We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Few of us love to shave, but unless you're planning to go full on lumberjack, you'll need a razor to keep your facial hair in check. The right one can speed up the process and leave your face smooth and irritation-free.
The Gillette ProGlide Shield is a 5-blade model that won us over with its pivoting head, which effortlessly follows the contours of the cheek and chin. If you're on a tight budget, the Schick Quattro Titanium is much more affordable and offers a reasonably good shave, though it requires a bit more time and attention to get every last hair.
Over the last decade, we have bought and tested nearly 100 razors. Our team of grooming experts has multiple facial hair types to throw every conceivable razor at: three, four, and five blades, disposables, safety razors, and electric. We spend hours in front of the bathroom mirror testing razors to find out what separates the good from the great.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on September 15, 2026 after retesting a few of our top performers and adding a few more models to our list.
Multidirectional pivot keeps blades in contact with skin
Excellent hydration strip
Rinses easily
CONS
Handle ergonomics needs improvement
Top precision trimmer blade is average
The Gillette ProGlide Shield is our first-choice razor for our morning routine. It leaves our face feeling fresh and smooth, and has a low-friction glide and a blade head that pivots back and forth and side to side to hug facial contours so you can trim all those pesky whiskers without having to twist your arm to get the perfect angle. The ProGlide's unique design also includes small strips at the base of the blade head that work to guide hair into its five blades. This helps cut stubble cleanly without tugging. “I've never had a closer shave,” one tester adds.
The ProGlide Shield delivers consistently superior shaves across multiple uses, outshining most rivals in our tests. The few flaws we noted include a slightly less ergonomic handle, a need for grippier rubber, and a so-so trimming blade. The Schick Hydro Sensitive matches the Gillette in some areas with a longer, lighter handle, but it's trickier to clean and swap cartridges, losing out overall. The budget-friendly Schick Quattro Titanium offers a solid four-blade shave, but the ProGlide Shield's ease and quality still win out in the end. “It's worth every penny for the smooth finish,” another tester insists.
The top-performing ProGlide Shield features a five-blade head with integrated micro-comb and lubrication strips to reduce friction and irritation when gliding across the face, while its FlexBall technology means it can easily follow the contours of your face and neck to do the job. Credit: GearLab Staff
Number of Blades: 4 + 1 edging blade | Style: Refillable cartridge
PROS
Four-blade system shaves well and glides comfortably
More affordable than most refillable cartridges
Comfortable, well-weighted handle
CONS
Hair and grime get stuck more easily between blades
The Schick Quattro Titanium is a refillable cartridge razor that “shaves as well as many pricier options,” one of our testers notes. The four-blade system even works better than many budget 5-blade options, proving that it's more about the quality than the numbers. The Quattro blends an ergonomic handle and a rubberized grip for easy maneuvering, even when your hands are wet. Sure, the Gillette ProGlide Shield gives you better lubrication and a head with a smoother pivot. But it also costs twice as much. The Quattro Titanium shines as a good ol' reliable razor that balances cost and comfort.
The one thing we didn't love about the Schick Quattro is that it has closely spaced blades and a partially enclosed cartridge head that traps hair and grime that is hard to get out, especially if you like to get a few extra strokes in between rinses. For easier cleaning and slightly better glide, the five-blade Harry's Original or Gillette Fusion5 edge it out. Still, the Quattro Titanium remains a top pick. It's tough to beat the price unless you're willing to go for a cheap disposable option.
We weren't sure how it would stack up in testing with only four blades in its cartridge, but the results are in, and the Schick Quattro Titanium achieves what all other razors claim to strive for: an excellent shave at a very reasonable cost. Credit: GearLab Staff
Number of Blades: 1 + 1 | Type of Style: Double edge safety razor
PROS
Excellent handle has ideal heft, shape, and grip texture
Shaves very closely
Classic-looking design
Built to last
CONS
Slower shaving process
More aggressive shave can lead to irritation
Challenging to rinse
Technique requires practice
The Vikings Blade The Godfather is our favorite safety razor. As is true of any safety razor, you'll need a bit of patience and practice to get a close shave, but this razor pays you back with minimal irritation and baby-smooth skin (or as close as a grown man's face can get). It's got a hefty solid-metal build that feels good in hand, and it naturally glides downward under its own weight, requiring less direct pressure from your hand and fingers to achieve a close shave. “It feels like it shaves by itself,” a tester says. Though not as beginner-friendly as five-blade options like the Gillette ProGlide Shield or Schick Hydro Sensitive, its mild, flexible, single blade delivers a standout shave with practice. “I mastered it faster than expected,” tester Jason Wanlass notes.
If you're used to the efficiency of multi-blade razors, you'll need to slow your roll when shaving with the Godfather. The design requires a steady hand and a slower pace. Once mastered, though, the result is a clean shave with less razor burn and fewer razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Compared to other safety razors in our lineup, the Bevel Safety and Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin, it offers much better handling, although the smooth handle can get a bit slick when wet. Lastly, we so appreciate the price of the Godfather. Safety razors can cost a pretty penny, but the Godfather comes in just a few dollars more than our favorite cartridge model, and produces less waste as well.
If you have textured skin from rosacea or eczema, or coarse or curly beard hair, finding a razor that can glide across your skin without causing more irritation can be tricky. Several of us have used and tested the Gillette SkinGuard, and if you're in need of a shaving tool that is a little easier on the face, we're confident this is the one. The head of the SkinGuard is a little larger than some, and only houses two blades, which is part of its secret. Fewer blades means less friction and fewer micro-cuts. An array of lubrication strips and special guards surrounds the blades, protecting your skin even further. All together, this offers one of the smoothest, rash-free glides we've experienced. “It's about the best I've used,” said one tester.
The downside of only having two blades is that they don't catch every hair on the first pass, especially on denser beards. We also don't like that the SkinGuard tends to get clogged and needs to be rinsed more often. We wouldn't recommend using it with super thick shave cream. However, if you take your time, we think you'll end up with a smooth shave, zero irritation, and no nicks or cuts. Other top gliders that earned our love are the Gillette ProGlide Shield and the Schick Hydro Sensitive. Both are five-blade models and can easily travel across the face without irritating, and can also handle thicker beards.
The BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable is our go-to choice when we wake up in a hotel room, look at our scruffy face, and realize we forgot our razor at home. Sure, it's not one we'd use as our daily driver, but it performs above and beyond most cheap disposable options. It features a wide, rubber-grip handle, a weighted ball-bearing finger pad for better balance and control, and a separate blade on top of the razor for sculpting. “I love its precision,” a tester said, noting its edge over typical throwaways. “It feels premium for a disposable,” another tester adds.
Despite the 5-blade design, the BIC Flex 5 Titanium doesn't match the efficiency of higher-quality reusable options; it left stubble even after multiple passes, and the blades clog easily, complicating rinsing. That said, it does beat every other disposable we tried, and it's a great backup or travel option. If the price is what drew you in, you'll get a much better shave for just a few extra dollars with a reusable option like the Schick Quattro Titanium.
The BIC Flex 5 Titanium offers several surprise features compared to other disposable options, including its extra wide ergonomic handle with rubber grips and metal ball-bearing and an edging blade for grooming beards and sideburns. Credit: GearLab Staff
Run Time on Full Charge: 60 minutes | Usage Options: Wet & Dry
PROS
Offers a solid shave
Travel case charges the razor
Self-cleaning station
Locking pivot head
Extended battery life
CONS
Pricey
Cleaning fluid requires regular maintenance
Not the best trimmer
Runs a little loud
Want to upgrade from a classic handheld razor to a modern, tech-savvy option? After testing numerous electric razors, we found ourselves obsessed with the Braun Series 8 with PowerCase. It offers wet or dry settings for a smooth, irritation-free shave (perfect even in the shower) plus a powerful motor that cuts through stubble fast. We measured the rechargeable battery lasting 132 minutes (over a month of daily shaves). Our tester only plugged it in every few weeks, and it recharged fully in just an hour. Though it is bigger than a traditional cartridge razor, one tester noted: “It's all I need. I took it on all my travels and never felt it was too bulky.” The self-cleaning base keeps it low-maintenance, and the travel case doubles as a charger.
The Braun Series 8 is more affordable than Braun's luxury razors and keeps nearly all their perks, but it is still more expensive than most manual razors. Ongoing expenses—like self-cleaner fluid and blade replacements—add up, making it even pricier. The budget-friendly Braun Series 3 ProSkin is a solid electric starter for newcomers hesitant to splurge. But for some, the price is worth it. “You get what you pay for, and then some,” one tester raved, praising its unbeatable close shave. It's a top-tier daily razor for those prioritizing performance.
Our test team took an extra close look at the Braun Series 8, noting its impressive battery life as well as the super smooth shave it offers on both wet and dry settings. A self-cleaning base and a travel-charging case are added bonuses, making this a high-value option for all it offers. Credit: GearLab Staff
Run Time on Full Charge: 50 minutes | Usage Options: Wet & Dry
PROS
Great pivoting foil heads
Uses USB cable to charge
Super quick cleanup
Great slip-proof grip
CONS
Safety cap falls off
Trimmer arm doesn't slide well
No travel lock
The Braun Series 3 ProSkin, is a budget-friendly base electric model. It does its job without many frills, but it handles whiskers well enough for work, dates, and daily life. Key perks include long run time, a comfy grip, and wet/dry use so you can shave in the shower. “I love how the USB charging cord lets you power up anywhere. It makes it a no-brainer to toss in my bag without wondering how much battery I have left,” a tester said. It's a practical, no-fuss choice for a reliable shave on a budget.
Our testing showed the ProSkin's flaws. It has a stiff trimmer arm, the travel cap doesn't fit as snug as we'd like, and there's no lock on the power button. Most notably, it doesn't have enough power for those with denser or thicker beards. You'll likely have to take a few passes to get a clean shave. But if you have an average beard, it does a good job. “I'm impressed by how much you get for the price,” a tester said. If you don't mind going manual, the Gillette ProGlide Shield or Schick Hydro Sensitive manual razors are even more affordable and deliver solid performance without power concerns.
The Braun Series 3 ProSkin has a nicely balanced and comfortable grip, above-average pivoting heads, works well both wet and dry, and is super easy to clean, making it an excellent value all around. Credit: GearLab Staff
Waterproof: Showerproof | Power Source: Rechargeable Battery
PROS
Precise
Compact
Good power and run time
Showerproof
CONS
Limited cutting-length options
Lacks nose and ear hair-trimming attachments
Requires replacement blades
The Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face + Body has a small and delicate looking body, but don't be fooled, it excels at trimming thick beards and body grooming. “The OneBlade delivers one of the smoothest, cleanest shaves we saw,” a tester raved. Its compact, waterproof design is shower-friendly and easy to clean. This model's pivoting blade heads glide smoothly, and uses replaceable blades to keep things sharp. The angular head on the OneBlade works incredibly well for trimming sharp lines into your beard or hairline, and while we loved the Braun Series 8 for all-around performance, the OneBlade stood out for precision and body grooming.
The Norelco OneBlade lacks larger guards for long, thick beards and focuses on close shaves and shorter styles. Blade replacements also add upkeep costs compared with razors that have self-cleaning base stations. If you want fewer replacements and a more affordable package, you can try your hand at a safety razor like the Vikings Blade The Godfather Stonehenge, which can achieve similarly precise cuts with some practice. “I swear by its exceptional results,” a tester said. Multi-blade Gillette ProGlide or electrics like the Braun Series 7 and Braun 9-in-1 Trimmer offer broader grooming options if budget allows.
Highly capable at a budget price, the Philips Norelco OneBlade surprised us with its clean lines and the reliably high-quality beard and mustache trims it delivered, all packaged in a nicely compact, easy-to-transport, waterproof design. Credit: GearLab Staff
Product Comparison Table
That's a wrap! Putting our razors away after a day of side-by-side testing. Credit: Jason Wanlass
How We Tested
Navigating the grooming market is tough with its vast options and tricky jargon. We bought top razors at retail—2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-blade designs, disposables, cartridges, and double-edge safety razors—for hands-on testing. Each was tested over multiple shaves with consistent prep and gel; safety razors got shave soap and a badger brush for a classic touch. We compared them side-by-side—shaving, rinsing, contouring, grip, even splitting our faces between products—to guide you to the best choice.
Our razor testing is divided into five different metrics:
Shave Quality (25% of overall score weighting)
Glide and Comfort (25% weighting)
Handle Ergonomics (20% weighting)
Build and Durability (20% weighting)
Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement (10% weighting)
We tested three groups of shavers and compared them side by side. From left to right: safety razors, cartridge razors, and disposables. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Why Trust GearLab
This in-depth review is brought to you by Jason Wanlass and Nick Bruckbauer. Leveraging his nearly eight years of experience at GearLab, Jason, a former journalist and outdoor enthusiast, meticulously analyzes all the products on our list. With a keen eye for detail and a user-centric approach honed from his own daily shaving routine, Jason excels at finding hidden features that elevate a product from good to great. His background in journalism translates into insightful reviews that cover everything from camping gear to home appliances.
Nick is a civil engineer with a B.S. Degree from Purdue University who enthusiastically uses research, objective testing, and data to solve real-world problems. In recent years, he's turned his analytical mind to evaluating a wide range of home and outdoor products to share his expertise with others. With coarse, dark hair and soft, sensitive skin, Nick has also been on a lifelong journey to optimize his shaving ritual to mitigate his constant struggle with bumps, irritation, and frequent ingrown hairs.
The largest portion of our testing time was spent actually using the razors hands-on over several months.
How to Pick the Best Razor
Trying to decide on the right razor? We've compiled a list of four key considerations, including blade type, budget, and lifestyle, to help narrow the selection process.
There are tons of manual razors out there in razorland. These are a few of our favorites. Their claim to fame is most glide well cross the skin. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Electric or Manual?
The choice between the two is ultimately a personal preference, but considering how each style performs is still a good idea. An electric razor offers convenience and is generally less irritating on the skin. A manual razor offers a closer shave and provides more precision in your routine to achieve certain lines and shapes. If you are on the fence, consider how often you shave, how much time you have, and how close of a shave you prefer.
The Gillette Sensor2 Pivot is one of the most basic razors in our lineup. Credit: Jason Wanlass
For those on a time crunch, electric razors are great for their ease of use and versatility, whether in the shower, traveling, or just needing a quick touch-up. Credit: Jason Wanlass
What About Blade Type?
Choosing between cartridge and safety blades is also a personal preference, each having strengths and weaknesses. A cartridge razor fits the bill if you value convenience and ease of use. In contrast, a safety razor requires practice and precision but creates a great shave and works well with sensitive skin. Both require blade replacement, but in most instances, a cartridge is easier to change.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Those who value their time before work know how important saving a few extra minutes is in the morning. Finding a razor that is efficient and quick can be one of the most important aspects when looking for a razor. If you know you're tight on time, electric razors are by far the most efficient option. If you absolutely prefer handheld razors, then cartridge-style razors are the route to go over safety razors. Other features, such as quick rinsing and well-designed pivot heads, also make a difference in your shave's overall time and quality.
Does the Handle Matter?
Finding a razor with a quality handle can improve your shaving experience and avoid unwanted knicks and slips. Additionally, a good razor handle helps improve the maneuverability around your face and can make shaving smoother and require fewer strokes. Look for a well-designed, ergonomic handle if you plan to use your razor in the shower.
