Foil vs Rotary Shaver

(Last Updated On: August 29, 2020)
rotary vs foil shaver

When buying an electric shaver, the first question to consider is: foil or rotary shaver? There is an ideal shaver for every skin and hair type. Therefore, it is necessary to be well informed before taking a decision lightly. 

As the market offers us many options, it can be a bit complicated to know how to choose the product that best meets your requirements.

Shaving should be an enjoyable experience, a quiet moment just for you. For this to happen, the first thing to do is to have a machine that does its job well and offers the best results.

That’s why, in this article we’ll help you differentiate between the two main types of shavers: foil vs rotary shaver. Each has its pros and cons, and it all depends on your personal needs and the result you expect.

Rotary vs Foil Shaver

If you still use disposable razors, it’s time to give electric shavers a try.

It’s true that they require some adaptation time, and although it may seem like a big investment at first, but in the long run they are real savings. The heads are only replaced once every few years, depending on the make and model.

In addition, the environmental impact is less, as foil or rotary shaver can last much longer than disposable ones.

So shavers are a good choice for everyday shaving, just decide on the model and choose rotary versus foil shaver, one that best suits your needs.

Rotary Shavers

Rotary shavers incorporate a flexible circular head in which the blades are located. These blades make a rotating movement to catch and cut all the hair on the face. In addition, best rotary shavers manage to adapt better to all curvatures of the face, jaw and neck.

Due to their shape, they are best for men with the thickest and longest hair, as well as for beards that grow in different directions.

The circular movements of this type of machine make it easier for the hair to enter through the slots so that it can be cut better. Advantage of this type of machine is that they are quieter than blades. This can be important if you consider shaving at your quiet time, or if you shave while other family members are sleeping and you don’t want to disturb them.

Foil Shavers

Foil electric shavers have a system of blades covered by a perforated metal foil. These models perform linear movements at high speed to cut the hair, so they achieve a faster result than the previous ones. The blade never touches the skin and there is no risk of cutting making them better choice if you have a sensitive skin.

Thanks to their micro blades, they are able to reach the shortest hair. Moreover, they are easy to use, as the shaving system resembles that of traditional razors and they are also more suitable for sensitive skin.

They are recommended for medium-thickness beards with more linear hair growth. If you are looking for a closer shave and precision in the most difficult areas, this type of shaver will be the one for you. 

The more advanced foil electric shaver models also have mechanisms that can capture the hairs that are stuck to the skin and cut the hair that grows in other directions.

How to Choose a Good Shaver?

When buying an electric shaver there are a number of issues you should consider.

Waterproofing

If you are one of those who, because of your skin type, do not consider dry shaving, this will be a criterion that you should evaluate when buying an electric shaver. 

Waterproofing refers to the good sealing of its housing, which makes it 100% waterproof.

If you have sensitive skin and often suffer from irritation or redness after shaving, it is almost a must to use shaving gels or foams, as these promote a good glide on the face, soften the beard and avoid pulling.

In addition, these types of machines allow you to shave while showering, and you can easily rinse them under the tap to clean them.

Autonomy

Autonomy is the aspect that refers to the time that the machine is able to operate without being connected to the charger.

Many of the shavers that we can find on the market incorporate a Lithium ION battery, when you consider buying one for yourself, check if it offers at least 50 minutes of autonomy. As for the charging time, it usually takes between 1 and 4 hours to fully charge your battery.

It is better to choose a model with a shorter charging time, which incorporates the quick charge function and, in just 5 minutes, will allow you to reuse your razor for a shave or a final touch.

Flexibility and Speed

The flexibility of the head is its ability to adapt to the contours of the face. As you know, hair in some areas such as the neck, jaw or chin can be difficult to reach. That is why you need a flexible head that will catch them easily.

Also, if you have sensitive skin, many models incorporate special technologies for facial care. Ideally, your head should glide smoothly over the skin and achieve a good grip without the need to press or make several passes.

