In a world where everything is going wireless, cordless, and untethered, corded electric shavers are becoming a rare breed.
Yes, most of us would rather shave without a cord dangling from the razor, but as a fallback solution, being able to use an electric shaver directly from the mains is a handy feature.
And for some users, it is a must-have.
But almost all current electric shavers will only work cordless.
While there used to be many cordless/corded shavers in the past, your options are rather limited in 2026.
However, there are still a few excellent shavers out there that will work with the cord plugged in.
You’ll still be able to use them cordless, but also have the peace of mind that you can always plug the cord in and start shaving.
We’ll also check out a few corded-only razors at the end that you can still buy.
So let’s see what’s the deal with corded electric razors and check out some of the best options that will suit different budgets and needs.
Corded electric shavers: pros and (no) cons?
I decided to write this article after getting many emails and comments from readers asking for recommendations on shavers that work both corded and cordless.
The appeal for this type of shaver is very clear: you can continue using it even after the battery no longer holds a decent charge.
That’s a perfectly valid reason, especially for someone who plans to hold on to a shaver for a few good years.
It’s a known fact that rechargeable batteries have a finite number of charging cycles.
When that number is reached, they’ll no longer hold a charge.
And if it’s a cordless-only shaver, that can be a problem.
In this situation, the first thing you could do is replace the battery.
However, pretty much all electric shavers are fitted with batteries that are not user-replaceable.
So officially, you cannot replace the battery yourself.
Unofficially, you can do it, and for the more popular shaver models, compatible batteries are available, and you can even find step-by-step tutorials.
But if your shaver is not one of those, the batteries are difficult to find or aren’t available at all to end-users.
Another problem with opening the shaver, if you do manage to source the battery, is compromising the waterproofing.
Precisely, if your shaver was originally water-resistant and you could wash it under the tap, you’ll probably no longer be able to do that.
Water ingress can and will irreversibly damage the internals.
So ending up with a shaver you have to baby and handle carefully during use and cleaning isn’t exactly ideal.
Even shaving in an environment with high humidity can be a problem.
Luckily, there are still a few electric razors you can buy that will also work corded.
These shavers are suitable for dry use only, meaning you shouldn’t use them in the shower or with shaving cream or gel (due to safety concerns).
That’s the downside of corded electric shavers, but a minor one, as most users would rather shave dry anyway.
Despite this limitation, modern dry-only shavers are usually waterproof and can be safely rinsed with water (with the cord unplugged, of course).
Important: dry-only doesn’t always imply that a shaver will work with the cord plugged in — there are a few models that won’t — but it’s a good place to start your quest for a corded razor.
The wet/dry electric shavers will generally only work cordless; again, as a safety precaution.
With that said, let’s check out some of the most compelling corded shavers out there, both budget-friendly and also in the high-end segment.
The best corded & cordless electric shavers for 2026
1. Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3 3000s
Considering its price, availability, and even performance, the 3000s from Braun’s entry-level Series 3 ProSkin line would be a safe pick for many users.
It’s a dry-only shaver that is very affordable, it’s comfortable, reliable, reasonably powerful and a great choice for the budget-conscious buyer.
While the discontinued Series 7 790cc for example is a more advanced (and better) shaver, the 3000s is not too bad for such an inexpensive razor.
It’s a basic, no-frills, 3-blade foil shaver that will work great for someone who shaves more often and has a light to medium beard.
While it will eventually shave a dense, coarse beard as well, it will take many passes, and your shave will take longer.
The 3000s is easy to use and clean, making it ideal for a beginner as well.
It is waterproof, so you can simply wash it under the tap.
The replacement shaving heads (32b) are inexpensive and widely available, reducing the costs of ownership to a minimum.
The comfort during the shave is Braun’s main advantage over other brands in this price segment.
The closeness is not the best though, but if you want a comfortable and affordable foil shaver that will work corded, the Series 3 3000s is one of the very few options available.
Other Series 3 models that will work while charging are either difficult to find (3020s), have poor battery life and an inferior shaving head (300s), or they cost a lot for a basic razor (3090cc, 3070cc, 3050cc, etc.).
The 3000s is readily available globally and you should be able to easily source one (and the replacement heads).
2. Remington F5-5800
Remington is another important name in the electric shavers industry, but one that has lagged behind the Panasonic, Braun and Philips trio.
The quality and reliability of their recent shavers just aren’t quite up there with the best.
Nevertheless, the F5-5800 is a model that stands out from the lineup.
It’s also probably the most popular Remington shaver in recent years.
The main reasons for that are the affordable price and, surprisingly, the performance.
Specifically, the closeness.
The F5-5800 shaves closer than other shavers in that price range, like the Series 3 from Braun.
However, it does so at the expense of comfort to some degree. So the F5-5800 won’t be a suitable choice for users with very sensitive skin.
It also works well only on short facial hair. So if you don’t shave daily or every other day, the Braun Series 3 3000s above will again be a better option.
And then there’s the problem of reliability, which seems to be spotty with Remington shavers.
There are reports of the blades eating through the foils after a few months of use, so this is something you should consider as well.
The Series 3 from Braun has a better reliability track record.
But even so, the Remington F5-5800 is a very interesting option for a corded and cordless foil shaver.
It comes from a different brand than the rest and is capable of delivering some very close shaves, provided that you don’t have very sensitive skin and you usually shave more often.
3. Philips Norelco Shaver 2500 (S1311/82)
Important: The so-called new version (X3052/91) is cordless-only, so make sure you’re getting the old one above (S1311/82).
Up to this point, we’ve only looked at corded foil shavers.
Well, for users who prefer rotary razors, the choices are even fewer, unfortunately.
Philips (Norelco) is basically the only option and most of their shavers still in production will not work with the cord plugged in.
But again, we can still find a few exceptions.
The Shaver 2500 (SS1311/82) and 2300 (S1211/81) are affordable, entry-level, dry-only rotary razors that operate both corded and cordless.
And while both are part of the Series 2000, the Shaver 2500 is a special model.
Specifically, it’s more powerful and has a larger battery, so it’s like a corded&cordless Series 3000.
It’s therefore my pick of the two, but the 2300 is still a decent option, especially if you can get one for significantly less money.
The Norelco Shaver 2500 is easy to use and clean, quiet, and works surprisingly well on longer facial hair.
It’s also fitted with a pop-up trimmer and while it’s pretty average, it’s nevertheless a useful and welcome addition.
As for the downsides, the closeness could be better, so if that’s a deal-breaker, you will be better off with one of the foil shavers above.
But it does check the most important boxes: it’s a reliable, durable corded&cordless rotary shaver.
The SH30 replacement heads are also inexpensive and last longer before needing to be replaced vs a foil head.
Unfortunately, if you were hoping for a more advanced rotary razor that you can use while charging, you’re out of luck.
All the middle to high-end Philips shavers will not work corded.
So the Series 2000 and some older Series 3000 are basically the only options nowadays.
4. Panasonic Lamdash Pro 5 L550D-K (Japan model)
While the shavers we checked until this point were basic, entry-level models, the Lamdash Pro 5 and Pro 6 from Panasonic are at the other end of the spectrum.
These are some of the best-performing and most advanced electric shavers you can buy today.
The closeness and comfort are remarkable, but they come with a premium price tag.
But the models that are available globally are almost always cordless-only.
However, Panasonic does offer quite a few corded&cordless models exclusively on the Japanese domestic market.
You will need to import one from Japan and maybe even pay additional shipping and customs fees.
However, if you have the budget for it, the performance is outstanding.
One such model is the ES-L550D-K from the Generation 4 Lamdash Pro 5.
Side note: Lamdash Pro 5 is the name for the 5-blade models (aka Arc 5) that Panasonic uses in Japan.
The ES-L550D-K is a corded&cordless foil shaver with 5 cutters and it’s a fantastic performer, especially if you’re looking for a very close (and fast) shave.
It does work best on short stubble that grows relatively straight, like most foil shavers out there.
The built-in hair trimmer is excellent, arguably the best you can find on any shaver.
The replacement foil head (part number ES9510) is however quite exepsnive and you will again need to buy one from Japan.
Users looking for a corded&cordless shaver are generally budget-conscious, so I don’t know how appealing a model in this price range will be.
But if you want a super close shave, I think it’s well worth the money.
Panasonic even sells a 6-blade version that will work corded, called Lamdash Pro 6, which is even more extreme (and more expensive).
5. Panasonic Lamdash 3 ES-LT2Q-T
If you don’t want to splurge on the Lamdash Pro 5 above, Panasonic does offer a much more affordable alternative.
The ES-LT2Q-T from the Lamdash 3 line is an excellent mid-range model with 3 blades that shaves surprisingly well and will work corded and cordless.
