You shouldn’t have to break your bank for a decent shave. Isn’t that all us guys are asking for?That’s what are hoping to show you in this review of the top 9 best cheap electric razor.
If you don’t have the time for a DE safety razor shave in the morning, one of these electric shavers could be a great option.
Many companies these days spend millions of millions of dollars on their marketing campaigns to make you think their product is better and that is why you should pay more.
But how many bells and whistles do you really need in an electric razor?
Of course, you will see performance increase with the price but after a certain point, is there much of a difference?
How much better can a $300 electric shaver be than a $150 shaver?
Every man’s face and beard are different so you will see many different opinions out there, so you may not know how you truly like a razor until you try it out.
We have highlighted a few of our favorites heading into 2018 so keep a look out below for the green boxes!
However, we are here to help you make the most informed decision.
Recommendations
| Electric Razor | Brand | Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Panasonic | Review | 4.2/5 |
|
| Norelco | Review | 4.2/5 |
 | Braun | Review | 4.0/5 |
|
| Norelco | Review | 4.2/5 |
|
| Norelco | Review | 4.2/5 |
|
| Panasonic | Review | 4.3/5 |
 | Remington | Review | 4.1/5 |
 | Norelco | Review | 4.3/5 |
|
| Norelco | Review | 4.4/5 |
What to Consider
When you are looking for an electric razor to work with your beard and skin type you will still want to consider the same things you would if you didn’t have a budget.
Rotary vs. Foil
There are two types of electric razors, rotary and foil.
One is not necessarily better than the other they just work different.
However, you will have some men that swear one or the other.
It really depends on your face structure and beard type.
In general, foil electric razors are said to give a closer shave.
If you like a smoother shave than this may be the option for you.
You also use foil razors in straight passes on your face vs. using a circular motion.
Rotary electric shavers are supposed to work better on the contours of your face like your chin or jaw.
If you have a strong jawline you may want to go with a rotary shaver.
You will need to use circular strokes to get the most out of your shave with a rotary razor.
Can It Hold A Charge?
Battery life is another feature to think about when considering an electric razor.
Most cheap shavers these days give you about 45 minutes’ worth of shaving time with a full charge or can give you one shave with 5 minutes of charging.
This is important if you travel a lot as you don’t want to have to pack a charge if you are just going away for a couple days.
Some razors may not even run without the charging cord plugged in so if this is important to you be sure to look for that.
How Many Passes Will It Take?
Depending on the speed of the motor and the design of the blades some electric shavers will be more efficient than others.
The best thing you can do with any electric shaver is trim down your beard if it has a built-in pop up trimmer. Especially if you haven’t shaved in a couple days.
However, then you may need to perform 2-3 passes to really get a clean shave. Some may take more if they do not perform as well.
This is typical though with electric shavers as it is the main benefit.
You can shave without shaving cream or looking in a mirror and you don’t have to worry about cutting yourself.
Other Factors To Consider For A Cheap Shaver
Some men are turned off by the noise or vibration a razor makes.
This doesn’t seem to be a major concern for most but if you think it might be just remember that some razors are louder than others.
Those with faster motors are more likely to make more noise but may shave your face faster.
Some razor will produce some heat if it takes a while for you to shave.
If you have sensitive skin this could be a factor but most of the time it should not be.
Just one more thing to think about.
Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Men’s Electric Shaver
Coming in with over 4,000 reviews and 4.2-star rating on Amazon the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 is a great electric razor your money can buy.
It has all of the necessary features
- 3 individual blades with super thin foil for close shaves
- Pivoting head to help around the contours of your face
- Powerful motor
- Pop up trimmer
- LCD power display
- Sonic vibration cleaning mode
As you can see there are some nice features that don’t normally come with inexpensive razors like the LCD display and cleaning mode.
This razor will last you several years and even longer if you feel like replacing the battery after about 5 years.
The head easily pops off for cleaning and the replacements are cheaper than some of the other razors on this list.
The Arc3 will give one of the closer shaves out of the razors on this list. It may not perform as well on your neck or jaw but on the flat parts of your skin it should work well.
Since this has a powerful motor some say it is a bit on the noisy side. So, if you have sensitive ears you may want to consider that.
Overall, this will probably give you the most bang for your buck.
Philips Norelco Shaver 4100
Another great razor is the Norelco Shaver 4100, with almost 2,500 reviews and a 4.2-star rating you can see this is a popular razor.
