The day of the straight razor has come and gone.
Nowadays the majority of men find themselves gravitating away from costly replacement blades and towards the intriguing, ever-evolving electric shavers.
Some of these electric shavers can be pretty expensive, but they are only a one-time purchase! Think how often you might have to buy replacement blades for your Gillette or Schick razor. Now do the math on how much those replacement blades cost you over the course of a year!
Needless to say, an electric shaver can be a great investment.
This list will help you find exactly how much you need to spend to get the right electric shaver for you.
The 7 Best Electric Shavers For 2019
| Product | Battery Run-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| SweetLF 3D Rechargable | Up to 120 Minutes | |
| Philips Norelco 2100 | 35 Minutes | |
| Phisco Electric Shaver | Up to 120 Minutes | |
| Philips Norelco 4500 | Up to 50 Minutes | |
| Panasonic ES8243A ARC4 | 42 Minutes | |
| Braun Electric Shaver Series 7 790cc | 50 Minutes | |
| Panasonic ARC5 (Editor's Pick) | 45 Minutes |
SweetLF 3D Rechargable
About the SweetLF 3D Rechargable
Usually when you think of electric shavers, only a few names come to mind: Philips, Braun, Panasonic?
Well if you’ve recently looked for an electric shaver on Amazon, you’d also have come across the SweetLF 3D Rechargable.
The SweetLF 3D Rechargable looks like any other electric shaver, but on Amazon it has attracted quite a following as being a cheap, decent alternative to some of the main shaver brands.
The SweetLF is advertised as coming equipped with quick-charging, and an LED display that will display total battery life left.
The shaver charges in approximately one hour and lasts for 120 minutes, which is quite good compared to most electric razors.
The SweetLF 3D also has a pop-up trimmer for precision trimming, and is easy to clean, being completely waterproof.
Additionally, the SweetLF is advertised as giving a close and smooth shave thanks to its 3D floating heads.
Some other features we liked were the quiet operation of the device, and the ability to charge via USB, eliminating the need for a clunky wall charger.
Our Input
The SweetLF 3D Rechargeable seems too good to be true.
By all accounts if you are looking for a cheap, short-term shaver, then this might very well be the one for you.
But we would caution against falling for the high praise on Amazon.
The SweetLF 3D comes with next to no buyer protection, and many have warned that the device can barely hold a charge after a year.
Others have noted that while it will provide a shave, it will not compare to how smooth or close a shave some other models might offer you.
If you are looking for a rudimentary, cheap electric shaver, the SweetLF 3D might not be a bad option. But there are more reliable shavers on this list that we’d recommend first.
Philips Norelco 2100
About the Philips Norelco 2100
When I think of electric shavers, the first device that comes to mind is a Philips Norelco.
They’ve been around forever, and for good reason – they always seem to be reliable.
The Philips Norelco 2100 is an older, more basic model, but for some it might be the best option out there.
The Norelco 2100 offers a close-cut blade system that should give a close and clean shave every time
It also has 4-directional shaver flex heads which allow it to more smoothly follow the contours of the face.
It has some of the other features most people look for, such as being completely water washable, and having that useful pop-up trimmer we’ve come to rely on.
It also has a much more trustworthy lithium-ion battery that shouldn’t run into some of the issues that other razors have with rapidly decreasing battery charges.
Our Input
The Philips Norelco 2100 is a basic, reliable electric shaver.
The battery in this unit, while it initially won’t last as long per charge, will end up outliving the SweetLF 3D’s battery, and one can expect a slightly better shave out of the Norelco.
And even if it doesn’t, most Philips products are covered under warranty, and dealing with their customer support is much easier than being offered no support at all.
The Norelco 2100 is reliable and simple, but don’t expect a perfect shave, zero irritation, or a device with no flaws.
However, if you’re trying to choose between the first 2 models on this list, we’d recommend the Norelco 10 times out of 10, especially considering they cost about the same price.
If you’re not looking to spend too much on your razer, don’t care to have “the very best”, and you don’t want any of the frills, then this is probably the shaver for you.
Phisco Electric Shaver
About the Phisco Electric Shaver
Phisco is a relatively well-known brand, but nowhere near the level of market dominance or top-of-mind awareness as other brands on this list.
But the Phisco Electric Shaver has us believing that you don’t always have to go with the big brands!
