Braun Series 5 8975 Men's Shaver Reviews

• Goodbye Norelco, Hello Braun!

  
  By AQOFHS4H4ELNU on 2006-12-08
  First some background... About 10 years ago, I tried a high-end Braun foil shaver because I read good things about them, and found it just didn't shave longer hairs (especially on the neck or if you went a few days without shaving). Plus it didn't shave much closer than my Norelco so I never used it much.
  
  I've been a loyal Norelco guy. My first Norelco rotary lasted many years. The next one lasted only a few years. The next only a couple of years. And the last several have only gone about a year before the blades go dull, the batteries start to give out, or both. It doesn't seem to matter if I buy a $40 or $100 Norelco, they just don't last very long anymore. I suspect this is on purpose to get you to buy expensive blade sets or a new shaver and generate more income for Norelco?
  
  Well Norelco (are you reading this?), your short lived products prompted me to try Braun again and boy am I glad I did! This is the first foil shaver I know of that can REALLY shave longer hairs. It also shaves MUCH CLOSER than even a brand new top-of-the-line Norelco rotary. And it doesn't seem to irritate the skin as much either.
  
  I opted for the 8975 becuase it doesn't need any refills like the more expensive versions do. But it uses the same blade head so it shaves just as well as the more expensive versions. I just got it, so I can't comment on how it will hold up, or the battery life, but it's really no contest against the Norelco's for the quality of the shave.
  
  I only have a few small gripes so far. For this price, I'd rather have something with a rubberized or soft grip exterior that feels better in the hand. Braun's solution to make it less slipery was to put sharp bumps on the hard plastic case and it feels kind of rough and cheap in your hand. It's also noisier than the Norelcos but it's not too bad. Finally, the Norelcos use a standard small coiled power cord that's easy to travel with. The Braun uses a much more bulky cord/plug arrangement that's not as travel friendly.
  
  But, when it's all said and done, you buy a shaver to SHAVE. And this Braun does that better than anything I've used at any price. Period.
  
  
  

• Good but not great

  
  By AA9FDKGOIAYH3 on 2007-01-15
  I came to this razor after using a Braun 6000 series for the past 4 years. Rather than sticking at that level I figured I'd try the better model to see what the benefits are.
  
  Unfortunately the benefits are limited. Don't get me wrong, it is a good razor, its just not really better than my old one. Grip and operation wise my old 6000 is actually better. Simpler where it needs to be. Actual shaving wise all the new gadgets don't seem to have done much. It does shave better than my old razor, but that one needed a new shaving block (and battery, hence replacing it).
  
  So is it a worthwhile razor? Definitely, thats why I gave it 4 stars. But, knowing what I know now I would have stuck with the next model level down as there really is no difference where it counts.
  
  

• Good shaver

  
  By A1F9Z42CFF9IAY on 2007-08-08
  I don't have any complaints with this shaver at all. I get a better shave than I did with my old shaver, a Norelco 3 radial blade one. Before, there used to be hairs that would be missed but with this Braun, there aren't-nice.
  
  I agree with others that the self cleaning thingy in higher Bruan models is gimmicky and not necessary, especially since it requires you to buy cleaner refills periodically. This model without that feature is the one to buy in my opinion.
  
  

• Finally - A GREAT electric razor

  
  By A2HYMH3UTYVMH1 on 2007-01-18
  This is everything I've been looking for. It's comparatively quiet, gives a great shave without preping the beard (they recommend shaving BEFORE you wash your face. I thought they were crazy BUT I've never had a closer shave with an electric razor.) Just loosen the head and turn on the switch and all the stubles fall out. No rinsing, washing or brushing to clean the heads. I rate this a 10 on a scale of 5!!! Great value.
  
  
  I purchased a Panasonic 8077 with the liquid head washers, including the expensive soap inserts. It's the noisiest razor I've ever had. I tried a new Remington and the stupid hair trimmer keeps popping up because the switch for it is in the way of holding it. Neither of these gave me a satisfying shave and took for ever to shave.
  
  
  

• Superb Braun!

  
  By APN6EFMR5NY0D on 2007-07-05
  I purchased this Braun because I wanted a top-of-the-line unit but without the silly washing system, which adds too much complexity. The Braun 8975 delivers in spades.
  
