Electric Shaver Review

Braun Series 8 8467cc Review – All 84xx 2024 Models

After doing an about-turn on the electric shaver review front and reviewing the Braun Series 6 SensoFlex just after reviewing the Braun Series 9 Pro, I had to head between them and picked up a Braun Series 8 8467cc Shaver.

The Braun Series 8 (in case you don’t know) comes just before the most expensive and highest model in the range of Braun shavers, the Series 9, which has led to the Series 9 Pro.

The Braun Series 8 8467cc reviewed here is among the latest (2024) Series 8 models available today. These models all begin with 84.

Within this Braun Series 8 84xx review, we will take a good look at its essential features, pros & cons, and who it is best suited for after testing out and using the shaver for 3+ weeks under various conditions.

Description & Features

This Series 8 is an interesting and somewhat odd shaver compared to the Series 7 and 9. It looks like a Series 9 and has a very similar body, with the head and shaving elements being more similar to an older Series 7 model (not the current Series 7 Flex).  

With this odd combination of an older Series 7 and the most recent Series 9 Pro, this Series 8 does sit in the middle as a different shaver –as it should, and it makes sense.

• Sonic technology & 30’000 cutting actions – Sonic technology translates to 10’000 micro-vibrations that aim to make the shave experience more comfortable and capture all the hairs while shaving. Braun states the Series 8 shaving elements are powered by 30’000 cutting actions per minute.  
• AutoSense technology – Enables the shaver to adapt to beard density while shaving. 
• Swiveling head – The 40° swiveling head moves back and forth with the various contours of the face. These movements can be locked into place in four segments.
• Shaving elements* – The cassette contains three shaving elements, including 2 x optifoils and a center trimmer to pick up longer and flat lying hairs.
• Precision Switch – The thumb switch on the front of the shaver locks the head at the position you require.
• Wet & dry – The Braun Series 84xx is waterproof and can be used when shaving in the shower or bath with shaving foam, gel, or cream. 
• CleanCare System 5 in 1 – The Series 84xx models with the CleanCare system offer users an easy way to keep the shaver head and cassette clean and lubricated. Once the cleaning has finished, the system blow-dries the head dry. The system also enables a user to charge the shaver as well.
• Safety lock – Pressing and holding the on/off button for a few seconds locks the shaver so it cannot switch on accidentally. Press and hold again for a few seconds to unlock it. Useful for travel.
• Charging and battery – A fully charged battery takes up to an hour, although users can give the shaver a quick 5-minute charge for 1 or 2 shaves. A full charge will give users about an hour of cordless shaving time.
• Light indicators – The light indicators under the power switch indicate battery status, a warning not to be used with the cord plugged in, a travel lock, a replacement cassette indicator, and a cleaning indicator that appears after each shave.
• Trimmer – A trimmer can be used on the back of each Series 8 shaver. Press the button to unlock and slide the trimmer above the shaver head.
• Warranty – Braun offers a standard 2 years warranty on shavers. If bought directly from Braun, a buyer may get an extra 1 year, but it’s just a lot more expensive to buy from them.

More About These Features (Pros and Cons)

Some of these features are worth explaining more about as they can make a significant difference in performance. I try to cut through the technical jargon.

30’000 Cutting Actions & Shaving Elements

The Braun Series 8 provides 30’000 cutting actions per minute while the Series 7 provides 24’000 and the Series 9, 40’000. 

When in use, the difference between these is noticeable. It’s noticeable via the speed they shave and how the elements are powered. 

Rest assured, despite being unable to measure 1000s of cutting actions per minute, the Series 8 is high-powered with fast cutting speeds. 

The two outer foils do all the cutting, and the inner trimmer picks up on those straggler and hard-to-pick-up flat-lying hairs. While other shavers may have more elements –three elements/cutters are sufficient enough for any shaver to perform well. In addition, the shaving elements flex and move with the various contours of the face.

Head Movement

The ability to move the head back and forth while shaving along the various contours of the face is a valuable and important feature. It enables the shaving experience to be easier than a non-movable head along the various contours of the face. 

The head movement locking ability via the precision switch of the Series 8 at various points (four) is also an advantage. The reason is that some areas while shaving can be stubborn, like around the neck area –for example, and locking the head focuses the shaving elements without moving back and forth.

The locking head switch also provides extra grip via the thumb!

Trimmer

The trimmer is attached to the shaver’s body and is easy to use. The press of a button with the thumb and sliding up the trimmer is all that is required to use it, and it switches on automatically after sliding this switch.

While the trimmer is placed well on the shaver and easy to use, like many other electric shavers I have used, the trimmer only just about does its job of cutting in the sideburns. To trim very well, a dedicated trimmer or even a razor works better than an electric shaver trimmer. 

Build Quality & Ergonomics

The Braun Series 8, like many other shavers from the Braun range are made from good solid plastics and rubberized sides. As a result, it has some weight when held and feels solid despite its plastic components.

Braun states this shaver should last up to 7 years, which is possible. However, the battery will likely die before the rest of the shaver, apart from the cassette, which requires replacement every 18 months. 

The rubberized sides of the shaver and design provide very good ergonomics, and it offers plenty of grip while shaving. 

Cassette Removal 

I like the press-in design of this Series 8 shaver to remove the cassette for cleaning or replacement. 

It looks like both sides should be used for pressing and releasing the cassette, and I initially thought my shaver was faulty when only the right-hand side button worked. However, only the right-side push button is required to release the cassette.

Light Indicators

LEDs should not be deal breakers when buying a shaver, and we don’t need them to light up for every function. However, good warning lights for the amount of charge left is very useful.

The charge left indicator on this Series 8 lights up to the maximum of 5 bars and then reduces after use to one bar when it must be charged. I prefer number or percentage indicators, but that’s no deal breaker and just a cosmetic preference.

Other indicators show when this shaver needs cleaning, and the cassette requires changing. It also has a padlock red light indicator that lights up when using the travel lock function.

Accessories –Including the CleanCare System

Each Braun Series 8 84xx model comes with accessories, and while some buyers and users want these, none are necessary. However, they can be very useful, and buying a model without accessories like the CleanCare System might not save that much money.

Most models without the Cleancare System included still have a small charging stand and fabric travel case with the shaver. Both the travel case and stand are quite basic but very useful.

The CleanCare System with the Series 84xx cleans, lubricates, dries, and recharges the shaver. It’s easy to ease, and while it takes up to 45 minutes to fully dry out the shaver, a user only needs to sit the shaver in the dock, press a button and let it do its thing.  

I have come to like using the cleaning dock systems since using and reviewing a number of electric shavers that come with a cleaning system. However, they are another device that needs caring for on top of the shaver, and they need the cleaning cartridges, or the fluid replaced every few months.

Consider which accessories are useful to you or not –and also see what the price differences are between models, then decide what works best for you as a buyer. 

Cleaning & Maintainance 

This Braun Series 8 range is easy enough to clean with or without the CleanCare System. Manual cleaning requires a bit of brushing and blowing inside the shaver head and placing the head while switched on under tap water.

If you manually clean, adding antibacterial hand soap to the foils cleans them nicely when rinsing the shaver head under the tap.

The cassette that contains the shaving elements can last for around 18 months before it needs replacing. The life span of the cassette will vary based on usage and beard thickness. 

Adding a small amount of oil to the foil area now and again will help maintain the shaving elements.

Shaving Experience

Testing and using this Series 8 was going to be interesting, and I was expecting more from this shaver than I got from the Series 7 –and less than what I get from the Series 9 Pro ‘performance-wise’, purely based on price. 

Before I go into much detail, this shaver is positioned well between the Series 7 and 9. It’s definitely not quite a Series 9 but more than a Series 7–based on my experience.

I did my usual three-week shaving tests with various days of growth, including two and three days and daily shaving. I also tested wet shaving with shaving cream.

The first time I used this Series 8, I had about three or more days of growth, and the shaver did a great job. After that, shaving every two days also got a good shave. However, while shaving daily for a couple of consecutive days, I did feel slight irritation, but that is because my skin is not suited for daily shaving with any shaver (not just this shaver).

After shaving multiple times, I learned this shaver requires me to take my time and do plenty of skin stretching to get a closer shave while shaving against the grain. After a few uses, I got used to the shaver –the process and results improved. 

Pros and Cons While Shaving

The Series 8 provided a very comfortable shave, and the end result was a very close shave. I sometimes had leftover patches of hair and had to go back over them with the shaver, but that happens with most shavers. 

I had no issues with flat-lying or straggler hairs or overly stubborn patches that the shaver could not clear up, which was good news. And tricky areas under the nose and chin are not a problem and shave easily.

I did try the shaver wet shaving with shaving cream and found it more comfortable. However, there was a lot more mess involved that I would rather avoid, as electric shavers should be about a quick shave, in my opinion. 

Value for Money

The Braun Series 8 84xx models have entered the higher price range scale for an electric shaver. However, they are less pricey than top-end shavers. 

The Series 8 sits about right between Series 7 and 9 in terms of performance and costs, and while we would all like these higher-priced shavers to be cheaper –the Series 8 is priced up on the current market fairly. 

We also have to consider the extra cost of replacing the cassette every 18 months. And the cleaning fluid cartridges if you choose the Cleancare System models (and don’t use your own cleaning fluid).

Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?

The current Series 8 is a good choice of a shaver for those gents wanting to step up to a better foil-type shaver than a shaver like the Series 6 and cheaper shavers from other brands. It’s lso, a good choice for those who want to spend less than what the top-end Series 9 Pro costs.

If I wanted to save money and found this shaver pushed my willingness to spend a bit too much, I would look at the Series 7 or one of the Panasonic Arc shavers.

Overall the Series 8 performed well and gave me quality shaves. However, after using all of the Braun shavers range and enjoying the added closeness, power, and comfort of the Braun Series 9 Pro, I recommend that, but only if the price tag is acceptable to the buyer.

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