Best men's electric shaver Braun Series 7 760cc *Est. $210
Best rotary electric shaver Philips Norelco 8240XL *Est. $75
Wet/dry foil shaver Panasonic Vortex ES8109S *Est. $110
Best travel shaver Braun MobileShave M-90 *Est. $24

See All Men's Electric Shavers

Braun Series 7 760cc

*Est. $210

Reviewed

November 2011

Best men's electric shaver

Pros

Close shave
Self-cleaning
Long-lasting charge
Customizable shave settings
Flexible head maneuvers contours

Cons

Expensive
Cleaning system is noisy
No quick charge

Where to Buy

for $194.97

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The Braun Series 7 (previously known as the Braun Pulsonic) has an unusual gimmick; the shaver's foil head vibrates laterally, producing a pulsating effect that makes the user's skin ripple (and presumably causes the hairs to stick out a little straighter). Editors at Shavers.com, an online shaving shop and blog, say that the line of shavers is still "reigning supreme" on the market and that no other manufacturers have been able to "keep strides" with the Braun Series 7 line. Note that Braun has released improved versions of the Series 7 line, designated as 760cc-4 and 790cc-4. Most of the changes are stylistic, improving ergonomics and ease of use, but reviews indicate shaving performance is the same.

Reviews are mostly upbeat about the Braun Series 7 shavers, but the cleaning system draws some criticism, including the cost of replacing cartridges (*Est. $14.50 for three) about once a month. Although the Series 7 760cc has fewer bells and whistles than the more expensive Series 7 790cc (*Est. $230) , reviewers say it delivers the same shaving performance. A flexible foil shaving head contours to tricky areas, such as the chin and neck, producing a closer shave. In addition, the Series 7 offers several shave settings, including intensive and sensitive, to customize the shaving experience for different skin types and areas. The Series 7 760cc will run for 50 minutes on a single, 60-minute charge and also offers a five-minute quick charge. If you prefer a rotary shaver, you might want to consider the Philips Norelco 8240XL (*Est. $75) , which offers a close shave and is simple to clean.

We found thorough reviews of the Braun Series 7 shaver from a number of experts, including ConsumerReports.org and Which? magazine (the U.K. equivalent of ConsumerReports.org). Various versions of the Series 7 shaver also attract more than 1,200 posts from owners at Amazon.com, and we found a brief review on AskMen.com.

Where To Buy

Braun Series 7-760cc Pulsonic Shaver System, Black and Silver

(124 reviews)
Buy new: $239.99 $194.97 27 New from $185.65

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of ConsumerReports.org enlist the help of a panel to test 14 men's electric shavers (six foil shavers and eight rotary shavers), by using each model for one week. Each model is rated for closeness and comfort of shave, ease of cleaning and noise level. Only the Braun Series 7 760cc is tested, but other series 7 models are listed as alternatives because they have similar features.

Review: Electric Razor Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2011

2. Amazon.com

About 90 owners weigh in with feedback on the updated Braun Series 7 760cc, which has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Most owners say the updates are minimal, and there's no functional difference between the 760cc and newer 760cc-4 models.

Review: Braun Series 7-760cc Pulsonic Shaver System, Black and Silver, Contributors to Amazon.com

3. Amazon.com

The former design of the Braun Series 7 760cc gets high scores, with more than 170 owners posting reviews of this shaver. Hundreds of owners also post opinions about other Series 7 shavers. The cleaning system, while convenient, draws some criticism for design (cleaning solution can spill), the cost of cleaning cartridges and noise.

Review: Braun Series 7- 760cc Shaver, Contributors to Amazon.com

4. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe

Editors of the U.K.-based consumer publication Which? magazine ask a panel to test a total of 23 men's electric shavers, but less than half of the models included in this roundup are available in the U.S. Nonetheless, testing is rigorous, including a test of each model's claimed battery life. Both the Braun Series 7 790cc and 720s are included in this roundup.

Review: Electric Shaver Reviews, Editors of Which? magazine

5. The Sunday Times (U.K.)Details/Subscribe

In this comparative review, David Phelan ranks the Braun Series 7 790cc (then called the Pulsonic 9595) ahead of five other shavers after informal testing. He says it is comfortable to hold and pivots more than previous models, which allows a better shave in difficult areas.

Review: Test Bench: Electric Shavers, Alex Pell and David Phelan, Jan. 20, 2008

6. AskMen.com

It's not clear whether the author of this review has tested the five models he recommends, including the Braun Series 7 760cc, but he does offer a detailed analysis of useful features. The Braun Series 7 760cc is praised for its ease of cleaning; while it can be rinsed under the tap, the cleaning system cleans and sanitizes the shaving head while simultaneously charging the battery.

Review: Guy Gear: Electric Shavers, Jesse Corbeil, April 22, 2009

7. Shavers.com

In a June 2011 post, editors of the Shavers.com blog suggest Braun Series 7 shavers as good options for Father's Day gifts. All three models are mentioned for their popularity with consumers.

Review: The Shaver Blog, Editors of Shavers.com, June 2011

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