I dislike shaving and a major part of that is the cost of buying razors.
Fortunately, monthly subscriptions to shave clubs have become a popular alternative to the more expensive razors you find in grocery stores and pharmacies.
But which razor subscription services are the best? And which one works for your needs? Use our list of top mail order razors to help you decide.
Best Subscription Shave Clubs
To compare these razors we looked at manufacturing and price to get started with a five or six blade razor. Each of these options provides a quality product, the question is which one fits your needs best.
Dollar Shave Club
Probably the most famous name on this list because of their catch name and great advertising. They used to repackage Dorco razors until they were bought out by Unilever and now they are much quieter about who makes their razors.
- Cost to start – $5 (one handle, two cartridges, and shave butter)
- Subscription cost – $7-$10 (only 4 blades in pack)
- Dollar Shave Club review>>
- Try Dollar Shave Club>>
Harry’s
Founded in New York City, Harry’s is known for high quality blades and a low cost to try out the service. They have great quality control because they purchased the factory in Germany where all their razors are made.
- Cost to start $8 (one handle, cartridge, and creme)
- Subscription cost – $15-$35
- Harry’s Razors review
- Try Harry’s Razors>>
Flamingo
Flamingo is the female specific shaving subscription that was born out of the success of Harry’s.
- Cost to start $16 (one handle, two blades, shave gel, lotion, and pouch)
- Subscription cost – $2 per cartridge
- Flamingo Razors review
Dorco USA
One of the most popular razor in Korea, Dorco set up USA distribution in 2008. Dorco has a wide variety of products and a great handle system that will work with any size blade cartridge.
This means you could start with a $4 two blade system and then later buy the more expensive cartridges and not have to purchase a new handle
- Cost to start – $6.25 (one handle and two cartridges)
- Subscription cost – $8.65-$37.50
- Dorco USA review>>
- Try Dorco USA>>
Gillette On Demand
The only company on this list to offer a subscription for disposable razors, Gillete on Demand provides a competitive subscription service for the biggest name in razors.
- Cost to start – $17 (one handle and four cartridges)
- Subscription cost – $7-$44
- Gillette on Demand review>>
- Try Gillete on Demand Shave Club>>
The Art of Shaving
We included this one because it is really interesting. Their handles work with standard Gillette cartridges and they really aren’t winning on price for those cartridges.
What they are is a high end shaving experience with premium handles and shaving products. While you can treat them like a subscription, they are really pitching a super high end shaving experience.
Billie
Catering solely to women, Billie brings a unique experience that is an affordable option for a woman’s shaving needs.
- Cost to start – $9 (one handle, two cartridges, and a magnetic holder)
- Subscription cost – $9 (4 cartridges)
- Billie Shave Club Review
- Try Billie Shave Club>>
ShaveMob
Shavemob takes a middle of the road approach where you can buy razors without a subscription or you can get them at a cheaper price by subscribing.
- Cost to start – $5.50
- Subscription cost – $5.50 (2 cartridges)
- ShaveMob review
Brickell
Brickell products are designed to meet the grooming and shaving needs of African Americans.
- Cost to start – Free starter kit
- Subscription cost – Varies
- Brickell review
Birchbox
Birchbox focus on a wide variety of health products, including a large number of grooming products.
- Cost to start – $10
- Subscription cost – $10 per month
- Birchbox review
Other Shaving Subscriptions
How do Shave Clubs Work?
Monthly clubs allow you to purchase replacement cartridges without having to even think about going to the store.
They work by allowing you to choose your number of blades and how many cartridges you need over a given period of time (frequently monthly) and then charging your credit card for each set shipped to you.
Since razor cartridges are so light and cheap to ship, almost all of them have gotten in on the free shipping trend that makes it easier for people to know exactly what they are spending on their shaving needs.
Why Did These Clubs Get Started?
In the past the only way to get razors was to go down to the store and purchase them. This led to consolidation of the different companies and we ended up with two major players, Gillette and Schick.
With only two competitors in the market, we got a big increase in prices for a product that isn’t that expensive to make. Once the Internet made advertising more affordable, monthly shave clubs popped up undercutting the store prices.
In the United Sates alone the market for razor blades is $2.7 billion dollars. This left a lot of room for small companies to make a great profit quickly even with lower prices that allow the consumer to save money.
Finding the Right Razor Subscription for You
As I have researched the different options several people have asked me, “Which one is the best shave club?” And, like most decisions in personal finance, the answer is, “It depends.”
Do you just want a down and dirty cheap option for razors? Then Gillette is your best option.
Do you want to look like your razor was forged in a special mold reserved for tribal chieftains and world leaders? Then The Art of Shaving is going to make you proud.
The answer to which razor subscription is right for you is going to come down to types of razors you want, how many you need, and whether you end up with a personal preference to how each one shaves.
This is what I love about the current business model of most of these razors, they have a super cheap kit to get you started.
You can try each of the price competitor above for less than $50. Remember that we specifically targeted the five or six blade option for each club. Some of them you could choose a smaller number of blades on the trail and pay even less.
So I would try a couple that you think work best for you, see which one works best for your shave, and cancel the one that doesn’t meet your needs.
Shave Club Alternatives
Shaving subscriptions are a great way to get your razors, but they are not for everyone. These are some alternatives to the monthly clubs.
Get Razors at the Store
The great thing about the razor subscription boxes is that they have put extreme downward pressure on the price of razors. This means the price of razors in the stores have gone way down.
You can even purchase Harry’s razors at Target.
Get Free Samples
Nothing pulls me in to trying a product like a free sample. What is great for the razor cartridge companies is that by giving you a free sample you are probably more likely to purchase replacement cartridges.
there is frequently a free razor sample on FreeFlys.com. This is one of the many sites that send you free samples by mail.
Grow a Beard
Growing a beard has cut way down on my shaving needs. I keep my beard trim so I only need to shave my neck and the scruffy looking hairs that come up on my cheeks.
Since there is a good amount of hair on my face, the hair on my throat doesn’t look that long until about day three. So shaving is really only a twice a week adventure for me.
This means a lot smaller need when it comes to buying razors.
Monthly Saving Clubs Bottom Line
With any type of subscription service the most important thing is that you continue to use the product at the same rate you are getting them.
So whether it is razors or meal kit delivery, make sure you are receiving your product at the right price and in the right time interval for your needs.
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