Electric shavers are often associated with a high purchase price.
And that’s true in the case of most high-end, feature-packed models.
Also, the more complex and advanced a shaver is, the higher the cost of the replacement heads will be.
These things can make the budget-conscious buyer stay away from electric shavers altogether.
And for good reason — nobody wants to spend a lot of money on something when there are cheaper ways of dealing with facial hair.
Luckily, there are some electric razors that offer excellent performance for a reasonable price.
In this article we’ll explore some of the best budget electric shavers out there, see what makes them suitable for certain situations and find out how to get the most out of an inexpensive shaver.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Hallmarks of an affordable but capable electric razor
1. High-quality shaving head and decent power
Over the past 20 years, I’ve tried many shavers at very different price points.
And the one area that has the biggest impact on the shaving performance is the actual shaving head — foils, blades, rotary cutters.
Basically, the part that does the actual cutting.
When a manufacturer tries to cut costs in that area, the performance and longevity of the shaving head will take a hit.
I’ve owned and used all the shavers I’ll be recommending in this guide, some of them for many years, so I can confirm from actual experience that they have high-quality cutters.
A good shaving system is however backed by a motor that is powerful enough.
A shaver will require many passes for a smooth shave and will even snag some hairs if the motor isn’t powerful enough.
So while some non-essential features like a beard density sensor or power settings can be left out, good blades and a snappy motor are must-haves.
Also, 3 individual cutting elements should be enough for most users; four, five or six blades can be overkill, particularly in the context of shaving daily.
2. Basic features: Hair trimmer, waterproof, flexible cutters
A versatile and practical electric razor must have all the basic features.
I think a pop-up hair trimmer or a separate attachment is really useful and at least for me, a must-have.
They’re really handy for some quick touchups — sideburns, goatee, moustache.
A waterproof shaver is very easy to clean with warm tap water and I don’t think I would ever want to mess around with brushes or cans of compressed air.
Since these are budget-friendly razors, they won’t come with a cleaning station so it’s important that they’re easy to clean.
High-end shavers have very complex flexible shaving heads. And while they are impressive, I wouldn’t say they make a tremendous difference.
What does make a difference is having independently moving cutters.
With enough range of motion, this feature is truly useful in practice and will make the shaver more effective and more enjoyable to use.
Out of all the different features, I think these are the most important to have on an electric razor.
Fancy LED displays, beard density sensors, power settings and Bluetooth connectivity are nice to have, but not essential.
And most of them won’t actually improve the shaving performance in any way.
An automatic cleaning station can be very practical, but it adds a lot to the purchase price and most shavers are easy to clean manually.
The OEM cleaning refills also imply a higher cost of ownership.
3. Solid build quality
Another common practice for keeping the price low is to include fewer goodies in the retail package (things like protective caps, travel cases, lubricants, and so on) or to sacrifice build quality.
We definitely don’t want a poorly built shaver, so we’ll steer clear of those.
4. Good battery life
Some low-end shavers that have very affordable prices also come with much smaller batteries than others that cost only marginally more.
For example, the basic Braun Series 3 shavers come with a smaller battery than the Series 3 ProSkin models.
Since the price difference is small, the ProSkin models are obviously the better option.
Also, some of those smaller batteries also have a very long charging time and if the shaver is cordless-only, that would really be an annoyance.
5. Cordless & corded use
Also related to the battery aspect we have the corded & cordless operation.
Most of today’s shavers are cordless only and this trend continues to grow in 2023.
And in most cases, I don’t think this is a deal breaker.
If the battery is large enough, with good reliability and charging takes less than an hour, that’s good enough for most users, myself included.
However, since you’re probably interested in using that shaver for as long as possible, cordless & corded operation would make a lot of sense.
When the battery can’t hold a decent charge anymore you’d still be able to shave with the cord plugged in.
So I made sure to also include a few affordable shavers that work really well and can be operated both codless & corded.
Key takeaway
Purchase price and cost of ownership are the two important factors to consider when you have a limited budget for a shaver.
High-end, advanced electric razors come with a hefty price tag.
They usually provide superior performance, are fitted with the most powerful motors, have multiple cutting elements and incorporate several advanced technologies.
But the things that matter the most for getting a close and comfortable shave are a reasonably powerful motor and a high-quality shaving head.
That said, we’re interested in finding electric razors that have these key features and leave out the ones that aren’t absolutely necessary.
In doing so, they manage to offer the best value for money and represent a great compromise of cost and performance.
Let’s check them out.
What are some of the best affordable shavers in 2023?
1. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s
I consider the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s to be the best affordable shaver for most users.
It shaves well, has a reasonable price, it’s durable, reliable and easy to clean.
Moreover, it has an integrated slide-out hair trimmer, something not all the models in the Series 3 ProSkin family have.
While Panasonic shavers are particularly good at providing close shaves, the Braun Series 3 is more comfortable and more forgiving, especially during a dry shave.
This makes the Braun Series 3 ProSkin a better option if you have sensitive skin.
They are also better at capturing those longer, flat-lying hairs compared to an Arc 3, but should still be used more often for the best results.
The current Series 3 generation includes several variations, suitable for wet/dry and dry-only operation.
All of them are however waterproof and can be safely cleaned with water.
Some of them even come with an automatic cleaning and charging station, like the Series 3 3050cc, but those are a bit pricey and we’re mainly interested in the affordable ones.
With that said, the Braun Series 3 3040s ProSkin is usually my default recommendation.
And that’s mainly because it’s widely available, affordable and as mentioned earlier, has a hair trimmer.
Performance-wise, all Series 3 ProSkin models are identical.
And they are some of the most comfortable entry-level shavers out there.
The closeness, while good enough for most users, is not the best at this price point.
In my experience a Panasonic Arc 3 will be better suited for someone that is particularly interested in getting a very close shave.
Being a basic shaver, the Series 3 also works best when used on shorter stubble, so you’ll get the best results if you use it daily or every other day.
However, it does fare better than other foil shavers in this price range when used on a 3-day beard for example (it’s better than the Arc 3 in this regard).
Since the 3040s is waterproof, you can simply rinse it with water for easy cleaning.
You can also try shaving with your favorite shaving cream or gel.
However, I don’t find wet shaving to improve the results in a significant manner in the case of the Series 3 (in my opinion Panasonic razors work way better).
Because it’s a wet&dry model, the 3040s is a cordless-only shaver.
It is however fitted with a very reliable battery that provides at least 45 minutes of use on a single charge.
The replacement shaving heads for the Series 3 ProSkin, called cassettes, are the 32B (black) and 32S (silver).
The cassettes are usually priced lower than the foils and blades needed for Panasonic shavers, so the costs of ownership will be lower in the case of the Series 3.
Deciding which one to get should mainly come down to your needs (closeness vs comfort/better value for money).
2. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s
If you were put off by the fact that the 3040s above doesn’t work corded as well, then look no further than the Series 3 Proskin 3000s.
This one is a cordless & corded model and the shaving performance is identical.
And despite being marketed as dry-only for safety concerns, it’s also waterproof for easy cleaning.
Moreover, it usually costs less than the 3040s.
So what’s the catch?
Well, the Series 3 ProSkin 3000s doesn’t have a hair trimmer as you can tell from the picture below.
So that’s the compromise you’ll be making with the 3000s.
Apart from the lack of a hair trimmer and a more basic battery indicator, everything is the same as in the case of the 3040s at number 1 on the list.
The Series 3 3000s even uses the exact same 32b replacement head, so it’s inexpensive and durable.
The ability to shave corded will come in handy after years of use when the battery will go down really fast.
Or maybe you just don’t want to wait for it to charge (which takes roughly 1 hour).
UPDATE: there’s an updated 3000s that has a hair trimmer as well. Unfortunately you can’t really know which one you’ll be getting as both have the exact same model name and both are still available.
Braun’s official product page still shows the original 3000s with no hair trimmer.
3. Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT67-A
The Arc 3 models from Panasonic are in my opinion some of the best budget electric shavers because they offer fantastic performance for the price.
And even if the prices have gone up during the past couple of years, most would still consider them affordable.
If you’re interested in getting a very close and fast shave, I don’t think you can find a better option for the same money.
There are a lot of different models in the Arc 3 line, but the ES-LT67-A is usually the pick of the range.
The Arc 3 ES-LT67-A is fitted with a very nippy 13 000 CPM (cycles per minute) linear-drive motor, just slightly less powerful than the range-topping Arc 5 or Arc 6 models from Panasonic that come with 14 000 CPM units.
