The Panasonic Arc 6, also sold as the Lamdash Pro 6 (in Japan) and Series 900+ (in Europe), has been around for approximately 3 years.
During this time, Panasonic released 2 minor updates, informally called revision B (2022) and revision C (2023) exclusively to the Japanese market.
Now there’s a new 2024 generation, which we’ll refer to as the revision D, and it’s the first one that brings along some significant changes.
And by that I mean actual hardware tweaks and not just a new color scheme — things that can influence the shaving performance.
Let’s check them out.
UPDATE November 2024: my in-depth review of the latest Arc 6 is now available.
New foil head
This is arguably the highlight of this update and the one that interests us the most.
The micro-foil is a key component of a foil shaver, so this could be a big deal.
According to Panasonic, the new Lamdash Pro 6 head, with the part number ES9610, uses even thinner foil elements than the previous model, the ES9600.
This new head will have 4 foil elements for a very close shave and two slit trimmers for catching longer, flat-lying hairs.
The single gold comfort roller is still present, allowing the massive head to glide easier over the skin.
There’s no official info yet, but the new ES9610 foil may not be compatible with the previous Arc 6 models.
Looking at the rendered images of the 2024 Arc 6, it appears that the new foil frame is more compact and doesn’t flare out as much.
So there’s a good chance the new foil won’t fit any of the existing Arc 6 models.
I will update the article once I manage to buy a revision D shaver and check if the ES9610 head is backward compatible or not.
Update: The new foil is compatible with all the previous Arc 6 shavers. You can safely upgrade your old shaver with it.
The Arc 6 was already one of the closest shaving electric razors out there, so the premise of an even closer shave with this new foil is very intriguing.
USB-C charging
Just like they did with the 2024 5-blade Lamdash Pro 5, Panasonic finally decided to swap their proprietary charging port with the much beloved USB-C.
One of the new 2024 Lamdash Pro 6 models (specifically the ES-L650D) will however still feature the old Panasonic port.
It’s also the only model that will work cordless & corded.
Even though these are Japan-exclusive models, you will be able to charge them anywhere in the world using your phone’s charger for example.
You may however need a basic plug adapter for the Panasonic AC charger (it’s already fitted with a universal voltage adapter — 100-240V).
New LED lights
Apart from the above mentioned features that are genuinely useful and compelling, there are some gimmicky ones as well.
Specifically, there are now a couple of LED strips right below the head that light up according to the power output of the motor.
The shavers are fitted with the same AI+ beard sensor as before, so it supposedly reads the stubble density 233 times a second and alters the speed of the motor depending on how dense/coarse the beard is.
But this time, the shaver will also show you that by lighting up the strips in a specific color.
As such, we have orange for a so-called boost mode (full power) and white for a soft mode (less power for a gentler shave).
In other words, the beard density sensor is exactly the same as before, but now the shavers will also show if the motor is running at full speed or slower.
To me that is a bit redundant as you can actually hear and feel the motor slowing down or ramping up.
But nevertheless, LED lights seem to be a trend now after Philips introduced them with the new Series 9000.
Misc features
I won’t be going into details on the rest of the features as they are exactly the same as before:
- 14 000 CPM linear-drive motor (capable of 84 000 cutting actions per minute)
- 45 minutes worth of cordless shaving from a Li-ion battery
- 5D flexible head
- pop-up trimmer
Lamdash Pro 6 model comparison
Panasonic announced four different models in this latest (revision D) generation.
Again this series is referred to as the Arc 6, Lamdash Pro 6 or Series 900+ — all of them designate the flagship 6-blade shavers.
Here’s a comparison table of the 2024 models.
| Model | Use | Accessories | Specific features |
|---|---|---|---|
1. ES-L690U (black) | wet/dry, cordless-only | cleaning station, hard travel case, AC adapter, USB cable, detergent, oil, cleaning brush, plastic cover | Smart lock, advanced display, 20-level battery indicator, USB-C |
2. ES-L670U (black) | wet/dry, cordless-only | cleaning station, hard travel case, AC adapter, USB cable, detergent, oil, cleaning brush, plastic cover | 5-level battery indicator, USB-C |
3. ES-L650U (black) | wet/dry, cordless-only | textile pouch, USB cable, oil, cleaning brush, plastic cover | 5-level battery indicator, USB-C |
4. ES-L650D (black) | dry-only, cordless & corded | textile pouch, AC adapter, oil, cleaning brush, plastic cover | 5-level battery indicator, Panasonic charging port (no USB-C) |
The one that stands out is the ES-L690U as it’s the most feature-rich model.
The performance however is identical throughout the range.
But getting back to the ES-L690U, it’s the only shaver that has a more advanced display, capable of showing the battery charge in 5% increments (20 levels) or the shave duration.
The other 3 are only fitted with a basic 5-level indicator, something that’s downright disappointing for a shaver in this price range.
The ES-L690U features a smart lock function (the shaver automatically unlocks when you hold it), while the rest have the standard lock activated via a long press of the power button.
Also, only the ES-L690U and ES-L670U come with a hard travel case (part number ES-2L15), while the other two include a very basic textile pouch.
There’s no mention of a protective plastic cap for any of the models, but those should be included nevertheless.
As usual, the models that don’t come with a cleaning station will not work with one.
The wet/dry shavers are of course cordless only, while the dry-only ES-L650D will also work with the cord plugged in while charging.
All of them are IPX7 waterproof for easy cleaning (with the cord removed of course).
Takeaway
The latest Panasonic Arc 6/Lamdash Pro 6 (revision D ) will be available as of September 2024 and will likely remain exclusive to Japan.
As such, Panasonic continues its strategy of only releasing new, frequent updates to the Japanese market.
The rest of the world still gets the original (revision A) Panasonic Arc 6 even in 2024, namely the ES-LS8A and ES-LS9A models.
And until now, we weren’t missing much as the newer Japanese revisions were essentially the same with only minor tweaks.
But with the 2024 generation, we have a new improved foil and USB-C charging. The LED lights are not my thing, but may still matter to some buyers.
I can’t say (yet) how much of an improvement the new shavers will be, but you will have to import one from Japan if you want the latest 6-blade Panasonic.
And that means higher shipping costs and customs fees for a shaver with an already premium price tag.
It might just be worth it though (I will post my in-depth review as soon as I manage to test the new shavers).
Am I correct to assume the AC adapter is used for cleaning station?
You are 100% correct. The only exception is the ES-L650D that still uses the old Panasonic port.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Really hope the cleaning station is USB-C as well. That way the model will work internationally without problem. Now I will need to get an adaptor for the cleaning station.
The cleaning station is 100% not USB-C, unfortunately. It still uses Panasonic’s connector and wall adapter, however it’s fitted with a universal voltage adapter, so you can use it anywhere in the world. But you will need a basic plug adapter (from Japan to EU for example).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The most important: type-C. :)
Definitely pretty important and I hope more brands will follow suit. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Please tell me which battery is used in these new models:
1)ES-L690/670/650: capacity/article? Is it the same as in the ES-LS9A/8A/6A models?
2)ES-L580/570/550?
Hi,
1) Panasonic doesn’t explicitly disclose the battery inside the new shavers (ES-L690/670/650) but it is most likely the same one found in the ES-LS9A/8A/6A models, namely the WESLV9ZL2519.
2) the 5-blade Lamdash Pro 5 probably uses the same unit, the WESLV9ZL2519.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much, Ovidiu!
Yes, I also did not find information about batteries on new models anywhere, unlike last year’s moles. I hope they did the same as you think!
1) Replacement regulations according to the instructions after 3 years, however, I often find confirmation from other people that they change the battery after 8-10 years. Is this really +- right?
2)And another question: Does Panasonic charge its razors at the factory or not?
3)If not, does the battery degrade without the first charge while it is stored in warehouses in stores. And what is the acceptable time for such storage without charge?
Again, this question relates to your experience and observation, maybe there is information about this! Once again, thank you very much for your articles and help!
You are very welcome!
1) Generally, the battery lasts a lot longer than those 3 years. I still have many 10+ year old Panasonic razors and the batteries still hold a decent charge.
2) Yes, based on the state of the shavers upon opening the box, it seems they do charge them.
3) Batteries degrade over time, but should be years before significant damage occurs. Usually shavers never sit for that long in warehouses.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, thank you for your comprehensive summary of the new Arc 6.
While I applaud Panasonic for not releasing a new model every few years (at least outside Japan), like some other brands do, the new Arc 6, especially the ES-L690U, looks really intriguing, first and foremost the new shaving head, of course.
I also think that the new LED indicator is a little bit gimmicky, but as long as it can be turned off, that’s not really a big deal and some might actually find it useful.
Thanks again for this article and I am very much looking forward to your review.
Thank you for the comment, Nico, much appreciated.
After checking out the Japanese instructions manual, I actually don’t think they can be turned off. The lights will also blink (slower or faster) in white, orange or red to signal different states (charging, locked, cleaning reminder, temperature too high etc.) and I already know that this will cause a lot of confusion. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu. As I understand it, the main significant difference between the new 2024 model and the old one is the thinner shaving head. Do you think the overpayment is worth it or can I buy the arc6 2022, 2023 version?
Hi Vlad,
That is correct, there’s a new foil head on the 2024 models that’s supposed to shave even closer. I usually wait until I can test it myself and compare it side by side to the old one. Just from the currently available info it would be difficult to draw any conclusions.
But I will say that the current Arc 6 models (any of them) already shave very close, so any improvements would probably be more or less incremental. The effectiveness could be better as well, in the sense that it would take fewer strokes or less pressure for a similar result using the updated foil.
I will be buying the shaver next month when they become available.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I can assure you that there is a significant difference between the two foils as I tried them both and yes the new 2024 thinner foil is far better, it managed to shave my facial hairs especially around my neck area much faster cleaner and closer, and yes for me it was well worth the price.The Japanese Lamdash pro 6 model ES L690U is the absolute top of the line and includes the cleaning station, it has all the bells and whistles which I love and if you can afford it is the one to buy, for me it’s the best shaver I’ve ever used and that includes my series
9 Braun. I purchased it from eBay and received it in eight days duty free
Thanks for the write up. Just a heads up as I don’t see it mentioned in the article. Looking at the manual it seems the ES-L690U brings back the shaving elapsed time in the display which is handy and useful IMO.
Please disregard my comment above. It is mentioned in the article.
Hey,
Thank you for the comment. No worries, that part is somewhat buried in the article and hard to spot. :-)
I think the elapsed time feature (and essentially a better display) should be standard on all the Arc 6 models considering the price. The old ES-LV65 has it and that one only costs a fraction of the price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
This….
“Apart from the above mentioned features that are genuinely useful and compelling, there are some gimmicky ones as well.
Specifically, there are now a couple of LED strips right below the head that light up according to the power output of the motor.
..[..]..
To me that is a bit redundant as you can actually hear and feel the motor slowing down or ramping up.”
…Is somehting I completely agree with. Things like this always makes me feel like it’s just another thing that could break. *oh great, now the light on the left side is broken, but works on the right side, that doesn’t look good, perhaps there are spare parts*
Hmmm, I really hope Panasonic don’t go further down this gimmick path and turn their shavers (or other products) into something that they shouldn’t be. Let the other manufacturers play that game until it’s not “fashionable” anymore.
Cheers, Karl
Hey Karl,
Definitely — all brands seem to more or less emulate what others are doing. And I don’t have anything against that as long as they pick the truly useful features, not just LED lights and beard density sensors. And speaking of lights, the ones on this latest Arc 6 also signal a bunch of different things/statuses by using a combination of colors (white, orange, red) and blinking frequency which I’m sure will cause some confusion instead of solving anything.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
How much is the new head thinner than before?
The foil is thinner according to Panasonic and we’re probably talking about a very small difference (fractions of a millimeter/microns) as the foil was already very thin.
As for the entire shaving head, it seems from the official renders that the foil frame is more compact, but can’t tell with certainty how significant the difference is until I can compare the shavers side by side.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu. What’s the next for braun and philips flagships? Is there any revision for them?
You are very welcome, Amir.
Nothing new on that front, I’m afraid. The newest flagship shavers continue to be the same S9 PRO+ (95xx) and the S9000 Prestige (the one with the angular heads).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks a million. I guess sometime in November or December, the new revisions of philips prestige and braun 9 pro will come…am I right?
My pleasure, Amir.
I would be particularly surprised to see a new Prestige so soon. A new Braun flagship shaver, in the sense of a brand new concept, not just another Series 9/Pro/PRO+ iteration is long overdue, but again if the sales of the current generation are still going strong, there’s no real reason for Braun to launch a new shaver. We might have to wait until next year.
This is of course pure speculation and I could be wrong.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve actually tried and compared the two versions of foils and (YES) let me assure you, for me at least, there is a slight but significant difference between the ES 9600 and ES 9610 foils, to be clear the es 9600 foil is great and will probably give you what you might assume to be the best and closest shave you may have ever experienced, however, the es 9610 will actually give you an even closer and faster shave than you may have thought possible! I just can’t imagine why Panasonic limited the Landash pro 6 solely to the Japanese market place, to me it makes no sense.I purchased the Panasonic es L690U-K.By the way the letter K indicates the color Black and is the best shaver by far I’ve ever purchased ,which includes my Braun 9 series, which by the way is also a great shaver, but not near enough as great as this particular version of the Panasonic lineup .Yes it is probably the most expensive shaver on the market, but for good reason! My best advice is if you decide to buy Panasonic, please consider including the cleaning station, it does an amazing job, cleaning, and drying as well as charging of course,for me it was a matter of convenience. One last thing the es L960U-K does have all the bells and whistles including the blue white and orange lightings indicating the two power modes but that is an advantage believe it or not, as it not only prevents possible skin burn but also saves battery time,and it also shows up in the percentage rate in the information window of the razor, besides I just happen to enjoy all the bells and whistles and by the way don’t be put off by those who complain and say what that’s just another thing that can go wrong with the shaver and cause it to go wrong and fail. Which just as a matter of fact would be like any other hi tech product in the market place that could go faulty for goodness sake! just bear in mind it’s a Panasonic and Panasonic does after all have a name and reputation for both product performance and excellence. Need I say more!
Hi Richard,
Many thanks for the comment — glad you’re enjoying your new Arc 6. Panasonic is very slow with updating their global models and it sometimes takes them years to bring the (initial) Japanese releases to the rest of the world. And on many occasions these new shavers will remain limited to Japan as it was the case with most of the Arc 5 revisions (and the Arc 6 for that matter).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Agreed the LED seems gimmicky-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IisKD-fr3E
Definitely. The shaver also seems to run in Boost mode even though the facial hair of the user in the video is clearly very light and only switches to the Soft mode when there’s almost nothing to cut. But that’s not bad in my opinion, on the contrary, I would rather have full power at all time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Agreed. Would prefer to keep it permanently in boost mode.
Hi! Nice to see some actual improvements that can make the shaving performance better. Do you know if the Arc 3 series is also going to get an improved version with thinner foils?
Hi Peter,
There’s a new Arc 3/Lamdash 3 revision scheduled for release in September as well. These new shavers use a new foil (with a different part number than the previous shavers) but the two inner blades are the same. There’s also no explicit mention of the foil being thinner, so my guess is that it will be pretty much the same as before (like for example the ES-LT4B).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I noticed that the foil of the Braun shaver when it is new is a bright silver color, but with use this silver coating disappears and the foil turns gray, unlike the foil of the Panasonic shaver, which is made of stainless steel, so its color does not change no matter how long it is used. Also, the blades of the Philips shaver are also made of stainless steel. steel The question: How can the coating of the Braun shaver foil be preserved for as long as possible? Why doesn’t Braun make foil from stainless steel?
Hi Emad,
Braun foils are also stainless steel, but the alloy and coating/treatments can vary, so the color may shift/tarnish in time. It doesn’t necessarily mean it will affect the performance, most likely it won’t. All you can do is clean the shaver regularly and lubricate it. That’s really it. If you use a cleaning station it will take care of both.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, love your site, used it to do extensive research earlier this year and settled on importing the ES-LS9CX. The main selling point for me was the travel case with the USB-C port. Unfortunately, it only charges by using a USB-C / USB-A cable (I was hoping for USB-C / USB-C charging). I hope you can test this when you do your review on both the shaver and case if you get the top model. I don’t have much hope as the manual for the new model shows it comes with the same USB-C / USB-A cable and specifically states to only use that.
Hi JB,
Thank you for the comment, glad you found the site useful.
I think there’s reason to be hopeful that a USB-C/USB-C cable will actually work. I’ve bought the Panasonic ES-CM3A which is a 3-blade portable shaver with a USB-C charging port. It also comes with a USB-C/USB-A cable and the manual says to only use that particular cable. However, I’ve been charging it with a different USB-C/USB-C cable without any issues.
As soon as I get the new Arc 6 I will test this and get back to you with a reply here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Do you think ES-CM3A is a good travel shaver? Its compact design is fit to be used with shaving cream?
Hey,
I actually got one a couple of month ago, but never got to shave with it. It’s a very sleek looking and compact shaver, has a USB-C port, the sliding-touch pad for turning it on and off works really well and the performance will be pretty much identical to any Arc 3 with a 13 000 CPM motor. In short, quite good. You can use it with shaving cream as well. But there are two potential issues with it that may or may not matter that much to you.
First, there’s the price. I think you should wait for a good deal if you’re not in a hurry.
Secondly, it doesn’t have an integrated hair trimmer which for me is a deal-breaker in any shaver. But again, if you don’t use one, it won’t matter.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Some info. Wonder if a 10% difference is noticeable-
The cutting efficiency of the first deep shaving blade that touches the beard is compared with the deep shaving blade equipped with the 6-blade model in FY23. According to a survey by Panasonic. ” The cut rate of “conventional deep shaving blade installed in ES-LS9CX” cut rate is 17.2%, and “new deep shaving blade installed in the ES-L690U series” cut rate is 27.4%. Based on Panasonic’s own standards. The effect varies depending on the conditions of use.
Hey,
Thanks for the comment.
From past experience, I think we should manage our expectations. For example, the newer revisions of the Arc 5 featured foils with improved slit trimmers to tackle flat-lying hairs. And there were some similar claims from Panasonic regarding their increased efficiency but in practice the improvements turned out to be marginal.
I personally think there will be an upgrade in shave quality but a 10% difference in their own tests doesn’t say much about what to expect.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I got a new Panasonic 6 two days ago. I think we can safely say the new Panasonic 6 delivers. The foils are competable between the previous and the current models. I think if people have the older Panasonic ES-LS9, they can buy a foil 9610, the experience would be identical. Happy to answer all questions.
Hi Vasyl,
Thank you for the info, much appreciated. It’s great news that the revised foil is fully compatible with the previous shavers. I’m sure many of the current Arc 6 users will be happy to know that as well.
I am yet to receive my unit and I’m really looking forward to trying it. Did you find the shave noticeably better vs your ES-LS9?
Thank you again for the willingness to answer our questions.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I think a new Panasonic 6 is better – the softer and closer shaving process.. The main question how much better. I would say 20-30 % better. Should the owners of the previous Panasonic 6 models switch to this new model?I would say probably no, unless the money is not an issue. The new improvements don’t justify the new super high price. Yet, this is arguable the best men’s shaver ever made and you get what you pay for. Looking forward to reading your review, it would be very interesting, as always.
Vasyl, thank you so much for taking the time to share these insights — I’m very eager to try it myself.
I agree that it’ll probably not be compelling enough to justify an upgrade for current Arc 6 users, especially with the new foil block being backward compatible. The improvement brought by the the new models are vastly the result of the new foil, so it will be a worthy upgrade once the foil becomes available.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, I’ve been enjoying your site for some time, finding the best recommendations on electric razors.
Been using panasonic since the linear 2 blade ES8068 in early 1990
all the way to Arc6 LS8A, having tried other brands including Braun 9.
Interested in the new 2024 Lamdash Pro6, with new foil and USB C.
Which model are you looking at purchasing? The L690U has already increased to nearly $500 US on Amazon japan.
Do you think these prices will drop on Black Friday?
Will these new models include the manual “sonic” cleaning?
Vasyl comment 9/6/24 saying the new foil #9610 fits his arc6.
Hopefully will fit my 2 year old LS8A, and breathe some life into it.
Cannot find it on Amazon japan, although the foil #9600 is available for half the price of Amazon usa.
It seems that there is not that much difference in the prices of razors in USA besides paying tax, but may take awhile for the new model to be available.
Thanks again for all your work.
Hi TC,
Thank you so much for the comment.
Fortunately it appears that the new foil will indeed be compatible with the previous Arc 6 models. I will be getting the ES-L690U model, even though I don’t think it is the most compelling one given its price.
I think most users should buy the two models that don’t come with the station or the ES-L670U if the station is a must-have.
The ES9610 foil will probably be available this fall as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi TC,
You may get the ES9610 here:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0DBL7NZY3/
Hi Ovidiu, I’ve been enjoying your site for some time, finding the best recommendations on electric razors.
Been using panasonic since the linear 2 blade ES8068 in early 1990
all the way to Arc6 LS8A, having tried other brands including Braun 9.
Interested in the new 2024 Lamdash Pro6, with new foil and USB C.
Which model are you looking at purchasing? The L690U has already increased to nearly $500 US on Amazon japan.
Do you think these prices will drop on Black Friday?
Will these new models include the manual “sonic” cleaning?
Vasyl comment 9/6/24 saying the new foil #9610 fits his arc6.
Hopefully will fit my 2 year old LS8A, and breathe some life into it.
Cannot find it on Amazon japan, although the foil #9600 is available for half the price of Amazon usa.
It seems that there is not that much difference in the prices of razors in USA besides paying tax, but may take awhile for the new model to be available.
