Grooming

You Shouldn't
Be Shaving
in the Summer

Summer is all about taking it easy, right?
So why spend your morning shaving? Especially with all that the season puts your skin through, wouldn't it be nice to simply run a tiny machine over your face and tend to your facial hair quickly and painlessly? It used to be that electric shavers were noisy and inefficient—they didn't get every hair and left you looking and feeling a little lazy. But not today. The best modern shavers are high-tech trimmers that can offer everything from the perfect perma-shadow to a smooth, close shave without the hint of irritation. We've tried a handful and have come up with four standouts suitable for the Valet. man. The real question is which one suits you best?

Philips Norelco Series 5100 Electric Trimmer

Our Favorite

Our Favorite

Engineered for multiple facial hair styles, this trimmer features a double-sharpened blade system with an integrated hair lift comb that ensures shorter stubble and scruffy styles that are evenly and smoothly trimmed. A zoom wheel automatically locks in to one of 17 built-in precision length settings. And when used every other day or so, this will leave you with the perfect five o'clock shadow.

$60 / $49.95 by Philips Norelco

$60 / $49.95 by Philips Norelco

Braun Cool Tec Electric Trimmer

For Sensitive Skin

For Sensitive Skin

This one is particularly good for summertime, thanks to Braun's "active cooling technology." An integrated electro ceramic cooling element on the shave head automatically cools the skin while you shave, minimizing redness, burning and skin irritation. It's a refreshing way to wake up your skin and the three-stage cutting system, with two independently moving trimming elements, mean that it won't miss a hair and gets the job done fast.

$224.99 by Braun

$224.99 by Braun

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Panasonic Milano Electric Trimmer

For Shower Shavers

For Shower Shavers

Those who are too bleary-eyed in the morning to set aside separate time to shave, this waterproof trimmer is perfect for the shower. The guards are built-in and adjustable with the click of a dial and it has an easy-open drain that allows water to flow through the clipper for quick, easy cleaning in seconds. Plus, the grippy ergonomic handle ensures you won't drop it either.

$49.99 / $41.99 by Panasonic

$49.99 / $41.99 by Panasonic

Philips Norelco 5700 Series Electric Trimmer

For the Closest Shave

For the Closest Shave

If you want the ease of a beard trimmer but need or want a closer shave, this flexible shaver will give you a remarkably smooth shave without having to lather up. Of course, if you prefer to use shaving cream, you can. As one of the most popular high-end shavers on the market, this one offers some serious bells and whistles. Most impressively, the smart clean system hygienically cleans, lubricates and charges the shaver. It uses an alcohol-free, skin-friendly formula that cleans up to 10x better than water. It also boasts a "turbo" mode to power through the densest parts of your beard faster and more efficiently than your average razor.

$149.99 / $136.85 by Philips Norelco

$149.99 / $136.85 by Philips Norelco

Perfect for Travel

Gillette Fusion ProGlide Electric Trimmer

$23.99 by Gillette

Simple, straightforward and about the size of a toothbrush, Gillette's slim stick shaver comes with an actual razor blade attachment, but I just use this as a trimmer. It's surprisingly efficient and powerful considering it's only powered by a couple of AA batteries. I used to only use when traveling, but it's so easy I pretty much use it exclusively now.”

- Cory Ohlendorf