Philips (Norelco) is one of the three major electric shaver brands alongside Braun and Panasonic.
With a rich legacy and a loyal user base, Philips has managed to stay at the very top for decades.
Moreover, they stuck to their guns, being the only large manufacturer that makes rotary electric razors.
Their shaver portfolio is constantly changing, with many models being discontinued, updated or rebranded.
And to make things worse, there’s a lot of confusion regarding the performance of various series, as well as the old vs new generations.
This Philips comparison and buyer’s guide aims to make it easier for everyone to understand the differences between the various shavers and series.
Without all the clutter, you can simply choose the Philips shaver that’s best for your needs and budget:
I’ve owned and used almost every Philips electric razor of the past 20 years, so I’m able to compare and evaluate them from a user’s perspective.
As you’ll see, choosing a Philips shaver is pretty straightforward when we only consider a few key aspects that really matter.
Let’s get started.
Philips shavers in 2026: a quick overview
Philips (or Philips Norelco in the USA) makes a wide range of grooming tools for both men and women.
However, we’re only interested in their men’s electric shavers for this guide.
In a world where foil electric shavers are ubiquitous, Philips carried on with their original rotary design.
All current Philips electric razors are of the so-called rotary type.
Without getting into too much detail, a rotary razor uses circular blades that rotate constantly in a single direction behind a perforated metal guard (or comb).
The hair pokes through the perforations or slots and gets cut by the rotating blade.
We’ll talk more about the specific pros (and cons) of rotaries later on, but the benefits that are universally agreed upon are:
- quiet operation
- better performance with longer facial hair
- more durable blades (so lower cost of ownership)
- the clipped hairs are contained inside the heads (less messy)
The rotary razors in Philips’ lineup are grouped into a so-called Series.
For example, the 3000 Series, 7000 Series or 9000 Series.
The higher the series number, the more capable (at least in theory) the shaver is.
As we move from the lower series to the high-end ones, we also get more features, more efficient blades, more powerful motors and various technologies.
However, not all of these will have an impact on the actual shaving performance and some are downright gimmicks.
This means you don’t always have to pay more for a Philips shaver in a presumably superior series to get better performance.
Some Philips models/series simply offer better value for money.
And that’s my main goal with this guide — to showcase the truly important aspects to someone interested in buying a Philips shaver.
I will go over every Philips series separately, but before that, there are a couple of things that I would like to address.
Making sense of model names
Philips (Norelco) electric shavers are part of a Series, which is essentially a family of shavers with very similar characteristics.
With a single exception, the performance of any shavers belonging to a series from the same generation will have identical shaving performance.
The exception is within the Series 2000 and I will explicitly mention the models and the differences in the respective section.
But getting back to the names, these series are organized hierarchically, from low-end, less capable shavers, to high-end, advanced models.
For example, a Series 9000 or i9000 is better than a Series 5000.
The higher the series number, the better the shaver, at least in theory.
So the Series number would be the first, all-encompassing layer.
Next, we have the actual shaver model name.
It usually starts with S or SP, followed by the series’ first digit.
For example, the S3341/92 is a shaver in the Series 3000, while the S9985/84 is a shaver in the Series 9000.
The model number, including the part after the /, also refers to things like color, accessories, the region where the shaver was released and so on.
Side note: Some of the newest shavers start with an X or XP instead of S/SP.
I think you’d agree that these model names are not very memorable and don’t sound particularly exciting.
Therefore, Philips came up with a more user-friendly moniker for the most popular models in addition to that sterile model name.
For example, the S3341/92 above is also known as the Shaver 3900, while the S9985/84 is the Shaver 9500.
These are easier to remember and to market.
The first digit in the Shaver xxxx moniker is of course a reference to the series the shaver is part of.
Let’s look at the Shaver 3600 and Shaver 3900 in the Series 3000.
They shave exactly the same, use the same shaving heads and the most important features are the same.
However, the differences are related to color and accessories — the 3900 also includes a charging stand.
And these are usually the differences you’d expect between Philips shavers belonging to the same series (from the same generation).
Models that come with more stuff or maybe a more advanced battery indicator (like 3 levels vs a single low-charge LED) are usually more expensive.
For some users, these upgrades are not worth the extra money since the performance will be the same, so the decision is entirely yours.
The Philips naming scheme is a bit redundant and confusing at the same time, so hopefully it makes more sense now.
Fun fact: Philips sells its shavers and groomers under the Philips Norelco brand in the USA.
Because of a trademark issue, it couldn’t use the Philips name back in the day, so they used Norelco (North American Philips Electrical Company) instead.
Because it gained a lot of brand equity, they decided to append it to the Philips name once the legal issue had been solved.
Key features of a Philips electric razor
1. The cutting heads
A rotary Philips electric razor has a shaving unit comprised of several cutters or heads.
The vast majority of Philips shavers have three heads.
Three is a great compromise in terms of performance and ergonomics.
They’re plenty to cover large areas with great efficiency while the shaving unit remains manageable and not overly bulky.
Other rotary shavers that aren’t intended primarily as face shavers feature 4, 5 or even 6 heads.
For example, the Remington Balder Pro, a rotary head shaver, has 5 heads.
Such a high number of heads is still fine ergonomically when shaving your head but it’s very cumbersome to use on the face.
That’s why having three cutters seems to be a great, balanced solution favored by Philips.
The only Philips razors with two heads are a couple of travel shavers like the 510 or some older (discontinued models) like the Click & Style S738.
Another exception is the new Philips Head Shaver Pro, with 4 independent cutters, but as the name suggests, that one is intended for a specific use case.
So in 2026, no matter which Series is part of, a Philips shaver will most likely have 3 cutting heads.
Now, a Philips rotary head can have single or double tracks.
A head with a single track will have a rotary cutter with one circular row of blades inside, while a dual-track head will have a cutter with two rows of blades:
In the past, we even had Philips heads with 3 tracks like the excellent RQ9 (highly praised by the community).
Currently, Philips rotary heads only come with a single track or with two tracks in the case of the higher-end models (from the Series 8000 and up).
Fun fact: some of the more advanced two-track heads are actually compatible with the lower-end series, so that’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade. More details later on.
As you might have guessed, a head with more tracks is more effective at catching the hairs, especially the ones that stay flat on the skin.
The closeness isn’t necessarily impacted by this, but because the shavers with double-track heads also have more powerful motors, getting a faster/closer/smoother shave is often a convenient side effect.
For example, the entry-level Series 3000 uses the SH30 single-track heads, while the Series 9000 and i9000 comes with the double-track SH91 heads.
Objectively, a 9000 variation is better performance-wise; it has a more powerful motor and more effective, independently flexing cutters.
2. Rounded vs angular heads
Still related to shaving head characteristics, we have rounded and angular (aka pentagonal) shaving heads.
Until somewhat recently, Philips always used a conventional, rounded design of the three heads that comprise the shaving unit.
For any long-time Philips (Norelco) user, it’s a very familiar design.
And it also worked very well since these heads tapered down toward the edge, making the shaver more manageable, especially when shaving below the nose or around the sideburns.
But with the introduction of the new Series 7000, Philips moved gradually toward a new angular design which in the meantime became the norm.
Except for the entry-level Series 1000/2000 and 3000, all current Philips families use this new angular design of the shaving head.
In my opinion this is a case of form over function because from an ergonomic perspective, this change doesn’t make much sense.
These new heads are thicker, wider and require a bit more work when shaving the tricky areas I mentioned earlier.
Most users aren’t bothered by this and I admit that I have gotten used to it.
I think there’s a reason behind this — the angular heads look striking and sleek — and also for making these shavers compatible with the new cleaning pods (more on that later).
Personally, I prefer the old rounded heads design as it’s more user-friendly and makes the razor easier to use.
I think this is the reason why Philips tried to somewhat tweak and improve the angular heads in the case of the 2025 Series i9000.
These feature a squircle-shaped head, most likely in an attempt to make it more manageable while still maintaining compatibility with the cleaning pod.
I think they are still more similar to the slab-like angular heads than the old round ones, but they are slimmer and better ergonomically.
For now, the squircle heads are only available on the new i9000 variations.
3. Double vs single-edge blade design
Rotary shavers have an inherent weakness compared to a typical foil machine.
Because the guards are thicker than a foil screen, the closeness offered by a Philips rotary isn’t generally as good.
To compensate for the closeness issue, Philips came up with a unique design of the blade.
Specifically, they used two cutting edges instead of one, the so-called Super Lift&Cut system.
Side note: single and double-edge only refer to the individual blade tips on the rotary cutter, it’s different from the single, double or triple blade tracks discussed earlier.
The idea was that the first edge would grab the hair and pull it up, allowing the second one to cut the hair at skin level or even below.
And the solution worked but came with a major compromise to the comfort of the shave.
These double-edge blades were unforgiving and aggressive, especially for men with somewhat sensitive skin.
For example, I found them very grabby and irritating and would even nick the skin on my neck.
Men who weren’t affected by this loved the Super Lift&Cut blades because they were able to get very close shaves.
However, the compromise was probably not worth it and Philips gradually phased out the Super Lift&Cut blades throughout the different series.
As of 2026, only the old Series 5000 comes with the original Super Lift&Cut blades (the SH50).
All the other ones were switched to either more comfortable single-edge blades or a new, refined double-edge design called Lift&Cut (without the Super).
To be more specific, the lower-end, budget shavers now use single-edge blades:
- Series 1000
- Series 2000
- Series 3000
The mid to high-end families use the new double-edge Lift&Cut design:
- Series 5000 (current)
- Series 6000 (current)
- Series 7000
- Series 8000
- Series 9000/i9000, including the Prestige and Prestige Ultra variations
This new double-edge Lift&Cut design is a lot more comfortable than the old one and still allows the blades to cut the hair close to the skin.
One of the ways they achieved this was by reducing the gap between the two blade edges:
Again, these Lift&Cut blades only come with the more advanced series (5000 and up).
In my opinion, the switch to single-blade tips for the budget series was the right move as it made Philips razors more user-friendly and mass-appealing.
Seasoned, life-long Philips users on the other hand may not be as happy with this change.
Some feel that the new blades aren’t as bitey as the old ones (despite being more comfortable).
But the old Series 5000 still offers the old system and as mentioned, the new 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 even come with upgraded, more comfortable Lift&Cut blades, so you’re getting the best of both worlds.
Some of the old and aggressive double-edge Super Lift&Cut heads (like the SH90) can still be found and will even fit newer shavers.
Likewise, more comfortable single-edge heads are available for older shavers if you feel like your Norelco could be more forgiving.
I will explicitly discuss the compatible parts when going over each series later on.
4. Motor speed
Entry-level and high-end Philips shavers are different in several ways.
Apart from blades, features and accessories, motor speed is one of the more important aspects as it has a major impact on the performance.
While rotary shavers usually have slow rotating motors (around 2000 RPM) compared to foil shavers (up to 14 000 CPM), a difference in speed and torque is noticeable among the different Philips series.
Philips doesn’t share any explicit RPM numbers, but they do mention some useful bits of information, like the motor consumption (wattage) and especially the cutting actions per minute.
The latter is particularly helpful in determining (approximately) the motor speed of a certain series/shaver.
And that spec is useful because a theoretically lower-end series with the same motor and blades as a more expensive one will shave the same and be a better buy.
Let’s take a practical example, the Series 9000.
Philips says it’s able to deliver 150,000 cutting actions per minute.
We also know that the SH91 rotary heads that come with the Series 9000 have 72 individual blades (24 per head).
If we divide 150,000 by 72 we get approximately 2100 which is actually the RPM figure we’re looking for.
So the Philips Series 9000 is fitted with a 2100 RPM motor and the SH91 Lift&Cut blades.
With that info, we can easily conclude that the Series 8000 for example also comes with the exact motor and blades, so it will perform identically.
But the Series 8000 usually costs less than the 9000, making it the better pick.
5. Cordless and corded operation
Most of today’s electric razors will only work cordless.
There’s an obvious trend toward cordless-only shavers and all the major manufacturers seem to have embraced it.
Braun for example only has cordless shavers in its lineup (with a few exceptions in the entry-level Series 3 range).
Panasonic only sells corded shavers in Japan, while the rest of the world gets just the cordless variations.
Philips (Norelco) is no exception and most of their current shavers are cordless-only.
I think cordless and corded operation makes even more sense for rotary razors in the context of long-term use and low costs of ownership.
Luckily there are still a few cordless&corded and even corded-only Philips models available.
This feature is a must-have for some users who don’t want to stress about charging a shaver.
I will explicitly mention the ones that work with cord; unfortunately, there are very few and only in the low-end segment.
There are no high-end cordless&corded Philips shavers anymore.
Side note: even though corded&cordless Philips shavers are marketed as dry-only (for safety concerns), they are still waterproof for easy cleaning (with the cord unplugged of course).
6. Integrated vs click-on trimmers
Another feature that may be important when choosing a Philips shaver is the hair trimmer.
While Panasonic razors for example only use integrated, pop-up trimmers, Philips (Norelco) shavers have either integrated or separate (click-on) trimmers.
The integrated ones are more practical since they’re always there and you simply deploy them when needed.
On the other hand, the separate click-on trimmers are more capable and even suitable for trimming an entire beard (although I wouldn’t use one regularly).
Such a trimmer will fit in place of the rotary shaving head and some even have an integrated adjustable comb.
But you’ll always have to remove the rotary shaving head and snap the trimmer in its place.
They’re also a bit too bulky for things that require more precision (edging a sideburn or a moustache).
I wouldn’t however recommend any of them for regularly trimming a full beard.
You’ll be much better off with a dedicated beard trimmer like the Multigroom 7000 or 9000.
Since I shave often and don’t need to pre-trim my beard, I prefer integrated Philips trimmers.
I only use them for my sideburns and they’re ideal for that type of grooming, even though the Philips pop-up trimmers are nowhere near as good as the ones from Panasonic.
The click-on trimmers are more fiddly to use since they’re thicker and bulkier, but again, more capable for more extensive trimming.
To some users, having a shaver with a particular type of trimmer matters a lot, so I will mention it for every Philips series later on.
7. Cleaning systems
For many years, Philips shavers belonging to different series at different price points were available with or without an automatic cleaner.
These were full-fledged cleaning stations that charged, cleaned and dried the shaver.
And I’m using the past tense because nowadays, none of the current Philips series include such systems anymore.
Instead, there’s only the option of a so-called Quick Clean Pod or no cleaning system at all.
I will get into more details later on, but the important thing is that the latest iteration of a Philips shaver can at most include a Pod, not a fully automatic station.
The Quick Clean Pod is a very simple cleaning device that uses the shaver to power itself and flush the cleaning fluid through the head.
The fully automatic station only comes with older/discontinued generations of the Series 5000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 if you can still find one.
Those stations evolved throughout the years, the latest one before the decision to drop them being the so-called SmartClean system.
The SmartClean station uses a detergent-based solution that comes in cartridge refills.
A Philips cleaning station features induction heat to dry the shaving head.
This system works best and is the most effective when paired with a fan. However, only Panasonic stations use both.
Generally, a Philips SmartClean station purchased later on will work with a shaver that didn’t originally come with one.
It will however need to be compatible with it, so a Series 9000 station will not work with a Series 5000 shaver.
Whether a cleaning station is necessary or not — that’s entirely up to the user to decide.
I think it can be practical and useful and the Philips detergent solution lasts a long time.
Again, the current Philips razors can only come with a less advanced Quick Clean Pod (it’s the same device for all the series with minor design differences).
8. Charging: USB-A cable vs classic wired chargers
A few years ago, Philips made a few changes to reduce waste and environmental impact.
One of the ways they’re trying to achieve that is to gradually phase out the Philips wired adapters (chargers) and only include a USB-A cable instead.
This cable has a proprietary Philips connector at the other end and you would simply use it with your own USB-A charger, like the one from your mobile phone.
Or you can plug it directly into a USB-A wall socket.
And on a related note, some of the more recent Philips shavers are simply older models that have been rebranded and now only ship with a USB-A cable instead of a charger.
For example, the new Shaver 3600 is essentially the Shaver 3500 but with a USB-A cable.
It’s the same story in the case of the new Shaver 3900 and the previous Shaver 3800.
There’s nothing really remarkable about this change and you’d assume that a shaver that now comes with a USB-A cable can be charged with an older Philips wired charger.
But you’d be wrong.
Philips also slightly tweaked the charging port on these newer shavers (like the 2600, 3600 or 3900) so that the older wired Philips adapters won’t fit.
I think this can matter to some users who already had an older Philips charger and were hoping to use it with the new shavers that only come with a USB-A cable.
The switch to USB-A cables in now in full swing and as of 2026, all of the newly released Philips (Norelco) models will come with that instead of a charger.
9. Price and value for money
I think the price is a key factor when deciding which Philips shaver to buy.
Prices can vary a lot throughout the same series for no logical reason.
For example, a shaver in the i9000 Prestige Ultra line with a different color can cost significantly more than another, even though it doesn’t come with any improvements.
It just costs more.
Also, the price difference between two Philips series can be significant.
And as you’ll see, some of the presumably inferior series can sometimes shave pretty much the same and even use the same blades/motors as the next one in the hierarchy.
This was one of my main goals with this comparison guide — to show the Philips razors that offer the best performance for the money and are worth buying.
The new Philips Quick Clean Pod
Since the full-fledged cleaning and charging stations are now history, the Quick Clean Pod is the only option for automatic cleaning.
The Pod is available with various shavers from the Series 5000 and up and it’s essentially the same no matter the shaver model.
So a range-topping S9000 Prestige will come with the same Pod as a budget Series 5000 for example.
With the latest i9000 models, Philips also introduced a redesigned Pod, but it’s actually compatible with the other shavers as well.
Let’s take a look at the device and how it works.
The Quick Clean Pod is a very basic automatic cleaning system comprised of three elements:
- a container (essentially a plastic tub)
- a cleaning cartridge
- a lid that features an intake tube below and a cleaning chamber on top
With the cartridge placed inside, you would then screw the lid on top, with the intake tube submerged in the cleaning fluid.
The Pod is not electrically powered and doesn’t have any type of logic to determine the fluid level or if the shaver is placed in it.
Instead, it relies entirely on the shaver to provide the power.
Inside the intake tube, there’s a small impeller that pushes the cleaning fluid from the cartridge into the cleaning chamber where the shaving head rests.
And the way the Pod works is quite ingenious.
The shaver has a small metal piece at the very center and it rotates in sync with the blades when the shaver is switched on.
That tiny metal piece splines to a plastic shaft at the very center of the pod and that shaft connects to the impeller in the intake tube.
So when the shaver is placed inside the Pod, it would actually drive the impeller shaft, causing the cleaning fluid to go up into the cleaning chamber.
This system has both pros and cons.
In my opinion, the pros are the compact size of the Pod, its portability, the ease of use and the fact that there’s no way for the Pod to force you to replace the cartridge.
You would simply replace it when you feel like the solution is way too contaminated with grime and hair.
Philips recommends once a month, but I think you can go longer than that.
The cleaning is pretty effective and the solution also provides lubrication for the blades.
As for the cons, the Pod will not charge or dry the shaver.
Also, even if the cartridge has a mesh filter, some cross-contamination can still occur and clipped hairs will end up in the head unit.
Once the cleaning is done, the shaving head is dripping wet and foamy, so you will need to let it air dry (with the head unit open).
The Pod compatibility is a bit strange.
