When it comes to shopping for a good men’s razor, the sheer number of options can be intimidating. There’s a whole constellation of choices out there, from bargain-bin disposables to high-dollar safety razors and everything in between.
While they’ll all do the job, making the wrong choice may come with consequences. Subpar razors often fail to deliver the close, smooth shave you need, and you may even experience nicks, cuts, and dreaded razor bumps. A good shaving setup, meanwhile, confers benefits beyond a cleaner look. Shaving also scrapes away dead skin cells and other debris, improving your complexion and helping to prevent acne. It can even improve your skin’s health if you round out your routine with moisturizing antibacterial shaving gel or cream, and a quality aftershave.
Fortunately, finding the right razor doesn’t need to be rocket science. Whether you prefer the convenience of disposable razors, the close and classic feel of a safety razor, or the middle-ground compromise of cartridges, there are great options for you to choose from. For added convenience, and often substantial savings, you can even join an online shaving club to have high-quality shaving supplies shipped right to your door.
To help you sort out the best from the rest, let’s take a look at the top three razors and shaving clubs that deserve your consideration.
Razors
Gillette Mach3 Disposable
Virtually everyone is familiar with the slogan: “Gillette – the Best a Man Can Get.” As it turns out, that isn’t just marketing fluff. The Gillette Mach3 is among the best-selling razors of all time. Although the typical pricing of $6.97 for a pack of three is steeper than many other disposables, you’re sure to get your money’s worth.
The Mach3 separates itself with a set of three progressively aligned blades featuring an innovative diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. This lends added strength and sharpness that delivers a close and comfortable shave even after multiple uses. This is paired with a comfortable grip, a well-designed pivoting head, and a natural oil-based lubricating strip to help reduce friction all add up to an easy choice for the best disposable razor on the market.
Harry’s The Winston
Cartridge-based razors have become all the rage in recent years thanks to their excellent compromise between price, convenience, and shave quality. There’s a dizzying array of options to choose from, but you’ll find none better than The Winston from Harry’s. One glance at the sleek, well-engineered razor would suggest a hefty price tag, but at just $20, The Winston represents serious value.
It features a weighty polished chrome body with a comfortable non-slip grip, and its German-engineered steel blades are exceptionally sharp and durable. Each blade is also attached to a flex hinge, allowing the blades to contour perfectly to your face for the best shaving experience. There’s even a detail trimmer on the back to tackle tricky sideburns and other hard-to-shave areas.
Merkur Futur
Safety razors have been around in some form since the 1880s, and the Merkur Futur proves without a doubt that the classic design still hasn’t gone out of style. You can expect to pay about $60, but your investment will buy you one of the best shaving experiences around. Best of all, the cost of replacement blades is far lower than most cartridges, meaning you’ll get even more savings over time.
The Merkur Futur sports six adjustable settings, making it a great choice for experienced hands and shaving neophytes alike. At its most aggressive setting, the Futur delivers an absurdly close shave that compares well to the best straight razors, while lower settings sacrifice a bit of closeness in favor of less irritation to sensitive skin. Between its versatility and seemingly indestructible construction, the Merkur Futur could easily be the last razor you’ll ever need.
Schick Hydro 5 Power Select
Schick Hydro Power Select is a five-blade, battery-powered razor. The five blades act as a reservoir, which collect gel and reduce friction between the blades and your skin, so you can have a smooth and comfortable shaving experience. This hydrating feature moisturizes the skin while limiting the irritation caused by shaving.
On the handle, you have the choice of three levels of vibration control. This allows you to choose the perfect level of comfort that feels best for you. Moreover, the device can be used in dry or wet situations, so you can shave while having a shower. The package costs $16.90 on Amazon.
Shaving Clubs
Dollar Shave Club
If you’re considering a shaving club membership in lieu of buying razors individually, Dollar Shave Club is probably the first name you considered. It’s become exceedingly popular in recent years, thanks in part to a fairly generous number of options. You can pick from two-, four-, or six-blade razors, the refill cartridges for which cost $1, $6, and $9 per month, respectively. The six-blade razors are also available with starter kits that feature high-quality shave butter and other personal hygiene items, making them a very good value. Regardless of the razor you choose, you’ll get a solid, no-fuss shave at a fair price.
Harry’s
A relative newcomer to the shaving club scene, Harry’s has quickly become a go-to choice for many men. The company offers a wide range of plan options that’ll hook you up with new blade cartridges depending on the frequency with which you shave. You can even customize your plan to receive exactly as many razors and shaving accoutrements as you want, sent directly to your door as often as you need.
The cost depends on the type and amount of supplies you request, ranging from $3 per month for the most basic blade refill plan to $16 per month for the whole kit and caboodle. Best of all, Harry’s offers quality razors that deliver a consistently excellent shave.
Bevel
Though it was created specifically for men of color, Bevel’s shaving club is an outstanding choice for anyone who struggles with stubborn hair or highly sensitive skin. Bevel’s plans are built around a well-made safety razor that’s designed to be easier on the skin without sacrificing shave quality, and it’s rounded out with a six-piece starter kit that also features priming oil, quality shaving cream, a generous 60 razor blades, a handsome shaving brush, and a restoring balm to keep your skin in great condition. Though the $29.95 per month price tag is much higher than some of its competitors, Bevel’s shaving system is as good as it gets if you’re looking for a close, smooth, irritation-free shave at home.
Gillette Shave Club
Keeping a silky-smooth shave comes easy with a Gillette Shave Club subscription plan. The subscription plan from Gillette offers refills, razors, and shaving cream at a very affordable monthly rate.
Gillette Shave Club subscription has three razor plans: the Mach3 Turbo, Fusion ProGlide, and Fusion Proshield. The frequency of replacement razors can be once per month, once per two months, once per four months, or once every six months.
You can also buy these packages on Amazon, with or without a subscription. On Amazon, Mach3 Turbo starts at $8.97 with two blade refills, Fusion ProGlide starts at $12.97 with two blade refills, and Fusion ProShield starts at $14.97 with two blade refills.
In addition to this, you will receive special coupons and deals once you become part of the Gillette Shave Club.