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This top-of-the-line Panasonic shaver includes a total of five blades—a quartet of foils and a single oscillating lift-and-cut center trimmer. The Arc5 is quieter than the Series 7, but the noise it does make is much higher pitched, which some may find annoying. If you find that Braun models aren’t working for you, the Arc5 might be a better option for your skin or hair type. The Lifeproof’s performance on all hair types (straight, curly, thick, and overly-curly) ranked surprisingly above average. This is quite a feat considering most foil shavers can find it challenging to deliver a close shave on wavy and curly beards without multiple passes.
The Philips SatinShave razor has two foil blades and a cutter made of hypoallergenic stainless … James has been using the Series 7 to shave a portion of his face (growing a pandemic beard after initial testing decreased his use somewhat) since first testing for this guide in 2020. It’s held up remarkably well and, aside from a dip after a little more than a year of use which was remedied by replacing the foil, the shave quality has remained consistent. The 7085cc and the 7020s provide the same high-quality shave as our pick, but they each come with different sets of accoutrements. We think the new 7071cc has the features that most people want or need, but prices tend to fluctuate, and if you find one of the others for significantly less you won’t be missing a lot by picking that model up. The Quick Clean Pod is the world’s smallest and cordless cleaning station.
Unlike any of the other electric razors I tested, it has a quick-charge mode. Plug it in for five minutes, and you’ll get extra battery life—in my tests, 11 minutes’ worth. The F has the look of a Braun clone and uses philips razor a proven dual-foil system with a center lift-and-cut trimmer mated to a pivoting head. But unlike the Braun Series 7 foil block, which pivots along two axes, this less-expensive shaver pivots only up and down.
Rinse your razor under water to remove hair and dirt, then take a light brush to your foil to remove any gunk buildup. It’s important to maintain the foil on your razor, as that is what helps give you a nice and even shave. If your foil gets dented or damaged, make sure to replace it immediately as that piece is the proverbial bread and butter to your shave.