Is a reusable razor more cost-effective than a disposable razor over time?

Men have been shaving their faces for centuries. It's thought that Neanderthals used sharp stones to trim their facial hair, which, while not exactly shaving, indicates an early effort to manage facial hair. Over time, men's faces have become increasingly smooth and free of stubble, due in part to societal pressures for businessmen to be clean-shaven. Women, too, joined in the trend, with society pushing for smooth legs and underarms.

Some argue that the traditional straight razor remains the top choice for the closest, cleanest shave. It's arguably the most eco-friendly method and may even be the most cost-effective, though a high-quality straight razor can cost several hundred dollars. To go with it, you'll need a sharpening strap, and true enthusiasts often purchase shaving soap, a cup, and a badger-hair brush, adding to the cost. However, you can sharpen the blade, using it much longer than a typical safety razor. There are also many high-end electric shavers. While costly, they eliminate the need for disposable blades, but they do consume electricity, which raises environmental concerns.

When choosing between disposable and reusable razors, another decision awaits: do you go for the affordable disposable options or invest in the pricier reusable "shaving systems"? Some argue the shave quality is similar, while others swear that reusable razors provide a smoother experience. It mostly comes down to personal preference. Disposable razors, however, are less environmentally friendly, although some models are made from recycled plastic. In the U.S., over two billion disposable razors are purchased annually, and most of them end up in landfills [source: Eco-action.net].

If your priority isn't the environment but saving money, we have some advice for you. Keep reading to discover the financial differences between disposable and reusable razors.

Disposable vs. Reusable Razors

Razors, both disposable and reusable, come in a variety of styles. To compare which one is more economical over time, we need to make a fair comparison. Gillette offers its battery-powered, light-up, five-blade Fusion Chrome shaving system, but we can't really compare that to a double-blade disposable, especially given its $150 initial cost ($120 on sale). Gillette claims that after the initial purchase, you can get replacement blades for about one dollar per week based on "average consumption" [source: Gillette.com].

If you're truly committed to saving money, you could test a blade's limits by using it far beyond its intended lifespan. Sure, it may dull and irritate your skin, but you'd save money. And none of the big three shaving brands—Gillette, Bic, or Schick—will tell you how many shaves you can expect from any of their razors. They all recommend replacing the blades or disposing of the razors when they start to lose sharpness.

There are high-end and budget-friendly versions of both disposable and reusable razors. To make a fair comparison, we'll look at mid-range models from the same brand. By doing some simple math, assuming an average of three quality shaves per disposable razor or blade, we can estimate costs. While prices vary, and sales do occur, we'll use the Amazon.com listed price to gather our data.

A Gillette Mach 3 razor with two blades costs $11.99. A 12-pack of Mach 3 cartridges costs $27.00, bringing the total to $38.99 for 14 cartridges and the razor. The fully disposable Gillette Sensor 3 razor costs $8.33 for a pack of three. This makes the per-cartridge cost for the reusable razor about $2.80, including the razor. The three-pack of disposable razors costs about $2.77 per razor. After a few cartridge refills, the reusable razor pays for itself, lowering the price to approximately $2.25 per cartridge, which is cheaper than the $2.77 per disposable razor.

In the razor market, there are countless options that influence the price. However, when comparing similar products from the same brand, it seems that reusable razors are the more affordable choice in the long run. Even if you need to replace the razor a couple of times a year, you'll still save money over time, and you'll help the environment along the way.