  Since, I'm upgrading from a Braun 6550, for which I bought my first foil cutterblock after nearly 10 years of use (!), I can tell you that it's a quantum leap up in shaving performance. Highly recommended!
  
  
• Great Shaver
  By AY7V4HOL2UHHA on 2006-12-22
  I have just bought Braun 8975 shaver. It replaced my 10 year old Braun 150 that my son droped on the bathroom tile.
  
  Wow! What a difference between the two shvers! This shaver is light years ahead of the 150. It is very gentle on the face, cuts in one pass, cuts and does not miss long hairs, and shaves very close. This shaver is the Mercedes Benz of shavers.
  
  Shaver comes with a nice carrying case. Do not know what type of rechargable battery it uses, my 150 used NiCd, which of course dies prematurely. The grip on the shaver is not very good.
  
  
• Braun Vs Norelco
  By A3DWBE3C4GTZH7 on 2007-06-23
  I had been using Norelco rotary razors for the last 12 years and was happy with them until my current model's battery started going, and the trimmer stopped working. You can't just replace a Norelco battery, they have to be soldered in, a lousy way for them to make money. I got tired of forking over $40 for a replacement, plus the time to bring it to a repair shop, so I thought I'd try a Braun. After 1 week these are my observations:
  Pro:
  1- the shave is closer than Norelco, requiring far fewer passes over the same territory.
  2- the design is nice
  3- I didn't bother getting the solution-cleaning thing, which seemed like a lot of bother and added expense; to clean, you just lift off the top, shake out the hairs, blow, brush a little, easy and fast.
  4- comes with a small hard-shell case, unlike Norelco's bulky case which makes it difficult to pack for a trip
  Con:
  1- Noisy! This thing is like a buzz-saw, so loud that, if my wife's sleeping, I have to take it in another room. I've compared it to my Norelco and estimate it's four times louder. I don't mind, but if you're sensitive to loud noise in the morning, check it out before buying.
  2- Ergonomically, not as comfortable as the Norelco. Imagine holding an extra-heavy ice-cream bar between your thumb and fingers for 3-5 minutes, and you'll have an idea. The Norelco has a round body which you can wrap your fingers and thumb around. So far, it hasn't bothered me. But again, if you've got arthritis in your hands, this might be a problem.
  3- The trimmer doesn't project much above the razor, unlike the Norelco, which sticks up a good inch or so and allows you to see easier. With the Braun, trimming my moustache is more difficult, as the razor edge itself gets in the way of my vision. I'm getting used to it, however.
  4- The Braun hard-case doesn't hold the cord. Might not be a factor for you; I'd rather have the much smaller case. But if you're traveling, you have to remember to bring the cord.
  All in all, I'd buy the Braun 360 again, if for no other reason than not giving Norelco my hard-earned money to get that battery soldered. However, the Braun instruction manual makes no reference to how to change the battery, so if, a few years down the line, I find out I've got to get it soldered as well, I'm going to be very annoyed.
  
  
• Braun 8975 vs Norelco 9195XL
  By AHC7Y2FB8QTS7 on 2007-09-04
  I'm a long time Norelco user who also owned a Braun a decade ago. Lured by the promise of a closer shave, I purchased a Braun 8975 recently--and ended up returning it for refund. Pros: Close shave. Cons: MISSED HAIRS. And I mean, I would go over the missed hair at different angles, pressures, etc., five or ten times before the razor would catch it. That is the reason I gave up on the Braun: it does 95% of the job quickly--and then you struggle with the other 5%. It's also very noisy, and the carrying case is bulky for travel. Finally, the Braun is not very convenient to clean.
  
  I would instead recommend the Norelco 9195, which is quiet, compact, and does not miss any hairs. It is not quite as close shaving as the Braun--but in my opinion, close enough. And it's so much easier to clean than the Braun. For real world use, the Norelco is superior.
  
  
• The best shaver
  By A11OPVWSE8L9ON on 2007-04-26
  The Braun shaves so close that you should disregard their suggestion to shave before you wash your face "to get a closer shave". This is like shaving without shaving cream. Yikes. Great consistant, quality shave. Compared to my Norelco, this is like using surgical shears compare to a lawn mower. It may be more expensive than others but if its quality close shave, clean cuts, and reliability - this is the one.
  
