When you go to buy a new electric shaver may men are not exactly sure what they should look for. And this problem is compounded by the fact that you can’t actually take it for a test drive before you buy it. Although it makes sense that you can’t “try it before you buy it” it still complicates matters.

So lets start with your face. If you are going to be shaving around any kind of beard whether it be full, goatee or something else I can tell you from experience that you do not want to get a rotary razor.

The long slots in the heads of a rotary tend to grab hairs that you are not trying to cut. So if this is you go with a foil. If this is not you then the rotary shaving system is still on the table.

Beyond that they are both fine but each has it’s own good and bad points. Good and bad points in a nutshell: the rotary is a little faster and the foil has a little more control.

Now you need to decide if you want your new razor to be self cleaning or not. All the popular makes have at least a couple of models that come with a base that will clean you shaver automatically. Some will even charge and lubricate it.

If you travel a lot one of these might not be practical and you might also want to consider the type of case that comes with it. Many have a soft case and a small plastic cap that fits over the blade head. This is especially important with a foil shaver. In transit this might come off and the foil could be damaged.  I prefer a solid case that covers the entire razor.

If you do travel a lot you might even want to consider getting a second electric razor just for trips. Some are battery powered and all the major brands (Braun, Norelco, Panasonic and Remington) have at least one travel model. You will not even need to spend much as they run from about $13 to $33.

The next thing to look for is the design. Do you like the way it looks? Dose it look like it will be comfortable in your hand and easy to maneuver around your face?

You most definitely want your electric shaver to be rechargable. Trying to shave with a power cord attached to the wall is not the way to go. There are not many corded razors left on the market today and that should tell you something.

And last the price. You can spend from around $35 to well over $200. I have a Braun 3 Series razor that was about $65 and it is just fine for me. Spend more or spend less it all depends on how many bells and whistles you want.

That about covers it. It basically comes down to picking one that you like so go ahead and buy that new electric shaver and start enjoying a smooth and comfortable shave.

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This is a question that I hear a lot. Both Braun and Norelco (now Philips Norelco) make excellent electric shavers. But which one is Better?

I have owned several models of both as well as a Panisonic and a Remington or two. Currently I have a Braun Series 3 340 and even though it’s not an expensive model (around $65) I just Love it.

Let me say right up front that I have a beard and shaving around a beard is probably not something most of you do. A rotary razor because of the large slots tends to cut hair that I don’t want to cut. So a foil shaver is my first choice. 

The benefits of a rotary is that it will cut longer hairs that you may have missed the day before, which most foils would not. But the Braun 3 has a sloted blade  in between the two foils which will get those missed hairs without getting my beard.

I also feel that a foil just gives a closer more comfortable shave. Another thing about Braun that I love is the charge life. I’ve had mine for about 8 months and I think I’ve only charged it 4 times. Other razors that I’ve owned, including a Norelco Reflex Plus that’s sitting on the shelf in the medicine cabinet, only lasted for about two weeks.

Braun also has a better trimmer in my opinion. It’s on the front so you don’t have to turn the shaver around to use it and it’s also easier to deploy.

Choosing an electric shaver like many things is a highly personal decision that we men have to make. My choice between Braun and Norelco is the Braun all the way. Leave a comment and let me know what you think either way. Happy shaving.

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