It’s not as powerful and bitey as the Lamdash Pro 5, but still easily good enough for most users.
This is a Japan-exclusive model, so you will again need to import it.
The performance is similar to the Series 3 ProSkin 3000s, but the Panasonic shaves slightly closer and sounds and feels more refined.
For more info, you can check out my review of the ES-LT4B, which is the cordless-only model available in Europe, but identical performance-wise.
What about corded-only electric razors?
For the purists out there, an electric shaver that has no battery at all is the ideal machine.
While back in the day this was the norm, currently there are even fewer than the cordless/corded models listed above.
But even so, you can actually still buy some.
These are all very basic, no-frills, inexpensive rotary razors, but the shave is decent.
So let’s check them out.
The best option for a corded-only electric shaver in 2026 is in my opinion the Philips Norelco 1100.
The newer S1016/90 variation is the one to get.
Philips Norelco Shaver 1100 (S1016/90)
Side note: you can also buy it from Walmart or Philips.
The performance will be identical to a Philips Norelco Shaver 2300 (all of them use the same SH30 cutting heads and are widely available).
Surprisingly, despite being powered directly with electricity from the mains, it’s not more powerful than the typical Series 1000/2000.
For example, the corded & cordless Shaver 2500 at number 4 feels and sounds a bit more powerful than the corded-only 1100.
Finally, we also have a corded-only rotary from Remington called the R50.
It’s again a very affordable and basic rotary shaver, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Performance-wise, I think the Philips Norelco 1100 has the edge, but it’s good to have more options.
Also, the replacement cutting heads for the R50 don’t seem to be listed anywhere.
You can get the Remington R50 from Amazon.com, Remington’s website or Walmart.
Why are there so few corded electric razors available?
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I get quite a few messages from users complaining about the somewhat short lifespan of today’s shavers compared to what they used to be back in the day.
While it wasn’t uncommon to use a shaver for 15 years, that seems far-fetched nowadays.
And the argument of corded operation is almost always brought into the discussion.
This makes sense as the battery is usually the first component to fail.
So why are there so few of these shavers on the market?
I guess we can always make a case for the manufacturers’ intent to sell more products and thus make them intentionally less reliable.
It’s a recurrent theme that we’ve seen in the case of smartphones, cars, or washing machines.
The official reason in the case of cordless only electric razors is safety.
Since a large chunk of them are suitable for wet and dry use, the manufacturers decided to prevent operation when the shaver is connected to a power outlet.
You could argue that it’s a cop-out (and a convenient one), instead of making an effort to educate and inform the user.
But then again, the risk is real in the case of improper use and we must look at this from their perspective as well.
Since most users won’t be bothered by cordless-only operation, at least not to the point of not wanting to buy an electric shaver, it’s pretty clear where things are heading.
We’re likely to see even fewer corded electric shavers in the years to come.
I personally would like to see electric shavers with user-replaceable batteries. And USB-C charging.
That seems utopic right now, but we can always hope, at least for the latter.
Takeaway
I usually have a hard time coming up with lists of recommended shavers for specific situations.
And the main reason is the sheer number of available models.
However, in this case, precisely the cordless & corded electric razors that are still available, there were only a few to consider.
If the ability to use your shaver from the mains is a must, these should be available in most countries, and you should pick one based on your needs and budget.
I hope this article will be useful and will help you in your search for a suitable corded razor.
Over to you now: what was your experience with corded electric razors? Are there any other models out there you would recommend?
If you have any questions, make sure to post them in the comments below.
Hi, I am after a Shaver which the cord is unable to detach from the shaver, as this is a requirement for prisoners, but am finding it very hard to find one, is there any still available like that any more?
Hi Ross,
I’m afraid these aren’t available anymore, at least not to my knowledge. The last ones I’ve seen are actually vintage shavers from decades ago.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am in Australia and purchased the local retail version of the Philips (Heritage Edition) based on your excellent article after having been happy with my corded Philips 6466 for many years.
I’d like to share that the local Australian version is widely available and is the S3562/13. It has a white body rather than seamist and has a similar box to the S3552/89 (the front and back panels are identical but the side panels are different) however it does not work when plugged in. It seems that the Australian model is different and that I’ll have to import a S3552/89 from overseas.
Thank you for your comment, Adam.
That is very interesting — there’s also a similar version to the S3552/89 here in Europe (the S3561/12), and just like the Australian model, it will not work when plugged in. Importing the S3552/89 from the USA is probably the only option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I really appreciate the information. I’m an electrician, and I know not to have the water on if you are shaving with a corded electric shaver. I prefer them over battery, because they are consistent. As long as they ar clean, and sharp, the speed, and torque are always the same. It is absolutely a cop out to sell more products. As long as I can find a corded shaver, that is what I will have. Or I will go back to triple blade razors. Thanks for your article, and investigating into this matter. It was a pleasure.
Thank you for your comment, Ruddy, glad you found the article useful. I totally agree with you, unfortunately the options are getting fewer by the year.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The Braun 7899CC is a wet/dry that work cord or cordless also.
Hi Tom,
I’m not sure that is true — it is even explicitly mentioned in the user manual that it will only work cordless as a safety precaution. You can check it out at this link (page 6).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I agree with Ovidiu. My Braun Series 7 can charge with the detachable cable that is for the charging/cleaning base, but will only operate wirelessly. Battery doesn’t last as long as before, so I wish it would work with the cable. Thank you for the helpful article.
Thank you for confirming this, Vlad, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Tom,
I feel sorry for the younger generation who have grown up on rechargeable shavers and who have never experienced the consistent power and performance of a good mains only corded shaver gives you. Shavers like the Braun Syncro Plus and the Remington Microscreen had masses of power from their mains powered motors and were a delight to shave with, no painful snags when the going got tough, they just breezed through stubble. I have struggled over the years to find a mains powered shaver that gives the kind of performance we used to take for granted in the golden days of corded shavers, as all ‘mains’ shavers I can find nowadays use a transformer to bring the power down to a level that their puny rechargeable sourced motors can deal with, do they even exist? Bring back dedicated mains motor corded shavers I say!
Regards,
Gerry
Does anybody still make a plain, corded, non-rechargeable, non-smart electric shaver?
I think the Philips Norelco 1100 (S1150/81 and S1015/81) is the only one still available.
Love your site – thorough, unbiased & detailed info for electric razor addicts. I am 73, retired (your oldest reader?) electrical engineer. Switched to electric razors in 1985 (before you were born?) and never turned back. Probably used over 25 shaver models of all makes over time. here is what I am using (and doing) today: 1. Main shaver – Norelco PT 730 (from 2013- stamped in the back “Made in the Netherlands”) similar to the 3100 but has mini-round holes in the screen. Still running 40 minutes (measured lately). it charges to 90% capacity in 3-4 hours (my wife pulls the cord when she needs the outlet ) – you CAN NOT restart the charge to complete the 8 hours. Shaves 2 days beard in less than 3 minutes. Little cleaning work – just shake it facing down with the head open. Once a month I vacuum the inside – NEVER washed it with water. Bought new heads 2 years ago but never changed – the originals are still perfect. One useful advice : When the “replace the heads” light starts flashing once a year or so press AND HOLD the start switch for 10 seconds – the light shuts off for a full year.
2. I fully agree with you – rotaries don’t shave as close as screens and they are less than accurate on the Sideburns bottom line and upper lip. So after the main shave with the rotary I use a single screen Braun Free Control 1775 (2007 – batteries still good for 15 minutes) – I go all over the face in less than a minute. The face becomes smooth as if I shaved with Mach 5 pulling it in 5 different directions. The secret behind the close shave – the screen (plastic) case is marked on one SIDE and when I remove it for a rinse it comes back on in the same direction as it was on before. After a month of usage the screen and cutter “shave” each other. I know that this may not be relevant with some shaver brands today. However, I have 2 $200 machines (fathers days) which are piling dust – I can not take the laud high frequency pitch (3 KHZ ? Can find out if someone is interested) and they are not as smooth shaving as the single screen Braun.
3. Finally – about the before & after shave alcohol based products (again – appreciate your detailed / honest review). I tried some long ago and they do something – especially the preshave in very humid days. However,
back in 1990 I started brushing the face with a hot (130F tap water) small 5X5″ towel (have many of those). The hot towel absorbs all the grime and sweat in seconds – the skin dries completely in 2 minutes and the shaver glides smoothly over the face. Always take 2-3 towels for travels. If in a hurry you can use a dry towel or a hair dryer to accelerate the drying.
Thanks for letting me share SOME of my shavers experience and for your excellent website.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such an insightful comment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. You are not in fact the oldest reader of this website, I’ve had quite a few 80+ gentlemen leaving a comment. And you are right, I wasn’t born yet when you first started using electric razors. :)
Your 2013 PT 730 that still uses the original heads is really impressive. Again, thank you for your comment and for the kind words, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi!
