Product Review: Braun Series 5 Electric Shaver

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If you grew up in the 1950s when the electric shaver was a relatively new technology, a fringe lifestyle choice, how would you feel about how electrics have evolved?

Because to me, the new Braun Series 5 Electric Shaver had everything I look for; it is the net result of 60-plus years of electric shaving “growth” and adaptation.

To find out, I sat down with a 62-year-old man and we went at each other, point/counterpoint style.

62-Year-Old Man Point:

I tried a standard head-on razor early in my shaving career. My beard is thin (I’ll never be confused with my ape-like college roommate affectionately known as “Brillo-Man”) and my skin, baby soft – in a word, sensitive. My dad had a razor like that, and who doesn’t want to imitate his dad? I found his type of shaving experience painful at best. Put simply, I was scared thanks to a painful experience years ago.

34-Year-Old Man Counterpoint:

The new Braun Series 5 Hi Tech 5090cc men’s shaver with “Intelligent Clean and Charge Station” is a far cry from the brutish “Dark Ages” era of shaving in the ’50s.

I opened the packaging and found a sleek head-on razor. I fired it up immediately and it sounded sophisticated – like the hum of a BMW. When I brought it to the underside of my chin, it was outstanding. The head can be moved 10 degrees in either direction for ease of reaching those hard spots. It was effective and not difficult to manipulate. Nothing to be afraid of, sir.

62-Year-Old Man Point:

I liked how easy it was to disassemble the Braun to clean. Popping the head off for cleaning was simple and it all snapped right back into place after. I was impressed because, back in my prime, you couldn’t take an electric apart to clean it.

34-Year-Old Man Counterpoint:

I told you you’d like it, you baby gorilla!

62-Year-Old Man Point:

Take it easy. One thing I was nervous about was the power. Was there enough to get the job done without ripping hair out? Yes, there was. The battery also kept its charge for 10 shaves without recharging, and it never made the telltale sound an electric makes when it’s low on juice.

34-Year-Old Man Counterpoint:

Uh oh, we’re starting to agree; the premise of this review is shot. I liked the power as well, and worth noting, the Braun Series 5 comes with a recharging station and cleaning station underneath. Though you could easily take it apart to clean, as mentioned previously.

62-Year-Old Man Point:

It’s a great electric, but almost too powerful. Most guys wouldn’t appreciate the Series 5’s sophistication or require its technology. One gripe I have is that the cartridges of cleaning fluid last only four weeks under most shaving conditions. It reminds me of that piece of $#!& printer I bought that requires me to have all five cartridges of ink full in order to operate.

34-Year-Old Man Counterpoint:

You know how I know you’re a 62-year-old man? You used the word “gripe.”

For more information, visit the Braun Facebook page or send them a silly hashtag via their Twitter account.

  

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Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor

We tried out the new Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor and right away we noticed some improvements. First, the numeric LED display on the front of the razor comes up as soon as you turn it on, and right away you know how many more minutes of charge you have left up to 60 minutes. It also alerts you about cleaning and replacement heads. The also added suction cups at the bottom of the charging unit so that it stays put on the counter.

More importantly, however, is that the unit still sports the GyroFlex design which makes for a very comfortable shave. The round heads flex, pivot and tilt to make it easy to move the razor around your face and easily hit each spot. This design sets this electric razor apart and we think most guys will love it.

The razor has many other features as well. The UltraTrack heads are built to capture hairs of all sizes for the most effective shave. It’s also a wet & dry shaver and has a skin friendly precision trimmer for you sideburns. Finally, the EasyGrip design makes this electric razor very easy to use as it fits perfectly in your hand.

This is a premium razor and makes an excellent gift for any guy on your list, including yourself!

  

Philips Norelco Styleshaver

With the holidays around the corner, men’s grooming products will be getting plenty of attention, and the new dual-ended Styleshaver from Philips Norelco offers a handy gadget that can handle a wide variety of tasks. You can get a clean shave with one side and trim your beard, goatee or stubble with the other end.

With facial hair making a comeback, the Styleshaver helps you express any style you choose with a flexible beard groomer. The beard trimmer is adjustable with 12 length settings from 0.5mm to 10mm so you can easily trim a beard of any length or a three-day stubble. It’s very easy to use with the two available attachments. With the triple action foil shaver on the other end for a clean shave, now you can handle all of your facial needs with one gadget.

The charger is light and handy and you get 50 minutes per charge. It’s also 100% waterproof for easy cleaning and it comes with a handy travel case.

Any guy who is interested in a look other than the clean shaven look, even if you just go with the stubble look from time to time, will love the flexibility of this product. Guys who regularly sport facial hair will love it. It makes for a great gift as well for guys of all ages, and definitely keep it in mind for college kids who will appreciate all the features.

Click here for information on how you can save up to $20 on a range of Norelco Shavers and Groomers.

  

Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1250 Electric Razor

Philips Norelco sent us their new SensoTouch 3D 1250 electric razor, and I was very impressed. I’m mostly a blade guy, and I buy good razors so I’m used to getting a good shave. If I’m going to use an electric razor, it’s usually as a backup for the convenience.

Years ago I had a Norelco, and I was always happy with it, but the SensoTouch 3D is light years ahead of those older models. It has the same three floating heads, and I was struck by how comfortable the razor was on my face. The three-dimensional GyroFlex component made a big difference. The UltraTrack shaving heads pivot around, tilt inward, and flex outward to adjust to the curves of your face.

The shave with this electric razor is practically effortless and it results in a very smooth shave. I’m very happy to add it to my regular shaving tools, and now I have a quick and easy solution when I need a quick shave.

Electric razors are popular gifts around the holidays, so we’re happy to recommend this one.