Shaving technology has come a long way since the early days, and electric shavers have proven more convenient and time-saving. Sometimes a quick shave comes in handy whether you’re just trying to fade your neckline, shave in the shower, or get rid of excess body hair. With an electric shaver, you can expect efficiency, convenience, and highly pleasing results.
If you’ve already made the decision to upgrade from a cartridge razor to an electric shaver, the sheer range of options available to you can be overwhelming. How do you choose the right shaver for your needs? What factors should you consider? The good news is that most of the time, it all boils down to 2 options: foil vs. rotary shaver. Here’s everything you need to know about them, including their main differences and similarities.
Foil shavers are so named due to the thin sheets of metals with little holes (foils) that cover the blade. These shavers have oscillating blades behind the foil, which are also known as cutters.
According to expert recommendations, the Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor is one of the best foil shavers in the market. It comes with 5 ultra-sharp blades that are precise and have a very thin arched foil that contours to the shape of your face. This model also has a 2 in 1 wet/ dry electric trimmer and shaver that you can use to detail your beards, mustache & sideburns. The waterproof shaver, in particular, makes it very easy to shave in or out of the shower.
The Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor is equipped with high-performance motors that can make up to 14,000 cuts per minute without losing its peak power irrespective of the battery charge. It also comes with built-in sensors that can detect any beard density differences and adjust the cutting power automatically. This model has an LCD battery indicator that shows the battery status. It’s also portable and rechargeable, making it the perfect travel companion.
This shaver has holes in the foil that allow your hair to penetrate the machine. The cutters located behind the foil then start moving in an oscillating motion, cutting the hair as it gets into the shaver. The best way to define the cutting motion of a foil shaver is by referencing it to that of a lawnmower or fan blade.
Here are the main advantages of using a foil shaver:
Disadvantages of using a foil shaver:
Rotary shavers often consist of 3 heads, each of which has a spinning blade that cuts the hair. They also come with a metal shield with a series of holes that trap your hair when it enters the shavers and meets the blades.
According to most reviews, the Philips Norelco S9721/89 Shaver 9700 is one of the best rotary shaver models. It has been engineered to deliver close shaves even on beards that are only 3 days long. This shaver has 3 rotary heads that move in 8 different directions independently, allowing it to accommodate your body curves and contours. The shaving system delivers a 30% more close shave while the contouring gets up to 20% more hair.
This shaver allows you to choose the speed setting that you’re most comfortable with, depending on your hair and skin type. For instance, if you’re looking for a high-powered shave, you could go for a fast speed; medium speed works well on a thorough shave, while a skin-friendly shave can be achieved with a slow speed setting. The Philips Norelco S9721/89 Shaver 9700 is also rechargeable, cordless, and features a digital interface that allows you to keep track of the battery charge.
Rotary shavers give the blades a higher level of motion, and in some cases, manufacturers engineer the razors to spin in different directions to ensure high coverage. These shavers cut your hair in a circular motion and are able to accommodate the contours and curves of the shaving area. This makes it easy for you to reach areas that are otherwise difficult to shave, such as the neck.
According to CNN Trusted Source Best electric shaver: This smart electric shaver adapts to your beard for a close, comfortable shave | CNN Underscored Hunting down the best electric shaver can be tricky. Luckily, this smart electric shaver is the option that tops our list. In fact, it can actually adapt to your beard for a close, comfortable shave every time. edition.cnn.com , electric shavers are more efficient compared to other types of razors and adapt to your beard for a closer shave. If you’ve boiled down your options to foil and rotary shavers, here’s an overview of their main differences.
Foil shavers are a great option when it comes to precision shaving or areas that require specific lines, such as sideburns. They also work perfectly for small areas. Rotary shavers, on the other hand, are an excellent option for shaving large areas such as the legs, scalp, and face as they can cover a wide surface area within a short time. They are also used on sensitive areas such as underarms.
The working mechanisms of a foil shaver and a rotary shaver vary significantly. Foil shavers cut in straight motions or vertical and horizontal lines. The foil has multiple holes that give it a mesh appearance and function by pulling the hair into the oscillating blades. Rotary shavers, on the other hand, feature 3 rotating heads that move in multiple directions and cut your hair in a circular motion.
Most users think that rotary shavers have more speed because they have 3 heads that move at once. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Foil shavers, in fact, offer more speed as they have a bigger charge. This then causes more vibrations and velocity in the cutters and can reach charges of upto 14,000 cycles per minute.
The sensitivity of your skin is highly dependent on how long you’ve been shaving, and it highly impacts your shaving experience. Typically, sensitive skin requires a gentle shaving experience to prevent cuts, and foil shavers are a bit easy. You can easily set the machine to low speed. Rotary shavers, on the other hand, allow for more hair types, including wavy and thick hair.
Rotary shavers are generally more versatile compared to foil shavers. They work well on your body contours allowing for a more even shave even when you have long hair. They can also be used on flat surfaces, including the cheeks.
Foil shavers are highly effective on flat surfaces or areas that need to be shaved in straight lines. If you, however, go for a big-finish shaver, you can achieve exact cutting.
Electric shavers are like an investment which is why the price is a critical factor when you’re making a purchasing decision. Generally, the price of the machine varies based on the brand and your preferred model. However, based on the examples we highlighted above, the foil shaver is more expensive.
Other differences include:
Which shaver works best for everyday use?
If you prefer shaving daily, then you should go for a foil shaver. Rotary shavers are more suited towards people that skip a couple of days before their next shave and can cut hair growth of upto 3 days without yanking on it.
Can I use electric shavers on my pubic hair?
No.
Most men are often curious about the scope of use when it comes to electric razors, especially on pubic hair. We, however, recommend against this because both foil and rotary shavers have rapidly moving blades that could prove risky for you. This is especially true because pubic hair grows in different directions, and foil shavers may not get the job done. Moving a rotary shaver in circular motions, on the other hand, is very dangerous. We advise that you just buy a hair trimmer for your pubic hair.
Do electric shavers trigger ingrown hair?
If you’re susceptible to ingrown hairs or razor bumps, you should go for a foil razor. The circular motions of the rotary razor can cause your hair to curl inwards slightly as you shave.
Are there any similarities between the foil and rotary shaver?
Both shavers have varying cutting methods, skin compatibility, versatility, and system mobility. The only similarity that they share is that they are both powered using electric currents.
According to BBC Trusted Source Are beards good for your health? If you were in search of a new, disease-fighting antibiotic, where might you start? In a swamp? A remote island? Well, how about combing beards? Michael Mosley investigates. www.bbc.com , even though beards often look great on men, they are a hub for bacterial growth, especially when neglected. There’s no set rule as to how often you should trim your beard, but experts recommend that you trim them at least once a week. If you’ve settled on electric shavers, there’s a high chance that you’ve rolled your options down to foil vs. rotary shavers. While both types are highly effective, they have different shaving technologies. For instance, foil shavers cut your hair in a straight line while rotary shavers do so in a circular motion. When making a decision, you should base it on your skin sensitivity, hair thickness, and preferences.