I have the braun series 3 3020s shaver. I have looked deeper into the braun 5 5030s shaver.
How big is the diffirence in shaving and closeness, the 3020s compared to the 5030s? Im wondering this because the foil setup looks very similar and Im a bit skeptical if its a upgrade.
Regarding the cleaning of the shaver head, I just rinse it with water because Im afraid that the machine oil inside the shaver will get dissolved quickly and disappear if i put some soap on it after each shave as you recommend. I put machine oil on it 1 time every month.
How often do you put machine oil on the shaver head if you put soap on the shaver head after each shave?
Lots of thanks for all your articles and reviews on this blog, you are awesome!
Hi,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
In my experience, the performance difference between a Series 3 and a Series 5 is quite significant. Compared to the 3020s, the 5030s is more powerful, better with flat-lying hairs, the 3 cutters have a greater range of motion and the flexible head makes it easier on your wrist. I find the closeness and comfort better as well. However, Panasonic shavers are still the best when it comes to closeness, but they have other specific shortcomings (not as comfortable, only work great on short facial hair).
The foil setup looks similar in the way that there are two foil elements and one slit trimmer, but the ones on the Series 5 are of higher quality (pretty much identical to the head of the Series 7).
Regarding the lubrication, I oil the blades after every cleaning with soap. I also wrote a detailed guide on this if you want to check it out.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You wished for a battery powered shaver with “user replaceable batteries”; see the Remington Dual Foil Men’s Travel Electric Shaver TF70CDN … I have its predecessor, and, while I only use it for travel, mostly because of its small size, I believe it could be used as an every day shaver. It runs on 2 AA batteries, gives a close shave and, costs less than $20..
Thank you for your comment, John. I was actually referring to shavers with an internal, sealed, rechargeable battery that can be bought and replaced by the end-user (not in a service center). The Remington you mentioned can be a good option for occasional use or for someone with light to medium facial hair, but I just don’t see it as a viable solution for regular use in most cases. It just can’t match a more powerful and capable, full-fledged electric shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for writing this great article about corded electric shavers for men. Very informative.
Thank you for your comment, James, glad you found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m looking for a simple traditional corded woman’s electric shaver?
I don’t really have any experience with women’s electric shavers, so I can’t recommend any specific ones. I do know that Panasonic and Philips make a few, but again, I can’t tell if or which ones will work corded.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great reviews, Ovidiu!
Question, how does your top pick in this article, the Braun 790cc, compare to the Braun 7880cc (it’s presently on sale at Amazon for Prime Days)? Among other quality comparisons, can the 7880cc also be used plugged in for when the battery eventually goes bad?
Thank you, Paul, glad you found the reviews useful. Performance-wise, they’re very similar, the main difference being that the 7880cc has 5 speed settings instead of 3 and it’s also suitable for wet & dry use. That does mean it will not work plugged in, unfortunately.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
These are still battery shavers and eventually the batteries will not even take a current charge. I buy new real electric shavers on the market sites and they never discharge,…and you don’t have to deal with batteries. These shavers shown are not electric or corded…they are battery operated. While they will operate from a cord, eventually they will not provide the current when the batteries are completely dead. Remington, Braun, and Norelco have had a few corded, the cheapest models, but they are almost out of production. To get true corded shavers, you have to buy on the big market sites like eBay. People compete heavily as corded electrics are no longer made.
Thank you for your comment, Bob. Electric shaver is a very broad term and it refers to a shaving machine fitted with an electric motor — that can take electricity from a battery or directly from the mains. It’s more like a term used to differentiate them from manual razors. I do agree with you regarding the semantics though and while it’s true a battery can eventually refuse to take a current charge, it’ll take a really long time until that happens — I am personally yet to experience that with any of my old shavers.
The corded-only electric shavers you can still buy are not really a viable option in my opinion (very difficult to find and generally have poor shaving performance and you can’t get replacement foils/blades).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This post addresses exactly what I wanted to know about. It’s a pity the answer is depressing! I want a mains-only shaver, because when I had a rechargeable one (Braun 6680, and a trimmer before that), after a few years the charge wouldn’t hold at all, & it (therefore) *wouldn’t* work even plugged into the mains. So my experience accords with Bob Foss’s. So I was puzzled by your post implying you find they will still work, as if that by-passes the rechargeable battery altogether. But if some now do, that would be fine.
It means the shavers don’t last as long as my Boots 3000 (I’m in UK) mains-only from over 40 years ago has, which has been used intermittently over that period, and has only just died.
Agree 100% I’d buy another Boots 3000 if I could. Even better would be a shaver that could be switched between cordless and (more powerful) corded modes. My Phillips Series 5000 is pathetically feeble, and doesn’t shave as close or as quickly as the Boots.
I want a non rechargeable electric razor as in my experience, they last longer.
Also, the dead toxic batteries eventually end up in the landfill.
Apart from the Philips Norelco 1100 (S1150/81 and S1015/81 models), I don’t know any corded-only shavers still available.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you All the best in 2022.
Thank you for a very helpful site. I recently replaced my 2009 Remington MS2-100 cord-only vibrating shaver with your recommended Braun 3000s, and I’m satisfied with it so far. The Remington still works and I would have bought another if still available, but one blade barely stays on the body anymore. Yes, I had to replace a foil screen every 3-4 months and the blades every 2 years – no big deal. Remington has lost me as a customer for not offering anything similar. One thing I noticed in the Braun guide is that the rechargeable batteries are removable for disposal but NOT replaceable. Removing them makes the shaver inoperable. That’s probably a safety feature so you can’t just stick any batteries in it, but annoying to me. I would guess most users don’t bother to remove and recycle the hazardous-waste batteries.
Thank you for your comment, James, much appreciated. Most batteries fitted to modern shavers are not officially user-replaceable, although many have successfully replaced them. That’s mainly the case with the more popular models as the compatible batteries can be purchased easily. The waterproofing of the shaver will however be compromised once you open it. You will be right in assuming that most users don’t remove the batteries before disposing of the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I simply don’t want the clutter of a charger. I want to take the shaver out of the drawer, plug in, shave, and throw it back in the drawer. I don’t want to have to setup a charger somewhere.
My last two, a Norelco and a Remington have died relatively quick deaths so maybe I will try Braun.
Thank you for the info.
Thank you for your comment, Scott, I understand your position perfectly. Glad you found the post useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Exactly me too!!
I have allways had phillips shavers, and still have a corded phillishave, and a newer wet/shave model which i am very happy with, but as a backup i purchased a cheaper Chinese brand: Xiaomi pinjing es03, which as it turns out it shaves excellent!! and works Corded as well as Wireless, it has all the features of an expensive shaver, such as: turbo mode, power lock, digital battery charge reader, 90 minute charge time for 60 mins or more uses, it lasts me at least 15 shaves, the razors are self sharpening japanese steele and cut very well, no rashes or redness yet, the heads are floating and easy to rinse after using with gel or foam in the shower. and if the battery dies, just dry it well, and plug it in to a usb charger and you can use it dry while it charges. so for those who are looking for something that does it all and Cheaply, this is a great option. although i use it alternately with my phillips as ive allways been happy with my phillips shavers., i have sensitive skin and both Shavers do a great job.
Many thanks for your comment — I haven’t used Xiaomi rotary shavers yet, only foil, but that one sounds like a very compelling product with all its features and the affordable price. I’ll definitely try it as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
That sounds like an interesting shaver. Wonder where it can be found. Didn’t see it on ebay.
The Braun Series 3 cannot be used with cord plugged in. I bought one on the basis of your article. Shame you did not take more trouble to do your research.
Jon, I specifically listed the Series 3 ProSkin 3000s in the article and I actually own that shaver (among other Series 3) and yes, the 3000s can be used plugged in. The fact that you bought a different Series 3 (there are many of them that do NOT work while charging) is entirely your responsibility. I always do my research and I actually buy and test all the shavers that I review.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article, thanks! I am a Brown fan, my second 320s is nearing the end, got the first maybe around 2005 or so, both died after being dropped on the floor otherwise the batteries held great and work both corded and cordless. Cannot find the 320s anymore, but I seem to have just found a replacement trimmer on amazon, so I will try that first. When it will die forever, I will probably buy a 310.
Thank you for your comment, Tudor, much appreciated. It seems like your 320s served you really well. I would actually prefer the 3010s over the 310s — I have both and I find the 32b shaving head that comes with the 3010 much better (it is more comfortable and better with fat-lying hairs). But it will also fit the 310s if you decide to upgrade it later on.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thanks for the excellent insight you are providing to this audience. My question is about the Braun shavers that allow shaving while connected to the outlet with a cord. Among the Series 7 and 9, can we conclude that only 790cc and 9250cc offer shaving while charging? TIA
Hello,
Thank you, much appreciated.
