Best Electric Shaver for Black Men: A Review of the Top 7
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According to the July 4theclaration, ‘all men are created equal.’ This is true, but it forgot to mention that they differ in hair types and skin sensitivity. Some men have more sensitive skin than others. Others still have thinner and straighter hair, while others have curly and thicker hair follicles. As a black man, you fall under the latter category, coupled with sensitive skin.
These unique hair and skin qualities require special shaving machines to reduce irritation, ingrown hairs, and bumps – generally improving the shaving experience.
The market is flooded with shaving tools marketed specifically to black men with claims of being the best. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, most of these claims are purely to drive sales, and the tools are often underwhelming for black men.
After deep research and tests, we’ve concluded electric shavers are better for black men than naked blade razors. To get you started on the right footing, we’ve compiled a list of the best electric shavers, given the unique shaving needs of black men.
But first…
Top 3 Best Electric Shavers for Black Men at a Glance
Last update on 2024-08-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
But before we get into the review list, here are some common shaving problems black men face and features the best electric shaver they choose should have.
Common shaving problems black men face
All men from any ethnicity have to deal with the dark side of shaving, but African American men feel the brunt of it. Below are some reasons why.
1. Curly hair, ingrown hairs, and razor bumps
Black men have curly, coarse, and wiry facial hair, which is more likely to become ingrown. In turn, ingrown hair causes irritation and razor bumps.
Razor bumps develop when facial hair is cut too close to the skin and starts growing and curling back into the skin. Some shavers worsen the situation by cutting hair follicles at an angle and leaving behind a sharp stump. This stump easily penetrates the skin as hair regrows.
The body’s natural defenses see the ingrown hair as a threat and activate an immune response, causing inflammation around the ingrown hair (razor bumps). It could also happen that the hair follicles are cut at the skin level and later get buried by skin tissue. When the hair follicle fails to emerge, the body’s defenses kick into action, leading to a similar result.
In severe cases, the bumps break out all over the neck and face. If you shave before they heal, they get worse, and scars form. At this point, we recommend consulting with a dermatologist.
2. Skin dryness
A black man’s skin is tougher and rougher; hence it’s dryer and flakier than others. This is problematic, especially for black men who shave regularly since dry skin is more prone to infection and irritation.
Features of the best electric shaver for black men
Considering the problems above, and general requirements for sensitive skin, below are the key characteristics of an electric razor for African American men.
1. Capture and cut flat-lying, curly, and wiry hairs efficiently
We’ve pointed out that cutting hair follicles at an angle is part of the problem causing ingrown hairs and razor bumps. So, it makes sense that a good electric shaver should lift hair follicles and cut them straight and clean. The shaver should also capture and cut long hairs growing in different directions (although your shaving process plays a big role in this).
As a man with sensitive skin, you must give your skin time to heal before shaving again. As such, the shaver should cut long hair with ease. Unfortunately, this is where most electric shavers fail. The fact that black men hair curly hair makes the capture process difficult.
Note: Avoid multiple passes over sensitive spots like the skin to prevent irritation.
2. Sharp blades powered by a fast motor
When you’re shaving and notice hairs getting pulled instead of being cut, it’s a sign you’re wielding a low-quality shaver with dull blades coupled with a lazy motor. A good shaver should deliver smooth and fast shaves without needing you to apply pressure. Moreover, it won’t get hot after a few minutes of use.
Aside from this, the shaver should have an easy foil and blade-changing mechanism. Men with sensitive skin must change these often, so the easier it is, the better the experience.
Dull blades are inefficient at cutting hair and need extra strokes, increasing the chances of razor burns and irritation.
3. Doesn’t shave too close to the skin
If you’ve read our other shaving guides, especially those on straight razor shaving, we insist on closeness. This is also important for some men when using electric shavers. But for black men prone to razor bumps and ingrown hairs, extremely close shaving electric shavers might be a bad idea.
Shaving too close to the skin increases the chances of ingrown hair and razor bumps for black men. We recommend electric shavers that don’t cut too close to the skin. From our research and tests, we’ve determined Braun electric shavers provide a good blend of comfort and closeness.
