8 Best Electric Shavers in 2026 — Which One Offers the Closest Shave?

Looking for the closest shave possible? Many men swear by traditional manual razors as the closest possible shave — after all, they run the blade directly over the skin. But manual razors come with lots of problems. Irritation, cuts and nicks, and dull blades.

Electric shavers are gentler on your skin. There’s less tugging or pulling of hair. The blades don’t cut as close as manual razors, which minimises irritation and reduces the risk of ingrown hairs. The blades also last a lot longer.

The latest generation of electric razors (foil and rotary) offers a closer shave than ever before. But what’s the best electric shaver in 2026? Which shaves the closest? Provides the quickest shave? Or is it just the most convenient?

Foil vs Rotary Shavers: Which Is Better?

Foil vs rotary is the most important question you’ll answer when picking a shaver. Far more important than any particular brand.

Foil razors generally achieve a closer shave. They’re better for short hair and offer a more precise cut. But the downside is usually irritation and discomfort.

Rotary shavers are ideal for longer hair. They comfortably conform to your face's contours and offer an increasingly close shave as technology improves.

How to Choose the Right Electric Shaver

Beyond the blade type, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing the best electric razor. While the closeness of the shave is important, it’s not as crucial as most people think. After all, you’d rather shave a little more often if it meant you didn’t get skin irritation.

Consider these factors:

· Skin Sensitivity. If you’ve got sensitive skin, it's best to opt for a rotary shaver. You want something that’ll smoothly glide over your skin.

· Hair thickness. Thicker hair generally needs a faster motor or self-sharpening blades. Otherwise, you risk snagging or pulling.

· Budget. How much do you want to pay? Setting a budget in advance can determine which models to choose.

· Frequency of shaving. How often do you want to shave? If you’re only doing it once in a while, you might be okay with a foil razor. For everyday use, a rotary shaver is superior.

Best Electric Shavers 2026

BEST OVERALL

Metz Sword Electric Shaver

The Metz Sword is the flagship electric shaver. Built with a sleek, durable zinc alloy housing, the shaver has a solid weight that feels high-end. Inside the head, it has 15x3 self-sharpening blades powered by a 7,700 RPM motor for the closest shave a rotary shaver will allow.

But it’s not just the shave—it’s everyday use. The magnetic blade head snaps on and off for easy cleaning. And the entire shaver is IPX7 waterproof, so you can shave wet or dry (even in the shower). Rinse the entire device off when you’re done.

Fully charges in just 1.5 hours and runs for up to 60 minutes.

Pros

✓ Powerful motor and self-sharpening blades deliver a smooth, efficient shave

✓ Premium metal body feels solid and well-built

✓ Fully waterproof for easy cleaning and wet or dry use

Cons

x Higher price than many mid-range electric shavers

x No automatic cleaning station included

 

BEST PREMIUM FOIL SHAVER

Braun Series 9 Pro

The Braun Series 9 Pro is the highest-end model in the brand’s collection. Foil shavers usually offer a closer shave than their rotary counterparts — and the Series 9 Pro is no exception. The shaver delivers 10,000 microvibrations per minute and 40,000 cuts per minute. The blades are surgical-grade stainless steel, slicing the hair down to a baby smooth 0.05mm.

It’s about as good as foil shavers get. That does mean less precision, flexibility, and a little more irritation than a rotary device. But it’s still a highly viable option.

Pros

✓ Exceptionally close, comfortable shave

✓ Cleaning and charging station keeps it maintained automatically

✓ Premium leather travel case included

Cons

x Very expensive compared to most shavers

x Replacement parts and cleaning cartridges are costly

BEST FOR CLOSEST SHAVE

Panasonic ES-LS9A

The Panasonic ES-LS9A is the next-best foil razor on the list. The supercharged foil head cuts at >70,000 motions per minute. Unlike a lot of foil shavers, the head is flexible and pivots. That gives you some of the dexterity of a rotary shaver with the close shave of a foil.

The device even contains automatic sensors that adjust the foil to your chin and hair density. The only real downside is the battery life, which is on the low end (~50 mins).

