A razor is judged on a close, comfortable shave you can repeat affordably — and the recurring cartridge cost matters as much as the handle. Our pick is the Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide, with an SR Score of 88, for a five-blade head with a pivoting design that delivers a consistently close, low-irritation shave. Harry’s (86) is the value runner-up, matching the shave at a lower cost per cartridge. For reactive skin, the Gillette SkinGuard is the comfort pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Product | Best for | Typical price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide | Closest all-round shave | ~$20 (handle + blades) | 88 |
| 2 | Harry’s Razor | Value + convenience | ~$10 starter; carts ~$2 each | 86 |
| 3 | Gillette SkinGuard | Sensitive, irritation-prone skin | ~$13 | 85 |
| 4 | Schick Hydro 5 Sense | Hydrating budget cartridge | ~$11; carts ~$2.50 each | 84 |
| 5 | Billie Razor | Best women’s wet shave | ~$10 starter; carts ~$2.25 each | 84 |
| 6 | Gillette Fusion5 (standard) | Reliable everyday five-blade | ~$15 | 83 |
| 7 | Merkur 34C Safety Razor | Lowest cost per shave | ~$45 handle; blades pennies each | 81 |
Methodology
The Beauty Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Closeness & comfort (30) — how close and smooth the shave is with minimal tug.
- Value (handle + cartridges) (25) — upfront cost plus the real ongoing blade cost.
- Build & ergonomics (20) — handle weight, grip, pivot, and rinsing.
- Skin compatibility (15) — irritation resistance and fit for sensitive skin.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — expert testing and large-sample ratings.
Closeness and value lead because a razor must shave well and stay affordable to re-blade. Re-weight Value to 35 and the subscription and safety-razor picks rise.
Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide
The all-round benchmark. Around $20 for a handle and blades. Five blades, a precision trimmer, a lubrication strip, and a pivoting head deliver a close, comfortable shave with good build quality. Testers consistently rate it among the best cartridge razors for an extra-close shave.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 28/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 18/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 19/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: Gillette cartridges are among the priciest to replace.
Harry’s Razor
The value-and-convenience pick. Starter set around $10, cartridges roughly $2 each. A five-blade German-engineered cartridge with a lubricating strip and a solid weighted handle, delivering a close, comfortable shave at a lower per-blade cost via subscription or in-store. Outstanding value.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 25/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 23/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 18/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: not quite as close as the ProGlide for the toughest beards.
Gillette SkinGuard
The sensitive-skin pick. Around $13. A two-blade razor with a guard between the blades that flattens skin and reduces irritation, designed specifically for sensitive, bump-prone skin. The most comfortable shave for reactive faces, with zero tugging in testing.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 24/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 18/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 18/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the comfort-first two-blade design is intentionally less close than a five-blade head.
Schick Hydro 5 Sense
The hydrating budget cartridge. Around $11 with cartridges near $2.50 each. Five blades with a hydrating gel reservoir that releases on contact to cut friction, at a lower long-run cost than Gillette. Good comfort for the price.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 24/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 20/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 17/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the gel reservoir adds a slight residue some shavers dislike.
Billie Razor
The women’s wet-shave pick. Starter around $10, cartridges roughly $2.25 each. A five-blade razor surrounded by a moisture-locking shave soap, with a grippy handle and magnetic holder, delivering a smooth comfortable shave at a fair subscription price. Tested among the smoothest options.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 24/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 21/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 17/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: optimized for body and leg shaving more than dense facial hair.
Gillette Fusion5 (standard)
The reliable everyday five-blade. Around $15. The non-ProGlide Fusion5 offers five blades, a lubrication strip, and a precision trimmer for a close, dependable shave at a slightly lower price than the ProGlide. A safe default.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 25/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 18/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 17/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: lacks the ProGlide’s flexball pivot and finer blade edges, and cartridges are still pricey.
Merkur 34C Safety Razor
The lowest cost-per-shave pick. Handle around $45, double-edge blades cost pennies each. A heavyweight German safety razor that, once mastered, gives a very close shave at a fraction of the per-shave cost and with far less plastic waste. The long-term value champion.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Closeness & comfort | 24/30 |
| Value (handle + cartridges) | 22/25 |
| Build & ergonomics | 16/20 |
| Skin compatibility | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: a real learning curve and higher nick risk make it the wrong pick for beginners.
How to choose a razor
Start from your skin and your tolerance for fuss. For the closest mainstream shave with the least thought, the Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide is the benchmark and earns its #1 on shave quality. But the ongoing cartridge cost is its weak point, which is exactly why Harry’s, Schick, and Billie exist — they deliver a comparable shave at a lower cost per blade, and for many people that value trade is worth a sliver of closeness.
If you nick easily or get razor bumps, do not chase blade count — the Gillette SkinGuard’s two-blade, guarded design is built for comfort and wins for sensitive skin. If you shave often and want the cheapest long-term cost with the least waste, a safety razor like the Merkur 34C pays for itself, provided you are willing to learn the angle. Either way, a sharp blade, warm water, and a good shave gel prevent more irritation than any feature. Re-weight the rubric toward Value and the subscription and safety picks climb; weight Closeness and Comfort as we do, and the ProGlide stays on top.
Verification
- Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide — five-blade design and pricing verified on gillette.com.
- Harry’s Razor — cartridge cost and pricing verified on harrys.com.
- Gillette SkinGuard — guarded two-blade design and pricing verified on gillette.com.
- Schick Hydro 5 Sense — hydrating gel design and pricing verified on schick.com.
- Billie Razor — formula and pricing verified on mybillie.com.
- Gillette Fusion5 (standard) — design and pricing verified on gillette.com.
- Merkur 34C Safety Razor — design and pricing verified on merkur-shaving.com and retailer listings.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many blades does a razor really need?
- More blades can spread pressure for a smoother feel, but they are not automatically better and can cause irritation on sensitive skin. Four to five blades is the practical sweet spot; the SkinGuard's two-blade design intentionally trades closeness for comfort.
- Are subscription razors like Harry's worth it?
- Yes for value and convenience. Harry's delivers a close, comfortable shave with cartridges that cost less per blade than Gillette's, shipped on a schedule you control. The trade-off is fewer in-store options if you run out.
- Cartridge or safety razor?
- Cartridge razors are easier, faster, and more forgiving — the right pick for most people. Safety (double-edge) razors are cheaper per shave long-term and reduce waste, but have a learning curve and a higher nick risk early on.
- How do I avoid razor burn?
- Shave after softening the hair with warm water, use a fresh sharp blade, go with the grain first, use a quality shave gel, and avoid pressing hard. Replace blades before they dull — a dull blade tugs and irritates more than a sharp one.