Thanks again for all your work.
Hi TC,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I already replied to your initial comment right above. The manual sonic cleaning mode is still standard with all the models. I’ll be getting the ES-L690U.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks very much Nissin I will definitely order one.
Has anyone ordered the ES-L650U? I try and stay away from cleaning stations, hopefully this model still has the manual “sonic” cleaning.
My 2 year old LS8A has served me well
I see the L690U is over $500 on Amazon japan
While the L650U is around $330 about what I paid for my LS8A.
Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions.
Hi Ovidiu,
I just wanted to let you know that the ES 9610 foil is available and in stock on Yahoo Japan. I just ordered it today. Here is the link in case anyone is interested. https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/idosawa/4549980809648.html
I am using a proxy service called From Japan. They bought it on my behalf and then will ship it to the US to me.
I appreciate all your great reviews and articles!
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment, much appreciated. I will update the post and add the link to the foil.
As a side note, I’ve only been using the forward2me.com proxy when ordering from Japan (they provide a Japanese address and then ship the package to you anywhere in the world). So far they’ve been very reliable and the fees are reasonable as well.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your upgraded Arc 6.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
According to Panasonic, the shaving efficiency of the main 4 outer blades is increased from 17.2% of ES-LS9CX to 27.4% of ES-L690U, meaning a huge 59% (“approximately 50%” according to Panasonic) improvement and should yield a noticeably faster shave.
My ES9610 blade is arriving next week.
Hi John,
Thank you for the comment.
The new foil should definitely be better, but I wouldn’t get too excited about the official numbers. Similar claims were made by Panasonic in the past whenever they launched a new Arc 5 foil for example — in that case, it was about the effectiveness when shaving longer, flat-lying hairs and the improvements ended up being only incremental.
I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the new foil if you have the time. One thing to keep in mind is that some of the perceived improvements will only be the result of a brand new, unworn foil with sharp blades, especially if your current Arc 6 foil has been used consistently over the past few months. I will try to get a new foil from the previous generation for a fair comparison when I finally get to review the new one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been using the ES9610 foil for a month now, and I think the shave is a little bit faster compared to ES9600 but surely there’s still room for a lot of improvement (as far as technology advancement goes), as it still takes several minutes to shave from start to finish, and you still need to use the trimmer to finish the neck area (otherwise takes even more time).
Nevertheless, it’s a good thing that you can upgade to the new improved foil when your old one needs a replacement.
A placebo test would be needed to assess the actual improvement on speed, closeness and comfort.
Last year I bought a top model of Braun, and shaving the neck is a bit better but overall impression/quality and especially the trimmer is better on Panasonic so ended up returning the Braun.
Maybe I’ll try a Philips rotary shaver the next time they release a new top model (to tackle the problematic neck area).
How many years will it take for Philips to release the next big upgrade, you think ?
Hi John,
Thanks so much for the comment.
The more difficult hairs, especially on the neck, are still somewhat of an innate weakness for Panasonic. I also find the Braun S9 more effective in that regard, but the closeness isn’t as good. And I agree with you 100%, the construction and workmanship of the Panasonic are superior. As for the hair trimmer, there’s really comparison, the Panasonic is much better.
I did try both the old and the new Arc 6 foil, even during the same shave, but it wasn’t a true placebo test as I knew which one I was using. But I did try to stay as objective as possible (review coming soon).
As for the Philips, it’s difficult to say but I think it’ll be a while until a new Prestige for example drops. And by that I mean a new generation that really brings something, like new shaving heads or even a new motor, not just an incremental update with new colors and smartphone connectivity.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the updates Ovidiu! Unfortunately Amazon.jp doesn’t ship the 690U to my address in the US (or the shaver head), but they WILL ship the 670U for some reason. Go figure. I suspect I’ll be updating, likely to the 690U with another shipper, but may delay to see what becomes available for the US through Amazon. I wish Panasonic was more global with their updates, and I wish (and have for years) that they would upgrade their soap-only cleaning system, but sounds like their new models really do offer some improvements, if only incremental, and the ARC 6 is arguably the pinnacle of electric razors even now.
Hey Allan,
Thank you for the comment.
I ended up ordering the 650U after an entire saga with shipping and forwarding from Japan. For the past few years, Panasonic’s global offerings have been disappointing — not that there’s anything wrong with the older shavers as they are still highly competitive, but Panasonic seems to ignore the European and North American markets when it comes to the latest available models, particularly in the Arc 5 and Arc 6 series. I have an Arc 5 (Lamdash Pro 5) 2024 model on order as well, really looking forward to trying them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
In your experience, which blades remain sharp after a year of daily use, Philips, Braun, or Panasonic?
Hi Emad,
That would be Philips — rotary cutters just stay sharper for a longer time due to the way they work and they are constructed — much slower rotational speed, the blades only spin in one direction and the blades and guards are much thicker compared to foil machines.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, did you already order the 690U? Could you please give some details about how (which retailer) and what was the cost? Thank you!
Hey,
I ended up ordering this 650U (at the current price) after I ran into some issues with the forwarding company (forward2me.com). It’s currently still in transit.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So you paid the retail ¥ 47,000? Did they remove the 10% sales tax because it’s an export? Also, can you estimate how much more will the forward delivery cost?
Someone mentioned earlier there is 670U, also on amazon jp. I checked and it ships to my address, and comes to about￥59,366 total for me, about $414 USD. They remove the sales tax, and include the customs fees, so there shouldn’t be any extra brokerage fees at delivery. Seems reasonably priced for a new release. I just placed an order.
That’s right, I paid the retail price. There were no additional fees as the delivery address (for the forwarding company) was in Japan and it qualified for free shipping. They are yet to forward it to my address in Romania, so I don’t know right now how much that would cost. As for customs fees, those vary a lot depending on where you live.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
OK, thank you.
I am glad that it was possible for me to order directly from amazon jp, without using a forwarding service, and deliver it straight to my address in Canada. It should arrive in a few days, and I will try to post some feedback here.
Initially I wanted to buy the top model 690U, but it wasn’t available, plus it looked like it was going to cost about $100 more, but the only major difference is the display. It doesn’t seem like it’s worth it.
You are very welcome, looking forward to your thoughts on the shaver when you have the time. You are right regarding the 690U, you’re essentially paying the price difference for the display and the smart lock feature (not a must-have in my opinion).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
For those who are in the U.S., I purchased the 650U from eBay for $420, with free shipping included. After U.S. sales tax, the total came to $445.62. The shipping was impressively fast, taking just 3-4 days, and it arrived via FedEx in excellent condition. The packaging was secure, and the device itself was sealed, exactly as advertised. I’ve already charged it up using the USB-C cable, and I’m looking forward to testing it out for shaving tomorrow.
