There are so many brands, at so many prices (all the way up to the patently ridiculous), that I have no idea where to start. Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced electric razor that I’m likely to be able to pick up locally? Does price really matter? What about number of blades? The straight vs circular heads? For the record, my facial hair is scraggly, and it usually all comes off.
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give!
Norelco triple-headers are one of the only electrics I would ever consider spending money on. They are easy to clean and blade replacement is a snap.
Well, the circular heads just don’t work for me. My Pop has always used the circular ones and occasionally when I’m over at my folk’s place I’ll pick his razor up and try it - “nope, still doesn’t work!”
I’m partial to the Braun straight head razors. They’re confortable, shave as well as any electric and are available most anywhere (along with replacement parts). Target has this razor for $79.99, which is about what I paid for my current 6250. The cutter block and foil should be replaced every 12-18 months (depends on your beard) - this will run you around $20 at Wal Mart.
There is also the Braun “Syncro System” series, which cleans your razor every day when you put it in its charging stand. Which is neat, but not worth the $139.99 price (IMHO). This topic came up not too long ago in another forum I frequent, and the opinion there was that the Syncro does give a better shave, but doesn’t justify the almost double price.
Lastly, remember two things: every beard is different. While my Braun is one my my favorite material possessions, you may hate it. Also, keep in mind that your beard needs at least two weeks of shaving with an electric to get used to it. My face hurt like the dickens for the first 4-5 days I shaved with an electric, but I’ll never go back. And neither would you if you were as nearsighted as me! - I just can’t do a blade.
I’ve found Remingtons give a good shave, but aren’t particularly reliable: the rechargable battery on the one I’ve had for 2 years has just stopped charging entirely. I also had a cheap Braun, but it was worthless on my face. I’ve never used a rotory head: a decent straight head seem fine in terms of quality.
As to cost, one of the big differences between cheap and expensive seems to be the power of the motor. Coupled with the quality of blades, this has a big effect on how well it works, especially if you have thicker hairs like mine: a cheap electric razor just doesn’t do anything for me. If you’re more thin and straggly, you might get away with a cheaper model though.
I’ve been using Remingtons for the past 20 years or so, with good results. The blade is ridiculously easy to replace, as is the screen, and they are very easy to clean. The “sidburn trimmer” is very effective, now that I have a beard.
Avoid the Remington R8xx series… go with the double foil types, unless you have a big square jaw, because the three round blades never have enough articulation for a small pointy face. My chin and throat curse me daily.
I finally threw mine out and bought razors. I’ll never buy another. It was painful and uncomfortable and took forever to do the job which was inferior in the end. IIRC, it was one of the ones with the microscreen and oscillating blades.
js is correct, I don’t think that there is an electric on the market that will shave “as close as a blade.” It really comes down to which you find least irritating, functionally & on your facial skin. Personally I find blades a lot more painful & uncomfortable.
Brauns are good, I had one for years. Then it got swiped in a household burglary. Fucking crackheads. Anyway I replaced it with a top-of-the-line Panasonic, which at the time gave you more rpm’s than any other machine. Also cost close to $100 more, at that time, few years ago. It performs somewhat better (i.e., the shave goes more quickly) than my old Braun.
You’d think crackheads wouldn’t have much use for a good shave… 
Consumer Reports reviewed electric razors around October-November 2002. They did not conclude there was a big difference between expensive and cheaper electric razors. Find the article at a local library.