Best Electric Shavers Under £100 UK 2026
You don't need to spend £200 to get a great electric shave. These six shavers deliver close, comfortable results for under a hundred quid — ranked honestly, with no fluff.
Quick Navigation
- Foil vs Rotary — Which Type Is Right for You?
- 1. Philips Series 5000 S5588 — Best Overall Under £100
- 2. Braun Series 5 5018s — Best for Sensitive Skin
- 3. Remington F9 Ultimate Series — Best Close Shave
- 4. Panasonic ES-RB30 — Best Budget Pick
- 5. Philips OneBlade Pro 360 — Best for Stubble & Beard Styling
- Quick Comparison Table
- What to Look for When Buying
Foil vs Rotary: Which Should You Choose?
Before diving into specific models, you need to know which shaver type suits your face. Get this wrong and you'll hate the result regardless of brand.
🔵 Foil Shavers
Straight oscillating blades behind a thin metal screen. Move in straight lines across your face.
- Closer shave overall
- Better for straight, flat areas
- Gentler on sensitive skin
- Most Braun and Remington models
- Suits most UK men
🟡 Rotary Shavers
Three or four spinning circular heads that flex independently. Move in circular motions.
- Better for contoured jawlines & necks
- More forgiving for longer growth
- Better for less frequent shavers
- Most Philips models
- Suits men with strong jawlines or angular faces
Short answer: sensitive skin or straight lines? Go foil (Braun). Contoured face, shave every 3+ days? Go rotary (Philips). Not sure? The Philips S5588 at #1 works well for both.
1. Philips Series 5000 S5588 — Best Overall
The Philips S5588 hits the sweet spot. Three SkinIQ rotary heads flex in eight directions to follow your jawline and neck contours, giving a genuinely close shave without dragging. Wet & dry capable — use with gel in the shower or dry at the bathroom sink. The 60-minute battery life is more than enough for a week of daily shaves per charge.
2. Braun Series 5 5018s — Best for Sensitive Skin
Braun's Series 5 is the go-to for men with sensitive skin. The foil design cuts at the skin surface cleanly without the tugging that causes redness. AutoSense technology reads your beard density and adjusts motor power automatically — so dense patches on your chin don't get the same setting as thin areas near your cheeks. Result: fewer passes needed, less irritation.
3. Remington F9 Ultimate Series — Best Close Shave
The Remington F9 punches above its price bracket. The Pivot & Flex foil system has five independent zones that flex to hug your face's contours more closely than most foil shavers manage. The 90-minute battery life is class-leading at this price. The shave itself is genuinely baby-smooth — you'll feel almost no stubble if you do a second pass. Trade-off: slightly louder motor and a bulkier head than the Braun.
4. Panasonic ES-RB30 — Best Budget Under £50
If your budget is closer to £40 than £100, the Panasonic ES-RB30 is your answer. Three nanotech blades cut hair at the skin level with Panasonic's characteristic precision. It's wet and dry capable, has a pop-up sideburn trimmer, and runs for about 45 minutes per charge. It won't match the Braun Series 5 for comfort, but it delivers a respectable shave at nearly half the price.
5. Philips OneBlade Pro 360 — Best for Stubble & Beard Work
A different beast from the others on this list. The OneBlade Pro 360 isn't trying to give you a baby-smooth shave — it's the best tool for styling and maintaining a beard or designer stubble. The 360° flexing blade hugs facial contours like nothing else at this price. 14 length combs let you dial in your exact stubble length. This is the one if you keep a beard or consistently rock 3-day stubble rather than shaving clean daily.
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Price | Wet/Dry | Battery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips S5588 ⭐ | Rotary | ~£70 | ✓ | 60 min | Best all-rounder |
| Braun Series 5 5018s | Foil | ~£80 | ✓ | 45 min | Sensitive skin |
| Remington F9 | Foil | ~£65 | ✓ | 90 min | Closest shave |
| Panasonic ES-RB30 | Foil | ~£45 | ✓ | 45 min | Tight budget |
| Philips OneBlade Pro 360 | Hybrid | ~£65 | ✓ | 90 min | Beard styling |
What to Look for When Buying
Foil vs Rotary (quick recap)
Foil = better for sensitive skin and a super-close shave. Rotary = better for facial contours and shaving less frequently. Most men starting out do well with a Philips rotary.
Wet & Dry — Worth It?
Yes, always pick wet & dry if you can. Shaving with gel or foam significantly reduces irritation. Most models under £100 offer it now, so this is basically a hygiene requirement rather than a premium feature in 2026.
Battery Life
Anything over 45 minutes will last a working week of daily shaves. The 90-minute models (Remington F9, OneBlade Pro) are great for travel — you can go two weeks before charging.
Replacement Blade Costs
The hidden cost of electric shavers. Check the replacement head cost before you buy:
- Philips Series 5000 heads: ~£25–£35 (replace yearly)
- Braun Series 5 cassette: ~£20–£30 (replace every 18 months)
- Remington F9 foil: ~£20–£25 (replace yearly)
- OneBlade replacement blades: ~£7–£10 (replace every 4 months)
The OneBlade looks cheap to replace per blade, but the 4-month cycle means you'll spend £20–£30/year. Similar to the others overall.
💡 Best Time to Buy: January Sales & Amazon Prime Day
Electric shavers regularly see 30–40% discounts in January, Amazon Prime Day (usually July), and Black Friday. If you're not in a rush, set a price alert on CamelCamelCamel or Idealo for your chosen model. The Braun Series 5 frequently dips under £60.
Our Final Recommendation
Most people: Philips S5588. Flexible, close, wet & dry, under £80 on a good day.
Sensitive skin: Braun Series 5 5018s. AutoSense tech is genuinely clever and minimises passes.
Tight budget: Panasonic ES-RB30. No frills, solid shave, under £50.
Beard wearers: Philips OneBlade Pro 360. Nothing else does stubble styling this well at this price.