SAFETY RAZOR
Cartridge, safety, disposable or electric? A plain-English guide to the razor that suits your skin, your routine and your budget.
Choosing a razor shouldn’t feel like a chemistry exam, but most men end up with whatever was on the shelf. The right razor depends on three things: how sensitive your skin is, how much time you want to spend, and what you’ll pay over a year, not just on day one.
This guide compares the main types side by side. We make cartridge razors, so we’re not neutral, but we’ve tried to be fair about where each type does well. For more detail on each type, see our guide to types of razors.
The Four Types at a Glance
A multi-blade head in a replaceable cartridge, with guard bars and a lubricating strip. Quick, forgiving and easy to learn. The ongoing cost is replacement cartridges.
A reusable metal handle that takes a single double-edge blade. Blades are cheap, but there’s more technique to learn and less margin for error.
Cheap and everywhere, but you throw the whole razor away. Quality and comfort vary a lot between brands.
No blade and no water needed. Convenient and fast, but the closeness varies, and it suits some skin and hair types better than others.
What a Pivoting Head Actually Does
Most good cartridge razors have a head that pivots. Instead of staying at a fixed angle, the head tilts to follow the curve of your jaw, chin and neck, so the blades stay in contact without you pressing harder. That matters, because too much pressure is one of the most common causes of razor burn. Every SmartShave razor has a pivoting action head.
Cartridge vs Safety Razor: the Honest Comparison
| Cartridge | Safety razor | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Easy. Most people are comfortable within a few shaves. | Takes practice to get the angle and pressure right. |
| Forgiveness | Guard bars and a pivoting head help prevent nicks. | A bare blade edge means more risk of nicks while you learn. |
| Speed | Quick, even when you’re in a rush. | Slower, especially at first. |
| Upfront cost | Low. Our starter kit is £9.99. | A good handle costs more upfront. |
| Ongoing cost | Replacement cartridges. | Replacement blades are cheap. |
| Waste | Used cartridges are plastic and metal. | Less plastic, but used blades need careful disposal. |
Which Razor Suits You?
You’re new to shaving, shave most mornings, or want a quick, comfortable shave without thinking about angle and technique. A pivoting head and a lubricating strip do a lot of the work for you.
Action: Pick 3 blades for simple, or 5 for more blades per pass.You like a slower, more hands-on shave, don’t mind a learning curve, and want cheap blades over the long run. Expect a few nicks while you learn.
Action: Practise on a weekend, not before a meeting.You’d rather skip cream and water completely, or your skin reacts badly to blades. Closeness varies, so be prepared to try a few models.
Action: Give it a few weeks, because skin adapts.Fine for a trip or a one-off, but the quality is inconsistent and each one is thrown away after a few shaves.
Action: Keep one in your bag, not your bathroom.
- Premium handle with a quality rubber grip
- Pivoting action head
- Strip with vitamin E and aloe
- Free UK delivery
3 Blades or 5?
Both SmartShave options share the same pivoting action head, quality rubber grip and strip with vitamin E and aloe. The difference is the cartridge. Neither is better for everyone. If you’re not sure, choose the one that sounds closest to the razor you use now. Our starter kit guide walks through both.
What customers say
“Excellent product, handle has a real weighty and quality feel”
“My now razor of choice”
“Very good quality yet reasonably priced”
Rated 4.5/5 from 15 reviews. Read them all on Trustpilot.
Frequently asked questions
No razor is magic. A fresh blade, light pressure and good prep matter more than the type. Cartridges with a pivoting head are forgiving, and some people with very sensitive skin prefer electric. Our sensitive skin guide has a full routine.
They’re different trade-offs. Safety razors offer cheap blades and a traditional shave, but need more technique. Cartridges are quicker and more forgiving.
Not automatically. It depends on your hair, your skin and what feels comfortable. Both of ours have the same handle and head.
About once a week for regular shaving. See how often to change your razor blade.
Yes. You can change, delay or cancel at any time for free.
If you want a quick, comfortable shave with little to learn, a cartridge razor with a pivoting head is the easy choice. If you enjoy the ritual, a safety razor rewards practice. Whichever you pick, keep the blade fresh.