Best Electric Shavers for Men in 2025: Tested & Compared

A great electric shaver trades the absolute closeness of a blade for speed, forgiveness and no nicks — but the gap has narrowed a lot. The best foil and rotary shavers now pair fast linear motors with flexible heads that track your jaw, wet/dry operation and quick-charge lithium batteries. The trade-offs come down to how coarse your beard is, how sensitive your skin is, and whether you'd rather chase the closest possible shave or the most comfortable one. We ran the top foil and rotary shavers through weeks of daily use to sort out which ones are actually worth the money.

Quick Pick

Braun Series 9 Pro+

It combines five cutting elements, a fast Sonic motor and a genuinely close, comfortable shave with a self-cleaning charge station that handles the mess for you. For most men who want a premium foil shaver that just works, it's the safest pick.

At a Glance: Top 5 Compared

#ProductPrice*RatingBest For
1 Braun Series 9 Pro+ ~$330 4.7 / 5 Men who want the closest, most refined foil shave
2 Panasonic Arc6 ~$280 4.6 / 5 Coarse or thick beards chasing maximum closeness
3 Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige ~$300 4.5 / 5 Rotary fans and men with curly or ingrown-prone hair
4 Braun Series 7 ~$150 4.5 / 5 Most men wanting a great shave without flagship pricing
5 Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro 360 ~$90 4.4 / 5 Stubble, styling and edging rather than a bald shave

*Approximate prices for reference only. Confirm the current price on the retailer's page before buying.

1Best Overall

Braun Series 9 Pro+

Braun Series 9 Pro+

The Series 9 Pro+ is Braun's flagship foil shaver, using a five-element head (two foils, a direct-and-cut trimmer, a lift-and-cut element and a ProLift trimmer) driven by a fast Sonic motor rated around 10,000 micro-vibrations. It shaves wet or dry, runs on a lithium-ion battery good for roughly 60 minutes on a one-hour charge, and includes a 5-in-1 SmartCare center that cleans, lubricates and charges. A ProComfort head float and a pop-up ProBlade trimmer for edging round it out. It's expensive, but it's the most complete foil package Braun makes.

Pros

  • Five cutting elements capture flat-lying and awkward hairs
  • Fast Sonic motor stays smooth on dense stubble
  • 5-in-1 clean-and-charge station handles maintenance
  • Fully waterproof for wet, dry or in-shower shaving

Cons

  • Premium price, and cleaning cartridges add ongoing cost
  • Head is bulkier than slimmer competitors
  • Overkill if you shave only every few days
2Best Close Shave

Panasonic Arc6

Panasonic Arc6

The Arc6 (ES-LS6A) uses six ultra-thin, nanotech-honed hypoallergenic blades and one of the fastest motors in any shaver, spinning at around 87,000 cross-cuts per minute. A responsive beard-density sensor adjusts power as you move across thicker patches, and a 16-direction flexible head hugs the contours of your face and neck. It's wet/dry, has a fast-charging battery good for about 45 minutes, and ships with a cleaning-and-charging station. For sheer cutting speed on coarse hair, it's hard to beat.

Pros

  • Six-blade head delivers an exceptionally close cut
  • Very fast motor powers through thick, coarse stubble
  • Beard-density sensor adapts to different areas
  • 16-direction flexing head tracks jaw and neck well

Cons

  • Six blades can feel aggressive on sensitive skin
  • Foils and blades are pricey to replace
  • Cleaning station is larger than most
3Best Rotary

Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige

Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige

Philips' top rotary shaver uses three floating heads with 72 self-sharpening blades and the brand's Lift & Cut dual-blade system to catch flat-lying hairs. Its ContourDetect heads move in eight directions to follow the contours of the face and neck, which rotary shavers tend to handle gently. A quick-clean pod and app-guided coaching help you dial in technique, and the lithium battery delivers around 60 minutes of cordless shaving. It shaves wet or dry and is a strong choice for men who find foils too harsh.

