“I appreciate the skin care with the red LEDs. I really do see a difference in my skin afterwards. It didn’t irritate my skin in any way.” 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 somewhat mimics). James has been using the Series 7 to shave a portion of his face (growing a pandemic beard after initial testing decreased his use somewhat) 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. The top-of-the-line Philips Norelco model is the best rotary shaver we’ve ever used.
I looked for raves and common complaints, particularly about battery life and stubble-y results (both major pain points). Then I reached out to Katie Sobelman, an aesthetician and skincare educator, to tell me more about why someone might want to use an electric razor, what they’re best for and how to select and use the right one for you. Once this Philips razor is completely philips trimmer blade powered up, you can groom for nearly an hour and a half before the battery dies. Unlike any of the other electric razors I tested, it has a quick-charge mode. Plug it in for five minutes, and you’ll get extra battery life—in my tests, 11 minutes’ worth. The Philips SatinShave Prestige has two foil blades and a cutter made of hypoallergenic stainless steel.
If you want a top-tier razor with Philip’s full array of smart features, then Series 9000 is the way to go. The differences here are minimal at this high of a level, but they are different nonetheless. If you’re having a hard time giving up your shaving cream, look for an electric shaver that is specifically designed to be used with shaving cream (most will call this wet/dry capability) and make sure to clean it after every use. The Panasonic ES-LS9A is one of the best electric shavers for sensitive skin, as it’s clever enough to automatically adjust its power according to the density of your beard. Combined with its powerful motor that provides an impressive 84,000 cutting motions per minute, it helps ensure that each shave is perfectly suited to your face. For more versatility, we recommend Panasonic’s Multishape has multiple heads that include a toothbrush, beard trimmer, hair clipper and nose hair trimmer.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The series at the lower end of Braun’s foil shaving line that we tested—the Series 5 and Series 6—each performed fine in our testing, and with a bit more work and time all eventually gave the same shave as the Series 7. Braun’s Series 9 clean-and-charge base uses the same cartridges as the Series 7 base (and those of all other Braun shavers) and is functionally identical.
Its shave has remained close and comfortable and is still strong enough to mow through multiple days of growth when needed. When Dan tried it on his three-day beard, he found that it worked better than any electric shaver he had ever used—though it paled in comparison to a standard blade when confronted with his iron curtain of a half-week’s whiskers. While the Series 7 is powerful enough for most shaving situations, Braun’s Series 9 is the top-performing shaver we’ve tried that we find worth the additional expense—at least for certain situations.