The debate over which is better between electric foil shavers vs rotary shavers has been ongoing for years. There have been many articles, write-ups and comparative reviews trying to match the utility and efficiency between these two types of shavers.
Yet, for the most part, reviewers are shy of giving off a definitive answer to the raging question every serious shaver user wish to have an answer.
So which is really better? Does superiority over the other really exists, or it depends on the preference of the user, as most reviewers usually prefer to end their comparison between the two.
If you already have decided to use foil shavers (or the rotary shaver) and you are shopping already for the best deal around, you can check out our recommended best electric foil shavers and rotary shavers below. Or Visit around Trimmereo.com for the best model of your choice.
Foil vs Rotary Shaver Differences
Now let’s understand the differences between rotary and foil shavers, see the pros and cons of both the shavers and summarize their advantages and disadvantages.
Here are 5 main differences between rotary and foil shavers:
- Direction of Blades:
- Foil Shaver: Its blade moves in a straight line, either up and down or left and right.
- Rotary Shaver: The blade moves in circular motions, going in different directions.
- Precision and Shaving Close:
- Foil Shaver: Offers precision and the closest shave by pulling hair inside and cutting with oscillating blades.
- Rotary Shaver: Works well for both straight and thicker hair but doesn’t provide the same precision.
- Hair Types:
- Foil Shaver: Best for thinner, fine, and straight hair.
- Rotary Shaver: Suitable for straight, coarse, and thicker hair.
- Volume while Shaving:
- Foil Shaver: Considered the sharpest but tends to be louder with a buzzing sound.
- Rotary Shaver: Operates more quietly, without causing much noise or a high-pitched sound.
- Adaptability to Facial Features:
- Foil Shaver: Ideal for those with fine facial features, good for detailed styling with straight lines.
- Rotary Shaver: Adapts well to tough facial features and contours of the head and face, making it suitable for larger areas.
If you want precision and a close shave, especially for fine facial features, go for a foil shaver. If you have tougher facial features and want a quieter option that adapts well to larger areas like the head and face, a rotary shaver is a good fit. Choose based on your hair type, styling needs, and personal preferences.
Rotary vs Foil Razor: At a Glance
| Rotary Shaver | Foil Shaver | |
| Movement | * Different direction * Circular motion | * One direction * Straight motion |
| Closeness | * Close Shave * Stubble | * Close Shave * Precision |
| Hair Type | * Thick hair * Corse hair * Dense hair | * Thin hair * Straight hair * Fine hair |
| Sound | * Lower volume * No noise | * Higher volume * Noisy |
| Contours | * Prominent facial features * Taugh contours & curves * Large areas | * Fine facial features * Small & detailed areas |
What is a Rotary Electric Shaver?
A rotary shaver usually has three or more spinning heads on the top. These heads move in circles while you're shaving, and you can move them in any direction you want.
The spinning heads are made to fit the shape of your face, head, neck, or wherever you're shaving. Because they spin, they catch all the hair, no matter which way it grows or how thick it is. This makes it easy to shave tricky areas like the jawline, ears, or Adam's apple.
Using a rotary shaver gives you a lot of freedom in how you move it. You can shave in any direction because these shavers can move in many ways.
In simple terms, rotary shavers are like blades that spin in a circle and hide inside the shaver.
These shavers work well for shaving large areas like your head, neck, and arms. If your hair is thick or grows in different directions, a rotary shaver might be a good choice for you.
If you prefer a quieter shaving experience, a rotary shaver is a good option because it doesn't make as much noise as a foil shaver.
How a Rotary Razor works?
Here's a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Rotating Blades:
- The shaving head contains three circular blades that spin around their own axis.
- Circular Motion:
- These blades move in a circular motion, usually in a counterclockwise direction.
- Hair Capture:
- As the blades rotate, they lift and capture the facial hair.
- Cutting Action:
- The captured hair is then cut by the rotating blades as they make contact with the perforated metal screens on the shaving heads.
What is a Foil Shaver?
A foil shaver is a bit different. It has blades that bounce behind a thin metal sheet, which is part of the shaver.
Now, let's talk about this metal sheet - it's called a foil. It's like a thin piece of metal with tiny holes in it. This foil is important because it covers the blades, making sure they don't touch your skin directly and keeping you safe while shaving.
The foil pulls the hair in, and then the blades cut it, giving you a close shave. With a foil shaver, you need to move it in a straight line. The blades only go in one direction, either up and down or left and right.
