to the mix here, but we also have a full lineup of just electric razor recommendations you can check out. If you’re not one to sport a clean-shaven face, we have also tested beard trimmers, and if you need to tame other types of facial hair, a nose hair trimmer could come in handy.
Editor’s Note: We updated this review on March 13, 2025 by rewriting our award sections to be more concise, with more insights from testers.
Related: Best Razor for Women
Quick Look
The Best Shaving Razors
Full results from testing 15 top products are in our Product Comparison Table and Analysis & Test Results sections.
Best Overall Razor
Gillette ProGlide Shield
Number of Blades: 5 | Style: Refillable cartridge
The Gillette ProGlide Shield is our top pick for its smooth, high-quality shave. It has a low-friction glide and blade that pivots in multiple directions to hug facial contours. It’s five blades, guided by a micro-thin comb-like strip, cut stubble cleanly without tugging. Our test team raves, “It’s unmatched in side-by-side tests.”
Enhanced lubrication strips minimize irritation, outshining the otherwise stellar Gillette ProGlide. Blade swaps are effortless, and the unobstructed design simplifies rinsing, solidifying the Shield as a standout. “I’ve never had a closer shave,” one tester adds.
The ProGlide Shield delivers consistently superior shaves across multiple uses, outshining most rivals in our tests. Its minor flaws–a slightly less ergonomic handle, a need for grippier rubber accents, and a so-so precision trimmer–pale next to its high performance and durability. “I barely noticed the blade dulling after a week,” one tester says.
While the Schick Hydro Sensitive matches it in some areas with a longer, lighter handle, it’s trickier to clean and swap cartridges, losing out overall. The budget-friendly Schick Quattro Titanium offers a solid four-blade shave, but the ProGlide Shield’s ease and quality win. “It’s worth every penny for the smooth finish,” another tester insists.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Schick Quattro Titanium
Number of Blades: 4 + 1 edging blade | Style: Refillable cartridge
The Schick Quattro Titanium offers a smooth, close shave with its four-blade system, blending ergonomic design, a rubberized grip, and solid performance. “It shaves as well as many pricier options,” a tester notes, highlighting its value at a fraction of the cost of modern multi-blade razors like the Gillette ProGlide.
While budget five-blade options like the BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable exist, they fall short on quality. Spending over double on the Gillette ProGlide Shield gets you extras like lubrication and pivoting tech, but for affordability and reliability, the Quattro Titanium shines. “I love how it balances cost and comfort,” another tester says.
The Schick Quattro Titanium excels with its affordable four-blade shave, though its closely spaced blades trap hair and grime more than some three- or five-blade rivals. Frequent rinsing helps, and its value shines. “I love its performance for the price,” a tester says.
For easier cleaning and slightly better glide, the five-blade Harry’s Original or Gillette Fusion5 edge it out, while three-blade disposables like the Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive lag behind. Still, the Quattro Titanium remains a top pick. “It’s tough to beat at this cost,” another tester notes.
Best Double Edge Safety Razor
Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge
Number of Blades: 1 + 1 | Type of Style: Double edge safety razor
The Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge is our top double-edge safety razor, boasting a hefty 5.7-ounce build, superior shave, and durable design—ideal for seasoned or eco-minded shavers. Its ergonomic, textured handle ensures control, outshining rivals like Bevel. “It feels like a heavy-duty tool,” a tester says.
Though less forgiving than five-blade options like the Gillette ProGlide Shield or Schick Hydro Sensitive, its mild DE blades deliver a standout shave with practice. “I mastered it faster than expected,” tester Jason Wanlass notes. For less effort, multi-blade models suffice, but this razor’s quality is worth it.
The Godfather Stonehenge offers a stellar close shave, though its safety razor design requires practice—especially for multi-blade users—and may cause slight irritation. It lags in ease of cleaning and blade replacement, scoring low across all razor types. “I love the shave, but it’s a bit tricky to clean,” a tester admits.
Experienced shavers will appreciate its quality, outpacing the Bevel Safety and Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin in handling, despite their modern and ornate designs. At 20%+ less cost, it’s the budget-friendly pick among top-tier safety razors. “I found it worth the effort,” another tester says.
Our Favorite Disposable Razor
BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable
Number of Blades: 5 | Style: Disposable
The BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable is our top disposable razor, featuring a wide, rubber-gripped handle with a weighted ball-bearing for control and a standout edging blade for sculpting. “I love its precision,” a tester says, noting its edge over typical throwaways.
While the BIC Flex 4 Sensitive Hybrid scores similarly, its flimsier build and missing grooming blade disappoint. The Flex 5’s sturdy design and added features win out. “It feels premium for a disposable,” another tester adds.
The BIC Flex 5 Titanium’s five-blade design underperforms many options in our tests. I left stubble after multiple passes. That said, it does beat most disposables except the BIC Flex 4 Sensitive Hybrid. “I need patience for a smooth shave,” lead tester Jason Wanlass says. Its head also clogs, complicating rinsing.
Still, it’s our top disposable for its features, but reusable options like the Schick Quattro Titanium (four blades, similar price) or Gillette Fusion5 (five blades, slightly pricier with easy refills) offer better shaves and value. “I’d switch to the Fusion5 for less hassle,” another tester notes.
Best Overall Electric Razor
Braun Series 8 with PowerCase
Run Time on Full Charge: 60 minutes | Usage Options: Wet & Dry
Want to upgrade from a classic handheld razor to a modern, tech-savvy option? After testing numerous electric razors, we’re obsessed with the Braun Series 8 with PowerCase for its stellar shaving performance. It offers wet or dry settings for a smooth, irritation-free shave—perfect even in the shower—plus a powerful motor that cuts through stubble fast. We measured the rechargeable battery lasting 132 minutes and it recharged fully in just an hour. Our tester only plugged it in every few weeks.
