Whether you’re strict with your routine and shave every day, a little laid-back and opt to shave once a week, or you like to throw caution to the wind and only shave when the mood strikes, this grooming ritual is a fact of life.
Typically, the guys have it easy, with many only managing their facial hair. We gals, however, have to manage our hair from head to toe, so the tools we choose to shave make all the difference. Will it be a pleasant experience or a painful, itchy chore? That’s entirely up to you.
The best razors for women are designed to give you a close shave while protecting your skin from nicks, cuts, and irritation. But we know it’s a big world out there, and your options are seemingly endless. To help you narrow things down, we’ve curated a list of the best women’s razors across multiple categories.
Best razors for women overview:
Best overall: Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive Women’s Disposable Razors
Best budget: Bic Silky Touch Twin Blade Women’s Disposable Razors
Best subscription: Billie Razor Starter Kit
Best flexible: Flamingo Razor
Best for facial hair: Schick Hydro Silk Dermaplaning Wand
Best for travel: Gillette Venus Mini Extra Smooth On The Go Women’s Razor
Best multiuse: Schick Hydro Silk 5 TrimStyle Razor
Best splurge: Oui the People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor
Best wet/dry: Philips SatinShave Advanced Wet and Dry Cordless Shaver
Best for safety: Zomchi Safety Razor for Women
Best for sensitive skin: Bic Soleil Sensitive Advanced
Best kit: Athena Club The Razor Kit
How we chose the best razors for women
To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including the number of blades, closeness of the shave, and more to create a short list of the top razors for women. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best women’s razor for each category.
Our picks for the best razors for women
With a water-activated ribbon of moisture and five comfort blades, the Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive Women’s Disposable Razor minimizes irritation and delivers an exceptionally smooth shave. Dermatologically tested for sensitive skin, the Sensitive SkinElixir lubrication strip provides ample lubrication, guarding your skin against nicks, cuts, and razor burn.
The blades of this razor are spaced close together and coated with a diamond-like finish, so it glides smoothly and doesn’t require a lot of pressure for a close shave. Additionally, the soft grip handle allows for maximum control. Plus, it’s disposable, so when your blades feel dull, just toss and replace them — easy peasy.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Soft-grip gel | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
Bic’s Silky Touch Twin Blade Women’s Disposable Razors feature a slim head and long tapered handle, ultimately resulting in a sleek razor. These guys are cute and offer a comfortable shave at a super affordable price — that’s why they hit our list as the best budget razor for women.
But looks and affordability aside, these razors are essentially just blades with plastic handles. They’re suitable in a pinch if you’re traveling and forgot your razors at home, but overall, we probably wouldn’t opt for this as a day-to-day go-to.
Number of blades: 2 | Handle material: Plastic | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
If you’d prefer not to include shopping for razors in your bandwidth, you could opt for our best subscription pick — the Billie Razor Starter Kit. And just as you’d imagine, it has everything you need to get a close shave, including one razor handle, two blade refills with moisturizing aloe strips to keep razor burn in check, and a magnetic holder. For refills, you can set yourself up on a customized schedule or pick some up at a local retailer — bandwidth-allowing, of course.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Matte rubber | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
Launched in 2018, the Flamingo Razor took personal care aisles everywhere by storm. And when we look at some great features and design points for this razor, it’s easy to see why. The Flamingo Razor is made with ultrathin stainless steel blades that offer a smooth shave, and each one is wrapped in a lubricating aloe and shea butter ribbon that protects the skin from irritation. A flexible hinge glides over hard-to-shave areas with ease, and a weighty, ergonomic handle offers a no-slip grip and feels comfortable in your hand.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Plastic, rubber | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
If we can be real for a moment, we’ll all admit that our legs and underarms aren’t the only areas that need shaving. Call it whatever you want — fine facial hair or peach fuzz — it must be removed every so often. So if it’s time to shave your face, you might consider Schick’s Hydro Silk Dermaplaning Wand. Designed to remove hair and exfoliate your skin while doing so, this razor gets your face back to smooth. Schick’s wand is designed with a weighty rose gold-toned metal for better handling, and for just under $20, you get a wand and six refill blades.
Number of blades: 1 | Handle material: Rose gold-toned metal | Parts of the body: Face
Perfectly packaged for your next adventure, the Venus Mini Extra Smooth On The Go Women’s Razor features five blades wrapped in a silky lubricating ribbon that protects your skin while you shave. Each blade lasts up to 30 days, and the carrying case is designed to drain water, so you’ll never have to get on a plane with a wet razor. And, while the handle is shorter and compact for travel, any Venus blade refill will work.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Plastic | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
Bikini maintenance is part of the deal, so why not get a razor that kills two birds with one stone? We thought so, too. The Schick Hydro Silk 5 TrimStyle Razor is a compact 2-in-1 tool that features five Curve-Sensing blades with unique skin guards to reduce irritation.