This, along with the sharp, high-quality blades make the Arc 3 one of the best-performing budget shavers out there.
Unlike the pricier Arc 4 and Arc 5 models, the Arc 3 only comes with three cutting elements. However, it is still fast enough and suitable even for a coarser beard.
A side benefit of having a less complex shaving head is the lower cost of the foil and blades set (part no WES9015P).
Another advantage of the ES-LT67-A (and of any other Arc 3 model in fact) is the ease of cleaning and maintenance.
Since the inner blades are separated from the foil block, you have great access for a thorough cleaning.
Speaking of which, you’ll only need a bit of liquid soap and you can rinse everything with warm tap water.
All Panasonic Arc 3 shavers are fully waterproof and can be safely cleaned with water or used in the shower.
There’s even a special cleaning setting, called Sonic mode, that makes the blades oscillate at a very high speed, dislodging any stubborn dirt buildups.
I can honestly say that you really don’t need a cleaning station with a Panasonic shaver — they are that easy to clean.
Finally, it is a very robust and solidly built shaver that can take a beating.
It’s also nimble and easy to use, making it a great choice for a first-time user. The Series 3 ProSkin is however a bit more manageable with its less bulky foil frame.
All Arc 3 models are fitted with an excellent pop-up trimmer that’s very effective and useful for some light grooming, like tweaking your sideburns or edging a beard line.
Like all entry-level shavers, the Arc 3 works best when used on shorter facial hair, so shaving daily or every other day will give you the best results.
Otherwise you’ll have to spend a lot more money on something like a Braun Series 8 or a Series 9 that can capture difficult hairs more efficiently.
Finally, if you have very sensitive skin, using a pre-shave lotion or even shaving cream may help.
Panasonic shavers work great with shaving cream, so if you’re not against wet shaving, you should definitely give that a try.
4. Braun Series 5 5018s
Almost 3 years ago, Braun released three new lines of shavers (initially only in the USA and Canada).
Fortunately, they are now also available in Europe and other parts of the world.
Among those newly released models, there’s a new Series 5 which is also the most reasonably priced of the three.
While it’s a complete departure from the old Series 5 shavers, the new models are a lot cheaper and offer decent performance for the money.
No, they’re not as good as the old Series 5 like the 5190cc or 5140s, but for the money, they’re definitely good enough.
The Series 5 5018s is the most affordable model and the one I would actually recommend (in Europe, the model name is Series 5 50-B1200s).
Performance-wise, I find it pretty much identical to the Series 3 ProSkin 3000s or 3040s, so the Series 5 in its name is a bit misleading.
So it’s more like a redesigned, glorified Series 3.
But again, given the price point, that’s not really a bad thing.
Just like the Series 3, the 5018s is comfortable during use and will provide a reasonably close shave.
It’s a wet/dry model, so it will only work cordless.
Its selling point (apart from the low price) is a so-called EasyClean system that allows you to clean the shaving head without removing it.
In practice, it’s not nearly as effective as advertised and I would actually remove the head and clean it thoroughly since it only takes seconds to do it.
The Series 5 5018s doesn’t have an integrated hair trimmer, but it comes with a separate attachment that you must use instead of the regular foil head.
It’s really handy if you need to pre-trim your beard before shaving, but for more finesse work it is rather bulky and more cumbersome to use compared to the one on the Arc 3 for example.
To summarize, the Braun Series 5 5018s is an affordable, comfortable electric shaver that would be a suitable choice for users who are more interested in comfort than closeness.
However, I would pick the Series 3 ProSkin over it — either the 3040s or 3000s.
They’re just as capable, but I prefer the Series 3 ProSkin shaving head because it has a more compact foil frame, so it’s easier to use.
For more details, you can check out my review of the S5 as well.
5. Philips Norelco Shaver 2500 (S1311/82)
Let’s now check out an affordable rotary razor.
Rotaries have a few specific pros compared to the foil shavers above.
Generally, these would be a quieter operation, better performance on longer facial hair and more durable shaving heads.
The latter is of particular interest to us because buying replacement heads less often means a lower cost of ownership.
My pick for an affordable rotary in 2023 would be the new Philips Norelco Shaver 2500.
This model has a couple of compelling features that make it a better option than other similar rotaries.
