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By Robert Leedham, Esat Dedezade and Owen Gough
For baby-faced smoothness, a top-quality razor is just the right tool for the job. Here are our picks to perfect the wet shave
Every man’s bathroom cabinet should be armed with a quality manual razor, but do you truly look after it? We really hope you’re not still using one from that trip to Spain 6 years ago, but if you are, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. The best razors can help you live your completely hairless dreams, with skin-soothing strips to pave the way for the blades to glean every follicle from your chin or around your body. Just like the best beard trimmers or electric shavers can sculpt and tidy up your jawline, a razor has its place in your grooming routine.
Sure, whipping a razor around your jaw is slower and more hassle than using the best electric razors to mop up the stubble, but if you pick the right tool, i.e one with an adjustable pivoting head, ergonomic design and deadly-sharp blades, you can get the job done with more finesse. Disposable razors have come a long way over the years, and while you might be thinking your chin deserves a more cultured, technical experience because you suffer from sensitive skin, you may be wrong.
Analogue razors can eliminate tricky ingrown hairs and skin irritation without scratching at your cheeks, nicking your skin, or leaves you with nasty razor burn (the kind that always seems to ruin a day).
Your only upcoming issue is which shaving razor to go for. There’s a wealth of options available for all budgets and skin types, from Gillette and Schick to Harry’s and Manscaped, each with skinguards to protect your face, cutting-edge blades to eliminate unwanted hair and ergonomic designs to make the whole thing as quick and easy as possible. Read on to check out the best razors, tried and tested by our grooming editors.
You've heard the podcast adverts, you've seen it on YouTube. Harry's Truman is a high-quality icon of wet shaving hair removal with an ergonomic, slip-free handle, durable, super-sharp blades and the option to replace your dulling blades on a subscription so you never have to worry about when to switch them out again.
A full shaving kit designed to completely revolutionise your shaving experience, Manscaped's Sidekick bundle has everything you could possibly need to maintain a hairless body, with scents and hydration to keep your skin smooth and smelling great.
It might be on the pricey side, but Gillette's heated labs razor is a special sort of blade/razor handle combo to help reduce razor bumps for practically all skin types. It warms up your skin to sooth the pores and hairs as you shave, resulting in that fresh towel-dried shave that can only be replicated in your nearest pro Turkish barbershop.
Skip to: How we test the best razors | What's the difference between a straight razor and a safety razor? | Are straight razors dangerous? | How much should you spend on your razor? | Should I use a razor subscription service? | How do I clean and maintain a razor?
When placing a sharp blade next to your neck, you’ll want assurances that it will give you the closest shave, with no nicks to the skin, and that it’s actually been tested by someone trustworthy. That, we can assure you. Our grooming editors have used as many razors as their face could take, personally testing each to assess the quality of the shave, the sharpness of the razor blades and the overall value of each razor. Where possible, we measured the cost against any included extras (or if the subscription package for replacement heads was worth it) to give you the most accurate list of the best razors in 2023.
Almost every razor you can buy in your local pharmacy, or get delivered to your front door, is known as a safety razor. Why? Its blades will be fitted with a protective shield or lubricating strips to stop you from cutting your skin so easily.
Straight razors don't offer the same protection, as they are typically only a single blade (like a cutthroat manual razor) and, as such, are usually best left to the barbershop pros. Otherwise, you risk Sweeney Todd-ing yourself. You can also get double-edge safety razors, which leave only a tiny bit of the razor head bevel protruding for an added element of safety and accuracy, letting you really hone in on those sideburns.
Absolutely. But so are cars, kitchen knives and the internet, if used incorrectly. If, however, you take the time to swot up on the correct skills, you'll minimise the risk of injury and feel pretty satisfied with yourself once you've nailed it. Another bonus is the fact that, if maintained, a straight razor can be sharpened to keep a wicked edge for the duration of its life (though you'll soon find yourself down an endless rabbit hole of whetstones and leather strops). To make things a bit easier, we’d recommend investing in a proper shaving foam that will prep the skin, lift the hairs and hydrate your face post-shave. You have been warned.
As one of the most rudimentary bits of men's grooming kit, a good razor shouldn't cost the earth. What you're paying for is a quality handle and number of blades with a well-judged grip and balance and a set of blades that'll easily scythe through your stubble. All of the blades featured here pass these tests without leaving a sizeable hole in your pocket. Especially if you're smart and buy your replacement cartridges in relative bulk.
For a general ballpark figure, you should expect to pay around a tenner at the absolute minimum for a cheap, plastic razor, but fully decked-out bundles with travel cases, multiple head replacements and higher-quality blades can cost upwards of £50.
If you're looking to invest in the full barbershop experience, opt for a set that includes a quality shaving brush and shaving cream, too.
The good thing about a razor subscription service is that you'll never end up shaving with a dull set of blades. The idea is that you get sent a new set of cartridges roughly once per month, with popular brands like Harrys or Manscaped owning the space. If you only use a razor for extra-suave effect on special occasions or like to keep your scruff just on the right side of "manageable", then subscribing to a razor service may be a bit excessive. For those who hit the near-daily sweet spot, however, it's smart to sign up for the razors, shaving creams, and other grooming add-ons you'll put to good use.
We don't mean to sound like a nagging parent, but taking care of your razor, or any of your grooming tools, is an essential practice for all men. Not least because it stops you from grinding a device full of detritus from your previous shave all over your clean skin, but it also keeps the blades at optimum sharpness and removes any risk of rust or dents in the metal, which can easily result in painful nicks or the dreaded razor burn.
Instead, what you should definitely grab as soon as you can, is a quality blade oil. Lather up the blades regularly –though don't drench them– and pat dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. This will keep the blades sharp and lubricated, and oil isn't all that expensive to buy. Some brands even offer you a small bottle of the stuff when you buy the razor so there's no excuse.
You should always give your razor a quick rinse under a warm tap before you start shaving, just to remove any risk of old hair shavings being caught in the blades, and also means the blades are warm to open up the pores of your skin for a smoother shave. It's also always advised to wash off the blades again once you're done, pat drying them with a towel or lint-free cloth, ready for your next shave.
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Wondering if there's a razor that can tackle hair away from the jawline and a bit further down? Gillette's new Intimate series is kind to your skin, taking care to gently eradicate unwanted hair without nicking, scratching or pulling, meaning you can explore a clean shave across other areas of your body. Combine this top-tier razor with the Intimate i5 trimmer and you've got yourself a quality body grooming set.
Read GQ's Gillette Intimate review
According it the entire world – or at least, Gillette claims so anyway – the Mach3 is the single greatest three-blade razor available, and we're quite happy to accept that statement, considering how long Gillette and its Mach range has been going for. Featuring an exfoliating strip on the bottom and a cleansing strip after the blades, it preps the skin, sweeps away hair and soothes afterwards for an effortlessly close shave. Oh, and if you get it from Amazon you get 12 replacement blades for a pretty reasonable price.
Merkur’s beautifully-made safety razor has a wonderfully premium chrome finish, with a reassuringly hefty weight and knuckled grippy handle making for a very compelling package indeed. Pick up the optional stand, and you’ll be more than happy to display your hair-slicing implement for all the world to see — especially with a suitable brush and high-end lather cream to go with it. You can use Merkur’s own blades of course, but you’re welcome to experiment with other standard-sized offerings as well.
If there's one complaint we have about most manual razors is that their design is often lacking. Where's the garish, acid green colour scheme? Where's the collaborations with gaming companies? We know longer complain about this any more, what with Gillette Labs bringing us this limited edition Razer razor. Arriving with a travel case and one blade refill, it's essentially your top-range exfoliating razor with a fancy lick of paint.
Rule Britannia and all that, but if you're striking the patriotic look, then boy, do we have a shout for you. Bolin and Webb's R1 Jack proudly boasts the Union Jack across its thick, ergonomic handle for unparalleled precision on your shaves. The quality of the design is only half the story though, as it also features Gillette's Mach3 triple blade set-up, which, if you were paying attention further up this list, has been voted the best razor in the world.
Bic’s Flex 5 Hybrid starter kit comes with one handle and two blade cartridges, with each packing the cutting power of five moveable nano-tech blades for an ultra-close shave. With a sturdy rubber grip and a precision edging blade for finer details, it’s the perfect groomer pairing to some quality shaving gel. The contouring head in particular lowers the learning curve even for users coming over to the manual side from the likes of the Philips OneBlade, Philips Norelco, or rechargeable electric Braun series, making Bic’s package a quiet, fuss-free option.
There are only 300 of these razors available – so grab one while you can – but the infinite charm of artist, Fei Wang's Mr Slowboy is worth the steep price of admission. Posing in front of a red Jaguar E-Type (how British) and sporting a fetching hat and winning smile, this is the must-have razor for the man who loves his country.
Arguably the most famous contemporary shaving brand, thanks to the plethora of podcast adverts dedicated to its flagship model, Harry's is a top choice if you're shaving daily and need regular replacements to keep your blades sharp and your jawline hair-free. The set is handily affordable, with the blades lasting around 2 months before Harrys ships more out to you. You also get a blade protector that's perfect for keeping hair and sharp blades away from the rest of your luggage.
We know all about Manscaped's brilliant range of male grooming tools – just check out our review of The Beard Hedger – but the Sidekick bundle is an interesting prospect for anyone looking to trim more than just their facial hair. In this pack, you'll get a quality blade (called the Plow 2.0…there's a lot of gardening themes here), a nose and ear hair trimmer (The Weed Whacker), a moisturising hair and body wash (Crop Cleanser), a below-the-waist body toner and refresher (The Crop Reviver), and a brush to sweep away detritus (The Foot Duster). It's a banger of a package for £85, with a toiletry bag and a shaving mat to collect your unwanted hair included in the price.
You can leave your cheap plastic manual razors behind, here we have a properly solid bit of shaving kit that can last your entire lifetime should you wish. Wrought from aluminium and packing Gillette's Fusion5 Proglide blade on the head, it was voted by our readers as the best shaving product in 2023. And you don't get finer praise than that.
Wilkinson Sword is a brand synonymous with quality grooming, but now it can claim to make one of the most elegantly-designed razors that still stands up to scrutiny. The double-edged blades will stand the test of time, reducing razor burn and slicing through unwanted hair with the same confidence as a veteran samurai. A PTFE coating, which acts as a skin-safe lubricant and anti-stick solution, has the blades gliding around your jaw without catching, and the ridged handle eliminates the risk of it slipping in your hand.
The chrome-plated metal on this Mühle razor is enough to transform any sink-side into a barbershop of old. Thanks to its closed-comb head, this one takes a pro-shaver to reap its slightly less user-friendly, old-school advantage, but the result will hark back to babyfaced style icons such as Steve McQueen.
Want the warmth and sensation of a hot towel shave at the push of a button? Thanks to GiletteLabs’ Heated Razor you can have just that. Using a warming bar to provide continuous heat and comfort in every stroke, it will give you a soothing and comfortable shave. Plus, it’s fitted with Gillette’s thinnest and finest blades.
Made with sustainability in mind, this razor comes with a bamboo handle to minimise its plastic waste while its packaging is made from fully recycled materials. Given Bulldog’s form in good value grooming kit, you can trust this five-bladed affair to deliver a reliably smooth shave.
If you’re the type to reach for new blades on the regular, then the Wilkinson’s Sword Hydro 5 should be your razor of choice. It’s available at a supremely reasonable price with four blade refills packed in – a bona fide bargain.
When it comes to a premium shave, Pankhurst doesn't disappoint. Their barbershop at the Thom Sweeney Townhouse is a luxurious grooming haven, boasting sleek interiors, a cocktail lounge and Bentley furnishings. If you can't make it to Mayfair, you can bring their best-in-class barbery to you, thanks to the Pankhurst Refillable Razor. In addition to benefitting from its lightweight, comfortable handle, your shaving regimen will be simplified as the body is compatible with all cartridges, affording you luxurious ease and choice when switching blades.
Eye-wateringly expensive? Check. Necessary? Probably not. Beautiful? Absolutely. Made to last a lifetime, this Japanese-made folding razor has a dark scotch wood handle, a spring-mounted blade for easy one-touch opening, and an edge that's sharp enough to offer an insanely close shave.
Perfectly weighted to counteract drag and reduce irritation, this five-blade razor will give you a smooth and close shave every time. How? Well, the blades' hinge moves with the contours of the face to prevent cuts and a gel strip provides a protective cushion. Plus, the lightweight handle balances the weight of force applied.
With its elegant faux horn handle and a Mach III blade, this Gentlemen's Tonic Saville Row razor comes with all the style and function of a well-fitting tailored suit. That added handle bulk also balances the weight for just the right pressure on your skin.
Boldking manufactures a razor that’s fast taken Europe by storm for good reason. Thinking about more than just a clean-shaven face (which it’ll do a cracking job at), the use of a non-slip rubber handle and addition of a suction cup to mount onto any surface makes this a particularly handy tool for shower-time grooming. Opt-in for BoldkingRepeat and you’ll receive replacement blades at intervals that suit your needs at 20 per cent off, so there’ll be no excuses for letting your body hair grow to first-month-of-lockdown levels again.
This is a heavy-duty razor built to strip away at even the thickest of beards. Double-edged and made from stainless steel, it’s about as resilient as a razor gets and comes with ten platinum alloy-coated blades to keep you going for several months. Thanks to the extra-wide, knurled handle, it provides much better control than is usual of a safety razor, which is particularly appealing if you’ve mastered the art of the shower shave.
Read our other GQ Guides to grooming technology
The best body hair trimmers for a tidy trim all over
The 23 best electric shavers for an effortlessly clean shave
The best hair clippers for a barber-worthy home cut
The best beard shampoos and washes for freshening up your facial hair
The best beard oils to soften your facial hair and prevent ‘beardruff’
How to nail your hair-to-beard ratio
A bearded man's guide to beard care
An appreciation of Christian Bale's beard
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