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Braun vs Philips Electric Shavers for Men

Even in the midst of “peak beard”, few can’t deny the appeal of a freshly-shaven face. 

Getting your hands on the right shaving tool will result in the best shave, but that’s easier said than done.

Now, you’ve most likely heard or Braun and their rival Philips – the leaders in men’s electric shavers. What you want to know is, which brand is best?

The truth is, you can’t really go wrong with either brand, they both offer exceptional shaving performance.

But to help you narrow your choice down, here’s a list of our top 5 recommended Braun and Philips shavers.

What it Takes for an Electric Shaver to Make the Cut?

Let’s consider the criteria necessary for an electric shaver to make our Top 5 list:

Performance. Closeness, comfort, battery life and overall efficiency help define how well an electric shaver performs. What works best for one face may not suit another equally well. That’s why learning about, testing and comparing various models is important.

Wet or dry operation. Each of our top five reviewed electric shavers can be used wet or dry – an important feature that can maximize both efficiency and comfort.

Ergonomics. An electric shaver is a tool, and like any tool, it should feel good in your hand – easy to hold, non-fatiguing, and highly maneuverable.

Value. Electric shavers range widely in price. Whether under £50 or over £100, it’s important that an electric shaver provide good value – a metric based as much on an objective analysis of features as a subjective interpretation of what those features are worth.

Brand reputation. To purchase an electric shaver is to make an investment into your appearance. It’s little wonder that every shaver on our list was designed and manufactured by Braun or Philips – both leaders in grooming and personal care appliances.

Positive customer feedback and reviews. A brand’s reputation is driven as much by product quality as by consumer trust. We recommend electric shavers based not only on the above criteria, but consistently high scores and positive customer feedback from reputable online vendors.

Braun Vs Philips – Top 5 Rated Electric Shavers

In the following section, you’ll learn more about the key features and unique benefits of our current, top five recommended electric shavers – so keep reading!

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s

Sporting a black and electric turquoise colour scheme, Braun’s eye-catching Series 3 ProSkin 3040s is the most affordably-priced of our top five electric shavers. But at just under £50, can it deliver the goods?

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s Key Features

  • Three efficient, pressure-sensing, comfort-maximizing shaving elements
  • Micro Comb captures more hair than other Series 3 shavers
  • Long lasting, rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery
  • Works wet or dry, with gel, foam or water
  • German-engineered for precision and performance

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s – an Overview

Close-Cutting Performance

The Braun ProSkin 3040s utilizes three cutting elements to provide a close, comfortable shave. Each cutting element is comprised of a special, pressure-sensitive blade, and Braun’s patented SensoFoil mesh. It’s a unique combination – the blades retract under pressure, and the mesh glides smoothly over skin, cutting hair closely, without irritation.

Furthering the Series 3 ProSkin’s cutting performance is the middle cutting element – it’s innovatively designed to lift and capture hair in dozens of bilaterally-arranged channels, complementing the traditional mesh foil found on the outer two cutting elements.

Up to A Week of Shaves from a Single Charge

Powered by a high-capacity nickel-metal hydride battery, the ProSkin 3040s provides up to 45 minutes of runtime on a one-hour charge. That’s enough for up to a week of daily shaves – and if the battery happens to drain, a quick charge feature will have the 3040s up and running long enough for a single shave, in only five minutes.

One Hundred Percent Waterproof

The ability to withstand submersion in five metres of water means the Braun ProSkin 3040s can safely be used wet (in the shower, and with cream or gel), and rinsed off in the sink, making cleanup a breeze. And if you’re pressed for time (or simply prefer not to shave wet), the Series 3 3040s provides a perfectly smooth, comfortable dry shave.

Thoughtfully Designed Grip

Nobody wants to drop their electric shaver onto the bathroom counter, in the sink, or worst of all, in the tub! Fortunately, Braun put a lot of thought into the Series 3 ProSkin’s handle – it’s long enough to hold with four fingers, and ergonomically shaped, with a rounded, rubberized bottom and a slight swell at the top. Dimpled side panels further ensure a solid grip and good control.

