The market for electric shavers is booming, so therefore you have a lot to choose from – but before you buy one you’ll need to figure out exactly what you’re looking for to help you narrow down the search. Two words you’ll see pop up frequently while you’re shopping for electric shavers is ‘rotary’ and ‘foil’ shaver heads – but what does that mean?

What is the difference between rotary and foil shaver heads?

Rotary shavers and foil shavers are the two most popular kinds of shavers on the market.

A rotary shaver has circular revolving plates that move independently and can therefore fit the contours of your face, which allows it to give you an extra close shave.

The way the plates move allows them to remove hairs that grow at different angles, and the circular motion makes it easier to shave around traditionally tricky areas like the face and chin.

Foil shavers look more like traditional razors with their straight heads. The head features oscillating blades beneath a thin layer of metal that cuts hair.

This thin layer of metal has tiny holes in it that captures the hair for a close shave.

The kind of shaver you opt for depends on what you’re looking for in your device, so we’ve found the best electric shavers on the market for a wide array of needs.

Best electric shaver for a close shave

The five shaving elements on this precise shaver allow you to get up close and personal for a flawless shave.

Although the result is an extra close shave, the shaver is still gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin, gliding over the skin for a smooth, gentle shave.

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 60 minutes

Head type: Foil

Promising review:

“I have had one or two shavers in the past. All less than £100. With those, I always ended up sore, cut skin and rashes. This was my first Braun and I am genuinely impressed with the results. It cuts very close to the skin and I have no rashes or cuts at all”.

RRP: £229.99

Best electric shaver for sensitive skin

Designed specifically for those with sensitive skin, the GentlePrecision Blade System in this shaver protects your skin while giving a close shave.

Often irritation is caused by friction. This shaver has been made with Phillips’ comfort rings that contain an anti-friction coating that decreases irritation, redness, and razor burn.

The DynamicFlex heads on this shaver allows it to follow the curves of your face and neck, making it easy to shave hard to reach areas.

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“I have suffered for years with soreness and reddening to my neck when I shave. I just thought that was normal. I saw this product and it sounded too good to be true but it had good reviews so I tried it. I have no idea how it works but as soon as I started using this shaver my soreness stopped straight away. I can even apply aftershave straight after shaving without it stinging. You can dry shave or wet shave. Both are really good. Battery life seems to last for ages”.

RRP: £189.90

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Best waterproof electric shaver

This fast-charging shaver only needs to be on the charger for an hour to provide 120 hours of shaving time, making it perfect for travel and daily use.

The triple independent heads on this shaver follow the natural contours of your face, neck, and jawline, allowing you to give yourself a close, comfortable shave.

If you’re someone who enjoys multitasking my shaving in the shower, this device is 100 percent waterproof – so you won’t have to worry about giving yourself a shock as you do so.

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 120 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“I usually wet shave with a three-blade disposable razor and I had not used an electric shaver for years but when I saw these at a good Amazon price I thought that I would give it a try and I was surprised to find how well these SweetLF electric razors perform and the price of them was great”.

RRP: £38.99

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Best electric shaver for teenagers

Teenagers are often new to shaving, so they need something easy to use that’s going to give them a clean, fresh shave without too much effort.

The Braun Series 5 makes shaving simple with the three flexible blades that adapt to facial contours and has an EasyClean system that allows you to clean the device without removing the head

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Foil

Promising review:

“I would describe it as the finest electric shaver I have purchased. The battery doesn’t need constant, everyday charging. The shaver is compact, easy to carry around with you. The shaver is light, easy to hold and achieves a close shave”.

RRP: £154.99

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Most versatile electric shaver

This comprehensive kit comes with everything you need to shave, trim, clip, and detail. Not only can you give yourself a close shave, but you’ll also be able to groom body hair, remove ear and nose hair, trim your beard, and give full haircuts.

The 23 piece set comes with all the pieces you could possibly need to achieve the look you’re after and is perfect for both a clean shave and beard maintenance.

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 180 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“I have purchased a fair amount of beard trimmers over the years, and this has to be one of my favourites. Yes, it’s not as good as the Philips 5000 series when it comes to gliding through your stubble and trimming your hairs off in one swipe. However, for the bonuses of having a super sharp 0.2mm cutting length, excellent design and extremely efficient battery life, I’m willing to overlook other issues. It’s excellent for creating sharp beard lines, unlike other beard trimmers which only trim down to 0.5mm, which is no good for thick hair like mine”.

RRP: £99.99, on sale now for £89.99 – you save £10

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Best budget-friendly electric shaver

This fully waterproof, quick-charging shaver is perfect for those who want a good shaver that they won’t have to invest a lot of money in.

The three floating heads on this shaver helps it to adapt to the contours of your face which allows for a close shave.

The ergonomic design of this electric razor means it’s comfortable to hold, and the compact design allows you to easily take it with you when travelling.

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 45 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“I was very pleased with how smooth my face felt after the use of it. I had no after use sensation and no rash. It is great”.

RRP: £21.99

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Best electric shaver for bald heads 

If you prefer to sport a clean-shaven head, you need to keep your own shaver at home – unless you’re keen on visiting the barber every few days. 

This Rotary shaver by Remington has been ergonomically designed to help you achieve clean skin results in less than two minutes.

The built-in hair pocket in this device collects cut hairs so you won’t have to worry about a big clean up once you’re finished shaving. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes 

Head type: Rotary 

Promising review:

“After trying a few head shavers I’ve finally found one that does the job. Well made, easy to clean, good battery life, good cutters. I use this shaver every day to keep my bald head bald then once a week I visit a barber for a razor shave. This shaver is well worth the money and it does exactly what it says it does and that makes me happy”.

RRP: £64.99

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Best wet dry electric shaver 

Wet and dry electric shavers make all the difference when streamlining your routine and helping you get a fresh, clean shave. 

The term ‘wet and dry shaver’ means the device can be used on both wet and dry skin, allowing you to work up a lather on your face before you start shaving. This helps with sensitive skin as it’s less abrasive than taking the shaver straight onto dry skin. 

This Philips option is a hybrid wet and dry shaver that comes with a beard trimmer, so it’s ideal for those who like to take care of their facial hair at every stage of growth – from the clean-shaven look to a well-maintained, luscious beard. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Rotary 

Promising review:

“I’ve been using Philips rotary shavers for decades & they have consistently improved with each new model. This shaver is no exception to the trend. It gives me a close & comfortable shave every time. It can be a bit nippy on a longer growth, say over 4 days, but it is tolerable. Exceptional build quality & very quiet in operation. You can clean the heads separately underneath running water for daily use & do a full refresh with the charging unit when you need to fully charge the battery”. 

RRP: £212.64, on sale now for £159.99 – you save £52.65

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Best foil electric shaver 

Those who prefer foil shavers enjoy the speedy, precise shave when they use these kinds of razors. 

This wet and dry rechargeable foil shaver by Panasonic automatically adjusts to your beards needs in order to minimise potential skin irritation and provide the cleanest possible shave. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Foil

Promising review:

“I have had an electric razor before and I also wet shave with a traditional razor. In a rush and I use an electric shaver this weekend instead of a traditional wet shave. The wet shave is the closest however this Panasonic is the closest electric shave I have had. I wet my face with warm water and shave while stretching my face skin and it is close to a traditional wet shave. I cannot be more pleased since having the shaver I have not had a traditional wet razor shave. Light and easy to use the battery lasts just shy of two weeks using once a day and recharges in an hour”. 

RRP: £99.99, on sale now for £50.99 – you save £49

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Best rotary electric shaver 

Those who prefer rotary shaver heads love the ease with which the blades can fit the curvatures of the face, making it easy to shave traditionally tricky areas like the neck and chin. 

This innovative shaver by Remington pulls the hair on your face taught before cutting it so it can get as close as possible to the hair follicle for a closer shave. 

The head of the shaver has the ability to move in different directions so it can adapt to the angles of the face. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Rotary 

Promising review:

“I bought this shaver for my husband as he had a DIY accident to his thumb which meant that his thumb was to be bandaged up for at least 3 months and wet shaving was not feasible. I chose this shaver as it didn’t look too bulky or heavy to hold. And it’s rechargeable. With the shaver heads angled towards his face, the handgrip and its shape made it easier for hubby to hold. As with all new shavers, it did take hubby a few days to get used to using the shaver but he is very pleased with the results. Me, I am so glad that there is no stubble or beard to contend with”. 

RRP: £52

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Best electric shaver for dry shaving

Dry shaving can be slightly irritating for sensitive skin, but it also enables you to get a cleaner, closer shave than wet shaving. 

This foil shaver by Panasonic automatically adjusts the power to match your beard, which makes it easier to dry shave without irritating your skin. 

The motor is fast, offering 70,000 cross-cutting actions per minute, maintaining this speed even on thick beards. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 50 minutes

Head type: Foil

Promising review:

“My father is meticulously well-groomed at all times and takes great pride in shaving so that he doesn’t have a hair out of place. He used to be a fan of Braun shavers but doesn’t like the currently integrated blade mechanism within the foil. Having meticulously researched the topic, he came to the conclusion that Panasonic now makes the best shavers. I, therefore, bought him this shaver as an 80th birthday present. He is delighted with it. No razor burn, no irritation at all whilst shaving and he was able to achieve a perfect result far quicker than his older Panasonic model”. 

RRP: £329.99, on sale now for £124.99 – you save £205

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Best electric shaver for under £100

Electric shavers can be quite expensive, some coming in at over £300. However, there are still some great options on the market for under £100 – like this model from Remington.

The rotary shaver has smooth spinning heads for a comfortable shave that’s suitable for sensitive skin, and the multidirectional shave heads adapt to the contours of your face. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 60 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“I’ve always bought the other main brand until my previous shaver, and I was so impressed I ordered the R9 as it was on offer at a great price. Perhaps it’s my skin but I can’t fault it! It shaves extremely close. It also comes with a charging stand, beard trimmer and hard case. I wholeheartedly recommend this shaver”. 

RRP: £79.99

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Best electric shaver for under £50

Finding good quality electric shavers for under £50 is difficult, but it’s not impossible. 

This device by Max-T has a run time of 120 continuous minutes, which means you’ll have two months of shaving from each charge. 

The three floating heads shave in alternative directions so you can get a clean shave on your face, neck, and jaw. 

Wet and dry: Yes

Battery life: 120 minutes

Head type: Rotary

Promising review:

“Great razor. I have had about 4 electric razors in my time and this one has to be the best of them all. It really is as good as a blade. It’s quite a quiet razor too. You do not have to buy an expensive big name brand razor – this one is as good if not better”. 

RRP: £48.99

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