If you’re looking to buy your first electric shaver or you want one for someone just treading on that path, like your teenage son, this article is for you.
Whatever the case, shaving is an integral part of a man’s life, and we should strive to make it as easy, enjoyable, and pain-free as possible.
And to achieve that, using the right tool is key.
It can transform the whole shaving experience into something to look forward to and make it seem less of a chore.
And from my own experience back in the day, choosing your first electric razor can get pretty overwhelming.
There are a lot of options out there and the available information is often conflicting.
But worry not, as in this article I’ll address all the important aspects and I’ll share some of my favorite shavers that would make great choices for first-time users and teenagers:
Rules of thumb when buying your first electric shaver
Before pulling the trigger, here are a few things you should take into account.
Choose a gentler shaver with a compact shaving head
An electric shaver that’s more forgiving and easy to use would be ideal for a beginner.
While the learning curve is not as steep as in the case of a manual razor, it still takes time to improve the technique.
And even if there’s no actual blade touching the skin, an electric shaver can still cause razor burn or even nick the skin.
So going for a less aggressive shaver would be the right approach.
Also, while some of the range-topping models like the Panasonic Arc 6 offer excellent performance, their large shaving heads can make them cumbersome to use.
On top of that, these high-end shavers cost a lot and are probably overkill for a teenager with light to medium facial hair for example.
But even if your stubble is coarse, there are still a few comfortable, compact shavers that can work effectively.
Have a clearly defined budget and don’t overlook the cost of ownership
Back in my wet shaving days, multi-blade cartridges were crazy expensive and the costs would add up pretty quickly.
One of the side benefits of electric shavers is that you don’t have to spend money on refills every month.
You will eventually need to replace the cutters and foils, but only once every year or so.
Having said that, the cost and availability of the replacement parts are just as important as the shaver itself.
Some can cost almost as much as a brand-new shaver.
Ideally, these parts should be reasonably priced and readily available.
For the shavers I’m about to recommend, I will also provide info regarding the replacement heads.
Pick a shaver suitable for your needs
Your requirements for an electric razor will probably be different from somebody else’s.
You should therefore focus on the parts that matter to you when choosing a shaver.
For example, things like comfort, closeness, costs, ease of cleaning, etc. are among the most important ones to consider.
I will outline the pros and cons of each recommended shaver to give you a clearer idea of what makes them more or less suitable in a given situation.
A less advanced electric shaver is generally better for a beginner
Resist the hype and don’t buy a shaver with a gazillion blades and features.
As a first-time user, you’ll be better off with a more basic shaver that’s easy to use, clean and maintain in good working condition.
As mentioned earlier, having more than three blades is often overkill, especially for someone who shaves regularly or has a light to medium beard.
The latter is often the case with teenage boys.
On top of that, high-end shavers tend to be very expensive to buy, and the replacement foils & blades are pricey as well.
You may also find that electric shaving isn’t for you.
Since you have to wait up to a month for your skin to get used to the new way of shaving, you may not be able to return the product.
You don’t want to spend a few hundred dollars on a product you won’t be using.
In other words, you don’t have to break the bank to buy a razor that will do the job just fine.
Let’s now put all this into practice and check out some shavers.
The best electric razors in 2026 for beginners and teenagers
1. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040S
Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.
The Series 3 ProSkin is an entry-level line of foil shavers from Braun that offer great performance and comfort for a reasonable price.
But most importantly, they would also make a great choice for a beginner.
Available in several variants, suitable for dry only or wet/dry operation, the Series 3 is a solid option for someone just getting started with electric shaving.
The 3040S model is one of the most popular razors from the Series 3 ProSkin family.
With wet & dry operation, it provides close and irritation-free shaves, being suitable for sensitive skin as well.
It also features an integrated slide-out trimmer, something not all Series 3 models have (for example, the 3010s).
The Braun Series 3 is a direct competitor of the Panasonic Arc 3 in the entry-level segment of foil electric shavers.
While both are excellent choices, the Series 3 is a bit more comfortable and better at shaving longer, flat-lying hairs.
However, I still recommend using it more often (daily up to every 3 days); otherwise, it can struggle, just like any other basic foil razor.
The Series 3 3040s has a slim shaving head, making it a great first electric razor for a beginner or teenager.
It’s also very easy to clean with tap water (and optionally some liquid hand soap).
One of the best things about this shaver is the low price of the replacement parts.
Unlike Panasonic, Braun uses a cassette that integrates both the blades and the foil and must be replaced only once every 18 months.
