Even though Braun entered the electric shaving market in 1950 with only one model, today, the company offers a wide range of models, Series, and accessories. The fact that Braun provides so many choices may make choosing the right shaver a challenge.
This guide will help you understand the differences between Braun shavers and narrow down your choices based on budget, performance, and features.
Model Overview
Model | Shaving Performance | Shaving Comfort | Features | Value | |
Braun Series 9 | |||||
Braun Series 8 | |||||
Braun Series 7 | |||||
Braun Series 6 | |||||
Braun Series 5 | |||||
Braun Series 3 |
Our Recommendation
The Braun shaver lineup is, to put it mildly, a bit confusing. There are six different “Series” of shavers currently being sold, and it is tough to differentiate between many of them. Furthermore, within each Series, not every model is available at all retailers, and sometimes there are retailer exclusive models that add even more confusion.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Braun continues to sell older generations when they release updated models. However, unlike Braun’s model lineup, our recommendations are simple.
Choose the Braun Series 7 790cc if you are looking for the right mix of shaving performance, features, and price. We believe that the Series 7 is worth the extra cost over the cheaper Braun models. Also, choose an older model (like the 790cc), which provides a better shave than the newer generation.
Choose the Braun Series 9 9370cc if you are looking for the best electric shaver on the market today. There are a few additional features included with the Series 9 compared to the Series 7. However, some features, such as automatic drying, longer battery life, and a better shaving head, only make a slight difference in shaving performance.
Still not sure which Braun shaver is best for you? Read on. We have broken down (almost) all of the Braun shavers available on the market today. We also have linked to our full reviews and direct comparisons between models if you want to jump into the weeds.
What to Consider
Updated Shaver Lineup
Braun has revamped its entire shaver lineup over the past two years. As a result, two more Braun models join a lineup that is already difficult to distinguish with the Series 8 and Series 6.
In addition, Braun also updated their popular Series 7 and Series 5 lineups to bring the designs closer to recently released models.
Braun didn’t just update the design with the latest update to the Series 7 & Series 5. Instead, they redesigned the shaving heads and other parts of the shaver, making the updated models less capable than the older models they are replacing.
While the newer Series 5 and Series 7 are often cheaper than older models, we recommend that you buy the older models while they are still available to get the best shaving performance.
Different Models within Series
When shopping for Braun shavers, the most common question is: what is the difference between models within a Braun series? There can be several different things between the models within each Series, including the color of the shaver, accessories, or features.
We recommend the model that offers the right combination of price, features, and accessories that most people will use. If you are deciding between models within a series, first identify which generation the model is from. Braun often sells shavers from multiple generations under the same Series. While the included accessories may change between models, the shaving performance within a generation is usually the same.
The tweaks between generations are often minor and primarily cosmetic, but Braun delivers a more significant update every few years that can change shaving performance. If there are substantial differences between generations of a model, our full reviews will mention them.
Cleaning Station or No Cleaning Station?
One of the most significant differences between Braun models in each Series is the accessories that are included. Often the biggest difference between models within a Series is if they have a Clean & Charge station.
Fortunately, you can quickly identify if a model comes with a Clean & Charge station. If the model number ends with a “cc”, it will include the Clean & Charge station. However, if the model ends with an “s”, it will not have the cleaning station.
We recommend buying a model with a cleaning station so that you can ensure the shaver is adequately cleaned and fully charged before each use. Having a clean and fully charged shaver will improve shaving performance and comfort.
If you are willing to clean the shaver after each shave manually, you can save some money by choosing a model without a clean and charge station.
Model Details
THE BEST ELECTRIC SHAVER
Braun Series 9
We believe the Braun Series 9 is the best electric shaver currently on the market. The shaving performance, comfort, and features are unmatched in the Braun shaving lineup.
Feature Highlights
- 4 cutting elements + SkinGuard shaving head
- Built-in Trimmer
- Travel case and travel lock
- 60 Minute Battery Life
- Cleaning Station with Active Drying (Some Models)
- Wet or Dry Use
Released in 2015, the Series 9 includes all of Braun’s most innovative features and technologies. Braun took many of the elements that made the Series 7 a huge success and improved them where possible.
The Series 9 delivers a close and comfortable shave with all the advanced features you would expect from a top-of-the-line shaver.
Compared to the Series 7, the Braun Series 9 offers a more comfortable and quicker shave due to the improved shaving head with an additional cutting element. In addition, the battery life is best in class, and when holding the shaver, you will feel like you are holding a premium appliance.
While most people can get a similar shave with the Series 7, the Braun Series 9 is more effective at cutting 2-3 day stubble than any other Braun shavers. Braun claims that the Series 9 can shave through 3-day stubble, but this will depend on how thick your beard is. The Series 9 certainly has the power to cut through a multi-day stubble, but your comfort is another story.
For the most comfortable shave, we would shave every day or every other day. Longer than that and you may want to trim your beard before using an electric shaver.
While the Braun Series 9 offers the best overall shave on the market today, the Panasonic Arc5 can provide a closer shave. It isn’t as comfortable or as easy to use as the Series 9, but it is worth considering if you want the closest shave an electric shaver can provide.
Our Verdict: Choose the Braun Series 9 if you are looking for the best shaver currently on the market. No other shaver will provide as close and comfortable shave as the Series 9. If you want the most comfortable and closest shave that Braun can offer, buy the Series 9.
Recommended Model: Braun Series 9 (9370cc)
Related: Braun Series 9 Review
Braun Series 8
Braun’s Series 8 is one of the most confusing models the company sells. The Series 8 incorporates elements from the Series 9, Series 7, and Series 5. Shaving performance is comparable to the Series 5 and Series 7. But we would still recommend the Series 7 for most people.
Feature Highlights
- 3 cutting elements + SkinGuard shaving head
- Built-in Trimmer
- Travel case and travel lock
- 60 Minute Battery Life
- Clean & Charge Station
- Wet or Dry Use
Released in 2019, the Braun Series 8 is one of Braun’s newest models. The numbering would have you believe this shaver fits between the Series 9 and the Series 7. Unfortunately, the shaving performance of the Series 8 is much closer to the Series 5 & Series 7 than the top-of-the-line Series 9.
While the shaving performance may not be a significant improvement, it has some upgraded features from the Series 7, including longer battery life and a better battery indicator. It also is slightly quieter than the Series 7.
Our Verdict: The Braun Series 8 shaving performance is similar to the Series 7, but it can be harder to find. We prefer the Series 7 and would recommend it over the Series 8.
Recommended Model: Braun Series 8 (8370cc)
OUR TOP PICK
Braun Series 7
The Braun Series 7 delivers the electric shave most people want. This well-built shaver gives a smooth, close shave, long enough battery life, and the right features to make it an excellent choice for most people.
Feature Highlights
- 3 cutting elements + SkinGuard shaving head
- Pop-up or Attachable Trimmer
- Travel case and travel lock
- 50 Minute Battery Life
- Clean & Charge Station
- Wet or Dry Use (Most Models)
Even after ten years on the market, the Braun Series 7 remains one of the best electric shavers you can purchase. While the Series 9 offers a slightly more comfortable shave, most people will be happy with the shave you can get from the Series 7. In addition, most models can be used in both wet and dry conditions.
The Series 7’s shaving head uses three cutting elements and features Braun’s SkinGuard technology, making the shave more comfortable than the cheaper Braun models. It also includes Braun’s sonic technology that uses micro-vibrations to help lift the hair from the face before it is cut. Although this may sound like just a marketing gimmick, we have found that the feature lifts the hair effectively, requiring fewer passes over the same area.
The 50-minute battery life is sufficient for most trips, and the travel case will protect the shaver from turning on while in your suitcase. The cleaning station is well built, and we would recommend buying a model that includes the cleaning station for convenience.
New Series 7 vs Old Series 7
In early 2020, Braun released an updated model of the Series 7 to the United States. The new models come with a lower price and feature an updated design with a new shaving head. Unfortunately, these newer models feature more plastic in the shaving head and feel less solid than older models.
In our experience, the older models are slightly more comfortable to use and require fewer passes over the same area. One notable change is the new Autosense technology in the new Series 7. Unlike the multiple speed modes offered on the older Series 7, the newer models will sense the density of your beard and automatically adjust the power.
We prefer the older models and the ability to choose a faster or slower speed for more sensitive areas like the neck. These changes all add up to a slightly less impressive shaver than the older Series 7 was. Many of these changes appear to have been made to create greater separation between the top-of-the-line Series 9 and the Series 7.
While Braun still sells both the old and new Series 7, we recommend buying one of the older models while they are still available.
| Braun Series 7 | Model #s |
| Old Series 7 (1st and 2nd Generation) | 7xx, 78xx |
| New Series 7 (3rd Generation) | 70xx |
Our Verdict: The Braun Series 7 provides the best combination of performance, features, and price of any electric shaver on the market today. Despite our preference for the older Series 7, most people will be satisfied with any generation of the Series 7.
OUR PICK
Braun Series 7
790cc
Key Advantages
NEW DESIGN
Braun Series 7
7075cc
Key Advantages
Recommended Model: Braun Series 7 (790cc)
Related: Braun Series 7 Review
Braun Series 6
The Braun Series 6 is one of the newest additions to Braun’s shaver lineup, but there are better Braun shavers available for the same price. You should consider upgrading to the Series 7 for a better shave or buying a Series 5 for a comparable shave at a lower price.
Feature Highlights
- 3 cutting elements + SkinGuard shaving head
- Attachable Trimmer
- Travel case and travel lock
- 50 Minute Battery Life
- Clean & Charge Station
- Wet or Dry Use
Released in 2019, the new Braun Series 6 doesn’t seem to offer a compelling reason to purchase it over the Series 7 or the older Series 5. Its features are nearly the same as those of the other Braun models, it includes the same accessories, and even its design is close to identical.
The Series 6 feels like it was designed to hit the $100 price point only. As a result, it has some minor changes you might not notice, but the result is a shave you’d be hard-pressed to recommend.
