How to get a close shave with an electric razor is easier than you think especially with wet/dry options and foil or rotating head shavers available. Electric razors – also known as an electric shavers – generally comes in two styles:
Rotary shaver: Has 2-3 round rotating heads that have cutting tools underneath a metal covering. This shaver is used by moving it in small circular motions. Up and down movements generally work on the cheeks area too, I find.
Foil shaver: Has 1-2 rounded foils covering a cutting tool that reciprocates (moves back and forth, left to right). This shaver is used in an up and down motion only. Circular motions won’t work very well (I’ve tried).
3-head rotary shaver from Philips. 
Single foil shaver from BRAUN.
Wet/Dry Electric Shavers
Many newer electric models additionally come in both wet and dry options.
Wet/Dry shaver: Generally means you can take the shaver into the shower (check the instructions!) and use shaving cream. Or you can use it as a dry shaver and just use the shaver on your bare, dry skin.
Dry shaver: The older style models of electric shaver where you use it strictly on your bare, dry skin.
Which Is Better?
Rotary Head vs Foil Shaver: I’ve used both rotary head and foil shavers. My first electric shaver was a BRAUN foil shaver and I used it for several years. Once it needed to be replaced I switched to a 3-head rotary shaver from Philips. I’ve used only rotary head shavers since then although these days I stick to disposable razors for both my head and face. I prefer the rotary head shavers. Just a personal preference. I like the pivoting heads and the circular shaving motion.
Wet/Dry Shaver: I once owned a Philips 3-head rotary shaver about a decade back that came with a built in lotion dispenser. This particular model predated wet/dry shavers. While shaving you pressed a button to squeeze some shaving gel on your skin as you shaved. I quite liked it except that the gel packages were rather expensive to replace. These days, the wet/dry models can be used in conjunction with shaving gel or cream meaning you can simply use your existing shaving cream rather than buying specific (and expensive) lotion packs that fit into the shaver.
Razor Blade vs Electric Shaver
With a razor blade, each hair is cut by a blade with a single stroke. A single blade razor cuts the hair at skin level. Multi-blade razors use the first blade to gently pull the whisker and hold it and the second blade (and subsequent ones) actually cut the hair closer so that the hair drops back below the skin surface ie. lift and cut system. If you suffer from ingrown hairs and razor bumps, a good single blade razor – a Double Edge razor for example – might suit you better. Multi-blade razor blades can lead to ingrown hairs for some guys.
With an electric shaver, each hair is cut by a rotating blade (rotary shaver) or by two blades moving side to side (foil head shaver). They also use a lift and cut system similar to multi-blade razors. Again, if you suffer from ingrown hairs, it could be problematic. Also, excessively dry skin might be irritated with the friction of the electric shaver if you press too hard.
How To Get A Close Shave With An Electric Razor
How to get a close shave with an electric razor doesn’t just involve picking a shaving model that works for you. As with regular wet shaving with a razor, the pre-shave choices are important too.
To shower or not to shower: I found with dry electric shavers, shaving before showering worked well. I have also shaved after showering. I’m not sure I noticed a difference. In general terms, I feel that washing your face and cleaning debris and oil off before shaving is preferable. Having said that, I also noticed that a clean face resulted in more friction on my skin and the shaver didn’t glide along my skin as well.
And wet electric shavers would seem to agree with this sentiment as you actually use them with wet skin and shaving cream on your face in the shower if desired. The water and shaving cream together will provide slickness and lubrication that dry skin doesn’t have. Try both options and see what works best for you.
Shaving regularly: I find that shaving daily with an electric shaver is best. When I skipped a day I could feel the difference and felt the cutting tools pulling on my skin and whiskers more than the day before. Moreso than when skipping a day with a disposable razor too. I didn’t find this to be as problematic. With a razor blade, you can move as fast or slow as you like. An electric shaver has one speed and it keeps moving at that speed regardless of how much hair it’s tugging on and cutting.
What motion suits you better: Can you see yourself using the circular motion of a rotary head shaver? Or do you think the up and down motion of a foil head shaver is more comfortable for you? BRAUN only makes foil shavers and claim that their foil style’s up and down motion results in a better and closer shave with more hairs shaven at one time.
Don’t forget to moisturize: Whichever option you choose to shave with, don’t forget to moisturize after shaving. Using a good quality moisturizer protects and soothes your skin. Just make sure you pick one (as the linked article describes) that doesn’t clog your pores. This is especially important if you’re a guy with oily skin.
Conclusion
- How to get a close shave with an electric razor? Electric razors come in rotary and foil options, wet/dry and dry only options. Each offers benefits and all styles might be suitable for you.
- Check out this page where we go into more detail regarding razors, electric shavers, DE razors and straight razors and compare each option.
- Gillette has a great page with diagrams outlining how different electric shavers work.
Which type of razor/shaver have you used and which do you like the most? Let us know in the comments below!