Shavers

Rotary or foil?

This is the one choice that determines everything, and the two schools are represented by two brands.

Rotary (Philips). Three round heads that rotate and follow the contours of the face. It works better on beards that grow in different directions — which is most men — and on the neck.

Foil (Braun). One or two metal foils moving back and forth. It gives a closer shave in a straight motion and is faster on flat areas. Preferred by those who shave daily and want the smoothest result.

There is no right answer — only what suits your own beard. And if you are used to one type, switching takes two to three weeks of adjustment, so do not judge by the first day.

Wet or dry shaving?

Wet and dry shavers also work with foam in the shower. Wet shaving is gentler on sensitive skin and reduces irritation — but it is slower.

Dry shaving is faster and can happen anywhere: in the car, at the office, while travelling. Most current shavers do both, so you do not have to choose.

A practical point: if the shaver is washable under water, cleaning takes ten seconds under the tap. Without that, it takes a brush and patience.

The real cost: the heads

A shaver is like a printer — the cost is not the machine, it is the consumables. The heads go blunt and need replacing roughly every one to two years, depending on use.

Before buying, check what a replacement head costs for that specific model. On some ranges it approaches the price of a new shaver, which changes the calculation entirely.

The sign that it is time: the shaver pulls instead of cutting, runs hotter, or you need a second pass where one used to be enough.

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