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Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
The best razors are easy to grip and maneuver, relatively affordable, and deliver great results. A good razor also minimizes irritation with a combination of design and skin-smoothing extras.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is the Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor, which features an ergonomic handle, pivoting head, and moisture strips for a close, clean shave. If you're on a budget, consider the Nylea FlexShave 6-Blade Razor, which has a six-bladed head for precision shaving.
There are multi-bladed models with pivoting heads, straight safety blades, dermaplaning tools, electric shavers, trimmers, and everything in between. The right razor for your needs depends on what body part you're working with and what you'd like to achieve. Licensed esthetician Jodi Shays recommends opting for a high-quality razor with disposable blades for getting the closest, smoothest shave, “This way, you’ll never use a dull razor blade.” She also notes that the higher the blade count, the better.
We conducted hours of research on the best razor models, kits, sets, and subscriptions. We tried some of the top-rated models out there, our testers taking note of how close of a shave they produced as well as how well they prevented nicks, cuts, bumps, and ingrown hairs. Our team then combined these results with our own research of fan-favorite razors plus esthetician-recommended picks to create this list.
Ahead, find the best razors for the closest shave.
Best Overall: Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor
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Courtesy of Gilette
Ergonomic handle
Pivoting head
Moisturizing strips
Handle must be replaced every so often
Who else recommends it? Self also picked the Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor.
What do buyers say? 92% of 5,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Celebrity esthetician Joshua Ross likes razors with higher blade counts, like the five-blade Gillette Venus Deluxe. "This will allow for a closer shave and less chance of razor burn and nicks," he explains.
Since its 2001 launch, this razor has been a go-to not just in the drugstore category but in the personal grooming industry as a whole. Each of the five blades has a diamond-like coating to provide an ultra-close shave for sumptuously smooth skin. This iconic shaver flaunts an ergonomic handle, plus a pivoting head, helping you access hard-to-reach areas at a comfortable angle. We also like that the heads have moisturizing ribbons around the edges to prevent cuts and razor bumps.
Price at time of publish: $14.97
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Platinum
Best Budget: Nylea FlexShave 6-Blade Razor
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips
Blades dull somewhat quickly
The Nylea FlexShave will only run you a few bucks, and you can count on the six-bladed head to deliver a close shave, minimizing bumps or nicks.
Price at time of publish: $6.99
Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 6 | Color Options: Teal
Best Drugstore: Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Care Razor
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Amazon
Ergonomic handle
Moisturizing strips
Blades dull somewhat quickly
We're also big fans of the Schick Hydro Silk, a five-bladed razor designed with sensitive skin in mind. The blades are surrounded by a shea butter-infused serum to keep bumps and irritation at bay.
Price at time of publish: $11.99 for teal
Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Teal, pink
Best Luxury: Oui The People Straight Razor
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Refinery29
High-end design
Includes 10 refills
Works in a single pass
Expensive
Only one blade
A favorite of Byrdie Editorial Director Hallie Gould, The Single is a refreshingly straightforward razor with a top-shelf design. As its name suggests, it boasts a single, straight blade and promises an impressively close, nick-free shave with just one pass.
Price at time of publish: $75 for rose gold
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Matte black, rose gold
What Our Testers Say
"There is a nice weight to the razor, so I didn’t even feel the need to press down while shaving." — Katherine Pittman, Product Tester
Best Splurge: Leaf Shave The Leaf Razor
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Leaf Shave
Safety razor has pivoting head
Carbon-neutral brand
Expensive
The Leaf allows you to choose between one, two, or three blades. While this clever safety razor may cost a pretty penny, we appreciate that it's made by a carbon-neutral brand and comes in a range of chic colors.
Price at time of publish: $99.99 for chrome
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: Customizable | Color Options: Chrome, rose gold, black, gold, silver, gunmetal, rainbow
Best Subscription: Billie Razor Starter Kit
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Billie
Budget-friendly
Ergonomic handle
Nickel- and rust-free blades
Doesn't pivot well
Blades can get gooey
Billie's subscription model ensures you never have a dull razor in rotation. The brand's starter kit comes with a handle in your choice of six colors and four or more heads, depending on how often you shave.
Price at time of publish: $10 for once a month delivery
Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Pink, orange, purple, light blue, blush, periwinkle
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Byrdie / Olivia Hancock
What Our Editors Say
"After running the razor over my legs, I was left with such a clean shave—no cuts or razor burn in sight. My legs feel so much smoother and softer than they usually do after a shave with my less-than-stellar disposable razors." — Olivia Hancock, Editor
Best Disposable: BIC Silky Touch 3 Razors
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Pack of four
Travel-friendly
Doesn't protect from nicks
If you travel often or just don't want to deal with refill cartridges, keep a few BICs on hand. These triple-bladed disposable razors are not only budget-friendly but also offer a notably close shave.
Price at time of publish: $11.95
Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 3 | Color Options: Multi-colored pack
Best Set: Athena Club Razor Kit
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Athena Club
Ergonomic design
Magnetic shower hook
Only available by subscription
This subscription razor kit comes with an ergonomic handle, two five-blade cartridge heads, and a handy magnetic shower hook.
Price at time of publish: $9 for first purchase kit
Handle Material: Aluminum, fiberglass, silicone | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Coral, light blue, blush, navy, white, black
Best Handle: Flamingo Razor
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Flamingo
Ergonomic design
Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips
Only comes with one head
In addition to a five-bladed head with protective moisturizing strips, the Flamingo has a weighted ergonomic handle with a non-slip rubberized grip for a comfortable shaving experience at any angle.
Price at time of publish: $11 for chrome
Handle Material: Plastic, metal, rubber | Number of Blades: 5 | Color Options: Lilac, light pink, mint, orange
Best Safety: Bambaw Metal Safety Razor
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Amazon
Zero-waste system
Five-year warranty
Long-lasting
Assembly required
Head doesn't pivot
The best safety razor is this metal beauty from Bambaw. It's got a premium-quality stainless steel blade, which you can recycle as part of the brand's zero-waste system.
Price at time of publish: $21.99 for rose gold
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Rose gold, silver, green, red, mint, pink, rainbow
Best for Bikini Area: Gillette Venus For Pubic Hair & Skin Razor
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Amazon
Ergonomic handle
Small head
Prevents cuts
Reviewers note it doesn't prevent ingrowns
If you like having a designated shaver for your bikini area, this one is up for the task. While it only has two blades per head and isn't as sharp as others on this list, that's the whole point: removing hair while protecting your pubic hair area from cuts and nicks.
Price at time of publish: $14.99 for razor and two refills
Handle Material: Plastic, rubber | Number of Blades: 2 | Color Options: Light blue
Best On-the-Go: Sphynx 3-in-1 Travel Razor
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Walmart
Budget-friendly
Moisturizing strips
Use-anywhere design
Only two blades
You don't need a tub or shower to shave with the Sphynx. Flaunting a compact design and a built-in moisturizing bar, this innovative razor comes with a refillable spray bottle, allowing you to remove body hair anytime, anywhere.
Price at time of publish: $23.88 for black
Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 2 | Color Options: Pink, berry, black, blue, purple
Best Electric: Finishing Touch Flawless Nu Razor Electric Razor
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Ulta
Cordless
Rechargeable
Travel-friendly
Replacement head not included
This cordless dry shaver is powered by a lithium-ion battery and comes with a USB charging cord. Measuring just under 8 inches, it's great for traveling, too.
Price at time of publish: $39.99
Handle Material: Metal, rubber | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Rose gold
Best for Trimming: Fur Skincare Fur Trimmer Cordless Electric Razor
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Nordstrom
Cordless
Rechargeable
Multi-use design
Expensive
To tidy things up without going completely bare, reach for this cordless electric razor, which can be used wet or dry and allows you to trim your body hair to your choice of four lengths.
Price at time of publish: $89
Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 3 | Color Options: White
Best for Dermaplaning: Sephora Collection Metal Facial Razor
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Sephora
Sturdy metal handle
High-quality design
Comes with three replacement heads
Additional heads not available for purchase
Thinking of trying your hand at at-home dermaplaning to remove peach fuzz and lightly exfoliate? Consider this model that comes with a sleek metal handle and a single blade, plus three replaceable heads and a handy storage case.
Price at time of publish: $18
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Silver
Best for Eyebrows: About Face Eyebrow Shaper Precision Razors
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Amazon
Budget-friendly
Small blade edge
Works for dermaplaning
Reviewers note it can cut your skin
You'll want to have one of these precision shapers on hand when cleaning up your eyebrows. The notably small blade makes it easy to work around your brows without accidentally shaving off the tails.
Price at time of publish: $3.49
Handle Material: Plastic | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Pink
Best Luxury Trimmer: Bevel Beard Trimmer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Soft-touch grip
Non-slip handling gives precision control
Replacement blades can be hard to find
This luxury line prioritizes coarse hair textures and razors designed to reduce bumps, ingrown hairs, and skin irritation. We love the quick, tool-free adjustments you can make for the right sharpness level for your comfort. Easy to keep clean, the blades repel dirt, oil and build-up to help prevent irritation.
Price at time of publish: $199.95
Handle Material: Metal | Number of Blades: 1 | Color Options: Silver and black
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Razor, which features an ergonomic handle, pivoting head, and moisture strips for a close, clean shave. If you're on a budget, consider the Nylea FlexShave 6-Blade Razor, which has a six-bladed head for precision shaving.
Meet the Expert
- Joshua Ross is an esthetician and celebrity facialist with over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. He is also the founder of SkinLab, a Los Angeles beauty boutique offering a range of cosmetic services for the face and body.
- Jodi Shays has been a licensed esthetician in California for 20 years. She is the owner of Queen Bee Salon & Spa in Culver City, which offers treatments from waxing, facials, tanning, and more.
What to Look For in a Razor
Body Part
One of the most important things to consider when buying a razor is the body part you're looking to shave. Most can be used on the legs, arms, underarms, and bikini line, though some models are designed specifically for shaving certain areas.
For general shaving on your body, Shays says to go with a multi-bladed razor with a pivoting head: "This is great for harder-to-reach areas and little crannies on the bikini lines." Moisturizing strips are also a great feature to look for. If you're looking to shape your eyebrows or dermaplaning your face, a smaller single-blade razor may be a better choice.
Number of Blades
When shopping around, you'll find that razors come with anywhere from one to six blades. "I recommend using razors with a minimum of a triple-bladed [head]," says Ross, explaining that more blades tend to offer a closer shave in a single pass while minimizing the risk of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Shays adds that razors with three to five blades are ideal for efficiently shaving larger areas of the body, such as the legs.
Handle
Razor handles can be made of plastic, aluminum, steel, or another type of metal and often have rubberized components for a better grip. The grip of a razor is important, says Shay, as this will prevent it from slipping out of your hands while shaving, which can result in nicking the skin.
She adds that an ergonomic handle is ideal, as it'll feel more comfortable in your hand while reducing strain at various angles. Better still, look for a razor with a weighted handle for ultimate balance and control.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a commerce copywriter specializing in lifestyle, wellness, and beauty. She considered numerous models from various brands, ultimately choosing options with high-quality designs and multiple notable features. We also tried some of the top-rated razors, our testers taking note of how close of a shave they produced as well as how well they prevented nicks, cuts, bumps, and ingrown hairs. Our team then combined these results with our own research of fan-favorite razors plus esthetician-recommended picks to create this list.
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