The 10 Best Razors
Updated by · How we research
Topping an independent comparison of 17 men's razors puts the Gillette ProGlide Shield first of ten cartridge, safety and disposable razors for men and women. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Cartridges usually fit only handles from the same brand, so the first razor you buy sets what your refills will cost. Safety razors hold one bare blade that costs far less per shave, but they take practice, and disposables are tossed whole. Whether you shave a face, legs, underarms or a scalp, a manual razor is still the cheapest way to a close shave.
At a Glance
Editor's Notes
October 17, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Most people who land here want a good cartridge razor, a pack of disposables or a razor that won't leave red bumps, yet the 2020 version of this list leaned hard toward straight razors and pricey safety razors. So the list now covers those first.
A lot of the old picks were gone. The Dovo Prima 1161 is out of stock, the Black Widow Executive Series and the Gillette Mach3 disposables are unavailable, and we couldn't find the Edwin Jagger Safety DE anymore. The Gillette Venus Embrace listing now sells a different razor, and the Schick Hydro Silk disposable shows no price. We dropped the Feather SS ACS-RB too, since a shavette takes real practice.
The Feather AS-D2 is still a lovely razor, but it costs several times as much as everything else here, so it moved to Special Honors alongside Dovo's straight razors. The Vikings Blade Chieftain stays as the safety razor to learn on.
The Gillette ProGlide Shield takes the top spot because it topped an independent comparison of 17 men's razors. The Schick Hydro Sensitive came close for much less money. Women get four picks now, led by the Venus ComfortGlide White Tea.
We didn't shave with these ourselves. We leaned on two independent test roundups, maker specs and owner feedback, and we note where a claim comes only from the maker.
May 20, 2021:
Generally speaking, there are a few main types of razors. The Gillette Mach3 is usually considered the most reliable disposable razor, although many women prefer the Schick Hydro Silk. Cartridge razors like the Gillette ProGlide are especially popular these days, but their main drawback is that the replacement blades can get awfully expensive. Safety razors, such as the Vikings Blade Chieftain and Feather Double-Edge AS-D2, our #1 choice, are highly recommended in terms of effectiveness and long-term blade costs, although they require a bit more care for safe use than many others.
Finally, if you're really dedicated to a premium shaving experience, consider a good straight razor. The Feather SS ACS-RB and Dovo Prima 1161 are two of the best such models. These are even more difficult to get the hang of than safety razors, but the most demanding beard wearers tend to swear by them. Also keep in mind that with straight razors, you'll end up having to do your own maintenance, for which you'll need a high-grit whetstone, preferably in the neighborhood of 10K to 15K mesh.
March 31, 2020:
There is nothing worse than red, inflamed skin after shaving. Hopefully one of the razors on this list can minimize the chances of you ever experiencing that again. For the average man, a disposable like the Gillette ProGlide or Gillette Mach3 will be sufficient for their needs. They both feature moisturizing strips and multiple blades to get a close shave without causing irritation or having to do multiple passes. The Schick Hydro Silk and Gillette Venus Embrace offer similar features, but are designed specifically for women and the different areas they tend to shave.
Aficionados and those who take serious pride in their grooming will probably scoff at the idea of using a disposable though. For these individuals we have included a nice variety of safety and straight razors to choose from. If you are taking your first step away from disposables, we recommend you start with a safety razor first, as these are easier to use than straight razors, yet still offer many of the benefits, such as an exceptionally close shave, higher-quality construction and materials, and cost savings over time. The Feather Double-Edge AS-D2 is one such example that most definitely boasts an exceptional build quality. It is handcrafted in Japan and durable enough to be passed down from father to son. Most will find it gentle on the skin too. It may be no surprise that such a premium model commands a lofty price, so if you are looking for something a little easier on the wallet, but which still shows you are a discerning person who takes pride in their grooming habits, you can look to the Viking's Blade Chieftain.
Anyone using a straight razor for the first time shouldn't expect to come out of the experience completely unscathed, but if you are willing to put the time in to learn to use one properly, and deal with the inevitable nicks in the beginning, you will find they offer a gratifying shaving experience that other forms of razors just can't match, as well as the ability to do some exceptionally fine detail work. A case in point would be the Black Widow Executive Series, which has 1.5 millimeters of blade exposure specifically for very detailed edging. This feature, which is helpful for experienced users, also makes it difficult for beginners to use. It is worth noting that the overall build quality of the Black Widow is nowhere near that of the Dovo Prima 1161, which boasts a carbon steel blade and a very elegant design. The downside of this model is that it requires regular maintenance to keep it sharp and in tip top shape. The Feather SS ACS-RB is sort of a middle ground between the two. Like the Black Widow, it is a shavette, which means it has the straight razor design but takes disposable blades, and like the Prima, it has a very high-quality build.
Special Honors
Feather AS-D2 Japan's Feather makes the AS-D2, an all-stainless double-edge safety razor that's long been a favorite among experienced wet shavers. The handle alone weighs 3.2 ounces, and it comes with five Feather Hi-Stainless blades, though it takes any standard double-edge blade. It costs far more than a beginner's safety razor, so it suits someone who already knows they like the method. feather.co.jp
Dovo Straight Razors Dovo has made straight razors in Solingen, Germany, for generations, and its models are a common choice for people learning traditional shaving. A straight razor needs regular stropping and occasional honing, and it takes weeks of practice to use safely, but a well-kept one can last decades. dovo.com
Cartridge, Disposable Or Safety Razor
A cartridge razor keeps its handle and snaps on a new blade head when the old one dulls.
Most shavers choose between three kinds of razor. A cartridge razor keeps its handle and snaps on a new blade head when the old one dulls. A disposable is a whole razor you throw away. A double-edge safety razor holds one bare blade between two metal plates, and you replace only that blade. There's a fourth kind, the straight razor, which takes real skill (see our page on straight razors), and an electric shaver is a different tool altogether (electric shavers).
Cartridge razors are the easiest place to start. Their heads pivot to follow the face or leg, and most carry lubricating strips. In TechGearLab's men's razor tests, cartridge models took most of the top spots, and the testers found disposables the cheapest option overall, though the lowest-scoring ones felt flimsy and clogged.
Safety razors cost more up front and less over time. The same testers note a steep learning curve: a fixed head, slower shaves and a razor that's harder to rinse. Mild blades make the first weeks gentler. If you have a coarse beard or shave your head, Shaving Advisor suggests a five-blade cartridge, and it points people with sensitive skin toward milder heads instead.
Blades, Skin And What Refills Really Cost
More blades don't guarantee a better shave. In TechGearLab's men's tests, a five-blade Gillette scored far above the three-blade Mach3, but a four-blade Schick outscored several five-blade razors, and one five-blade store brand landed near the bottom. Shaving Advisor ranks the three-blade Mach3 among the best cartridge razors for people who want something simple. Blade design, pivot, lubrication and handle grip matter as much as the count.
Men's and women's razors are mostly the same idea in different shapes. Women's models usually have rounder heads, bigger lubricating bars and softer handles for legs, underarms and the bikini line, and TechGearLab's women's guide tested nine on all of those areas. Plenty of people use whichever fits their hand.
The handle is the cheap part. Refills are where the money goes, and most brands lock you in: Gillette's five-blade cartridges fit Gillette's five-blade handles, Venus refills fit Venus handles, and store-brand cartridges usually fit only their own handles. Store-brand and direct-to-consumer refills usually cost less than Gillette's, and double-edge blades cost far less than any cartridge. Vikings Blade claims its blades are 15 to 20 times cheaper than plastic cartridges. Before buying a kit, check the price of a refill pack.
Shaving Care, Travel And Safety
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests shaving after a warm shower, using a shaving cream or gel, shaving in the direction the hair grows and rinsing the blade after each swipe. It recommends changing the blade or tossing a disposable after five to seven shaves, and storing the razor somewhere dry between uses. Dull blades and dry shaving cause much of the irritation people blame on their razor. If razor bumps keep coming back, the academy suggests seeing a dermatologist (AAD).
Travel rules depend on the kind of razor. The TSA allows disposable razors and cartridge razors in carry-on bags. A safety razor can go in a carry-on only with the blade removed, and loose blades belong in checked bags. The officer at the checkpoint has the final say.
Blades stay sharp after they stop shaving well, so wrap used double-edge blades or drop them in a small metal container before throwing them out. We checked every pick against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list. The only relevant recall was the Gillette Venus Simply3 disposable in 2019, a model not on this list.
How we researched this
We screened 19 razors from two searches of current listings and the 2020 list, then compared the finalists against two independent test roundups from TechGearLab (17 men's razors and 9 women's razors tested), a cartridge razor ranking from Shaving Advisor and patterns in owner feedback. Maker specs come from product listings, and claims such as shaves per cartridge are labeled as the maker's. We checked every pick for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Sources (10)
- TechGearLab: best razors for men
- TechGearLab: best razors for women
- Shaving Advisor: best cartridge razors
- Wirecutter: best manual razor (search excerpt)
- American Academy of Dermatology: how to shave
- American Academy of Dermatology: how to prevent razor bumps
- TSA: disposable razor
- TSA: safety razor without blade
- TSA: razor-type blades
- CPSC: Gillette Venus Simply3 recall (2019)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best razor for most people?
The Gillette ProGlide Shield. It scored highest overall in TechGearLab's comparison of 17 men's razors, and its cartridges fit most Gillette five-blade handles. The Schick Hydro Sensitive came close for much less.
Do more blades give a better shave?
Not by themselves. In independent tests, some four-blade razors beat five-blade ones, and the three-blade Gillette Mach3 is still a well-liked simple choice. Pivot, lubrication and blade quality matter as much as the count.
What razor is best for sensitive skin or the bikini line?
Look for skin guards and lubricating strips, such as the Schick Hydro Sensitive or Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive. TechGearLab found the Venus ComfortGlide strong on the bikini line. Use a fresh blade, shave with the grain and don't press hard.
How often should I change my razor blade?
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests a new blade, or a new disposable, after five to seven shaves. Makers often claim longer, but a dull blade pulls and irritates.
Can I bring a razor on a plane?
Disposable and cartridge razors can go in carry-on bags under TSA rules. Safety razors need the blade removed for carry-on, and loose blades go in checked bags.
Is a safety razor cheaper than a cartridge razor?
Over time, usually yes. The razor costs more up front, but double-edge blades cost far less than cartridges. Expect a learning curve and slower shaves at first.
