The top-of-the-line Philips Norelco model is the best rotary shaver we’ve ever used. The 7085cc and the 7020s provide the same high-quality shave as our pick, but they each come with different sets of accoutrements. We think the new 7071cc has the features that most people want or need, but prices tend to fluctuate, and if you find one of the others for significantly less you won’t be missing a lot by picking that model up. Braun Series 8 models are now more widely available through various retailers. We’re retesting our picks against newer models—including Braun Series 8 shavers—and will update this guide with our findings. Easily turn your shaver2 into a beard styler, a precision trimmer or a cleansing brush.
Many electric razors offer both dry and wet shaving capabilities. After conducting our Series 9 Pro review, we found the razor cuts shaving time into a fraction of what other electric razors typically put out. There’s even Sonic Technology that lifts hair to deliver a closer shave in less time.
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. In some Prestige packages there’s also a rotating brush that you can use to deep cleanse your face.
Several of the newer designs adjust the power to the foils when dealing with thicker or coarser beards or facial hair. “Philips Norelco pioneered artificial intelligence in electric shavers with the debut of Philips Norelco Shaver Series 7000 in January 2021,” said Brett Bardsley, Philips Norelco Marketing Director. “SenseIQ technology is the outcome of years of research and development and delivers superior results, helping users feel confident in their shave no matter their hair length, hair type or skin type.” If the electric shavers have any advanced features, such as an additional trimmer or quick charging, we’ll try these out to test if they work and if they’re worth the extra money they no doubt command. We’ll usually spend a week or longer testing new electric shavers, and the review process is fairly straightforward – we use them to shave our faces.
This helps us see how closely they are capable of shaving, and how easy they are to use and achieve our desired style. This writer has an extraordinarily skinny face with more acute angles than a myriagon (I had to look that up) and this shaver is my new Holy Grail. Well, like the top Philips models, the whole head is spring loaded so it moves around with the contours of the face.
You also don’t have to worry about carrying your charging cord around on trips, plus if your batteries die out at the hotel you can call the front desk and ask for fresh ones. But for the old guard who prefers a smooth appearance, and younger men turning away from the beard, an electric razor is just the thing, and these are the best electric shavers. For the first iteration of this guide, we enlisted a panel of 12 to test a dozen electric razors each. The blades of rotary shavers are designed to catch hair growing in all directions, for a close shave. If you neglect to clean your electric shaver, you risk the chance of shortening the razor’s lifespan and also running dirt across your face when shaving.
Chad Beightol, founder of grooming boutique Consigliere, recommends it as a solid all-around wet and dry razor, meaning you can use it in the shower, too. Beightol says the 3800 is a straightforward shaver with features you’d find on advanced models, like an 60-minute battery life and a pop-up trimmer for cleaning up facial hair. If you need an electric razor and don’t want to think too much about extra bells and whistles, you can’t go wrong with the 3800. If you’re someone who’s constantly fighting those pesky neck hairs, then this powerful new shaver brings AI into your bathroom and harnesses it to deliver an epic close shave. The rotary heads make it easy to move with you skin, and the pressure sensors alert you when you’re pressing too hard or not enough.
If you struggle with things like razor bumps, post-shave irritation or even acne, an electric razor may offer a more gentle experience for you. So overall, what you get with the Series 8 is a high quality trimmer for about $75 cheaper than the industry-leader. In our roundup of the best electric razors, we picked the Philips Norelco 3800 as the best less-expensive overall razor for its simplicity and affordability.
That extra power and performance come at a dollar and design cost. Series 9 razors are notably bulkier than Series 7 razors, and some testers found the Series 9 razors tough to maneuver in tight spots (like the equally ginormous Panasonic Arc5, which this Braun line philips razor somewhat mimics). The Quick Clean Pod is the world’s smallest and cordless cleaning station. The special cleaning formula is 10x more effective than water1, so you can keep your shaver hygienic. More importantly, overall shaving performance was very good indeed.
It also lets us test whether the shavers nick your skin or cause any irrritation, and how long the battery lasts. However, the crucial thing to be aware of is that the most recent Brauns have model codes beginning 93 and the most recent Philips ones begin S97 or S95 – plus the Prestige. There is nothing wrong with the older models you will find online, and sometimes they are at real bargain prices, but they’re not the very latest and bestest. Overall, there is very little to tell between this and its premium rivals, but a slightly shorter battery life and higher RRP moved it down the list.