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Shaving is like roulette, but using one of the best razors can cut down on the guessing. We've all been in a rut where despite using the same razor for every sesh, or being diligent about swapping out disposables, it can feel like each shave yields different results. That's when you know it's time to upgrade. The key to a great shave is to get really close to where those teeny-tiny hairs meet the skin while staving off irritation or nicking the skin, which can lead to ingrown hairs, discomfort, and discoloration. Read on for a roundup of the best razors to ease your shaving woes and achieve your smoothest skin yet.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Billie Razor, $15
- Best Weighted Razor: Hanni Weighted Razor, $42
- Best For Bikini Line: Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin, $15
- Best For Coarse Hair: Oui the People The Single Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor, $85
- Best Electric Razor: Philips Beauty Lady Electric Shaver Series 6000, $55
- Best Safety Razor: Well Kept Brass Safety Razor, $72
- Most Versatile: Panasonic 4-Blade Wet/Dry Electric Shaver,
$40$34 - Best Epilator: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9, $100
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do razors work?
- What are cartridge razors?
- What are safety razors?
- What are electric razors?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Billie Razor
Why It's Worth It: The Billie Razor is affordable, aesthetic, and shaves like a dream. Its cartridge bears five stainless steel blades, surrounded by a soothing aloe rim, and the different color options for the handles (and matching magnetic holder wall mount) make shaving feel like a fun little treat. Tracy Evans, MD, San Francisco-based board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology, previously told Allure that a razor with multiple blades (like Billie's) can help compensate for the fact that hairs grow in an irregular pattern, meaning more coverage and fewer passes needed. Plus, we love a subscription plan, and nothing beats getting cartridges delivered to your door so you never forget to re-up the blades on this 2023 Best of Beauty winner.
Editor Tip: Billie makes a bunch of body-care products to complement their razors. Try the Whipped Shave Cream, which you can bundle into your subscription plan.
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 5 | Refills Included: 3
Best Weighted: Hanni Weighted Razor
Why It's Worth It: The Best of Beauty Award-winning Hanni Weighted Razor was designed to make replacing blades a less intimidating experience, but that's only one reason to try it. "My shaving routine felt so much better and painless," former associate news editor Gabi Thorne says of her experience. "Since no pressure is needed, I didn't have to work too hard, and its blade is sharp enough that I didn't have to go over the same spot over and over."
Editor Tip: Change your blade after four to six uses for best results.
Type of Razor: Safety | Number of Blades: 1 | Refills Included: 5
Best for Bikini Line: Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin
Why It's Worth It: If you want separate razors for your legs/pits and pubes/bikini line, the Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin is your perfect secondary "down there" razor. The cartridges are smaller for easier manipulation in tricky, sensitive areas, and the patented "irritation defense bar" between the two blades lets you get a close shave with minimal skin contact.
Editor Tip: The rubber-like grip handle makes handling under running shower water easier.
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 2 | Refills Included: 2
Best for Coarse Hair: Oui the People The Single Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor
Why It's Worth It: An especially chic option is the Best of Beauty-winning The Single Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor by Oui the People. Made to remove coarse, curly hair with absolute ease, this splurge-worthy razor allows you to apply the perfect amount of pressure needed for a smooth and thorough shave that won't irritate the skin. "With a disposable razor, I usually have to press down firmly and retrace my strokes until my armpits felt raw, but I didn't have to exert any energy with the Sensitive Skin Razor," Allure commerce editor Sarah Han said in her review. "Its weight innately provides that pressure for you." Oui the People recommends shaving at the end of your shower when your skin is the most hydrated, a.k.a. the softest.
Editor Tip: Oui the People provides several helpful tips on recycling steel blades on its site. Once you've safely stored your used blades in the provided box, you can bring them to your local recycling center or, if your municipality has a safe sharps collection program, to the sharps collection center.
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 2 | Refills Included: 2
Best Electric Razor: Philips Beauty Lady Electric Shaver Series 6000
Why It's Worth It: Whether you've scheduled a post-shower shave for yourself or need a super quick touch-up before heading out the door, the Philips SatinShave Prestige Wet & Dry Cordless Electric Shaver is a great option. The go-anywhere tool comes with dual foils within a flexible head and "soft-touch comfort cushions," which ensure the most comfortable shave possible.
Editor Tip: This USB-rechargeable shaver comes with a bunch of accessories, including a textured glove, so you can do a quick, exfoliating scrub before you get to buzzing.
Type of Razor: Electric | Number of Blades: 1 | Refills Included: N/A
Best Safety Razor: Well Kept Brass Safety Razor
Why It's Worth It: The satisfyingly weighty Brass Safety Razor from Well Kept curbs irritation and ingrowns with a high-quality, stainless-steel blade. Just take your time and let the weight of the Canadian-made razor guide you. The razor will last you a lifetime—just make sure to swap out the blades as needed.
Editor Tip: Because these blades contain no plastic, they can be recycled through Well Kept's Blade Bank program. Each razor purchase comes with a small metal box that can house your discarded blades. When the box is full (about 100 blades), you can mail it to Well Kept, and it'll recycle the stainless steel and send you a new blade bank.
Type of Razor: Straight | Number of Blades: 1 | Refills Included: N/A
Most Versatile: Panasonic 4-Blade Wet/Dry Electric Shaver
Why It's Worth It: The affordable Panasonic 4-Blade Wet/Dry Electric Shaver combines inner blades and outer foils to create a close and comfortable shave on legs, underarms, and bikini lines. It can handle all the curvy peaks and valleys of your body and features a trimmer and bikini comb for extra grooming you may want to do along the way.
Editor Tip: Because it's waterproof, cleaning this shaver is super easy. Just run it under your faucet to get out extra bits of hair, and you're good to go.
Type of Razor: Electric | Number of Blades: 4 | Refills Included: N/A
Best Value: Flamingo 5-Blade Razor
Why It's Worth It: The flexible hinge on the Flamingo's Best of Beauty-winning 5-Blade Razor makes for a comfy shave every time, and an aloe and shea butter exterior surrounds the blades to make for more effortless gliding and less irritation. California-based board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, previously explained to Allure that the non-slip grip of the razor's handle helps you better control your strokes, which can cut down on nicks.
Editor Tip: Most cartridge razors don't have weighted handles, but this one does (yay).
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 5 | Refills Included: 3
Best for Beginners: Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor
Why It's Worth It: The Schick Intuition Razor may have been your first-ever razor, and honestly, we understand if you've stayed loyal. Thick, solid soap engulfs the edge of the blade to eliminate the need for shaving cream, and also cuts down on nicks, ensuring you have enough of a sudsy barrier with every stroke. It's easy to use and great for beginner shavers learning the ropes. "At the recommendation of my best friend, I used a Schick Intuition Razor the first time I shaved my legs in seventh grade, which took the nervousness out of the whole process," recalls contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman. "Plus, no shaving cream means less mess, which was a huge perk at age 12—and even now."
Editor Tip: If you have particularly sensitive skin or want extra assurance in terms of preventing razor irritation, commerce editor Sarah Han uses the Schick Intuition Sensitive Care Razor. And for extra dry skin, consider Schick Intuition Advanced Moisture.
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 4 | Refills Included: 4
Best Multi-Blade Safety Razor: Leaf Shave Razor
Why It's Worth It: Another lovely safety razor option, the Leaf Shave Razor, is beautifully designed to hug and glide your whole bod. The handle is long and weighted for easy balance and control, and the blade setup is adjustable. For the closest of close shaves, load up the razor with all three blades, and if you're looking for something a little more low-key on your sensitive skin, remove the bottom blade.
Editor Tip: Unlike some other makes, the Leaf Razor is compatible with any standard safety razor blade, so you don't need to drop extra cash on marked-up, brand-exclusive blades.
Type of Razor: Safety | Number of Blades: 3 | Refills Included: N/A
Best Epilator: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9
Why It's Worth It: The Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9 does it all—trims, shaves, and epilates. And what is an epilator? An epilator mechanically grasps several of your body hairs at once, pulling them out but without removing skin cells. It can still sting a little, but the 100% waterproof build allows you to epilate in the bath or shower for a more calming experience. This model leaves skin smooth for weeks with the help of multiple attachments, a long-lasting battery, and a little light that makes it easier to target sneaky hairs.
Editor Tip: This model has a red light sensor that helps regulate the pressure of the epilator as you move it across your skin.
Type of Razor: Electric | Number of Blades: 1 | Refills Included: N/A
Best For Travel: Alleyoop Portable Travel Razor
Why It's Worth It: Sort of like the Swiss army knife of razors, the Alleyoop Portable Travel Razor is an all-in-one force of nature that's TSA-approved and super easy to pack. The round container features a turning knob that allows you to switch between your razor, a moisturizing bar, and a refillable spray bottle for seamless, shave-worthy, travel-ready convenience.
Editor Tip: Apply the shea-butter-infused bar (that doesn't melt) before and after shaving for double the moisturizing boost.
Type of Razor: Cartridge | Number of Blades: 3 | Refills Included: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How do razors work?
While there are different types of razors, generally speaking, "The leading edge [of the razor] is designed to gently stretch the skin taut prior to the blade's arrival," explains Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and the founder of UV-protective apparel brand AmberNoon. Dr. Ilyas explains that it helps to have a razor edge that uniformly stretches the surface flat to allow the blade to come through with minimal nicks. As for blades, razors can come in single- or multiple-blade formats and can be spaced differently.
"Multiple blades can achieve a closer shave with fewer strokes," says Dr. Ilyas. "Ideally, the blades should be closer together to avoid nicking the skin. If they are too widely spaced, once the first blade drags across a hair, the skin can start to bulge slightly and get nicked by the next blade. Lastly, the handle should be comfortable enough to avoid the need to vary the pressure applied during the shave.
What are cartridge razors?
Dr. Ilyas says cartridge razors are designed with disposable cartridges, where two to six blades can be tightly spaced for a quick, close shave. "The cartridge can often be flexible or gently bend to allow the blades in the cartridge to curve," Dr. Ilyas explains, noting that it can be used in areas that require the blade to move with the contours of your skin. "This is a safe, close, but potentially pricey shave."
Cartridge razors allow for a fast shave if you're pressed for time because of the multiple blades at work. However, Dr. Ilyas says the cartridges should be changed routinely, which can add up in price. And there's no getting around it—if you use a cartridge for too long, you may injure yourself. "Hairs often get trapped between the blades as well, making them less effective over multiple uses," Dr. Ilyas explains.
Disposable razors are similarly constructed and can be used on the same body areas. Still, they are only designed for one or two uses, says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. (For your reference, the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD, recommends changing blades or throwing away disposable razors after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.) "A disposable razor generally has lower-quality blades, so the shave is less close, and you are more likely to nick or cut yourself," Dr. Batra explains.
What are safety razors?
Safety razors are single-blade razors made for long-term use with a protective device positioned between the blade's edge and the skin. Dr. Batra explains that safety razors use disposable blades, which are much cheaper (10 to 20 cents each) than those used in cartridge razors (typically $2 and up). "[Using] these still have a learning curve despite the protective device; however, they are not as difficult to master as a straight razor," she says.
People who develop razor burns from cartridge razors may benefit from safety razors. "There are safety razors with closed combs and longer handles that are recommended for women's legs and armpits," says Dr. Batra, who notes they can also be used on the face as a dermaplaning tool to exfoliate the skin while removing peach fuzz.
What are electric razors?
Electric razors have motorized blades topped with "foil," A.K.A a thin metal sheet with small holes. "The tiny holes in the foil capture the hair, and the oscillating blades come by and cut it," says Dr. Ilyas. "This makes for a safe and fast shave, but not necessarily as close as with a traditional razor." It's worth noting that even though these are thought to be less irritating, it's possible that not only hair gets pulled into the foil, but the skin as well. (Ouch.)
Rotary electric razors have three circular heads spaced like a triangle. "The round guard of each head captures hairs, and an internal spinning blade or cutter shaves these hairs," says Dr. Ilyas. This safe and fast shave permits quick movement around the contours of the neck and jawline, where hairs are captured at multiple angles.
Electric razors tend to be favored by people with beards who are on the go and need a quick shave. "They are not necessarily great at catching fine or peach-fuzz types of hair growth," Dr. Ilyas says. "Coarse, thick hair is ideal for these as the blade of hair can get trapped in the mechanism to allow it to be cut."
Meet the experts
- Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and founder of UV-protective apparel brand AmberNoon
- Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Monica, California, and a co-host of the TV show The Doctors
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in California
- Tracy Evans, MD, board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology based in San Francisco
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We are particularly discerning when writing about skin-care devices. This is because of the increased risks and, in many cases, the high price points, that accompany at-home dermatological tools and devices.
Each device undergoes extensive testing and must be approved by a senior member of our beauty team prior to appearing in Allure. Additionally, our editorial team consults board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic chemists about the science behind product claims and independently reviews any studies cited by brands. Testers consider performance across four primary categories: efficacy, safety (including ease of use), research and the science behind specific claims, as well as product value. To learn more information on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
More on shaving:
- The Hack for Avoiding Ingrown Hairs While Shaving Your Bikini Line
- Allure's Head-to-Toe Guide to Hair Removal
- Facebook Banned This Ad of a Woman Shaving Her Legs
Now, check out all the methods you can use to remove leg hair:
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