Best Electric Shavers UK (2026)
A shaver's price mostly buys motor power and how well the head adapts to your face, which matters most if you don't shave every single day. This guide compares shavers tested by Expert Reviews on day-old and three-day-old growth, judging shave quality, ergonomics, battery life and ease of cleaning.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Braun Series 3 3040s
Best affordable
An affordable foil shaver with three independently floating elements that adapt to facial contours, usable in the shower and giving up to a week's shaving from a one-hour charge. Expert Reviews found shaving performance isn't up there with pricier models, needing a few passes for a close shave, and the power button can be brushed off accidentally.
- Good value for money
- Usable wet or dry, including in the shower
- Long shaving time per charge
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braun Series 3 3040s | Best affordable | 3 floating foil elements, wet/dry use, 1hr charge for a week's shaving | Check price |
| Remington R6 Style Series Aqua | Best low-cost rotary | Rotary, wet/dry, 60-minute battery, USB charging, 5-minute quick charge | Check price |
| King C Gillette Style Master | Best for stubble | Motorised 4D blade, 3 interchangeable combs, 50-minute battery | Check price |
| Remington F6 Style Series Aqua | Best for use in the shower | 2 independent flexing foils, intercept trimmer, USB charging | Check price |
| Philips Shaver Series 5000 | Best rotary under £150 | SkinIQ hair-density sensing, multi-directional pivoting heads, wet/dry | Check price |
| Braun Series 7 70-N7200cc | Best under £350 | 3 flexible blades, 360° Flex adaptive head, AutoSense power control, SmartCare Centre | Check price |
| Philips Shaver Series 7000 | Best for smart features | Self-sharpening SteelPrecision blades, Bluetooth GroomTribe app, cleaning pod compatible | Check price |
| Panasonic ES-LV9Q | Best shaving system for daily shaves | 5-blade system, 70,000 cutting actions per minute, beard-density sensor | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best affordable
Braun Series 3 3040s
An affordable foil shaver with three independently floating elements that adapt to facial contours, usable in the shower and giving up to a week's shaving from a one-hour charge. Expert Reviews found shaving performance isn't up there with pricier models, needing a few passes for a close shave, and the power button can be brushed off accidentally.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable NiMH
- Battery life
- 45 minutes
- Charging time
- 1 hour
- Waterproof
- Yes, IPX7
Pros
- Good value for money
- Usable wet or dry, including in the shower
- Long shaving time per charge
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Needs a few passes for a close shave
- Sensitive power button can switch off mid-shave
Best low-cost rotary
Remington R6 Style Series Aqua
A well-specced budget rotary shaver that's fully waterproof for use with gel, foam or in the shower, with USB charging and a 5-minute quick-charge option. Expert Reviews found it comfortable for regular shaving with Twintrack blades handling thick jawline growth well, though it doesn't get quite as close as premium shavers and can tug on longer hairs.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 60 minutes
- Charging time
- 90 minutes (5-min quick charge)
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Excellent battery life for the price
- Fully waterproof for wet or dry use
- USB charging with quick-charge option
- Handles thick jawline growth well
Cons
- Not as close a shave as premium models
- Can tug on longer hairs
- Weak stubble attachment
Best for stubble
King C Gillette Style Master
Gillette's take on the OneBlade format, brilliant at trimming stubble on the neck, cheeks and jawline and maintaining a consistent two-to-three-day look, according to Expert Reviews. Blades stay sharp for months and it's fully waterproof, though it can't match a conventional shaver for a smooth, clean-cut finish.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 50 minutes
- Charging time
- 8 hours
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Excellent for trimming and maintaining stubble
- Blades stay sharp for months
- Fully waterproof
- Doubles as a beard trimmer
Cons
- Can't give as close a shave as conventional shavers
- Long 8-hour charge time
Best for use in the shower
Remington F6 Style Series Aqua
Has the feel and features of pricier shavers at an affordable price, with a close shave for the money and a non-slip grip that's great when used wet. Expert Reviews found solid build quality bar a slightly flimsy pop-up trimmer, plus a handy 5-minute emergency charge and USB charging from any power bank or laptop.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 60 minutes
- Charging time
- 5 to 90 minutes
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Premium features at an affordable price
- Close shave for the money
- Non-slip grip suits wet use
- USB charging, no dedicated charger needed
Cons
- Slightly flimsy pop-up trimmer
- Clip-on stubble styler is uncomfortable and ineffective
Best rotary under £150
Philips Shaver Series 5000
Packs in SkinIQ technology from Philips' high-end range, sensing facial hair density and adapting motor power for an optimal shave. Expert Reviews found the heads pivot well for tricky areas, though a couple of tight spots around the jawline still needed extra passes, likely due to a larger-than-average head assembly.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 60 minutes
- Charging time
- 5 to 60 minutes
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Close shaves at an affordable price
- SkinIQ adapts power to hair density
- Multi-directional pivoting heads
- 5-minute rush charge available
Cons
- Larger than average head assembly
- Optional cleaning pod costs extra
Best under £350
Braun Series 7 70-N7200cc
An even better successor to a shaver that already set a high standard, with a 360° Flex head that twists and pivots to follow facial contours and AutoSense technology that ramps power up for thicker stubble. Expert Reviews found it genuinely great at pushing through unruly growth with less of the 'plucking' feeling associated with electric shavers.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 50 minutes
- Charging time
- 60 minutes (5-min quick charge)
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Advanced, versatile flexible-blade head
- Genuinely handles thick, unruly stubble well
- Lighter, easier-to-grip handle
- Includes SmartCare cleaning and charging station
Cons
- Not for those on a tight budget
- SmartCare Centre's indicator lights can be a little bright
Best for smart features
Philips Shaver Series 7000
Gives most of the Series 9000's core technology at half the price, with redesigned heads that channel facial hair into the ideal cutting position. Expert Reviews liked the Bluetooth-connected GroomTribe app, which uses motion sensors to help track and improve shaving technique, though a supremely close shave still favours the pricier Series 9000.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 60 minutes
- Charging time
- 5 to 60 minutes
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Most of the flagship technology at half the price
- Bluetooth app tracks and helps improve technique
- Comfortable, low-friction shave
- Works dry, with foam or gel, or in the shower
Cons
- Not the very closest shave available
- Chunkier than the outgoing model
Best shaving system for daily shaves
Panasonic ES-LV9Q
A high-tech shaver Expert Reviews called incredibly close and 'frankly flawless' when used daily, with a pivoting head and beard-density sensor that boosts power where needed. It works best with a daily shaving routine, since longer hairs from a few days' growth can trip up the system, and its cleaning station is noisy.
- Battery type
- Rechargeable Lithium-ion
- Battery life
- 45 minutes
- Charging time
- 60 minutes
- Waterproof
- Yes
Pros
- Incredibly close, flawless shave with daily use
- Pivoting head adapts to facial contours
- Beard-density sensing adjusts power
Cons
- Works best only if you shave daily
- Noisy cleaning and drying cycle
Buying guide
Foil or rotary shaver?
Foil shavers generally suit those with sensitive skin, since the thin, straight blades under a foil guard are gentler and better for a daily shaving routine. Rotary shavers, with three spinning heads, tend to handle longer or less regularly trimmed facial hair and different growth directions better.
How much difference does price actually make?
Spending more generally buys a more powerful motor, a head that better adapts to your face's contours, and smarter sensing of beard density, all of which matter most if you don't shave every day. For a daily, close-cropped routine, a mid-range shaver like the Braun Series 7 here already delivers excellent results without flagship pricing.
Do I need a cleaning station?
A cleaning and charging station, like those bundled with the Braun Series 7 and 9, automatically cleans, lubricates and dries the shaver head, which extends its life and keeps performance consistent. It's a genuine convenience rather than a necessity, and most shavers can be rinsed under a tap instead if you don't mind doing it manually.
Is a wet/dry shaver worth it?
A wet/dry, fully waterproof shaver lets you shave in the shower with gel or foam, which many find more comfortable, and makes cleaning under a tap straightforward. Nearly every shaver in this guide supports both, so it's rarely worth paying extra to specifically seek it out.
Sources
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