Manly Matters

Top Electric Razor Reviews
from Close Shaver to Trimmer, Clipper and Beyond

Welcome gentlemen! Welcome to what I hope is the last site you’ll have to visit when it comes to grooming your bodies from top to bottom. Never before has society accepted and supported so many styles of hair, beard, and mustache. You can be clean shaven, have a huge beard, wear a topknot, or really do anything you want. For anyone who cares about their appearance it certainly is a great time.

In order to get the look that you want however, you need the right tools. In this internet age there is a lot of conflicting information out there; with this site it is my goal to cut through all the nonsense and make the road a little easier.

This site is all about modern, efficient ways to groom yourself, so you won’t find any manual razors here. I’m pro-electric when it comes to cars and shavers. If that sounds like something you’re into you’ll love my site, I’m sure. However, just because I think electric is the future doesn’t mean some of the traditional methods aren’t still the best, so I try to give the right dues and advice wherever possible.

So let’s get to the good stuff. In between all that mess, there’s a stylish guy waiting to meet the world and these are the tools you need to carve out that particular marble statue.

Electric Shaver Reviews

These are the jewels in the crown of any man’s grooming kit. The electric shaver has one of the most important jobs, which is to shave or cleanly shave your facial hair. While we may only groom the other parts of our body like the scalp every few days or weeks, the face has to be shaved every day. Sometimes twice a day for an unlucky few.

Not sure why using an electric razor is a good idea? I give some good reasons to go electric in this short article which I hope will convince you. If you’re still skeptical thanks to the bad things you’ve heard about electric shavers, please check out this piece on the myths that go along with electric shavers.

I’ve reviewed ten of the most popular electric razors on this site and you can read all of the reviews here, but to save you time here are the six very best products in six very different ways.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

BEST RAZOR OVERALL:
Braun Series 5 5090cc

Deciding how far up the product range you want to spend your money is always a dicey proposition. When it comes to Braun’s generally excellent razor range this problem is even worse. Too far down and the razors are too basic, but when you hit the multi-hundred-dollar top end it can be hard to understand what you are paying for.

The 5090cc is what I believe to be the answer to that particular problem. It shares features with the high end that really matter to most people while still keeping a reasonable price and excellent quality. This is the benchmark against which other razors should be measured.

THE BEST BUDGET RAZOR:
Philips Norelco 2100

Philips Norelco is a juggernaut of everyman electric grooming products and this 2100 model is the perfect example of an electric razor that is very good at it’s job while being practical and affordable. I was really impressed with this product, and if you are limited in terms of budget and are moving up from cheap disposables this should be your first port of call.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

BEST VALUE FOR THE
MONEY SHAVER
UNDER $100:
Panasonic ES8103S Arc3

The Arc3 is a mid-range wonder that has almost all of the worthwhile features you get at the expensive high-end, without the ridiculous price. Super-sharp blades, a great floating head, and a powerful motor all make me question why I should spend any more money than the asking price of the Arc3.

TOP WET-AND-DRY
MONEY-NO-OBJECT SHAVER:
Braun Series 9-9095cc

The 9095cc carries a significant price premium over the already expensive 9090cc (reviewed here). Can it possibly be worth the extra money? Yes it can.

The wet and dry shaving system you get with the 9095cc is a game changer, you don’t want to miss this. Many people don’t care for this option, but once you’ve tried it in the shower using less than half the time you’d need with a blade razor, I’m pretty sure you’ll change your opinion.

I have to admit that a manual razor is quieter, but not by much, as this is one of the quietest razors you will ever find. Add to that a unique cleaning station and Braun’s MultiHeadLock for extra close and smooth shaves, and you know this is a winner.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

THE BEST SHAVER FOR THICK BEARDS:
Panasonic ER-GB80-S

Versatile, sturdy, and ruthless. These are all words that describe the Panasonic ER-GB80-S beard clippers. It may be on the pricey end of the range, but this amazing clipper from Panasonic is simply one of the best slayers of thick beard hair you can buy. On top of that it can also trim just about any other hair on your body, making it a super-versatile choice.

BEST ELECTRIC RAZOR FOR SENSITIVE SKIN:
Philips Norelco 6400

Rotary shavers are not as popular as they once were, but Philips Norelco shows that these big shavers are still relevant. The 6400 is specifically geared to cater for those of us with sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate the friction or tugging that can at times come with foil shavers.

It’s priced well and still looks cooler than a foil shaver. The 6400 is definitely worth your money if your face is more sensitive than most.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

TOP RATED TRAVEL RAZOR FOR THE MONEY:
Braun M90

Thanks to the fact that most razors are now very portable and battery-powered, the need for dedicated and specialized travel razors is not really there anymore. Still, there are many situations where the compactness and reliance on disposable rather than built-in rechargeable batteries can be a real advantage – especially for military personnel or other travelers who find themselves in parts of the world with non-existent or unreliable electricity supply.

Of these travel razors I think the Braun M90 is the best example. Attractive, effective, and affordable, this little guy is the best you are going to get before moving on to a regular, full-size electric shaver.

Beautiful Beards

Not everyone is looking for that clean-shaven look; sometimes we want to cultivate a fine, manly beard. In that case you’ll need to get yourself a good beard trimmer. I review my top ten here, but my two favorite are:

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

TOP BEARD TRIMMER FOR THICK AND LONGER BEARDS:
Panasonic ER-GB80-S

It’s a little pricey, but this beard trimmer from Panasonic knocks it out of the park on almost every count. Not only will this trim your beard, but just about any hair on your body. Panasonic is not the most prominent grooming company on the block, but this time proves that they still know what they are doing.

BEST OVERALL BEARD TRIMMER:
Philips Norelco 5100 Series

While I don’t think the Norelco 5100 is as good as the Panasonic ER-GB80-S, I still picked the Norelco as best overall. The performance differences are marginal, so when we add our wallet to the equation it’s the Philips that takes the grand trophy. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

BEST FOR STUBBLE AND SHORT BEARDS:
Panasonic ER-GB40 Milano All-in-One

Again, Panasonic proves to be a serious contender in the trimmer department, in this case with the ER-GB40 Milano. It’s not as good as the ER-GB80-S, but this is only true for longer beard. Maintaining stubble however, or grooming a fashionable short beard, is territory of the Milano. With 19 trim settings from 1mm to 10mm and wet and dry operation, you get everything you need.

Hair and Head Shavers

If your face has been sorted out it may be time to turn your attention upwards – by which I mean the hair on your head. Giving yourself a haircut or maintaining the one you got from a professional is a very rewarding experience.

Luckily there are a lot of good electric hair clippers on the market and something is there for every budget and need. You can read my top ten hair clipper reviews here and my balding clipper reviews here. However, to save you time; these are my top choices in the hair clipper categories.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

BEST HAIR CLIPPER OVERALL:
Wahl Professional 5-Star Magic Clip

A strong motor, precise cutting and exceptional build quality means that this professional-grade clipper from Wahl easily walks away with the top prize.

THE PROFESSIONALS PICK:
Oster Model 10 Classic

This clipper from Oster is expensive, but it is also the best clipper, in absolute terms, that I have seen. This is not a toy – it is meant for use by a pro, and if you are uncompromising and budget is not an issue this is your first stop.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

TOP RATED CORDLESS CLIPPER:
Sminiker Quiet Hair Clippers

While almost all electric razors these days are cordless, it is surprisingly hard to find cordless hair clippers. Those that are on the market invariably turn out to be junk, but this product from Sminiker manages to be both cordless and good. It’s also quiet, which is a great feature.

BEST HEAD SHAVER:
Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110

One of the best treatments for a balding head is not a pill or cream, it’s shaving your head completely bald. In the past the best way to get a good bald shave was to go to a professional and have him or her shave your scalp with a straight razor, but in this day of electric clippers anyone can do at least a short stubble buzzcut at home.

Thanks to the very sharp blades and included accessories of the Wahl 5-Star Balding Clipper, you’ll be treated to a very razor-like finish without the need for help or fear of applying the blade to parts of your head you can’t see. If you go for the smooth look, this is the clipper to buy.

Buy on Amazon

Read the Review

Out of Reach

We have covered the face, the scalp, and just about every other part of the body where hair grows, but there are one or two other places we tend to forget about. But as we get older they just can’t be ignored. Yes, I’m talking about the nose and ears.

While it may not be fun to think about, overgrown nose and ear hairs are even less fun to live with. Since fitting even a travel shaver into your nose is a bad idea, we have to look to special nose and ear trimmers.

These trimmers are generally cheap to the point of being almost disposable, but the best ones get the job done and will last you quite some time. You can look at the nose hair trimmers I reviewed here, but to get you straight to the best, in my opinion, I present you with this:

Creation Springs Electra-Trim Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer

The Electra-Trim stands head and shoulders above the competition. Although it is a little more expensive than the typical nose hair trimmer, the higher asking price is completely worth it.

Buy on Amazon

Beard Life

Maintaining a great beard is about more than just keeping it trimmed. You also have to nourish the hair and maintain its style over the course of the day. Lucky for you there are some great products on the market that make both of these tasks simple. I have reviewed beard combs and brushes as well as beard oils.

If you don’t have the time to read all those reviews, here are my top choices in each category.

DAFT Man Comb ‘Limited Edition’

It’s made from super strong materials, good looking, and comes with a built-in beer opener. If it were a person it would be you best friend.

Buy on Amazon

Smooth Viking Beard Brush for Men

Smooth Viking does it again with this excellent beard brush that’s versatile and can help style any kind of beard. If you need to buy a brush right now and don’t have time to deliberate you can just order one of these without thinking twice.

Buy on Amazon

Honest Amish Classic Beard Oil

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. The classic oil from Honest Amish is a fantastic beard softener and hydrates the skin on your face to perfection. Many swear by it and there’s little chance this won’t do the job for your steel wool beard issues.

Buy on Amazon

For Razors With Extra Cream: Wet Shaving

Most people associate electric with the convenience of dry shaving anywhere and anytime. It’s totally true that this is a major selling point for electric shavers, but wet shaving with a wet and dry shaver still gives you the very best results and is kindest to your skin.

You can find my reviews of the most popular shaving creams, brushes, lotions and after shaves via the menu, but to give you an idea, these are my absolute favorites.

Cremo Original Razor Cream Review

Despite the rather bold claim that you will be “astonished”, it turns out that this shaving cream from Cremo is really a unique and effective blend. It is one of the most long-lasting and frugal creams. If you want a good place to start with shaving creams, this is it.

Buy on Amazon

VIKINGS BLADE Shaving Brush

One brush seems pretty much like the next on the surface, but this little number from the often-great brand Vikings Blade has a lovely design, nice feeling on the face, and a price to make you smile. In a product category where not much changes, it still manages to feel like something special.

Buy on Amazon

Mennen Afta Pre-Electric Shaver Lotion

This lubricant from Mennen may not be the very best actual product, but it wins out by being very good at its job while also being dirt cheap. For this sort of product that’s more than anyone can ask for and I think Mennen should be where newbies start.

Buy on Amazon

The Electric After Party

Once your face is smooth as a baby’s bottom you’ll want to seal the deal. That’s why every man should own and use a good aftershave product. The world has come a long way from everybody just using Old Spice though; now there are more choices than you could ever imagine. I review a number of aftershave products here, and I also looked at toiletry bags and other related products to finish off that haircut or beard style. Here’s a short selection:

Aramis After Shave for Men

Unfortunately we can’t transfer scent over the internet, but if we could, I would rest my case here. The smell and feel of Aramis hasn’t changed over the years, and many customers stick to it for a lifetime. A carefully kept secret.

Buy on Amazon

Smolder Aftershave – By The Blades Grim

Edgy branding and a wonderful vanilla scent make this a hit with the ladies and men alike. It moisturizes the skin and goes on easy. A great choice for a modern aftershave.

Buy on Amazon

Shear Pleasure: Got Glamour Cobalt Molybdenum

Electric shavers are great, but there are some things you need to do when cutting your hair that even these modern tools can’t do. That’s when you need to use the services of a good pair of hair shears. These sharp and accurate scissors are not for cutting paper, but for the precision, detailed cuts that polish and finish off a haircut or beard style.

Hair shears aren’t just another pair of scissors, though, and I really don’t recommend that you grab any old scissors. The Got Glamour Cobalt Molybdenum is the pair of shears I think is the best deal you can get. A slightly expensive choice, but these shears trade punches with much more expensive sets while staying competitive with products meant for home use. It’s a great deal for some great shears.

Buy on Amazon

Top Toiletry Bag: Mister Bag Leather Travel Toiletry Bag

We’ve covered a lot of different grooming products here and if you’ve decided to buy a few you may also be wondering where exactly you’re supposed to put it all. That’s where the humble toiletry bag comes into play. A good travel toiletry bag will keep your grooming products safe and make sure you can stay organized.

Stylish, affordable, practical, and effective. These are all things I like in a toiletry bag and a car. If you are someone with better than average tastes or at least want to seem like you are, this is the bag for you.

Buy on Amazon

Beyond the Reviews

Hopefully at this point you have found your perfect razor already, either from my best picks or among the other reviews. If you are still on the lookout though, I’ve written several guides that might help you decide. In the menu you’ll see links to a short little buyer’s guide for electric razors as well as an article that provides tips on maintaining them at peak performance. If you have a curious streak you can also read my quick overview of the history of electric shavers, a little guide on the right way to shave with an electric razor, and I’ve also put together a short explanation of the difference between NiMH and Lithium Ion batteries.

That’s all I have for you, but then again it may be all you ever need.
I hope that going through the content on my site will help you feel and look better than ever before. Remember, we have the tools, we can rebuild you!

Reviews Of The Top Shavers, Clippers, & Beard Trimmers

Product Reviews