Canstar Blue’s men’s razors review has seen ALDI, Bic, Schick, Gillette and Coles compared and rated on comfort, effectiveness, quality, design, packaging appeal, value for money and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
ALDI has shaved the day in Canstar Blue’s inaugural review of men’s razors, as the only brand to achieve five stars for overall satisfaction and in every single category.
Any man will know that patience and good technique make for a better wet shave. But what’s equally important is to have the right razor on hand to get a closer shave, avoid nicks, reduce irritation and keep your face and neck free from ingrown hair. It’s no wonder more than half of our survey respondents (51%) have tried multiple brands of razors in search of a trusty shaving pal. So, how do you find a razor that offers the right combination of ergonomics and value?
That’s where we come in. Canstar Blue surveyed over 800 Aussie blokes for their feedback on the razor or razor heads they’ve purchased and used in the last six months. Respondents compared and rated brands on a number of factors, including comfort, effectiveness, quality, design, packaging appeal, value for money and overall satisfaction. Those which met the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are featured in our results above.
So, which brands were rated best and which got hairy reviews? Discount supermarket ALDI was rated a cut above the rest with a five-star win across the board.
Here are the best brands for men’s razors in Australia, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s 2020 review:
ALDI shaved the competition down to size in our review. It was the only brand to score top marks in all categories surveyed, including comfort, effectiveness, quality, design, packaging appeal, value for money and overall satisfaction.
Runner-up Bic received four stars overall and in the majority of categories, except for design where it landed on just three stars. Both Schick and Gillette also achieved a solid four stars overall and, in most aspects, but lagged on value for money with three stars. Coles bottomed out on three stars across the board.
Everybody loves ALDI, thanks to the discount supermarket’s everyday low prices on grocery items and weekly Special Buys. ALDI is also a fan favourite for its cheap and cheerful appliances, including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, toasters, coffee machines and more. The German supermarket also has its own two brands of men’s razors ─ Prince and Lacura for Men, both exclusive to ALDI.
The most popular is said to be the Prince Calibre 6 Razor Blade System, claimed to be Australia’s first six-blade razor. It features iron carbon edge diamond coating technology for supposedly improved sharpness and durability (up to six months), with its blades made in Germany. The 5 Blade by Lacura for Men is another ALDI favourite, comprising of five ceramic coated blades, a pivot head to follow the contours of the skin and a lubricating strip containing aloe vera and vitamin E, to reduce friction. Check out prices below:
ALDI was the only brand from the lot to achieve a clean five-star sweep across the board.
There are four main types of men’s razors:
This will depend on your shaving routine, how confident you are with a razor, your skin type and budget. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want a model with a decent built-in lubricating strip. Our survey found that one in five men (21%) buy razors with additional protection for sensitive skin. If you’re not a morning person and usually rush out the door, then a cartridge razor is what you need to get the job done quickly. If you’re new to shaving then you’ll want to start with a safety razor first to build confidence. To give you some options, here are the types of razors our survey respondents had most recently purchased:
OK now let’s talk money. Our survey found that Aussie men spend on average $16 per month on razors. This is considered mid-range, so there are cheaper models out there. Don’t spend more than you need to, especially if you’re not pedantic about your grooming. One in five survey respondents (22%) admit to buying whatever is cheapest or on special. However, if your facial hair type is coarse or if you need to clean shave every day, then spending a little more on a pricier model with extra features may be worthwhile.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Lead, Megan Birot. She’s an expert on household appliances, health & beauty products, as well as all things grocery and shopping. When she’s not writing up our research-based ratings reports, Megan spends her time helping consumers make better purchase decisions, whether it’s at the supermarket, other retailers, or online, highlighting the best deals and flagging anything you need to be aware of.
*Prices taken from respective retailers and correct as of May 2020
Picture credits: sirtravelalot/ Shutterstock.com.
Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from male customers within the survey group who have purchased and used a razor or razor heads in the last six months – in this case, 841 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.