5 Best Electric Shavers For Black Men In 2023

Whether you want a tool that’s a little more gentle or you’re after the smoothest, cleanest shave, have a look at my reviews of the best electric shavers for Black men.

Andis 17150 Foil Shaver (Our Top Pick)

Many Black men are already familiar with this foil shaver since it’s a barbershop staple. In the barbershop, it’s often used to provide men with a super-clean shave, especially as part of a fade hairstyle. It’s famous for its durable, long-lasting construction and powerful foils. 

At home, though, this is a great tool for achieving that clean all-over shave. It’s one of the closest-cutting foil shavers on the market, so it’s a fantastic alternative to wet shaving with a manual razor.

Andis foils are famous for being very smooth and hypoallergenic, which is great for men with easily-irritated skin. That said, there’s still some risk of ingrown hairs just because of the extreme shave closeness. Using it on a daily basis reduces pulling and mitigates a lot of the risk, but it’s definitely not suitable if you like to skip the occasional shave. 

It’s a cordless model, although it can also be used plugged in. The battery can last for 80 minutes following a two-hour charge, which is substantial for those who shave at home. 

Pros:

• Gives a very clean shave thanks to very close-cutting foil. 
  
• Hypoallergenic foils are gentle on sensitive skin. 
  
• Durable, long-lasting construction will last you for years. 
  
• Substantial battery offers 80 minutes of use. 

Cons:

• There is still some risk of ingrown hairs due to shave-closeness. 

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Beard Trimmer by Bevel 

While this is technically a beard trimmer, it’s a wonderful shaving tool designed specifically with Black men in mind, which makes it an easy choice as one of the best electric shavers for black men. From Black-founded brand Bevel, this is a powerful trimmer that allows for very versatile grooming. 

This heavy-duty trimmer comes with an easy-to-adjust blade that goes from stubble shave to bare skin shave. If you’ll use it as a shaver, you’ll probably want to stick to the stubble-length settings, especially if you don’t shave every day. It’s pre-set to zero gap which means it can give a nearly-bare shave. It’s perfect for lining up your facial hair outline if you keep a bit of a beard. 

Since it is a trimmer, you will have to rinse it a little more often as you shave, which is something foil shavers rarely require. It’s a small price to pay for the immense level of versatility it offers, though. 

This trimmer is very heavy, in large part because it’s built with a powerful, long-lasting battery.  The battery can last for up to 8 hours, which is nearly unheard of. If you’re a fast shaver, a full battery can easily last you for months of grooming. 

There’s also an LED light indicator that’ll let you know when you only have 30 minutes of use left. Even if you forget to charge it, it’ll still work while plugged in. 

Pros:

• This trimmer is from a Black-owned brand, so it was designed specifically with Black men’s needs in mind. 
  
• It’s very versatile thanks to an adjustable blade, so it can give you a stubble shave, a close shave, or anything in between. 
  
• Can be used both for simple all-over shaving as well as for precision work and line-ups. 
  
• The exceptional battery allows for 8 hours of usage. 

Cons:

• You’ll have to rinse it more frequently when shaving.
  
• Quite heavy due to battery size. 

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Braun Series 9 9385cc

From Braun, this is one of the best electric shavers for Black men who don’t necessarily want to shave on a daily basis. It’s a premium foil shaver with some fancy features that make it more versatile than close-cutting barbershop shavers. 

The cutting implements on this shaver are quite advanced. There are two regular foils and two middle trimmers that deal with longer hairs or hair that grows in different directions. They’re very effective at dealing with curly facial hair, without pulling or tugging. The blades are also very smooth and gentle, which reduces your risk of ingrown hairs. 

This shaver is totally waterproof, so if your skin is particularly sensitive, you can use it with shaving cream for an even smoother, gentler shave. 

The battery is decent – a one-hour charge will net you a full hour of use. It’s a very straightforward, easy shaver, so for most men that can easily translate to a few weeks of shaving without having to charge. 

This premium set also includes Braun’s most high-end cleaning station. It disinfects, charges, lubricates, and dries the shaver all in one go, making for truly effortless maintenance. 

Pros:

• Advanced design can handle cutting multiple days’ growth. 
  
• Central trimmers accommodate curly hair very well. 
  
• Well-crafted foils are smooth and gentle, which is excellent for preventing irritation. 
  
• The waterproof design allows you to use this shaver for wet shaving. 
  
• Comes with a station that charges, cleanse, disinfects, and dries your shaver, for easier maintenance. 

Cons:

• Very expensive.

