Braun Series 5 Review – The EasyClean Generation
Braun Series 5 Electric Shaver
The Braun Series 5 of this generation is known as the EasyClean. It has a new body design compared to previous models, which is ergonomically friendly, and it performs well for an affordable shaver. While it is not in the same performance area as the top-end shavers, the Series 5 has shaved very well for me.
Pros
Good build quality and design
Ergonomically friendly
It provides a close and comfortable shave for a shaver at this price
As Braun states, it is easy to clean
Flexible movement of the shaving elements helps the shaver move along the contours of the face
It deserves a thumbs up for the balance of performance and cost
Cons
Leftover patches are frequently found that need more shaving
No cleaning dock or station with this model
The attachments are not that effective
The Braun Series 5 EasyClean is an electric shaver from a series of 1 – 9 (minus 2) manufactured by the popular German company–Braun.
The 5020cs, 5018s, 5035s, 5049cs, 5050cs are the US models, and the 50-B1200s, 50-W4650cs, 50-M4500cs , 50-W1500s , 50-B4650cs are the EU/UK models. They’re the exact same shaver, and there are likely more model numbers, but that covers more than enough. The different numbers correlate with color, the country they are sold, and the accessories or attachments the razor is sold with.
The above model numbers are all fundamentally the same shaver with the same design, cutting power, and ability.
2020 + New Generation – It’s worth noting that this shaver is from the 2020 new generation of series 5 shavers. There have been some changes since the pre-2020 models with pros and cons, but let’s stick to the current versions for this review article.
This model reviewed here is toted as the EasyClean Braun Series 5, which shaves wet or dry. I’ve added it to the annual best electric shavers roundup for men based on being an affordable shaver –and the best Braun shavers roundup.
In this review, I will run through the important features, test it out while shaving wet and dry, and try it out as a head shaver, although it’s primarily a facial shaver. I shall also mention who the Braun Series 5 is best suited for.
Description & Features
Unboxed, a buyer gets the shaver, manual, charging power lead, trimmer, and a small cleaning-up brush with the 5018S (50-B1200S) model I purchased. The standard 5 Series come with no attachments, and others have various attachments.
- Handle/Body – The slim handle within the body is shaped for a user’s hand. The sides of the body also have a soft rubber grip material.
- Blades – This shaver is a foil type that operates with three flexible blades. These movable blades adapt to the contours of a user’s face. Two of the cutters are foils for getting a close shave, and the middle cutter should help lift and/or reduce the size of longer hairs for the two outer foils to shave them close.
- Blade Head – The blade head is easily removed via the front and back indents that enable a user to clip the shaver head off, and it just clicks back into place from either side when clipped back on.
- Easy Clean System – Braun states the blades can be cleaned without removing the blade head. A user may run water through the whole shaver’s head, and then water runs through the bottom of the head with any shaving debris.
- Attachments – Each model of the Braun Series 5 may or may not come with attachments, depending on which model is purchased. The 5018s or 50-B1200s come with a trimmer, and the 5050cs or 50-W4650cs come with a trimmer attachment, body groomer attachment, and charging stand. These attachments are easily clipped on and off, just like the blade head mentioned above.
- Cordless – The shaver is cordless and has to be charged while plugged in before use, and it should not be used while plugged in. The lead fits into the bottom of the shaver and has an EU bathroom or US-type plug (it depends if it’s a US or EU model).
- Charging and Battery – The rechargeable Li-Ion should provide a user with 50 minutes of runtime, and it takes approximately 1 hour for the battery to charge fully.
- LED Display – A simple LED display shows when the shaver is charging, how much charge is left (3 lights for fully charged), and other indicator lights.
- Wet & Dry – Braun states this shaver is 100% waterproof and can be used in the shower or bath. They also state it can be used wet or dry and with shaving foam or gel.
- Warranty – A buyer gets a 2-year guarantee after purchasing this shaver.
LED Display
I must admit to having difficulty finding what all the LEDs were supposed to indicate. They can not be seen without being lit up, the manual was unclear, and Braun’s website gave very little information. I did work it all out eventually.
The indicators are as follows: Dots in the center for charging level, padlock for travel lock (press and hold to lock and unlock), red foil indicator for when the shaver head needs replacing, plug shape warning light to indicate a lead is attached when pressing the on button, and water droplets sign when the unit is placed in a smart charge and cleaning accessory that the shaver does not come with.
Build Quality and Ergonomics
Very good ergonomics and the slimline design with hand grips make the Series 5 very comfortable. The most fragile part of this shaver and all other electric shavers seems to be the head section with the cutters; otherwise, the whole unit feels solid.
This model has a fixed shaving head which is not as flexible while shaving as the higher-priced flexible head models. Buyers are looking at paying more for shavers with flexible heads compared to this model.
Some users may not appreciate having to attach the trimmer. Many shavers have the trimmer attached to the body that is released for use, which can be very useful, requiring no removal of the blade head. However, if you do not require a trimmer, you’ll be pleased it’s not attached.
Holding & Grip
Definitely designed very well. It is a perfect fit for most users’ hands, and there should be no slipping with the grip provided.
Charging and Battery
I cannot vouch for the longevity of battery life as I usually use, test, and review shavers, razors, and other products over a monthly period. I have not yet found any complaints about the longevity of battery life, which is encouraging.
The battery seems to take less than an hour to charge, and I get a lot of shaves out of each charge. The indicator lets a user know when the battery is running low and when it is fully charged.
Countries not using the two-prong EU plug sockets will need to use an EU two-prong adapter to plug the charger lead into the shaver when buying the 50-B1200s EU model. This does not apply to US and Canada models for users within the US and Canada.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning is a feature of this shaver that should stand out, hence why Braun calls it EasyClean (opening in the neck). It is very easy to clean and can be washed with warm water without removing the blades while shaving with it, but after using it, it still requires cleaning properly. I still remove the blades to make sure it’s cleaned very well.
The opening in the neck and system of allowing water to flush through is a kind of a gimmick, but it does work while rinsing in between shaving, especially while using soap or shaving creams. It just won’t clean it thoroughly.
The opening in the neck and system of allowing water to flush through is a kind of a gimmick but it does work while rinsing in between wet shaving.
Other Braun shavers come with a cleaning and charging station, which this series 5 does not. There is nothing wrong with simplicity and paying less!
Blades only need replacing every 18 months, which is great and keeps costs low after the initial purchase. Replacement heads cost around $34.99 US, £24.99 UK, and €27.99 EU.
The blade head just clips off and on easily. The blade head does come off at times when removing the foil protector cap, but it isn’t much of an issue; just take the cap off with care.
Shaving Performance
As usual, I spent about a month using and testing out the Braun Series 5 electric shaver to maximize how it performs.
I used it for wet shaving in the shower and out, with and without shaving foam, and dry shaving. I also tested out how well it shaved my head, even though it is primarily a face shaver.
Part of the test was also to use the shaver on various amounts of hair growth (i,e. daily, every 2 – 3 – and 4 days). With most electric shavers, including this Braun, up to 2 or 3 days is best, but I do like to push them a little at first for review purposes.
Part of the test was to also use the shaver on various amounts of hair growth (i,e,. daily, every 2 – 3 – and 4 days).
4 days of growth – This was way too much growth for the shaver to deal with, and I ended up with many patches and stray hairs. I could get the job done eventually, but it took a lot of shaving. Of course, the best way to shave with any electric razor is to get the hair trimmed down as close as possible with a trimmer or clippers first, so no real surprises there that it was a lot of work.
2 – 3 days – This was the ideal range and a lot easier, well –two days was best. I had to spend a few minutes shaving, but it was easy, and there were fewer patches of hair to pick up on after.
Daily – Using the Braun Series 5 every day kept the shave very close all the time; however, I am not a fan of shaving the neck daily as it can cause me irritation. This shaver was very good at not giving me neck irritation grief, which really surprised me.
How did it perform when shaving your head? As long as the hair was only a few millimeters long (best at hair clipper without a comb length) and no more than 2 – 3 days of growth, it gave a close shave and was reasonably easy to use, even at the back of the head.
It’s not quite as easy as a shaver like the Skull Shaver PitBull Gold. The PitBull is a shaver designed for head shaving; however, the Braun Series 5 has its own pros over these shavers designed specifically for head shaving (i.e., better at facial shaving).
The model with extra attachments might be best suited for head-shaving. A user can trim the hair on their head first before shaving with the foils with the attachments. However, these attachments are never as good to use as a dedicated trimmer, and I find these attachments next to useless.
Was wet or dry shaving best? I enjoy wet shaving; however, in terms of closeness, I did not notice any difference.
Wet shaving with foam did feel more comfortable, but I don’t like the residue that gets left inside electric shavers after using foam, soaps, and shaving creams. I do wonder if these may lessen the longevity of blades/cutters.
How close was the shave? Not quite as close as using a razor, but fairly close, with just the odd patches of stubble left that I could remove when going over the area more and with added pressure.
The longer flat-lying hairs were an issue, and the shaver found it hard to pick them up. This is why it works best without too much growth (i.e., less than 3 days).
Noise level? It’s fairly quiet and does not vibrate too much compared to others. This may be due to having a less powerful motor than other shavers I have used, which is great for reducing the noise and vibration level; however, this will not affect the performance.
Bottom Line – A surprisingly close shave that performs well daily or every two to three days. Good for a shaver within its price range and does the job OK, with effort, though.
Value for Money
Compared to high-end and very low-end electric shavers, the Braun Series 5 EasyClean is priced very well and affordable as a below mid-range shaver, costing approx $69.99+ US, £64.99+UK, and €109.99+ EU.
Prices may vary. The more basic (fewer attachments) a buyer purchases the series 5 with –the cheaper it will be.
Blade replacement, as mentioned above, is also affordable.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)
This could be a better-performing shaver; however, for an electric shaver within its mid-price range, it’s decent and has a lot of positives going for it. The main issue has been performance, which can improve when sticking an extra $50 or so toward the purchase.
It would suit guys who shave every two days or daily and don’t really have coarse hair. Gents who also shave their heads every 2 or 3 days may find it a good purchase.
It’s a shaver that’s just above budget-friendly and is better than much cheaper models, but as mentioned above, it’s a good shaver, but not great.
If a buyer can use any of the attachments for trimming hair, then go for that model; otherwise, they would be best suited to buy the cheapest with fewer attachments, like the Braun Series 5 5018cc (50-B1200S UK/EU) model. As I have mentioned above, these attachments are nearly useless in my experience, and dedicated trimmers or groomers work much better.