  
• Disappointing Shaver
  By A1CEDPEPTSQEW0 on 2007-06-21
  I had high expectations for this product based on all the great reviews. After using this product for a month I can't understand how these reviews came about.
  
  Firstly, I am disappointed at the build quality of this product. The silver paintwork is already peeling off. I thought considering the cost of this product that it was made of metal. The silver panels along the side are silver painted plastic.
  
  Apart from the build quality, shaving takes a long time to complete as you need to pass the shaver head 10-20 times over your face. The worst part of the shave being around the neck.
  
  The "Powercomb" technology does absolutely nothing.
  
  The cost of this product does not equate to quality and I could have gotten the same shave experience with a much cheaper product.
  
  
  
• Just My Take
  By A29KFC9WHSNS06 on 2007-07-12
  The Braun 8975 is the third Braun I have owned. My first the 3525 has been with me up till now. There is no question that the 8975 is superior as a trimmer and as a general shaver. It is much better at keeping hairs that lay down out of sight by nipping them off and there is no question that it does a better job with everything else, even keeping in mind that the screen on my old shaver was two years old.
  
  My first ever shaver was a Remmington followed by the Brauns. I can't say for certain about the Remmington, but of the other Braun shavers, this one is the quietest. (Morning NPR news and listening to the wife is now much easier.)
  
  
• Good on face, bad on neck
  By A2ZXUCDW8WRG2E on 2007-11-03
  Here is a quick shaving history for me. I started out using the Schick Protector when I first started growing facial hair. I eventually received a top of the line Braun for a present. Eventually the battery died, so I went out and bought a Norelco CoolSkin because I was growing dissatisfied with the Braun. After awhile, I grew tired using the "goo," so I switched to the Gillette Mach 3 and Fusion systems. I wanted to get back to an electric because I can't shave with a blade against the grain as is recommended for closeness because I get irritation on my face and numerous cuts on my neck. I bought the Braun 360 because of the reviews on this website.
  
  I've owned this shaver for 10 months and it does a great job on my face although I do have to go over the same spots a couple times, which disagrees with their advertisement of the smart comb technology. The smart comb is supposed to lift hairs that are laying down and allow the shaver to cut them. The smart comb does a worse job on my neck, not working whatsoever. Patches of hair are completely missed unless I work the shaver over the same spot for a few minutes. This also irritates my skin. So the result is that I use the shaver for a few days and then when the hair grows long enough on my neck, I use a razor to get rid of those pesky hairs.
  
  Included is a hard carrying case, a charge cord, a cleaning brush, and a plastic foil guard. The carrying case is very nice and I wish all shavers came with the hard variety. The charge cord is nice since it can be used when the battery is dead. It also charges the battery in an hour and you get 60 minutes of shave time with the shaver. The cleaning brush works fine and lastly the plastic foil guard is nice, although if you try to pull it off wrong, the foil remains in the plastic guard as it comes off the shaver.
  
  For an experiment, I brought out my CoolSkin to see how it matched up to the Braun. I was surprised that it works so much better than the 360, both on my face and neck. It does miss some hairs on my neck once in awhile and I do have to go over areas a few times, causing irritation, but irritation with the Norelco isn't anywhere near the same as it is with the Braun.
  
  It also doesn't help that there is only a 30 day trial for the Braun. I wish it was 60 days like Norelco offers. I'm not saying that the Braun is a bad product, as there are many satisfied customers based on the reviews on this site. But everyone's face is different and everyone should try multiple shaving systems until they find the one that works best for them.
  
  
• This is a good shaver
  By A3VT2APCAEP7RV on 2007-01-27
  I have been a 20+ year Norelco user. My current Norelco is over 12 years old. During the past year I have tried several of the newer Norelco's but just was not pleased. The Norelco's seemed to be of less quality than my older ones. They also seemed to lack power. So I decided to give the Braun 360 a try. I have been using it for about a month and have been very pleased. The razor has good power and I like the blade design. The razor has also given very close shaves. I would definitely recommend this razor.
  
