Womens Shavers Reviews

The best reviews of women's shavers attempt to answer the obvious question: whether there's any difference between men's and women's shavers other than color. We were especially impressed with a test by UK's Which? magazine, in which both men and women tested 24 disposable and non-disposable razors, including razors designed specifically for women. Australia's Choice magazine asks 141 women to test epilators, waxes and other hair-removal options, but razors aren't tested. Since the pain factor is widely acknowledged with epilators, we found comments at Choice about pain most helpful, and questioned why Consumer Reports did not consider the pain factor in its testing. Consumer Reports asks just eleven women to test electric razors and epilators. Consumer Reports editors also put new battery-powered vibrating razors to the test, judging whether they are better than their non-powered counterparts.

We found a good FAQ section at Which? magazine, where editors answer questions about the gender divide among shavers, and whether battery-operated shavers are more than a gimmick. In addition to human testers (who used razors for three months), Which? editors pulled razors across polyurethane foam meant to simulate skin, then examined the foam for damage and recorded the depth of the cuts.

Several other sources that didn't use scientific testing provided good insight for our report. An article published in April 2007 in the Austin American-Statesman in Texas provides a helpful, Everyman-type review of popular razors and a fascinating short history of shaving. Writer Helen Anders and her husband tried out a handful of razors at home, finding that more blades aren't necessarily better. Anders interviewed others who back her claim -- barbers who say there's no need for more than three blades and the owner of eShave.com, who concludes, "the most important part of shaving isn't even the razor," but using very hot water.

Despite the surfeit of pink and yellow shavers on the market, the vast majority of testers say there's no reason women should confine themselves to a razor marketed for women. In testing at Which?, many woman said they found some of the ladies' shavers, including the Gillette Venus Divine (*est. $10) , a bit more comfortable to handle -- but that didn't stop the majority of women from choosing a men's razor as their favorite. At Which?, the three-bladed Gillette Mach3 Turbo (*est. $10) is rated best overall by women and men alike.

Some new razors look like basic manual shavers, but include a battery in the handle. When turned on, the razor vibrates. Manufacturers say the vibrating razors impart a closer shave, but in tests, this claim didn't hold water. Testers at Which? and other publications didn't think battery-powered shavers like the Gillette Fusion Power (*est. $12) held an advantage over non-powered counterparts like the Gillette Fusion (*est. $10) and Gillette Mach2 Turbo (*est. $10).  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Despite the wide variety of electric shavers, epilators and depilatories on the market, most women still prefer shaving with an inexpensive manual razor, and most say there's little difference other than marketing between razors designed for men and women. Among women who like electric shavers, the Panasonic Close Curves is well rated, and in user reviews, owners slightly prefer the Close Curves over Remington electric shavers. Among epilators, the Philips Satinelle and Braun Silk-epil are both well rated. According to the user reviews we read, the Braun is better overall, but also a bit more painful and more expensive than the Philips Satinelle.