The 8 Best Razors That Have Never Let Us Down

It’s generally thought that more blades equal a closer shave, and in the case of the Fusion5, that is true. At the very least, most razor makers agree that five is the sweet spot for a cartridge razor. The reason for that is so that the five blades which glide across your skin effortlessly in combination with the larger lubricating strip, giving you a baby-smooth shave in seconds flat.

Compared with other cartridge razors I’ve tried, especially those with fewer blades, it gives not only a closer shave but also a more comfortable one. Other notable features, like the “channels” that help to clear away shaving cream and work to prevent clogs between the blades, are welcome and add to the experience, but it’s really all about the blades here. Harry’s notwithstanding, I still haven’t been able to find a cartridge razor that gives a closer shave than Gillette’s, even after all these years.

Typically, if you have a problem with ingrown hairs (particularly if your beard is very curly or textured), shaving with a multiblade razor like the two above is not the best idea. Five blade razors cut so close to the skin that they can lead to more ingrown hairs as your whiskers grow out. In this case, a single-blade safety razor (which we’ve dedicated an entire story to) is a good option.

Bevel takes a traditional razor and updates it for a modern user. Specifically designed for men with textured beards, this easy-to-use safety razor is perfectly weighted to deliver a close shave.

Although it doesn’t shave as close as a multiblade razor, for the reasons above, it’s not like you’re going to have stubble. Shaving with a safety razor takes some getting used to if you’ve only ever used cartridge razors before: You have to go slower and hold it at a specific angle to shave without nicking or cutting your skin, but once you get the hang of it, the shave it delivers rivals one you’d get in a barbershop.

You know that feeling after you get a hot-towel barbershop shave? The warmth and freshness, I mean, is there anything more rejuvenating? This innovative heated razor is the closest thing we’ve ever found to re-creating that feeling on your own. It sounds pretty out-there, but in practice it functions like any other multiblade cartridge razor. The result is one the most comfortable home shaves you can experience—and one of the closest, as well.

The special cartridges include a bar that heats up when the razor is turned on. The heated bar not only soothes and conditions your skin but also helps to soften hair, making it easier for the five blades to cut through it, minimizing the possibility of nicks and pulls and reducing the risk of irritation. You can even switch between high and low heat settings for your comfort. Truly, it’s a luxury product, with a price point to match, and while the refills are slightly more expensive than your usual cartridges, it just might be worth the investment to get this luxurious of a shave each morning.

If you have sensitive skin, shaving is always going to be a harrowing experience. You’re likely familiar with ingrown hairs, razor burn and irritation, particularly if you’re using multiple blades. This cartridge razor still has multiple blades, but it’s been thoughtfully designed to minimize irritation on sensitive skin.

The handle is what you’ve come to expect from a Gillette Mach or Fusion razor, it’s the cartridges that are special. With its two lubrication strips (versus the standard one) and a proprietary “irritation-defense bar” situated between the blades, the actual experience of shaving with it is way more comfortable than many of the other razors at the same price point. It glides over your skin without any drag or pulling, and the additional lubrication strip actually does make a difference. It also shaves at skin level, which means that it helps reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, making it a great option for guys who don’t want to go down the safety-razor track but still want to control ingrowns. It doesn’t shave quite as close as some others on this list, but if you have sensitive skin or problems with razor bumps, that’s a compromise you may be willing to make for a more comfortable, irritation-free shave.

This razor is the next evolution of the Flex 5, which is our disposable razor of choice. Indeed, that really just makes it a standard cartridge razor. The Trim and Shave is a cartridge razor that also includes beard-trimming attachments for making facial-hair adjustments without any batteries. This makes it perfect for short beards and stubble. Each cartridge head has five blades that work to deliver a crazy-close shave, and each trimmer is two-sided to accommodate shorter and longer beards.

