There’s a gray area between a full beard and a clean shave, and women go crazy over men who can pull off that edgy, masculine look of well-trimmed heavy stubble.
A study by the Journal of Evolutionary Biology has shown that men’s long-term attractiveness to women is influenced by their facial hair. Men with heavy stubble were rated highest in attractiveness by the study’s participants.
To get a great shave that will put your stubble on the level of Bradley Cooper or Chris Hemsworth, you need a quality electric shaver that can cut coarse hair quickly, cleanly, and consistently, all while being convenient for you to use.
Just so you know, this post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through links on this page, The Beard Brotherz may collect a share of the sale or other compensation. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
THE BEST STYLES FOR HEAVY STUBBLE
THE TIMELESS HEAVY STUBBLE
This sleek look has been around for centuries. With maintenance being very easy, it’s no surprise that many adopt this style. All that is required is for you to allow hair to grow on the chin, cheeks, and mustache.
THE STUBBLE GOATEE
This style looks great with thick hair, but looks even better with stubble. Just a normal goatee cut down to stubble, this style looks great for added masculinity and style whilst not looking as overbearing as the full goatee.
This is an easy style to get, just wait a few days for the heavy stubble to appear and constantly trim the goatee and shave the cheeks for the perfect look.
Related: Goatee Vs Beard: Which Is The Right Choice For You
MUSTACHE AND HEAVY STUBBLE COMBO
This unique style is definitely suited to individuals that want to stand out. Firstly, you need to grow your mustache out to a considerable length, which is similar to a short beard length.
Next, let the rest of your facial hair grow to the heavy stubble length. Your mustache will catch everyone’s attention while the rest of your facial hair provides a backdrop.
Expect constant upkeep with this style due to keeping the dimensions in proportion. In other words, if you’re looking for an easy to take care style this may not be the one for you.
THE ELONGATED STUBBLE GOATEE
This style is great for giving off that rugged look that women love. With a longer goatee and heavy stubble around the cheek area, this style looks great on all face shapes, giving you a sharper and more refined look especially for your cheeks and jawline.
HEAVY STUBBLE GOATEE WITH CHINSTRAP
Want to define your jawline better? Then a chinstrap is a good way to go. With a heavy stubble goatee and chinstrap, you can hit all the key areas on your face while preventing it from taking over. Make sure to regularly shave your cheeks to continue the style correctly, while trimming down all facial hair for that heavy stubble length.
SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE SEXY HEAVY STUBBLE LOOK
You can’t mow grass unless it’s long enough. The first thing you need to do is to grow your beard out for at least 10 days. This gives your shaver a good level to work with.
Trim the beard with the longest guard setting on your trimmer. It’s like cooking steak: No going back if you go too far! If you cut it too short, you’ll have to regrow it and start all over again.
10 days is suggested as your facial hair will most likely grow at different speeds all across your face. Once it is long enough to trim, you can gradually cut it down until you’ve found the perfect length to complement your face.
WHAT YOU WANT FROM A GREAT SHAVER
SHARPNESS
Do you know what sucks the most about electric shaving? Having the hairs plucked right out of your chin instead of being cut! It hurts and you may have bare spots ruining your perfect shave. Our recommendations will feature high-quality blades that are easily replaceable.
POWER
The best heavy stubble looks will come from coarse, dense hair. That means your shaver needs to be powerful enough to chop those thick, hairy areas of your face consistently over time.
Lighter hair will be okay with weaker motors, but in general, high budget shavers will feature high power motors best for thicker, longer beard hair.
CONVENIENCE
The worst part of shaving? You have to do it regularly to maintain the best look.
Getting a shaver that’s convenient to hold and comfortable to use means you focus less on making the shaver work and more on looking good.
WET/DRY OPERATION
This is especially important for men with sensitive skin, or anyone who likes using creams or gels for a smoother, more comfortable shaving experience.
You can go dry, wet, or both; pick the shaver that follows your daily regimen. Most modern shavers come with both wet and dry settings, but you may find savings in picking one or the other.
