Electric Shaver Review

Braun Series 5 Review and Model Comparison – Now With A Turbo Model

The Braun Series 5 has proven to be a decent, just below mid-range option that provides me with fairly efficient and close shaves for an electric shaver.

Braun made a change to the S5 in 2024, initially only for customers in the USA (testing customer responses, I guess). I see they are now rolling it out in the UK (June 2025), so more countries may follow. The change involves an additional button below the power button, offering a turbo and standard power mode option. You can spot the difference in model numbers easily (USA Standard 50** and Turbo 51**) and (UK Standard 50** and Turbo 52**)

In my view (based on my experience using the turbo and standard models), I would not upgrade from the standard Braun Series 5. If I were looking to buy an S5, I would opt for the shaver priced best rather than focusing on the shaving mode feature. However, I cover this feature in more detail in this review, and some gents may find it more beneficial than I do.

Description & Features

The last S5 I bought was the 5118S (USA model), which only comes with an attachable trimmer, a protective blade cap cover, and a mini cleaning brush.

The previous S5 I used and reviewed in 2021 was the 50-B1200S (UK model), which is equivalent to the 5018S in the USA—the non-turbo feature model. This also came with minimal accessories.

EasyClean Feature

The EasyClean feature is simply an area under the shaver head between the body of the shaver and the head (this allows water to pass through easily). Water can pass through the top of the shaver cassette and the gap underneath.

Design and Ergonomics

The S5, like all shavers, is composed of plastics, metal components, and rubberized sections for a secure grip.

To me, it feels like a solid and strong piece of kit, and the weightiness gives me a sense of quality (it might be a false sense, who knows).

Compared to other Braun shavers, the S5, S6, and S7 (which share the same design) are noticeably slimmer. They just feel better in my hand – more of a snug fit. That separate trimmer attachment? I think that’s the key. It prevents the shaver from being as bulky as others.

I find it is better to hold than most other shavers, although the Panasonic Arc 5 is just as good, too, with its snug-fitting style.

I find the rubberized section on the back of the shaver and on the front section, including the buttons, are ideal for grip.

AutoSense Technology

Most shavers, especially the top-end shavers, come with a built-in mechanism that adjusts the cutting actions according to how dense the beard is, and that’s what AutoSense Technology means in plain English.

With some shavers, I have felt or at least heard this adaptation while shaving, but I have not noticed it with the S5.

Shaving Elements

The cutting system uses two outer foils and a center trimmer. The two outer foils handle the bulk of the shaving and provide the closeness, while the trimmer targets longer, flat-lying hairs (those damn tricky stubborn hairs).

The independent movement of these three elements is a key feature. It allows the shaving head to maintain close contact with the skin along various contours.

While some shavers, like the Braun Series 9 Pro and Panasonic Arc 5, utilize five cutting elements, I find three are sufficient if they are adequately powered.

Cutting Actions

Braun states that the S5 with turbo activated cranks out 26,000 cutting actions per minute (that’s 8,666 per shaving element). I can’t exactly verify that, but I can tell you how it performs.

26,000* is more than enough in my experience, even though others provide a higher amount of CPMs. The S5 has proved to be powered well enough to provide me with fairly quick and efficient shaves.

*Note – The non-turbo models have a maximum of 24,000 cutting actions per minute, and the turbo model, when switched to turbo mode, provides 26,000.

The non-turbo models max out at 24,000 cutting actions, and I have found that the turbo mode of the upgraded S5 is somewhat speedier.

Head Movement

I’m a fan of a shaver that provides some flex in the head, whether it’s just back and forth, like the simplicity of the Braun S6 (see photo below), or multi-directional, like a Braun S7 or Panasonic Arc 5.

However, the S5 does not have any flex!

The head section remains stationary (solid), although the shaving elements flex along the contours.

Losing a feature like flexible head movement makes sense to me when the cost of the shaver falls within the value range, such as the S5.

Turbo and Standard Mode

Under the power button, we have another soft rubberized button that activates and deactivates the turbo mode. This button on the non-turbo standard model when pressed shows much charge the battery has left.

It is very simple to operate, although I have to keep in mind which one I have it on because it stays in the same mode when switching the shaver off and back on again.

Trimmer Attachment and Cassette Removal

As I mentioned, the trimmer on the S5 is not attached to the body, unlike many shavers, and it is a separate attachment.

This whole trimmer situation? It’s a mixed bag. Some people will like it, while others won’t. Me? I’m kinda in the middle. But I do appreciate how slim the shaver is, which I’m pretty sure is partly (or mostly) thanks to not having a built-in trimmer attached to the back section.

Okay, so what is the downside of a no-built-in trimmer? You gotta swap out the shaving head for the trimmer every time. That means keeping the trimmer handy at all times. Think about it – is that gonna bug you? On the plus side, the shaver is extremely slim, as I mentioned (and what I like). Additionally, the trimmer itself is wider, making it quite useful for other trimming tasks. You could even use it to knock down a beard that’s gotten a little out of control (though a dedicated trimmer would be better, obviously) before shaving.

Now, swapping the head isn’t rocket science, but it’s not as smooth as on the S8 and S9 Pro (see photo below). Those have side buttons – way easier. This one clips on and off, which might be a little fiddly for some guys, especially if you’ve got big hands.

LED Indicators & Travel Lock

Checking the battery power left is easy, thanks to the three-dot LED display. One dot means we’re running low, and a warning light will also come on (it’s time to recharge).

The LED also handles other indicators, including cleaning reminders, cassette replacement, and a warning if you attempt to use the shaver while it’s charging.

The travel lock is a useful feature, and it’s simple to activate and deactivate. To activate, simply hold the power button for three seconds, then press it again for another three seconds to deactivate.

A new addition to the S5 model is the turbo mode indicator —an arrow light that illuminates when you’ve engaged turbo mode using the button located below the power button.

I find the LED setup to be functional and provides exactly what I need, plus a bit more.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the S5 is pretty straightforward. Braun calls it “EasyClean,” and they’re not wrong. You can rinse it with warm water without even removing the blades, which is great for quick cleanups during your shave (supposedly).

I still need to clean it afterward and remove the cassette, though. I always take the blades off to ensure everything is completely clean and give them a thorough wash.

That little opening in the neck that’s supposed to make it easier to clean? It’s a bit of a gimmick if you ask me (still helpful, though). It’s okay to use when rinsing between passes, but only when I’m using soap or shaving cream (which isn’t very often, and only when I’m testing a shaver). I find it is still best to remove the cassette, even if only to rinse off any excess antibacterial soap suds. I always add a blob of hand antibacterial soap to the foil area before rinsing with running tap water.

Unlike some other Braun shavers, the S5 doesn’t come with a cleaning and charging station. But that’s okay with me. Sometimes, simpler is better, and it keeps the price down.

We can also use the S5 with the cleaning station that comes with the Braun S6 and S7 (also sold separately). Still, the S5 does not come with this, and that makes sense as it is supposed to be the EasyClean shaver.

Oiling the cassette foils and cutter section is easy enough, which I do after every two or three shaves or after every wet clean. It is also best to frequently oil the trimmer blades on the trimmer attachment.

The cassette (model number 54B or 53B) should be replaced every 18 months when used frequently. This time frame differs based on beard coarseness and usage. 54B is what Braun recommends for the turbo-type models (the S5 I am reviewing now). Still, I can’t see any difference between the 53B and 54B, and I would purchase the one at the lowest price.  

Charging and Battery

We achieve the standard 50-minute runtime when using the shaver in standard mode, but when we switch to turbo mode, it drops down to approximately 40 minutes.

I would say that 40-50 minutes is about right, after testing it out, and it’s not that much less than top-end shavers. I got about eight shaves from a full charge, which I guess is suitable for many guys.

Attachments and Accessories 

Each model of the Braun Series 5 may or may not come with attachments, depending on the specific model purchased. The 5118s comes with a trimmer, and the 5150cs comes with a trimmer attachment, body groomer attachment, and charging stand.

There is also a 5120s model that comes with additional combs to use with the trimmer and a charging stand.

These attachments are easily clipped on and off, just like the blade head mentioned above.

It’s quite odd that we dont get offered a travel case, not even a very simple fabric pouch. I suppose that’s all about reducing costs on their end and ours.

Shaving Experience

I was not new to the Braun Series 5 EasyClean (first used and reviewed in 2021) before using the new turbo feature model. Still, it’s always a great experience to revisit a shaver, as sometimes I get along better with them (and find other pros — and sometimes cons).

So, that turbo mode. I did find that it sounds quite a bit louder than the standard mode, and most definitely puts out more power to shave quicker.

It may be due to my skin sensitivity, but I found the turbo a bit overpowering. I picked up some skin stinging after shaving (no sign of irritation, just stinging).

What was interesting was that I had just finished using the Series 6 shaving mode shaver (i.e., the updated model, similar to the S5 here). I found the lower (named gentle) mode on that not very good, but the turbo mode (it’s really just the standard mode of the S5 and S7) was much better.

Overall, I was fine with the standard mode and surprised I did not prefer the turbo mode. I will revisit this shaver at some point and report back if my opinion changes.

Shaving every two to three days was quite efficient and pretty quick with the S5. However, I got my usual leftovers, which took a good few extra strokes to clean up.

I used the trimmer attachment on one of the sideburns as the shaver elements struggled to remove the hair. That’s okay, as that’s one reason to have and use a trimmer (built-in or attached).

It took me longer to shave with the S5 than with the S7 and other Braun shaver series above the S7. I arrived with a near-same closeness of shave, but it just took quite a bit longer.

I tried daily shaving for three consecutive days, and on the third day, I found it irritating my skin and stopped (only on standard mode). This is normal for me, as well as my skin preferences.

The attached trimmer does its job, but it’s not great. I can trim down my sideburns and other areas with longer hair.

I tried wet shaving using shaving cream with the S5, and it worked fine when wet, but I didn’t notice any benefit. As always, I am not a fan of wet shaving with an electric shaver, as it is supposed to be about convenience and no mess (I might as well pull out one of my manual razors).

I also head shaved with the S5, and it can give a close head shave, but the ergonomics are not best suited, especially around the back of the head. It would be best to use it every day or every other day if you want to use it for head shaving, as it takes too long to shave hair any longer.

Debris and Sound

One thing to note about Braun foil shavers, including the Series 5, is that a significant amount of shaved debris tends to fall onto my shirt. This isn’t an issue for me, but it’s something some guys have asked about.

Rotary shavers, such as the Philips S9000 Prestige, tend to collect all the debris within a chamber, which is a neat benefit if you want to avoid getting debris on your shirt or chest.

In terms of sound, the S5, like many foil shavers, is quite loud. If a quiet shaver is important to you, then the S5 is not the right choice.

It is worth mentioning that the shaver also vibrates quite heavily in the hand. The turbo mode on the models with that feature vibrates even more, as expected, I guess.

Value for Money

The Braun Series 5 EasyClean offers good value. Positioned as a lower mid-range shaver, it’s considerably more affordable than high-end models while still outperforming basic, low-end options.  

You can typically find an S5 for around $69.99+ in the US, £64.99+ in the UK, and €69.99+ in the EU.

Please note that prices may fluctuate, and the cost can be even lower if you choose a model with fewer attachments.

We also have to add the cost of a replacement cassette (approx. every 18 months). These cost around $38 in the US for original Braun cassettes (53B) and about $43 for the 54B part number.

Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who Is It For?)

This shaver won’t blow your mind with its performance. Let’s be realistic: you could definitely achieve a quicker and smoother shave if you’re willing to invest an additional $100 or so. But for a just below mid-range electric shaver, it’s not bad at all. It’s got a lot going for it.

It’s a good choice for men who shave daily or every other day and have relatively fine hair. However, if you have coarse and/or tricky growth and prefer to shave with more than two days of growth, then I would say the S5 might struggle to please you.

If you’re willing to increase your budget and prefer a shaver head that flexes more, consider the Braun Series 6 or Series 7. It’s a matter of whether the additional head flexibility and other features (mostly minimal) are important enough to you to justify spending more money.

If you’re unsure, it might be worth checking out the Best Electric Shavers for Men roundup page, where I compare my shaver recommendations, based on experience. It might help you to narrow down choices!

Is it best to buy the turbo mode Series 5 model? I recommend buying the latest turbo model if it is around the same price as a standard model, but if you can pick up a standard model on the cheap, then you might want to consider that instead.

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