Electric Shaver Review

Braun Series 9 9390cc Review

Update: Since this review, as mentioned, Braun has released the Braun Series 9 Pro and Pro+. (See Braun Series 9 Pro Review – This Impressed Me).

The Braun Series 9 9390cc is at the top end of the Braun Shavers series in terms of cost, functionality, and performance. This is now a previous generation of the S9, which includes the models below.

While Braun already pushed the 9 Pro, and now it’s on the 9 Pro+, these 93xx models are still available outside of the Braun website.

I have used Braun shavers from other series, and it was time to put the company’s best to the test. My expectation was that the Series 9 must outperform or offer something considerably better than the Series 5 and up to make the extra money spent well worth it.

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 shaver is best suited for.

Description & Features

Unboxed (9385cc and 9390cc), a buyer will get the Series 9 shaver, 2 pin plug power lead, leather case, charging and cleaning stand, cleaning stand fluid cartridge, small cleaning brush, and user manual.

The Series 9 is also sold without the SmartCare charging and cleaning stand (model 9340s) if a buyer does not need it. This should enable a buyer to pick one up a little cheaper and not have the extra costs of renewing the cleaning cartridges.

• SyncroSonic™ technology with 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute – This is a feature Braun has patented and an aspect of the shaver that is supposed to enable the shaver to adapt to the density of the hair being shaved to provide more power when required. It sounds great, but it is not something that I can notice when using it, which may not mean it’s not functioning in that manner. The 40’000 cross-cutting actions per minute mean the shaving elements (foils etc.) are all moving within that minute.
• 5 synchronized shaving elements – The five shaving elements are 2 foils, 1 hyperlift & cut trimmer, 1 direct & cut trimmer, and a skin guard. I will explain the shaver head’s cutting elements a little further in this review.
• 10·D Flexible Shaving System – This means the shaving head is mounted on a 10-directional pivoted head that offers adaptability to the contours of the face and skin. I’m unsure how to identify the ten, and Braun states this technical jargon ‘MicroMotion combined with MacroMotion for maximum facial adaptability, giving you more skin contact for a more thorough shave‘ if that makes any sense to you.
• Wet & dry – The Braun Series 9 is waterproof and can be used when shaving in the shower or in the bath. Users may shave dry or wet with their favorite shaving cream or foam.
• CleanCare System – The Series 9 9385cc/9390cc models with the CleanCare system offer users an easy way to keep the shaver head and cassette clean, and lubricated (stand and cleaning fluid cartridge comes with the shaver). 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 – If you wish to take your shaver on your travels with you, then you can hold the on/off button for a few seconds, which will lock the shaver’s power off. Just hold it again for a few seconds to unlock it again.
• Charging and battery – A fully charged battery takes up to an hour to be charged, 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, warning not to be used with the cord plugged in, travel cock, replacement cassette indicator, and a cleaning indicator that appears after each shave.
• Trimmer – On the back of each Series 9 shaver a trimmer can be used. Press the button to unlock and slide the trimmer up 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 and not worth it at twice the price

The 5 Shaving Elements (i.e., shaving head/cartridge)

All of the other Braun shaver series have less of these elements, with most having three. The Braun Series 9 has 4+1 shaving elements (4 cutting), as one is just a skin guard that you’ll also find on the Series 8 models.

• 1 & 5. Foils – 1 and 5 are the foil shaving elements. Braun named these OptiFoil™, which aim like all foil guards to protect the skin from the cutters.
• 2. Lift & Cut trimmer – This element that is titanium coated aims to lift up and cut flat hairs.
• 3. Direct & Cut trimmer – This cuter aims to cut hair that grows in various directions.
• 4. Skin Guard – This is the only element that does not cut. Its purpose is to protect the skin, and it kind of reminds me of a safety bar on safety razors.

Basically, all these elements are put together to cut through all types of hair growth, including hairs that grow flat and in various directions, and to do this comfortably.

Shaving Experience

I have just spent the last few months using, testing, and reviewing a lot of safety razors and some very high-quality models that shave as close as a razor could get. This meant I had some adjusting to do once again to get into the flow of using an electric shaver.

I’ve spent the last month shaving with the shaver under various conditions, including daily, every 2 days, and up to 4 days of growth. I also tested the shaver out wet and dry, with shaving cream and tried out head-shaving to see how it performed.

3 or more days of growth

It’s always worth testing out the limit of a shaving product, and my experience after more than two days was the same as most electric shavers: quite poor. Yes, it did get the job done, but with many shaving strokes and going back over and over.

This was when I wondered how well the two cutters (not the foils) were actually doing the job they should do. I had hairs that just would not cut that I used the trimmer to get rid of in the end, and my sideburn area was a struggle to shave.

This is usually the case with all-electric shavers for me personally and not just with the 9390cc. I guess I just hoped, as it cost quite a lot of money, that it would deal with the 3 days and other issues I have had before.

Shaving daily or every 2 days

Daily shaving, or at least shaving every 2 days, is where this shaver could shine. What really impressed me what the closeness of the shave; it’s as close as it can get for an electric foil shaver.

There was no irritation, which was welcomed as I don’t like daily shaving because of irritation, and this shaver did not cause any.

Stretching the skin somewhat always helps get a closer shave.

Wet shaving

My experience with wet shaving was unexpected and I have found other Braun shavers to perform better when using them wet with shaving cream.

The main issue was the shaver dragging on the skin once the shaving cream had been shaved off. I could not keep up with putting more lather on to stop the shaver head from sticking and dragging on the skin.

It was odd that I seemed to have had a better experience even with the Series 5 shaver when wet shaving.

Dry shaving with the Series 9 9390cc it was then!

Head shaving

I am well aware that this shaver is designed for facial shaving. However, I do like to see how they perform while head shaving.

This was another letdown in this area compared to other electric shavers and even other Braun models.

It could do the job well and it was a close shave eventually, but the issue was the movable head section that also locks just kept moving out of place. When it is locked, it is not locked enough for head shaving, although it is fine for facial shaving.

Attached trimmer

The trimmer is conveniently placed on the back of the shaver and is pushed up to expose it when needed. I don’t find it great and always have to move it up and down on my sideburns to eliminate them.

Overall Shaving Experience

It’s a great shaver for shaving daily or every two days and the closest any electric shaver can get, in my experience. It may be slightly better than the Series 7, though, as it has more power, but it feels more comfortable than the Series 7.

It’s not a great shaver for me, unfortunately, in the wet shaving department, and I have better shaves, even with other Braun models.

There are other important factors to consider that we’ll move on to now that contribute to making any appliance best suited for a certain person’s needs.

Build Quality and Ergonomics

The Series 9 feels solid and comfortable when holding it in the hand, and the tough rubber on the back provides great grip. Although I do own the metal-coated silver Braun Series 9390cc model, I do still get a bit of a plastic feel about the shaver.

Spending this sort of cash on a shaver makes me think I should be getting some heavy-duty machine made from metals, but my expectations might be a little too high; who knows?

In terms of holding the shaver comfortably, there doesn’t seem to be much that could be improved.

Braun states the Series 9 9390cc/9385cc shaver should last up to 7 years. I guess that could be about right, and I can see them lasting this amount of time as long as they are not misused or get damaged.

Cutting Power

The motor, with its 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute, is very powerful and the most powerful of all Braun shavers.

As mentioned, I did have issues with stray hairs and shaving for 3 days or more; however, I don’t believe this had to do with power, as there is plenty of it. It just could be those cutting elements are not quite right at times for my hair.

Ease of Use

From charging to shaving, the 9390cc is easy enough to use, and the SmartCare charging and cleaning unit is easy to use as well.

The instructions are clear enough in the manual to discover how it all functions, including the indicator lights and using the charging and cleaning station.

Charging and Battery

I have read that a user should get around an hour of runtime from a fully charged battery, and Braun states one charge will provide a month’s worth of shaving. I’m not sure it lasts a month, and definitely not when shaving once a day or every other day; however, I probably do get just over 3 weeks and over 10 shaves which is good enough for me.

All cordless Braun shavers I have owned have had good battery life and longevity.

Cleaning and Maintenance

I do believe that the 9390cc does shine in regards to getting and keeping it clean and maintained.

When using the shaver daily or every couple of days, it has worked well for me to take the cassette off, tap out the debris, and brush out any other debris inside to get the job done quickly. Don’t brush inside the cassette, as this can cause damage; just brush the inner area of the pivoting head.

When using the shaver with shaving cream or foam, we must clean it with warm water after every shave. Although the cleaning station comes with the Series 9 9390cc and 9385cc shavers, it should also be cleaned in warm water first, and using non-abrasive soap really helps to remove any shaving residue left.

SmartCare cleaning dock – I was not sold at first on using the cleaning docks, however, I have since taken to them and found it super convenient to just pop the shaver into the dock after shaving. I like the zesty smell that comes from the shaver after cleaning.

The benefit of using the cleaning dock is convenience and getting it charged in the same place as cleaning. The other added benefit is the fluid used cleans hygienically and lubricates, and then it dries out the inner parts of the shaving head with its built-in dryer.

The cleaning station does seem like the best solution for cleaning, and if, like me, you get some residue from the solution left inside the cassette after using it a good few times, it can easily be cleaned off with a small damp cloth.

One negative aspect of using the cleaning station is the cost of replacing the cleaning fluid cartridges, which usually cost around $5 USD (£4 GBP – 4 € EU) each (they cost less when bought in bigger packs). These alcohol-based cleaning solution cartridges last for around 3 months (dependent on frequency of use).

There are alternatives to buying the Braun refills to reduce costs that the company obviously does not recommend. That’s for another article, though!

Replacement Cassettes – The cassette lasts for up to 18 months, which makes the cost of replacements (approx. $50 USD, £45 GBP,40 € EU) non-expensive. Braun’s cassettes will last longer when taken care of properly and cleaned frequently.

Value for Money

There are a lot of details and mechanisms involved in the making of a Braun Series 9 shaver that are quite evident, which helps to justify the big price tag of approx $250 USD + (£180+ GBP – 200 € + EU).

The motor is more powerful than any of the other Braun Series, and the cassette has more shaving elements which would naturally bring up the cost of the shaver compared to any of the other Braun series.

I guess I would happily like to pay around £50 – £100 less for one, but it is what it is, and if I want to pay less, then I would have to think about the Series 7, which is a very good shaver.

Final Thoughts – Who Is This Shaver For?

Some things that have stuck out for me are the comfort and lack of irritation from the Series 9 and other factors like great battery life, ease of cleaning, useful indicators, and, of course, the closeness of the shave.

This shaver could be a good option for those who get irritation (sensitive skin types) easily and maybe for those who want to get the best-performing shaver motor that money could buy.

For those who are new to using electric shavers, it could be a costly experiment, and trying out something cheaper or even the Braun Series 7 could be a smarter investment.

I found the Series 9 Pro was an improvement on this S9 model and advise you guys to check that out, too.

Update 2024: Since this review, as mentioned, Braun has released the Braun Series 9 Pro and Pro+. (See Braun Series 9 Pro Review – This Impressed Me). You can also check out the Braun Series 9 vs Pro Comparison to Find out Which is Best –or– the Braun Series 9 Pro vs Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige articles.

Related