Dealing with razor burn, ingrown hairs, and post-shave irritation? It might be time to invest in one of the best electric razors. Even if you’re a longtime shaver, swapping out your standard razor can be worth the adjustment: Not only can an electric razor save you the hassle of constantly reupping on refill blades, but they also spare your skin from some of the most common shaving issues out there, too.
Electric razors are kind of a double-edged sword: They don’t shave as close to the skin as manual ones, Vidya Shivakumar, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago, tells Allure. But as a result, they don’t cause as much irritation. You’re less likely to develop razor burn, irritation, or ingrown hairs with an electric razor—and you probably won’t come away with as many nicks and cuts. “They are also quick, convenient, and can often be used without shaving cream or water,” Dr. Shivakumar adds.
Our Top Electric Razors
If you imagine a clunky, corded behemoth (that doesn’t even shave that well) when you think of an electric razor, we can’t blame you. Old-school trimmers left a lot to be desired. Luckily, the latest models make the process dramatically more convenient and efficient, with blades that can hack through ultra coarse hair, long-lasting battery life, and clever attachments that let you tailor your trim to your liking. Editors and experts clued us in on the best electric razors, shavers, and trimmers you can try. Scroll on to find your tool of choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Meridian The Trimmer Original
After riding a high of TikTok popularity in the early 2020s, The Trimmer Original from Meridian won a 2024 Best of Beauty Award for its waterproof design (shower shavers, rejoice!) and gentle, long-lasting ceramic blades (which last up to four months before needing a replacement). It’s technically designed for men’s body hair, but it can groom pretty much any part of the body, whatever the gender. It clears thick hair and navigates tricky curves without clogging, and it comes with a built-in nick guard and two guide combs that let you choose between four lengths.
Our testers found that it works best on legs, pits, and arms, but it can clean up your bikini line in a pinch, too; it’s a great option to tide you over between waxes. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that The Trimmer is the rare body maintenance tool that performs well and looks nice: It comes in several cute colors, including powder blue and sage, as well as patterns like camo.