Braun 32b Replacement Cassette
To make the deal even sweeter, the price for a replacement head is lower compared to most other shavers in this price segment.
If you’re in the market for your first electric shaver, the Series 3 ProSkin 3040S is definitely worth considering.
You can read my detailed review of this shaver here.
2. Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K
Also available at Walmart, Panasonic.com.
This shaver offers excellent performance with its powerful 13 000 CPM (cycles per minute) motor, sharp blades and wet & dry operation.
The Arc 3 (and Panasonic shavers in general) can shave very close to the skin, and they’re effective at catching facial hair provided it’s reasonably short.
So shaving more often will usually get you the best results.
Also, because it only has 3 cutting elements (just like the Series 3 above), the shaving head is very slim, which is ideal for a beginner.
The pop-up trimmer is excellent and better in my opinion than the one on the Series 3.
It’s very practical and effective and comes in handy for some on-the-fly grooming, like trimming your sideburns.
The Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K comes with two unique adjustable combs that allow you to pre-trim or maintain a beard.
I think this can be very handy when you haven’t shaved in a while; as we know, an electric razor is only effective on short stubble.
The adjustable combs fit over the extended hair trimmer and you won’t have to swap the foil head.
The ES-LL41-K is very easy to use and clean.
Changing the foil and blades is also very straightforward. Speaking of which, you’ll be needing a new set every year, but the cost is pretty reasonable.
Panasonic WES9013PC Replacement foil & blades
However, the replacement head for the Braun Series 3 3040s above costs less.
Also, as you can tell from the image above, the Panasonic Arc 3 has two removable blades and a foil with a built-in third cutting element.
This design makes Panasonic replacement parts pricier.
For more in-depth details, you can check out my review of the ES-LL41-K.
I would stay clear of other Arc 3 models with less powerful motors, like the ES-SL41-S, as the performance drop will be significant.
As for downsides, while it shaves close, the Arc 3 is effective when used regularly and the stubble is short.
Also, the price of the Arc 3 is usually higher than what the competition — the Braun Series 3 ProSkin — has to offer.
3. Philips Norelco OneBlade 360
Also available at Walmart, Philips.com.
The Philips (Norelco) OneBlade is a unique device in the sense that it’s neither a foil nor a rotary shaver.
Instead, it features a very slim and compact head with shearing blades that have rounded teeth to prevent nicks.
This makes it ideal for several use cases.
In my opinion this trimmer would be a great first shaver for a teenager with very sensitive skin or an acne-like condition.
The OneBlade shaving head is very gentle and doesn’t cut the hair quite as close as a foil or rotary shaver.
This will minimize the risk of ingrown hairs and bumps.
Also, if someone is dealing with acne, inflammation or breakouts, it will be less taxing on the skin.
Granted, the shave won’t be quite as close compared to a foil razor like the Braun Series 3 3040s, but considering the benefits and ease of use, I think it’s a great compromise.
There are a few variations in the OneBlade series, but in my opinion the one that will be the best in most cases is the standard OneBlade Face or OneBlade Face 360.
The price, the 45-minute battery life, and the cost of the replacement heads make it the best option.
There’s a so-called OneBlade First Shave Teen Hybrid Electric Shaver, but it comes with a smaller 30-minute battery and no guards.
So I would just pick the classic OneBlade or OneBlade 360 that features left-to-right flexing of the head.
The OneBlade is compact, quiet, lightweight and very forgiving.
And while adults can use it successfully as well, I think it would be very well-suited for a teenager with light to medium facial hair.
Also, if a few days between shaves are needed for the skin to heal, the OneBlade can deal with longer hairs or peach fuzz better than a regular electric shaver.
Cleaning the Philips OneBlade is straightforward and only implies rinsing the trimmer with warm tap water after every use.
The replacement heads are reasonably priced and readily available.
4. Braun Series 8 8517s
Also available at Walmart.
The Series 8 (S8) is a very compelling line of electric shavers from Braun.
While this shaver is positioned like a mid-range model in Braun’s lineup, the performance is excellent and more toward the high-end spectrum.
Priced lower than the flagship Series 9, the Series 8 shaves great and would be a good choice for a beginner (if it fits within the budget).
It is the priciest option on this list, so again it should be considered by the more demanding users.
The Series 8 also works really well on longer facial hair, being able to shave with great comfort and effectiveness a 3-day beard, maybe even more.
The 8517s is usually the Series 8 to buy thanks to its price and availability, but any S8 variation you can get will be just as good.
The performance is identical throughout the entire line, so the choice should come down to price (and accessories).
