Review Summary Editor's choice
Pros: arguably the most comfortable electric shaver on the market, close shaves, great performance when used on longer hairs, suitable for very sensitive skin, very fast shaving sessions, excellent cleaning station, lightweight and well balanced, good build quality and ergonomics
Cons: pricey, plastic body, cleaning cartridges are pricey (compared to the competition), mediocre long hair trimmer, manual cleaning can be fiddly
Braun launched the Series 9 back in 2015 to take over the popular, but aging Series 7 line of electric shavers.
With more power, more cutting elements and a new design, the Series 9 is Braun’s most advanced and most expensive electric shaver yet.
One year after its introduction, Braun suddenly revamped the entire Series 9 line, the most important changes being a new shaving head and wet/dry operation for all the new shavers.
Part of this updated generation, the Braun Series 9 9290cc comes in a matte silver finish and includes an automatic Clean & Charge (cc) station.
Moreover, this particular model is shaping up to be one of the best-selling Series 9 shavers due to its lower price compared to other similar Series 9 variations and worldwide availability.
But since it still has a hefty price tag, you’re probably interested in finding out if it’s worth your hard-earned money.
With that said, there’s a lot to like about the 9290cc, but there are some negative aspects as well.
To find out if it would be a good fit for you, I compiled my findings into this review after thoroughly testing the Braun Series 9 9290cc over the course of several months.
Let’s get started!
UPDATE: Braun discontinued the 92xx Series 9 and replaced it with the updated 93xx Series 9.
Table of Contents
Features overview
The Series 9 9290cc (9291cc) packs quite a lot of technologies and features, so I’ll briefly go over the most important ones.
4 individual cutting elements
The shaving head of the Series 9 is comprised of 4 individual cutting elements:
- Two foil cutters called OptiFoils that shave hairs close to the skin. They use Braun’s notorious hexagon-shaped holes that are supposedly superior for capturing hairs compared to the more common rounded ones.
- A HyperLift & Cut trimmer — this is a novelty and a distinct element of the Series 9; the specially designed trimmer lifts and cuts flat-lying hairs. You can identify it by its distinctive golden color on the updated Series 9 models like the 9290cc/9291cc in this review. The unique color of this trimmer is the result of a Titanium Nitride coating, a ceramic material used for its anti-corrosive and edge retention properties.
- A Direct & Cut trimmer that captures hairs growing in different directions.
One thing that caught my attention was Braun’s attempt at marketing the Series 9 as a shaver with 5 cutting elements.
In Braun’s view, the fifth is the so-called SkinGuard, a piece of metal located right next to the Direct & Cut trimmer that supposedly smoothens the skin.
But let’s be honest, this isn’t a cutter and should not count as one.
Just for the record, the Panasonic Arc 5 is an example of a shaver with 5 active shaving elements.
SyncroSonic Technology
With the Series 9, Braun ditched the personalization modes of the Series 7 that allowed the user to manually alter the power output of the shaver depending on the area being shaved.
Those were pretty much useless and Braun probably thought the same.
Instead, they implemented the so-called SyncroSonic technology that supposedly reads the density of the beard and adjusts the power accordingly.
As a side note, this type of technology is also found on high-end Panasonic shavers.
I personally prefer having full power for the entire shave as I never found this type of feature to make any significant improvements to the actual performance of the shaver.
10·D Flexible Shaving System
According to Braun, the four cutters are mounted on a 10 directional pivoting head: they can be independently depressed and the whole shaving head can pivot back and forth.
I have no idea how they came up with the number 10, but what I can tell you after using the 9290cc is that this really works.
The Series 9 has one of the best-implemented flexing shaving heads of any foil shaver. It’s simple, but it works great (more details on this in the performance section of the review).
For more precision, the head can also be locked into a fixed position with a dedicated switch located on the front of the shaver.
Waterproof, wet & dry operation.
As mentioned earlier, all the updated Series 9 models are now suitable for wet & dry use and can be fully submerged in water up to 5 meters deep.
This means that you can use the 9290cc/9291cc in the shower or with your favorite shaving cream if you prefer so.
As a side note, all the updated Series 9 shavers can be identified by the model name, 92xxcc or 92xxs.
There’s also an even newer iteration of the Series 9 that was released in 2019, the Series 9 93xx. However, apart from minor visual tweaks and a slightly larger battery, they don’t bring any significant improvements over the ongoing 92xx models.
The very first Series 9 shavers used the 90xxcc or 90xxs naming template. These have been discontinued and are very difficult to get nowadays.
The cc models include the automatic cleaning station, while the s models do not.
Automatic cleaning station
As you probably know, the Series 9 9290cc in this review comes with the Clean & Charge station that does precisely what the name implies.
Moreover, it also dries and lubricates the shaving head. We’ll take a detailed look at how the cleaning station works later on.
Miscellaneous
Other noteworthy features of the 9290cc/9291cc include:
- 5-level battery LED display
- travel lock
- 5-minute quick charge
- long hair trimmer
- automatic voltage converter (100–240v)
Included accessories
Apart from the shaver itself, upon opening the retail package, you’ll be greeted with the following items:
- Clean & Charge station
- Charging cord
- Hard travel case
- 1 x cleaning cartridge
- Cleaning brush
- User’s manual
Build quality and ergonomics
I must admit that I was a bit disappointed to find out that Braun has decided to use plastic for the Series 9.
For example, Panasonic’s latest Arc 5 shavers have an exquisite brushed metal body.
However, I was glad to see that at least with the 9290cc/9291cc, the silver part of the shaver’s body has a matte, frosted finish compared to the high gloss chrome treatment of other Series 9 models (9295cc, 9296cc, 9297cc, etc.).
As a result, smudges and fingerprints are a non-issue with this one. There’s still some glossy chrome around the bottom, around the ON/OFF switch, and on the foil frame.
The Braun Series 9 9290cc is a very good-looking shaver. The body actually looks like metal (and I still wish it was made out of metal).
The shaver is surprisingly lightweight and its size is very manageable despite having substantial girth toward the top part.
It feels well balanced and adequately secure due to the textured rubber on the back that extends to the sides as well.
The slide-out hair trimmer on the back is covered with the same grippy material.
I personally would have liked the rubber to extend even more on the sides and front like they did with the Series 5, but that would have messed up the aesthetics.
With the black color scheme of the Series 5, it wasn’t a problem.
The front of the shaver houses the LED display, the ON/OFF switch (that also acts as a travel lock with a long press) and the head locking switch.
The shaving head can be locked in one of 5 positions for more precision when shaving a tight spot like right below the nose.
You can do that by sliding down the switch.
It’s worth mentioning that this is a massive improvement over the locking mechanism of the Series 7 that was prone to breaking if excessive force was applied to the shaving head after being locked.
With the Series 9 (and the Series 8 and 5 as well), the head will simply move into a different position with no damage done to the ratcheting mechanism.
Despite being covered with these dimples, the switch is still a bit slippery if your finger is wet and you must press harder in order to operate it.
The one on the Series 5 for example offers more grip, being made out of a softer, rubbery plastic.
On the back of the Series 9, you’ll find the hair trimmer and two metal studs used for charging the shaver when placed in the station.
The hair trimmer is very smooth to slide in and out. When fully extended, it just about passes the shaving head.
I have to give Braun props for paying attention to small details. For example, if you slide out the trimmer and the shaving head is in the way (the range of motion is quite large), it automatically slides downward so the trimmer won’t bump into it.
Also, there’s a small button in the center of the trimmer that must be pressed — otherwise, the trimmer simply won’t slide forward.
The shaving head (called a cassette) appears to be of decent quality and snaps easily and securely in place.
It’s also very easy to remove by pressing the two black tabs on both sides of the shaving head.
It’s worth mentioning that with the original Series 9 there were some reports of the shaving head falling apart after just months of use. The culprit was apparently the HyperLift & Cut trimmer.
For the shaving heads of the updated Series 9, Braun outsourced their production to a different manufacturer and the problem was most likely taken care of.
The new shaving heads also use the Titanium coating and have a golden color instead of blue.
The hard travel case is excellent. I like the fact that Braun includes them even with the less expensive models like the Series 5.
The case offers excellent protection and looks and feels of high quality.
The Series 9 9290cc comes with a hard textile travel case, while other Series 9 models like the 9291cc or the newer 9385cc come with a leather case.
Both will offer very good protection when traveling, but the leather case looks and feels more expensive.
Overall, the build quality and ergonomics of the Series 9 are good, even though I personally expected a bit more from Braun’s new flagship.
Battery life and charging
Being a wet/dry shaver, the Series 9 9290cc/9291cc can only be operated cordless as a safety precaution.
The older dry-only versions of the Series 9 like the 9090cc could also be used while charging.
However, the battery life is excellent and there’s a 5-minute quick charge option as well.
With the 9290cc I get at least 10 shaves from a full charge which is very good in my opinion. The battery also charges reasonably fast in approximately 60 minutes.
The 9290cc is automatically charged when placed in the station, but you can plug the cord directly into the shaver as well.
My unit was bought from Europe and came with a flat cord. Some Series 9 can still be shipped with the older (and now discontinued) coiled cord.
When charging, the corresponding bar indicating the current battery charge will flash.
There are 5 levels, each one representing a 20% charge.
A nifty feature only found on certain Series 9 models, 9290cc and 9291cc included, is the display showing an actual number for the last 9 minutes of remaining shaving time.
This is very useful in my opinion and enhances the user experience. I would actually prefer this solution to the 5 bars approach entirely.
Shaving performance
Let’s now get to the most important part of our Braun Series 9 9290cc/9291cc review and see how well the shaver performs.
I tested the 9290cc model for a couple of months and used it for shaving daily, every other day and every two to three days.
I shaved dry for the majority of the time but also tried it with shaving cream since this model can handle wet shaving as well.
Just to put things into context, I have sensitive skin and medium to coarse facial hair.
And now the big question: how does the Braun Series 9 9290cc shave?
Short answer: amazing.
I can honestly say that the 9290cc gave me one of the most pleasant, enjoyable and comfortable shaves of any electric razors I’ve used so far.
If I could describe the shaving experience in one word, that would be effortless.
Closeness of the shave
Let’s start with how close the 9290cc shaves.
Well, pretty darn close. Again, one of the closest shaves I got from a Braun electric razor.
I would say that the Panasonic Arc 5 is still the closest shaving razor you can buy, but in my case, the difference was rather minor.
I guess one of the reasons for the remarkable close shave is just how comfortable the 9290cc feels.
I am usually very cautious when shaving and always make sure not to press excessively or go over sensitive areas multiple times.
With the 9290cc however I could get away with doing these things that would normally leave me with some razor burn or at least a nasty rash.
For me it is particularly difficult to get a close shave right above my upper lip, where the hairs are very thick and dense and I often have to press harder and use more strokes just to get a decent result.
Doing so often leads to irritation, but there was none with the Series 9 9290cc and I could actually get a close shave without any discomfort.
Comfort
Comfort-wise, the Series 9 9290cc is in a class of its own.
While the Series 7 comes very close in this regard, the Series 9 feels subjectively smoother, faster and more pleasant to use.
It’s a combination of various factors, like the increased torque and the foils remaining cool even after a long shaving session.
The Series 9 is arguably the most forgiving electric razor out there right now and even when my technique was sloppier, it still didn’t cause me any significant discomfort.
Shaving longer hairs
To me, the most impressive thing about the Braun Series 9 9290cc (apart from the comfort) was just how efficient it was at catching and cutting longer hairs that lie flat on the skin.
I have a problem area on my neck where hairs grow in different directions and also parallel to the skin.
The Series 9 managed to perform better than any electric foil shaver I’ve used. And this scenario — longer, flat-lying hairs — is without a doubt the Achilles heel of most electric shavers.
The Series 9 with its two middle trimmers simply works better than any other foil shaver and better than most rotary shavers.
I never managed to get a smooth shave on my neck as fast and comfortably as I did with the 9290cc.
I also never experienced any pulling or tugging on the hairs even with two to three days between shaving sessions.
Because it is so effective at catching those stubborn hairs, the time it takes for me to complete a shave was also remarkably short with the Series 9 9290cc.
The four cutters form a large area that can cover a lot of ground fast. The motor is also adequately powerful and never felt sluggish.
The Series 9 has probably the best implementation of a flexing shaving head as well.
It works flawlessly and allows you to maintain constant contact with the skin even if you have very prominent facial features.
Even though it’s not nearly as advanced as the one of the latest Arc 5 models, it actually improves your shaving experience.
When shaving right below the jawline or on your chin you will really feel the difference compared to most other razors.
The Series 9 is also pretty quiet for a foil shaver. Compared to a Series 5 or even 7 for example that vibrates excessively during use, the 9290cc is much more refined.
Series 9 shaving head orientation: does it matter?
You may or may not know, but the shaving cassette on all Series 9 models can be fitted in two ways as you can see from the pictures below.
And that begs the question: does the orientation affect the shaving performance?
Braun says that it does not. Some of our readers say that it does.
To find out, I shaved half my face with the head fitted with the titanium-coated trimmer closer to the shaver’s front (option 1) and immediately after that, the other half with the head flipped 180 degrees (option 2).
And to my surprise, I did notice a difference.
It wasn’t huge, but with the head fitted with the HyperLift & Cut trimmer closer to the top of the shaver (option 2) it just felt smoother and the shaver was subjectively more effective at catching the longer hairs on my neck.
So during an upstroke, the order of the cutting elements was: OptiFoil – HyperLift & Cut trimmer – Direct & Cut trimmer – SkinGuard – OptiFoil and that seemed to slightly improve my shave.
However, these findings may vary, so definitely try shaving both ways and see which one works better for you. I wouldn’t be surprised if for some it wouldn’t make any difference at all.
