With Braun’s current flagship shaver — the Series 9 — still being offered at a premium price, the tried and tested Series 7 is looking increasingly more like a very compelling alternative.
Moreover, for the majority of users, the Series 7 still represents the best choice, being a great compromise between performance and costs and only a few will really benefit from the features of the more expensive Series 9.
The Series 7 is an excellent option for men with sensitive skin that suffer from razor burn, but also for anyone looking for a high-quality electric shaver that is capable of providing close and comfortable shaves.
There’s a plethora of currently available Series 7 variations and trying to decide which one to get can be frustrating and confusing.
However, things are actually much simpler when we consider the differences between the Series 7 models that actually matter.
In this post we’ll address precisely that and help you narrow down your options so you can make the right buying decision.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
An overview of the successful Series 7
The Braun Series 7 was first launched in 2007 and it quickly became one of the best-selling electric shavers of all time and a permanent presence in pretty much every list of recommended shavers.
It was and still is highly acclaimed for its performance, particularly for the supreme comfort it provides during the shave.
For the other manufacturers, the Series 7 was the shaver to beat as it quickly became the unofficial benchmark in the industry.
Its main selling points were the unmatched comfort, close shaves, reasonable price of the replacement shaving heads, excellent cleaning station and robust build quality, despite a couple of well-known issues.
Let’s tackle those and get them out of the way.
First, the head locking mechanism was prone to breaking if you tried to move the shaving head after being locked in the fixed position.
The most effective fix for this would be to simply not use the locking switch; since the Series 7 has a really narrow shaving head, you don’t really need to lock it, even when shaving tricky areas.
The second issue is related to the paint right below the shaving head that would sometimes flake and chip after a couple of years.
This is caused by the alcohol-based cleaning solution that comes into contact with the paint during the automatic cleaning process; however, the damage is only visual.
Apart from these overall minor shortcomings, the Series 7 was a versatile and highly capable electric shaver that stood the test of time and actually gained some sort of iconic status in the shaving community.
The 790cc is probably the quintessential Series 7 as all the other variations are derived from it, be it by adding or removing certain features.
Braun Series 7 790cc
It’s important to note that these features don’t affect the actual shaving performance in any significant way. This goes for all Series 7 variations as you’ll see next.
The so-called new Series 7
The Series 7 has been around for quite some time since its introduction, so Braun decided to give it a refresh.
In 2016 new models were introduced and this probably caused even more confusion.
Braun Series 7 7865cc [New]
The names don’t really make any sense and Braun also used some marketing terminology in an attempt to make the update look more than just a cosmetic makeover.
In reality, the differences compared to the older Series 7 shavers are mostly minor.
Here’s a summary:
- All the newer Series 7 models are suitable for wet & dry use; in the past, there were both dry only and wet/dry variations, like the 790cc and the 799cc respectively. Also, the wet/dry models (both older and newer) cannot be used while charging as a safety precaution. This was however possible with the (older) dry only shavers.
- You have the option of a silver, grey or black color Series 7 (market specific).
- The newer Series 7 (78xx) use the same shaving heads as the previous models (70s and 70b cassettes), even though Braun says they have 4 shaving elements. They don’t, the so-called SkinGuard doesn’t count as an active element.
- The new marketing terms (Protective SkinGuard, 8-D shaving system, MacroMotion, etc) don’t really refer to any new additions that weren’t already present on the older models.
- The personalization modes (5 of them with the newer shavers, from extra sensitive to turbo mode) continue to be of little use. In theory, you would use them to adjust the output of the motor — less power for shaving sensitive areas, more for shaving thick, dense stubble. In reality, they just make the shaver feel slow and you should probably use the highest setting all the time as the Series 7 remains adequately comfortable.
- The automatic cleaning stations included with the newer shavers lack two features that were specific to this series: the induction heating mechanism for actively drying the foils and the quick clean option. The latter was only available with certain older cleaning stations. They are now completely gone (more details later on).
- Some of the newer variations come with an updated LCD display (7865cc, 7850cc, 7893s).
You can easily tell the new shavers apart from the older models as the updated Series 7 shavers follow the 78xx naming scheme.
For example, some of the models for the North American and European markets are the 7865cc (grey), 7899cc (silver), 7898cc (silver), 7893s (silver).
Other model names like 7850cc or 7880cc that are primarily sold on the European market are pretty much identical to their corresponding American models.
As it was the case with the updated Series 9, Braun tried to unify the Series 7 line with this update.
As a result, all the shavers are now suitable for wet/dry use and similar models all cost the same on Braun’s website (previously the dry-only variations were cheaper).
Braun Series 7 model comparison
Here’s a comparison table with the currently available Series 7, both the original and updated 78xx models:
| Shaver | Use | Cleaning station | Speed settings | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 7 790cc (790cc-4, 790cc-5) | Dry only | Yes | 3 settings | Silver |
| **Series 7 790cc (790cc-6, 790cc-7) | Dry only | Yes | 3 settings | Silver |
| Series 7 799cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 3 settings | Silver |
| Series 7 797cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Silver |
| Series 7 760cc | Dry only | Yes | 3 settings | Black |
| Series 7 740s | Wet & dry | No | 3 settings | Black |
| Series 7 720s | Dry only | No | 3 settings | Black |
| [New] Series 7 7865cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Grey |
| [New] Series 7 7850cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Grey |
| [New] Series 7 7880cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Black |
| [New] Series 7 7899cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Silver |
| [New] Series 7 7898cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Silver |
| [New] Series 7 7897cc | Wet & dry | Yes | 5 settings | Silver |
| [New] Series 7 7840s | Wet & dry | No | 5 settings | Grey |
| [New] Series 7 7842s | Wet & dry | No | 5 settings | Black |
| [New] Series 7 7893s | Wet & dry | No | 5 settings | Silver |
| *[New] Series 7 7790cc | Dry only | Yes | 5 settings | Silver |
** Those 790cc variations only work cordless despite being marketed as dry-only. More details in the next section
At this point, I think we can safely say that all Series 7 shavers will provide the same shaving performance, regardless of other features.
What are the things to consider when buying a Series 7?
When trying to decide which Series 7 would be more suitable for you, there are only a few things you should factor in.
1. Wet & dry use.
If you won’t be shaving in the shower or with shaving cream/gel, then you probably should opt for a dry-only variation as they usually cost less.
The Series 7 790cc (7790cc) will probably be the best choice for most men.
For wet shaving, the 799cc, 797cc or any of the updated models like the 7865cc/7898cc/7893s are equally good options.
Again, if the corded and cordless operation is a must-have for you, then your only option would be to find an older dry-only Series 7 which is increasingly more difficult in 2021.
For example, even the 790cc that is currently being manufactured will only work cordless (790cc-6, 790cc-7). The older variations (790cc-4, 790cc-5) that would also work with the cord plugged in have been discontinued.
2. The automatic cleaning station.
As you probably know, the Series 7 is available with or without an automatic cleaning station.
The station is included only with the cc models like the 790cc, 7865cc, etc; the s models (like the 740s or 7893s) don’t come with one and usually cost less.
Braun Series 7 7893s
However, you’ll probably want a Series 7 that comes with a cleaning station for the added convenience.
Just like the Series 5, 8 and 9, the Series 7 can be fiddly to clean manually because the inner blades and the foils are merged into a single piece — the cassette — and it offers limited access for a thorough cleaning.
In time, fine hair clippings, dead skin, and dirt can remain lodged inside no matter how thorough you are.
This is where a cleaning station is very useful, even though you don’t have to use it after every shave. In fact, you shouldn’t.
But do keep in mind that the cc models are a bit more expensive and you’ll also have to buy refill cartridges.
You can find excellent cheaper alternatives to Braun’s solution or even make your own, but be aware that this may void the warranty.
Does the Series 7 cleaning station work with s (solo) models like 740s and 7893s?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about the Series 7. And the short answer is YES, it works.
Braun Series 7 cc station
Now, there is a bit of a nuance to that statement.
First of all, the cc variations feature a special coat of paint that can withstand constant exposure to the cleaning fluid.
The s models don’t have it, so in time the alcohol-based solution will affect the outer finish. The damage will only be visual though.
Braun officially recommends against using the S models with a cleaning station because of that, but there are many users that have successfully done so.
And to be perfectly honest, this is a problem that affects the older cc models as well and the area right below the shaving head will eventually start to flake, despite having the special paint.
The Series 7 solo models are among the few ones in Braun’s lineup that will work with a cleaning station. The rest of them — the Series 3, 5, 8 and most of the S9 models — will NOT.
That’s because despite looking identical and even featuring the two metal contacts on the back, they lack a special chip used by the cc models to communicate with the station.
The Series 7 is an exception to this rule and even the s variants are fitted with that particular chip.
So if you’re planning on getting an s model and use it with an older Series 7 station for example, you can do that; or maybe you plan on buying a solo shaver and getting the station separately later on.
Please note that in case anything goes wrong you are fully responsible and the warranty won’t cover any damage.
Old vs updated Series 7 cleaning station
As mentioned previously, the cleaning base of the updated Series 7 lacks the induction heating system and the quick cleaning setting that were present on the older stations (790cc, 797cc, 799cc, etc.).
I wouldn’t say this is a deal-breaker, but it is a letdown to see two unique features that made the Series 7 station that much nicer gone for good.
In practice, this means that with a newer Series 7 like the 7865cc you won’t get a cleaning station fitted with a system that actively dries the shaving head after the cleaning cycle.
The Series 9 station uses a fan, while the older Series 7 used induction heating. Induction heating was an optimal solution as it was fast and completely silent.
A Series 7 that comes with the older station will be perfectly dry after 40 minutes, while the newer 7865cc for example will need a few hours for the alcohol-based fluid to naturally evaporate.
Again, I personally don’t consider this to be a major drawback — the station still does a great job at cleaning and lubricating the shaver — but I would rather have a nice feature than not have it.
You can still get it with some of the older 790cc/799cc/797cc that were manufactured previously, but you’ll have to thoroughly check that with the vendor.
Finally, you could get the old station separately from several online stores.
There are three part numbers you should be checking out:
- 81365080 — this is the old model that has both the fast clean mode and the inductive heating system. You can get it from here: Amazon, Encompass, shavers.co.uk.
- 5675 — this station is actually available in several variations despite all of them having the same part number. It can come with or without the inductive heating element, so unless you know with certainty that it does have it, the station listed above with the part no 81365080 is probably the one to get.
- 81622438 — this is the new, updated station that ships with the current Series 7 (no induction heating and no quick cleaning).
Dropping the induction heating system is definitely a cost reduction measure from Braun; we also saw it with the Series 5 cleaning station that also lacks any drying mechanism.
Another reason for this could be Braun’s very own Series 9; being the company’s top-of-the-line shaver, it needed a premium feature to stand out from the other less expensive shavers.
3. Price and availability.
If you can find a Series 7 that checks pretty much all the boxes and is significantly cheaper than other similar Series 7 shavers, definitely go for it.
As I said previously, the difference in performance throughout the entire series is negligible.
For example, the 790cc has 3 personalization modes, while the 7865cc has 5. Will this translate into any noticeable improvements in the actual shaving experience? Not really.
Just buy the one that is more reasonably priced.
Before making your purchase check out both the older and updated Series 7 models as their price seems to fluctuate quite a lot.
Braun 70s replacement head
All Series 7 use the same replacement shaving head — the 70s (silver) or 70b (black).
Also, all Braun cleaning stations use the same cartridges, so your costs of maintenance will be the same regardless of which model you end up choosing.
4. Color and included accessories.
I guess these details can matter to some extent; if for example you absolutely want a black Series 7, then you can buy the 760cc, the 740s or one of the new 78xx models (country-specific).
Some models have different travel cases (plastic, textile, faux leather) or slightly different LCD displays, but again, nothing dramatically different.
The differences between the most popular Series 7 models
As a general guideline, I would say to simply buy the one you can find cheaper, provided it meets your personal requirements (wet & dry use, with or without a clean & charge station, etc.).
My personal picks would be the 790cc for dry use and any of the 7865cc/7850cc/7898cc for wet & dry use. The older wet & dry 797cc is getting increasingly harder to find or is very expensive.
Usually, the 790cc and 7865cc will be the ones to buy as they don’t cost a lot more than the solo models and I think the cleaning station is worth having.
They’re also widely available.
Let’s now check out some of the more common buying dilemmas.
Braun Series 7 790cc vs 790cc-4
The –x used by Braun for variations of the same shaver signifies an incremental, usually minor improvement.
It also designates shavers sold in different parts of the world, even though they may be identical.
In this case, the 790cc-4 has 3 personalization settings (sensitive, normal, intensive), while the original 790cc only had one speed setting. This is a rather gimmicky feature as I mentioned previously and it won’t make any real difference.
It’s also worth mentioning that nowadays all 790cc shavers are actually the -4 (and up) variants, even though the retailers don’t always list it explicitly as the 790cc-4, 790cc-5, 790cc-6 etc. and almost everyone refers to it as 790cc, including me throughout this post:
Braun Series 7 790cc
It’s very easy to spot the 790cc-4 as the old 790cc didn’t have the two personalization buttons below the ON/OFF switch and it came with a white cleaning station (pictured below). It’s also discontinued and nowhere to be found.
The 790cc-4 includes a zip-up travel case instead of the plastic one that came with the very first 790cc.
Bottom line: the Series 7 790cc vs 790cc-4, 790cc-5, 790cc-6 etc. is a non-issue nowadays.
Braun Series 7 790cc vs 7893s
The 7893s is one of the more popular solo models. It’s part of the refreshed 78xx Series 7 generation, it’s suitable for wet & dry use and it doesn’t include a cleaning station.
Performance-wise, as in how well it actually shaves, it’s pretty much identical to the 790cc.
But since the latter comes with a cleaning station and the price difference is usually pretty small, I think the 790cc is a more compelling option.
Braun Series 7 7893s
If however you can grab the 7893s for a great price, then by all means you should get it. After all, the cleaning station can also be purchased later on.
Braun Series 7 790cc vs 760cc
The Braun Series 7 760cc used to be a great inexpensive alternative to the full-fledged 790cc.
While the shaver was almost identical, the cleaning station that was included with the 760cc had some of the features removed: no quick clean mode, and no hygiene indicator on the shaver.
Braun Series 7 760cc
This wasn’t necessarily a deal-breaker and considering that it was priced significantly lower than the 790cc, it was actually the better option in the past.
These days the price is pretty much the same (in case you still manage to find the 760cc), in which case the 790cc is the shaver to buy.
Moreover, it has an upgraded LCD display and comes with a faux leather pouch instead of the textile one.
Braun Series 7 790cc vs 7865cc/7850cc
This is a simple case of a dry only vs wet/dry Series 7 and there’s no clear winner as your decision should only be based on your shaving preferences.
The 7865cc/7850cc is a more recent iteration of a wet & dry Series 7, with 5 personalization modes and touted as a totally new shaver, but in reality, it’s pretty much the same.
You can check out my 7865cc review to get all the details.
Braun Series 7 7865cc
The cleaning station included with the old 790cc used to be fitted with the induction heating mechanism and the quick cleaning mode, but it’s not anymore.
The 790cc (up until and including the 790cc-5 variation) will also work with the cord plugged in, and for some users that is a must-have.