4. Dry and wet shaving options
Now, this is a nice-to-have feature since it improves the shaving experience. Using an electric razor with shaving cream will get good results in comfort and closeness.
Some men insist that wet shaving beats the point of using an electric shaver, and with good reasons. However, try it if you’re not getting a good shaving experience. But if wet shaving isn’t an option, try a pre-electric shaving lotion to improve your dry shave results.
Other features
Shaving and charging time
No one wants to spend a lot of time waiting for their electric shaver to fully charge. Most need an hour to charge to 100%, after which they’ll last between one and two hours (equivalent to 20/30 shaves). Some shavers have nifty features, like a display showing how much juice is left.
Weight
Lifting weights at home or the gym is great, but a bulky shaver is annoying. Yes, an electric shaver should be large enough to contain a powerful battery and other mechanical components, but it should be too heavy. With a lighter shave, you can focus on getting a smooth shave.
Warranty
Warranties come in handy if the electric shaver breaks or you need technical help. The average warranty for electric shavers is two years, which is great compared to other mechanical options. If you run into issues within this time, contact the manufacturer for a replacement or repair.
Extras
Extra features are a good way of differentiating between electric shavers with similar capabilities. The features can include protective caps and travel pouches. Also, consider the shaver’s attachments, like a foil shaver attachment. Some shavers even come with charging stands, which adds to your shaving convenience.
The best electric shavers for black men (Summary)
1. Braun Series 9 9390cc
When you think of German engineering, the first things that come to mind are quality, performance, and precision. The Braun Series 9 9390cc lives up to these expectations. The 9390cc is stylish, comfortable, and efficient, delivering an outstanding shaving performance each time. Aside from being German engineering, here are some reasons we feel it’s ideal for black men.
Fast cutting speed
While most electric shavers are stuck with ordinary motors that move blades back and forth, the Series 9 9390cc features patented SynchroSonic technology. The technology consists of two motors running simultaneously at varied frequencies to create micro-sonic vibrations, causing the blades to complete 40,000 cross-cutting movements every 60 seconds. This makes it possible to remove more coarse and curly hair in one pass.
Powerful
This electric shaver has a flexible cutting element on a 10-directional pivoting head. Moreover, it has MacroMotion and MicroMotion technologies that provide maximum skin contact and reduce skin pressure, reducing chances of irritation. It’s important to note the shaver adapts to your contours and cuts through thick hair follicles with minimal irritation and shaving rashes.
Special cutting elements
Facial hair grows in all directions, protruding or laying flat. Because of this, black men find themselves with razor burns when using ordinary razors. With the special cutting elements (direct and cut trimmer), the Braun Series 9 9390cc aligns hair growing in different directions and cuts them simultaneously. On the other hand, the Hyperlift and Cut trimmer lift and slice hair follicles lying flat, especially those on the chin and neck.
Adjustable shaving angle
Faces have different bone structures and skin thicknesses. Braun understands this; hence, they added a MultiHeadLock feature to the electric shaver, allowing users to adjust the shaver to five different angles. This results in a precise shave tailored to your needs. If you want a short beard, slide the integrated precision trimmer from the back for your shaver. This setting is great for your sideburns and is easy on sensitive skin.
Travels well, is comfortable, and convenient
Aside from looking great, the Braun Series 9390cc has an ergonomic shape that fits well in hand. Moreover, it has a rubberized grip, which secures your grip even with wet hands.
This modern shaver is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which provides 50 minutes of shaving (equivalent to two weeks of daily shaving) on a single charge.
It’s worth noting the Braun Series 9 comes with a 5-action alcohol-based clean and charge station. This station charges, cleans, lubricates, and dries your device automatically. The alcohol-based lubricant ensures the shaver is germ-free and ready for the next shaving session.
To make traveling easier, the electric shaver has a leather travel pouch sturdy enough to protect the shaver from external damage.
Wet and dry shaver
Braun series 9 9390cc wet or dry shaving option allows you to shave in the shower or use foam/gel.