OPTIONS
You need a shaver that fits your usage. Do you need a trimmer for longer beards? Something for a smooth shave to get that fresh look? Do you need something that can shave other body parts?
The best shavers will come with accessories or functions that will give you more versatility and therefore a bigger return on investment. Check all the accessories and functions that each shaver comes with to ensure you get the right shaver tailored to your usage.
EASY CLEANING
For best performance, shavers should be cleaned after every use, especially if you have thick hair. Great shavers are often waterproof and can be rinsed with some water.
Many higher-end shavers now come with cleaning stations for the convenience of pressing a button to clean, lubricate, and charge your shaver. Consider upgrading your budget if you’re the type who prefers fewer things to do.
ROTARY VS. FOIL
Do you prefer shaving in straight lines or circles? This matters more when you’re trying to get that perfectly shaped goatee or if you want perfectly straight beards, but for heavy stubble either type works great. Do note that foil shavers can give a shorter, closer shave than rotaries.
PICKING THE RIGHT SHAVER
Shaver’s are like cars: Every brand performs differently and is more suitable for certain people than others. The big thing about shavers is that you need to find the one most comfortable and suitable for YOU.
Here are some things to consider for narrowing your search:
PRICE
Because there are so many different options out there, the first thing you should decide on is how much you’re willing to spend.
Electric shavers can cost as little as $20 and go all the way beyond $300; setting a budget will help you narrow things down a lot!
FUNCTION
Some shavers will come with additional combs, accessories, and features that will give you more options when shaving.
Shaver’s can also be used for keeping a shiny head, getting perfectly straight sideburns, or maintaining well-groomed body hair. Always check the functions before buying to make sure you are getting the best shaver to suit your look.
EXTRA
Many shavers come with extra features such as travel-locks, waterproofing, and a nice LED screen that tells you everything about the shaver.
These accessories are nice to have but may bring up the price of the shaver. Look through all these features and read reviews about them before buying.
In this article, we will list out two shavers that we think are great according to their budget category. Read on below to find out what are the best shavers available for heavy stubble looks:
BUDGET-FRIENDLY SHAVERS (<$100)
PHILIPS NORELCO ONEBLADE FACE + BODY
The Norelco OneBlade is one of the best budget offerings Philips has for men looking to have great facial hair. This comes from the brand’s dedication to providing precise shaves by giving men powerful, flexible options that are easy to use and a plethora of technology in keeping the shaver working well over time.
This shaver is the #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the category of electric shavers for men. Cheap, fast, and convenient, the Norelco OneBlade is the go-to option if you’re starting on your shaving journey.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
• It doesn’t cost much. This shaver has an attractive price point for the unsure.
• The blades cut fast. At 200x cuts per second, you can see great results after just a few passes.
• Dual-sided blades. Shaping your beard is easier when you can go two ways. Also very useful for areas where hair can grow in two different directions.
• Flexibility. The shaver comes with both facial hair and body hair trimming options. The body hair attachment has a skin guard to make shaving easier on more sensitive parts of your body.
• Accessories. It also comes with multiple shaving combs which means you can easily decide on what length of stubble you’re going for.
• Convenience. This cordless shaver features a 60-minute battery (in one use) that charges in 4 hours, giving you the convenience of charging it just once every few weeks for many shaves.
• Smoothness. The wet and dry operation also means you have the choice of using creams or gels whenever you want a smoother shave.
• Blade durability. The OneBlade only needs to be changed once every 4 months if you do a full-face shave twice a week.
• Hard to get a clean, smooth shave. Doesn’t matter so much for the heavy stubble look though!
• Poor plastic durability. Some of the parts used in the shaver can break easily and will need replacing.
• Not the fastest shave. You may have to take a few passes to get the right level of shave.