The eBay link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335547670094?_skw=ES-L650U-K&itmmeta=01J8H802WN2VWCM6E40V1EJ3XN&hash=item4e20331e4e:g:UQYAAOSwT8lmy-p-&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkJYYR%2BelTiW0FhPVg%2Fg%2Bz80Pvg9x62Y0fErSPK0%2F285P1Wv0tw1URGOnFtjIQPJXIH9bm5U7dGQvYqOb2VQ%2FB7aTOY%2BlMCliPGysIG5ch1CZIaC8LL3ojTQ9KFPV4VLcpoNS8y8Ooa64dkJbmvHaj9WVWDSol59jPBAA30ZhGdPjfdovjSBgyQnmLqYJZm3773EhMLq68pp9bEvtiv71CMHNrCD1ZD1MAh%2B3cW29zoB5tPzSCI3rgDfwHruovS52OAUO9SRnPGC5Z4qsmUiLfYvv83OAxS0xGvHCrGI09QXQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7KugKjEZA
Awesome, thanks so much for the info and link. Unfortunately I live in Europe, so I have to go through all the hassle (order it to a forwarding address in Japan, then pay for shipping + customs fees).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You can still order on eBay while in EU. Have done this many times… there is the duty and vat collected of course, but it does work. Many JP vendors offer goods intended for JP market only on eBay and deliver really fast.
I guess it comes down to the efficiency of the customs office where you live in the EU..
Thanks for the tip — I only briefly checked eBay and the prices of the 2024 models were very high (at least at that time), so I just ended up ordering the shavers from Amazon Japan and had them forwarded to me in Europe. I did buy quite a few shavers in the past from eBay, in particular newly released Braun models that I couldn’t find elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
ES-L690U-K inbound….:)
Hey Allan,
That’s nice, looking forward to your thoughts on it. :-)
I got my ES-L650U today, unfortunately right after I finished my shave, so I couldn’t try it just yet. I got a 2024 Lamdash Pro 5 as well, so it’s going to be a good week for shaving. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Looking forward to your real-world assessment as well! Switched back for now to ES-LS9A-K and enjoying it! Hard to believe the replacement heads for these are well over $100 USD now, but considering inflation, the fact that they include both foil and cutters and only need replacement every couple of years, likely not so bad (but would never have even thought it possible back in my LA63 days!). Left Narita airport this AM, so expecting arrival sometime in the next week or two….
Hi Allan,
Thanks so much for the comment. Will certainly do but it’ll be a while as I really want to try different things, including using the new head on my old Arc 6 and various other comparisons. That said, I just had my first shave with the ES-L650U and I am impressed. I think the new foil is genuinely improved and not just a new part number as it was the case with many Arc 5 foils. The closeness and the comfort (zero razor burn) are outstanding. Again I think this is entirely thanks to the new head (which is in opinion expensive at the moment), but at least current Arc 6 users can upgrade the foil and get most of the benefits. The USB-C charging is nice though.
The shaver is quite a bit longer than the old one and I didn’t expect that from the official photos. But it still feels pretty much the same in hand.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with yours as well. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am unable to but replacement foil heads anywhere
Hi Stuart,
It is available on amazon.co.jp.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Also here: https://wafuu.com/en-us
But fairly pricey shipping.
Thank you for the link, Allan, always good to have more options. From what I can see at the moment, the best deal is still on amazon.co.jp.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yep, that’s generally my go-to for Japanese products, but sometimes hard to get shipping to my area. Looks like my Panasonic will be here Tuesday, so I’ll give it a run this week and report back. Not much different than the 650U except for some display do-dads, so performance should be identical to your experience which sounded positive. Thanks for keeping us updated!
Hi Ovidiu,
Could you update this post with your remarks? I saw the compatibility on the replies only…..
I’d like to read your toughts on the post body.
Hi Renato,
Will do, I’m currently working on the standalone review as well. Can confirm that the new foil head is 100% compatible with the older Arc 6 shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great! Many Thanks!
Sincerely,
Renato
Shaved the maiden voyage this morning with the ES-L690U, and first observations. For me, the balance and weight of the new shaver are similar – borne out by the fact that the L690U weighs exactly the same as the older ES-CLS9AX Lamdash 6 (both just shy of 227g – 8.0 oz). OAL for the new shaver however, as Ovidiu observes, is slightly longer – 180mm, compared to the original at 170mm). Interestingly, I have one of the original cases for the old shaver which allows charging in the case – and the case dimensions are virtually the same (probably to accommodate the charging apparatus in the old case). The weight of the old case however is a whopping 221g, compared to just 79g for the new case (again, charging contacts and likely electronics in the old case). The dimensions and appearance of the cleaning/charging stations are visually identical (as well as the cleaning fluid container), and either shaver fits in either station and runs normally. The station plugs are labeled differently (RC1-80 old, RC1-81 new – dimensions appear identical), but have the same output – AC100-240V, 50-60HZ, DC5.4V, 1.2A. The ES-L690U does have the USB-C port – with a rubber flap cover, a nice touch. The shaver heads, again visually, appear to be identical as far as internal construction and exterior cutters and configuration, with a matte finish on the new head exterior and a smooth finish on the old, and as Ovidiu observed are interchangeable (with the new shaver foil reportedly thinner). The stations both have the traditional Panasonic plug port. The new shaver seemed to charge very fast – from 0% to 100% in about 45 minutes I would guess.
In the box, it came with a hard fabric case, the shaver, the cleaning station and cord, a small bottle of oil, a shaver head cover, one packet of cleaning solution, a short length of USB-A to USB-C cord and a standard Panasonic cleaning brush (which is actually sort of concealed within a slot in the box, so you might miss it).
As far as the shave, completely agree with Ovidiu – even accounting for the new blades versus the slightly older shaver head, the new head does deliver a more comfortable and, to me, smoother and less irritating shave (dry shave with Mennen pre-shave). Haven’t tried wet shaving yet but would expect similar improved results. Most noticeably, very little heating of the shaver head – users of the LS9AX will appreciate. As far as the screen do-dads, specifically the “BOOST”/”SOFT” lights, it may actually have some utility – the user has no control over the lighting (an orange light appears when the shaver “thinks” it’s plowing through tougher/unshaved beard, blue/white over a lighter beard or finished area) – but you can – roughly – tell that you have completed a section of your face because the light turns white, so you can move to another spot. Not perfect, but it does help slightly, as an adjunct to just feeling your face. Of academic interest, the screen graphic said I was in BOOST mode 25% of the time and SOFT mode 75% of the time, which describes my particular beard and face fairly accurately for a daily shave. The “cleaning” mode on the shaver (engaged by pressing the on/off button for a couple of seconds like earlier models) is also slightly different – it doesn’t have the high-pitched frequency of the Arc 5 and Arc 6, and doesn’t turn off the shaver when finished – the shaver just switches back to normal mode and keeps running – and it shows a “cleaning” graphic of a shaver head with suds on the screen while cleaning.
The cleaning station has the identical indicators – CHECK, LOW, CLEAN, DRY and SELECT – and appears to clean about the same amount of time with the same noise level, with the exception of the final three cycles where the cutters run to dry themselves briefly before the fan comes on: a low-pitched, loud buzz three times. Hopefully normal.
Overall and final thoughts, a nice upgrade to the previous generation, maybe more than incremental. Some downsides – it IS more expensive (shipping and tax included), but I actually paid only slightly less for my last Arc 6, and the Japanese Amazon has it for less than the older Arc 6 on the US Amazon site right now (at nearly $500 with station). Between the two, I would definitely get the new model. Additionally, since the L690U is only available from Japan, the user manual is written exclusively in Kanji, although some graphics are provided. If you are unfamiliar with the Arc 6, you’ll need to at least look up an English version of the old model and guess about the new features (which actually are fairly intuitive). Warranty is another potential issue, so if you’re not buying for use in Japan there might be a question on Panasonic covering it. Enough of an improvement though that it was worth the upgrade to me, and if you’re just contemplating the Arc 6 for the first time this is the one to get IMO. It definitely enhances Panasonic’s position as arguably producing the best electric foil shaver on the market (apologies to the German contingent, which is a strong runner-up for me), and I recommend it, and look forward to one of Ovidiu’s very comprehensive and enlightening reviews!
Hi Allan, a very nice review, thank you. You confirmed my experience as well. I am still not convinced that we need the new display with all information, I would prefer the smartphone connection instead, but for the shaving results I am getting I am prepared to forgive everything. This is the best shaver in the world bar none and I have all flagship models from all leading brands.
Hi Vasyl,
Thank you for the feedback — glad you’re enjoying your new shaver. I also found it to be among the best I’ve ever used.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Olvidiu. Waiting for your excellent comprehensive review, as always.
Allan,
Thank you so much for the excellent and incredibly detailed review — I enjoyed reading it tremendously and I am 100% with you on everything you’ve said.
One interesting observation about these 2024 Arc 6 models without a USB-C port is that they now have a slightly different Panasonic port with two triangular dividers that makes them compatible only with the newer RC1-80 and RC1-81 chargers. Here is an image of it and this very same port should also be on the station of your ES-L690U. I can see only one consequence to this, namely that you won’t be able to use an older RE7-87 charger for example. This is the first physical change to the Panasonic port in the last 10 – 15 years or so.
I also immediately noticed the new Sonic mode — it’s definitely more toned down and I don’t really see the reasoning behind letting the shaver run after it’s done.
If there’s a good deal available + direct shipping from Japan, I think any of these 2024 models are a very compelling alternative to the still very pricey global (older) Arc 6. Like you’ve said, this makes sense especially for someone who doesn’t have an Arc 6. For current owners of the previous revisions, getting just the foil head is probably the best option. I tried it on my old Arc 6 and unsurprisingly, the shave was identical. So the only other real upgrade would be the USB-C port on the select models.
Thank you again for the extensive write-up, Allan, it’s always reassuring that I didn’t just get carried away by the excitement of a new shaver and it really is that good. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Vasyl! Agree – I also meant to clarify that I was essentially comparing the 690U with a later generation Arc 6. I’ve routinely switched between a Philips (the Prestige and 9000 Series), Braun’s Series 9 in several iterations, and a few others as well as DE razors, and have shaved almost exclusively wet with all of them. With this shaver it was comfortable enough to go back to a pre-shave splash and just shave – and I may stick with that for awhile! I am looking forward to Ovidiu’s more thorough review with photos, and his thoughts on the shave quality. This shaver definitely knocks out the Braun lineup and Philips rotaries as far as comfort and closeness for me – although long-term use will tell the tale….
Good day! I’m sorry if i missed. Is the new foil compatible with previous generation of ARC6? Currently i have ES-LS9A model
Hi Alex,
Yes, the new foil is 100% compatible with your ES-LS9A and with any of the other previously released Arc 6.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, really enjoying all of the comments on the new Arc6 2024 shavers from Japan.
Do you or anyone know if these will be cheaper on Amazon japan over black friday?
Agree with the comments on the new foil working on the older Arc6.
Would like to remind your readers that the USB style charging cable that plugs into the proprietary panasonic port, (that part number was provided here some time ago) makes a compelling case for an older Arc6 with new foil especially when traveling.
That’s Ovidiu, and great observation on the charging ports! I never even noticed because I’ve never tried to swap, but I understand why they did it – the earlier charge cord (RE7-87) output was 4.8V and 1.25A – definitely not compatible with the new (5.4V/1.2A). Probably would just not have run the new stations (or run slower because it’s a DC motor), but charging the shaver directly or in the station would be problematic. Panasonic likely just wanted to make it foolproof without modifying the shaver contacts or station design. As always, thank you for the excellent site and reviews!
Thank you, Allan.
That’s what I thought as well. People tend to hold on to chargers for years, myself included. In fact, I’ve been using a decade-old RE7-87 (that stays permanently plugged into an outlet) with all my Panasonic shavers and just happened to notice that it didn’t fit the newest Japanese models.
On a related note, I just had my first shave today with the new 2024 Arc 5 (Lamdash Pro 5) and I think it’s another home run for Panasonic. It shaves every bit as good as the new Arc 6, but the head is noticeably smaller. In fact, it’s smaller than all the previous Arc 5 models as well because the foils are closer together and the frame tapers towards the foils a lot. I still have to test it for at least a couple more weeks but it looks extremely promising.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I’m new here but already have learnt a lot from your excellent reviews and all the comments from various users. Thanks for such great resource.
I’m on the fence trying to decide between Lamdash Pro 5 and Lamdash Pro 6. You say Lamdash Pro 5 shaves as good as Pro 6. Did you mean closeness, comfort or both. Or maybe something else? What would I compromise if I went for Pro 5?
thanks
Grzegorz
Hi Grzegorz,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
I meant both the closeness and comfort when referring to the latest Lamdash Pro 5, it really is that good. Also, because it has two gold slit trimmers, it’s now just as good as the Lamdash Pro 6 with catching flat-lying hairs. Factor in the significantly smaller head of the Pro 5 and the lower price and I think it’s actually a better buy. I did write the article long before using any of these shavers though, so I had no idea how they would compare against each other.
You would be missing out on the LED lights of the new Lamdash Pro 6 (and the features specific to the ES-L690U, like the smart lock function and a better display), but that’s about it.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu,
Good to hear your opinion pitting those two against each other. Was the lack of comfort rollers in Pro 5 bothering you at all compared to Pro 6?
Grzegorz
You are very welcome, Grzegorz. Just a bit more drag with the Pro 5, but nothing in the sense of a more painful shave or razor burn – not a hint of that. It’s just as comfortable as the Pro 6 and without a doubt the most comfortable 5-blade Panasonic I’ve used so far.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Digesting all the feedback from you Ovidiu I pulled the trigger and ordered ES-L580U from Amazon Japan.
I will get back with my thoughts later on.
thanks
Grzegorz
Awesome, hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it, Grzegorz. Looking forward to your feedback when you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
As promised I am providing my feedback after using my brand-new Lamdash Pro 5 (ES-L580U). First of all I’d like to say I’m quite impressed with the speed of delivery process from Japan to Poland. I ordered the shaver on Oct 23rd and received it at my door on Oct 29th. So, kudos to Amazon Japan for being so efficient.
Now, I’m not gonna do a thorough, deep-dive review of this shaver as I do not feel to be qualified and experienced enough to do so. So, just a couple of my observations after shaving for the first time with Lamdash Pro 5.
I expected the unit to be cumbersome having looked at all those mighty heads on the Panasonic shavers in pictures. In reality, I am pleasantly surprised as the head on this shaver is really size-friendly. Ovidiu had indicated before that dimensions of the shaving part were somewhat smaller compared to previous models, but still I had my reservations. They’re gone now. This size is perfect and I feel I can reach all difficult places with ease and it gives no trouble when maneuvering across my face. Previously I owned Braun (can’t remember which model) and recently have been using Philips series 9* for a couple of years. I have a feeling that Panasonic beats both of them in terms of handling and access to various parts of my face. With regards to closeness I have to say this is outrageously close. As close as it gets. I do not have vast experience with numerous shavers, but this thing is really good. Definitely not as close as my old safety razor, obviously, but not that far behind in my particular case. I’m truly happy with what I get. Comfort is very good as well. Lack of rollers is not an issue for me and I do not feel it being too aggressive, but again not much comparison. I have no irritations on my skin whatsoever after shaving and the whole process takes much less time compared to my recent shaver. Obviously, it’s partly down to new foils etc., but I recall my new Philips was still slower at the beginning. I cannot comment on maintenance or cleaning as I’m just starting using it, but I do not suspect major issues. Charging with USB, however, is a big plus and I am happy with it as well.
