Best Electric Shaver for Men 2025 to Keep Your Hair in Check

Even the best electric shaver for men will be underestimated by the general shaving public. Which is a big miss in our book—whether you shave every day or just once in a blue moon, it’s important to have a razor that you trust. Generally, you want smooth results and minimal irritation in as little time as possible. And while we're not here to question the merits of a manual razor (let alone safety razors and straight razors, all of which are fantastic in their own right), we still think every guy should consider electric razors. Not only have these devices gotten much better in the past decade, but it’s also easy to find one that suits your budget, skin, and specific facial hair type.

Plus, as a bonus, the best electric razor will make the perfect grooming gift for the bearded bros in your life.

• The Best Electric Shaver Overall: Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige Electric Razor, $380
• The Foil Shaver Pick: Panasonic Arc5 Electric Foil Shaver, $155
• The Best-Rated Electric Shaver: Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver, $430
• The Best Travel Electric Shaver: Panasonic ARC5 Palm-Sized Electric Razor, $330
• The Barber-Favorite: Wahl Professional Vanish Foil Shaver, $90
• The Starter Electric Shaver: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Electric Trimmer and Shaver, $38
• The Best Multi-Purpose Shaver & Trimmer: Panasonic MultiShape Clean Cut Kit, $150
• The Best Head Shaver: Remington Balder Pro Electric Head Shaver, $60

Rarely will you and your best bud have the same needs in all of these departments, which is why you’ve got a few things to consider when looking for the best electric razor for men. Yes, I’ve got my favorite device in a given year—and what I recommend to most guys may differ from the one I use personally. So, read on for a rundown of the best GQ-tested electric shavers of the moment, newly updated for 2025.

Tested and Reviewed by Adam Hurly

In a given year, it's always a three-horse race between Philips Norelco, Braun, and Panasonic, because each brand takes its turn issuing the latest muscled-up machine. And while we'd sooner prescribe a foil shaver to the average user (as mentioned in our sizing-up of Foil v. Rotary), the truth is, rotary shavers will satisfy the largest group of people, since they also serve thicker stubble, as well as more sensitive skin, body and head shaving, and even those folks with nickel allergies. And in the e-shaver game, nobody beats Philips Norelco at rotary razors.

The S9000 won a GQ Grooming Award in 2023 for good reason: space-grade steel razors that practically cut at the speed of light, while providing the smoothest and closest shave any rotary razor has ever been capable of (arguably, as close if not smoother than the foil competition). Usually, when a brand touts "more razors", it doesn't necessarily mean it impacts the shave in the big picture, but in the S9000 Prestige's case, there are two razors on each rotary panel (compared to the usual one), working independently of one another, which provides results that could convert the stodgiest of foil shavers, and maybe even the bare-razor holdouts.

Why It's the Best Shaver Overall

And while I usually feel like a rotary razor requires a second "assurance" pass, I've saved time and had fewer missed spots than ever before (the few I've had are because I made so much haste, I legitimately just skipped spots entirely, as opposed to the device not adequately doing its job). I've even bought a few extra days between tidyings on my shoulder and upper back with the Prestige S9000 too. In most years, I'd let the two foil kings at Panasonic and Braun duke it out for the top spot, but for now, it's Philips Norelco's throne to yield.

Philips Norelco

S9000 Prestige Electric Rotary Razor (Without Cleaning + Charging Station)

$330

Amazon

The Arc5 is now a generation behind, and I’ll admit that the newer Panasonic Arc6 is one of the best men’s razors in the game right now. Still, I want to call out the Arc5 in particular here. When new devices enter the market, it's important to keep their predecessors in mind rather than writing them off as has-beens—it'd be like shunning the BMW E28 as soon as the E30 was released the following year. So don't go discounting the Arc5's abilities just because the Arc6 is the more advanced machine.

Yes, the Arc6 has six blades to the Arc6’s five. But—and say this with us, guys—more blades does not automatically equal a better razor. Give it a few more years, and we have no doubt there will be seven, eight, or even 12-blade razors for sale, but that doesn’t mean you should use them.