The handle has a pivoting head to help make shaving around the contours of your face more comfortable, a lubricating strip, and a precision trimmer blade. The ergonomic design of the handle fits comfortably in your hand and has a rubber grip to keep it from slipping. The addition of the trimming attachments makes it a space-saving alternative to packing a razor and a beard trimmer. If you like to perpetually rock the short stubble beard or five o’clock shadow, this will make it easy to maintain.

For many years, the Braun Series 9 reigned supreme in the pantheon of electric razors. But now it’s time for Nevo to take the throne. The first thing you’ll notice is yes, it has a screen. Yes, that screen is useful. Before, when your electric razor didn’t work, you had to troubleshoot trial and error style. The Nevo will tell you if you need to clean, adjust, or replace your razor head—and you’ll always know how charged the shaver is too.

It’s an investment but it’s the full package, but when it comes to electric you won’t get a better shave from a lighter device—it’s just not possible. With a travel case and charging stand that also cleans the razor, you (almost) never worry about maintenance. Compared to other electric razors I’ve used, it will genuinely save you time every day you use it. 10 seconds per shave per day adds up quickly over time.

If that doesn’t sound worth $600 to you, the Series 9 Pro is right there and currently on sale for $350. For something under $200 that won’t compromise in shave quality, check out the Panasonic Arc 5. All good electric razors, but this is the current holy grail.

The Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use grooming tools on the market. The Pro version is loaded with extras including a precision grooming attachment and a 14-length beard comb. This is the one that has earned permanent icon status in my own grooming routine. From beard trims to mustache touch-ups and yes, even body shaving when I need to, this is my go-to electric trimmer.

Designed like a traditional razor—but powered up through technological advancements—the OneBlade uses an innovative razor design to mow through whiskers of all thicknesses effortlessly. Since the blade is double-sided, you can use it in multiple directions (unlike a traditional razor) and this upgraded version features a 360 degree swiveling head. You can also use it dry, meaning that without shaving cream your shave is easier and faster.

This is a great tool, one I use most weeks, but it’s not going to replace a razor. For those wanting a close shave, this is more of a way to touch up and maintain existing facial hair.

Gillette Labs with Exfoliating Bar: The idea behind this razor is that it covers two steps in your skin-care routine: exfoliating and shaving. The rough bar physically exfoliates your skin as you move it over the surface, removing buildup and dead skin cells in the process. This helps pave the way for a closer shave by removing things that could prevent the razor from effectively cutting your whiskers.

Gillette Mach3 Razor: If you’re somewhere in the middle, where you want a closer shave than what a single-blade razor can deliver but find five blades too harsh for your skin, the Mach3 is a good choice. It features three blades that give you a close shave without as much risk of irritation as versions with more blades and deliver a comfortable shaving experience that’s faster and, some might say, easier than a safety razor’s. The long-lasting blades can handle up to 15 shaves before needing to be replaced, which also makes it an economical choice.

Schick Hydro Sensitive Razor: Designed to be used on sensitive skin, this comfortable razor features a very good lubricating strip infused with aloe, and while it still has five blades, each one has a special guard to help reduce potential irritation.

We mentioned all the different types of razor styles up top but wanted to give a quick breakdown for quick reference.

Cartridge Razor: This is the most popular form of razor for shaving. These are sold with replaceable snap-on cartridge heads that you need to change once they’ve dulled. Many have multiple blades, three and five being the most common.

Safety Razor: Safety razors are single-blade straight razors with a guard between the blade and skin. They are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Blades require a good amount of upkeep and replacement, but the shave you get is very clean and close.

Disposable Razor: Disposable razors are temporary-use blades that (typically) don’t detach from the handle. They tend to come in bulk packs and have a reputation for being cheap and low quality. It’s true that, compared with the others, you won’t get as close a shave.

Electric Razor: It’s not really even a razor. Electric razors use tiny rotating blades to cut through any thickness of hair. They are easy and don’t require force or shaving cream. Electric razors don’t get as close as straight razors do, but they are fast and can cut through bigger beards in the way cartridge razors aren’t built for.