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These tried and tested electric shavers will eliminate stubborn stubble

Needless to say, a sweaty, itchy beard when running can be a distraction. And while you may have opted for a beard during last year's lockdowns, if you’re ready to switch to a clean-shaven look, an electric shaver or razor is a must.

To make sure you’re adding the correct tool for the job into your grooming routine, we asked our panel of 152 men to put the best electric razors to the test, to see which ones tackled hair the best. Read on for our six top choices.

Both get the job done, just in different ways.

Not sure which one you need? We’ve summed them up for you:

Foil: Probably the more common of the two, a foil shaver contains a long strip of blades that move in an oscillating motion. They lift hair away from the skin to provide a close, clean cut. Though providing a closer shave than its peer, as the longer shape is designed for flatter surfaces, it’s less adept at moving around the contours of the face.

Rotary: This one features two or three rotating blades that get to work in a circular motion to remove hair. They won’t cut as close to the skin but are easier to manoeuvre and are less likely to cause irritation.

Both have their advantages but always start by checking if the device is 100% waterproof before attempting a wet shave.

If you’re used to an old-fashioned blade, a dry shave will be a game-changer. Shaving dry will save some time and help minimise accidental nicks compared with your traditional razor, as an electric option doesn’t come in such close contact with the skin. You can use an electric razor on wet skin too, if you want to keep irritation to a minimum.

You can use a shaving foam if you prefer, to help achieve a smoother shave, but wetting hair makes it softer, so you’ll be able to catch more pesky stragglers.

We asked our panel of 152 men – with a variety of hair types and textures – to trial a range of electric razors and shavers for up to six weeks.

Each tool was judged on how close a shave they provided, as well as how smooth they were when being moved around the contours of the face. Testers also considered how easy they were to use and if any irritation occurred while shaving.

In the Runner's World lab, we also tested how loud each device was in use via a noise meter.

If you think a rotary shaver is for you, you can’t get better than this one. The premium LCD screen will show you how much battery life you’ve got left, as well as offering you a variety of shave settings.

Our testers with longer stubble were particularly impressed with the shave it provided, as well as the swanky charging pad which saves you dealing with tangled wires. They also appreciated its high-quality feel and how quickly it managed to get the job done, while 93% found it to be gentle, too.

Key specifications Type: Rotary Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: Yes, 18 mins Accessories: Charging pad, pouch, precision styler

This foil option features a built-in sensor to automatically detect your hair’s density and select the best power mode. It won testers over with how simple yet powerful it was, as well as its premium look.

Everyone was happy with the smooth, gentle shave it provided, which also avoided irritation. The unique 'clean and charge' feature means you can simply plug in your device and it will clean and dry it for you, too.

Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: Yes, 5 mins Accessories: Clean and charge station, cleaning cartridge, leather travel case, smart plug, cleaning brush

Although this isn’t cordless or waterproof, it does save you some serious money compared with others on our list and was a top performer for how easy it was to use, clean and store. Everyone found it easy to control too, making it a great option for beginners.

It wasn’t as high-quality as others, but it did offer a smooth shave for 78% of testers. It left the majority happy with how their facial hair looked after shaving too, which is pretty good for under £30.

Key specifications Type: Rotary Able to use wet and dry: No Cordless: No Quick charge: No Accessories: Three-day stubble styler, cleaning brush

Thicker stubble can be harder to remove and therefore requires a more powerful device. Our testers rated this one for its powerful motor that cut efficiently and proved to be accurate even on thicker, longer hair.

It provided 93% with a close, smooth shave, while also being gentle on skin. The attachment options mean you can achieve pretty much any style you’re after too, with our testers loving how easy it was to switch between heads.

Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Travel case, blade oil, cleaning brush, charging system, detergent for charging system

If your shaver is a staple in your gym kit, make sure your pick one that has a long battery life. This one lasts a whopping 90 minutes on a single charge, meaning you won't be caught short.

Its 'life-proof' design – shock-resistant materials, durable foil guard and ergonomic grip – means it can handle a few knocks in your gym bag, too.

The design got a thumbs up from our panel for how easy it was to use and control, while 91% rated its pop-up trimmer for perfectly defining edges.

Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Storage bag, cleaning brush, blade oil, foil guard

Post-run redness is to be expected, but post-shave redness? Not so much. This gave all our testers a gentle shave, with 92% experiencing zero irritation. It worked well on both wet and dry skin, with all testers happy with how smooth skin felt after shaving.

Although it was flagged as 'relatively loud' in our lab test, our testers didn’t mind, while the power-charging case is great for when you’re on the go. Overall, 90% were pleased with how great it was at shaping edges and tackling longer stubble, too.

Key specifications Type: Foil Able to use wet and dry: Yes Cordless: Yes Quick charge: No Accessories: Powercase, cleaning cartridge, cleaning brush, cleansing station