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Best Cartridge Razor Shaving Kits

The cartridge razor has come a long way in recent years.  With most including four or five blades, they do an exceptional job delivering smooth results with relative ease.

Whether you are just starting your shaving journey or you are simply looking for a quick gift for an upcoming holiday or special occasion, we’ll share with you some of the best cartridge razor shaving kits available. 

Comparing Cartridge Razor Shaving Kits

RankingCartridge Razor KitAwardRating
1Gillette ProGlide Shield Gift SetBest Overall99
2The Art of Shaving Heated Razor with Sandalwood Shaving KitPremium Pick98
3Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Gift SetAffordable96
4Dollar Shave Club Shave EssentialsFor Travel94

Best Cartridge Razor Kits of 2023

Here’s our list of cartridge razor shaving kits:

Gillette ProGlide Shield Gift Set

Best Overall
Gillette ProGlide Shield Premium Edition Razors...

The Gillette ProGlide Shield Gift Set is the perfect gift for any man looking for a close, comfortable shave. With eight cartridge heads included, this gift set will last him for several months.

Pros

FlexBall head for a close, comfortable shave

Large lubricating strips for a smooth shave

Comes with a travel case

Cons

Some users may find the FlexBall head difficult to get used to

The ProGlide is the latest cartridge model by Gillette and the perfect razor for any man looking to start shaving or looking to upgrade from a previous model, such as the Mach3.  

With a pivoting FlexBall head coupled with large lubricating strips, the Gillette ProGlide does an excellent job of remaining on the surface of the skin with each pass.  This allows for closer and smoother results while delivering a comfortable shave.

The kit includes eight cartridge heads, which should easily last you for several months.  Additionally, Gillette also includes a travel case, making this the perfect gift for a man that likes to take their shaving supplies with them to the gym or on a business trip.

What customers are saying: Customers are impressed with the build quality and sharpness of the cartridges. The travel case is strong and well-designed, making this kit a great option for traveling.

The Art of Shaving Heated Razor with Sandalwood Shaving Kit

Premium Pick
The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Kit for Men...

The Gillette Heated Razor is the best for those looking to take their shaving game to the next level. It features a stainless steel warming bar along with a long-lasting Lithium-Ion battery, delivering a hot shave on demand.

Pros

Heated razor delivers a hot shave on demand

Flexible head for a close shave

Waterproof design

Cons

Some users may find the price to be too high

If you are looking to take your shaving game to the next level, then the Gillette Heated Razor delivers that oh-so-comfortable barbershop shave in the comfort of your bathroom.  

Winner of countless awards, the Heated Razor by Gillette is unlike anything else on the market.  Featuring a stainless steel warming bar along with a long-lasting Lithium-Ion battery, it delivers a hot shave on demand.  This helps to soften the hair and provides nice and warm results – perfect for those cold winter mornings.

Functionally, this heated razor is just as good as its traditional cartridge razor counterpart. It features a flexible head, waterproof design, and is travel-friendly.

Also included in this kit from The Art of Shaving, you’ll find pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and aftershave balm to complete the experience.  It’s a top-tier cartridge razor kit that doesn’t get any better than this.

Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Gift Set

Affordable
Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Gift Set

The Schick Hydro Skin Comfort Gift Set is a great affordable alternative to Gillette. Their refills are cheaper while still delivering comfortable results.

Pros

Cheaper refills

Narrower head helps reduce irritation

Signature gel pools to reduce post-shave razor burn

Cons

Only three blades

Schick is a great affordable alternative to Gillette.  Their refills are cheaper while still delivering comfortable results. 

The narrower head on this razor by Schick features only three blades.  This helps to significantly reduce irritation while shaving.  Further increasing comfort, Schick added their signature gel pools that effectively reduce post-shave razor burn.

Also included in the kit, you’ll have Edge shave gel, the award-winning Bulldog Original Moisturizer, and three cartridges.

For under $10, this cartridge kit by Schick is the perfect little set.  

Dollar Shave Club Shave Essentials

For Travel
Dollar Shave Club Shaving Set - Handle, 6-Blade...

The Dollar Shave Club Shave Essentials kit is an excellent choice for travelers who want an affordable and compact shaving solution.

Pros

Inexpensive

Compact and lightweight

Great for travel

Cons

You may prefer a different handle

The blades may not last as long as you like

Dollar Shave Club made a splash in the shaving industry in 2011 by providing dirt-cheap razors delivered to your door every month.  While they have since expanded into skincare, deodorants, and more, their cartridge razors remain a hit with men.

Consider going with the Dollar Shave Club Shave Essentials kit if you travel frequently.  It contains everything you need to get a close and comfortable shave on the road without overloading your favorite Dopp kit.

In the Shave Essentials kit, you’ll have six-blade refills, an upgraded metal handle, a small razor head cover, along with silky-smooth shave butter.

Consider signing up for their subscription service if you like having fresh blades sent to your doorstep.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions on the Dollar Shave Club razor. Some find it to be a great value and quality, while others have experienced issues with blade detachment, rusting, and poor quality compared to the brand’s previous products.

What to Consider When Buying a Cartridge Razor Kit

You’ll want to consider a few things when purchasing a cartridge razor kit.

Blades

The more blades, the better, right? Not necessarily. A lot of cartridge razors now have five or even six blades. But more blades can mean more irritation. Due to hysteresis, the first blade pulls the hair away from the skin while the second blade cuts it. But with each successive blade, there’s less hair to cut, and the blades start to tug at the skin. So, more blades don’t necessarily mean a better shave.
You might want to stick to a three-blade razor if you have sensitive skin.

Lubrication

Another essential factor to consider is lubrication. A lot of cartridge razors now come with built-in lubrication strips. These strips usually contain glycerin, which can help reduce friction. However, they can also make the razor feel slippery, which can take some time. If you find that a lubrication strip makes the razor too slippery, you can try removing it.

Handle

The handle is another important factor to consider. Many cartridge razors now come with ergonomic handles that are easy to grip. However, some people find that these handles are too big and bulky. You might want to stick to a razor with a slimmer handle if you have small hands.

Price

Cartridge razors can range in price from around $5 to $30. The more expensive razors usually have more blades and better lubrication strips. However, they’re not necessarily any better than the less expensive razors. It really just depends on your personal preferences.

Replacement Blades

One final thing to consider is the cost of replacement blades. Cartridge razor blades can be pretty expensive, so you’ll want to make sure that you can find them at a reasonable price.

What’s In the Kit?

Most cartridge razor kits come with the razor itself, a few replacement blades, and a travel case. Some kits also include a shaving cream or gel. Don’t forget to pick up any complimentary items you might need, such as a shaving brush or aftershave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best cartridge razor for sensitive skin?

We think the Gillette SkinGuard is a great cartridge razor for sensitive skin. It has two blades instead of three or four, and it’s designed to reduce irritation. You can check out the full review here.

Is canned shaving cream better than shaving gel?

This is a matter of personal preference. Some people find that canned shaving cream is more effective at lubricating the skin, while others find that shaving gel is less messy. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one you prefer.

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam loves men's grooming products. Particularly of interest is managing facial hair and perfecting the art of the modern man's skincare routine. His work has been featured or quoted in several publications, including New York Magazine, Vice, Sharpologist, MIC, Elite Daily, and more.