![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-a-Foil-Shaver-Cuts-Hair-Diagram.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe vertical red lines represent the cutting blades. Each blade moves back and forth, noted by the arrows, and cuts hair that enters the circular foil mesh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rate at which the blades cut is often measured in shaving efficiency<\/em> or micro-vibrations<\/em>. This metric may vary depending on the brand. Most modern foil electric shavers can cut at a rate of up to 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rotary shaver cuts facial hair in a circular motion. Many like to compare the mechanics of the rotary electric shaver to a weed whacker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the foil shaver, hair is fed into the circular opening on each of the heads for cutting. The number of rotary cutting heads found on an electric shaver can range from two to six – however, most rotary shavers only contain three cutting heads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to mechanical limitations, rotary shavers cannot provide nearly as smooth results compared to a foil electric shaver. However, the difference is minimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Takeaway<\/strong>: Both shavers cut hair in different directions.\u00a0 This will lead to different results when it comes to the closeness of the shave.\u00a0 Additionally, they require different operational techniques – which we will explore next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foil and rotary shavers require different motions to perform; here’s an overview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rectangular head on the foil shaver restricts its movement to only short and straight directional strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shaving in this direction will be much more natural, especially if you transition from a safety or cartridge razor<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The rotary shaver requires that you pass the cutting head in a circular motion when shaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passing the shaver in a circular motion may take just a few shaves before you get the hang of it – so don’t get discouraged after your first use!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of type, the electric shaver should be held perpendicular to the surface of your skin (at a 90\u00b0 angle). The shaving area should be held taut with your free hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading brands of both foil and rotary electric shavers recommend that you pass the electric shaver against the grain<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond the mechanical differences between foil and rotary shavers, you should also be aware of each razor system\u2019s mobility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The foil shaver head is a large rectangular block. This makes navigating tight contours, particularly around the nose, much more difficult. While some foil shaver brands offer pivoting motion in the heads to improve mobility, this isn’t enough to counteract the head’s core design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, you should expect to make repeated passes or, in severe cases, use a separate cartridge razor to clean details. This may not be an issue depending on your facial hair’s growth pattern and density.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobility is the most prominent advantage for rotary electric shavers. The smaller, circular heads allow them to navigate tight contours and work areas around the nose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Takeaway<\/strong>: This decision is a compromise when comparing both systems.\u00a0 If you want smooth results and don’t mind potentially detailing a cartridge razor, then a foil shaver can work for you.\u00a0 Should you prefer one device for all areas of your face and don’t mind any residue stubble, then consider a rotary shaver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your skin is unique to you. Therefore, it is best to rely on your judgment to determine which razor system makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, you will want to keep the following in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you experience regular outbreaks of acne, then it is recommended that you clean your electric shaver often. Many modern brands make shavers that are fully waterproof and can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than doing the manual work, some shavers, particularly those made by Braun, have a complimentary cleaning system that is alcohol-based and will remove bacteria from the cutting blades after every use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Should you have sensitive skin, consider an electric shaver with a stronger motor that outputs a higher cutting power or shave efficiency. Regardless of the system, you want to achieve your shave in as few passes as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Using your electric shaver with a shaving cream may provide more comfortable results as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men with tight, curly facial hair are more likely to develop razor bumps (ingrown hairs). A foil shaver should cut the hair much cleaner so it can safely exit the skin as it regrows. However, the best way to avoid razor bumps is to use a stubble trimmer or beard trimmer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They cut just a fraction above the surface, so the hair never has a chance of growing inwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, both the foil and rotary shaver are best used for facial hair only – that’s what they were designed for. Men who regularly manscape by shaving their chest, underarms, legs, or pubic area may attempt to use these devices for such use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do know that body hair is often thicker and longer than facial hair. Therefore, there may be some pulling on the root, which may cause irritation or pain. Additionally, electric shavers are only capable of cutting down to skin level. Should you want some control on the final results’ length, consider a body groomer where the different lengths of combs can be attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As is the case when buying anything, the price varies significantly in any given category of products. We analyzed 67 electric shavers made by Braun, Philips Norelco, Remington, Wahl, BaByliss Pro, and Panasonic. We found that the average price for a rotary shaver is $74 and a foil shaver is $104:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s the source of our data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the difference in averages between both types of electric shavers is significant, as you can see in the table above, many brands offer a rotary and foil shaver at prices accessible to all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just for fun, here are the three most expensive and inexpensive electric shavers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expensive<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inexpensive<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Notably absent in our analysis were off-brands. There may be further savings here if you are looking to keep your expenses low.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n *I would strongly caution against this as they are often poorly made and will need to be replaced more frequently. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The most trusted brands for foil and rotary shavers include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of some of the features shared by both foil and rotary shavers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope that this guide helped in your research in understanding the key differences between a foil and rotary electric shaver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Electric shavers come in two types: foil and rotary. Below is a look at how each differs from one another. This includes reviewing a foil and rotary’s cutting motion, expected … <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":62115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1023],"tags":[998,1012],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66980,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions\/66980"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Rotary Electric Shaver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-a-Rotary-Shaver-Cuts-Hair-Diagram.