The 10 best wet shave razors for men
Every man needs a good wet shave razor - whether you sport the bushiest of beards or prefer the clean-shaven look, they simply offer the closest cut going.
There are two components to them: the handle, and the blade itself, which is normally changeable and disposable. Men who shave every day will find they need to change their blade frequently. Marcus Jaye, of male style and grooming blog The Chic Geek, suggest switching razors every couple of weeks, as bacteria builds up, and blades can become blunt. If you shave less regularly or merely use a razor to shape around a beard, it should last a little longer.
Most wet shave razors these days come with multiple blades – normally five, but seven in the case of the Dorco Classic. This tends to provide a more precise, smooth shave, but technique is also crucial.
According to Jaye, a good razor is one that's "sharp, doesn't clog, and is easy and safe to use." Most good ones won't break your wallet, but it's worth forking out that little extra, as cheap, disposable razors often don't produce good results.
There has also been a proliferation of subscription services in recent years. Customers can sign up online, usually for a trial at a knock-down price, and will then be sent exchange cartridges at chosen intervals.
Below, Marcus Jaye helps us pick out the best wet shave razors on the market:
1. Gillette Fusion ProGlide
Jaye recommends the Gillette Fusion ProGlide as an incredibly easy-to-use shaver that provides a smooth, precise shave with minimal fuss.
It features Gillette's Flexball technology, which allows the razor head to pivot in all angles to respond to the contours of the face. "This is great for moving around your chin as the ball is designed to move over curved surfaces", says Jaye.
There's also a lubricating strip infused with mineral oils for a smoother shave, and a precision trimmer on the back of the cartridge takes care of trickier areas like sideburns and under the nose.
Comfort-wise, it's a market leader – ergonomic grips provide superior control and handling.
The downside with Gillette is the cost. £14.50 for a starter kit with four replacement razor blades is reasonable – but thereafter, cartridges prove expensive. That's a common theme among high street products, and if you're worried about long-term costs, it's worth looking at the section at the bottom of this article about subscription services.
2. Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 groomer
Another of Jaye's favourites is this hybrid option from Wilkinson Sword. Unlike other wet shave razors, it boasts an electric trimmer for that designer stubble look. There are three settings for your desired length – although it's worth noting that the head is small, so using it can be a long process.
And what about the razor? It's very easy to use, smooth (helped by five UltraGlide blades), and a handy gel-reservoir keeps skin moist during the shave.
Probably the best option for wet shavers who like to alternate between smooth and hirsute styles – either at different times or on different parts of the face.
3. Dorco Classic razor
Dorco wins in the blade volume stakes – it's cartridges have a vein-worrying seven blades, for a super precise and close shave. This classically-styled product also has a lubricating strip of argan oil and calendula extract, to prevent dry skin and irritation.
The most stylish razor in our round-up.
4. Merkur 34C heavy duty classic double edge razor
"This is old school in its design, quality and weight, as you'd expect from German engineering," says Jaye of the Merkur 34C, which has previously won the title of the world's best razor.
The Merkur 34C is heavy, but why does that matter? It means you have to apply minimal pressure with each stroke, and you'll get an incredibly close trim. Essentially, it makes shaving easier, and more enjoyable – although the nature of the single double-edged blade means that it takes longer to complete a shave.
As for the price, £30 is obviously higher than the plastic-y items in this list, but the blades are magnificently cheap. You'll easily make your money back – and more.
5. King of Shaves Azor system 2UP
"A simple design that has switched the head around and allows you to see more clearly what you are doing", says Jaye.
The Azor has a unique flexible hinge that incorporates King of Shaves' patented Bendology Technology, providing one of the most flexible heads and ensuring constant contact with the skin.
Despite having four blades, it provides a close shave, and it's very good value at a tenner. Best used with King of Shaves shaving gel, which is widely seen as the market leader.
6. Navaja Dovo Prima Klang 5/8''
Until the 20th century, straight razors were pretty much the only option available for shaving – and while they've largely been superseded by safety and electric razors in bathroom cabinets, there remains a clan of hard-core traditionalists who use these attractive products. Straight razors take some skill to use, but get them right and they give the closest shave you can get.
Manufactured in Solingen, Germany, known colloquially as the City of Blades, this expertly created razor, made from carbon steel and bocote wood, should do the trick.
It's worth asking a professional for some pointers first if you've never used one before.
Some subscription services to consider:
1. Harry's
From £14 per month (£3.95 trial set), Harry's
Subscription services have stormed the shaving market in recent years, providing good-quality products at reasonable prices straight to your door.
Simply choose the plan the best suits your needs, and they'll tailor deliveries to your preference. You keep the handle, and new cartridges will arrive at regular intervals. If you don't like what you get there's no problem, as you can easily cancel your subscription.
New York shaving brand Harry's are the newest disrupters to enter the market and try to chip away at Gillette's hegemony, having launched in June. We're huge fans of their razors – they feel solid and well weighted, look pleasingly straightforward, and eschew the bells and whistles of their competitors in favour of just super-sharp blades.
Plus they're well priced – for your £14 a month you get eight blades sent to your door, which is two more than rivals Cornerstone.
A Telegraph Star Buy.
2. Cornerstone
British company Cornerstone have made an early impression on the subscription market and are often rated as one of the very best wet shave options out there. Their razors, engineered in Germany, come with five super-sharp blades which glide smoothly over the skin. A strong and sturdy handle, which can even be engraved with your name, allows you to shave accurately without much pressure.
You can also add their face scrub, shaving gel or post-shave balm to the package.
They're very comparable to Harry's, and while we prefer the shave of the US company's product, Cornerstone's razor probably wins in terms of look.
3. Grüum
Grüum is a British company that's clearly inspired by Scandinavian designs.
The website will ask you to take a quick survey – what look you go for and how often you shave. It'll then suggest a monthly plan tailored to your needs.
Their flagship razor is the Oksa, with is incredibly comfortable to hold (if a bit odd to look at) and compatible with both the Oksu three-blade and Oksu five-blade razor. We'd recommend the five blade, with produces a smoother shave.
As with Cornerstone, you can cancel at any point.
4. Bic Shave Club
£8 per month (£2.95 trial month), Bic Shave Club
Bic, of throwaway razor fame, recently entered the subscription market with the Bic Shave Club.
The razors are a far cry from their cheap supermarket contraptions, with the five-blade option particularly effective.
"The razor was easy to use, with plenty of the lubricating strip", says Marcus Jaye. "It's a standard razor, but Bic do know how to make blades and have plenty of experience in this area."
Our favourites
There are many excellent options in what is a crowded market. Thankfully, you don't need to spend too much to get a high-performing wet shave razor, though you'll need to replace cartridges quite regularly and the cost can tot up here.
From the High Street, the winner is the Gillette Fusion ProGlide. The Flexball technology means it glides across the contours of the face with ease. Marcus Jaye was also impressed with the versatility of the Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 groomer.
In terms of subscriptions, all companies offer a similar service, but our favourite is Harry's for its incredibly smooth results.