The Series 8 can be used dry or with shaving cream or gel.
It has 3 cutting elements, thus a slim and compact head and it’s a very comfortable shaver.
The Series 8 is also a lot better with longer, flat-lying hairs than most 3-blade shavers, so it will still perform well even if you shave less often.
The replacement shaving head for the Series 8 is called 83M.
The cost is usually reasonable for such a high-quality head, but there have been some price spikes.
Braun Series 8 83M Replacement Cassette
The Braun 8517s is a Series 8 that doesn’t come with an automatic cleaning station.
Those that do are usually more expensive and again since this is your first shaver, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on things that aren’t absolutely necessary.
Overall, the Braun S8 is a highly capable shaver and also pretty future-proof. It does cost quite a bit more than the other options in this guide.
With a Series 3 or Arc 3, you may feel the need to upgrade in the future; you won’t be a beginner forever.
The Series 8 is the entry point to the high-end, advanced electric shavers, but unlike some of those, it’s still very user-friendly and easy to use.
It is, however, on the pricier side, so unless you think you would really benefit from it (for example if you have coarse stubble and usually don’t shave too often), a Braun Series 3 3040s will cost a lot less.
For a complete guide on the Series 8 by Braun, you can check out this article.
Foil vs Rotary: which one is better for beginners?
There are basically two types of electric shavers: foil and rotary.
Foil shavers use reciprocating blades that move sidewise behind a perforated metal screen:
Rotary shavers have circular blades that rotate behind a metal guard or comb:
Foil shavers can have between 1 and 6 cutting elements, while rotaries usually have 3 cutting heads.
As for which type is more suitable for beginners, there is no definitive right or wrong answer.
I prefer foil shavers and I also think these will be a safer choice for most users. It’s also why I didn’t include any rotaries in my roundup.
Personal preference aside, foil shavers do have some particular traits that make them more suitable for beginners or teenage boys.
Here are what I consider to be the main advantages of foil shavers in the context of first-time use.
Foil shavers are easier to use.
They’re dead simple in construction and operation: sharp blades oscillate behind a thin, perforated micro-foil that you move against the grain, applying very little pressure.
Rotary shavers tend to cause some trouble to beginners and it takes more time for the technique to improve.
With rotaries, you have to use a combination of circular and straight strokes for an effective shave and be more mindful of the pressure.
Foil shavers are better for hard-to-reach areas (under the nose or around the sideburns).
This one is pretty self-explanatory; foil shavers are just easier to work with when performing some maneuvers that require more precision and finesse.
A 3-blade foil shaver will have a compact head, making it very user-friendly.
A wider selection of brands and models.
The rotary razors market is dominated by Philips (Norelco); there isn’t really any other viable alternative.
On the other hand, there are loads of models from Panasonic, Braun and even Remington or Laifen in the foil category.
Foil razors are easier to clean.
Manually cleaning a foil shaver is usually simpler and faster: a quick rinse with tap water and you’re all set.
And this is how a basic cleaning goes for a rotary razor as well, but every once in a while you must perform a more thorough cleaning.
That implies taking the whole shaving head apart and cleaning each blade and guard, one by one, then carefully putting them back together exactly the same.
And that’s a bit of a hassle. After all, we switched to electric shaving to avoid doing stuff.
Foil shavers usually provide a closer and more comfortable shave.
Because the foil screens are very thin and the blades oscillate at a very high speed, foil shavers are considered to be better at cutting hair closer to the skin.
Some rotary shavers can pull and yank hairs, especially if your technique isn’t spot on (which can be the case if you’ve never used an electric razor).
Seasoned Philips users may disagree and that’s totally fine; everyone should use what suits them the best.
All things considered, I’d say a foil razor is the safer and more beginner-friendly option.
Is an automatic cleaning station necessary?
You’ve probably noticed that none of the recommended shavers come with a cleaning and charging station.
I don’t think that the added costs (the cleaning cartridges can also be quite expensive) are justified, especially since most of these are pretty basic, easy to clean razors.
Some offer variants that come with a cleaning station (usually for a higher price) like the Braun 3 Series 3050cc.
Whether the convenience of a cleaning station is worth the extra money is totally up to you.
I would only consider one for the Series 8 (like the 8567cc) if the price isn’t significantly higher than the shaver-only variation.
Generally, a first-time user should probably save some money and skip the cleaning station.
Effective tips to get the most out of your shaver
Apart from the S8, the shavers in this article are budget-friendly options, making them ideal for someone just getting started.
