The best electric shavers for a clean-shaven dream: Tried and tested by GQ's grooming editors

There are a fair few electric shaver brands out there which are widely regarded to be some of the best around. And you’ve probably come across all of them multiple times in your search for the best electric shaver. Braun is one of the top contenders, as are Philips shavers and Panasonic.

Overall, the best shaving kits will mostly depend on your budget, which brands you’re familiar with, and/or which ones have the best features. These brands tend to be highly rated across all manner of grooming product categories, as well. If you fancy shaving your head, for example, then feel free to check out our roundup of the best bald head shavers to help you nail that super-smooth look.

Rotary shavers are your traditional-looking trimmers with three pivoting heads that move in a circular motion and roll with the contours of your jawline, meaning you can quickly zip around your face and keep stubble to a minimum without much fuss. The larger surface area makes rotary heads a little tougher to reach areas around your ears and under your nose, but you can cut through the rest of your facial fuzz in no time at all.

Foil shavers, on the other hand, have a solid block of blades in a line and are worth considering if you have shorter beard hair that requires regular cutting down or you want to keep stubble around your neck or on your cheeks down to a minimum, replacing that dry shaver or trimmer you might be using to tackle edges. They’re also regarded to be better for sensitive skin, as they’re less likely to cause irritation or razor burn.

So which is better? Jordan says, “Both are great, but for home use, I would recommend a rotary shaver. They feel slightly easier on the skin but are best suitable for hair between 00 to 0 (1 day-old stubble) in length. Foil shavers work well, able to cut as close as a hot towel shave, but require a little more skill to use.”

Still not sure how to actually use the best electric razors? It's ok, we all need to learn somehow. And learning from the best is probably a good way to avoid mistakes and skin irritation further down the line. “First off, you need to ensure your skin and stubble are clean,” says Mills. "Then apply a small amount of electric shaver skin prep cream and rub it into the skin and stubble you are trimming.

“Then start shaving from one side of the face and work your way around the neck and cheeks removing the stubble. Clean the blades during the process and allow the shaver to work. Don’t rush though, as this can cause irritation and pull your hair, causing you more grief the next time you shave. Once you have done those areas and are happy with how close the shave is, start working around the chin and around the mouth making sure you have shaved all the areas and got any small hairs. After you have shaved cleanse the face again and moisturise. Job done.”

If you're sporting a particular facial style like a goatee or something similar, you might need to grab a beard trimmer to keep the hairy bits tidy. We've got a rundown of the best beard trimmers, which you should pay attention to if you're planning on experimenting with a new look.

As for Jordan, he suggests, “If the hair is longer than stubble, you’ll need to start by using your beard trimmer or clipper on the lowest setting to get the hair as short as possible. This will ensure your rotary or foil shaver won’t pull and irritate the skin. There’s no one way of using an electric shaver, but a good technique for a rotary machine is to use it in small, circular motions until the face is fully shaven.

Then, repeat this action until the face is smooth. When using a foil shaver, an up-and-down motion is best, starting slowly to ensure all the hair is picked up. From there, repeat this action in different directions to clear up any remaining stubble.”

Most electric shavers are waterproof, rechargeable and cordless, which also means they can be used in the shower and easily cleaned — and yes, that means they pair nicely with shaving cream too. We recommend using shaving cream or shaving foam with your razor, even if you’re shaving in the shower, as you can shave and wash off all in one go to reduce nicks and burn for irritated skin types, and we’re sure we don’t need to talk about how much easier it is to wash hair away in the shower drain than the bathroom sink.

Having said that, the main appeal of electric shaving over a traditional razor is that it’s quicker and more convenient, so unless you have particularly sensitive skin, you might be able to get away with a dry shave that requires little to no lubricating or cleanup.

It can be tempting to whip the shaver around your jaw several times a week, but Mills advised us that the type of skin that you have will dictate how often you should shave. He told us, "It is down to how 'clean' you want your skin to look. Ideally, you want to shave every day but it depends on the rate of your facial hair growth. I wouldn’t use one on more than two days of growth as most shavers are not designed for much more than that. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to wait at least a few days in between shaves to give yourself time to recover.”

Absolutely, says Jordan, “but this is easy to do! Most shavers out there, whether rotary or foil shaver, have a detachable head that allows you to easily empty the hair out for disposal. I'd recommend using an old toothbrush to remove any remaining hair stuck inside. Once you've done that, pop the head back on and spray some skin-safe disinfectant on your machine (Clippercide or Andis Cool Care will do the job, and help keep your machine lubricated so that it runs well and lasts longer).”

You might be hoping that shaving in the shower will help clean the blades, but you want to check out ones with dedicated cleaning stations, as the blades will need regular lubricating to keep a keen edge.