Long hair trimmer
The hair trimmer on the Series 9 9290cc is a bit of a mixed bag.
I like the positioning, it’s buttery smooth to slide in and out and the cutter itself is adequately wide.
When deployed, it extends a bit beyond the shaving head, so you can sort of see what you’re doing.
However, it just feels dull and I must go over an area multiple times to get all the hairs.
I mostly use the trimmers on my electric shavers to shape my sideburns and it takes me a lot to do it with the 9290cc.
My old Panasonic Arc 4, with its pop-up trimmer that sits perpendicularly to the shaver’s body, shaves a lot faster and requires less effort on my part to use it.
I found this to be the case with the Braun Series 3, 5 and 7 as well. Definitely not a deal-breaker, but the performance of the trimmer could be a lot better.
Wet shaving with the 9290cc
I personally prefer to shave with cream with certain electric razors as I get closer and smoother shaves.
Since this shaver was already very comfortable and the closeness was adequate as well, I mostly used the 9290cc dry.
With shaving cream the closeness was a bit better and the comfort outstanding, but overall the difference was negligible in my case.
And that’s unusual for me as I normally get much better results when shaving wet, particularly with Panasonic and Norelco shavers. But that’s mainly because out of the box they’re not as comfortable as the Series 9.
As a result, I didn’t feel the need to use the 9290cc with shaving cream.
And there’s another reason for sticking mostly to dry shaving as you’ll see next.
Cleaning and maintenance
The cc in the shaver’s name means that it comes with an automatic cleaning station.
As a result, you’ll have two options for cleaning the 9290cc at your disposal: automatic and manual.
Let’s start with the automatic cleaning.
Automatic cleaning
The station shipped with the Series 9 is specific to this line, being different than the ones included with the Series 3, 5, 7 or 8.
They all use the same cleaning cartridges, but the stations shipped with the Series 9, use a fan for the drying cycle of the cleaning process.
The old (and discontinued) Series 7 station uses induction heating, the fastest and quietest method, while the Series 3, 5 and 8 don’t have any active drying systems and therefore they take the longest to dry the shaver.
Braun dropped the induction heating system altogether, so the Series 9 cc station is the only one in Braun’s current lineup that includes an active drying system.
Apart from the design and the way the shaver sits inside the station, all Braun cleaning stations will automatically charge, clean and lubricate the shaver.
As said previously, the drying feature is now only available with the Series 9.
Let’s take a closer look at the station shipped with the 9290cc and see how it performs.
The design is very similar to the Series 5 and 8 stations. And that makes sense since these shavers are very similar in terms of design and proportions, even though they’re in different categories of price and performance.
There’s a single central button on the front that starts the cleaning and drying process.
Right above that button you’ll find a sticker showing how you should NOT use the station.
Precisely, you shouldn’t use it if your shaver is dripping wet or the shaving head is covered in lather.
That’s a bit odd for a wet/dry shaver you would think.
And you’d be right.
However, this is in my opinion a downside of this station and of all Braun stations that are shipped with wet/dry shavers.
I wrote about this limitation before on numerous occasions, but what Braun basically tells you is that after a wet shave you should clean and dry the shaver manually before you can use the station.
And that’s a bit of a bummer if you planned on using the 9290cc with shaving cream or in the shower.
Since shaving cream can clog the station‘s drain hole (and the cartridge’s filter), you’ll be forced to do a manual clean beforehand and you’ll also have to make sure that the shaving head is (reasonably) dry before tossing it into the station.
Obviously, this won’t be an issue if you’ll be using your 9290cc dry. And I actually recommend you to do so and to consider a Panasonic or a Philips Norelco if you plan on using shaving cream or gel.
Let’s now get back to actually using the 9290cc cleaning station.
You open the base by pressing the button on the back, then simply slide the cartridge from the back until it clicks into position.
Remember to remove the plastic cap from the cartridge before installing it.
You then close the station, connect the cord and you’re ready to start.
When placed inside the station, the shaver will begin charging automatically. Pressing the button will start the cleaning process.
The cleaning cycle is very short and takes just over 2 minutes.
During this time the shaver is turned on and off and the cleaning fluid is flushed through the shaver’s head to remove hair clippings and dirt.
The shaver will signal when it needs to be cleaned by showing a water droplet on the LED display.
The station supposedly analyzes the hygiene status of the shaver and selects an appropriate cleaning mode: short, normal, or high intensity.
The selected program is depicted by the droplet symbols on the station: one for short, two for normal and three for high intensity.
However, my station never selected any setting apart from the high-intensity one. This was also signaled by some of our readers.
I even cleaned the shaver immediately after one short session and the station still thought that it needed an intensive cleaning.
The same happens with my other Series 9 (the newer 9385cc). So I guess this is a general issue.
Since even this intensive cleaning mode only lasts around 3 minutes, that’s not a big deal at all.
There’s a very noticeable, but pleasant boozy, citrusy smell around the station that lingers on throughout the whole process.
Once the cleaning phase is completed, the fan inside the station is turned on to blow dry the shaving head.
The air passes through a slot inside the station and is directed toward the foils.
Since the cleaning fluid contains alcohol, it will evaporate fast and the drying cycle took just under 40 minutes.
The process is fairly quiet, even though not completely silent as in the case of the old Series 7 station that used induction heating for the drying cycle.
I measured an average of 35dB right next to the station. The room normally sits at around 24dB, so that’s reasonable.
The result is a squeaky clean shaving head, ready for the next shave. The station did a fantastic job every time I used it.
The foils feel oily to the touch and that’s a good sign as the cleaning fluid also acts as a lubricant so you won’t have to do it yourself.
It really is nice to always have your razor charged, lubricated and ready for another shave.
The cleaning fluid also leaves the shaving head smelling clean and fresh. It has a pleasant citrusy scent with just a hint of alcohol.
Upon a close inspection after taking the shaver out of the station I could see just a few traces of cleaning fluid on the outside of the cassette, right below the foils.
The foils themselves however were perfectly dry.
It will be interesting to see how will the paint fare in time, being constantly in contact with the alcohol-based fluid.
We know that the previous Series 7 didn’t do too well and after a couple of years the paint right below the shaving head would start to flake and chip.
The damage was however only visual, with no effects on the performance and functioning of the shaver.
The cleaning station is really handy in my opinion and the cost of the cleaning solution is fairly reasonable, especially if you opt for one of the third-party alternatives.
However, the original cleaning solutions from Panasonic and Norelco are cheaper and usually last longer.
You can get more cleaning cycles out of a cartridge by removing the shaving head and tapping it gently on the sink to get rid of the bulk of hairs before starting the automatic cleaning.
Also, if you won’t be using the station daily, it’s a good idea to remove the cartridge from the base and put the cap back as the alcohol-based solution will evaporate fast.
Depending on how often you use the station, a cartridge should last for several months before needing to be replaced.
I personally use the station approximately once a week and simply clean the shaver with soap and water the rest of the time.
Which brings us to the next section.
Manual cleaning
I’ll be perfectly honest and tell you that cleaning the 9290cc manually (or any Series 9) will probably not be enough in order to avoid dirt buildups inside the shaving head.
No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to remove all the hairs trapped inside the intricate cassette.
For comparison, here’s the foil & frame assembly of a Panasonic Arc 4:
You can use the included brush to sweep most of the hairs, rinse the shaving head under warm tap water or even use a bit of liquid soap, but again you won’t be able to quite match the results of the cleaning station.
I normally advise our readers to skip the station if the shaver is easy to clean manually as for example Panasonic shavers are.
However, in this case the cleaning station is quite handy and I think buying one of the cc models is worth it.
The price difference from a solo Series 9 is not that high and your costs of ownership with the cleaning fluid will be minimal if you follow the tips outlined above.
Also, a Series 9 that didn’t include a cleaning station will not work with one if you plan to purchase it later on.
Replacement parts availability
There’s been quite a saga with the Series 9 replacement shaving heads that started right after the launch of the original shavers.
The shaving heads used by the original Series 9 shavers, the 90s and 90b cassettes, were nowhere to be found.
If you were lucky enough to find them, the price was obscenely high.
Moreover, there were some reports of the shaving heads falling apart after just months of use.
With the introduction of the updated Series 9, Braun also outsourced the production of the new shaving heads — 92s (silver) and 92b (black) — to a different manufacturer.
After an initial shortage, the parts are now readily available and the price is also pretty reasonable, at least for a premium shaver.
Braun 92s replacement shaving head
The Series 9 9290cc uses the 92s (silver) replacement shaving head. The 92s/92b cassettes are also backward compatible with the older Series 9 shavers.
Braun recommends replacing the shaving head of the Series 9 once every 18 months, but in reality, it depends on how often you shave, how coarse your beard is and how you take care of the shaver (cleaning, lubrication).
Wrapup — Who should buy the 9290cc (9291cc)?
I think it’s a fair assessment to say that the Braun Series 9 9290cc met and in some areas even exceeded the expectations, at least my own.
There’s a lot to like about this electric shaver and about the Series 9 in general, the highlights being the supreme comfort during the shave, its effectiveness at shaving even coarse and longer hairs and of course, the closeness.
The construction is a bit of a letdown compared to the flagship shavers from Panasonic and Philips Norelco, but there are no serious problems and some of the issues found on the older Series 7 were addressed completely.
As a result, the Series 9 9290cc is a complete package and the shaving performance is excellent.
Unless you’re on a very tight budget or you’re just getting started with electric shaving and don’t want to spend a lot of money on your first shaver, the 9290cc/9291cc will be a great choice for pretty much anyone.
Granted, if you have light to medium facial hair it will probably be overkill and you’ll be just fine with something like a cheaper Series 5 or even 3.
The Series 9 9290cc will be an excellent choice if you’re dealing with sensitive skin and razor burn; it’s arguably the most comfortable electric shaver you can currently buy.
Also, the Series 9 will work great if you have coarse facial hair as it has plenty of cutting power and will shave faster than most other electric shavers.
As I said in the performance section of the review, during my tests the Series 9 9290cc performed great when used on longer, flat-lying hairs, so it will work great not just for daily use, but even when shaving every two days or more.
If you have wiry hairs that grow in different directions the 9290cc should again be on your shortlist of shavers.
Finally, many barbers also use the Series 9 as head shavers, so if you shave your head as well, this one would be a good option.
Alternative shavers
As I said in my comparison of the Series 7 and 9, the older Series 7 will yield similar results for most users, particularly when used on shorter hair.
Yes, the Series 9 will shave faster and a bit smoother and I personally find the experience more enjoyable, but if you shave more often and don’t have a lot of flat-lying hairs, the Series 7 will likely be good enough for you.
Braun Series 7 790cc
You can go for a dry only model like the Series 7 790cc or a wet/dry variation like the Series 7 7865cc.
However, I would still recommend getting a Series 7 that includes a cleaning station for the same reasons outlined in this review.
If your budget is limited, but still want an electric shaver that works great for sensitive skin, the Series 5 from Braun is an excellent option.
The 5195cc seems to be the best pick as it comes with a cleaning station and the price is right as well.
Now, if sensitive skin is not an issue and you’re mainly interested in getting the closest possible shave, a Panasonic Arc 5 would probably be a better choice than the Series 5.
The price of the latest Arc 5 (third-generation) is currently very high and I don’t think it’s worth the money.
With that said, I would personally go for a second-generation Arc 5, like the ES-LV65-S (no cleaning station) or the ES-LV95-S (includes an automatic cleaning station).
Panasonic ES-LV65-S Arc 5
Panasonic shavers also work better in my opinion when used with shaving cream and are easier to clean manually, so you can skip the station in this case and save some money while doing so.
Finally, a more budget-friendly alternative to the Panasonic Arc 5 is another shaver from Panasonic, the Arc 4.
With 4 blades, a powerful 14 000 CPM motor and super sharp blades, it will provide very close shaves for just a fraction of the price.
My personal picks would be the ES-LA63AA or the ES-LF51-A, two fantastic performers that are very reasonably priced.
You can get an Arc 4 with a cleaning station as well in the form of the Panasonic ES-LA93-K, but it’s really not necessary.
To read more about the Arc 4 family of shavers and the different models, check out this post.
This may be a dump question to ask. What do you do with your old Electric Saver?
I have a Braun Series 7, and it is very capable as stated in the review. But its head need a replacement and I am thinking of getting the Series 9 instead.
Throwing it away seems like a waste, and I am not sure if anyone wants to buy a 2nd Hand Shaver. Any suggestions? I would have like if Braun offer trade in, at least they can recycle it.
Hi Ed,
This is actually a very good question. I am not aware of any Braun trade-in programs unfortunately. Depending on where you live, you may have the possibility to simply take it to a local recycling center. Some local authorities offer a household recycling collection service. Finally, there’s the option of selling it, but like you said, being a used shaver I don’t know if you’ll have any luck selling it.
Sell it on eBay for $50 – $70, cleaning station included, without the foil. It is easy to disenfect the razor body. I have sold two shavers, a previous Series 7 model and a Panasonic Arc4, with no problems at all. There are folks who will buy them to save money or as a backup/travel shaver.
Will it affect battery life if I use cleaning station everyday? Battery would never drain. Using series 9 9290cc. Brilliant shaver. Best one ever used.
Hi Stuart,
Modern Li-Ion batteries are a lot less sensitive to these problems than they used to be. Manufacturers even recommend charging them whenever there’s a plug available. However, they do have a limited number of recharging cycles and if you charge them more often you’ll go through them faster. So the problem is not that the battery on the Series 9 would never drain (again, it’s not really necessary), the problem is that with using the station daily you’ll also be charging it daily.
So the answer is yes, it will affect the battery life to some degree, but there’s really not much we can do about it. Some older Panasonic stations had the option to just charge or clean/dry the shaver, but that’s gone with the latest shavers. Even so, this is a very gradual process and your shaver should last for years.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
that’s not correct.
