It’s the best premium shaver we’ve tested without a sky-high price. The new Series 7 70-N7200C is – against the odds – even better. The blades seem to stay sharper for longer – Gillette claims that they can last for up to six months – and you can get a good 50 minutes of trimming and shaving from a single charge.
Cleaning an electric razor is straightforward—no fancy equipment needed. Most shavers are rinsable, and you can easily clean them under water with a quick brush of the foils. Some, like the Braun Series 7 and 9 models we recommend, come with cleaning stations. Generally, replacement cleaning cartridges last about three months and cost a little over $5 each if you buy them in six-packs.
Most of our testers agreed that the Series 9 is an amazing shaver. At first glance, the biggest difference between the Series 9 and the Series 7 is size. The Series 9 is longer, has more girth, and is more top-heavy, all due to its quadruple-headed Braun Series 5 shaving mechanism. That four-way head sticks to Braun’s traditional two-foil design but adds a pair of cutting mechanisms—a “direct & cut” trimmer and a “hyper-lift & cut” trimmer—that better snag wiry, unruly whiskers, the company claims.
You’ll have to budget for the proprietary detergent, and while the sachets aren’t as expensive as Braun’s plastic cleaning cartridges, the mixture only lasts for 30 days. Still, if you’ve spent this kind of money on a shaver, you want to keep it in tip-top condition. That goes double when the shaver is – like the LV9Q before it – the best we’ve ever reviewed. A superb shave that’s even smoother and closer than the old model managed, with its one failing – problems handling longer hairs – completely banished. As someone who always cringes while shaving my neck if I’ve left the stubble to grow for more than a day or two, I couldn’t believe how easy going the ES-LS9A turned out to be.
What to consider before buying and using a head shaverWhen it comes to head shavers, you’ll want to make sure to look out for certain features that can help make shaving easier and your device last longer. Below, the hair care experts we spoke to outlined some key features to consider, including maintenance, battery life and water resistance. Based on our research and testing, we believe a foil shaver produces a better shave for most facial hair. But if you prefer a rotary style, consider Philips Norelco’s Shaver 9300 (or another model in the brand’s 9000 line). Rotary shavers operate differently than foil shavers, using floating heads that grasp and remove hair, which some people find more comfortable.
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.
Braun’s Series 7 razors have been around in various forms for more than a decade, and they have built a reputation for producing close shaves, being durable, and providing convenience and value. It’s still our favorite razor, and it has become an even better choice because it’s significantly less expensive than it used to be. All Braun Series 7 models give consistently close, comfortable shaves.The 7071cc comes with the accessories we think most people want or need, including Remington Shaver a cleaning system and carrying case. Unfortunately whether it’s down to design, power, or simply sharpness this razor simply doesn’t cut it, with inconsistent results and real difficulty shaving under the jaw. It’s tempting to think that the Series 9000 Prestige is all about the gimmicks. Philips’ most expensive high-end shaver ships with a fancy, glowing, wireless QI charger, a carry case and a clever click-in trimmer which does a great job of sorting out your sideburns.
All contents and original packaging must be included with all returns. Unlike our picks, the lightweight Andis ProFoil Lithium Titanium Foil Shaver is not waterproof, and it is warrantied for only one year . The S9000 Prestige’s trimmer, most often suitable for sideburns, is a separate attachment that’s easy to lose. Staff writer James Austin has reviewed everything from board games to umbrellas and has participated in a number of test panels since joining Wirecutter in 2015.
Vintage Remington 60 electric razor with original box, instructions, warranty card, case, cord, and cleaning brush. All Braun shavers include a two-year warranty, which covers everything but the foil and cutting block. On paper this all sounds great, but I consistently struggled to get a close shave from the Heritage at all.