Cheapest Shaving Soaps (That Still Provide a Great Shave!)

Skin preparation is key to a great shaving experience, but there are some truly expensive shaving soaps available for purchase. Can you still get a great shave with an affordable soap?

Good shaving soaps provide a better lather, contain more natural ingredients, and cost less per shave than most cream or foam alternatives. Shaving soaps as a whole tend to be less expensive than creams or foams, but a cheaper shave soap is not necessarily inferior to others in the same category as they typically have the same active ingredients.

Read on to learn more about shaving soaps and find recommendations for the cheapest and best shaving soaps on the market.

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How much is shaving soap?

Shaving soaps have been around for centuries. The first soap manufactured specifically for shaving was Vroom & Fowler’s Walnut Oil Military Shaving Soap in 1840. Over the years, shaving soaps became widely used and are still sought after to provide that old-school barbershop shave at home.

Shaving soaps range in price due to ingredients, brand name, and size. There are many highly-rated options in the $2-$10 range. Soaps priced higher still result in an overall bargain since only a small amount of product is used. A single puck can last for years resulting in an extremely low cost per shave.

As with most grooming products, individual users have different preferences. Some prefer to stick with one scent, others like variety. Some shavers love extra bonuses like built-in bowls, while others are minimalists. There are shaving soaps to fit every need and budget.

Is shaving soap cheaper than cream?

Many wet shavers prefer the nostalgic feel of shaving soap. The rich lather produced when hot soap is whipped with a boar bristle brush is hard to beat.

Although it may cost more at the point of purchase, but shave soap is surprisingly affordable when figured on a per shave scale. Shave soap is cheaper than cream per shave, and less costly to the environment than aerosol creams.

When using shaving creams, especially those in aerosol cans, it’s hard to control the amount of cream dispensed for a shave. There is often a lot of lather wasted and washed down the drain.

Shaving soap lather is worked up on the puck itself using a brush. It’s easier to whip up the optimal amount of lather needed for a shave. Any excess lather is retained for the next use.

Shaving soaps also come in minimal, environmentally friendly packaging. Even if the soap comes in a tin or container it typically serves a purpose and is meant to be reused so there is no need to dispose of metal cans or plastic tubes.

The cheapest and best shaving soaps for maximum value

When determining the maximum value for shaving soap, users rate lather, slickness, moisturization, and longevity as important attributes.

We’ve put together a list of some of the cheapest and best shaving soaps according to satisfied Amazon users. A couple of options even include a bowl for maximum value.

These shaving soaps are our top contenders:

William’s Mug Soap

William’s Mug Soap is a tried and true shave soap choice that is available on Amazon to purchase in multiples for the best price deals.

A 2-pack purchase of 1.75 oz pucks of the William’s Mug Soap decreases the cost to a mere $2.38 each, but this inexpensive cost shouldn’t scare you off as it also boasts 4.6 stars on Amazon.

Users love the “light, citrus scent” and the “soft, airy lather.” One reviewer said, “I’ve used this soap for 40 years and have always enjoyed comfortable close shaves.”

Viking Revolution Shaving Soap

If you enjoy testing out different scents, then this variety pack is for you.

It includes four 2.5 oz pucks in scents like sandalwood and pine for $15.88 or under $4 each. It currently boasts a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with nearly 3,900 reviews.

One user claimed the “slickest shave soap I’ve tried.”

Van Der Hagen Scented Shave Soap

Van Der Hagen has been a trusted name in men’s grooming products for decades, and the shave soap is no exception.

This is another option where purchasing a multi-pack helps to cut the cost per bar to under $4. Shea butter, mango, and cocoa butter moisturize and produce a “rich lather.”

One of the nearly 6,700 users to give this soap an average rating of 4.7 stars claimed to get 3 years of shaves out of just one 3.5 oz bar. Another reviewer raved “cheap and effective.”

This shaving soap also comes in unscented options.

Clubman Pinaud Shave Soap

The Clubman Pinaud brand has been impressing wet shavers since 1810.

This $7.00 shave soap combines shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and chamomile in a 2.5 oz bar.

Users with oily skin say this soap “lathers well, but doesn’t overly dry the skin.” Since this soap is smaller in size, the compact packaging makes this an “excellent choice for travel.” You can’t beat the “amazing quality at an equally amazing price.”

Proraso Shaving Soap in a Bowl

Since the best shaving soap lather is formed with a bowl and brush, the packaging of this soap eliminates the need for purchasing a separate bowl.

At a reasonable $10 price tag for 5.2 oz, over 10,000 ratings applaud a 4.7-star rating. Users love the “cool, refreshing” mix of glycerin, coconut oil, menthol, and eucalyptus.

The bowl packaging makes this soap “easy to load and lather.” The puck “lasted over a year” one user exclaimed.

Lather & Wood Shaving Soap

This large puck from Lather & Wood weighs in at 4.7 oz for $16.97 but has thousands of satisfied customers.

Many reviewers likened the home experience to that of a barbershop. Many noted it only takes a small amount of this soap to produce a luxurious lather, so one puck will last for an extended period of time.

Users love the “full, creamy lather” and “zero razor burn.” The combination of tallow and shea butter “leaves skin smooth and moist, but never oily.”

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Soap

The holidays are a perfect time to treat yourself.

Taylor of Old Bond Street has been a grooming leader since 1854 with a host of dedicated followers. This unique shaving soap set priced at $27.70 contains a 3.5 oz puck and a refillable wooden bowl to whip up that perfect lather.

Reviewers give high praise to the “subtle, manly scent,” “rich lather,” “smooth skin,” and “classy bowl.” One user noted that this product is “a little pricier than your average shaving soap but definitely worth it.”

Countless reviewers were in awe of the longevity of this shaving soap. One touted a 4-year life span on their original shaving puck.

Whatever your budget, you are sure to find an inexpensive shaving soap that delivers on performance.

Cheapest Shaving Soaps (That Still Provide a Great Shave!)