He has thus staked his claim in this tool, while I’m territorial about the Braun and BaBylissPro. The Braun SmartCare Cleaning Center charges cleans and lubricates your Braun shaver with a simple press of a button, for a shaver like new every day and a more hygienic shave. Includes a 4-in-1 SmartCare center, Clean & Renew Refill Cartridges, Precision Trimmer and Beard Grooming and Stubble Trimmer attachments. Easily turn your shaver2 into a beard styler, a precision trimmer or a cleansing brush. Just click the attachment you want onto the handle to complete your look.
I wouldn’t really consider a cc Series 3 ProSkin with a cleaning station because those are a lot more expensive than the solo shavers like the 3040s. The Series 3 has a rather unique implementation of the shaving head with the three cutting elements without the standard foil frame, resulting in a very slim and nimble shaver. They are particularly impressive at cutting longer stubble (up to 5 days of growth) and are remarkably gentle to the skin, particularly the non-Pro models. The old Series 7 solo models will work with a compatible cleaning station purchased separately. As mentioned before, it’s a rather basic station with a single cleaning program, no active drying system and that protruding arm that’s reminiscent of the Series 3 cleaning station. And it should be since it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the old Series 5 station or of any higher-end Braun stations (like 3 cleaning programs or a fan that dries the shaving head).
In addition, we weighed each model and measured the noise (decibel level) of each razor during operation. We didn’t test battery life, specifically; all of the models we picked were capable of running for about an hour on a full charge. We had the testers keep the top-performing razors for extended periods to allow for break-in time.
When turned on, a large LED screen displays useful information like battery percentage. The SmartCare Center isn’t new to the Series 9 Pro+, but it’s one of the most useful accessories. Not only is it a nice place to dock your shaver when it’s not in use, but it also cleans, lubricates, dries, and charges the device. “Corded razors limit the availability to use them without a power source, but can save on batteries and last longer in general,” says Dr. Hartman. “Cordless razors provide more flexibility in travel whether they utilize replaceable or rechargeable batteries.”
The type of shaver you have determines how the device should be cleaned. For “washable” shavers, turn the device on and rinse the shaving head under warm or hot running water. Knowing when to replace your electric razor also can come down to a good ol’ fashioned braun shavers eye test. Are you getting as close of a shave as you did when you first purchased the device? Is your razor pulling or tugging on your whiskers instead of slicing them clean off? You might know when it’s time to retire your electric razor just by feel.
I usually shave dry with it (as I do with all my Braun shavers) as I don’t feel the extra work needed for a wet shave is worth the effort. The S9 and S9 Pro/PRO+ are arguably the most capable foil shavers in that regard. But if you don’t want to bother with the cleaning station that’s fine as well and you can save some money on a solo Series 8. Speaking of the station, the 84 and 85 Series 8 models (like the 8457cc or 8567cc) come with a better station, with 3 cleaning modes and an active drying system, so those are the ones I would actually recommend. The Series 3 ProSkin is very comfortable, adequately powerful for someone with medium to slightly coarser facial hair and works decently even on longer, flat-lying hairs. Apart from the reasonable price of the shaver and of the replacement heads, I think the main advantage of the Series 3 ProSkin over other Braun models is the ease of use.
You must always lock the shaver via a switch at the top of the holder which automatically starts the cleaning cycle when you press it. Having tested it extensively and having owned a couple of the old-generation shavers, I can say without a doubt that the new Series 5 is not in any way an upgrade. Unfortunately it was discontinued and replaced with a new generation of shavers called the Series 5 50 which we’ll check out next. For example, the closeness won’t be as good or you’ll need many passes in order to get a smooth shave. While they’re not as capable as the more expensive and more advanced Braun shavers, they get the job done and are very easy to use.
The razor itself is shockingly light, but still hefty enough to fit well in your hand without feeling like you are going to drop it. The sleek design also doesn’t have many bells and whistles on the outside—namely just an LED screen that braun hair removal shows battery life, a swiveling head, and a lock button, which gives it a slick, elegant appearance. Other standard features are still there as well, such as 100% waterproof usage, a 60–minute battery life and a quick charge option.