Panasonic ES-LT4B 700 Series (Lamdash 3) Shaver Review: A Mid- Range Priced Shaver To Consider

Panasonic ES-LT4B-A

7.6 out of 10

The Panasonic ES-LT4B is a neat, modern-looking, mid-priced shaver. While it lacks head movement and is not feature-full with bells and whistles, I see it as a good option for those who will have a preference for the slim head design and a fair price tag.

Design & Ergonomics

7.5 out of 10

Is the shaver comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver? Is it designed well?

Features

7 out of 10

Do the features improve the shaver? Any additional features that are useful and practical?

Contouring and Skin Contact

7 out of 10

Does the shaver move smoothly along contours and maintain contact with the skin?

Tricky Hairs/Areas and Leftovers

7 out of 10

Good for shaving long, flat-lying, or tricky hairs and areas?

Close Shave

8.5 out of 10

How close were the shaves?

Comfortable Shave

8 out of 10

Was shaving comfortable? Any irritation?

Value for Money

8 out of 10

Is it worth what's on the price tag when compared with others?

Pros

A modern design that is also minimalistic, which I could see some men favoring

I found the slimline head and its shaving elements useful for shaving around the mouth and under the nose areas

The pop-up detailed trimmer works quite well for trimming sideburns

Some men might favor the slimline and minimalistic design

It is easy to clean and collects debris well in the head section

Cons

Adding a rubberized grip section would be a good practical feature

It is not the best for coarse or multi-directional growth

It can leave stubborn patches and tricky hairs when shaving over 72 hours of growth

The push-button design, which removes the foil head, is quite minimal (functional, though)

The Panasonic ES-LT4B electric shaver is also known as the Panasonic 700 Series or Panasonic Arc 3. In Japan, it’s known as the Panasonic Lamdash 3.

It’s a fairly lightweight shaver with three shaving elements, and I’d say it sits within the mid-price range of the latest electric shavers.

Panasonic seems to be making quite a lot of use of this three-shaving-element design. I’ve previously used and reviewed the Panasonic RM3B, which is a very slimline and unique shaver, and the Panasonic ES-CM3 compact shaver.

This Panasonic ES-LT4B is a little closer to what I’d consider a standard-looking electric shaver, although it does have a contemporary, modern, and slightly minimalist appearance.

In this review, I’ll cover:

• Design, important specs & features
• Personal experience with performance
• Pros & cons from my experience
• Who it’s best suited for

Features

The ES-LT4B model I purchased came with a Blade Cap Cover, Charging Cable & Plug, Fabric Travel Pouch, Cleaning Brush, Lubrication Oil, and a Mini User Manual. A pretty simple kit!

The model I have is Deep Blue (as the visuals probably show, and others I have seen are Deep Red, Black, and a Star Wars Special Edition White.

Design and Ergonomics

One of the first things I noticed about the ES-LT4B is how lightweight it is. It weighs around 150g, so it is noticeably lighter than some of the larger, higher-end electric shavers I’ve used.

The weight is mainly towards the head, but it doesn’t feel particularly top-heavy when I’m shaving. The downside is that the handle has quite a plasticky feel, with a slightly hollow feel to it. That’s not necessarily a problem at this price, but it doesn’t give the same solid, premium impression as some of Panasonic’s more expensive models.

The grip is another area where I think Panasonic could have done better. There are lines on the back of the handle where my forefinger sits, but there isn’t much in the way of rubberized material. I would have preferred some additional grip, particularly around the front where my thumb naturally rests. Panasonic does this better on some of its higher-end shavers like the Panasonic Arc 5 and Arc 6.

The power button is recessed into the handle, which I like. It makes it less likely that I’ll accidentally switch the shaver on while I’m handling it or taking it in and out of a bag.

There’s also a pop-up detail trimmer on the back. I wouldn’t use it as a replacement for a dedicated beard trimmer. Still, Panasonic’s pop-up trimmers are generally quite good, and I find them useful for tidying up my sideburns.

I must admit that I find the aesthetics modern-looking and attractive, and I can see some guys may actually like the minimalist design it has.

Head and Blades

The ES-LT4B has three shaving elements: two foils and a central trimmer. The foils can flex independently, while the central trimmer helps pick up some of the flatter or more awkward hairs that the foils might otherwise miss.

The head itself moves from side to side rather than backward and forward. At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would like this because I’m more accustomed to shavers that have some front-to-back movement. In practice, though, I’ve found that the side-to-side movement is particularly useful around areas such as underneath my nose, along the chin, and around the jaw.

It doesn’t completely compensate for the lack of front-to-back movement, and I still prefer the flexibility of some of the more expensive shavers I’ve used. Still, I don’t see the head movement as the disadvantage I initially expected it to be.

I show the head movement in the next clip alongside the Panasonic Arc 5 head movement to give you a comparison.

The foil head section and two blades are separate units, unlike some shavers like Braun and others that keep all components in one cassette. I like this separation for making sure I clean thoroughly, but I also like the other one-component cassettes for ease of replacement.

The foil head is removed via two press buttons on the sides. While the buttons are basic and not like what we get on a Braun S8 or S9 and some other shavers, I find it easy enough to detach and attach the head. I’m not sure about the longevity of the clips that the head attaches to, though; after attaching and detaching many times, I could see them wearing, as they dont seem that solid (just an observation).

The foil section has its own two side buttons within the head, which are more noticeable when we take the head off. I find that is also easy to detach and attach and maybe slightly flimsy, but I would not remove the foil-only component very often (not even for cleaning).

In the next clip, I show how the cassette and cutters are removed and replaced.

Battery, Charging, LEDs and Travel Lock

Panasonic states the battery lasts around 45 minutes of use, and that is roughly what I’m getting from it in my testing. A full charge takes me about an hour.

If the battery does run out mid-shave, there is also a quick three-minute boost function that gives enough power for one quick shave.

The LEDs are fairly basic, as I expected. There is a low-battery indicator and a charging indicator, but we don’t get the detailed percentage display found on some shavers (usually higher-end shavers) that I do like to have.

Panasonic uses its own charging adapter rather than USB-C or a standard USB connection, and the adapter is relatively bulky. That’s not a huge issue if I’m using the shaver at home, but it is something I’d take into consideration if I wanted a compact travel shaver or fewer non-USB-type adapters around the home. While some guys like to have a Type-C connection for convenience, I believe they are not as stable, and the connection can weaken compared to the solid proprietary types.

They have been very generous with the length of the charging cable, which some users might appreciate. This long cord would have been useful if it could have been used while charging; however, the shaver can only be used cordless.

I am glad it has a useful travel lock. It is activated by holding the power button for a few seconds. We deactivate the travel lock by pressing and holding the power button again. A white light will light up when activating and deactivating the travel lock, which is above a travel lock icon below the power button.

Shaving Foam Mode

The ES-LT4B also has a shaving foam mode. We press and hold the power button, and the light flashes red and white, allowing the shaver to be used to create shaving foam with a small amount of cleanser in our hands.

I’ve tried the feature, but honestly, I don’t see myself using it. It might appeal to someone who specifically wants to incorporate a lathering routine into their electric shave. Still, for the way I use an electric shaver, I think it’s more of a novelty than something that adds much value. Just putting the lather, foam, or other lubricant on the face first is easy enough anyway.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The ES-LT4B can be rinsed under running water, and there is a water inlet on the front of the shaver head that allows water to pass through the head during cleaning. I tend to give it a quick clean after a few shaves and then do a more thorough wet clean when needed.

I dont find that water inlet (Water Through Feature) sufficient for cleaning and prefer to clean with the normal method I use. That inlet is a plastic cover that I found slides down easily enough.

My cleaning routine:

• Remove the protective cap and remove any loose hair and debris. I normally blow out what I can and use the supplied cleaning brush for anything left behind (minus brushing the foil sections, which may damage them).
• Put the cap back on before the wet-cleaning stage, then apply a couple of small blobs of antibacterial hand soap (optional) to the foils and add a little water.
• Run the shaver for around 10 seconds. This helps work the soap and water through the shaving head.
• Remove the cap and rinse the head thoroughly under running water.
• Take the shaving head apart and check that everything is clean, particularly around the foils and central trimmer.
• Shake off the excess water and dab away any excess water.
• Leave the parts to dry for a couple of hours somewhere less humid than the bathroom before putting everything back together.

I wouldn’t necessarily do this full wet clean after every shave. For me, brushing or blowing out the loose hair every few shaves is enough, with the more thorough soap-and-water clean when the head needs it.

Lubricating the Shaver

I also lubricate the shaver after wet cleaning. The oil helps keep the foils and cutters running smoothly and is particularly important after washing away the existing lubrication.

• Put a couple of drops of oil on each foil.
• Add a couple of drops to the central trimmer.
• Run the shaver for around 10 seconds to distribute the oil.
• Wipe away any excess oil from the head.
• Add a couple of drops to the pop-up detail trimmer and run it for a few seconds.
• Wipe away any excess before using the shaver again.

It’s a simple maintenance routine, but I think keeping the shaving head clean and properly lubricated is worthwhile if I want to get the best performance and lifespan from the shaver.

Replacement Foils/Cutters

Panasonic states to replace the Inner blades every 2 years, and foils every 12 months—two separate components, as mentioned.

The foils and blades can also be bought in a set.

Accessories

We dont get a lot with the Panasonic ES-LT4B.

I found the blade cap cover is very useful for protecting the blades when the shaver is not in use, and it is easy enough to attach and detach while also remaining solid enough on the shaver.

It does not come with a cleaning station, which the ES-LT8B model comes with, and I would only purchase that model if it were available at a very good price.

The simple fabric pouch is useful for keeping the shaver inside to protect it somewhat, but it is basic.

I am happy I got a small bottle of lubrication oil and a cleaning brush. There is not a lot of lubrication oil in the bottle, but it is enough to help someone lubricate the shaver a few times before buying a larger bottle.

Shaving Experiences

I’ve been using the Panasonic ES-LT4B for a few weeks to see how it handles the type of facial hair I normally expect a mid-range electric shaver to deal with.

My hair is fairly coarse and grows in various directions, so I usually need to make multiple passes and use more pressure than someone with finer growth might need. With that in mind, I found the Panasonic capable of producing a fairly close shave, although it isn’t the quickest or most effortless shaver I’ve used.

I used the shaver daily, every other day, and on three days of growth. Three is my limit due to having fairly coarse hair.

2–3 days of growth: I would say decent performance, although it takes a good few passes to get the job done and takes quite a bit longer than the higher-end shavers (as expected).

4+ days of growth: Most definitely, for my hair type, it is not suitable. It was way too much work for the shaver – it is much easier to use a trimmer first without a comb attached. Guys with softer hair and younger guys will have a better experience.

Daily shaving: Very good, though for me personally, daily use can bring irritation after a few days, and it did with this shaver on the third day. For guys who normally shave daily, I can see this being a good option.

Contours and Skin Contact

The head moves from side to side rather than backward and forward, and I initially thought this might be a disadvantage. After using it, though, I’ve found that the movement actually works quite well around the contours of my face.

I particularly noticed this underneath my nose as the shaver head moves from side to side and the foil head is quite slim.

Shaving over the jaw and chin area was not quite as easy to keep a smooth shaving stroke going compared to other shavers that offer more head movement. I have been spoiled with the high-end shavers, though, and could soon adjust to it.

The foils moving independently does help with maintaining skin contact.

It isn’t quite as versatile as a shaver with movement in multiple directions, and I still prefer the flexibility of some of the higher-end models I’ve used. Still, the side-to-side movement works better than I expected, and I have to keep the price of this in mind compared to the higher-end models.

Stubborn Hairs/Areas and Leftovers

After my initial gentler first pass, I could still feel and see some longer hairs and stubble in areas. The neck area was mostly affected with leftover patches.

I had to change the way I held the shaver and apply more pressure to get some of these hairs and patches. This isn’t necessarily a criticism of the Panasonic, as my coarse, multidirectional hair makes things more difficult. Still, it does mean I had to work harder than I would with some of my more expensive shavers.

Under the nose was actually one of the better areas for the Panasonic.

I am prone to finding leftover patches within the next 30 minutes of shaving with any shaver (they mysteriously appear). This was the case with the ES-LT4B, and they appeared mostly under the chin and below the jaw area.

Closeness and Speed

After the first gentler pass, I went back over areas with a little more pressure and then shaved against the grain to improve the closeness. That gave me a better result, although it also meant spending more time on the shave.

The final result was fairly close, with only a small amount of stubble and a few hairs that had been missed. A quick second pass took care of most of what remained (minus later cleanups as mentioned above).

For me, it isn’t as quick as the higher-end shavers I’ve used, but I also have fairly demanding facial hair. Someone with finer hair may find that the ES-LT4B clears the face more quickly and with fewer passes.

With a little more effort and time, it gets nearly as close as the higher-end shavers.

Comfort

The ES-LT4B is reasonably comfortable, but this isn’t one of the areas where it stands out for me.

I found myself applying more pressure to deal with some of the stubborn hairs, and that is something I have to be careful with because repeated passes and additional pressure can cause irritation. I know how much my skin can tolerate, so I can work the shaver harder when I need to, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend copying the amount of pressure I use (plus you might not need it).

Compared with the Philips i9000 Ultra Prestige, Braun Series 8 and Braun Series 9 Pro Plus, I find those shavers considerably more comfortable. They make it easier for me to get a close shave without having to work as hard.

For a shaver around the $120 price point, though, I don’t think the Panasonic is uncomfortable. It’s perfectly usable, and someone with finer facial hair may find it considerably easier to use than I do.

Wet Shaving

I tested the ES-LT4B wet shaving with a lather, and I found no additional benefit in terms of closeness or comfort.

As it is fully waterproof, if you like to wet shave with an electric shaver, then you are good to go with this shaver – I am just not an electric wet shaving guy.

Post-Shave Feel, Debris, and Noise

When I first started using this shaver, I got a little post-shave stinging feeling, which I would say is due to needing to go over the same areas frequently on the neck to remove all the stubble patches.

This Panasonic ES-LT4B, like other Panasonic foil shavers, is quite good at collecting a good amount of the debris within the head section. Some still falls on the sink or my shirt, though, but less than what falls with my Braun shavers.

Being a foil shaver, it is naturally a little noisy, but not quite the noise level of a Braun. It’s a slightly high-pitched buzzing sound that I can’t see bothering many guys.

I tested the sound level of the Panasonic with the Braun S5 as shown in the next clip.

The most important factor for me in this section is post-shave, and not sound or debris. I dont give debris or sound much attention at all, but other users do.

Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)

Overall, it is a likable mid-range foil shaver with a modern look and slimline head section, which is mostly unique to these Panasonic 3-element Arc 3 type shavers.

The Panasonic 700 Series ES-LT4B Shaver did not really impress me, but it also did not disappoint me. I guess it was fair to my expectations for a mid-price-range shaver (priced at around $120).

You might consider it if:

• You have fine to mildly coarse hair and can shave daily or every two days (3 days max).
• You dont want to buy a high-end shaver as yet, or you’re budgeting while avoiding the cheapest shavers on the market.
• The modern aesthetics and simple design with a slim foil head look appealing to you.
• You don’t have overly sensitive skin or hair that grows in multiple directions.

You might avoid it if:

• You want a shaver that provides more head flexibility and better rubberized grip for holding it in the hand firmly.
• You prefer shaving with more than three days of growth, and your hair is not particularly fine.
• You have coarse hair that grows in multiple directions and/or a lot of flat-lying hairs.
• You need more than the basic LEDs and functions it offers.
• If your skin is easily irritated. It could irritate the skin if your skin is quite sensitive in the neck area.  

Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have further questions about the Panasonic ES=LT4B or if you have any experience with the shaver that you’d like to share.

Alternatives To Consider

Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040S

Braun Series 6 (6120s)

Panasonic ES-CM3 Compact Shaver

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