Best of
The Best Electric Shavers (2027)
The best electric shavers for 2027, ranked on closeness, comfort, battery, and part cost. Braun, Philips Norelco, and Panasonic picks.
The short answer
The Braun Series 9 Pro is the best electric shaver for most people in 2027: the closest shave with the least irritation. Sensitive skin or tricky contours? The Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige rotary follows curves better. Coarse beard? The Panasonic Arc5 powers through at 14,000 cuts per minute. On a budget, the Braun Series 3 ProSkin shaves well for far less.
Our top picks at a glance
- Braun Series 9 ProBraun's flagship: 4+1 elements with sonic micro-vibrations.Best overall
- Philips Norelco S9000 PrestigeRotary comfort with 8-direction contour heads.Best rotary shaver
- Panasonic Arc55 blades driven by a 14,000 cpm linear motor.Best for coarse beards
- Braun Series 3 ProSkinTriple-action cutting with SensoFoil comfort.Best budget shaver
- Braun Series 7 71-S360-degree flex at a mid price.Best mid-range foil
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Across this lineup, owners value a shaver that clears the neck without a third or fourth pass, because that is where electric shaving is won or lost
- Wet and dry waterproofing proves its worth daily, letting owners shave with gel in the shower and rinse the head clean under the tap
- Quick charge features rescue forgotten charging nights often enough that owners rank them above almost any other convenience
- Density sensing and flexing heads earn praise for adjusting to mixed growth instead of forcing one pressure everywhere
- Pop up trimmers and detail attachments keep sideburns and edges tidy without dragging out a second device
Common complaints
- Replacement foils, cutters and rotary heads are the ownership cost owners underestimate most, and the shave quietly degrades when they stretch intervals
- Sensitive necks remain the weak point of the whole class, with aggressive high speed foils the most likely to leave redness
- Battery life varies enough across models that heavy users find themselves charging some shavers twice as often as others
- Technique transfer is real: rotary circles and foil strokes are different skills, and owners switching systems need a few weeks to judge fairly
- Cleaning stations, charging pads and docks divide owners, who either love the countertop ritual or resent the space and extra cost
The picks, ranked
| # | Product | Award | Shaving system | Micro-vibrations | Battery life | Quick charge | Wet/dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braun Series 9 Pro | Best overall | Foil, 4+1 elements with ProLift trimmer | 10,000 per minute (Sonic technology) | 60 minutes per charge | 5 minutes for one shave | Yes, waterproof for shower use |
| 2 | Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige | Best rotary shaver | Rotary, 3 heads | - | 60 minutes per charge | - | - |
| 3 | Panasonic Arc5 | Best for coarse beards | Foil, 5 blades | - | 45 minutes per charge | - | Yes, fully washable |
| 4 | Braun Series 3 ProSkin | Best budget shaver | Foil, triple action (2 SensoFoil + trimmer) | - | 45 minutes per charge | - | Yes, waterproof |
| 5 | Braun Series 7 71-S | Best mid-range foil | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | Philips Norelco 3800 | Best budget rotary | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | Panasonic Arc3 | Best budget foil | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | Remington F5-5800 | Best ultra-budget | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | Braun Series 8 | Best premium comfort | - | - | - | 5-minute quick charge | - |
| 10 | Panasonic Arc4 | Best 4-blade value | - | - | - | - | - |
Best overall
Braun Series 9 Pro
Braun's flagship: 4+1 elements with sonic micro-vibrations.
The Braun Series 9 Pro is the closest comfortable electric shave you can buy: 4+1 elements with 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute glide over skin while the ProLift trimmer catches flat-lying neck hair. AutoSense adjusts power to beard density, so the neck gets gentleness and the chin gets power. It is expensive, but for daily shavers it is the end of the upgrade path.
