Best Razors for Men (2026): 5 Top Picks for Close, Comfortable Shaves

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A “best razor” depends on your skin, your beard thickness, and whether you want the fastest shave or the least irritation. I picked options that cover the most common needs—close daily shaves, sensitive skin, budget refills, classic safety shaving, and a hybrid electric for quick grooming.

Top picks

Gillette ProGlide (FlexBall) — Best for the closest everyday cartridge shave

If you want a very close, fast shave with minimal technique, this is the “default” upgrade pick.
Why it wins: a 5-blade cartridge + pivoting design aimed at staying in contact over contours. Gillette highlights FlexBall contouring and a precision trimmer for edges/under-nose work.

Pros

• Very close shave with low effort

• Precision trimmer helps detail work

• Widely available refills and variants

Cons

• Can irritate very sensitive skin (try fewer passes)

• Cartridge cost adds up over time

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: Skip if you get frequent razor bumps—my sensitive-skin pick below is usually safer.
Scores: Performance 4.5/5 | Refill ecosystem 5/5 | Ease of use 4.5/5 | Value 3.5/5

Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive — Best for sensitive skin and razor bumps

This is built specifically to reduce irritation vs. chasing maximum closeness.
Why it wins: Gillette’s SkinGuard design uses 2 blades and an “irritation defense” approach intended to cut hair at skin level and reduce tug/pull.

Pros

• Usually gentler than 5-blade cartridges

• Good choice for daily shaving and bumps

• Simple transition from other cartridges

Cons

• Not the absolute closest shave (by design)

• Still needs proper prep to avoid irritation

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: If you have a very coarse beard and need maximum closeness, ProGlide may feel more efficient.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Refill ecosystem 5/5 | Ease of use 4.5/5 | Value 3.5/5

Harry’s Truman (Original Shave Kit) — Best for budget-friendly refills and simple daily shaving

A solid middle ground when you want a modern cartridge shave without overthinking it.
Why it wins: Harry’s emphasizes a compact 5-blade cartridge with a precision trimmer and pivoting design for comfort.

Pros

• Straightforward, no-fuss cartridge shaving

• Good control-focused handle design (weighted core/grip is a common kit spec)

• Refills are easy to find

Cons

• Not ideal for very sensitive skin (use lighter pressure)

• Not recommended for head shaving (brand guidance varies by kit)

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: If you want the lowest waste + cheapest-per-blade long-term, a safety razor is usually better.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Refill ecosystem 4/5 | Ease of use 4.5/5 | Value 4/5

Merkur 34C Heavy Duty (DE safety razor) — Best for classic shaving and long-term value

This is the pick if you’re willing to learn a little technique for a consistent, low-waste shave.
Why it wins: it’s a well-known 2-piece double-edge safety razor with a heavier build meant to let the weight do the work.

Pros

• Uses standard double-edge blades (easy to stock up)

• Less plastic waste vs cartridges

• Great control once your angle is dialed in

Cons

• Learning curve (angle/pressure matters)

• Not as fast as cartridges at first

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: If you shave in a rush or travel constantly, a cartridge is simpler.
Scores: Performance 4/5 | Refill ecosystem 5/5 | Ease of use 3/5 | Value 4.5/5

Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face (QP2724/90) — Best for quick grooming and “good enough” shaves

Not a traditional close shave—more like fast, comfortable trimming/edging with light shaving.
Why it wins: it’s built to trim, edge, and shave with a flexible 360 Blade and a 5-in-1 comb system for stubble lengths. Philips documentation for the QP2724 family lists 45 minutes runtime and 8-hour charging (varies by variant).

Pros

• Fast for daily touch-ups and edging

• Usually easier on skin than ultra-close blades

• Wet/dry-friendly for many routines (check your exact kit)

Cons

• Won’t match a fresh cartridge/safety razor closeness

• Replacement blades are a recurring cost

Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: If you need baby-smooth results, stick with ProGlide/SkinGuard or a safety razor.
Scores: Performance 3.5/5 | Refill ecosystem 4/5 | Ease of use 4.5/5 | Value 3.5/5

Quick compare

• Closest fast shave: Gillette ProGlide

• Least irritation: Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive

• Best budget cartridge path: Harry’s Truman

• Best long-term value + low waste: Merkur 34C (DE safety)

• Best for quick grooming/edging: OneBlade 360 Face

Buying guide

• If you get razor bumps/irritation: start with SkinGuard, use light pressure, and avoid repeat passes.

• If you want maximum closeness with minimal learning: ProGlide is the easy win.

• If you want lower ongoing waste + strong long-term value: choose a DE safety razor like the 34C and buy a small blade sampler to find your match.

• If you keep short stubble or do frequent line-ups: OneBlade is hard to beat for speed and comfort (but it won’t shave as close as blades).

• If you want a simple cartridge system without premium extras: Harry’s is a clean, practical lane.

FAQs

Are more blades always better?

Not always. More blades can feel smoother, but they can also increase irritation for some skin types. If you get bumps, a gentler system (like SkinGuard’s 2-blade approach) can help.

Should I switch to a safety razor?

If you like the idea of cheaper blades, less plastic, and don’t mind a short learning curve—yes. If you shave half-awake or in a rush, a cartridge is usually easier.

Is OneBlade good for a totally clean shave?

It can shave, but it’s primarily a hybrid trimmer/edger. Expect “smooth enough” rather than the closest possible result.

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