- Sturdy
- Water repellant
- Quiet
- Gentle on the skin
- Adapts to contours
- Travel-friendly and sturdy
- Expensive
- Plastic body
- The blade head gets dull in a year
The Braun Series 9 9390cc is among the most advanced and renowned electric shavers. It’s a favorite for many because of its performance and power. However, the price tag put off a good number of people.
2. Philips Norelco 9800
The Norelco 9800 is a shaver that packs a punch. It’s designed with a feature to help you get a smooth shave without nicking the skin. What we loved about it is the V-track blade system coupled with a lift and cut action, which positions flat-lying hair follicles of different lengths into the best cutting angle, reducing the risk of ingrown hair. This technology allows black men to cut 30% closer to the skin in fewer strokes, preventing skin irritation.
Other features include:
- Dual SteelPrecision self-sharpening blades. This technology ensures you always have sharp blades for optimum cutting efficiency and delays the need for replacement.
- Contour detect technology that follows facial contours gently and captures 20% more hairs in one pass. You won’t have to assume weird positions to reach some spots on your face, neck, or head.
- It’s waterproof, so you can use it for wet and dry shaves. It handles shaving gel or foam quite well too. If you decide to use it in the shower, you’ll love the rubber grip and ergonomic design, which are included to provide maximum control. But like many wet and dry shavers, the Norelco 9800 cannot be used while plugged into a power source.
- Protective SkinGlide coating reduces friction and protects the skin from irritation.
- Intelligent hair sensor that detects hair density and adjusts cutting power for a gentle and effortless shave.
- Numerous indicators, including battery level indicator (in percentage), battery low indicators, replace the shaving head indicator, cleaning indicator, and travel lock indicator. These display indicators make maintaining this powerful electric shaver for black men a breeze.
- The shaver runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that lasts 50 minutes on a full charge. If it runs out of juice while shaving, a quick 5-minute recharge will be enough to complete your session.
- This unit comes with a QuickClean pod that makes cleaning a breeze. But we should caution you that not all units have a cleaning base or brush. You’ll have to clean the shaver under running water for those options manually.
- Durable blades that remain sharp for long
- Close shave
- Reduced friction, hence a lower risk of skin irritation
- Travel case
- A little noisy
3. Panasonic ES-LV9Q
The Panasonic ES-LV9Q is the latest addition to Panasonic’s Arc 5 range. In this high-end line of electric shavers made for men with sensitive skin and prone to ingrown hairs and skin irritation, the ES-LV9Q is touted as the fastest and most precise electric shaver. Is there any truth to this? Here are the technology and features it packs.
A 5-blade cutting system
Most electric shavers feature three or four cutting blades, but the ES-LV9Q has five parallel blades that deliver a close shave in fewer passes. This means you complete your shaving faster, even before having your morning coffee.
The five blades have three foil patterns that collectively trim thick beards in hard-to-reach spots. Two blades are designed for cutting short stubble hair, two for lifting and cutting flat hair, and one for capturing long hair. The blades are positioned at 30 degrees for better performance.
Multi-flex head
The shaving head can:
- Slide
- Twist
- Move up and down
- Move left and right
- Move forward and backward
With these motions, the shaver contours your face guaranteeing a closer, more comfortable shave with reduced irritation compared to a locked shaver head.
Charging and cleaning station
You don’t have to worry about taking it apart to clean and rinse it under running water (although you can). Instead, you place it on the clean and charge station, press the button and continue with your day. You can plug the charger directly into the power cord if you don’t fancy charging at the station.
The shaver is powered by a Li-ion battery that gives 45 minutes of shaving. This is disappointing since its competitors give 50 – 60 minutes of shaving time. However, it redeems itself with its constant power delivery. Even at low power, there’s no noticeable drop in performance. Once it flatlines, it takes 60 minutes to fully recharge, although a quick 3-minute recharge is enough for a shaving session.
Shaving sensor
This wet and dry shaver for black men sports a built-in shaving sensor that scans hair follicles and detects density differences. This technology allows the shaver to adapt the power to the different hair densities, so you don’t have to own multiple pieces of equipment for a good shave.
Extra features include:
- Smart lock functionality – it detects your grasp and unlocks when you’re ready. Once you release it, it locs after a minute for safety.
- Rubber wrap for an improved grip
- 10-stage multi-function display
- Travel case, cleaning brush, and lubricating oil
- Premium build with a powerful motor
- Waterproof
- Smooth shave
- Intelligent shaving sensors
- Smooth gliders reduce drag on your skin for a comfortable shave
- Large shaving head
- Slightly expensive
The ES-LV9Q tests speed and has a smoother, consistent shaving experience. It makes shaving less of a chore and instead like a relaxing routine free of irritation and razor bumps.
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4. Bevel Beard Trimmer
If you are looking for a tool to keep your beard, mustache, and sideburns looking clean, this Bevel Beard Trimmer by Walker & Company is it. At a glance, Tristan Walker, the company’s founder and CEO, designed a trimmer that gets the job done and looks great on your bathroom counter, too. Some of the features added to improve performance include:
Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you might want a looser or closer shave. You can get this with the Bevel trimmer by making quick adjustments. Instead of fumbling with screwdrivers, simply pop the blade and adjust the zero gap using the Bevel dial.
You can use the trimmer corded or cordless, and either way, you get the same precision and power. The Li-ion battery lasts 6 hours on full power, which translates to about 60 days of use.
You’ll notice the trimmer is well balanced in your hands, and it’s weighted to make it easier to hold and maneuver around your face or scalp. Unfortunately, this is a dry-use trimmer only. Luckily, it’s simple to clean. The blades are designed to naturally repel skin oils, dirt, and hair buildup. Moreover, you can detach the blade unit for a thorough cleaning.
Most trimmers on the market run hot, which can be a problem. Bevel trimmer engineers prepared for this and designed the tool to remain cool to the touch.
- Incredible and beautiful design
- Satisfying grip
- Powerful battery and motor
- Cool to the touch
- It’s not waterproof
- The guards are a little hard to attach and detach.
This bevel trimmer seems to solve many problems the old-style trimmers have. It’s easy to clean, easily adjustable, powerful, and sleek. Although it’s not perfect, it’s darn close.
5. Braun Series 7 7085cc
This is yet another excellent Braun electric shaver for black men. Like the Braun 9 9390cc, you can expect quality and high performance. Here’s how Braun delivers on these claims.
First and foremost, this electric razor for black men sports a movable flex head that contours your face when shaving. The flex head reduces the need for multiple passes and the risk of skin irritation. The ‘On’ button is conveniently located at the middle front of the shaver with a battery power display right under it to signal you of recharge.
The 7805cc has a slim design which makes it easier to hold. The plastic material on the outer has a soft grip making it pleasant to hold and maneuver across your face and head.
Aside from the razor, the 7 7805cc has a complete shaving kit. You get a zippered pouch for travel safety, a charging cord, a cleaning station, and a mini shaving brush to help eliminate fine hairs. Even better, there are eleven shaving head attachments that deliver a close shave depending on hair type. One of the attachments included is a trimmer to help keep your mustache, beard, and sideburn neat.
It’s nice to have multiple shave settings, but it can sometimes be confusing. Luckily, Braun gets the job done using the built-in auto-sense technology that automatically adjusts power based on hair length and density. This saves you a lot of time and guarantees precision, especially in the morning when you’re half asleep.
Note: Some shavers are ideal for thin hair, and others for thick hair. But the Braun 7 7905cc is ideal for both, including super dense beards on black men.
The shaver has a rechargeable Li-ion battery that charges from 0 to 100 percent in 50 minutes. A single charge lasts three weeks, so you can take it on vacation and be okay for a month. Even better, this is a dry/wet shaver, so you can use it in the shower or with shaving creams, foams, or gels.
Other features:
- Easy-click attachments. The attachments are easy to slide on and off. The special beard trimmer allows you to vary hair length between 0.5 and 7mm.
- 4-in-1 Smart Care Centre. This care center will clean, charge, and lubricate the shaver.
- Auto cleans the shaver in four minutes.
- Quick recharge
- Dry and wet use
- Doesn’t have a charging case
This Braun 7 7085cc delivers one of the most comfortable and smoothest shaves you can get from an electric shaver. With its automatic sensor, it’s ideal for black men, a feature that improves the shaving experience and reduces the chances of nicks.
6. Panasonic LV67 ARC 5
The Panasonic Arc 5 is one of the high-end foil shaver series in Panasonic’s portfolio. The Arc 5 made its first debut in 2009 and has since gone through revisions, making it a force to reckon with. As a black man, this is a shaver you should seriously consider having in your arsenal. Here’s why:
Blades
Let’s start by; the K in its name, which represents the color. As different colored models are released, the suffix is expected to change. On the other hand, the ‘Arc’ is because this shaver has a shaving head with a curved profile, and the number ‘5’ points to the number of blades it sports.
The five blades are different but designed to work as a unit to deliver a good shaving experience. The middle blade is a Quick Slit Blade that slices through long hair enough for the other blades to work their magic.
On either side of the quick slit blade are two quick lift foils that lift and cut short hair lying close to the skin. The outermost pair are finishing foils that give a uniform finish.
Motor
The ES-LV67 has one of the most powerful and fastest motors among shavers in its category. The motor delivers 14,000 cycles every minute. And since it has five blades, this translates to 70,000 cutting actions every minute. This foil shaver for black men will get the job done efficiently and fast.
Flexible shaving head
The Panasonic ES-LV67 has a flexing head that moves along all axes. This ensures that the shaver remains in contact with the skin despite the facial contours. The result is a level easier-to-achieve shave, even on otherwise hard-to-reach spots.
It’s worth noting that the shaving blades move independently of each other.
Beard sensor technology
This intelligent sensor detects beard density and adjusts power accordingly. The sensor completes 220 senses every second. Although this feature is available on other shavers, their effectiveness on the others is debatable.
Dry and wet use
The foil shaver is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower or with gel and foam.
Quick charge
The ES-LV67 has a 3-minute quick charge that gives you a quick shave once the battery dies.
- Sleek design with a black matte finish
- Has an anti-slip grip
- Waterproof
- Hypoallergenic shaving elements
- Shaver adjusts to your facial contour and hair density
- Good battery life
- Compact design with a physical lock
- It’s expensive
- A little uncomfortable to use
This foil shaver has all the premises to give you a stellar performance, and it does. If you want a close shave without the repercussions of ingrown hair or irritating sensitive skin, the ES-LV67 is perfect for you.
7. Remington F5-5800
Now, this is a budget shaver for black men. Despite being a ‘budget’ shaver, it has everything you’d need for a good shaving experience.
For starters, it has a 3-blade shaving system (intercept technology) comprising a slit blade integrated into the foil and two removable foils. The coil cuts hair closer to the skin while the trimmer precuts longer hairs. Like most black men’s razors on this list, the F5-5800 has a flexing shaving head capable of only a basic up-and-down motion. Honestly, this should be enough to get the job done.
Remington designed this foil shaver for corded and cordless use, a feature that’s becoming rare in electric shavers. This is possible because of the Li-Ion rechargeable battery.
Although it’s a dry-only electric razor, it’s waterproof, and you can clean and rinse it under running water. This makes maintenance easy. Finally, the shaver comes with a pop-up trimmer on the back for light touchups. This is a nifty feature you can be proud of since not many shavers in its category have it.
Other features worth mentioning include the following:
- Battery level indicator
- Five-minute quick charging
- Delivers a close shave
- Comfortable
- Waterproof and easy to clean
- Inexpensive
- Good battery life
- Not the best with flat-lying hairs
- It’s noisy during use
- The pop-up trimmer could be better
The Remington F5-5800 will give you a clean and smooth shave. For its price, it’s quite impressive. And although it misses some high-end tech features, it gets the job done and reduces the risk of ingrown hair and skin burns.
Final word
As a black man, shaving can be a pain. Luckily, this is nothing a good shaver cannot fix. The above suggestions are a good place to start. We hope the reviews make the choosing process less complicated.
Ruiru Kibet
Ruiru Kibet is passionate about beard care and male grooming. He believes it’s an art form and is happy to share his insight with men across the globe. He’s into wet shaving and evidence-based grooming, a passion that helps him analyze men’s grooming brands, products, and wet shaving practices presenting you with the best recommendations and advice.