However, a basic model like the Arc 3 or Series 3 can’t match the performance of high-end shavers, like the Panasonic Arc 5 or Braun Series 9 PRO+.
Here are 5 easy and effective tips to get the most out of an electric razor.
1. Shave more often.
Longer hairs are almost always a problem for electric shavers, but they fare a lot better with short stubble.
Therefore, shaving more often should improve the performance of an entry-level razor.
If you need a few days for the skin to heal between shaves, you may need to use a trimmer to reduce the hair to a more manageable length.
The Philips OneBlade for example would be ideal in this case as it can catch longer whiskers very effectively.
2. Use a pre-shave.
A pre-electric shave lotion will often improve the closeness and comfort of your dry shave.
You can check out this post for some of my favorite pre-shaves.
3. Clean and lubricate your shaver.
Cleaning your shaver after every use and lubricating the blades are vital to keep it in great condition and perform optimally.
4. Try new techniques and find what works best for you.
As a beginner, the closeness and comfort of the shave won’t be the best from the get-go.
This is perfectly normal, and you will get better at it pretty quickly.
You can also check out my guide on how to shave with an electric shaver for the first time.
5. Give wet shaving a try.
Yes, you can shave wet with an electric razor as well (if it is suitable for wet/dry operation).
While it implies a lengthier prep work, it can work wonders for some men. Give it a try and see how it goes.
Takeaway
Hopefully, these tips will come in handy when choosing your first electric razor.
Just remember that the first time using it probably won’t go as smoothly as you’d expect in terms of closeness and comfort or even pure enjoyment.
Your skin requires at least a few weeks to get used to the new method of shaving, so take your time and try to enjoy the process.
If you have any other questions, make sure to post them in the comments section below.
Would you recommend wet and dry over dry alone? I am a beginner and the new job requires me to shave a bit more regularly. How do they cope with 3-4 days growth.
It’s the Panasonic ESST29 a decent starting point?
Hi Warren,
the answer to wet vs dry is not so straight forward as it is a very personal matter. For some, myself included, wet shaving gives significantly better results, while for others the improvements are negligible. You must experience it yourself in order to make a correct assessment. As for a 3 to 4 days of growth, it again depends on how coarse is your facial hair and how fast it grows back. If you have very thick stubble that grows back pretty quickly even the more advanced and expensive razors can have some problems getting you a fast and smooth shave. Budget shavers are usually recommended for daily or every other day shaving. But if your facial hair is light to medium you can get away with more days between shaving sessions.
The Panasonic ESST29 should be a good choice for a beginner, like all Arc 3 models that have a 13000 cpm motor (this one does).
Hope this helps.
I am just a high school boy & have hairs mostly on my chin & under the nose . As a Beginner , I am quite confused if I must buy a FOIL or ROTARY Blade shaver .
I may need to shave once a week only .
Please advise an economical , easy to use , easy maintenance & cleaning and of course gives the BEST SHAVE .
Thanks
Hi Pranav,
I would personally go for a foil shaver, they’re very easy to use and clean. Plus, I find foil shavers much easier to manoeuvre when shaving the area just below my nose, so I think they will be a perfect fit for you.
Since you are a teenager your facial hair is probably light to medium, so a Braun Series 3 or Pansonic Arc3 are two very good options. The most economical of the two is the Braun, you can find them at great discounts and the replacement cassette is inexpensive. Check out the 340s recommended in this article or the 3040s, they are identical in terms of performance and also suitable for wet & dry use. I find the Panasonics to give a slightly closer shave and are also a bit faster, but their price and running costs are higher compared to the Series 3 from Braun. Performance-wise, I think you’ll be satisfied with either of them.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for this article! I’m searching for my son who needs to shave for the very first time. He’s 14, and he is Autistic so I need the safety and ease of an Electric razor for him.
You are very welcome, I’m glad to know you found the article useful.
Best wishes,
Ovidiu
Hi. I’m 15 and for the past couple of months have been trimming my facial hair with a hair clipper. Which foil shaver would you recommend? I have a small moustache, a small goatee and a bit on the chin. It doesn’t grow back fast. I trim it 3-4 times a month. Something beginner friendly?
Hi Mark,
A Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S would be my recommendation in your case. It is very easy and straight forward to use, cleaning is a breeze and it has more than enough cutting power. It is a wet/dry electric shaver, fully waterproof so you can rinse it under hot tap water without any worries. It’s also reasonably priced and since you have very light facial hair, the foils and blades will last for a long time before needing to be replaced. Another equally good option is the Braun Series 3 3040s ProSkin. It is very similar to the Panasonic with regards to costs and performance, but I find it to be a bit gentler to the skin.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do all shavers operate for left handed people,or do they have to purchase special left handed shavers.