The Best Models of Rotary Shavers

If you are interested in rotary shavers, these are some of the best rated models on Amazon.

Ultimate Series R9 by Remington (Best Value)

With this rotary model you will get a closer and better shave, as the blades are closer to the face without damaging it. In addition, the Comfort Spin heads that rotate in alternate directions reduce irritation and provide a smoother, more gentle shave.

The head of this shaver has an antimicrobial zone and a cushioning system that adapts to each skin type without causing irritation.

It can also be used wet or dry, as it is 100% waterproof. It could be continuously used for 60 minutes and comes with a full charge time of 90 minutes.

Aqua Plus Power Series by Remington (Economical)

The Power Series Aqua Plus incorporates a Comfort Pivot head and Active Contour Technology, to easily conform to the contours of your face and provide a smoother shave.

In addition, the antimicrobial zone around the blades helps eliminate microorganisms that are often left behind, making it ideal for sensitive skin and provides a safer, more hygienic shave.

With this model you can shave in the shower, because it is 100% water resistant. Its lithium battery has up to 40 minutes of autonomy and takes 4 hours to fully charge.

Philips Shaver Series S9000 (Professional)

Get a closer, more comfortable and faster shave that won’t damage your skin. This shaver glides smoothly to cut each hair, and achieves a smooth result to the touch, even in delicate areas and beards up to 7 days. By making fewer passes, it provides better skin care.

You can customize your shave by choosing from three settings. 

The Qi charging panel is built in for charging. It takes three hours to fully charge and has 60 minutes of autonomy.

Best Foil Electric Shaver Models

Before you make a decision, take a look at these models that suit your personal requirements and the budget you plan to spend on this product.

Heritage by Remington (Best Value)

This model will catch your eye because of its elegant and careful design. It is inspired by the 80s, with silver grey, matt and glossy colours. 

Undoubtedly, a product that will transport you to those years, while providing a renewed experience with the latest technological additions.

This model incorporates a shaving system with multidirectional Lift Logic blades. Its operation is simple, what they do is to lift the hair, no matter what angle it is to cut with greater precision and achieve a much closer shave.

They are also very flexible, so you can remove hair from even the most difficult areas in one go, so your skin won’t be irritated.

Style Series F4 by Remington (Economical)

The Remington F4 includes a micro-comb and a head with Control Cut technology that comes very close to the skin. This makes them perfect for those looking for a close shave, but also for those who want to keep their beard short and neat.

There is no better way to save time in the morning routine than shaving in the shower. With this model you can shave under the shower or use gels and foams, as it is completely waterproof.

In addition, thanks to its feature, cleaning the blades is much easier, just put them under the tap and help with the brush that incorporates. It takes 4 hours to fully charge and has an autonomy of 45 minutes.

Braun 9 Series (Professional)

The Braun 9 Series has a smart chip that detects your hair type and facial features to match your hair type and provide a personalized, close shave.

It is one of the best models that our team highly recommended in our rotary vs foil shavers guide.

In addition, this razor is capable of achieving the ultimate shave without damaging the skin, as it incorporates a precision titanium-coated trimmer that captures any hair, even if it grows in different directions. 

It is gentle on the skin and reduces friction, thanks to its sonic technology that provides 10,000 micro-vibrations per second.

To charge it, simply place it in the Clean&Charge station. With this accessory you can recharge the battery while you clean the blades and head, inside and out, lubricate the blades and dry them. 

It is a much more efficient and offer hygienic cleaning than washing under the tap, and just by pressing a button and selecting the cleaning program.

Final Thoughts

We hope our foil shaver vs rotary shaver guide would’ve been helpful in providing all the information you might be searching for. If you want us to add any more information about foil versus rotary shavers, feel free to leave a comment down below.

George is working as “Head of Content” for "Men Grooming Review" and is responsible for setting the content strategy, make sure that content operations are working smoothly across teams. He directly oversees a talented team of passionate Writers to develop trusted and unbiased content.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

error: Content is protected !!