SUBSCRIPTIONS
WORTH IT?
A plain-English way to work out the real cost of cartridges, so you can judge any deal, including this year’s Black Friday offers.
Short answer: a razor subscription is worth it if you shave most weeks, stick to one cartridge type and would rather not run out or stretch blades. It is not worth it if you shave rarely or like to switch brands. Judge any offer by price per cartridge and how easily you can cancel, not by the headline discount.
Razor subscriptions promise convenience, but whether they save money depends on how often you shave and what you compare them with. This guide shows you how to work out the real cost yourself, so you can test any offer, including Black Friday deals on 27 November 2026.
What is a razor subscription?
A razor subscription sends replacement cartridges to your door on a schedule you choose. With SmartShave you pick a razor, pick how often you want deliveries, and can change, delay or cancel for free at any time. The starter kit is £9.99 for a handle and one cartridge. The monthly plan is £24.99 for a handle and four cartridges. UK delivery is free.
How to work out the real cost
If you change your cartridge about once a week, you need roughly 52 a year. If you change it fortnightly, roughly 26. See how often to change your blade.
Action: Write down your realistic number, not the optimistic one.Divide the pack price by the number of cartridges in it. Compare like with like: the same number of blades and a handle you will actually use.
Action: Price per cartridge is the only number that matters.A cheap handle with expensive refills costs more over a year. Add any delivery charge to the total.
Action: Total the year, not the first order.Look for free cancellation and the option to pause or delay before you pay.
Action: If it is hard to cancel, skip it.Shop-bought cartridges vs a subscription
| What to compare | Buying in shops | Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Price per cartridge | Varies by pack size and offers | Fixed by your plan |
| Running out | Easy to forget until it happens | Arrives on your schedule |
| Flexibility | Buy exactly what you need | Change, delay or cancel (check the terms) |
| Delivery | A trip to the shop | Free UK delivery with SmartShave |
| Stretching blades | Common when you run out | Less likely with regular delivery |
Who should subscribe, and who should not
✓ Worth it if
- You shave most weeks with one cartridge type
- You forget to replace blades
- You prefer delivery to a shop trip
- You want to pause when you are away
✗ Skip it if
- You shave once a fortnight or less
- You like switching brands often
- You already stock up on cartridge offers
- You use a safety razor (see cartridge vs safety razor)
What to check in a Black Friday razor deal
- Price per cartridge after the discount
- Whether the discount applies to the first order only
- Whether the handle is included
- Delivery charges
- How to cancel, and whether it is free
For more on getting value from every blade, read make your blades last longer and a better shave for less.
- Premium handle with a quality rubber grip
- Pivoting action head
- Strip with vitamin E and aloe
- Free UK delivery
What customers say
“Excellent product, handle has a real weighty and quality feel”
“The quality is fantastic and more importantly a comfortable shave with no irritation”
“Such a smooth shave, will definitely be getting more”
Rated 4.5/5 from 15 reviews. Read them all on Trustpilot.
Frequently asked questions
They can be, if you shave most weeks and use one cartridge type. Work out the price per cartridge, add the handle and delivery, and check you can cancel for free.
About once a week for most people, sooner if it tugs or feels dull. See our guide to changing your blade.
Choose your razor, choose how often you want deliveries, and change, delay or cancel at any time for free. The starter kit is £9.99 and the monthly plan is £24.99.
With SmartShave, yes. Always check the cancellation terms of any subscription before you pay.
Only if the deal beats your current price per cartridge and the cancellation terms are fair. A big headline discount on an expensive cartridge can still cost more.
A subscription is worth it when it fits how you really shave. Do the three-minute sum first, and any deal becomes easy to judge.