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Shaving should be something you look forward to. Here are the best razors to help make it so.
By Evan Malachosky, Jacorey Moon, and Adam Hurly
Published
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If your skin isn’t picky about what kind of blade you use, then you’ve been blessed. That’s because there are a lot of guys whose skin demands a certain type of shave if any at all, less he wants to wallow in redness, irritation, ingrown bumps, and more.
It’s these kinds of conditions that make shaving miserable for some men. It feels like a gamble each time to try the task, no matter how well they prepare for it. But shaving should be a smooth process, and it should be a cathartic, soothing one, too. Perhaps if you’re here, you’re looking for a prescription of sorts — the right blade for your type of skin.
Products in the Guide
Leaf The Leaf Razor
Best Overall Razor
Read moreSupply The Single Edge SE
Best Upgrade Razor
Read moreHarry’s The Truman Razor
Best Affordable Razor
Read moreBevel Safety Razor
Best Safety Razor
Read moreGilette Sensor2 Plus (52-Pack)
Best Disposable Razor
Read moreManscaped The Plow 2.0 Safety Razor
Best Brass-Handle Razor
Read moreGilette Labs Deluxe Starter Heated Shave Kit
Best Heated Razor
Read moreKing C. Gillette Neck Razor
Best Cartridge Razor
Read moreSchick Hydro Skin Comfort Dry Skin Razor
Best Razor for Dry Skin
Read moreMerkur Mk34c Double Edge Razor
Best Weighted Razor
Read moreDollar Shave Club Starter Set
Best Starter Razor
Read moreThe Art of Shaving 5/8 Blade Grenadille Dark Wood Straight Razor
Best Straight Razor
Read moreAthena Club The Smooth Operator Razor Kit
Best Unisex Razor
Read more
What to Know
Skin Type
Folks with dry or easily irritated skin need specialized razors. A regular razor will wreak havoc on sensitive skin. Razors with hydrating heads, gel coatings or weighted blades help reduce friction, resulting in a smoother shave with fewer hiccups and less of a headache afterward.
That being said, as much as a good razor will help you, proper technique can prevent irritation, too. “Shaving against the grain will get the closest shave, but is also the most irritating and can lead to ingrown hairs and inflammation if not done carefully,” our expert says. “Shaving with the grain won’t get quite as close of a shave but is far less irritating and much easier on your skin.”
Hair Type
Certain razors will work better for different hair types. Safety razors, for example, and especially Bevel’s, are gentler on coarse, curly hair and help prevent ingrown hairs. For folks with thin or wispy facial hair, just about any razor will do, but it’s important to pick one that works well for your skin type, too.
Types of Razors
Cartridge Razor
Cartridge razors come in two parts: the reusable body and the disposable razor head. Once worn, the head can be thrown away and a new one can be attached back onto the body.
Safety Razor
Safety razors are easier to use than regular razors, and, in fact, they’re what first helped men shave beyond barbershops. As for its construction, there’s a safety mechanism that locks in a disposable razor blade.
Our expert stresses that if you plan to invest in a good razor, consider switching to a single-blade safety razor: “They give you the most control as far as following the grain of your facial hair,” he says. “And they have a much more forgiving learning curve than a straight razor (although those can be great too if you are willing to put in some practice).”
Disposable Razor
Disposable razors come in one piece. They’re designed to be thrown away once the razor blades wear down.
Heated Razor
Warm skin is more susceptible to razor bumps and burn, but the experience of a hot shave feels far superior. You can try using a heated razor with a hydrating blade, like the one below.
Weighted Razor
Weighted razors do most of the work for you. You glide across the skin without applying any pressure because the weight of the razor lowers the blade to your skin on its own. These are best for long stretches of skin, like the legs, arms or back.
Straight Razor
A straight razor is by far the most dangerous way to shave your face at home, but it’s an art form if mastered. Straight razors are also more hygienic because there are no extra blade chambers, plastic heads or bumpers to collect shave foams or gels, dead skin and other debris.