We’d also recommend slapping on some high-quality moisturiser once you’ve shaved, as the skin can quickly dry out through regular shaving. Facial cleansing and maintaining a solid skin-care routine are paramount to looking fresh and younger, but if you’re unsure where to start, check out our guide to the best moisturisers.

Of course, most people are hunting for versatility when they buy their grooming tools, so you’ll likely want a model that can tackle head hair as well as body and jawline hair. Trimmers for shaving head hair can usually be transferred across your entire body, so you’ve got no issue there, but there are, of course, dedicated hair clippers and shavers that are purpose-built for this task. We’ve got a roundup of the best bald head shavers if you’re looking for new ways to keep the wisps off your bonce, but you can certainly get the job done with the usual shavers.

Premium options might have attachments or specific designs that open up the option to shave multiple areas of your body, such as trimmer attachments or independently moving shaver heads that can move and flex over the ridges and bumps of your head.

Chances are, if you're reading up on how to eliminate the unwanted hair from your face or head, you'll also have some fuzzy issues elsewhere on your body that you want to sort out. Electric shavers can and should be used anywhere on your body, though, of course, some shavers are significantly better for sensitive parts of your body than others. Before we go into detail, it should go without saying that you'll want a separate shaver for tackling body hair to the one you use on your face. It's not a hygienically good idea to use the same device for both jobs and, in most cases, you're better off buying a dedicated face shaver that can cope with your cheeks and chin, and another one that's best suited for your nether regions.

First and foremost, you want to buy a shaver that will treat your body hair and skin with kindness. More generic shavers can be a bit cavalier with your skin, and you don't want razor burn in your pubic area. We have a dedicated article on the best body hair trimmers which will be purpose-built for this task, but if you want a quick recommendation, the Remington One and Philips OneBlade Pro are excellent choices for this very specific grooming chore.

To make your life significantly easier, consider a shaver that's waterproof so you can tidy up and clear away the cut hair in one go.

Again, this is all down to your financial situation and how much you care about the top-tier aspects of electric shaving, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when buying. First off, we'd recommend spending at least £20-£40 if you're working on a budget, as anything cheaper will be scratchy, low quality and will likely require an upgrade soon. The best-placed product in this category is the Philips OneBlade. It's affordably priced, packed full of useful guiding combs and does a decent job of managing your stubble or shaping up beards, but by no means arrived armed to tackle your every follicle-related need.

If you're after a mid-tier option, anything between £40 and £120 is a solid option for keeping on top of stubble with long-lasting batteries, self-sharpening blades and a few extra features to improve the experience. Here, we'd point you in the direction of the Remington One, which arrives with a heap of additional features and attachments to level up your grooming.

However, shavers can get pricey if you want the very best of men's grooming, so if it's the pinnacle of shavers you're after, anything upwards of £200 is what you should expect to pay. For this price, you'll get a kinder experience for sensitive skin, more robust, hair-decimating blades and extra utility like wireless charging stations, travel bags and replacement heads. Up in the heady heights of this price point, the top options will be the likes of the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, the Braun Series 9 or the Panasonic ES-LS9A. All three are top picks and are worthy of your cash, but your budget needs to be able to cope with the large burden of such a costly device.

As for the professional opinion? Jordan suggests, “For a decent electric shaver, anywhere from £60 to £200 will give you an amazing cut. The more you're willing to spend, the more powerful the shaver will likely be (essential for avoiding skin flare-ups or irritation), and the easier your at-home job. Investing in a quality shaver will both physically and mentally help take the edge off.”

As with all grooming tools, it's worth investing in a new blade reasonably often to ensure they stay sharp and reduce irritation. That's not to say every shaver needs to be thrown in the bin for a new one every month, though. Most are well-equipped with blade-sharpening tools to extend the life of the shaver. It's worth buying some blade oil to further push the longevity beyond a couple of years (in some cases), but inevitably, it will need replacing eventually.

When exactly you need to that will be down to how often you shave. Some shavers allow you to simply purchase new blade heads, which should be switched up every six to eight months if you want to keep them supremely efficient and sharp. In most cases, you can sign up for a subscription package to get new blades when you need them, which can keep costs down and it means you don't have to remember that it needs doing.

Otherwise, it's mostly down to you figuring out when you should be putting your shaver out to rest. A dull blade will certainly be felt on your cheeks, and if you find it tugging at your whiskers and scratching along your jaw, you'll know it's probably time to bite the bullet and buy something new.

So now you know everything you should ever need to know about shaving, what makes a quality blade, and how to use it efficiently, but what do you do if that's now scratched an itch in you to expand your grooming repertoire? How well stocked is your bathroom cupboard with moisturisers, deodorants and other knickknacks that you'll need to make yourself look and feel at your best? If it's not that well stocked, then check out our collection of dedicated guides to help you become a grooming king.

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