7 On Your Side: Consumer Reports test razors sold through shave clubs

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

7 On Your Side: For many men, if you need a razor, you go to the store. But, that's changing. Now there are online shaving clubs that deliver discounted razors right to your door. Are they any good?

For many men, if you need a razor, you go to the store. But, that's changing. Now there are online shaving clubs that deliver discounted razors right to your door. Are they any good?

7 On Your Side's Michael Finney partnered up with Consumer Reports on the revolution in razors.

From broad strokes on the face, to shaving the entire head, to sideburns, to that sensitive spot under the nose, a team of Consumer Reports staffers checked out four razors sold through shave clubs.

"Our staffers used each of the brands at home for eight days and then answered questions on comfort and quality of shave," explained Ellen Kunes, Consumer Reports Chief Health Ediotr.

The testers also came in on days one and eight for a post-shave evaluation - comparing the feel of the skin to different kinds of sandpaper - by Consumer Reports' trained sensory panelists.

Dollar Shave Club's Humble Twin Blade was the least favorite for face comfort and ease of handling, but did well on closeness of shave. At 60 cents per cartridge, including shipping, it's also the least expensive. But for most of the testers, that's not enough of an enticement.

"Price is somewhat important, but to me overall, the shave is the most important," said one.

Two other razors - Harry's Truman at a $1.88 per cartridge and the Dollar Shave's Executive at $2.25, were a little better for comfort and handling. Both have free shipping.

The Gillette Fusion Proshield was voted the favorite. The seven men who tried it said it gave a slightly closer shave than the other blades.

"It's a really nice blade. So, I liked it," said one.

However, at well over $5 per cartridge including shipping, the Gillette is by far the most expensive.

"The pricey Gillette Fusion Proshield is the only one you can find in stores. But you get a slightly better deal if you buy it online through the club," said Kunes.

Once you join the club, the cartridges arrive automatically. You set the schedule and they're charged to your credit card. You may cancel the subscription at any time, but it might take some searching on the website to figure out how to do it.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.