Our testers couldn’t stop raving about it: “It’s all I need. I took it on all my travels and never felt it was too bulky,” one said. The self-cleaning base keeps it low-maintenance, and the travel case doubles as a charger, eliminating the need for a cord on long trips. If you’re looking for convenience, performance, and portability in an electric razor, this is the one to beat.
The Braun Series 8 with PowerCase delivers premium features at a higher upfront cost than basic models, though it’s more affordable than Braun’s luxury razors while retaining nearly all their perks. Ongoing expenses—like self-cleaner fluid and blade replacements—add up, making it pricier than manual razors. The budget-friendly Braun Series 3 ProSkin is a solid starter for newcomers hesitant to splurge. The Series 8’s pop-up trimmer is decent but thin and sticky, falling short of the best we tested.
“You get what you pay for, and then some,” one tester raved, praising its unbeatable close shave. It’s a top-tier daily razor for those prioritizing performance, but luxury seekers might eye the Braun Series 9 Pro for extra features. On a tight budget? The classic Gillette ProGlide Shield offers great value at a fraction of the cost.
Read more: Braun Series 8 with PowerCase Review
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, a budget-friendly base model, offers solid construction and functionality, making it a top value pick. It won’t deliver a world-class shave—upgrade to the Braun Series 8 for that—but it handles whiskers well enough for work, dates, or daily life. Key perks include long run time, a comfy grip, wet/dry use, and easy maintenance.
“I love how the USB charging cord lets you power up anywhere—super easy to toss in a bag without worry,” a tester said, highlighting its travel-friendly design with widely available USB ports. It’s a practical, no-fuss choice for a reliable shave on a budget.
Our testing showed the ProSkin’s flaws—stiff trimmer arm, loose travel cap, no power button lock, and weak power for thick whiskers—but its low price and value shine through. The Remington F5 Foil is another budget-friendly electric option with a decent shave.
“I’m impressed by how much value you get for the price,” a tester said. For even less, the Gillette ProGlide Shield or Schick Hydro Sensitive manual razors deliver solid performance without power concerns.
Read more: Braun Series 3 ProSkin Review
Excellent Choice for Precision Grooming and Body
Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body
Waterproof: Showerproof | Power Source: Rechargeable Battery
The Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body seems delicate but excels at thick beards and body grooming. “The OneBlade delivers one of the smoothest, cleanest shaves we saw,” a tester raved, rivaling disposables and dedicated electrics. Its compact, waterproof design is shower-friendly and easy to clean.
This model’s pivoting blade heads glide smoothly, with replaceable blades for precision. While we loved the Braun Series 8 for all-around performance, the OneBlade stood out for precision and body grooming.
However, it lacks larger guards for long, thick beards and focuses on close shaves and shorter styles. Blade replacements add upkeep costs, and the small plastic parts may break or get lost.
Try a manual razor like The Godfather Stonehenge by Vikings Blade, which cuts waste and costs for cheaper precision. “I swear by its exceptional results,” a tester said. Multi-blade Gillette ProGlide or electrics like the Braun Series 7 and Braun 9-in-1 Trimmer offer broader grooming options if budget allows.
Read more: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body Review.
Product Comparison Table
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How We Tested
Navigating the grooming market is tough with its vast options and tricky jargon. We bought top razors at retail—2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-blade designs, disposables, cartridges, and double-edge safety razors—for hands-on testing. Each was tested over multiple shaves with consistent prep and gel; safety razors got shave soap and a badger brush for a classic touch. We compared them side-by-side—shaving, rinsing, contouring, grip, even splitting our faces between products—to guide you to the best choice.
Our razor testing is divided into 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 Trust GearLab
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 to 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 Pick the Best Razor
Trying to decide on the right razor? We’ve compiled a list of 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 considering how each style performs is still a good idea. 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. A cartridge razor fits the bill if you value convenience and ease of use. In contrast, a safety razor requires practice and precision but creates a great shave and works well with sensitive skin. Both require blade replacement, but in most instances, a cartridge is easier to change.
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 plan to use your razor in the shower.
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How Much Does it Cost to Replace the Blade?
When calculating a razor’s lifetime cost, factor in the initial price plus replacement blade expenses. Razors often come with blade bundles, and replacements vary in price and quantity—some even offer discounted subscriptions. Prices fluctuate with frequent discounts, complicating cost-per-blade comparisons across products.
Check replacement blade costs before choosing a razor for your needs. Larger blade bundles typically lower the per-blade price. Disposables are cheapest overall, despite full replacement. Cartridge razors sit mid-range, with top models pricier. Safety razors, though costly upfront, can compete long-term with bulk blade buys.
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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.
What’s the Best Value?
Beyond performance, we assess razor value, finding that top price doesn’t always mean top quality—there’s a sweet spot for most. On a budget, the Schick Quattro Titanium delivers solid performance for less. The mid-range GillettePro Glide Shield is a favorite for affordability and quality. For a premium option, the Godfather Stonehenge by Vikings Blade offers a stellar shave with style but ranks among the priciest; blades are separate, raising initial costs, though cheaper per-blade long-term.
Shave Quality
We rated shave quality by how well blades cut hair and left skin smooth. Closer shaves from sharper, aggressive blades can increase irritation, bumps, or ingrown hairs—details we cover in glide and comfort ratings—but here, we focus solely on closeness and quality.
The Gillette ProGlide Shield and Gillette ProGlide, both 5-blade razors, tied for best shave quality, offering close, smooth cuts effortlessly. The Schick Hydro Sensitive also excelled equally. Smoothness and glide—detailed later—set their rankings apart, but all left skin smooth and fresh.
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