Pros

  • Three flexing heads glide gently over the neck
  • 72 self-sharpening blades hold an edge for years
  • Rotary design suits curly and ingrown-prone hair
  • Wet/dry use with a quick-clean charging pod

Cons

  • Not quite as close as the best foil shavers
  • Circular motion has a learning curve for foil users
  • App coaching feels gimmicky to some
4Best Value

Braun Series 7

Braun Series 7

The Series 7 is Braun's mid-range foil shaver and the sweet spot in the lineup. It uses a four-element head with an Autosense motor that reads beard thickness and adjusts power, plus a 360-degree flexing head that adapts to your face. It shaves wet or dry, runs about 50 minutes on a one-hour charge, and has a pop-up trimmer for sideburns and mustache. You give up the fifth cutting element and, on some models, the self-cleaning dock, but the everyday shave is close to the flagship at half the price.

Pros

  • Autosense motor adapts power to beard density
  • 360-degree head tracks facial contours well
  • Excellent shave quality for the money
  • Wet/dry use with a fast one-hour charge

Cons

  • Only four cutting elements versus the Series 9's five
  • Some bundles skip the clean-and-charge station
  • Trimmer is basic compared with dedicated units
5Best Hybrid Trimmer/Shaver

Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro 360

Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro 360

The OneBlade Pro 360 isn't a traditional shaver — it's a hybrid that trims, edges and shaves with a single fast-oscillating blade that moves around 12,000 cuts per minute. The 360-degree flexing head follows the contours of the jaw and neck, and an adjustable comb offers 14 length settings for stubble and beard styling. It runs about 90 minutes cordless, works wet or dry, and uses cheap replaceable blades. It won't leave skin as smooth as a foil shaver, but for maintaining stubble and sharp lines it's unmatched at the price.

Pros

  • One tool trims, edges and shaves any length
  • 14-length comb for precise stubble control
  • 360-degree head navigates jaw and neck easily
  • Long ~90-minute runtime and inexpensive blades

Cons

  • Doesn't shave as close as a dedicated foil unit
  • Blades need replacing every few months
  • Small blade means slower full-face shaves

Frequently Asked Questions

Are foil or rotary shavers better?

Foil shavers (Braun, Panasonic) generally cut closer and suit straight, coarse beards and men who shave daily. Rotary shavers (Philips Norelco) are more forgiving on the neck and better for curly, ingrown-prone hair or longer stubble. Skin sensitivity and beard direction matter more than the brand name.

Can I use an electric shaver in the shower?

Most modern shavers here are fully waterproof and rated for wet/dry use, so you can shave in the shower or with gel and foam. Wet shaving is usually more comfortable, while dry shaving is faster. Just confirm your specific model is waterproof before rinsing it.

How often do I need to replace the blades or foils?

Foil shavers typically need a new foil-and-cutter set every 12–18 months to stay close and comfortable. Rotary heads like the Philips 9000's last far longer — often several years. The OneBlade's single blade is the exception, needing replacement every few months with regular use.

Will an electric shaver give me a close shave?

The best foil shavers get very close — close enough for most men's daily needs — but a manual razor still edges them out for absolute smoothness. If closeness is your top priority, the Panasonic Arc6 leads this group. If comfort matters more, a rotary or the gentler Braun heads are better.

Conclusion

For most men, the Braun Series 9 Pro+ is the smartest buy — a close, comfortable foil shave with a self-cleaning dock that removes the maintenance hassle. Choose the Panasonic Arc6 if you have a coarse beard and want the closest possible cut, the Philips Norelco 9000 Prestige if you prefer a gentle rotary or have curly hair, and the Braun Series 7 if you want near-flagship results at half the price. If you'd rather maintain stubble and sharp lines than shave bald, the OneBlade Pro 360 is the versatile value pick. Match the shaver to your beard and skin, and any of these will serve you for years.