When it comes to shaving, we all have to deal with the same, seemingly unavoidable choice—either shell out a small fortune for a snazzy looking handle and blades that come in a flashy box, or buy those disposable plastic blades that, if you’re lucky, will get you through one shave.
Shave clubs claim to offer a better way, so we decided to find out which of them actually did.
The three big online clubs are Gillette, Harry’s, and Dollar Shave Club. All three offer a similar value proposition—choose a razor, pick a monthly plan, and get everything delivered to your door. If you’re wondering which club will get you the best shave for the best price and the least hassle, there are a few things you should know.
Gillette
There is no denying that Gillette has been impactful when it comes to blades. The Gillette Fusion is the #1 selling brand of razor in the US.They are also the newest addition to the shave club game, having launched in early 2017. I was a bit disappointed not in the quality of the shave (Gillette is still among the top options for quality) but in their prices.
The company offers 3 different plans and razors. I decided to go the middle of the road route and try the Mach 3, which comes with a razor handle, a set of five blade refills, and a can of foaming gel. Before shipping, the price was $23.95. It was barely any savings! The real benefit to Gillette’s club is convenience. You can get the same high-quality razors you buy at the store, but shipped directly to your doorstep each month. Quick, and hassle free, but not the most budget-friendly choice.
Harry’s
Harry’s is one of the better-known players, having built up a respected brand over the past few years. They’re set apart because they actually purchased a German blade factory so that they are in full control over production and quality.
When I received my shipment (a free trial consisting of a handle, razor and their shave foam), I was eager to give them a try. I tried shaving with the foam, without the foam, with a different brand of foam, and no matter what I tried, I was really disappointed. The handle felt like a disposable and the shave just wasn’t what I hoped for.
Though definitely cheaper than Gillette (the cost of each shipment still comes out to $15 for just the blades), it did not feel like a steal due to the quality concerns.
Dollar Shave Club
DSC was the pretty clear winner. They welcome you to their site with their Youtube-famous intro video, which went viral a few years back (definitely worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet!). Their “Humble Twin” two blade razor is exactly that. You get the handle and 5 refills every month for $3. For just 6 bucks more per month though, you can get the 6-blade Executive model. Better still; the starter pack for this model includes the hefty metal handle with a blade, a trial size of Dr. Carver’s Shaving Butter, Disappearing Post Shave Dew, and Mandatory Prep Scrub.
As for the shave? The quality was easily on par with Gillette’s, and with a significantly lower price tag, the winner was a no-brainer. The trial shave products were high quality and a great addition to the starter pack, the easy grip handle doesn’t feel like it will break easily and the convenience is key.
If you want to save some money, get a great shave, and never make those late-night trips to Walgreens ever again, I highly recommend you check out Dollar Shave Club. You’ll be glad you did!