I tried the heated razor from GilletteLabs. It kept irritation at bay and felt like a professional hot towel shave in my own bathroom.

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From advanced face-contouring systems and multi-blade razors to soothing balms and moisturizing aftershaves, grooming companies are constantly developing products that make shaving a more pleasant and comfortable experience. 

But almost all guys can agree that the most important thing to stave off irritation is heat. Hot towels, running blades under hot water, and shaving in the shower are just some of the tricks that help.

To make things easier on us, Gillette introduced the world's first heated razor, bringing a warming sensation to your face. We love this razor so much that we named it the best heated razor in our guide for the best electric razors. 

The GilletteLabs Heated Razor is a state-of-the-art device — and it better be for $200. It features five blades for a close shave, FlexDisc technology to contour to your face and neck, and, most notably, an Intelligent Heat Control System. A warming bar is located directly underneath the five-blade system that delivers the sensation of a hot towel in every stroke of the blade. 

Designed with a high level of craftsmanship, the razor handle is made from high-grade aluminum zinc, so it feels substantial in hand and never rusts. It also comes with a magnetic wireless charging base that almost gives the illusion of the razor floating while charging. Everything that goes into it equates to a $200 razor.

How it works and what it feels like to use

The first step to using the GilletteLabs Heated Razor is to set it on the charger. It takes 60 minutes to charge fully, but you can get up to six shaves on a single charge. Once you're ready to shave, simply turn it on and shave as you normally would. The warming bar heats up almost immediately, so you won't have to wait to begin. You can adjust the heat level by holding the power button until the light indicator changes colors. The standard high-heat setting makes the lights glow in a darker reddish-orange color, while the lower heat setting glows pale orange. I tried both settings and personally liked the high-heat setting better.

The heat makes every stroke comfortable and smooth. I didn't feel like I was tugging at my hair or scraping my skin, and even after my face was shaved smooth, I was tempted to do extra passes because the heat was so satisfying. I also really appreciate that Gillette designed the razor to be waterproof. You can run the blade underwater without hesitation or take it in the shower if you prefer. 

Immediately after I shaved, I was happy with the results. My face was smooth and free of cuts. Over the next couple of days, I didn't get any razor bumps as my hair started to grow back in. In my past experiences, it didn't matter what brand of razor I used or what type of preparation I did before shaving; I'd end up with bad razor bumps, which every guy knows are uncomfortable and not a good look.

Bottom line

In short, the GilletteLabs Heated Razor is no gimmick. The heated technology makes a huge difference in comfort during and after a shave. And, although I've consistently opted for electric shaver or clippers for my grooming, the GilletteLabs Heated Razor is the exception to my rule. It's precise, easy, and enjoyable to use, and as a bonus, it looks cool.