  
• Almost as good as a Mach 3 shave.
  By A3T8VM2R6L7SJL on 2007-05-24
  This is the first time I have used an electric shaver in more than 10 years. Now that I have passed the magical age of 40 my skin is not as smooth as before. The Mach 3 line of blade shavers is great, but they cut so close that any bumps get cut right off too. I had a scab that would not heal because of the blade shave. I thought I would switch to electric just long enought for my face to heal and then switch back. After three weeks I'm not switching back. The shave is very close and comfortable. Someone suggested to me I could expedite the "adjustment" process to an electric shave by letting my whiskers grow out a few days before shaving with the electric and that seem to work. No irritation! There is a high-end Panasonic shaver that gets very good reviews too. I decided to go with this model simply because I have buy cutter and foil replacements at every major retail department store where I live. I could not find any refills for Panasonic. Furthermore, I did not buy the model with the expensive cleaning system. Many retail stores sell canned "cleaner and lubricant" for electric shavers that is a spray. I find that it works very well and is rather inexpensive.
  
  In short, the shave is not quite as good as a Mach 3 shave, but it is very close.
  
  Money is not a big driver for me, but an added benefit is that you will likely save money over the life of the electric shaver compared to using the expensive multi-blade shaving systems such as Mach 3. There is certainly a lot less used up product going into landfills this way.
  
  
• Horrible
  By A2TC4448PFIMY2 on 2007-06-09
  I was under the impression that BRAUN was the top in its class, as i've owned other ones in the past. For the last few years, i've been using a norelco, but got tired of the '3 blades spinning' action as it was difficult to clean.
  When using this razor, the Braun 8975, shaving with it while pushing it against my face to make sure i get all the hairs, tiny particles of hair that has been shaved and saved inside the razor falls out. It doesn't completely give me the close shave that one would think you would get. If you have sensitive skin, then this is not for you either, as I do, it iritated my skin (under my chin) when trying to get a closer shave.
  The battery didn't last as long as I expected it to (since i'm only shaving for 5 minutes a day), I would have expected it to last at least a few weeks without a recharge.
  After the initial charge, it has lasted me 2 weeks before it went down to a 0 charge. my old nerelco lasted me a good 2 months before it needed a recharge. I think i'm going to be switching back to a nerelco very soon, as this is becoming more of a hassel to use.
  
  
• This shaver is a step above
  By A238WA18BQAU8A on 2007-03-21
  To be objective, I have not used all the available settings or features on the shaver yet. I bought it two weeks ago and the difference between the braun 8975 and my prior remington microscreen is difficult to describe. The shave is very close for an electronic shaver and the shave is both quick (i.e. don't have to go over same area twice) and painless. It even gets those certain areas on my neck where the hair grows more at an angle to my skin. Also, this shaver is very quiet and the charge lasts for quite a while as well. I am completely sold on Braun!
  
  
• doesn't live up to the reviews
  By A1M9YMT88IQ78Q on 2007-05-13
  I had a Braun 4775 and I thought it took a long time to get a smooth shave with it so after seeing several good reviews for the Braun 8975 I ordered it and tried it for a week. It doesn't shave as well as the Braun 4775. So I sent it back and got a refund.
  
  
  
• Ouch - this thing bites
  By A3UGP2NPBSMD82 on 2007-08-19
  Good shave but be careful - it cut me twice. It has two foil heads and flat part between them that is supposed to cut long hairs. I twice got cut by this. Braun was great about sending my $$ back. I'm back to norelco. I think it shaves better than Norelco but if I want to cut myself, I'll use a blade.
  
  
• Close shave!
  By A2PVV525II3GIB on 2006-12-29
  I just used the Braun 8975 for the first time, and what a difference! I had another Braun years before, (which I loved), but it got old so I replaced it with a Panasonic. I suffered with the Panasonic for about 3 years before deciding to treat myself to another Braun. Why did I wait so long? This baby shaves REALLY close in half the time. I think it's a good buy.
  
  
• Very good
  By A16OXHU1W9TQXQ on 2007-04-05
  So far after useing the shaver for about one month, I find it better than most. A true review would take about 6 months of use. My main concern is the life of the shaving foil. Remington, altough a good close shaver, the shaving head disintergrates after a few months and they are very expensive to replace.
  
  
• Closest shave I've ever had from an electric
  By A1468QGVRHBTVO on 2007-06-14
  I've been using the 8975 for about 6 weeks now and I am very pleased with my purchase.
  This unit does offer a much closer shave against my face than my Norelco 3 head unit ever did. I shaved for 5 weeks before I ran the charge down to less than 25%.
  The negatives are slight.
  I've had a little problem with cutting around my adams apple. I use the trimmer for that now. Also the head doesn't collect too much stubble debris so you have to clean often or it will trickle out while you are shaving.
  I'm very satisfied with my purchase and this is a razor I'd recommend to anyone.
  
  
  
• Average at best
  By A1SBH63AY87JMH on 2007-08-07
  This is my first Braun razor. It does an average job at best. I constantly need to use a bic razor to trim my neck where the Braun will not cut hair closely. I'll purchase a different less expensive brand next time.
  
  
• Excellent Shaver
  By A2WVK4324O8OUP on 2007-10-07
  Very close, comfortable, and quick shave. I upgraded from a Braun 6000 based on the excellent Consumer Reports rating for this shaver and was not disappointed. I even recently shaved a few times with a quad-blade wet razor so I'm able to compare the shaves from each. The Braun 8975 is as close as the blade (maybe closer), much quicker, and certainly more comfortable with no nicks or scrapes. The comfort and closeness of this shaver is remarkable.
  
  The Model 8975 does not come with the cleaning and recharging system. I just don't have a convenient space for this and it just seemed like a way to get you to buy supplies from Braun. While I've since read many reviewers who like the cleaning system, I am more than satisfied without it. I use a spray cleaner like Remington's Shaver Saver after each shave as a substitute at a much lower cost. To clean, I follow the directions to loosen the shaver foil, but not remove, then hold the shaver horizontally over a sink and run for a few seconds. I was skeptical the first time I tried this, but followed the directions and it worked amazingly well - the shaver clippings just fall into the sink. You then remove the foil and cutting blade then brush out the shaver area of the few remaining clippings. I then spray the cutting blades with Shaver Saver and I'm done. Only takes a few seconds for the whole process and no need to brush the blades.
  
  It's unlikely anyone who has always shaved with a wet razor will switch to anything electric, but for the electric crowd, I can't see this shaver being beat. It costs more but I have to say I think it is worth it, and the 8975 without the unnecessary cleaning system saves a few $$. This model seems harder to find, by the way. Retailers seem to only carry the complete system with the cleaner, so Amazon is a great place to get it. I can't imagine the higher end Braun Pulsonic being a better shave for the $100 more it costs. Looks like it is pretty much the same shaving technology with the ability to rinse it clean, more flexible foil, and some fancier styling. Bottom line - the 8975 is a great electric shaver.
  
  
• Fantastic Shave!
  By A1MV2GGCYD2AFQ on 2007-10-19
  Just picked one of these up and wow is all I can say. Shave quality is 10 times better than a panasonic electric razor I used a few years ago. Cheeks are smooth as a baby's butt, and neck is adequate. No electric razor can shave the neck as well as a razor blade, but I'll gladly trade a little bit of roughness for kissing razor burn and gashes is my face goodbye. I gave it four stars because although it's a fantastic razor, Braun does not present it to be a fantastic razor. It feels like it's made of cheap plastics and it definitely doesn't look like a razor you'd shell out triple digit prices for. Also, I know that I could have paid $30 more and purchased one with a self cleaning stand, but i didn't, and all braun gives me is a cheap little cord? a presentable little hunk of plastic would have been nice.
  
  
• Braun 8975 Shaver - not as close as a blade
  By A31AL0OBB2DFJE on 2007-02-23
  This is a quality product and I use it from time to time; however, it just doesn't shave as close as a blade. I frequently find myself "re-shaving" with a blade after using this shaver. I'm not sure any electric shaver will shave as close as a blade as long as there is that foil between the blades and your face.
  
  
• Very Slick
  By A2075CXKRIAB67 on 2007-03-16
  I love this shaver. I've been a long time fan of Norelco, but it just wasn't cutting it any more (no pun intended). I chose this one because of a friends recommendation. It's wonderful, fast and smooth on my skin. Very close shave, smooth texture and isn't super loud. It's easy to operate and simple to open when you need to clean it.
  
