How we pick our products
When it comes to getting rid of pesky hair on the body, most people nowadays turn to a shaver. But with the huge choice of products on the market, it can quickly become difficult to decide on a particular razor.
With our big razor review 2023, we want to help you find the best razor for you. We’ve compared shavettes, system shavers and electric shavers and listed the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you decide which one to buy.
Summary
- The type of razor you choose depends on the part of your body you want to shave and how much time you want to invest in shaving.
- Most alternatives to razors have results that last longer, but are also more painful.
- The most important thing is to choose a razor that fits your needs when buying.
The Best Shaver: Our Picks
Buying and evaluation criteria for shaver
Shavers come in a wide variety of designs. The individual product variants can be distinguished according to the following criteria:
In the following paragraphs we explain what is important in the individual criteria
Body part
Different parts of the body have different lengths and thicknesses of hair, so there are razors that are specially designed for specific parts of the body. You can choose between body shavers, intimate shavers and beard trimmers. One thing to keep in mind is that a few blades are more likely to provide a precise shave, and several blades are more likely to be used for a close result.
If you want to shave your genital area, for example, you should choose a razor with a flexible head, as this makes it easier to reach hard-to-reach areas.
Wet/dry
When deciding between a wet or dry shave, several factors play an important role. Personal preference, skin type and how much time you have available, but also whether shaving is more of a ceremony for you or more of a chore are all factors you should consider when deciding.
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Wet | Very close, Shaving results in a nourishing peeling effect, Gentle on the skin | Time-consuming (applying shaving foam and letting it work), High risk of injury, Expensive |
| Dry | Gentle on the skin (especially good for impure or sensitive skin), Short time required, Small risk of injury | Less close shave |
With both wet and dry shaving, you should clean the razor blade properly and replace it regularly. And with both, use an aftershave to avoid pimples, eczema and skin inflammation.
Man/ Woman
Often women look for a women’s razor in the store/online and men look for a men’s razor.
In principle, however, there is little difference between men’s and women’s products. The only simple distinction is colour and price. Manufacturers charge a higher premium for products that are specifically aimed at women.
Battery charging and running time
The battery charging and running time is only relevant for electric shavers (a system shaver or shavette has no battery!), but it is still an important point in this case. Most older models need a power socket to operate, but this is no longer the norm.
Even inexpensive models now have an integrated rechargeable battery, although the quality varies considerably. You should be able to count on a battery life of about 50 minutes and most batteries are charged after about an hour. However, some shavers require much more time to fully charge, for example several hours.
Hand luggage suitability
Before we go into more detail about the suitability of different razors for hand luggage, we advise you to check what is allowed in your hand luggage before you fly, either directly with the respective airline or via their website. This can vary from airline to airline.
Therefore, carrying wet razors with replaceable razor blades in hand luggage is prohibited.
Carrying the razor blade is generally more of a problem than the razor itself, which is why an electric razor with a shaver blade should not really be a problem. Thus, one can also clearly distinguish between wet razors and electric razors.
| Type of razor | Allowed/prohibited in hand luggage |
|---|---|
| Razor blades | Prohibited |
| Razor blades | Prohibited |
| Electric razor | Allowed |
| Wet razor | Matter of discretion |
If your razor is taken from you at security, you can buy another one in the duty free area. And of course, razor blades and wet razors may be carried in your suitcase.
Decision: What types of shaver are there and which is right for you?
If you want to buy a shaver, there are three types of products you can choose from:
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Shavette | Very close shave, Enormously long life, Perfect for patterns/ contours, Low running costs | Time consuming, Risk of injury, Fall prone, Initial purchase cost |
| System razor | Low purchase price, Less risk of injury, Blades are available virtually everywhere, Easy to use, Blades usually come with built-in skin care products | Higher cost per shave, Blades from different manufacturers often not interchangeable, Shave not as close and precise, Harder to shave contours accurately |
| Electric shaver | Good for sensitive skin, Little time needed to shave, Easy to clean, Different attachments = different functions | Must be plugged in/charged to use, Some devices are not waterproof |
In the following section you can learn more about the different shavers.
Electric shavers
Electric shavers are shaving systems that have a sophisticated head system that can be extended with several attachments. Completely independent shavers, but also beard trimmers are offered in this design. These modern devices have a lifespan of around 2 years and impress with their comfort and the speed that can be achieved with them.
The device simply has to be switched on, then you can start shaving – a much shorter time expenditure compared to wet shaving. The comfort factor of modern devices has been significantly increased by self-cleaning devices and charging stations. In addition, when travelling, it is no longer necessary to carry a wet razor, brush and shaving gel, so you have more space in your suitcase or hand luggage.
Electric shavers are a relatively inexpensive purchase, although the shaving foil also needs to be replaced after a long time. With a waterproof unit, cleaning is also straightforward – just hold the unit under running water.
(Image source: Modepradit/ 123rf.com)
Guide: Frequently asked questions about shavers answered in detail
Who are shavers suitable for?
Shavers are particularly suitable for those who want to remove their hair painlessly. The type of razor you use is up to you, but different razors are best for different purposes.
How much does a razor cost?
| Type of razor | prices |
|---|---|
| Shavette | from 22 euros |
| System razor | in a pack of three from 4 euros |
| Electric razor | from 29 euros |
As you can see, you can buy very reasonably priced models of all types.
What are the alternatives to a razor?
Epilating
With epilation, rotating mini tweezers pull out the hair at the root. This thoroughly removes the hair stubble and only a thin fuzz grows back after two to four weeks. The initial purchase can also be somewhat more expensive than a shaver.
Because it pulls briefly when the hair is pulled out, sensitive skin can react irritably.
Epilators should therefore only be used on the legs, because the skin on the face, bikini line and under the armpits is thinner. The whole process also takes a little longer than shaving.
If you are sensitive to pain, a numbing and cooling gel can be used. It’s also best to keep the area you’re epilating tight. And the more regularly you use your epilator, the less painful it will be, as fine hairs will be easier to pull out.
Depilatory cream
Depilatory cream works very quickly and easily, but there are chemicals in the tube. The hairs are loosened directly under the skin surface by the active ingredients and after a short time the hairs can be removed with a scraper. This method is completely painless and the hairs grow back more slowly. The skin remains smooth for up to ten days.
However, due to the high pH value, the acid mantle of the skin can be damaged and skin irritations or contact allergies can occur.
It is therefore better not to use this method under the armpits or in the bikini area, as pimples can develop there.
Before first use, be sure to do an allergy test on a small area 24 hours beforehand. The product can be used if the skin is not irritated. There are often a few hairs left even if it has been applied correctly.
Wax
Wax is used to enclose the hairs and then pull them out with a jerk. This makes hair removal more permanent, but it also hurts a little. In order to be pulled out well, the hair should be at least half a centimetre long. This method can be used on the whole body and lasts four to six weeks, after which the hair grows back softly.
Of all the methods, waxing is the most painful. It works best on dry and oil-free skin, so it’s best to use body powder before the treatment so that the wax sticks to the hair and not the skin.
IPL
IPL stands for Intensed Pulsed Light Ellipse System – the hair roots are destroyed by pulses of light. The wavelength can be varied in the IPL procedure and adjusted for each treatment. With this treatment, the hairs detach from the lasered root, but remain stuck in the skin for about 14 days until they fall out. This method pinches a little but is hardly painful.
After the treatment, you may feel a slight tingling or burning sensation, depending on how you feel the pain. If the skin in the treated area is red, it should be cooled.
How do I shave properly?
Your body should be completely clean, free of dirt or grease.
This happens automatically when you shave in the shower. A little shaving foam/gel can be applied to make it easier to cut the hairs.
A special aftershave product or mild body lotion should be applied after shaving and you should also rinse your razor thoroughly to remove hairs.
Red and dry skin
If your skin is irritated or red after shaving, the blades may be dull or you may have been too rough. To better prepare the hairs for shaving, you can leave the shaving cream to soak longer. Also make sure that you always shave in the direction of hair growth and that your aftershave does not contain alcohol.
Avoid ingrown hairs and pimples
To avoid pimples, always clean your razor thoroughly. But often the cause of blemishes is ingrown hairs. These are caused by shaving against the direction of hair growth or by going over the same area too often. Regular exfoliation with special anti-pimple ingredients can also reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
Avoid cuts
Cuts are one of the biggest problems when shaving. By stretching the skin sufficiently and taking your time to shave without pressing the blade too hard on the skin, these injuries can be avoided. In addition, a sharp blade should always be used.
Image source: Тарануха/ 123rf.com
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