REMINGTON F5-5800 FOIL SHAVER
Remington is a reliable and budget-friendly brand in the world of shavers, and this one is no different. The F5-5800 is uncomplicated and gets the job of shaving done efficiently, so if you’re in the market for something easy this model is for you.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
• Good battery life. You get 60 minutes of shaving time out of two hours of charging, and the shaver has a simple battery indicator to keep you aware of when you need to charge it.
• The head pivots a little. This provides a better shaving experience near the chin, jaw, and neck.
• Pop-up trimmer. Great for getting detailed sideburns and more clearly defined stubble.
• Easy washing. Just run the head under a tap to get the hair out!
• The foil is fragile. Users complain that the foil on this shaver is delicate and needs replacing more often than other shavers. Use less pressure when shaving to avoid this.
• Very loud. A few reviews stated that this shaver is much louder than others.
• Only dry shaves. Although the head is washable, the shaver is not meant to be used with creams or gels.
• No hair-catcher. Expect to clean up your shave trimmings when using this shaver as there is no mechanism to catch it.
PHILIPS NORELCO 2300 ROTARY SHAVER
If you’re in the market for a rotary shaver but have never used one, the Norelco 2300 is one of the cheapest rotary shavers out there. That doesn’t mean it lacks features though!
THE GOOD
• Self-sharpening blades. The Norelco 2300 features 27 blades that sharpen themselves while being used.
• Flexible heads. Philips states that their rotary heads can turn in 4 directions, which provides a more comfortable shave for other areas of the body.
• Pop-up trimmer. Use the included pop-up trimmer to shape beards and sideburns with ease.
• Can be used while plugged in. There are days when we forget to charge the shaver after use, and this makes sure you can still shave even while rushing.
THE BAD
• Not the best battery life. With only 40 minutes of shaving before having to wait 8 hours to fully charge, this model is firmly behind other competitors when comparing battery life.
• Not the fastest. The shaver takes a few passes to get close shaves.
• Simple and basic. You don’t get a battery indicator or any of the fancy LED screens compared to higher-end shavers.
• Dry only. This budget option is meant for dry shaves and is not waterproof whatsoever.
• Underpowered. This shaver is better suited for thinner hair and lighter beards. For proper heavy stubble, you should consider upgrading.
THE MIDDLE GROUND ($100-$200)
BRAUN SERIES 7
Braun is a longstanding leader in hair-shaping technology. Their best beard trimmers are the Series 5, 7, and 9, each representing an increasing level of technological sophistication, price, and function.
The Braun Series 7 has 7000cc’s of beard trimming power. With awesome features such as 360-degree cutting, fast-charging, and sonic technology, the Series 7 is said to work especially well for men looking for that stubble look.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
• 360-degree flexible head. Having the blade on a swivel mount means that it is easy to use for any kind of face shape.
• Quick-charging. Just 5-minutes of charging will give you enough juice for one full shave.
• Long-lasting. The Series 7 battery lasts for up to 3 weeks of shaving on a single 1- hour charge.
• AutoSense technology. The shaver will adapt its power levels to fit the density of your beard, which means it provides a consistent, even shave all over your face.
• 100% waterproof. You can use this shaver with creams and gels or even inside the shower!
• 4-in-1 Smart Care Center. This high-tech device that comes with the shaver will keep it charged, cleaned, and lubricated with just the press of a button.
• Flexibility. The Series 7 comes with multiple attachments, including a beard trimmer and stubble trimmer for your preferred type of shave.
• Large shaving head. Useful to cut a wider area, but the large head makes it difficult to reach narrow places like under the nose.
• Bad user manual. The instructions included in the box and online are poorly written and you may need to figure things out yourself.
• The Smart Care Center needs maintenance. Easy lubrication and cleaning comes at a cost: you need to refill it periodically to get the best performance
PANASONIC ARC5 ELECTRIC RAZOR
Coming in at just shy of $200 (with auto cleaning and charging system, $150 without), the Panasonic Arc5 is a foil-type shaver that features 5 sharp blades and a powerful motor.
Men with longer beards will enjoy using the pop-up beard trimmer to reduce the length before going for a closer stubble shave.
THE GOOD
THE GOOD
• Active Shave sensor technology. The sensors detect the different thicknesses of hair, automatically adjusting the power levels so you get consistent, even shave, every time.
• Pivoting shaver head. The multi-flex head can move side-to-side to fit the contours of your face.
• Easy cleaning. Simply washing it with water and soap is easy and cheap, and the addition of a cleaning station makes maintenance a breeze.
• Great close shaving. Several reviews report great success in shaving their heads with the Arc5.
• Big shaving head = difficulty in shaving small areas like the upper lip and sideburns.
• Poor customer support. Several reviews stated that getting replacements or troubleshooting issues was difficult and tiring.
PREMIUM OPTIONS(>$200)
BRAUN SERIES 9
The Series 9 is advertised as “The World’s Most Efficient Shaver,” and its many glowing customer reviews support that. It is said to be one of the best foil shavers out there.
This foil-type shaver is touted to be one of the gentlest on the skin and will be a perfect fit for those looking to turn their beards into sexy heavy stubble.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
• Flawless shaves in just 1 pass. The shaver has 5 different shaving elements on its head, which means it can tackle any kind of facial hair to give you the shave you want.
• Gentle on skin. 10,000 sonic vibrations a second makes this shaver glide over your skin, reducing the chance of irritation while maintaining a close shave.
• Waterproof. You can dry or wet shave with this and even use it in the shower.
• Convenient charging and cleaning. Simply stick the Series 9 into the station, push a button, and voila! It will make sure your next shave is as smooth and fast as the first.
• Long battery life. A single charge of the unit is enough for a whole month of shaving without interruptions.
• Premium cost. At $300 this is a shaver that requires a serious investment. • Only good with face shaves. Doesn’t do well on other body parts.
NORELCO SERIES 9700
The Norelco 9700 shaver is one of the company’s best rotary-type electric shavers in the market. Featuring 3 rotary blades that independently move in 8 directions, it provides fast shaves and can trim down 3-day beards in just one pass.
THE GOOD
THE BAD
• Follows your face. Philips’ Contour Detect technology allows the rotary heads the freedom to move all over your face, proving a close shave in just one pass.
• Convenience. This model is cordless and can be used for both wet and dry shaves, and comes with a SmartClean system for easy cleaning, charging, and lubrication of the shaver.
• Waterproof. You can even use it in the shower!
• Great tracking. The LED display shows you many different statistics to keep your shaver working at 100%, including indicators for battery level, cleaning, and when it’s time to replace the head.
• Fast charging. The battery takes as little as 5 minutes of charging for a full shave, or one hour for a full 60 minutes of shaving time.
• Long-life. The blades are self-sharpening so you’ll get great performance out of it for a very long time (1 year) before needing to change blades.
• Quiet. Users were often surprised that the shaver did not emit a lot of sound or vibration when in use.
• Hard to get very smooth shaves. Not an issue for heavy stubble, but this shaver may not be suitable for clean looks due to the shaver head having less flexibility.
• Cleaning system can be fiddly. The SmartClean unit that comes with this shave can produce inconsistent results.
TO SUM UP
While there are a bewildering number of shavers out there, we hope that you have learnt a lot about qualities that are important to you when taking the dive and buying one. More importantly, the shaver helps craft the style you had envisioned before starting your journey to decide on what your next look should be.
Once you have bought your first shaver, we would love you to share how you maintain the sexy heavy stubble look. Post your secrets below to help the community out!
We hope you join our bearded community and help to keep the discussion flowing.
Meet Mo Parker, the visionary founder of The Beard Brotherz. Mo's passion for redefining modern masculinity led him to create a platform that celebrates the diverse interests and journeys of men today. With a commitment to authenticity and inclusivity, Mo's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication shine through every facet of The Beard Brotherz. From grooming and fashion to tech and wellness, Mo's multifaceted approach mirrors the platform's essence, offering a welcoming community for all to embrace their unique paths in the modern world of manhood.