To sum it up: buy the 790cc if you shave dry or the 7865cc/7850cc if you prefer to shave in the shower or with shaving cream/gel.
Braun Series 7 790cc vs 7898cc/7899cc
Similarly, this is also a dry only vs wet/dry situation.
The 7898cc/7899cc is a newer wet/dry model available worldwide that is suitable for wet & dry use.
Braun Series 7 7898cc/7899cc
Both are the same performance-wise and again your choice should come down to your needs and of course, the price.
Keep in mind that the 7898cc/7899cc will not work while connected to a power outlet.
Braun Series 7 7865cc vs 7850cc
The 7850cc is a very popular model in Europe that can now also be found on various online stores in the USA.
Braun Series 7 7850cc
There are really no differences between the 7865cc and the 7850cc, so my advice would be again to simply get the one you can find at a better price.
The same goes for the 7880cc that comes in a matte black finish. Other than that, it is identical to any other cc models from the updated Series 7.
Braun Series 7 7898cc vs 7899cc
These Series 7 variations are absolutely identical, but their availability is country-specific.
The only difference is that the 7898cc comes with a travel case that has a silver zipper, while the one on the 7899cc is black. Really, that’s it.
Braun Series 7 7898cc vs 7865cc
The only difference between these two is the color: silver for the 7898cc and grey for the 7865cc. The 7898cc also comes with the older LCD display.
Other than that, they’re identical and you should get the one that is available in your country or costs less.
The 7898cc is usually a really good pick in the UK:
Braun Series 7 7898cc
Conclusion
All the Series 7 models use the same shaving heads and will basically provide an almost identical shaving experience, despite some apparent differences that would suggest otherwise.
Hopefully this post cleared up some of the confusion regarding the Series 7 and the various models. I will keep it updated and include new models as they are being released.
If you have any further questions, make sure to post them in the comments below.
FINALLY, an explanation for why there are both 3-digit and 4-digit model numbers out there for Braun Series 7 shavers! Thank you for providing such a clear and concise summary of the model number history, marketing, and features. Now that I understand the product labeling, I can choose the model that best suits my husband’s needs and my budget. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind comment. Glad to hear you found the information helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for a great comparison between various models and accessories. Wet/Dry is a key for me, so this was really really great. Thanks again.
You are very welcome, Max. I’m glad to hear you found it useful.
thanks for the full info!!!
Excellent Article. Thank you for the research which clarified the purchase decision. Doug M. USA
Thank you for the kind words, Doug. Glad you found the post useful and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your news Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
far more pertinent info with weeding out the marketing bs. muchos gracias!
Thank you for your comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very clear and well thought-out. Rather than presenting a long list of technical details, this comparison site focused on the much smaller set of attributes that actually matter to users and help users make good, well-informed buying decisions.
I spent the last two hours on various sites trying to find the razor that was best for me, and was no closer to an answer than when I started. I spent 5 minutes on this site and was able to identify the right razor for me, and I am very confident with that decision. That didn’t just happen by accident – it happened because this site is very well conceived and designed.
Thank you for the kind words, Ralph. I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great Explanation of the differences in the series 7 models. I have been looking at the 790CC to replace an old Norelco SensoTouch 3D (1280X/47). I do have a couple of questions. is there any difference between the 70B & 70S replacement heads? the 70s is like $10 cheaper than the 70B. Any opinion in which style works better (rotary vs. foil)? I’ve always used rotary. The only foil razor I ever tried was a panasonic like 20 years ago, and I’m sure it doesn’t compare the Braun series 7.
Thank you for your comment, Dan. The only difference between the 70s and 70b is the color; 70s is silver, while the 70b is black. Regarding the foil vs rotary question, it really comes down to personal preference. For example, I find foil shavers to give a closer and more comfortable shave compared to rotary shavers. It also allows me to control the razor more precisely. But that’s just my experience, others have found rotary shavers to work better. The only way to know which one would give you better results is to actually try them.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Finally an understanding of them all. I was on youtube trying to findout reviews vs each other on them but clearly couldnt and even the brUan web page wouldnt provide even this detailed info. Much appreciated!
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is the most definitive explanation about the Braun 7 series shaver that I’ve ever read. Now I could finally understand what do those numbers mean and be able to pick one for myself. Thank you very much!
You are very welcome, I’m glad you found it helpful!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So overall whitch is the best series 7 to purchase thanks
Hi Liam,
Because the original Series 7 in the post above has been discontinued, it’s really difficult to get one nowadays. So the best is the one you can still find, usually the 790cc. They all shave the same anyway, so it really comes down to availability and price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
From what I can tell, an “s” or “cc” designation after the model just indicates if the shaver comes with a cleaning station (cc) or not (s). I had an older Series 7 cc model and have now picked up a 7893s model. Can the s still be used in the cleaning and charging station? It appears to fit and charge, but I can’t seem to find any definitive answer.
Hi Shaun,
As mentioned in the article, the answer is yes, it will work, even though the solo models weren’t designed with that in mind.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for your thorough review! I’ve been reading it over and over- I am trying to buy a shaver for my husband’s birthday. My husband has sensitive skin and his razor right now is awful so he uses a handheld with cream at the end. Do you think I should go with a dry shaver and assume it’ll be that much better and he won’t need to use cream? Or is it safer to get a wet/dry? Also do you know what the -4 denotes in the 7 790cc-4? Thanks so much!
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for your comment. The Series 7 is one of the most comfortable shavers out there. However, it would be very difficult for me to say with certainty if using it along with shaving cream would make a big difference compared to using it dry. And that’s because shaving is very personal and the results will vary to a high degree from person to person. If your budget allows it, you could opt for a wet/dry model like the 797cc or the 799cc (whichever has the better price as they’re the same performance-wise).
All the currently available 790cc shavers are actually the 790cc-4 version and the 4 is actually used to differentiate it from an older iteration (790cc, currently discontinued). I actually touched upon this in the article as well.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
melanie, definitely get the wet/dry. i have very dry at times and sensitive skin. aftershave burns like a shot of everclear. sometimes dry is better, sometimes shaving with a gel is better depending on what the day is like.
ovidiu, GREAT article. you answered all of my questions in one shot, no need to look anywhere else.
Hi Henry,
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very informative. I don’t need to research for more. Thank you so much.
No problem, glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, great article and really useful … I note however that e.g. Argos and Boots don’t sell the 7 790cc which I’d decided to buy from your review. Instead they sell the 7 898. I don’t see this covered in your review, could you advise? Thanks
Hi Steve,
thank you for your comment. The Series 7 7898cc is the model name sold in the UK and it’s basically the same shaver + wet & dry operation. You can go right ahead and buy it.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu for your quick reply.
Just curious though as it seems all ‘best razor’ sites tend to end up promoting the 790cc which is ‘Dry only’ but selling in very few outlets and generally more than £200. The 7898cc on the other hand, which you say is Wet and Dry (by the way, I wouldn’t have looked for that feature) is generally available for ca £165?
Any ideas why that might be?
Thanks again – seems this information would be really useful for UK Customers
You are very welcome, Steve. Actually price oddities like this one are quite common when it comes to electric shavers; newer, more feature rich models can cost less than others that are arguably inferior. For example, that was the case (and still is to some degree) with the Series 9 and some Panasonic Arc 5 models. Store policies, price bumps from the suppliers etc. can contribute to this. That’s why it’s always a good idea to do a bit of research before pulling the trigger.
The 790cc is still very popular, particularly in the USA and most review sites are based there and target that specific demographic. Also, a lot of those reviews haven’t been updated in years and at the time of writing the 790cc was probably the only widely available model. There’s nothing special about it and if you can get a newer model like the wet & dry 7898cc for less money then by all means you should get that one.
I tried to cover the most popular models in this article, but Braun has lots of different names for the shavers sold in the different markets even though they are basically the same products.
Best,
Ovidiu
Perfect, thank you for your clarification. I could have assumed the same but it’s good to see confirmation from someone who has clearly done a lot of the homework already.
Thanks again, saved a lot of web searching for answers.
If dry and Wet/Dry uses the same heads. What are the difference between dry and Wet/Dry except the unit wont work in the Wet/Dry while cable is plugged. Is there any mechanical difference
Well, that’s pretty much it. According to a Braun representative that I’ve talked to a while back, the wet & dry models have additional waterproofing, but I cannot vouch for the accuracy of that info.
What about the Braun series 5764? Is it good, okay, not so good? Thanks for helping so many of us! Stephen 503 224 5557
Hi Stephen,
In my opinion it’s a decent shaver, but not as good as the previous Series 7 discussed here. I wrote a detailed review of it if you want to check it out.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, sorry it’s me again! I’ve had second thoughts about the cc variants – I can see me quickly not bothering to use it as it should be used. I therefore started looking for an ‘s’ option and found 7855s at £99.99 and 7840s at £149.99 from the same store. Please could you put me out of my misery and advise the difference. All of these variants seem totally confusing, it’s hard to imagine how Braun expect the customer base to understand the numbering system (there seems to be no system) or what they are getting for their money.
Thanks in advance
Steve
Hi Steve,
I totally agree, Braun does a terrible job at documenting the differences between the various models. Regarding the 7855s and 7840s, the color is basically the only difference. I’ve seen the 7855s sold mostly in Eastern Europe and the 7840s is as far as I know made for the UK market. However, both are part of the updated generation (78xx), they come with the same accessories and use the same shaving heads (70s, 70b respectively). All the Series 7 are made in Germany, so you don’t have to worry about differences in quality control or anything like that. With the 7840s you’ll just be spending £50 more for the black paintjob.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
That’s great, you are a fountain of knowledge, thank you.
So apart from the cleaning aspect, the 7855s is the same technology shaver as the 7989cc – if I interpret “the updated generation 78xx as meaning they are all the same?
Sincerely grateful
Steve
You are very welcome, Steve. That is correct. The technology is the same and the shavers themselves are identical for all practical purposes. The only difference is that the cc models come with a cleaning station and inside the shavers there’s a dedicated chip used for communicating with the station (that’s why an s model will never work with a Braun station that was bought separately later on). Again, the shaving performance is identical.
Best,
Ovidiu
Excellent, thank you once more
Steve
Thanks for this useful information. I need to replace my 790cc model and was hoping to keep the cleaning station and just buy a 7855s to use with it. But based on what you are saying the 7855s won’t work with my old 790cc cleaning station, right?
Hi Boris,
You are very welcome. I updated the article and the information. The 7855s will work with your 790cc station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
very interesting here. Does the 7550 model or the 740s (wet & dry) model have an induction heating system that shortens the drying time after cleaning? Since I’ve never had an electric shaver, I’m basically a beginner and looking for a great shaver from Braun at a solid price.
I bought the Series 3 350cc, luckily I did not need it, so I’ll most likely bring it back. He was just out for a bargain price, so i was so rushed. Instead of 109 CHF only 79 CHF.
It is important to me when buying an electric shaver from Braun, that the shaving does not break immediately, as I find out from some sources about the Series 7.
For me, only Series 5 and 7 in question.
With kind regards
Sorry i mean 7855s model and not 7550
Hi Emanuele,
The induction heating system is fitted to the actual cleaning station, not to the shavers.
The Series 7 7855s and 740s are solo models (hence the “s” in the model name), meaning they don’t come with a cleaning station.
As mentioned in the article, you can purchase the station separately later on if you choose so. The older cleaning stations that have the induction heating system can still be found on various online stores (amazon, ebay, shavers.co.uk).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
thank you very much for your fast answer :).
So, is that a myth that the Series 7 razors are “more sensitive? In my selection list are the following models: 740s wet & dry for 180€
7840s for 196$
7898cc for 237$
Which one would you recommend to me?
As I read in your comments, all Series 7 offer the same performance. All listed can be used in the shower. I can take it without the Clean & Charge Station, because I would save money with pure alcohol and oil using.
How should I have to do the cleaning? Remove the razor head and place in to pure alcohol for 15 minutes?
Thank you and best regards
Which Series 7 model can I charge during shaving?
Great regards
You are welcome, Emanuele. Yes, the Series 7 is a very good option if you have sensitive skin. Regarding which one to buy, it comes down to your budget and how much are you willing to spend for certain features like the automatic cleaning station. The shaving performance will be the same regardless of your choice.
The best way to clean a Series 7 manually would be with a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water. Your user’s manual will have detailed instructions on this. I wouldn’t recommend the use of pure alcohol for cleaning.
Just the dry only models can be used while charging (790cc, 760cc, 720s etc.).
Best,
Ovidiu
not to forget, the Series 7 7790cc also works too while the charging.
The Series 3 350cc makes an amazing shave. Of course, the Series 3 will most likely not offer the same comfort (for example a less pressure) as a Series 7.
It struck me, that if you take out the scissors while shaving and knock out for continue, his work will do the best work in the chin area as well.
I’m basically satisfied with my machine, but I would certainly enjoy a Series 7 more, but it costs more than twice as much as my Series 3 350cc.
By mistake, I did not dry my face, because some hair was “sticking” and went over it with the shaver. How bad is that?
The 350cc is fully washable, but no wet&dry. At the next shave I look to dry properly.
That is correct, the 7790cc will work while it’s charging since it’s a dry only model. The Series 7 is superior to the Series 3 in all regards, so you’ll probably be more than happy with its performance, no matter which model you end up choosing.
There’s nothing to worry about with regards to your face not being completely dry when using the 350cc. Yes, this can be detrimental to the comfort and the closeness of your shave, but definitely not to your razor. If you can safely rinse a shaver under tap water it can definitely handle some skin moisture.
Hello,
Thank you for the easy to understand explanations of the Braun shaver series.
I have decided to go with the Series 7 instead of Series 9, as it seems the Series 9 is made from more plastic parts (housing and head) and the cutting block foil heads are notorious for being flimsy and breaking easily.
Question: Do you know if the defective head locking mechanism that was prone to failure on the 790cc has been corrected on the updated 7865cc model?
Hi,
Not to my knowledge. I would still be extra careful when using the shaver with the head locked into position. I don’t think the mechanism can crack during normal use, but rather when you forget the lock is activated and you try to move the head.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello,
Thank you for your detailed comparisons.
Do you know if the head lock mechanism that was prone to breaking on the 790cc model has been fixed on the 7865cc newer series?
This was so helpful I just had to leave a comment. I’ve been researching for two days on an electric razor to get my boyfriend for Christmas. He’s in the military and has sensitive skin. This was a great find and I wish I found it yesterday. I know what to get now! Thanks!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad you found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can you help me with this. I heard the newer 7865 doesn’t have the heated drying like the 979. Is that true, I had read an online review and the guy said she thought his was broken but called Braun and they confirmed. I have purchased the 797cc but found the 7865 for about 15 less. Is this the case and others any other differences that make the 7865 better or worse? I am in my return period and want tho make the right choice. Thanks
Hi Larry,
That is correct, the cleaning station that comes with the Series 7 7865cc lacks the induction heat system and the quick cleaning mode. I would personally stick to the 797cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, sorry about all the typos. Very helpful article. I also appreciate your quick response time. Do you know why those features have been removed?
You are welcome, Larry. Most likely cost reductions – no induction heating components and a simplified manufacturing process. The lower end Series 5 and 3 also don’t have any systems to actively dry the shaver and now the Series 7 will join them.
Hi, is this true, that 799cc-7WD has the same steel foil placed into the shavinh heads like series 9 ? And what about the 7899cc according to the question above? I’ve just found the 7899 cc cheapper than the 799cc-7WD, so would be grateful for your advise?
Thanks
Hi Mariusz,
All Series 7 variations use the same shaving head, the 70s or 70b cassette replacement. The 7899cc is identical to the 799cc in terms of shaving performance, so you can confidently buy the cheaper one. The only real difference between them is the cleaning station – the one included with the 7899cc lacks the quick clean mode and the induction heat system used for drying the shaver.
Hi Ovidiu thank you for post8ng that amazing article! I like many have been doing loads of research and was going to buy the 7840s in the Black Friday sale but missed out. There are still 7855s for sale at a decent price but I couldn’t find anywhere till now that even described them! I want a new razor to upgrade from a Braun 340s which doesn’t shave close enough. Do you think I will notice significant difference with a 7855s?
Hi Martin,
Thank you for the kind words. A Series 7 will be a solid upgrade coming from a 340s. It’s a superior shaver in every aspect. However, the closest shaving electric razor in that price range is in my opinion the Arc 4 from Panasonic (for example the ES-LA63-S), but that one comes with a small trade-off in comfort compared to the Series 7. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest you to go for the Series 7, especially if you can get a great deal on it.
Best,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. Somewhere I read that the wet/dry option allowed cleaning with water instead of the cleaning station; thus saving the purchase of the replacement parts for this purpose. Is this possible? If its is would I go with the 797cc?
Fred
Hi Fred,
It’s definitely possible – with the 797cc or any other electric shaver. Even if it comes with a cleaning station, you don’t necessarily have to use it; it’s there for the added convenience as it takes care of everything for you. However, you can definitely clean your shaver manually if you choose so. Most modern shavers can be safely cleaned with a bit of liquid hand soap and then rinsed under tap water. Just make sure to read your user’s manual and follow the instructions for a manual cleaning.
Best,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. Great website. BTW, since the 790 is waterproof, I may not have to go to the wet/dry option in order to allow cleaning with soap and water. Is this correct?
You are welcome, Fred. That is correct, you do not have to buy a wet/dry variation of the Series 7 in order to clean the shaving head with water. The dry only 790cc can be safely rinsed under tap water. Generally the wet/dry label refers to using the shaver with cream/gel or in the shower.
Three questions:
1- Can the 7865 be used in my old 790cc-4 Cleaning Station which is still in great shape and what is the difference in the two cleaning stations ?
2- Is the newer 7865 any quieter than the 790cc-4?
3- I have the opportunity to buy a new 790cc (had my existing one for 5 years) or a 7865 at two different stores for about the same price! Is there any advantage with one over the other?
Thank you
Hi Kevin,
1. Most likely yes.
2. They are the same in this regard.
3. The 7865cc can be used wet or dry, while the 790cc is a dry only shaver. The 790cc can also be used when charging. The station included with the 7865cc lacks the induction heating and quick clean mode found on the 790cc station. Unless you’ll be using your Series 7 for wet shaving, the 790cc is actually a better option in my opinion.
Ovidiu
Thanks for your quick response!
A few more questions on the 790cc:
1- I know the 7685 can be used wet or dry when shaving which I wouldn’t be using but for cleaning under the tap water, is it safe to do this with the 790, which I would require when going away for a week or two where you wouldn’t have the cleaning station. In the past I would just use the brush after taking off the foil cutting head as I thought running it under the tap and taking off the cutting head for a thorough washing would cause a problem but perhaps it won’t if I were to do it every few days!
2- I noticed the power cord in the 790 can also charge the shaver along with a shave when the charge runs out, which I understand cannot be done with the 7685!
3- Is the heat induction any better than a fan which I understand is in the 7685, it seems the fan would possibly be quicker but could break down easier!
You are welcome, Kevin.
1. You can safely clean the 790cc under tap water, Braun actually recommends this as a manual cleaning method. You just can’t use it to shave in the shower or with cream/gel.
2. That is correct.
3. The 7865cc doesn’t have a fan either; it doesn’t have any system to actively dry the shaving head once the cleaning cycle is complete. The cleaning fluid will naturally evaporate, which takes at least 3 to 4 hours. Induction heating is the best in my opinion, it’s quiet and fast. I own a Series 9 9290cc that uses a fan and the drying takes longer than induction heating. I haven’t used it long enough to comment on the reliability of the fan though.
I have a question is this the same shaver Braun series 7 799cc-4 and Braun series 7 799cc-7
Thanks
Hi Chris,
The shavers are the same, the model names differ depending on where they’re being sold.
Hi,
Great article! Whereas the Series 7 razors of old and new are broadly similar – the same cannot be said for the cleaning stations.
I notice one massive ommision. The clean and renew cleaning station from the 790cc-4 of the past have a 5 stage cleaning action that takes 40 minutes and includes drying by an induction heat mechanism.
The newer Series 7 – for example 7898cc have a 4 stage cleaning action taking roughly 15 minutes and no drying process.
I phoned Braun Customer services to ask why my 7898cc would was wet after a cleaning cycle and i was told that my old 790cc-4 had a cleaning station with an induction heater – the newer razors don’t.
I’ve notices the accessories e.g. the travel pouch and the electrical cord all seem of much lesser quality…
I loved my old braun 790cc-4 and i find my 7898cc-4 just as good – except the cleaning station lets it down.
i have ordered a cleaning base from http://www.shavers.co.uk for £35 which has a heating induction mechanism.
looks like Braun are cutting cost…. this is very apparent on the Series 9 which has plastic on the body of the razor. I was disappointed and went back to the trusted series 7!!
Many thanks
Vaqaas
Hi Vaqaas,
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience.
You are absolutely correct, I actually mentioned the same thing in a previous comment about the cleaning stations of the newer Series 7. I will update the article as well to reflect this particular aspect about the newer models.
Also, as far as I know, a 7898cc shaver won’t work with the previous generation cleaning stations that include the induction heating mechanism (I assume that you intend to use the station from shavers.co.uk with your 7898cc). The same goes for the 790cc, you can’t pair it with a newer cleaning station like the one included with the 7898cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidio,
Just to let you know the 7898cc is backwards compatible with the previous 5 action cleaning stations with induction heat mechanism.
Hope this helps – works exactly as my old 790cc-4 did. no more wet razor!!
thanks to Andrew at http://www.shavers.co.uk for his knowledge and advice and free next day despatch!!
Many thanks
Vaqaas
Thank you for the follow up, Vaqaas. That is actually very interesting. Do you happen to know if that particular station is a genuine Braun part or if it was modded in any way? I am asking this because a Braun representative explicitly told me that the newer models are not backwards compatible with the older stations fitted with the induction heating system.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Firstly a humble apology for spelling your name incorrectly in last comment.
It’s a 100% genuine part and as I mentioned I phoned Braun customer services and asked the question on newer models not having induction heater.
Braun customer services connected my call to Olympic Shaver Centre (www.shavers.co.uk) as they are Brauns authorised retailer in my district.
This is how I came into contact with Andrew and he supplied the original part in sealed retail box and told me it was backwards compatible – and when it arrived yesterday I tested it and it worked perfected. Tested it again too and it’s awesome.
No modifications needed whatsoever! Result…
Many thanks
Vaqaas
No worries, Vaqaas. Thank you again for your detailed reply. I can only assume that Braun’s customer support rep was actually wrong about this when he replied to my inquiry.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Greetings from Turkey. Best and the most specific review i have ever read. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad to know you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the great article. I just received the 7865cc for Christmas. What has me so confused are the battery lights. Can you explain them as I am considering a call to Braun thinking it’s defective. I have one that’s completely lit (at 3 o’clock), the light at 6 o’clock is half solid and the one at 9 o’clock is not lit at all.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your comment. I totally agree, the battery status lights are counter-intuitive and unnecessary complicated. The one at 9 o’clock is the low-charge light, it will blink when the battery is almost drained (you can still shave once or twice when that happens). The light at 3 o’clock represents a full battery, while the one at 6 o’clock stands for a 50% charge.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu –
Thank you for this. Very helpful.
Replacing a prior razor.
1. As to the cleaning station, am I to understand from your article that it is useless with the s series, or just that certain features don’t work.
2. How do we know which cleaning station we have (mine looks a bit different than those pictured above).
3. Costco carries the 7893. Can I presume cc, or possibly s?
Thank you
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your comment. Regarding your questions:
1. I updated the information, an a Series 7 s model will in fact work with a cleaning station.
2. You can identify the station by the shaver’s model number (you didn’t mention your prior razor, so I’m afraid I cannot help you here).
3. Definitely the 7893s, so no cleaning base.
I pulled the trigger and bought the 7865cc, mostly because of the wet+dry function & the cleaning station. I need to be clean shaven for work at my new job, have the Braun BT3040 and maintained a 2mm or 3mm beard at my old job where we could get away with a lot at work.
Im planning on using it in the shower with shaving gel most times and I have 2 questions. Does a certain shaving cream work better with the electric shaver? Also would just rinsing the head under water after shaving with shaving cream for a couple days & then running it through the cleaning station damage the shaver in any way?
Any quality shaving cream should work just fine. I use Proraso, Speick and Nivea most of the time as they’re inexpensive, widely available and the quality is excellent. You can check out more options here.
Regarding the cleaning, you can definitely perform it that way, just make sure to rinse the shaving head very thoroughly. I always clean my shavers with a bit of liquid soap whenever I use shaving cream. That’s simply because lather residues tend to dry and harden very quickly and are a real pain to clean later on. Using a few drops of liquid soap should only take an extra minute. Besides, Braun requires the shaver to be completely dry and free of any foam residues before using the station.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, just wanted to express my gratitude for your article. It helps me find a perfect shaver for my bf in just 10 minutes – really, your effort is very much appreciated!
Hi Bianca,
Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad you found the information useful. I hope your boyfriend will enjoy his new shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Looking to get my son a shaver. Walmart has the series 7 790 for $249.99 Canadian & Best Buy has the series 7 7893s for the same price. Which one do I go with?
Hi Dorothy,
The 7893s model is suitable for wet & dry use; the 790cc is a dry only shaver, but includes an automatic cleaning station. The 790cc would probably be a better pick for the added convenience of the cleaning station and it can also be used while charging. Most men prefer dry shaving anyway as it’s quicker and less messy.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have no words to say tks!
So many letters and so many models that drive us crazy.
Very helpful explanation and honest.
Thank you so much for your comment, I’m very glad to hear that!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Braun series 7 7893s and it does work with my clean and renew base I bought off of eBay.
Hi Ovidiu,
I have an 7505 Braun, and like the fact that is on an electric cord and can carry it and charge it anywhere – health club, hotel, etc., without a charging station. I always dry shave.
I almost purchased the 790cc and then recognized that the cord is for the charging station, and not directly to the razor.
Are there any mobile razors like the 7505 that I can easily carry and connect to an electric cord?
Thanks. – David
Hi David,
You can also plug the charging cord of the 790cc directly into the razor, so you’re not in any way restricted by the inclusion of the cleaning station. You can charge the razor via the station or directly using the same cord. Since you always shave dry, the 790cc seems like a great option as you can also use it while charging.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu.
OK. I am going to buy it.
Your written reports of the Series 7 and Series 9, and comparisons within each and against each other are excellent and really made me think about things.
Thank you.
David
You are very welcome, David. I’m glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for the well written article. It has been a great help and I can now confidently make my purchase.
Just one question, after looking at the comparison table above, I was wondering what is the difference between the newer models, 7865cc, 7898cc and 7899cc (besides the color)?
Hi Adnan,
Thank you for the kind words. That’s pretty much it — the color. The 7865cc has a slightly different LCD display, but for all practical purposes the three of them are the same. As I said in the article, I would simply buy the one I can get for less money.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
just to make things more complicated: here in Europe (I am actually from Germany) a “7790cc” is available and sold in a lot of shops as Series 7 790cc (!!!) now which also has the 5-way intensive/sensitive-setting and the automatic cleaning station without any active drying – unfortunately. So the main difference between this Series 7 790cc/7790cc and the 7865cc – besides the colour and display – is just the possibility to use the 970cc corded because of only dry shaving.
Manual available: http://www.service.braun.com/line/SH/S5692/S5692_33_MN.pdf
With best regards
Joerg
Hi Joerg,
Thank you for the info. I knew that the 7790cc was basically a silver dry only 7865cc, but I wasn’t aware that Braun actually sells it as a 790cc. It’s a bit disappointing to see Braun resorting to this type of sneaky tactics — after discretely ditching the induction heating and presenting the newer Series 7 as having 4 cutting elements. At least the shaving performance remained the same.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share this with us.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very good summary! What is the lowest price you’ve seen the 790cc and 7865cc? I saw the 7865cc was $169 for a brief period. Now the 790cc is $169 and 7865cc is $200. I am not in a hurry so I want to get a good deal.
Hi Vince,
Thank you for your comment. Not counting Black Friday deals and such, I think the 7865cc was on sale for $149 until recently. Can’t really recall the lowest price of the 790cc, sorry. Keep an eye on both, you’ll likely find them at a lower price again. Also, don’t neglect other models like 799cc or 797cc if you can get a great deal on them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
i guess its more information than braun its self
all the information i need i found it really full review and all data are in depth thanks alot
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, ayman. I’m glad you found the information helpful.
Best,
Ovidiu
Have had two 790 cc-4 for 15 years and still going strong.
Caught this price at BJ’s and am considering 2 more for the future.
Hi,
Great review, thanks. Can I use the cleaning system from my 790cc (with heat induction) with my new 7865cc? The 7865cc came with one obviously, but I want the heating…
Hi Charlie,
You are very welcome. The answer is yes, you should be able to use your older station without any issues.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you very much for your amazing article!
I just bought a 7790 and I am very happy whit it! I dont use any cream or foam and that is the reason why I choose 7790. But I am very interested to know the technical diference between dry model and dry/wet one… I am pretty sure is just a marketing thing because you can use dry only models under shower or on wet skin… but just no cream…
What do you think about that?
Thank you !
Hi Marco,
Thank you for the kind words! This a great (and quite common) question. The Series 7 models like the 7790cc, 790cc etc are suitable for dry only operation. However, many users have successfully used one with shaving cream as well. I cannot recommend using a dry only model in this manner as it goes against what the manufacturer recommends. I couldn’t tell you if there are additional gaskets or sealant fitted to the wet/dry models as that would mean taking both apart for a close inspection. They can be safely rinsed under tap water, so some waterproofing exists with the dry only variations as well.
If anything happens to the shaver it will void the warranty and it’s entirely up to you if you decide to use a dry only model in this manner. Again, I cannot recommend using an electric shaver in a way that is explicitly forbidden by the manufacturer.
I’m pretty sure the main reason behind this has to do with safety. Precisely, the dry only models can also be used while they’re plugged in. You can imagine the potential hazards of having a device connected to the mains and bringing it into the shower for example.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for the amazingly detailed and thorough review of the Braun Series 7 line of shavers. Your discussion of Braun Series 7 Differences: 790cc vs 760cc vs 799cc vs 7865cc was very helpful to me. I can now go ahead and buy a replacement for my 797. With appreciation.
You are very welcome, Benjamin! I’m glad to hear you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
When you are referring to the “OLD” vs “NEW” cleaning stations for the series 7…I found this online … is this the ‘good’ older cleaning station?… NEW BRAUN ELECTRIC SHAVER CLEAN & RENEW FAST CHARGING STAND 81365080.
Because I plan on purchasing a 7893s separately…then the Model 81365080 cleaning station separately…and finally the Cleaning cartridges. (I can get these separately for a lot less than buying the 7XXXCC model with everything included.) Based on comments before the 7893s Models do work with the cleaning stations…and that the paint may be effected after many uses.
Hi Joe,
That is correct, 81365080 is the part number of the old station that comes with induction heating and quick clean mode. It should work with the 7893s without any problems. The paint will eventually flake, but that seems to happen even with the cc models after a few years of use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi! I came here from your Braun Series 5 Comparison And Differences article. I’m in train of replacing my old but excellent ones Micron (5410) and Micron Plus (5426). I was just looking for advices about 5030s. Daily shaving, doesn’t matter dry or wet nor cleanning station. What do you recommend? I can get 7840, besides 5030s. Very thanks!. Gustavo, Buenos Aires
Hi Gustavo,
Thank you for your comment. I think both the 7840s and the 5030s would be very good options. However, if you can get the 7840s for a great price, I would recommend that one. To me the Series 7 feels more refined, more enjoyable to use and a bit faster compared to the Series 5, even though the end results are extremely similar in terms of comfort and closeness. You should also factor in the cost of the replacement shaving heads — the ones used by the Series 7 are usually more expensive.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for an extremely informative review. I came across a reasonably priced Series 7 790cc on eBay Australia with the seller being USA based. I need clarification on two things. Firstly in your review, reference is made to the older 790cc as the 790cc-4. The model I am looking at on eBay is referred to as the 790cc-7. What does that mean? Secondly, being a USA based seller would you know if the 790cc handles 110v to 240v power or is only 110v (USA standard). Hope you can help me with these two questions.
Thank you.
Hi Don,
Thank you for the kind words. The 790cc-7 is a newer model that has 5 power settings instead of 3. Everything else remains the same. Since it’s fitted with an automatic voltage converter, you should have no problems using it in Australia. I buy most of my shavers from the USA and use them in Europe (220v).
Hope this helps.
Best,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu thanks so much for your efforts on all of our behalf!
It was time for a new 51S for my Series 5 Braun and decided it was time to check into the newer Brauns. I’m going with a Series 7 Wet/Dry model but I’m wondering if I can use my Series 5 cleaning station with my potential Series 7 shaver.
Again, thanks so much!
Hi Dan,
Thank you for the kind words. Unfortunately the answer is no, a Series 7 won’t work with your existing Series 5 cleaning station. The metal studs on the back of the Series 7 won’t come into contact with the small metal plates when placed inside the station. And even if they did, the station still wouldn’t be able to communicate with the shaver as it will only pair with Series 5 shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
thanks so much for your quick reply !
You rock it like no other
You are very welcome, Dan. I’m glad I could help.
Thanks for all the research and sharing this.
I got my son a new Braun at Costco, but I guess it doesn’t include a cleaning station.
I’ve never used an electric, never liked them, but I tried his Braun 7 and it was pretty good, so I am thinking of getting one.
I can get another one at Costco for about $100, or I can get NIB Braun 7898cc with a newer cleaning station for another $20, or perhaps a 7797cc with the older cleaner for about the same price.
Alternatively, I can get cleaning station for about $50.
Thoughts?
Thank you for your comment, Steve.
The only significant difference between the 7797cc and 7898cc is in my opinion the wet/dry feature. Precisely, the 7797cc is dry only, thus it can also be used while charging. You can’t do that with the 7898cc since it’s suitable for wet/dry operation. Both of them have the updated cleaning base (no induction heating or quick clean mode). If you can get the older station for a reasonable price along with a solo Series 7 model — that’s a viable option as well. Otherwise just get one of the two mentioned previously. I personally would get the 7797cc, wet shaving doesn’t really improve my shaves with the Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much. I wound up buying a NIB 7898cc locally for $100.
You are very welcome, Steve. That’s an excellent deal. Enjoy your new Series 7!
Hello Ovidiu,
Great job, now I know everything about razors … almost because I have one question, maybe you can help me ? It’s my first electric razor so I have no practise but I predict dry mode would be perfect to me. I decise to buy 790cc-4 with old CC station with heating and now I found 7898cc in same price. I wonder what is the better old CC station in 790 or wet use in 7898 ?
Best regards,
Kris
Hi Kris,
Thank you for the kind words.
I personally would go for the 790cc and the old cleaning station. I do enjoy a wet shave myself, but not with a Series 7 (or any other Braun shaver in general). And that’s because it doesn’t seem to make any noticeable difference compared to a dry shave which also takes less time. It’s a whole different story in the case of Panasonic razors, but with a Braun shaver I wouldn’t bother.
You also get to use the 790cc while charging, which is something you can’t do with wet/dry models like the 7898cc.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a cleaning base for my series 7 and does not have the extra button, but does have a heating symbol. The base has the part number BS5675. Does this have the induction heating element that was removed in current base models?
Yes, it should have the induction heating element. It’s a version of the Series 7 cleaning base that has the drying system in place, but it lacks the fast cleaning function.
I’m wondering if there’s any reason not to use shave gel with the 790cc. It’s seems the only difference between that model and the wet/dry models is that the 790cc could be used with the charging cord on. Assuming I’m not using the cable, any other reason not to try gel?
Hi Marc,
You are actually spot on. The 790cc is suitable for dry only use as a safety precaution since it can also be operated with the charging cord on. The wet/dry variations only seem to be different in this regard. This is of course unofficial and Braun recommends against using a dry only model in this manner. However, many users have successfully shaved using cream or gel with their 790cc.
You should proceed with care and also know that if anything happens to your shaver this will likely void the warranty. I cannot recommend using an electric shaver for anything else than its intended purpose (for obvious reasons).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent. I was just hoping it wouldnt damage the razor. Thank you very much for the reply and for the in depth review. Very well done.
What is the difference between the 790cc-4, and 790cc -7 ? I just ordered a used 790cc-7. Thanks, I really enjoyed your thorough guidelines, braun can make things confusing sometimes!
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. The 790cc-7 is a newer release with 5-speed settings as opposed to 3 on the 790cc-4. Other than that they are pretty much identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
I am trying to decide between the 7893s and the 740s(cheaper).
Do you (or anyone else) have any opinions?
Thanks for your help. Great service you offer.
Hi Hal,
Thank you for your comment. Performance-wise they are pretty much the same. The 7893s has 5 speed settings as opposed to 3 on the 740s, but this doesn’t make any significant difference. Both are suitable for wet&dry use and both will work with a Series 7 cleaning station if you decide to buy one later on. I would get the 7893s because I think it will fare better with scratches and wear and won’t show them as much as the black 740s. But again, if you can get it for significantly less money, go for it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Outstanding explanation of a complex situation. Thank you! After hours of scratching my head and wondering what was going on, it took me 5 minutes to make up my mind after reading this article. Well done.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the kind words. Glad to know you found the post useful.
Enjoy your new Series 7!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much for being so detailed and concise, it’s a confusing task trying to make the best decision when there are many variations of the same model.
Thanks again for providing us with this knowledge.
AJ
Hi AJ,
Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very comprehensive review. But I have a question. Which model would be most suitable for a guy with very sensitive skin, who shaves every other day and wants a very close and smooth shave? Also, someone who needs a shaving gel to shave every time.
Hi Ronn,
All current Series 7 models are pretty much identical in terms of performance, so you can choose one based on budget and availability. I would recommend the 7865cc since it’s a wet/dry model, comes with a cleaning station and it often costs less than other similar Series 7.
I think the Panasonic Arc 4 and Arc 5 will provide a closer shave compared to the Series 7, but those aren’t nearly as comfortable and forgiving.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
great, helpful article. thanks!
Thank you, Tracy! Glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve recently purchased the Brain 7790cc but was shipped a 750cc-7 by mistake instead.
I notice the 750cc-7 has the Active Heat Inductive drying, but lacks the 5-speed shaving system the 7790cc has. (Seems like it only has 3-speeds)
If prices are the same, which of the models should I choose? My main focus is a shaver for sensitive skin and a close shave.
I can’t really find any information on the 750cc.
Thanks! Big fan of the pace
Hi Christian,
Thank you for your comment. The 750-cc is an older model sold on the European market, that’s why information about it is pretty scarce. It does have 3-speed settings instead of 5 and comes with the old LCD display (which is better in my opinion than the new one). Having used both 3 and 5-speed models, I haven’t noticed any significant difference between the two. I have sensitive skin as well and always use them on the highest power setting without any discomfort.
Since you also got the station fitted with the inductive heating system, you could keep this one unless you have a very specific reason to opt for the newer model.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Will definitely purchase a Braun shaver series 7 when I visit my son in the USA later this year. Prices much more competitive in the USA than in Australia. Great information from website about which model to buy and the various features on offer.
Thank you for your comment, Peter. Greatly appreciated. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
All the 7 series the same except for the inclusion or not of the clean and charge station in the retail box. I had a 790cc which died but the clean station was working. I bought a 7855 on special offer but expected the clean station not to work with it. To my amazement the 7855 works with the old clean station and I can clean with the cleaning solution (as confirmed in your article). Therefore anyone who has bought a S only model can buy a clean station cheaply online and use it like a CC model – therefore why pay the premium for the CC models?
Great article thanks
Hi Miles,
That is correct, thank you for your comment. If the solo model along with a separate cleaning station can be bought for less than a cc model, then that’s a perfectly viable option as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review!
I have one question. Is there is one model that has function wet and dry, plus cc station, and that works bouth with battery or cord plugged?
I’m asking because when one day battery dies if I could use shaver without battery. Thanks!
Hi Adi,
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Unfortunately the answer is no, none of the wet/dry models will work with the cord plugged in. Your only option would be to get one of the older dry only variations, like the 790cc or 760cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is one of the best reviews/comparisons I have ever seen for any product. Great work taking away the confusion!
Thank you for your comment, Steve. I really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks a lot for the clear and comprehensive explanation. I bought the 790cc in 2011 and unfortunately I lost it during a trip (probably forgot in the hotel room). I was trying to understand if I could buy one without the cleaning station but had trouble understanding the different models and if I could actually use my old cleaning station. Your article completely clarified that; I’ll buy the 7893s and save some money!
Thanks for that
You are very welcome, Angelo. I’m glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Your articles and reviews are always interesting and extremely helpful! For anyone who’s interested, I’ve had the Braun 7865cc for a week now and I can definitely say that it’s by far the closest, fastest and most comfortable shaver I’ve ever had, hands down. I keep it at the highest speed setting and it plows through coarse areas quickly and easily. It shaves just about as close as a blade for me. The clean/charge station keeps it in like new condition every time I shave. I wish I would’ve saved money by choosing this model first before trying others.
That’s awesome, Scott! Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your experience.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I read your through analysis, so i chose my 7 series, Braun 7840 S razor, the very first electronic razor i have used. Using it by about 3 months, with shaving foam, i’m completely satisfied with it and it’s shaving performances, no more severe burns and cuts on my skin. Washing it with water, sometime adding liquid soap, and lubricating the blades with sewing machine oil.
That’s great, Giovanni! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Fantastic review. A thank you note is definitely due, so thank you so much for the well written article and sharing the details. Really appreciate it.
Thank you for the kind words, Kaleem. I’m glad you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, thanks for the great information. I am trying to decide which Braun series 7 I bought should I keep. They are both still in boxes. I found the 7893s at Costco for $100 and the 760cc at BJs for $129 as a clearance item. From what I am reading, they both will perform the same since they have the same heads. My main question is how much will they cost down the road to maintain? If I keep the 7893s, can I clean every day with soap and water and will it maintain its performance as long as the 760cc? How much does cleaning solution cost and how often to you have to replace? How much are replacement heads and how long do they last? Will they last longer with use of the cleaning station? Thanks for any information.
Hi Tom,
That is some dilemma. First of all, I think you managed to get both at an excellent price, so whichever you end up keeping it will be a great deal.
Regarding the costs of ownership, it really depends on how you’ll be using your shaver. For example, you can use the cleaning station after every use or twice a month. That’s entirely up to you. The advantage of Braun cleaning stations is that you can take out the cartridge, put the cap back on and store it until you need it again.
A shaving head can last longer with the use of the cleaning station only if you fail to clean and lubricate it regularly. I would use a bit of liquid soap and warm water and a light oil (clipper oil) or a spray lubricant like the Remington Shaver Saver. I don’t usually recommend cleaning stations if they’re not needed, but I think they’re really useful with the Series 5, 7 and 9. After weeks or months of use, there will be some hairs, dirt and dead skin (that a manual cleaning failed to remove entirely) lodged inside the shaving head. An automatic cleaning will get rid of that easily. If you use your station sparingly, a refill will last for months. Here are more details about this. Also, there are third-party alternatives that cost a lot less than Braun’s solution.
The two shavers are very similar performance-wise, so it’s up to you to decide which one to keep considering the advantages of the cleaning station. You can also buy the station later on separately if you decide to go with the 7893s. The replacement heads are the same for both and should easily last one and a half years. The price varies, so you should check various stores before buying.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent comment for me to choose a right Braun Shaver, great job and thanks a lot
Thank you for your comment, David. Glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
The replacement cassette foil cutters have an 11% recommendation at braun.com. The rep said they only have one cutter but their site shows a honeycomb style and also a pizza with a bullseye style foil. People swear by the original but dislike the replacement. Help!!!
Thanks
Todd RI
Hi Todd,
Can you please share the link to the bullseye style cassette? As far as I know, the 70s/70b are only available with the honeycomb-like foil pattern (Braun calls it an Optifoil). In general, replacement parts get really bad reviews (not just the ones from Braun). I only bought a Series 7 cassette once, it was like 4 years ago and it still works (honeycomb style). I didn’t however use that shaver as much, so it’s not really relevant from a reliability pov.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu!
Thank you so much for your amazing informative website/article! It helped me choose the right Braun Series 7 shaver at the best cost!
My original Braun 8585, which I have been using since forever has finally died, fell apart to pieces!
After buying multiple replacement heads and cleaning solutions, I thought it was time to upgrade/replace. It was a really close shave when it was new. My cleaning station still works perfectly, however finding a replacement shaver for this old series is not very cost effective.
Do you know if my old cleaning station had inductive heating? As it felt like my shaver was always dry/hot after a cleaning cycle. I wanted this feature in a replacement shaver I wanted to purchase.
Before I found and read your website/article, I was considering buying a Series 5 shaver at the store. However, I purchased a replacement Braun Series 3 3050cc at the store on sale for $105.96 CDN.
I returned the Braun 3050cc to the store. Lacked key higher end features etc….
For only a slightly higher overall total cost, I purchased on Ebay a Braun 7893s and a separate New Inductive Cleaning Station! I saved a ton of money thanks to you!
Way cheaper than the local Walmart for the Retail Braun 7865cc which is $249.96 CDN!
Is it safe to say that when I get my new Braun 7893s it will blow away my old 8585?! It was a really smooth and close shave when it was new.
Thank you again for such an amazing thorough articles regarding Braun Series shavers!
Sincerely,
Marlow
Hi Marlow,
Thank you so much for the kind words, I’m glad you found the information useful.
The station of your 8585 was indeed fitted with an inductive heating system.
The 7893s is a superior shaver in terms of shaving performance and you should definitely notice that.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very interesting and helpful post, thanks
The manual is written that processes at drying occurs.
Quote from the instructions:
” Whilst cleaning is in progress, the respective
cleaning program indicator will blink. Each
cleaning program consists of several cycles,
where cleaning fl uid is fl ushed through the
shaver head and a heat drying process dries
the shaver. Depending on the program selected
the total cleaning time will range from 32 to 43
minutes. “
Hi,
Thank you for your comment. The part about drying the shaver only applies to the older Series 7 models that came with the discontinued stations that were fitted with the inductive heating system.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi!
First of all, GREAT review! And not just this one. If it were up to Braun, then nobody would know what they were buying. But I have a question. You wrote that they removed the drying part from the 7 series’s cleaning station. And i read articles about that over time razer blades dullness in big part is thanks to that, that they remain wet after every shave and it causes micro rusts on the blades edges. That rust will flake off and eventially you cut yourself.
Now this isn’t a razer blade but i think the principle the same, it has blades in it.
So if I use the CC station and it won’t dry it off, wouldn’t it shorten the shaving head lifetime? Or it won’t beacuse it it alcohol based.
And another thing, in another article you wrote that the every day use of the CC station is unnesesery. And between those clean it with for exempe tap water. But I plan to use shaveing cream in hope for a closer shave or at least I want to try it. But will the water clean it out properly, and agan… that rust thing.
Sincerely,
Istvan
Hi Istvan,
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Those are some excellent questions.
In my opinion rust is not a problem with modern electric shavers from reputable manufacturers like Braun. I’ve been using them for almost 20 years and I am yet to see rust. Again, with high-quality stainless steel and other anti-corrosive treatments that are applied to the cutting edge of the blades, you won’t have a problem with rust. It goes a lot more into these blades compared to regular, cheap double edge razor blades.
So I am certain there won’t be any problems in this regard with new cleaning stations that lack any drying systems. Even if you clean your razor with water and let it air dry it’s still perfectly fine. In my opinion this will not affect the lifespan of the blades. Improper cleaning and lack of lubrication will.
Regarding shaving cream, if you clean your shaver with water and soap and every once in a while using the station, that would be very effective. A bit of shaving cream could remain inside the cassette after a manual cleaning and it can dry and harden. That, along with mineral deposits from hard water can lead to some nasty buildups. But if you use warm water and liquid soap and also use the station a few times a month for example, problem solved.
Also, after a water & soap cleaning (with the shaving head completely dry) make sure to lubricate the blades using a light oil (like clipper oil) or a spray lubricant (Remington Shaver Saver or Braun spray cleaner). Here‘s a detailed guide.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the thorough answer. But I didn’t mean actual rust that you can see with naked eye. And anyway, the problem is what the rust will cause. I was talking about something like this
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/6148SieKwpL.jpg
Now I dont know if this is accurate or just PR, but this is a 350x magnification of a high quality Gillette blade. In the middle picture they used BLEW
https://www.toolsofmen.com/blew-review/
which basically all it does is dry the blade in a few minutes instead of airdrying it, and that is it. I was thinking along the lines of something like this problem only with electric shavers.
And for the other part, the whole point of electric shawer + CC for me is the convenience and time save. So the whole manual cleaning you wrote is out of the question 🙁 . Even the wet shave would be a nuisance, but for a closer shave I would try to use it. And I plan to close the alcohol-based solution after use so it won’t evaporate. And rinsing the head under water quickly and into the CC every time.
But did I understand correctly, even if I use the shaver and the CC every day (I shave every day), even by Braun’s standard it dosen’t need replacing for a few mounths?
What I don’t get is, you answerd a comment “Braun requires the shaver to be completely dry and free of any foam residues before using the station.” How the hell and why? 😀
What are they thinking? With what, a hair dryer? And isn’t the whole point of the CC that it dose everyting by it self?
Maybe I should stick to dry shave but the problem is I don’t know how close a shave it does, and the 7 series a bit pricey for gamble… or just switch to Gillette, it would be a lot cheaper too.
Oh and another question 😀 I always used cheap electric rotary shawers and they weren’t too good for my sensetive skin. Than a few mounths back I took out my grandad old Braun and started useing it every day a braun synchron 5340. And it was much more gentle or it appeard to be. The question is in your experience foil shavers better for sensitive skin or it was just some other factor like blade quality, cutting distance, dullness…
You are very welcome, Istvan.
Again, I have to stress that it is extremely unlikely to experience any kind of water induced damage to the blades of an electric shaver. The cutting edge is different, the steel alloys are different and you cannot simply compare them to a regular razor blade.
Besides, physical wear caused by the friction between the blades and the foils will be experienced long before any potential rust issues.
As for the manual and automatic cleaning, everyone should use whatever works best for them, be it one or the other or a combination of both.
Many users prefer the latter as a way of saving cleaning fluid and reducing the costs. For example, it takes me less than 30 seconds to clean a shaver with water and soap, so it’s really not a hassle.
With proper use and care, a shaving head should easily last a few months, even if you shave daily.
Regarding the shaver needing to be dry before the automatic cleaning, this is what Braun recommends so they can be perfectly covered (improper use).
Lather, soap and other similar stuff could potentially clog the drain hole of the station or the mesh filter inside the cartridge.
Also, if the shaver head is dripping wet every time you clean it, that excess water will end up in the alcohol-based solution and this will affect its electrical conductivity. And the station uses it to determine when to signal the user to replace the cartridge. So this could result in a premature false reading.
That’s why it’s a good idea to try and have the razor as dry and free of any lather/foam before using the station.
With regards to rotary vs foil, yes, in my opinion foil shavers are clearly superior for sensitive skin. The main reason for this is the very way the two types of shavers work. I wrote a very detailed comparison here if you want to check it out. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you agan for the thorough answer. I finally understud that rust is not a problem :), but I did not know that the blades tuch the foil. I suppose if you want cleaner shave, friction and physical wear the price.
And the way it’s measures and signal the user to replace the cartridge is interesting too.
I finally decided upon the 7 series beacuse you wrote in the comparison that there isn’t much of a difference in closeness between 7 nad 9, and the 7 is good for very sensitive skin too.
The other contender was Gillette, but as I have found out in the last few days, you can’t have that smooth shave all the time. Just for a day, than 2-3 day beard, beacuse the skin will be too sensitive to shave agan…or at least mine. So it’s advantage became it’s disadvantage. Except it’s a lot lot cheaper.
What would be AWESOME if you could show a video, how to do that proper and fast head cleaning after a wet shave. 🙂
And if I properly clean it and put it in the CC every day then I wouldn’t need to use oil to lubricate it, beacuse the CC dose it, right? And the CC wont get dirty quickly beacuse the head was clean, right? Although I still don’t know how to dry it in the morning rush.
Hi Istvan,
That is correct, using the cc station daily will take care of lubrication as well, so there’s no need to use anything else. Regarding the cleaning and drying, as long as you shake off excess water and pat the shaving head dry with a clean cloth or paper tissue, it should be fine.
I was actually planning on doing a detailed cleaning tutorial but never got to it. It is coming though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this write-up. You’ve brought order to the chaos that is the 7 Series!
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. Glad you found the article useful!
Hi my name is Sisira
Let me know what is the difference between 740s-7 and. 7893s
Which one is long life and best
Hi Sisira,
Apart from the color (silver for the 7893s and black for the 740s) and 5 vs 3 power settings respectively, there aren’t really any differences. They use the same shaving heads and both are suitable for wet & dry use. I would go for the 7893s as the fifth power setting is supposedly 12% faster than the third one on the 740s.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very much looking forward to Ovidiu’s response / advice of my Braun shaver selection.
I sent in my dilemma last week … March 3rd ?
Have not seen his response posted yet or an email.
PLEASE ADVISE WHEN I MIGHT HEAR BACK. THANK YOU.
Hi Tom,
I actually replied on March 4th, but you submitted your comment to a different article. You can check it out at this link.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I spoke at length w Braun Customer Service about buying a cleaning station to mate with my 4 year old Braun Series 7 740s-6. They insisted that it could be done, wouldn’t work, no way ! I asked why, and the answer was because the company says so.
I bought the “Braun 81365089 Pulsonic Shaver/Razor Clean and Renew Stand” from Amazon.
It came without a power cord. I plugged a handy 12V Remington shaver cable in. It turned on the fill light. I tried the Braun cord that came with the Braun Razor. Voila, everything works perfectly. Razor is clean and cuts like brand new.
BTW this model cleaner is available as of April 2019, costs less than any other choice, and comes with the heater that otherwise is no longer available.
PS – Your ShaverCheck.com is the best source for info on electric shavers. Way more informative and accurate than the manufacturers.
My comment should have had NOT in the statement: “They insisted that it could be done”.
It should read: “They insisted that it could be NOT done”
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m glad you found the information here useful and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving even more with your upgraded Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
thanks for a very nice explanation.
I wonder the 7840 and 7842 evnt 7842s .. er still confusion , because you did not mentioned this models..
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. Unfortunately it would be impossible to cover them all since there are a lot of region-specific models. The 7840s and 7842s are if I recall correctly sold in the UK and a few other European countries. However, the shavers themselves are identical to the 7893s and the likes (minus the color — black as opposed to silver).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu for you great, regulary updated and informative blog about shavers!
I have a braun 5875 which is now like 12 year old and the only problem is battery that can’t hold for so long now so I am looking for some update.
The most important thing for me is foil shave that braun gets me but with the possibility to use the shaver plugged in as sometimes I forget to charge it.
I shave 2 times a week with pretty low grow but I like that “not so precise shave” that braun gets me with mild mist on my face.
I would like to keep it so I don’t want super clean shave of Panasonic.
With that upgrade I would also like me a station to get rid of that process of manually cleaning and oiling the foil. Am I correct that station also oil the blades?
As I read through few of your articles and reviews I think the best choice would be Braun 7790cc as it is 40$ cheaper then 7899cc and I think I don’t need the pricey 9 series.
Maybe even less powerfull series 3 would be better?
You are the best on the whole net. Hopefully you have some sponsorship from Braun and Panasonic 🙂
Hi Luki,
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
I also think the 7790cc will be a very good option considering your requirements — definitely better than the 7899cc that doesn’t work plugged in. The 7790cc, on the other hand, can be used while charging since it’s one of the few dry only Series 7 models.
Regarding the station, that is correct, the cleaning solution also acts as a lubricant, so if you use it on a regular basis there’s no need to manually oil the blades. There are also cheaper third-party alternatives to Braun’s original refills and they work really well.
I think a Series 3 may also work since you have a light beard, but for me at least the Series 7 provides a much more enjoyable shave and I would absolutely prefer to the Series 3.
I am actually not sponsored by any electric shaver brands and I’ve turned down all the free review samples and endorsement propositions so far. I wanted this website to be a useful resource and I think being completely unbiased is a must for that. 🙂
Thank you again for your comment, I truly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is one of the most helpful articles that I have encountered, thank you. I have always used electric razors, and pretty early on exclusively used Norelco shavers, despite their outrageous prices. More recently I tried a highly touted Panasonic which was pretty good. But the Braun series 7 is without question the best razor I have ever used. Thanks for all the help provided in this exhaustive review.
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated. Glad you found the article useful in picking your Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I purchased the Braun 7893s a couple of weeks ago and I am amazed at how close and irritation free the shaves have been compared to my previous Panasonic ES8103s. I have shaved 11 since new times and the charge indicator shows half green at the bottom of the display. I haven’t figured out their scheme to indicate battery level because both the green lights blinked during charging and during the first few shaves and then indicated steady. What are the lights indicating in relation to the level of the battery charge? Obviously, when the red light illuminates you have two or three shaves remaining according to the owner’s manual.
The only thing I wish it had was a plastic cover to protect the screen on the cassette. I store the shaver in the travel case and after a couple of shaves beard cuttings leaked out of the screen into the case. Tapping out the clippings on the counter onto a piece of tissue and brushing the remaining cuttings out of the top of the shaver after each shave should be sufficient to clean it without using water. A cleaning station is a waste of money, counter space and electricity. It’s an elctric shaver and doesn’t require surgical sterilization unless you are sharing it with all your friends.
Great article.
Thank you for your comment, Robert. I truly appreciate taking the time to share your experience. Yes, unfortunately Braun doesn’t offer a plastic cap with the Series 7 or the Series 9 for that matter. Only the Series 3 and certain Series 5 models come with a cover.
Regarding the battery indicator, that’s one of the worst in the industry in my opinion. I wrote about it and what the indicators mean in my review of the 7865cc (it’s the same as the one on your 7893s), you can check it out here. However, it stopped bothering me simply because the battery life of the Series 7 is fantastic.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the review of the 7865cc and your explanation of the charging indicator lights. This morning I got shave number 14 since new and the red low battery light is still extinguished. When the red light illuminates if the shaver will provide a couple of shaves, then none of the green lights really matter except to indicate when the battery is fully charged when plugged into the AC. Only time will tell if the shaver cassette clogs up with beard cuttings and degrades my shaves because I intend to just tap out the shavings after each shave.
You are welcome, Robert. I would also give it at least a quick rinse under tap from time to time; just tapping out the hairs is likely not enough. Dead skin cells, dirt, oils, along with fine shavings can gunk up the cassette in time. I actually use some liquid soap as well when I don’t want to clean the shaver in the station.
The red recharge light illuminated after 20 shaves, which is amazing. As for occasionally rinsing out the cutter/screen cassette with soap and water seems to be overkill. The owner’s manual, such as it is, shows how to clean it without using water. Also, it states that by not using water to clean the head nor shaving wet doesn’t require applying light machine oil to the screens or the trimmer. Obviously, it’s in Braun’s financial interest to sell shaver cleaning stations which also provide a revenue stream for cleaning fluid. It will be interesting to see if the cutter/cassette lasts the 18 months by only taping out the clippings without using water. I will keep you informed.
Thank you for comment, Robert.
The battery life on the Series 7 is really great, this has been my experience with it as well. As for the cleaning, I do prefer to be a lot more thorough with all my shavers, so I at least give them a rinse under the tap when I’m not using soap. Additional lubrication is indeed needed in this situation, but it can be quickly fixed with a single drop of some light oil on each foil. Just tapping out the clippings will likely cause some of them, along with dirt and dead skin cells to remain inside the cassette. I think hygiene would be the main concern here, not necessarily the lifespan of the cutter. There are other factors that impact it, but as long as there is some lubrication, it’s hard to tell if it will be heavily impacted by your cleaning routine. But do let me know how it goes if you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I also came across Braun Series 7, 7842s – P model on Amazon Japan which is in black color and comes without a cleaning station. The price tag is quite attractive. I was wondering if the body is made of metal or plastic? It’s hard to say by looking at the images on the online store.
Thanks,
Steven
Hi Steven,
It is certainly plastic, the official photos just make it look like brushed metal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I’m looking forward the new Series 8 model. I found they started to show up on different websites but not yet on Amazon Japan. The shaver looks quite affordable with a reasonable price tag.
Hi Steven,
I already ordered one a week ago, it should arrive in a couple of days. I will write a detailed review once I get to test it for a while.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for doing all that exhaustive, model comparison work! I was gonna sell my Braun 790cc 9595 Pulsonic SensoFlex, with white cleaning dock. Since these rare, white docks are no longer produced and nearly impossible to find… I’m keeping it now, as I do favor the fast clean feature and induction heating. However, I’m replacing the original, 2009 790cc shaver with a 797cc Turbo and ditching the face hatchet, Series 7 70S OptiFoil cassette, replaced with NOS Gillette Pulsonic 70S/9000 Series Smart Foil.
Thank you for your comment, Zachary. That sounds like the right thing to do. Glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
nice going on the analysis. I hope to buy a 790cc with the older cleaning module with drying and quick clean. Would you share your thoughts on the best way to locate one?
Hi James,
They’re getting increasingly difficult to find and being able to accurately identify one really depends on the vendor. I would try to contact the seller and ask him to explicitly confirm that the shaver is indeed from the older generation. Do not rely on product photos on websites, they do not reflect the actual product being sold.
Ultimately, there’s the option of buying the cleaning module separately (I shared the part number in the article) if you still can’t find the older 790cc.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, everyone. I’m intending to buy a Braun Series 7 7893s. Is the cleaning station mandatory? Or can I just clean it manually forever? Does the shaver suffer any harm without the cleaning station? Does it become less effective? Or it’s just about higiene?
Thank you for your advices and sorry for my english.
Hello Renato,
The cleaning station is nice to have for the convenience. I usually recommend it for a more thorough cleaning after several manual cleanings as some dirt may remain trapped inside the cassette. But you can of course opt for a solo model like the 7893s and clean it manually (here are some tips on how to do it). As long as you clean it regularly and also lubricate the blades, the lifespan of the shaver (and blades) shouldn’t suffer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This article really helped me make a decision about what razor to choose. I’ve not used an electric razor in about 15 years but I’m getting sick of cartridges. It was a choice between the series 7 and a DE razor for me. I went with the series 7 after reading this so let’s see how it works out.
Thank you for your comment, Willay. Glad you found the information useful and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Awesome article, and you saved me $30! I was about to buy the 7865 when I saw the 7880 (listed as the “same model”) for $30 less. A quick check here helped me understand that there wasn’t a real difference so I ordered the 7880. Thank you, sir! You win the internet for today.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Russ. Glad you found the information helpful and actually managed to save some money. Enjoy your new shaver!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for a very usefull comparison. All the model versions can be really confusing.
You are very welcome, Claus. Glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What are the 5 or 3 modes?
It’s a feature that allows the user to alter the power of the motor. In the case of the 3 modes, these are Sensitive, Normal and High intensity. The newer models have two extra settings for a total of 5.
Hi Ovidiu,
Many thanks for your exhaustive discussion of the Braun Series 7.
I have the 7893s and I”m considering buying a charging/cleaning station for it.
They are usually sold without the power cord. Do I need a separate power cord for the station or is it compatible with the power cord for the shaver?
Joe
Hi Joe,
You are very welcome. The station is compatible with the cord of your 7893s, so there’s no need to buy a separate one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
It is a great idea to bring some light into the numbering of Braun’s Series 7. To make it a little bit more confusing: You always point to the 7 7790cc as ‘dry only’ – but on the international Braun website it’s clearly labelled as ‘Wet & Dry’ https://us.braun.com/en-us/male-grooming/shavers-for-men/series-7/series-7-7790cc-silver.
Again: Probably it’s just marketing and pricing. Here in Switzerland, above model currently costs CHF 136.- (including the cleaning station!) while 7898 costs CHF 241.-
Regards
John
Hi John,
Thank you for your comment. The information on Braun’s website regarding the 7790cc being a wet & dry shaver is unfortunately wrong. The shaver is waterproof, but it is officially suitable for dry shaving only since it can also be used while charging. Wet & dry models, like the 7898cc you mentioned, will not work when connected to a power outlet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you! Really well explained.
BTW: I consider BRAUN should change to a less confusing way of labeling its products. I almost refrained from buying a BRAUN shaver for this reason. BRAUN, listen more to your customers!!
You are welcome, Thomas. Glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for simplifying all of this. I know I am late to the party. But I am new to this razor. I got a series 7 after all the great reviews. I am coming from using “Magic Shave” for years. But after using my new shaver. I am now a believer. So maybe I will give myself time to get use to it. But I like it best.
Hey,
Welcome to the club! Thank you for taking the time to comment, glad you found the article helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
I have a Braun 750cc-4 and I can’t find out if this is a wet & dry shaver of not.
What would happen if I use it with foam?
Grateful for info.
Regards
Mikael
Hi Mikael,
The 750cc is a dry only model (the shaving head can still be rinsed with water). Some users have successfully used their dry only Series 7 with shaving cream, but I cannot recommend something that goes against the manufacturer’s instructions.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The difference between the ‘wet & dry’ models and the older ‘dry only’ models is not insignificant. For many people, the fact that you can’t use the razor on mains if the battery fails or goes flat is a deal-breaker. Once the charging/cleaning station fails (they don’t last a great length of time) then how do you charge up the razor – unless you can open it up and replace the Lithium battery or buy a replacement charging/cleaning station you’re out of luck. With the ‘dry only’ models neither failure type negates the razor – you can ignore the battery or charger and just use it on mains power.
Hi Fred,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, the dry only models can also be used from the mains and for some users that is a must-have. However, these models are getting phased out and almost all the newer releases, not just from Braun, are wet & dry models that will only work cordless. On the (almost) bright side, the batteries used by Braun are really good and should last for years. Also, the batteries fitted to the most popular shaver models are available and replacing them is pretty straightforward.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi again,
Very fortunate for me, I managed to get hold of a 760cc local stock here in Australia for only A$235 delivered, and it came with a model 5675 charging station. The charger/cleaning station has the ‘heating’ symbol on it, so I’m wondering if there is any way to tell if it actually does have the heating element installed. It doesn’t feel particularly warm in operation, and the symbol doesn’t light up or anything – but it does seem to be fairly dry after the cleaning cycle (about 40 mins).
You are quite correct, the battery for the Series 7 is very easy to replace, I’ve already done it once on my older 720s and it’s only a 10 minute job. But the battery can be tricky to find, it needs to be a Sanyo UR18500Y 1300 mAh.
At the moment, Braun seems to be still making a single ‘dry only’ model for the enthusiast, but how long that will continue I don’t know. I bought the 760cc as a replacement ‘spare’ which I’ll keep for future use, for the moment I can use the cleaning station on my older model. It certainly is a great shaver though…
Hi Fred,
Thank you for the comment. The station is clearly fitted with the inductive heater, otherwise the shaving head would still be significantly damp after only 40 minutes. The drying symbol doesn’t light up like the ones on Philips cleaning stations for example. It would be interesting to know the manufacturing date of your 760cc, as far as I know they stopped making them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I still have the box, but I can’t see any indication of the year of manufacture. On the bottom of the box it does indicate that the shaver is type ‘5693’ made in Germany, and the Clean & Renew Unit is made in Hungary. The box was a bit scuffed on all edges and corners – as if it was older stock, and indicates that it is a 760cc-4, and the side of the box does clearly show ‘Active Heat Inductive Drying’ logo. From all the markings on the box and the instructions, it looks like this was one that was designed for the America/Canada/Mexico market, however it has an Australian plug, so we must be in the same market (?) The box was sealed when I got it, so it had never been opened from manufacture.
Maybe I’m just very lucky to have got an old stock item! Whatever the case, I’m very pleased. If you know any way of finding out the manufacturing date I would be happy to advise.
I got the unit from here (delete link if not allowed):
https://www.globaldirectshop.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=3455&osCsid=d49h34898k2suijtlvh5ed17p0
Hi Fred,
The 760cc is indeed an older Series 7 model that was discontinued some time ago. As for the manufacturing date, I’d say it’s probably somewhere between 2011 and 2016. I think your best bet would be to contact Braun customer support and provide them the serial number of the product so they can tell you precisely when it was manufactured. It’s a longer string of characters (usually numerals) printed on the box as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello
Has the head lock problem I keep reading about with the series 7 been fixed or improved?
Should it be a deal breaker for purchasing this model?
Thanks
Hi Dave,
No, it has not been resolved with any of the current Series 7 models. In my opinion it’s not by any means a deal-breaker. I find the locking feature of little to no use since the head of the Series 7 is very slim and nimble and I never felt the need to use it. It’s a different story in the case of other shavers that have a much larger head (for example, the Panasonic Arc 5 or the Braun Series 9).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, sir. Take care.
Hi Ovidiu !
About dry and wet/dry models.
As they all use same shaving heads, is there any difference apart that
wet models can’t be use when connected power ?
So is it any harm to use 7790cc model with gel or wet when not using
power cord at same time (safety reason although it’s low voltage).
Off course it is possible that wet models are better sealed against water but I think
maybe not.
So if the only real difference is electric block to deny use when caharging then it is
possible to use all model in wet and dry ?
Have somebody dismantle both types and check if wet models has better seals ?
Thanks and keep Up GOOD work !
Hi Jukka,
Thank you for your comment.
Some users have successfully used dry only Series 7 models in that manner (with the necessary precautions taken of course). While both the dry only and wet/dry models are waterproof for the purpose of rinsing them under tap water, it’s difficult to say if the waterproofing and gaskets are different without comparing them side by side.
I cannot recommend using a dry only shaver differently than its intended purpose for obvious reasons, but again, it has been done.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello…..
Interesting and informative read. Simple to understand, no jargon. It has given me insight and helped me to purchase correct shaver for my son.
Hey,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated. Glad you found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. Thank you for your website, It is really helpful.
I have a question regarding braun series 7 and 5: where is the so called SkinGuard, is it on all series 7 variants? Does the newer series 5 have it? Thank you in advance.
Thank you for the comment, Vincent. Much appreciated.
The SkinGuard on the Series 7 is just some elusive marketing term that we should simply ignore. To put things into perspective, the design of the Series 7 shaving head hasn’t changed since its introduction, but Braun only started to refer to a SkinGuard element with the newer 78xx models, despite using the same heads. So there’s really nothing to worry about. They don’t mention anything with the Series 5 because there’s also nothing there either.
Only the Series 9 actually has a metal bar next to a trimmer that supposedly helps smoothen the skin.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your answer. I bought a series 7, it works well but does not seem to catch flat lying air, I have to insist. About the release button on the razor, do you thing it’s safe to press it when the cassette is not inserted, without risk of damage ? I did that a few times by mistake (damn hyperhydrosis) and I noticed that it is harder to press it when the cassette is not inserted. Thanks. Once again your website is great I don’t thing I would have managed to choose between the differents Braun series without it, you give a lot more informations than the manufacturer.
Hi Vincent,
I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I’m not exactly sure why it’s harder to press it when the cassette is not on (this is the case with all Series 7, not just yours), it could be the foil frame putting a bit of pressure/tension on the 4 springloaded tabs that hold it in place. In the past, I did it a few times myself just out of curiosity and the button still works fine. With that said, I would still avoid doing when the cassette is not inserted.
As for the flat-lying hairs, it’s extremely important to have the skin perfectly dry (you mentioned hyperhidrosis). I’ve found that any moisture will affect the shave significantly, even if you’ve just washed your face beforehand and used a towel. Also, you may want to use a pre-shave lotion, it could make a big difference. Use slower strokes, always against the grain, keeping the skin taut and the foils flat on the skin.
I’m confident that it’ll get better, the Series 7 is among the best foil shavers at shaving flat hairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Many thanks for the thorough and helpful information. Meticulous!
I have a series 3 330s-4 for over 10 years although I’m very satisfied with it but the battery started to die and my skin became more irritated as well. So I’m thinking of buying the series 7 since it’s as expensive as the series 9 and I’m not considering the series 5 because they don’t have skin guard (not sure if that’s just a marketing thing) and also I don’t intend to buy a new one in the next 5-6 years and don’t want to end up with an ancient model.
I found the
7899cc + CCR 2 for 190 euros (another shop is selling it for 170 but I’m still checking the availability)
7865cc for 178 euros
7898cc for 170 euros
7840s for 160 euros
7790cc for 156 euros
7893s for 155 euros
OF course the cheaper is the better however, I’m looking for specific things:
1. Both the LCD, and color are not relevant to me,
2. is the cleaning station essential for the 7 series? do you think I buy the solo and opt for an old model station if needed?
3. I want a wet and dry that’s why I opt for these models, however which of them can also work while charging?
4. The trimmer is essential but I can’t see it in many pix, do all models have it?
5. I travel a lot so do they all switch voltage like the series 3?
6. What about the loud noise? I understand having more powerful gear than the 330s will be louder but how far?
Of course the cheaper the better but I don’t want to end up with a shaver that’s not satisfying as the 330s-4.
Thanks for your help!
Mag
Hi Mag,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, glad you found the article useful.
To me the Series 7 is better than the Series 5; it’s a bit more comfortable, faster, the head is slightly narrower and easier to use and it vibrates less. Regarding your questions:
1. Even better.
2. It’s not essential, but I would rather have it. And I would simply go for a cc model that comes with the station than getting it afterward as the price of buying them separately will be higher.
3. Only the 7790cc will work while charging, but that model is not a wet/dry model. And that’s the catch, none of the wet/dry models will work while charging.
4. Yes, all the models have the trimmer, it’s located on the front of the shaver, but it’s hard to see when it’s not extended.
5. Yes, all of them have a universal voltage converter.
6. The noise is pretty similar, I’d say the Series 7 is maybe even just a bit quieter.
If you didn’t need a wet/dry model, I would have suggested the 7790cc. But since you do, the 7898cc seems like the better deal to me out of the models you listed.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much Ovidiu. I will settle for the 7898cc then. It’s not problematic if it doesn’t work when plugged.
Again thank you for your reply and the all the information here.
My old Series 5 Braun razor is dying, and I’m considering a Series 7 or 9 to replace it. My Series 5 has a charger that plugs either into the cleaning station or the razor itself for use when traveling. Based on web pictures, I can’t tell if the Series 7 can be charged with a travel charger or not; the base of the razor appears to be a display. So, it looks to me as though the cleaning station is always required for charging, which makes no sense. I haven’t found a review site that discusses this important issue of shaving (using Braun cleaning station models) while traveling. I hope someone can clarify this!
Hi John,
You can also charge the Series 7 directly with the charger, but unlike the Series 5, the charging port is located on the back of the shaver. On the bottom there is indeed a display as you mentioned. Here‘s a picture of the back of the Series 7. So yes, you can absolutely charge the razor without the cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the information. This article has saved me money and time on a razor that I love dearly.
You are very welcome, Mike. Glad you found it useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Sir,
Please Help me, as my head hurts from all of the numbers♀️
We learned early on that my son CANNOT use a disposable razor. He bleeds EVERY TIME he’s tried to use one That should tell you something about his beard
Fast forward, he needs a new electric razor& I’m researching the Brain 7 series but all of these numbers make it frustrating
7899cc, 7893cc, 7865cc, 7085cc 7075cc, 7071cc….what’s best & why?
