Remington F5-5800 Review: Decent Budget Shaver

Arguably the most popular Remington shaver in recent years, the F5-5800 is a foil electric razor that helped Remington stay in the game alongside the bigger brands in the industry.

With a reasonable price and mostly positive user feedback, the F5-5800 is one of the more intriguing models in Remington’s current lineup.

However, every shaver comes with its own pros and cons and this one is no different.

After thoroughly testing it for a few weeks, this is my review of the Remington F5-5800.

As usual, I will go over all the important aspects and also recommend a few alternatives from the competition.

Hopefully, this post will help you decide whether the F5-5800 would be a suitable shaver for you or whether you’ll be better off with a different one.

Let’s get started.

Features overview

3-blade shaving system

The Remington F5-5800 is a basic, no-frills, 3-blade foil shaver.

The cutting system is comprised of two foils and one slit blade that Remington pompously refers to as featuring Intercept Technology.

The foils cut hairs at skin level, while the middle trimmer is supposed to pre-cut the longer hairs.

There are two removable cutters that oscillate behind the foils, while the middle trimmer is integrated into the foil block itself.

Flexing shaving head

The shaving head of the F5-5800 has a basic swivel function, allowing it to move up and down.

To be honest, that’s all you really need and even some premium-priced shavers like the Braun Series 9 Pro use a similar setup.

The 3 cutting elements can also move independently (Remington calls these functions Pivot & Flex).

Cordless and corded use

One of the highlights of this rather short list of features is the ability to use the shaver both cordless and corded.

This is becoming extremely rare with modern electric shavers and to some users, being able to use the shaver directly from a power outlet is a must-have.

Since it’s also fitted with a rechargeable battery, you can shave cordless as well for up to 60 minutes.

Waterproof

Despite being marketed as a dry-only electric razor, the Remington F5-5800 is waterproof and can be rinsed with water.

This makes cleaning a lot easier.

Pop-up trimmer

For some light grooming and touch-ups, there’s a pop-up trimmer located on the back of the shaver.

This is a welcome addition as not all shavers in this price range feature a hair trimmer.

Miscellaneous

Other noteworthy features are: LED battery level indicator, Universal Voltage Converter (100 – 240v), 2-year warranty.

Build quality and ergonomics

Solid build quality and slick design were never Remington’s strong points, at least not with their electric shavers.

And in the case of the F5-5800, they still aren’t. I will say however that it fares better than some of their other shavers.

For example, the build seems solid and sturdy, at least for the body of the shaver.

Things aren’t as good for the shaving head assembly (inner blades and foil frame) which looks cheap and feels somewhat flimsy.

In comparison, a Braun Series 3 or Panasonic Arc 3 are superior in this regard and some of them cost pretty much the same as the F5-5800 reviewed here.

Also, in order to remove the foil frame, you just grab it between your thumb and index finger and pull it.

There are no release buttons or tabs which isn’t really a big deal, but if your fingers are wet, it can get fiddly.

The foil frame looks cheap and so do the black plastic supports of the inner blades.

Again, this may seem nitpicky and it probably is.

However, the main issue with this Remington is in my opinion related to ergonomics.

At 226g, the shaver is heavier than a 4-blade Series 9 or a 5-blade Panasonic Arc 5.

And while 25 grams more doesn’t seem like a lot, together with the wide, chunky body and the lack of any grippy surfaces, it makes handling and using the F5-5800 more difficult.

It’s also larger than other entry-level foil shavers like the Braun Series 3 ProSkin.

The plastic panels are quite slippery, so I had to hold the razor pretty tight during use, which sometimes caused my hand to fatigue. This is something I almost never experienced with my other shavers.

The F5-5800 also doesn’t feel as nimble despite the shaving head itself being quite slim.

There’s no travel lock either and the power button protrudes a bit, so it would be possible to turn it on by accident.

Overall, the build quality and ergonomics of the F5-5800 are a bit underwhelming, but that’s not entirely surprising.

As mentioned previously, the competition is way ahead in this regard.