The Phisco electric shaver has a sleek black and chrome finish which we liked.
It also offers many of the features we liked in the SweetLF 3D Rechargable, with the reliability and shave-quality we got in the Norelco 2100.
The Phisco has a USB charger and quick-charging, and a full charge can last up to 120 minutes. That’s a lot of shaves!
It also has 3D floating heads, a double-track cutter, and durable self-sharpening blades.
These features mean a closer shave that is less likely to leave your skin irritated.
The Phisco is also washable under water, quiet in operation, and comes with LED sensors that display feedback information such as battery time.
Our Input
We really liked the Phisco electric shaver.
It is not a perfect shave, free of irritation, but for those with a thinner beard, this is the “Best Value” electric shaver out there.
Coming in at under $50 it can provide a mostly reliable shave, while still offering many of the features we feel are necessary in an electric shaver.
Check out the video below for a full unboxing and actual demonstration of the shaver in action.
Philips Norelco 4500
About the Philips Norelco 4500
This is the second Philips Norelco on this list, and you might be wondering, where are the newer fancy Norelco’s?
The answer is, we couldn’t include them on this list as they are no longer the ‘Best Electric Shavers’.
The Philips Norelco 4500 is again an older Norelco model, but in our estimations, it blows the newer models out of the water.
While the new lines of Norelco’s have become incredibly expensive, they don’t seem to have the same quality in build or performance that the older versions did.
The Philips Norelco 4500 does not have the same fancy features or charging docks as the newer models, but what it does have are the necessary electric shaver features, and a very good performance quality.
The Norelco 4500 has some of Philips’ shaver technology such as:
Pivot, Flex, and Float system which keeps the shaver heads close to the skin for a close shave.
DualPrecision shaving to get both long and shorter hairs.
AquaTac seal to allow for both wet and dry shaving.
It also has an LED battery life display, pop-up trimmer, and offers the option of a quick charge for a single shave (a useful feature for the times you forget to charge the device).
Overall, the Norelco 4500 is a perfect middle-of-the-line shaver, good for both coarser and thinner beards, and offering a high standard of build quality, battery longevity, and customer service.
Our Input
The newer Philips Norelco’s have been a bit of a letdown. They no longer seem to offer the same quality of shave as the older models (like the Norelco 4500).
We’ve chosen the Norelco 4500 because it is the last Norelco model that offered versatility and a good, close shave.
It is slightly more expensive than earlier shavers on this list, but it offers the best shave so far (especially for thicker, coarser beards), and it will likely last a long time.
Total charging time can take quite long, and a full battery will last about 50 minutes.
The Norelco 4500 is a good option for the shaver that doesn’t know exactly what they need, offering high performance and a long-lasting build at a decent price.
Panasonic ARC4
About the Panasonic ARC4
Panasonic’s ARC Shavers have a different look to all the previous shavers on this list, and when it comes to performance, the Panasonic proves that looks aren’t everything.
The ARC4 comes with a linear motor, a flexible floating head, a pop-up trimmer, and can be both a wet and dry shaver.
The Panasonic feels right in the hand, and something about its thin base allows for a more ergonomic grip, in our opinion.
It feels easier to shave with, due to its design, and benefits from an extremely close shaving, and extra-sharp shaver head.
It is very easy to clean, as with the rest of the shavers on the list it is completely waterproof.
Shaving performance is among the best on this list, though it doesn’t feel as sturdy as a Philips Norelco, and closeness of the shave can differ based on the thickness of one’s beard.
Our Input
The Panasonic ARC4 and the Norelco 4500 are very similarly performing devices at very similar prices.
One thing we did like much more about the Panasonic was the much faster charging times – where the Norelco 4500 can take 8 hours for a full charge, the Panasonic can get a full charge in about 1 hour.
The Panasonic feels a little more comfortable to shave with, and when it comes to the shave it can depend.
For those with thicker beards, the Norelco might still offer the superior shave, but for the average user the Panasonic ARC4 will offer a close shave with very little post-shave sensitivity.
If we had to choose a favourite of the two, we would probably go with the Panasonic, but the Norelco 4500 would by no means be a ‘bad choice’.
Braun Series 7 790cc
About the Braun Series 7
Braun is one of the very best grooming companies in the world, and the Braun Series 7 is one of the very best grooming products in the world.