Best Overall Razor
Leaf The Leaf Razor
$88.00 at Grove Collaborative
Pros
- Can load 1-3 razors at a time
- 100% plastic-free
Cons
- 10x the cost of Harry’s razors
Number of blades: 1-3
Handle Material: Stainless steel and zinc
The Leaf razor can do pretty much whatever you want it to do. It can shave your head and pivot to all of the contours. It can give you a standard face shave. It can detail with a single blade, or give you a much closer shave with up to three blades. It’s a masterclass in product design and eco-consciousness, allowing the shaver to load 1-3 safety razor blades at a time, in order to customize your shaving needs. The task is handled like a normal cartridge shave, and the brand sends a razor in responsible packaging to help make storing the razor — and keeping it away from water — easy.
Best Upgrade Razor
Supply The Single Edge SE
$59.00 at supply.co
Pros
- Has a sleek design
- Comes with technology to avoid nicks
Cons
- 4x more than the Dollar Shave Club starter kit
Number of blades: 1
Handle Material: Die-cast zinc alloy, coated with PVD chrome
The marketing industry really pushed cartridge razors on consumers over the past few decades, but true heads stuck by the safety razor all the while. It’s proof that a single, sharp razor can give as smooth a shave as anything touting 4, 5, or 6 blades, and with far less drag, accumulation, and bacterial buildup. What our tester loved about Supply’s single-edge safety razor is that it’s a 101 in safety shaves. Because most safety razors have a learning curve — and one with sharp consequences, though don’t let that deter you — this one’s design is user-friendly right out of the gate. Oh, and another benefit: Sure, the initial handle price looks steep, but you’ll earn that back through the low cost of blades.
Best Affordable Razor
Harry’s The Truman Razor
$10.00 at Harry's
Pros
- Affordable
- Weighted handle is nicer than a typical plastic handle
Cons
- Harder to use for those with bigger hands
Number of blades: 5
Handle Material: Weighted rubberized plastic
The Truman Razor’s rubberized handle promises precision and grip even when wet, and the weighted core makes it more substantial, lessening the likelihood you’ll knick yourself or accidentally graze a place you didn’t intend to. Plus, the razor itself comes in three bold colors with one German blade already assembled. Equipped with a lubricating strip, five sharp blades and a flexible hinge, you’ll get a great shave with this one.
Best Safety Razor
Bevel Safety Razor
$50.00 at Amazon
Pros
- Good option for coarse, curly hair
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than Merkur and Manscaped
Number of blades: 1
Handle Material: Brass-weighted metal
Perfect for individuals with skin prone to ingrown hairs and razor bumps, the Bevel Safety Razor uses a single, double-edged razor blade attached to a weighted, brass-filled handle. The weight makes shaving with the grain easy and safe for sensitive skin. Plus, this option is entirely plastic-free, which not only guarantees it’ll last longer but makes it easier to recycle. Also, it comes with ten blade refills.
Best Disposable Razor
Gilette Sensor2 Plus (52-Pack)
$30.00 at Amazon
Pros
- Has a water-activated lubrastrip for added moisture
Cons
- The handle is not very durable
Number of blades: 2
Handle Material: Plastic
If you’ve spent any amount of money on your at-home shaving setup, you surely don’t want to lose it on a trip — whether it’s a week away for work or a weekend trip into the woods. Level up your disposable inventory with Gilette’s Sensor2 Plus, the best-reviewed disposable razor we’ve come across. Each one lasts about a week, or roughly three shaves, which makes sense given this is a pack of 52 (aka one for each week).
Best Brass-Handle Razor
Manscaped The Plow 2.0 Safety Razor
$35.00 at Amazon
Pros
- Has a wider, weightier handle
Cons
- The handle grip might too small for users with big hands
Number of blades: 1
Handle Material: Brass
Manscaped, known for its below-the-waist trimmer called the Lawn Mower, has a safety razor that also lives up to the hype. It comes with a brass handle and a zinc alloy head to provide a weighted, even shave.
Best Heated Razor
Gilette Labs Deluxe Starter Heated Shave Kit
$95.00 at Amazon
$150.00(36% off)
Pros
- Has two heat settings—high setting heats up close to 120-degrees
- Comes with a charging dock
Cons
- Needs to be charged for its heat features
Number of blades: 5
Handle Material: Aluminum zinc, lithium-ion battery
Gilette Labs wants to make your morning routine more luxe. That’s the point of its Heated Razor, which rises to a comfortable 120 degrees Fahrenheit with a few presses of a button on the razor’s handle. The handle itself is heavier and longer than a disposable, and it attaches to a dock to charge. At a steep $150 dollars, you’re definitely saving yourself money on repeat barber visits with special hot towel treatments, but the heated blade doesn’t blanket the face with warm steam like you’d imagine. For people wanting a nicer razor, this is surely one, but it doesn’t sub for a special treat-yourself-trip to the shop.