Yes, all electric shavers can be operated by left handed people as well.
Hello I am a teenager ..I have facial hair mostly in my chin and upper lip light hairs…so what would be best ..
Trimmer or shaver? And in case o shaver which would be best dry or wet? … Eagerly waiting for your answer.. Thank you
Hi,
There’s no right or wrong answer here and it mostly depends on your preferences. A trimmer will only trim facial hair, while an electric shaver will get you a clean shave. Since you have a light beard, the Panasonic Arc 3 or the Braun Series 3 recommended in this post will be more than suitable for the job. Both can be used wet or dry, so you can give each method a try and see which one works best for you.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for this article. I also have a son who has to start shaving off the bit of hair on his lip. We waxed it a couple of times but I think its time for one of those Braun jobs.
Regards Mari
Hi Mari,
Thank you for your comment, I’m really glad you found the information helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any thoughts on what shaver would be best to provide for nursing home staff to use for a resident who cannot shave himself? I have purchased three shavers for him in 12 months – recommended Braun twice and recommended Philips once. Nursing home reports his beard is so tough it wears out the shavers that quickly. Philips was returned to me, with guard that holds rotary blades in place missing and one rotary blade broken into two halves, so I suspect a different issue. What I need is a shaver that is easy for care aids to use, clean and maintain. I cannot expect them to read a manual. I am grateful for their care of the resident. Replacing the shaver every 4 months is little to pay for their care, and luckily the resident can afford it.
Hi Jayne,
The lifespan of a shaver’s foils and blades depends on several factors. Those include how often it is used and how well it’s being cared for (cleaning and lubrication). In this particular situation, a Panasonic shaver would probably be suitable for the job. They’re really good for coarse beards and are very easy to clean manually with a bit of liquid soap and hot tap water. Two models that I highly recommend are the ES-LA63-S Arc 4 and the ES-LV65-S Arc 5. Those two are also available with automatic cleaning stations (ES-LV95-S Arc 5), but again in this situation a cleaning station may actually complicate things instead of making them easier. A cleaning station takes care of cleaning and lubrication, but requires changing the cleaning fluid on a regular basis (and that one must be supplied as well). If that’s not a problem, then performing an automatic cleaning after every use will no longer require any other intervention from the caretaker.
I highly recommend getting a spray cleaner & lubricant like the Remington Shaver Saver if the shaver won’t come with a cleaning station. I’m pretty sure that the premature wear of the previous Braun and Philips shavers was accelerated by the lack of lubrication. A spray is cheap and very easy to apply — it literally takes seconds, but it will make a difference. It could also be a more practical alternative to cleaning the shaver with soap and water.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m looking for a shaver for a first time shaver,he doesn’t even know how to shave, he just can’t get it but he needs shaved for work. He recently lost his dad who used to shave,. So which one should I purchase for him to try. Thank You
Hi Susan,
That really depends on your budget. If it’s rather limited, the Braun Series 3 3040s or the Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S (both mentioned in this post) will do, especially if the shaver will be used more often. Entry-level shavers aren’t great with longer facial hair. If you can stretch a bit more, there’s the Panasonic Arc 4 which is a step up in performance, but consider it only if his facial hair is rather coarse and dense.
All of them are easy to clean and to use, just make sure to read the user’s manual as well.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’d like to get a shaver for my 15 year old son. Seems like the Panasonic S8103S Arc3 is a good choice.
Are there any similar shavers with a dock – a place to put it on the counter so it doesn’t get knocked around and bent in a drawer? My toothbrush has a dock and actually it’s very convenient.
Tnx.
Andy
Hi Andy,
You’ll want to check out the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT5N or ES-SL41 if you want a charging stand as well. I would highly recommend the ES-LT5N over the other one if you can get it though, it is significantly better performance-wise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I would like to purchase a good electric shaver for my son. He shaves with razor and he is 18.
Price doesn’t matter for me but I like a good quality and comfort one.
Which one do you recommend?
Thank you!
Hi Rodi,
In my opinion a good choice would be a Braun Series 5 like the 5140s at number 4 in the post — it’s powerful enough and very comfortable. If you can’t find one (that particular Series 5 generation is being phased out), check out the Braun Series 8 — it’s basically a Series 5 with a larger battery, so also an excellent performer and also suitable in this case. Because it only has 3 cutters, the head is slim and very easy to use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for your knowledge. My 16 yr old son has very little on face (upper lip only) but lots of hair on side (side burns) and neck. Braun series 3 still recommended or the Philips One Blade hybrid (another one recommended in some articles??