The Shaver 2500 is a cordless & corded shaver, which is always a good thing.
And unlike other similarly priced models in the Series 2000 like the popular Shaver 2300, charging the Shaver 2500 takes less than an hour as opposed to 8 hours.
But the biggest advantage of the 2500 over the 2300 is that it is in fact a bit more powerful, which translates into a faster and more enjoyable shave.
In fact, the Shaver 2500 feels exactly like the Shaver 3500 from the more expensive Series 3000.
They even use the exact same shaving heads, the SH30, which are durable and fairly priced.
For these reasons, I think the Shaver 2500 is the rotary razor to buy right now.
You would need to spend a lot more on something like the Philips Norelco 9500 in order to get a significant performance upgrade.
The Philips Shaver 2500 is very comfortable and can even handle a 3-day beard.
It’s easy to clean most of the time with its flip-open head that you can simply rinse under the tap.
It has an integrated hair trimmer as well.
I’m not a big fan of the trimmer because it’s quite thick and the spring holding it upright is very weak and folds back easily, but it’ll get the job done.
Rotaries however also have a few specific shortcomings.
For most men, the closeness of the shave won’t be quite as good as with a Panasonic Arc 3 for example.
Also, unless you know from previous experience that a rotary works best for you, a foil shaver is generally a safer choice.
But as far as rotaries go, this one is one of my favorites and I think it punches above its price.
The Norelco 2500 is remarkably gentle for a rotary and very enjoyable to use.
And with a reasonable price, cordless & corded use and durable heads, it’s also a great option for the budget-oriented buyer.
6. Remington F5-5800
Remington is currently more of an underdog in the competition between Braun, Panasonic and Philips, arguably the 3 biggest players.
Unfortunately, for the past 15 years or more, most Remington shavers couldn’t really compete with the offerings from the other big brands.
But there’s one model that stands out from the rest: the Remington F5-5800.
This 3-blade foil shaver has an affordable price, being the least expensive in this guide, but also shaves really well.
The closeness in particular is impressive and I would place it somewhere between the Arc 3 and the Series 3 in that regard.
And as long as you don’t have sensitive skin, it will be pretty comfortable as well.
It doesn’t look or feel as premium as the ES-LT67 for example, but it sometimes costs half the price and shaves almost as close.
Moreover, it works both codless&corded which further sweetens the deal.
It’s easy to clean with a simple rinse with warm tap water.
The replacement foil and blades are generally easy to source and fairly priced.
So while this Remington isn’t the most comfortable or sleek shaver on this list, it’s among the more economical ones and gives a close shave.
Moreover, you’ll be getting a shaver from one of the pioneers in this industry.
For more info, you can also refer to my review of the 5800.
What about travel shavers?
While refining my list of recommended low-cost shavers, I also considered some travel electric razors.
After all, these really are the most economical option, at least when it comes to the purchase price.
But after giving it more thought, I decided against it.
A travel shaver just wouldn’t be a suitable option for most users as their main shaver.
It might work for someone with very light facial hair, but that’s about it.
Moreover, when used regularly, it will require new foils/blades pretty quickly.
And that can be a problem with many compact shavers.
You either can’t get the parts or they cost more than a new shaver.
That isn’t a big deal if you were to use it sparingly (only when traveling), but it is a problem if you plan on shaving with one every day.
I think it would make more sense as a complementary shaver.
You can check out my travel shavers guide for a few good options.
How to get the most out of an inexpensive electric shaver
Once you’ve settled on a particular razor, it’s time to put it to good use.
Here are a few easy, but very effective tips when shaving with a budget-friendly shaver.
Try shaving more often.
As mentioned throughout this guide, entry-level razors can have some trouble with difficult facial hair.
I’m talking of course about hairs that grow parallel to the skin and/or in different directions.
To minimize this shortcoming, try to shave while your whiskers are relatively short (less than 2mm).
I often talked about shaving daily or every other day, but it really comes down to how fast your beard grows.
If you have light to medium facial hair you can get away with a few days between shaving sessions.
Use a pre-shave lotion or a quality shaving cream.
Pre-shave lotions are inexpensive and also effective in most cases.
They cause the hairs to stand upright, making it easier for the shaver to capture them and overall contribute to a smoother, faster and closer shave.
It only takes seconds to apply a pre-shave, but it can really improve the performance of a basic electric shaver.
My current favorite is the one from Speick; it’s very effective and a great addition to anyone’s dry-shaving routine.
If you can’t get it, then the tried and tested Williams Lectric Shave would be a great inexpensive alternative.
I know most men prefer to shave dry for the convenience of it, but wet shaving can be a great option for someone with very sensitive skin for example.
Panasonic shavers work particularly well with shaving cream, so if you have one give it a try and see how it goes.
Clean and lubricate your shaver regularly.
This is something you should be doing regardless if you have a cheapie or a high-end electric razor.
Hairs, dead skin and dirt buildups will reduce the efficiency of the cutters and they will also wear out faster.
Lastly, not maintaining proper hygiene of your shaver is a surefire way to infections.
Regular cleaning and lubrication will prolong the life of the foils and blades while ensuring that your machine performs optimally.
Having to replace the shaving head more often pretty much defies the whole purpose of owning an affordable shaver.
Most modern electric razors can be easily cleaned with liquid soap and warm tap water.
Your user manual should include detailed instructions on how to perform a thorough cleaning.
Here is my cleaning routine if you want to check it out.
Make sure your razor is charged.
You’ll want to take advantage of all the power the shaver is capable of delivering.
You’ll generally experience a performance drop when the battery is almost out of juice.
Not all electric razors can maintain peak power when the battery is low and this is when some hair can get snagged.
Modern Li-ion batteries aren’t affected by the memory effect anymore, so you can charge your shaver as often as you need without any worries.
That pretty much concludes this roundup of my recommended inexpensive electric razors.
If you have any other questions, make sure to post them in the comments below.
You highlite lubrication but don’t give any hint of where to find shaver lubricants.
Hi,
In the section on lubrication, I also link to an in-depth guide that includes information about the products you can use (and links to buy them).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello
I found your site while looking for a replacement for my Braun MicroScreen shaver. I have been happy with it’s performance but can’t get foils for it any more so will have to change.
What would you suggest? I have an average fairish hair, try to shave every other day and wouldn’t want to wet shave.
It’s hard to choose a shave isn’t something you can return to the store if it doesn’t suite.
Thanks for the great info.
Will
Hi Will,
Thank you for your comment. Was your previous Braun shaver by any means a single foil Series 1? MicroScreen is a really generic term and it would be helpful to know. But in case it’s a Series 1 or other similar shaver, I think a Braun Series 3 would good enough. I would choose the 3000s since it’s usually the cheapest model and it will also work corded.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for a personal reply
I realize I’ve given you duff info. My old shaver is a Remington model no MS2 something – I can’t just remember what – with two small foils and cutters. The replacement was part no SP69 MicroScreen2
Does the Braun 3000 have a pop-out trimmer at all? The old Remington does and it’s handy sometimes round my ears or on the odd long hair.
Thanks again for trying to help
Will
No problem, Will. I’ve actually owned an MS2-390 many years ago. I think I’ve recently seen replacement foils as well (Amazon or eBay) if you are still considering it. The Braun Series 3 3000s does not have a trimmer at all, but other models do. The 3040s is probably the one to get as it’s widely available and includes a trimmer. It’s a slide-out trimmer that you can use for some minor touch-ups and like you said, for cutting those stray hairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Sír,
Congratulation for your excellent work. I am in Australia, having a Grman made Braun 320 bought in Germany 10 years ago. I have used always, and this is the first time I need any part to change as foil casette change (series 32). I am very happy with the 320s. In Australia the closest to 320s is 3050cc with same foil casette but made in China. Its price is A$100. I have another option to buy the German made Braun 5030s. Its price is A$150. Please help me. I can buy a German made foil casett plus the German made 5030s, or someting new what you suggest. I don’t prefere series 9 and the more fancy electronic features. I prefer an excellent German made quality with less electronics. Would you please so kind to help me. Thanks.
Kind regards,
Charles
Hi Charles,
Thank you for your comment. In my opinion you should just buy a replacement cassette for your 320s (32b). That’s the least expensive option and also the one that makes the most sense since you were happy with your shaver. I don’t really see a reason to buy a new shaver, be it another Series 3 or 5, at least not right now.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am looking to buy ARC 3 LT41 or ES8103 both models which you recommend. These do not seem to be available anywhere in UK . ARE THERE EQUIVALENT MODELS MORE READILY AVAILABLE IN UK do you know?
From the Arc 3 line you can check out the ES-LL21 or ES-LT2N, those are usually available in the UK for a similar price. Other older (and cheaper) Arc 3 models in the UK come with less powerful motors, so I wouldn’t consider them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I was interested in the ‘Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s’ you mention. But I really like a Wet/Dry shaver.
I see you recommend the ‘Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s’ – But how about the ‘Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3010s’ that’s Wet/Dry? Is it effectively a Wet/Dry variant on the ‘Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s’ ?
Looking for a new Electic due to Philips heads being nearly the price of a new shaver – and the Philips I have not being a patch on my old rotary Remington 🙁
However, reading your comments I think I might move away from Rotaries 🙂
Thanks, Andy
Hi Andy,
That is correct, the 3010s is basically a wet/dry variant of the 3000s. Also, the 3040s is basically a 3010s with a long hair trimmer (that slides out).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu – So you’d recommend the 3010s as a good budget shaver for sensitive skin? I’ve seen if for approx £40 which seems a good deal.
Also, there seem to be both a ‘Braun Series 3 310’ and a ‘Braun Series 3010s’, with the ‘Braun Series 3 310’ being cheaper – I can see in pics that they are different – Annoyingly similar names – Confusing
You are very welcome. Yes, in that prince range I doubt you’ll find a better shaver for sensitive skin. The 3010s is a Series 3 ProSkin model, basically a 3010 with a nicer design and a slightly different design of the foils, but overall very similar performance-wise.
Hi Ovidiu,
I am contemplating buying a foil based electric shaver. After having searched on Amazon and other online retailers I got to know that the Braun series 7 and 9 are quite expensive in India and not many foil shavers are available. Do you think it would be wise to go for a rotary shaver? . I usually shave once a week and have sensitive skin along with coarse hair. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated.
Thanks !
Hi,
Have you used a rotary shaver before or any type of electric shaver? If not, I think you should go with a foil shaver. Also, shaving once a week with an affordable shaver will probably not give you the best results, especially since your hair is coarse. You should try to shave at least twice a week, regardless of the shaver. The Series 9 and Philips Norelco Series 9000 (Prestige) can handle longer hairs, but those two cost a lot.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey thanks for the reply !!
I was going through the reviews of Philips Norelco S5420/06. The reviews mention that they have introduced a new multi precision blade system that’s designed to cut long hairs first and then go for the shorter ones. The flex heads are also independent of each other and logically this should adapt to the facial contours comfortably. Do you think this might be a good fit for me if I plan to shave twice a week ?
You are very welcome.
It should be adequate for shaving twice a week, but my main concern would be the comfort though. A rotary shaver like 5000 Series from Philips Norelco will likely be too aggressive for someone with sensitive skin.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
Im looking for a shaver for thick bushy face growth, can u recommend anything for me
Hi Darren,
Check out this article, I think you should find a few good options there.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have always used manual razor daily for my coarse beard. Now I don’t need that level of beard grooming because I’m retired. Would like to switch to manual shave a few times a week filling in with electric shave in the shower on the other days. Can you give advice on a basic wet electric razor I can try? Don’t need a top of the line whiz-bang razor. Just a comfortable shave to keep the stubble down a bit. I Haven’t used an electric razor in 50 years.
Hey,
I personally find Panasonic foil shavers to work best when used wet, so that’s what you would recommend. As for which model, that depends on the budget. If you want a cheaper model to get you started with, the Arc 3 offers really good performance for the money. I would go with the ES8103S in the article. Also, for only a few dollars more, you can get the Arc 4 ES8243AA that comes with an extra blade and will likely allow you to finish your shave faster. Finally, there’s the Arc 5 line with models like the ES-LV65 that offer the best performance, but also cost more. I would stick to the Arc 3 or Arc 4 though since they’re easier to use (smaller heads).
I personally never liked shaving in the shower, but do enjoy shaving wet with a nice cream or soap and when used in that manner, Panasonic electric razors are really good.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Bloody hell,
I don’t know how much you get paid for these reviews but is sure as hell isn’t enough! The amount of info and, quality info, is mad. Well done. It still does not help me decide though, too many choices!
Hey,
Thank you for the kind words, glad you found the site useful.
I actually don’t get paid (by any brands, readers, etc.), but as stated at the top of every article, it may contain Amazon affiliate links for which I can receive compensation after a purchase. If you have the time to tell me more details (like your beard type, how often you shave, if you have sensitive skin, your budget, any previous experience with electric razors and so), I’ll try my best to help you pick a suitable shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Your site is very informative. Just wondering if you could give a little advice? I tried electric shaving a decade or two ago with a Norelco rotary and it gave me a nasty razor burn. Been shaving with a razor and shaving cream, in the shower ever since. Now the only time I get any burn is when I leave shaving too long or the blade is dull, but it’s never as bad as that time with electric. I have no idea of knowing, if this means I have sensitive skin or not?
After reading your reviews, I am thinking of trying electric again and I am in between the Panasonic Arc 3 or 4 and the Braun 3034 or 5 series.
I am guessing the Braun’s might be best for my skin, but the Panos seems so easy to clean (which is a big plus), and I like the idea of a close shave, like I get now.
So, I am wondering if using the Pano, in the shower, with cream or gel will offset any irritation and perhaps come close to equalling the Braun in that regard.
These things are so expensive and it’s not like you can test drive them first…
Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Regarding your poor experience with the rotary Norelco, I think foil shavers are a safer choice for most users. They’re just more comfortable, have a less steep learning curve and generally shave closer. Also, your first shaves with an electric razor probably won’t be great, but the results will get better once your skin gets used to the new method of shaving and your technique improves (more details here).
Regarding the shavers you’ve mentioned, all three of them are very good in their respective price range and with their specific pros and cons. I don’t think you have sensitive skin, so the Panasonic Arc 3 or 4 could be good options (depending on your budget). If you’ll use shaving cream, make sure it’s only a thin, watery, pasty layer of lather (I wrote a guide here).
Also, you’ve mentioned shaving after a longer period — with electric shavers, it’s best to do it more often.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu,
I live in the UK and I found these:
ES8243AA, ES-LV65-s, and ES-LV95-S for an identical price of nearly £100
ES-RF31 and ES-RT37 for approximately £60 and £40 respectively.
It seems like slim picking. Which model in each of those two ranges would you suggest ?
Thanks again
You are welcome, Bill.
In the first tier, definitely the ES-LV95-S. That one is identical to the ES-LV65-S, but it also includes a cleaning station. You can use it or not, but since they cost the same, why not have that as well?
The ES-LV95-S and ES-LV65-S come with one extra blade compared to the ES8243AA and have slightly faster motors. They’re also a bit more comfortable and shave a bit closer. Normally, those two would be more expensive.
As for the budget options, the ES-RF31 is definitely better. In fact, I would rate it similarly to the ES8243AA, so the comparison above still stands. In my opinion the ES-LV95-S is worth the extra money over the ES-RF31, but you should choose according to your budget between the two.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do all electric razors come with a charger? Some of the comments say they only got the razor–no charger. Seems stupid to sell a rechargeable razor with out the charger
Hi Robert,
Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever got one without a charger. The shavers mentioned in the post definitely come with one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Your site is the best, thank you!
For fun, I’d love to see you do reviews of cheap Chinese electric shavers. You know the type, the ones you can buy for sub-£20 on eBay with USB charging, the three-head electric razors that come with multi-head attachments for trimming, nasal hair removal etc. I’d love to see your professional review of just how bad (or surprisingly, not bad…) those kinds of shavers are. As an Amazon affiliate, you could link to Amazon. To get an idea of what I mean, try searching, ‘E-More Electric Shaver’ to bring up a list of these types of shavers.
Hi,
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
So far I’ve been reluctant to recommend those shavers (performance and reliability are pretty poor), so I thought there was also no point in reviewing them. But maybe I’ll get to do it for the most popular ones, hopefully sooner than later. Thanks again for the suggestion and your support.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
” reviews of cheap Chinese electric shavers.” You mean like the $11.59 (free shipping) Wet/Dry Waterproof Cordless Men’s 4 in-1 Multi-function (Electric Shaver, Nose Trimmer, Sideburn Hair trimmer, Farcical cleaning brush) with four (actually three) detachable heads? Does 0-60 in seconds, with fast USB Transmission (and cable!)
Yes, almost all of the above (not the 0-60) is actually from a Ebay ad and there are many on sale (they say 6D on a blue body). I have bought two of these 4 in-1 Multi-function types. The first labelled “Lingke” (discontinued) actually gave quite a good shave (and I have a tough beard) – better than a cordless Remington I had bought – and it even came with 3 extra cutters. However, I ended up dropping it and broke the switch.
The second (with the 6D on it) was slower, and the cutters were not as sharp, but I was able to use the cutters that came with the Lingke which helped (somewhere in China maybe there is a giant database of all the brand names used for such goods, linked to the manufacturer).
Yet the best inexpensive shaver I bought in the last 15 years has been the Panasonic ES3831 Cordless Wet Dry single blade travel shaver. Fast vibration, and the two AA batteries last a long time, and it gives quite a good quick light shave. Your whisker mileage may vary. Still sold for about $20.00
But I think reviews of some inexpensive (like under $35.99) electric razors, one with good reviews on Amazon (Ebay has cheaper ones, but no reviews) could be interesting.
But I thank God we can get such blessed instruments, at reasonable prices. Beats going back to the days of the Romans.
Thanks so much for the comment, Daniel. I also own the ES3831, really nice little shaver, although for me it wasn’t the most comfortable and I had to use it daily in order to get a smooth shave. I will be doing more reviews in the future focused on very affordable, portable shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My beard is kind of like mowing boar hair, so the roughness is not much an issue. I actually found I could somewhat sharpen the cutter by using the file on a pair of nail cutters. Thanks for the reviews.
At the relentless behest of my closest friend, who has used the cheapest Philips rotary shavers for decades and praises them to the rooftops, I have just started using a Philips AquaTouch S1121 (appears to be a wet and dry version of the S2300 above), after a lifetime of first using safety razors then Gillette Mach 3 and Fusion 5 cartridges and recently reverting to a safety razor. I shave with the Philips as I would with a blade: Proraso pre-shave, shaving cream (have a variety), post-shave alum block, finishing with a post-shave balm (a variety). I am very impressed with the results having achieved very smooth, comfortable, close shaves without too much effort. I paid the the equivalent of 29 US dollars (24 pounds) for the S1121 which, given the performance, is excellent value. You can of course pay ten times more for a top-of-the-range Philips, Panasonic, or Braun with possibly only a marginal improvement in performance. Am I right in thinking that Philips rotaries throughout their ranges use pretty much identical technology and what you pay a lot more for is largely bells and whistles, while shaving performance (closeness primarily but not only) is pretty much the same whatever you price.
Thanks for the comment, Mike.
Seems like you got a winner. Pre-shave and shaving cream do however vastly improve the performance of entry-level shavers like the one you have. But many users loathe using shaving cream and prefer to shave dry. But you seem to enjoy it and on top of that, you’re getting great results using a cheap shaver, which is ideal.
Range-topping Philips shavers do use the same technology (three rotating blades) but apart from the sensors, displays and other things that would fall under bells and whistles, some of the more expensive models also come with more powerful motors and better shaving heads. But these may not always make a huge difference depending on how you shave and your beard type. The differences are however more significant in the case of Braun and Panasonic shavers, particularly for users that shave less often or have difficult facial hair (very coarse, lots of flat-lying hairs and so on).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, you and the site are amazing!
Now, for the ask 🙂
I live in the UK, am on a tight budget and keep on going back-and-forth on which shaver to buy. Looking at ~30-35GBP, I have sensative skin and shave about once a week or so.
Please save me from myself… I start off at one, read and find myself debating 3-4 options…
Hi Jarred,
You are way too kind, thank you.
I think a Braun Series 3 ProSkin would be a good choice — the 3000s model should be right within your budget. It doesn’t have a hair trimmer though, but the shaving performance is identical to the 3040s I recommended above. It’s an easy-to-use, comfortable, and easy on the wallet shaver. It works corded and cordless as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Small note: just got my Braun 3000s and it does have a hair trimmer! (updated?)
Hi,
Many thanks for the comment.
I’ve seen reports of it as well. Apparently there are two variations and both have the exact same model name (3000s), so you can’t really know which one you’ll be getting.
The one with the trimmer is definitely more recent. I think it will eventually replace the original one and the trimmer will be explicitly listed as a feature. But right now the photos and specs still depict the old one. Braun’s official product page still shows the 3000s without the trimmer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu