Frequently asked questions
How to shop for an electric razor
- Think about where you’ll shave most often. Larger areas like legs benefit from wider shaving heads, while smaller or contoured spots—like the bikini line or underarms—are easier to manage with more compact, precise designs.
- Match the razor to your grooming style. If you like options, look for devices with multiple attachments or interchangeable heads for both trimming and shaving.
- Prioritize comfort and control. An ergonomic handle can help you navigate curves and harder-to-reach areas more easily.
- Go cordless and waterproof, if possible. These features let you shave in the shower and make it easier to fit grooming into your routine, wherever you are.
- Look for a long-lasting battery. A solid charge means less time plugged in and more reliable performance.
- Opt for easy-to-clean designs. Built-up hair, skin, or product can dull performance and trigger irritation—look for razors that rinse clean or come with cleaning tools.
- Consider your skin’s sensitivity. If you’re prone to irritation, choose a razor designed for sensitive skin or one with features such as hypoallergenic foils or a rounded head.
Do dermatologists recommend electric razors?
Yes. Especially for people who struggle with razor bumps or chronic irritation. “Electric razors often shave slightly above the skin surface, which reduces the risk of hairs curling back into the skin and causing ingrown hairs,” says Hope Mitchell, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Mitchell Dermatology. Something to note: they’re not always as close as a blade shave, but they’re often a healthier option for the skin.
How to use an electric razor
- Prep your skin. Start by exfoliating and cleaning the bikini area, which removes dead skin cells, creates a smooth shave, and reduces the risk of irritation and ingrown hair. Trimming or shaving in the shower will be more comfortable than shaving dry, since the force required to cut through hair is lower than when it’s dry, says Caitlin Orszulak, senior scientist at P&G Grooming.
- How to shave your face: When shaving, apply light pressure and go against the grain for a closer shave. A foil razor works best here—stick to short, straight strokes and keep the skin taut for better contact.
- How to shave your body: For the body (like legs), foil razors perform well on flatter areas, while rotary razors may feel more comfortable on curves such as knees or underarms. Move in long, steady motions and let the razor glide—avoid pressing down.
- How to shave your bikini area: In the intimate region where skin is more sensitive, Rachel Westbay, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, recommends reaching for a foil razor or a bikini trimmer, which are more precise and gentler. Stick to slow, careful passes, and start with a guard or trimming attachment, if your device includes one, to help prevent nicks.
How do you avoid irritation when using an electric razor?
Prep is everything. Start by cleansing the skin with a gentle exfoliator to rid it of dead skin cells. Next, when you shave matters, too. “Shaving right after a warm shower is ideal because the hair is softer and easier to cut,” says Dr. Mitchell. When shaving, she recommends using light pressure—pressing too hard can increase friction and irritation. “I also recommend shaving in the direction the hair grows, especially if you’re prone to ingrowns.”
What are the two different types of electric razors?
Electric razors typically come in two main forms, designed for convenience and comfort but slightly different depending on where you are shaving on your body. “Foil razors have a thin, straight layer of metal that covers the blades while they oscillate, which is great for precision and sensitive skin,” says Dr. Westbay. “Rotary razors have round, spinning heads that adjust to the curves of your face or body.” While it’s completely up to preference of which razor you prefer, foil razors tend to be more effective on flatter areas (think: legs, arms), while rotary razors can help get into nooks and crannies, like around the bikini line and underarms.
What’s the difference between epilators, electric razors, and trimmers?
An electric razor (or shaver) cuts hair right at the skin’s surface. It’s quick, painless, and low-risk for nicks, but regrowth appears within a few days. For women, razors are a go-to for everyday use on legs, underarms, and even the bikini line—especially foil razors, which are more precise and gentle on sensitive skin.
A woman’s electric epilator, by contrast, removes hair from the root using dozens of tiny tweezers. The process can feel more uncomfortable, but it leaves skin smoother for much longer—up to four weeks before regrowth. Dermatologists say epilators are best for areas like the legs and arms, but may be too harsh for sensitive spots like the bikini line.
A trimmer doesn’t shave hair down to the skin; instead, it shortens strands to an even length using a guard and an oscillating blade. This is the gentlest of the three, and they often come with comb attachments so you can choose how much length to keep.
TL;DR: Electric razors and electric shavers are the fastest and smoothest option, epilators deliver longer-lasting results, and trimmers are the gentlest choice for precision and sensitive skin.
What are the best electric razors for legs and the bikini area?
Most experts agree that electric trimmers and foil razors designed specifically for the pubic region are your best bet for the bikini area—especially if you have sensitive skin. “An electric trimmer is often recommended, as it’s more gentle and less likely to cause irritation,” says Faisal Al-Jabri, founder and CEO of beauty and skin care brand RoseSkinCo. He notes that trimmers also offer better control and customizable length settings, so you can decide whether you want to tidy up or trim hair down to nearly bare.
Foil razors are another smart option—they’re precise, glide more gently, and often come with attachments designed to reduce the risk of nicks. In contrast, standard rotary razors not designed for pubic hair can cause excessive friction, leading to razor burn or ingrown hairs.
What are the most hygienic electric razors for women?
The most hygienic razors are waterproof and designed for quick rinsing, since that prevents buildup that can cause irritation. Materials matter too. Hypoallergenic stainless-steel foils are durable, rust-resistant, and safe for most skin types. Some trimmers use ceramic blades, which hold sharpness longer and are highly resistant to bacteria and corrosion.
If your skin is irritated after shaving, what should you do?
First, stop shaving until the skin calms down. “Apply a gentle fragrance-free moisturizer, and if the irritation is significant, a short course of over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone can help reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Mitchell. If bumps develop, you can introduce a gentle exfoliant, such as salicylic acid, once the skin is no longer raw or tender.
We started by researching 30 electric razors, foil shavers, trimmers, and epilators, drawing on dermatologist recommendations, expert interviews, and best-seller lists from major retailers. From there, we selected 13 models to test based on criteria like price range, features, and availability. Glamour contributors then used each razor across multiple areas, according to each product’s recommended use—on the legs, underarms, bikini line, upper lip, and cheeks.
Each razor was tested at least twice before testers provided detailed feedback to our shopping team across these categories:
- Ease of use: How seamlessly the razor handled trickier spots like knees, ankles, and the bikini line
- Comfort: Whether the skin felt irritated, nicked, or tugged
- Battery life: How long the tool lasted on a full charge, and whether it was rechargeable
- Waterproofness: Performance both wet (in the shower with cream) and dry
- Cleanliness: Whether hair and buildup are rinsed or brushed out easily
- Value: How well it held up over multiple uses compared to its price point
Models we didn’t include often missed the mark on comfort (some tugged or irritated sensitive skin), battery life (dying before finishing a full shave), or overall value (not offering enough features for the price). The final list reflects the razors that balanced performance, comfort, and reliability—the ones our testers said they’d actually keep using in their own routines.
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