No one razor is designed the same. Handle design and blade type can greatly impact the functionality of each razor. Credit: Jason Wanlass
How Much Does it Cost to Replace the Blade?
When calculating a razor's lifetime cost, factor in the initial price plus replacement blade expenses. Razors often come with blade bundles, and replacements vary in price and quantity—some even offer discounted subscriptions. Prices fluctuate with frequent discounts, complicating cost-per-blade comparisons across products.
Check replacement blade costs before choosing a razor for your needs. Larger blade bundles typically lower the per-blade price. Disposables are cheapest overall, despite full replacement. Cartridge razors sit mid-range, with top models pricier. Safety razors, though costly upfront, can compete long-term with bulk blade buys.
This five-blade disposable model performs nearly as well as a more expensive cartridge razor. Although mostly plastic, it has a large ergonomic handle, and a well-designed multi-blade shaving head. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Analysis and Test Results
Much more goes into a comfortable, high-quality shave than just the blade quality of your preferred tool. To find the best products, we evaluated each product across five tests: shave quality, glide and comfort, handle ergonomics, build quality and durability, and ease of cleaning and blade replacement. We recommend taking note of the high performers in whichever you prioritize for your personal needs.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Beyond performance, we assess razor value, finding that top price doesn't always mean top quality—there's a sweet spot for most. On a budget, the Schick Quattro Titanium delivers solid performance for less. The mid-range GillettePro Glide Shield is a favorite for affordability and quality. For a premium option, the Godfather by Vikings Blade offers a stellar shave with style but ranks among the priciest; blades are separate, raising initial costs, though cheaper per-blade long-term. Lastly, the BIC Flex 5 Titanium Disposable has one of the best performances among our disposable options. Its five-blade design acts a lot like high-end cartridge models.
Shave Quality
We rated shave quality by how well blades cut hair and left skin smooth. Closer shaves from sharper, aggressive blades can increase irritation, bumps, or ingrown hairs—details we cover in glide and comfort ratings—but here, we focus solely on closeness and quality.
The Gillette ProGlide Shield and Gillette ProGlide, both 5-blade razors, tied for best shave quality, offering close, smooth cuts effortlessly. The Schick Hydro Sensitive also performed equally well. Smoothness and glide—detailed later—set their rankings apart, but all left skin smooth and fresh.
The ProGlide Shield is our favorite razor because it can obliterate most stubble on the first pass. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Similarly, we loved the performance of the Gillette SkinGuard (a two-blade model). Its ability to smoothly plow through whiskers was impressive. The Schick Quattro Titanium provided excellent shave quality. It is our favorite 4-blade design and one that we'd highly recommend with its affordable price and excellent value. However, some of our testing crew weren't nearly as impressed with the Gillette Sensor2 Plus or the Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive. Some testers said they snagged on our stubble and had a difficult time chopping through coarser beards. They even left a few of our crew with razor burn.
Two of our lower performers: the Gillette Sensor2 Plus (left) and the Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive (right). Credit: Jason Wanlass
We also tested two top double-edge safety razors and felt The Godfather provided the closest high-quality shave, followed closely by the Bevel Safety and Bambaw Double Edge Safety. The Godfather gets the nod here with a slightly more aggressive blade that shaves more closely than the Bevel. The Bambaw also performed well, and the thing we liked about it the most was its price tag.
Using the Godfather to cut through five-day old growth. Once we got the hang of it, we were impressed by its solid shave. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Glide and Comfort
While most shaving tools will do a decent job of closely trimming your hair, what separates the highest-performing products from the pack is how smoothly they glide and how comfortable your skin feels afterward. Sometimes, the additional blades in modern designs that help achieve a smooth, close shave can also stretch and tug at your skin and make it feel depleted. Products that pull or tug at the skin too much can also lead to bumps and ingrown hairs.
Most razors trim hair decently, but top performers excel in smooth gliding and post-shave comfort. Extra blades in modern designs can enhance closeness but may tug skin, leaving it irritated or prone to bumps and ingrown hairs.
Testing the Schick Hydro 5 Sense's double-jointed pivots. Both the blade head and the handle neck independently move. Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Gillette SkinGuard has the best glide and comfort of any razor we tested. It is composed of two blades that are surrounded by several lubrication strips and skin guards that allow it to glide like butter across the face without leaving razor burn. The Skinguard is an excellent choice for sensitive skin.
Enjoying the smooth glide of the Gillette SkinGuard. Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Gillette ProGlide, Gillette Fusion5 , and Harry's Original also do an excellent job at balancing comfort with a high-quality shave but have a little more friction and don't seem to glide quite as smoothly as our top two models.
Up, down, and side to side. The Gillette ProGlide and ProGlide Shield have the most dynamic pivoting systems on the market. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Among our safety razors, the Vikings Blade, Bevel Safety, and Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin, also stand out for their smooth, comfortable glide. Each is a good option for those inexperienced with a double-edge safety model but looking to transition. This type of tool requires more patience and finesse than modern multi-blade cartridges, but these models have a mild enough blade to balance a close shave with a smooth glide and limited irritation. One potential drawback to these types of razors is they lack pivoting heads, which requires the user to actively adjust for the contours of the face and neck.
Testing our Bevel Safety Razor against a week's worth of whisker growth. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Handle Ergonomics
Any tool is only as useful as the person operating it, and razors are no different. It doesn't matter how well the blades work if you don't have confident, precise control over them. A product's handle ergonomics is an essential piece of the shaving experience. A handle with a curved, ergonomic shape, some kind of textured grip, and a little bit of an added weight tend to allow you to operate the most efficiently.
The standout performer in this category is the Vikings Blade The Godfather. This razor's heavily weighted metal handle offers a nicely curved shape and textured grooves for added grip. The handle inspires confidence in the task at hand, and its heavier weight allows you to use gentle grip pressure to still achieve a close shave. This product is much heavier than anything else in our lineup and gives the perception that it's built to last a long time.
We loved the ergonomically shaped handle of the Godfather. It's nicely shaped and weighted. Giving it a great feel. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Next is the Schick Hydro Sensitive, which has our favorite handle for a refillable cartridge design. The handle feels slightly heavier than most other cartridge designs and has a soft rubberized texture to provide a confident, no-slip grip. The upper moisturizing pods also flip away to allow more control and precision for trimming around sensitive areas like below your nose.
The Schick Hydro Sensitive has a soft handle but is heavy enough to feel confident in hand.
We also really loved the feel and performance of the Gillette ProGlide Shield. In fact, most of the Gillette cartridge razors share the same handle system, so they are interchangeable. The handle has a nice arch and good grips.
Left to right: Gillette ProGlide, Gillette SkinGuard,Gillette ProGlide Shield. All three razors share the same handle design. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Eight other models on our list, including the Amazon Basics 5-Blade MotionSphere, Harry's Original, and several models from Gillette and Schick, earned respectable honorable mentions in this category, thanks to their simple handle designs with a nicely curved shape and large rubber inserts. They also include an additional single precision-trimming blade for edging along beards or sideburns.
The Quattro Titanium has a smooth rubberized grip that makes it easy to hold and comfortable.
Build Quality and Durability
In this test, we evaluated the overall build quality of each product, including the handle materials, the initial blade quality, and the connection points between the handles and the blades or cartridges. We won't discuss blade sharpness or long-term durability since there are so many factors that vary from person to person, including hair and skin coarseness, shaving cream type, and rinsing and storing habits. We focus on each model's initial quality and durability for a handful of shaves throughout our testing period.
The obvious thousand-pound gorilla in this test is the hefty Vikings Blade The Godfather. It's followed closely by the rest of our safety razors, the Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin, Bevel Safety, and Bambaw Double Edge Safety. All four are made from solid metal and will last a lifetime if you take care of them.