One charging cycle means from empty to full. So if you charge from,let’s say, 50-100 it’s just a half cycle!
However a Li-Ion will age faster (and lose capacity) keeping it always at full charge.
Excuse my poor english, I’m from Finland living in Germany so english is just my 3rd language.
Hi Mika,
Thank you for the heads up. I actually wasn’t aware that a cycle only implies going from 0 to 100%. I was under the impression that topping off the battery always counts as a complete cycle. So the battery life will suffer after all, but for a different reason.
Hi Ovidiu,
correct. 🙂
Thanks for the great article.
Kind regards
Mika
Impressively thorough and most helpful.
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your kind comment, I’m glad you found the review useful.
Best,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Very thorough review and, for me, really helpful. I live in Italy and rasor prices are high but I want to replace my Philips series 7000 model. I will use the Philips as a backup.
My question is: is it worth spending the money for a series 9 model or can a series 5 model do the same job even if you have to pass more times on your beard? I am not fully satisfied with how the Philips shave under my neck.
I am not considering the Braun series 7 model because here the difference in price is not worth it.
In the end of the day my question is if the series 5 will get the job done.
even with more effort.
I always read you.
Thanks,
Hi Barbaro,
Thank you for your comment and for taking the time to read my articles. Regarding the Series 5 and 9, that really depends. Both will get the job done eventually, even though how they actually get there will be different. How different depends on the individual.
If you have very coarse and dense facial hair, shave less often and have hairs that grow in different directions and lie flat on the skin, the Series 9 will probably be noticeable better and your shave will take less time and be more enjoyable. If that’s the case then the Series 9 is probably worth the extra money. I would also recommend the Series 9 if you have very sensitive skin as it’s extremely comfortable and forgiving.
If you don’t find yourself in the above situations, you won’t really benefit from the extra blade and features of the Series 9. A Series 5 will be good enough, particularly if you shave daily or every other day. For me the closeness of the shave with the Series 5 and 9 is very similar, maybe with a very slight advantage for the Series 9.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I bought the Panasonic ES – LT2N a few days ago and I’m satisfied with it but, and it’s a big but, it seems a bit too harsh on my skin.
The closeness and easyness of the shave are very good but after shaving my face is like burning for some minutes. Maybe it’s just my getting used to it or maybe it’s better to get the Braun series 9 just to not go wrong.
Even if the Braun could be overkill I think I could not go wrong with it.
What would you suggest? Getting a higher end Panasonic or going for a Braun series 9 or series 7 that should also be very confortable for the skin?
I have this weekend for my decision because I can return and get the Braun on Amazon.
Waiting for you suggetions.
Thanks
Barbaro
Hi Barbaro,
Panasonics are arguably the best in terms of closeness, but this also comes with a small trade-off in comfort. If you have sensitive skin, they can be a bit aggressive. In your case the fact that you previously used a rotary Philips Series 7000 can definitely have something to do with your initial results; it can take some time to get used to shaving with a foil-based razor.
A few quick tips would be to not press too hard and start your shave with the most sensitive areas. Always shave against the grain with straight, controlled strokes. I do not know your preference for wet or dry shaving, but adding a shaving cream could help.
Regarding the other options, I’d say that an Arc 4 or Arc 5 won’t be significantly different with regards to comfort compared to the ES-LT2N. Maybe the latest LV Arc 5, but those are obscenely expensive. The Series 9 is again more expensive than the ES-LT2N. It is in my opinion the most comfortable shaver out there right now, however, it doesn’t shave quite as close as the Panasonics. As you can see, there’s no perfect shaver and you always have to make a compromise when buying one.
If you have the possibility, give the LT2N more time before returning it and see how it goes. If you fail to see an improvement after 2 weeks for example, then it’s time to consider other options.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
thanks for your reply. I’ll follow your suggestions and give it a 2 week try. If the situation does not improve I’ll consider other options (mainly Braun is the only other option). I only do dry shave and I wonder if a pre-shave lotion could help. If you think it could be a good idea, can you suggest a good one with not a marked scent and not too oily?
Thanks
Barbaro
Hi Barbaro,
You should definitely try one out; I almost always use a pre-shave when I shave dry and at least in my case the results are clearly better. The Aramis Lab Series is one that would fit your requirements, but it is a bit pricey, especially compared to other products like Williams Lectric Shave or Afta Pre Electric. These two however exhibit precisely what you’re trying to avoid (oily residues/strong fragrance).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the reviews. Am citit si ce ai scris despre seria 7, si comparatiile dintre seria 7 si 9. Foarte bine scrise si explicate. Multumesc si felicitari
Thank you for your comment, Alin. I’m glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Loved the review! I just have one question, is there much difference between the 9290cc and the 9295cc? I have the latter one but I don’t see any difference that is visible between the two models. Could you answer this one questions for me?
Thank you for your comment, Joe! The 9295cc has a glossy, chrome-like finish, while the 9290cc has more of a frosted, matte finish. It’s pretty difficult to notice this from Braun’s official product photos. Other than that, the two models are identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, thanks for you response. I did enjoy the review and am happy that my razer is as good as the one you reviewed. I look forward to more reviews from you. Keep your excellent work.
You are very welcome, Joe. More reviews and articles will follow soon. Thank you again for the kind words.
Best,
Ovidiu
Cleaning head with brush is hard. Foil and razor are made as one piece, compared to Braun Series 5. Overall performance for money would show Series 5 as a better value
I agree, the shaving head of the Series 9 is difficult to clean with a brush. That’s the case with the current Series 5 as well since it uses a similar cassette with the blades and foils merged into one piece. I think you’re referring to the first generation Series 5 (now discontinued) that was indeed using separate foils and blades.
I’m planning to buy a great shaver for my father’s birthday gift. And yesterday I just read an article https://10techy.com/braun-series-9-comparison/ and it said that Braun Series 9 9295cc is the latest model of series 9 right? what is the different between 9295cc and 9290cc? why it has so many series?
Hi Peter,
The Series 9 9295cc has a glossy/chrome finish, while the 9290cc comes with a matte, frosted treatment. Other than that they are exactly the same. Both are part of the updated (latest) Series 9 iteration. Regarding the excessive number of models, here is a detailed article on that topic that I wrote a while back.
I tend to recommend the 9290cc over the 9295cc as the matte finish is much better at repelling fingerprints and smudges, it’s widely available in most countries and also tends to cost less. But you can go for either of the two as underneath they are identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello!
Is it possible to use the shaver safe enough, especially HyperLlift & Cut and Direct & Cut trimmers if I have some small birthmarks on my neck? I’m afraid that can damage and cut them.
I tried to use just a basic foil from Braun Cruzer and it was ok.
Hope for your answer like a person who used the device by yourself. Thank you!
Hi Serhio,
I’m really not the most qualified person to answer this and it also depends on the particularities of the birthmarks and whether they pose a risk to using an electric shaver, so it’s very difficult for me to give you a definitive answer. If you used the Braun Cruzer without the comb attachment and everything went well, the Series 9 should also be safe to use. It is very gentle and forgiving, but you should nevertheless be extra careful when going over that area, making sure not to press too hard.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your opinion!
Thanks Ovidiu for the great review. I have the 9295cc. What are your thoughts about using it with shaving cream? Do you need to rinse it clean before putting it it the cleaning center, if usisong it with shaving cream? Would you recommend using it with Pre-Shave ? If using it with a Pre-Shave Gel, would you also need to rinse it off, before putting it in the cleaning center? What about a post shave moisturizer? I have been trying the Art of shaving products and like them.
Hi Jay,
Thank you for your comment. If you use your Series 9 with shaving cream, I would strongly recommend a manual cleaning before using the cleaning station. Personally, I haven’t found shaving cream to improve my shave with the Series 9, so I always shave dry.
I usually use a pre-shave lotion (Williams Lectric Shave), which is alcohol based and evaporates within 10 seconds once I apply it to my face. As a result, it doesn’t leave any residues on my shaver and it doesn’t require any cleaning. Theoretically, things should be the same in the case of a pre-shave gel. However, I found that some of them (for example Afta by Mennen) will gum up as a result of rubbing the foils against the skin. In that case, you may need to clean the shaver manually. I simply don’t use a gel and stick to lotions. Williams Lectric Shave and Aramis Lab Series are two great options.
Regarding post-shave moisturizers, I mostly use the Proraso Aftershave Balm for sensitive skin and Truefitt & Hill Authentic No. 10 post-shave balm. Art of Shaving has some great products as well, but they are pretty difficult to get here in Europe.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu Nicolae,
I read your reviews on Braun 9290cc.
it was useful. And I want to add that this shaver is excellent for full body shaving as well. I have been using it for my face and full body shaving close to skin for several days and found it excellent quite satisfactory.
thanks Braun for his technology.
Best Regards,
Hi Mostafa,
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad to hear that you’re satisfied with the performance of your 9290cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What’s the difference between the series 9 9295 and the series 9 9290? Is the performance the same?
You answered the question earlier. Sorry. Thank you
Just wondering, when traveling it seems that the cleaning station would be bulky to pack and take some space in the luggage. Is it safe to say that you can manually clean the series 9 for a few weeks and not have any issues? Secondly do you have to use the station or clean with water after every shave? I am changing over from a Gillette bladeand shavibg cream so just wondering.
Thanks
Hi Curt,
Absolutely not a problem. In fact, this is how I clean most of my Braun shavers even when I’m not traveling. It’s a good compromise that allows me to save some money on buying new refills. I use warm tap water and a bit of liquid soap (and only use the station after 3 or 4 shaves).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Does the braun shaver 9290 and the 790 share the same battery and what is the spec.?
thank you and have a great day.
Hi Moshe,
Yes, they use the same battery (part number 81377206).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Congratulations great and informative reviews.
I decided to buy a 9295cc as the cleaning and charging station is good to have as you mentioned in your review.
Would a shaving oil be a good idea?
Thanks
Stavros
Hi Stavros,
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
A (pre) shave oil can help, some users have found them to be really effective, others not so much. The best thing to do is to try one yourself. I would go for a very light/watery oil and use it very sparingly so it won’t clog the shaver. Also, it would be a good idea to clean your Series 9 with a bit of water and liquid soap to remove most of the oil before using the cleaning station. It’s not absolutely necessary, but doing so means that you won’t need to replace the cleaning cartridge as often.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thanks for your great advice.
Like you wisely recommended to minimise cartridge replacement I will use the Clean & Charge station after 4 uses or so and manually clean daily.
In this mode of use is weekly oiling necessary?
Any idea what the cleaning solution consists off?
Is there an alternative solution?
Many thanks for your great help.
Stavros
You are very welcome, Stavros. As a rule of thumb I recommend lubricating your shaver after every cleaning if it involves the use of soap as that pretty much removes any form of lubrication. A single drop of light oil (sewing machine oil, clipper oil) on each foil will suffice. Alternatively, you can use a spray lubricant like the Remington Shaver Saver.
The cleaning solution is alcohol-based — Isopropyl alcohol or ethanol in a special denatured form (SD – Alcohol 40 – B) — and includes a few other ingredients as well (perfume, Limonene, Citral). There are some cheaper alternatives out there like the ones from ccrrefills.com, but I haven’t personally tested any of them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks very much for your advise, very much appreciated.
Keep up the great work
Stavros
Hi,
I just bought one of these today. Are the blades on the long hair precision trimmer supposed to visibly move when the shaver is engaged? They don’t seem to be doing anything.
Excellent website btw.
Hi Tovi,
Thank you for your comment.
The trimmer has a pair of blades just like regular hair clippers. One blade is stationary, while the other one moves from side to side when the trimmer is fully extended and the shaver turned on. You should be able to see it if you look very carefully up close.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used a Panasonic razor for many a year and always satisfied but wanting to have a new razor contacted Panasonic where I had short change so I went over to look for a different make, on finding your articles I thought to try the Braun , on reading your very thorough and useful report I made up my mind to go for your choice of the 9- 9290cc and found Robert Dyas to be the best value and am now awaiting delivery.
Thank you for a really wonderful report the best I have ever seen for anything.
Thank you for your comment, Robert. I really appreciate it. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your excellent detailed review!
No question from me, just comments.
I have used Braun shavers for many years. Series 3, 5, and 7, and I am very satisfied with their high performance, after switching from a Norelco triple head shaver that gave me razor burn on my neck.
My second Series 7 sounds like a lawnmower, again. In the Braun’s defense, I have a heavy beard, crazy hair directions on my neck, like you, plus I shave both my face and whole head daily. Braun fixed my heavily used Series 7 under warranty and the repair lasted about a year. I tried to get an answer from Braun about how long a foil cassette should last, but they wouldn’t comment other than their standard 18 months recommendation.
With the Series 7, I notice an increase in the shaving time in less than one month after installing a new cassette. I can get about 7-8 months out of a cassette before I put a new one on. With an older cassette, it takes me 12 minutes to shave. I figure I am doing about 2.5-3 average shaves each day. So, I guess that is not too bad.
I will be buying a new Series 9, next.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, I really appreciate it.
The lifespan of a shaving head depends on the coarseness of the beard, how often you shave and how well the shaver it’s being cared for (cleaning, lubrication). So you are absolutely right — 8 months with daily 12 minute long shaving sessions (and a heavy beard) is not too bad.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
First I would like to thank you for the awesome detailed information you provide on this site.
I bought the Braun 9295cc as it is available in my country.
The head is indeed really hard to clean manually.
But checking what the Cleaning Station do I think I found a solution.
So I use a water pulverizer used to spray plants.
I remove the head from the machine, brush the machine to remove the dirt and then spray the head with the pulverizer.
I adjust the spray pulverizer to be a concentrated water jet.
