Buying Guides
Men's Grooming Buying Guide
Looking to upgrade or replace your grooming appliances? Whether you’re searching for a great new men’s electric shaver, hair clippers or body trimmers, you’ll find everything you need to know in our handy men’s grooming guide. Learn what sets different types of grooming appliances apart, the many types available and some of the key features that you should consider before settling on a make or model.
TYPES OF MEN’S GROOMING APPLIANCES
MEN’S SHAVERS
More convenient than traditional razors, men’s shavers are primarily used to trim and groom facial hair. Reducing the chances of nicks, cuts and skin irritation, they’ve become a popular choice for men’s grooming, with several types and power options available. They can be found at a variety of different price points, making it easy to find a model to match your budget.
Faster, easier and safer to use than traditional razors
Designed to be used primarily on the face and neck
Two main types are available: foil shavers and rotary shavers
Several different power options available
Best suited to grooming smaller areas
Generally don’t handle areas with longer hair well
Popular brands of men’s shavers include: Braun, Philips, Panasonic
HAIR CLIPPERS AND BODY TRIMMERS
Designed for grooming longer hair, hair clippers and body trimmers are great for trimming larger areas across the head and body. With a variety of attachments available, including different trimming lengths, these handy appliances make it easy to adapt your grooming routine to your personal preferences and the latest styles.
Designed to be used with longer hair
Best suited to grooming larger areas of the head and body
Variety of attachments available, allowing for customisation of the grooming routine
Several different power options available
Typically not designed for shaving, but rather trimming only
Popular brands of hair clippers and body trimmers include: Philips
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE BUYING MEN’S GROOMING APPLIANCES?
TYPES OF SHAVERS
Foil shavers
Covered by a thin metal screen, foil shavers feature several high-speed blades that move side to side when in use. As the blades move, they pull hair through the metal screen where they are then trimmed.
Better suited to sensitive skin, resulting in less irritation
Tend to be easier to clean
Different types of foil heads available for various uses
Can take longer to shave an area than rotary shavers
Not suited to removing long hair
Contours can be more difficult to shave using a foil shaver
Rotary shavers
Rotary shavers feature circular blades that sit under a slotted head. The slotted head lifts hair up and off the face and neck, resulting in a closer shave as the blades glide over the skin. Some models are designed with floating heads that allow for better results on the contours of the face and neck.
Feature several rotating heads
Hair is lifted up before it is cut to provide a closer shave
Contour to the face and neck better than foil shavers
Better suited to shaving longer hair
Tend to be harder to clean
POWER OPTIONS
Battery-powered
Handy for use on the go or when access to powerpoints is limited, these shavers are powered by replaceable batteries. Although they are convenient to use in some situations, the battery life is typically quite limited.
Rechargeable
One of the most popular options available, rechargeable shavers feature an internal battery that allows for cordless use. Most models can also be used when plugged into a powerpoint, allowing for greater flexibility of use.
Mains-operated
Mains-operated shavers and clippers need to be plugged into a powerpoint when in use. They are reliable, with no chance of running out of battery mid-shave, but they do have a limited range of motion.
FEATURES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Dry and wet shaving. Although it may not be a feature that everyone will use, dry and wet shaving provides greater flexibility in how you use your shaver. Models with this feature may be used in the shower or with shaving creams or lotions.
Beard trimmers. Used to trim facial hair without completely removing it, beard trimmers take the hard work out of styling beards, moustaches and sideburns.
Pivoting heads. The face and neck feature many curves and contours which can be difficult to shave and trim without the right equipment. Devices with pivoting heads adjust to the natural curves of the body, allowing for a closer and easier shave.
Head tilt locks. Perfect for trimming hard-to-reach areas, head tilt locks help to keep the shaver head in a set position, ensuring it doesn’t move while in use.
Lifting combs. Allowing for a closer shave, lifting combs pull the hair up and away from the skin before it is cut.
Travel cases. Great for when you’re on the go, travel cases help to keep your shaver, power cord and accessories in one handy spot.
Controls. The controls of the shaver should be easy to read, understand and use. Look for a model that’s easy for you to understand and switch between settings.
Cleaning features. When you use your shaver regularly, it’s important to keep it clean to prevent the growth of bacteria. Simple models should come with a cleaning brush, while some more advanced shavers feature self-cleaning programs.
Low battery indicators. Running out of battery while shaving can be incredibly inconvenient, especially if you’re in a hurry. Low battery indicators help to avoid this predicament by alerting you when you’re close to running out of power.
Quick charge options. Great for when the battery of your shaver runs out mid-use, quick charge options allow you to put your shaver on charge for a short period of time to gather enough battery power to complete your shave.
Attachments. Providing greater flexibility in how you use your shaver, attachments help you to customise your device to your needs. Some people may prefer a closer shave, while others may opt for an attachment that leaves their hair a little longer.