The best razors for a silky-smooth shave: Tried and tested by GQ's editors (2025)

You may be wondering why you shouldn't simply invest in a top-drawer electric shaver. Sure, it's significantly more expensive and requires a bit more technical know-how to get running and maintaining, but wouldn't it be quicker? The truth is that, yes, an electric, motorised razor will be faster and arguably do a better job of shaving your jawline, but there are some drawbacks aside from the obvious financial implications.

First off, not all electric shavers are waterproof, meaning you can't just quickly touch up edges or have a full-on shave in the shower. Second, manual razors will typically cut closer to the skin. You'll find either a rotary or foil shaver that will be motorised but neither will quite be able to get as close to the follicle end of your stubble or give you that ultra-smooth silky skin that a precision trimmer blade. They also may not be able to contend with different hair types, as many foil shavers simply cut to a particular length without any sort of adjustment. A straight-up razor blade doesn't have that same issue, resulting in the best shave.

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. Regardless of which you opt for, just ensure you go for one with a weighted handle for supreme flexibility and control of your wrist movements as you trim and tidy.

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 the 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 signing up for one of the best razor subscription services 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 Harry's or Manscaped owning the space. If you only use a razor for extra-suave effects 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 smoothest 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 closer shave.

Do you suffer from sensitive skin? It's ok, we know the frustration of shaving and the resulting razor burn that can leave your skin feeling hot, prickly and full of nasty rashes, so we think it's wise to learn to reduce the risk, and the best way to do that is invest in the right equipment.

Razor burn is essentially when the blades irritate the skin as they pluck the hair out, leaving the surface feeling bumpy and raw. Poor-quality blades or rushing can enhance the likelihood of irritation, or you may just be unlucky and are more susceptible to it. Therefore, a top-tier blade will go a long way to soothing the irritation. Gillette's premium razors feature lubricating strips on either side of the blades to prepare the skin as you shave and then moisturise once the blades have done their work. Other options may include more blades overall, spreading the surface area, which is generally kinder on your jawline.

One of the best ways to reduce skin irritation is to buy some shaving cream, which will make it easier for the hair to be shaved and moisturise the skin. Most razor brands like Bulldog or Harry's will offer a paired shaving cream or foam that features skin-kind ingredients like aloe vera for an extra cost that will work well with the blades.

Finally, you should make sure you're replacing your blade heads regularly to keep them sharp. There's nothing worse for dry, sensitive skin than raking a dull, old blade along it. Most razor brands offer subscription packages or additional refillable cartridge razors designed to be swapped out every 10-20 shaves so plan out an optimum rotation.

While you can use a razor to tidy up loose hair from your pubic region, we'd advise using a dedicated body hair trimmer to reduce the risk of nicks, cuts and razor burn. Wet razors can do the job, but you are pulling incredibly sharp blades around a sensitive area, so extreme care should be taken. If you really want to say goodbye to your pubic hair, we've found top options from Gillette that offer the best results as they provide self-lubricating strips to pave the skin ahead of shaving, which keeps the skin hydrated and supple.

The best type of razor depends on the user's specific shaving needs and skin sensitivity. For a close and smooth shave, multi-blade cartridge razors are often considered the best razors due to their precision and ease of use. Safety razors are favoured by those who prefer a traditional shaving experience and want to reduce waste, though, electric razors are preferred by those seeking convenience and speed. Each type has its own advantages, making it essential to choose based on personal preference and shaving requirements.

In our eyes, every man should take his grooming seriously, regardless of the thickness of his beard or if his bonce flows with luscious locks of hair. Taking care of yourself and your body is both a good way of keeping your own mental and physical well-being in check as well as a form of self-care if you invest in the right tools. Ensuring you have an easy-to-follow skin and hair care routine and then taking the time to go through it with the correct tools for the job is a surefire way to look and feel as good as you can be.

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