[ I’m looking closely at the 7071cc & the 7085cc as it’s at a good price right now on Amazon]
Please advise
Please & Thank you
Butterfly
Hi Butterfly,
You can confidently go with the 7085cc. Even if the 7071cc is a newer model, the 7085cc is definitely a better shaver. It is more powerful, more comfortable and easier to use as the shaving head is more compact.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much, Ovidiu.
You saved me a big headache
Now to go send out that order !
Thanks again
Butterfly
I own the 790 cc -4 model . I noticed that the clean and charge station works ok with alcohol and it does not need any solution when refilling the cassette. Is it normal?
Thank you
Yes, it is possible for the station to work only with alcohol if the electrical conductivity is similar to the one of the original solution. For example, alcohol at very high concentrations will not work, but adding a bit of water can make it work. Keep in mind that using alcohol alone will likely not be enough to ensure proper lubrication, so you may want to apply a drop of light oil on the foils every once in a while.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Superb review that lucidly explains the nuances of each model. And yes what a fabulous shaver. I got the 790cc-4 though no where is that stated on the box or packaging. I know thanks to this article!
Thank you for your comment, Atul, much appreciated. Glad you found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A cornucopia of extremely useful information for those thinking about procuring a Braun shaver. I vacillated between buying the Series 7 & 9 (& for two or three minutes, the Series 8) & was somewhat dumbfounded buy the plethora of model numbers, until your compendium clearly illuminated the information that was needed to make the right decision for my needs.
Both Series 7 & 9 being somewhat equal in quality of shaves, it was a no-brainer decision to go with the Series 7, as the price point is much easier to handle with the Series 7 & that coupled with the replacement head being twenty dollars cheaper than the Series 9, I’m now enjoying the excellent shaves that it offers.
Thank you for taking the time to explain the important points needed to help make the proper decision.
Thank you for kind words, Gary, much appreciated. Glad you found the information useful in choosing the Series 7 over the 9. For most users, the S7 will be the right choice, mainly for the reasons you also outlined in your comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for this detailed write-up. Braun’s naming convention is confusing as hell and this clearly details all the differences.
No problem, glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just ordered 7898CC.
Need to order similar piece for my father. Please let me know something identical without a cleaning station – so both shavers can make use of same cleaning station.
The Series 7 7893s should be a good pick and will work with the station without any issues.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, Ovidiu. I see that in the instructions of my Braun Series 7 shaver , they say that for a first charge ,before use we should continously charge it for 1 hour till its fully charged. I remember that I didnt do that. I mean , I was in the store and when I was buying it , the customer charge it for 5 minutes and turn it on to test it. Then I come back home, turn it on again to see if it work for 4-5 seconds again and then I fully charged it. Do u think that this do something to the motor to not work on FULL power ? Because that was what I read in one comment on Youtube. Or the problem will be if I was using it on the beard after the first 5 minutes and just turning it on to see if it works its not a big deal ? Thanks.
Hi Rick,
It’s perfectly fine and there’s nothing to worry about. The fact that you turned it on for a few seconds, then charged it for one hour won’t affect the performance in any way.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The 720s is water proof, i use it since 2016 (Wet Shave) no problem at all, wet & Dry is just for
legal reasons.
Excellent article as usual. thanks Ovidiu.
Thank you for your comment, Bander, much appreciated. I totally agree.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, thanks for this great comparison on the series 7.
In Holland I van get the 7 7898cc for slightly cheaper than the 7 7790cc.
Is this a no-brainer to just go for the 7898 or might there be a reason why the dry shave only 7790cc is priced slightly more expensive?
Thanks!
Hi Charl,
Thank you for your comment. The prices of electric shavers don’t always make sense in the way that you can find a more feature-rich model like the 7898cc priced lower, so you can confidently get that one. Sometimes retailers can get certain models at better prices from the suppliers, which can result in a lower final price for the end-user.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
3 years on and this article is still the number 1 goto place for definitive Braun 7 Series advice.
Thank you Ovidiu!!
Thank you for your comment, Andrew, much appreciated. Glad you still found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Incredible info.
I own the 790cc with the original cleaner and other the trimmer arm being stuck out (but not on until I turn the trimmer on) the shaver works just great. However, I have had it for more years than I can remember and thought it might be due an upgrade but reading your articles am I correct in saying hold onto it as long as parts are still available?
If not what would you suggest I replaced it with?
Thank you for the kind words, Mark, much appreciated.
Holding on to your Series 7 would probably be the best approach. I think the parts will still be available for quite a few years. It remains to be seen what other options will be available then. If you were to upgrade right now, I would still go for a Series 7 — for most users it’s still the best option and spending more on a Series 9 for example is not really worth it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I currently have the 8995 model, which I think is series 5 – at least that’s the replacement head identifier, and I am considering replacing it as the on/off switch has started to play up a little. Braun have told me that the cleaning station that I have won’t be suitable for the new current shaver models – is that correct?
Hi Don,
Your shaver is indeed an older generation Series 5 (called the 8000 Series) and your station will not be compatible with any of the current Braun shavers. So that would be correct.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent guide and very thorough! This is the guide to use for best advice because one can see that you are actually using the shaver(s).
I have the Panasonic Arc5, no complaints about the close shave. But at times it does miss longer hairs if I did not shave in a couple of days. Also, it does turn the skin a bit red if pushed harder.
So I was looking into the Braun Series 5 or 7 for sensitive skin. But I came across advertised Braun Series 6 and 8 shavers. What are these? DId not see them mentioned in your guide.
Thank you!
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
I think a Series 7 would be a very good option for you considering the issues you’re having with the Arc 5. Not necessarily to replace it, but more like a complementary shaver.
The Series 8 is basically a Series 5 with a bigger battery, while the Series 6 is a basic, pretty decent shaver, but not as good as the older Series 5. I wrote detailed guides on the Series 8 and 6 here and here, respectively.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m here to sing more of your praises. Thanks so much for putting all this information together AND continuing to answer comments. This is so kind of you. I know I will be able now to find the right razor for my dear friend.
I noticed the Series 7 Flex Head model was not included in your article and I’m wondering, is it because it was not out during the time of publishing or is it that you don’t consider it in the same caliber as the other Series 7/
It seems like a lovely marriage between a foil shaver and a rotary shaver. What are your thoughts?
Sincerely,
Stacie
Hi Stacie,
Thank you for your kind words.
This article only addresses the older/original Series 7 models, the Series 7 Flex head being an entirely different shaver (released in 2020). However, I also wrote a detailed comparison of the two which I think you will find useful (you can check it out here).
As you’ll also see in that article, I find the older Series 7 a better shaver in terms of shaving performance.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for your reply. I will read your other article and I so appreciate your opinion on this.
Cheers,
Stacie
What should I buy:
– 7898cc. (price around 150 euros)
or
– 9299cc
or other 9 series
As I mentioned in the Series 7 vs 9 comparison, I think the cheaper Series 7 would be the best choice for most users. There are cases where a Series 9 would be beneficial, so I recommend checking out that article to see if it would be a suitable option for you.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu —
What a great resource you’ve put together! The Braun numbers are so confusing, makes my eyeballs spin. Thank you for your detailed reports to help sort out the confusion!
We’ve been a Braun shaver family as far back as I can remember.
Right now, our Series 7 790cc4 broke and we’re looking for a replacement. I’ve got it narrowed down to the 790cc (not designated a cc4) and the 7865cc.
Is the 7865cc remarkably better than the 790cc?
if not, I’ll likely stick to the 790cc since we know it and we like it.
Thank you so much for your time, input, and energy!
I’m 1h and 3m into holding for a Braun rep to talk to me with nothing but recordings and muzak to show for my time. Glad I found this resource during the hold, LOL!
My best,
Joann
Hi Joan,
Thank you so much for the kind words — glad you found the article useful.
Performance-wise, the 7865cc and 790cc are pretty much identical. The former has 5 speed settings, while the 790cc has 3, but in practice you won’t really notice a difference. The only aspects you should really consider are the price and the fact that you can also use the 790cc with the cord plugged in. Since the 7865cc is a wet/dry model, it will only work cordless.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent. Thank you, Ovidiu!
My best,
Joann
Hi,does the 7790cc work when cord plugged in?
Hi,
Yes, it will also work with the cord plugged in.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidu, as a result of your site I have been using a Braun series 7 razor for a couple of years. I have never liked a razor more. Thank you so much.
One thing puzzles me about the series 7 though. I do not understand how the green LED’s on the bottom end of the shaver work. The instructions are very vague about this. The smaller green LED is always on steady while shaving. The larger green LED flashes during shaving. How do these LED’s provide information about the charge state of the shaver?
Thanks for doing the hard work of providing information about shavers!
Hi Bert,
Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated. Glad you’re happy with your Series 7.
You are definitely not the only one trying to make sense of that battery indicator — it’s just poorly designed and not very useful. I tried to explain how it works in my review of the 7865cc model in the Battery life and charging section.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, agreed, not very useful at all, but at least explained!
I’ve had my 790cc shaver almost 10 years, gone through countless cartridges, and had to replace the head once about 5 years ago. Just recently started noticing the flaking paint which prompted me to check on the differences between the models, and this blog is undoubtedly the quintessential resource for the series 7, with clear explanations of the nuances between the models, unbiased criticisms and discussion of the pros without sounding like the author is shilling for the company.
Thanks for the article, it has saved me from wasting money buying a replacement.
Many thanks for the kind words, glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for the post. It’s really helpful. Now I have 2 models in mind but couldn’t find the explanation online. They are series 7 7865cc and 7867cc. Is it just the same model different country? Some websites say it’s Japan only for 7867cc but wanna know which one is better. Price is pretty much same.
You are very welcome, glad you found the article useful. That is correct, the 7867cc is usually sold in Japan, but otherwise identical to the 7865cc. Just buy the one you can get for a better price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidui for the great comparison!
I wonder what about the 7897cc model? I find nothing about it….perhaps it’s the same as 7898cc? It’s silver…
You are very welcome, glad you found it useful. That is correct, the 7897cc is the same as the 7898cc, so everything mentioned about it in the post is relevant for the 7897cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have the very original 790CC (white cleaning base, wet/dry, no speed settings). It is starting to fall apart after more than a decade of use. I want to replace it with one that is silver and has all the features (same LCD display, speed settings, etc), but I like the white cleaning base better than the black one. Will a new one be compatible with that old base?
Thank you
Hi Daniel,
As far as I know, no — it will only charge, but the cleaning function won’t work.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, your website has been helpful for me to find a replacement for my Braun S3 which was getting old and noisier and not shaving as close as it used to. Having learnt from your reviews I was scouring the web to buy one of the previous series 5. They are getting difficult to find now but I was eventually fortunate enough to buy a 7842s at a reasonable price.
It shaves really well, so much so that I actually look forward to shaving. The finish is almost the same as a wet shave.
It would be nice if it had a guard to protect it from any knocks, but it doesn’t. I got some slight itching. I suspect that’s because it cuts finely and will leave some dust behind, so it’s worth rinsing the face after shaving.
All in all an excellent result.
Hey,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment — glad you found the site useful and you’re enjoying your Series 7. It must feel like a solid upgrade from an old S3. I would strongly recommend rinsing your face with cold water after every (dry) shave. Also, even though the results seem to be great, you may want to try a pre-shave lotion as well. The ones from Speick and Tabac work the best in my experience and make everything more enjoyable (shorter shaving sessions, the flat hairs are easier to cut, a closer and more comfortable shave).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m debating between the Braun 790 and the 7893. I don’t think I need the cleaning station since I’ve always cleaned my Razor by hand. I’m currently using a Norelco have been for all my life. My question is basically is there a difference between these two models and is one any better?
Performance-wise, no, both will shave the same. There are a couple of differences though that could tip the scales in favor of one or the other. Both are waterproof, but since the 790cc is a dry only shaver, it will also work with the cord plugged in. On the other hand, the wet/dry 7893s will only work cordless. Finally, there’s the price, with the 7893s being usually cheaper since it doesn’t have the cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thx for the info, Ovidiu.
I found the 9330 for only $20 more than the 790, and I’m wondering if it’s worth it?
Or…
The 7893 @ $169
vs 9330 @ $219
Is it worth $50 more?
For most users the Series 7 will be good enough, so spending more money on a Series 9 will only be worth it in several cases (for example if someone has wiry facial hair that grows in different directions). Since it’ll also be your first foil shaver and you don’t need a cleaning system, I think going with the cheaper 7893s would be the best option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just read that some of the series 9 razors have titanium blades, versus the stainless steel blades on the 9330.
I can’t find anything online relative to electric razors and their blades, would you please educate me on this?
All Series 9 razors (the models starting with 92 and 93) come with a Titanium Nitride coated cutter (you can easily spot it as it has a gold color).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just found that I can get open box razors on eBay for much less money than I could get them new on Amazon. And since I tend to shave every two to three days it appears from what I’ve read that the series 9 is a better match. Do you have any thoughts on buying an open box item? Also, when I mentioned the titanium I was referring to the blades themselves not the cutter. I would think titanium cutting blades would outlast stainless steel. Is this your experience?
I’m afraid I can’t say anything from personal experience as I’ve only bought new shavers. Yes, the Series 9 does have an advantage when shaving longer facial hair. In the case of electric shavers, the actual cutting blades are pretty much always made out of stainless steel; Titanium is only used as a coating in some form for its edge retention properties. Titanium is really difficult to work with compared to steel (and also more expensive), so that may be one of the reasons why steel is still the preferred choice.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I read that Braun pulled the 92 series and I’m wondering why? I see it was replaced with the 93 which has a larger motor. Is there any other difference or any reason not to buy the 92 series?
Found some great deals on the 92
It’s more of a mid-life facelift as the 93 series doesn’t bring anything significant (it still uses the same shaving head). I wrote a detailed comparison guide on the Series 9 here if you want to check it out.
I have a 790cc purchased in October 2017. The pop up trimmer is broken. It has come apart. A Braun service center can repair it – approx $50 plus shipping and insurance. But I see a Braun shavers and parts site that offers a 760 base (no foil) for $45. Any advice on the best way to proceed
Hi Joe,
The trimmer on the 760 should also fit the 790, but I can’t say that with certainty, especially since that 760 was most likely manufactured years before. Obviously, the Braun service center would be the safer option, but also more costly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is there any way to tell which razor I have?
It is silver front and black rubber back with 2 silver pins
Says series 7 on cutter head which is movable and lockable
Says wet&dry
Has 5 speeds
Pop-out hair trimmer
Charging lights
Low charge light
Li-ion rechargeable with cord
Does not run if plugged in
No charging stand
No cleaning station
Booklet says type 5697
Booklet has following model no’s.: 7893s, 7855s,7842s, 7840s
is about 2-3 years old from Costco
Came with small trimmer with single 1.5v replaceable battery
Will it use new generation foil and cutter set (73s) or is 70s better?
Hi Walter,
I would be inclined to think you got the 7893s as that’s the only silver model in that list and Costco definitely used to sell it; however, the 7855s and 7840s are grey, so those aren’t completely out of the equation. As for the shaving head, the 73s will not fit your shaver, only the 70s will. And in my opinion, it’s also superior to the 73s in every way.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have been following your articles, but I cannot find any reference for the BRAUN Series 7 70-S7200cc Wet & Dry.
Is it an old model? Is it any good, and is it worth buying it?
Currently, it is on sale, with a 25% discount and I am interested in buying it.
I currently use a 7-year-old series 3 390cc, and I want to upgrade to the 7 series. Series 9 is far too expensive and bulky.
Unfortunately, I cannot find any of your recommended 7 series models in Switzerland. The alternative is a series 9 with almost double the price.
Thank you for your advice
The Series 7 70-S7200cc is actually part of the new 2020 Series 7 generation and this article only addresses the previous one. That said, the new model isn’t as good as the one it replaces (for more details you can check out my in-depth comparison here). It will perform noticeably better than your Series 3 though, so if that’s the only one you can get, I think you’ll be happy with it. It’s a real shame they are phasing out the old Series 7 as it was a really good shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this very detailed write up on the Series 7 shaver! As others have pointed out, the detail and break down you have done of the different models really made it much easier to decide which model to look for. Yesterday I found a brand new 799cc-6 kit for a great price ($135 USD shipped) and the only reason I jumped on it was because I’m a firm believer that companies are always looking for ways to cut corners over the life of a model/series and your write up indicated that the 799 is one of the older/original versions which is perfect for me, plus, it should contain the cleaning station with induction heating.
I currently use an 8985 (8000 Series) Series 5 and it has worked great for 15 years. Someone on eBay recently had 4 of these exact kits sealed in their boxes for $300/piece and despite being 15 years old they all sold pretty quick. I wondered why someone would pay such a high price for such an old model and am hoping that the Series 7 was the better choice to go with as the technology is newer (pulsonic action) and the battery is more easily user replaceable (no soldering required unlike the 8985).
Again, I thank you for putting so much effort and detail into this write up, Braun’s customer service reps should have this bookmarked as a reference when someone calls in asking details on the different variants (seriously)
Hi Gary,
Many thanks for your comment, glad you found the post useful. I think you made the right choice and the price you paid for a brand new 799cc is excellent. I personally would have done the same. In fact, I would buy one for myself in an instant despite already owning a couple of (newer) Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
In the short time i’ve used the Series 7 shave all facial irritation is gone.
I use a small soap lather and shave just like i would with razors but the diffrence is like night and day. It leaves my face feeling like i dhave agaisnt the grain but without the irritation or ingrown hairs.
I clean the head with water then spray a bit of Clippercide on it over night, then repeat.
That’s awesome, Jeff — it looks like you found a winning combo.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I must add my thanks to the others already given. I have returned to this page multiple times and am so appreciative of this detailed information. I’m also stunned as to how you acquired all this knowledge given the company’s lack of interest in making it clear to consumers (it’s like trying to compare mattress models across multiple dealers!). Little did I ever think a report on shaver models would inspire such excitement in me, but I feel compelled to express my gratitude on my own behalf and on behalf of my sons, for whom I purchased Braun shavers using your expert guidance.
You are way too kind, Drew. I’m glad you found the site useful and I hope your sons are enjoying their Braun shavers. Shaving has been a struggle for me since highschool, so I had to do a lot of trial and error in order to find something that works for me. Incidentally, I also got to know a lot of details and trivia about all sorts of electric shavers. And if others can actually benefit from my experience, that is truly rewarding for me.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I recently purchased a Braun 7865cc to replace my aging 790cc. The 7865cc has three personalization speed settings, not five, which is the same as my 790cc. Unless there are different versions of the 7865cc on the market from Amazon with no indications of a difference, the 7865cc has three speed settings. Perhaps people are misreading the manual.
Hi Doug,
I own both and I can confirm that the 7865cc has two extra intermediary settings for a total of 5. There are no different variations of the 7865cc. The changes in sound and the color of the led can be subtle and not always easy to detect while cycling through the personalization modes.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any thoughts on Braun Series 7 7089cc? Thank you for your good article; but, this specific model isn’t mentioned so thought I would ask.
Hi,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. The 7089cc is actually part of the 2020 Series 7 update, so it’s a completely different generation. In my opinion it’s not as good as the previous generation discussed here. You can check out my comparison guide for all the differences between the older and the new Series 7 (like the 7089cc you’ve mentioned).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have been looking at the 790cc and the 7865cc trying to decide between the two. After reading your comparison. I decided to buy which ever went on sale first. I bought the 790cc at Amazon a few days ago for $124. I so happy with this razor. I never shave in the shower or use gel so this one works fine for me. I have wanted a Braun 7 for long time but just did not want to pay over $200 for one. This is by far my favorite Eletric razor I ever own.
That’s awesome, Jeffrey — glad you’re satisfied with it. Happy shaving!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The only thing is I wish they kept the heat dry on the cleaning station.
Hi. Thanks a lot for the comprehensive comparison. It’s very useful.
I have a 730 model that I bought back in 2009, without a cleaning station. It works just fine, but now I am wondering if I can buy a cleaning station for it or not. Is there any compatible station with my shaver?
Hi,
Yes, your 730s should work just fine with a compatible Series 7 station. The older 81365080 and 5675 stations are getting more difficult to find nowadays, but the newer 81622438 will work as well (no drying system though).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your great reviews.
are you able to do a review on Braun Series 7 70-B1000S by any chance?
Thank you, much appreciated. I’ve actually reviewed the Series 7 7071cc which is identical performance-wise to the 70-B1000S (the latter doesn’t have a cleaning station).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello. Thanks for the great articles. I just purchased a used razor and 5675 base. The base has the fast clean button and the wavy lines below the max clean light. Does that mean it has the induction? I’m pretty sure the razor is dry after 45 minutes, but just curious if the fast clean/wavy lines is a good indication of induction.
Hi Allan,
You most likely bought a station that has the inductive heating feature.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This was a phenomenal summary of Braun’s very confusing series 7 designations and helped me tremendously to narrow down my selection to what I need to satisfy my needs. Thank you so much!
You are very welcome, Chris, glad you found it useful. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is the best shaver review site online. Very useful resource.
I have bought 3 7 series shavers over the years 790cc, 760cc and 7855s. I bought them all without the cleaning station. I bought the cleaning station separately very cheap on Ebay. In my opinion the 7 series is the best sensibly priced shaver available (the 9 series is way overpriced and I have not tried that one due to the high cost).
My advice is to buy the “S” model series 7 as these are cheaper than the CC versions and pair it with a clean station which can be found an Ebay very cheaply.
Many thanks for the comment, Miles. The Series 7 (still) is for me one of the best shavers ever made. Excellent tip regarding the solo models and buying the station separately.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Super amazing and resourceful website!! My compliments.
My old Series 7 finally died (one of the mini plastic pins that holds the shaver block broke). I was wondering what was the latest Series 7 model # that was released where you could still have the power cord plugged in while shaving?
Also, what is the overall latest Series 7 model # that was released as of March 2022 – is it 7898cc or 7899cc or is there a newer model available?
Please let me know when you get a chance. Thank you!!
Hi Steven,
Thank you for the comment, I really appreciate it.
The last Series 7 that also works with the cord plugged in would be the 790cc-5. It has been discontinued, so it will be very difficult to find. I would also suggest checking thoroughly with the vendor and making sure that it is indeed one of the older variations (790cc-4, 790cc-5).
As for the latest Series 7 released, any models starting with 78 are actually from the same generation. A higher number doesn’t imply a later iteration as they have to do with other aspects (color, accessories, country-specific models, etc.). Braun is slowly phasing them out while promoting the new (and inferior) Series 7 70, so I would just get any 78xxcc that I can find at the lowest price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks a lot for the detailed information provided on electric shavers. After reading through your articles. I made up my mind to go with a Series 7 and ordered it online. I got a good deal on a 7899cc.
Adish,
Many thanks for the comment, glad you found the comparison useful. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your 7899cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a S7 790cc shaver which is a superb shaver and I have used it on and off for 9 years as I use other shavers in rotation. The 790cc has a 6 segment battery indicator which gives detailed battery charge indication. The only downside is the annoying 6 segment hygiene indicator. It flashes constantly after each shave. Only after a clean via the cleaning base does the indicator switch off. As soon as the shaver motor is switched on and without the shaver touching the face the hygiene indicator starts flashes again although the shaver is still perfected clean. If any one knows if there is a workaround for this I would like to know. Great review site.
Thank you for the comment, Miles, I really appreciate it. Braun never really nailed the hygiene indicators even with the newer models (the Series 9 station would almost always select an intensive cleaning ode even after running the shaver for a couple of minutes), so I would just ignore the indicator. I doubt there’s anything you can do about it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The solution is to take the shaver apart and tape over half the display with black electrical tape to conceal the flashing hygeine segments and reassemble, a solution of sorts and now the flashing is gone.
Hi Ovidiu,
Again this is a great resource site for all things about electric shavers and this particular article is very interesting as the Braun 7 series (original) is the best shaver IMO. I now own 5 of these shavers 790cc, 760cc, 7855s. I just bought 2 non running 720-3s and 9565 as spares for my 790cc as it was no longer working. I disassembled the the 720-3s, 790cc and 9565 and they are all identical. They all share identical parts with waterproof seals all in the same place. The 9565 does not have the speed buttons and the only other difference is the display the 720 and 9565 have 2 segments battery indictor and the 790 has 6 segment battery indicator. Therefore the vast array of model numbers that Braun have releases is simply clever marketing as they are all exactly the same. As you have mentioned elsewhere all models (S and CC) can be cleaned through the cleaning station which is useful which again proves that all models are exactly the same. If you are looking to buy a 7 series in 2022 just buy the lowest solo model and pair it with a clean station from ebay. This setup will be identical to the top CC model.
Hi Miles,
Many thanks for taking the time to share this, it’s great to have a hands-on confirmation as well. I agree that the original Series 7 is one of the best electric shavers ever made. The new generation was a major disappointment, at least for me.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes I agree I bought a 2020 series 7 and shaving is no where near as good as the original 7 series. Strange decision from Braun. I don’t like the look of the 9 series as the shaving head looks too wide. Would you be able to do a comparison between the new 8 series and old 7 series in terms of comfort and shaving performance. Is the 8 series the real replacement for the old 7 series?
Hi Miles,
The Series 8 is basically a Series 5 with a larger battery (and rebranded as a Series 8), so you can check out my comparison of the Series 5 and 7. The 5 and 8 are really similar in terms of shaving performance. So I would say that yes, the Series 8 is closer performance-wise to the old Series 7 than the new Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
How does the 6 segment hygiene indicator on Series 7 work?
Is it just a simple counter/timer or does it actually measure something related to hygiene?
If so what does it measure or sense? And what does the indicator actually show? How is that related to hygiene?
How does the cleaning station reset the indicator? Does it just reset the counter/timer? Or is it actually cleaning a sensor?
I haven´t been able to find any info on this. If anyone here who knows and can enlighten me would be very much appreciated.
Hi Olle,
It is actually just a simple timer that only takes into account how much time has passed since the last automatic cleaning. None of the shavers that feature a so-called hygiene indicator can actually assess the hygiene status. The timer is simply reset when the shaver is cleaned via the station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu!
That´s what I suspected. So how does the reset work. Is it enough to put the shaver in the station and charge it there? I mean if it is just a timer it seems unlikely that there is some sensor that can detect the actual cleaning status. Probably it would be possible modifiy it electrically to fix the problem.
This function is a good example of “it is not a bug, it is a feature” 🙂
No problem, Olle. It gets reset when the shaver is put in the station and then run through the cleaning program. Just charging it in the station won’t reset the timer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I have a 790cc with the so called hygiene sensor and I find it annoying, there no actual sensor on the shaver just the 6 segment led. As soon as you switch the shaver on without touching my face the leds start flashing, as soon you run it through the clean station the leds switch off, pointless. These 7 series shavers are superb but this function is not, just a nag from Braun to keep us using and buying the clean solution.
During a recent battery change I stripped down the shaver and taped over with black electrical tape half the display to conceal the flashing hygiene leds, which removes the problem.
Hi Miles,
I agree, and even on the newer models (like the Series 9) is still more of an annoyance. Btw, tape really does fix everything. 🙂
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Miles & Ovidiu,
I guess you are right. I will use the tape method when my level of annoyance reaches some limit. A very good idea!
Thanks for a very good and informative service Ovidiu
Regards,
Olle
Great review on the 7 series Olle….I have one in mint condition I still use when my series 9 in recharging….It is a model 7570. I could not find it in your review seems to be a older 7 series…what do I have and what does the charging/cleaning station look like?
Thanks
Gary
Thanks
Thank you, Gary, much appreciated.
Yours is an older and different model — it’s basically the predecessor of the Series 7 generation in the article. The cleaning station is also different and has this holder that locks the shaver in place, similar to the Series 3 and the new Series 7 stations. Here is a picture of it, hopefully you’re able to see what I mean.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is the 7570 cleaning station compatible with anything current? It looks very similar the the current series 3 ones.
Unfortunately no. It looks similar to the current Series 3 and the new Series 6/7 stations, but won’t work with any of them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Looking for info on S7 360, replacement heads thank you, David
Hi David,
You can find that info in my review of the S7 360 here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi.
It says “The newer Series 7 use the same shaving heads as the previous models”, but your page on the newer series 7 says “The new and older cassettes are not interchangeable, so you cannot use the older one on the new shavers and vice-versa.” Which is true? Can the 73s be used instead of 70c in the 790cc-4? Thanks
Hi Jeff,
In the post above “the newer Series 7” only refers to the 78xx models (like 7865cc). The older ones are the 790cc, 740s and so on. These all use the old excellent 70s cassette. The current Series 7, aka the Series 7 70 (360 Flex) from the second quote in your comment uses the 73s cassette which will not fit the 790cc. It’s also inferior to the 70s in every way in my opinion, so you wouldn’t want to use it anyway.
Sorry the post was a bit misleading, I will edit that part and make it clearer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
New here, how many 7’s does braun make? Thx
Hi Stephen,
There are basically two Series 7 lines:
— the original (now discontinued) Series 7. It’s the one in the article above, an excellent shaver that is now unfortunately extremely difficult to find.
— the new Series 7 (current generation), aka Series 7 360 Flex which is in my opinion a step down in quality and performance compared to the original one. You can read my review of it here.
Nowadays, since the old S7 is not an option anymore, the next best thing would be the Braun Series 8 which is very similar to the old S7 in all regards.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, thanks for such great information!
The 7 Series 7840s-p is selling on ebay new from Japan for only around $150usd
What does the “p” mean?
Is this the old 7 Series head that you recommend over the new 7 Series?
Thank you
Hi William,
Yes, it is the old Series 7 with the old excellent shaving head. The P could just be region specific, but what matters is that the shaver itself is not any different.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu,
I’m trying to decide between the 7 Series 7840s-p for about $160 or the 8 Series 8457cc for $200. Which would you choose?
Thanks!
Hi Travis,
If I were to choose one of the two as my main shaver, I would go with the 7840s. The Series 8 is currently the shaver that resembles the old Series 7 the most, but I would still give the Series 7 the edge. It is more refined, a bit better with flat-lying hairs, slightly more comfortable and the foil frame is just a bit narrower. The differences aren’t huge, but I do notice them when using both shavers.
The Series 8 with the cleaning station is a good deal especially since it comes with the same cleaning station as the Series 9 (3 cleaning modes, active drying). But the shave itself is slightly better with the 7840s.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu