The Best Electric Razor

Electric razors have always had a bit of a bum rap, derided for being louder and less efficient than a "real" blade. But today, electric razors look more like Jetsons props than mid-century mechanizations. We collected and tested four of the best shavers on the market. Here's what made the cut.

Testing Methodology

Over the course of the past two months, each razor faced one, two, and three days worth of stubble. We rated the gadgets on their comfort in use and their shaving efficiency—the closeness and thoroughness of the shave, how long a shave took, and how often I had to re-shave areas. The rate at which their heads wore out, the associated cost of replacement heads, and other operating costs were also taken into ranking consideration as well.

 

Fourth Place: Braun Series 7

There are a lot of things I really like about the Series 7. First of all, it looks great, sitting in its charging cradle like the Sword in the Stone. At the touch of a button, the system will automatically clean, dry, and lubricate the cutting head, which comes out of the base smelling like lemons. Seriously, lemons. It's awesome. I also like the integrated LCD display in the shaver's handle, letting you know exactly how charged and hygienic it is at any given moment. I can also appreciate the SmartPlug's automatic worldwide voltage adjuster that regulates from 100V-240V.
Unfortunately, sweet smells are a poor substitute for a close shave. While the Series 7 worked especially well on the upper lip and cheeks, shaving the neck was a nightmare. It was like the last three hairs remaining somehow always fell outside the realm of the shaver's ability—needing five or six passes to finally capture. It's also pricey, with an MSRP of $269, though you can get it for $215 at Target. What's more, that lemony fresh scent costs $5 per cartridge (Amazon's offering 4-packs of Clean & Renew for $20) and each refill is only good for a month of daily use. Replacement cutting cartridges sell for $34 on Amazon, but they're rated for about 18 months of daily use. A full one-hour battery charge gives you 50 minutes of shave time, and a "fast recharge" takes five minutes to juice a single shave—two minutes slower than the third place Wahl.
Don't get me wrong, the Series 7 is a capable razor. But given the price and upkeep costs, you can find more cut for your buck elsewhere.

Braun Series 7 (790cc) Specs

• Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches
• Weight: 1.8 pounds (with base)
• Blade Count/Style: Linear
• Run Time: 50 Minutes
• Price: $279 (MSRP), $175 (Amazon)