Those aren’t the only Series 7 and 9 models that will work while charging, but are likely the ones that you can still buy. For example, the 9090cc Series 9 will also operate corded, but has been discontinued for quite some time. Same goes for the Series 7 720s or 740s. Also, regarding the 790cc, please note that there are several variations of it (790cc-4, 790cc-6, 790cc-7) and only the 790cc-4 will work while it’s plugged in. Unfortunately, most stores will only list it as 790cc, you can’t really know for sure what you’re getting without talking with the vendor specifically about this. The 790cc models that will not work with the cord have wet & dry written on the side of the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Helpful article! I might try one of the Brauns, but I really want a shaver with no battery at all. I’ve been using the same corded Norelco for at least 20 years but the replacement heads now cost more than a new shaver. The Norelco corded-only 1100 model uses a wall-wart power supply, which I also don’t want.
So I found a cheap Remington “R2” model corded rotary for $27. Unfortunately, it doesn’t shave as close or comfortably as the Norelco with the worn-out heads. I don’t recommend it, even though it’s apparently the last remaining full-AC corded shaver without a battery.
Thank you for the comment, Van, much appreciated. Unfortunately the options for a shaver with no battery are extremely limited and will likely continue so, at least that’s the trend among the big brands.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Enjoyed all the information in this article, but I’m still confused. I purchased the Braun Series7 790cc for my husband because I thought he could use it just as a corded razor. Is this right or did I misunderstand? My husband is in a nursing home and has some dementia so things have to be simple and familiar to him.He still likes his independence in doing some of the things he used to do.He always used a corded razor to shave and he wants to be able to shave himself! We like to encourage him to do as much as he can.It is good for his moral. However , I don’ t want to give him something that is not safe for him to use. Thank you for any advice you may offer.
Hi Pat,
The Series 7 790cc is a cordless and corded electric razor. However, Braun decided to alter that and made it a cordless only shaver. Only these later iterations are cordless only, while the ones manufactured previously will also work corded. Unfortunately, they don’t make that obvious, so you’ll have to check with the vendor/store to make sure you’re getting the right shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Philips .
1955 was when I had my first 2 headed electric shaver . Worked on 110 v or 220v . I was serving with the British Army , Para Signal Squadron . We had loads of different battery driven radio’s in them days which we did a one for one swop when required . The old battery with the correct connection I could draw 110 v . What a pleasure it was to have a quick electric shave . At the age of 86 and still looking to use a corded all electric Philips , now 3 headed shaver . Thanks to you and your articles I’m still able to get the info I need and the right shaver . … Chris
Chris,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this — I truly appreciate it. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new 3-blade Philips as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
It is far more ecological to be solely corded. The inclusion of a battery and charger causes far more pollution and use of energy to manufacture. It is naturally going to cost the customer more.
Hi David,
Thank you for the comment. I agree that it’s more ecological to have no batteries at all, regardless of the category of products. On the bright side, users tend to hold on to shavers for years before disposing of them. By the way, corded-only shavers come with a power cord (basically a cable attached to an AC to DC transformer, similar to the ones included with cordless shavers).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used corded rotary shavers (Philips make) ever since they have been available; they lasted forever vs battery operated ones. The claim for safety of battery operated vs corded ones, sounds hollow. It is purely commercial decision and environment be damned.
Question: recently purchased Philips 1000, S1332/41, corded/cordless model.
Can I leave it plugged to the wall continuously? What would happen to the battery, which is not needed anyway? The lady at Philips Canada could not enlighten me. Thank you. Vaclav
Your informative overviews have not been matched by anybody! You are the best.
Thank you for the comment, Vaclav, much appreciated.
The Philips 1000 has a rechargeable NiMH battery that doesn’t suffer from memory effect (like in the old days), so you don’t need to fully drain it before charging it in order to maintain its capacity. Ideally, you’d want to keep the charge between 20% and 80% in order to get the most out of a battery (in terms of lifespan), but that’s not always practical. So leaving your shaver plugged in all the time won’t be ideal for the battery as it will stay constantly at 100%.
All manufacturers recommend disconnecting the shaver from the mains once the battery is fully charged for safety reasons. And in my opinion that’s good practice, it’s always best to disconnect electronics when not in use, especially the ones fitted with batteries. Even though the electronics cut off the power when fully charged, accidents can still happen. Even with a mains-only shaver (no batteries), it’s still a good idea to only plug it in when you need it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for sharing your research.
Do the corded models you researched still work when the battery is no longer operable?
Thanks,
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Unfortunately Panasonic is the only brand to my knowledge that explicitly states that the shavers will NOT work corded when the battery is completely inoperable. Panasonic only has a handful of such shavers (the newer Arc 5 revisions), very expensive and only available in Japan, so I did not include them in the list.
As for the ones I recommended in the post, I really can’t say with certainty at this moment as my shavers still hold some charge and still work corded. I will dig more into this and update the post as soon as I find anything useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thank you for your article very interesting.
I am a Corded shaver only fan. Been using them for more years than I can remember !! (Phillips ) Recently lost my cord for my current shaver and here in Australia I’m having trouble getting another Cord only shaver.
tried the Cordless shavers but got frustrated with the batteries dying in the middle of shaving.
I use my Corded shaver everywhere Camping ,Boating and at home when away camping /Boating a small inverter runs them easily with a solar panel to charge battery.
Which brings me to the point you made about the manufacturers claiming that the safety angle was there reason for discontinuing the corded models ?
We all know it is about unit volume / short life span = More $$$ to them.
My question to the Manufacturers is what happens to all the batteries that are being manufactured and then constantly thrown away and the environmental impact of that compared to running my Corded Shaver from Solar power both at home and when I am Camping / Boating.
Bring back the Corded Shaver I say – Just my 2 cents worth !!
If I can find a corded shaver here in Australia I’m buying 2 this time I’m sure they will see my shaving time out.
Take Care to All.
Regards
Aussie Baz
Hi Barry,
Many thanks for the comment.
I totally agree, batteries do have a finite number of charging cycles and will degrade over time. Many users don’t want to bother replacing them and just end up buying a new shaver, which is convenient for the manufacturers. Rechargeable batteries can be recycled, but that again implies taking the shaver apart, removing the battery and taking it to a local collection point. I personally don’t mind using cordless only shavers (I don’t have a power outlet near my bathroom sink) and I regularly charge my shavers as I do with my phone. But I would rather have cordless + corded shavers, it’s just a useful and handy feature that should come as standard.
Corded-only shavers are unfortunately pretty much gone.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Between a Braun Series 3 Proskin 3050CC and a Braun Series 5 5018s, which would you recommend?
I would actually prefer the 3050cc (for the same money). Performance-wise they’re pretty much the same, but the Series 3 has a slimmer head, the replacement cassette is usually cheaper and in this case, it will also work corded. I think you’re getting more for your money with the 3050cc, including a cleaning station, regardless if you’ll be using it or not.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu. The 3050cc is actually more expensive, but I do like the corded option. I can purchase a new 3055cc for $100(CA) taxes in, a new 5018s for $50(CA) and also have an offer to purchase a new 6020s for $80(CA). Which would get your recommendation at those prices?
You are very welcome. Even at twice the price of the 5018s, the 3050cc is still a good deal. It usually sells for a lot more than that. The 6020s is basically a 5018s with a swiveling head (the replacement cassette is the same for both), so again I would either get the 5018s as the budget option or the 3050cc as it still offers a lot for the price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for your help. Much appreciated.
Recently my Remington F505 shaver (cord only) lost its pop up trimmer due to wear and tear. You can no longer buy this shaver model, is that correct?
Also the Braun Series 1 (130 -1) model is available at places like Amazon….this is cord only and I have just bought one.
Hi Robert,
Thank you for the comment. That is correct, the F505 has been discontinued. The Braun Series 1 is indeed a cord-only shaver — I didn’t include it because its shaving performance just wasn’t good enough in my experience.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I didn’t expect to find such a comprehensive article on the exact subject I was looking for, so I had to take the time to send a message to say thanks for your hard work.
I don’t mean to be reviewing your review, but I found your writing clear, interesting and very thorough. I particularly appreciated your reflections on the positions of manufacturers with regards to environmental sustainability. You were honest without being critical and tried your best to find good points as well as less good points about each product.
Thanks ever so much for such a useful, helpful and informative piece of work.