Pros

✓ Powerful motor delivers fast, efficient shaving

✓ High cutting speed handles thick hair easily

✓ Flexible head adapts well to facial contours

Cons

x Larger head can feel bulky in tighter areas

x Takes a bit more care when shaving around the moustache and jaw

BEST PREMIUM SHAVER

Metz Camerist Electric Shaver

The Metz Camerist Electric Shaver might be the coolest-looking item on the list. Designed to look like a camera, it features a single large shaving ring with 15 self-sharpening blades. It’s powered by a 7,500-RPM motor (one of the strongest on the list), so it delivers a close, reliable shave.

The best part? The smooth back surface contains a mirror. Ideal for getting the closest shave when travelling. Plus, it comes with a stylish leather pouch that’ll keep it safe in your luggage or backpack.

Like all Metz razors, it’s IPX7 waterproof. Suitable for wet and dry shaving. It charges within 1 hr (USB-C charging) and runs for up to 60 minutes.

Pros

✓ Powerful motor delivers smooth, efficient shaving

✓ Compact, portable design with premium leather case

✓ Fully waterproof for wet or dry use

Cons

x Smaller shaving head means it takes longer to cover large areas

x Not as powerful as larger flagship shavers

 

BEST FOR COMFORT

Philips Series 9000 Prestige

The Philips Series 9000 Prestige might not look like the prettiest shaver, but it packs a lot into its bulky body. Most impressive is the 150,000 cutting actions per minute. It slices through hair faster than almost any other shaver, reducing tugging or pulling.

In fact, the shaver is designed to capture and cut any wayward hairs. It might not be the closest shave, but you won’t be missing anything. The most ingenious part is the pressure sensors that light up when you press too hard. That gives it effortless comfort and minimises irritation.

Pros

✓ Delivers a close, comfortable shave

✓ Premium build quality and design

✓ Convenient wireless charging

Cons

x Expensive compared to many alternatives

x Rotary design isn’t ideal for very precise edging

 

BEST FOR CONTROL

Manscaped The Chairman Pro

Manscaped is fast becoming one of the biggest names in shaving. The Chairman Pro is a more affordable foil razor that relies on simplicity and usability. You can start shaving straight out of the box. With four foil blades, you don’t need to shift between devices — just don’t expect baby smooth.

The real winner is the stubble trimmer attachment. It gives you the versatility to achieve almost any beard shape or stubble style you want.

Pros

✓ Very easy to use and beginner-friendly

✓ Supports USB-C and wireless charging

✓ Comfortable shave with minimal irritation

Cons

x Doesn’t shave as close as premium foil models

x Less powerful than higher-end competitors

 

BEST MID-RANGE FOIL SHAVER

Braun Series 6

The Braun Series 6 is one of the cheaper options in the Braun arsenal. But it still has some impressive features. Think of this shaver as a large foil head with a decent battery life (~50 mins). There are no complicated features. Just turn it on and get shaving.

It probably won’t give the closest shave you’ve ever experienced. However, it’s a solid pick compared to a lot of mid-range shavers. Plus, it’s waterproof so that you can wet- and dry-shave.

Pros

✓ Flexible head adjusts easily to facial contours

✓ Reliable battery life for regular use

✓ Fully waterproof for wet or dry shaving

Cons

x More expensive than similar mid-range options

x Doesn’t shave as close as higher-end models

 

BEST BUDGET SHAVER

Remington X7 Limitless

The Remington X7 Limitless is among the cheapest shavers on the market. Yet, as far as rotary shavers go, it’s far from the worst. With 60 minutes of battery life, a 360° pivot ball head, and even a pop-up beard trimmer, it does most of what the other shavers do — just at a lower price.

Pros

✓ Lightweight, ergonomic design feels comfortable in the hand

✓ Flexible rotary heads adjust well to facial contours

✓ Built-in pop-up trimmer useful for edging and detail work

Cons

x Performance is fairly basic compared to premium models

x Build quality doesn’t feel as refined as higher-end shavers