How Much Do Gillette Fusion Blades Cost Per Year?
The real annual cost depends on how often you replace cartridges and which pack size you buy.
A pack price only tells part of the story. To estimate what Gillette Fusion5 blades cost over a year, you need to know how many cartridges you use and the price you pay per refill. Buying a larger pack can lower the cost per cartridge, but it does not change how many blades you personally use.
The examples below use prices displayed on Gillette UK’s website when checked: £14.99 for a four-pack of Fusion5 Power blades and £35 for a 16-pack of Fusion5 blades. These are different listings, so treat them as illustrative price scenarios rather than identical products.
Current example prices
| Pack listing | Pack price | Cost per cartridge |
|---|---|---|
| Fusion5 Power 4-pack | £14.99 | £3.75 |
| Fusion5 16-pack | £35.00 | £2.19 |
What could you spend in a year?
The table estimates the equivalent cost if you replace a cartridge at the stated interval and can buy at the displayed unit price. Actual checkout spending depends on pack sizes, promotions and how many unused cartridges remain at year end.
| Replacement frequency | Cartridges per year | At £3.75 each | At £2.19 each |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every week | 52 | £194.87 | £113.75 |
| Every 2 weeks | 26 | £97.44 | £56.88 |
| Every 4 weeks | 13 | £48.72 | £28.44 |
The weekly scenario uses 52 cartridges. At the 16-pack price, you would need to buy four packs to have enough cartridges for the year: that is £140 upfront for 64 cartridges, with 12 left over. The table’s £113.75 is the cost allocated to 52 cartridges at the per-cartridge rate, not the exact checkout total.
Why your own usage matters
Some people shave daily, while others shave a few times a week or use a cartridge for longer. Hair thickness, shaving area, technique and personal comfort all affect when a cartridge needs replacing. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance and replace a blade when it no longer gives you a comfortable shave; do not stretch its life just to hit a cost target.
How does SmartShave fit into the comparison?
SmartShave currently lists £9.99 starter kits and a £24.99 monthly SELECT option with four replacement cartridges. Twelve months at £24.99 would total £299.88, before considering any initial starter-kit offer or changes to plan terms. That is a different delivery model from buying a large pack of Fusion refills, so it should not be described as automatically cheaper.
A simple annual razor cost calculator
Use this method with the prices you actually pay:
- Estimate how many cartridges you use in 12 months.
- Divide each pack price by the number of cartridges in that pack.
- Multiply your cost per cartridge by your annual use.
- For a subscription, multiply the recurring charge by the number of billing periods and count the cartridges included.
- Add delivery and handle costs, and account for unused cartridges left at the end.
Ways to keep your shaving budget under control
- Compare larger and smaller refill packs, but avoid overbuying.
- Check whether a subscription can be paused or adjusted if your usage changes.
- Do not replace blades on a rigid schedule if your own comfort and the manufacturer’s guidance indicate otherwise.
- Compare the total annual cost rather than focusing on a first-order discount.
Compare SmartShave starter kits
See the current 3-blade and 5-blade starter kits and decide whether monthly SELECT delivery suits your shaving routine.
Explore SmartShave razorsFrequently asked questions
How much is a Gillette Fusion5 16-pack?
Gillette UK’s page displayed £35 when checked. Prices and promotions can change.
How many Fusion blades do I need per year?
It depends on how often you replace a cartridge. For example, weekly replacement would mean 52 cartridges, while every four weeks would mean about 13.
Is a monthly razor subscription cheaper?
Not automatically. Compare its annual total and cartridge quantity with the packs you would otherwise buy.