Why It's the Best Foil Shaver

With the Arc6 on shelves, the Arc5 dropped to a quarter of the cost of the newer toy, which is priced at a really-hard-to-justify $400. But you know what hasn't dropped? The Arc5’s standard-setting, extra-flexible performance that’s erased stubble for over a decade. With five blades, it's never missed a spot on a first pass for me, even with week-long facial hair thanks to the trimming bar fixed between those four foil blades. And the closeness of the shave is, to embrace a cliché, chef's kiss.

I'm shocked they even found room for a sixth razor on the Arc6. But its size isn't to its detriment, either; while I'd argue that there are better devices for a simple neckline or cheekline cleanup (see below), I think this is the single best "set it and forget it" autopilot-style full-face shaver you can use. So if you're the guy who just wants to do a daily once-over in the shower or at the sink, then a 30-second pass with the Arc5 will keep you smoothly polished without worry. It'll be a sad day if and when Panasonic retires the Arc5, because it feels so pivotal to where we are in electric shaving these days. So consider this my part to keep its legacy alive, and to save you some big bucks in the process.

The Braun Series 9 PRO+ is like a victory lap for Braun's Series 9 family, which has been top of the e-shaver field for a while. (At least, best-rated according to the masses; we’ve also heard grooming editors call it the most over-rated grooming tool on the market.) What stands out most here is the quintet of elements atop the head: two foil shavers to buffer the shave at both ends, with three trimming and lifting components in the middle so that no hair goes untamed. It makes the Arc5 and 6 feel like a class of SUVs (that's not a criticism), while this feels more like a luxury sedan.

A Top-Rated Shaver Worth the Splurge

And you cannot ignore its endlessly flexible, movable head; you could cast this razor in a Bob Fosse musical for all of the neck movement it serves. I also find that its features are the best of the best: From the most superior, mustache-managing pop-out trimmer to a safekeeping lock (for both that movable neck and for the trimmer as a whole). And while I'm not scoring on the basis of charging stations or other attachments, I do have to call out the incredibly useful charging case that this device comes with. Its hard shell keeps your precious trophy of a shaver safe, as well as fully charged (not that its hour-long juice will deplete during a week on the go).

And while Panasonic’s bevy of elite foil shavers will provide you with a closer shave than the Braun, it's going to be nominal to most people. Again, in the debate between foil shavers, it's an SUV vs luxe sedan. You probably know which one sounds more appealing to you.

A barbershop staple (and barber Grinstead-Mayle's go-to brand for shavers), Wahl's foil device is my favorite for many specific tasks: For starters, it delivers a quick neckline shave, with enough endurance to last a few months (assuming you're just tidying that neckline each time). It's my go-to less-bulky traveling shaver, as well as my top recommendation for any friends who only want a fresh "appearing" shave once in a blue moon without forking over $300 for a device.

It's equally fantastic for thick-haired frequent shaves, but I feel like most of you barely do a true razor shave, and you want an electric shaver for the "if and when" you need to look babyfaced. The tiered foil heads make things quick and easy, while the ultra-thin foils give you that barbershop-caliber smoothness minus any irritation, so it's not going to be damning on skin that isn't used to a shave.

And funny enough, Grinstead-Mayle likes Wahl's shavers for the complete opposite reason: Because it's terrific for extremely frequent shaves, which explains why it's such a mainstay across barbershops worldwide. "I charge mine once a week, and I use them many times a day," he explains. "Plus the replacement blades/foils are easy to get! Also, the battery life on them is exceptional."

While it's not our recommended trimmer or shaver for guys with beards, it can handle your stubble no problem. Without turning this article into a full-on Philips-Norelco love fest, let me just say this: The OneBlade is perfect for shaving clean edges, and its flexible, oft-imitated design remains unmatched. Here is a device that, when it lacks any guards, moves like a cartridge shaver or a line-up trimmer in order to keep you looking fresh-faced. Or, if you snap on its trimming guard, you can work your way up past designed stubble and into proper beard trimming territory. There are a few iterations of the OneBlade (some include body trimming heads, some more than a dozen trimming lengths, some a longer charge), but I think this is the perfect one for guys who primarily need clean necklines and cheek lines, who rarely do a full shave, but who have a dedicated beard trimmer for the bulkier jobs.

Why it’s a great first electric shaver

What makes this a good pickup for young guys and grooming beginners? It’s the versatility and the low price point compared to elite trimmers and shavers. Because it can’t handle longer hair and has a shorter battery, it’s not a great pick for guys who take grooming seriously. If you want a true multi-purpose electric shaver and trimmer, pick up the Panasonic Multishape instead.

Remington

Balder Pro Electric Head Shaver

$60

Walmart

$60

Amazon

I've long maintained that a rotary shaver is the best tool for bald guys, period. The math is simple: it takes the least effort and time to get a smooth shave. Maybe not as silicone-smooth as a bladed shaver, but close. A built-for-baldness rotary shaver manages the curvature of the head really effectively, and can mow down thick and curly strands—plus those follicles that point off in odd directions—better than foil shavers. Plus, it fits in your hand really nicely, keeping you from having to contort yourself like a young Jackie Chan just to get a shave.

A Head Shaver That Delivers Spotless Results on the First Pass

Remington's palm-fit shaver is an Amazon best-seller for a reason: its best-in-class rotary head provides the cleanest results on the first pass. It's also waterproof, making it easy to mow over stubble in the shower, and maintains enough juice (50 minutes per charge) to get you through most of the month. Remember how I said that everyone should own an electric head shaver, even if you prefer manual options? What I really meant was that everyone should own this specific one. (I didn't have a chance to photograph myself using it—thanks to a potent cocktail of this stuff my mane looks more glorious than ever—but in my less hirsute days it was a reliable go-to.)

Panasonic

MultiShape Clean Cut Shaver Kit

$150

Amazon

After its 2021 debut, GQ called the innovative Panasonic MultiShape a “god-tier grooming product.” And our contributor Timothy Beck Werth still swears by its capabilities as an everyday electric shaver. “I’ve been using the electric shaver head consistently for at least three years, and it’s still going strong. The ability to swap it out with a beard trimmer, nose hair trimmer, and electric toothbrush just sweetens the deal,” Werth says.

The MultiShape comes with a variety of swappable grooming heads. You can (and should) get the all-in-one kit for $210, but if you’ve already got a toothbrush and beard trimmer you like, then this Clean Cut kit is our top recommendation. It features two foil shavers and an inner blade to come at stubble from a variety of angles, and it’s not quite as bulky as some other premium electric razors.

Why we still love the MultiShape

Even three years after its release, the MultiShape remains unmatched. While it’s not the best electric shaver you can buy, the overall utility can’t be beat. In our testing, it’s more than capable of eliminating stubble on the cheek, neck, and shin, though it may require an extra pass or two compared to a $300 shaver.

In Fall 2024, Panasonic released the latest iteration of the Arc5. If you’re looking for an upgrade over the past-gen Arc5, then you’ll appreciate this gorgeous grooming tool. The stylish marbled exterior is made from a ceramic-like eco plastic, made with upcycled minerals leftover from seawater purification (an all-black version is less expensive). Unlike your average e-shaver, it fits squarely in the palm of your hand. With five blades and a powerful motor, it leaves your face as smooth as a baby’s.

Our tester found that it works best if you use a rocking, back-and-forth motion as you shave along your neck and other contoured parts of the face. Because of the extra powerful motor and rows of blades, you can nick your face if you press too hard. “Aside from its frustratingly high price point, Panasonic's Series 900S electric shaver is a dream grooming tool for travelers, our tester says. "The pebble shape is easy to store, unobtrusive in your dopp kit, and actually looks rather handsome (something I didn't picture myself saying about an electric shaver).”

Why it’s worth upgrading to this Arc5

Looking for a grooming gift—for yourself or a lucky guy? This palm-sized shaver is a fun splurge. Panasonic doesn’t think of it as a travel shaver, but it fits perfectly into a dopp kit. As you’d expect from a premium product, you can get away with a quick once-over. Longer stubble may take a couple of passes.

This right here—it’s one of Philips-Norelco’s most underlooked products. I’m going to age myself here, but this rotary shaver is about the size of a beeper (kids, a beeper is an ancient communication technology that allowed your grandparents to send text messages). So, like the Arc5 Palm, it fits easily into any toiletry bag and takes up next to no space on a bathroom counter. It also has a hidden compartment under the blades to catch all your hair and stubble, and you can pop off the head and dump it as needed. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, so you can use it wherever.

Our tester was surprised by how well this shaver worked, even if the whine of the rotary blades takes some getting used to. Each circular blade contains 18 self-sharpening blades, and they pivot and bend to glide along every curve of your face. It takes a few more passes for a perfectly clean shave, but the end result is the same as with the other razors in this guide.

A compact trimmer that makes clean lines

If you like to create clean, defined lines, this shaver will actually work better than bulkier five-blade designs from Braun or Panasonic. Thanks to the slim, compact design, you can easily see where you’re shaving. For guys with goatees or hard edges along their beard line or sideburns, it makes it easy to maintain your look. It can also cut more than just stubble, so be careful.

We get these devices as they’re made available to press (which is usually a few months before a public launch). Personally, I’ve got a couple dozen shavers at home, often in duplicate, which means I’m even giving the doubles to my friends. It’s all part of the job; while we’re not typically doing a side-by-side of one product against the other, that’s because these takes need to be “lived in” in order to make a true impression. The opinions I share here aren’t formed from a quick test run over a long week, but over experience I’ve gathered for more than a decade in the grooming field.

A quick glance at the products on our list, and you’ll notice that I only chose the big-name brands. Just four of them, in fact (excluding the head shaver): Wahl, Panasonic, Philips Norelco, and Braun.

There’s some reasoning behind this, and Grinstead-Mayle backs me up. He preaches "quality over cost" to his clients: “There are many affordable options, but the thing to remember is that these purchases should last you years at home. Don't let the sticker shock of $100 (or more) scare you. If they are made well and you take care of them, they will last you 5 years or more. That could mean just $20 per year. Stick with professional-grade products, because cost usually equals durability.” His go-to are Wahl's 5-star shavers (you’ll see those below), which are under $100—and the replacement blades and foils are easy to get because Wahl is such a known brand.

There are plenty of options aside from them (honorable mention to the BaByliss PROs, Andises, and Remingtons), but these core brands have the necessary resources and innovation behind them to provide the best options for you. Not to mention, you can access all of these brands at pretty much any budget—they’ve got more affordable options beyond what you’ll find here. Not everyone is going to need the latest souped-up shaver, but if you do want that, then you can bet that these brands will have something with the absolute latest and most cutting-edge technology.

Aside from budget, the first thing you need to decide is whether or not you want a foil shaver or a rotary shaver. Here's the shorthand information to know:

• Foil shavers have a long nickel-plated crossbar, with a bunch of little holes that receive the whiskers and which protect skin from the actual razors. They will usually provide a closer shave between the two types of electric shaver options, making foil more optimal for the average user. (Though our top spot this year goes to a rotary shaver that defies the norm.)
• Rotary shavers, however, will satisfy more users. Or rather, they will polarize fewer people, notes Gutweniger. “Rotary shavers cut in different directions and are especially good for targeting coarse and curly hair, because their circular panels cut in a broader range of directions.” While rotary shavers won’t usually cut as close as foil razors, the difference might be a half day’s growth for most guys, at most.

In the end, it’s usually a matter of preference. However, if you do have coarse, thick, or curly whiskers—or if you have a nickel allergy—then rotary shavers tend to be a better bet. Still, most professionals will use foil shavers for good reason, including the two barbers interviewed for this article: “Yes, there are many directions the rotary shavers cover, but they can pull at hairs from every-which-way,” Grinstead-Mayle says. “Foils allow for each individual hair to slide into the perforated head with a blade underneath to cut them. Both the foil cover and the moving blade have a ‘give’ to them allowing you to follow the contour of the jawline, chin, or head.”

Courtesy of Adam Hurly

• Dale Grinstead-Mayle, owner and barber at Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor in Columbus, OH and White Salmon, WA.
• Evelyn Gutweniger, barber at Nomad Barber in Berlin, Germany.