Home / Grooming / Buying Guides

The Best Razors for a Clean, Comfortable Shave

Shaving should be something you look forward to. Here are the best razors to help make it so.

buying guide lead image of best shaving razors Gear Patrol

By Evan Malachosky, Jacorey Moon, and Adam Hurly

Published

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

If your skin isn’t picky about what kind of blade you use, then you’ve been blessed. That’s because there are a lot of guys whose skin demands a certain type of shave if any at all, less he wants to wallow in redness, irritation, ingrown bumps, and more.

It’s these kinds of conditions that make shaving miserable for some men. It feels like a gamble each time to try the task, no matter how well they prepare for it. But shaving should be a smooth process, and it should be a cathartic, soothing one, too. Perhaps if you’re here, you’re looking for a prescription of sorts — the right blade for your type of skin.

Products in the Guide

  • Leaf The Leaf Razor

    Best Overall Razor

    Read more
  • Supply The Single Edge SE

    Best Upgrade Razor

    Read more
  • Harry’s The Truman Razor

    Best Affordable Razor

    Read more
  • Bevel Safety Razor

    Best Safety Razor

    Read more
  • Gilette Sensor2 Plus (52-Pack)

    Best Disposable Razor

    Read more
  • Manscaped The Plow 2.0 Safety Razor

    Best Brass-Handle Razor

    Read more

What to Know

Skin Type

Folks with dry or easily irritated skin need specialized razors. A regular razor will wreak havoc on sensitive skin. Razors with hydrating heads, gel coatings or weighted blades help reduce friction, resulting in a smoother shave with fewer hiccups and less of a headache afterward.

That being said, as much as a good razor will help you, proper technique can prevent irritation, too. “Shaving against the grain will get the closest shave, but is also the most irritating and can lead to ingrown hairs and inflammation if not done carefully,” our expert says. “Shaving with the grain won’t get quite as close of a shave but is far less irritating and much easier on your skin.”

Hair Type

Certain razors will work better for different hair types. Safety razors, for example, and especially Bevel’s, are gentler on coarse, curly hair and help prevent ingrown hairs. For folks with thin or wispy facial hair, just about any razor will do, but it’s important to pick one that works well for your skin type, too.

Types of Razors

Cartridge Razor

Cartridge razors come in two parts: the reusable body and the disposable razor head. Once worn, the head can be thrown away and a new one can be attached back onto the body.

Safety Razor

Safety razors are easier to use than regular razors, and, in fact, they’re what first helped men shave beyond barbershops. As for its construction, there’s a safety mechanism that locks in a disposable razor blade.

Our expert stresses that if you plan to invest in a good razor, consider switching to a single-blade safety razor: “They give you the most control as far as following the grain of your facial hair,” he says. “And they have a much more forgiving learning curve than a straight razor (although those can be great too if you are willing to put in some practice).”

Disposable Razor

Disposable razors come in one piece. They’re designed to be thrown away once the razor blades wear down.

Heated Razor

Warm skin is more susceptible to razor bumps and burn, but the experience of a hot shave feels far superior. You can try using a heated razor with a hydrating blade, like the one below.

Weighted Razor

Weighted razors do most of the work for you. You glide across the skin without applying any pressure because the weight of the razor lowers the blade to your skin on its own. These are best for long stretches of skin, like the legs, arms or back.

Straight Razor

A straight razor is by far the most dangerous way to shave your face at home, but it’s an art form if mastered. Straight razors are also more hygienic because there are no extra blade chambers, plastic heads or bumpers to collect shave foams or gels, dead skin and other debris.

Pros

  • Can load 1-3 razors at a time
  • 100% plastic-free

Cons

  • 10x the cost of Harry’s razors

Number of blades: 1-3

Handle Material: Stainless steel and zinc

The Leaf razor can do pretty much whatever you want it to do. It can shave your head and pivot to all of the contours. It can give you a standard face shave. It can detail with a single blade, or give you a much closer shave with up to three blades. It’s a masterclass in product design and eco-consciousness, allowing the shaver to load 1-3 safety razor blades at a time, in order to customize your shaving needs. The task is handled like a normal cartridge shave, and the brand sends a razor in responsible packaging to help make storing the razor — and keeping it away from water — easy.

Pros

  • Has a sleek design
  • Comes with technology to avoid nicks

Cons

  • 4x more than the Dollar Shave Club starter kit

Number of blades: 1

Handle Material: Die-cast zinc alloy, coated with PVD chrome

The marketing industry really pushed cartridge razors on consumers over the past few decades, but true heads stuck by the safety razor all the while. It’s proof that a single, sharp razor can give as smooth a shave as anything touting 4, 5, or 6 blades, and with far less drag, accumulation, and bacterial buildup. What our tester loved about Supply’s single-edge safety razor is that it’s a 101 in safety shaves. Because most safety razors have a learning curve — and one with sharp consequences, though don’t let that deter you — this one’s design is user-friendly right out of the gate. Oh, and another benefit: Sure, the initial handle price looks steep, but you’ll earn that back through the low cost of blades.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Weighted handle is nicer than a typical plastic handle

Cons

  • Harder to use for those with bigger hands

Number of blades: 5

Handle Material: Weighted rubberized plastic

The Truman Razor’s rubberized handle promises precision and grip even when wet, and the weighted core makes it more substantial, lessening the likelihood you’ll knick yourself or accidentally graze a place you didn’t intend to. Plus, the razor itself comes in three bold colors with one German blade already assembled. Equipped with a lubricating strip, five sharp blades and a flexible hinge, you’ll get a great shave with this one.

Pros

  • Good option for coarse, curly hair

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than Merkur and Manscaped

Number of blades: 1

Handle Material: Brass-weighted metal

Perfect for individuals with skin prone to ingrown hairs and razor bumps, the Bevel Safety Razor uses a single, double-edged razor blade attached to a weighted, brass-filled handle. The weight makes shaving with the grain easy and safe for sensitive skin. Plus, this option is entirely plastic-free, which not only guarantees it’ll last longer but makes it easier to recycle. Also, it comes with ten blade refills.

Pros

  • Has a water-activated lubrastrip for added moisture

Cons

  • The handle is not very durable

Number of blades: 2

Handle Material: Plastic

If you’ve spent any amount of money on your at-home shaving setup, you surely don’t want to lose it on a trip — whether it’s a week away for work or a weekend trip into the woods. Level up your disposable inventory with Gilette’s Sensor2 Plus, the best-reviewed disposable razor we’ve come across. Each one lasts about a week, or roughly three shaves, which makes sense given this is a pack of 52 (aka one for each week).

Pros

  • Has a wider, weightier handle

Cons

  • The handle grip might too small for users with big hands

Number of blades: 1

Handle Material: Brass

Manscaped, known for its below-the-waist trimmer called the Lawn Mower, has a safety razor that also lives up to the hype. It comes with a brass handle and a zinc alloy head to provide a weighted, even shave.

styleAmazon

Best Heated Razor

Gilette Labs Deluxe Starter Heated Shave Kit

Pros

  • Has two heat settings—high setting heats up close to 120-degrees
  • Comes with a charging dock

Cons

  • Needs to be charged for its heat features

Number of blades: 5

Handle Material: Aluminum zinc, lithium-ion battery

Gilette Labs wants to make your morning routine more luxe. That’s the point of its Heated Razor, which rises to a comfortable 120 degrees Fahrenheit with a few presses of a button on the razor’s handle. The handle itself is heavier and longer than a disposable, and it attaches to a dock to charge. At a steep $150 dollars, you’re definitely saving yourself money on repeat barber visits with special hot towel treatments, but the heated blade doesn’t blanket the face with warm steam like you’d imagine. For people wanting a nicer razor, this is surely one, but it doesn’t sub for a special treat-yourself-trip to the shop.

styleAmazon

Best Cartridge Razor

King C. Gillette Neck Razor

Pros

  • Provides low-friction shaves to any body area
  • Super-affordable

Cons

  • Not as durable due to the plastic handle

Number of blades: 2 (comes with 2 cartridges)

Handle Material: Rubberized plastic

If you want a cartridge razor ready for the occasional detailing tasks — a neck shave, a back shave, a cheek-line trim, then King C. Gillette’s blade is sensitive to your needs. It has two blades for a low-friction, low-drag shave, and even has a detailing trimmer on the backside of the blade head (careful how you handle it) to help draw clean lines at the neck or on the cheeks. Our tester liked it for shaping his mustache and used it to precisely snip away at a few select hairs under the nose and at the edges.

styleAmazon

Best Razor for Dry Skin

Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Dry Skin Razor

Pros

  • Comes with a built-in precision trimmer

Cons

  • Not as durable due to the plastic handle

Number of blades: 5 and a precision trimmer

Handle Material: Plastic with rubberized grip sections

Schick’s latest upgrade features seven “gel pools” atop its blade, each containing coconut oil to quickly condition the skin as soon as it’s been shaved. Guys with dry skin (permanent or seasonal) will like this blade for its shock absorbency and sensitivity to any excess pressure. Like the King C. Gillette razor above, this one has a precision detailer (in its head), for any tasks around the mustache, the neckline, or the cheeks. And here’s a tip for any dry-skin shavers: Start the shave with an exfoliating cleanser — a scrub with some grit — to help dust off any dead skin cells that might get trapped in the blade (or worse, trapped in your skin). And, take all the time you need to soften and condition the skin before and after the shave, with all the right products.

Pros

  • Has an extra-thick, weighted handle for control and durability

Cons

  • Handle is not as long as Bevel or Manscaped safety razors

Number of blades: 1

Handle Material: Chrome-plated brass

This 34c model from Merkur is a favorite of our tester, due to its well-distributed weight: There’s a heavy head with a short handle that practically coaches the blade to the right angle and pull. This double-edged device makes shaving easy. It’s certainly the best option for learning how to use a standard-fare, classic safety razor, too, though it’s unlikely you’ll ever shelve it out once you get the hang of things.

Pros

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Might not be the most durable due to its handle

Number of blades: 6 and a precision trimmer

Handle Material: Weighted plastic rubberized grip

When it comes to shaving, Dollar Shave Club is a brand known for providing quality equipment for a beginner’s budget. This set comes with four six-blade razor cartridges and can reach and navigate along the contours of your face thanks to its pivoting head. The brand’s shave cream uses aloe leaf juice, macadamia oil and coconut oil for a nourishing and moisturizing option to help minimize the causation of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

Pros

  • Has a curved Grenadille wooden handle for flair
  • Hollow ground blade for sharp, precise cuts

Cons

  • Can’t be exchanged or returned

Number of blades: 1

Handle Material: African Blackwood

Straight razors are undeniably cool, but they’re a dangerous tool—not a toy. You have to go slow with these, and it’s best to get some instruction from a professional barber or a trusted online resource. Once you’ve mastered the motions, you can give yourself routine, ultra-close shaves with less irritation, razor burn and risk of infection.

Pros

  • Dermatologist-approved
  • Blades made in the USA

Cons

  • Not the most durable handle

Number of blades: 5

Handle Material: Aluminum and UV-protected silicone

Athena Club’s unisex razor is dermatologist-approved, meaning it’s less likely to cause irritation (like bumps or ingrowns). It comes in an array of colors, each with a water-activated serum on the blade head. It makes the razor glide over edges and smooth areas all the same. This starter kit comes with two five-blade cartridges and a magnetic holder.

,