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Wahl 5 Star Series Finale Shaver

Wahl is another prestigious barbershop brand that produces excellent foil shavers, much like Andis. Their designs, including this shaver, tend to be more aesthetically pleasing, while the performance is comparable. 

This shaver is advertised as a finishing tool, which means that it gives a really bald shave following a haircut. It’s got a powerful motor and exceptionally sharp foils, so for at-home use, it’s a great option for achieving a very clean shave. 

If you’re going to use this kind of shaver alone, you will need to make use of it every day. The chances of it irritating your skin are quite high if you let your facial hair grow for too long. If you also own a trimmer, you can also just trim first to get around the issue. 

Compared to the Andis Foil Shaver, I do find that the foils on the Finale are not quite as smooth gliding, which is why it doesn’t rank as high. If your skin isn’t too sensitive, it wouldn’t be an issue. 

The battery lasts for 90 minutes following a 2-hour charge, which is very respectable and quite convenient, especially compared to machines designed only for home use. It also comes with a recharge stand that makes storing it a little easier. It’s a classy-looking tool, so it’ll look great standing on your bathroom counter. 

Pros:

• Barbershop-caliber shaver that provides a super close shave. 
  
• 90-minute battery life is very impressive and long-lasting. 
  
• Very elegant design that would look great sitting on its charging stand. 

Cons:

• A little less smooth and gentle than the Andis Foil Shaver. 

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Remington F5-5800

This is one of the best electric shavers for black men, especially if you’re on a budget. It doesn’t shave as closely as the other foils on this list, but for men who don’t mind a hint of shadow, it’s a fantastic choice. 

It’s a very gentle shaver that also has a bit of flexibility, so it glides smoothly and comfortably. It’s fitted with a center trimmer, which means you can get away with skipping a shave here and there. That trimmer will have an easy time dealing with any slightly longer hairs, and it’s also effective at dealing with curly and coarse hair. We’d recommend shaving at least every other day, which is still more forgiving than barbershop-style shavers like Wahl or Andis.   

It’s also fitted with a pop-up trimmer. It’s not quite sophisticated or sturdy enough for very sharp outlining, but it’s a nice way of grooming the sideburns. 

A full battery will last you for an hour of use, with a two-hour charge time, which is manageable for most. Since it doesn’t have wet shaving capabilities, it can also work safely when plugged in. 

Pros:

• Provides a very gentle shave that’s not likely to cause irritation or ingrowns. 
  
• A center trimmer accommodates slightly longer growth and curly hair. 
  
• The pop-up trimmer is perfect for grooming sideburns. 
  
• Very budget-friendly. 

Cons:

• Doesn’t provide as close a shave as other options. 
  
• No wet shaving capabilities. 

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What Should You Look For When Buying An Electric Shaver For Black Men?

Compared to people of other backgrounds, Black men are more likely to have curly facial hair which often corresponds with a higher chance of ingrown hairs and irritation. As such, you need to choose your shaver a little more carefully. Here are the major factors to consider, especially if you want one of the best electric shavers for black men you can find.

Shave Closeness and Skin Type 

There’s a bit of a trade-off with shave closeness. The closer the shave, the more likely the shaver will irritate your skin. 

Ultra-close: For the closest shave, opt for a barbershop-style foil shaver like my picks from Andis and Wahl. Those kinds of shavers are designed primarily for creating a very bald head shave, but they can also work for giving you an ultra-close shave at home. They’re a little more likely to irritate the skin, but their results can rival a manual wet shave with a safety razor.  

Comfortable mid-point: Most at-home shavers, like my pick from Braun and Remington, are at a mid-point. They provide a respectably close and neat shave without going over the top. They tend to do so without being too irritating, and they can also accommodate a bit more stubble than a pro shaver

Versatile: If you want a tool that lets you control the shave closeness, Bevel’s trimmer is excellent. You can move it from zero-gap to cutting at a few millimeters with ease. 

Ability to Handle Length 

The more often you shave, the less you need to worry about what your shaver can handle. Barbershop shavers that cut very closely have to be used every day, while tools with added cutters or adjustable length will often have the ability to handle a few days of growth. 

Additionally, central cutters will also make for a tool that can better accommodate curly hair that grows in a few different directions – especially my pick from Braun. 

Battery and Power 

Charging can be a bit of a headache, so it’s something to always consider when shopping for a shaver. There are a few factors to look at, like charging time and how long a full charge will last. On that front, the Bevel Trimmer is most impressive with its 8 hours of use time. You may also want to consider whether the shaver has contingencies like plugged-in usage or a turbocharge for times when it accidentally runs out of battery.