The 6 Best Electric Razors For Women, Tested By Our Editors (2024)

The best electric razors for women deliver smooth-looking skin and evenly trimmed body hair without nicks or irritation. They’re faster and more convenient to use than a manual razor or scissors since they don’t usually require shaving cream, soap or a super steady hand. Their cutter blades and foils are made of hypoallergenic, rust-resistant material and are designed to move easily over curves and into crannies, with smart attachments for sensitive areas and detailed grooming. You can grip and maneuver a good one easily with wet or dry hands, charge it quickly and count on the battery to last for multiple sessions.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve assessed 16 popular electric razors for women. In the first round of review, I tested out eight models myself. For the second round, I enlisted a panel of testers with different hair types to help me evaluate eight more worthy picks. In the end, I found the Philips Lady Shaver Series 6000 to be the best electric razor for women overall because it has rounded trimmer blades that give me the closest and most comfortable shave I have gotten with an electric razor. (It’s the updated version of our previous best overall pick, the Philips SatinShave Prestige Women’s Electric Shaver.) The ElectriBrite Electric Razor is the top value pick because it costs less than half as much as the Philips device but does the job comfortably, albeit in a few more passes. These are the winners from my testing process:

Best Electric Razor For Women Overall

A Gentle, Powerful Shaver That Does It All

MOST POPULAR

Philips Lady Shaver Series 6000

Blades: Two stainless steel; one foil and two cutters | Accessories: Exfoliation glove, skin stretcher cap, soft glide cap, bikini trimmer head, trimming comb, bikini trimmer comb, cleaning brush, storage pouch | Charge time: 10 hours | Runtime: 40 minutes | Waterproof: Yes | Upkeep: Replace blades once a year | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

  • Regularly or occasionally shaving arms, legs and bikini line
  • Trimming body hair
  • At-home grooming

Skip if:

  • You need a tool specifically for a small area like your bikini line, face or underarms
  • You’re looking for a cheap electric razor to use only occasionally

The Philips Lady Shaver Series 6000 gives me the smoothest shave results of any women’s electric razor I’ve tried. It outdoes the competition on large areas of skin like legs and in sensitive areas like armpits and bikini lines because of its uniquely designed rounded shaving head. The comfortable foil has cutters on either side that gave me close results without nicking or irritating skin. After using it, my legs almost felt like I’d used a manual shaver—the holy grail for an electric razor, since most don’t even come close. Other electric razors left a stubble I could feel, but this one left my legs feeling pretty darn smooth. It also gave me extremely clean results along my bikini line in a single pass without any razor burn; in fact, I’d say I prefer using it to a manual razor for this purpose because it’s gentler.

This Philips razor has sturdy attachments for body hair grooming, too. Because it also has a good trimmer head and cap, it’s versatile and can take care of all your maintenance jobs. For longer hair on your legs or arms, you can snap the stretcher cap onto the shaving head to help the hair stand up, so the foil and cutters can remove more of it on the first pass. This is the only razor I tested that comes with this kind of attachment, and I found it to be useful on my leg hair. You can push a button to remove the shaving head and replace it with a trimmer; this part can be used solo for close trimming or covered with a comb to leave the hair longer if that’s your preference or if you’re preparing for waxing.

If I were personally going to buy an electric razor, this is the one I’d buy. My only wishes? It would be great if this Philips razor had a quick-charge mode like its predecessor. (I liked how that one allowed you to plug it in for five minutes to get enough juice to finish a grooming session.) Even a power indicator light would be helpful. Unlike that razor, this one does have a USB charger, which I find to be a bit more convenient (although not as convenient as the charging port that Panasonic razors have). But I’m pretty pleased with it as is. I love how it exfoliates my skin without drying it out, and unless I’m going on a beach vacation, I reach for it instead of making waxing appointments.

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Blades: Two hypoallergenic stainless steel; one foil and two cutters | Accessories: Facial hair trimmer | Charge time: 2 hours | Runtime: 50 minutes | Waterproof: Yes | Upkeep: Replace blades once a year | Warranty: None

Best for:

  • Completely removing body hair and facial hair
  • Wet or dry shaving
  • On-the-go touch-ups

Skip if:

  • You want a body or facial hair trimmer
  • You want to shave your face and have sensitive skin

Our tester was surprised by how much she liked this inexpensive electric razor for women. “While it obviously did not provide as close a shave as a standard razor would—my legs felt upon first shaving like they would after a couple days of stubble growth with a regular blade—the device was easy to use and felt comfortable and pain-free. I did have to go back and forth a bunch of times in the same spot to clear up the hair in that area effectively,” she says. “Considering that it can be recharged a bunch of times and the cleaning brush works well, I think that’s a good value.”