I wouldn’t call this a deal-breaker, but definitely something to keep in mind, especially if it’s your first electric razor.

Included accessories

Apart from the shaver itself, here’s what you’ll find inside the box:

• Charging cord
• Cleaning brush
• Protective cap
• User guide

There’s no travel pouch, but considering the price point, it’s somewhat understandable.

Fun fact: on the right side of the packaging, Remington proudly states that the F5 Shaves closer than a Braun 190s — a single foil, basic shaver.

These comparisons usually refer to previous models of the same brand (Braun and Panasonic do this with the release of their new shavers).

However, Remington decided to take a jab at Braun and picked one of their worst-performing models, the Series 1.

But at least the statement is true, I can confirm it from my own experience.

Battery life and charging

The F5-5800 is fitted with a rechargeable Li-ion ion battery, allowing for cordless operation of up to 60 minutes (according to Remington).

During my tests, the battery life proved to be excellent.

I got on average 8 to 9 shaves from a single charge, which is really good.

This may vary among different users depending on the coarseness of the hair and how long it takes to complete a shave.

Charging the shaver takes a rather lengthy 2 hours.

But there’s a silver lining: you can actually shave while the razor is charging.

As mentioned at the beginning of the review, the Remington F5-5800 is one of the few electric shavers that still have this feature.

There’s also a 5-minute quick charge function that will provide just enough juice to complete one quick shave.

The battery indicator is quite useful and despite the rather unrefined aesthetics and backlight bleed, it’s better than what most other shavers offer at this price point.

There are 5 levels representing the battery percentage left and they will turn off gradually as you use the shaver.

Once the 0 level glows red, you will need to charge it.

Remington recommends charging the F5-5800 for 24 hours before the first use for optimal battery performance.

Performance review

Let’s now see if the F5-5800 can make up for some of the previously mentioned shortcomings with a strong real-world performance.

Closeness of the shave

In short, the closeness was very good — even surprisingly good considering the price of the shaver and my previous experience with other Remington models.

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The foils used by Remington are very thin, which is why I think it’s able to cut the hairs so close to the skin.

It’s probably also the reason why their foils tend to last less than the ones used by the competition.

I was really pleased with the closeness I got from the F5-5800, even on some areas where other inexpensive razors fail to deliver a smooth shave.

Precisely, the chin and above the upper lip where I have really thick and dense hairs.

On the cheeks it was again excellent, comparable to what I would get from a Panasonic Arc 3 for example.

In terms of power, the Remington F5-5800 is just about adequate for a coarser beard.

It won’t be the fastest shaver out there, especially when shaving a longer beard (2 to 3 days), but it will be good enough for most users.

While shaving dry with this razor yielded satisfactory results, adding a pre-shave lotion improved my experience quite significantly.

The time it took me to complete the shave got shorter and I got an even closer shave, especially on the neck.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised throughout my tests by the closeness of the shave with this Remington.

Strictly in this regard, it manages to outperform other shavers in this price range like the Braun Series 3. Not by a huge margin, but it is noticeable.

Comfort

This is one area where most Remington shavers don’t excel.

The F5-5800 wasn’t the most comfortable (cheap) foil shaver I’ve used, but again, it wasn’t too bad.

Most of the time it was adequately comfortable and smooth, the foils only got slightly warm and there was no significant discomfort or razor burn.

As a side note, I have sensitive skin, especially on the neck and shaving dry can cause me some nasty rashes.

With the Remington F5-5800, there was only one area on my neck where I got some redness and stinging during use.

It happened particularly when doing faster strokes as some hairs would get snagged by the blades. Using a more controlled and slower motion minimized the frequency of this issue.

After the shave, the redness disappeared pretty quickly once I applied a balm and there wasn’t anything serious.

The shave was even smoother and gentler when I used a pre-shave lotion, so I highly recommend it if you also have sensitive skin.

Shaving longer hairs

So far things are looking quite good for the F5-5800.

But no shaver excels at everything and this one clearly doesn’t.

In my experience, shaving longer, flat-lying hairs was the Achilles heel of the Remington F5-5800.

While its performance on short facial hair was definitely good enough, especially at this price point, I can’t say the same when I used it on a 3-day beard.

I have quite a few flat-lying hairs on my neck and on the cheeks which caused the shaver some difficulties.

Even when going over those areas multiple times, some hairs were just left behind.

Despite having that middle trimmer with the so-called Intercept technology, it’s just not as good as other shavers with this type of hair.

Things are made worse by the fact that the 3 cutting elements are basically fixed.

While they do move independently, it takes a lot of force to move them; pressing that hard would result in serious razor burn and pain.

Also, their range of motion is quite short and limited.

The pivoting function of the head is also not as good as in the case of other (more expensive) razors.

On flat areas like the cheeks, this is not an issue, but on the neck and right below the jawline, you will notice it.

So my advice would be to consider the Remington F5-5800 if you usually shave often and you don’t have areas with flat-lying hairs.

For shaving a longer beard, there are better options out there but are usually more expensive. However, I think it’s worth spending more on a shaver in this situation.

Hair trimmer

The pop-up hair trimmer on the F5-5800 is positioned on the back and at first sight, it looks like a decent and capable trimmer.

But it’s not.

First of all, the spring that holds it in place when extended is so weak, that it will fold back when the slightest pressure is applied.

So it’s basically useless during an upstroke. That’s a bummer if you use the trimmer to shape and straighten your sideburns.

You could hold the shaver upside down or use your thumb to prevent the trimmer from folding back, but it will be pretty awkward to use.

And even so, the trimmer just doesn’t cut the hairs efficiently and requires multiple passes.

Moreover, it has the tendency to pull the hairs which can be painful and annoying.

The pop-up trimmer on a Panasonic Arc 3 for example is a lot better.

Noise level

Being a foil electric shaver, there aren’t any surprises here: the F5-5800 is pretty loud and gets even louder when it actually cuts the hairs.

You can clearly hear the blades clipping the hairs and the shaver also vibrates more than other foil shavers.

So if you were looking for a quiet electric razor, this isn’t the one. But then again, no foil shaver is particularly quiet.

Cleaning and maintenance

Manually cleaning the Remington F5-5800 is super easy and straightforward.

Since it’s waterproof, the most effective way is to simply rinse it with water.

This operation should always be performed with the shaver disconnected from the power cord.

Also, keep in mind that the F5-5800 can be safely rinsed, but not submerged in water.

With the shaver turned off, start by removing the foil frame and gently tap the plastic part on the sink to remove most of the hair clippings trapped inside.

You can also use the included brush if for some reason you can’t or don’t want to use water.

Make sure however not to brush the foils directly as they will get damaged.

Also, use the short bristles to clean the inner blades, but don’t brush them lengthwise as again they will get damaged.

I personally don’t use the brush if I can clean the razor with water.

Next, thoroughly rinse the foil assembly, both the inner and the outer parts.

Rinse the two removable blades as well:

I usually rinse a shaver with the foil attached and the shaver turned on. This can be more effective for dislodging any dirt and gunk buildups.

However, I don’t recommend doing so with the F5-5800 as it will splash water all over the place.

That’s usually not the case with other foil razors. For example, Panasonic even has a special cleaning mode that prevents water splashes.

Finally, shake off the excess water and gently wipe the parts with a towel. I recommend leaving them overnight to air dry completely before storing the shaver.

Remington doesn’t say anything about lubricating the blades, but I think it can only be beneficial to the performance and longevity of the parts.

Once a week or even less should be enough. You can use any light oil like clipper oil or a special spray lubricant for electric shavers.

Replacement parts availability

The Remington F5-5800 uses the SPF-300 replacement foils and blades.

Since the shaver is still quite popular, the parts are pretty easy to get as well.

Remington SPF-300 Foils & Cutters

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While the price is reasonable and similar to what you’ll pay for a Series 3 replacement head, you’ll likely have to replace them more often in the case of the F5-5800.

The manufacturer recommends a new set every 6 months. In comparison, Braun states that you’ll need a new set every 18 months.

