The Best Electric Shavers For Beginners and Teenagers (2023)

So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and switch to an electric shaver. Or maybe you need one for someone just treading on that path, like your teenage son.

Whichever the case may be, shaving is an integral part of a man’s life and we should strive to make it as easy, enjoyable and pain-free as possible.

In order to achieve that, using the right electric razor is key.

It can really transform the whole shaving experience into something you look forward to and ultimately make it seem less of a chore.

Regardless of your reasons for switching sides and joining the electric camp, you will be faced with the task of choosing your first electric shaver.

And from my own experience, it can get pretty difficult. There are a lot of options out there and the available information is often conflicting.

But fear no more, as in this article we’ll address all the important aspects and I’ll even share some of my favorite shavers that will make great choices for first-time users and beginners.

Let’s dive right in.

Rules of thumb when choosing your first electric shaver

Before pulling the trigger, here are a few things I think you should consider.

Have a clearly defined budget and don’t overlook the cost of replacement foils/blades.

I remember that in my wet shaving days, multi-blade cartridges were crazy expensive and the costs added up pretty quickly.

One of the side benefits of electric shavers is not having to spend money every month on refills.

You do however have to replace the cutters and foils, but usually only once every year or so.

Having said that, make sure you do some research with regard to the cost and availability of the replacement parts before buying a particular razor; some can cost almost as much as a brand new shaver.

For the shavers I’m about to recommend I will also be providing info and links to the replacement blades.

Pick a shaver suitable for YOUR needs.

The Panasonic Arc 3 and Braun Series 3, two excellent picks for beginners and teenagers.

Your requirements for an electric razor may and probably will be different from somebody else’s.

You should therefore take into account the things that matter the most to you.

For example, things like comfort, closeness, value for money and cost, ease of cleaning, .etc are among the most important ones to consider.

So make sure to prioritize and choose a shaver that is a good match for you and you alone.

I will highlight the pros and cons of all the recommended shavers to get an idea of what makes them more or less suitable in a given situation.

Going for a less advanced electric shaver is generally a good idea.

Resist the hype and don’t buy a shaver with a gazillion blades and features.

The Panasonic Arc 6 and Braun Series 9 Pro.
The Panasonic Arc 6 and Braun Series 9 Pro, arguably the most powerful and advanced shavers you can buy right now.

As a first-time user, you’ll be better off with a more basic shaver that’s easy to use, clean and maintain in good working condition.

Also, more than four blades are often overkill, especially if you shave regularly or if you have a light to medium beard.

The latter is often the case with teenagers.

On top of that, high-end shavers tend to be very expensive to buy and the replacement foils & blades are pricey as well.

You may also find that electric shaving isn’t for you, and since you have to wait up to a month for your skin to get used to the new way of shaving, you may not be able to return the product.

You don’t want to be the guy that spent a few hundred dollars on a product he won’t be using.

In other words, you don’t have to break the bank for a razor that will do the job just fine.

Foil vs Rotary: which one is better for beginners?

Rotary vs foil shavers for beginners.

While there is no definitive right or wrong answer to this question, I will give my 2 cents on the matter.

I prefer foil shavers as my skin tends to get along better with them. However, I also think that they will be a safer choice for most users.

Personal preference aside, foil shavers do have some particular traits that make them more suitable for beginners or teenage boys.

Here are what I consider to be the main advantages of foil shavers in the context of first-time use:

  • Foil shavers have a less steep learning curve. They’re dead simple in construction and operation: sharp blades oscillate behind a thin, perforated micro-foil that you move against the grain, applying very little pressure. Rotary shavers tend to cause some trouble to first-time users and it takes more time for your technique to improve.
  • Foil shavers are better for hard-to-reach areas like under your nose or for shaving around a goatee or sideburns. This one is pretty self-explanatory; due to the construction of the cutting elements, foil shavers are just easier to work with when performing some maneuvers that require more precision and finesse.
  • A wider selection of brands and models. The rotary razors market is dominated by Philips Norelco; there isn’t really any other viable option. On the other hand, there are loads of models from Panasonic, Braun and even Remington in the foil category.
  • They are easier to clean. We are of course not talking about razors that come with automatic cleaning stations. Manually cleaning a foil shaver is usually simpler and faster; some liquid soap and a quick rinse under tap water and you’re all done. And this is how a basic cleaning goes for a rotary razor as well, but every once in a while you must perform a more thorough cleaning. That one implies taking the whole shaving head apart and cleaning each individual blade and guard, one by one, then carefully putting them back together exactly the same. And that’s a bit of a hassle. After all, we switched to electric shaving to avoid doing stuff.
  • Foil shavers usually provide a closer and more comfortable shave. Because the foil screens are very thin and the blades oscillate at a very high speed compared to rotary razors, foil shavers are considered to be better at shaving hairs closer to the skin and with greater comfort. Some rotary shavers will pull and yank hairs, especially if your technique isn’t spot on (which is often the case if you’ve never used an electric razor).

Some Philips fans may disagree and that’s totally fine, everyone should use what suits them the best. For me, and I think for the majority of beginners, a foil razor is a safer choice.

But enough with the boring stuff. Let’s put the advice into practice and check out some razors.

What are some of the best electric shavers for beginners (2023)?

1. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040S

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

See the price on Amazon

The Series 3 is an entry-level line of electric razors from Braun that offer great performance and comfort for a reasonable price.

But most importantly, it would also make a great choice for a beginner.

Available in several variants, suitable for dry only or wet/dry operation, the Series 3 razors are another solid option for someone just getting started with electric shaving.

The Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s.
The Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s.

The 3040S is one of the most popular razors from the Series 3 ProSkin line; with wet & dry operation, it provides close and irritation-free shaves, being suitable for sensitive skin as well.

It also features an integrated slide-out trimmer something that not all Series 3 models have (for example, the 3010s).

Braun Series 3 3040s trimmer
The integrated slide-out trimmer of the 3040s.

The Braun Series 3 is a direct competitor of the Panasonic Arc 3 in the entry-level segment of foil electric shavers.

While both are excellent choices, the Series 3 is a bit more comfortable and better at shaving longer, flat-lying hairs.

However, I still don’t recommend it for shaving every three days or more as it will struggle, just like any other basic foil razor.

The Series 3 3040s has a very slim shaving head, making it a great first electric razor for a beginner or a teenager.

It’s also very easy to clean with a bit of soap and tap water.

Cleaning the 3010s

One of the best things about this shaver is the low price of the replacement parts.

Unlike Panasonic, Braun uses a cassette that integrates both the blades and the foil and must be replaced only once every 18 months.

Braun 32b Replacement Cassette

The Braun 32b replacement cassette.

See the price on Amazon

To make the deal even sweeter, the price for a replacement cassette is lower compared to other manufacturers.

If you’re in the market for your first electric shaver, the Series 3 3040S is definitely worth considering, even if you have sensitive skin.

You can read my detailed review of this shaver here.

2. Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K

Panasonic es-ll41-k.

See the price on Amazon

Side note: For the UK market, this shaver is available as the Panasonic ES-LL21-K model. It is absolutely identical except it only comes with one comb attachment instead of two.

This shaver offers excellent performance for the money with its powerful 13 000 CPM (cycles per minute) motor, sharp blades and wet & dry operation.

The ES-LL41-K shaver held in hand.

The Arc 3 (and Panasonic shavers in general) are able to shave very close to the skin and they’re efficient at catching facial hair provided it’s reasonably short.

So shaving more often will usually get you the best results.

Also, because it only has 3 cutting elements (just like the Series 3 above), the shaving head is quite slim, which is ideal for a beginner.

The extended trimmer of the Panasonic ES-LL41-K.

The pop-up trimmer is excellent and way better in my opinion than the one on the Series 3.

It’s very practical and effective and comes in really handy for some on the fly grooming like your sideburns. You can even use it to edge your beard if you rock one.

And speaking of beards, the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K comes with two unique adjustable combs that allow you to pre-trim or maintain a beard.

The shaver with the comb fitted over the trimmer.
The ES-LL41-K with the trimming comb.

I don’t know how many of you will actually be using them, but you have that option and they do work great.

They fit over the extended hair trimmer and you won’t have to swap the foil head for example like you would with most other accessories of this type.

The ES8103S is dead easy to use and to clean.

Rinsing the shaver with warm tap water.
Rinsing the shaver with warm tap water.

Changing the foil and blades is also very straightforward. Speaking of which, you’ll be needing a new set every year, but the cost is pretty reasonable.

Panasonic WES9013PC Replacement foil & blades

WES9013

See the price on Amazon

However, the cassette of the Braun Series 3 3040s above costs less. Also, as you can tell from the image above, the Panasonic Arc 3 uses two removable blades and a foil with a built-in third cutting element.

For more in-depth details, make sure to check out my review of the ES-LL41-K.

Alternatively, if the ES-LL41-K is not available, you can go for any other Arc 3 model that is fitted with a 13 000 CPM motor like the older ES8103S or the newer ES-LT67-A for example.

The Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S.
The Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S.

The ES8103S actually used to be my default recommendation for a Panasonic Arc 3. It shaved exactly like the newer ES-LL41-K that took its place, but it was even cheaper (older model, no travel lock).

But as of 2023, it’s getting really difficult to find, so the ES-LL41-K is now the one to buy.

I would stay clear of the Arc 3 models with less powerful motors, as the performance drop will be significant.

As for downsides, while it shaves close, the Arc 3 is not the most comfortable foil shaver out there if you have really sensitive skin.

Also, the price of the Arc 3 is usually higher than what the competition — mainly the Braun Series 3 ProSkin — has to offer.

Lastly, Panasonic shavers work best on short stubble, so they’re not ideal if you plan on shaving every 3 days or so.

3. Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LA63AA

es-la63aa

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While the two shavers above will be good enough for most users, the Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LA63AA takes things up a notch and will cater to those that are more demanding.

Tip: If you live in the UK/Europe, the Panasonic ES-RF31 is a great alternative that’s available there.

There are two versions of this Arc 4: silver (ES-LA63-S) and blue (ES-LA63AA).

I got the silver one, but it’s not available anymore, so you can only buy the blue ES-LA63AA. But both shave exactly the same.

The shaving head of the Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LA63-S.
The shaving head of the silver ES-LA63.

With its four cutting elements, it goes a bit against our third rule of thumb, but the overall size of the shaving head is quite compact despite the addition of a fourth blade and Panasonic did a great job in the ergonomics department.

Similar in design and function to the Arc 3, the Panasonic Arc 4 ES8243AA has a superior cutting head with four sharp blades and a slightly faster motor (1 4000 CPM) that will provide very close shaves.

All of these result in one of the closest shaving electric razors you can buy in this price range.

Those more concerned with the closeness of the shave and speed should really consider this razor.

The integrated pop-up trimmer is again excellent, better than what you’ll find on any Braun razor, including the Series 9.

Like all Panasonic shavers, the ES-LA63AA is waterproof and can be easily cleaned manually.

Cleaning the shaver with water and (optionally) some liquid soap.
Cleaning the shaver with water and (optionally) some liquid soap.

Having said that, the ES-LA63AA is more expensive, but still quite reasonable and usually offers excellent performance for the money.

As stated in my review, the replacement parts are however a bit pricey.

Panasonic WES9025PC foils & blades

WES9025PC

See the price on Amazon

Therefore, I recommend getting this shaver only if you have a coarse beard or you’re extremely demanding with the closeness.

Otherwise, an Arc 3 like the one above will be good enough.

The Arc 4 range and Panasonic shavers in general don’t excel at providing the most comfortable shave.

But for most users, it will be adequate, unless they have very sensitive skin.

In this case, you’d probably be better off with the next shaver.

4. Braun Series 8 8417s

8417s

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The Series 8 (S8) is a very compelling line of electric shavers from Braun.

While the Series is positioned like a mid-range in Braun’s lineup, the performance is excellent.

Priced lower than their notorious Series 9, the Series 8 shaves great and would be a good choice for a beginner (if it fits within the budget).

The Braun Series 8.

It is the priciest option on this list, so again should be considered by the more demanding users, especially with regard to comfort.

The Series 8 also works really well on longer facial hair, being able to shave with great comfort and effectiveness a 3-day beard, maybe even more.

The Braun Series 8.

The 8417s and 8330s models are usually the most reasonably priced, but any Series 8 variation you can get will be just as good.

The performance is basically identical throughout the entire line, so the choice should really come down to price.

The Series 8 is a wet/dry shaver and can be used dry or with shaving cream or gel.

It has 3 cutting elements, thus a slim and manageable head and it’s a very comfortable shaver.

The 3-blade shaving head of the Braun S8.
The 3-blade shaving head of the Braun S8.

While the Arc 4 above will provide a slightly closer shave in most cases, the Series 8 is more forgiving and comfortable, especially during a dry shave.

It’s also a lot better with longer, flat-lying hairs, so it will still perform really well if you shave less often.

Based on these aspects you should have a preference for one or the other.

The replacement shaving head of the Series 8 called 83M usually has a pretty reasonable price and is widely available.

Braun Series 8 83M Replacement Cassette

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The Series 8 8417s doesn’t come with an automatic cleaning station; those that do are usually more expensive and again, since we’re talking about your first shaver, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on things that aren’t absolutely necessary.

Overall, the Braun S8 is a highly capable shaver and just like the Panasonic Arc 4, it’s pretty future-proof.

With a Series 3 or Arc 3, you may feel the need to upgrade in the future; you won’t be a beginner forever.

The S8 is however on the pricier side, so unless you think you would really benefit from it (for example if you have coarse stubble and usually don’t shave too often), a Braun Series 3 3040s will be a lot cheaper and probably good enough.

For a complete guide on the Series 8 by Braun, you can check out this article.

5. Philips Norelco Shaver 2300

Philips Norelco Series 2000 Shaver 2300.

See the price on Amazon

If you still think a rotary razor would be a better fit for you, then by all means you should get one.

There is a wide variety of reasonably priced models from Philips Norelco to choose from.

A razor worth checking out is the Philips Norelco Shaver 2300 that I reviewed here.

It offers good performance for the price, it shaves reasonably close and comfortably, has an integrated pop-up trimmer and, being a rotary shaver, it’s also very quiet during operation.

Norelco shaver 2300.

It’s generally better at cutting longer, flat-lying hairs than most similarly priced foil razors.

The fact that it’s pretty basic in its construction and function is definitely a plus, while the replacement SH30 heads are durable and inexpensive.

Philips SH30 Replacement Blades

SH30-52

See the price on Amazon

All of these make the Norelco 2300 an excellent choice for a beginner that is looking for an affordable, but still decent rotary shaver.

In my opinion, unless you absolutely know you would be better off with a rotary, the Braun Series 3 or a Panasonic Arc 3 will be better options in most cases.

Is an automatic cleaning station necessary?

Cleaning stations.

You have probably noticed that none of the recommended shavers comes with a cleaning and charging station.

I don’t think that the added costs (the cleaning cartridges can also be quite expensive) are justified, especially since most of these are pretty basic, easy to clean razors.

Cleaning a Panasonic Arc 3 with water.
Cleaning a Panasonic Arc 3 with water.

Some offer variants that come with a cleaning station (usually for a higher price) like the Braun 3 Series 3050cc.

Whether the convenience of a cleaning station is worth the extra money is totally up to you.

Personally, I would consider one for the Series 8 (like the 8457cc) if the price isn’t significantly higher.

Effective tips to get the most out of your shaver

Most shavers recommended in this post are budget-friendly options, making them ideal for someone just getting started.

However, the basic ones like the Arc 3 or Series 3 can’t match the performance of higher-end shavers, like the Panasonic Arc 5 or Braun Series 9.

In order to get the most out of your shaver and improve your shave, here are 5 easy to implement tips for a beginner:

1. Shave more often.

Longer hairs are almost always a problem for basic razors, but they fare a lot better with short stubble.

Therefore, shaving daily should improve the performance of an entry-level razor.

2. Use a pre-electric shave lotion.

If you prefer to shave dry, a pre-electric shave lotion will likely improve the closeness and comfort of your shave. Check out this post for more details.

3. Clean and lubricate your shaver.

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Thoroughly cleaning your shaver after every use and lubricating the blades are mandatory to keep it in great condition and perform optimally.

4. Try new techniques and find what works best for you.

As a beginner, the closeness and comfort of your shave with an electric razor will likely need some improvement. This is perfectly normal and your technique will get better pretty quickly.

Make sure to check out my guide on how to shave with an electric shaver for the first time.

5. Give wet shaving a try.

Yes, you can shave wet with an electric razor as well (if it is suitable for wet/dry operation).

While it implies lengthier prep work, it can work wonders for some men. Give it a try and see how it goes.

Final word

Hopefully these tips will come in handy when choosing your first electric razor. Just remember that the first time using it probably won’t go as smoothly as you’d expect in terms of closeness and comfort end even pure enjoyment.

Your skin requires at least a few weeks to get used to the new method of shaving and your technique will need to improve as well.

So take your time and try to enjoy the process.

If you have any other questions, make sure to post them in the comments section below.

Article by

Hey. I’m Ovidiu, the founder and editor of ShaverCheck. I independently buy and test electric shavers and I’ve been sharing my findings on this site for more than 10 years, hopefully helping others choose a suitable shaver.

If you found the information useful, consider subscribing to the ShaverCheck newsletter as well. It’s free and I only send a few emails a year. Unsubscribe at any time.

27 thoughts on “The Best Electric Shavers For Beginners and Teenagers (2023)”

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  1. Would you recommend wet and dry over dry alone? I am a beginner and the new job requires me to shave a bit more regularly. How do they cope with 3-4 days growth.

    Reply
    • Hi Warren,

      the answer to wet vs dry is not so straight forward as it is a very personal matter. For some, myself included, wet shaving gives significantly better results, while for others the improvements are negligible. You must experience it yourself in order to make a correct assessment. As for a 3 to 4 days of growth, it again depends on how coarse is your facial hair and how fast it grows back. If you have very thick stubble that grows back pretty quickly even the more advanced and expensive razors can have some problems getting you a fast and smooth shave. Budget shavers are usually recommended for daily or every other day shaving. But if your facial hair is light to medium you can get away with more days between shaving sessions.

      The Panasonic ESST29 should be a good choice for a beginner, like all Arc 3 models that have a 13000 cpm motor (this one does).

      Hope this helps.

      Reply
  2. I am just a high school boy & have hairs mostly on my chin & under the nose . As a Beginner , I am quite confused if I must buy a FOIL or ROTARY Blade shaver .
    I may need to shave once a week only .
    Please advise an economical , easy to use , easy maintenance & cleaning and of course gives the BEST SHAVE .
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Pranav,

      I would personally go for a foil shaver, they’re very easy to use and clean. Plus, I find foil shavers much easier to manoeuvre when shaving the area just below my nose, so I think they will be a perfect fit for you.

      Since you are a teenager your facial hair is probably light to medium, so a Braun Series 3 or Pansonic Arc3 are two very good options. The most economical of the two is the Braun, you can find them at great discounts and the replacement cassette is inexpensive. Check out the 340s recommended in this article or the 3040s, they are identical in terms of performance and also suitable for wet & dry use. I find the Panasonics to give a slightly closer shave and are also a bit faster, but their price and running costs are higher compared to the Series 3 from Braun. Performance-wise, I think you’ll be satisfied with either of them.

      Hope this helps.

      Reply
  3. Thank you for this article! I’m searching for my son who needs to shave for the very first time. He’s 14, and he is Autistic so I need the safety and ease of an Electric razor for him.

    Reply
  4. Hi. I’m 15 and for the past couple of months have been trimming my facial hair with a hair clipper. Which foil shaver would you recommend? I have a small moustache, a small goatee and a bit on the chin. It doesn’t grow back fast. I trim it 3-4 times a month. Something beginner friendly?

    Reply
    • Hi Mark,

      A Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S would be my recommendation in your case. It is very easy and straight forward to use, cleaning is a breeze and it has more than enough cutting power. It is a wet/dry electric shaver, fully waterproof so you can rinse it under hot tap water without any worries. It’s also reasonably priced and since you have very light facial hair, the foils and blades will last for a long time before needing to be replaced. Another equally good option is the Braun Series 3 3040s ProSkin. It is very similar to the Panasonic with regards to costs and performance, but I find it to be a bit gentler to the skin.

      Hope this helps.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  5. Hello I am a teenager ..I have facial hair mostly in my chin and upper lip light hairs…so what would be best ..
    Trimmer or shaver? And in case o shaver which would be best dry or wet? … Eagerly waiting for your answer.. Thank you

    Reply
    • Hi,

      There’s no right or wrong answer here and it mostly depends on your preferences. A trimmer will only trim facial hair, while an electric shaver will get you a clean shave. Since you have a light beard, the Panasonic Arc 3 or the Braun Series 3 recommended in this post will be more than suitable for the job. Both can be used wet or dry, so you can give each method a try and see which one works best for you.

      Hope this helps.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  6. Thank you so much for this article. I also have a son who has to start shaving off the bit of hair on his lip. We waxed it a couple of times but I think its time for one of those Braun jobs.
    Regards Mari

    Reply
    • Hi Mari,

      Thank you for your comment, I’m really glad you found the information helpful.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  7. Any thoughts on what shaver would be best to provide for nursing home staff to use for a resident who cannot shave himself? I have purchased three shavers for him in 12 months – recommended Braun twice and recommended Philips once. Nursing home reports his beard is so tough it wears out the shavers that quickly. Philips was returned to me, with guard that holds rotary blades in place missing and one rotary blade broken into two halves, so I suspect a different issue. What I need is a shaver that is easy for care aids to use, clean and maintain. I cannot expect them to read a manual. I am grateful for their care of the resident. Replacing the shaver every 4 months is little to pay for their care, and luckily the resident can afford it.

    Reply
    • Hi Jayne,

      The lifespan of a shaver’s foils and blades depends on several factors. Those include how often it is used and how well it’s being cared for (cleaning and lubrication). In this particular situation, a Panasonic shaver would probably be suitable for the job. They’re really good for coarse beards and are very easy to clean manually with a bit of liquid soap and hot tap water. Two models that I highly recommend are the ES-LA63-S Arc 4 and the ES-LV65-S Arc 5. Those two are also available with automatic cleaning stations (ES-LV95-S Arc 5), but again in this situation a cleaning station may actually complicate things instead of making them easier. A cleaning station takes care of cleaning and lubrication, but requires changing the cleaning fluid on a regular basis (and that one must be supplied as well). If that’s not a problem, then performing an automatic cleaning after every use will no longer require any other intervention from the caretaker.

      I highly recommend getting a spray cleaner & lubricant like the Remington Shaver Saver if the shaver won’t come with a cleaning station. I’m pretty sure that the premature wear of the previous Braun and Philips shavers was accelerated by the lack of lubrication. A spray is cheap and very easy to apply — it literally takes seconds, but it will make a difference. It could also be a more practical alternative to cleaning the shaver with soap and water.

      Hope this helps.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  8. I’m looking for a shaver for a first time shaver,he doesn’t even know how to shave, he just can’t get it but he needs shaved for work. He recently lost his dad who used to shave,. So which one should I purchase for him to try. Thank You

    Reply
    • Hi Susan,

      That really depends on your budget. If it’s rather limited, the Braun Series 3 3040s or the Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S (both mentioned in this post) will do, especially if the shaver will be used more often. Entry-level shavers aren’t great with longer facial hair. If you can stretch a bit more, there’s the Panasonic Arc 4 which is a step up in performance, but consider it only if his facial hair is rather coarse and dense.

      All of them are easy to clean and to use, just make sure to read the user’s manual as well.

      Hope this helps.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  9. I’d like to get a shaver for my 15 year old son. Seems like the Panasonic S8103S Arc3 is a good choice.
    Are there any similar shavers with a dock – a place to put it on the counter so it doesn’t get knocked around and bent in a drawer? My toothbrush has a dock and actually it’s very convenient.
    Tnx.
    Andy

    Reply
    • Hi Andy,

      You’ll want to check out the Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LT5N or ES-SL41 if you want a charging stand as well. I would highly recommend the ES-LT5N over the other one if you can get it though, it is significantly better performance-wise.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  10. I would like to purchase a good electric shaver for my son. He shaves with razor and he is 18.
    Price doesn’t matter for me but I like a good quality and comfort one.
    Which one do you recommend?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi Rodi,

      In my opinion a good choice would be a Braun Series 5 like the 5140s at number 4 in the post — it’s powerful enough and very comfortable. If you can’t find one (that particular Series 5 generation is being phased out), check out the Braun Series 8 — it’s basically a Series 5 with a larger battery, so also an excellent performer and also suitable in this case. Because it only has 3 cutters, the head is slim and very easy to use.

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

      Reply
  11. Hi Ovidiu,
    Thanks for your knowledge. My 16 yr old son has very little on face (upper lip only) but lots of hair on side (side burns) and neck. Braun series 3 still recommended or the Philips One Blade hybrid (another one recommended in some articles??

    Reply
    • Hi Liz,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Both would be great options for a teenager, however they are very different and I’ll try my best to emphasize these differences so you can get the one that would make more sense.

      The Series 3 ProSkin is a foil electric shaver, so the blades are moving behind this very thin metal screen. The hair pokes through a hole and gets cut by the blades at skin level. Unless you press too hard, it’s a very safe and forgiving machine. It works best on short facial hair, so should be used more often. Also, teenagers usually have very fine facial hair or peach fuzz, which could make it more difficult for the hairs to enter through the foil. And the longer the hair, the less effective a shaver is. Two workarounds: he can either shave more often or use the slide-out hair trimmer for a pre-cut and reduce the hairs to a more manageable size (before actually using the shaving head for a clean shave). The trimmer is rather small and could take a while though, but he may only need to use it before shaving for the first time.

      The OneBlade is essentially a trimmer (like a regular beard trimmer or hair clipper), with exposed shearing blades, but they have rounded teeth to minimize the risk of nicks and are also a lot smaller and closer together. The OneBlade is very easy to use thanks to the very slim head and can tackle longer hairs with ease (unlike a foil shaver), but it will not cut the hair quite as close to the skin. Also, if you move it too fast over an area with longer or thicker hairs, it might snag some, but so will any other shaver. You can also use the included guards to maintain a stubble look, but I don’t think (at least for now) that he’ll be using them.

      So these would be in my opinion the most important differences.

      Clean, close shave — the Series 3 ProSkin, but works best on short facial hair. He may want to use the slide-out trimmer to pre-trim the hair if it’s too long. Not all Series 3 ProSkin models include a trimmer, but the one I recommended (3040s) does.

      Not quite as close of a shave, but works well on both short and long facial hair — the OneBlade.

      Hope this helps and that your son will enjoy his first shave. 🙂

      Sincerely,
      Ovidiu

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