Summer is just around the corner, which means there's an amazing array of warm-weather experiences we can look forward to enjoying again: poolside lounging, beach days, pick-up pickleball matches and al fresco picnics to start. The season change also means it's time for bathing suits, shorts and tank tops. That's right: it's time to get reacquainted with your razor.
Unless you prefer to go au naturel (you go, girl!), now's the time to find the right tools to prep your legs, underarms and bikini areas before rising temperatures force you to dig into your more revealing summer garments. After 10 seconds of research, I quickly learned two things: 1) just how many razor brands are on the market and 2) how hard the decision actually is to pick one.
Plus, there's so much more to consider than just the blades. Now they come with lubricant strips and built-in soap and magnetic holders and ergonomic handles — it's all a bit overwhelming. So, I did the overwhelming part for you, testing 11 different razors to see which ones are worth taking up space in your "everything shower" routine.
Razor with the sharpest blades$11.47$14.99
Is there a "right way" to shave?
After consulting with three dermatologists, I can confidently say that there is a correct way ... and that I've been doing it wrong. My. Entire. Life.
Before I get to that embarrassing tidbit, let's start with the first step: prep work. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carson Kirkpatrick, to ensure a smooth, bump-free shave, you want to prepare you skin — whether it be your legs or underarms — with warmth, moisture and proper lubrication. "Massage a warm compress over the area for five minutes before shaving," he recommends, adding that you should avoid aggressive techniques, like pulling the skin, applying hurried strokes or making multiple passes.
He also advises using an antibacterial wash that contains benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine before (and after) shaving to reduce the chances of developing razor bumps.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aderonke Obayomi says the next step is non-negotiable: Lather up your skin with a shaving cream or oil — always. "Both provide the lubrication needed for the razor to glide smoothly and reduce friction," she says. "The choice between them comes down to personal preference and skin type." (We'll dig into the cream vs gel vs oil debate a little later on.)
This is the part where I learned something new (I am well into my 30s, mind you): When it comes to the actual process of shaving, Kirkpatrick, Obayomi and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenna Queller all offered the same advice: to shave in the direction of the hair growth (downward on the leg). I need to call my mother, because why have I been shaving upwards for over 20 years?
"The direction you shave matters more than most people realize," shares Obayomi. "Shaving against the grain gives a closer shave but dramatically increases the risk of razor bumps, especially for people with curly hair. This is something I counsel patients on frequently, particularly those dealing with pseudofolliculitis barbae (chronic razor bumps)."
She adds that using short strokes and limiting the passes to about two strokes per area can make a big difference in preventing bumps, burns and ingrown hairs. However, to my slight relief, Obayomi and Queller agree that doing one pass against the grain is acceptable if you're itching for a closer shave.
Best overall razor, tested by an editor
Leg: 4.75/5 | Underarm: 5/5 | Bikini: 4.5/5 | Maneuverability: 4.75/5 | Design: 5/5 | Cleaning: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.8/5
This may be a “men’s” razor, but I have no problem recommending this tool to women who want a close shave. Its blades are some of the sharpest I’ve tried, to the point that I have to remind myself to not apply too much pressure, lest I accidentally give myself razor burn. (Don't worry, I didn't!)
The overall design is what won me over. My favorite aspect has to be the weighted handle. I tend to have more control when my razors are on the heavier side, and this one offers the perfect amount of heft without being bulky.
I’ll also tip my hat to this five-blade design, which made for a much quicker and smoother shave since the blades got the job done almost immediately and I didn’t have to make as many passes on my legs or underarms.
Lastly, this razor leaves a wide opening on the top, which allows me to better clean the blades beneath. I’m not sure why other brands design their tools to make that part harder; a good clean is important to increase a cartridge’s longevity!
I think $13 is a fair price for this option, but I do wish it came with a few more head replacements. However, the impressive handle makes me think I won’t have to replace that part any time soon, so I appreciate how expensive it feels in comparison to its under-$15 price point.
One thing to note: I barely felt the lubricating strip. It really just seemed like an afterthought detail. It’s incredibly small and didn’t offer my skin any moisturizing or soothing benefits (which would have been nice, because these blades provide such a close shave that I definitely needed lotion afterward).
Other razors to try, tested by the author
Razor with the best grip:
Leg: 4.5/5 | Underarm: 4.75/5 | Bikini: 4.75/5 | Maneuverability: 4.75/5 | Design: 5/5 | Cleaning: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.79/5
This razor shines in the design department, specifically because of the aluminum handle coated in silicone and the steady grip it offers. I've found that it is also lightly weighted to allow for an easier range of motion. What earned this tool the title of “best grip” is its curved arrangement where the handle meets the razor head. It’s dipped in a way that allows my pointer finger to rest downward, giving me complete control whether I’m shaving my legs, underarms or bikini area.
According to the brand, the built-in moisturizing strip is infused with a hyaluronic acid serum and is meant to prevent bumps and irritation. It delivered on its zero-irritation promise and offers a very close shave, but it missed the mark with the “moisturizing” effect it alludes to with each pass.
Other notable features include an easy-to-use button for removing the razor head, as well as an open design that allows for easy cleaning. I didn’t find a hint of shaving cream remnants on the tool post-rinse. The set the razor comes with also includes two replacement blade cartridges and a magnetic storage hook — which I think is quite a lot for just $10.
Razor with the sharpest blades:
Leg: 4.25/5 | Underarm: 4.5/5 | Bikini: 4.5/5 | Maneuverability: 4.75/5 | Design: 4.75/5 | Cleaning: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.6/5
You read the above correctly — I did try a grooming razor for this test. (We don’t live by the rules of the pink tax around here.) This razor is able to get incredibly close to the root. I tend to be hasty while I shave, so I had to make a point to go slow to prevent accidental cuts. This one might be the easiest to cause nicks if you’re not careful, but I see that as a testament to how good of a shave it provides.
This razor is technically designed to offer an up-close-and-personal shave, so I can’t be surprised that it has one of the best grips of the bunch. (If I was putting a blade within inches of my face, I’d want it that way, too.) The textured design and silicone grip was just as beneficial for me when using it to shave my legs, underarms and bikini area.
Other design factors I quite enjoyed include the overall weightiness of the razor (impressive for $13) and the release button for the blade head. The metal push button is by far the easiest cartridge swap design, to the point that I wish other brands would follow suit.
Best razor for underarms:
Leg: 3.25/5 | Underarm: 5/5 | Bikini: 4.25/5 | Maneuverability: 4.75/5 | Design: 4.75/5 | Cleaning: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.5/5
I’m no stranger to Flamingo. In fact, it was the razor I was using before this testing even began. It wasn’t until I started trialing other options that I realized this may not be the absolute best one for me.
This tool gets top marks in the underarm department. It offered the closest shave in the area out of all the razors I’d tried. My skin felt incredibly smooth and it didn’t take many passes to achieve those results. I think I can largely attribute this to its overall design — what the brand refers to as its 360-Degree Comfort System.
More than just the five blades, the razor head includes glide strips infused with aloe and shea butter. The head surrounding the blades is also slightly raised, so as to ensure the blades only touch the skin when I press down and direct the tool to do so. It ended up being the best design to shave my underarm in the smoothest way without causing irritation or bumps.
Unfortunately, I can’t say it worked the same way for my legs. While I was able to maneuver the razor easily and cut hairs in typically hard-to-reach spots, I can’t say it offered the closest shave. I had to make multiple passes and I was left with a few nicks on the first go around. However, it did a good job in the bikini area, only missing a few hairs here and there which required an extra pass or two.
I love that this razor comes with a magnetic holder that sticks to the shower wall — great for storing and drying. It’s also very easy to clean under a steady stream of water. The texturized, rubber handle is one of the easiest to grip and comfortable to handle.
Best budget-friendly razor:
Leg: 4/5 | Underarm: 5/5 | Bikini: 4.75/5 | Maneuverability: 5/5 | Design: 3.75/5 | Cleaning: 3.5/5 | Overall score: 4.5/5
Before I get to what I really want to speak on (this razor subscription possibly being the best I’ve ever seen), let me tell you about how the actual tool performed.
First, there are SIX blades — I don’t even see that number on more luxurious razors. This performed best on my underarm area, where the blades cut every single hair with ease, plus my skin felt smooth afterwards. Also, I never thought I would bring what is essentially a $5 razor near my bikini line, but I did — and it did a solid job! I think there’s room for improvement when it comes to the leg area. It was easy to maneuver, but it easily nicked my skin during the first pass. I was also left with a few bumps, which I noticed about 30 minutes after my shower. However, it wasn’t anything serious and they went away pretty quickly.
For my budget-friendly pick, I was almost positive I was going to choose a disposable option. I was not expecting Dollar Shave Club’s Starter Kit to have a better tool and value. The savings secret is in the subscription service. Your first kit includes the Diamond Grip Handle, one razor head and a 1 oz shave butter. However, with the subscription, you’ll receive four of the razor heads and a 3 oz shave butter — for $4.99.
Plus, you can pick your delivery frequency (one, two, three, four or six months) and skip or cancel at any time. Considering its above-average performance, this deal seems like a no-brainer to me.
I do wish this tool was a little easier to clean. It’s nearly impossible to rinse off all the shaving cream in and around the razor head. The cream and rogue hair pieces get stuck in between the blades and near the spot where the razor head clicks into the handle. I found that the part of the blades that actually touch my skin are usually left the cleanest.
The handle is made of rubber and has a raised textured design that allows for a good grip. However, the overall tool is on the lighter side and I wish it offered a bit more weight for control purposes.
Razor with the best design:
Leg: 5/5 | Underarm: 4/5 | Bikini: 4/5 | Maneuverability: 4.25/5 | Design: 4.75/5 | Cleaning: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.33/5
I know many of you are tempted to keep scrolling after looking at this price point. Trust me, I get it; but if you wouldn’t mind humoring me for a paragraph or two, I’d like to explain why this investment may be worth your time and money.
The ergonomic features of this tool cannot be ignored. While I am fortunate to have full motion in my hands and fingers, I can see how this tool could be useful for someone who doesn’t. Its thoughtful design offers control to a common practice, thanks to several unique features you won’t find on other razors.
First, there are adjustable upper and lower twin grips that lock fingers in place to offer a more secure hold. Second, an extendable bar that can adapt to the length of your hand and fingers (complete with a locking collar to avoid slips). Third, finger and hand rests that act as points of contact to create more control.
At first glance, it looks like an unnecessarily high-tech update from 100 years in the future, but you only have to try it once to understand that every decision behind the design was intentional. I personally find the weighted zinc alloy base to be my favorite feature as it creates a sense of longevity — this is not something that will rust or run ragged over time.
In terms of functionality, I had the easiest time using this tool on my legs and underarms. It offered a close shave for both that left me feeling smooth. Because I had so much control via my fingertips, it was easy to access hard-to-reach spots and the special grip ensured that I didn’t apply too much pressure by accident. I couldn’t give the underarm area a perfect score, because you can only shave in one direction, and I happen to find going with and against hairs in that area (gently) works best to get every single strand. With that in mind, I would say this is the reason why this wouldn’t be my first choice for the bikini line, as the grip is quite limiting when it comes to the range of motion required for that area.
Best razor to maneuver:
Leg: 4.25/5 | Underarm: 3.75/5 | Bikini: 4.5/5 | Maneuverability: 5/5 | Design: 4/5 | Cleaning: 4.25/5 | Overall score: 4.29/5
With five blades, Billie unsurprisingly offers a super-close leg shave. Some areas truly only needed a single stroke to slash hair at the root, which saved me time in the long run. The blades are surrounded by aloe moisturizer, which I found to be both a blessing and a curse throughout this entire process. On one hand, it made my skin feel incredibly moisturized after each stroke and most likely helped me avoid underarm irritation. On the other hand, the aloe takes up a ton of the razor head real estate, which hindered my ability to easily get into hard-to-reach areas, like around the ankle bone and knee. I had to make sure to lay the razor flat and stroke the area a few times until I was sure the hair was gone. Also, it left a gooey residue on my underarms and bikini area, which made things a little messy.
Strangely, I think this razor's lightweight design ended up working in its favor. I had a very easy time maneuvering this around the main leg area (despite the aforementioned flaws) and I was able to fly through an entire body shave with relative ease; but I wouldn't recommend going as fast as I do (it's a bad habit I'm trying to kick).
This razor gets major points in the design category, but purely for aesthetics. If Billie is trying to make shaving fun and — dare I say — cute, it's succeeding. These razors come in a bunch of cute color combinations and sparkle designs that will look great in any space. If you share a bathroom with siblings or roommates, it won't be hard to tell which one is yours, especially if you're using the magnetic holder it comes with that will keep your tool "floating" in your shower.
Most moisturizing razor:
Leg: 4.25/5 | Underarm: 4.5/5 | Bikini: 5/5 | Maneuverability: 4.5/5 | Design: 4.25/5 | Cleaning: 3/5 | Overall score: 4.25/5
Full honesty: I thought I was going to hate this. One look at the blocky head and I had written it off before opening the packaging. Well, here's to remembering to never judge a book by its cover, because I was shocked to like this as much as I did. I thought its chunky design would work against me, making me miss the harder-to-reach areas of my legs, but the process was actually quite effortless. Having the blades placed in the middle of the aloe bar forced me to keep the razor head flat, which not only helped me get a close shave, but likely also prevented a lot of nicks. Plus, the pivoting head made it easy to maneuver around the kneecap and ankle bone.
This really shined in the bikini area. The surrounding moisturizer kept the area smooth before and after the blade strokes, which helped prevent bumps. According to the brand, the formula is dermatologist-tested and approved, so I didn't mind using it in such a sensitive area, but that's a personal preference.
Although a sleeper hit, there are few things I would argue need improvement. I had the most trouble trying to clean the blades. This particular shaving head doesn’t have a clear opening in the back for water to get through to properly rinse the tool, which left me leaving the razor underwater for longer, which likely melted away a layer of the moisturizing bar.
Speaking of the bar, it did get a tad bit ... gooey. I really only noticed it in the underarm and bikini areas. The aloe would create a thin film which made it harder for the blades to reach the hair and required a bit of rinsing off in between strokes. And while the blockiness of this razor didn’t hinder performance, it doesn’t make it the most travel-friendly tool.
How I tested each razor
In total, I tested 11 razors in a span of six weeks, eventually narrowing down the winners to nine tools. I tested two razors per week, with one brand used on the left leg, left underarm and left bikini line; and another used on the right side. I waited exactly one week to allow for a proper amount of hair growth before moving onto the next two razors, until all 11 razor tests were completed.
For prep (on legs, underarms and bikini line), I used the Truly Hydra-Smooth Shave Cream before every shave.
Each razor was evaluated in the following categories and scored on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best):
- Leg: Did it cause nicks? Was my skin feel dry or irritated post shower? Did my skin feel smooth? Did the blades easily glide over my skin?
- Underarm: Did it leave behind any residue? Did it cause razor bumps? Did it cut smaller hairs? Did I have to make multiple passes? Did the blades catch onto my skin?
- Bikini: Did I develop any razor bumps or redness? How many passes did I have to take? Did my skin feel smooth post-shave? Did
- Maneuverability: How easy was it to move around the ankle and knee? Did it offer a good grip and control? Was I able to easily apply the right amount of pressure?
- Design: Were the razor heads easy to swap out? Did it have an ergonomic handle? How many blades were included in the razor head? Did it comes with a holder or extra cartridges?
- Cleaning: How much time did I spend rinsing? Was the shaving cream fully cleared out? Could I remove all hair from the razor head? How clean was the razor head when it dried?
Frequently asked questions
Without consulting a dermatologist, I would have assumed the more blades, the better. However, that's not exactly the case, according to Queller. "I generally recommend using a razor with fewer blades – ideally one or two – to minimize skin irritation, razor burn and ingrown hairs," she tells us. She adds that while a razor head with three to five blades can offer a closer shave, they can also "increase friction and risk cutting hair too far below the skin’s surface."
If you have sensitive skin, she recommends sticking with a single- or double-blade head to reduce the number of passes. "Fewer blades prevent the 'razor burn' effect, where hair is pulled and cut below the skin surface," she finishes.
According to our experts, it is strongly suggested that you keep your tools separate. "Using the same razor for your legs and your bikini area increases the risk of cross-contamination, which can lead to bacterial infections," warns Queller. Kirkpatrick echoes this advice, adding that using a separate tool in the bikini line and genital area is best to also lessen the risk of folliculitis.
If stuck in a situation where only one razor is available, Obayomi recommends rinsing your tool thoroughly between uses and allowing it to dry completely before resuming shaving in another area. "If you do use one razor for everything, I’d recommend shaving the bikini area first (when the blade is sharpest and cleanest), followed by underarms, then legs," she advises.
If I were a betting woman, I'd say the majority of people use their razor, then place it on a shower shelf or tub ledge and call it a day. But what you're actually doing is opening your tool and your skin to potentials problems. "Store your razor in a dry area, not in the shower," stresses Obayomi. "This is one of the most overlooked aspects of razor care."
She shares that a wet razor sitting in a humid shower is "a breeding ground for bacteria" and can also cause your razor blades to dull and rust faster. "After each use, rinse the blade thoroughly with warm water to remove hair, skin cells and shaving product. Shake off excess water and store it upright in a dry location, ideally outside the bathroom if possible," she says.
According to our experts, choosing the right pre-shave formula is largely dependent on your skin type and personal preference. Queller recommends creams and gels "as they provide a protective barrier and help the razor glide, reducing micro-tears," but she also shares that a shaving oil can be an excellent choice for very dry or sensitive skin, since it offers better lubrication.
Obayomi says a cream may be preferred simply because it offers a visual aid, so you can see the areas you've already hit and prevent extra passes. (But she also says to look for fragrance-free formulas if you have sensitive skin.)
What you want to avoid is your good 'ole bar of soap as it can "strip the skin rather than hydrate, which can lead to further irritation," warns Kirkpatrick.
According to Obayomi, her general recommendation is to replace your razor head every five to seven shaves, depending on certain conditions. You need to consider how “coarse the hair is, how large an area you’re shaving and how well you care for the blade between uses,” she notes.
There are also signs you can look out for to determine when a replacement is needed. If you feel like the blades or tugging rather than cleanly cutting, or if it takes multiple passes to get a smooth shave or if you start to notice irritation post-shave, those are all signs to use a fresh blade.
Why trust Shop TODAY
Danielle Murphy is the audience development writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2021 and has covered everything from beauty trends to the hottest sales to shop. She has tested several other beauty-related products for Shop TODAY’s Ranked series, including foundations, sunscreens and blow-dry brushes.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Carson Kirkpatrick, MD, is a dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Dr. Aderonke Obayomi, MD, MPH, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Doctors in Midtown Manhattan.
- Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks.