This razor also has a built-in waterproof trimmer that you can use in or out of the shower. Each package includes one razor and bikini trimmer handle, one razor cartridge, and a AAA lithium battery.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Plastic | Parts of the body: Legs, bikini area
Designed for sensitive skin, Oui the People’s Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor features a single blade that not only minimizes irritation but also keeps razor bumps and ingrown hairs at bay.
These razors are certainly a splurge at $75 a pop, but users will feel the quality in the weighted handle (that only requires a light touch). Plus, each razor comes with 10 replacement blades, which should mitigate the risk to your budget.
Number of blades: 1 | Handle material: Weighted metal | Parts of the body: Legs
Suitable for all hair types, the Philips SatinShave Advanced Wet and Dry Cordless Shaver has the added benefit of usability in or out of the shower. While convenience may trump everything, users should note that, like most electric razors, you may not get as close a shave as you would with a manual razor. Each set comes with a 2-in-1 electric shaver and bikini trimmer and a four-piece travel and accessory set.
Number of blades: N/A | Handle material: Plastic | Parts of the body: Legs, bikini
If a closer shave is a nonnegotiable, the Zomchi double-edge razor should probably top your short list. Why? Because this razor lifts your hair before making the cut for the closest shave possible. Designed with a textured rose gold metal handle, the Zomchi has a solid, comfortable grip that’s weighty but balanced. All in all, it’s a shaving experience that plastic disposables can’t offer. Each razor comes with a razor stand, and changing the blades is as easy as a few turns of the head.
Number of blades: 1 | Handle material: Metal | Parts of the body: Legs
Bic Soleil Sensitive Advanced disposable women’s razor features an advanced comfort shield that helps protect your skin against irritation, which is why it hits our list as the best women’s razor for sensitive skin. The water-activated strips are enriched with aloe and allow for a gentle glide over your skin with maximum comfort. Five flexible blades offer a close shave, pivoting head that easily takes curves, and a soft rubber grip to round out its comprehensive list of features.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Plastic with rubber grip | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your shaving, the Athena Club delivers — literally and figuratively. In the box, you’ll get two five-blade cartridges, one razor handle, and one magnetic hook for easy storage. When you’re shaving, you’ll get a water-activated moisturizing hyaluronic acid serum strip that prevents bumps and irritation.
You’ll also get five spaced-out blades that allow air and shaving cream to pass through and a durable aluminum handle coated with nonslip silicone for easy handling over tough spots. The Athena Club razors are available in a plethora of colors, and users can customize the frequency of replacement blade shipments — that’s a lot for $10 per month.
Number of blades: 5 | Handle material: Aluminum coated with nonslip silicone | Parts of the body: Legs, underarms
Final thoughts
Whether you look at shaving as a necessary evil or as a bit of self-care, the fact is, it’s a part of life. Unlike men, women have much more ground to cover, so the tools we choose to tackle unwanted hair matter. And anyone who’s ever shopped for razors can tell you that the sheer number of options is mindblowing.
The best razors for women are simple to handle and glide over curves and contours with relative ease. If you find yourself looking to up your shaving game, you could start your search with Gillette’s Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive Women’s Disposable Razor, our pick for the best razor overall.
How to pick the right razor for you
Picking the right razor can require a bit of trial and error. But there’s a big wide world of razors out there. To narrow down your search just a little, consider where on your body you’ll be using your razor, the number of blades desired, and what materials you’re looking for.
Body parts
Maneuverable cartridge razors are ideal for shaving your legs, as they can easily traverse the bones around your ankles and the curves of your knees. The same goes for your armpits: You’ll need a razor that handles the curves and contours easily. But while these types of cartridges are good for shaving large swaths of hair, they’re probably not your best bet for bikini lines or facial hair. For those areas, consider a wet-dry shaver with a small head and a dermaplaning tool, respectively.
Number of blades
The subject of multiple blades has been hotly debated, but here are the CliffsNotes — more blades mean a smoother shave in fewer passes.
Handle material
Razors come in all sorts of designs and materials. Some are made of hard, inflexible plastic, some are a mix of plastic and silicone, and others provide a bit more heft with metal handles. Metal handle razors are heavier and, just as you’d expect, plastic handles are lighter. Heavier handles typically require a lighter touch, so adjust accordingly if it’s your first time using one. Plastic handles with awkward grips can lead to discomfort, and discomfort can lead to nicks and cuts.
FAQ
What razor gives the closest shave?
According to our research, the Venus Extra Smooth Sensitive Women’s Disposable Razor delivers the closest shave.
Is using a razor better than waxing?
In terms of waxing or using a razor, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. The real difference lies in how long they last. Typically, waxing will leave you hair-free for about three to four weeks, while shaving may only last for three days to one week.
What razor is best for pubic hair?
Our research shows that the Philips SatinShave Advanced Wet and Dry Cordless Shaver is great for the bikini line. Each set comes with a 2-in-1 electric shaver and bikini trimmer and a four-piece travel and accessory set. Plus, it has the added benefit of usability in or out of the shower.