The role of a disposable razor is akin to takeout silverware: execute the task at hand, don’t cause harm, hit the garbage can. It’s the stand-in when the regular guy is busy, but that doesn’t make the role less important. The wrong razor can leave one bleeding and scarred, so it’s important to choose carefully.
Disposable razors can deliver a surprisingly close shave in a pinch, and the best brands can be purchased at every drugstore and major retailer. “Disposable razors are handy,” Tom Yates, director of Cut Throat Club, says. “You can pick them up from most convenient stores when traveling and they’re great for a couple of uses.”
Though disposable razors have their issues (namely a terrible impact on the environment and a less than stellar return on investment), there are varieties for every guy well under $5 per razor, whether he’s looking to go fully disposable for time and efficiency, seeking the best disposable for sensitive skin, or just looking for a reliable touch-up when he forgets his tried-and-true razor.
The Best Disposable Razors: At a Glance
What the Experts Say
SPY talked to five experts to understand the pros and cons of disposable razors and separate the great from the sub-par options, including Yates, barber Sunny Kambo, personal stylist Patrick Kenger, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon.
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Almost every expert SPY spoke with told us that disposable razors don’t offer the best shave. Far from it, in fact. Safety razors and electrical razors both offer a closer, safer shave that’s less likely to result in nicks, cuts, or inflammation. Disposable razors are also not recyclable and generally destined for a landfill.
At the same time, they all acknowledged that disposable razors are useful and can be great tools when other options aren’t available. Patrick Kenger, a personal stylist and founder of PIVOT Image Consultancy and Sunny Kambo, barber instructor at WiseBarber and Wahl educator, both stressed that a lot of the best-known options are very similar and that the “best” disposable razor for every guy will boil down to his personal preference, shaving goals, and skin needs.
“A lot of these are created equal,” Kenger says. “So I would advise that if you’re set on disposables, get cheaper ones where you don’t mind the price point.” Kambo agrees, adding that most of them perform quite well: “I think the preference for one over another is largely based on what people are accustomed to,” he says.
BIC Sensitive Disposable Razors for Men
Do not be fooled into thinking a simple, single-blade razor can’t be the best disposable razor. Where other disposable razors overreach, the Bic Sensitive Disposable Razor understands the assignment, taking cues from safety razors to deliver a close, comfortable shave.
“The Bic provides just a single blade, which means less chance of any irritation, and gets the job done when you’ve forgotten your razor,” Yates says. “[It’s] the safest option for most, [offers] a lower chance of irritation and super cheap!”
“Bic seems to specialize in disposables; they’re always available and priced just right,” says Kambo.
A good shave already requires a lubricant, so there’s no need for a lubricating strip on the razor. For anything more than a couple days of scruff, multiple blades often clog, destroying the efficiency that the multi-blade design was supposed to create in the first place. And pivoting heads might help some guys with their jaws, but they can be easily misjudged, resulting in unexpected cuts.
This Bic disposable is cheaper than dirt because it skips out on all of that complicating nonsense in favor of a fixed, single-blade razor that lets the man control the shave instead of the razor. That simplifies every aspect of the shave and takes a ton of guesswork out of going against the grain too. Definitely use a shaving cream, though.
Schick Xtreme 3 Original Razor
Why It Stands Out: Schick isn’t concerned with razor history, and the Schick Xtreme 3 gives hope to men who want to believe a disposable can hold more than one sharp blade. “Schick’s razors are also very good and trusted,” Kambo says. “They don’t focus as much on visibility like Gillette, but rather on introducing more futuristic styles.” The brand also recycles its razors for free.
ROI: As far as three-blade razors go, this disposable razor is about average or just under at a bit more than $1.25 per razor. Compared to all disposable razors, it costs above average but the extra blades, and quality, make it worth the price. Buying in bulk lowers the price even further.
Hot Take: The Schick is the opposite of the Bic top pick, but its excess features land the plane rather than attempt and fail, as so many cheap razors do. The head pivots to assist with contouring and the three blades bend to help accommodate facial curves. The lubricant strip isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s a lifesaver without shaving cream. Lastly, the handle has a helpful rubbery textured grip and a solid amount of weight for a plastic razor.
Gillette Sensor2 Disposable Razors
Why It Stands Out: Like Bic, the Gillette Sensor2 Disposable Razor sticks to a simpler design with a fixed body and two blades. This makes it easy to wield and control without a steep learning curve.
ROI: At well under $1 a razor, money’s not really a concern here.
Hot Take: The Sensor2 offers simple, essential features done well without a ton of needless innovation. “The Sensor2 harks back to the original style with a classic two-blade design and includes the original lubricant strip,” Kambo says.
Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Blades
Why It Stands Out: The Schick Hydro 5 Disposable Razor doesn’t explicitly market itself for sensitive skin, but the larger design makes it a great option for guys who’ve experienced inflammation from solo blades in the past.
ROI: This razor costs around $4, which is more expensive than most disposable razors worth picking up. These extra dollars go towards a solid construction akin to the Schick Xtreme 3 razor, skin guards for protection, a flip trimmer for hitting smaller areas, and the five blades. For men whose skin can’t handle something simpler, and cheaper, but don’t have their regular shaver with them, it’s a good middle-ground option.
Hot Take: It’s not worth sacrificing skin clarity to save a few extra bucks. This razor is worth it if one has inflammatory or reactive skin. The hydrating gel reservoir smooths out the shave and makes the razor more suitable for sensitive skin, Chacon says. This is a critical feature alongside the five blades, which could clog and lead to hair tugging and nicks. For guys who want to see how a fully realized disposable razor shaves, they can’t do much better than the Schick Hydro 5.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disposable Razors
What makes a disposable razor disposable? Can’t you throw away any razor?
Any razor marketed as “disposable” is designed to be thrown out as a whole, and likely after just a few uses. On the other hand, cartridge razors, which often share brand names like “Mach 3” with disposables, are designed with sturdy handles one keeps and headpieces that are thrown away and replaced often. Disposable razors are a lower quality and offer fewer features than cartridge razors.
What are disposable razors good for?
“Disposable razors are good for the convenience of having fresh sharp razors on hand and ready to go with minimal preparation or setup required. They are best for people who shave their entire face rather than leave a goatee or mustache,” says Soren Roi, senior barber at Fellow Barber.
When should you avoid using a disposable razor?
Because of their construction, disposable razors are not very good at getting clean lines, Roi says, adding, “They are also not very good for the environment as they tend to produce a lot of plastic waste.”
The sheer variety of disposables, with their different shave angles, blades, and details, also makes it difficult to predict how a given razor will affect an individual’s skin. Oftentimes, that means irritation, especially when dealing with four- or five-blade razors, Kenger says. “That many blades dragging across the skin can cause a lot of irritation. I try to minimize that and go for 1-2 blade disposables.”
How much money should you spend on a disposable razor?
This depends on how many razors are purchased as well as the desired features of the razor. Retailers often offer significant discounts for buying in bulk, but assuming guys aren’t buying packs of 100, they should generally spend between $5 and $20 on between three and 15 razors. Regardless of the pack size, guys shouldn’t be spending more than $5 per disposable.
What are the pros and cons of more or fewer blades in a disposable razor?
In terms of pros, Roi says more blades can disperse the pressure during the shave, leading to less damage on individual blades. That can lead to less irritation for some people’s skin and a longer-lasting razor.
However, more blades can cause more irritation for some people because they remove more of the top layer of the skin. “If your skin is sensitive, then more blades may not be right for you,” Roi says. “I would look for something simple with one or two stainless steel blades that I could shave with once or twice and then replace.”
“I find that the razors with too many blades make it harder to determine the correct pressure to apply to the face. Fewer blades give me more control.” Ultimately, this isn’t an exact science and guys should go with whatever works best for their skin and habits.
How often should you replace a disposable razor?
There’s no “right” answer here for a lot of factors, but the short answer is guys should replace their disposable razors often. (They are called disposable for a reason, folks.) Cheaper blades will likely only last one to two shaves while higher-quality blades could go as many as five, Roi says.
Can I bring a disposable razor on a plane?
Per guidelines from the federal Transportation Security Administration, disposable razors are OK to bring in carry-on and checked luggage.
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