The Series 3 line of electric shavers from Braun is without a doubt one of the most compelling offerings in the entry-level segment.
Among their strongest assets we can name the very good performance for the money, low costs of ownership, and decent reliability.
The 3040 and 3080 are two of the most popular models from the refreshed Series 3 ProSkin. They are suitable for wet & dry use and share a lot of similarities, but they’re also different in certain regards.
In this Braun 3040 vs 3080 comparison, we’ll find out exactly what these differences are and which one should you buy.
Note: Braun officially calls these two shavers Series 3 ProSkin 3040s and 3080s, but for some reason, lots of online retailers simply refer to them as 3040 and 3080. The takeaway is that they are the exact same shavers, regardless if they’re being referred to with or without the s.
The difference between Braun Series 3 3040 and 3080
First, it’s important to note that the performance of the Series 3 ProSkin razors is identical throughout the whole line. They all use the same shaving head and will provide the same results in terms of closeness and comfort.

Now, regarding the Braun 3040 vs 3080, here’s a quick comparison table that shows their similarities, but most importantly, their differences:
Model | Pop-up Trimmer | Precision Lock | Accessories | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
3040s![]() | Yes | No | Protective cap | See on Amazon |
3080s![]() | Yes | Yes | Travel pouch, charging stand | See on Amazon |
So the 3080 is basically a 3040 with some minor design alterations, a travel case, a charging stand and a foil locking mechanism.
Let’s address each of them.
1. Design–just a matter of personal preference
The 3080 is mostly black with a dash of blue, while it’s the other way around for the 3040.

No clear winner here, but I do admit that the 3080 looks a bit more stylish, especially in the official images:

2. Travel case (3080) vs protective cap (3040)
In case you want to use your Series 3 for traveling, Braun has decided to include a travel case with the 3080 and a protective plastic cap with the 3040.
So no, you won’t get a cap for the 3080, just like you won’t get a travel case with the 3040.
A travel case is a welcome addition, but it really seems odd to me that Braun decided not to include a plastic cap for the 3080 as well.
Yes, the travel case is hard and sturdy and will probably provide adequate protection. But the foil is very sensitive to mechanical shocks and it’s always a good idea to use a protective cap, not just when you’re traveling.
In case you’re considering the 3040s, there are various third-party cases specifically made for the Series 3 and some of them will even accommodate the charging cord.
3. Charging stand (3080)
I will say it right off the bat, I was never fond of these stands and consider them to be just a redundant extra item.
The charging cord can be also plugged directly into the shaver, so it’s not really necessary.
I personally wouldn’t consider this stand to be a decisive factor in choosing between the 3040s and the 3080s.
4. Precision mode locking mechanism (3080)
This would normally be a useful feature in the case of an advanced electric shaver with a large and complex shaving head. But here, not so much.

The shaving head of an advanced shaver, like the Series 9 or Panasonic Arc 5 can move sideways, back and forth, up and down.
This, along with the fact that the shaving head is large and bulky, makes shaving tricky areas difficult. And here is where a locking mechanism comes in handy.
With the Series 3, we deal with a very basic shaving head, one that doesn’t tilt or move; and it’s also quite slim.
The precision locking mechanism on the 3080 retracts one of the finishing foils to make the head even slimmer for shaving difficult spots like the area under your nose.
Having used the 3040, I can’t really say that I had any troubles with it; the precision mode on the 3080 is nice to have, but again, in the case of a simple and compact shaving head like the one used on all Series 3 shavers, the benefits are minor.
Braun 3040 vs 3080: which one should you choose?
Considering the aspects presented above, choosing one over the other should come down to a single factor: price.
While the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the two are very similar, you can often find either of them on sale.
For example, the 3040s can sometimes be bought for less than half the price of the 3080s.
In this case, the decision should be extremely simple, with the Series 3 3040 representing the better option. Again, the actual shaving performance of the two will be the same.
Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s
If the price difference is negligible, you can go for either of them.
You do get more stuff with the 3080, even though the lack of a protective plastic cap is in my opinion a minus. At least specs-wise, the 3080 is a slightly superior product and that can be an argument in its favor.
Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3080s
However, the Series 3 Proskin 3040 is more likely to be found at a better price and therefore it would be my pick of the two. You can also read my in-depth review of the 3040 here.
Where can I buy a Protective Cap for Braun 3080 please ?
There are a few online shops that sell it, like this one or this one in the UK. It is is a little different than the original included with the 3080, but it appears to be compatible.
What is the difference between the series3 380s-4 and the series3 3040s-4? It’s the same head?
Yes, they have the same shaving head. Performance-wise, I’d say they are the same. The 3040s is newer and comes with a slightly revamped design and color scheme. The 380s-4 has a precision lock (just like the 3080s), but it doesn’t make that much of a difference. I would simply buy the one that I can find for less money.
The powerfull is the same?
Yes, both are exactly the same.
Which one has that pop up liner trimmer
Both the 3040 and 3080 are fitted with a hair trimmer.
Ovidiu, many thanks for such a clear and comprehensive analysis which was perfect for me. I am now the proud owner of a 3040 which I find to be an excellent razor.
Hi Ed,
That’s great, thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Oh and by the way, I just ordered a totally compatible travel case from AliExpress for $7.55 including delivery. It might take a couple of weeks but it’s about the right price.
Hi,
Would the 3080s with a cap bought in addition still fit into the original case? Also, can the charging cable be packed into the case together with the shaver? Thanks!
Hi Mark,
The shaver will most likely fit into the case with a cap on, but the charger will not. You’ll have to buy a third party case like this one to accommodate both the shaver and the charger.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just received my travel case which seems to identical except for the price https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Travel-Portable-Bag-Shavers-Razor-Hard-Case-Waterproof-Men-s-Handbag-for-Brauns-Shaver-3010s-3040s/32882466809.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.36804c4dHVP8Oi
Very helpful article. It has definitely helped me to choose my first electric shaver. After a lot of reading, I finally zeroed in on Braun Series 3 Proskin Shave&Style 3010BT. Thank you!
You write quite well, Ovidiu!
Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it. Glad you found the information useful and I hope you’ll enjoy your 3010BT!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I note you conclude you find the vertical charging stand (which is included with the 3080 but not with the 3040) redundant because the charging cord can be plugged directly into the shaver. I am of the opposite opinion and bought the 3080 specifically because it came with the small vertical charging stand. Here’s why. There’s limited shelf space next to the sink where I shave (and I share that limited shelf space with my wife). Without the stand, the shaver doesn’t stand vertically and has to lie on its back whether it’s plugged in to the charging cord or not, thereby always occupying at least 6.5″x2.5″ of shelf space. (And lying on its back, which isn’t fully flat, it tends to rock and can easily be knocked off the shelf.) However, with the stand, the shaver stands vertically in the stand, occupying only 2.5″x2.5″ of shelf space – and is very stable in place. Without the small vertical charging stand I wouldn’t have considered this shaver at all, as I want and need my shaver to stand vertically to save shelf space – and shavers with small vertical stands such as this (i.e. stands without bulky proprietary cleaning station functions, which I neither need nor want) are unfortunately few among the current crop of electric shavers – a design flaw that is even more apparent in higher end shavers that seem to be offered only with either a large, bulky “cleaning station” stand, or with no vertical stand at all.
Hi Richard,
Many thanks for taking the time to leave a comment — I fully agree that there are some use cases where the stand absolutely makes sense. I think my wording wasn’t the most fortunate — I merely wanted to convey that there’s no need to get the 3080s if you don’t need the charging stand.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu