For an update to this guide, James tested the revamped Braun Series 5, 6, and 7 models for a month. Following the same procedures as the original panel of testers, he compared each new Braun’s performance against that of the others as well as our budget pick. Keila Torres Ocasio grew up in Bridgeport and started her career as reporter for the Connecticut Post in 2008.
That’s a particular shame since it’s so strong on looks, charging, and portability, and so this could still be a good choice for anyone who wants a snazzy shaver and doesn’t mind making a few extra passes every time in return. The trick is that it senses and adapts to the density of your beard, while the high-precision floating head gets as close as possible to the skin. We usually take all the talk of NanoTech Dual Precision bladed and 150,000 cutting actions per minute with a pinch of salt, but the tech in the Series 9000 seems incredibly effective. Of course, it’s incredibly expensive, but if you want the best, then this is it. It definitely looks and feels the part, with premium materials and a lightweight but tough construction. Yet what really sells this shaver is the sheer quality of the shave.
Braun’s Series 9 clean-and-charge base uses the same cartridges as the Series 7 base and is functionally identical. Replacement cartridges last about three months and cost about $25 for a four-pack. Replacement foils are considerably more expensive for the Series 9; they currently run about $50, compared with about $30 Philips Norelco Shaver to $40 for the Series 7. 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 . You’ll need to replace the foil on your shaver more or less annually, depending on use.
All Philips Norelco shavers come with a two-year warranty. The pop-up trimmer is similar to Braun’s design, and it works just as well for mild sideburn grooming. Remington’s center bar design isn’t as sophisticated as Braun’s, but our testers found the shaver to work almost as well. James has been using the Series 7 to shave a portion of his face since first testing for this guide in 2020. It’s held up remarkably well and, aside from a dip after a little more than a year of use which was remedied by replacing the foil, the shave quality has remained consistent.
If you let a few days pass, the long hairs seem to fox this smart shaver, leaving odd hairs loitering on your fizzog. For the very best results, you can use it wet, then place the shaver upside down in its cleaning station and wait while it cleans and dries. This involves 80 minutes of fan noise and the shaver itself isn’t quiet, but if you’re horrified by the thought of going out unshaven, this shaver will make damn sure your nightmares don’t come true. How to treat your head before using a head shaverBefore shaving your head, Butler recommended either showering first or using a warm washcloth over your head to soften the hair and scalp. For Davis, a pre-shave oil is essential to prepare the skin and hair for a close shave.
The battery takes an hour to charge for over an hour’s shaving, though there is a five-minute rush charge if you need it, and you can use it wet or dry and rinse it under the tap when you’re done. Philips also sells this model with an optional cleaning pod, which does a fantastic job of cleaning and lubricating the head. You simply insert the supplied blue goo cartridge, stick your shaver in upside down and turn it on. However, you’ll pay an extra £40 to £50 for the privilege and it’s a fine shaver with or without. The R6 doesn’t get quite as close as consistently as the premium shavers, and can tug on longer hairs if you’ve let them grow. Yet it’s comfortable if you shave every day or so and the Twintrack blades do a good job of dealing with thick growth under the jawline.
If you push the little white buttons on the side you can pop off the top part to really clean it. I usually use it everywhere, even the bikini area and then go in with a regular razor blade to catch anything I missed. We tried Philips Norelco’s lower-end rotary models but determined that the brand’s 9000 series performed better, and it was so closely priced that it was a better buy for most people. In our experience, the 4000-series razor didn’t shave closely enough to be worth their bargain prices. However, one member of our test panel has been using a 4000-series model for years, and they still love it, even after trying much more expensive models.
She has since worked as a reporter, columnist then editor for different Hearst Connecticut newspapers. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Global Media and Communications from the University of Bridgeport. The series on the history of Staples High School wraps up with the fourth part, covering the high school from the 1970s to today. Our easy-to-use guide will help you navigate some of the most popular housing markets in CT. The 5 minutes provided by the quick charge may not be sufficient always for everyone. It provides a well-thought-out feature set and credible stubble-leveling results at a genuinely affordable price.
Below, we’ve picked the best electric shavers on the market right now for a range of different budgets and requirements. If you’re still undecided after checking out our picks, you’ll also find a handy buying guide at the end of this article. Head shavers versus trimmers, clippers and razorsWhile all three tools can be used to help with the maintenance of a shaved head, using one over the other depends on how you want your hair to look. “If you want to compare these three tools, you can say that clippers are a substitute for scissors and a comb, a trimmer eliminates scissors and a shaver replaces classic manual razors,” Davis explained. Whether you’re planning on buzzing your hair or you’ve already done it, a head shaver is an important tool to consider in order to maintain a clean cut.