Men's electric shavers

If you are looking for an electric shaver, there are a number of models available to buy, all of which will have their own features and specifications. With such a large amount of choice on the market, it can be difficult to select the correct shaver style and type to fulfil your individual requirements. Certainly, electric shavers come in a wide range of styles, and their purchase price can range somewhat, depending on these.

The majority of electric shavers are both mains and rechargeable, although some are mains only (meaning that you need to connect them directly to a power supply during use) or re-chargeable only (meaning that you don’t have to be connected to a mains power supply to use them).

Personal preferences will largely dictate the type of razor that you buy, for example, if you travel a lot, an electric shaver with a universal voltage option may be preferable. You may also require a travel pouch to keep your shaver safe when not in use. Or, if you have sensitive skin, you may need a shaver with a hypo-allergenic foil, or one that can be used with lotion sachets, to pre-prepare your skin, prior to shaving.

All of these features can dictate the price of a shaver, and many people believe that you get what you pay for when it comes to electrical shavers. Certainly, a number of user satisfaction surveys have been carried out over the years, and the most expensive models consistently rated very highly amongst users. Perhaps the key is to shop around and find a good brand, at a reasonable price.

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use
• Portable
• Minimal mess
• Advanced technology
• Re-usable

Disadvantages

• Can be expensive to buy
• Ongoing replacement foils will be required
• Parts may need replacing over time
• Some prefer the closer shave provided by a standard razor

How electric shavers work

Electric shavers work in different ways, depending on the manufacturer, and the model that you use. However, generally speaking, blades are housed inside the head of the shaver. The blades can be arranged in one of two ways – layered, meaning that the blades oscillate, or circular, where there are several blades in a circular formation along the surface of the foil. In both cases, the blades work by catching hairs that enter the screen/foil surface on the shaver head and pulling them up gently before cutting them. This process allows for a relatively close shave.

Additional features

If you are looking to purchase an electric shaver, it’s a good idea to compare the features available with each model - here are a few things that you will need to consider;

Skin type

If you have sensitive skin, always look out for electric razors with built-in moisturizing cream/gel. This is often applied in a foil, so as not to irritate your skin while shaving. However, you can also buy products to apply to your face before you use your razor to reduce the risk of irritation.

Charging time

Always check how long the razor takes to charge. Recharging times can differ a lot, from 1 hour to over 16 hours, and this will provide you with approximately 45 minutes of shaving time. Many modern electric razors also allow you to ‘quick charge’ – this option is ideal if you are on the move, or have limited time to spend on shaving.

Trimmer

Nearly all new shaver models have a long hair trimmer as standard. This allows you to cut slightly longer hairs that the normal shaving action is unable to deal with (i.e. more than a few days’ growth).

Maintenance

The majority of men will use their razor every day, so it’s vital to choose a model that is relatively easy to maintain. Make sure that the razors parts i.e. foils can be purchased easily, and at a reasonable price. Also ensure that spare razor parts can be provided, either through a retailer, or as part of a guarantee. You will also need to clean your razor on an ongoing basis, so look out for washable models.

Safety

You should always avoid using your razor near water sources, however, many washable models now have the transformer in the plug, meaning that they can be used close to water sources (i.e. sinks and showers) with less likelihood of injury.

Noise

Electric razors can be relatively noisy when in use, so it’s wise to check the noise output produced by a razor, before you purchase it. If you are buying your electric razor from a physical outlet, always ask for a demonstration.