Gillette Razors: Every Model, Blade and Handle Compared
By the 10Trim Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
Gillette is the name most American men picture the moment they think about shaving. It is the world's best-known razor brand, and for more than a century it has set the pace for wet shaving — from the first disposable double-edge blades to the five-blade cartridges and heated handles on shelves today. But it is worth being precise about what Gillette actually is: a cartridge and blade brand first. Its whole business is razors you load with a manual blade — multi-blade cartridges, disposables and a metal safety razor — plus creams, gels and aftershaves to go with them.
That matters because Gillette is not an electric shaver company. There is no Gillette answer to a Braun Series 9 or a Panasonic Arc5, and the single battery-powered grooming tool it does sell is a hybrid styler, not a dry electric shaver. If you want the closest possible blade-on-skin shave, Gillette is exactly where you shop. If blades are the problem rather than the solution, you belong in the electric aisle instead — and we say where below. This hub lays out the entire lineup family by family, sorts out which blades fit which handle, and points you to the deep-dive guide for whichever line you land on.
Who Is Gillette?
Gillette was founded in Boston in 1901 by King C. Gillette, the salesman-inventor who patented the disposable double-edged blade and, in doing so, more or less created the modern shaving industry. The idea was simple and revolutionary: buy a durable handle once and replace cheap, disposable blades as they dull. That razor-and-blades model is still the backbone of the business. Since 2005 Gillette has been owned by Procter & Gamble and operates as P&G's flagship grooming brand, with Venus as its women's counterpart and King C. Gillette as its traditional wet-shaving sub-brand. Hold on to one thing before you read on: everything Gillette makes for your face is a wet-shave tool. Not one of them is an electric shaver.
The Gillette Razor Lineup at a Glance
Here is the current range in one chart. "Blades" counts the cutting blades on the cartridge, not the precision trimmer on the back.
| Family | Blades | Cartridge system | Best for | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mach3 / Mach3 Turbo | 3 | Mach3 | Everyday shaving on a budget | $ |
| Fusion5 | 5 | Fusion5 family | Close all-round shave | $$ |
| Fusion5 ProGlide | 5 | Fusion5 family | Closest, smoothest glide | $$$ |
| ProGlide Shield | 5 | Fusion5 family | Redness and irritation | $$$ |
| SkinGuard Sensitive | 2 | SkinGuard | Sensitive skin, ingrown hairs | $$ |
| GilletteLabs (Exfoliating Bar / Heated) | 5 | GilletteLabs | Premium feel, fewer passes | $$$$ |
| King C. Gillette safety razor | 1 (double-edge) | Standard DE blades | Lowest running cost | $$ |
| Disposables (Sensor2/3, Custom Plus) | 2–3 | None — bin the razor | Travel, gym bag, backups | $ |
| Fusion ProGlide Styler | 5 + trimmer | Fusion5 family | Trim, edge and wet shave in one | $$ |
Two things fall out of that table immediately. First, more blades does not mean a better razor for everyone — the gentlest cartridge Gillette makes has two. Second, there are four separate, mutually incompatible cartridge systems in the range, and confusing them is the single most common and most expensive Gillette buying mistake.
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Which Gillette Razor Line Is Right for You?
Almost every Gillette decision comes down to picking one of these families. Each one has a full deep-dive guide on 10Trim — the short version is here, the detail is a click away.
Fusion5 and ProGlide cartridges — the five-blade mainstream
The orange-handled Fusion5 is the razor most people picture: five blades set close together, plus a single Precision Trimmer on the back for sideburns and under the nose. ProGlide is the upgraded version — thinner, finer-edged blades that need less pressure, usually on a two-axis FlexBall handle that keeps the head flat across the jaw and neck. ProGlide Shield adds a lubrication strip both before and after the blades to cushion the stroke, and it drops onto any Fusion5 handle you already own. This is the sweet spot for most faces. For the manual-versus-Power breakdown and whether the premium is worth paying, see our Gillette Fusion5 guide.
SkinGuard and GilletteLabs — sensitive skin and the premium tier
SkinGuard Sensitive is the one that surprises people: only two blades, with a comb-like guard bar between them that flattens the skin so the edges cut hair at the surface instead of tugging it up and slicing below. Less tug means fewer ingrown hairs, which is exactly why Gillette went down in blade count. At the other end sits GilletteLabs — the Exfoliating Bar clears dead skin ahead of the blades on every stroke, and the Heated Razor warms a bar against your face for a hot-towel feel. Both are the priciest way to shave with Gillette, handle and refills. Whether the exfoliating bar earns its premium is covered in our GilletteLabs razor guide.
King C. Gillette — the metal single-blade safety razor
This is the answer to a large slice of Gillette searching: the single-blade razor, the metal razor, the "edge" razor. King C. Gillette is a traditional double-edge safety razor with a chrome-plated handle that takes standard flat DE blades — a universal format, so refills cost pennies and you are never locked to one maker. It is the cheapest shave and the gentlest on skin prone to ingrowns, with a real two-week learning curve. Note: Gillette does not make a true folding straight razor; the safety razor is the closest thing they sell. Full technique, the vintage models and cost-per-shave are in our Gillette single blade razor guide.
Disposables — Sensor2, Sensor3 and Custom Plus
Handle and blades moulded together, used for a handful of shaves and thrown away. Nothing to refill, very little money up front, and the right call for travel, the gym bag or a guest bathroom. They are the wrong call as a daily razor — three or four shaves in the blades dull, and the cost per shave overtakes a cartridge within months. Which multipack is worth buying is broken down in our Gillette disposable razors guide.
Fusion ProGlide Styler — the one battery-powered tool
The single exception to Gillette's blade-only lineup: a battery-powered 3-in-1 that combines a precision trimmer and edger with a genuine Fusion ProGlide five-blade cartridge on one waterproof handle. It is a wet-shave hybrid, not a dry electric shaver, but it is the closest thing Gillette makes to a grooming machine. Our full Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler review covers comb-guide sizing and how it holds up.
Once you know your family, three more guides sort out the practical details: which head fits which grip in our Gillette razor handle types guide, what refills cost and how long they last in our Gillette razor blades and refills guide, and how to identify the razor you already own in our Gillette razor types guide.
Featured Gillette Picks
Gillette Mach3 — best value cartridge
- CLASSIC CLOSE SHAVE: 3-bladed men’s razor that gives you a close shave without the fuss. Features open-blade architecture for easy rinsing
- UPGRADED LUBRASTRIP* for enhanced glide: An improved lubrication strip for extra glide (*vs previous Mach3)
- 1 BLADE = 15 SHAVES. Get up to 15 shaves from each Mach3 razor refill
- STRONGER-THAN-STEEL razor blades that stay sharper longer (vs. Sensor3)
- PREMIUM ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Designed with a premium stainless steel razor handle that fits all Mach3 razor blade refills
- Best for: anyone who shaves a few times a week and has never had trouble with irritation.
- Standouts: the cheapest refills of any Gillette cartridge line, a lubricating strip that fades to white when spent, and a shave that is genuinely hard to beat on value.
- Keep in mind: a shade less close than a five-blade, and the head clogs faster on heavy stubble.
Gillette Fusion5 — best all-round shave
- RAZOR FOR MEN: Includes 1 Gillette Fusion5 razor handle plus 4 blade refills for a close, comfortable shave
- 5-BLADE CLOSENESS: 5 anti-friction blades provide a shave you can barely feel for smooth results with less tug and pull
- LUBRICATION STRIP FOR GLIDE: Lubrication strip fades when you are no longer getting an optimal shave and helps provide comfort and glide while you shave
- PRECISION TRIMMER: Precision trimmer on the back helps edge hard-to-reach areas like under the nose and sideburns for clean lines
- ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Designed for better control in wet conditions with a comfortable grip for everyday shaving
- 1 REFILL = UP TO 1 MONTH OF SHAVES: Get up to 1 month of shaves with each refill (based on 3 shaves per week)
- Best for: the mainstream daily shaver who wants a close, comfortable result without overthinking it.
- Standouts: five blades plus a back-mounted Precision Trimmer for edges, and full interchangeability with ProGlide cartridges so you can upgrade the head later.
- Keep in mind: refills cost noticeably more than the Mach3, and the vibrating Power handle does not actually cut any closer.
GilletteLabs Exfoliating Bar — premium pick
- RAZOR FOR MEN: Includes 1 GilletteLabs razor handle plus 4 blade refills and a premium magnetic stand for an elevated shaving routine
- 5-BLADE CLOSENESS: Features 5 sharp Gillette blades for a quick and easy shave with comfort
- LUBRICATION STRIP FOR GLIDE: EverGlide Lubrastrip provides lubrication for incredible skin comfort
- EXFOLIATING BAR: Built-in exfoliating bar releases trapped hairs before the blades pass for a smooth shave
- PREMIUM MAGNETIC STAND: Keeps your razor clean, dry, and ready to use between shaves
- 1 REFILL = UP TO 30 SHAVES: GilletteLabs blades last up to 30 shaves per refill and up to 50% longer than Fusion
- Best for: shavers who want the smoothest feel and fewer passes and do not mind paying for it.
- Standouts: a flexible bar that clears dead skin ahead of the blades every stroke, so the head glides and picks up more hair per pass.
- Keep in mind: the most expensive Gillette to run — its refills fit nothing else in the range.
Travelling or need a cheap backup instead? A multipack of Gillette disposables covers it:
- DISPOSABLE RAZORS FOR MEN: Stock up with this 12-count pack of Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive disposable razors for a close, comfortable shave on sensitive skin
- UP TO 12 SHAVES PER RAZOR: Get up to 12 comfortable shaves per razor for long-lasting value
- 3 SKIN-SENSING BLADES: 3 skin-sensing blades help provide a smooth, comfortable shave with less irritation
- 40° PIVOTING HEAD: 40° pivoting head adjusts to the contours of the face to help reduce missed spots
- ENHANCED LUBRASTRIP WITH COMFORTGEL: Enhanced Lubrastrip with water-activated Comfortgel technology for ultimate comfort and gentle shaving (vs Sensor2 Plus)
- EASY-GRIP HANDLE: Anti-slip rubber handle for control plus easy-rinse blades for 100% better rinsing (vs Sensor2 Plus)
Does Gillette Make an Electric Razor?
Not in the sense most people mean, and this is worth being blunt about because it is one of the most common Gillette searches there is. Gillette does not make a foil or rotary electric shaver. What runs on a battery is a much narrower set of things: the Fusion5 and ProGlide Power handles (still a blade on skin, just vibrating), the discontinued M3Power, the GilletteLabs Heated Razor (the battery warms a bar, it does not cut), and the Fusion ProGlide Styler covered above.
So if you arrived looking for a "Gillette electric shaver" for dry shaving, the honest answer is that you need a different brand. A cartridge razor will always shave closer than an electric, but a dry electric is dramatically gentler on skin that reacts to every pass, and it is the sensible route if blades themselves are the problem. Our best electric shaver guide compares the foil and rotary models from Braun, Panasonic and Philips Norelco that actually do this job well, at every budget.
Blades, Refills and Which Handle Takes Which Cartridge
The real cost of any cartridge razor is the refills, and Gillette blades are proprietary by design. Inside the Fusion5 system, handles are interchangeable — a ProGlide cartridge fits a plain Fusion5 handle and vice versa — so you can change the shave without buying a new razor. Outside that system nothing crosses over: Mach3, SkinGuard, GilletteLabs and Venus each take only their own heads, and the King C. Gillette uses universal double-edge blades that fit any safety razor.
