The Best Razors for Women of 2023

Like others on this list, the Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Skin razor slid across my legs, removing all hair in its path in a pass or two. Like every other razor with a removable cartridge, this has a flexible head that makes it possible to hold the handle perpendicular to the legs while still keeping the five blades against the leg. This was helpful in curved areas, like the back of my knee.

Where this differs is its handle design. While most handles have a curve that slopes downward to the razor head, this slopes down and then lifts up right before the razor head, making the blades on the same plane as the highest part of the handle. This is a small detail, but it gave me pause when using the razor because it felt different in my hand than others on this list. To push to the top of this list, this razor would need to feel more natural to hold and have a sturdier build. Still, I got a good shave and wouldn’t hesitate to wield this again.

You can snag this in a package with one handle and two cartridges. Refills come in packs with four cartridges. It comes with a holder that suctions to the wall, but it was ineffective, as the device kept falling.

The Gillette Venus Smooth is one of three razors on this list that contains three blades. The fewer blades didn’t hinder my experience at all, but the razor’s smaller head did. Though the actual blades appear to be the same size as the ones on other razors on this list, the surface area of the head made me feel like I had less control while shaving. The surrounding plastic also didn't seem to have as much lubrication as others on this list. The result was a mild scraping sensation that didn’t hurt or leave irritation but also didn’t feel as great against the skin as other razors.

That said, if you prefer a smaller head for more precision work, such as along a bikini line, you may enjoy this, as it’s easier to get into curved areas. You can find this razor in a pack with two cartridges and refill with an eight-count package of blades.

Though it falls further down this list, the Billie razor is a top-notch choice both as a standalone razor and as a razor subscription service. Like others, its five blades effectively remove hair in one pass, though it may take a few passes in curved areas, such as around the knees or ankles. The results are a clean, smooth shave that’s easy to achieve if you don’t mind working more slowly in trickier spots. Its lubricated cartridges help to achieve that silky-skin effect. The handle is comfortable to hold but not the highest quality, which is where it falls short compared to the Athena Club subscription razor.

The service costs the same as Athena and has a similar pricing model. Your first shipment includes the razor handle, two cartridges, and a mount that magnetizes to the razor and sticks to the wall. From there, you receive four replacement cartridges per shipment, with delivery frequency (and recurring charges) based on how often you say you shave.

The Gillette Mach3 Turbo is our Best Overall men’s disposable razors because it provides a close, clean shave for facial hair. After using this on my legs, I can see why it earned those accolades. It has a small, three-blade head, similar to the Gillette Venus Smooth, that allows you to work effectively in hard-to-reach or curved areas, like around the jawline or, in my case, around the knees. It skates well across the skin without tugging or scraping and offered me the aforementioned clean shave.

This is a great option for a razor and only fell further down this list because its basic model doesn’t stand out amongst the crowd—and because of my own preferences (like a larger head). You can find the handle in a pack with two cartridges and purchase a five-count of cartridges for refills.

The Bic Soleil razors are the only non-refillable option we tested. The cartridge housing the three blades has no flexibility, as it’s cemented to the handle in one position. These feel cheap, but get the job done in a few passes. The small head makes it easier to maneuver the razor in curved areas, but it isn’t as effective at removing hair in these spots as others on this list. In a pinch, these disposables work fine, but you have to take your time and use plenty of soap or shaving cream to avoid missing hair or causing uncomfortable friction on the skin.

The one we tested came in a pack of eight razors, though other sized sets are available.