The Series 6 shaver uses the same shaving head as the new Series 5 (53b). However, unlike the Series 7 shaving head that moves in three directions (up, down, left-to-right), this new Series 6 shaving head only moves in two directions (up and down). Likewise, the Series 6 offers slightly less power than the Series 7, which may cause discomfort if you shave less frequently.
Due to these two slight differences, the Series 6 requires additional passes to get a close and comfortable shave compared to the Series 7.
Our Verdict: With almost identical features, battery life, and accessories, we recommend upgrading to the Series 7 for a more comfortable and faster shave. If the Series 7 is out of your price range, consider the older models of the Series 5. Compared to the Series 6, we prefer the shave of the older Series 5.
Braun Series 5
The Braun Series 5 offers a good shave experience for most people who will shave every day. The Series 5 may require more passes over the same area compared to the more expensive Braun models, but the closeness will be competitive with the Series 7.
Feature Highlights
- 3 cutting elements
- Popup or Attachable Trimmer
- Travel cover and travel lock
- 50 Minute Battery Life
- Clean & Charge Station
- Wet or Dry Use
Like the Braun Series 7, the Braun Series 5 went through a massive redesign in 2020. This has resulted in multiple generations of the Series 5 being sold at the same time. Due to this, Braun’s Series 5 shaver has occupied an odd position in its shaver lineup for the past few years. Prior to the launch of Series 9, the Series 5 occupied the middle market between the Series 3 and the Series 7.
As Braun’s lineup has evolved to include the Series 6, 8, and 9, it’s challenging to determine which market is being targeted by the Series 5.
With the Series 5, you can shave through a day or two’s worth of stubble. However, if you typically shave every other day or less frequently, we recommend upgrading to the Series 7.
The closeness of the shave is satisfactory, but not up to that of a Braun Series 9 or even a Panasonic Arc3, which can often be found for the same price.
The Series 5 does not have the sonic technology that the Series 7 and Series 9 do. Without these vibrations, it can sometimes take more passes over the same area to capture all the hair. These extra passes, combined with the lack of the SkinGuard offered in the more expensive models, result in a shave that isn’t as comfortable as those more expensive shavers.
While it may not be as comfortable as some of the other Braun shavers, it is still more comfortable than most Panasonic, Philips, or Remington shavers we have reviewed.
The Braun Series 5 offers most of the features and accessories that have become standard in Braun’s lineup. Battery life of 50 minutes, a pop-up or attachable trimmer, and a cleaning center all enhance the daily use of the shaver.
New Series 5 vs Old Series 5
We believe that the older generation of the Series 5 offers a better shave than the newer models. The difference in price between the old and new models represents the difference in shave quality. It also includes several features we prefer over the latest models, including a pop-up trimmer vs. an attachable one and stronger build quality.
The newer models offer a shave closer to the Series 3 than the Series 7, while the previous generation of the Series 5 provides a shave comparable to the Series 7.
While the Series 5 can deliver a shave similar to the Series 7, it often requires more passes. This is because it has fewer pivot points, a slightly less powerful motor, and does not have the sonic vibration technology that helps lift hair from the skin.
Our Verdict: The Braun Series 5 offers a good shave and is reasonably comfortable. The older models of the Series 5 offer a shave close to the Series 7, while the newer models are a step down in shaving comfort and closeness. However, we think most people will appreciate the better shave of the Series 7 for the slight increase in price.
Recommended Model: Braun Series 5 (5190cc)
THE BEST BUDGET SHAVER
Braun Series 3
The Braun Series 3 is currently the best budget shaver you can buy, but budget shaver users should expect some limitations in the shaving experience. The Series 3 is most suitable for those with thin beards or as a travel shaver. The quality of your shave will likely suffer if you have a thicker beard or if you go more than a day without shaving.
Feature Highlights
- 3 cutting elements
- Popup or Attachable Trimmer
- 45 Minute Battery Life
- Wet or Dry Use
The Braun Series 3 is Braun’s entry-level model that delivers on being a good budget shaver. While it is more expensive than some competitors, the Series 3 offers what we would consider to be the minimum acceptable shaving experience. But for some people, that will be enough, and the price is a fantastic entry point to dip your toe into electric shaving.
The Series 3 does not offer any of the advanced features of the more expensive models. Still, it does include wet and dry capability, a rechargeable battery, and a pop-up or attachable trimmer. We would recommend skipping any model of the Series 3 that includes a cleaning station. Instead, look at the Series 5, which is usually available around the same price and will provide a better shave.
The Series 3 shaving performance is limited by the shaving head’s lack of movement, which can make it difficult to shave around the jaw and neck. Expect to have to make multiple passes over the same area to get a clean shave.
In general, the Series 3 struggles most with thicker beards or shaving every other day or less frequently. If you shave every day, have a thin beard, and are looking to spend less than $100, consider the Series 3. However, if you have a thicker beard, you will appreciate the more powerful and better shaving Series 5 or Series 7.
Recommended Model: Braun Series 3 (3040s)
Related: Braun Series 3 Review