Best from Wales,
Marty
Hi Marty,
You are way too kind, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m glad you found the information useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Mr Ovidiu, I’m in the market for a new Norelco/Phillips shaver…I recently purchased a Series 1000 corded model…Found out it DOES NOT have a pop up trimmer…MY BAD MISTAKE…So what is your recommendation for a new Norelco/Phillips with a pop up trimmer??? (I know it will be rechargeable) I want a QUALITY shaver, but not the most expensive…Something that shaves close, has a trimmer and lasts…THANK YOU, larryd
Hi Larry,
I would get the Series 2000 Shaver 2300 but only if you need a shaver that works corded & cordless. Otherwise, the Series 3000 3500 is a bit better because it’s fitted with a slightly more powerful motor. But that one will only work cordless. You can check out my reviews of those two shavers here and here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What about the norelco 2500? That is corded/cordless also.
Hi David,
That is correct — the 2500 is also cordless/corded and it now represents a better option than the 2300 since it usually costs the same. But with the 2500 you get faster charging (0 to 100% in less than an hour) and a slightly more powerful motor. I own both and the 2500 feels the same as the Series 3000 in that regard.
The post is in need of an update, so I will do that soon enough hopefully.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just bought a Remington R2-405 corded rotory microflex shaver , new, from eBay for about $25.00 . About $35 with shipping and tax. Seems like they are still selling these. I don’t know if these have been around for a while or are new models.
In my earlier message, the model of Remington was R405, not R2-405.
Hi John,
Thank you for the comment. I think it was discontinued but some stores still carry it, probably an older stock. I haven’t tested it, but all Remington rotaries I’ve used for the past 10 years or so have been disappointing. Would be interested in knowing your thoughts on it once you shave a few times with it. If you have the time, of course.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m not him, but I have one of these and 4 Norelcos to compare it to.
I think what most of us looking for a cord-only shaver are looking for is actually the higher speed motors. When they started putting batteries in everything, they made the motors weaker. Not just shavers, but generally, including hand drills for instance. Battery voltage can vary a bit of course but it’s generally going to be far below the voltage you get from a wall outlet, so you need a low voltage motor, and they tend to be weak. Then you might even put in a weaker motor still, because the less the motor draws the more battery life you can advertise.
And on that level the Remington met my expectations. It certainly seems to have a stronger, faster motor. However the head is the most uncomfortable I have ever seen on a rotary shaver. It has no give, and the flex is inferior to my worst Norelco as well. And the blades were in awful shape straight out of the box. Overall, it was so bad that after only a couple of days it went into the salvage box.
However I pulled it out again recently, having learned a bit in the meantime; and I spent a little time trying to improve those blades. I did a couple of toothpaste polishings and those rough, jagged edges on the blades got pretty smooth. So I cleaned everything up, lubricated, and gave it a try.
And it’s working much better now. True, the head is still the worst I’ve ever seen, and the 3500 is MUCH more comfortable on the skin. But the 3500 also has to stay on the skin longer to get the job done. So I’m now reaching for the Remington first and doing the bulk of the shaving with it, quickly.If I want a super clean cut and have the time, I can go back over the trouble spots with one of the Norelcos after.
Thanks so much for the comment, Rick. I must say that I totally agree with you. Even low-end corded-only shavers are quite powerful, although the actual shaving head isn’t anything special.
Good job on that Remington, I personally always thought it would be futile to try anything similar — except for the sharpening kits from Vollco for specific Norelco cutters, those can work surprisingly well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
You mean the toothpaste? I saw that a couple places online, tried it on my old HQ9s earlier. Didn’t do a lot of good for them but it did seem to polish up the little cutters as purported. It took a long time to get results, verifying that at least it was unlikely to go too far and do harm. And the moment I ran my hands along the Remington cutters it just seemed obvious they needed it. Much more rough and jagged than any of the other blades had ever felt.
I’ve never tried the kit you mention but I have looked at it online. My thought is that they should work fine if that’s what’s needed, but I suspect that is rarely the case. The cutters normally seem to come from the factory with an acceptable edge and to hone themselves a bit in use, so they don’t get worse but may even improve a bit with normal use up until the point they are just worn out. At that point, sharpening isn’t going to be a solution, you can only remove metal you can’t put it back. And most events that could damage the blade would damage the comb as well, or instead of.
But if the factory somehow forgot to finish the edge then apparently this can help. I suspect it would work well with blades that are only slightly pitted from rust as well, but living in a dry climate I never see those anymore.
I found a Norelco 1100 in stock about 30 miles from me, I’m very tempted to grab it. But I’ve noticed a couple of reviewers saying it actually has a low rpm motor, do you know if that’s true?
If that’s true I may have no choice but to attempt to transplant the guts from the Remington into one of the Norelcos.
Yes, toothpaste, polishing paste, anything along those lines.
You definitely must have some metal/slack to work with, otherwise I agree that it won’t do anything.
I have a Norelco 1100 on order from the USA, it’ll be another week or two until it gets here (I live in Europe). I will report back if it’s not too late.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, thank you so much for the excellent review of Braun shavers, easily the most detailed and useful review out there! For corded shavers like Braun 3090s, I’m a bit confused with the label as “dry-only”… Are they usable while fully submersed in water / can be cleaned under water? As in, is it correct that “dry-only” has all the functions of a “wet & dry”, but has the added benefit that “dry-only” can be used while charging, whereas “wet & dry” cannot be used while charging?
Hi Edward,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
That is correct, the 3090s is waterproof and can be rinsed with water. It is marketed as dry-only as a safety precaution since it will also work with the cord plugged in.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Krup shaver that I bought many many years ago. When the micro screen wore our, in would pick up a new one at the small appliance repair shop. When the small appliance store closed up, I contacted Krup and the lady informed me the Krup stopped making my shaver but she would send me whatever she could find. The lady sent me an additional shaver plus an extra micro screen. What a deal! I had also given my dad a Krup shaver for Christmas which my gave me when my dad passed away. I have now have had a Krup shaver for over 35 years and am down to my last one. I love this shaver but can find nothing close to it on the internet. My son bought me a Norelco rotary shaver 10 years ago and I didn’t care for it at all. Can recommend a shaver similar to my Krup?
Hi John,
Corded foil shavers are almost non-existent now. I think the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s would be a good option for you — it’s also among the only ones you can still buy. It shaves well and the costs are pretty reasonable as well, both for the shaver and for the replacement head.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
On 3/13/23, I went to Ebay and found “Norelco men’s vintage 3405LC Corded Electric Razor Triple Rotating Head” with built-in trimmer for $28.88
Hi,
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated. Pre-owned old shavers are also an option if you’re ok with the possible shortcomings. In the article I only covered the ones that are still readily available in most countries.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, Over here in Australia you can still buy a corded remington razor the model is R2 selling for AU$30.00, on another note, I still have a Philips PT725 which I bought in 2112, I have just bought new blades and foils for it, the battery is still good, it also works plugged in. last of all ive got the Braun series 5 5030, i think its the best razor ive ever had, and gives me a close shave after 3 days growth. Sincerely Simon
Hi Simon,
Thanks so much for the comment and info. The 5030s was a fantastic shaver for the money, it really is a shame Braun discontinued that entire Series 5 generation and replaced it with worse shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Are Philips Norelco 1100 ( S1015/81) or Remington R50 available anywhere in Europe?
And if not, if I buy them from the USA, will I have to buy a separate power adapter for my EU outlets?
I’m afraid those aren’t available in Europe. You should only need a USA to EU plug adapter.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I did a search for corded-electric-razors and found your site. My biggest complaint about rechargeable battery shavers is that they are so heavy! I’ve tried a few, and keep going back to my Remington MS2-100. Yes, that’s right – it still works, and it’s very light. Replacement parts are still available, and I even have a back-up one I bought on Amazon in 2005 (who knows why). Many European hotels have a 110 outlet (hello American tourists!) so I’ve even brought it abroad with me.
Thank you for the comment, David. That is true, the battery does add some heft. It’s great that your Remington is still going strong, it was among the last really good shavers made by Remington (unfortunately the more recent ones are just underwhelming).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any advice for someone wanting a cord only beard trimmer? I like to keep my beard short and tidy, but every trimmer I can find has a battery and suffers from the same problem that they won’t work when the battery has died even if the cord is plugged in. I don’t know anyone who trims their beard when it is wet so this is not likely to be a safety issue.
Hi Daniel,
I’m afraid there aren’t any corded only options (I personally don’t know any), just corded & cordless and most will indeed not work when the battery is completely dead and won’t let power go through. But I still think those can be a viable option. For example, the Philips Multigroom 7000 has excellent battery life and I think it’ll serve you well for years before that finally happens. It works corded and cordless and has a metal body, it’s powerful and comes with lots of accessories for beard trimming.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wahl Peanut!