On relative cost, Mach3 refills are the cheapest cartridges, the Fusion5 family sits at the premium end, SkinGuard lands mid-to-upper, and GilletteLabs refills are the priciest of all — while standard DE blades for the King C. cost a few cents each. Three ways to bring the bill down: buy bigger packs (per-blade price drops steeply at 8-count and cartridges have no shelf life), rinse and dry the head after every shave (most cartridges die from corrosion, not blade wear), and do not over-buy the tier. Pack-size maths and whether third-party "compatible" cartridges are worth trying are in our Gillette razor blades and refills guide, and the full handle-to-cartridge map is in the Gillette razor handle types guide.
Get a Better Shave From Any Gillette
Even the best cartridge underperforms with bad technique, and technique moves the needle further than blade count does. Shave after a warm shower so the hair softens, always use a proper shaving cream or gel — never dry-shave with a cartridge — and go with the grain first, re-lathering before you go across or against it. Rinse the cartridge frequently, use light pressure, and finish with cold water and a gentle balm. A good aftershave calms the skin and is your best defence against post-shave redness. Our step-by-step shaving guide and our guide to preventing razor burn cover the full sequence.
The Bottom Line on Gillette
Gillette's range only looks chaotic until you see it as four cartridge systems plus disposables and a safety razor. Mach3 is the value pick at three blades, the Fusion5 family is the five-blade mainstream with ProGlide as its best version, SkinGuard drops to two blades on purpose for sensitive skin, GilletteLabs is the premium tier with its own refills, and King C. Gillette covers traditional double-edge shaving at the lowest running cost in the catalog. Match the family to your skin and your budget, check the fitting before you buy refills, and ignore the blade-count arms race. The one thing Gillette cannot sell you is a true dry electric shaver — for that, you are shopping Braun, Panasonic or Philips Norelco.
Related Info and Products:
- Gillette Razor Handle Types: Which Handle Fits Which Cartridge
- Gillette Razor Types Explained: Every Model, Blade Count & Which One You Own
- Gillette Disposable Razors: The 6 Best Multipacks (2026 Guide)
- Gillette Mach 3: The Three-Blade Razor Explained
- Gillette Single Blade Razor: The King C. Gillette Safety Razor, Explained
- Gillette Fusion5: The 5-Blade Razor Explained (Power, Refills & Is It Good?)
- Gillette Venus Razor: Every Model, the Gentle Trimmer, and How to Choose
- Gillette Venus Explained: The Women's Razor Line, Every Model and How to Choose
- Gillette Fusion5 Blades: Refills, Packs, Cost & Which Ones Fit
- Gillette Razor Blades: Which Refills Fit, What They Cost & How Long They Last
Last update 2026-09-10. Price and product availability may change.
In this section
- Gillette Disposable Razors: The 6 Best Multipacks (2026 Guide)
- Gillette Fusion ProGlide Styler 3-in-1 Review (2026): Body Groomer + Beard Trimmer
- Gillette Fusion5 Blades: Refills, Packs, Cost & Which Ones Fit
- Gillette Fusion5: The 5-Blade Razor Explained (Power, Refills & Is It Good?)
- Gillette Mach 3: The Three-Blade Razor Explained
- Gillette ProGlide: The Fusion5 ProGlide Razor Explained (Power, FlexBall & Refills)
- Gillette Razor Blades: Which Refills Fit, What They Cost & How Long They Last
- Gillette Razor Handle Types: Which Handle Fits Which Cartridge
- Gillette Razor Types Explained: Every Model, Blade Count & Which One You Own
- Gillette Single Blade Razor: The King C. Gillette Safety Razor, Explained
- Gillette SkinGuard Razor: The Sensitive-Skin Razor With Two Blades on Purpose
- Gillette Venus Explained: The Women's Razor Line, Every Model and How to Choose
- Gillette Venus Razor: Every Model, the Gentle Trimmer, and How to Choose
- GilletteLabs Razor: The Exfoliating Bar Razor Explained (Blades, Review & Is It Worth It?)
- How to Shave Your Face: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Smooth, Comfortable Shave
- King C. Gillette Beard Trimmer: Specs, Combs, Battery & Is It Worth It?
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