I created an electric shaver thread about 12 years ago, so I figured it’s time for a new one!
(Also, today happens to be my 48th birthday.)
For a long time now, I’ve been using Philips Norelco shavers with “Aquatec” technology.
(I would usually just buy the cheapest shaver with Aquatec.)
One problem with Norelco shavers is that the replacement blades aren’t nearly as good as the blades that come with a new shaver, so just about every time my shaver’s blades got dull, I bought a new shaver.
I decided to try a different brand of shaver–hopefully a brand that has replacement blades that are as good as the blades that come with a new shaver.
I found this amazing site with tons of info on different shavers.
I ordered a Braun Series 6 shaver, and so far I love the shaver. https://shavercheck.com/braun-shavers-guide/#Braun-Series-6
It’s not perfect, but it’s better (for me) than my Norelco shavers.
The Braun shaver is much gentler than my Norelco, though it has trouble with my neck hairs.
Now I’m thinking about getting a Braun Series 9 Pro or PRO+, which happens to be Braun’s best shavers. https://shavercheck.com/braun-shavers-guide/#Braun-Series-9Series-9-ProSeries-9-PRO
They’re quite expensive, but I think I’ll eventually be able to get one for $150 or less on eBay.
The replacement blades are about $43 on eBay, which is not cheap, but if the shaver is as good as I hope it is, I won’t mind paying.
I’m curious…
Do you use an electric shaver?
Which one/s have you used in the past and which one do you use now?
Are you planning on getting a new electric shaver?
I have a (red) Braun series 3, and I’m very pleased with it. The shaver before that was more expensive but used the same 12v 5210 charger (as does series 5).
I never change blades. I’ve worked at the Philips shaver plant and their motto was: be gentle to your blades and your blades will be gentle to you
I have Phillips all-in-one 5000 series trimmer. Had it for a long time, it just doesn’t die. Been wanting an upgrade for a while now, but it just keeps going.
Just used mines today, got no idea what brand, even though I know it’s a name brand.
It’s a trimmer, not shaver, as I go for the Greg House look. “Close shaves” just make my face and neck all red. I had an old Norelco with the 3 circle-things that worked great, but again, end up all red-faced. Never used a “foil” type.
Got a buzzy thing made for hair that I buzz myself with, and that cuts probably as close as my face one. Think that was a vipon special.
Had a number of 'em over the years, usually crap out for some battery-related reason. So go wired? Got a top model Andes (?? not the mint-candy but similar name) that was salon-quality, and even that crapped out. Went out of adjustment, so try to adjust the blades, and it just goes from vibrating in-place and not cutting a damned thing, to loudly and angrily buzzing up a storm, and similarly not cutting very much, with barely a quarter-turn of the adjustment screw.
The ones I got now, I’ve had for ages, so no need nor want for anything new.
I think you mean Andis, but don’t worry, I understood.
I used to use a Braun beard trimmer before I shaved (because I didn’t used to shave very often.)
It would cut my facial hair down to 1mm long.
Now that I shave everyday, so there’s no point in using the beard trimmer for anything other than my sideburns and my body hair.
I have used both types . I find the rotary head has a couple of advantages.
The first is ease of cleaning. Push a button, the head pops open, shake out the trimmings or use the brush. If it’s really gooked up, the blades are easy to remove.
Not so with the Braun type. Got to pop off a plastic part that holds the blade assembly. Then figure out how to clean it. I use running water.
The rotary is better for getting in close to a beard etc. Has more defined edge to the cut area.
They both give a good shave. I’m using a Braun currently.
BTY Phillips makes the best delicate parts trimmer. Unlike anything else I’ve found, it has rounded teeth that do do not cut into you.
All the Best, Jeff
Yeah, Philips Norelco and Braun both have their pros and cons.
I was thinking about getting a really nice (and expensive) Norelco, but I think Braun is a better fit for me.
I also hear that Panasonic makes some really nice shavers, especially if you prefer to shave wet.
I prefer to shave dry, however.
EDIT:
This is from 2016, but it’s the most recent data I could find on market share.
I currently have a cheapo Brown, don’t like it much but it gets the job done. I would really like to have something with USB-C instead of all those stupid proprietary charging ports. When I’m home I don’t care, but on vacation an extra power brick just for the shaver is bothering me for years now
I use Panasonic for 6 months already and I am happy as long as I shave every day or every other day - longer beard is difficult. It shaves nice and very close - almost as a regular razor. The model is the cheapest one with 5 blades (I believe it was LV6), then I just bought the replacement blades for their most expensive product and left the original casette for spare. Panasonic says foil should be changed every year and razors every 2 years. It is also very easy to clean with water - foil head goes out and exposes the blades, so you can clean everything on the sink. For Panasonic there is USB to panasonic port cable, but I did not buy to test
The Philips/Norelco rotary models never worked with my beard pattern. I’ve used Brauns since 1986, most recently the Series 9 PRO+, and also have a Panasonic Arc5. The Panasonic shaves closer but the Braun deals better with 2-3 days’ old stubble, and as I am lazy and only shave every 3 days or so, that means I use the Braun most often and the Panasonic only for touch-ups.
Worked flawlessly except for the switch’s detente that would get stuck-on. I, uhh, surgically modified it so that it would slide (hi/lo/off) much more easily. No problems since.
No guard and closest setting, and you get a good close buzz.
Only thing I don’t like about that style (in general, not just this one) is that with the “fingers” on the guard being too few and too far apart, they don’t do too good a job lifting hairs up to cut them. So if you’re going for the hairs next to the little whirlpool on the top/back of your head and those hairs mostly lie flat, you run the risk of getting a lot of stragglers that stay long unless you spend 20min hitting that spot from all angles and fluffing up the hairs every so often.
This one is pricey, but it’s a Braun and it has a lot of reviews and I trust Braun over the no-name brands. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WYY6KKC
They’re primarily marketed towards women, but men can use them, too.
Some of them say they’re okay to use for facial hair (except eyebrows) and for hair all over the body.
I have light colored skin except for my moles, so I’ll probably have to avoid my moles.
The biggest problem is that these products don’t work on white hairs, but most of my white hairs are on the upper part of my head where I don’t want to get rid of my hair, so maybe this type of product would work for me.
“for best results, you would have to use the device fairly often, which may make it not all that different from shaving.”
Now I don’t think I want an IPL laser hair removal product because the hair removal might not be permanent.
Though if I did I would most likely get one of the Braun ones because as far as I can tell they work better than the competition.
This shaver has rounded teeth. Won’t nip them tender parts. Does not shave close like a regular razor. But it’s good at picking up long hairs if you go a long time between shaves. Easy to get close to beard lines.
All the Best, Jeff Shaver