A Philips shaver that comes with a Pod is fitted with an accelerometer that determines when it’s placed inside the pod.
So instead of an electrical connection (like in the case of a fully automatic station), the accelerometer will sense when the shaver is upside down and completely still and presume that it must be inside the Pod.
As a result, the shaver will enter a special cleaning mode.
Fun fact: You can actually fool the accelerometer if you hold the shaver upside down very still — it will think the shaver is inside the pod and enter the cleaning mode.
Once you start the cleaning by pressing the shaver’s power button, it will turn on and off, flushing the fluid through the shaving head.
The shaver will turn off automatically after approximately one minute.
The shavers that didn’t come with a Pod lack this accelerometer, so they can’t know when they’re upside down and will never enter the cleaning mode.
But because they still have that tiny rotating metal piece, they will still power the Pod.
However, the shaver will run continuously until you manually switch it off.
Here’s a video of my S9000 Prestige that didn’t come with a Pod. I tried cleaning it using a Pod from another shaver and this is how it went:
So if you plan on buying a Pod later on, just know that it will only be partially compatible, but as you can see in the video, it will work.
The only exception to this rule is the new i9000 Prestige Ultra: all the models are fitted with an accelerometer and are fully compatible.
I think the Quick Clean Pod is quite useful despite its shortcomings and it’s probably worth getting.
Philips (Norelco) shavers comparison and differences (2026)
In this section, I will go over each Philips series of shavers currently available. You can navigate directly to the one you’re interested in.
As you’ll see, there will sometimes be an older (even discontinued) generation alongside the current one.
Some of the older models are still available and because many users still use them, I thought it would be useful to mention them as well.
I won’t be getting into as much detail with those just to keep things simple.
With that out of the way, let’s check out the Philips shavers available in 2026 and see how they stack up against each other.
Philips Series 1000 & 2000
- Motor speed: <2000 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: <55 000
- Replacement heads: SH30 (single-edge blades, single track, 9 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The 1000 and 2000 Series are the very basic, entry-level shavers currently available from Philips.
The reason why I referred to them together is because the Series 1000 and 2000 are essentially the same shavers (feature and performance-wise).
In Europe, we have only the Philips Series 1000, while in the USA we have both the Philips (Norelco) Series 1000 and 2000.
The shavers in the 1000 and 2000 series are 3-blade rotary machines, reasonably priced and with somewhat modest features.
Some of those (like battery level indicators) won’t have any impact on the performance, but others, like motor speed and blades, will (when compared to a superior series like the 3000).
Model comparison
| Model | Operation | Battery life | Misc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 2000 Shaver 2100 (S1111/81) | Dry only (cordless & corded) | 30 minutes (NiMH) | 10-hour charging time |
| Series 2000 Shaver 2300 (S1211/81) | Dry only (cordless & corded) | 40 minutes (NiMH) | 8-hour charging time |
| Series 2000 Shaver 2400 (X3001/90) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | 40 minutes (NiMH) | 1 hour charging time, USB-A cable |
| Series 2000 Shaver 2500 (S1311/82) | Dry only (cordless & corded) | 45 minutes (NiMH) | 1 hour charging time, more powerful motor |
| Series 2000 Shaver 2600 (X3052/91) | Wet/Dry (cordless-only) | 50 minutes (NiMH) | 1 hour charging time, USB-A cable |
| Series 1000 Shaver 1100 (S1015/81) | Dry only (corded only) | - | - |
| Series 1000 Shaver 1100 (S1016/90) | Dry only (corded only) | - | - |
| Series 1000 S1332/41 (Europe) | Dry only (cordless & corded) | 45 minutes (NiMH) | 1 hour charging time, more powerful motor |
The table above depicts the most popular models in the Series 1000 and 2000.
You may come across some other country-specific models (that don’t show up in the table) depending on where you live.
These shaves can work either cordless (wet/dry models) or cordless & corded (dry-only).
The Shaver 1100 (USA model, dry-only) is unique in the sense that it lacks an internal battery and only works corded.
A wet/dry Philips shaver can also be used with shaving cream/gel or in the shower.
With most current shavers (regardless of brand), cordless-only operation seems to be the new norm.
Philips on the other hand decided to offer corded&cordless models, even though these are limited to the entry-level series like the 1000 and 2000.
The mid-range and high-end shavers are cordless-only as you’ll see later on.
Corded&cordless operation is a must-have feature for some users and it’s one of the selling points of the Series 2000.
Philips clearly intended these models for the budget-conscious buyer.
It even goes to the extreme of offering a corded-only shaver, the Philips Norelco 1100, so you won’t have any battery-related worries even after years of use.
The corded&cordless Series 1000 and 2000 models are suitable for dry-only use as a safety precaution.
However, all of them are waterproof for easy cleaning (with the cord disconnected).
The Shaver 2300 was the best-seller of the series for many years.
It offered decent performance, cordless&corded use and was very reasonably priced.
However, I think the pick of the range would be the Shaver 2500 (if you can still find one).
It has a couple of advantages over the 2300 and other Series 2000:
- charging takes less than 1 hour (compared to 8)
- the battery lasts a bit longer (45 vs 40 minutes)
- it is slightly more powerful (~2000 RPM).
It used to cost about the same, making it the budget Philips to buy, with the corded&cordless operation being again one of its pros.
But unfortunately, it’s being phased out and replaced by the Shaver 2600 which is a cordless-only model and comes with the standard slower motor of the Series 2000.
In Europe, the Series 1000 S1332/41 would be my pick for the same reasons as the 2500.
All these shavers have a flip-open head for easy cleaning and an integrated hair trimmer.
The trimmer isn’t great, it falls back easily and requires many passes to get a clean cut, but it’s still better than nothing.
Replacement heads
The Philips Series 1000 and 2000 rotaries use the SH30 replacement heads.
These are single-track, single-edge cutters that are very comfortable, durable and reasonably priced.
They aren’t as effective as the more expensive ones from the high-end series, but they’re still decent.
You can easily source them and according to Philips you should replace the heads every two years.
That will of course depend on how often you shave, the coarseness of the stubble and how well you take care of the razor.
Fun fact: you will find the SH30 in two variations: wingless and winged.
Both will fit perfectly and there aren’t any performance differences between them.
The winged variation simply exists to ensure backward compatibility with older Philips shavers that use a different locking system.
Cleaning
Since these are low-end rotary shavers, there’s no automatic cleaning system or even a Quick Clean Pod available.
So you will need to clean your Series 1000 or 2000 manually.
Because the shavers are waterproof and you can pop the head open with the press of a button, cleaning is easy and simple.
A deep clean is more fiddly and you’ll need to clean each pair of guard and blade while making sure you’re not intermixing them (they are matching pairs).
Luckily, you will only need to do that every few months (it’s the same with any rotary when you’re not using a cleaning system like the Pod).
Key takeaway
The Philips Series 1000 and 2000 are budget-friendly rotary shavers with decent performance and low cost of ownership.
They are ideal for men who shave more often since the shaving system isn’t the most effective and advanced but should still work fine on a 3-day beard.
The Series 1000 and 2000 razors are easy to use thanks to their form factor and compact shaving head, making them a good option for beginners as well.
The closeness is decent and the comfort is good as well, but I wouldn’t recommend them to men with coarse beards.
In short, they offer great value for money, corded & cordless use and decent performance, especially the Shaver 2500 with its motor upgrade.
However, if you don’t need corded operation, the readily available Series 3000 in the next section is probably the budget Philips to buy right now.
Philips Series 3000
- Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 55 000
- Replacement heads: SH30 (single-edge blades, single track, 9 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
A Philips Series 3000 shaver is extremely similar to the ones in the lower-end Series 2000.
They look almost the same, use the same cutting heads and feel pretty much identical in hand.
However, the Series 3000 models do offer a few upgrades to justify the higher price.
Among those we have:
- larger batteries (almost all models offer 60 minutes of cordless operation from a 1-hour charge)
- more useful LED displays (selected models)
- a grippier surface on the sides
- some extra accessories like charging stands
But the most significant advantage of a Philips 3000 Series over most Series 2000 models is the slightly more powerful motor.
For example, a Shaver 3600 or 3900 from the Series 3000 feels and sounds a bit faster than a Shaver 2300 or 2400.
This translates into a more pleasant, slightly faster and more effective shave (although not dramatically better).
But as we know, there’s one model in the Series 2000 that is different and is basically a Series 3000 in disguise: the Shaver 2500.
Despite the very basic battery level indicator and lack of grippy side inserts, the Shaver 2500 shaves exactly like a Series 3000.
As mentioned previously, the 2500 is however getting difficult to find nowadays or it costs a lot.
All Series 3000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only models.
They feature a flip-open head and an integrated hair trimmer, same as the Series 2000.
By the way, you will see a 5D flexing head in the specs for the Series 3000, but it’s merely a gimmick as the range of motion is extremely limited and pretty much useless.
This 5D feature refers to the flexing of the entire shaving unit, and not of the individual heads.
You can see it barely moving in this animation:
Let’s now check out the most popular Series 3000 that are readily available, both in the USA and Europe.
Model comparison
| Model | Operation | Charging stand | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 3000 Shaver 3900 (S3341/92) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | Yes | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 Shaver 3800 (S3311/85) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | Yes | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 Shaver 3600 (S3242/90) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 Shaver 3600 (S3243/91) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 Shaver 3500 (S3212/82) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 S3242/90 | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 S3210/51 | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 S3134/84 | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 1 level (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 S3115/81 | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 1 level (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 Shaver 5000X | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 50 min, 1 level (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 S3145/00 (Europe) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 1 level (Li-ion), USB-A cable |
| Series 3000 S3233/52 (Europe) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000 S3333/54 (Europe) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | Yes | 60 min, 3 levels (Li-ion) |
| Series 3000X X3002/00 (Europe) | Wet/Dry (cordless only) | No | 40 min, 1 level (NimH), USB-A cable |
All Philips Series 3000 shavers are identical in terms of shaving performance.
Therefore, choosing one should only come down to price and accessories.
For example, some users find the charging stand very practical as they can leave the shaver sitting in it on the countertop.
The Shaver 3900 for example includes a charging stand and a travel pouch.
The 3600 on the other hand doesn’t have the stand but it usually costs less, so it’s a better buy if you don’t need a charging stand.
Any Series 3000 shaver can be charged either directly with the cord or via the stand.
The Series 3000X is a new release (in Europe and Canada) and comes only with a USB-A cable. But it’s not special in any other way than the regular Series 3000.
As you can tell from the table, all Philips 3000 Series are wet/dry shavers that only work cordless.
So if you want an entry-level Philips you can also use with the cord, you will need to buy a Series 2000 like the Shaver 2500 or 2300.
The Shaver 5000X is a bit of an oddity.
First, there’s the name that might suggest it is a Series 5000. However, it is not, it’s still a Series 3000 that uses the same blades and motor.
Second, its design is different from the rest of the shavers in this range and it has a separate click-on trimmer. This also means it lacks the flip-open head feature.
The Shaver 5000X supposedly has a special coating around the heads that allows it to glide easier on the skin.
But ultimately, its shaving performance is in line with the rest in the 3000 range.
Replacement heads
The Philips Series 3000 uses the same SH30 heads as the Series 2000.
These are the workhorse heads of all entry-level Philips shavers — simple, durable, and with decent performance.
Like all other Philips heads, they should be replaced every two years (or when needed).
By the way, you’ll sometimes see some conflicting statements on official Philips product pages.
For example, a European Philips site might recommend replacing them every two years, while the USA site says a new set is needed yearly.
Since these are the same heads and normally Philips recommends a two-year interval, I think we can safely go with that.
Cleaning
Unsurprisingly, the Series 3000 shavers aren’t available with any cleaning stations/pods.
That was to be expected since these are still entry-level, budget-friendly shavers.
Cleaning the shavers by hand is however very simple with the flip open heads and the IPX7 waterproofing.
Key takeaway
The Series 3000 is now my default recommendation for a reasonably priced rotary since the Shaver 2500 is not an option anymore.
I chose the 3000 over the Series 2000 mainly because of that small power bump and better Li-ion batteries.
The power advantage is noticeable during use and a 3000 feels faster, more enjoyable and a bit gentler.
It’s also a very easy-to-use razor, especially when compared to the latest Philips shavers with angular, thicker heads.
But you should always try to get a good deal on a Series 3000 — I wouldn’t buy one that costs a lot more than a Series 2000 like the 2400 or 2600.
Philips Series 5000
- Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 90 000
- Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The current Series 5000 is the first in the Philips hierarchy to feature the new angular head design.
And while the Series 5000 is ultimately a budget Philips razor (price and performance-wise), it does come with a few notable upgrades over the Series 3000/2000.
The motor output remained the same at around 2000 RPM, however, the SH71 blades it comes with are better than the basic SH30 of the Series 3000.
Specifically, there are 15 blades per rotary cutter instead of 9 and each of these 15 blades has a double edge.
As we know, the double-edge design (Lift&Cut) allows a closer shave, and having 15 blades instead of 9 will make the shaver more effective (more cutting actions per rotation).
In practice, these do make a difference, however, I wouldn’t say it’s a massive one.
It will likely take you less time to get a clean shave with a Philips Series 5000 vs a Series 3000 and the closeness will be a bit better.
But the limiting factor is the motor speed and the fact that we still have single-track heads.
The Series 5000 features a flip-open head and an integrated hair trimmer, just like the Series 3000.
It’s also the lowest-end Philips series available with a Quick Clean Pod, although these models are not released in the USA.
Let’s now check out some of the most popular models from the current Series 5000 generation.
Philips Series 5000 model comparison
| Model | Use | Battery | Misc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 5000 Shaver 5300 (S5588/81) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED |
| Series 5000 Shaver 5400 (S5880/81) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED |
| Series 5000 (S5588/20) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED |
| Series 5000 (S5887/13) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, textile pouch, charge stand |
| Series 5000 (S5884/35) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, hard textile case, charge stand |
| Series 5000 (S5898/35) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, hard textile case, charge stand |
| Series 5000 (S5898/50) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, Quick Clean Pod, hard textile case |
| Series 5000 (S5579/50) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, Quick Clean Pod, hard textile case |
| Series 5000 (S5887/50) (Europe) | wet/dry, cordless-only | 60 min, Li-ion | 3-level battery LED, Quick Clean Pod, hard textile case |
The most important takeaway from the comparison table above is that all Philips Series 5000 will shave exactly the same.
They’re fitted with the same motor and blades and the differences come down to color and accessories.
You’ll sometimes notice some significant price differences — just know that a higher price doesn’t necessarily reflect a better shaver. At least not here.
Again, all Series 5000 shave the same.
Among the included accessories, the most notable is of course the Quick Clean Pod, which we know is a very basic automatic cleaning device.
Unfortunately there’s no USA model available with a Pod, but you can for example buy the Canadian S5882/50.
There’s one Series 5000 variation I didn’t include in the table above, the S5466/18.
This is an unusual European model; it comes with the less advanced SH30 blades (the ones from the Series 3000 and 2000) and has a smaller battery.
Because of that, its performance will in fact be slightly less compelling vs the other Series 5000 models.
I personally wouldn’t consider it unless you stumble upon a great deal or you want this model for some specific reason.
Replacement heads
The current Philips Series 5000 generation uses the SH71 cutters.
As mentioned above, they have more blades per rotary cutter (15) vs the SH30 (9) and also feature the Lift&Cut double edge, so the closeness will be better.
The SH71 replacement heads are a balanced compromise considering their cost, durability and performance.
They are readily available worldwide and according to Philips, they should be replaced every two years.
Again, that can vary depending on several factors.
Upgrading the shaving heads
The double-track SH91 heads that come with the Series 8000 and 9000 (and all the Prestige variations) will fit the Series 5000 as well.
So that would be a quick and relatively affordable upgrade.
The SH91 blades will make the Series 5000 a more effective shaver, but it won’t turn it into a Series 9000, which also has a more powerful motor.
Cleaning
All Philips Series 5000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers, and fully waterproof for easy cleaning.
Unlike the previous S5000 models, they also feature a convenient flip-open head.
Another plus of the Series 5000 over the more basic Series 2000 and 3000 is that it has individual locking rings for each of the three heads:
The Series 2000 and 3000 have a single locking bracket that once removed, unlocks all of the three heads at once.
In practice, this can be a problem when deep cleaning the three heads.
Specifically, the guard and blade are matching pairs and it’s very easy to intermix them when all of them are unlocked.
With the Series 5000 (and all of the subsequent higher-end series), there are separate locking rings for each head, so you can simply clean one at a time.
Apart from a manual clean, you also have the option of using the Quick Clean Pod if your Series 5000 comes with one.
In the USA for example there aren’t such models available, so you’ll have to buy at least a Series 7000 to get a companion Pod.
Key takeaway
The Philips Series 5000 is a compelling rotary shaver in the low to mid-range segment.
It’s a particularly good option if you can buy one for a similar price to a Series 3000.
The shaving performance of the Series 5000 is adequate, being very gentle and offering a satisfactory close shave.
However, for men with coarse and dense facial hair, it may be worth investing in a more powerful and more capable razor from a higher-end series.
Upgrading to the SH91 heads won’t turn the Series 5000 into a Prestige because the motor will still have an output similar to a Series 3000.
Series 5000 old/discontinued generation
Some of the previous Series 5000 models are still available and you can easily tell them apart as they feature rounded instead of angular heads.
Apart from that, the main difference would be that the old models don’t have integrated trimmers and flip-open head units.
The Li-ion battery is smaller, offering only 40 minutes worth of cordless shaving vs 60 minutes in the case of the new models.
The old Series 5000 also comes with SH50 Super Lift&Cut blades that a few seasoned users prefer as they’re able to get a closer shave.
However, for most men, these can come across as too aggressive.
Luckily, the gentler SH71 blades of the new Series 5000 are compatible as well.
I think the old models can still be a worthy option but only if you can get a great deal on one.
Philips Series 6000
- Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 90 000
- Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The current Series 6000 is probably the strangest in Philips Norelco’s lineup.
There seems to be a single variation available in the USA, namely the Shaver 6800.
Side note: There’s a Shaver 6600 as well, but only available as refurbished.
And this Series 6000 with its angular heads is essentially a Series 5000: same motor, same specs, same blades, same performance.
In fact, I am pretty sure it’s just a rebranded Series 5000. Philips doesn’t even list the Series 6000 on their USA or European websites.
Therefore, I will not get into much detail as everything about the Series 5000 above applies to the Series 6000 as well.
Also, there’s a single model available, the Shaver 6800 that comes with a hard travel case and a trimmer attachment with a built-in guard.
Key takeaway
The current Philips Norelco Series 6000 is rather unremarkable, being a rebranded Series 5000 that’s only available in the USA.
As a result, it makes sense to buy it over a Series 5000 only if you can get a better deal for it.
Let’s now quickly take a look at the previous Series 6000 which is in my opinion better and much more interesting.
Series 6000 old generation (discontinued)
The old Philips Series 6000 was in my opinion one of the most compelling families of rotary shavers in recent years.
It was released somewhere in 2019 and the availability has been somewhat spotty ever since.
You can easily tell the old Series 6000 apart from the current one (the rebranded Series 5000 above) as it uses rounded heads.
What impressed me the most was the performance, comfort and some rather premium features that you don’t normally get with a mid-range rotary.
For example, the old Series 6000 features dual-track heads (SH60), extremely similar to the ones on the much more expensive Series 9000.