Its features include:
- Dual Precision heads
- Wet & Dry shave technology
- Pop Up trimmer
- 50 minutes of shave time
- 2-year warranty
For just under $75, you get quite a lot of value with this razor as well. The 2-year warranty is also nice to know, even though we doubt you would need it.
This razor is not as loud as others and may be gentler if you have sensitive skin.
You won’t need much pressure to get a decent shave and some have even used it on week old beards with no issues.
The replacement heads on this razor are more expensive than others which may cost you more in the long run since they recommend replacing them every year.
However, you may be able to stretch that to 18 months depending on your beard thickness and frequency of use.
Another benefit is being able to bring this razor in the shower or use a shaving cream with it.
However, some have mentioned that it can collect water so it might not be the best travel razor.
[su_box title=”Braun Series 3 ProSkin” style=”default” box_color=”#2aff00″ title_color=”##000000″ radius=”6″ class=””]Braun series 3 is a representative of the brand’s alternate to Panasonic’s entrance level, The Arc 3 line. With a good performance, excellent comfort, and affordable price, Braun series 3 is an immensely attractive package, especially if you are on a tight budget.
Braun series is sensibly priced, and it executes amazingly for daily use. Furthermore, you’ll only need to exchange its shaving head once after every 15 to 18 months, and this will cost you just half the price of a similar Panasonic Arc 3 blades combo and foil.
Some of the pros and cons of Braun Series 3 ProSkin.
Pros:
- Has an impressive look and design
- Affordable for lots of shavers
- Comes with the wet and dry technology
- Assured to grant you a clean, close shave
- Comfortable and well suited for sensitive skins
Cons:
- Does not last long compared to most shavers
- Not as fast or powerful as most electric shavers in its price range
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This Braun Series 3 3040s is not far down the list with almost 1,000 reviews and a 4.0 rating.
For just over $50, you will see great value in this razor with features like:
- 3 independently suspended blades
- Microcomb to help lift more hair
- Long lasting rechargeable battery
- Wet & Dry shaving
- Precision trimmer
You may have to use several passes to get a close shave but this razor should not agitate your skin and is tough on thicker beards.
This is a solid razor without many bells and whistles that will get the job done for a fraction of the cost of some other electric shavers.
You can tell this razor is well made by how sturdy in will feel in your grip, not heavy, but sturdy.
Just remember that with any of these shavers you will not get as close as you would with safety razors, because of the foils they cannot cut below the skin surface.
Some people have too high of expectations which you will see them write negative reviews about the closeness.
Most of these can give you the look of a clean shave but will not be as close to the touch.
[su_box title=”Norelco Shaver 4500″ style=”default” box_color=”#2aff00″ title_color=”##000000″ radius=”6″ class=””]Phillips Norelco 4500 has been listed as one of the most prominent foil shavers out there on the marketplace, and you perhaps acknowledge that it was 1st released in the year 2012.
In the event that you desire rotary shavers more than foil ones, or perhaps you are sort of on a tight budget right now then Norelco Shaver 4500 is the best shaver for you.
Philips Norelco 4500 possesses a dual precision technology, which allows its head to efficiently shave off the long, thick stubbles, as well as short hairs so you can enjoy a clean and comfy saving experience.
Some of the pros and cons of Phillips Norelco Shaver 4500.
Pros:
- Relatively easy to use and maintain
- Its razor heads are replaceable and affordable
- Comparatively silent compared to most electric shavers
- Is guaranteed to grant its shaver a clean, close shave
- It is impeccable for sideburns and mustaches
- Come with an integrated pop-up trimmer
Cons:
- Somewhat expensive for most beard shavers
- The shaver’s head can pivot though not to a great range.
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Philips Norelco really seems to be dominating this list of affordable razors with another one, the Shaver 4500 that has a 4.2-star rating and over 1,500 reviews.
Similar to the other Norelco models you will find:
- DualPrecision rotary heads
- Wet & dry shaving
- Pop up trimmer
- 50 minutes of shave time with each charge
This shaver comes with a 45-day risk free trial period and a 2-year warranty.
This is important as a few customers have had issues with the battery so make sure you retain your receipt just in case you need it down the road.
Some even say this model works better than some of Norelco’s more expensive models even on thick beards.
It is also easy to clean under running water.
With any new shaver, you may need to use it for a week or two before your skin gets acclimated. So, if you experience any irritation in the beginning, give it some time and this should improve.
One downfall is that you cannot use this razor while it is plugged and charging. This could be a problem if you forget to charge it.
However, a quick 5-minute charge should get you enough juice for one shave.
This shaver doesn’t have the most powerful motor on it but it will be quieter than other razors.
Philips Norelco 1150X/40 Shaver 6100
That’s right another Norelco…this Shaver 6100 is quite popular with over 1,600 reviews and a 4.2-star rating.
It was formerly known as the SensoTouch 2D and is a step up from their other rotary shavers.
Features include:
- Two-dimensional contouring technology that helps you get a closer shave
- Precision trimmer
- Wet & dry shave technology
- Head pivots in 5 directions
- 50 min battery run time
More expensive models are not always better.
Several customers who upgraded to this model from some of the less expensive models say the cheaper razor actually worked better.
The main complaint was this razor, while allowed for a faster shave, it missed several hairs and does not get as close.
However, this is still a solid razor, some guys even use it just to shave their head.
If you use this in the shower with shaving cream, it may help the razor perform better and give you a closer shave.
This also might not have the best housing design as it can hold water and may potentially lead to damage if it does not dry out.
Panasonic ES-LT41-K Arc3 Wet Dry Electric
This foil shaver is very well made and comes highly rated.
The Panasonic LT41 Arc3 has almost 800 reviews and a 4.3-star rating.
It has the following features:
- 3 suspended blades
- Nanotech blades for fast and close shave
- Wet & dry shaving
- Powerful 13,000 CPM motor
- Pop up trimmer
- Sonic vibration to help cleaning
- LCD battery display
Just the features alone should be enough to peak your interest in this razor.
This razor will work especially well if you have an angular face with prominent features.
The foils work better on flat surfaces with your skin pulled taught.
Plus, you will find even more comfort in the shower or with some shaving cream.
Some guys say this cuts as close as blade, probably not, but still good to know.
Shaving with electric shavers like these can help clear your skin of razor bumps after a few weeks of use.
You may not find yourself having to do any touch ups with a blade on missed hairs left behind by some of these other razors.
Remington F5-5800 Foil Shaver, Men’s Electric
Remington is breaking on to this list with the F5-5800 foil shaver. With over 2,000 reviews and a 4.1-star rating this could be a great option for you.
It has features such as:
- Corded or cordless use
- 60-minute runtime on battery
- Washable
- Flexible head
- Intercept shaving technology to cut longer hairs
It seems like people love this razor so much because of the perceived value.
Think about it, if you are getting close and comfortable shaves for less than $50 which is half of some of these other razors, what’s not to love?
There have been some complaints with a screw coming out of the head or the foil being too thin.
This razor works best on dry skin with not too much pressure.
It may take a few passes to get all of the hairs just like other electric shavers.
Another con mentioned was that the razor might not catch the hair clippings like it is supposed to.
The replacement heads for this model are not too expensive either so this could be an affordable option.
Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 2100, S1560/81
The Norelco Shaver 2100 is a low cost, no frills razor that simply gets the job done.
With over 1,400 reviews and a 4.3-star rating it has many fans on Amazon and could be a good razor under $50
It won’t have all the features as others but still has:
- Flexible heads that move in 4 directions
- Lithium ion battery
- Easy cleaning
- Self-sharpening blades
- Pop up trimmer
Philips claims this is the closest shave in its class of entry level electric razors.
The reviews seem to back this up as well.
Not only will you enjoy the battery length on this thing, it is a relatively quiet shaver.
It has a one touch button to open the head which allows for fast, easy cleaning.
One downfall is you cannot use this while it is being charged. It seems they wanted to save some money here.
Even a few ladies chimed in the reviews and love how this razor works well on their legs without causing irritation.
[su_box title=”Norelco Shaver 3100″ style=”default” box_color=”#2aff00″ title_color=”##000000″ radius=”6″ class=””]The Norelco Shaver 3100 was specifically designed to shave every single area below the shaver’s neckline. All these regions include the chests, legs, armpits, back, butt, arm, pubic area, and stomach.
The shavers trimming head is just one and a quarter inches broad whilst its shaving head is simply one and a half inches wide. The battery in this shaving equipment is a Ni-MH battery, and it will take approximately 8 to 9 hours to charge fully.
Some of the pros and cons of Norelco Shaver 3100:
Pros:
- Won’t clog easily
- No oiling is needed when using this shaving unit
- Comes with a reliable 2 years guarantee
- It is small enough to tuck in bag for efficient storage as you travel
- Extremely easy to clean and maintain
- Comfy handles
- Retails with its self-sharpening blades
- The product is cordless
Cons:
- Must have some electric charge on the battery to function. You cannot use it when its flat even if you have it plugged into the wall socket
- Does not do an impressive job once it comes to shaving the back
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Finally, we have the Norelco Shaver 3100 with over 500 reviews and a 4.4-star rating.
Not as popular as some of the others but still highly rated nonetheless.
It is a slight upgrade from the 2100 for about $10 you get:
- Comfort cut blade system
- Corded usage
- Longer lasting battery
As you can see, this model comes with the comfort cut blades which are softer but might not cut as close.
If you have sensitive skin this might be a better model for you.
The longer battery life and corded usage are probably worth the $10, just in case you are rushing in the morning and need to plug it in.
Neither of these models can be used in the shower, which isn’t a huge deal but is a nice feature.
Some other complaints are that is has a weak motor, keep in mind it is only about $50.
If you have thicker hair you may need to pony up a few extra bucks for a more powerful razor.
Conclusion
So many choices, which one should you pick for yourself?
We wish we could answer that one for you but it is nearly impossible as everyone has a different beard and skin type.
However, there are plenty of options to choose from here.
Try to think about what features are important to you and if you have any special needs.
There are also several of these razors with 30 or 45 day guarantees, those might be a great place to start.
Hi Jeremy
It’s great to know there are some reasonably priced electric shavers out there. I was using a manual blade shaver for many years, the blades are insanely expensive! I really don’t know why, not like they made of gold right?
I was always skeptical about these electric shavers but as technology improves so do the gadgets and I actually feel comfortable to try one out at this stage.
Thank you for these great suggestions 😉
Regards,
Kamil
Hey Kamil,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Let me know which one you go with if you decide to make a purchase.
If you are used to using a blade but don’t want to keep paying a lot of money you may consider also switching to a safety razor.
It is a very well organized site and very helpful.
I am a lady and don’t use a razor but I sometimes watch my husband’s grooming. haha
He tried few time with electric ones but now he uses dollar club stuff. If you can tell why men should use electric ones, not cheap dollar club stuff, then many wives will consider about buying products from you for special occasions.
Great question. Well, the electric razors will have a higher up front cost but they could actually be cheaper in the long run. Even if you are currently paying $10 a month or $120 over the course of a year, all of these razors are less than $100.
Plus, they should last for several years. You will have to change the heads once a year for around $20.
Besides that they offer convenience and less skin irritation.
They won’t get as close as a blade if that is an important factor.
This was a very helpful post for me. I’m old school and I use the traditional way of shaving. It has become harder to do as I’ve gotten older. I’m now looking for a new less time-consuming way to shave. Without all the wear and pain of a traditional shaving. I see that you have a list of them on here. I would say I’m willing to give three a try as a first timer. Any suggestions/recommendations on which three?
Hi James,
If you have the money to spend, either one of Panasonic’s Arc 3 models would be good ones to try.
If you are looking to spend a little less than the Remington F5-5800 is actually on sale right now.
Hope that helps!
So much helpful information here! I’ve been wanting to purchase an electric razor for my husband but had no idea where to start. You have laid out all the information I needed and now I feel certain I will be able to make a good choice. Thank you for making this task much simpler for me!
You’re welcome Tennille, these electric razors would make a great gift for your husband, let me know which one you decide to go with if you make a purchase!
Thanks for the helpful advice here! I’ve found it such a pain in the past finding a decent shaver and this page has been a useful resource for me.
The last shaver I bought looked great and had some really positive reviews. When I first used I could see why but it wasn’t until I started to charge it. I left it on charge for hours and it only lasted me 5 minutes! A great shave if you’re happy with only half a beard!
Which one of these do you currently use?
I know what you mean Jack! The Braun 3040 is one of my go to razors when I’m in a hurry.
Though I personally do not use these apparatus (for obvious reasons – lol) having read your post makes me confident in recommending their use to my partner.
He has been shaving with regular shavers for as long as I’ve known him and sometimes “skips” it as he doesn’t have the time…then it can get “prickly”…having one of these electric razors would really solve a prickly issue for us! Thanks! =)
Hey Orion, thanks for stopping by, let me know which one you decide to get for your partner and how he likes it!
I didn’t know you get get good shavers for less than $75, that’s great, i dont use shavers but my dad always spends a lot of money on his because he always thinks the more expensive the better. He doesn’t even need to shave that much now he’s old but i think he will like this post , i could also get these for my brothers christmas present haha i bet he will like it!
Great idea Emma, I’m sure your brother will definitely enjoy one of these affordable electric razors!