Why You Should Buy It

Currently available for around £50 (at the time of writing – price varies), Braun’s Series 3 ProSkin provides great value. For less than the cost of three packages of a popular multi-bladed razor cartridge, the ProSkin 3040s feels great to hold and operate, is innovatively designed, and provides a smooth, close shave, even in the shower. If you’re new to the world of electric shavers, it would be hard to go wrong with the Series 3 ProSkin 3040s!

Related: Best Electric Shaver for Men

Philips OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver

The Philips OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 Hybrid Trimmer and Shaver is a real eye-pleaser. But what lies beneath this tall, slim shaver’s tasteful grey and black exterior (and the brightly-coloured, attention-grabbing blade)?

Philips OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 Key Features

  • Edges up, trims down, and removes hair of any length
  • Lithium battery charges fast and runs for ninety minutes
  • Digital display provides battery status
  • Includes 2-pin charging plug and blade
  • Wet or dry operation

Philips OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 Overview

Philipe-oneblade-pro-set

Versatility Exemplified

The OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 is versatile, capable of shaving, trimming, and detailing facial hair. The included precision comb is adjustable in fourteen increments, making it easy to maintain stubble (of as little as 0.4 mm in length), or a short beard (of up to 10 mm in length).

Though the OneBlade Pro’s shaving head resembles a normal razor cartridge, it’s anything but.

Unlike ordinary razors, which must be rotated to shave against the grain, the OneBlade can be operated in either direction, improving the quality of your shave, and saving you time. The flat blade’s dual-direction swiveling action follows the contours of your face, chin, jaw, and neck, requiring fewer passes than a fixed-head razor. The result is a closer, smoother, significantly more comfortable shave—even if you have sensitive skin.

Advanced Lithium Battery for Superior Runtime

To say that Philips knows technology would be an understatement – the company is one of the largest designers and manufacturers of electronic products in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that the OneBlade Pro QP6650/30 includes a large-capacity, fast-charging lithium-ion battery that powers the OneBlade for a whopping ninety minutes after only one hour of charging.

Water-Resistant Design for Extra Comfort and Ease of Cleaning

The Philips OneBlade Pro is highly water-resistant, making it possible to use in the shower, even with shaving foam. Though the OneBlade’s dry performance is perfectly adequate, shaving in the shower maximizes comfort – the moist air and warm water open pores and lift up hairs. After use, simply rinse the shaver off under the tap.

Long, Tapered Handle for Great Grip and Control

If any electric shaver could be described as “elegant”, it would be the OneBlade Pro. Its handle is long, with a large, textured section, and a narrow head that flares slightly at the sides while elegantly angling toward the face to reduce wrist strain and improve shaving accuracy. Though lacking the heavy rubberization and extreme contouring of some electric shavers, you should have no trouble holding onto and operating the OneBlade Pro.

OneBlade Pro Rating

Philips OneBlade Pro does more than the average shaver, for a better than average price.

If you love the precision of regular razor cartridges, but are tired of paying through the nose, try the OneBlade Pro. If you shave some, but not all of the time, try the OneBlade Pro. If your skin is sensitive, if you shave in the shower, if you want a versatile,  affordable electric shaver with a long-lasting battery – try the OneBlade Pro!

Related: Philips OneBlade Pro Review

Braun Series 5 50-B1200s Electric Shaver

Braun’s Series 5 50-B1200s is a technologically advanced foil shaver. Designed for men with sensitive skin, the Series 5 50-B1200s provides comfort without sacrificing performance. It’s also the costlier of the two Braun shavers on our top 5 list. Keep reading to find out why it makes the cut!

Braun Series 5 50-B1200s Electric Shaver Key Features

braun series 5 shaver
  • Features FlexMotionTec to reduce skin pressure and irritation
  • UltraActiveLift lifts and cuts flat hairs from difficult to reach areas
  • CrossHair blades cut closer, making each shave last longer
  • Wet or dry design permits use of foam or gel, even in the shower
  • Precision engineered to cut more hair with each pass
  • Includes trimmer for moustache and sideburn shaping
  • MultiHead lock locks head at five angles for more precise shaving

Braun Series 5 50-B1200s Electric Shaver Overview

Four Advanced Technologies, One Great Shaver

The Series 5 50-B1200s electric shaver is packed with technology – like dual-function FlexMotionTec, which not only provides independent suspension of every cutting element but allows the shaver head to pivot over a 40-degree range.

That’s a big step beyond an ordinary swiveling head and allows each cutting element to adjust to even the smallest facial contour.

To help ensure that no hair is left behind, Braun also incorporated UltraActiveLift—an asymmetrical middle cutting element that captures flat-lying problem hairs from the neck and chin areas and pulls them into the finely spaced CrossHair blades that cut extra-closely, for a long-lasting shave.

A Big Battery for a Powerful Motor

Braun’s Series 5 50-B1200s electric shaver is a powerhouse. Integral to its performance is a PowerDrive motor, that provides up to twenty percent more power than previous generations of Braun shavers. To drive that much torque, Braun used an advanced, rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides 45 minutes of runtime from a 60-minute charge. In keeping with the 5140s’s high-tech design, battery status is indicated by an integrated LED display.

Wet or Dry Operation for Anytime, Anywhere Comfort

Make no mistake: the Series 5 50-B1200s delivers an excellent dry shave (how could it not, with so much technology under the hood?). But for the smoothest, most refreshing shave possible, try the Braun 50-B1200s men’s shaver with luxuriant lather from your favourite cream or gel, under a hot running shower. Have no fear – this Series 5 shaver is one hundred percent waterproof.

Fits Like a Glove

Short and stout, the Braun Series 5 50-B1200s is nevertheless well-suited to most hands. The handle maintains a fairly consistent width up to its top third, where it flares outward to accommodate the shaving head. However, a thinner profile and dimpled, rubberized sides allow your hand to wrap comfortably around the shaver, providing excellent comfort and control.

Braun Series 5 Electric Shaver Review – Bottom Line

If you’ve been disappointed by other, simpler electric shavers, consider the Braun Series 5 5140s Shaver. It’s waterproof, loaded with technology, and designed to excel where many shavers fail. Though costlier than the Series 3 ProSkin 3040s, the individually-suspended cutting elements and high-torque motor promise to make short work of even the most stubborn beard.

Related: Full Braun Series 5 Review

Philips Series 5000 S5579/50 Electric Shaver

The act of shaving – which, if we’re being honest, involves dragging a sharp blade over one’s face – carries the potential for irritation, or worse, injury. That’s why Philips designed its round-headed Series 5000 electric shaver to provide ten times the protection of a regular blade.

Philips Series 5000 S5579/50 Key Features

philips series 5000 rotary electric shaver
  • Protects ten times better than regular blade
  • MultiPrecision Blade System lifts and cuts long and short hairs
  • Five-direction flex heads cut close everywhere
  • SmartClick precision trimmer tames sideburns and moustaches
  • One hundred percent waterproof design
  • 2-pin bathroom plug included

Philips Series 5000 S5579/50 – What’s on Offer

Close, Fast and Flexible Performance

Not all facial hair grows in an outward direction. Even as a beard becomes longer, some hairs continue to lie flat against the skin. That’s why the Series 5000 utilizes Philips’ patented, dual-blade Super Lift & Cut Action, which first lifts each hair, then cuts slightly – and comfortably – below the skin, for an exceptionally smooth shave.

Of course, great results don’t count for much if they take too long to achieve. The Philips MultiPrecision Blade System works in tandem with Super Lift & Cut, clearing away any remaining stubble in just a few quick passes. And for maximum comfort and closeness, the Series 5000’s Flex Heads move in five independent directions, following facial contours – even in tricky areas, like the neck, chin, and jaw.

Up to Two Weeks of Shaves on a Single Charge

Like most quality electric shavers, the Philips Series 5000 provides 45 minutes of cordless runtime from a one-hour charge. That’s enough for one to two weeks of shaving, depending on how much time you take.

Sealed Against Water for Wet or Dry Use

The incorporated AquaTouch Wet & Dry Seal means you can shave however you prefer – quickly, without the use of foam or gel, more slowly, in the shower with the lather of your choice, or outside of the shower, with foam or gel. A waterproof electric shaver maximizes your options.

Superb Ergonomics

Unlike many other electric shavers, the Philips Series 5000 S5579/50 incorporates a double handle-taper, tapering once near the middle, and again under the shaving head. In addition, the topmost portion of the handle (which supports the head) angles away from the face, creating a nook for your fingers, and virtually eliminating slippage.

Is it Worth The Money?

If foil shavers don’t suit you – perhaps your facial contours are particularly pronounced, or your beard is thicker or denser than average – consider the Philips Series 5000 electric shaver. It provides good value, and is a great example of how closeness, comfort, and speed can be mutually inclusive.

Related: Philips Series 5000 Electric Shaver Review

Philips Series 7000 S7788/55 Electric Shaver

Bearing more than a slight resemblance to the Series 5000 electric shaver, Philips’ Series 7000 S7788/55 takes the pursuit of skin comfort one step further. Designed especially for men with sensitive skin, the Series 7000 incorporates a unique, friction-reducing design feature not found on other electric shavers.

Philips Series 7000 S7788/55 Electric Shaver Key Features

Philips-S7788-55-electric-shaver
  • Proven, dermatologically-tested anti-friction design
  • High-precision cutting system cuts close while protecting skin
  • Flex heads move in five directions, following facial contours
  • Aqua Tec-sealed against water for wet or dry operation
  • SmartClick precision trimmer keeps moustaches and sideburns tidy

Philips Series 7000 S7788/55 Electric Shaver Overview

Built-in Comfort for an Irritation-Free Shave

A lot of thought went into the Philips Series 7000 electric shaver. Take the blade system – the boomerang-shaped slots on each rotating head were carefully designed to capture and cut all types of facial hair – including short, long, and flat-lying – at the ideal depth. The result is a close shave, without sacrificing comfort for performance.

Philips’ three patented DynamicFlex heads move easily and independently in five directions, ensuring the removal of hair from even the most difficult areas (typically the jawline, chin and neck).

And surrounding each DynamicFlex head is a “comfort ring”, covered in a high-tech, ultra-smooth, low-resistance, powder-like coating comprised of thousands of invisibly small microbeads. Those beads markedly reduce friction, resulting in significantly less redness and irritation.

Large Capacity Battery Provides Nearly an Hour of Shaving

With a slight edge over the aforementioned Series 5000 electric shaver, the Series 7000’s high-capacity lithium-ion battery provides up to 50 minutes of cordless runtime from a one-hour charge. And, in the unlikely event that the battery runs out, a five-minute quick charge is all that’s needed for one full shave.

Easy to Hold, Easy to Operate

Just like the Series 5000 electric shaver, the Series 7000 features a double-tapered handle and angled support on which the shaver headrests, allowing your palm and fingers to nestle in place, and maneuver the shaver with ease. On one side of the Series 7000 is a large, rubberized section that further enhances your grip.

Philips Series 7000 Overall Rating

Though the costliest of our top five electric shavers, the Philips Series 7000 S7788/55 stands out from the crowd, thanks to its advanced, friction-fighting comfort rings. And the close-cutting, high-speed performance, fifty-minute runtime, Aqua Tec sealing and excellent ergonomics are nothing to sneeze at, either. Highly recommended!

Related: Philips Series 7000 Electric Shaver Review

There you have it, a run-down and overview of all the top Braun and Philips electric shavers for men.

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