The 10 best wet shave razors for men (2024)

If you're the bushy-bearded type, you may be better off looking at our guide to the best beard trimmers – but for those of us who prefer the clean-shaven look, wet-shave razors simply offer the closest cut going.

There are two components to them: the handle, and the blade itself, which is normally changeable and disposable. Men who shave every day will find they need to change their blade frequently. Marcus Jaye, of male style and grooming blog The Chic Geek, suggestsswitching razors every couple of weeks, as bacteria builds up, and blades can become blunt. Ifyou shave less regularly or merely use a razor to shape around a beard, it should last a little longer.

Most wet shave razorscome with multiple blades – normally five, but seven in the case of the Dorco Classic. This tends to provide a more precise, smooth shave, but technique is also crucial.

According to Jaye, a good razor is one that's "sharp, doesn't clog, and is easy and safe to use." Most good ones won't break your wallet, but it's worth forking out that little extra, as cheap, disposable razors often don't produce good results.

There has also been a proliferation of subscription services in recent years. Customers can sign up online, usually for a trial at a knock-down price, and will then be sent exchange cartridges at chosen intervals.

Below, Marcus Jaye helps us pick out the best wet shave razors on the market:

1. Gillette Fusion ProGlide

£12, Gillette

Jaye recommends the Gillette Fusion ProGlide as aneasy-to-use shaver that provides a smooth, precise shave with minimal fuss.

It features Gillette's Flexball technology, which allows the razor head to pivot in all angles to respond to the contours of the face. "This is great for moving around your chin as the ball is designed to move over curved surfaces", says Jaye.

There's also a lubricating strip infused with mineral oils for a smoother shave, and a precision trimmer on the back of the cartridge takes care of trickier areas like sideburns and under the nose.

Comfort-wise, it's a market leader –ergonomic grips provide superior control and handling.

The downside to Gillette is the cost.£14.50 for a starter kit with four replacement razor blades is reasonable – but thereafter, cartridges prove expensive. That's a common theme among high street products, and if you're worried about long-term costs, it's worth looking at the section at the bottom of this article about subscription services.

Buy now

2. Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 groomer

£15.99, Boots

Another of Jaye's favourites is this hybrid option from Wilkinson Sword. Unlike other wet shave razors, it boasts an electric trimmer for that designer stubble look. There are three settings for your desired length – although it's worth noting that the head is small, so using it can be a long process.

And what about the razor? It's very easy to use, smooth (helped by five UltraGlide blades), and a handy gel-reservoir keeps skin moist during the shave.

Probably the best option for wet shavers who like to alternate between smooth and hirsute styles – either at different times or on different parts of the face.

Buy now

3.Dorco Classic razor

£17.48, Amazon

Dorco wins in the blade volume stakes – its cartridges have a vein-worrying seven blades, for a super precise and close shave.This classically-styled product also has alubricating strip of argan oil and calendula extract, to prevent dry skin and irritation.

The most stylish razor in our round-up.

Buy now

4.GilletteLabs Heated Razor For Men starter kit

£199, Boots

It may look like a standard Gillette razor, with its fivesuper-thin razors and sleek design, but this razor is like no other on the market.

As the name might suggest, this Heated Razor uses a warming bar as you shave - providing a similar sensation to a hot towel shave. "This is revolutionary with a heated bar to give you that barber shop hot shave. A true first," Jaye says.

Due to being the first-to-market heated razor, the price is necessarily quite steep. And, unfortunately, you can't use other Gillette heads on this device, as it requires the tailored head with a heat strip. Even so, thisis a remarkably sophisticated device, with two heating options to choose from (43 degrees and 50 degrees). If you're looking to add a little indulgence to your routine, this is a safe bet.

Buy now

5. Boldking razor

£8, boldking.com

The razorblades are theBoldking's USP, according to Jaye. "The razorblades are spaced far apart to prevent clogging," he says. This means you can shave typically tricky areas around your nose and chin without having to bang the razor against the sink - instead, you can simply rinse with water and the hair will fallout.

While the rubbery handle may feel a bit cheap, lest we forget that this productischeap. At £8, it's one of the cheapest top-range models on the market - and, with its unique razor blade design - we think it surpasses its potential.

Buy now

6. Navaja Dovo Prima Klang 5/8''

£159, Invisible Edge

Until the 20th century, straight razors were pretty much the only option available for shaving – and while they've largely been superseded by safety and electric razors in bathroom cabinets, there remains a clan of hard-core traditionalists who use these attractive products. Straight razors take some skill to use, but get them right and they give the closest shave you can get.

Manufactured in Solingen, Germany, known colloquially as the City of Blades, this expertly created razor, made from carbon steel and bocote wood, should do the trick.

It's worth asking a professional for some pointers firstif you've never used one before.

Buy now

Some subscription services to consider:

1. Harry's

From £14 per month, Harry's

Subscription services have stormed the shaving market in recent years, providing good-quality products at reasonable prices straight to your door.

Simply choose the plan the best suits your needs, and they'll tailor deliveries to your preference. You keep the handle, and new cartridges will arrive at regular intervals. If you don't like what you get there's no problem, as you can easily cancel your subscription.

New York shaving brand Harry's are the newest disrupters to enter the market and try to chip away at Gillette's hegemony, having launched in June. We're huge fans of their razors – they feel solid andwell weighted, look pleasingly straightforward, and eschew the bells and whistles of their competitors in favour of just super-sharp blades.

Plus they're well priced –for £14 a month you get eight blades sent to your door, which is two more than rivalCornerstone.

Buy now

2. Cornerstone

From £10, Cornerstone

British company Cornerstone have made an early impression on the subscription market and are often rated as one of the very best wet shave options out there. Their razors, engineered in Germany, come with five super-sharp blades which glide smoothly over the skin. A strong and sturdy handle, which can even be engraved with your name, allows you to shave accurately without much pressure.

You can also add their face scrub, shaving gel or post-shave balm to the package.

They're very comparable to Harry's, and while we prefer the shave of the US company's product, Cornerstone's razor probably wins in terms of look.

Buy now

3. Grüum

£2.50 per razor blade, Gruum

Grüum is a British company that's clearly inspired by Scandinavian designs.

The website will ask you to take a quick survey –what look you go for andhow often you shave. It'll then suggest a monthly plan tailored to your needs.

Their flagship razor is the Oksa, with is incredibly comfortable to hold (if a bit odd to look at) and compatible with both the Oksu three-blade and Oksu five-blade razor.We'd recommend the five blade, with produces a smoother shave.

As with Cornerstone, you can cancel at any point.

Buy now

4. Bic Shave Club

£3.90 per month (£2.95 trial month), Bic Shave Club

Bic, of throwaway razor fame, recently entered the subscription market with the Bic Shave Club.

The razors are a far cry from their cheap supermarket contraptions, with the five-blade option particularly effective.

"The razor was easy to use, with plenty of the lubricating strip", says Marcus Jaye. "It's a standard razor, but Bic do know how to make blades and have plenty of experience in this area."

Buy now

Our favourites

There are many excellent options in what is a crowded market. Thankfully, you don't need to spend too much to get a high-performing wet shave razor, though you'll need to replace cartridges quite regularly and the cost can tot up here.

From the High Street, the winner isthe Gillette Fusion ProGlide. The Flexball technology means it glides across the contours of the face with ease. Marcus Jaye was also impressed with the versatility of theWilkinson Sword Hydro 5 groomer.

In terms of subscriptions, all companies offer a similar service, but our favourite is Harry's for its incredibly smooth results.

Marcus Jaye's new book 'Fashion Wankers: It Takes One To Know One' will be available from 7 October on Amazon.

The 10 best wet shave razors for men (2024)
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