The two Series 6000 models available in the USA are the Philips Norelco 6880/81 (Shaver 6800) and the S6810/82 (Shaver 6900 ).
The differences between them are only related to the included accessories.
The 6900 offers an additional charging stand and a hair trimmer with an integrated adjustable comb.
In 2026, these two shavers are rather difficult to find and the price is sometimes pretty high.
But a few years ago, this Series 6000 was the mid-range Philips shaver to buy as the price was excellent.
The replacement SH60 blades are sometimes difficult to source, but you can safely use the SH91 from the higher-end series; they will fit perfectly.
So if you own an old Series 6000 or you managed to find one at a great price, you will still be able to buy compatible heads in the future.
And on that note, I would highly recommend buying the old Series 6000 if you can get a good deal.
With its dual-track heads, it’s more capable than a Series 5000 or even 7000.
The compact, rounded heads also make the old Series 6000 very easy to use.
As for downsides, you don’t get a flip-open head or an integrated trimmer (only a separate attachment).
Philips Series 7000
- Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 90 000
- Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The current Series 7000 was the first one to get the new angular head design which has now become the norm for all mid to high-end Philips razors.
And considering its price and performance, the Philips Series 7000 is definitely a mid-range electric shaver.
The motor and blades, as well as the overall shape and design, are carried over from the Series 5000.
So it comes as no surprise that the Series 7000 will perform very similar to a more affordable Series 5000.
However, the Series 7000 does offer a few extras that can make it the better pick, especially if you won’t be paying a lot more for it vs a Series 5000.
To be more specific, here’s what you’ll get with a Series 7000 over a Series 5000.
- a special coating on the head holders that supposedly makes them glide easier over the skin
- a motion sensor that sends data to a mobile app and helps you improve your technique
- more accessories: hard travel case, charge stand, beard styler; a Quick Clean Pod is also available with most models.
I personally didn’t find the sensor and app to be of much help and seemed rather gimmicky.
The special coating is also not as effective as the one on the latest Prestige models which seem to glide more easily during a dry shave.
So the extras you’re getting with a Series 7000 don’t improve the shaving performance significantly vs a Series 5000.
Philips Series 7000 model comparison
| Model | Pod | Accessories |
|---|---|---|
| Series 7000 Shaver 7100 (S7788/82) | No | protective cap, USB-A cable, cleaning brush |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7200 (S7887/82) | No | protective cap, USB-A cable, cleaning brush |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7200 (S7889/91) | No | travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, charge stand, UV cleaning cube |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7300 (S7887/92) | No | travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, charge stand, nose trimmer |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7600 (S7886/84) | Yes | hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7800 (S7885/85) | Yes | hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge, charge stand |
| Series 7000 Shaver 7700 (SS7782/85) | Yes | hard travel case, charger, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge, charge stand |
| Series 7000 S7783/35 (EU) | No | hard travel case, charger, cleaning brush, charge stand |
| Series 7000 S7887/35 (EU) | No | hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, charge stand |
| Series 7000 S7788/59 (EU) | Yes | hard travel case, charger, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge, charge stand, beard styler |
| Series 7000 S7788/55 (EU) | Yes | hard travel case, charger, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge, charge stand |
| Series 7000 S7886/55 (EU) | Yes | hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, 1 x pod cartridge, charge stand |
| Series 7000 S7885/63 (EU) | Yes | hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning brush, 4 x pod cartridge, charge stand |
All Series 7000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with Li-ion batteries that provide around 1 hour of use.
The integrated pop-up hair trimmer is present on all the models, but some include an additional beard styler/trimmer attachment as well.
You’ll notice that a few come with a charger (the so-called old Series 7000 variations), while most others (the new ones) include only a Philips-to-USB-A cable.
As mentioned previously, this change is part of Philips’ efforts for sustainability. The shavers themselves are the same.
You can also tell from the comparison table that several Philips Series 7000 are available with a Quick Clean Pod.
Some even include a large bundle of cleaning cartridges.
The travel case is sturdy and looks very nice. It is in fact the same one that comes with the Series 5000.
The shaving performance is identical throughout the entire Series 7000 range, regardless of price difference.
Replacement heads
The Philips Series 7000 comes with the SH71 heads, the same ones you’re getting with a Series 5000.
We know that these are single-track heads with decent performance and are readily available in most countries.
However, you can upgrade your Series 7000 with the SH91 dual-track heads.
The SH91 are currently the most advanced blades from Philips and they use them on the range-topping Series 9000.
But as we saw with the Series 5000, this won’t turn your Series 7000 into a 9000 Prestige Ultra for example as it still lacks the power.
Cleaning
Being a waterproof Philips razor with a flip-open head, the Series 7000 is very easy to clean with water.
The individual locking rings also allow you to disassemble the heads one by one for a thorough cleaning.
If yours came with a Pod, then you can also rely on it to automatically clean your shaver.
I think it’s worth getting an S7000+Pod model since it doesn’t cost a lot more and the cleaning device is quite practical and economical.
Key takeaway
We can view the Series 7000 as being the most feature-rich mid-range family of shavers from Philips.
But as we saw, the extras don’t really translate into better shaving performance compared to the very similar Series 5000.
The power of the shaver and the blades are the same.
The bundle of accessories is however better and that, coupled with the plethora of models that include a Pod, can make the Series 7000 a better buy.
For more info, you can check out my review of the Series 7000.
Philips Series 8000
- Motor speed: ~2100 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 150 000
- Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The current Philips Series 8000 is relatively new and comes with a couple of noteworthy upgrades over the series below it.
Specifically, it’s fitted with a more powerful motor (2100 vs 2000 RPM) and uses the SH91 heads.
So unlike the Series 7000 which had the same specs as the Series 5000/6000, we truly get a performance bump when going from the Series 7000 to the 8000.
With the Series 8000, we’re stepping into the high-end Philips shavers.
Design-wise, the Series 8000 is extremely similar to the lower-end Series 5000, 6000, and 7000. But it also resembles the more advanced Series 9000.
In fact, the Series 8000 is essentially a rebranded Series 9000 but it’s only available in several countries (the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands).
This limited availability is the main reason why the Series 8000 will not be a viable option for users outside those countries.
Series 8000 model comparison
| Model | Accessories | Cleaning Pod |
|---|---|---|
| Series 8000 S8697/23 | charge stand, cleaning brush, USB-A cable, nose trimmer, protective cap | No |
| Series 8000 S8696/35 | charge stand, cleaning brush, USB-A cable, hard travel case | No |
| Series 8000 S8692/55 | charge stand, cleaning brush, USB-A cable, hard travel case, 1 x cleaning cartridge | Yes |
Since the 8000 is not readily available worldwide, we only have a few models to look at.
All of them are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with a Li-ion battery that will provide around 50 minutes worth of shaving.
So the battery is in fact a small downgrade compared to the other mid to high-end Philips razors that offer 60 minutes of cordless operation.
The differences between the available Series 8000 models come down to color and accessories. As expected, they all shave exactly the same.
The S8692/55 for example comes with a cleaning pod, while the S8697/23 includes a nose trimmer attachment.
All the Series 8000 shavers have a pop-up hair trimmer.
We also get Bluetooth mobile pairing and the companion GroomTribe app with its questionable usefulness.
Replacement heads
The 8000 is the first series in the pecking order equipped with the SH91, currently the most advanced Philips heads.
The SH91 features double-edge blades (Lift&Cut) and 24 blades per rotary cutter arranged in two tracks.
This makes the SH91 very effective at catching difficult hairs and the heads are very comfortable and provide a close shave.
The standard replacement interval is two years.
Cleaning
It’s business as usual regarding the cleaning since the Series 8000 shavers are waterproof and feature a flip-open head.
The Quick Clean Pod is available as well with the S8692/55 model but it’s not as easy to buy as the other variations.
Key takeaway
The Series 8000 is the entry point to the more advanced Philips rotary razors.
With more power and better shaving heads vs the series below it, the 8000 should be considered by users with coarser, denser stubble who want a capable razor.
It’s also effective when used less often and normally should handle a 5-day beard as well.
The selling point of the Series 8000 is that these shavers are essentially Series 9000 in disguise and the price is often lower compared to a Series 9000.
In that case, a Series 8000 does make more sense than a Series 9000.
However, they’re not as easy to buy as the Series 9000 and in most countries, the Series 8000 is not available at all.
Philips Series 9000, i9000 and i9000 Prestige
- Motor speed: ~2100 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 150 000
- Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
The Series 9000 is the range-topping line of rotary electric shavers from Philips (Norelco).
However, as of 2026, within the 9000 family, there are two distinct tiers or sub-series of electric shavers:
- Tier 1: Series 9000, i9000, and i9000 Prestige
- Tier 2: S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra
It’s very important to make this distinction as there are a couple of significant differences between the two tiers.
I will therefore address them separately, starting of course with the Tier 1.
This Tier 1 (Series 9000, i9000 and i9000 Prestige) represents the more budget-friendly sub-series of the 9000.
Performance-wise, all the shavers within a tier are more or less the same.
In this case, all of them share the same motor (2100 RPM) and blades (SH91), so the actual cutting performance will be extremely similar.
Side note: I would suggest taking the official Philips copy with a grain of salt, as things like closeness and nice-sounding technologies can be rephrased to make them sound better.
The Series 9000 was, until this year, the only one in the Tier 1. The i9000 and i9000 Prestige are very recent releases.
Even though the 9000 is identical to the Series 8000 above in many aspects, it comes with a couple of exclusive features:
- an LED ring around the head that changes color depending on the pressure you’re exerting
- a Menu button that allows you to cycle through three different screens (battery level, travel lock, light ring control)
Not all Series 9000 models come with the Menu button and the advanced display though; as we’ll see, the more budget-oriented variations lack these.
The current generation features the now notorious angular head design, a departure from the old generation that had rounded heads.
In an effort to reduce the bulk and size of these angular heads, Philips introduced the i9000 (and i9000 Prestige) with updated shaving heads.
These tweaked heads are now rounder, a bit thinner and they taper down at the edge, making them more manageable and easier to use.
Philips even says the heads provide better contact for (and I quote) a 20% more precise shave.
It’s unclear what exactly that means or how they measured it.
But in essence, the new i9000 and i9000 Prestige are just Series 9000 with tweaked, rounder (squircle) heads.
In fact, the new head unit of the i9000 will fit an existing Series 9000.
Here you can see it on my Series 9000 Shaver 9500:
The differences between the i9000 and i9000 Prestige only come down to several features that don’t have a direct impact on shaving performance.
For example:
- more colorful and advanced displays
- more accessories (model-specific)
- LED lights for pressure guidance
If you don’t care for these, then the i9000 is just a more affordable i9000 Prestige that shaves the same.
All of them come with an integrated pop-up trimmer and some will even include a separate click-on beard styler.
With that out of the way, let’s check out the more popular models in the 9000 Tier 1 family.
Philips Series 9000/i9000/i9000 Prestige model comparison
| Model | Accessories | Menu & OLED display | Light ring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 9000 Shaver 9400 (S9502/83) | Hard travel case, charger | No | No |
| Series 9000 Shaver 9500 (S9985/84) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 Shaver 9600 (S9507/87) | Hard travel case, charger, charge stand | No | No |
| Series 9000 Shaver 9800 (S9987/85) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9987/55 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9987/59 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, beard styler, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9975/35 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9974/55 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9986/63 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 4 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| Series 9000 S9980/74 (EU) | Hard travel case, charger, cleaning Pod, 4 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, beard styler, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 X9000/90 | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, charge stand, nose trimmer, cleaning brush | No | No |
| i9000 X9001/91 | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, beard styler, cleaning brush | No | No |
| i9000 X9000/10 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, charge stand, cleaning brush | No | No |
| i9000 X9001/30 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | No | No |
| i9000 X9002/30 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | No | No |
| i9000 Prestige XP9203/81 | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9204/85 | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9201/88 | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1x cleaning cartridge, beard styler, nose trimmer, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9204/10 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9205/30 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9207/30 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9202/30 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
| i9000 Prestige XP9202/33 (EU) | Hard travel case, USB-A cable, cleaning Pod, 1 x cleaning cartridge, charge stand, beard styler, cleaning brush | Yes | Yes |
All these 9000 variations have a few things in common:
- *identical shaving performance
- wet/dry, cordless-only operation
- 60 min operation from a fully charged Li-ion battery
- integrated pop-up hair trimmer
- GroomTribe mobile app pairing
*The newer i9000 and i9000 Prestige are a bit easier to use thanks to the slimmer heads.
The differences are related to color, accessories, and several features (light ring, menu button & OLED display).
The European Series 9000 lineup is extensive and some of them come with a generous bundle, like 4 cleaning cartridges and a beard styler with an adjustable comb.
In the USA, the Norelco Shaver 9500 variation is probably the one to get considering its price and included accessories.
Among those, the Quick Clean Pod is the most noteworthy and I think it’s a useful device despite its shortcomings.
The light ring and the more advanced OLED display are nice extras, but hardly necessary and won’t make the razor shave any better.
I found the light ring to be more of a gimmick and a bit inconsistent, you definitely shouldn’t rely (solely) on it to get the pressure right and improve your technique.
So buying a less feature-rich Series 9000 variation like the Norelco Shaver 9400 (USA) is a good option if you’re on a tighter budget.
Again, the performance will be identical.
As for the new i9000 and i9000 Prestige, I think these can definitely be a better alternative to the Series 9000 if the price is similar.
While the performance/features are the same, the new heads are ergonomically better.
Moreover, you get up to 5 years of warranty if you register your i9000 or i9000 Prestige vs the 2 years for the Series 9000.
I also think that at some point, the i models will eventually replace the Series 9000 completely.
Finally, you’ll sometimes see huge price differences, especially in Europe, even for models that come with the same accessories.
Again, any i9000 or i9000 Prestige will shave exactly the same.
Replacement heads
As mentioned before, the Philips Series 9000/i9000 is fitted with the excellent SH91 dual-track blades.
These heads should last around two years before needing to be replaced.
Since these are currently the best blades Philips has to offer, there’s no upgrade option available.
Cleaning
All Philips Series 9000 shavers are fully waterproof for easy cleaning with tap water.
Most models will however include the Quick Clean Pod.
It’s the only option available for automatic cleaning with the current 9000 generation.
With the previous (discontinued) Series 9000, you had the option of getting a fully-fledged automatic cleaning station.
Unfortunately, it’s not available anymore and a current Series 9000/i9000 shaver will not work with an older SmartClean Philips station.
Key takeaway
If we consider its price, performance, and availability, the Series 9000/i9000 will be the best option for most users looking for a highly capable Philips rotary.
As we saw, the i9000 Prestige Ultra only offers features that don’t impact the shaving performance.
Just like the Series 8000, these shavers can deal impressively well with longer, flat-lying hairs, making them ideal for men who shave once or twice a week.
The power is adequate and the blades are very comfortable and provide a close shave.
As for downsides, the Series 9000/i9000 is a large shaver and the body has this rectangular shape that’s not particularly comfortable to hold.
Series 9000 old/discontinued generation
I will only briefly go over the old Series 9000 models as many users still own one.
These shavers featured rounded heads and came with the rather aggressive SH90 heads.
The SH90 uses the original Super Lift&Cut double-edge design, which many users find too grabby and uncomfortable.
It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t particularly a fan of that generation.
The head also doesn’t have the flip-open hinge and there’s no integrated pop-up trimmer.
On the bright side, you had the option of getting a model with a fully automatic cleaning station (like the 9300 or 9700).
If you have one of these older Series 9000 shavers and it’s still in good shape, the best thing you can do is to upgrade the heads to the SH91.
The SH91 are significantly more comfortable while providing the same close shave and will fit the old Series 9000 perfectly.
I don’t see a reason to buy a new Series 9000 shaver if the old one works fine and especially if you have one of the models that came with a cleaning station.
Philips S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra
- Motor speed: ~2300 RPM
- Cutting actions/min: 165 000
- Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)
Overview
Finally, let’s check out the second tier, the crème de la crème, the very best shavers that Philips currently offers.
Specifically, the S9000 Prestige and the new i9000 Prestige Ultra.
You can think of the two as the more premium, upgraded Series 9000 and i9000 Prestige, respectively.
We can make a case that they don’t provide a lot more over the tier 1 — after all, they come with the same SH91 blades.
However, after owning and using all of them, I’d argue that the S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra are worth the extra money.
The motor is probably the most important upgrade you’ll be getting.
It can run at 2300 RPM in the highest speed setting and it’s a very refined, torquy and powerful unit.
In practice, it makes the shavers very enjoyable and effective and just feel effortless to use vs a lower-end model.
Granted, the i9000 and i9000 Prestige still pack a punch and are highly capable with their 2100 RPM unit.
But these two go the extra mile and unlike the other ones, they feature so-called Personal Comfort Settings that allow you to choose between various shaving modes.
The S9000 Prestige has 3:
- Comfort (1900RPM)
- Dynamic (2100 RPM)
- Efficiency (2300 RPM)
And while the first two modes could be useful for men with very sensitive skin, I think for most users (myself included) the high power Efficiency mode is the best.
The shaver remains adequately comfortable, but it’s faster and cuts the hair in fewer strokes.
It’s the same in the case of the i9000 Prestige Ultra that offers 5 shaving modes:
- Sensitive
- Regular
- Intense
- Foam
- Custom (up to 2300 RPM)
To be honest, I don’t think all these settings are particularly useful and my preference is clearly for the most powerful Custom mode.
The shaver is the most effective and I had no trouble with the comfort, even though my skin can be sensitive.
Another aspect that in my opinion makes the S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra better than the Series 9000/i9000 is the improved ergonomics.
The S9000 Prestige is well balanced and the shape of the handle allows you to grip it comfortably and securely.
And it’s the same in the case of the i9000 Prestige Ultra, even though the body is quite large and it is actually the heaviest.
Even though the shaving unit is the same size and shape, it somehow feels more compact during use.
Also, the head of the Tier 2 razors just seems to glide more smoothly over the skin.
All these things add up and make them very enjoyable to use, in my opinion the best rotaries you can currently buy.
The i9000 Prestige Ultra actually has an advantage over the older S9000 Prestige: the new, smaller rounder heads.
In my opinion this is the main reason why one would buy the i9000 Prestige Ultra over the S9000 Prestige.
Sure, there are other extra features for the Prestige Ultra as well, like the pressure light ring and the companion smartphone app.
But the actual shaving experience — closeness, comfort, efficiency — is, in my experience the same.
Here are all the changes of the new i9000 Prestige Ultra vs the S9000 Prestige:
- tweaked (more compact) squircle heads
- updated design with better OLED display
- smartphone connectivity
- 5 user modes: regular, sensitive, intense, wet shave, custom
- updated Quick clean pod aesthetics
- no more wireless charging
- USB-A cable for charging
- updated attachments (beard styler, charge stand, UV case)
- up to 7 years warranty (vs only 2)
For a detailed comparison, you can check out my review of the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
It’s not all great though — because of that sculpted body shape, a pop-up hair trimmer couldn’t be integrated.
As such, the S9000 Prestige and Prestige Ultra are only available with a wonky click-on trimmer attachment.
And then there’s the price. You will need to spend a hefty amount to get the top-of-the-line Philips shaver.
The S9000 Prestige is often more affordable since it is an older generation, but certain i9000 Prestige Ultra models can be really expensive.
Model comparison
S9000 Prestige:
| Model | Accessories | Cleaning Pod | Wireless charging |
|---|---|---|---|
| S9000 Prestige SP9872/86 | premium case, USB-A charger, Qi charging pad, trimmer, cleaning brush | No | Yes |
| S9000 Prestige SP9841/84 | premium case, charger, 1 x cleaning cartridge, trimmer, cleaning brush | Yes | No |
| S9000 Prestige SP9886/89 | premium case, USB-A charger, Qi charging pad, 1 x cleaning cartridge, trimmer, cleaning brush, nose trimmer | Yes | Yes |
| S9000 Prestige SP9840/90 | premium case, charger, 1 x cleaning cartridge, trimmer, cleaning brush, 1 x SH91 extra set | Yes | No |
| S9000 Prestige SP9888/83 | metal body, premium case, USB-A charger, Qi charging pad, trimmer, facial cleansing brush, cleaning brush, nose trimmer | No | Yes |
| S9000 Prestige SP9871/22 (EU) | premium case, USB-A charger, Qi charging pad, beard styler, cleaning brush, nose trimmer | No | Yes |
| S9000 Prestige SP9840/31 (EU) | premium case, charger, 1 x cleaning cartridge, beard styler, cleaning brush | Yes | No |
| S9000 Prestige SP9840/32 (EU) | premium case, charger, 1 x cleaning cartridge, trimmer, cleaning brush | Yes | No |
| S9000 Prestige SP9885/35 (EU) | premium case, USB-A charger, 1 x cleaning cartridge, beard styler, cleaning brush, nose trimmer | Yes | Yes |
i9000 Prestige Ultra:
| Model | Accessories |
|---|---|
i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9405/84 | Charging stand, beard trimmer, travel case, brush, USB-A cable |
XP9402/86 | Quick Clean Pod, charging stand, beard trimmer, travel case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable |
i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9403/88 | Quick Clean Pod, charging stand, beard styler, nose trimmer, travel case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable |
i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9400/89 | UV power case, beard trimmer, brush, USB-A cable |
i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9401/92 | Quick Clean Pod, UV power case, beard trimmer, cleaning cartridge, brush, USB-A cable |
| i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9402/11 (EU) | Charging stand, beard trimmer, travel case brush, USB-A cable |
| i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9402/46 (EU) | Quick Clean Pod, beard styler, UV case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable |
| i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9401/38 (EU) | Quick Clean Pod, charge stand, beard styler, nose trimmer, travel case, brush, cleaning cartridge, USB-A cable |
As you’d probably guess, the core features and performance are identical throughout the entire S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra series.
There is however a multitude of models available, some of them country-specific, that come with various accessories at various price points.
In my opinion the most important ones to keep in mind when buying a flagship Philips are the Quick Clean Pod and the Wireless charging (only available with the S9000 Prestige).
The latter is particularly interesting because the S9000 Prestige shavers that come with wireless charging cannot be charged with a regular wired charger.
And that’s despite being fitted with a Philips charging port (covered by a plastic flap) — it simply will not work.
So wireless vs wired charging is something you’ll need to decide before making a purchase.
Charging the S9000 Prestige wirelessly via a Qi pad takes a lot more time (3 hours vs 1 hour).
That said, it may not be a problem if you simply let it rest on the pad all the time.
I think for most users, a Prestige variation with wired charging and Quick Clean Pod (like the SP9841/84 or SP9840/90) will be more useful.
Many i9000 Prestige Ultra variations come with a charge stand, so you can plug the cable straight into the shaver or use the stand.
The battery life of the S9000 Prestige and Prestige Ultra is excellent.
All models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with a Li-ion battery that provides approximately 60 minutes of cordless shaving.
The included premium travel case is of great quality and there’s enough room inside for the shaver, trimmer/beard styler and charger.
The downside is that it’s rather bulky compared to the regular textile hard travel case.
The i9000 Prestige Ultra comes with a slightly smaller hard case that also looks great and offers plenty of protection.
The UV case (that also charges the shaver) available with several variations is on the other hand bulky and weighs around 500 grams.
So it’s not exactly travel-friendly.
The price of these varies a lot, especially in Europe where you’ll see huge price differences between the available models.
The important thing to know is that all of them shave exactly the same, so as long as any Prestige or Prestige Ultra model comes with the accessories you need (like for example the Pod), you can safely buy it.
Replacement heads
As we know, the Philips S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra shavers come with the SH91 heads.
Just like with the Series 8000 and 9000, you would normally replace the heads every 2 years.
Cleaning
Cleaning a Prestige or Prestige Ultra is not any different than cleaning any waterproof Philips shaver that is available with a Pod as well.
You can quickly open the head unit and rinse it with tap water or you can clean it with the pod if it came with one.
The Pod compatibility is however different for the S9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra.
The S9000 Prestige shavers that don’t include a Pod are only partially compatible with one (you’ll need to stop the cleaning cycle yourself).
On the other hand, all i9000 Prestige Ultra are fully compatible with a Pod, even the ones that didn’t come with one.
That means they will automatically enter the cleaning mode once they sit inside the Pod.
Key takeaway
In my opinion the Philips (Norelco) i9000 Prestige Ultra is the rotary shaver to buy in 2026 if your budget allows it.
It is the most capable and enjoyable Philips razor out there and I think its pros over a Series 8000 or 9000 (Tier 1) are worth the price difference.
I would however look for a great deal on an S9000 Prestige that comes with a cleaning pod as well.
Even though it has the larger slab-like heads, it’s still just as capable and in several ways better.
I think it looks and feels more premium in the hand, and the motor is the quietest and most refined on any rotary.
As for wired vs wireless charging, that’s entirely up to you.
Both are viable options but one usually makes more sense than the other depending on the use case.
If you enjoy shaving with rotaries, there’s a great chance you’ll love the S9000 Prestige and the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
They shave close, are very comfortable and effective and they should handle even a one-week beard.
S9000 Prestige old/discontinued generation
The original S9000 Prestige series is still somewhat available to buy in 2026, even though there aren’t many models to choose from.
When it was first launched, I called it a game-changer as I was so impressed by the excellent comfort.
It was so much gentler than the available Philips shavers (S9000 with Super Lift&Cut) of that time.
And the old Prestige still is a worthy option even today.
You can easily spot the old generation as it has rounded heads:
Moreover, it has a couple of advantages over the current generation.
The body of the old Prestige is made of metal, while the new one is plastic.
This makes the old shavers feel even more premium.
Another benefit stems from the rounded, more compact heads — the original Prestige is a bit easier to use under the nose for example.
You do lose the flip-open head feature though.
Performance-wise, the old one feels exactly the same. The motor is the same and we get the same 3 power settings.
The blades that come with it are however different. The old Prestige uses the SH98 (currently discontinued) heads.
Compared to the SH91 of the current one, the SH98 are single-edge (no Lift&Cut). However, the performance (comfort, closeness) is very similar.
You can of course use the new SH91 heads in the old Prestige, they will fit perfectly.
There’s no Quick Clean Pod available with the old Prestige and it will not work at all with one.
Overall, I think the old models are a worthy alternative if you can still find one for a great price.
Which Philips shaver should you buy?
With all these series and generations, it may seem complicated to choose the right Philips shaver.
But if we only consider the things that matter — actual shaving performance, price and value for money — we can narrow it down to only a handful of options.
Here are what I consider to be the best Philips shavers in 2026.
1. The budget pick: Series 3000
Philips Norelco Shaver 3900
Until recently, the Philips Norelco Shaver 2500 from the Series 2000 would have been my pick for an affordable Philips razor.
It was essentially a Series 3000, but costed less and worked cordless and corded.
Unfortunately, it’s getting really difficult to find nowadays or it costs a lot more than a Series 3000.
In that case, the next best thing is a Series 3000 and usually the Shaver 3900 is the best pick thanks to its availability and price.
Deal alert: The Philips Norelco Shaver 3600 doesn’t include the charging stand and often costs less (it is identical to the 3900 otherwise).
In the USA, the very popular Shaver 2400 and 2600 cost even less, but I still think you should get a Series 3000 for the slight power upgrade.
While the closeness of the Series 3000 isn’t the best, it’s still decent and the comfort is excellent.
Even though it comes with the basic SH30 blades, it deals surprisingly well with more difficult, flat-lying hairs, especially when compared to a similarly priced foil shaver.
The Shaver 3900/3600 is a USA model, so if you live in Europe, I would consider a Series 3000 like the Philips S3241/12.
If you have denser/coarser stubble and shave less often, the Series 3000 will probably not be up to the task.
In that case, it would be worth it to invest a bit more in a more capable shaver.
2. The mid-range pick: Series 5000/7000
Philips Norelco Shaver 5400
A couple of years ago, the Series 6000 (old generation, rounded heads) was by far the best option for a mid-range Philips.
And strictly from a performance point of view, it still is.
Unfortunately, it’s getting more difficult to find.
In the past, the Series 6000 would cost only marginally more than a Shaver 3900 from the Series 3000, so buying one was a no-brainer.
But because it has been discontinued, the next best thing would be the Series 5000 or 7000 (whichever you can buy for less).
As we know, the current Series 5000 shaves just like the Series 6000 (angular heads) and the Series 7000.
All use the same motor and the same shaving heads (SH71).
But the Series 5000 usually costs less, so it makes sense to recommend it over the Series 6000 or 7000.
The Series 5000 is also available with a cleaning pod, but only in Europe.
So USA buyers will need to opt for a Series 7000 in order to get a shaver with a Pod.
Philips Norelco Shaver 7600
The Shaver 7600 and 7800 are generally the ones to get.
And in my opinion the accessories, particularly the Pod, should be the reason why you would get a Series 7000 instead of a Series 5000.
A Series 5000/7000 is more effective than a Series 2000/3000 and requires less work for a clean shave.
But you will need to step up to at least a Series 9000/i9000 for a noticeable performance upgrade.
And especially for men with very coarse beards, I think it will be worth it doing so.
3. The high-end pick: i9000 Prestige Ultra
Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9402/86
If you have the budget for it, the i9000 Prestige Ultra is objectively Philips’ best shaver.
It’s the most powerful, comfortable, capable and feature-packed rotary you can buy right now.
This shaver performs impressively well on both short and longer stubble (up to one week) and the result is excellent.
The SH91 heads are very gentle and still manage to cut the hair at skin level.
That said, and especially if you can get a great deal, the S9000 Prestige, the former Philips flagship, is a great alternative.
Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige SP9841
As mentioned in the dedicated sections above, the two main cons of the S9000 Prestige vs the i9000 Prestige Ultra are:
- the larger slab-like heads
- the lack of certain features (pressure light ring and guidance, lack of Bluetooth connectivity)
- no charge stand option
If you can deal with these, it’s just as capable as a shaving machine and the closeness and comfort are in my experience the same.
If the price is still outside your budget, you can consider the standard (Tier 1) Series 9000 or i9000.
These are slightly less powerful but still highly capable and don’t include the top features of the i9000 Prestige Ultra like the speed settings.
I would get either the Series 9000 9400 (no Pod) or the i9000 X9001/91 (includes a Pod).
These usually offer the best value for money in the 9000 family, with the i9000 having an advantage thanks to the smaller, tweaked heads.
The i9000 is only slightly less powerful than the Prestige Ultra and they use the same SH91 heads.
The Prestige Ultra however has better ergonomics and it is more effective in the highest (Custom) power setting.
But the end result, in terms of closeness and comfort, will be similar when using an i9000 and an i9000 Prestige Ultra.
As for what I would choose, my favorite shavers from Philips are the old Series 6000 (rounded heads, discontinued) and the S9000 Prestige (rounded heads, discontinued) and the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
I am rather picky when it comes to rotaries and these are the ones I enjoy using the most.
It’s a shame the old Series 6000 is getting so difficult to find, it really was a fantastic shaver for the money.
Final word
This pretty much concludes my 2026 Philips (Norelco) shavers buyer’s guide.
Hopefully you now have a clearer picture of the differences that matter and you can choose the Philips shaver that makes the most sense for your needs.
Philips customers are usually long-time users who prefer rotaries over foil shavers and are accustomed to the pros and quirks of rotaries.
But men who are new to rotaries or electric shaving in general can consider one as well.
Usually, a Philips shaver will work great on both short and long stubble (up to one week), the cost of ownership is low and they’re quieter than other types of electric razors.
If that sounds like something you’d want, a Philips razor would be an option worth considering.
If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your experience, make sure to leave a comment below.
Thanks for the detailed report. I’ve relied on you over the years. About 11 months ago I purchased model 5588 which calls for the SH71 heads. It did a better job than my old Norelco. I do want the most comfort I can get. If I understand you correctly the SH91 head will fit and should be more comfortable?
Thank you for being a reader for such a long time, Jim, I appreciate it.
Regarding the comfort of the shave, I find the SH71 and SH91 to be pretty much the same (excellent in both cases). The latter is however more capable and more effective with the two tracks of blades. So I don’t think you’ll a major difference in comfort, but the shave should be better nevertheless (faster and a bit closer). I’ve used the SH91 heads in both the Series 5 and 7 and can confirm that they do fit.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Your research and reporting is second to none with a wealth of very useful information! Thank you so much for all of your time and effort in preparing and collating all of this information!
It has been really useful and so much so, I have just ordered a Philips S9975/35 and am looking forward to its arrival! I have also order the Cleaning Station too again, after reading your reviews!
Thank you so much, regards, Ian
Hi Ian,
You are very kind, thank you so much for the comment. Hope you’ll enjoy using your new Series 9000, it’s probably the high-end Philips that offers the best value for money.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good update on rotaries. I’ve been using Braun since the early 80’s. Before that I was using Norelco. I tried Panasonic when the sonic-vibrating motors first came out. Then returned to Braun when they implemented them. I’ve had a Series 9 for a few years, and I replace the head once a year – whether it needs it or not.
Now regarding Phillips. I recall with the rotary head Norelco, my hairs took on a circular growth after a while. And that led to some nasty in-grown hairs, that were not pleasant as you can imagine. Do the new Phillips, the 9000 series for instance still have that issue?
Lastly, I travel a lot and know exactly how my Braun case easily fits in my bag. I keep an extra power cord in my bag so that I never concern myself with not having a charge. That Philips wireless looks like a monster to carry, and not something conducive to hotel bathrooms, so going wired would be my preference. What’s the travel case like? With the rotary head, how bulky is it.
You can probably tell, that switching to rotary would be a big lift for me. But I’m always open to new ideas, otherwise I wouldn’t keep us with your great writings. Thanks, Michael
Hi Michael,
Thanks so much for the comment and feedback.
I think the current rotaries have come along way and are more forgiving, but some men do get more ingrown hairs using one type vs the other — whichever that might be. A more aggressive shaver that cuts the hair very close will usually cause more ingrown hairs. The current 9000 is, at least in my experience, unlikely to cause serious ingrown hair issues, but it’s again something that varies from one user to another. The only certain way of finding out is to actually try one. Norelco does have a very convenient 45-day money back guarantee in the USA, so that should be plenty to of time to find out if it’s working well for you.
The Norelco 9000 (not the 9000 Prestige) comes with a reasonably compact travel case considering how large that shaver is — it’s like an inch longer than a Series 9 case and half an inch taller (here is a side by side picture). The Prestige on the other hand comes with a larger case, not as travel-friendly, but it will accommodate the trimmer and charger in addition to the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
That is the most comprehensive Philips/Norelco shaver guide I have ever read. Thank you for going to so much time and trouble to prepare it, it’s most appreciated.
Julian, you are too kind — thanks so much for the comment, I’m glad you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is an extremely detailed and comprehensive review. Thanks for providing great information on the shavers, better than I found anywhere else. You clearly took a lot of time researching for this article and it shows! The 8000 series is now available at Costco, but I haven’t seen it anywhere else in the US.
Thank you for the comment, James, you’re very kind. The 8000 is sold in only a handful of stores and even countries, but if you can get one for less than a Series 9000 bundled with similar accessories, it’s definitely worth it as the performance will be identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What is the shave like compared to the Braun S9 pro shaving wet and shaving dry?
Hi Jonathan,
It’s a bit like apples to oranges, but I’ve always said that for most users, in particular those who have never shaved with an electric razor, a foil shaver is generally a safer choice, i.e. there’s a greater chance for a good, satisfactory shave.
In my case, the Series 9 Pro (compared to let’s say a Philips Series 9000 or S9000 Prestige) is equally comfortable, but I do get a slightly closer with the Braun shave and it takes me less time as well. I also feel more in control with it around the jawline and below the nose. Shaving wet makes both even more comfortable and enjoyable, but I don’t find the difference as dramatic as in the case of a Panasonic Arc 5 for example (which totally transforms into a better shaver during a wet shave).
If you have large patches of hairs that grow in swirls/multiple directions and tend to stay flat on the skin, a capable rotary like the S9000/Prestige has the edge in my opinion vs any foil shaver, including the S9 Pro — it’s more effective and needs less effort to catch all the difficult hairs. So if that’s something you’ll be dealing with (especially if also shave less often), a rotary could make more sense.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for that in-depth and informative reply Ovidiu!
You are very welcome — glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My older S-9000 with the updated 98 series heads handles a 7-day beard with no problem. However I have to deep clean the heads before running it in the smart clean system/charger. Otherwise the drain hole in the cleaner reservoir gets plugged and the heads don’t get fully cleaned. No biggie in the grand scheme of life. I still would like to have one of the older all metal Prestige Shavers. Don’t need it, but want it.
Thank you for the comment, Clayton. I actually do that with may foil shavers as well before using a cleaning station, just a small niggle.
The old Prestige is one of the nicest shavers I’ve handled alongside the Panasonic ES-LV9Q (also with a brushed metal body). You can also clean the Prestige head unit (fitted to the old shaver) with the SmartClean station .
But an old Series 9000 in mint condition with upgraded heads, be it the SH98 or SH91, is in my opinion a fantastic combo. You get pretty much the best of everything. It doesn’t have the same premium feel in the hand, but I think that can be easily overlooked.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovid,
I just thought of another question regarding the S9500 and the cleaning pod.
If I shave wet I need to rinse the shaving cream off before putting it in the pod. Does it need dry before putting it into the cleaning pod?
If I shave dry I will probably be using Speick pre-electric. Should I also rinse with water before putting it in the cleaning pod?
Finally, if I just rinse with water and don’t want to put it in the cleaning pod every day, do I need to lubricate the cutters each time?
Thanks for all you do here! These companies should be paying you to translate all of these model combinations for the rest of us!
If you want the pod fluid to last longer always rinse your shaver of all shave cream, and hair stubble. No need to let it dry before placing it in the pod. Atleast lube your shaver once a week if dry shaving. Daily if you are wetshaving, and rinsing it. Basically lube it everything you clean it.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you found the info useful.
Regarding your questions:
If I shave wet I need to rinse the shaving cream off before putting it in the pod. Does it need dry before putting it into the cleaning pod?
— Rinsing the foam off is definitely a good idea. If you shake off the excess water and just gently pat the shaving head with a towel or paper tissue it will be enough. No need to let it dry completely before using the pod. The idea is just to avoid diluting the solution with water, so it’s perfectly fine if the head is damp but not dripping wet.
If I shave dry I will probably be using Speick pre-electric. Should I also rinse with water before putting it in the cleaning pod?
— No, the residue from the pre-shave is minimal or non-existent. I’ve never rinsed any of my shavers (regardless of brand) before using a cleaner system. Pre-shave lotions evaporate completely and apart from the Afta pre-shave gel, there won’t be any significant residue on the shaving head.
Finally, if I just rinse with water and don’t want to put it in the cleaning pod every day, do I need to lubricate the cutters each time?
— No, it will not be necessary. Lubrication is not really an issue with rotary shavers, especially if you’ll be using the Pod from time to time.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you again!
Great review. What about the build quality? Has this improved? I moved away from Philips 6 yrs ago in favour of Panasonic and now Braun. I felt some of the models had the feel and build quality akin to McDonald’s happy meal toys. As new models came it seemed that all efforts were being made to reduce costs. Trimmer mechanisms for example re designed that just release the trimmer whereas they used to control the closing. Metal parts replaced by plastics etc etc..
Hi Mark,
Thanks so much for the comment — those are some great observations. I usually address build quality in detail when I review individual shavers and this article was already getting extremely long, so I decided to only point out a few noteworthy aspects like the build quality of the old Prestige generation.
The current Philips shavers feel a lot less plasticky and hollow compared to the the previous generations, especially in the low to mid-range segments. But the even older ones (like the XL models for example) were built like tanks.
In my opinion Panasonic is by far the best in terms of build quality nowadays, even though some costs reduction measures are obvious across the entire industry — but to a far lesser degree in the case of Panasonic, which can’t be said about Braun and Philips.
Some Panasonic models are truly impressive and sometimes feel over-engineered, with release tabs for the foil head even on their travel shavers like this one. Braun for example have ditched them, the only exceptions being the Series 8 and the Series 9. The old Series 7 and 5 used to have them, but not anymore.
The Philips hair trimmers still only have a release mechanism and a rather weak spring that holds them upright. You will need to fold them back with your finger. A Panasonic trimmer on the other hand is in a whole different league — it doesn’t budge once extended and you can retract it with the switch which also has a second function of locking/unlocking the shaving head.
The current Philips S9000 feels to me a bit better than the old one, while the Prestige models are genuinely nice, especially the body panels and fitting. The head units still don’t feel as well engineered and put together as a Panasonic though.
Philips unfortunately is the only brand that makes decent rotaries, so there’s really no alternative. I’ve tried other brands and all of them were underwhelming to say the least.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, once again the most comprehensive review I have ever read. For over 60 years I was a dedicated Philips user owning the best models that were available unfortunately the last one I owned was replaced three times within warranty. Eventually after reading your reviews I bought a Braun S9. And I’m so impressed I will never return to a rotary shaver. I know that it’s a personal view but in my opinion the quality of the Braun is exceptional. Many thanks for your work. Regards Eddie
Hi Eddie,
Thank you so much for the comment, that’s very kind — I’m glad you found the info useful.
I’m a Braun S9 user myself whenever I’m not reviewing or comparing different shavers and for me it also works best as my everyday, dry shaving machine. Your experience is in line with what I’ve been told by other men switching from a rotary to a decent (and suitable) foil razor. Then again, a rotary can be solution when nothing seems to work and I’ve seen some incredible results — men who’ve never used one were getting their best shave ever.
I’ve often said that for most users a foil shaver is likely to be a safer option with a greater chance of delivering a satisfactory shave, but it will of course not always be the case.
Thank you again for the feedback and for being a reader of this site — much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Please advise which gives the closer shave. Philips, Panasonic, or Braun. Using closeness as the only criteria!
Thank you and I greatly appreciate you doing this for all of us. Your articles are well written and extremely informative.
Hi Les,
Thank you so much for the feedback.
For most users, a Panasonic shaver will likely deliver the closest shave without any major compromises. There are some other shavers that while capable of getting even a bit closer, do so with some major caveats (such shavers are the Andis ProFoil or reSURGE). I have a topic dedicated to closeness as well if you’d like to check it out.
But in short, a Panasonic Arc 5 would be my pick if closeness is the number one criteria.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the lastest Philips Shaver info. Very interesting. I shall study all the info. Regards, Peter
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated. Glad you found the info useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
I have been reading plenty of your blogs about electric shavers and love how informative they are. I currently have a Braun series 8, and find it very difficult to shave my neck hairs as they lay flat on my neck. If I attempt to wet shave, I find that I nick my neck quite often. Is it because I am shaving incorrectly, or should I give a rotary razor another try. I used to use the Philips series 3000, and never had these issues. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Hi Matteo,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you found the info useful.
I think it might be worth it to try a rotary if nothing seems to help with your current shaver. If you’ve used rotaries before with good results, chances are that they’re just better suited for your beard, skin and technique.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu…
Thank you for the “Philips Shavers Comparison & Buyer’s Guide” dated April 12, 2024. I read it with great interest. You certainly spent a lot of time to do the research and to write this. Your attention to detail and your clear writing style are impressive. Thank you.
I’ll try to make this as brief as possible, but I wanted to give you a history of my experience with Norelco (now Philips Norelco) electric shavers, but without going into a lot of great detail.
By the way, I’m writing from the East Coast of the United States. I’m 79 years old—soon to be 80—and I’ve been shaving for a long time. I began to use an electric shaver when I was in college back in the 1960s, mainly because the lines to use the sinks in the dormitory bathrooms were always long while the guys were shaving. One of my professors said that he used a Ronson electirc shaver. I bought one, but it did not work very well for me. I then got a small Norelco shaver. I remember that it was white and curved and that it fit nicely into my hand. It was corded, and it had 2 rotary blades.
I used that Norelco to shave in my dorm room. I just plugged the it into the outlet and off I went.
I used that shaver for a while, but soon after I got what they called a “Norelco Tripleheader.” It had 3 rotary blades plus a pop-up trimmer, and it was corded. I used it until the late 1960s when I grew a full beard. I had my beard for 10 years, but I kept the Norelco to trim the edges of my beard.
I finally got tired of my beard in the late 1970s, and I shaved it off. I then bought a brand-new Norelco shaver. This was probably 1979 or 1980. It had 3 rotatry blades and a pop-up trimmer, and it worked well. I continued to use Norelco (Philips Norelco) shavers into the 2000s and 2010s, and I was always happy with them. They were readily available in pharmacies and in many other stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Costco.
At some point in the 2000s, Philips Norelco changed the design of their shavers. Many of them no longer had a pop-up trimmer. Instead, the trimmer was a separate attachment, meaning that you had to remove the shaving head and replace it with the trimmer. Philips Norelco also somehow changed the way that the rotary blades were replaced. I never had a problem putting in new blades through the 1990s, but at some point, the blades were held in by small plastic retainers, and some of them had little orange-colored tweezers to turn the retainer rings.
You have used the word “fiddly” to describe the changing of the blades, and that was true for me. At one point, I was trying to put new blades into my shaver, and one of them became permanently stuck. (This was a Philips Norelco Shaver 9850 (S9733) with shaver heads SH90.) After that, the shaver was useless.
That’s when I switched over to Braun.
I now have 3 Braun electric shavers, and I like them very much.
First, I bought a Braun Series 7 in 2016. It is a 740s-7, and the cassette is a 70s. I bought some extra cassettes at the time. I still have one brand-new one, and it’s still in the package. From what I’ve read, it could be the best shaver that Braun ever made.
Second, I bought a Braun Series 9 in 2018. It is model # 9295cc, and the cassette is a 92s. It still works, and I’m sure that I’ll have to buy a newer cassette one of these days.
Third, I bought a Braun Series 3 in 2022 from my local pharmacy. It was on sale for about $39.00. It was too good to pass up. It is a ProSkin, Model 3040s. I have not used it very much yet, but I like it.
I usually shave every day, sometimes every other day. Here’s my current routine:
1: For the “First pass,” I use my “old” Braun Series 7 to get most of the stubble off. Sometimes I just let it go at that because it gives me a decent shave.
2: I do not use the trimmer on the Braun. I have discovered over the years that trimmers on electric shavers are not all that great. I use a Gillette Fusion-type manual razor because of the trimmer blade on the back; I use the trimmer to shave under my nose and to trim my sideburns.
3: If I feel like it, I might do a quick “Second pass” on my cheeks and jaw lines with the Fusion-type razor or a Gillette Mach3.
4: I do not like canned shaving cream, mainly because I am sensitive to fragrances, and I no longer want to bother with a shaving brush. I use a fragrance-free soap, such as Dove fragrance-free soap: I work up a lather in my hands and I apply it to my face, especially on sideburn area and under the nose. It works well.
5: After the shave, I rinse my face with cold water and then I apply fragrance-free Witch Hazel. After that, I put on a fragrance-free facial cream or Vitamin E cream.
I have been doing this for years, and it works well for me. I know that many people say that your face has to adapt to an electric shaver and that you should not run a manual razor over your face if you’re using an electric shaver. But the process that I described above works well for me.
Well, this turned out to be longer than I had intended, but I did want to thank you again for your great review of Philips Norelco shavers.
Best wishes,
Dean
Hi Dean,
I want to thank you for taking the time to write such an insightful post — I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I’ve only started shaving in the early 2000s, so I’ve missed out on a lot of the now vintage shavers. It’s always intriguing to me when someone had the chance to use different shavers from totally different generations.
The Braun Series 7 (now sadly discontinued) is arguably one of the most successful Braun models and one that was a safe option to buy for pretty much anyone. It’s a shame it got replaced by a new generation that is inferior in every single aspect.
As for your shaving routine, I think it’s great and most importantly, it works well for you which is ultimately what matters.
I’m glad to have you as a regular reader and I appreciate your feedback greatly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
@Dean.
A big thank you for writing this long and informative post/comment about all your different shaving products & routine from way back till this day. Very nice indeed. And happy birthday in advance! I hope you still have many years to come!
Cheers,
Karl
First of all, I extremely enjoy all of your articles about shaving and shavers. I find every single one to be an enjoyable read – very well written and informative.
I did not see the 9731 mentioned, most likely as it is actually very similar to another model – soooo many model numbers and features to pick from for seemingly very similar shavers. Would you say that the 9731 fits in with your description of the “old” 9000 series – it looks identical to the photo you have under that section?
I have a 9731 (with the SH91 heads) which I really had to search for on eBay. I managed to find one for right about 90 dollars, in near perfect shape. I also found the cleaning base from another seller for 20 dollars – money well spent!!
I really wanted this for the round heads vs the new style that they all have – I’m just not a fan of the boxy/rectangular heads on the new models (I do have a 7783 with that style head, my number 2 go-to razor – it also has the SH91 blades installed).
Most likely, I will eventually get the 9820 – I’m addicted to shavers, just looking for the best shave and experience possible. After all, it is something that most of us do every day!!
Making a comparison of my favorites, the 9731 is top of the list, then the 7734, followed by my ARC 5, then oddly enough, the typical number one rated for most reviewers, the Braun 9000 Pro comes in last. I feel that the Philips just give me a better and more comfortable shave – probably the rotary vs foil…. ….I get a better shave on the corner of my jawbone, just below my ear with a rotary.
Les,
Thank you so much for the comment and feedback, really glad you enjoyed the post.
You are absolutely right, the 9731 is part of what I referred to as the old 9000 series. I didn’t however mention any individual models in an effort to keep everything as short and tidy as possible (and I’m not sure I managed to achieve that).
In a way, the old 9000 with the SH91 heads is pretty much the best combo, especially in this case as you managed to get a fantastic deal for the shaver + cleaning station.
The 9820 will feel like a nice upgrade especially in terms of build quality and refinement — the metal body looks and feels a lot more premium. And you’ll still be able to use your cleaning station if you attach the Prestige head unit to your 9731 (it’s a perfect fit).
The Braun S9 Pro is a very safe choice and versatile shaver that does everything good enough — that is in my opinion one of the main strengths of that shaver and the main reason why I recommend it — there’s a great chance it’ll provide a satisfactory shave (if it fits within the budget of course). But in this case it certainly looks like rotaries are working better for you.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave a comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
It took me a few days to digest all of this incredible report, Ovidiu. It is by far the most thorough treatment of Philips shavers that I’ve ever read. I can’t imagine the research and the time spent in creating such a report. I want to express my gratitude to you for working so hard to present this information to your readers.
Wayne,
You are too kind, thank you so much for the comment. It did take a while to put everything together and I struggled the most to keep the text as short as possible and remove any unnecessary info. But with so many series and things that needed some clarification, like model names and motor speed, it came out a lot longer than anticipated. But I do hope it will still be useful to many.
Thank you again for the feedback and for being a regular reader who always provides incredibly useful and insightful info in the comments.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello,
Thanks for the excellent review!
Do you think it’s worth buying the “Prestige” instead of the 9000 series for a closer shave?
Thank you very much,
Thierry.
Hi Thierry,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Strictly for a closer shave the answer is probably not. I find the closeness to be pretty much the same, although the Prestige is a bit faster and more enjoyable especially in the highest power setting. It also feels smaller in the hand and a bit nimbler, even though the size of the shaving unit is the same. I do prefer the Prestige for those reasons, but again, having used both I don’t think it has a definitive advantage regarding the closeness of the shave. So I wouldn’t get it over the 9000 series for that alone.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, thanks for the comprehensive review of Philips shavers. I have given you comments before on your other general shaver pages.
I have settled back in to using the Philips S9985/84 and couldn’t be more satisfied. After having physical issues with the high pitched sound of Braun shavers the Philips shaver is refreshing. I like shaving “dry” with a pre shave but agree with you that a “wet” shave (I use Edge Gel) is closer and leaves my face much softer as opposed to the alcohol based pre shave lotions.
The Quick Clean unit provides just enough cleaning and lubricating. As you noted, I did find that you have to take the shaver out of the unit and let it air dry if you want to shave dry the following day, but that is not necessary when shaving wet.
Being 80 years old I keep looking for a state of the art change in mens shaving. Perhaps one day there will be a laser like device that will make it much easier for all of us.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for the feedback and for taking the time to share your experience. I’m glad you’re enjoying your Series 9000 — that particular model (with the cleaning Pod) is probably the high-end Philips shaver that offers the best value for money.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Until I read your excellent article I was completely bamboozled by the range of models available. However, things are much clearer now. I do have one query though. I am based in the UK and the model numbers start with XP instead of S.
Could you explain what this means please.
Kind regards
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad the info was useful.
I just updated the article today and included info on the XP models as well. Specifically, the new i9000 Prestige and the range topping i9000 Prestige Ultra start with XP instead of SP. You will find detailed info on them in the updated guide above.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. I ran across my 2 year old comment and your reply and I wanted to say that after two years I am still very happy with my Philips 8696 shaver, especially when shaving wet with a gel product.
My only wish is that Philips would return to the original round shaving head holder because sometimes the angular head “gets in the way”.
I continually read your reviews as they are the best out there.
Hey Mike,
Thank you so much for the comment, I appreciate it.
The round heads are almost unanimously preferred to the angular ones and Philips probably got some extensive feedback from users, as the new i9000 models now feature this in-between head design. They cannot totally revert back to the round ones, at least not right now, as there are some significant hurdles, including pod compatibility. But there’s some hope for the future.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu
I am not sure your comment about Norelco being the only rotary manufacturer is 100% correct. It is, if you only consider the top three as regards market share. I believe Remington makes rotary shavers as well. I have no experience with Remington other then remembering my dad used one when I was a child.
Hi Jay,
That’s absolutely correct, Remington does make quite a few rotaries and Xiaomi also has a couple in its lineup. I was indeed referring to only the three large manufacturers.
I have been testing other non-Philips rotaries, mostly Remington, and the performance was unfortunately underwhelming or just plain bad. I think competition is great, especially for us, the users, but right now Remington rotaries just aren’t good enough. There is one exception though, their rotary head shavers which are quite good and reasonably priced. But those only cater to a more niche segment of buyers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. Great reviews – I’ve had a beard for about 15 years and after reading your reviews got a Braun S9 mainly to do my neck but have gone beardless for a month or so. I’m thinking to try a Philips as I think my stubble especially on my neck grows in many directions. I’m getting very confused by the Series 3 models and what is available in the UK. Do the model numbers change around the world and any easy pointers to available Series 3 models that you would recommend. Thanks, Nick
Hi Nick,
Thanks so much for the feedback.
New Philips models do pop up frequently, I’d say more than in the case of other brands. Right now the S3145/00 seems to be one to get (large 60 minutes battery, readily available).
If you’ve been shaving with a Braun S9, the Philips S3000 may seem a bit underwhelming, especially if your beard is coarse/thick. Even though it works fairly well with flat-lying hairs, it’s still a very basic, entry-level rotary.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the comprehensive reference. I’ve wanted something like this for a long time. I’ve used Norelco razors for the past 50 years. I’ve used an S3500 for several years, but its efficiency seems to be fading even with new blades. I’m going to try one of your suggestions. I ordered an old model S6880 with the round heads on eBay and a new set of SH91 heads. That’ll let me inexpensively experiment with an upgraded class of shave. Hopefully that’ll give me a quicker close shave and let me ponder purchasing a new 9000 series.
Hi Roy,
Many thanks for the comment. That’s a great solution especially if you got a good deal on the shaver and heads. The SH60 that come with the old Series 6000 are in my experience already better than the SH30, but you should get an even better shave with the SH91. Just makes sure you don’t intermix the blades and guards when swapping the heads and keep the original pairings.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the guide. I had an over 10yr old Philip shaver which I like alot but unfortunately can’t find the replace head, and I didn’t see you included that model in the guide. It an 3d sense touch and by the model 1260x if I recall correct, it still charge and work fine but the blade had wear out can’t find replacement anymore. I had purchased an replacement head some years back was around $80 back then, and when time for 2nd replacement it cost around $150 on amazon didn’t pull the teigger back then and I did some search couple yr back over internet found out Philip discontinued the production on replacement head. Do you know it’s this American specific model doesn’t have much info on Google and I think the part for the head is call RQ12 did found the replacement on Ebay but from the picture they post it different from what i had on my shaver any suggestions for the replacement part.Thanks
But the way I got an Panasonic Arc6 from reading your review yr back was undoubtedly best shaver I ever own and it shave almost as close as using razor blade.
Hi,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you found the info useful.
Your shaver is one of the models that have been long discontinued and in an effort to keep the article as short as possible, I didn’t include the very old models. The 1260x uses the RQ12 heads (also long discontinued) and the only other compatible heads are the SH70 which you might still be able to find.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
what’s your stance on this review about the new S9000 vs the Prestige?
https://new.reddit.com/r/shaving/comments/ze92dt/dont_buy_a_philips_s9000_prestige_shaver_go_for/
Sounds really like the additional price on the prestige doesn’t seem worth it, bar aluminium body and QI-charger
Hi Alex,
It’s mostly in-line with my assessment of the S9000 and the Prestige. The standard S9000 does offer better value for money and I often recommended it as a more affordable alternative to the Prestige.
That said, I would still say that the Prestige is objectively a better shaver. The motor in the highest speed setting is faster and it sounds and feels more refined. Then there’s the better ergonomics, the Prestige being more comfortable to hold and easier to use. I own both and I would always pick the Prestige for a shave. Again, budget and value for money aside.
Regarding the the reddit review, there are a few things to put into context.
1. The author only refers to the older generation which was not available with a cleaning Pod. The new Prestige and the one I’m recommending the most does come with a Pod.
2. The price difference between the S9000 and the Prestige is not usually that steep. From what I understand, that was the situation two years ago (in Denmark). There are currently a few Prestige variations in Europe that for some reason are priced extremely high, so those are definitely not worth buying.
3. The author mentions that many review sites (including shavercheck.com) said that (and I quote) the Prestige is by far the closest shave due to its unique shaver heads. That is factually and completely false, at least in the case of my review. I haven’t read the other ones, but I explicitly mention in my review of the 9500 that in terms of closeness the two are extremely similar. Moreover, I never said that it had unique shaver heads, on the contrary — I mentioned several times that it uses the exact same shaving system as the Prestige.
I’d say it’s up to the user to decide whether it’s worth paying more for a Prestige. I always tried to present all these nuances so everyone could make an informed decision.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have read numerous reviews on Philips shavers over the years. All of them combined do not provide the insight of your one review. I own multiple Philips shavers and wish I had access to your review before I purchased several of them as it took my time and money to learn what you published about the closeness, coverage, cleaning, etc. Thanks for putting this together!
Scott,
Thanks so much for the kind comment — I appreciate it and I’m glad you found the article useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I appreciate your detailed work on shavers (that have more subjective comments than any other product on the market). I have a question if you’d like to answer, in my country I can buy 5887/10 with sh71 for 80$, and 8692 with sh91 for 175$ (more than two times the price). Should I save money and buy sh91 for 60$ when stock sh71 dulls? I don’t shave that often, and cut only hair on my cheeks and neck.
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
The 8692 is a Series 8000, so in addition to the better blades it will also have a more powerful motor than the Series 5000. It would be difficult to say if it’s worth spending more than twice the money for the Series 8000 without some context though.
Can you tell me for example what shaver are you currently using (or what was something you’ve used in the past) and what is wrong with it (like it takes a lot of work for a smooth finish)? Also, do you have patches of hairs that grow in different directions or stay flat to the skin? Or anything else you deem relevant.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I couldn’t justify the price difference and bought 5887. I had a very old hq7330, so it is an improvement. I will try the better blades as they dull.
It seems not all of the old Series 6000 have the same head with dual track (SH60) like you mention here. I found the S6610/11 here in Canada but the heads are different with single track cutter. Still round head but not with dual track. What do you think of this model and is it still a better option than the new 5000?
Thanks
Hi Nik,
That is an excellent observation. You are right, not all the old Series 6000 come with the dual-track SH60 heads. Just like the Canadian S6610/11, the European models also come with single-track SH50 heads. So in this case the only real advantage of the old 6000 over the new 5000 would be the form factor of the round shaving heads. Also, the new 5000 comes with the SH71 heads which are gentler than the SH50.
If you decide to get the S6610/11, you will be able to swap the heads in the future with the SH71 (or the excellent SH60 if you can still find them).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. 2600 series is recommended like 2500?
Thanks!
Great guide!!
Hi,
I’m afraid no, the 2500 is like the unicorn of the 2000 Series being essentially a corded&cordless Series 3000. The 2600 is just like a regular Series 2000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article. Obviously, you are a detail oriented person. I have been using a Norelco 7610XL ( my 2nd one) since about 2009. It still shaves great even though I have never replaced the heads. If it didn’t shave well, I would hear from my wife. I was looking at a 2500 or 2600 due to the pop up trimmer and price. After reading this, I am going to go for the 2600, since for $4.00 more on sale, it comes with a travel pouch and I travel a lot.
As an aside, I shave in vertical overlapping strokes. I had been doing 3 passes with each vertical stroke but recently went to 4 passes per stroke. However, the main reason to replace it is because the charger cord is worn and electrical tape can only help so much.
You truly are providing a valuable service for us Norelco users. Thanks, again.
Dan,
Thank you so much for the comment.
It’s quite impressive that your XL still cuts well enough after all these years with the original heads it came with.
The 2600 comes with the SH30 heads that while are more comfortable than the HQ6 on your shaver, are not as bitey and some lifelong rotary users may find that they don’t shave quite as close as the older, more aggressive Super Lift&Cut blades. But there’s really no other option in the lower-end segment nowadays. Nevertheless, I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article and very thorough. I have one of the 9000 series shavers (the 9500 one I think). Compared to my previous Philips shaver that had round heads it does seem a little chunky and the differently shaped heads on this one made me think it would be harder to reach areas like under the nose, but actually that doesn’t seem to be a great problem after all. The pressure sensing light rings are a bit gimmicky I find and the shape of the handle sort of almost compels you to grip the shaver in such a way that you are likely to exert more pressure. Probably the poorest aspect of the design in my experience is the connection between the charging dock and the shaver itself. The shaver has two pins at its base which go into a couple of corresponding holes in the charging dock. The problem is that if you have rinsed the shaving unit after using it, even if you leave it for a little while to drain it the excess water off ot even invert it to let the excess water drain out, there still seems to be somewhere in the shaving head that retains water which then drips out and down into the charging dock when you place it there. Whilst there is a small hole in the charging dock itself to let this water drain through I don’t think it’s adequate, because after less than two years of use I am noticing that there is a build up of what looks like a white corrosive residue. The shaver is no longer sitting properly in the charger either and needs to be propped vertically so that the pins underneath of it can make contact with the parts inside the charging unit. This shaver has a 2 year warranty so I have contacted Philips about this issue and hopefully they will assist me in resolving it, as it was not an inexpensive shaver. Apart from that it seems to work well and I have no issues with it. Thank you to the author of this post for your comprehensive review and comparisons of the different models of Philips shavers and their various pros and cons.
Lee,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, much appreciated.
The water dripping into the dock is a bit of a nuisance. I am maybe a bit too wary when it comes to water and electricity and usually allow my shavers to dry overnight before I charge them. It’s not very convenient or practical though. I hope you’ll get it sorted out with Philips.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu, I must say Philips (Australia / New Zealand) have been very good to deal with. I reported the problem to them and they asked me to send them a couple of photos of the shaver / charging dock plus a copy of my purchase receipt. I also discovered that when I had registered the product originally that they had provided an additional year to the warranty, which made it a 3 year warranty in all. I have already had an email back from them to say they have ordered a replacement of the shaver to be sent to my home, so I certainly can’t fault their after sales warranty service.
Lee, that’s great news, glad they were able to help. Philips customer service is usually excellent, confirmed by users from different countries as well. Panasonic for example has some catching up to do.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Nice penmanship and such detail.
I live in an isolated part of the world and stuff ( blades ) are hard to find. I had an old S 5400 ( round heads ) that the on/ off switch finally gave it up. I bought a S 5800 with angular head. I have a lot of SH 50 blades ( which I havevleft over. Will these fit the S5880 razor ( angular head ) It would be splendid if they did. Appreciate any info you might have
Hi,
Thanks so much for the kind comment.
Yes, the SH50 should fit just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great writeup! Took some time to get through your comprehensive article but you made it very clear. I bought the 9000 Prestige and I encourage everyone to do the same (use your links) if they valued your article. All the best. Kent
Hi Kent,
Thank you so much for the comment. I tried to keep the post as short as possible, but there’s a lot of info to cover. I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Your articles are absolutely brilliant. Well researched, superbly written, clear and detailed. There is no other website that comes close to this one for genuine, unbiased and expert information on shavers. Kudos to you sir!
Andrew,
You are too kind. Thank you so much for the comment and feedback, I’m really glad you found the site useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I used a 1000 series (shaver1160 to be exact) for the past 10-15 years. It didn’t provide the closest shave on a two-day or more beard, but worked okay for everyday shaving. I thought it’s now time to upgrade and settled on a series-3500 model from Best Buy for $65. I took it home and realized the box had been opened and the cord was missing. After reading your review, I will return the 3500 and buy a 2600 through Amazon for $20 less. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Michael,
Thanks so much for the comment, I’m glad the info was useful. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new 2600, it’s a great deal for what is essentially a Series 3000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, Ovidiu, for a great article.
I want to clarify one small detail for new USB-A charging system for Philips. Does it mean that old cables would not fit anymore these new shavers? Either socket size or voltage or both are different, correct?
Hi Evgeny,
Thank you for the comment.
That is a great question. The new shavers that come with the USB-A cables can’t be used with the old chargers. The charging port on these shavers is slightly different, with a small plastic divider that prevents the old cables from fitting.
I will update the article as well and add this info.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for excellent guide! I am decided now on 6800 shaver if i can get it, but will be happy for 5000 which i see advertised for €97 (from €199)
Thank you again for great article
Hi Kevin,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you found the info useful. Those two shavers are probably the best to get in the mid-range segment right now.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Mr. Nicolas,
Thank you for your very informative review!
I have a couple of questions for you if you have the time.
I am presently using an old SmartTouch 9160XL that I purchased new a NUMBER of years ago and I am pleased with the performance it provides. I recently found out that replacement heads (HQ9) have been discontinued through Philips Norelco and Encompass. My questions are:
1. Is there a current replacement head that will fit the 9160XL?
2. If there is not a replacement head, in your opinion what would be a comparable new shaver with similar performance/features?
Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
Hi Phillip,
Thank you for the comment and feedback, much appreciated.
1. As far as I know, the SH50 should fit just fine. These are however single-track heads vs the triple-track HQ9, so you may not find them as effective.
2. Right now the shavers that use the SH91 blades have the best performance: the Series 9000 and especially the Series 9000 Prestige as the latter is also slightly more powerful in the highest speed setting.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Mr. Nicolas,
Thank you for your very informative review!
I have a couple of questions for you if you have the time.
I am presently using an old SmartTouch 9160XL that I purchased new a NUMBER of years ago and I am pleased with the performance it provides. I recently found out that replacement heads (HQ9) have been discontinued through Philips Norelco an Encompass. My question are:
1. Is there a current replacement head that will fit the 9160XL?
2. If there is not a replacement head, in your opinion what would be a comparable new shaver with similar performance/features?
Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
Ovidiu,
Thank you for your response! I will research availability of the SH50 heads near me and reread the information on the 9000series razors.
Phil
Great information! One possible misinformation is on the old series 5000. You say “Luckily, the gentler SH71 blades of the new Series 5000 are compatible as well.” however the outer shell is shaped differently. The old 5000 has two side tabs near one edge of the outer shell but the newer SH71 has a more regular circular shape with notches. I don’t think the SH71replacement heads will properly fit the old model 5000. Are you suggesting to just put the blades into the old shell?
Also, If you like your old 5000 and are handy with a soldering iron, you can relace the LiOn battery fairly easily. That and new heads = new shaver performance!
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for the comment.
That’s an excellent observation. The main thing that will determine the compatibility is the shape of the plastic hub at the center of the blade (where the rotating shaft will fit/spline). I don’t have a rounded head Philips Series 5000 anymore as I gave mine away, but I do recall trying the SH71 and they seemed to fit fine despite the differences of the guards rim/lip. You should always the blade and guard (shell) from the same set, never intermix them.
I will try to get another Series 5000 just so I can double check this and correct the information if it turns out to be wrong.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A really useful, detailed article. I have used Philips rotary shavers for years and its always been really hard to work out what each model number includes and what the difference is between various groupings 3000, 5000, 7000 etc. Thank you for this breakdown.
Kevin,
Thank you so much for the kind comment. I’m truly glad you found the info useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
First off, extremely informative and tbh, probably more information than I would ever need on electric shavers!! But, thank you for doing all this research so we don’t have to.
I have been using a 7310XL since I received it as a gift back when it came out….maybe 2011?? Any way, I have never….let me repeat that….never changed the blades. Here’s the thing….I honestly still get a close shave though.
You seem to be the guy to ask this question to…..is it really necessary to change blades?
Hi Don,
Thank you so much for the kind comment.
For most users it will absolutely be necessary to change the blades. However, there are some rare cases when someone has been using the same blades for years and they still get a decent shave. It’s a very fortunate combination of a particular shaver (rotary heads for example are usually a lot more durable than foils+blades), beard type and technique.
Also, your shaver uses the discontinued HQ8 blades, so you will need to get the SH50 instead when you do decide to change them. But from what I can tell, they still give you a satisfactory shave and I’m a proponent of changing the blades when they can’t cut the hair and not just for the sake of it. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I have read your absolutely excellent and complete article from beginning to end, as well as the comments, and concur with all the comments re the quality of the article. Finally one can now make sense of all the different models. Thanks!
You have partially answered some of my questions in your response to the question from Zao on April 25th above. I have two (my son also bought one with a cleaning pod and gave it to me after a few years) 1250x shavers which are in very good condition (despite being around 25 years old), but need new cutters which are no longer available as Zao states. At least the original cutters are no longer available, although replacement heads are, but I have tried these and find that old original cutters do a better job than new replacement ones – at least the ones I have tried. You answered Zao that the SH70 cutters would fit his 1260, I assume they would fit the 1250 too. However, the SH70 is a single track cutter, while the originals on the 1250 were the double track 15 + 9 cutters. The 1250 also came originally with a replacement head (could not change just the cutters) and then a head with replacement cutters (which you would need if you wanted to use the SH70 cutters). I have both heads. I would really appreciate your answers to the following questions:
1. Is there no clip-on head that is compatible so that I can use double track cutters? If not, then I understand that I can only use the SH70 cutters which I feel will be a down-grade.
2. Just to be sure – the engagement mechanism between the razor and the cutters in the 1250x is triangular while it looks like from all your pictures that the latest cutters are hexagonal. Do the SH70 cutters have a (female) triangular indent?
3. If I really want double track cutters in the new series but don’t want to spring for a the expensive 9000 series, then the only option is the 7000 series with the SH91 cutters? I understand the point about the motor not being the same.
4. Just for interest sake, in your opinion to which latest series would you equate the 1250x?
5. Have you any particular experience with non-Phillips replacement heads (RQ12) that you could recommend as being just as good as the originals?
Thanks in advance!
Hi David,
Thanks so much for the kind comment, I’m glad you found the article useful.
Regarding your questions:
1. There are definitely some options available, including third-party, but I think the best bet would be a Series 9000 clip-on head (with rounded heads, not the latest pentagonal ones). You could even get a used one on eBay since you’ll be replacing the blades anyway (with the SH91 which are the best Philips blades available right now and have a double track). A new clip-on head will probably end up costing a bit too much and you’ll usually have to buy the bottom part, top bracket and locking rings separately and those will add up.
2. Yes, all of them have a triangular indent, but in some cases the shape of it is different — that’s why not all Philips heads are compatible with all shaver models.
3. For a new (current) Philips shaver I’m afraid so, the Series 7000 with upgraded heads would be the most affordable option. A Series 9000 on the other hand is a bit more powerful and I do notice the difference having used both.
4. The S9000 Prestige is currently the best Philips shaver and it’s almost unanimously loved by seasoned rotary users. The standard non-Prestige S9000 is close to it performance-wise (also uses the SH91), but there are few things that just make the Prestige overall better: torquier and more refined motor, better ergonomics and the head glides easier on the skin. If you can get a great deal on one, so it only ends up costing marginally more than the Series 9000, I’d say it’s a great buy.
5. I did try some (not as RQ12 replacements) and I honestly can’t recommend them. I had the same experience with non-OEM blades for Braun for example. So the chance of getting a good shave (and not only of a couple of months) are very slim.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu for your prompt and detailed reply. I will investigate the options you have suggested! Perhaps I will post an update here once I have actually chosen an option.
David
My pleasure, David. Looking forward to an update when you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I have an old S7370/41 with SH70 cutter. For my sensitive neck it is very good. Time for changing shaver. Do you think that SH91 would be as good as SH70 for sensitive skin? Thankyou.
Hi Tony,
They should be even better. The double blades of the SH91 have been tweaked and I find them very comfortable and effective.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thankyou for your answer Ovidiu,
from what you write I seem to understand that SH71 and SH98 should also be more comfortable than SH70. Am I right?
Tony
You are very welcome, Tony. That is correct.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, Ovidiu Nicolae.
What would you recommend
Philips S6640/44 115$ or Philips S5887/10 110$ or your option?
Hi Dmytro,
Normally I would recommend the Series 6000, but unfortunately European models like the S6640/44 come with the SH50 blades instead of the excellent SH60 of the American models. I find the SH50 quite aggressive, and especially if you’ve never used a rotary before, it would be safer to get the S5887/10.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you! You do incredibly detailed razor reviews and it’s very useful and informative for all men who shave! Thank you very much
My pleasure, Dmytro, glad I could be of help. Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the detailed article!
I currently use an old HQ8250 which originally came with HQ9 heads. As these are difficult to buy I switched to using SH50. Everything still works and I’m still happy with my daily shave. However, as my shaver is very old, I do wonder if a newer model would be better and give me a closer shave.
All newer models seem to state the Motor RPM and Cutting actions per minute. If I were to get a newer model I’ve been looking at Series 5000 and 8000 range with the 5000 around €80 and 8000 about €150. I’m still undecided if I really need one :-)
– Is there any way to know what the motor speed/cutting actions are of my old HQ8250 so I know what I’m comparing against the newer models?
– Is there a big difference with the SH71 and SH91 blades compared to the SH50 that I’m currently using? Or is the cutting action more of a factor?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Thank you for the comment, Paul.
I have no info I’m afraid regarding the motor of your shaver, but it should probably be around 2000 RPM. That’s pretty much the standard spec for most rotaries.
Cutting actions are a function of both the shaving head (how many tracks and how many blades per track there are) and of the motor speed. So with that in mind, the SH91 is better and more effective than the SH71, especially when it is paired with a faster motor like the one in the Prestige (2300 RPM). The 8000 however is almost as good (2100 RPM) and uses the same SH91 heads. The price is usually a lot lower for the 8000 as well.
I think the SH91 shaves at least as close as the SH50 while being significantly more comfortable. I never really liked the very bitey SH50. The SH71 is a single-track, single blade-design head, so you may find that it doesn’t shave as close as the SH50 or the SH91. It is however very comfortable, similar to the SH91 in that regard. The 5000 has a 2000 RPM motor and uses the SH71 blades, so you will probably find its performance a bit underwhelming.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for your help.
After your reply I was still in two minds to get a new model shave but I recently found a 5000 series (nearly new, with cleaning station, etc.) on the German eBay Kleinanzeigen (small ads) for about €30 which works great. Then I saw a new/sealed box 8000 series for €40 which I ended up getting as this was the initial model I was looking for. So I now have a 8000 series and a 5000 series backup! Both work great.
One thing to mention to others though that is not mentioned in your reviews is that the charging cable connection is not the same on all models. For example the charging cable with my 5000 model is different to the USB cable connection on the 8000. It may be of interest to others
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for the comment. Great deal on both shavers, hope you’ll enjoy using them.
Your observation is absolutely correct — Philips made a small tweak to prevent the use of older chargers with a different output. I will add that info as well with the next update to the post.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Your explanation is excellent and comprehensive, I wanted to know what you think about the Philips S5898/17 shaver and which knives can fit the machine
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
That shaver is part of the current Series 5000, so it’s arguably a better buy than the more expensive Series 6000 and 7000 (unless you need a cleaning Pod). The S5898/17 uses the SH71 heads, but can be upgraded to the SH91.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for the answer, I’m sorry I sent the question again, I didn’t see that you answered me
Thank you very much again
No problem, glad I could be of help. :-)
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Are you sure that hidden charging port do not work? Perhaps it is only true for the new generation of the Prestige? Or perhaps it will only work with a very specific charger? At least I have seen reports for the older Prestige with round shaving heads that they have charged trough that socket/port. My theory is that it is there for diagnostic purposes. If the shaver will take a charge from that socket but not when on the charging pad they know the battery is still working but it is something wrong with the pad or wireless circutry.
Can you try something for me? Can you check If the display will light up and show the charge level when you pick it up (the 9000 and Prestige series)? My older generation Prestige can not do that but my new 9000 one can. But my Prestige did not come with a cleaning pod unlike my new 9000 one. I think this is because only the ones with cleaning pods have a motion sensor in them. If this is the case then perhaps it can be worth pointing this difference out in your excellent article?
Hi Joakim,
Thank you for the comment — those are some excellent points.
On the new Prestige (with wireless charging), the port definitely does not work regardless of the charger. My old Prestige is the variation without wireless charging and I never got the chance to try the charging port on the wireless model. The reports I’ve seen suggest that it works, but again, I cannot confirm it.
Regardless of the purpose, it would have been extremely easy for the manufacturer to make it functional and serve as a backup charging method.
The 9000/Prestige models that show the charge when you pick them up are indeed the ones that come with a Pod. They are fitted with an accelerometer to detect when they’re upside down and completely still, so presumably in the Pod, and thus enter the cleaning mode when you press the power button.
I did cover this extensively in my Prestige review but decided to leave out of this article as it was already getting way too long.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thanks to you for this incredible work you have done. This is greatly appreciated!
I am currently comparing two models:
1- Philips Shaver Series 3300 including Philips Nose Trimmer Series 1000 – AMZ Exclusive
and
2- Philips Electric Shaver Series 5000, Wet & Dry with ComfortTech Blades, S5466/17
Both have the small regular round head shape that I prefer (easier to work with around the nose).
Which one would you recommend?
Is the Philips Nose Trimmer something really useful?
Thanks for your help! :)
Hi Laurent,
Thank you so much for the kind words.
The two shavers you mentioned are remarkably similar in terms of performance: both use the same SH30 blades, motors and feature the rounded, flip-open head for easy cleaning. Personally, I would get the 3300 for three reasons (that may not matter to other users):
1. The 3300 has an integrated pop-up trimmer, while the S5466/17 uses a separate attachment. For my use case (tweaking my sideburns), an integrated trimmer is just more practical.
2. It comes with a nose hair trimmer. To be honest, I don’t use one much as the remaining short stumps are very itchy, but it is nevertheless a welcome addition.
3. The battery is slightly larger (60 vs 50 minutes of cordless use).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Greetings Good Sir!
Great site you have created, and what a lot of useful questions and answers in the comments.
I’ve read so much in the last week that my mind is getting a bit scrambled.
I travel for work and have two older Norelco shavers, I think both from Costco, but alas, one recently stopped working at all. I think it is a sensoglide 3d with an hq model number.
I travel for work and that’s the one I leave at home. It has a charging stand with electric connections on the side of the shaver. I like the stand, as it saves counter space.
My travel one is an s6540 and it is OK too.
I was scratching my head over how to buy something like a 6810, 20, or 80, and then replacing the blades with sh91. Which are around $65. BTW I saw something online warning about counterfeit replacement blades — there are a lot of less expensive sets on a popular “auction” website.
Bottom line, I think I’m going with the 9600 from Costco, which includes a set of replacement blades, stand, case, trimmers, and cord.
But no cleaning pod. Philips says if there’s no pod in the box, then your shaver won’t work with one. Is this just a matter of what you showed with having to just turn it off manually because it won’t automatically turn off after 60 seconds? But that it would work otherwise?
Also, would I have to buy an aftermarket version of the cleaning pod? I can’t see any Philips brand for sale separately.
I’m just thinking that when it is all said and done, it will be simpler to just buy the somewhat more expensive costco 9600 than trying to cobble together shaver and accessories which will end up costing almost as much.
One more thought, about the new angular heads. I just wonder if they aren’t trying to keep the head more level on the face, to avoid digging in and getting nicks?
Anyway, what about the cleaning pod for the 9600? Any suggestions?
Thanks again for this site, you might be surprised at how much time I’ve spent reading!
Best regards,
J.
Hi Jordan,
Thank you so much for the kind comment and for taking the time to browse through the site.
Regarding the Pod, that is correct, the 9600 will work with one purchased separately, but won’t be fully compatible in the sense that it won’t detect when it’s placed inside and you will need to stop it manually. But it will still pump the fluid through the shaving head and clean it.
In Europe the separate (genuine) Pod is widely available, but for some reason it’s missing in the USA. Maybe if you can get a good deal on the 9500 that would be a good option as well since it comes with the Pod and it’s fully compatible.
The switch to the angular heads was probably the result a few considerations:
— cutting production costs (the Series 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000 and 9000 Prestige all basically use the same system);
— making the head compatible with the pods — the integration of the rotating shaft, a larger surface of the head for added stability when sitting in the pod etc.;
— it was probably easier to integrate the hinged pop-open head.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
BTW one of my shavers came with a little two-head travel shaver that uses a micro USB cable for charging. Funny thing is, it shaves great. Actually, it’s easier to get around tight angles on my face. I started using it last week for the first time. It’s been sitting in my vanity cabinet drawer for I don’t know how many years – probably since I bought that HQ model shaver(?), lols.
Anyway it has given me the luxury of not needing to decide right away.
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply.
My pleasure, Jordan.
I agree that using a small shaver (especially after years of shaving with larger units) feels refreshingly different — in a good way. Large, multiple-blade shavers are usually the ones fitted with more powerful motors and better heads, so it’s great that you’re also getting a satisfactory shave from the compact razor.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Another update.
I ordered a 9600 from Costco. That comes with extra set of SH91 blades (retail ~$65), and a charging stand, and a nose trimmer, and a hair trimmer in addition to the built in trimmer, and a case.
I just got it today and used it. I have to say the shave left me pretty smooth compared to the other shavers I have been using. I had about 4 days growth on my upper lip, and when I tried to plow right into it, it did pull my hair. So I sort of skimmed lightly and worked around the edges and took care of it that way without too much trouble (though it did take longer).
I also ordered a 6810, old style with round heads, open box. This one also comes with a charging stand and case and has the detachable trimmer. It won’t arrive till next week.
Crazy thing is I was going to order the Costco one, but it was out of stock. So I went ahead and ordered the 6810 from ebay. Then the next morning the 9600 was back in stock on Costco online so I just bought that too, with the thought that I could return it if I really hate the pentagonal heads.
Yeah the little two head travel shaver was all good till it caught my upper lip and left me a pretty good abrasion, ouch ! That one BTW is a PQ228 which you have probably never heard of. As I mentioned, it was a free extra with one of the shavers I bought quite a while back at Costco.
Last question/thought: I’m thinking if I ever want to buy replacement blades, I will stick with a for sure legit source. Because those $65 ones are also sold for ~$30 (pretty sure not legit) and some others for ~$15 (def not legit, right?). It matters because it is something I will be using on my face and I wouldn’t want to get gouged up by an inferior product nor use a product that does not work optimally.
So I wonder what your thinking is on the cheaper replacement blades. I think they are counterfeit in the respect that they come in identical packaging, etc etc.
Hi Jordan,
That is the best way of deciding which shaver is right for you — actually trying them. It’s great if you have the possibility to return them for a full refund (in Europe that’s not always the case).
Definitely proceed slower and take extra care if the stubble is long. Any shaver will snag a few hairs instead of cutting them clean.
As for the blades, I strongly recommend getting the genuine (more expensive) ones. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is — my experience with third-party (aka compatible) blades has been pretty awful. They either don’t cut or get dull really quickly.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi again Ovidiu!
I’ve gotten a little shaver-obsessed since finding this website.
The latest thing is, I noticed that you said somewhere that the Braun may be best for a comfortable shave. I think that means it is good for more sensitive skin.
Costco has a Braun 9 series “Sport” for sale in the warehouse, and last night I bought one of those.
I’m really impressed with how one pass seems to be all it takes for the more “flat” areas of my face (eg. cheeks).
The only thing I’m not as sure about is the angular areas like around my chin. It seems like the Philips Norelco with the three floating heads conforms to those corners better.
Any thoughts on that? I have just used the Braun one time so far.
Hi Jordan,
It’s an oddly addictive hobby. :-)
The Sport is one of the best Series 9 models in terms of value for money and it’s not inferior in any way (performance-wise) to other Series 9 models.
Flat areas are the easiest to tackle, so when shaving your chin you will need to make a few tweaks. What I do is focus on smaller areas (right under the chin, corners of the chin, middle of the chin etc), get a reasonably smooth shave on the area I’m shaving and then move to the next one. Don’t try to shave your chin in long swoops (for example from under the chin all the way to the lower lip) as it won’t be effective and it’s the only area where the Series 9 might even snag a few hairs if you move the head too fast. So small areas, short, controlled, overlapping strokes, focusing on going against the grain and keeping the skin taut (you can tilt your head back and lift the chin or even pull the skin down with the free hand).
I always start with my neck, then move to the chin, cheeks and moustache. I find this to yield the best results, but feel free to try a different order if something doesn’t feel right.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have some series 1000 shaver, still with real power adapter, instead of USB-C charging. I bought it some times ago, very cheap, and have never opened the box. I decided to start to use it since my old shaver’s blades became dull.
This 1000 series shaver is a complete junk. I am using Philips/Norelco rotary shavers from 1996 or so, had about 10 of them, different series, but I always was very happy with performance.
But this 1000 series shaver is so bad, so slow. And the battery life is nowhere near what is claimed on the spec. I am using it usually with power cable attached.
I am thinking now to put these new blades from this unit to my old 3000 series shaver that is much faster and lithium battery is still very good.
Hi Evgeny,
The Series 1000, even when getting power directly from the mains, is rather underwhelming performance-wise. Unless someone has very light stubble, it will probably not provide a satisfactory shave. The blades will work perfectly fine in your Series 3000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I recently bought a model 9987 and was wondering how it compares to the Prestige when it comes to closeness and comfort. I usually shave — both my head and my face — three times a week. I also own a Panasonic Arc 5 with upgraded blades, and a Braun Series 9 Pro, and I always use cream (either Proraso or Speick).
Hi Brian,
That model is a non-Prestige Series 9000, so it’s overall very similar performance-wise with only two differences that may not matter that much.
First, the Prestige is a bit faster in the highest power setting (the S9987 has a single standard mode). It’s not something that makes a big difference in practice, but the Prestige feels a bit faster and more refined.
The second difference is about the ergonomics, with the Prestige feeling a bit more compact and has a more comfortable grip. The S9987 has a larger, rectangular body that isn’t as user-friendly. The head of the Prestige also seems to glide a bit easier over the skin.
But overall, these will have little to no major impact on the actual comfort and closeness. The Prestige will be a be a bit faster and (at least to me) more enjoyable thanks to the better ergonomics and torquier motor. On the other hand, it does cost quite a bit more.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovi,
First of all when it comes to electric shavers – nobody comes even close to you. Given you knowledge, the time you are willing to spend explaining and the details you pay attention to, there is NOBODY on this Planet that could compete with you. For that – I will be forever grateful to you. You are the reason I switched from manual shaving to electric shavers years ago. I started first with Panasonic Arc5 and I must say, to this day this is one shaver to beat for closeness of shaving. Then I moved to Braun S9 shaver, which I appreciate a lot for it’s shaving comfort. Few years back I found the deal with Braun S5 shaver (on sale, brand new, just for $ 50) and I had to buy it. This became my travel shaver. Now that I am retired I don’t shave that often (once per week) and in last year or so for that I used Norelco’s One Blade Trimmer. Given all that, I didn’t visit your site for a long time now (maybe 2-3 years). Few days ago, I finally remembered to visit you again and I started reading about rotary shavers and specifically more about Phillips 9000 Prestige Series. Beside your positive review, what attracted me to it is the possibility that I could use it as my once per week shaver (I don’t have strong beard and after a week my beard is not longer than 3-4 mm). I paid attention on your recommendations and I made sure I didn’t get wireless charger. I also made sure that I order the cleaning pod with my new S9000 Prestige. Last night I ordered one (SP9840/90). I will let you know how I like it. I am looking forward to many new reviews from you my friend. Keep up good work and again BIG “Thank You” for everything you do. Regards from Chicago !
Hi Sasha,
You are too kind, thank you so much for the comment and for being a long time reader. I appreciate it greatly!
The Prestige is arguably the best rotary shaver you can buy right now and one of the better options for shaving less often.
A rotary will take some getting used to, especially to the circular motions and the slower rotational speed of the motor, but I hope it’ll be right for you and you’ll enjoy shaving with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovi,
I got my new S9000 Prestige the other day. I charged it. My model is SP9840/90. I am very happy with the looks and the feel in hand. I think they did very nice job with this shaver. I had my “beard” 6 days old and it was aprox. 3-4 millimeter long. First when I turned this thing ON, I was shocked how quiet it is. Much quieter than any of my Brauns, and not to mention the Arc5 (which is not normal sound but IMO – screaming sound). You are right – it will take me to get used to shaving with rotary, but let me tell you – even now it was nothing but pleasure shaving with this beautiful and QUIET thing. This one leaves my favorite (Braun 9) in the dust, when it comes to shaving and especially shaving the neck area. Granted, my Braun 9 Series is older one (I think 92XX) but still – this is one premium shaver. This one beats it : In comfort, in neck area, in closeness of shaving and in quietness. I am extremely happy that I pulled the trigger on S9000 Prestige. Love everything about it. Again, thanks to you my friend, I found the product that I love and I am sure that will give me a good service. Now I will go to your review and learn how to properly clean this thing. Maybe you already have some pages where you explain the proper technique of shaving with rotary shavers ? If so, please let me know. Thanks again, and all the best to you my friend. Regards, Sasha
Hi Sasha,
Thank you so much for taking the time to follow up on this. It definitely seems like the Prestige was the right choice.
The quietness is particularly striking when switching from a powerful foil shaver to a rotary. But as you’ve mentioned, the main highlight of a capable rotary like the Prestige is its efficiency when shaving long, stubborn hairs, especially on the neck. I’m sure your experience will only get better from here. Unfortunately I don’t have an article that specifically addresses the technique when using rotaries. I do have a very comprehensive guide in the works though and it will cover that topic as well.
I’m glad you found the site useful and you’re enjoying your new shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
All these new shavers can’t compare to my Philips Norellco SensoTouch 1160x. I use too be able to get replacement blades. Which is what I am looking for. I don’t need a new razor at 80yrs old. Been shaving my head and face with this razor for many years. I see heads and blades but not orginal ones. Whats my best choice. Still your article is very well written.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Unfortunately shavers and replacement heads do get discontinued at some point and the only options are to either get third-party replacement parts or to invest in a new shaver.
I can’t recommend the former option as the performance and longevity of those parts are very underwhelming.
If you do decide to get a new shaver, I think the safest option would be to get another Philips Norelco. The most affordable option, and also pretty similar performance-wise to your shaver would be a Series 5000 or 7000.
These shavers are comfortable, easy to clean thanks to a hinged pop-open head and the SH71 replacement blades are widely available and will continue to be for a long time.
A few years ago I would have recommended the old Series 6000 instead, but those are now getting very difficult to find or are very pricey.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovi,
I don’t know where Tom is from, but I see on the US Amazon site two offers for 6000 Series at affordable price. I think one of them is 6800 model.
Hi Sasha,
Thanks for the info.
There are two Series 6000 generations, the old one with the rounded heads and the excellent dual-track SH60 blades and the new (current) generation with larger rectangular heads and the basic SH71 heads. The former is of course a better shaver and the one I was referring to as being difficult to find or pricey. Both are called 6800 which only makes things more confusing.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good day. I’ll join the conversation. My dad has an old Philips Shaver series 7000 SensoTouch RQ1150/16 shaver that he’s happy with. Will buying the Philips S5884/35 be a good choice? I know there are better shavers, but they’re much more expensive, and my dad would like to stick with Philips. I did some research in Poland and chose the S5884/35 model, but I don’t know how it will be with shaving efficiency compared to the old 7000 SensoTouch. Will it be similar or better?
Hi Adam,
It’s a good option in the affordable segment of Philips rotaries. A better (performance-wise) shaver in Europe would be the Series 8000 or 9000/Prestige that cost significantly more.
I would actually prefer switching from the RQ1150 to an S5884/35 as the heads (SH70) of the latter are gentler. Some seasoned users don’t find them as bitey as the older SuperLift&Cut blades (like the RQ11 in your father’s shaver). For me that is a plus since I have dry and sensitive skin on my neck.
Apart from these differences, the performance should be more or less similar.
The S5884/35 also has a flip-open hinged head, so that’s a lot more convenient when you clean it with water.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi. What a great site! And what a minefield Philips model numbers are. Do you think UK models are generally inferior to non-UK models of the same series? For instance you say the various 5000 series are essentially the same except for the UK 5466 model which has inferior cutters and a smaller battery. Any idea why this is?
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the kind comment, glad you found the info useful.
The UK models are the same in terms of performance and reliability. The S5466 is an unusual shaver (also available outside the UK) in the sense that it uses the SH30 blades, normally found on the entry-level Series 1000, 2000 and 3000. But you can of course get a full-fledged Series 5000 or even 7000 that come with the better SH71 heads.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Norelco 3311. I was trying to find blade compatibility info on the web ACROSS different models, but to no avail (that’s why I read this webpage). The 3311 has SH30 blades. Can I freely pop any (SH51, SH71, SH91, etc.) Norelco blade/cage into the existing housing? Any other than SH30? Which ones and why?
Hi Tony,
In theory, yes. Here is a picture of a Series 3000 with three different heads (from the top, clockwise): SH30, SH71, SH91.
But you won’t necessarily get a massive performance boost just by upgrading the blades as the motor of the Series 3000 is not as powerful as the units in the more advanced shavers. So upgrading to the SH91 for example won’t transform it into a Prestige. Moreover, I’ve noticed that with the SH91 a Series 3000 feels a bit slower, maybe because these are dual-track heads that require more power for the three shafts to drive them seamlessly.
I think the SH71 would make the most sense, all things considered (performance and price).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Does it mean I can use SH71 instead of SH30?
Yes, SH71 will fit just fine.
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks a lot for your great article.
I have not used any shaver machine before.
Currently, I would like to purchase one and still can not decide which one is fit to me.
I am considering the 7000 series (model 7200) and 9000 series (model 9400). Which one is good if the closeness, comfortable shaving (my skin is sensitive) and budget are the criteria to choose?
Regards,
Duy
Hi Duy,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
If the budget allows, I would get the 9400. It is more powerful and comes with better, dual-track blades. If you’ve decided that a rotary (and not a foil shaver) would work better for you, the 9400 offers a lot at this price point. Performance-wise, only the more expensive Prestige models are better, but not significantly better.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for replying.
Is Philips shaver machine suitable for sensitive skin? If not, could you recommend me another brand?
And do I need to buy the clean pod? Is it necessy?
Regards,
Duy
My pleasure. I addressed the Pod issue as well in the reply to your second comment here. :-)
If you’ve never used an electric shaver, a foil model is generally a safer pick. Braun is usually the brand to get if you have sensitive skin, even though Philips shavers have gotten better in that regard as well. You can check out my picks in this guide.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks much for your great article.
I would like to get your advices.
I have not used any shaver machine before. And I want to purchase a shaver machine to use.
So which model is better for the new user like me if the closeness, comfortable shaving (my skin is sensitive) and budget are the criteria to choose?
I am considering the series 5000, series 7000 (model 7200) and series 9000(model 9400). But maybe I just need to choose between series 5000 and series 9000 because you said that series 7000 is pretty the same series 5000.
And do I need to buy a model with clean pod included? Is the clean pod necessary?
Regards,
Duy
Hi Duy,
I already replied to your initial comment right above.