Best Cartridge Razor
King C. Gillette Neck Razor
$8.00 at Amazon
$15.00(47% off)
Pros
- Provides low-friction shaves to any body area
- Super-affordable
Cons
- Not as durable due to the plastic handle
Number of blades: 2 (comes with 2 cartridges)
Handle Material: Rubberized plastic
If you want a cartridge razor ready for the occasional detailing tasks — a neck shave, a back shave, a cheek-line trim, then King C. Gillette’s blade is sensitive to your needs. It has two blades for a low-friction, low-drag shave, and even has a detailing trimmer on the backside of the blade head (careful how you handle it) to help draw clean lines at the neck or on the cheeks. Our tester liked it for shaping his mustache and used it to precisely snip away at a few select hairs under the nose and at the edges.
Best Razor for Dry Skin
Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Dry Skin Razor
$8.00 at Amazon
$13.00(40% off)
Pros
- Comes with a built-in precision trimmer
Cons
- Not as durable due to the plastic handle
Number of blades: 5 and a precision trimmer
Handle Material: Plastic with rubberized grip sections
Schick’s latest upgrade features seven “gel pools” atop its blade, each containing coconut oil to quickly condition the skin as soon as it’s been shaved. Guys with dry skin (permanent or seasonal) will like this blade for its shock absorbency and sensitivity to any excess pressure. Like the King C. Gillette razor above, this one has a precision detailer (in its head), for any tasks around the mustache, the neckline, or the cheeks. And here’s a tip for any dry-skin shavers: Start the shave with an exfoliating cleanser — a scrub with some grit — to help dust off any dead skin cells that might get trapped in the blade (or worse, trapped in your skin). And, take all the time you need to soften and condition the skin before and after the shave, with all the right products.
Best Weighted Razor
Merkur Mk34c Double Edge Razor
$45.00 at Amazon
Pros
- Has an extra-thick, weighted handle for control and durability
Cons
- Handle is not as long as Bevel or Manscaped safety razors
Number of blades: 1
Handle Material: Chrome-plated brass
This 34c model from Merkur is a favorite of our tester, due to its well-distributed weight: There’s a heavy head with a short handle that practically coaches the blade to the right angle and pull. This double-edged device makes shaving easy. It’s certainly the best option for learning how to use a standard-fare, classic safety razor, too, though it’s unlikely you’ll ever shelve it out once you get the hang of things.
Best Starter Razor
Dollar Shave Club Starter Set
$20.00 at Amazon
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Might not be the most durable due to its handle
Number of blades: 6 and a precision trimmer
Handle Material: Weighted plastic rubberized grip
When it comes to shaving, Dollar Shave Club is a brand known for providing quality equipment for a beginner’s budget. This set comes with four six-blade razor cartridges and can reach and navigate along the contours of your face thanks to its pivoting head. The brand’s shave cream uses aloe leaf juice, macadamia oil and coconut oil for a nourishing and moisturizing option to help minimize the causation of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Best Straight Razor
The Art of Shaving 5/8 Blade Grenadille Dark Wood Straight Razor
$295.00 at The Art of Shaving
Pros
- Has a curved Grenadille wooden handle for flair
- Hollow ground blade for sharp, precise cuts
Cons
- Can’t be exchanged or returned
Number of blades: 1
Handle Material: African Blackwood
Straight razors are undeniably cool, but they’re a dangerous tool—not a toy. You have to go slow with these, and it’s best to get some instruction from a professional barber or a trusted online resource. Once you’ve mastered the motions, you can give yourself routine, ultra-close shaves with less irritation, razor burn and risk of infection.
Best Unisex Razor
Athena Club The Smooth Operator Razor Kit
$10.00 at Athena Club
Pros
- Dermatologist-approved
- Blades made in the USA
Cons
- Not the most durable handle
Number of blades: 5
Handle Material: Aluminum and UV-protected silicone
Athena Club’s unisex razor is dermatologist-approved, meaning it’s less likely to cause irritation (like bumps or ingrowns). It comes in an array of colors, each with a water-activated serum on the blade head. It makes the razor glide over edges and smooth areas all the same. This starter kit comes with two five-blade cartridges and a magnetic holder.
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