Braun Series 9 vs 9 PRO – Differences Compared & Explained
When electric shaver companies bring out their next model in a range, it’s always worth comparing the latest with the previous latest. Which one is best is usually the first question in our minds!
Sometimes, there is very little difference (quite often), and other times, the previous model can be better as the company seems to strip something away from the previous model. There are also instances where a company can make some improvements, and this has been the case with the Braun Series 9 in my experience (based on the actual shaving more than anything else).
After testing, using, and reviewing the Braun Series 9 Pro I was excited about getting the Braun Series 9 vs Pro comparison article live as soon as possible.
At a Glance
The Braun Series 9 has been the highest series of foil shavers Braun makes and has been for a number of years now. It’s the most expensive and touted as the best-performing foil shaver in their range.
Here are the features:
- 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 cutting elements of the shaver head a little further on 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 not sure 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 models that come with the CleanCare system offers 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 and it will lock the power of the shaver 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 of being 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 to not 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.
When looking at what Braun writes about the features they make them read differently in a way within the specs area. For example, Sonic technology (Pro) and SyncroSonic (9) are just the same thing. Also, the 10·D Flexible Shaving System (9) listed for the Series 9 is not included in the Pro specs and features, but it’s the same. I guess it is all marketing techniques used to influence buyers.
What Has Changed Since The Pro Version Was Introduced?
There have been some changes, especially an improvement in its shaving performance, which we will look at shortly. For now, let’s go over the physical changes of the shaver since the introduction of the Braun Series 9 Pro.
ProLift Trimmer
Within the cassette of shaving elements (i.e., foils, etc.) the previous cassette has all the same elements apart from the ProLift Trimmer which is now a Lift & Cut trimmer on the 9 Pro.
You can see by the images above on close inspection that this element has changed quite a lot. The Lift and Cut is said to lift and cut even flat-laying hairs while the ProLift Trimmer aims to help shave long and tough hairs up to 10% faster than previous models.
I’m not a designer or engineer of these products and cannot say which one should work best. What I can do is shave with the razors and see what shaver outperforms another.
Precision Switch
The Precision Switch is just a switch that stops the head from moving backward and forwards on the Series 9 Pro. However, for me personally, this is a useful change as the Series 9 switch was the thumb button type that I only wanted to use for holding the shaver.
I think most users would not have a problem with the locking switch on the Series 9 or Pro. It’s no deal-breaker for either shaver version.
PowerCase
The PowerCase is the first of its kind. Similar to the company Philips that has the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige shaver a buyer can have the QI Charging Pad (Philips was the first to introduce this) added to the package of accessories.
These are just accessories and some people and even me can be skeptical and view them as a gimmick to make more sales. However, straight away I liked the PowerCase, and it’s useful to carry around that extra 50% of charge when it’s needed.
The case is very strong and worth having if there are times a user needs a kind of power pack while on the go.
The Braun Series 9 Pro Can Now Cut 7 days Worth of Growth (says Braun)
The Series 9 was advertised as being suitable to use on up to 3 days’ worth of growth, while the 9 Pro can shave up to 7 days of beard growth. I’m not sure which change has enabled such an increase in the ability to cut through longer hair, and I can only see it would be the ProLift element that would make Braun suggest 7 days is possible.
If my hair growth is thick enough to be cut with a trimmer or hair clippers, then I would use them first to trim it right down. Seven days is too much to put a shaver blade through, and the chance of hairs being pulled increases a lot. Four days is the limit for me personally, and up to three days is better for electric shaving.
Philips also claimed this with the S9000 Prestige and then, in small print, stated it had only been tested for up to 3 days!
What Similarities Do Both of The Shavers Share?
The above changes are the only changes made. Everything, including the 40’000 cutting actions, beard density sensor, ergonomics, and everything else, is the same.
Next was to see how they perform side-by-side and if there were any differences in the shave.
Shaving With The Braun Series 9 vs. Pro
This is where the Series 9 Pro took me by surprise. I found it outperformed the Series 9 and shaved quicker while leaving fewer leftover hair patches, and any leftover patches was removed quicker with another stroke of the 9 Pro shaver.
I have no idea why the Series 9 Pro performed much better. It felt like either the motor was more powerful or the blades were cutting much better.
Could the different ProLift cutting element make that much difference? I would not think so, but who knows!
Both shavers offer a comfortable and close shave and suit those with normal and sensitive skin.
Accessories
Both Series 9 and Pro shavers have various model numbers that correlate with differences that are mostly about the accessories they come with. The obvious extra that the standard Series 9 cannot be bought with is the PowerCase (it is also sold separately).
The Pro can also be bought without the PowerCase.
Price Differences
Using the Braun US website at this current time shows the Braun Series 9 Pro (9477cc) priced up at $250, and the Series 9 (9370cc) priced up at $269. The 9 Pro is a much better deal on the US Braun website at this moment, but this does change and will differ from country to country.
When a new series, revision, or upgrade comes along for any electric shavers, you’ll find that sometimes the older model is more expensive than the new version. Other times, the old version becomes much cheaper, so it’s all quite random and changes.
Final Thoughts – Which Shaver is Best?
I like the change with the switch, and I like the PowerCase on the Braun Series 9 Pro. Most of all, though – it performed and shaved better, which leans me over to preferring the Series 9 Pro, naturally.
It could be possible; because of how efficient the Pro is, it is a more aggressive razor, and this might make the Braun Series 9 a better choice for those with very sensitive skin. I’m not sold on that, though!
After having a better shave experience with the Pro, I find no reason to recommend the Series 9 over the Pro unless a buyer can pick one up much cheaper.
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