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your comment.
Both would be great options for a teenager, however they are very different and I’ll try my best to emphasize these differences so you can get the one that would make more sense.
The Series 3 ProSkin is a foil electric shaver, so the blades are moving behind this very thin metal screen. The hair pokes through a hole and gets cut by the blades at skin level. Unless you press too hard, it’s a very safe and forgiving machine. It works best on short facial hair, so should be used more often. Also, teenagers usually have very fine facial hair or peach fuzz, which could make it more difficult for the hairs to enter through the foil. And the longer the hair, the less effective a shaver is. Two workarounds: he can either shave more often or use the slide-out hair trimmer for a pre-cut and reduce the hairs to a more manageable size (before actually using the shaving head for a clean shave). The trimmer is rather small and could take a while though, but he may only need to use it before shaving for the first time.
The OneBlade is essentially a trimmer (like a regular beard trimmer or hair clipper), with exposed shearing blades, but they have rounded teeth to minimize the risk of nicks and are also a lot smaller and closer together. The OneBlade is very easy to use thanks to the very slim head and can tackle longer hairs with ease (unlike a foil shaver), but it will not cut the hair quite as close to the skin. Also, if you move it too fast over an area with longer or thicker hairs, it might snag some, but so will any other shaver. You can also use the included guards to maintain a stubble look, but I don’t think (at least for now) that he’ll be using them.
So these would be in my opinion the most important differences.
Clean, close shave — the Series 3 ProSkin, but works best on short facial hair. He may want to use the slide-out trimmer to pre-trim the hair if it’s too long. Not all Series 3 ProSkin models include a trimmer, but the one I recommended (3040s) does.
Not quite as close of a shave, but works well on both short and long facial hair — the OneBlade.
Hope this helps and that your son will enjoy his first shave. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
When cleaning, what liquid soap is best to use?
Any liquid hand soap will work just fine. Even dish soap will do.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for this great article and comments. What do you recommend for a foil shaver for sensitive skin, son is in high school not much hair growth, currently shaves a few times a week.
Hi,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I would consider a Braun Series 3 ProSkin like the 3040s in the post above, it should be just the right shaver for a teenager with light to medium facial hair. It’s very easy to use and to clean. Just keep in mind that electric shavers must be used on short hair in order to be effective and comfortable. So using it twice a week or even more often (depending on how fast the hair grows) would yield the best results.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thank you for the articles on your site, they’re really helpful. I’m looking for a first electric shaver for my teenage son. I have read your articles and also checked out some videos on how to use the foil and the rotary shavers.
My son has Hemiplegia, which means he cannot use his right hand. He has good dexterity with his left hand and is very independent. In the videos it looks like ‘stretching’ your skin a little is recommended when using a foil shaver but not necessary when using a rotary shaver. Would you agree?
I also get the impression that a rotary shaver may be a little safer to use, am I correct?
He will also find cleaning it challenging so an easy to clean one would be helpful. I think a lighter weight, smaller headed shaver may be best. Which would you recommend?
(His Dad has always had a beard so isn’t able to offer any advice in this situation!)
Thanks for your advice
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for the feedback, glad you found the info useful.
If your son has more of a light to medium beard, I think the Philips OneBlade would actually be a better option than both a foil or a rotary.
It’s very lightweight and the slim shaving head makes it very easy to maneuver. And because there’s no foil element nor a perforated guard, it is effective even when you don’t always go right against the direction of hair growth. It’s also very good with softer, thinner, longer facial hair/peach fuzz that teenagers usually have.
If you still think a foil or a rotary would be better (those do shave closer ie at skin level), I think both types can benefit from stretching the skin, but that can be delt with in other ways too. For example, pointing the chin upward with the head tilted back will stretch the skin on the neck. And rotating the head to the right while moving the chin/jaw to the right will stretch the skin on the left cheek. And again the OneBlade will have a slight advantage in this case vs a foil/rotary shaver that require each hair to poke through a hole in the foil/guard.