As you can see from the video above, when you purchase a Braun Series 7, you are purchasing a top-of-the-line shaver.
The Braun Series 7 offers the best shave of any shaver we have seen yet, with both incredible closeness, and softness so as not to irritate the skin.
The Series 7 also comes packed with features that set it apart from every other shaver so far.
The Series 7 has 4 shaving elements, including a skin guard and a pop-up trimmer.
It also has sonic technology and 8D contour adaptation so that it can vibrate faster and closely follow the ridges of your face, leaving no area red or unshaved.
It also has 5 different modes, allowing for variability in strength in different areas.
The Series 7 can be cleaned under water, or via the Clean & Charge system that uses alcohol to clean your blades after use… while it charges!
Our Input
The Braun Series 7 is one of the very best shavers that money can buy.
There is also a newer Braun Series 9, but for two times the cost you are not getting two times the performance. Stick with the Series 7.
However, there are still a few concerns to be had with the Series 7.
For one, the Clean and Charge system, while a cool feature, does not seem to clean the shaver as well as a quick manual water clean.
Secondly, replacement heads are quite expensive.
This can be a major drawback and might be a tactic by Braun to convince buyers to consider the Series 9, which has cheaper replacement heads.
Overall, the Braun Series 7 is still the best shaver we’ve looked at so far.
While it is much more expensive than anything prior on this list, it is also definitely the best device so far.
If you’re looking for more information, below is an incredibly in-depth review of the shaver:
Panasonic ARC5
About the Panasonic ARC5
The Panasonic ARC5 is the latest iteration of Panasonic’s ARC shavers, and it is their best version yet.
We already featured the ARC4, which is a great shaver by all accounts, but the ARC5 is our pick for “Best Overall Shaver” on the market.
Complete with all the features seen above, the ARC5 gives one of the easiest, closest shaves you will find in an electric shaver.
Thanks to the 5 blades and the Active Shave Sensor technology, the Panasonic ARC5 is sure to easily shave every hair, thick or thin, long or short, and leave your skin non-irritated.
The Multi-Flex head also allows for the shaver to follow the contours of your face without missing any spots.
The LED display useful information such as time used, charge level, and other relevant indicators.
The shaver also comes with a relatively nice, leather travel case, perfect for when you need to bring your shaver with you on vacation or work trips.
Our Input
The Braun Series 9 is probably the closest shaver to the ARC5, in terms of quality, although it costs much more than the ARC5. The real choice for consumers should be between a Braun Series 7 and a Panasonic ARC5.
We recommend the Panasonic ARC5.
The ARC5 and the Braun series 7 and 9 all should fully charge in about 1 hour, though with the Braun’s you will receive about 5 minutes more use per full charge.
The Panasonic does also have a “clean and charge” base like the Brauns do, but we feel that is one of those non-necessary features. Especially considering that thorough water cleaning and maintenance is more than enough to ensure longevity of your shaver.
Overall, the Panasonic ARC5 is still the better shaver, and it comes in at a much more affordable price.
If you are looking for the “Best Overall” electric shaver on the market, we think the Panasonic ARC5 is your best bet.
Conclusion
We’ve taken a look at some of the very best electric shavers out there, both expensive and budget picks.
We’ve realized that it doesn’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars to get a great shaver, as seen with our “Best Value” pick in the Phisco Electric Shaver.
The Phisco is by no means a perfect device, and it definitely doesn’t have the same level of reliability when it comes to replacing dysfunctional devices as you would get from a ‘Big-Name” brand.
However, it ticks most of our boxes when it comes to quality build, features, and great price-to-performance.
Our pick for the very “Best Overall” shaver would go to the Panasonic ARC5.
Panasonic has become one of the very best producers of electric shavers in recent years and has provided serious competition to Braun and Philips.
For good reason!
The ARC5 is an incredible shaver that performs incredibly, feels comfortable to use, and even comes at a great price point.
If you can fit the ARC5 in your budget, we would recommend it for anyone seriously looking for a long-lasting, reliable, and strong performing shaver.
Writer and Researcher
Sean is a Canadian University graduate with a degree in Communication Studies and Business Management. With over four years of experience in the field working with different newspapers and online magazines, mixed with his impeccable researching abilities, his talents are a perfect fit for Meccano Home.