While these numbers will vary in practice, the truth is that Remington foils and blades tend to last less compared to other brands.

So even though the shaver costs less to buy, the cost of ownership could likely be higher.

Wrapup — Who should buy the F5-5800?

Concluding the review, I must say that the F5-5800 is probably the most compelling Remington shaver you can currently buy.

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Despite its flaws, the actual shaving performance is undeniably good.

The price is right as well and the shaver is still widely available, even though it was launched a long time ago.

Anyone looking for an affordable, close shaving foil razor outside the Panasonic/Braun monopoly could very well consider it a viable option.

I think a key selling point of the Remington F5-5800 is its cordless & corded operation — there are very few electric shavers that offer that and for some users, this is a must-have feature.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this razor to a beginner simply because it’s not as easy to use due to its size, shape and the not so great ergonomics.

But if you can get past these aspects, it might work.

And while it wouldn’t be my first choice for someone with sensitive skin, if you don’t have any serious issues in that regard, it’s adequately comfortable, especially when paired with a pre-shave.

I also wouldn’t recommend this shaver to users who suffer from ingrown hairs, razor bumps or have wiry/curly facial hair.

As mentioned in the performance part of the review, the Remington F5-5800 is not ideal for shaving long and flat-lying hairs.

If you shave irregularly, like every 3 days or maybe you skip shaving during weekends, it may not be the best choice.

Finally, there’s the reliability that can be spotty with Remington shavers. The foils and blades seem a bit brittle and may not last as long as the ones from the competition.

Alternative shavers

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

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The first obvious alternative would be a Series 3 razor from Braun which I mentioned quite a few times in this review.

In my experience, the Series 3 has a few key advantages over the F5-5800: it’s easier to use, has better ergonomics, better build quality, it’s more comfortable and slightly better with long & flat hairs.

The replacement shaving heads should last more and are usually cheaper.

As for downsides, I think it doesn’t shave quite as close as the Remington and all Series 3 variations only have a basic battery level indicator.

Also, most of them will only work cordless.

The 3040s is one of the more popular Series 3 models. I chose this particular one because it has a slide-out hair trimmer and it’s widely available.

If the trimmer is not a must-have, you can opt for the cheaper 3010s or the 3000s. The latter can also be used while charging.

The performance will be identical for all Series 3 ProSkin models.

Finally, I think the Series 3 would be a better choice for beginners or users with more sensitive skin.

Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S

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While it’s pricier than the F5-5800, the Arc 3 is a superior shaver in most regards: it’s faster and more powerful, has much better build quality and a far better popup trimmer.

The curved profile of the foils and the slim head make it more nimble and easier to use. I think it’s a better choice for someone just getting started with electric shaving (if it fits within the budget).

Just like the Remington F5-5800, the Arc 3 excels at providing a really close shave and it’s not great for shaving long and flat-lying hairs.

So you should consider it if you usually shave more often, like daily or every other day.

It’s probably not ideal for very sensitive skin though; I think the Series 3 would be a better choice in this case.

If you can’t get the ES8103S anymore (it is a rather old model), you can safely buy the ES-LL41-K or ES-LL21-K instead. The shaving performance will be the same.

Braun Series 5 5030s

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I realize that it’s an unfair comparison given its price, but the Series 5 would be significantly better than the F5-5800 and the other shavers above in a couple of key areas.

First of all, it’s a very capable foil shaver for dealing with longer hairs that stay flat on the skin.

Secondly, it’s very comfortable and forgiving and better suited for someone with sensitive skin.

It costs significantly more, but if you’re in at least one of the above situations, I think it’s worth the extra money.

The 5030s is usually the best pick as it costs less than other models and it will also work corded.

And surprisingly, the replacement shaving head costs about the same as the foils + blades of the F5-5800, maybe only slightly more.

But again, the performance (especially in the above-mentioned cases) is a lot better.

Update: unfortunately the Series 5 was discontinued and replaced by a new generation that is inferior in all regards. The Series 8 is now my recommendation for a mid-range Braun shaver.