Comparing Men's Electric Shavers

There are several electric shavers on the market that claim to offer men the closest and smoothest face shave, and it can be hard to find a quality product amidst all the hype. Electric razors from the top companies, including Remington, Panasonic, Norelco and Braun, are compared here to help shed light on who really offers the best product for the best price.

Significance

Electric shavers are popular among men as an alternative to shaving with a manual blade because they create less skin irritation and razor burn. Instead of static blades, electric razors utilize rotating razors heads that do not need a lubricant such as shaving cream or soap to create a close shave. The multiple moving parts and need for solid battery power mean that quality is an important factor in an electric shaver. Manual blades, because of their straightforward design, have greater room for error.

Types

The Remington MS2-390 rechargable electric razor is one of the top shavers offered from the Remington brand, featuring two arched titanium razor heads, an extendable detail trimmer, and it can charge in 1 hour. Remington guarantees the shaver for 30 days after purchase, and it sells for retail at about $70. While the razor boasts a sleek design and comfortable grip, it does not produce a close or even shave. It has trouble with long, straggly hairs and equal trouble with small "peach fuzz." Also, this electric shaver makes a very loud and abrasive noise that other electric shavers do no emit. If the consumer is looking for an inexpensive electric shaver that does a basic job, than this razor will meet expectations. However, it is not recommended for those looking for a close, consistent, or quiet shave.

Features

The Panasonic ES8043SC Pro-Curve Wet/Dry shaver is priced at around $100 and features three independently floating razor heads that are comprised of counter-directional oscillating blades. The three heads move up and down at opposite rates while the blades inside rotate every direction, giving the consumer what Panasonic claims is the smoothest shave available. This model is lightweight, easy to wield, can be used wet or dry, and lives up to its assertion of providing a close shave. However, the close shave comes at a price: the user's skin can get irritated from the multiple moving blades the first few times this model is used.

Considerations

The Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050 electric razor is considerably more expensive than either the Panasonic or Remington models, costing around $200, and offers three rotating razor heads that are designed to contour to the shape of the face. This feature makes it ideal for trimming the neck and jaw bone. It is made from stainless steel and is designed to both clean and charge in 3 minutes. However, razor burn is a possible side effect from the very close shave it offers, and the pop-up trimmer feature is very narrow an comparatively dull. While it is a nice-looking razor and good for neck shaving, its price does not justify the result. A cheaper razor, like the Panasonic, provides better quality-to-price balance.

Benefits

Braun's Series 5 570 cc electric shaver is priced comparably to the Philips Norelco Arcitec and offers users a completely different shaving experience. The single razor head has Braun's Power Comb technology that uses a small vacuum to make flat hair erect and more easily removed. The shaver head also utilizes Gillette razors, the leading razor blade in the industry. This electric shaver is able to provide users with a close, non-irritated shave, and it cleans easily and quickly. In terms of the high-end, expensive shavers, this model is a consumer's best bet.