It’s pretty effective. After removing all the dirt I use soap and water to finish cleaning.
Joao.
Thanks for the awesome review! Years ago I bought a Braun Cruzer 6 and it was completely useless, so much so I just chucked it in some box. Thinking about a series 9 now, but I was thinking maybe my facial hair is just not compatible? What do you reckon, try the series 9? go for an another model with rotary? I just tried the Cruzer and it managed my moustache in about a 100 passes, but beard is still at 4-5mm whatever I do (strecth or no). Thanks for the awesome review!
Hi Eid,
Thank you for the kind words.
The Series 9 should be a massive step up from the Cruzer in terms of performance. It is a superior shaver in pretty much every aspect and you should see a significant improvement to your results. In my opinion foil shavers are a safer choice and for most users this type will yield better results. The Series 9 is very capable with difficult facial hair — longer, wiry, flat-lying whiskers. However, do keep in mind that electric shavers work best on short hair, so if you haven’t shaved for 4-5 days or more, it would be highly recommended to trim your beard beforehand using a regular trimmer. A hair length of 4mm is the uppermost limit for an electric shaver in my opinion — and that’s with a high-end razor like the Series 9. Anything longer than that would require some pre-trimming.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I was using the panasonic
Es-LV 9 N s..
After about a year of using it everyday, something went wrong and the turn on button start giving me problems, To turn it on I have to hold my finger on it until a lock icon start blinking then to shave I have to hold the button untol finish or will stop, but it also gave me other problems that are a little to much to mention here.
I was hoping it last me for some good time, but that was not the case. In the last few days before return it, it was turning on by itself in the middle of the night or at different times.
Also it was a little hard on my chin as it is one of the hardest part to shave. Plus it is very noisy.
it does shave very closed but it is a little hard on the face.
now the cleaning situation is very good as it is easy to clean with liquid soap and water.My didn’t come with a brush or oil, that’s the way they sell them here in usa.
Now I return it to the place I original purchase it here in USA as they give me one year warranty.
so that was a plus.
My problem is now to decide if buy another panasonic, or go for the braun 9 series, .I’m not to happy knowing that the brush does not clean is not enough to clean it,,and using the machine to clean it up it kind of cost more.
Any suggestions?
Thank you so much.
Lu.
Hi Lu,
Thank you for your comment. The Series 9 doesn’t shave quite as close in my experience, but it’s definitely close enough for the vast majority of users. As for comfort, it is significantly better compared to a Panasonic Arc 5, especially when used dry.
The Braun Series 9 is more fiddly to clean manually, therefore I think the cleaning station can be beneficial. The good part is that you can work around the high costs of buying new OEM refills. I wrote a detailed article about this here. You can also make a refill last much longer by following just a few easy steps.
I’m not saying that you should definitely go for a Series 9 this time; this should depend entirely on your shaving experience with the ES-LV9N — minus the power button issue, I tend to think that it was just an isolated problem. For example, I would opt for the Series 9 if I were to shave dry most of the time and not too often — the Series 9 is much better for longer facial hair as well. It’s also much gentle to the skin, so if you have sensitive skin it may be a better option. The Arc 5 excels at shaving (short hairs) very close, but somewhat at the expense of comfort.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Your reviews are fantastic. Thank you. I have a Braun 8585 from ~2004 and am thinking of upgrading to the 9295. I’ve carefully read your reviews of the Braun 5, 7 and 9 series and it seems to me that in each review you’ve argued that the lower model is *essentially* just as good as the higher model. Am I misreading this? Basically, I’m asking if I should bother upgrading my current 14 year old 8585? My current shaver is in great shape, with cutter and foil replaced annually. Will I notice a difference? Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!
Hi Brian,
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you found the reviews useful.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to shave with the 8585 back in the day, so I’m afraid I cannot compare it directly to any of the shavers you mentioned.
The high-end Series 9 will offer diminishing returns over a Series 7 and in my opinion the 7 will be good enough for most users. Shaving with a Series 5 will yield similar results, but the Series 7 is a bit faster (in the highest power setting), a bit more comfortable, it vibrates less, has a slightly smaller shaving head and because of all these things it’s just more enjoyable to use overall (at least to me).
A modern Braun shaver should be better than a 14 years old model, but how much of an improvement will it be for you — that’s a different story. Some users will see a significant improvement, others not so much. If you’re satisfied with the performance of your 8585, I’d say to hold on to it for a while. From what I can see, there’s no reason to upgrade right now. When you decide to do it, consider the Series 7 as well before pulling the trigger on the 9295. For most users it will be an excellent choice. I own both a Series 7 and a 9 and I use the Series 7 more often, mainly because it’s a lot more nimble and maneuverable.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just wanted to thank you for the excellent reviews and articles on the world of electic shavers. I have struggled for years with ingrown facial hair resulting from blade shaves, and had tried both foil and rotary electrics many years ago but was unimpressed with their ability to handle those difficult curved hairs that tended to grow in. I was doing some research on the ingrown whisker problem and came across an article which got me thinking about electrics again. That in turn led me to your website, which is the only one I found that relayed credible real person results on multiple brands and styles of shavers. Buying a shaver today is more complex than I had imagined, and having a resource like this really helped narrow the field.
I ended up going with the Braun Series 9 with cleaning station, and have been using it for about 2 months now. I couldn’t be more impressed with the smoothness, lack of pulling on long hairs, and how well it picks up whiskers that are curved and close to the skin.
You are absolutely correct in saying that shaver choice is dependant on individual facial conditions, and your testing gave me the exact info to make an informed choice. Thanks again and keep up the great work!!
Hi Ron,
Thank you so much for your comment, I truly appreciate it. Glad to hear the Series 9 proved to be the right choice.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I was skeptical about buying this after reading lots of online reviews, but the $80 off and 20% coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond brought the price down enough for me to make the jump. I have very thick facial hair and have never found a electric razor that worked well. After charging this for the recommended hour, I gave it a whirl. I first had to shave my full beard down to stubble using my Wahl hair clippers, which left me stubble length of a two day growth. The Braun 9 series had no issue shaving it all down. It took me a bit longer to shave as it was my first time and was learning my shave angles that work with my growth pattern. No hairs were left behind. The razor foils left zero irritation or burn, and the razor gives a very close cut, I’d like to say even better than my Gillette mach3 razors. I’m looking forward to using this every couple of days if not daily. Keeping the foil package clean and lubricated is a must as this thing is fast and I don’t want to wear things out without proper care and maintenance. The cleaning station Is a bonus, not sure how often I will use it over rinsing under hot water after every use and oiling once a week, but there are lots of DIY solutions for the cleaner that will help save $.
This is just first shave opinion, and I’m hoping my feelings won’t change as I continue to use the series 9 from Braun.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed feedback. Glad to hear the Series 9 was the right choice for you.
You are right, there are DIY solutions and also a few third-party options that will be more cost-effective than Braun’s refills. I also use the cleaning station sparingly, usually every week or so. I the meantime I simply clean my shavers with warm water and a bit of liquid soap (I follow up with a lubricating spray or clipper oil). This approach works the best in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just got one of these with a great $70 instant discount at Walmart plus the current $50 mail in rebate. So great deal. Made it about the same price as a similar 7 series.
I had a terrible many time years ago trying my dad’s electric rotary. I’m sure they are better now but I didn’t want to even try an electric.
Unfortunately I have become very ill and will be receiving and organ transplant soon. One of the warnings is not to use a blade for shaving (infection risk). So I decided to explore electric.
Thanks to your reviews I settled on this razor. I am only two shaves in but WOW it is comfortable and easy. And seems close enough for me.
It doesn’t seem like I have much choice but my initial impression is very positive. I actually was excited to shave today. And hey I can use it in my hospital bed.
Your first time with electric and various posts about pre and post shave routines also are really helpful.
I’m going to have to work a bit at technique – what have you – as a couple of spots aren’t quite there yet. But I am sure that will come soon.
Thank You.
Simon
Hi Simon,
Thank you so much for your comment. Glad to hear the Series 9 was the right choice and that you enjoy shaving again. With a bit of practice and patience, your technique will definitely get better.
I hope everything goes well with your transplant and I wish you a complete and speedy recovery.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
great review, thanks, very useful.
I own a Series 7 and while I’m generally happy with the result I’m looking to the 9 to maybe do it a little quicker – sometimes I need a number of passes before I can get a close enough shave and as I’m having to buy a new cassette anyway it may be a good time to upgrade further. But I’m a bit bewildered by Braun’s numbering system. Your review was not that long ago but now I’m seeing adverts for 9296cc and even 9297cc. Even Braun’s own website doesn’t give any info on what changes may have been made. The thing is, one website is offering a pretty good price for the 9291cc but before I take the plunge I just wanted to make sure the 99 or 97 don’t offer some improvement I may regret not getting. Any help you can give much appreciated!
Hi Aurelio,
Thank you for your comment. I agree, model names can be very confusing. Fortunately, in terms of shaving performance, the Series 9 models you mentioned are absolutely identical. First of all, Braun uses different names for shavers sold in different parts of the world. For example, as far as I know, 9297cc is just the name of the shaver sold on the Asian market, but it is identical to the 9295cc. The 9296cc is just a 9295cc that comes with a hard leather case instead of the textile one. Again, the shavers themselves are identical. My advice would be to simply get the one you can find at a better price.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
It does indeed. Thank you so much for your quick reply. 9291cc it is, then!
very nice review, thank you!
one quick question: as far as you know does shaving with talcum powder harm the razor?
Thank you, Enrico. A mineral-based powder like talcum can lead to a premature wear of the blades, so it would be safer to avoid any talcum products. I would recommend using a pre-shave lotion instead (Lectric Shave, Speick or Freelette).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Love this razor. I am due for a transplant soon and due to risk of infection one of the changes they suggest is to move away from blades for shaving so I started to explore the electric option. Your site is fantastic.
I was concerned about the switch as decades ago trying my dads electric was horrible. This is amazing. Quick, comfortable, I actually look forward to shaving.
I have a shelf full of blade shaving products as I was always looking for comfort after…
And you reviews of pre and post shave routines and products is great. I seem to do well with the cheap products like Lectric Shave and Aqua Velva but the Nivea cream is also great and inexpensive.
I got my 9290 really cheap with a deal through Walmart and the rebate which I hope arrives soon.
Very highly recommended. And thank you for help choosing.
Simon
Hi Simon,
Thank you so much for the kind words. Glad to hear the Series 9 is working great for you.
I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi.
Your review helped me decide on buying series 9000 (I bought the 9299, kind of “gold” edition).
I’m a frequent traveler so the cleaning station is irrelevant.
So – great shaving machine, totally worth the money, cleaning is fiddly indeed but manageable.
I recommend it to anyone. It totally changed my mind on shaving machine (as I tried Philips machines in the last and was always disappointed).
Thanks
Hi Oran,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Glad to hear the Series 9 is working great and you enjoy shaving with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review thank you.
I shave very early in the mornin whilst my wife is still asleep so noise is important to me. Do you know how noisy it is compared with the series 7?
Thank you for your comment, John. The Series 9 is a bit quieter compared to the Series 7, but only slightly. Measured with a smartphone app, the Series 9 is quieter by around 7 decibels, which isn’t much. So in my opinion you shouldn’t upgrade to the Series 9 if you’re only doing it to get a quieter shaver. All foil shavers are pretty loud.
Hello Ovidiu,
I stumbled upon your review of the Braun Series9 9290cc and am very impressed not only with what you had to say about it, but your review all together. Very well done! Most, if not all of my questions have been answered thanks to you.
I currently h ave a series 7 Braun and so far am fairly happy with it. The only negative is in my case (fairly sensitive facial skin, coarse whiskers) I don’t get a very close shave without going over my beard numerous times causing a burning most of the time.
So every time I search for a replacement cassette, I do a search for a “better Braun”. That is what led me to your review.
So after reading, I plan on purchasing the Series 9 9290cc after doing a search for the best price I can find since I’m retired. :o)
Thanks again for the great review.
Sincerely,
Rob Ladely
Hi Rob,
Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it.
I think you’ll see an improvement with the Series 9 — it is faster and more efficient, requiring fewer strokes for a smooth shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi again Ovidiu,
Since my last post, I was able to find a new Braun 9290 on eBay for a steal. The razor arrived in the original packaging, unopened with everything sealed from the factory so I was relieved to find that it actually was “new” as advertised!
I started using it the next day, as I didn’t have any pre-shave and had to purchase some. From the get-go I was extremely impressed! VERY smooth shave, no razor burns, and only went over my beard one time. Since then, I’ve used it in the shower with a shave cream with great results.
I highly recommend this Braun Series 9 shaver to anyone who is struggling with electric shavers. If my experience is any indication, no one can go wrong with this one! Apparently, Braun has finally gotten it right!
Thanks again for the great review.
~Rob~
Hi Rob,
Glad to hear that, thank you for taking the time to share your impressions. Enjoy using your new Series 9!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Great review and a great site, congrats mate!
Since I now clocked enough time on my Series 9, I wish to comment on the longevity of the 92 s/b heads. According to Braun, the head should be good for 18 months. If we assume a daily shave, with skipping a day occasionally, this means something like 450-500 shaves per head. This is a bit optimistic IMO. I just replaced the shaving head after (rough estimate) not more than 350 shaves. I could have used it for some more time perhaps, but it was already obvious that the shaves aren’t as close and comfortable, as they used to be.
Yes, I have a rather coarse beard, but very seldom use my electric on a more than 36 hours growth, so the shaver hasn’t been abused with a long, hard stubble. Also, approximately half of these shaves have been with a shaving cream, i.e. on a well softened and lubricated whiskers.
What are your observations in this regard?
Hi Evgeni,
Thank you for your comment and feedback, much appreciated.
Those 18 months of use are a bit like the official mileage numbers we get from car manufacturers: they’re not really relevant for the real world and we don’t know exactly their methodology of testing. For example, Braun could’ve very well assumed that a shaving session lasts 3 minutes, when in fact shaving takes longer than that for most users. We also don’t know when Braun considers that a shaving head needs to be replaced — maybe some discomfort or some hairs getting yanked is considered normal and in their view the cassette can still be used for a while. These parts are also tested in ideal or favorable conditions — for example, a medium beard as opposed to a coarse one.
Proper cleaning and lubrication will also affect the lifespan of the head to some extent. Overall, I’d say that 350 shaves out of the 92s/92b is ok-ish. Not great, but definitely not terrible.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your comment Ovidiu.
I’ve always used my cleaning station to clean and maintain the shaver after every use. Apparently, this is the life of the cassette for my beard.
I don’t know if anyone has asked how to clean the clean and charge station. Will warm water work? I have the series 9 and I am pleased by the performance. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Bob
Hi Bob,
The cleaning station itself should not, under any circumstances, be cleaned with water. All you need to do is to wipe it with a soft cloth, maybe a little bit damp, and the inside of the tub as well. If the drain hole is clogged (usually signaled by the cleaning fluid not draining back into the cartridge) you should use something like a toothpick to remove the dirt that’s causing it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Right now in my country this shaver is quite cheap since Braun refunds 50$ but I have some concerns. My neck hairs are growing sideways so that is how I need to shave but central area of braun’s head is not protected. Is there a possibility that skin touching central area would get inside trimmers and get cut? Also I’ve checked reviews on Amazon and there are over 1000 of them. While 700 are positive almost 300 are negative, makes me wonder about that… What are your thoughts?
Hello Maciek,
That is a really good question. First of all, the Series 9 is one of the more forgiving electric shavers you can buy right now and despite the central trimmers looking menacing, I don’t think it’ll be an issue for the vast majority of users. Unless you have long and thin skin tags or something similar that may protrude through the foils/trimmers, there’s nothing to worry about.
Extensive tests are carried out before releasing an electric shaver and reputable manufacturers like Braun take this very seriously. Yes, an electric shaver can still cut you if you try really hard, but if you follow a few simple rules like not pressing too hard, holding the skin taut (with your free hand) and using slower, controlled strokes, they’re very safe to use.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey! Thank for great review! I am impressed of the details! 🙂
I see the model 9260s is a lot cheaper, almost half the price. Is it still the same model, but without the cleaning device?
Hi,
Thank you so much, glad you found it useful. That is correct, the 9260s is the same model, but without the cleaning station (it does come with a basic charging stand instead).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for prompt reply!
One more question… I am shaving my head everyday. Is the Braun Series 9 a good choice for shaving my skull or are there more suitable models? Preferably 0,0mm length.
You are very welcome. Yes, it will also be a good choice for shaving your head. I don’t personally use it in that manner, but I know for a fact from barbers and other users that it works really well. A razor blade will still provide the closest shave, however given that an electric shaver is very fast, comfortable and safe, I think you’ll be more than happy with the results.
The Panasonic Arc 5 does shave a bit closer (at least when used on the face), but for shaving the head I think the Series 9 is better suited since the shaving elements are way better at maintaining contact with the skin and the swivel of the shaving head has a greater range of motion.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the really detailed and thorough review.
My old Series 3 decided to stop turning on a few weeks ago, along with the trimmer falling off, so I’ve just ordered a Series 9 as a replacement. I have pretty sensitive skin, so it seems like it’ll be a good choice for my needs.
Thank you for your comment, Adam. The Series 9 should be a pretty significant upgrade coming from a Series 3.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just got to use it for the first time, and your recommendation was dead-on. Fast, incredibly comfortable, and Just Works. Thanks again.
Awesome! Glad it turned out to be the right choice.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Are you sure the only difference between 9290cc and 9291cc is the travel case?
Because I found out that the 9291cc is much cheaper in my country than the 9290cc.
No performance differences?
Thank you a lot
George
Hi George,
Absolutely, no performance difference whatsoever. So you can go ahead and buy the cheaper 9291cc without any worries in that regard. It’s actually not uncommon to see significant price differences between basically identical shavers (it may have to do with suppliers, availability and so on). Where I live and in many other places the 9290cc is usually the cheapest cc variation from the current Series 9 range and that’s why I tend to recommend it over other (similar) models.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can anyone tell me if the battery of the Braun series 9 can be easily replaced like the 7. thanks
Yes, the battery can be replaced and the process is pretty straightforward. But keep in mind that the waterproofing will likely be compromised after opening the shaver.
The article refers to the shaver head falling apart after a few months and that this was the early models. The newer head cassette also falls apart. I am currently on my third one and that has just fallen apart after 5 weeks of use. Braun replaced the last one and are also going to replace this latest one, as a goodwill gesture, but now suggest buying another shaver as it could be the main shaver itself causing the heads to fall apart. My shaver was one of the original design prior to the titantium coating on one of the elements, but the later head was used after the first failure. I am wondering if there is a design fault in the original shavers and that the newer head is not backwards compatible (as they state) because they fail much more quickly.
Hi Brian,
Sorry to hear that. There seem to be some problems with the newer heads as well, but to a lesser extent (maybe a QC issue). I don’t have the original Series 9 anymore, so I cannot compare it to the 92xx and 93xx updated models. But as far as I know, the design of the shaver head (that is part of the shaver itself) is the same.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Readers. I have been a double edge blade shaver for approximately 40 years. I believe I have sensitive skin and coarse facial hair(subject to ingrown hairs causing razor bumps). I went to my skin doctor and he advised me to switch to an electric razor. I informed him that I tried one and it didn’t work very well. He asked me when was the last time I tried an electric razor and I told him about 30 years ago. He laughed and said that they’ve come a long way. So he told me to try the Philips Rotary shaver but I didn’t like the complicated monthly cleaning regimen and having to switch heads to trim side-burns. Anyway, I read a number of reviews which stated the Panasonic ES-LV65 shaved closer but may cause more ingrown hairs and skin irritation. Because of this I opted for the Braun 9 (9295cc)series which offered a more comfortable shave especially if you were prone to ingrown hairs.
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. I think that was the right call, a shaver that cuts the hairs very close to the skin (like the ES-LV65-S) can actually increase the chances of getting ingrown hairs. The Series 9 is one of the best options out there if your skin is prone to razor bumps or ingrown hairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your reply. It is truly appreciated as it confirms my suspicions.
All the best Ovidiu.
Cheers Cam
You are very welcome, Cam. Glad I could help.
Hello,
I purchased a 9290cc and so 6 months ago, so far Braun have already replaced the head due to the optifoil wearing a hole in it. 3 months later the same thing has happened again. For such an expensive shaver I wouldn’t have expected this. I clean it daily in the station and once a week manually. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong?
Hi John,
Sorry to hear that. The wear of the cassette depends on various factors, like the coarseness of the hair, how often you shave and how you take care of your shaver. Assuming you’re doing everything right, 3 months is obviously not great. Considering that you’re also cleaning the shaver properly, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. I would actually suspect a quality control issue with the 92s/92b cassettes. It’s not the first time that I hear about something like this. I own a few Series 9 shavers and so far everything seems fine.
As long as your shaver is under warranty, I think you are entitled to get a free replacement head whenever something like this happens.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My 9290cc is 9 months old and foil on head already get hole in it, i shave daily and clean shaver only automaticly in cc station with solution formula found on this website. And i must say for premium product like this im not happy with braun quality now i need to buy replacment head and if this head fail in short time like user above ill newer buy any braun product ever again
I understand your disappointment and the reluctance to buy Braun shavers in the future. I know it’s going to be an unpopular opinion, but 9 months with daily use isn’t actually too bad. It’s far from what the manufacturer claims (18 months), but that’s often the case as their testing methodology implies using the shaver 3 times a week (3 minutes per session).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
When my new head gets heare im planning to reduce my shaving from once a day to 2 days to possibly prolong foil life but i dont like this approach
Hi Ovidiu,
I have been postponing the switch of a multi-blade razor to an electric razor for quite a long time. Due to my job I need to shave daily and I believe that in the long run the cost-effectiveness and of an electric shaver are the best.
After thoroughly analyzing which one to buy for a couple of months, I have decided to buy the Braun 9295cc. Even though the closeness of the shave is a big deal for me, I think I prefer the comfort and the Arc 5 head just seems to a bit too uncomfortable for me.
Anyways, I should be getting the Braun soon, which I ordered with multiple clean and reniew cartridges and a couple of extra heads. I am just left wondering about the cleaning cycle that would be best suitable for it and the pre shave to use. After reading your preshave, manual cleaning and your lubrication guides I thought that the best thing to do would be the following:
Pre shave with the Williams Lectric Shave (same as you do).
Shave
Manually clean (tapping head to remove hairs, rinse under water, use soap and rinse etc..).
Use Remington spray lubrication.
That would be the daily routine and every 3 days I would use the cleaning station.
Now, for the questions I have:
Do you think that would be a good
Should I dry the shaver before applying oil?
If I’m already cleaning, should I use the Remington spray or just use oil
If I actually use the clean station after every shave is it necessary to manually clean and lubricate? (Specially lubricate)
If you would use this shaver as your everyday shaver, what would your routine be?
Thank you!
Hi Diego,
Thank you for your comment. Those are some excellent questions.
I think your routine is spot on. The shaving head must however be dry before applying oil or a spray lubricant. For example, you can apply the oil right before shaving (that’s why I personally do) as the shaver will be perfectly dry from the previous shave (the day before). In the case of a spray lubricant, it would be best if you could allow it at least 30 minutes to dry after spraying the blades. This is something to keep in mind; otherwise the moisture can affect your (dry) shave, the lubrication won’t be that effective and you don’t really want the product smeared all over the skin.
As to which one to use — the Remington spray or oil — that’s totally up to you. I use a spray primarily for its lubricating properties and less for the cleaning part (I stick to water and soap or the cleaning station for that). I also tend to prefer a spray because it seems to improve the performance slightly more, but I sometimes use oil if I need to shave right away and don’t have the time to leave the spray lubricant to dry.
If you use the station after every shave, there’s absolutely no reason for additional (manual) cleaning and lubrication.
My routine would be very similar; I would clean the shaver manually with water and soap, lubricate it with spray or oil as described above and every once in a while, like once a week, I would run it through an automatic cleaning cycle.
Regarding the pre-shave lotion, my current favorite is the one from Speick. I think it’s superior to Lectric Shave (it performs better and it’s less oily), but it may not be easy to get depending on where you live.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much! I am glad that I got the right idea, it days a lot about the quality of your guides because I tend to overthink everything. I did try to get the Speick, however I had absolutely no luck on finding it which is a shame.
Have a great week!
Great review!. I have read your comments and bought braun 9292cc recently. In my country panasonic arc 5 lv65 and braun 9292cc priced the same (220 dollars) so i decided to buy the 9 series with cleaning unit. I also have read all your reviews about braun 5 and 7 series. All the guides too ofc :). I can’t thank you enough for doing this amazing reviews. I appreciate your hard work.
I have been using braun 5090cc for a 3 years now. I wanted to upgrade the shave quality overall but i am a bit dissapointed in 9292cc unit. It does not shave closer than the 5 series. Yes it is quiter, faster and all but in the end it have the same shave closeness and pretty much the same quality. I have found braun 9 to be more gentle and a minute faster than my old 5 series. if i would have known this i would have buy 5 series 52s casette and nothing more. İ just wanted to say that for the sake of the community.
My question is do you thing that braun series 9 shave closer than the series 5? And do you think there is a big difference in overall. is there 100$ more difference in your oppinion?
Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you for the kind words, glad you found the reviews useful.
I actually mentioned in the comparison between the Series 9 and the Series 7 that they are pretty much the same when it comes to closeness, and also in the Series 5 vs 7 that the Series 7 gets slightly closer than the Series 5. And putting those findings together, I can say that I found the Series 9 to shave only a bit closer than the Series 5. At least that was my experience, other users have found more significant differences.
Braun is not the best if we refer strictly to closeness (although I’d say that for most users it is definitely adequate). But a Panasonic electric razor like the Arc 5 will probably provide a closer shave.
The difference between a Series 9 and a Series 5 would be more obvious for someone that shaves less often (so a longer beard), has wiry, flat-lying or curly facial hair or/and very sensitive skin. But for someone that’s not in at least one of those situations, the differences won’t be that obvious and more in line with what you’ve found (faster, a bit more comfortable, etc.).
For me, the Series 9 is clearly more comfortable and more forgiving than an S5, especially on the neck and gets flat-lying hairs quicker.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you kindly. I wish you a happy holidays.
Hi Ovidiu,
Great reviews! Happy Xmas to you as well. I went for a series 9 shaver in the end, and it is great.
The only issue is the cleaning station. The bleeping lights, plus the noise from the fan is a real problem when we want to go to sleep straight away, after shower and shave et cetera.
Can I get a different charging station that will work with the shaver, without the light and the fan?
Does the shaver really need the fan?
Regards
Martin
Hi Martin,
Great, glad to hear you’re happy with it.
As for the cleaning station, there’s only a single compatible part and that’s the one that came with your shaver. There’s a different part number for the one that comes with the 93xx models, but the station itself is identical — still has the fan and the flashing light.
The light can be easily taken care of by masking it with a small piece of black adhesive tape. The fan is tricky though; one potential solution would be to remove the outer housing of the station, locate the fan and disconnect the wires that power it. It is a rather radical approach which I don’t recommend unless you’re absolutely certain that you know what you’re doing.
Unfortunately there’s not much else you can do.
Hope this helps. Happy Christmas!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I did the tape idea yesterday, and it works a treat.
Shame about the fan. A on/off switch would have been good.
Can I simply turn off at mains by the time the fan comes on, or could that damage the electronics?!
Hi Martin,
There’s no need to unplug the cable from the mains, you can simply stop the drying process by pressing the button on the station once. This will stop the fan and resume charging the shaver. I thought you want a workaround that would prevent the fan from starting altogether after the cleaning phase.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Oh right, thanks! That’s exactly the kind of workaround I’m after
I’ll try it tonight 8)
Thanks
Martin
Hi Ovidiu,
It worked! Many thanks 8)
I didn’t read that in instructions, so thank goodness for info sites like this
Regards
Martin
No problem, Martin. Glad it’s all sorted now.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
New shaver on amzone braun series
https://www.amazon.com/Braun-Electric-Precision-Rechargeable-Cordless/dp/B07Z5K47ZV/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=braun+5&qid=1577887226&sprefix=braun+5&sr=8-6
https://www.amazon.com/Braun-Electric-SmartCare-Rechargeable-Cordless/dp/B07Z5L5XM9/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=braun%2B6&qid=1577887454&sprefix=braun%2B6&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1
And 7 as well
Thanks
Hi Fayaz,
Thank you for your comment. I am familiar with the upcoming of those models, I will be getting them and post detailed reviews and comparisons.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey, thanks for great review, I just bought the Braun series 9 9291cc yesterday and today was my first shave ever with electric razor, so I’m pretty impressed with the performance.
But I don’t know how to store the shaver properly. Does it have to be put inside the cleaning station all the time? Out of the box I charged it for an hour so it was fully charged and then I unplugged the charging station and left it like that. Is it better if the shaver is inside the cleaning station and plugged in the electricity all the time? Also, if I manually clean it under the running water, do I have to let it to be completely dry before putting it into the charging station? Thank you for your answer and all the best in the new year!
Hi Mitja,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the review useful.
You definitely don’t have to put it in the station if you don’t want to. The only rule of thumb for storing the shaver (in its case, in a cabinet, drawer, etc.) is that it must be dry. So if you clean it manually, I would leave it overnight to air dry. Also, if you plan on putting the shaver in the station after cleaning it with water, make sure to shake off the excess water and pat it dry. In the user manual it is specifically mentioned that the shaver must be dry.
You can safely leave the shaver in the station (plugged in) after an automatic cleaning if that’s more convenient and have it fully charged every time. This will however make the cleaning solution evaporate faster if you don’t remove the cartridge and put back the cover.
Hope this helps.
Have a great new year and enjoy shaving with your new Series 9!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I was thinking to buy es-lv67 is cheaper on amazone germany website but seen those the day by the look they are nice but not sure shall i buy es-lv67 or shall wait for braun new series
Thanks
Fayaz
Hi Fayaz,
It really depends on what you need. For example, the ES-LV67 will most likely shave closer (and faster) provided that your facial hair is reasonably short. Braun shavers are more comfortable and are better with longer, flat-lying hairs. So if you have sensitive skin and shave less often, a Braun would be a better option. I also wrote a detailed review of the ES-LV67 here if you want to check it out.
–Ovidiu
H Ovidiu,
I had Braun 9 for 6 month was very comfortable but not very close shave then bought Panasonic Arc 4 did not like that but never tried arc 5 and Braun 7 series.
Thanks
Fayaz
The Series 7 is pretty much identical to the Series 9 with regards to closeness, so you likely won’t see any improvements there. In fact, the Series 9 may even be slightly better. The Arc 5 is arguably the closest shaving line of electric razors and in most cases, there should be an improvement compared to a Series 9 for example. But make sure to also consider the other aspects I mentioned in the previous comment if you decide to get the Arc 5.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Well…I’ve been using my Braun 9295cc shaver now for approximately 5 months. It is placed in the cleaning station after each and every use. I remain completely satisfied with this razor. Everything in your review is factually accurate. I have a coarse fast growing beard but sensitive skin and was subject to skin bumps and irritation. Initially I was getting very occasional yanking or pulling of hairs which felt like I was nicking the skin but this seems to have more or less dissipated. Not sure if it was because I try to shave daily versus every other day or perhaps my face was just getting used to the electric razor as opposed to my previous manual blade shaving. The only time it is a bit tedious (as you state in your review) is around the neck. I need to go back and forth in several directions in order to get all or most of the stubble. In closing, perhaps a blade performed better especially around the neck but the trouble associated with the process just isn’t worth it. Believe me, I am never going back to a blade and wish I had switched years ago!
Many thanks for the follow-up, Cam.
In my case, I think I’ve found the culprit for the occasional pulling. Precisely, the speed of the stroke was too high and the shaver would sometimes snag a hair right between the foil and the inner blade. Also, not holding the foils flat on the skin, plus a longer beard will make this more likely to happen. But I’m glad you’re overall happy with your Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. Forgot to mention, I use to shave after a shower but I find that it is better to shave prior. Both from a comfort and closeness point of view.
You’re very welcome, Cam. Definitely before showering for me as well — better results and it actually takes me less time to shave. Any moisture will have quite a bit of impact on the performance of the shaver in my case (during a dry shave, of course).
I had to stop using my Panasonic es 65 shaver because I was getting razor bumps and ingrown hairs. I went back to my Braun 9295 and now use it with the Speick pre-shave lotion and I get as close of a shave as the Panasonic ES-65. I have to go over my chin a couples of times more to get the close shave but it worth it. The razor bumps have gone away and I don’t get ingrown hairs.
Yes, I also find the Series 9 better for ingrown hairs and irritation-prone skin in general. Glad the Speick + 9295 combo is working great for you.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review of a great razor!. I’ve had a series 7 790cc for about 10 years,and it’s still going strong!. I’ve now got a series 9 9290cc and funnily enough,i can actually get just as close a shave with the 790 in a shorter time than the 9290!. Any idea why?. I do shave every day and have tough dense stubble though. Many thanks.
Hey Philip,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
Well, the Series 7 is still a great performing razor and I also said it explicitly in my comparison of the two — I find the Series 7 to shave just as close as the Series 9.
As for the faster shaving session, the Series 7 does have a significantly narrower head, making it easier to maneuver. That, plus the fact that it has a similar motor can make the Series 7 perform just as well in certain cases.
The Series 9 is noticeably better when shaving wiry, longer or flat-lying hairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hiya.Thanks for your reply. It just goes to show how different people’s skin and bristles are!. It also depends on my shaving technique as well. Overall im going to use the 9 a lot more often. It’s so much more comfortable of a shave. I’d rather have that than a closer shave. Even though there’s only a minute or 2 difference in shaving time. Thank again.
Hello again ovidiou. Just a quick thought about our conversation. Going off what i said about my series 9, i just think they over engineered the design. Personally i think that if they’d used thinner foils (Panasonic’s are a lot thinner) and boosted the power more l but kept the same lovely sleek design, they would have been onto a real step up. What do you think?. Many thanks.
Hi Philip,
That is true, and apart from the foils being thinner on Panasonic shavers, the gap between the foils and the actual blades is smaller as well. This means a closer shave in most cases, but it comes with some downsides as well: the shavers are not as comfortable and the foils tend to get pretty warm pretty quickly. It’s really difficult to design an electric razor without making some compromises. But I agree that there are some aspects regarding the Series 9 that could be improved, particularly the materials and build quality. Panasonic just seems way ahead in that regard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your reply. Since my last reply, ive changed my shaving technique slightly and now im getting a shave as close as the 790cc in the same time. When i feel my face now after the shave,i can only feel skin. Not bristles. So im thinking that for my particular type of bristles,i can’t see there been much difference between the series 9 and a Panasonic. Many thanks. It’s great to talk to someone who’s in the know!. Cheers.
You are very welcome, Philip, that’s great!
Hello again ovidiou. It’s Philip wowk again. You’ll be getting tired of hearing from me in a bit . Just a couple of thoughts for you to pick over. Is it true that the Braun series 9 is better to at shaving longer bristles than the series 7?. If that’s the case, then that could be why my 790cc shaves closer than the 9. How ironic!. I need to shave every day and the razor my partner bought me to replace my series 7 isn’t quite as good . And also, I’ve seen some reviewers stating that the replacement heads for the series 9 are blunting well within the manufacturers recommend timeline. How can this be possible?. From a metallurgical point of view,if Braun are using the same type of steel in all their replacement foils,then it shouldn’t be blunting any faster than the series 7 head. Have you experienced any such occurrence. Many thanks.
Hey Philip,
Those are some really good questions.
In my experience yes, the Series 9 is better when used on a longer beard. I find the closeness pretty much identical, but I can see someone getting better results with the Series 7, especially when used daily. It has a slimmer head and it’s easier to use.
Braun actually outsources the production of the cassettes to several manufacturers, so a difference in the type of steel or even in quality control is not that uncommon. I’ve read some feedback stating that the Series 9 replacement heads will wear out rapidly, but there are many variables at play, including whether the parts are genuine, how the user cares for the shaver (cleaning, lubrication, handling), the coarseness of the hair and so on.
I own 3 Series 9 models, never had any issues with any of them. But again, since I review a lot of shavers, I probably don’t get to abuse them as much as the typical user as I have many in my rotation.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks very much for your reply. I’ll have to keep on persevering with the series 9, my partner got it me for xmas and she’s a 6 foot 1 Glaswegian with a good heart. But not one to mess with! . I do prefer using the 790cc though on a daily basis. The whole razor just feels more solid and ergonomic to me. Thanks again.
Hello again Ovidiu. Just a quick update on the problems ive been having with the razors i was telling you about. I’ve noticed that if i use shorter strokes with my series 9, i can get the same results as the series 7. Finally!. I’ve got the results ive been after for years. I also hope this might be of use to anyone with tough dense bristles like mine.
Thank you so much for the follow-up, Philip. Glad to you’re getting a good shave with your Series 9. Using shorter and more controlled strokes can definitely help in this situation.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
nice review. one thing you might want to mention is that the pop up trimmer on the 9 series (and also 5 and 8) is roughly in line with the shaver head so that it can be used whilst shaving normally. pop it up and lock the head in postion, then place the shaver on your skin as normal and it can catch longer and ingrown hairs just before the foils, especially useful on the neck area. thats also the reason why its curved.
Thank you for your comment, Dave. That’s a really interesting way of using the trimmer. Never really tried it, I usually just trim those hairs separately using just the trimmer and without the foils actually touching the skin.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
AMAZON HAS A SHAVER LISTED AS 9370cc/9290cc Electric Shave. WICH IS IT?
It’s usually the 9370cc.
Do you recommend using Braun 9 2900cc for daily shaving ?
You can certainly use it for daily shaving. It can handle longer hair as well, so you won’t have any problems using it daily.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for your reviews and responsiveness on this thread. I have always shaved with a blade though I’ve had an M90 for 15 years that I’ll use sometimes just to get a break from the blade. I would like to share my considerations and get your advice on an electric shaver; price is a concern, but mostly I want to buy once and buy right.
I have sensitive skin, particularly the neck and moustache areas. I would say my hair is medium-plus. It grows pretty straight, except under the jaw and neck area is a bit swirly. I typically shave three days, then not for two or three. What I like about using a blade is the closeness, speed and ease of use/cleaning and I’d like to not compromise too much on those.
My priorities in descending order would be comfort/sensitivity, closeness, durability, speed, ability to cut 2-3 days’ growth, ease of use/cleaning, and noise. I want something that feels right in my hand as well (I’m with you wishing the 9 wasn’t plastic). The 9 sounds like a great option but the price and reviews about cartridge durability are concerning.
As a side note, it would be really great if there was a chart that compared all of your shaver review experiences and assigned values to things like the priorities I mentioned above. I actually tried to make my own chart using others’ reviews, but assigning values was difficult at best.
Thanks!
Thys
Hi Thys,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
I tried to (objectively) cover as much as possible these aspects in the reviews, but there will always be a personal bias.
I think you should seriously consider the Series 7 as well, especially since the price can be (significantly) lower. I personally find it pretty much on par with the Series 9 for comfort and closeness and you would really benefit from the Series 9 if you were to constantly shave longer/wiry/flat hairs.
The Series 7 cassette also tends to be more reliable, at least from the feedback I’ve got from users. In that price range, a Panasonic Arc 5 like the ES-LV65-S will shave closer, but it’s not as comfortable as the Series 7/9 nor as good with flat hairs.
A Series 7 with a slimmer 3 blade head will also be easier to use for someone coming from a razor blade and a one blade M90.
Also, I am referring to the original Series 7 models like the 790cc, 7865cc and so on, not the 2020 Series 7 (which is actually an underwhelming performer).
Don’t expect a quiet operation though, all foil electric shavers are pretty noisy during use. To me the Series 9 seems a bit quieter than the 7, but I would still consider it loud.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
After using a Series 5 for several years I just got a new Series 9 (model 9295) for Father’s Day. My wife got it at Bed ‘n Bath; listed for about $250 and after a 20% coupon it costs about $200 net. I just used it for the first time and thought it was far superior to the Series 5. But after reading your review I became disappointed that it has the chrome finish and came with the hard cloth case. Do you think the model you tout is worth the extra cost?
Hi Alan,
All things equal (and that includes the price), yes, I would choose a Series 9 with a matte finish over the chrome one. But I don’t think it’s worth getting it in this case. Just enjoy your shave and don’t worry about it. The leather case, while nicer, still offers the same protection as the textile one. Plus, it only comes with a few models like 9385cc or 9291cc that are almost always more expensive. You got your Series 9 for a really good price and my advice would be to keep it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can you use the trimmer with the shaver head not attached to the shaver?
(This will make having my wife give me a desperately-needed haircut while barbershops are closed due to COVID easier.)
Yes, you can use it with the head removed. But I don’t think it can work reasonably well for that. The slide-out trimmer would be extremely unpractical for getting a hair-cut. You’ll have a hard time trying to get an even cut and it’ll probably take ages to complete. A cheap, basic hair trimmer/clipper would work a lot better.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I find my Series 9 shaver to be quite loud, to the point where I’m considering ear plugs. Does this seem normal? It runs at least as loud as when the unit is in the cleaning system.
Thank you.
Hi Scott,
The perceived noise is actually very subjective. For example, I am not bothered (anymore) by it, but other users find it extremely uncomfortable. Foil electric shavers in general are loud, but the Series 9 is among the more decent ones in that regard. But it’s still loud. When placed in the cleaning station, I actually find it even louder compared to normal use — probably because it vibrates and the rattling of the plastic makes things worse. On the other hand, during use, you’re actually holding the shaver a lot closer to your ears.
I don’t think there’s something wrong with your Series 9, although a faulty cassette that vibrates excessively could make the shaver run louder. But that rarely happens.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have 2 Prestige Series 9 shavers. One is approximately 10 months old and the other is 11 months old.
I alternate use so realistically each was used for approximately 5 months (assuming each was used once a day)
In my opinion my beard is considered moderate to heavy stubble. Both worked extremely well at first but lately
I discovered that shaving was getting more and more difficult and the only way I could get rid of the stubble was to use a circular or side to side shaving motion. It was taking longer and longer to get an acceptable shave.
Having read some of the reviews here I decided that perhaps the heads might be the problem. So I replaced both heads and YES INDEED, they both work like they were meant to.
So in closing all I can say is that the only way these heads will last 18 months is that your beard is soft and light or thin and, even then I wonder whether they would give a superb shave for 18 months.
So as many reviewers have stated, please consider replacing the heads more frequently than Braun recommends!!!
Thank you for your comment, Cam. That is true, the 18 months are achievable, but only under certain (ideal) conditions. Having coarse facial hair definitely leads to more wear.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Braun razor – Series 9
• A major disappointment
First, the good. This is a well made piece of equipment. Beautifully finished.
Now, for the reality.
The shaver is noisy. So much so that I have had to relocate
to the guest bathroom in the mornings to avoid waking my wife; a very annoying loud buzz.
Second, this razor does not do well with the longer hairs in the neck region. It requires numerous passes with varying degrees of pressure for any success. Usually I give up and resort to dry shaving with a disposable blade to finish the neck area.
Maybe the worse single design feature is the trimmer. Absolutely worthless. It is too narrow and because it is hidden by the bulk of the razor, you cannot see where to place it to be effective.
The disinfecting station is stupid. A waste of money and purely a marketing gimmick. A simple flushing of the shaver head with hot water will accomplish exactly the same thing.
And finally, this is a dirty razor. By that I mean, the cuttings are not contained very well in the removable head. You will find cuttings scattered all over the sink and counter top. Especially annoying; I have a bald head. As I shave the crown of my head, I can feel the cuttings dropping into my eyes and all over my chest.
The best feature of this razor— the hard travel case.
I have owned and used this razor for six months. It is currently listed on eBay.
Your money is better spent on a Norelco rotary razor…it excels in each of the above itemized categories. The only flaw…is the cheap plastic head protector.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with this shaver. I’m sorry it didn’t live up to expectations.
However, I feel that some of your observations must be put into context.
For example, you’re saying that the Series 9 is loud. Compared to a rotary shaver, it is. But for a foil machine, it’s actually pretty good. Most shavers in Braun’s current lineup are louder and so are most Panasonic electric razors.
As for shaving longer hairs, I think the results could definitely be improved. I don’t know enough details in order to pinpoint the cause, but with some tweaks I am confident that you’ll be able to get the best out of it.
Quickly rinsing the head with water will be fine at first. I’ve been using Braun shavers with these cartridge heads for years and in time a lot of gunk will accumulate inside as a result. The cleaning station will be very handy to prevent that from happening and you can only use it once every two weeks or so. There are also the s models that don’t come with a station.
Finally, when used as a head shaver and pointing downward, the hair clippings will fall out of the head. A rotary razor is usually better when used in this manner.
To me it seems like a rotary would be better for you, but for most users that won’t necessarily be the case. Rotary razors usually don’t shave as close, they’re not as comfortable nor as easy to use for beginners.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
My clean and charge station for my 9290 stopped drawing cleaning solution into the unit and I noticed that my shaver was extremely dirty. I tried unplugging it and plugging it back in…but that didn’t help. I saw that you had said you got a closer shave with the Panasonic Arc5…so I bought one from Amazon. After shaving for 4 months, I found that the Panasonic Arc 5 had some trouble spots on my face. I believe this was due to the fact that the shaving head on the Panasonic is large compared to the Braun. Also, the Panasonic cleaning station doesn’t work nearly as well as the Braun. I noticed a build of “gunk” inside the panasonic “well” where the solution is supposed to clean the razor…there was also a bad odor. In frustration, I pulled out the Braun 9290CC, plugged it in and stuck in a cleaning cartridge and it worked. I just shaved with the Braun again after 4 months of using the Panasonic…the Braun was a much closer and quicker shave for me. I know everyone is different, but that’s how it was for me. The Braun is smoother, closer, faster and seems much more hygenic than the Panasonic…again those were my personal observations.
Hi Doug,
Many thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
I completely agree with what you said and everyone should stick to what works best. The Panasonic Arc 5 is usually a better performer when used on short, relatively straight, thick stubble and in most cases it manages to provide a closer shave. But that won’t always be the case. The problem with the Panasonic station is notorious and must be manually cleaned from time to time to avoid the funky smell and dirt buildups. It’s therefore not as practical, which is one of the reasons why I usually recommend getting Panasonic models that don’t include a station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Again, another stellar review Ovidiu! Can you leave some Series 9 impressions on my Facebook Group, Braun Shaver Manscaping?
https://www.facebook.com/braunshavermanscaping/
Thank you, Zachary, just left a comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I researched for hours when buying a new electric razor, and found this review to be the best! I was replacing an old Braun Series 5 that was taking me up to 15 minutes to shave because of my course whiskers, even with a new replacement foil and cutter. I can’t believe that I put up with this mediocrity for probably 10 years. Because of this I was reluctant to buy another Braun. After reading your review and several others, and reading the 90 day money back guarantee on their website, I took a chance on the Braun Series 9. (Plus, they gave me a 10% discount coupon on the website when buying directly from them. That’s a good amount for such a pricey item.) After two weeks of use…I love it! Such a quick and close shave, it’s a HUGE improvement from the Series 5. I’m once again a Braun fan and expect to have this one for many years to come. I could say many good things and tips about it, but your review contains all of that. I really can’t imagine that another electric razor could outperform this one. So thank you for giving us such a thorough picture of this fine razor. It’s exactly what is good about internet reviews.
Hi John,
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated. I’m glad you found the review useful and you’re enjoying your Series 9. Happy shaving!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. It’s Philip wowk again. Hope you’re staying safe and well in these troubling times. Just out of curiosity,I bought a Panasonic es-rf31. And good god, it shaves better than my series 9,and my skin hasn’t even got used to it yet. I’ve come to the conclusion, that Braun is more tech dependent. Whereas Panasonic use good old fashioned metallurgy. That also probably explains why the Panasonic is so much quieter than the Braun’s. Don’t think I’ll be going back to Braun again. And logically speaking, with Panasonic’s foils been SOOO thin, how could it not shave closer!?. Best regards and stay safe.
Hi Philip,
Many thanks for your comment, hope you’re staying safe too. Glad you’re satisfied with the Panny — they generally shave closer than Braun shavers regardless of the price point, but depending on the situation one would be more suitable than the other. In this case, the Panasonic definitely works well for you, so I’m glad you’ve found a winner.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. Just a word of warning for anyone who might be buying a new shaver. The cutter’s on that Panasonic es-rf31 i told you about have started to dull or lose their edge whatever they call it after only 5 weeks. And considering the fairly high price of the replacements,it would be an expensive year!. It’s probably because of my tough dense bristles. But it’s back to my old faithful, the series 9!. It’s more than good enough. Stay safe.
Hi Philip,
Thank you for your comment. Panasonic blades and foils have very tight tolerances, in the sense that the friction between them is more pronounced compared to other brands. This can lead to more heat being dissipated during use and of course, premature wear. To prevent that from happening, lubrication is key with Panasonic shavers. I personally find spray lubricants (like the Remington Shaver Saver or the Andis Cool Care Plus) to be extremely effective. I highly recommend using one with your ES-RF31, you will see a significant improvement to the performance.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello again!. I’ve already tried that and the lubrication hasn’t stopped them dulling that much. I prefer the series 9 anyway overall. The shaving experience is so much more pleasurable due the pivoting head and ergonomics.
Hello Ovidiu. Hope you’re staying safe. All this fuss about the Braun series 9 being hard to clean manually seems unfounded to me. I simply take the head off,tap the excess shavings out, put it back on,run warm-hot water over the foils, take the head off again and run some water through the gaps underneath. It’s just one more step than what i was doing with the Panasonic. Not a problem . Kindest regards.
Hi Philip,
Many thanks, hope you’re staying safe as well.
I realize now that my explanation wasn’t the most fortunate. The cleaning process itself is just as straightforward as in the case of other foil shavers — just like you described it in your comment. The problem is that there will still be some hairs and grime left inside the head — even if it appears to be perfectly clean. For example, I had a brand new cc Series 9 that I cleaned manually after my first shave. I was very thorough and even used liquid soap. I then also ran it through a cleaning cycle with the station using a brand new cartridge and to my surprise, on the bottom of the refill, there were a lot of hairs.
I think the station is very handy to be used every once in a while to remove the dirt that accumulates inside the head.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Many thanks for your response. I can’t use the cleaning station. I think it’s faulty. After a cleaning session, the head is still very wet from the cleaning refill. I’m fairly sure the warranty would have expired by now. I might be better trying to buy a new station. Thanks again.
No problem, Philip. Once the cleaning phase is done, the station should start drying the head. You should clearly hear a fan spinning, a process that takes around 40 minutes. At the end of that, the shaving head should be mostly dry, maybe still a bit damp in several spots, but definitely not dripping wet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your reply. I can quite literally shake water out of the head. I can hear the fan but it musnt be very efficient. I’ll try and get another one. Thanks for all your help over the year. It’s been great. Merry Christmas, a happy New year and stay safe.
You are very welcome, Philip.
That definitely doesn’t seem right. The head can often be a little damp, but not soaking wet. Just one thing before getting another, maybe do a quick check just to make sure that the drain hole isn’t clogged. If it is, the fluid cannot flow back into the cartridge and the head just sits in a small pool of fluid, which would explain the excess moisture. I posted a guide detailing everything here.
Have a great holiday season and say safe as well!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. I’d just like to say (and yes i know that it won’t be the same for someone else because everyone has unique bristles) that even with you saying that a Panasonic arc 4 or 5 might shave a bit closer than the series 9, after ive shaved with the 9290,all i can feel when i rub my hand over my face, is 98 percent skin and not bristles. What more can you ask for . Kindest regards, Philip.
Hi Philip,
Thank you for your comment — glad you’re happy with your 9290. The fact that you’re getting a closer shave with it compared to a similar Panasonic is perfectly normal — as you’ve said, we are different and we will get different results. It looks like you’ve found a winner.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. To compare Series 9 and arc 5 for closeness shaving I will need to know thickness of outer foil of each ones. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it anywhere. Without this spec all comparisons will rely only on feelings of different people. In addition, can you tell me if Series 9 has a linear motor like arc 5 and if it yes, what is the CPM?
Thanks.
Boris
Hi Boris,
I actually tried to find out the thickness as well, but it appears that the manufacturers don’t make that data public. So I only had to rely on my personal experience with them and on the feedback I got from other users. The results (which can of course be affected by user bias) led me to believe that the outer foil of the Arc 5 is slightly thinner and also the gap between the blades and the foils is smaller. The shaver with the thinnest foil that I’ve used so far has to be the Andis ProFoil though. It is also quite aggressive for sensitive skin.
The Series 9 is fitted with a linear motor (10 000 CPM), but it’s often listed by Braun as capable of 40 000 cutting actions per minute (by multiplying 10 000 with 4, the number of cutting elements).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
your articles seems you are pretty experienced about electric razors.
Do you have experience with Series 9 foils coming apart? Like in this post on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2J21357VE2UNK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01M29018Y#R2J21357VE2UNK
I have this exact problem, where two middle elements always starts popping of the Series 9 cassette.
I can say I am pretty disappointed from Series 9 cassettes. The shaver and cleaning station is great. But this endless cassette problem is just disaster. In 4 years, I did throw away 5 cassettes.
I am shaving once or twice a week. Always carefully cleans my shaver with brush, then put it in cleaning station. And cassette always fails same way – never lasts whole year.
Just for the info, I loved Braun shavers, until I run in that Series 9 foil problem. Years ago, I bought Series 3 (just wanted to try electric shaver, so I went for cheap option). It lasted 6 years and I had to bought only 2 more replacement foils (and foil shaved OK and will probably be OK for longer time, but I was thinking that I was already exceeding manufacturer replacement period, so I replaced it for sure).
Then shaver was still OK (and it serves well until these days, unlike my Series 9). But I decided to go for higher class, instead buying new foil. So I gave it to a friend who just bought new foil. And he has shaver until these days and it works OK.
I was thinking (4 years ago) about buying Series 7 (now know as “old-Series 7”). But Series 9 was available as a “new” thing. So I went with Series 9 – 9090cc (just for the info, this beauty have still ability to run on battery, and also has option to run plugged in to wall – unlike updated versions).
It shaves great – more powerful motor compared to Series 3 is great.
But then foil problem happened. First time, I bought new foil – considered it to be just that piece problem. But now when it ate 5 foils in 4 years, I am so disappointed.