Thanks for the suggestion, Ben. I completely overlooked that one, I guess I’ve always viewed it as a barber’s tool for lineups, blending fades and things like that. But you are right, I think it can be used as a dedicated beard trimmer just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu:
I wonder why you reccommend the Philips/Norelco 2300 when, for $5 more, you an get the Philips 2500, which has a slightly faster motor, higher capacity battery, runs longer on a full charge, and charges in an hour or so instead of more than 8 hours.
Also, there are a number of cheaper Chinese made shavers available on amazon.com and elsewhere, with names like: Pritech, Kemei, and Ufree, among others, which perform surprisingly well, especially for the price, and can operate corded as well as cordless. The biggest down side to most of these cheap Chinese shavers is that replacement foils and cutters don’t seem to be available.
Several of these Chinese companies sell rotary shavers that are waterproof, can be used wet or dry, and can even operate corded; and you can get replacement cutters and foil nets for them. Prices on amazon range from around $40 US to as cheap as $20 and even cheaper with occasional coupon discounts. Maybe you should check out a few of them. You might be surprised!
Hi Brent,
Thanks for the comment, those are really good points.
At the time I wrote the article, the Philips 2500 was either not available or a lot more expensive. But as of now it does make more sense getting that one instead of the 2300.
I’ve had some really bad experiences in the past with some of the Chinese brands. The durability of the cutters was the main problem in my case. There’s also the long term durability and I think a Philips shaver would be the safer option. Users interested in cordless & corded shavers also care a lot about reliability and low costs of ownership, which again made me lean more toward the well established brands. A replacement part getting suddenly discontinued is also a lot less likely.
This post is however in need of a major update, hopefully I’ll get it done soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
If someone is looking for an older corded shaver, eBay is a good bet. I puchased a Norelco 3405LC corded shaver, new and in the orginal package. It uses the HQ4 cutters (also available on eBay, as well as commercially). I also saw several other corded razors (more Norelco, Braun and Panasonic). I realize we are talking about corded razors, but a word of CAUTION. Do not buy an older (new in package) rechargable razor. The batteries deteriorate over the years of non-use and they will not accept a charge.
Hi Bill,
Thanks so much for the comment. Those are some great points. If you can find a brand new corded shaver (and for a fair price) it’s definitely worth getting.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I travel several times a year and bags get jostled. My travel electric razors only last 1 or 2 years. This is invariably due to the heavy battery moving and damaging the connections. I prefer corded only which lasted many years, and also preferred the microfoil shave. I have resigned to having to use replaceable batteries with an inferior shaver. I don’t see the USB chargeable shavers to due any better since they still have an internal battery.
Hi Robert,
In this case an inexpensive corded-only shaver would make the most sense. But nowadays there are only corded rotaries without an internal battery.
There are pros and cons to having an internal battery, but I can’t really fault them for getting damaged after serious mechanical shocks.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
i was looking for a shaver which runs on ordinary AA batteries like a remote or camera. just slap in a couple of batteries and that’s the end of that. can’t find such shavers though. you are the expert here. don’t want to bother with charging or with plugging in the cord either.know any such shaver?
Hi Don,
In this case your only option would be a so-called travel/compact shaver. I have an extensive guide on that here and some of the options do run on AA batteries. The most capable of this type would be the double-foil Panasonic ES4815P. It is quite impressive for a travel shaver, but the performance isn’t as good as in the case of a full-fledged shaver that has an internal rechargeable battery.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this article. We’ve been in the market for an excellent cord-only electric razor for years. So, I appreciate this article. My husband doesn’t like the optional cord, since the cord regularly falls out when moving it around. The only disappointment I have about your article is that the cord-only razor is exactly what we’ve gotten in the past (because it was the only one we could find), and it is cheaply made and not a very good razor. Thank you for the article, however, it was detailed and easy to find what I was looking for.
Hi Carli,
Thanks so much for the comment and feedback.
The thing is that there are no other options, those are the only corded-only shavers still available. And I agree that they are very basic models, nowhere near as capable as some other advanced and more powerful shavers. But those are always battery-powered, so cordless-only or corded&cordless, but never corded-only.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I lament the demise of the shaver with a 120 VAC motor (pure power) but at least the low voltage shavers are inexpensive and disposable.
Thank you for the comment, Tim — I totally agree.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu—-based upon your excellent advice, I recently purchased a Norelco 2500. It has turned out to be a very fine choice when deployed as a head shaver——-which is how I am using it. It provides a close, comfortable shave and is surprisingly quiet. Thanks for your helpful analysis.
Have you ever used any non-Norelco replacement blades for this kind of shaver? They are considerably cheaper than the Norelco-brand product——- but are they just as effective? Do you have a preference among the many SH30 generic replacement blade products available?
Thanks again for being such a well-informed and dependable resource.
Malvern Powell
Hi Malvern,
Thank you so much for the kind comment — I’m glad you’re enjoying your 2500.
I actually have bought some generic heads back in the day, can’t recall the names I’m afraid. The performance however was very disappointing. Either they didn’t cut well enough from the start or they simply worked properly for a couple of months before becoming blunt and ineffective.
While there might be some exceptions, I’d say that most of them are not worth it, despite the appeal of the low price. I would highly recommend getting the genuine SH30 blades when it’s time to replace them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu——-thanks for sharing your experience with generic SH30 replacement blades. I don’t remember the source, but it reminds me of a well known saying that more often than not, “you get what you pay for.” Unfortunately, real bargains are hard to come by.
I also recall another matter previously mentioned on this site that I would appreciate your clarifying. In shavers like the Norelco 2500——which are corded/cordless units that have a built in battery v. corded only items relying solely on an electric motor for power——I believe you once said that at some point the battery is likely to fail and thus render this “hybrid” shaver inoperable. Do we have enough experience with the “hybrids” to know approximately when this is likely to happen? I have a nine year old Norelco 3500 beard trimmer that is also a “hybrid” and is still working as a corded unit long after its battery has ceased to hold a charge. But I don’t know whether this is typical or not.
Many thanks again for your help and advice.
Malvern
You are very welcome, Malvern.
Philips shavers have a great track record when it comes to battery life (unlike Panasonic for example). To get to the point where the shaver won’t work with the cord (the battery simply won’t let current pass through it) would very unfortunate. Any battery can get to a point where it can’t provide enough power to shave cordlessly, but the shaver will still work with the cord. I’m afraid I can’t say when such a shaver will become inoperable, but from previous experience, I’d say there’s no reason to worry about it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Again Ovidiu
One final question. As I stated, my Norelco Beard Trimmer 3500 is now nine years old, and is likely going to stop working in the near future. What would you recommend as a suitable replacement that can similarly be used cord/cordless?
Thanks always.
Malvern
Hi Malvern,
I would consider either the Norelco Series 5500 (BT5511) or the old Multigroom Series 7000 (MG7750) — the new one will only work cordless. The BT5511 is a beard trimmer, while the Multigroom 7000 is a do-it-all trimmer (will even work as hair clippers). I have reviewed the latter here, it’s built like a tank, has a 5 hour+ battery and comes with many accessories. But if you’ll only be using it as a beard trimmer, the BT5511 probably makes more sense (its comb can also be adjusted in smaller increments).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu———I always appreciate your reasonable and well-informed advice. You are a treasured resource to everyone who visits your website.
Malvern
Malvern, you are too kind, thank you so much. Glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu——
The Philips Norelco 2500 instructions state that when fully charged (after one hour), this shaver should give about 15 shaves before needing a recharge. However, mine starts flashing red (low battery) after only around seven shaves. How long can the 2500 be used when flashing red before a recharge is absolutely necessary? Any idea why I am not getting the battery performance out of this shaver that Philips Norelco represents is typical? Would this constitute a warranty issue for me to pursue with the manufacturer? Does using it while it is being charged have any effect on battery performance?
Thanks so much for your help and advice.
Best wishes,
Malvern
Hi Malvern,
The claimed 15 shaves don’t really reflect a real-word use case. For example, most shaver manufacturers consider a 3-minute shave when coming up with the number of shaves from a single charge which is not realistic. I would assume that it takes you considerably longer than that to complete a shave. So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your 2500. I would charge when the light turns red just to avoid any potential drop in motor speed.
There’s no harm done if you shave with the cord plugged in, it’s actually one of the main benefits of the 2500 compared to let’s say the Series 3000 (cordless-only).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Many thanks, Ovidiu. There are other concerns with the accuracy of Norelco’s representations about 2500 performance in the instructions that came with the new shaver. Norelco claims that when charging the unit, the charge light will intermittently flash, then go solid when the charge is complete, and finally go out. In my experience, this cycle is actually completed much sooner than the one hour Norelco presents as the appropriate time for a 2500 charge. I guess the lesson to be learned from this is that Norelco’s factual representations are only approximations and should not be taken literally.