Strengths
- 4+1 shaving elements: 4 cutters plus ProLift trimmer that lifts flat-lying hair
- Sonic technology delivers 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute to glide over skin
- AutoSense reads beard density and adjusts power, gentler on the neck
- 60-minute lithium battery with 5-minute quick charge for one shave
Limitations
- Premium price, the most expensive shaver in this guide
- Replacement foil and cutter cassettes cost more than Series 3 parts
- Bulky head is less nimble under the nose than smaller foils
| Shaving system | Foil, 4+1 elements with ProLift trimmer |
|---|---|
| Micro-vibrations | 10,000 per minute (Sonic technology) |
| Battery life | 60 minutes per charge |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes for one shave |
| Wet/dry | Yes, waterproof for shower use |
Best for: Daily shavers who want the closest electric shave with minimal irritation.
Skip if: You shave infrequently (rotary handles long growth better) or want the lowest running cost.
Best rotary shaver
Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige
Rotary comfort with 8-direction contour heads.
The Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige is the comfort king: 8-direction heads flow over the jawline and neck where foils struggle, and the Super Lift & Cut system gets remarkably close for a rotary. Self-sharpening blades and a 60-minute battery with Qi wireless charging round out the premium package. Choose it if your skin rebels against foil shavers.
Strengths
- 8-direction ContourDetect heads flex to follow jawline and neck curves
- Super Lift & Cut dual-blade system lifts then cuts for closeness
- Self-sharpening blades maintain performance over years
- 60-minute battery with Qi wireless charging pad included
Limitations
- Rotary shaving takes longer to master than foil technique
- Slightly less close than the Series 9 Pro on flat cheek areas
- Premium price with costly replacement heads
| Shaving system | Rotary, 3 heads |
|---|---|
| Contour following | 8-direction ContourDetect heads |
| Blade system | Super Lift & Cut, self-sharpening |
| Battery life | 60 minutes per charge |
| Charging | Qi wireless charging pad |
Best for: Sensitive skin and contoured areas; excellent for neck and jawline.
Skip if: You want the absolute closest shave on flat cheeks (foil wins there).
Best for coarse beards
Panasonic Arc5
5 blades driven by a 14,000 cpm linear motor.
The Panasonic Arc5 is the power tool: 5 blades at 14,000 cuts per minute from a linear motor that never bogs down, even in dense growth. It is the fastest shaver here for coarse beards and costs less than the flagships. The trade-off is aggression: sensitive skin should patch-test the neck first.
Strengths
- 5-blade system with 14,000 cuts per minute from the linear motor
- Linear motor maintains full speed as battery drains, unlike rotary motors
- Multi-flex pivoting head follows facial contours
- Pop-up trimmer for sideburns and detailing
Limitations
- Aggressive cutting can irritate sensitive skin, especially on the neck
- 45-minute battery is shorter than Braun and Philips flagships
- Louder operation than the Series 9 Pro
| Shaving system | Foil, 5 blades |
|---|---|
| Motor speed | 14,000 cuts per minute (linear motor) |
| Battery life | 45 minutes per charge |
| Head | Multi-flex pivoting |
| Wet/dry | Yes, fully washable |
Best for: Coarse, dense beards that stall weaker motors.
Skip if: You have very sensitive skin (the aggressive cutting can irritate).
Best budget shaver
Braun Series 3 ProSkin
Triple-action cutting with SensoFoil comfort.
The Braun Series 3 ProSkin delivers honest triple-action shaving with MicroComb guidance and wet/dry waterproofing at a budget price. It needs more passes than the Series 9 and struggles with very coarse growth, but for average beards it is the best value in electric shaving.
Strengths
- Triple-action cutting: 2 SensoFoils plus middle trimmer for 3-day beards
- MicroComb technology guides hair into the foils
- Wet/dry waterproofing for shower shaving with gel
- 45-minute battery covers about a week of daily shaves
Limitations
- Less close than the Series 9 Pro, needs more passes on the neck
- No sonic micro-vibrations, so more pressure needed on dense growth
- Louder and less refined than premium Braun models
| Shaving system | Foil, triple action (2 SensoFoil + trimmer) |
|---|---|
| Comfort tech | MicroComb + SensoFoil |
| Battery life | 45 minutes per charge |
| Wet/dry | Yes, waterproof |
| Use case | Daily shaving, 3-day beards |
Best for: Budget buyers and first-time electric shaver users.
Skip if: You have a very coarse beard (step up to the Arc5 or Series 9).
Best mid-range foil
Braun Series 7 71-S
360-degree flex at a mid price.
The Braun Series 7 71-S brings the two features that matter, a 360-degree flexible head and AutoSense density adjustment, down to a mid price. Four synchronized elements handle daily growth comfortably in wet or dry shaving. It needs more passes than the Series 9 on coarse beards, but for average growth it delivers most of the flagship experience.
Strengths
- 360-degree flexible head adapts to chin and jaw contours
- AutoSense technology adjusts power to beard density
- 4 synchronized shaving elements
- Wet and dry operation with full waterproofing
Limitations
- Needs more passes than the Series 9 Pro on coarse beards
- Replacement heads cost nearly as much as Series 9 heads
- No cleaning station included
| Shaving head | 360-degree flexible |
|---|---|
| Sensor | AutoSense beard density |
| Cutting elements | 4 synchronized |
| Operation | Wet and dry |
| Battery | Li-ion rechargeable |
Best for: Daily shavers who want Series 9 comfort cues without the flagship price.
Skip if: You need the absolute closest shave for very coarse growth.
Best budget rotary
Philips Norelco 3800
27 self-sharpening blades, budget rotary.
The Philips Norelco 3800 is the cheapest way to find out if rotary suits you: 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut blades, 5D pivot and flex heads, and up to 60 minutes per charge. It will not match the S9000's 8-direction contouring or closeness, but for the price it is a genuine Philips rotary, not a compromise pretending to be one.
Strengths
- 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut blades
- 5D pivot and flex heads follow facial contours
- Up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving per charge
- Fully washable under the tap
Limitations
- Less close than the S9000 Prestige
- No wireless charging
- Pop-up trimmer is basic
| Blades | 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut |
|---|---|
| Heads | 5D pivot and flex |
| Runtime | Up to 60 minutes per charge |
| Cleaning | Fully washable |
| Trimmer | Pop-up |
Best for: Rotary-curious buyers who want Philips comfort at the lowest price.
Skip if: You need the 8-direction contouring of the S9000.
Best budget foil
Panasonic Arc3
Three blades, 30-degree edges, low price.
The Panasonic Arc3 puts real Panasonic blade geometry, 3 blades with 30-degree acute inner edges, into a budget foil with wet and dry waterproofing and a pop-up trimmer. Coarse beards will still want the Arc5, but for normal growth this is the cheapest foil that shaves like it means it.
Strengths
- 3-blade cutting system with 30-degree acute inner blades
- Wet and dry waterproof design for shower shaving
- Pop-up trimmer for sideburns and mustache
- Hypoallergenic stainless-steel foils
Limitations
- More passes needed than the Arc5
- No shaving sensor
- Basic travel pouch instead of hard case
| Blades | 3 |
|---|---|
| Inner blades | 30-degree acute angle |
| Operation | Wet and dry |
| Trimmer | Pop-up |
| Foils | Hypoallergenic stainless steel |
Best for: Budget foil buyers who want Panasonic blade geometry.
Skip if: You have very coarse growth that needs the Arc5's 5 blades.
Best ultra-budget
Remington F5-5800
Intercept shaving tech for longer hairs.
The Remington F5-5800 is the floor of credible electric shaving: intercept technology pre-trims longer hairs so the foils can finish, a pivot and flex head, and up to 60 minutes cordless. It tugs on coarse growth and cannot match Braun closeness, but as a first shaver or travel backup it is honest value.
Strengths
- Intercept shaving technology pre-trims longer hairs
- Pivot and flex head follows the neck and jaw
- Up to 60 minutes of cordless runtime
- Washable for easy cleaning
Limitations
- Not as close as Braun or Panasonic foils
- Can tug on very coarse growth
- Noisier than premium foils
| Technology | Intercept pre-trim |
|---|---|
| Head | Pivot and flex |
| Runtime | Up to 60 minutes |
| Cleaning | Washable |
| Operation | Cordless |
Best for: First-time buyers and travelers who want the cheapest decent foil.
Skip if: You shave daily and want the closest possible result.
Best premium comfort
Braun Series 8
40-degree adaptive head, sonic comfort.
The Braun Series 8 is for sensitive skin with a premium budget: a 40-degree adaptive head, sonic action at 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute, and 2 shaving modes for gentle or turbo passes. It sits just under the Series 9 in price and comfort. Skip it if you need the ProLift trimmer; otherwise this is the comfort pick.
Strengths
- 40-degree adaptive shaving head for tricky areas
- Sonic technology with 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute
- 2 shaving modes for gentle or turbo shaves
- 100 percent waterproof for wet and dry use
Limitations
- Close to Series 9 pricing
- No ProLift trimmer
- Cleaning station sold separately
| Shaving head | 40-degree adaptive |
|---|---|
| Sonic action | 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute |
| Shaving modes | 2 |
| Waterproofing | 100 percent, wet and dry |
| Quick charge | 5-minute quick charge |
Best for: Sensitive skin that wants flagship comfort just below the Series 9 price.
Skip if: You need the ProLift trimmer of the Series 9 Pro.
Best 4-blade value
Panasonic Arc4
Four blades bridging budget and flagship.
The Panasonic Arc4 splits the difference in the Panasonic line: 4 blades with 30-degree inner edges and a multi-flex pivoting head, meaning fewer passes than the Arc3 without Arc5 money. No shaving sensor and more noise than Braun foils are the trade-offs. It is the rational Panasonic upgrade.
Strengths
- 4-blade cutting system for fewer passes than the Arc3
- 30-degree acute inner blades for a close cut
- Multi-flex pivoting head follows contours
- Wet and dry operation with pop-up trimmer
Limitations
- No shaving sensor like the Arc5
- Louder than Braun foils
- Replacement foils add to long-term cost
| Blades | 4 |
|---|---|
| Inner blades | 30-degree acute angle |
| Head | Multi-flex pivoting |
| Operation | Wet and dry |
| Trimmer | Pop-up |
Best for: Panasonic fans who want more than the Arc3 without Arc5 pricing.
Skip if: You need the linear-motor speed of the Arc5.
How we chose
We ranked shavers on closeness (passes needed for a smooth finish), skin comfort (irritation reports in expert testing), battery life, wet/dry capability, and replacement part cost, because foils and cutters wear out every 12 to 18 months. We excluded shavers without wet/dry waterproofing and models whose replacement cassettes cost more per year than the shaver's price tier justifies. Every spec comes from manufacturer documentation.
Questions, answered
Foil or rotary: which should I choose?
Choose foil (Braun, Panasonic) for the closest shave on relatively flat areas and for daily shaving. Choose rotary (Philips Norelco) for sensitive skin, contoured jawlines and necks, or infrequent shaving, since rotary handles longer growth better. If you have never used electric, foil is the easier transition from a manual razor.
How close is an electric shave compared to a blade?
A premium foil shaver gets about 90 percent as close as a fresh manual blade, with far less irritation. The remaining difference is mostly visible late in the day. For most professional settings, no one can tell.
How often do I need to replace the foil or cutters?
Every 12 to 18 months with daily use. Worn foils cause the pulling and irritation people blame on the shaver. Budget for replacement cassettes when you buy: they are a significant part of total ownership cost.
Should I shave wet or dry with an electric shaver?
Try both. Dry is faster and fine for most. Wet shaving with gel reduces friction noticeably and helps sensitive skin, which is why we required wet/dry waterproofing in every pick. Never use a non-waterproof shaver wet.
What is the best electric shaver?
The Braun Series 9 Pro is the best electric shaver for most people: it is our number one pick for the closest comfortable shave, with 4+1 elements and AutoSense that adjusts power to beard density. If your skin is sensitive, choose the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige instead: its rotary heads follow contours with less dragging on the neck and jawline.