Our safety razors stand supreme when it comes to construction quality. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Next up are the Gillette ProGlide Shield, Gillette ProGlide, Both models have well-engineered metal handles that outshine the rest of the cartridge models on our list. Each is very balanced and has a hefty feel, which conveys a sense of quality not found in disposable models.
Finally, the Schick Hydro Sensitive boasts an above-average build quality. Its handle has more heft to it than most other products. It also provides an outstanding balance between shave quality and a smooth, comfortable glide.
We'd avoid the Sensor2 Plus, Sensor3 Sensitive, and Sensor3 Smooth Shave Disposable if you care at all about the longevity of your razor, as they're not built to last.
The Hydro Sense 5 has a solid build quality in addition to its excellent shave and glide characteristics. Credit: Nick Bruckbauer
Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement
A product's ease of cleaning and blade replacement are critical elements to its longevity and continued shave quality. Models that are difficult to rinse, easily get jammed up with hair and grime, or trap moisture can cause the blades to rust or wear prematurely, which all tend to quickly diminish the shave quality and comfort. Designs with nicely spaced, easily rinsed, and dried blades tend to last longer. Similarly, once it does come time to change to a new blade, most products have a simple button to pop the old cartridge out and a new one in, but some operate a little easier than others.
The Gillette ProGlide and Gillette ProGlide Shield are extremely easy to rinse clean and have exceptional blade replacement systems.
Changing blades on the Chieftain Odin is fun and borderline addicting. Its twist-open design is much faster than most safety razors. If you twist the dial at the bottom, the head opens up like a flower so you can slide the blades in. It's also a little safer and makes cleaning a breeze.
It's incredibly simple and fast to change out the blade on the Chieftain Odin. Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Harry Truman is easy to rinse, and its blade replacement system is quick and effective, although not as effective as the Gillette system.
Getting a thorough rinse. The backside of the Harry's Truman blade heads is almost completely open, making it a breeze to clean. Credit: Jason Wanlass
The Gillette Sensor3 Smooth Shave Disposable has a similar 3-blade design as the Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive, which does an excellent job of preventing grime from building up between the blades. We also liked the ability of the Gillette Mach3 to quickly rinse.
The Mach3 has a relatively open blade cartridge that allows water to easily rinse through. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Disposable razors don't typically provide the best shave, and they're certainly a poor choice for the environment. Plastics take centuries to biodegrade, creating a huge waste stream in addition to the water and foam that we already use to shave. It's difficult to recycle plastic parts since it's so hard to separate them from metal, so most disposable razors and cartridges end up in a landfill. If you must go with disposables, consider choosing , a brand that has a recycling program that will let you mail your used razors back to them.
A generous gap between the blade and razor head, allows to the Bevel to rinse clean quickly and thoroughly. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Most 5-blade cartridges struggle in this test because their blades are so tightly packed together, making it easy for hair, shaving cream, or moisture to get trapped between them. However, the Gillette ProGlide Shield, Gillette ProGlide, and Gillette Fusion5 all perform better than most 5-blade models in this area, thanks to a wide-open backside of the blade head. Additionally, each model makes blade replacement super easy — just push and click it into place.
Push. Click. Pull. Swapping blade cartridges on our Gillette ProGlide Shield is as easy as One. Two. Three. Credit: Jason Wanlass
We've added a few of our favorite electric options to the mix here, but we also have a full lineup of just electric razor recommendations you can check out. If you're not one to sport a clean-shaven face, we have also tested beard trimmers, and if you need to tame other types of facial hair, a nose hair trimmer could come in handy.
Conclusion
The shaving marketplace is filled with many similar-looking competing products, and it can be daunting to sort through the mess of adverts to determine which product is right for you. We hope that our extensive head-to-head tests and attention to detail have helped you understand your options better and will help you choose the product that best suits your shaving needs.