Well, now the last foil is falling apart and I cannot use my shaver. I was pretty pissed of, so I bought old-style fancy looking shavette (for $15, what a fun compared to anything from Braun production). And it works – right. But it’s off course miles away from any Braun electric shavers.
So I was thinking about options how to get back to super-fast and pleasant shaving.
Do you have any recomendation or tip to fix that 92S (and 90S) cassettes issue (I think it’s just poor foil design, looking to those tiny plastic holders that holds center two elements).
I have two options in mind:
– Go for old-Series 7 (has no double center-element – so it should be fine, and now it’s on sale in my country – 7899cc costs less than half of Series 9 with cc, question is about foils availability in the future – can be 83M used? looks like similar shape).
– Go for some other manufacturer – but there I do not know which models should have some traps like Series 9 had. And also I cannot go with rotary shavers (Phillips) – it is shaving worse that Braun foils, and it also irritates my skin.
– Third would be do some tinkering and fix Braun’s poor design on S9. But I failed in that, because cassette has so tiny pieces, I thing I cannot do anything about it.
Any ideas please?
Hi,
The Series 9 cassettes saga seems to be an ongoing issue even after two updates (the 92xx and 93xx shavers) that come with the updated 92 cassettes. I’ve also received emails and comments from other users experiencing similar problems. It seems to be a combination of rather poor design and maybe inconsistent quality control as it doesn’t seem to affect everyone. I personally didn’t have any cassettes coming apart with any of my Series 9 razors.
Regarding a DIY fix, I very much doubt there’s anything that can be done. Only Braun can come up with a different design (backward-compatible). I know this may sound a bit out there, but using 5 cassettes in 4 years is not terrible (definitely not great though). I’ve heard a lot worse than that.
The old Series 7 cassettes have a much better track record in terms of reliability. In fact, in my comparison of the Series 7 and 9 I actually recommend the Series 7 for most users (since it’s still good enough and costs less). The 83M will not work on the Series 7 despite looking similar (the plastic frame has a different shape and won’t fit).
The only viable alternative to Braun would be Panasonic — the Arc 5 for example is a great shaver (you can check out my comparison between it and the Series 9 here). Both have pros and cons, but the quality of Panasonic shaving heads is definitely better. If you have sensitive skin, I don’t think a rotary shaver would be suitable. Also, I doubt you’ll get the same closeness.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
About the shaving head orientation you wrote: “It wasn’t huge, but with the head fitted with the HyperLift & Cut trimmer closer to the top of the shaver (option 2) it just felt smoother and the shaver was subjectively more effective at catching the longer hairs on my neck.”
Isn’t that option (and picture) one?
“The top of the shaver”, not “closer to shaver’s front”. I’m not sure which is which.
Thank you!
Hi Javier,
That would be picture and option 2 — the golden cutter being the second one after the first foil on the very top. Hope this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello again ovidiu. Hope you’re keeping well. A bit of a strange question for you if that’s ok. Can your skin change slightly as you get older?. It’s just that you know when you use a series 7 shaver, you can hear and feel the head doing it’s job, well before this week,i couldn’t really feel the series 9 doing the same thing. I know that that’s normal for the series 9 because it shaves much more comfortably. But this week i can feel the 9 doing its job. Im not complaining though!. I prefer to feel the feedback. What do you think. Kindest regards, Philip.
Hi Philip,
I am well, thank you. Hope you’re doing great also.
The skin on the face can (and will) gradually change throughout someone’s life. It will lose some of its elasticity and get more wrinkly, but it’s a very gradual process. In this case however I don’t think that’s the reason why you’re getting different feedback from your shaver. It could be the length of the facial hair, the orientation of the cassette or some other things that have changed since last time (like a tweak to your technique, more/less skin moisture depending on the humidity of your environment, and so on).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Oh right. Thanks for that. You’ll be glad to hear that im still delighted with the series 9. I actually look forward to shaving every morning now . True enough, the Panasonic arc 5 might shave closer but i would get more skin irritation. My skin goes slightly pink during the shave with the 9, but it’s not a bit uncomfortable. So i definitely won’t be upgrading!. Thanks again.
No problem, Philip, glad you’re happy with your Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. Hope you’re doing well. Don’t know where to start really. But a friend of mine noticed that i use a series 9 shaver when he came to visit me. He said he’s started using a Philips one blade and that it was really good. He said he’s got tough bristles like mine and he could have a shave in roughly 2 minutes!. I thought id give it a go, but to cut a long story short,NO. Seriously,it wouldn’t even take any stubble off!. Its just a if it was gliding over the bristles!. Even going against the grain. As soon as i made 2 passes with my series 9, excellent. It just goes to show how different people’s bristles are and how powerful and efficient the series 9 is. That was more of a cautionary tale for anyone wanting to buy the Philips. It should be ok as long as you have soft to medium strength bristles. Best regards, Philip.
Hey Philip,
Thank you for taking the time to share this. The OneBlade is sort of a polarizing shaver. Some love it while others find it absolutely useless. I think of it as a niche product that can work well in several cases. For example, for men that don’t want a close shave for whatever reason (maybe they like the stubble look or have problems with ingrown hairs and razor bumps) or only have a light beard. But I wouldn’t really consider it an alternative to a proper, standard foil electric shaver. I’m not a fan either, to be honest, as I prefer a clean shave, but to each his own. For your friend it seems to be working just fine despite having a coarse beard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello ovidiu. Hope you’re well. Just a couple of questions if you don’t mind. I’ve been in touch with Braun lately to ask them why i was getting a closer shave when i was abroad than when i shave at home. They didn’t seem to know, so they sent me a replacement head for my series 9 as a goodwill gesture. That didn’t resolve my question. Any ideas?. And also,it takes about 10 minutes to get (albeit a superbly close shave) the results i want. Does that seem too long, considering I’ve got tough dense bristles?. Thanks again kindest regards Philip.
Hello Philip,
I’m very well, thank you, hope you are too.
Do you happen to make any significant changes to your shaving or skincare routine when going abroad? Maybe some products you use or don’t use? Do you shave at the same time (morning/evening) as you do at home? Things like good lighting or the humidity of the environment could also affect the shave. I suppose you’re using the same shaver and it’s always properly charged and clean/lubricated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello ovidiu. No i don’t make any changes to my shaving routine. And i just use after shave balm after my shave. Sorry for mentioning it but you didn’t mention what i said about the length of my shaving routine. Many thanks Philip.
Sorry, I completely forgot about it. In my opinion 10 minutes for a thorough and smooth shave is perfectly normal. There are users who get it done in less time, but that doesn’t mean much without context. A great, close shave could mean different things to different people. Also, some have lighter, less dense beards, while some of us have coarse stubble and some problem areas — the neck, under the chin, jawline and so on. Some can get away with faster strokes, while others can’t. But 10 minutes is in my opinion very reasonable. A shave rarely goes as depicted in Braun’s commercials.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
Coming from the 7630 Syncro which I have owned since 2004 and which is still working perfectly apart from the battery which now fails to hold a charge, I found the new 9 Series to be a bit of a letdown. It felt a bit hollow, the trimmer is awful and tales of the power button dropping off and replacement cutting cassettes failing well short of the 18 month timeframe that Braun advertise scared me….so I sent it back and bought the older model of Series 7 instead, picking up a 7842S. This shaver feels much better and hopefully it will live a long life like my last one.
Hi Adam,
Thank you for your comment. I agree, the older Series 7 (pre-2020 update) feels more solid and robust. I personally didn’t have any serious issues with my Series 9 shavers, be it cassette related or build quality. The hair trimmer is horrible though.
Hope you’ll enjoy your 7842s for many shaves.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been looking around for a decent review about series 9. And this one is by far the best one I’ve seen. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. Glad you found the review useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My Braun Series 9 gave a great shave…when it worked. The unit required repair just before the 2-year warranty was about to expire. By the 3-year mark it is dead as a door nail and the company seems to have no interest in standing behind its product. Braun’s local service center estimates repair costs of $160 to replace battery, circuit board and stand. Very expensive pricetag for such a poorly designed product. I would not purchase again from Braun after this bad experience.
Thank you for the comment, Jeff. Sorry about your experience — it’s understandable why you wouldn’t want to try a shaver from the same brand again. Normally the reliability of the Series 9 is a lot better, the cassette being by far the part that would fail first.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for all the advice. Bought a series 9 and wet shaving with shaving cream is a relegation! Thanks so much
You are very welcome, Brent. That’s awesome, glad you enjoy wet shaving with your Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
I bought the shaver a year and a half ago. In the month of April this year, the device started turning on by itself and I took it to an authorized Braun service center. After a few days I was sent photos of the disassembled shaver showing the mechanisms and circuit board covered in mold and moisture. I was told that the shaver was working normally and was issued without repair. I was advised not to use it for wet shaving and not to rinse with water, which surprised me greatly.
Ovidiu, have you received any information about such problems, or am I just one “lucky” person who came across such a device and such “service specialists”?
Hi Dimitar,
That is pretty outrageous — being recommended not to wet shave with a device intended for wet & dry use. Even the dry-only Series 9 models are waterproof and can be rinsed with water. Unfortunately some authorized service centers are far from being professional, I had a similar experience many years ago with a notoriously bad service center in Romania. You could try contacting Braun support directly via chat, email or phone and let them know about this. In my opinion you would be entitled to a replacement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Here is an example of a non-professional authorized service: in the three repair bases in the capital, there was no technician who could disassemble the shaver, and it was sent to the central base in another city at a distance of 500 km. There, for the first time, they heard about a cleaning station and asked me what the principle of work was.
I contacted Braun support directly by email, but they replied with a type of response, recommending that I contact their authorized service center. So that resulted in a Catch 22.
I’m done with Braun. I am currently using the Phillips 9 series. I read with great interest your comment about the Panasonic Arc 5 and by the end of the month I will have this shaver as well.
Sincerely,
Dimitar
Hi Dimitar,
Wow — and I thought I had a bad experience. That’s just unacceptable. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with the Arc 5, I’m looking forward to your thoughts on it if you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello ovidiu. That’s exactly what i thought!. I’ve also been saying that to other people online when they’ve been skeptical about buying the shaver. And true enough,a Panasonic arc 5 MIGHT get slightly closer and in a slightly quicker time, but even my skin goes a bit pink due to the closeness of the shave. So im guessing that I’ll get even more skin irritation from the Panasonic due to the further closeness. I’d rather have a close shave with less irritation in a slightly longer time overall. Thanks again kindest regards Philip.
You are very welcome, Philip. I agree 100%.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So, I brought into play my older Braun Series 9 9295cc shaver and shaved this morning. It gave a reasonable close shave and at the same time, a very comfortable shave (actually it surprised me just how comfortable the shave was). I mentioned a while back that I bought the older style Braun 7 7865cc and generally preferred to use it due to the smaller style head and its maneuverability under the nose and jawline. However, the older 9295 delivered a pretty decent shave this morning, Ovid. So, I was curious as to whether it was advisable (when the time comes) to replace the shaving cartridge with the latest version or simply repurchase the original?
Hi Wayne,
I would only buy the new cassette (94M) if I could find it for roughly the same price as the old one (92s). Otherwise the differences (when used on a standard Series 9 shaver, not on the 9 Pro) are marginal and not worth spending the extra money.
By the way, I still have an 7865cc as well and it’s a wonderful shaver. So easy and enjoyable to use, it’s a real pity Braun pulled the plug on the old Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. I sort of thought you would advise in this way and it makes a lot of sense. And given the fact that my older Series 9 Braun is in pristine condition, I can’t see ditching it and buying the 9 Pro, especially given the fact that most of my shaving is done with the Norelco shavers. As for the 7865cc, why on earth would Braun end that line? I don’t understand why Norelco started the nonsense of pentagonal heads, non-ergonomic handles, no real cleaning stations and the entire nonsense of needing to remove the heads to either attach a trimmer or clean the blades properly. And now Braun seems to be heading in a strange direction with their new Series 7 type shavers. Why do companies do this?
You are very welcome, Wayne. It doesn’t make any sense for us, the end users. And for good reason as a new generation of shavers isn’t always better. But it probably makes a lot of sense for things like marketing and cutting down production costs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
“New is not always better.” Absolutely right, Ovidiu. I’ve seen this in photographic equipment , tools and frequently in software. I’ve heard it said repeatedly, “Close is close.” How much closer can shavers shave before they’re stripping your skin off your face? And to what end? So that we can have two extra hours of stubble free cheeks? All of the shavers I have sitting on my closet shelf can perform satisfactorily, although some are capable of getting the job done more quickly and with less discomfort. Do I really need that latest Braun? Norelco? Panasonic? Will any of them shave me any closer than the close shaves I am now receiving AND with less discomfort? I seriously doubt it. The marketing for these companies is what often creates the desire to get the new shaver. And if truth be told, I’m a sucker for marketing. What I “should” be doing is donating the bulk of my shavers to Goodwill so that those who cannot afford a decent shaver will have one. Do I need 6 shavers (3 foil and 3 rotary)? BTW… it’s the same with cameras (and to my everlasting shame, even worse! haha). If a cooler head were to prevail, I would forget about the latest group of shavers on the scene, lighten my supply to a reasonable count (3 at most) and use what I have until they break down before considering anything else. My I find the strength of purpose! haha
Absolutely, and I’m also guilty of hoarding shavers, wrist watches and so on. And I’m always looking to get maybe just one more. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi.
This is the most and best review ever.
I have a question please.
I use the braun series 9 type 5791.
Can I use a replacement head 94m, please?
Thanks in advance and keep shaving.
Hi,
Thanks so much, glad you found it useful.
Yes, you can definitely use the 94m, it is compatible and will fit perfectly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu