5 Best Electric Shavers for Men of 2026

Why you should trust this guide

I have shaved with electric razors for years, and I have owned several of the models in this guide as my daily driver at different points, including a Braun Series 7 that I used until I upgraded to the Series 9 Pro+. That ownership shapes how I read each shaver here. I am not interested in selling you the most expensive option. I am interested in matching the right tool to your beard type, your skin, and the time you want to spend at the sink each morning.

For this guide I worked from each product’s stated specifications, the manufacturer feature claims, and my own experience using these shavers and comparable models over a long period. Where I describe a difference, such as the Series 9 Pro+ being faster than my old Series 7, that reflects my own routine rather than a controlled measurement. I have tried to be specific about who each shaver is for and honest about where each one falls short, because no single razor wins for every face.

How we researched

My evaluation centers on the things that actually decide whether you keep using an electric shaver: closeness of the shave, comfort on sensitive areas, how well the head follows the contours of the jaw and neck, speed, and the daily hassle of cleaning and charging. I weighted closeness and comfort most heavily, because a razor that shaves close but leaves your neck raw will end up in a drawer, and a gentle razor that still leaves stubble is not doing its job either.

I also considered cutting technology (foil versus rotary, number of blades, motor speed), head flexibility, wet and dry capability, battery life, and the value you get for the money. For the specifications and features, I relied on what each manufacturer states for the model, and I treated those figures as the product’s claimed specs rather than numbers I verified myself. The goal was to sort these five into clear use cases so you can pick by your own priorities instead of guessing.

Braun Series 9 Pro+

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ is the closest shave I have achieved with an electric shaver, which is why it is my overall pick. It uses five cutting elements rather than the three or four found on many shavers, so it captures more hairs per stroke. In practice that meant fewer passes for me and a noticeably shorter routine, dropping from around four minutes with my previous Series 7 to about two and a half minutes. The 5D flexible head moves in all directions and tracks the jawline and neck, the areas where most shavers leave patches behind.

Braun positions this 9517s model as a foil shaver that handles a 1, 3, or 7-day beard, and it includes a built-in precision ProTrimmer for edging sideburns, mustache, and detail work without reaching for a separate tool. It ships with a charging stand, it is a cordless titanium-coated razor that Braun states is made in Germany and built to last, and the trimmer pops up when you need to define lines. For multi-day stubble it kept up better than the other foil shavers here.

The honest trade-off is price. This is the most expensive shaver in the guide, and if your beard is light or you shave every day, you may not feel the benefit of five cutting elements over a strong three or four blade foil. The premium charging stand is nice but adds to the cost, and replacement foil and cutter cassettes for Braun are not cheap over the life of the razor.

Philips Norelco 9000 Prestige

The Philips Norelco 9000 Prestige is the one to buy if you prefer rotary shavers or have curly facial hair that foil shavers struggle to capture. Its three spinning heads use a V-shape blade design that lifts hair before cutting, and the heads rotate a full 360 degrees so they cut hair growing in any direction, which is exactly where rotary designs earn their keep over foils.

Philips builds in SkinIQ technology that reads your skin and adjusts in real time, and the shaver self-adjusts to skin sensitivity as you go. On my neck, where my skin is the most reactive, that translated to less irritation than I expected from a rotary. The Precision Flex heads stretch the skin slightly for a closer pass in hard-to-reach areas, and a Hydro SkinGlide coating helps the heads glide more smoothly. Philips states the model carries up to a 5-year warranty and uses self-sharpening blades rated for 2 years, which is reassuring on a premium shaver.

The trade-off is that rotary shavers, including this one, generally do not match the bluntly close result a top foil like the Series 9 Pro+ gives on flat cheek areas, and there is a learning curve to the circular motion if you are coming from a foil. It is also a premium-priced unit, so budget-minded buyers will find better value elsewhere in this guide.

Panasonic Arc5

The Panasonic Arc5 is my value pick because it delivers close to the Braun Series 9 experience for a lower price. It uses five ultra-sharp blades, matching the Braun Series 9 blade count, and its motor runs at 14,000 cycles per minute, the fastest in this lineup, which helps it capture hairs in fewer strokes. The Multi-Flex pivoting head glides along the jawline and neck, and a 10-stage LCD shows battery status clearly so you are not caught with a dead razor.

It is a 2-in-1 wet and dry razor with a built-in pop-up trimmer for sideburns and detail work, so you can shave with foam or gel in the shower or dry at the sink. A linear drive motor keeps the speed consistent as it works through denser stubble. For someone who wants premium-tier cutting hardware without paying the most, the Arc5 hits a strong balance.

The main trade-off is cleaning. The Arc5 is cleaned manually under running tap water rather than dropping into an automated cleaning and charging station like the higher Braun units, so you do the rinsing yourself. Battery life is roughly 45 minutes, which is shorter than some rivals here, and while it is excellent, it does not quite reach the absolute closeness of the Series 9 Pro+ on multi-day growth.

Braun Series 7

The Braun Series 7 is my pick for sensitive skin, and it is the shaver that solved my own razor-burn problem years ago. Its Sonic Pulse Technology delivers gentle vibrations that lift more hair while letting you use less pressure against the skin, and in daily use that meant less razor burn and reduced redness than I got from a standard foil. If your face reacts badly to shaving, this is the model in the guide I would try first.

Braun pairs that with a SkinGentle Foil designed for skin protection and comfort, a SmoothShave blade that cuts longer hairs while protecting against tug and pull, and a 4D flex head that follows your contours. A SmartMotor with AutoSense automatically adapts power as it detects beard density across three selectable shave modes, so you can dial it down for delicate areas. It is also 100 percent waterproof for wet or dry use with foam or gel.

The trade-off is closeness. The Series 7 prioritizes comfort, so on a thick or multi-day beard it does not cut quite as close or as fast as the Series 9 Pro+, and you may need an extra pass. It is a generation behind the Pro+ in head flexibility (4D versus 5D) and cutting elements, so heavy beards are better served by stepping up.

Remington F5-5800

The Remington F5-5800 is the budget choice, and it proves you can get a functional, usable electric shaver without spending big. It uses three intercept blades that catch hair before cutting, a pivot-and-flex head that adjusts to the contours of your face, and cordless operation with a battery Remington rates at around 60 minutes, which is generous. It is wet and dry capable, and it has a pop-up trimmer for sideburns and mustache work.

For an occasional shaver, a traveler who wants a cheap backup, or anyone testing whether electric shaving suits them before investing more, the F5-5800 covers the essentials. The longer battery life means you can go several shaves between charges, and the wet and dry capability lets you use it in the shower with gel if you prefer.

The trade-off is straightforward and expected at this price. The shave is less close than the premium shavers here, especially on thick beard hair, and it takes me longer, around four to five minutes versus the two and a half I get from the Series 9 Pro+. The three-blade foil simply cannot match five cutting elements, so if you have a heavy beard or want a barber-close finish, this is a starting point rather than a destination.

What to look for

Before you buy, weigh these factors against your own beard and skin rather than chasing the highest spec sheet.

• Foil versus rotary: Foils (Braun, Panasonic) tend to shave closer on flat areas and suit straight, fine hair; rotaries (Philips Norelco) handle curly hair and varied growth directions better.
• Number of cutting elements: More blades or foils usually means fewer strokes and a faster shave, but the difference matters most for thick or multi-day beards.
• Head flexibility: A head that flexes in multiple directions follows the jaw and neck better, which is where comfort and closeness most often break down.
• Skin comfort features: Sonic Pulse, SkinGentle foils, and skin-sensing tech reduce pressure and irritation if you are prone to razor burn.
• Wet and dry use: If you like shaving in the shower with foam or gel, confirm the model is fully waterproof.
• Cleaning method: Automated cleaning stations save effort but add cost; manual rinsing under the tap is cheaper but a daily chore.
• Battery life: Ranges from roughly 45 to 60 minutes here; longer life means fewer charges between shaves.
• Running cost: Replacement foils, cutters, and rotary heads add up over the years, so factor them into the real price.

The verdict

For most men I recommend the Braun Series 9 Pro+. Its five cutting elements and 5D head gave me the closest, fastest shave in this guide, and it handles everything from daily stubble to a week-old beard. If you prefer a rotary or have curly facial hair, the Philips Norelco 9000 Prestige is the better fit, with skin-sensing tech that kept my neck calm. For the best balance of performance and price, the Panasonic Arc5 delivers most of the Braun result with manual cleaning as the main compromise.

If sensitive skin is your priority, the Braun Series 7 and its Sonic Pulse and SkinGentle foil reduce irritation, with closeness on heavy beards as the trade-off. And if you want to spend the least or need a reliable backup, the Remington F5-5800 covers the basics with a long battery, accepting a slower, less-close shave. Match the shaver to your face, not to the price tag, and any of these will serve you well within its lane.