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to Use a Foil and Rotary Shaver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Foil Electric Shaver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rotary Electric Shaver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Both Shavers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mobility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Foil Electric Shaver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rotary Electric Shaver <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Skin Compatibility & Facial Hair Density<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For Men with Acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For Men with Sensitive Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For Men Susceptible to Razor Bumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Versatility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.toolsofmen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/graph-showing-the-price-difference-between-foil-and-rotary-shavers.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nProduct<\/th> Brand<\/th> Price<\/th> Type<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Series 9 9390cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $310<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 9 9385cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $310<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 9 9370cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $300<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 9 9330s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $235<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 9300<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $220<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 7 7085cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $170<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 7000<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $170<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 7 7075cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $160<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 7 7071cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $150<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 7 7027cs<\/td> Braun<\/td> $150<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Panasonic Arc 5<\/td> Panasonic<\/td> $150<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Heritage Series Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $150<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 6 6090cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $140<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 7 7020s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $130<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 6 6075cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $130<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 7500<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $130<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 6 6072cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $120<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Panasonic Arc 4<\/td> Panasonic<\/td> $120<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Maximum Comfort HyperFlex Advanced Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $120<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> SmartEdge Advanced Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $120<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> FOILFX02<\/td> BaBylissPRO<\/td> $120<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 6 6020s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $100<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 ProSkin 3070cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $100<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 ProSkin 3050cc<\/td> Braun<\/td> $100<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Hyperflex Verso 5 Attachments Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $100<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 5 5050cs<\/td> Braun<\/td> $90<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R5200 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $90<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Smart Shave<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $90<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Vintage Dual Close-Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $80<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Speed Shave<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $80<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 5 5020s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $75<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 5 5018s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $70<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Panasonic Arc 3<\/td> Panasonic<\/td> $70<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R6 WETech Power Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $70<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> F5 Comfort Series Foil Shaver with Charging Stand<\/td> Remington<\/td> $70<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Ultra-Close & Smooth Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $70<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R6 REMINGTON R6000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $70<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 ProSkin 3040s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $60<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R5000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $60<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> F5 Comfort Series Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $60<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R5000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $60<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Flex Shave<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $60<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> LifeProof Shaver<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $60<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 3500<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $60<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> WETech 100% Waterproof Cordless Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $55<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Virtually Indestructible Rotary Shaver 5100<\/td> Remington<\/td> $55<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> FOILFX01<\/td> BaBylissPRO<\/td> $55<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Virtually Indestructible Foil Shaver 5100<\/td> Remington<\/td> $53<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 ProSkin 3000s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $50<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R4000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $50<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> F4 Comfort Series Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $50<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R4000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $50<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Clean & Close Shaver<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $50<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 2500<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $50<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 310s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $40<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Series 3 300s<\/td> Braun<\/td> $40<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R3000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $40<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> F3 Comfort Series Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $40<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R3000 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $40<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Groomsman Smooth & Easy<\/td> Wahl<\/td> $40<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> Philips Norelco Shaver 2300<\/td> Philips Norelco<\/td> $40<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> UltraStyle Rechargeable Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $35<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> UltraStyle Rechargeable Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $35<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> Smooth & Close Foil Shaver 3000<\/td> Remington<\/td> $35<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R2 Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $30<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr> F2 Foil Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $30<\/td> Foil<\/td><\/tr> R50 Series Rotary Shaver<\/td> Remington<\/td> $23<\/td> Rotary<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \n
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Brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Other Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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