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The 10 Best Safety Razors as of July 2026

Updated 2 July 2026 · Reviewed by the Pickarank team · Prices in GBP, subject to change

We compared the best safety razors you can buy in 2026, scoring each out of 10 on performance, value, build quality and features. Here are the ten worth your money — with an at-a-glance table and the current best prices.

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Our top picks at a glance

Top pick

Mühle R89

9.0Best overall
Check price on Amazon ≈ £40
Best value

Edwin Jagger DE89

8.9Best value classic
Check price on Amazon ≈ £30
Also great

Merkur 34C HD

8.8Best heavy-duty
Check price on Amazon ≈ £40

Prices were correct at the time of writing and change often — tap through for today's price on Amazon.

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How we ranked these safety razors

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

  • Performance (35%) — how well each safety razor does its core job.
  • Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
  • Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
  • Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

We also weigh real-world owner reviews — star ratings and how many people left them — and whether each product has the features you'd expect in its class.

At a glance: top 10 compared

Swipe across to see all columns, including Amazon links →

#Safety RazorsScoreBest forTypeApprox. PriceAmazon links
1Mühle R899.0Best overallClosed comb£40View Price
2Edwin Jagger DE898.9Best value classicClosed comb£30View Price
3Merkur 34C HD8.8Best heavy-dutyClosed comb£40View Price
4Rockwell 6S8.7Best adjustableAdjustable plates£90View Price
5Henson AL13 Medium8.6Best low-irritationMachined aluminium£70View Price
6Parker 99R8.5Best butterflyButterfly (TTO)£35View Price
7Gillette Heritage Safety Razor8.4Best from a big brandClosed comb£30View Price
8Wilkinson Sword Classic8.2Best budgetButterfly (TTO)£10View Price
9Bambaw Safety Razor8.2Best eco valueClosed comb£15View Price
10Astra Razor Starter Set8.0Best starter kitClosed comb + blades£18View Price

The full ranking

1
Best overall

Mühle R89

9.0Our number one pick.

The Mühle R89 is a superbly balanced closed-comb razor with a mild-to-medium feel that suits most faces, beautifully made and forgiving for newcomers. It needs blades bought separately, but the build and shave quality are excellent.

Shave: 9.2Build: 9.2Ease: 9.0Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Smooth, forgiving shave
  • Excellent build
  • Great for beginners
Cons
  • Blades bought separately
  • Chrome shows water spots
Check price on Amazon≈ £40
2
Best value classic

Edwin Jagger DE89

8.9A superb runner-up.

The Edwin Jagger DE89 shares the same excellent head as pricier razors at a lower price, giving a close, comfortable shave with a well-weighted handle. Chrome marks with water, but the shave and value are excellent.

Shave: 9.0Build: 9.0Ease: 9.0Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Excellent shave head
  • Comfortable balance
  • Great value
Cons
  • Water-spot prone
  • Blades extra
Check price on Amazon≈ £30
3
Best heavy-duty

Merkur 34C HD

8.8Rounds out our top three.

The Merkur 34C HD is a short, hefty two-piece razor that gives excellent control for precise shaving around the jaw and neck. The short handle takes adjustment, but the control and build are excellent.

Shave: 9.0Build: 9.2Ease: 8.8Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Great control and heft
  • Robust two-piece build
  • Precise around edges
Cons
  • Short handle divides opinion
  • Blades extra
Check price on Amazon≈ £40
4
Best adjustable

Rockwell 6S

8.7A standout in the upper half.

The Rockwell 6S uses swappable base plates to set six aggression levels, letting you tune closeness to your skin from mild to keen. It is pricier and stainless, but the versatility and durability are excellent.

Shave: 9.0Build: 9.2Ease: 8.6Value: 8.4
Pros
  • Six adjustable settings
  • Durable stainless steel
  • Grows with your skill
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Plate swapping is fiddly
Check price on Amazon≈ £90
5
Best low-irritation

Henson AL13 Medium

8.6A well-rounded mid-table pick.

The Henson AL13 exposes very little blade for an exceptionally smooth, low-irritation shave that suits sensitive skin and beginners. It is a milder shave that may need extra passes, but the comfort and engineering are excellent.

Shave: 8.8Build: 9.0Ease: 9.0Value: 8.4
Pros
  • Very low irritation
  • Precision-machined build
  • Beginner-friendly
Cons
  • Milder, may need more passes
  • Blades extra
Check price on Amazon≈ £70
6
Best butterfly

Parker 99R

8.5Great value in the middle of the pack.

The Parker 99R uses a twist-to-open butterfly head for fast, easy blade changes on a long, weighty handle that gives a close shave. It is a touch aggressive for total beginners, but the convenience and value are excellent.

Shave: 8.6Build: 8.8Ease: 8.8Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Easy twist-to-open loading
  • Weighty, grippy handle
  • Close shave
Cons
  • Slightly aggressive
  • Water-spot prone
Check price on Amazon≈ £35
7
Best from a big brand

Gillette Heritage Safety Razor

8.4A dependable pick if the price is right.

Gillette's Heritage safety razor pairs a solid metal handle with a smooth closed-comb head, a reassuringly familiar route into double-edge shaving. It is unremarkable in design, but the shave and reliability are good.

Shave: 8.6Build: 8.6Ease: 8.8Value: 8.6
Pros
  • Smooth, reliable shave
  • Trusted brand
  • Good handle grip
Cons
  • Plain design
  • Blades extra
Check price on Amazon≈ £30
8
Best budget

Wilkinson Sword Classic

8.2Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

The Wilkinson Sword Classic is a widely available, ultra-cheap butterfly razor that's a low-risk way to try traditional wet shaving. Build is plasticky in parts, but for the price the value is good.

Shave: 8.2Build: 8.0Ease: 8.6Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Easy to find
  • Simple loading
Cons
  • Part-plastic build
  • Milder shave
Check price on Amazon≈ £10
9
Best eco value

Bambaw Safety Razor

8.2A budget-friendly option worth a look.

The Bambaw razor offers an affordable, low-waste double-edge shave with a choice of finishes and a bundle of blades to start. It is a milder, budget build, but the value and eco appeal are good.

Shave: 8.2Build: 8.2Ease: 8.6Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Affordable and low-waste
  • Blades included
  • Several finishes
Cons
  • Milder shave
  • Lighter build
Check price on Amazon≈ £15
10
Best starter kit

Astra Razor Starter Set

8.0Rounds out our top ten.

This starter set pairs a simple closed-comb razor with a pack of Astra blades so beginners have everything to begin, at a low price. The razor is basic, but as an all-in-one start the value is good.

Shave: 8.0Build: 8.0Ease: 8.6Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Everything to start
  • Includes quality blades
  • Cheap
Cons
  • Basic razor
  • Lighter feel
Check price on Amazon≈ £18

Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the safety razors in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Mühle R89, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Edwin Jagger DE89 and Merkur 34C HD are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best safety razors without overthinking it, the Mühle R89 is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £40

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