So, you should move the foil shaver in the opposite direction of the blades, following the way your hair grows, for the best results.
Foil shavers are great for getting a really close shave, especially when you need accuracy and precision. If your skin is sensitive, a foil shaver might be a good choice for you.
These shavers work well for thinner and fine hair, and they're excellent for shaving your face. They're also good for shaping sideburns and styling your facial hair.
How a Foil Razor works?
Here's a simple explanation of how it works:
- Foil Covering: The shaver has a thin, perforated metal foil covering its cutting blades. The foil has many tiny holes that allow hair to enter.
- Oscillating Blades: Under the foil, there are oscillating blades that move back and forth rapidly. These blades are positioned in a straight line.
- Hair Capture: As you move the foil electric shaver over your skin, the hair enters the tiny holes in the foil, and the oscillating blades behind the foil cut the hair.
- Smooth Shaving: The foil design helps to lift the hair before it's cut, ensuring a close and smooth shave. The straight-line arrangement of blades is effective for precision shaving.
WHEN TO CHOOSE ROTARY SHAVER
- You have a coarse, dense hair
- Your hair grows faster and thicker
- Your hair grows in different directions
- You prefer a stubble along with a clean shave
- You prefer freedom of movement while shaving
- You prefer a quiet shaving
- You have taugh facial features
- You want to shave larger areas
- You want faster shaving experience
- Your primary purpose is to shave your head
WHEN TO CHOOSE FOIL SHAVER
- You have thin, fine hair
- Your hair grows in one direction
- You prefer precision and smoothness
- You have fine facial features
- You have a sensitive skin
- You want to shave smaller areas
- You want to shave with straight lines
- You are not disturbed by noise
- Your primary purpose is to shave your face
Now, here is why I prefer foil shaver over rotary shaver
In order for a rotary shaver to result to a close shave, you need to repeatedly exert a circular motion against your skin so you get an even, close shave.
You have to remember that rotary shavers are comprised of three little circular blades on a head so a one-pass stroke is impossible to result to a neat shave.
Foil shavers on the other hand, just sticks to the basic shaving procedure. All you need is to make a simple, one-direction pass on your beard or stubble, and this is it. Add a good strong motor to run the foil blades and the possibility of a one-pass stroke for a close shave is even possible.
Foil shavers just throw all the unnecessary hoopla about head designs (and forget that lame robot kisses from rotary shavers since this is just a marketing description, nothing more).
It retains and true to the form of basic and most important factor that can mimic the efficiency of a manual razor: a straight, no frills, a la lawn-mower head design. And this is one of the reasons why foil shavers make for a more efficient and easy to use shavers compared to rotary.
Given this fact about a rotary shaver need’s for repetitive circular motion strokes on your skin versus foil shaver’s closeness (pun intended) to a one-pass close shave, your skin is more protected and safe with the latter.
Your skin is saved from being overly-beaten by repetitious strokes if you choose a rotary shaver instead.
Foil Shaver vs Rotary Shaver Product Reviews
Remington F5-5800 Foil Shaver Review:
- PIVOT AND FLEX FOIL TECHNOLOGY: This Remington electric shaver stays close to skin and flexes around the contours of you face for smooth results making this shaver one of the ideal mens electric razors for shaving face.
- RECHARGEABLE BATTERY: These shavers for men allow you 60 minutes of cordless runtime. In order to clean the external surfaces of the shaver, use a damp cloth
- POPUP DETAIL TRIMMER: Finishing touches on your facial hair and sideburns help you create your perfect look with these foil shavers for men. Do not use strong detergents or other chemicals.
- INTERCEPT SHAVING TECHNOLOGY: This advanced feature on these electric shavers for men sits between the foils to pre-trim longer hairs. A closer shave with a flawless shaver.
- EASY TO CLEAN BEARD AND HAIR SHAVER: Washable face shaver for men right under the faucet keeping the product clean and ready for your next shave; Charging time 2 hours; Voltage: Worldwide
You should decide what shaver you buy. But I think you get most of the opportunity from the Remington F5-5800. You should compare it with other shavers available in the market.
Remington F5-5800 Shaver has an Intercept Shaving Technology and foils shaving system. There are 3 stages of the cutting operation in it. You can cut your long hair with the pop-up trimmer. Then you use the foils for a close shave. There is a rechargeable Li-Chad battery that gives you a 60 minutes shaving capacity.