Othwise, the 2500 seems to be deserving of the positive review you previously gave it.
Sincerely.
Malvern
You are very welcome, Malvern. I’ve also noticed that charging takes roughly 10 minutes less than expected with the current Philips shavers. But at least in this case it’s a welcome inaccuracy.
Glad you’re happy with the 2500.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, I am Peter , currently living in Canada. I look also hard for shaver working cordless and also while plugging. Do you know whether we can find a charger for mobile phones or whatsoever with the same specs as that of shaver but it lets the shaver working while plugging? We may have to cut the jack and solder it accordingly to the shaver’s cord if the adapter’s jack doesn’t fit to the shaver socket). Of course, we do that only if the component which disables shaver working while plugging is in the charger’s side (not in the shaver’s side). Thanks
Hi Peter,
I think a better option would be to buy a USB-A cable for the specific brand of shaver (Philips, Braun or Remington) and just use it with a regular USB-A mobile phone charger, it should work perfectly fine when plugged in. You can find these cable on Amazon and they are very reasonably priced and practical.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am looking for a womens corded shaver. any ideas?
Hi Kay,
I’m afraid I don’t have much experience with women’s shavers. Also, most of he currently available models regardless of brand seem to be wet/dry, so will only operate cordless.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I along with many others got caught when using a wet shave with a razor becoming allergic to the soda in the Shaving Soap, it was recommended to try Electric Shavers, my first was a Phillips with 2 cutters in 1964, this shaver lasted a very long time, since then ending with chargeable Razors some with foils and the others with the round head cutters, I am really getting annoyed as the razors don’t hold their charge for long these days so bought one that said it would also work off the mains as well, it didn’t. Make don’t seem to make much difference, also the one foil razor the foils no longer available, its a mine field.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the comment. I’m curious about the exact model of that shaver if you still have it. The ones I recommended in the article will work off the mains (tried them myself).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank You, Ovidiu,This article was super helpful to me.
Steve
Colorado
Age 75
Steve,
I’m glad you find the info useful. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Do you have – or know of anywhere that has – a similar list for ladies’ shavers?
Hi Gillian,
I’m afraid I don’t. Also, from my limited experience with women’s shavers, the vast majority of the current ones will only work cordless.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu
Your article about corded/cordless shavers dated 26/2/2024 suggests that the Braun Series 7 models 790cc-4 and 790cc-5 are still available to buy new. I’ve searched the internet without success. Do you know of any sources in the UK for either model?
Thanks
N. Miller
Hi Neil,
Unfortunately they have been discontinued and unless you can find an unopened box on eBay, I’m afraid there aren’t any available anymore. I will update the article and remove them from the list.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Many thanks for your reply. I might just have to make do with a used model on ebay.
Regards,
Neil
I should point out that in Italy Andrea has always been an exclusively male name ;)
I usually shave every day with foam and a razor blade, because I want to be completely smooth. But sometimes I can’t use it (like during a recent hospital stay), so I have to use an electric razor.
So far I’ve used an old Braun Series 1 170-s, which however has only one blade, while I would be better off with those with 2 – 3 blades so as not to have to go over the same spot too many times. Head razors irritate my skin much more, especially on my neck, even if when I have some long hair that grows in random directions they would be more effective (more than once I had to touch up with the blade some isolated hair that there was no way to cut with the razor).
In the past I have had bad experiences with rechargeable razors: they require a long time to recharge and then guarantee a relatively short autonomy, and in any case now the power outlets are everywhere, even on car or train, so there are no places where you can’t use a mains-powered razor, which – unlike battery-powered ones – never gives up during a shave, never has power drops and is tireless.
Unfortunately today many manufacturers want their products to last a short time in order to sell more, and so they focus exclusively on models whose battery will work acceptably for a while, only to then see its performance inexorably decrease.
As a replacement for my Braun 170-s, could there be a razor with multiple blades, more performing, but still mains-powered? Thank you very much
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for the comment.
Unfortunately if you want a mains-only shaver, so one that’s not a corded&cordless model, the options are extremely limited. Regardless if it’s a rotary or foil model like yours, all of them will be very basic, and not very capable shavers.
I have used a Braun Series 1 in the past and decided not to include them at all in this roundup as I found the performance to be very underwhelming. The corded-only Philips 1100 would be an upgrade from your current shaver, but it’s only available in the USA and the European models have been discontinued. Also, switching from a foil to a rotary may not always go so smoothly.
The best compromise would probably be a Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s. It is much better than the Series 1 but the compromise would be that it also has an internal battery. You can still use it with the cord plugged in though.
PS: I am aware of the name situation having watched quite a few Italian movies growing up. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for your kind, quick and comprehensive answer. You are offering a very valuable service!
The Braun model you indicated could actually be right for me, I will evaluate it!
You are very welcome, Andrea, glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What do you think about the Remington R3 (which is a rotary shaver, however) which is corded too?
Certainly not as smooth and effective as the Philips and you might feel a few hairs getting tugged. But it is very affordable and available in Europe.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you again! I think I’ll buy the Philips you recommended.
Hey, I’d like to thank you for the info. I just bought my first rotary shaver and I was surprised that the shave was much closer than I was expecting, nearly indistinguishable from a razor, and that was with the last option; the R50. I didn’t wanted any battery because they still rely partly on it so they won’t work without a battery, and I didn’t want another Philips. It pulls a little, but I’ve used it only once and already felt more comfortable than the foil shavers which I never quite felt like I was using them correctly and I’d end up using the trimmer thing they always.
Also I meant to comment last time, when of the claims they don’t work corded bc of safety. Are we sure that’s really the reason?
This is an appliance, THE ONLY APPLIANCE, you can plug in a European bathroom, not even light switches make it inside. The only appliance that uses a lower voltage. And as I mentioned earlier, the ones with a battery, that use an AD/DC transformer therefore putting the potentially hazardous voltage no farther than the American-style outlet, and the power that they do deliver is so anemic it can’t power the shaver on the cord alone if the battery is completely depleted or missing.
I just don’t buy that argument.
Regardless, thanks again…it’s been so long since I bookmark a site just for entertainment.
Hi,
Thanks so much for the comment, really glad you enjoyed the post.
If you can get a good shave with the R50, that’s an ideal situation as it’s a very basic razor and there’s not much that can go wrong with it. There’s no battery, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
You make a fair point and there’s probably more to that than safety. One thing is certain though, the options we have for corded shavers, especially in Europe, are fewer than ever.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you; in case you might be interested, I am looking for a corded shaver, because I want a razor that I’ll only use occasionally but, when I do, immediately without having to worry about whether it is charged or not. I can leave it in a drawer, grab it when needed, quick shave, and put it back until next time.
Hey,
Thank you for the comment. That’s a perfectly valid reason. Right now corded&cordless shavers are getting very difficult to find and you essentially have 3 main options:
– a low-end rotary like the Philips Series 1000/2000 mentioned in the article
– a few entry-level foil shavers like the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3000s or the Remington F5. The latest Arc 3 also offers a few corded&cordless models.
– high-end Japan-exclusive Panasonic Arc 5 and Arc 6. These are excellent performers, but very pricey and you’ll need to import them from Japan.
These are all cordless&corded shavers. If you want a corded-only model (no internal battery), the Philips Norelco Shaver 1100 is probably the only viable option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My prferred razors are the Philips types.
My complaint, is that none come with a coiled electric cord.
If you cpould instill an once of sanity in the manufacture encelon, I will be grayeful.
Unfortunately coiled cords are gone. Braun also used to ship them with many of their old razors and it made sense since those would work corded and a coiled wire is more practical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I suspect, as others have noted, that the move to battery shavers has more to do with increased sales than safety. This is especially true as many batteries, with a known, finite lifespan are ‘non user replaceable’. This does not have to be the case since I have a small camera which takes standard batteries yet has a sealed battery compartment flap which allows it to be used under water! Surely it is not beyond the wit of mankind to do something similar with a shaver? One has to wonder about the impact of millions more discarded batteries, not all of which will be disposed of in a prescribed manner.
In my own case, I have overcome this problem by purchasing a second-hand Braun 5235 corded foil shaver from a certain auction site. Surprisingly, the replacement foils (235 series) are still available (though not cheap at about £15). Even so, the cost of the shaver (in excellent, little-used condition) plus a new foil was still cheaper than any current new shaver available. It is also a very nice shaver. Perhaps the familiar adage ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ is sometimes true. I can see the market in ‘retro’ shavers only expanding.
