BEST FOR SPEEDY SHAVING
BRAUN SERIES 7 790cc £200
This model’s two angled foils vibrate, raising stubble and making it easier to cut, and it has a third blade behind the twin foils designed to tackle any tough hairs they miss. These features make it quick to shave but the vibrations take getting used to. Verdict:Great if you’re in a rush, not so good for the cash-strapped.
www.braun.com

BEST FOR DESIGNER STUBBLE
BABYLISS FOR MEN I-TRIM STUBBLE £40
This shaver maintains stubble at a constant length rather than eliminating it, with a choice of 30 settings from “designer” 0.5mm to Desperate Dan 15mm. You must keep the blades at a 90-degree angle to your face or face a bald patch or, worse, a cut.
Verdict:You have to suffer for your stubble.
www.babylissformen.co.uk

BEST FOR CLOSE SHAVES
PHILIPS WILLIAMS F1 HQ 7390 £60
Don't be put off by the gimmicky styling: this sleek shaver gives extremely smooth results. It’s light, quiet, and its three rotary heads shave genuinely close. It also gives two weeks’ shaves on each charge, and to clean it you can simply run it under the tap.
Verdict: Affordable, effective and reliable.
www.philips.com

BEST FOR TOUGH STUBBLE
PANASONIC PRO-CURVE ES8429S £229
This foil model can be used wet, so you can soften up thick growth with a little shaving foam before attacking it with the four blades. However, using foam is messy. The Panasonic eats up battery power – you get about a week of life between recharges. It’s also awkward to hold and a bit noisy.
Verdict: For werewolves only.
www.panasonic.co.uk

BEST FOR ROBUSTNESS
REMINGTON DIAMOND 360 R-1730 £70
Less comfortable in the hand than some rivals, this robust rotary shaver delivers good results. The three shaving heads stay close to the skin and give an excellent, irritation-free shave. It’s quiet and washable, and has a five-minute quick-charge option.
Verdict: Excellent efficiency, spoilt by poor ergonomics.
www.remington.co.uk

Prices of shavers tested are the best found online

JARGON BUSTER
Rotary shavers These employ a series of circular blades housed – typically –beneath three slotted heads. Any hair poking through the heads is lopped off by the rapidly rotating blades.

Rotary shavers are better at following the curve of the face because each head can be designed to swivel independently, but shaving can take longer, as the most effective technique is to use small, repeated circular movements over the same patch of skin.

Foil shavers A blade moves back and forth at high speed behind a foil or screen. Up to four separate screens may be employed in line – the more foils, the better the chance of achieving a smooth shave in just one pass.

The stubbornness of your facial hair and closeness with which it lies on the skin determines whether it’s best to use a foil shaver “with the grain” of your stubble (which may require multiple passes) or against the grain (which is more effective, but increases the chances of a painful skin-pinch).