You get 7 days tension-free shave when you are in travel. You can use it corded or cordless. If you forget to charge, then charge it only for 5 minutes and get a perfect shave quickly.
It takes 2 hours only to get a full charge. This Remington F5-5800 Shaver is not waterproof, but it rinses under running water. So, you can clean it very easily.
Remington F5-5800 Foil Shaver Standout features:
- Intercept Shaving Technology Pre trims longer hairs
- Pivot and Flex Foil Technology Stays close to the skin for smooth results.
- Pop up Detail Trimmer For finishing touches on your facial hair and sideburns
- 60 minutes of cordless runtime
- Easy to Clean & washable
- LED indicator
Product details
- Number of shaving elements: 3
- Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 5 x 9.1 inches;
- Product Weight: 1 pound
- Trimming function: yes
- Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required.
- Blade type: Surgical Stainless Steel
- Power source: Cordless/Corded
- Run time: 60 minutes
- Warranty: 2 years
What we liked
- Affordable price
- Intercept Shaving Technology
- Easy to use and clean
- Excellent flexibility
- Cordless and corded use
- Flex and pivot system
- LED indicator
- Pop up trimmer
- 60 minutes cordless use
What didn't like
Best Foil Shavers Comparison
SweetLF 3D IPX7 Electric Rotary Shaver Review:
- 【TWO YEARS MAINTENANCE】-We promise a 2-year Maintenance on the electric shaver. During this period, feel free to use it. If you have any problems, contact us for a free replacement
- 【QUIET HIGH SPEED MOTOR】 –The 9000rpm high-speed motor in this electric razor for men is not only efficient and quiet but also ensures a smooth shaving experience
- 【A SMOOTH AND CLOSE SHAVE】- With 3-direction floating heads, this 3D rotary electric shaver automatically adapts to the contours of your face, neck, and jaw, providing a comfortable and close shave every time
- 【USB C QUICK-CHARGING】- Enjoy up to 120 minutes of shaving time (about 30 full shaves) on a single 1-hour charge with this men’s electric shaver. It is compatible with standard 5V USB power adapters and includes a Type-C power cable, making it convenient for both daily use and travel
- 【WET AND DRY & 100% WATERPROOF】 – The IPX7 waterproof body allows this electric shaver for men to be used wet or dry, even in the shower. It works well with shaving foam or gel for a better, closer shave
The SweetLF IPX7 Electric Shaver is one of the best rotary electric shaver, loved for its versatility. It is a 3 in 1 multi-functional shaver for shaving the beard, sideburns and also comes with a nose trimmer.
It is for both wet and dry shaving so you can use it in the shower or anywhere else anytime you like.
It features an upgraded double blade technique with very sharp razors. They ensure a fast, close and comfortable shave for it will not pull and tug at your hairs to cause irritation. Since it is waterproof, it is 100% washable, making cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
This 3D rotary shaver conforms perfectly to the contours of your face and neck, minimizing pressure and ensuring comfort as you shave.
It has a chargeable lithium battery with an LED charge indicator that also shows you the battery capacity. It has a one-key lock function. If you press the switch button for 3 seconds, the razor will stop and lock. This feature helps save power and protect children.
What we liked
- LCD display
- One-key lock function
- 3 in 1 multi-functional electric shaver
- For both wet and dry use
- Waterproof hence 100% washable
- Follows the contours of your face
- Double blade technique
What didn't like
- Does not come with a charging stand
- Heads do not swivel
Best Rotary Shavers Comparison
Finally, which one you choose from Rotary or Foil shaver?
I hope this guide has helped answer your questions! Getting a good electric razor is like making a smart, long-term choice. If you choose well, it could be with you for a really long time, maybe even a lifetime.
Now, when it comes to picking between Foil and Rotary Shavers, it's like a battle, and everyone's different. We all have our own preferences and needs, so there's no one-size-fits-all electric razor. This decision is important, so take your time and do a bunch of research before deciding.
In the end, what matters most is what you really want. Whether you're after the smoothest shave or just something easy and practical, there's a razor out there that's perfect for you. So, think about what's important to you, and that will lead you to the right choice.
Hey. I’m Bradley, the founder and editor of Trimmereo. I independently buy and test trimmers; electric shavers and I’ve been sharing my findings on this site for more than 8 years, hopefully helping others choose the right shaver.
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