Thank you for the comment, Lenny. You make some really good points. And I have to agree, at least when it comes to Braun, that they really don’t make them like they used to. The current Series 5 and 7 are a downgrade in every aspect compared to the previous (now discontinued) generations.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I would like to thank you very much for your extensive independent research which you generously share with the rest of us.
shavercheck.com is the largest independent knowledge base on electric shavers I have come across and I have taken the liberty of noting the website address, because I intend to return to this site every time I need to buy a new shaver to see if there has been a new development that might interest me.
I googled my way to this website because I was originally looking for a corded-only electric shaver as these are the ones I have the best long-term experience with, and thanks to you I now know that only Phillips still makes a few.
But I have read all your guides and many of your other thorough articles. What a knowledge base this is, I especially appreciate the fact that you have bought and paid for the products yourself and tried them out thoroughly although that must have been very costly for you.
Thank you once again for your extensive work
Thank you so much for the kind comment, I’m glad you found the site useful.
I’ve been passionate about electric shavers for decades, so I enjoy testing and writing about them a great deal. It is a rather expensive hobby though, you are absolutely right.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have an old corded-only Philips HS 545 electric rotary shaver that I bought back in 1997.
It works like new, but after 28 years of use I can no longer get the original Philips HQ2/HP1917 shave heads for it.
However, Fixpart sells some rather expensive non-original ones that can replace the HQ2/HP1917 made by philips. They are made by a company called Newpeaks. They cost about the same as the original ones did, they are not cheap ones.
On eBay there is a German dealer called ElectroPapa who mentions that they are both a manufacturer and a retailer of spare parts for electrical appliances and electronics. They also sell some that can replace the original Philips HQ2/HP1917 shave heads, they are unlike those made by Newspeak which Fixpart sells quite cheap.
I have no experience with non-original cutting heads made by third party manufacturers.
If anyone has any experiences, good or bad, I would love to hear them.
I’m not a big fan of throwing away a fully functional 28-year-old electric shaver just because I can no longer get original shave heads for it. On the other hand, I don’t want to buy bad non-original cutting heads either.
Hi Kim,
My experience with non-original heads has been quite poor, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that it will be the case as well with the particular products you mentioned. But generally, foils and blades require high-precision machining and there’s a lot involved in the design and production of these parts. Large manufacturers with plenty of resources like Philips and Panasonic have the means to make these high-performing parts, but I would be wary of the claims of a small third-party manufacturer. Of course there can be exceptions, but generally, the non-original heads have an underwhelming performance or go blunt pretty quickly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your reply Ovidiu, that means a lot.
I have always stuck to original shave heads because I feared that non-original ones made by third-party manufacturers could not live up to the same high quality standards as the original ones.
I have already ordered a new corded-only Philips Norelco Shaver 1100 Series model (Model S1016/90) from amazon in the USA after reading your excellent articles and recommendations.
In the meantime, while I wait for it to arrive, I am thinking about what to do with my old shavers when it arrives.
I hate throwing away things that work perfectly, but maybe I should do it in this case.
One thing is for sure, if I am happy with my new Philips shaver when it arrives, I will buy a large stock of original shave heads for it. Unfortunately, I did not buy enough for my old ones before they went out of production.
You are very welcome.
I totally understand as I also hate throwing away anything that still works perfectly fine. Unfortunately some of the excellent, older shavers that I used to recommend aren’t a viable option anymore because the replacement heads/foils are difficult or impossible to source. And that is a problem especially for the owners of those shavers who have no choice than to buy a new shaver altogether at some point.
The Shaver 1100 on the other hand uses the SH30 blades which are used on a variety of highly-popular Philips shavers in the budget segment, so those will be around for a long time. And even if they do get discontinued at some point, I think it’s very likely that the successor will be backward-compatible.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Nice to hear that you are confident that the SH30 blades will be available for a long time.
Just watched a video of the 5000 series on the Philips USA web sight, and it stated it works plugged in or unplugged.
Thanks for the comment, Chris. That’s likely an error as the current Series 5000 is cordless-only. Would you happen to still have the link to that video?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m in US and read your Guides many times, per recommendation on Reddit. I just bought a Japan-only Lamdash Arc 5 es-nlv68 (eBay) so it would work while plugged in — but it only works when unplugged. Any ideas why?
I checked the Power Lock, searched your site again, and Google had nothing on use-while-plugged. Please help!
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Panasonic-ES-NLV68-K-Lamdash-Shaver-Linear/dp/B0B2NHRTFN
Hi Nick,
This model appears to be a WET/DRY shaver (also printed on the shaver itself), which means it would only work cordless. Cordless and corded Panasonic shavers usually have the word Washable written on them instead of wet/dry.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
It’s a crying shame that mains only shavers are not being made any longer, I think the manufacturers are missing a trick. The reason for me why the mains ones were better is power, I find all the battery powered ones badly under powered and therefore have an inferior result.
Hey Gary,
That was indeed a problem and continues to be with some shavers. But many of the current cordless-only shavers are definitely not underpowered when compared directly to the corded variation. I own several of these pairs, for example a cordless-only Panasonic Arc 5 and also the corded model, or the corded-only (no battery) Norelco Shaver 1100 and another cordless Series 1000. I can say with certainty that there’s absolutely no difference in power between these shavers, though the peace of mind of being able to use a shaver from the mains still remains.
PS: I will update the article soon as some of the info is now outdated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is an excellent article. I decided a long time ago that I didn’t like rechargeable shavers for the reasons described. The last one I purchased was also too heavy.I hope that mains only shavers will make a comeback
Thank you, David, I appreciate the comment. I will be updating the article as well. I think it would be very beneficial to see more corded or at least corded&cordless options, though the industry is definitely heading into the opposite direction.
Currently only a handful of entry-level Norelco and Remington rotaries are mains only.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I read in your article that most electric razors last around 15 years so I thought I would share my story.
My parents bought me a Philips Philishave (corded only) razor Model # HP1606 when I was 16 years old. I’m now 56 so in my calculations that’s 40 years. I used it every 1-3 days depending on what I had going on. It was finally time to lay it to rest last week because it started to run intermittently.
I obviously replaced the rotary blades a few times and 2-3 cords over its life but the only internal repair that was done to it was a set of brushes that I put in about 5 years ago which I took out of an old Philips razor that my dad had. It’s truly been an amazing shaver and it’s kind of like loosing an old friend so now I’m on the hunt for a new electric razor, preferably a corded only. Anything new on the horizon that you would recommend?
Great article by the way!
Hey Russ,
Thank you for taking the time to share this. 40 years of regular use is outstanding, even for the old models that were (objectively) more durable.
Unfortunately, as I mentioned in the article, the current corded rotaries are very few and very basic models, so the performance isn’t particularly flattering. The Series 1000 and 2000 mentioned in the post are generally reliable (they’re very simple machines), the blades are very forgiving, easy to source and reasonably priced, but a seasoned rotary user might find these shavers too mild and lacking the characteristic bite of the old Norelcos.
Alternatively, you could buy a new (or in mint condition) XL model from the late 2000’s, those are a lot more similar to the older rotaries. For example, the 8240XL (cordless only unfortunately) comes with the excellent triple-track HQ9 heads, though sourcing new replacements would be a challenge. Also, the corded&cordless XL shavers are super rare, so most of the ones sold on eBay for example are cordless only.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What about Wahl trimmers and shavers? They have some models that run from wall power and some that use replaceable AA or AAA batteries.
And what about some Chinese brands? Surely they would have some corded and/or replaceable batt powered shavers and trimmers?
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment.
Wahl, as well as Andis, do have a few corded&cordless shavers, but those models are almost always suitable for only a few specific use cases. The foils are very thin are they wear out very quickly. Moreover, they only work best on very short stubble that grows straight and are actually designed for finishing (for example, cleaning the top part of the checks or the lower part of your neck if you have a beard). Users with sensitive skin also find them too aggressive.
Barbers like them because they shave super close (thanks to the very thin foils) and are adequately powerful, but again these shavers are not ideal to shave an entire beard on a regular basis for the reasons mentioned earlier.
AA battery powered shavers are rather underwhelming when it comes to shaving performance (they’re fine for occasional use or when traveling), so I don’t consider them a viable option for most users.
Chinese shavers are almost always cordless-only and except for a few brands (like Laifen), I found the quality of the foils to be poor.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What about Hatteker 8-in-1 kit? It seems to be a Chinese brand pretending to be from UK. Mentions on reddit say it can run while plugged in. (Or perhaps hatteker’s other kits?)
I haven’t use it, but it appears to be a trimmer with various attachments, and I can say with certainty that the shaving/foil attachments will absolutely not be good enough as your main shaver. Again, only good enough for minor touchups.
As a clipper/trimmer it’s fine, but not as a shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu