Buyer's guide to shavers

The electric shavers available today are quick and easy and combine functionality with style and come in a range of colors from red, yellow, purple to black and metallic and funky to macho.

Rotary and Foiled type are basically two types of electric shavers.

Electric shavers with a hypo-allergenic foil are for men with sensitive skins there are. Some men’s shavers come with a built-in moisturizing cream which is applied to your face as you shave. In some instances, you need to apply a lotion before shaving.

Rotary shavers: Also known as the electric razor, the rotary shaver features 1 to 3 circulating blades fitted under a slotted head, which rotate in a circular motion when shaving. These are powered by a small DC motor that runs on rechargeable batteries. These give you a dry shave without using shaving soap, cream and water. Philishave, from Philips shavers is a name to reckon with in the rotary shavers segment.

Foil blade shavers: These types use an oscillating or back and forth motion for shaving through a screen. Basically foil shavers feature 1 to 4 rows of blade. There are three types of foil blade shavers: single with one cutter and screen (foil), double with two screens and cutters and triple with three screens and cutters. Again which works better can be known through trial and error only and also depends on one’s personal choice. Braun is one of the leading manufacturers of foiled based electric shavers.

Wet and Dry shavers: These foil type shavers were introduced for those who need to use the razor in the shower or while bathing. Wet and dry shavers give you the dual option of a wet as well as a dry shave. These are ideal for frequent travelers and are quite affordable. This type of shaver uses special stainless steel blades that do not rust when used underwater. Panasonic shavers, with ultra thin blades positioned behind a screen, are highly popular in the wet dry shavers segment.

How long a set of blades and foil will last depends on the hair quality, frequency of shaving, as well as handling and maintenance. Most foil and cutter sets and rotary blades need changing together annually as they wear out almost together. Cutters and guards for rotary shavers are sold as a package, while for the foil model they need to be purchased individually.

Maintenance

Spare parts like cutters and guards on some models are too expensive hence check the manufacturer’s warranty beforehand. It should be at least for a year if not more. Go for a model with an automatic cleaner if cleaning your shaver is too much of a task for you. In case of rechargeable shavers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to charge the batteries as too little or too much charging can reduce the life of the shaver. Some models come with an indicator gauge that tells you about the charge left in the shaver as well as when it is time to change the blade.

While some electric shavers need to be plugged in the mains, some are rechargeable with cord or are cordless. The cordless ones can be charged on an automatic charging unit. Frequent travelers, however, should get a shaver with a universal 110-240 voltage AC system, a travel switch lock and a pouch. Most rechargeable shavers come with a power indicator gauge, while some models also indicate when the cutters need to be replaced. The normal recharging time varies between 1 to 16 hours and giving you about 45 minutes of shaving time. However, a 3-minute quick charge facility gives you one shave.

A battery powered rechargeable shaver is ill-advised for daily use as the battery loses charge rapidly and will need to be replaced within 3 or 5 years.

Beard Trimmers: Most shaver models come with a pop up trimmer or a long hair trimmer for cutting the beard to a desired length. A trimmer uses many sets of thin blade stacked on top of each other. These inch wide and are tipped with sharp teeth that oscillate when the trimmer is switched on. Versatile and easy to use, these beard trimmers allow men to experiment with their beard styles.

An adjustable plastic guard snaps over the blades and helps you control the amount of hair that needs to be trimmed off. A switch or a wheel on the trimmer controls the guard by setting it so as to cut a desired length of hair. Trimmers also help to shave off a few days stubble. Some beard trimmers come with extra battery life or a powerful double motor to trim off hair on the head as well.

Most trimmers are made of plastic with stainless steel blades and are rechargeable. Some trimmers also feature a vacuum that clears up the hair around the sink. The beard trimmer comes with a brush to clean the blades and comb to maintain the beard.

Tube-type precision trimmers like the ones from Philips Norelco arcitec work closer to the skin and are ideal for cutting sideburns, moustaches and goatees with a back and forth motion. Slots on the outer tube catch the hair and the inner tube oscillates the blades to cut hair that comes in contact with it.  This trimmer extends out from the shaver’s body and slides back after use. Often trimmers have an option to lift the blades up for clearing the trapped hair.

Shavers belonging to same series of a manufacturer will give you the same quality of shave. This is because models in the same range use same parts like blades and cutters. For instance shavers from Panasonic Vortex series will give you the same shave. The difference in pricing comes from extra features and finish.

While most women prefer to wax or use depilatory hair removers on their hands, legs and underarms, a large section uses shavers to perform the same tasks. Like men’s shavers, women’s shavers are equally comfortable and easy-to-use and are definitely less painful than depilatory shavers, epilators and waxing.

Some women’s shavers can multitask as an epilator, trimmer and a shaver. The epilator part removes hair from the root, the trimmer clears the bikini area and the shaver is used for underarms and limbs. Some models offer an option to switch shaver heads as required. The Panasonic Close Curves comes with a pivoting head that follows the body’s curves and a pop up trimmer for clearing the bikini area. The rechargeable Remington Shaver for women features gold-plated titanium blades and an automatic cleaning system with a charging base.

Remington Shavers: With a huge market share in the men’s grooming arena, Remington provides a vast range of foil as well as rotary shavers for the urbane man. With ultra-thin micro-screens that provide a protective cover over fine blades, Remington shavers are designed to give the user the finest and closest shave possible. The flex and pivot head technology ensures that the shaver moves along the contours of the face to eliminate every single hair. Precision trimming features allow for shaping and styling of goatees and moustache.

Remington’s rotary shavers feature self-sharpening rotating blades that are covered by two rotary track covers. These shavers follow the contours of the face and a low on operating noise and vibrations.

Panasonic Shavers: Masters in wet dry shavers, Panasonic shavers feature ultra-thin nanotech blades and a linear motor with nearly 13,000 to 17,000 rpm for the smoothest possible shave. A triple floating head design comprising two foils and a center slit offers a full range of back and forth and up and down motions following the facial contours for a closest shave possible. High end Panasonic shavers come with a Hydra cleaning charger that automatically cleans, dries and charges the shaver simultaneously. It uses an alcohol free water or detergent to clear the shaver blades while a built-in heater element completely dries the shaver head. One hour of charge gives you 14 shaves, while a three minute quick charge gives you a single shave when short of time. Most Panasonic shavers come with a universal voltage adapter for travel.

Philips Shavers: Sold under the brand name Philishave, the wide range of rotary Philips Shavers cater to all shaving requirements and pockets. Three independent flexible heads connected via a ball joint system, use flex and pivot technology to perform a full range of swiveling action to give you the closest shave even in curved and neck areas. All the rotary blades are connected to the shaving motor by a central drive technology that uses a single spindle for an easy grip. The sleek and ergonomical design gives a comfortable grip ensuring that the shaver does not slip out of the hand. Philips patented tube trimmer works great on moustaches and goatees. A power pod travel case recharges and safely stores the Philips shaver.

Braun Shavers: Braun offers various series of foil electric shavers. A power comb, using pulsonic technology lifts tough problematic hair 10,000 times per minute for the patented Gillette blade to cut it off as close as possible. These self cleaning shavers can also be washed under the tap as an option. The series 7 models offer effective trimming, allow faster shaving keeping irritation to the minimum. The automatic charging unit also cleans the shaver head with an anti-bacterial solution.

Final word:

A large number of razors and shavers are available in the market and are largely a matter of personal choice. This guide will help you in narrowing down the choices thereby making it easy for you to select the right one that meets all your requirements.