Electric Razors Are the Most Underrated Beauty Tool in My Shower Arsenal

The closest, most seamless shave.

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With a million different choices in the hair removal category these days, I often find it a little trickier to decide which route I want to take. Whether I'm just looking for convenience or flirting with something longer-term, there are more options than ever. Some fall into the semi-permanent camp (hello, at-home laser devices), while others are as low-effort as reaching for one of the best electric razors. But I found that the best choice on the day-to-day was whatever fit into my routine and my tolerance level—which, spoiler, is low.

That's where electric razors come in. If you’ve been loyal to a drugstore razor forever, same. But I’ll say this: electric razors are wildly underrated. They’re not just for men’s faces, and they’re not some clunky device that'll just take up space on your vanity. Used properly, they can deliver an impressively close, irritation-free shave on legs, bikini lines, even underarms—without the nicks and bumps.

Most electric razors are battery-powered or rechargeable and rely on rotating or oscillating blades that cut hair without dragging directly across the skin. Translation: they’re fast, work on wet or dry skin, and tend to be far more forgiving if you’re sensitive or prone to ingrowns.

And no, this isn’t just my personal experience. I spoke with board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, at Schweiger Dermatology Group, and Caitlin Orszulak, Senior Scientist, P&G Grooming—the company behind well-known shaving brands like—to break down why electric razors deserve a spot in your rotation. Plus, they break down how to use them correctly and which ones are actually worth buying.

The Best Electric Razors

Brooke Knappenberger before and after testing the Philips Beauty Lady Electric Shaver Series 8000

Brooke Knappenberger tests the Philips Beauty Lady Electric Shaver Series 8000.

(Image credit: Future)

Samantha Holender before and after testing the Remington Smooth & Silky On the Go Shaver

Samantha Holender tests the Remington Smooth & Silky On the Go Shaver.

(Image credit: Future)

Siena Gagliano before and after testing the Panasonic Electric Shaver

Siena Gagliano before and after testing the Panasonic Electric Shaver.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I Use an Electric Razor?

Before you buy an electric razor and start using it for yourself, it’s important to know why and when you may want to use one over a traditional manual razor. Ultimately, it depends on the finished look you’re after and the type of electric razor that’s available to you. “Electric razors tend to pull hair up before cutting, making them a little bit more efficient than manual razors, and require fewer additional tools, such as shaving cream,” says Dr. Nazarian. They're also better for sensitive skin as they provide a close shave while minimizing irritation.

Where Should I Use an Electric Razor?

“For women, using an electric razor on the pubic area tends to be a popular choice due to the hair in that region being thicker than other places,” says Orszulak. This is because the hair in your pubic area tends to be coarser and follow a different curl pattern or texture compared to other hair on your body. Electric razors can reduce the risk of ingrown hairs in that area because the hair isn’t cut as close to the skin.

“An electric razor can also be easier to control the amount of hair you want to remove, which can differ from person to person—some may opt to only trim around the 'bikini line' and keep hair everywhere else, in which case an electric razor is a great choice for them,” she adds.

Electric razors are also a great option for women who choose to shave their face and who may not be as comfortable using a traditional razor blade on delicate skin. “An electric razor is a great solve here [on the face], as it can feel less invasive due to it not having an exposed sharp edge,” says Orszulak.

When Should I Use an Electric Razor?

Dr. Nazarian says that electric razors "can be used on either dry or wet skin, allowing for more flexibility in your routine," she says. However, it's important to note that you'll get a closer shave with manual razors—Dr. Nazarian says that this is because they "have more surface tension as they glide across the skin," whereas electric razors do not cause the same surface tension. If you plan to use an electric razor in the shower, ensure that you purchase one that is waterproof.

What Are The Different Types of Electric Razors?

As with most beauty tools on the market these days, there are different options for you to choose from. For electric razors specifically, that means that you can pick from one of three common types: rotary, foil, and single-blade razors. Ahead, Orszulak quickly breaks down exactly what each style is and how they work.

  • Rotary: “This will have blades that spin in a circular direction,” she says. “There are usually multiple rotating blades, which are covered by a circular foil, on a single head; these may be able to follow contours of the face more easily than a foil shaver.” 
  • Foil: “The cutting blades are covered with thin sheets of metal foil, essentially acting like a cage over the sharp blades,” Orszulak says. “The 'cage'—foil—protects the skin from coming into direct contact with the sharp blades. As the shaver moves over the skin, the foil can lift hairs and direct them to the blades.” 
  • Single-Blade: Single-blade trimmers “will have a guard that remains stationary, contacting skin while a cutting blade oscillates left and right above it, cutting the hairs being fed into the blades,” says Orszulak.

How We Tested

Marie Claire editors tested five electric razors, evaluating their efficacy on different parts of the body. We also assessed customer reviews, amazon reviews, and the razor blades on each device.

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Meet The Experts

Rachel Nazarian
Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D.

Dr. Rachel Nazarian joins Schweiger Dermatology after years of practicing various aspects of dermatology, including cosmetic treatments, skin cancer, general dermatology and dermatologic surgery.Dr. Nazarian has written many published articles in medical journals as well as widely respected dermatology textbooks, such as Treatment of Skin Disease. Dr. Nazarian serves as a faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology, where she completed her dermatology residency. While completing her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Nazarian was awarded a grant from the Women’s Dermatology Society. Dr. Nazarian is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Caitlin Orszulak
Caitlin Orszulak

Caitlin joined P&G in September 2009, becoming a member of the Venus Blades & Razor R&D team.  Over the last fourteen years, Caitlin has been involved in the development of multiple female projects including Venus Quench, Venus & Olay, Venus Embrace Sensitive,  Venus Swirl, and Venus Platinum.  In the last two years, she has broadened her scope to also include Gillette Innovation, focused on improving the wet shaving experience for men.  Specifically, she has spent much of her time focused on claims innovation and strategy.  She works to ensure products come to market with compelling claims and visuals that are rooted in robust consumer and technical data.  Her role allows her to stay very close to the consumer which has ultimately resulted in a sound understanding of habits and practices in the grooming category. She is located at the South Boston Manufacturing Center, also known as the Gillette World Shaving Headquarters.  This site has been the technical center for developing and manufacturing the newest wet shaving technology platforms, using state of the art proprietary technology since 1903. Caitlin studied at James Madison University in Virginia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

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Julia Marzovilla
Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.

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