We Tested Dozens of Razors—These 11 Are the Best for a Smooth Shave (2024)

TL;DR

Our most-loved women’s razor is theJoy Razor. It’s affordable, features sharp blades and a sturdy handle, and yields incredibly smooth results. If you want to splurge on one that will last you for the long haul, you can’t go wrong with theOui the People The Single Sensitive Skin Razor. But if you’re in need of a razor specifically to remove hair on your face, we recommend theTweezerman Facial Razor.

Our Top Picks

Handle Material: Plastic, silicone | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: 5

The best razors are sharp, simple to maneuver, have an easy-to-hold grip, and are affordable, and this one checks every box. While not the cheapest option we tested, it comes pretty close—and given that it’s extremely high quality and comes with refill blades, we think the value is fantastic. It features five blades, a lubricant strip, a silicone nonslip handle, and an ergonomic design.

Our tester, associate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn, raved about her experience using it, noting that the sharp blades were designed to prevent her from cutting herself, something she often struggles with. She also adored the texture of the handle, claiming it helped her to grip the razor and not have to worry about dropping it. The razor also allowed her to get a close, incredibly smooth shave that minimized bumps, especially under her arms, making it a product she highly recommends.

Caitlyn, associate commerce editor: “My legs feel so smooth! I also noticed less bumps around my underarms, which I attribute to the lack of friction. I think the smoothness of the glide worked wonders here.”

Handle Material: Resin, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: 4

The chances are you’ve heard of Billie or seen its ultra-popular advertisements and products. According to our tester, Elena (plus some of our editors), the brand lives up to the hype—its razor is excellent. It features five blades, a rubberized and curved handle that’s easy to grip, and lubrication strips that make gliding across the skin effortless. Elena said it was great on her sensitive skin (she cited that it didn’t cause the usual bumps or irritation she gets), and it effectively removed hair from various parts of the body. She also appreciated that it didn’t rust during the test despite the fact she kept it in a wet environment. Even the lubrication strips remained intact. Elena’s one con is that the replaceable head doesn’t seem to securely attach to the razor body, leading to it popping off occasionally.

Handle Material: Weighted plastic, non-slip grip | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: 5

For less than $10, this chic, high-quality razor gets the job done. It has five sharp blades, a lubrication strip, and an excellent handle that’s weighted and coated to ensure it’s easy to hold and maneuver across the skin. If you struggle with shaky hands, the weighted component can be really beneficial for you. Our tester, Avery, has easily irritated skin and said this razor created a very smooth shave the first several times she used it, although the lubricating strip and blades did fade a bit over time, leading to a bit of friction. However, she explained that during the period when the blades remained sharp, her results were smoother than usual. Considering refill blades from the brand cost no more than $2, we think this razor is still a great option at a budget-friendly price.

Handle Material: Stainless steel | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 2

There’s no denying this is expensive for a manual razor, but hear us out—we think it’s worth it. The weighty, stainless steel design is easy to grip, and the single blade is gentle yet highly effective—even on sensitive skin. Plus, the razor comes with10value-added replacement blades. At first, our tester, Avery, was slightly intimidated by the setup of the razor, explaining that it’s different from other designs. You need to unscrew the head of the razor to input the blade, which can be a bit confusing at first and slightly more time-consuming than other options, but once Avery mastered it, she adored her experience with this product. She explained that the singular blade created a precise, close shave and didn’t cause bumps, cuts, or other irritation on her sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a razor with a handle that you won’t need to replace, that provides a close shave, and that creates impressively smooth results, we highly recommend this one.

Avery, tester: “It glides over the skin and leaves a very smooth finish,” she says. “For example, one time, I shaved one leg with this razor and the other with a more traditional competitor, and the finish was smoother with this one.”

Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

If you have peach fuzz or hair growth on your face that you want to get rid of, and shaving (aka dermaplaning) is your hair removal method of choice, we highly recommend opting for a razor that was created specifically for the face. Our tester, Riyana, explained that because the blade is extremely sharp, she had to be extra careful, but it worked beautifully to remove hair thoroughly. While she didn’t find the handle to be the most ergonomic in terms of shape, the weighted component made it easy to use. After removing the hair, Riyana’s skin was left looking and feeling soft. It’s worth noting that while many facial razors are meant to be used on clean, dry skin, the brand recommends using this one on moisturized skin or while washing your face. This can help to prevent irritation.

Riyana, tester: “My skin feels very smooth and soft. It's definitely the ’closest’ shave I’ve gotten on my face thus far.”

Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

This trimmer is a fantastic option for the hair in your bikini area, underarms, and really anywhere that has longer, thicker hair. It can be used to trim, groom, or remove body hair, and it comes with a guard that can be used to achieve different trimming levels. It’s also waterproof, has up to five hours of battery life, and comes with a USB cord for charging. Our tester was hesitant about using this product because she had never used an electric trimmer before, but she was really happy with her experience and pleased with how easy it was to use. It gave her a close shave when she didn’t attach the guard, and she didn’t notice any razor bumps or ingrown hairs after use. While this trimmer didn’t cut or scratch our tester, some online reviewers say they struggled with that a bit. We recommend applying minimal pressure and testing it on a less sensitive area until you get used to using the tool.

Handle Material: Aluminum base, silicone handle | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: 9

Razor kits are nice because they take the hassle out of constantly having to repurchase new razors or blades. This one is super affordable, comes with refill blades and a magnetic hook for storage, and the razor itself allows for an incredibly close shave. It also comes in tons of adorable colors, which is an added bonus!

As for the performance, our tester, Roxanne, had a lot of positive things to say about it. First, the blades are extremely sharp and create a very close shave. She appreciated this, though she did note that she believes the intensity of the shave led to drier skin and the need for more moisturization afterward. She also noted that the lubricating strip didn’t do much in terms of helping the razor glide, and she highly recommends using a shaving cream with this razor. In combination with shaving cream, she loved the results, saying her skin felt incredibly smooth and there was no hair left behind. Considering how affordable the kit is and how effective the razor is, we can’t recommend this one enough.

Handle Material: Metal and hard plastic | Number of Blades: 4 | Color Options: 1

When preparing to groom your bikini area, you might consider waxing vs. shaving. If you opt to shave, you want a razor that’s easy to use, offering maximum control over the body’s contours while also being ultra gentle. This Panasonic option ticks all the right boxes. Two head attachments allow for trimming and shaving pubic hair, and a skin guard attachment ensures you don’t accidentally nick yourself in the process. The body of the trimmer is lightweight but robust, and the fact that it’s waterproof means you can use it in the shower as well as dry, depending on what you prefer. With over 11,000 five-star Amazon ratings, this is clearly a popular razor. A common complaint among reviewers, however, is that it requires one AA battery to operate rather than coming with its own charger. But given its effectiveness and travel-friendly size, it’s a small inconvenience we can overlook.

Handle Material: Metal and hard plastic | Number of Blades: N/A | Color Options: 1

What if you could not only get a super close shave but actually reduce, or even eliminate, the need for shaving over time? That’s the goal of this silky skin bundle, which combines Rose Skin Co.’s 4D razor with an IPL handset by Lumi. Firstly, the razor (which you can also purchase separately for $49) is genius. It features five rotating shaving heads that glide effortlessly across your skin and around even the tricky-to-shave curves, making it suitable to use on virtually any part of the body. Five hours of charge will get you around a month of use, and the blades stay sharp for up to six months. Rose Gold Co. says its 4D razor is the perfect close-shave precursor to IPL, AKA intense pulsed light hair removal, which is where the second device in this bundle comes in. Like a laser hair removal device, Lumi’s handheld IPL targets hair roots and destroys them with pulsed light, providing certified results in 12 weeks or less. It also has a 90-day guarantee, so you can return it if needed. One downside: IPL requires contrast between skin and hair to work, so if you have pale skin and light hair or a deep skin tone and dark hair, it might not be for you.

Handle Material: Metal and hard plastic | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 1

Real talk: Hair removal can be a seriously laborious process, especially for those of us with thicker hair types. This smart tool from Conair aims to tackle every area of the body and face, so you can consolidate your grooming tools into just this one. Five head options allow you to target larger areas, like the legs or underarms, as well as smaller areas that need a more precise approach, like the nose or eyebrows. It can be used dry or in the shower, and its nonslip handle makes it easy to maneuver while wet. Some say it’s hard to get a close shave, but Conair counters that it may take a few weeks for your skin and hair to adjust. Once they do, you’ll get the silky-smooth results you’re after.

Handle Material: Brass handle, zinc alloy head | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: 2

If your skin tends to be on the more sensitive side, and you’re prone to razor bumps and ingrown hairs, a single-blade safety razor might be the solution for you. Fewer blades mean fewer passes over the skin, thus less opportunity for irritation. But that doesn’t mean you compromise on the smooth finish; with a little practice, a single-blade razor delivers a satisfyingly close shave. This option from sustainable brand Zero Waste MVMT has a brass handle and zinc alloy head that won't rust or corrode, so it will stand the test of time. When the blade needs changing, just switch it out for one of the 10 replacement blades included with your purchase. This one also gets bonus points for being so damn pretty.

FAQ

• What’s the best way to shave?

  The proper way to use a razor depends on the model and the body part you’re shaving. With most models, however, you should begin with clean, wet skin and apply shaving cream if needed. Then, starting from the bottom of the area with the blades facing upward, slowly and gently glide the razor in the opposite direction of hair growth. This will provide the closest shave. However, dermatologists recommend shaving in the direction of the hair growth to avoid ingrown hairs. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, you might want to consider shaving this way.
  

• What parts of the body is it safe to shave with a razor?

  Aesthetician Joshua Ross says razors can be used anywhere on your body you’d like to remove excess hair. In addition to more obvious areas like your legs, armpits, and bikini zone, this includes your feet, toes, stomach, back, arms, hands, and face. Remember that some models or head attachments are better suited for certain areas than others.

• How often should you shave with a razor?

  According to Ross, razors can be used daily, as long as shaving this frequently doesn’t irritate your skin. “However, this depends on the rate of hair growth, which is unique for every single person,” he tells Byrdie. “Some people need to shave every day depending on the body area, while others may only need to shave once a week.”