I would also say that a foil shaver is a bit easier and more straightforward to use for a beginner — just simple linear overlapping strokes against the grain. But both are safe provided there’s not excessive pressure applied, the speed of the stroke is controlled (and not rushed) and the hair has a reasonable length — the shorter the better. The OneBlade can deal with longer hairs better and I think it’s worth considering. Otherwise the Braun Series 3 ProSkin is ususally a very safe choice.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much Ovidiu. That’s really helpful. You are a star ⭐️
Having used various electric shavers I find that older 1980’s large single head foil shavers by Braun, and Hitachi, work best – more modern multihead ones can clog up quickly and be more difficult to thoroughly clean – running under a tap is no substitute to dismantling and brushing the cutter head with an old toothbrush, etc. I also prefer shavers with motors running at mains voltage on a lead rather than rechargeables – possibly less safe but much more powerful and no batteries to go flat halfway through. As explained, foil shavers cut closer than rotary ones but are more prone to damage if dropped. Watch out for very expensive replacement parts but some generic copy parts are available for some brands.
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for the comment.
Modern multi-blade foil shavers are indeed more complex, however just a simple rinse with warm water after every shave should be enough to avoid dirt buildups. They are more sensitive to drops and even using a brush on the foil can often damage them. This is yet another reason why I tend to recommend cleaning with water instead of a brush.
Generic/compatible replacement parts seem appealing thanks to the lower price. Having tried a few, I don’t think they’re worth it. The performance is either underwhelming from the start or they wear out extremely fast.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Mr Ovidiu Nicolae,
First of all, thank you very much for providing such a rich and satisfying content about shaving and razors. You also gave a detailed answer to a question I had asked for myself before and your answer was very useful to me.
Now I will have a much more important question, because the subject is my son.
I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to answer my very important question again.
My son is 15 years old and has a very little beard on his chin and a very little moustache. Which machine do you recommend for my son’s first shave? When I looked a little bit, the braun 3 series was generally recommended, but I want to buy your suggestion. As a result, which brand and model machine do you recommend for my son who will shave for the first time?
Thank you in advance in the hope that you will respond.
Yours sincerely.
Hi Meric,
Thank you for the kind words, glad I could be of help.
If your son only has some light facial hair/peach fuzz, a very good option would be the Philips OneBlade. It has shearing blades with rounded teeth and this type of trimmer head works really well with soft, less dense hair. It won’t cut it quite as close as a foil shaver, but it will be more effective with this type of hair and it’ll take less time to shave. The other types of shavers — foil or rotary — work better with coarser/shorter hairs as they must poke through the holes in the foil/guards to get cut.
I would also say that the OneBlade has a less steep learning curve for a first-time user and it’s very gentle and easy to use.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu,
Thank you very much for this detailed and informative response. According to your suggestion, I will buy a oneblade for my son.
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Meriç
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks for the great article! My son is 15 and is getting some mild acne. Is there much risk of irritation and ingrown hair with the Braun Series 3 Proskin 3040? It just seems more intuitive to go for a razor rather than the Philips One Blade.
Also he has a small facial mole with hair growing from it. Is it safe to shave over it too?
Thanks
Jack
Hi Jack,
Many thanks for the comment.
I’m afraid it’s difficult to say if cutting the hair at skin level will exacerbate the acne. It can go either way and it totally depends on each individual.
I actually have a facial mole as well above the upper lip and I do go over it when I shave. 90% of the time is fine, but sometimes I do get a tiny nick. These moles are highly vascularized, so even a small cut can cause bleeding. My advice would be to go slow and with minimal pressure over it, but still maintaining the foil on the skin. I would also only use a single foil element over the mole and avoid the middle trimmer as that one can cut it more easily. It has wider gaps and moles have irregular shapes, so part of them can actually poke through.
As a side note, you should never hover an electric shaver (foil or rotary) over an area as it will likely pull the hair instead of cutting it. It must be kept flat on the skin at all times. It’s something that beginners often don’t know and can lead to some hairs getting snagged.
Hope this helps and that your son will enjoy his first shave. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My son is about to start shaving. Thank you for the information you provided it is very helpful. I have always used razor, so I am virtually new to electric razors for the most part. I am worried that my son will not be shaving often and that a cordless razor will not be charged when he is ready to use it. I know I have that issue with my trimmer which I only use on occasion. Is there a decent foil type with a cord? Or would you recommend one of the above cordless models?
Hi Larry,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
I think the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s would be a good alternative to the 3040s in my post. It works both cordless and corded if that’s something you worry about. But as I mentioned in the article, any electric shaver will need to be used regularly in order to get a good shave. Otherwise it can miss or even snag some hairs.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
First of all, thank you so much for this informative post. For a mother of a teenage son, this is extremely helpful. My son is 14 and has ample growth on sideburns, moustache, chin and also a lot of peach fuzz on cheeks. Based on your post, I think Braun Series 8 8517s will be the best option for him, given he would shave only in 1 week or 10 days. I also see some other Braun Series 8 such as 8417s and 8453 available on the websites shared in your post. Do they all work the same or will 8517 be the best option.
Thank you once again,
Swati
Hi Swati,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you found the post useful.
All Series 8 will shave exactly the same, so I would just look for the best deal on an 85 or 84 model. Again, the performance will be identical.
As for the frequency of shaving, I think every 10 days is probably too much. An electric shaver, regardless of brand, type or even price point should be used on short facial hair for the best results. The Series 8 also has an integrated slide-out trimmer, good enough for pre-trimming peach fuzz or longer, stray hairs.
I would highly recommend the use of a separate beard trimmer like the Philips OneBlade to pre-trim the long hair before using the shaver for a clean shave if there will constantly be a longer period between shaves (like 10 days or more).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My son is 15 and a first shaver. He has some facial hair on the side , mustache, and under his chin. He has more dark, slightly curly hair. Which electric shaver would you recommend. He’ll shave 1-2 x/ wk.
Hi Mary,
I would get either a Braun Series 3 3040s or a Philips OneBlade. The first one is a foil electric shaver, so it will provide a close, skin-level shave, but only works well on short facial hair. So it should preferably be used twice a week. The OneBlade is a special electric trimmer, meaning it won’t cut the hair quite as close, but it can handle any hair length and is more effective with longer, flat-lying and soft hair. It’s also very good with peach fuzz.
Both have their specific pros and cons and are suitable options for a 15 year old teenager. It just depends on what would make more sense for your son (frequency of use, very close shave vs short stubble look). If you do decide to get the Braun Series 3, you may need to use its integrated slide-out trimmer to pre-trim the longer, softer hairs before the first shave. The Braun work best on shorter, slightly stiffer hairs that can easily poke through the perforated foil.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great Post, thank you for creating this website
You are very kind, James, thank you. Glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks very much for creating this website and in particular, your guide for first time and teenage shavers. I’m also looking for my son’s first electric and found your advice accessible, easy to follow and helpful.
I only use a Braun trimmer these days, but reading your descriptions of foil versus rotary brought me right back to my Norelco days — especially when seeing your disassembled head and cartridge photos. My trusted unit must have lasted 15+ years! Only had to replace heads until I woke up one day and she refused to charge anymore. I was devastated — ha ha.
But thank you for delineating the pros and cons of foil and rotary, as they relate to teenage shavers — extremely useful information. I think the Braun 3 or the OneBlade are good starting points for us. Will be sure to check your related tips and guides as well.
Hey Matt,
Thank you so much for the kind comment, really glad the info was useful.
I think both the Braun S3 and the OneBlade would make excellent first choices, even though they are different, with specific pros and cons. Hope your son will enjoy his first electric razor.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a question on what would be the best option for my 16 yr old son, if any of these or a different one.
he has a little bit of peach fuzz above his lip that he doesn’t want to shave completely just trim and clean it up. He then also has sideburns that he likes to keep so we are usually getting them trimmed and cleaned up at the barber shop with the #1 attachment. But I want to get him his first shaver for a Christmas present. so I’m just not sure what would be the best option for him.
Thank you for your help,
A single mom of a boy
Hi Heather,
I think the Philips OneBlade would be the best option. It’s very effective with peach fuzz while other conventional electric shavers (foil or rotary) will struggle and may even snag this type of facial hair. The OneBlade also has a very compact and thin shaving head, so it’s easy to use and will cut the hair right above the skin, so it won’t shave it as close as the other ones. It can easily trim around the sideburns and can even be used to tweak them a bit (using the adjustable comb attachment). It’s an ideal first shaver/trimmer for a teenager and a great gateway shaver with a short learning curve.
Hope this helps and that your son will enjoy his first shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, There are so many of the Philips One Blade ones. There is also a first shave option. What is the difference between Norelco and a First Shave one?
Thank you
Hi,
The OneBlade 360 I recommended in the article is in my opinion the pick of the range if we consider price, features (adjustable guard, battery) and versatility. The OneBlade First Shave Shaver has a smaller battery, no guards, and I think it might be a bit less powerful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Which will get a teenager the closest shave without facial agitation?
Hi Michael,
If the budget allows it, the Series 8 (it’s also futureproof, probably no real need to update in the future). Otherwise, both the Panasonic ES-LL41-K or the Braun Series 3 ProSkin should work good enough. But any of these shavers need to be used regularly for optimum results (at least twice a week). If the hair is too long, the effectiveness of any electric razor will be poor and will snag hairs as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu