- in Electric Shaving , Shaving by Jason Hall
3 Best Travel Electric Shavers Reviews - Shaving on the Go
Maintaining a clean-shaven style when you’re on the go can be a challenge.
presenting a professional image and looking your best is a key to success.
The electric razor that you’re using at home probably doesn’t travel easily. You need to remember to pack up the cable and charging station every time you get ready at the gym or in a hotel can be quite annoying. It can also take too much space when you travel light.
Of course you can use an old-fashioned razor, but in case you’re not used to it investing in an electric razor that’s made for traveling can make all the difference. Not only does it save space, but you don’t have to remember packing a half dozen accessories to get the job done.
In this article, I’ll review a few of the favorite models, and give you tips on choosing the best travel electric shaver for your needs so your facial hair style will look on point no matter where you got ready that morning.
Why Do You Need a Travel Shaver?
I didn’t always think that a portable electric razor was a necessity. Convincing myself that it wasn’t a huge deal to take up half of my carry-on suitcase with shaving supplies, or settling for a sub-par style when I was on the road was something I did for a while.
Travel shavers have their benefits.
Not only are they usually significantly smaller than the one you have at home, but they don’t require a lot of extra accessories to run. Some use batteries, so even if you don’t have access to an outlet you can get in a quick shave.
This is really helpful at the gym in the morning when you need to get to work, and other guys are using all the available plugs with their bulky cords and adapters.
Travel Shaver Alternatives
If you don’t have an electric razor that’s built for traveling, you’ll have to use one of two other methods. Both are completely valid alternatives and could work for you. That said, there are some common pitfalls to be aware of with both of these methods.
Regular Electric Shaver
Of course, you can just pack up the full-sized electric shaver you're using at home and take it with you. However, there are a few drawbacks. Most of them are pretty bulky and need to be plugged into an outlet in order to run.
When traveling internationally, you also need to think about packing an adapter to get it to work. Sure, you get the best possible shave with an at-home model, but if you forget the charging station or don’t have access to electricity when you need it, you’re out of luck.
Razor
Traveling with a razor is another option that works well for a lot of people. If you’re used to wet shaving and know how your skin tolerates it, then it’s a great option. However, if you usually use an electric razor at home, you could end up with nicks, cuts, and razor burn from using a razor. Not to mention that you’ll also need to pack things like shaving cream and after shave balm to get your desired look.
Also, keep in mind that TSA might flag a razor in your carry-on bag depending on the regulations that week. Having to throw it away before you ever board the plane could mean that you need to go without a shave your entire trip.
What to Look for When Buying a Travel Shaver
Choosing the right portable electric razor for you will boil down to your specific preferences.
That said, I think there are a few factors that everyone should look for in a good quality travel shaver. Here are my buying tips.
Shop Small
When you’re packing a bag, whether it’s a carry-on suitcase or your gym bag, size is everything. Look for a model that is small, lightweight, and portable. Bonus points if it doesn’t require a ton of extra accessories to get the job done.
Battery Powered
When you’re a guy on the go, having access to an electrical outlet isn’t always a guarantee.
Check out battery-powered options for a simpler alternative that gives you the independence to shave whenever and wherever you need to. Check the stats on each model to get a sense of battery life; the best ones won’t drain them too quickly.
Inexpensive
A battery powered travel shaver isn’t going to be the Lamborghini of razors, so don’t pay as if it is. For under $30 you can snag a great option that will get the job done without breaking the bank.
Easy to Clean
Keeping your travel shaver clean should be a simple process. Check to see that your model is easy to brush out and disinfect.
Let’s face it, if you need to take apart every little piece to get the hair follicles and grime out of it, the job probably isn’t going to get done all that often. The last thing you should do is shave with a dirty razor, so be sure to choose one that doesn’t take a lot of work to keep operational.
Ready to Travel
A model that’s travel-ready should come with a travel pouch and some sort of protective cover.
This way, you can throw the razor and any accouterments that go with it into one space-saving bag, and ensure that the blades stay covered and sharp until you’re ready to use them. No need to worry about the razor getting turned on and tearing up your luggage in transit.
Charging Specifications
If you don’t like the idea of using a battery-operated device, you can look at portable electric razors that plug into a charger as an alternative.
Be sure that the one you choose charges up quickly and holds the charge for a long time. Most models will give you specs on how long it takes to achieve a full battery and how long that battery will hold its juice both when you’re using it, or when it’s not in use.
3 Best Travel Shavers - Reviews
Here are three travel shavers that meet all of the criteria above. I’ve included pros and cons and what you need to know about each option to make a decision on which is best for you.
SPECS
THE GOOD
THE BAD
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The 510 Shaver by Philips Norelco is an extremely compact electric shaver that is a perfect option for traveling. The cordless model is strictly battery operated, and the two AA batteries will give you about 60 minutes of shaving time.
The dual rotary heads are independent of one another so they can match the contours of your face to provide you with a close dry shave. This razor comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee and a full two-year warranty, though the manufacturer recommends you replace the blades every 12-months for the best results.
USAGE
This model gives a close, dry shave without a whole lot of effort. The 510 has an extremely compact design, and with the dual-action rotating blades, you’ll need to go over areas where you have thicker growth more than once to get it smooth. While it isn’t as quick as a full-sized electric razor, it does deliver a relatively quick shave.
To clean it, all you need to do is pop off the razor and use the included brush to remove any hair that’s gathered. As long as you keep it dry, this is a really easy process.
WHY IT'S BEST FOR TRAVEL
What I like most about the 510 Shaver for travel is that it’s both incredibly compact and not very loud. you can even use it in the restroom at work if you have a shaving emergency because it’s so quiet. It fits comfortably into a carry on without taking up hardly any room, and because it’s battery powered, you can use it literally anywhere.
VERDICT
If you’re looking for a compact model that gives a close, dry shave and does an excellent job on fine to medium thickness hair, the Philips Norelco 510 shaver is one excellent choice. Thanks to operating on two AA batteries, it’s portable and efficient and can get the job done anytime, anywhere.
2. Braun M90
SPECS
THE GOOD
THE BAD
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The Braun M90 is a battery-operated model that takes two AA batteries and gives you around 120-minutes of shave time. It uses a rotating foil design which delivers a close shave on short stubble but isn’t a good choice if you have a longer beard that needs to be removed.
While this little model is a bit heftier than some of its other travel-sized counterparts, that’s because of the quality construction and real metal parts. It includes an attached razor guard that easily slides off and on ensuring it will never get lost.
USAGE
This razor gives a nice, close shave without any skin irritation as long as you’re only tackling a day or two of stubble at most.
If your facial hair gets long, the rotating foil will have trouble lifting the hairs to get them at the right angle to shave them off. That said, it will be a breeze to shave off the 5 o’clock shadow, and when it’s time to clean it all you need to do is run it under hot water to rinse away the hair.
WHY IT'S BEST FOR TRAVEL
I love that this razor has the protective cover attached so that you don’t need to try to keep track of it or worry about losing it.
The M90 packs conveniently into any suitcase and doesn’t need an outlet to charge or run, which means you can use it anywhere. The batteries seem to last a long time, a full two hours of shave time adds up to several weeks of shaving, so you don’t have to stress about caring extras everywhere you go.
VERDICT
If you shave daily and want a portable option to keep your skin smooth and get it done quickly, the Braun M90 is a really strong contender.
It’s compact, easy to clean, and doesn’t drain your batteries every time you use it. At a price point of less than $30 for good quality construction and fast results, this model gets the job done without breaking the bank.
SPECS
THE GOOD
THE BAD
GENERAL OVERVIEW
The Panasonic ES3831K uses two AA batteries to power its high-speed 8500 rpm motor for up to 90 minutes.
The floating single stainless-steel rotating foil blade system can do both a wet and dry shave, and the razor is fully waterproof.
USAGE
This shaver is both effective and easy to use on shorter and thinner facial hair. It gives a good shave, although, in areas where hair grows thicker, you’ll need to go over more than once to get them smooth. It’s not designed for longer hair, and like other rotating foil electric razors, it won’t be able to transform a long beard into a smoothly shaven face.
WHY IT'S BEST FOR TRAVEL
This Panasonic option is lightweight and portable and comes with its own carrying case making it easy to throw into any bag or luggage and go.
The batteries last 90 minutes, and the high-powered motor does a good job of getting a close shave.
I like that you can also use it wet, so you can even take it in the shower in the morning to use it and rinse it which lets you get the whole job done all at once. That’s a real timesaver.
VERDICT
If you want a smooth wet or dry shaver that will clean up your daily stubble, the Panasonic ES3831K is a strong choice. You get the quality that comes with a recognized name brand for less than $20. You get a a lightweight, easy to clean, quality shaver.