  The battery life is amazing, I used it once a day for 2 1/2 weeks before it signaled that I needed a charge. I HIGHLY support and recommend this shaver. The icing on the cake is that it looks really cool too. Nothing wrong with having a slick looking shaver on your bathroom counter.
  
  
• Braun 8975 360 Complete Men's Shaver
  By AAKQTXS4JOUR5 on 2007-03-18
  So far, I am impressed with this razor which gives me a close, good shave. I gave this razor a 4 star rating instead of a 5 star rating because it does not come with a charging stand, which forces me to leave it plugged in (the plug end is large) and lying on the bathroom sink, which makes the sink area look cluttered. My older Braun came with a charging stand, which made for a much neater look as it sat on the sink area.
  
  
• Significantly better than 5000 series
  By A1H1GZJ0UIV21Z on 2007-11-05
  I am a long time Braun shaver user. I had recently bought a replacement blade and foil for my 2-year old 5000 series shaver. The foil tore and scratched me after only about a month of use, so I decided to upgrade to the 8000 series.
  
  I'm getting a much closer and smoother (less irritation) shave with the 8000. I can tell because my "5:00 shadow" is much reduced from before. The other advantages are:
  
  1) Much quieter than the 5000 series
  2) Shaver runs off the battery so you don't have to keep it plugged in like the 5000 series. My 5000 series shaver ran noticeably faster (and better) when plugged in even though it could run un-plugged. This was true from day 1, so had nothing to do with a worn out battery.
  3) Battery indicator so you know when to recharge
  
  Conclusion: You are getting much better performance if you upgrade to an 8000 series shaver and it is worth the extra money.
  
  
  
• Not as good as the much less expensive Braun FreeControl
  By A12RROXVZJOI8T on 2007-12-19
  I've used Remington triple head shavers for a long time and have been very pleased. Since I travel often I wanted an inexpensive shaver to keep with my travel bag. I found the Braun FreeControl and it met my requirements: inexpensive, battery & AC operation. I was very pleasantly surprised with the FreeControl. It gives a very close shave, even better than the Remingtons I've been happy with for years.
  
  So, when my main Remington finally wore out I decided to try one of Braun's higher end models. After researching on Braun's website and reading reviews, trading off features for price, I decided on the 360 Complete (without the cleaning system that needed to be plugged in all the time.)
  
  My first shave was very disappointing. It seemed to miss a lot and what it did shave, it didn't shave very close. However, I know it takes a while to get used to a new shaver, so I gave it a month. I also started shaving before showering based on the recommendation in the manual.
  
  Well, after a few months I'm still very dissapointed in this model. No matter how long I shave, and how thorough I am, it still misses and doesn't shave very close. I can feel stubble with my hands, but the shaver won't do any better. In fact, after shaving with the 360 Complete, I can take out my inexpensive FreeControl, and it finds and cuts the stubble that the 360 won't cut any closer.
  
  About the only positive I can say about the 360 Complete is the battery system. It charges quickly, and holds a charge for a long time. Which, of course, is necessary, because you have to shave a long time with it just to get a halfway decent shave.
  
  Bottom line: if you're considering the 360 Complete, do yourself a favor and buy the FreeControl instead. You'll save money and get much better results.
  
  
• Braun electric shaver
  By A36FNOATX1O1RN on 2007-01-09
  The shaver is fine and works as advertised. After using a razor blade for years, the electric shaver leaves something to be desired. It doesn't shave as close, but then, I suppose no electric shaver does.
  
  

• NuHair Hair Regrowth Tablets, for Men, 50-Count Bottle
• Braun 7680 Syncro Pro Solo Shaver Refurbished
• Braun Clean & Renew Refills (3 Pack)
• Oral-B Triumph Professional Care 9400 Power Toothbrush
• Oral B Floss Action 3 pack brush head refill

• Braun 8000 360 Complete Foil and Cutter Block for Models 8995, 8985 and 8975
• Braun Clean & Renew Refills (3 Pack)
• Braun 7000 Series Syncro Pro / Syncro Replacement Combo
• PocketGo P-70 Men's Shaver
• Braun Free Control 1775 Men's Shaver