Braun recommends replacement every 18 months (the block and foil come as a single unit, running about $30 for the Series 7 and $50 for the Series 9); Philips Norelco and Remington recommend annual replacement. Philips Norelco Shaver 6500 includes electric shaver, click-on beard styler, travel case, SH50 replacement heads, and power cord. The click-on beard styler can help you change your look with 5 length settings. Within a year, your shaver heads cut 4.5 million hairs on your face. The convenient and durable hard travel case is designed to store and protect your shaver whether you are at home or on-the-go.
Shaving Sensor Mode identifies the user’s beard thickness and automatically adjusts the shaver’s power to compensate. During testing, I didn’t notice any difference between how the two modes performed. Its pop-up trimmer, on the other hand, delivered a top-notch mustache and sideburns maintenance. The Wahl Lifeproof Lithium-Ion Foil Shaver’s eye-catching yellow and black design made it stand out from the competition.
Disappointingly, the Series 9 does not come equipped with any beard maintenance accessories. And, its precision trimmer isn’t sharp enough to make a huge impact. More troubling than this is the fact that the shaver grows hot, very quickly, when in use.
To get the smoothest, most comfortable electric shave, no matter which shaver you choose, you need to remember that electrics can’t easily get as close as a blade. Most electric shaver makers offer advice on how to get the optimal shave. (“We recommend that you shave before you wash, since the skin tends to be slightly swollen after washing.”) Philips Norelco says to wash but not shower (“…otherwise your skin will be hot, puffy…”).
The blades are closely spaced together to help prevent sensitive skin from getting caught leading to nicks and cuts and they stay sharp longer to help deliver a smooth, pull-free shave. It also comes with length guards, including a sensitive comb to help further protect your skin when you’re shaving close. It is important to know that it takes approximately three to four weeks for the skin to get used to being shaved with electric razors. This is because it will take a few weeks for you to find the right touch to achieve a close, comfortable, and irritation-free shave. So, you may experience extra heat on the skin from slower beginner shaving, to some hair tugging (or pulling) in more challenging areas of the face before you are 100% happy with your new shaver. If you’ve ever stepped foot into a barbershop, the odds are good that you may have seen an Andis Pro-Foil shaver.
Other razors have adjustable combs you can set to different lengths, but this one is sturdy and works well for basic trimming. I evaluated the Philips SatinShave Prestige Electric Shaver as part of my official philips electric razor test of the best electric razors for women and chose it as the top overall pick. I will say, as someone who shaves to skin most of the time, I got an impressively smooth shave from such a simple product.
In 2019, we tested the S9000 Prestige (pictured), which includes a digital battery meter—a nonessential upgrade—but unlike the 9300 doesn’t come with a cleaning system. Among electric razors under $50, the Remington F outperformed lower-end Braun and Panasonic models in our testing. EVEN THOUGH my grooming routine is extensive, I’m a minimalist at heart. I like nothing more than an easy-to-use, no-fuss-no-muss product that can cut down my grooming time. I was still stuck on the pre-shave, shaving cream, razor, aftershave hamster wheel and couldn’t seem to get off. No matter what I did, and no matter what product I tried, I couldn’t seem to get rid of them.
And if that’s not smart enough for you, the accompanying app tracks your shaves and offers you tips to improve. To help alleviate discomfort, I recommend applying a protective barrier between your face and your new shaver. This could be an electric shaving solution, face moisturizer, philips electric shaver or shaving cream (essential oil-based versions). Additionally, shaving with no more than 2-3 days of beard growth is most ideal for these shavers. Because any longer could prove to be a very uncomfortable experience since electric shavers are made for removing shorter hair.