Electric Shaver Review

Braun Series 8 Review and Model Comparison – A Jump Up In Performance and Cost

Since 2019, the main design of the S8 has remained the same until now (2025).

It has the body of the Series 9 Pro (S9, S9 Pro, and S9 Pro+) and the cassette (shaving elements) of the Series 7. That’s the near-best description if you know your Braun shavers!

There have been some minor changes, or call them upgrades, since 2019, which I will share in this review.

I will also provide you with a thorough breakdown of the pros and cons of the features, based on my experience and my experiences shaving with all the versions.

I have used and reviewed these models:

Latest 2024 onwards — Braun Series 8 8567cc – This covers all 85xx models, and the 8567cc I used and reviewed came with the 5-in-1 SmartCare Center (i.e., cleaning station) and fabric travel case.

2022-2024 — Braun Series 8 8467cc – This covers all 84xx models, and the 8467cc I used and reviewed came with the 5-in-1 SmartCare Center (i.e., cleaning station) and fabric travel case.

2019 – Braun Series 83xx – I had only just started Shaving Advisor at the time, so I had never purchased one of these 83xx models. However, it is said that the only minor differences between the 83 model and the 84 and 85 models were that the cleaning station received an upgrade after the 83 model, with a dryer function added. The 84 and 85 shavers also have some new color options.

A minor but useful change is that the slide-out trimmer of the 83xx and 84xx models had curved blades (see photos below), and the blades on the latest 85xx have been updated like the Braun Series 9 Pro+ with straight trimmer blades (named ProTrimmer). The new trimmer design is an improvement (in my experience).

Differences in Model Numbers

The standard method Braun defines model numbers is by using the first number (e.g., 85) as the version.

The following two numbers (e.g., xx67) and those after the forward slash (/) (e.g., xxxx/cc or xxxx/s) typically refer to accessories, color, and occasionally the country in which it is available.

The CC or S after the / means it either comes with the (CC) SmartCare Center (previously named CleanCare Center) or Standard, which is without the SmartCare Center but will also have some accessories.

There is little point in purchasing an 83 model, even if one is available, because, in true Braun style, the older 83 models like this one cost the same as an 84 or 85, or even less.

Key Takeaways On the Model To Choose

• The 83xx models are likely to be unavailable now, and if available, they may be priced the same as, or even higher than, the 84xx and 85xx models.
• The 85xx version is the latest.
• The changes from 84xx to 85xx were minor, only involving the attachment of a slide-out trimmer and the introduction of color options.
• The performance of all Series 8 models (83xx, 84xx, and 85xx) is the same. The newer models will not perform any differently.
• All S8 models use the same 83M cassette part number.
• The primary considerations when deciding which model to purchase are your budget and the accessories you need.

With all that model number stuff out of the way, let’s crack on with the features and design.

Description & Features

Auto-Sense and Sonic Technology

Auto-sense means that the shaver automatically detects the thickness of my beard and adjusts the power accordingly.

Sonic technology works alongside this by delivering 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute while providing 30,000 cutting actions per minute. This technology involves three cutting elements (i.e., two foils and a center trimmer) that move with vibrations at a certain speed, which provides the cutting speed powered by the motor.

It might sound like a lot of technical jargon, but what really matters to me is the balance between power, cutting performance, and comfort.

I’ve never noticed a significant change in beard density when the S8, so I suspect any adjustments are subtle.

Design & Ergonomics

The Series 8, like other models in the Braun lineup, is constructed with durable plastics and features rubberized sides. It has a solid feel and a slight weight when held, despite its plastic elements.

Braun claims the shaver can last up to 7 years, which I would say could be achievable. However, the battery is likely to wear out before the rest of the device, apart from the cassette, which needs to be replaced every 18 months.

I found the rubberized sides and ergonomic design of the shaver offer excellent grip and enough comfort and control during use.

40° Flexible Head

The ability to move the head back and forth while shaving along the contours of the face is a valuable and essential feature. It makes the shaving process much smoother compared to a fixed head, as it adapts to the natural curves of the face.

Additionally, the Series 8’s precision switch allows you to lock the head at four different points, which I find useful.

I find the locking feature especially helpful on stubborn areas, such as my sideburns and the side of my jaw (my major stubborn spots), as locking the head ensures the shaving elements stay in place without unnecessary movement (mostly). However, I have had the head move at times and click out of place when I wanted it to remain in its locked position (I kind of wish that it could be locked more securely without the clickable action).

I find unlocking the head very useful when shaving from the neck and then going over the jaw and chin, as this allows the shaver to move along smoothly.

The locking switch also offers enhanced grip, making it easier to control the shave with your thumb (see photo below). The only issue with the thumb switch, which was removed on the S9 Pro+, is that some users might accidentally activate it while shaving, as our thumb occasionally rests on it (it won’t harm; it will simply unlock the head).

The S8 and S9 head moveability design is my favorite of all electric shavers. It works so well, and having the locking and unlocking options suits me fine.

Shaving Elements 3 + 1

Braun claims that the Series 8 range features three shaving elements along with a Skinguard. Similar to the Series 9, this SkinGuard is supposed to include a thin additional metal slat, which I was unable to spot.

Upon closer inspection of the previous Series 8 84xx, which I used and reviewed previously, there does appear to be an additional metal slat that serves as the skin guard (as indicated by the arrow in the image above). However, unlike the Braun Series 9, it cannot make contact with the skin, which is very odd (what am I missing here?).

In any case, the primary concern is that we have three shaving elements that serve major functions. We have two foils that perform the main shaving, and then a center trimmer that helps with picking up flat-lying and tricky-to-cut hairs.

These three elements are very similar to the setup of the Series 7.

These shaving elements flex independently, which I find helps significantly when shaving along various contours and maintaining skin contact throughout the shave.

30,000 Cutting Actions

The Braun Series 8 delivers an impressive 30,000 cutting actions per minute. To compare, the Series 7 offers 24,000, while the Series 9 tops the chart with 40,000.

When I am shaving, this difference is something I can actually feel (not the actual 30,000, I just mean its cutting ability). It’s noticeable in how quickly it shaves and how much hair it cuts on each stroke.

Even though you probably can’t measure thousands of cutting actions per minute while shaving, rest assured—the Series 8 packs plenty of power and speed to tackle most beards, even coarse beards (I’m a coarse growth man now after aging a bit).

Cassette Removal

I appreciate the press-in design of the Series 8 shaver, which allows for easy removal of the cassette for cleaning or replacement.

When I first used the previous S8 – 84xx model, I assumed both sides of the shaver were meant to be used to press and release the cassette.

I thought my shaver was defective when only the right-hand side button worked. However, it turns out that only the right-side button is needed to release the cassette. On the S9 Pro, both sides can be used!

LED Light Indicators & Travel Lock

LEDs shouldn’t be a deciding factor when purchasing a shaver, and there’s no need for them to illuminate for every function. However, a clear charge indicator is definitely helpful.

On the Series 8, the charge indicator starts at five bars and decreases with usage, eventually reaching one bar when it’s time to recharge. The S8 also features a numerical countdown of 9 minutes, which is a useful addition that I appreciate.

Additional indicators alert you when the shaver needs cleaning and when the cassette requires replacing. There’s also a red padlock light that activates when the travel lock feature is in use (hold the power button for a few seconds to switch the lock on and a few seconds to power back up).

If we plug the shaver in to charge it and then press the power button, a red warning light will appear, indicating that it cannot be used while charging.

I like a few indicators, but they are bells and whistles, apart from a battery and runtime amount indicator.

Precision Trimmer

This trimmer, which slides forward from the back of the shaver, has undergone an upgrade and is now called a ProTrimmer. It now has straight blades rather than curved.

I don’t grow long sideburns because I shave my head very short or bald most of the time, so I dont have much of a sideburn to trim. However, I have used it, and it’s useful and works; it will also be useful for others with more head hair than I.

The trimmer can also be used with those damn tricky hairs too that the shaving elements won’t pick up.

I never rate these detail trimmers highly, but this one is better than most.

Cleaning & Maintenance

I find the Series 8 is simple to clean, whether using the CleanCare System or manual methods. For manual cleaning, just brush and blow inside the shaver head, then rinse it under running water with the shaver turned on.

For a deeper clean, adding a bit of antibacterial hand soap to the foils while rinsing under the tap works well.

The shaving cassette typically lasts around 18 months before it needs to be replaced, although its lifespan depends on usage and the thickness of the beard.

I add a small amount of oil to the foil area about every third shave to help keep the shaving elements in good condition.

The cleaning station is a great tool and works well. It cleans the shaver head with an alcohol type solution. I suggest giving the cassette a brush and blowing it out first to clear out some of the debris. The only issue I have had is still finding drops of water inside despite using the drying function.

I won’t go into too much detail about the cleaning station here (See Braun 5 in 1 SmartCare Center – Everything To Know), as it is optional. The shaver is more important to focus on.

Accessories

The standard S8 models will come with minimal accessories, including a charging stand and a fabric travel case (see photo below).

The other options include the model I have that comes with the above accessories and the CleanCare Center.

The Braun PowerCase also comes with an S8 model. It can also be purchased separately if you have an S8 and want to try the case (See Braun PowerCase Review). I find the PowerCase is very useful and strong.

Shaving Experiences

Of course, I am not new to using the S8, so in a way, this was a revisit (this page had a big refresh). I also created a YouTube video review of the latest S8 version, which allowed me to accurately convey my findings, as I had to focus on the viewers.

Before delving into the details, I want to note that this shaver fits nicely between the Series 7 and Series 9. It’s not quite at the level of the Series 9 Pro, but it’s definitely an upgrade from the Series 7, based on my experience.

I did my usual shaving tests, experimenting with various growth stages, including two- and three-day stubble, as well as daily shaving. I also tested it for wet shaving with shaving cream.

On my first three shaves, I felt some soreness, which I did not remember having with my other 84xx (S8). I did not experience any redness, but I did have a sore feeling that lasted for about 20 minutes, nonetheless. The soreness stopped occurring after three shaves, which is a normal occurrence when switching shavers or razors, as the skin needs time to adapt to the new shaving tool. When I apply post-shave balm, which is advisable, the slight soreness leaves my skin straight away.

Part of the soreness aspect can be a positive, as it can mean the shaver is aggressive and shaving close (the blades doing their job kind of thing). This aggressiveness might not be a good thing, though, for sensitive-skinned guys.

I did shave with about four days of growth. I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and lack of leftover hairs (I had showered and exfoliated beforehand, which helps).

I shaved on three days, which was very good, and every two days also resulted in a decent shave. However, when shaving daily for several consecutive days, I did experience slight irritation, but that’s due to my skin not being suited for daily shaving with any shaver, not just this one.

Wet shaving with shaving cream was fine, and I got a little more comfort while shaving. The option is available for guys who need to shave wet.

I also shaved my head and posted a video on YouTube, using this S8. As most of you don’t shave your heads, that’s for another article (See Head Shaving With Braun Series 8).

Certain areas, such as under the sideburns and the lower corner of the jaw, required more attention to remove stubborn hairs. However, this is the norm for me, even with the S9 Pro and other foil-type shavers, but not so much with rotary-style shavers.

Shaving along the chin and jawline contours is very efficient with the S8, and the shaver maintains good skin contact throughout the shave experience.

I don’t get the same level of comfort as the S9 Pro, but I do achieve the same (close) result (as good as an electric shaver can give). It just takes a little longer to complete the shave session and achieve the same result with the S8 (although there’s not a huge difference).

After revisiting the S8, apart from the initial soreness mentioned, I found the shaver to be better than expected. Revisiting proves to me again how useful revisiting is for these reviews.

It’s worth noting that the S8, like other Braun shavers, is quite noisy and not the quietest shaver, compared to some of the rotary shavers. It also leaves quite a lot of debris down my shirt or chest, as the cassette area of the head only collects some of the hair and debris.

Value for Money

The Braun Series 8 falls into the higher price range for electric shavers, although it remains less expensive than premium, top-tier models.

Positioned between the Series 7 and Series 9 in both performance and price, the Series 8 offers a balanced option. While many may wish for lower prices on high-end shavers, the Series 8 is reasonably priced for its current market position.

The Braun Series 8 8567cc model, which includes a cleaning dock, is currently priced at approximately $200+ USD, £200 in the UK, and €270 in the EU.

Prices for other S8 85xx models without the cleaning station will be lower. These prices also fluctuate, especially during sales, so it’s not a bad idea to wait for sales like Prime for Amazon and others.

It’s essential to consider the additional costs of replacing the cassette every 18 months and the cleaning fluid cartridges for models utilizing the CleanCare System (unless you choose to use alternative cleaning solutions).

Replacement cassettes (number 83M) are available for approximately $40 USD, £35 in the UK, and €45 in the EU. They’re pricey, but at least they only have to be replaced every 18 months or so!

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

The S8 sits well between the S7 and S9 Pro in terms of design. It’s a combination of the S7 three-shaving element system and the S9 Pro’s design, with the price usually falling between the two.

We are stepping up to the top-end prices of a shaver with this, and if the price is an issue, the S7 is close behind in terms of shaving performance. And on the foil-type side of shavers, you are within the range of the Panasonic ARC 5, which is a powerful shaver.

I’m not making it easier by offering you other options, am I? However, I am doing that as I consider the S8 on the cusp of being a better option — based on price and what we get — unlike the S7 and S9 Pro, which I can point certain individuals towards more easily.

As the S8 85xx is relatively new and the 84xx models are not old, a buyer can purchase one of the 84 models if it is priced well and achieves the same shaving performance.

It is a very good-performing shaver, but it would benefit from a comparison based on individual needs and budget.

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