Thanks to Ovidiu for all great help and to other users for valuable comments. That helped my decision process and I can honestly say I am really satisfied with my purchase.
Grzegorz
Hi Grzegorz,
Thank you so much for the follow-up — fantastic write-up! I’m glad you got a great shave from the get go, that’s not always the case, especially when switching from a rotary.
The ergonomics of the new head are in my opinion the best yet in the Arc 5 range. Same goes for the comfort. I do like to pair it with a pre-shave lotion (Speick) when I shave dry, so maybe you could give it a try if you want to. But it already seems like you got a winner. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
And for anyone contemplating the Arc/Lamdash 6 model, just a few comments and observations regarding the screen on the ES-L690U, since that’s the distinguishing feature from the L670U and other Lamdash 6 models. The screen is bright, with detailed and colorful graphics- easily readable. It toggles between battery charge/charging (the default, always on when active), percent of time in BOOST or SOFT mode, and shaving time, using the button below the screen. It also displays other graphics, like a shaver head and foam when the cleaning mode is activated (and presumably a graphic when the shaver head needs changing, or error codes, but I can’t verify these). It gives the shaver a sleek, modern appearance, and enhances the looks cosmetically, to me.
The above out of the way and cosmetics aside, there appears to be no memory storage in the shaver other than the last shave. The display goes to the default as soon as the shaver automatically turns off or is placed in the charging station. The default display is the percent of charge remaining, or a battery graphic indicating charging – nothing else. And the shaver displays a new set of data when the shaver is turned on again – i.e., shaving time on the display returns to 0 and the SOFT mode displays 100%, 0% BOOST mode. All previous shaving data is lost. If you want to know how long you shaved, or what the intensity percentages were, you have to read it before the shaver automatically turns off (around 30s) or is placed in the charging station. Not the ideal management of display data, but at least it does provide shaving time as many have wanted for the last few generations of the Arc line. The BOOST/SOFT percentages are somewhat academic, but the lights actually do provide some useful feedback (to me) in guiding my shave real-time. The actual percentages of battery charge (in 5% increments) is useful in calculating shaves remaining (assuming they’re accurate), and with my usage I would estimate I can shave 8-10 times on a full charge, which I could stretch speeding up to probably 10-15 – or easily a couple of weeks.
As far as value for cost, the screen provides minimal ROI in my opinion, and is mostly cosmetic – the differential seems to be anywhere from $50-$100 USD from the L670U (next level down with a cleaning station), and the information provided by the display is essentially available on the lower-cost shaver or is superfluous. The autolock/Smart Lock feature is also only available with the screen, but I have it on my other Arc 6 shavers, and I can’t really say I prefer it over the button-activated lock on my Braun or Philips shavers. If you got a good deal on the L690U, why not? But you’re well served by the lower cost and more readily-available ES-L670U which also has the cleaning station and the BOOST/SOFT lights (if that’s important to you), with exactly the same performance. I didn’t see any comments from Ovidiu as far as the LED lights on the Arc 5, and if that was important to you that might be the deciding point between the 5 and 6, but the Arc 5 at the price point is almost certainly the better deal as far as shave quality for money, depending on Ovidiu’s pending excellent analysis!
Hi Allan,
Brilliant write-up as always, thank you for taking the time to share it as I probably won’t be getting any hands-on experience with the L690U. It pretty much confirms my expectations and like you’ve said, it’s probably worth getting if the there’s a good deal available.
The 2024 Arc 5 doesn’t have any LEDs, not even the range-topping model, so this remains an Arc 6 exclusive. I’ve been shaving using both the 2024 Arc 5 and Arc 6 and I can objectively say that the Arc 6 only offers three benefits over the Arc 5 and they aren’t particularly compelling:
– the aforementioned LED lights, as well as the complimentary screen and smart lock feature (for the L690U)
– slightly quieter operation — the Arc 5 foil vibrates more, while the Arc 6 sounds smoother and more refined
– the single roller makes the large head glide a bit easier over the skin
But that’s really it. The 2024 Arc 5, essentially a new generation compared to the 2023 revision, is just as good as the Arc 6 in terms closeness, comfort and how it deals with more difficult hairs. But the shaving head is noticeably smaller, the handle is thinner and easier to grip, and the price is generally lower. I think Panasonic made it maybe a bit too capable for heir own good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu! I thought it might be helpful for anyone on the fence between the two latest top Arc 6 models. The screen in my opinion really adds nothing substantive for the price, except again the modest benefit of a shaving timer – I actually have 3 clocks in my bathroom, within view of my shaving mirror, and I can tell almost to the minute how long it takes me to shave, just from experience :-) – and the dubious benefit of the Smart Lock. The SOFT/BOOST percentage is just marketing fluff. Pretty screen and some marginal features, MAYBE worth it if you get it for near the price of the 670U. Looking forward to your detailed review of the Arc 5 – and I agree that Panasonic may not have done themselves a favor with an excellent razor with a smaller head (and probably less expensive replacement cassette), with similar performance to the Arc 6 in the Arc 5. But maybe the Japanese market accommodates the pricier Arc 6 shaver – just wish their sales and marketing was better for the rest of the world!
Hi Allan,
Well said. I would also add that Panasonic markets the Arc 6 in Japan as being suitable for Very thick beards (actual wording), while the Arc 5 is meant for Thick beards. The actual performance is however so close and I doubt anyone will feel a noticeable difference between the two, regardless of how thick their beard is. There will always be a some appeal for shavers with more blades, but after a certain number it just seems that the gains are minimal if any. And in this case, that the number seems to be 5. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I ordered from Amazon Japan yesterday using the Forward2me service, but I have some off-topic questions to you Ovidiu, can you give me your Email?
I guess you have mine, right?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Renato,
Of course, it’s contact@shavercheck.com.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu!
First and foremost – please accept my (deeply rooted in lecture of your texts) respect and gratitude. You are the ONE Ovidiu in all aspects of electric shaving! (meantime, many thanks to Your parents and teachers who influenced your growth).
I have kind request – since I have to import not only Panasonic ES9610 Replacement Blade but also plastic element – FOIL FRAME in order to re -complete my newest ES-L65OU Arc 6 shaver. What is a part No. of foil frame to the revision D of Panasonic shaver? Where can I order it from?
Kind regards, Ma Ra
Hi Ma Ra,
You are too kind, thank you so much for the comment.
Unfortunately, since this Arc 6 generation is still very recent, the foil frame is not yet available and there’s also no part number yet.
I usually search them on large parts suppliers like Encompass and FixPart.
Only the frame for the older Arc 6 generation is available (part no WESLS9AK0048) and that one also fits perfectly, but it doesn’t blend so seamlessly with the rest of the shaving head since the laterals aren’t as rounded. Here is a picture of it on my rev D Arc 6.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu,
I am amazed by Your prompt answer.
A very special and warm THANK YOU!
