Men's Shaver Comparison: Consumer Tips
Compared to wet shavers, they are less thorough and generally have problems with longer, flat-lying facial hair. However, there are no follow-up costs, as regular blade replacements are not necessary. The cutting head can either be the classic vibrating blade head or rotating circular blades. Expensive circular blade systems also have three interlocked blades per cutting head, which increases the shaving area and thus promises a thorough shave in fewer strokes.
In general, blade heads are considered to be somewhat gentler on the skin, while circular blades can score points with their quiet operation. It is important that the blade heads can swing around their own axis so that they can adapt to difficult areas of the face, such as the neck or chin. In some models, the entire shaving head is also flexibly mounted.
What should be considered?
The batteries should be replaceable; otherwise, the shaver can only be operated from the mains after a few years. A quick charge function, a sufficiently differentiated battery level indicator, and lithium-ion batteries are practical, as these can be recharged without consequences when their performance is not yet fully consumed. Operation via cable should be possible so that the men's shaver can also be used when the battery is empty.
Short or tangled hairs can be reached by a sonic motor, as it transmits vibrations to the skin, which should optimally lift the facial hairs. Waterproof shavers can be easily cleaned under running water and also allow wet shaving in the shower or bath. Some shavers allow for individual adjustment of shaving sensitivity, while others promise relief from itching, pimples, or rashes through an integrated care system. Here, a cartridge located in the shaver applies a caring lotion to the skin during shaving, which, however, also means higher follow-up costs due to regular cartridge changes.
The operating noise: A quiet hum is normal, but especially high-frequency sounds can become very unpleasant. Some men's shavers come with a cleaning station, into which the shaver only needs to be plugged after use, and the cleaning then runs automatically. However, the station should not charge at the same time, as this can reduce the lifespan of the batteries. Furthermore, the cleaning is not always perfect, and sometimes the shaver remains in the liquid after cleaning, which means that one inevitably holds a wet shaver in hand the next morning. A cleaning brush and a protective cap for the cutting head should be part of the standard equipment. For transport, sturdy cases are better, as they protect the shaver and ensure that the switch does not accidentally turn on during transport, potentially causing the shaver to lose all its battery power. For those who are not morning people, USB shavers that allow power supply through a computer's USB port are recommended.
The hair clipper or beard trimmer
With a hair or beard trimmer, a three-day stubble, a full beard, or a short hairstyle can be trimmed to the millimetre using blades that shear against each other. Accurate contour cuts are also possible. Important parameters are the cutting performance (how many hairs does the hair clipper cut per second?), the motor capacity, which transfers power to the cutting blade, and the quality of the cutting blade. Very sharp, thorough carbon fibre and titanium-coated X-taper blade cutting blades are recommended here. Beard and hair trimmers are usually made of lightweight plastic. However, this should be robust and shock-resistant, and the individual components should be firmly connected with minimal gaps. For ergonomic handling, a lightweight design and a rubberised soft-touch grip surface are beneficial. The attachments should be adjustable in steps or continuously to different cutting lengths, or there should be multiple attachments available for each length. The possible cutting lengths should range from 0.5 mm to 20 mm; combined beard and hair trimmers can also cut longer hair, but due to their thicker and wider blades, they do not work as precisely as pure beard trimmers. For the maintenance and care of the blades, a brush for removing hair and oil should be included. The same purchasing criteria apply to battery operation, battery level indicator, storage (case/charging station), and waterproofing as for shavers.
