For a man who likes to travel or insists that his flagging shaver doesn’t need replacing, an electric razor makes a useful gift for Father’s Day. (It’s coming up on June 15.) These four top picks from Cheapism.com have been shown to perform well and should leave you with enough money left over for some nice aftershave and perhaps a pre-shave solution, recommended by Craig the Barber for a closer shave with an electric.
The Braun MobileShave M-90 (starting at $14) makes a perfect companion for a road warrior, reviewers say. This is a compact foil razor that comes complete with a pop-up trimmer for a mustache or sideburns. It runs on two AA batteries, so there’s no need to worry about an international plug converter or voltage adapter. The razor can be rinsed under water and comes with a brush for easy cleaning. (Where to buy)
The Philips Norelco 6948XL/41 (starting at $30) is a rotary shaver with a rechargeable battery. It can go cordless for about 35 minutes at a time or be plugged into the wall if you forget to recharge. Users appreciate the full-size pop-up trimmer, declaring it superior to others in this price range, where many razors lack a trimmer entirely. (Where to buy)
The Remington MSC-140 (starting at $10) is one of those basic models with no pop-up trimmer — no surprise at such a low price. Reviewers say this compact foil razor powered by two AA batteries is ideal for shaving on the go. There’s no option to buy replacement heads, so users must eventually replace the entire shaver, but that costs less than buying a new head for most other electric razors. (Where to buy)
The Remington R3-4110A (starting at $29) is another rotary shaver with a cord for recharging. It takes 16 hours to juice up all the way, according to the manufacturer, so it might frustrate forgetful dads who neglect to plug it in. From teens shaving for the first time to nonagenarians with impaired vision or arthritic hands, users find it easy to get a close shave with this razor. Unlike the Philips Norelco rotary shaver, it can be cleaned off under the faucet. (Where to buy)
Choosing between the two types of electric shavers, foil and rotary, is a matter of personal preference. It can also take time to get used to shaving with a different type of razor, so if you’re buying for Father’s Day, try to pick out the same kind the man in your life already uses.
Each of these razors offers a money-back trial period of at least 30 days, so encourage Dad to give his skin a few weeks to adjust to the new razor. Just be sure to include a gift receipt in case the model you choose just doesn’t work out. In this case, it’s actually better to wait until the last minute to do your shopping: The closer to Father’s Day you buy, the more time will remain in the trial period afterward.
More from Cheapism:
Full report on cheap electric shavers