Best razors for men, tried and tested by grooming experts

The best razors for men leave a smooth, sharp jawline rather than nicks, cuts and patches of hair. 

Our expert testers spent weeks trying all the razors on test, including models from Gillette, Amazon, Bic, Estrid and more.

We found two that impressed our experts enough to get our Best Buy recommendation. 

They both give a smooth shave even with three-day-old stubble - something the worst we've tested really struggled with.

Looking for a razor for body hair? See our round-up of the best razors for women instead

The men's razors we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular razors for men are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view our results. 

Register for free to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations for men's razors.

The men's razors we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members and free account owners can view our results.

Register for free to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations for men's razors.

Amazon 5-Blade Razor

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Amazon (12-pack, £12.94)

Need to know 44g, flexible head (forwards and backwards, side to side), two lubricating strips

Bic Hybrid 5 Flex

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Amazon (4-pack, £5.48)

Need to know 32g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip, handle includes 'balancing sphere'

Bulldog Original Bamboo Razor

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Bulldog (4-pack, £8)

Need to know 46g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip, bamboo shaft can be removed and swapped out for a different Bulldog handle, handle also compatible with Bulldog sensitive razor heads

Estrid The Face Razor

Available from Estrid (£11.95)

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Boots (4-pack, £11.95) (out of stock), you can also get refills on subscription through Estrid (4-pack, £10.95)

Need to know 58g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip, handle also compatible with Estrid The Body razor heads, other colours available

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Gillette Fusion5

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Gillette (4-pack, £12.99)

Need to know 40g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip and micro comb to help guide hair towards the blades, claims head lasts up to 20 shaves, handle also compatible with Gillette ProGlide razor heads

Gillette Mach3

Number of blades Three

Replacement razor heads Gillette (4-pack, £8.99)

Need to know 36g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip and micro fin to stretch out the skin's surface ahead of the blades, claims head lasts up to 15 shaves, handle also compatible with Gillette Mach3 Turbo razor heads

Harry's The Truman

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Harry's (4-pack, £9)

Need to know 43g, flexible head (forwards and backwards), lubricating strip, claims head lasts up to eight shaves, other colours available

Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5

Number of blades Five

Replacement razor heads Wilkinson Sword (4-pack, £11), or you can get them as a subscription (4-pack, £9.35)

Need to know 43g, flexible head (forwards and backwards, side to side), lubricating strip and guard bar, strip can be flipped back to make it easier to trim hard to reach places, claims head lasts up to 18 shaves

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How we test men's razors

Many free-to-access websites review men's razors using just one tester, or use several testers but they only try out one or two of the razors featured. These sites may also receive men's razors free of charge, directly from manufacturers.

Which? tests are different. Our test scores are based on measurements and ratings, with each panellist testing every single razor we review. Plus, brands cannot buy their way into our testing. We select the most searched-for men's razors, and we pay for every single one we test.

We also regularly revisit the men's razors on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing.

Shaving: how close and smooth a shave do you get?

We use a panel of three experts who test every razor (not a subset of them) over several weeks, for a truly comparative test.

Each razor is tried on facial hair grown over one day and three days and rated for how close the final shave is, how smoothly it runs over the skin, how manoeuvrable the razor is and if the blades irritate the skin. 

The best razors for men give a smooth, close shave with little tugging, even if your facial hair's a few days long.

In contrast, the worst took several passes to fully shave and tugged on three-day stubble. 

Ease of use: is the razor comfortable to hold?

As well as our panel rating every razor for how easy it is to replace the heads and how comfortable it is to hold, we use a Cambridge simulation glove, which allows the wearer to simulate reduced hand mobility, to assess how simple each shaver is to use.

All our Best Buys are easy to use, even if you have limited hand movement.

We also test

• Durability Each razor is dropped multiple times from head height to see how robust it is. The head pops off on most of them, but the replaceable head actually broke on one razor.
• Build quality We check every razor for how secure the head fits to the handle, the rigidity and finish of the handle and for high-quality materials.
• Ease of cleaning We rinse each razor while being used and rate it for how easy it is to dislodge hairs from the razor head.

Why we don't test how long the blades last for

Many factors affect how long a razor head will last before you need to change it. This includes your hair type, the length of your facial hair, your technique and your skin sensitivity. 

As such, there's no easy way to measure how long a blade lasts that is meaningful to everyone.

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Can you take a razor in hand luggage?

Yes. According to the UK government, fixed-cartridge razor blades can go in hand or hold luggage.

This includes disposable razors and cartridge razors (razors where the whole head can be detached, such as the ones reviewed here). It doesn't include safety razors as the blades can be removed.

It is still good practice to check with the specific airline you're flying with to avoid any items you want to keep being confiscated.

Best cabin bag brands - avoid wonky wheels and oversized hand luggage

How to get rid of razor bumps

We spoke to Dr Jonathan Kentley, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, to get expert insight into the causes and ways to avoid and reduce razor bumps and burn.

What are razor bumps?

'Razor bumps are a related but slightly different problem to razor burn. They occur when cut hairs curl back or grow sideways into the skin.'

'This is why they're especially common in people with curly or coarse hair'.

What are the common causes of razor bumps and burn?

• Dry shaving Without lubrication, there's more friction and direct contact with the skin. As Dr Kentley told us: 'Dry shaving in particular almost guarantees irritation'.
• Using blunt or dirty blades They will pull at the skin more as they don't cut cleanly, which can lead to more irritation.
• Shaving too quickly This is more likely to lead to accidental cuts and nicks.

What are the best ways to avoid getting razor bumps and burn?

• Shave after a shower Dr Kentley said: 'A shower softens the hairs and makes them easier to cut. Always use a sharp, clean razor'.
• Use shaving cream or gel This reduces friction between the skin and blades.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth Dr Kentley elaborated, 'It's kinder to the skin, even if the shave feels a little less close. Rinsing the blades frequently and taking your time also helps reduce the risk of irritation.'

What can you do to reduce the symptoms if you get razor bumps and burns?

'If razor burn does strike, the priority is to soothe the skin while it recovers.' Here are Dr Kentley's top tips:

• Apply a cool compress It can reduce heat and redness.
• Moisturise Use a fragrance-free lotion to help repair the skin barrier. Ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin or colloidal oatmeal can be particularly calming.
• If inflammation is significant You can consider a short course of mild steroid cream.

'In the case of razor bumps, gently exfoliating the skin may help release trapped hairs. It's important to resist scratching or picking, as this increases the risk of infection and scarring.'

'With the right care, most cases of razor burn or bumps settle within a few days'.

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