The Series 6, while in theory should be a middle to high-end shaver in Braun’s lineup, it’s really not. As usual, the performance will be identical throughout the entire Series 6 range, including the European/Australian models. This type of head movement will actually be useful in practice and require less wrist work on your part for a clean and effective shave.
The Braun ProSkin also features a specialized micro-comb design to capture more hair on the first stroke. It’s important to note that using an electric razor requires a break-in period—for your face, not for the braun shavers razor. It takes about two weeks for your skin to get used to using an electric razor. Once I passed through that window, I was amazed that my razor bumps decreased significantly and never really came back.
Finally, the Series 3 BT shaver is either a basic Series 3 or a Series 3 ProSkin that comes with a special bundle of accessories that allows the user to trim and maintain a beard. As expected, the actual shaving performance is identical within the basic Series 3 and the ProSkin lines. It might work as a backup or travel shaver, but it will only shave reasonably well if your beard is short and not on the coarse side. As the entry-level range, the Braun Series 1 has an affordable price and it’s very easy to use.
Most dry-only variations are however waterproof and you’ll still be able to safely clean them with water. Several solo Braun shavers will work with a compatible station purchased later on or from an older cc shaver, but that depends on the particular series or even on a specific revision of that series. A charging stand is always redundant with Braun shavers as you’ll also be able to charge the shaver by plugging the cord directly into the shaver. Braun, currently owned by Procter & Gamble, is one of the big three electric shaver brands alongside Philips (Norelco) and Panasonic. When it comes to buying an electric shaver, there’s probably no other brand out there that makes things as difficult as Braun.
If you see only “wet/dry usage” listed, then it is probably merely rinsable and suitable for use with a shaving cream. At the very least, your device’s head should be able to rinse cleanly under running water, in order to mitigate bacterial accumulation and hair buildup. It’s a bonus, though, if the tool can handle shaving in the shower (meaning, it’s fully waterproof) or being used along with shaving cream or a similar product. “Shaving cream helps pre-soften the hair and allows the blades to cut more easily,” says Philadelphia-based barber Eric Becker. “Usually people with coarse hair or difficult growth patterns fall into this category.” If you do shave in the shower, though, be careful about your grip; the device’s longevity won’t hold up if you keep dropping it. As in, I felt like I had shaved with a manual razor whenever I used it, and I actually needed a post-shave application to calm the skin.
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. For those situations, and also if you just want a more powerful shaver that’s more effective, especially with difficult hair and you have the budget for it, check out the next option. The Series 3 ProSkin is very comfortable, adequately powerful for someone with braun shavers 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. They offer the best performance for the money, the cost of ownership is usually lower and you’ll have the best chance of buying a Braun shaver that will give you a comfortable, close and enjoyable shave.
So lots of potential buyers were confused and had the reasonable expectation of the S8 being the superior shaver. The beard trimming attachments are also a plus if you sometimes rock a beard. The old cassette had a much greater range of motion for the three cutting elements and it glided easier on the skin since it used metal instead of all that plastic surrounding them. The new station is not compatible with the old Series 7 which requires a completely different station that connects to the shaver in a different manner. Just as before with the S5 and S6, the performance will be exactly the same as in the case of the North American models.
If you use a separate tool to prepare your beard before shave, this attachment can easily replace it. I’ve even bought a few extra days between tidyings on my shoulder and upper back with the Prestige S9000 too. In most years, I’d let the two foil kings at Panasonic and Braun duke it out for the top spot, but for now, it’s Philips Norelco’s throne to yield. Oh, and in terms of shaving motions, stick to back-and-forth paths on a foil shaver. If you have a rotary shaver, you can use a back-and-forth path or circular motions—your call. If you struggle with things like razor bumps, post-shave irritation or even acne, an electric razor may offer a more gentle experience for you.