The design of the ElectriBrite razor is very similar to that of our best overall pick from Philips. Its shaving head has two blades covered by a foil and two cutters on either side that gently and effectively shave hair on legs and in sensitive areas like armpits and the bikini line—although it took our tester several passes to do so, and the end results were not as smooth. Its shaving head is slightly smaller than that of the Philips razor, which “makes it a little slow going to shave an entire leg,” our tester says.

Unlike the Philips razor, it doesn’t come with a trimmer head; instead, it includes a facial hair trimming attachment. Our tester doesn’t typically use a shaver for facial hair grooming and so did not test out this function, but some reviewers note that the facial hair trimmer gave them razor burn.

Best Sensitive Skin Electric Razor For Women

A Versatile Razor That Won’t Irritate Your Skin

Panasonic Four-Blade Women's Electric Shaver And Bikini Attachment

Blades: Four hypoallergenic stainless steel; two foils and two cutters, one of which pops up to serve as a bikini trimmer | Accessories: Bikini comb, travel cap, travel pouch, cleaning brush | Charge time: 20 hours | Runtime: 35 minutes | Waterproof: Yes | Upkeep: Replace foils once a year and inner blades once every two years | Warranty: 30-day product guarantee

Best for:

  • Regularly or occasionally shaving arms, legs and bikini line
  • Wet or dry shaving
  • Extra-gentle hair removal

Skip if:

  • You want an inexpensive electric razor to use only occasionally
  • You value a close shave more than zero irritation

If you struggle with razor burn, bumps or stinging after you shave, this Panasonic razor has features you’ll find comforting. It has a springy foil head that caused zero irritation for our tester. She reported that she felt no side effects even when wet shaving tricky areas. “The flexible head is excellent,” she says. “Even when wet shaving my armpit for several passes, going with and against the grain, I did not have irritation.”

The design and quality of this razor feel good. The matte handle is “easy to hold and grip,” according to our tester, and it has a cleverly designed charger that’s great for bathrooms. Rather than a USB cord that would require a charging block to use, it has a wall mount. “It doesn’t take up much space or require extra cords or parts like a USB,” she says. Panasonic razors are the only ones we’ve come across with chargers like this, and it’s definitely a positive.

The pop-up bikini trimmer seems convenient (one less part to potentially lose), but our tester didn’t love that it was built into the shaver head. “The jagged razors can get in the way of your normal shave even when it’s positioned down,” she says. She also wishes the shaving head were a bit smaller to better reach smaller areas, and that the charging light flashed or changed color to indicate when it’s finished charging rather than remaining solid while plugged in.

Best Rotary Electric Razor For Women

A Solid Shaver For Smooth Legs Fast

RoseSkinCo 4D Shaver

Blades: Five rotating shaving heads, pop-up precision trimmer | Accessories: Cleaning brush | Charge time: 5 hours | Runtime: Unclear | Waterproof: Yes | Upkeep: Replace blades about every 6 months | Warranty: 90-day return policy, 1-year warranty

Best for:

  • Regularly or occasionally shaving arms, legs and bikini line
  • Wet shaving with shaving cream

Skip if:

  • You need a device for detailed grooming, such as facial hair
  • You want to be able to adjust the length of hair when trimming

Rotary electric razors allow you to groom large areas of the body, like legs, more quickly. Our tester noted that unlike the other popular rotary razor she tested, which required multiple passes, this one worked well in a single pass, and she rated it a 7/10 for shave results. “In just a few minutes, I was able to see quite a bit of hair inside the blade compartments,” she says. “It doesn’t provide a shave as close as one you’d get in the shower with a [traditional multi-blade] razor, but it’s great for touch-ups.”

In addition to quickly shaving legs, this electric razor has an effective pop-up trimmer. “I really liked how the trimmer popped out easily without the need to add on any extra attachments,” our tester says. “There weren’t any additional attachments, so its purpose really is just to shave and trim. I didn’t mind this, as it suited my needs.” With textured sides for a better grip (a “nice, ergonomic touch,” notes our tester) and a sleek rose gold aesthetic, this unique-looking razor is a worthy investment.

Best Beginner Electric Razor For Women

A Lightweight And Effective Tool That Feels Like A Traditional Razor

Finishing Touch Flawless Nu Razor Hair Remover

Blades: One stainless steel, 18kt gold–coated foil | Accessories: Sensitive-skin guard, cleaning brush | Charge time: 3 hours | Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes | Waterproof: Designed to be used dry; razor head can be rinsed off | Upkeep: Replace blades every 3 to 6 months | Warranty: 60-day money-back guarantee

Best for:

  • Completely and regularly removing body hair
  • Dry shaving without water, soap or cream
  • Extra-gentle hair removal

Skip if:

  • You need to remove long body hair
  • You want to trim hair rather than shaving it all off
  • You prefer to shave in the shower

Of all the electric razors I tested, the Finishing Touch Flawless Nu Razor Hair Remover feels the most like a manual razor. It’s ideal for people who want a tool that’s gentle, fast and easy to use, whether they’re just learning to shave or want a safer substitute for the razor they typically use. The single foil-covered blade glides smoothly over large areas like legs, including knobby areas like ankles and knees, without nicking or tugging. Snap on the included SensaGuard Cover attachment for delicate areas like underarms, and it gives you a close shave there, too. It’s the only razor I tested with an LED light that was actually useful, and it has a soft, grippy finish that makes it easy to hold.

In a sea of grooming tools you want to keep hidden away in the pouch they come in, this matte pink shaver with 18kt-gold accents is definitely a standout, but it’s not all about flashy looks. This simple, sleek little razor charges in 3 hours—one of the shortest charge times of the bunch, with the exception of the ElectriBrite and Meridian shavers (2 hours) and our former best overall winner from Philips (1 hour)—and lasts over two hours, twice as long as most of its competitors. In six months of semiregular use (while I was taking blood thinners during my pregnancy), I charged it only once.

The drawbacks? This razor doesn’t give you as close a shave as the best overall or best value picks, it can’t trim hair and you can’t use it in the shower—it’s designed for dry use only.

Best Travel Electric Razor For Women

A Cheap And Compact Touch-Up Tool You Can Take Anywhere

PalmPerfect Electric Shaver

Blades: One stainless steel foil and two cutters | Accessories: Lanyard | Charge time: Powered by 2 AAA batteries (not included) | Runtime: 30 minutes | Waterproof: Water-resistant | Upkeep: Contact manufacturer about replacement blades | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

  • Completely removing short body hair
  • Those who have fair, fine body hair
  • Those who have grip or mobility issues

Skip if:

  • You’re looking for a razor for regular, everyday use
  • You have thick, coarse or longer body hair
  • You want to trim hair rather than shaving it all off

This $10 razor isn’t going to give you a super close shave, but as one tester noted, it’s great in a pinch when “you’re wearing a skirt or shorts and don’t want any visible hair.” Plus, because it’s no bigger than your palm (as you might expect from the name) and doesn’t need any charging cords, it tucks easily into a makeup bag or purse to go anywhere. We tested similarly designed razors that cost five times as much, and they didn’t perform as well as this inexpensive pick.

It is also surprisingly ergonomic. This razor is “very easy to hold and use, and it’s lightweight, so people who have trouble gripping the slippery handle of a regular razor will have a very comfortable time with this,” says one tester, who noted that it’s especially easy to maneuver in hard-to-reach spots like the backs of thighs and underarms.

Another tester noted that this razor worked best in the shower with shaving cream—otherwise, it gave her irritation and razor burn. “It was a bit of a rough ride but pretty reliable all the same,” she said. And you can’t beat the price.

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Other Women’s Electric Razors I Tested

Our panel of six testers (myself included) tested 16 products in total, including our prior best overall pick from Phillips, an older version of our new winner, and nine that didn’t make the cut. Here’s more on those shavers.

Brori Electric Razor: This razor is super popular on Amazon, and I was excited to test it because I liked the sage green color and light. It let me down for a few reasons: First, it cut me to pieces! It has a curved cutter for areas like underarms, a straight blade for flat areas and a foil for bigger, flatter areas like calves and arms. I used it properly, but my underarms came out nicked up. I also didn’t like that the user manual looked homemade (typed up in Comic Sans) and that the customer service consisted of a Gmail address—not confidence-inspiring.

Bushbalm The Francesca Trimmer: Like the Meridian trimmer, this Bushbalm tool is described by its makers as optimal for “trimming anywhere hair grows on your body. Think bikini line, legs, underarms and neck.” But it’s not really made for removing hair from your whole leg; it doesn’t glide that way. It’s more for targeted touch-ups and trimming or prepping for waxing—not replacing regular shaving. It’s a great trimmer with a solid, sleek and ergonomic design, though.

Conair All-In-One Shave And Trim System: This Conair razor performed similarly to the Remington one in my testing, although it costs about $8 more. It does come with a unique attachment, though: You get an eyebrow trimmer and guard. I can’t imagine using it to trim my eyebrows (one slip of the wrist and there it goes…), and I actually thought it was a nose hair trimmer until I read the manual more carefully. I thought it performed better as a trimmer than as a razor. If you’re looking for a decent bikini trimmer that comes with a facial trimmer, it might appeal to you.

Conair GirlBomb Shaver & Body Polish Kit: This razor has a nice, rubbery ergonomic grip, a useful trimmer head with a comb attachment and two eyebrow trimmer attachments that some users might consider a bonus, but the shaving head gave our tester major razor burn that made her leg feel like it was on fire.

Meridian Grooming The Trimmer: This trimmer has been heavily marketed to me on Instagram and Amazon since I started researching this story, so I had to try it. The company says it is designed to “trim your arms, groom your legs, spruce up below the belt…the only limit you could have is your imagination.” But it didn’t remove my underarm or leg hair in one pass or glide smoothly over my legs. It’s more of a trimmer than a shaver, and not a great trimmer in my experience. I did really like its iPhone-like packaging and sleek, matte design.

Remington Smooth And Silky Electric Shaver: Similar in design to the Philips razor, this one costs half as much and in my experience performs about half as well. It’s not as powerful; it takes a whole day to charge, and the battery lasts half as long. And it’s the one whose maintenance calls for sewing-machine oil, which is ultra-refined mineral oil, FYI. The stuff is actually easy to find, but I can’t picture anyone devoting that much attention or care to a $26 razor.

Skin Gym Bare Shave & Trim Electric Trimmer: At $50, this shaver was the most expensive one we tested, and it looks luxe with its sleek, iPhone-like design. But unlike cheaper options, it doesn’t have an ergonomic grip, isn’t waterproof and doesn’t give you a decent shave. The cover is nice for travel, though.

Tayayo Electric Razor For Women: Similarly designed razors we tested have a flexible shaving head, but this one’s is stationary. It gave our tester patchy results and irritated her skin, especially when she went over a spot more than once. She did like its power indicator light that flashes while it’s charging and goes solid when it’s fully powered up.

Tayayo Electric Rotary Razor For Women: It took multiple passes to remove hair with this razor. Its blades just didn’t seem sharp, according to our tester, who found the attachments to be “cumbersome.”

How I Tested The Best Electric Razors For Women

All of our testers read the user manuals’ operating and cleaning instructions, noting anything particularly tedious or inconvenient. (For example, one razor I tested called for sewing-machine oil to lubricate the blades regularly; I actually have a sewing kit and not even I am willing to do that!) We recorded how long each takes to charge and how long its battery and blades last, as well as the return policy, warranty and process for getting replacement blades and parts (if there is one).

We fully charged the razors to ensure they were as powerful as possible and then incorporated them into our typical grooming routines, including testing them on legs, underarms and bikini lines. We checked out the attachments, too, noting which are flimsy and which are useful add-ons.

How To Pick An Electric Razor For Women

The best electric razor for women speeds up grooming and makes ingrown hairs and irritation things of the past. It has a combination of cutter blades and foils, a design that makes it comfortable to hold and lets it glide over curved areas of your body, a battery that charges quickly and lasts for an hour and attachments that can handle myriad grooming needs. It’s also easy to maintain by simply rinsing it and letting it air-dry, with occasional extra TLC. I reached out to aesthetician Katie Sobelman for more details.

Blades

Electric razors have two types of blades: cutter blades, which look like a trimmer, and foils, which are blades encased in perforated metal tubes that protect your skin. In general, the more foils, the better. “More foils ensure a closer shave with less sensitivity,” says Sobelman. “It also tends to mean more power and a larger battery, which can mean a better razor and closer shave.” She also recommends looking for a razor with a cutting element or trimmer between the foils: “This helps to lift flat hairs and trim longer ones to then be shaved by the foils.”

As for material, ceramic is longer-lasting than stainless steel because it’s stronger, adds Sobelman. The Francesca and Meridian tools have ceramic blades, but they are really trimmers, not razors. Unfortunately, none of the razors that we found worked well had ceramic foils or cutters.

Design

Most electric shavers have an S-shape design that makes it easier to hold them at the proper angle—perpendicular to the area you’re shaving. All of the ones I tested had grooved buttons or areas that made them convenient to use in the shower with wet, slippery hands. Unique elements like a pivoting head or light stood out to me as truly innovative and helpful features.

Battery Life

Some razors can take multiple days to charge and last only 30 minutes. Needless to say, that’s not super convenient. It’s important to charge a razor fully after its battery runs out, too; using it before it’s fully charged can damage the battery. The best electric razors charge relatively quickly and last close to an hour. Our best overall pick charges overnight and runs for approximately 40 minutes. Others charge in an hour or two and last a bit longer but may not be as powerful.

Attachments

Electric razors typically come with trimmers and combs or guards for areas like the bikini line or face, as well as for sensitive skin. They’re worthwhile if you’re looking for a device that can do more than just your legs. “Having a guard or a more traditional clipper attachment can be helpful for manicuring longer hair or trimming hair short instead of shaving it completely off,” says Sobelman. Guards can be adjustable, so that you can tailor how much you trim the hair to the length you prefer. If that’s what you’re looking for, check the fine print. I also found some attachments to be sturdier and snap into place more securely than others.

Maintenance

In general, you should pop off the shaving or trimming attachment after each use, rinse all the pieces and let them air-dry. Ideally, you should also lubricate the blades with mineral oil every so often. How easily the attachments snap on speaks to how tedious this is—and gives you a sense of how likely they are to break in the process.

You should also consider how accessible and affordable replacement blades and parts are. Some companies don’t even mention them; the razors are essentially designed to be thrown out after a year or two, which is troubling because they have rechargeable batteries that need to be disposed of in a specific way. Other companies allow you to order replacement parts through their website, although it’s usually not easy to find them, and they’re nearly as expensive as the razor itself. Finishing Touch Flawless is a standout because it makes replacement heads easy to find and relatively affordable.

My Expertise

I’m a veteran lifestyle journalist and editor who’s been covering beauty topics, including personal grooming, for more than a decade for outlets such as Elle; O, The Oprah Magazine; Martha Stewart Living; and Allure. I’ve tested pretty much every hair-removal method out there, from epilators (ouch, IMO) to waxing, sugaring, at-home IPL devices and refillable safety razors. To report this story, I scoured the websites of major retailers including Ulta, Walmart and Target to find their bestsellers and read dozens of real users’ online reviews, taking note of complaints about not-so-smooth results—irritation and battery life, in particular.

Every iteration of this in-depth tested story has been overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming vertical and has extensive experience covering shaving and hair removal products. I also reached out to aestheticians and skincare educators who have special expertise in hair removal to learn more about why someone might want to use an electric razor and how to select and use the best one for you. Katie Sobelman (aka @the_organic_esthetician) answered a dozen of my questions about what qualities the best electric razors for women should have and how to use them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who Is An Electric Razor For?

An electric razor is for people who have sensitive skin and are prone to razor burn and other irritation, as well as people who have curly hair and struggle with ingrowns, says Sobelman. It’s also ideal for teenagers who are just starting to shave, since it’s less likely to nick their skin, and for people who may have thinner skin or be on certain medications, such as blood thinners. If you want convenience, you may also like an electric razor: Many let you shave in or out of the shower and are faster than a manual razor.

Is It Better To Use An Electric Razor Or A Manual One?

An electric shaver has both benefits and downsides compared with a traditional razor. “It can help prevent skin irritation and ingrown hairs, and it can be a great option for someone who has sensitive skin,” says Sobelman. Both cut the hair at the root, compared with epilation, waxing or tweezing, which pull the hair out from the root (ouch), or laser hair removal, which uses pulses of laser light to damage the hair follicle and slow or potentially prevent regrowth.

As for cons, “Electric razors do not offer as close of a shave as a traditional razor, so some hair will be visible,” Sobelman says. They’re also more expensive to buy and maintain.

I noted that most of the razors I tested said you need to use them several times for your hair to adjust and get the best results. Why? Sobelman explains: “I imagine it is because not all the hair on your body grows at the same rate, and hairs in one specific area can be in the midst of various growth cycles. Using a razor multiple times can help to trim different length hairs, creating a more even shave.” So if you’re not happy with how close or long-lasting the results you get from an electric razor are on the first try, keep going.

Can You Shave Your Pubic Hair With An Electric Razor?

Yes, just use caution. Many electric razors for women come with attachments specifically designed to make trimming or shaving hair in sensitive areas easier and safer. Some even have a light to help you see exactly what you’re doing.

How Often Should You Clean An Electric Razor?

If you’re using it dry, you should brush away the hair inside and outside. If you’re using it wet, you should disassemble it, rinse and let it air dry after every use. Every few months, you should lubricate the blades with refined mineral oil.

The 6 Best Electric Razors For Women, Tested By Our Editors (2024)
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