Kind regards,
Ma Ra
You are very welcome, Ma Ra, glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have the new lamdash 6. It is excellent. I can get a very good shave in under 3 minutes. Expensive but great results!
Hey Darin,
Excellent, thank you for the comment. Glad you’re enjoying your new shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the article and for the work you’re doing, Ovidiu — I really appreciate it!
I have a question. I’m torn between the ES-650D (corded) and the ES-650U (cordless). The main reason I’m considering the corded version is durability. I assume the cordless one will eventually need a battery replacement, which might be difficult or even impossible to do, whereas the corded model should keep working even after the battery dies.
Could you share your experience with how long the batteries in Panasonic razors usually last, and whether you’ve been able to replace them in the past? If battery concerns weren’t an issue, having USB-C would definitely make the cordless version more appealing.
Best regards,
Janush.
Hi Janush,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
My experience with Panasonic shavers has been really good — I still have a couple of Arc 5 shavers that I bought 10 years ago and the batteries still hold a somewhat decent charge (good enough for around 3-4 quick shaves). That said, there are cases when the battery will need to be replaced a lot sooner than that.
Officially, the batteries are not user-replaceable, but in reality the operation is fairly straightforward and almost all Arc 5 and Arc 6 models use the same battery, so it’s easy to source. There are many video tutorials on YouTube as well.
The only issue is that once you open the shaver, you can’t be sure that it will still be waterproof. So in my opinion that’s the main risk when replacing the battery.
I personally would take my chances on the ES-650U but again I can’t say that everyone should, it’s just something that for me personally makes more sense as I really like the convenience of the USB-C port. Every time I need to dig through a drawer for a Panasonic charger I’m reminded just how convenient it is to be able to use my phone’s USB-C charger that’s always there and available.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for the review! Its really detailed and I am tempted to upgrade my existing Braun series 7 to the Panasonic ES-L550U
Would you know if the battery is replaceable and if replacement batteries are compatible with previous generations e.g. ESL-LV9A pr ES-LV67?
Hey,
Thank you so much for the comment. I think it’ll be a worthy upgrade especially if you shave often and you prioritize a close shave.
Regarding the battery, the ES-L550U most likely uses the same WESLV9ZL2519 battery fitted to pretty much all modern Panasonic shavers, including the ES-LV9A and ES-LV67.
Just like before, the battery is not user-replaceable, but it can be done and many have successfully swapped it. The waterproofing however may not be 100% once the shaver is open.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidu, thank you for the article!
Could you please confirm whether the ES-L650D (corded model) can be used for wet shaving when using it cordless? Also, is it safe to use it cordless if there are some water droplets around the charging port?
I assume, I should be able to use it in the bath and treat it just like a cordless model, as long as it’s unplugged.
Best regards,
Janush.
Hi Janush,
I cannot recommend the use of a shaver differently than what the manufacturer says. But I will say that the ES-L650D is waterproof to the same extent as the wet/dry (cordless-only models).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Hope you are well.
I just found out that Panasonic is bringing ES-L690U to the market outside of Japan. It appears to be coming out in a lighter (dark grey rather than black) colour and is dubbed Series 1000.
Check it out from official Australian website: https://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/personal-care/shavers/es-l690us841.html
Hope this helps.
Hi Miki,
Thanks so much for the comment — I am very well, hope you are too.
I am aware of the Australian release, it’s definitely an encouraging signal and I hope this will extend to other countries as well. I will be updating the articles once I have more news.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
hello, I’m interested in the model es-l650d, since it doesn’t have a hard case where I can buy it, I calculate that I’m in Italy, I’m deciding whether to buy the razor
Hi Marco,
Unfortunately the hard case seems to only be available from Japanese sites, including Panasonic’s official site at this link. You may not need to pay import fees (it costs around 33 EUR) but you will have to check your local legislation on imports from Japan to know for sure.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You can buy a good hard case on AliExpress – I bought one for the Arc5 model
Thanks for the tip, Alex — good to know.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, thank you, I’m about to buy it from Japan, I think that in terms of price the model ES-L650D, being the only one with sonic cleaning, not interested in the cleaning base, is the best compromise.
Great review!
Hi Edoardo,
Thank you for the comment.
That makes perfect sense. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Arc 6.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thank you for the thorough review of the new L690U.
Your expert and in depth reviews and knowledge, made me go for a Panasonic shaver after years of subpar use with a Braun pro shaver (I’m not hating on the brand, it just didn’t work optimal for me). I haven’t looked back since it really is the “perfect” shaver for me.
I’m looking to upgrade from my LV9K (European version) to the L690U.
I’ve waited patiently for the model to enter the European market, but eventually decided to purchase it directly from Japan.
I placed an order from the Japanese amazon site.
Now, do you know if the cleaning bases from Panasonic use the same proprietary power cords.
What I mean is, can I take the cord from my LV9K cleaning base( with EU power socket) and use with the L690U cleaning base to get it hooked up to a power supply?
Again thanks for your awesome website!
Hi Rasmus,
Thank you so much for the kind comment, glad the info was useful.
I believe you’re referring to the LV9Q, not LV9K. If so, your European charger will work with the station of your new L690U because it still uses the old port (the same that’s on your LV9Q shaver and station).
Hope you’ll enjoy your new Lamdash Pro 6.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is the old lamdash 6 pro charger good on the new es-l650d?
Hi Edoardo,
It depends. The global ES-LS8A and ES-LS9A come with the old RE7-87 charger and that one won’t work with the ES-L650D (the port has these dividers that prevent the old charger from working — here is a picture). But other previous Japanese Lamdash Pro 6 come with the newer RC1-80 and that charger will actually fit the ES-L650D. For example, I have a first generation Japanese Arc 6 and it came with the new charger.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
that you know the charger of the penultimate lamdash 6 pro works on the latest es-l650d?
Hi Edoardo,
If you’re referring to the Japanese models in the revision C (that one is basically the penultimate Lamdash Pro 6), the answer is yes, it will work. I also posted a more detailed reply above to your initial comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello,
Forgive me, I sent the same message twice, I have a rc1-81 charger in the box, you say it also works rc1-80 for the model es-l650d?
Thank you in advance, you are very kind and professional.
No problem. Yes, both the RC1-80 and RC1-81 will work with the ES-L650D.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just checked out the new Panasonic Arc 6 and I’m really impressed with the design and features! Can’t wait to see how it performs compared to my old shaver. Do you think it’s worth the upgrade?
Hi Ruby,
The performance is really impressive, for me at least is probably the best shaver out there right now and should work really well for anyone who shaves regularly (around 3 times a week). It’ll probably be an upgrade for many users, but how much of an upgrade really depends on what’s your current shaver and how well it’s working for you.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, thanks again for your informative newsletter.
I’m interested in purchasing the L690U from Amazon Japan.
Is there any difference in purchasing from Amazon at $451
or “other sellers” which start at $393….they all seem to use points etc. and have similar star ratings.
My concern is warranty etc. once I get the product to the USA.
Thanks tc
Hi Tc,
I would just buy the one with the best price (I got mine from a third-party vendor). All of them come with international warranty, however, there can be an issue with that outside of Japan. Because the L690U is a model that was only officially released in several countries (Japan, Australia, Hong Kong), you may need to send it to a Panasonic service center located in those countries, which may involve additional shipping costs. It’s very likely that a service center in the U.S., for example, will not accept it because they are not authorized to repair that model.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu