6 best razors for women 2024 UK; we tested shavers for face, arms and bikini areas
OF all the ways to ensure silky smooth skin, shaving has to be the simplest and the best razors for women are those that make us feel as smooth as a dolphin while also caring for our skin.
Whether you have thick hair that grows at the speed of light and you find yourself reaching for your razor daily, or you only have a few strands, using a precision razor suitable for purpose is half the battle won.
There are a few other options when it comes to hair removal - waxing, sugaring, lasering - but for a pain-free, inexpensive option, shaving is the way to go. And finding the right razor is the key to the smoothest shave.
You'll want to look out for ones with ergonomic handles and multiple blades, plus many razors are now reusable, which is more eco-friendly than the old disposable variety.
Check out subscription services as well and that way you'll never be without a razor just when you need one.
To help you find your perfect fit, we've tried and tested a range of razors and chosen our favourite ones.
Best razors for women at a glance
- Best overall razor for women: Estrid Razor Starter Kit
- Best bikini shaver:
- Best budget razor for women:
- Best leg shaver:
- Best face razor:
FFS Full Shaving Set
Pros: Aesthetically pleasing, available for engraving, available for subscription, close shave, comes with case, pouch and holder, comes with skincare
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
A mail-order company that's redefining the razor game for women, Fuss Free Shaving's (FFS) stylish and award-winning metal razor has six (wow) diamond-coated steel blades per head, a lubricating vitamin E strip and a built-in bikini blade.
FFS also elevates the razor to a coveted accessory with the option to personalise it for £5, and we obviously jumped at the chance to add our initials to our razors.
This iteration of the brand's razor is the perfect chic accessory for your shower. The handle has a good grip and it comes with a wall mount so it's always within easy reach.
We opted for the Full Shaving Set, which includes the razor, a clamshell, a holder, six blades, and three different skincare products for the body. We loved the cooling post-shave balm (packed with honey, almond oil and cocoa butter to soothe the skin and calm redness) especially.
With regards to the actual shave, we were impressed. It resulted in a close shave, smooth skin and absolutely no razor rash or ingrown hairs. And one blade lasted us a week, so the whole kit kept us silky smooth all month.
Read our full FFS review.
Number of blades: 6, Vegan: Yes, Available for subscription: Yes, Recyclable: Yes, the blades are
Estrid Razor Starter Kit
Pros: Aesthetically pleasing, close shave, comes with holder, available for subscription
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Unless you've been living under a rock or don't have social media, you'll have heard of Estrid razors.
We tried the Estrid Razor Starter Kit, and we're now tempted to subscribe to receive a new one every month. That's how much we loved it.
The starter kit offers a steel razor handle in one of seven aesthetic shades, two razor blades and a wall mount in the same colour as your handle so you can easily keep it in the shower, ready to use. It's trendy, neat, hygienic, and convenient.
And don't sleep on the effectiveness of the razor, either. It has five super-sharp blades to make sure you're getting as close a shave as possible and lubrication strips to ensure your razor glides without nipping the skin.
We used ours to shave our entire body before a big night out and felt as smooth as a dolphin. We also found that the hair took more time to grow back than if we had used a standard one or two-blade razor from the supermarket.
To enhance the power of this razor, we also exfoliated using Estrid's 24 hours before and lathered up with the prior to shaving. This made for super smooth legs and made the experience far more enjoyable and easy. We also followed up with the which has a dreamy whipped and buttery texture and is packed with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter to add a glow to thirsty, dull skin.
As mentioned, with Estrid it's up to you whether you'd prefer to go for a one-time purchase or sign up to the brand's subscription service for a slightly reduced price and regular refills of your shaving products.
Estrid has also been built on the ethos that whether you're a man or a woman, shaving should be priced the same so none of the products are gendered and have instead been created for anyone who shaves. Nice job, Estrid.
Read our full Estrid review.
Number of blades: 5, Vegan: Yes, Available for subscription: Yes, Recyclable: Yes
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Venus For Pubic Hair & Skin Women's Razor Blade
Pros: Close shave, comes with shave gel, can be used on body and bikini line
Cons: Not available for subscription
Rating: 5/5
If you can never quite get a smooth, close shave down there, this is the razor for you. Razor bumps and ingrown hairs are particularly hard to avoid when you're shaving your pubic region because the area is much more sensitive and prone to irritation.
This razor has super sharp blades with a small head and a precision trimmer on the back of the blades, so you can easily reach tricky areas and get as close a shave as possible.
The razor's teammate, the 2-in-1 cleanser and shave gel, is just as important on the mission for a clean shave. In combination with the razor's Irritation Defense Bar, the translucent gel helps the razor to glide without nipping the skin.
The gel is also 100% soap-free and especially pH-balanced for the skin here, so it's safe to use on your pubic area.
Number of blades: Unspecified, Vegan: Unspecified, Available for subscription: No, Recyclable: Yes, via TerraCycle
Venus Extra Smooth Razor
Pros: Close shave, affordable, accessible
Cons: Doesn't come with any accessories, add-ons or spare razors, not available for subscription
Rating: 5/5
Venus razors have been our go-to since our teenage years. Affordable but high quality, you really can't go wrong. This specific razor has five blades for a close shave and a water-activated ribbon of moisture to ensure you get a close shave while protecting yourself against nicks and cuts.
It also has a pivoting head design, which is ideal for shaving tricky areas like knees and ankles.
One razor would last you around a week if you're shaving every day or every other day, and you can buy another for £10.99. All in all, this is a bargain.
Number of blades: 5, Vegan: Unspecified, Available for subscription: No, Recyclable: Yes, via TerraCycle
OHH! (Oh Hey Hero!) The Caretaker Razor
Pros: Aesthetically pleasing, close shave
Cons: Not available for subscription, doesn't come with any accessories, add-ons or spare razors
Rating: 5/5
If you're easily sold by bright colours and sleek designs, you'll be obsessed with the 10-piece hair removal range from OHH! The razor itself has five blades and a vegan strip to ensure it glides effortlessly over the skin while precisely removing your hair. The brand recommends replacing your blade every five to eight uses, so you'll only need a few blades per month.
We loved using the razor along with the moisturising aloe vera shaving gel and then storing it neatly in the razor case.
The actual shave is impressive, too. Our pits and legs stayed almost hair-free for a couple of days before growing back, which is much better than a regular single or double-bladed razor (and it looks better in the bathroom, obviously).
Number of blades: 5, Vegan: Yes, Available for subscription: Yes, Recyclable: Unspecified
UpCircle Safety Razor
Pros: Sustainable, close shave, available for subscription, recycling programme
Cons: Bulkiness makes it tricky to shave areas like knees, ankles and bikini area
Rating: 4/5
If you're trying to be more sustainable, UpCircle's Safety Razor could be the answer. It's 100% plastic-free and non-disposable, so you keep the razor for life and just replace the blades each time. The razor comes with two complimentary blades, and you can purchase the blades separately. To save money and be super eco-friendly, you can send your old razors back to UpCycle to be disposed of and recycled and get £1 off your blades refill for every five blades you send back.
The blades themselves are pretty straightforward to fit into the razor head, and they do leave you with super smooth, hair-free skin. Because the blades are so sharp, it's important not to apply pressure when using the razor, just be gentle and let the weight of the razor do its thing.
The bulkiness of the razor and the sharpness of the blades make it a little intimidating, to begin with, but we were pleasantly surprised by how gentle it is and how clean the shave is. You can barely feel it grazing the skin, but it does remove all hair it touches.
The razor is very versatile, too. It's unisex and can be used on the face and the body, so it could work for pretty much anyone.
We'd recommend buying it.
Number of blades: 1, Vegan: Yes, Available for subscription: Yes, Recyclable: Yes
Where to buy razors for women?
You can buy razors for women from high-street stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and online. Simply pick up the groceries during your weekly shop or check out Amazon, which has masses of choices.
For subscriptions, it’s best to head to the product website so you can find out about any special offers firsthand, as well as discover related shaving products – exfoliators, shower gels and moisturising balms – that will protect and nourish your skin.
Our reviewers found the razors they tested at:
How much do razors cost?
Razors vary in price greatly, from a few pence for cheap disposables to £20 and up for a razor you’ll keep long-term. Price also varies between brands and also depends on whether the razor comes with accessories, such as a shower holder and extra blades.
If you opt for a subscription service then you’ll generally find your chosen razor is cheaper than a one-off purchase, but then of course you have to pay for replacement blades every month or two. If you shave regularly then this could be the best option – and you’ll never have to remember to buy new blades!
The razors in our reviews cost from £6.99 to £36.
Are women's razors more expensive than men's?
have found that women's razors, especially if they've got four or five blades, are typically more expensive than men's razors. Some studies suggest that they're around more expensive than men's, just like shampoo and conditioner. This is because the production process is more complex, expensive and time-consuming. After all, women's razors need extra functions (such as flexible heads so they move with the contours of the body).
Brands like UpCycle and Estrid are trying to bridge this gap with high-quality unisex razors.
How do I stop getting razor bumps?
Sometimes it's impossible to avoid razor bumps when you shave, but there are a couple of things you can do to keep them to a minimum.
Although it won't give you as close a shave, working with the direction of the hair rather than going against the grain will reduce the chance of bumps. As well using a non-irritating shaving cream - is a must to reduce friction and catch the skin. And if you've ever dry shaved before with a razor that doesn't accommodate it, you'll know that it's a big no-no if you're looking to avoid irritation.
How should you shave if you have sensitive skin?
In the same way, as you would to avoid razor bumps, forgo a super close shave by shaving in the direction of the hair rather than against it.
Make sure the blade you're using hasn't gone blunt, because the sharper the blade, the less you'll need to press against your skin, which also means less chance of irritation.
Hydration is also key, but make sure you use a shaving foam and body moisturiser specifically designed for sensitive skin so you avoid any flare-ups.
What is the best razor for women's bikini area?
If you've never had a shaving cut or ingrown hairs 'down there', then you're one of the lucky ones. Keep it that way by buying a precision razor that's made for the job.
There are specific razors that you should only use to shave your bikini area, like Gillette's Venus range of gentle, smooth razors, with ergonomic handles.
Blunt razors just won't give you the results you want, so there's no point using really old ones that you've dug out of the cupboard. As long as they're fresh with sharp blades, then you're good to go.
What is the best women's razor for sensitive skin?
When it comes to caring for sensitive skin, it's more about your shaving technique and the products you use, rather than a specific razor.
Opt for a shaving gel to hydrate and protect as you shave, and ensure you're being gentle to avoid cutting or irritating your skin.
Are razors for men and women different?
With many women's razors, you find the head is slightly more rounded than on men's razors and the handles are sturdier because they're being used to target larger areas.
However, feel free to use whichever suits you best. Just because a razor is marketed as gendered doesn't mean it will magically stop working if you're a woman using a man's product and vice versa. At the end of the day, a razor is a razor.
How long does a women's razor last?
Sturdier razors should last around five to ten shaves before the blade needs changing, but cheaper razors don't have such a long lifespan.
In the short term, disposable razors might seem cheaper but they only last between three and ten shaves so need replacing more regularly.
How to clean women's razors?
Every time you shave, it's best to rinse your razor afterwards in warm water to get rid of any gel or stray hairs.
There's no need to use any cleaning products when rinsing them out, you just need water.
It's crucial to rinse your razor so the blades stay clean and remain sharper for longer.
How often to change razor blades
If you shave every day you're supposed to change your razor blades every week or two.
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People who shave less frequently can wait a little longer but if you don't change them regularly then you risk infection.
The combination of cuts and scratches from a blunt razor and a build-up of bacteria in the blades does not create a happy - or healthy - mix.