Featuring Philips Norelco’s Ultraflex Suspension system, the S9000 Prestige has one of the most comfortable contouring technology I’ve tested, which is incredibly important for clean shaves. With the orientation of rotary shavers, the S9000 Prestige isn’t good at shaving specific areas like below a beard line in the same way a foil shaver would. Rather than being built into the shaver, the rotary shaver can be removed and replaced with a trimmer for detailed grooming. Many Braun electric shavers, like this wet and dry model, are equipped with rechargeable batteries. However, the rechargeable battery, often lithium-ion, tends to make the electric shaver heavier.
The old Series 7 was really close to them performance-wise despite only having 3 cutting elements. They come with the same shaving head and pretty much everything about them is the same. However, there are some differences between a standard S9 model like the 9390cc and a Pro or Pro+ S9 when it comes to shaving performance.
Includes a 4-in-1 SmartCare center, Clean & Renew Refill Cartridges, Precision Trimmer and Beard Grooming and Stubble Trimmer attachments. Rather than using multiple blades that either cut hair below the surface of the skin or snag and pull on hair, the Bevel Trimmer Pro uses an adjustable blade to cut hair braun hair removal to the same level of the skin. Its blades are made of stainless steel and coated in graphite to reduce drag and maintain its sharpness. At the touch of a button, you can adjust the blade gap from 0mm to 2.5mm in 0.1mm increments. The ARC6 has an ergonomic design for in-hand comfort and a sleek matte finish.
We first tested the Panasonic Arc5 in 2015, then tried it again against our top pick, the Braun Series 7, in 2021. This top-of-the-line Panasonic shaver includes a total of five blades—a quartet of foils and a single oscillating lift-and-cut center trimmer. The Arc5 is quieter than the Series 7, but the noise it braun shavers does make is much higher pitched, which some may find annoying. If you find that Braun models aren’t working for you, the Arc5 might be a better option for your skin or hair type. The F has the look of a Braun clone and uses a proven dual-foil system with a center lift-and-cut trimmer mated to a pivoting head.
(Although, they’re all paramount—let’s not forget.) My partner tested the devices as well, to double the efforts and to measure them against his thicker stubble and more sensitive skin. If you prefer shavers with rotary-style blades instead of linear foil shavers, Philips Norelco’s S9000 Prestige is the most advanced option available. In addition to its premium blade design, the shaver head moves in 22 independent directions to ensure it stays contoured to your face and neck at all times. Its sophisticated design does a great job of limiting nicks and cuts, while delivering a close shave with one pass.
Also, just like with other shavers in a Braun series, there are country-specific models you won’t find mentioned in this guide. This improved shaving head is however also compatible with the entry-level non-ProSkin Series 3, so you can give those a quick and inexpensive upgrade. As I mentioned previously, I consider the Series 3 to be the entry-level pick for most users, including men (and teenagers) looking to buy their first electric shaver.
These typically require two AA batteries, and on average, will provide up to two hours of shave time. Manual razors offer a closer shave, especially around areas like the chin and jawbone. One thing to keep in mind with manual razors, however, is that they require ongoing purchases of replacement cartridges and shaving cream, which can really add up. So if you’re the guy who just braun shavers want to do a once-over every day in the shower or just before, then a 30-second pass with the Arc5 will keep you smoothly polished without worry. It’ll be a sad day if and when Panasonic retires the Arc5, because it feels so pivotal to where we are in electric shaving these days. So consider this my part to keep its legacy alive, and to save you some big bucks in the process.
Much like most premium shavers, the S9000 Prestige has automatic beard-sensing technology, but I like that you can also manually adjust it using the + and – buttons on the device. The Braun Series 7 (7085cc) replaces the older Braun Series 7 (7895cc) as our top overall pick for the best electric razors because of its dependability and a few key improvements. Like the previous generation, the Series 7 (7085cc) features Braun’s AutoSense technology, which reads the density of your beard and automatically adjusts its power to provide a clean shave in one pass. A premium design, this wet/dry Braun Series 9 model offers a close, irritation-free shave. The new-and-improved design offers 20% more battery life than previous models. Electric shavers with rotary blades, such as this Philips Norelco model, usually have around four rotating heads.
Interestingly, the Series 6 station is the same one shipped with the Series 7 70 and as we saw above, it will even work with the Series 5 50 regardless of the shaver model. However, there are quite a few third-party cleaning solutions that cost a lot less and work really well. You must always lock the shaver via a switch at the top of the holder which automatically starts the cleaning cycle when you press it. Having tested it extensively and having owned a couple of the old-generation shavers, I can say without a doubt that the new Series 5 is not in any way an upgrade. Unfortunately it was discontinued and replaced with a new generation of shavers called the Series 5 50 which we’ll check out next.
In theory, since 8 is larger than 7, the Series 8 should be the superior shaver. It’s a decent shaver for the money, but doesn’t live up to the legendary Series 7. There are even more European/global models with different names starting with 70, like the 70-N1200s, 70-N7200cc or 70-B7850cc.