Amazon Basics 5-Blade MotionSphere Men's Razor with Dual Lubrication and Precision Trimmer, 17 Piece Set, 1 Handle & 16 Cartridges, Black

I shave my head and face 3 x per week. I typically use Gilette blades and get around 6 weeks out of a blade before it starts to 'drag' across my scalp. The first few weeks the shave is almost frictionless, very smooth and comfortable. But the price for refill blades 'feels' high. Honestly for the amount of usage I get per blade, it's not- but I was still interested in alternatives.I tried buying some blades from a subscription service a while back. Those blades could have been in a Stephen King novel- they had a taste for human flesh...After being scared back to name brand blades for a few years, I recently picked up some off brand look-alike replacement blades that were being sold on Amazon. Came in packaging that looked very similar to the real deal, had a very similar look but were obviously made over seas and packaged to be direct replacements for half the price. Those blades dragged across my scalp like I was trying to shave with a pine cone. The blades were not jagged, they were just DULL. Apparently they were so bad that by the time I tried to review them, they no longer existed as something that could be reviewed. *They are still being sold, just not the specific set that I purchased. Be aware.I decided to just bite the bullet and purchase the ones I felt were overpriced but perform very well. Saw that Amazon has their own brand. I've purchased a lot of Amazon Basic items over the years, and figured I'd give them a shot.They actually solve a problem I didn't really have. They cost about half price from the name brand, and they shave really well. They are not as sharp and smooth as the name brand razors, I don't want to sell them as that- but they feel good, and have minimal skin drag. I do not think I'll get 6 weeks out of each blade, but I'm confident that I can get at least a month.For comfort I rate them a 4, but I'm adding a star for the value proposition. Cheaper and almost as good as the big boys. I'm good with that, and will repurchase in the future.

Amazon you magnificent bastards, how have you managed to sneak in as become one of the best economic cartridge razors I've ever used.For a bit of background if you've read some of my other reviews, I'm a bit at war with the shaving industry. I've used multiple different types and brands of razors and to put it politely, they all suck.Now for many years I've been using the famous Dorco brand for their reliability and price. Sadly with the passing years Dorco, while still a good price, have some diminishing reliability resulting in them being inconsistent. I'd have one set that worked find only to open a new pack of 4 and find that I need to use two razors just to finish a standard shave.With Dorco razors being a coin flip on the 'almost completely dull' scale I had to look for something else and behold Amazon making their modest little Basics-5. With 16 razors and handle all while boasting a price a few dollars cheaper than Dorco and I just had to try it out. Surprise, this little eco razor was AMAZING.While a bit on the light side the razors are amazing sharp and smooth resulting in a fast smooth shave every time. No more hacking at my face 6 or 10 times to shave a spot, no more 1 razor (or even 2 in some cases) per a shave, no more feeling like I want to delay shaving because its become more a chore than a basic hygiene maintenance. This is exactly the thing you actually want from companies. Someone who looks at the competition, saw they were doing nothing to meaningfully change or improve their product, and just goes in there hacks all the useless bells and whistles and just just makes a better product that is cheaper too.My only complaint, I find the 'MotionSphere' which is just fancy talk for a bit of a swivel head that allows the razor to bend and change angles a bit... fidgety. It feels fragile at times and as anyone who has used cartridge razors before you know that sometimes you just don't snap that sucker in right so the razor will fall off. The swivel kind makes it a hassle to get it back on. I found the only way I could do it was to snap the razor back in the clear case it came with and 'plug' the handle through that. Otherwise the thing just didn't want to attach any other way.Outside of that, amazingly solid razor for a cheap price.

The Amazon Basics 5-Blade MotionSphere Men's Razor set offers an impressive value for the price. It delivers a smooth, close shave, and the dual lubrication strips make each pass feel comfortable and easy on the skin. The handle feels sturdy and well-designed, and the precision trimmer is a nice touch for shaping edges and getting into tighter spots. With 16 cartridges included, it’s definitely a budget-friendly option that lasts a while.That said, the durability of the blades can be inconsistent. Some cartridges stay sharp for multiple shaves, while others seem to dull quickly, especially with coarse hair. The swivel head also feels a bit less stable compared to premium brands, which can affect control during a shave. Overall, it’s a solid choice for everyday shaving—just don’t expect premium longevity from the blades. Still, for the price, it’s hard to beat.

I’ve used Gillette Mach3 for about 25 years, which is weird to say. They have always done a great job but who can afford those refills now? I found these on Amazon and based on the reviews I took a chance. I’m so glad I did because these are really good and practically free based on Gillette prices .. lol. The blade surface area is a little larger than I’m used to but I highly recommend these to anyone on the fence. And Gillette prices got high before the tariffs kicked in so who knows now.