As for the cleaning pod, it is not necessary, but still pretty useful despite its shortcomings. It makes more sense to get one especially with the higher-end shavers like the Series 9000 or S9000 Prestige as the models that include it are usually only slightly more expensive.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for replying.
Is Philips shaver machine suitable for sensitive skin? If not, could you recommend me another brand?
And could I use the normal shave foam with the shaver machine?
Regards,
Duy
Hi Duy,
Please see my reply to your previous comment here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the insightful analysis. I’ve been overthinking my next shaver purchase for years and could really use your help. Here’s my situation:
– I’m a rotary shaver user. I tried a Braun 9260 foil shaver but was unsatisfied and returned it within 100 days.
– I love Philips shavers but don’t mind switching brands. I own a Xiaomi S500, which I bought for its price, but it doesn’t meet my needs.
– My current shaver is a Philips HQ8150, which I like, especially for its dual track heads (even though I’ve learned it’s only a 3000 series).
– I’m wary of new angular head designs since I often have a goatee and am concerned it would be difficult to maintain.
– I also prefer an integrated trimmer like the one on my HQ8150. The click-on options seem a bit fiddly.
– Lastly, while I value quality and good results, I’m not keen on paying for “prestige”.
Given these preferences, could you recommend an electric shaver that fits my needs?
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
All things considered, I think the Series 9000 meets most of the requirements. I don’t think there’s a shaver that checks all the boxes, unfortunately.
The Series 9000 comes with the SH91 dual-track heads, just like the Prestige. But unlike the Prestige, it has an integrated trimmer and its performance is almost as good (the Prestige feels more refined and a bit more powerful in the highest speed setting).
Another option would be the older generation Prestige that still uses the rounded heads, but it has a separate click-on trimmer and doesn’t use the flip-open head. I think the old Prestige is a viable option as well, but it comes down to what you prefer (better ergonomics or an integrated trimmer). Strictly from a performance point of view, the older Prestige is a bit better than the current Series 9000. It also costs quite a bit more.
I got used to the larger angular heads of the Series 9000 (and the new Prestige), but can’t say with certainty that it’ll be the same for everyone.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your answer. It confirms what I was thinking (unfortunately).
I’ll take some time to explore your website more thoroughly and read your other articles. I noticed you’ve reviewed products from other manufacturers as well. Perhaps Philips isn’t the only game in town for rotary shavers. I have seen Remingtons in some shops. But let me go through your articles first; don’t spoil it for me!
Thanks again!
I just came across this article. It was exactly what I was looking for. I’ve started to read it and look forward to finishing it as I am moving into the electric shaver world. Thank you for taking all of the time to provide an unbiased report. I’m going to look to see if you’ve done something similar on Braun. After I read this I believe you will save me a lot of money when it gets right down to it. So once again thank you for your time and effort.
Scott,
Thank you so much for the kind comment. I do have a similar guide on Braun shavers here and another one on Panasonic here. Hope you’ll find the info useful in choosing your first shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Unbelievably great work. I’ve been a Philips rotary user for years and can honestly plug the new 9000 Prestige; the quietest, fastest, most effective shaver I ever used. I purchased it with a lot of research from this site. Thanks!
Andrew,
Many thanks for the kind comment — I’m glad you enjoy shaving with your new Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
What an insight to Philips shavers!
As a lifelong Philips man, looking for a new shaver, your in depth explanation of all their models has been very helpful.
Thank you N. Chisholm.
Thank you so much for the kind comment. I appreciate it and I’m glad you found the info useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So glad I discovered your site; thanks for the amazing detail and thoroughness! I’m new to the cleaning pod and never had a P/N model with automatic cleaning before recently upgrading to the SP9841. Can you briefly tell me more about the solution itself? It’s detergent and lubricant? Do you think it’s objectively good? Do you think using it a couple times per week is better than my current approach (super thorough, high volume water rinse after every dry shave; lubricant spray once per week)?
Thanks again for everything! Just discovered your site and have literally spent 3 nights browsing your content!
Andrew,
Thank you so much for the kind comment and for taking the time to read the articles.
I think the Philips solution is perfectly suitable for rotary shavers that don’t require as much lubrication as a foil shaver. It is indeed detergent-based and using the pod will be more practical first and foremost. All these cleaning devices are not necessary, but can make your life easier. Your manual cleaning routine also sounds very good, so it’s really up to you. You can even alternate between the two since the pod cartridge can be easily stored for future use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the reply and the good advice. I think that’s exactly what I’ll do; continue using the shower head to give an excellent water cleaning after every shave and, once per week, or even twice, doing either/or a good lubrication or the cleaning pod. You are right that the pod sure does make it easy since each individual blade/guard/locking ring does not have to be disassembled, lubricated and reassembled. Thanks again for this specific reply and the great website!
That sounds great, Andrew. Thank you also for the feedback, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article. I have being using solely Phillips products for shaving for the past 55 years. I have experienced a problem first with a series 5000 shaver and now with my series 9000. I find that the shaving head assembly easily detaches from the shaver body during shaving, especially when shaving my neck. This will happen multiple times during a shave, even when only slight pressure is applied. I have complained to Phillips service which is now sending me a new 9000 body gratis. Any suggestions to keeping the shaving head assembly attached to the body?
Hi Dan,
Thank you for the comment.
That is a rather uncommon issue and I’ve only had one other user reaching out to me about it (he owned the first generation Prestige and eventually switched to a Panasonic Arc 5).
The Series 9000, 7000, 5000 etc. head units have a rather crude fitting but should nevertheless stay in place. The fact that the same thing happened with both the 5000 and 9000 makes me think that you may be pressing too hard on one of the three heads during use, and this uneven pressure can cause the head to snap out of its place.
My suggestion would be to make sure the head is securely in place and then only apply gentle, even pressure on the entire head unit when shaving, ideally with all three heads flat on the skin. This might be a bit tricky to execute when you shave right below the nose for example and you have to use a single head — just try not to press too hard on it.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I had a Braun Series 7 that failed at two years old so I read your reviews which I found online. I have used foil shavers for years (I am 78 by the way and have always used electrics) because I thought they did the best job and had not had a good experience with rotary shavers. I swallowed hard at the price but took your advice and bought the Phillips Norelco Prestige. All I can say is wow does it do a great job. I had to adjust my technique to properly take advantage of its design but my shave is quite close and comfortable when I take a little more time to be thorough. It is also so quiet that I initially thought it was running at a reduced speed. It is a GREAT shaver and probably the best one I have had so far. Thanks for the great reviews.
Hi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment — I’m glad you found the site useful and you ended up buying a shaver that works great for you. The Prestige is pricey, but it is objectively the best rotary you can get right now. The quietness is always a bonus when switching from (any) foil machine.
Enjoy shaving with your new Philips!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi great review, can you tell me the difference between the old S6000 (S6680) and the old S7000 (S7970) many thanks
Hi David,
Thank you for the comment, really glad you found the info useful.
The main difference are the shaving heads. Precisely, the old Series 6000 S6680 (this is a European model) comes with SH50 blades, while the S7970 uses the SH70 that were discontinued and replaced with the gentler SH71. So the S7970 will be more comfortable (once you upgrade the blades to the SH71). The SH50 are grabbier and can come across as too aggressive if you have sensitive skin.
As a side note, the old Series 6000 that I mentioned in the post above is the American version that comes with the excellent SH60 blades, very comfortable and very capable and in my opinion better than the European models. On the other hand, there’s no cleaning station available with the American Series 6000.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu,
can the S6680 also be used with more capable and comfortable blades than the SH50?
Thanks for your great comparison. :)
Hi Christian,
Glad you found the info useful. You can use the SH60 blades which are in my opinion superior (gentler and more effective).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Are there any replaceable cutter heads for RQ1280? It seems to have been discontinued.
Hi,
Only the SH70 blades (pretty difficult to find in 2024) will work with shavers that used the original RQ12 heads, unfortunately.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Salut
Despre modelul din seria 9 phillips S9980/59 nu ati spus nimic.
Cu ce se deosebeste de SP9872/15 ? Este mai bun sau este acelasi lucru ?
Multumesc.
Hi,
You didn’t say anything about the phillips S9980/59 series 9 model.
How does it differ from SP9872/15? Is it better or is it the same?
Thank you.
Hi Dan,
The S9980/59 is a Series 9000 (non-Prestige) just like the American variations mentioned in the post (Shaver 9400, 9500 and 9800). The only differences are related to color and included accessories.
The SP9872/15 is an S9000 Prestige model, so it is slightly better than the S9980/59. Having used both the standard Series 9000 and Prestige models, the main pros of the Prestige (at least in my experience) are as follows:
– it’s a bit more powerful (also smoother/more refined) in the highest power setting. This makes it more enjoyable and allows you to shave a bit faster.
– the handle has better ergonomics, the grip is more comfortable and doesn’t feel as large as the non-Prestige Series 9000 (like the S9980/59)
– the cutter holders (the 3 plastic saddles that flex independently) glide easier on the skin; that, along with the aforementioned aspects make the Prestige models more pleasant to use
As for the quality of the shave, it is similar since both use the SH91 heads and the shavers are again more similar than different.
The S9980/59 does have its own pros: an integrated hair trimmer and a crisper display.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this article. It is the best and most helpful article I have ever seen on these shavers.
I think I will upgrade to the SH-91 heads on my 5000. While this shaver is not the closest shave, I like how efficient it is, even with only one ring of blades. It has grown on me the last few years.
And while I really like the old Quadra actions paired with a Vollco sharpening kit, for time and convenience I would probably just buy one of the lower level Norelcos with round heads.
And on a side note, these rotaries are my go to for traveling via flights as the foils just get too hot without a cooling spray such as Andis.
You’re very kind, Mike, glad you found the post useful.
Hope you’ll enjoy the upgraded blades in your 5000. I agree about foil shavers getting hot — my travel shaver of choice is a compact Panasonic Arc 5 and I always carry a small bottle of oil with me. Not as effective in cooling the blades as a spray, but it’ll do for a week or two.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
What a great article !
Thanks for letting me know finally all the Philips’ blade differences.
I was getting crazy how lift&cut technology was not mentioned any more by philips.
I found now that I was using super lift and cut so it seems difficult to find such replacement blades.
I’m also a Philips razor user for more of 15 years now.
I’ve started with a Philips HQ6761/01 with Cool skin system
then upgrade to RQ1175 21 Series 7000 Senso Touch Shaver with automatic POD (https://www.philips.com.sg/c-p/RQ1175_21/-).
and a few years ago I’ve bought the PHILIPS S9031 but still using the support and Pod from 7000
So that explains why I felt that s7000 was giving me a better shaving look
than the s9000.
It’s been a difficult task to find the correct replacement blades but your article explains it nicely. Thanks again for that !
Let’s see if I can still find the Super ones ;)
Cheers
Ravi
Hi Ravi,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad you found the info useful.
Longtime Philips users do tend to prefer the older SuperLift&Cut blades for the extra bite. The newer SH91 however offer a really good balance of closeness and comfort in and they will fit your S9031, so definitely consider them if you can’t find the older SH90 anymore.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Which models can be charged from a usb outlet? Struggling to get info out of Phillips UK.
Hi Hugh,
For Philips each series I have a comparison table of the most popular models in the article above. The ones that come with a USB cable have that specified in the table. That said, even the shavers that come with a conventional Philips charger can be charged from a USB outlet if you purchase a Philips-to-USB-A cable. You can find such cables on Amazon as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What a wonderful detailed article! I hope you can help me with my problem.
There was a Phillips Norelco model that was considered the Gold Standard that my Dad used and loved. He will be 100 in December. The company gave me the name of the only repair shop that services these older models, either in the Bronx or Brooklyn NY. They are so swamped they kept putting me off, “call back in six months” was the standard line. I packaged it up and put all my notes in the box till I got the green light to ship. Don’t ask me how, but it got thrown away!!! I don’t have the model number or the info on the repair shop and wish to replace what was lost. Please help if possible , I would love to know which model was considered the best and what model to buy now. I will check eBay if we can find what he originally used, if not your suggestion what is being marketed now that would be most like the older(ancient) one. I know you concentrated on what was available for 2024 but thought with your knowledge base you could guide me. Thank you for your time and advice.
Kate
Hi Kate,
I’m so sorry about what happened with your father’s shaver. It would be impossible to say which was the Gold standard as there’s no official ranking or anything, but my money would be on an old Norelco Speed-XL with RQ9 triple-track heads. For example, here is such a model, maybe you can tell if it looks similar to the one that got lost.
Replacing it with one of the currently available models would be very difficult because Philips now only makes entry-level models with the same form factor (Series 1000, 2000 and 3000) and those use very basic single-track blades. So the performance won’t be as good.
The high-end models that come with more powerful motors and better blades, like the S9000 Prestige, are quite a bit larger and use a different head unit that fits into the body of the shaver. The switch to such a shaver after many years of using another model may not be so seamless.
But probably the best bet/compromise would be the Series 6000 with rounded heads, like the 6880/81 Shaver 6800 available on Amazon or even the old S9000 Prestige with rounded heads. Alternatively, you may be able to buy a pre-owned Norelco model like the one that got lost. It would be very helpful if you could find the model name or at least an image of it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
That’s a wonderful article.
I have an old 6000 series with an only one track blades. This one : https://www.philips.fr/c-dam/b2c/category-pages/personal-care/faceshavers/master/series-6000/uk/philips-shavers-series-6000-flexible-heads-l.jpg
I found it very slow to shave when I compare it to my old other shaver https://www.philips.fr/c-p/HQ9160_16/smarttouch-xl-rasoir-electrique
Instead of buying a new one, do you think that I can fit on the 6000 a SH91 blades in order to have 2 tracks ?
Alternatively I can go back to my old smarttouch XL but I find that the blades are a little bit too harsh now for my skin and I think that I couldn’t replace them.
Best regards
Hi Fab,
Thanks so much for the kind comments. The old SpeedXL series was outstanding, unfortunately it’s been long discontinued and the replacement HQ9 heads are also gone.
The SH91 should fit just fine, but I don’t think the performance jump will be significant despite the two tracks. The motor will still be the same and the extra track will add a bit more friction, so it may even feel a bit slower.
Right now the S9000 Prestige is the best Philips you can buy, but the price is a lot higher compared to a Series 6000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu
Thanks for putting all of this info together.
I would really appreciate your feedback:
I am looking for a shaver to replace a foil attachment for my Wahl Aqua Blade which is way past its best.
In terms of my face, I don’t clean shave, I keep a beard but like to use the shaver to maintain really clean lines – cheeks and neck. The foil worked well as it is a flat/straight profile. Predictable, I would say.
However, I’ve completely shaved my head for the last few years but tend to only keep it as short as the bare blade on my Aqua Blade.
I’m keen to try a rotary shaver as I found trying a Babyliss Pro very time consuming. Yet it was good for the beard lines.
Do you think a rotary shaver is capable of maintaining clean lines and acting as a head shaver?
Nearly pulled the plug on the Philips 3000 but saw there’s a 5000 in the UK for not much more but comes with 100 day money back guarantee.
I see 2 variations of the 5000 – 1 with round flex pads, the other with the pentagon flex pads. I assume the round version is simply an older model? Based on your feedback, I think the round version could be preferable. And cheaper!
My alternative was to try a foil again – the Braun series 3 proskin.
Kind regards
D
Hi Dez,
Thank you for the comment.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly, you will keep using the Aqua Blade as a beard trimmer and possibly on your head (no attachment) to pre-trim the hair before shaving it clean with an electric shaver.
I don’t think a rotary will allow you to clean up the cheeks and neck as easily and precisely as a foil shaver with a compact head. It will likely not cut the hair as close as the BaByliss Pro either. I would rather keep using that one as it’s better suited for this particular use case.
A double-foil shaver like the BaByliss is ideal for finishing touches; shaving the entire head, just like you’ve said, will be lengthy, despite the excellent closeness.
A rotary will likely be easier and faster to use as a head shaver. The closeness is good enough, but again, probably not quite as good as what you’ll get from a foil shaver with very thin foils.
The 5000 with rounded heads is either the old generation or the S5466/18; if it’s the latter, then the one with the pentagonal heads is a bit better. If you could share a link or model name for both that would be great.
I don’t think the Series 3 ProSkin would be faster than the BaByliss as a head shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks for the reply.
You got it right – I will continue to use my Aqua blade for trimming and setting the edges of my beard. I currently only use this with no guard to shave my head.
I’m thinking perhaps a rotary in this case is unsuitable for the neck and cheeks.
I don’t have the Babyliss Pro – I just had chance to try it.
I was trying to get 1 shaver that would be suitable for tidying up clean lines on my neck and face as well as being suitable for shaving my head. 1 size fits all.
However, now I’m thinking perhaps I should use dedicated shavers. For the neck and cheeks, am I correct in thinking a Braun series 3 proskin or Babyliss Pro would be more accurate than, say, a Panasonic Arc 5?
Then finally, I would need something else for my head. Maybe a Remington RX7. Although, none of the dedicated head shavers tend to get particularly great reviews. That said, I actually don’t mind the shaver not leaving a completely razor-like finish. Any suggestions here – head shavers or general rotary shavers?
Kind regards
D
You are very welcome, Dez.
You would be correct in assuming that a foil shaver with a slimmer/more compact head would be more suitable for tidying up small areas. I think the BaByliss Pro double-foil is particularly well suited for this as it cuts the hair very close and only has two staggered foil elements. The Series 3 is also very nimble, but not nearly as bitey and close-shaving as the BaByliss. The Arc 5 also shaves very close, but the large head is probably a bit too cumbersome for this use case.
A Braun Series 9 Pro/PRO+ would probably be the best compromise for a 1 size fits all tool. The head is still quite small for a 4-blade shaver and you can lock it in a convenient position (there are 5 to choose from) and I think it’ll easily be good enough for touch ups. As for shaving your head, it is the fastest, most comfortable conventional foil shaver I’ve used so far. The closeness will also be satisfactory. I think you’ll be able to shave your head faster vs the BaByliss and it’s also gentler and more forgiving.
That said, the fastest would probably still be a dedicated rotary head shaver. You mentioned the RX7 which is arguably the safest pick. Skull Shaver reliability still seems somewhat spotty and I wouldn’t recommend any of the newer rotary head shavers from unknown brands that keep popping up and the marketing and prices are quite aggressive. Getting a dedicated head shaver would of course mean you’ll need a separate shaver for the cheeks and neck, with the BaByliss Pro being among the better picks out there.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A little follow up. Yes I do love my Braun 9 Sport + from Costco. However, before buying that, I ordered a Phillips Norelco 6 series, (the old type with round heads), from ebay, which arrived last week.
It has the SH60 double ring heads, which in the future I can swap out for the SH91s.
It actually shaves pretty nice, although I still prefer the Braun. So the Phillips I will take with me for my travel shaver.
BTW it was an “open box” item which appears to be perfectly new to me. I paid around $65 for it, which I feel is good value.
I noticed you mentioned that the new Phillips 6000 series runs at ~2,000RPM.
Do you know if the old 6000s run at the same speed?
Thanks!
Yes, it should be the same ~2000 RPM unit. You got a fantastic deal on the old Series 6000 btw and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is a great article! Thanks so much for writing this up. I had a bit of a niche question about the newer s9000 prestige if you might have an answer. I have an older Norelco s9000(one with the older circular blade design) that was perfect for me because I also happen to get a very bushy uni brow, and I discovered the blade for the Norelco was the perfect size to get into that unibrow gap and shave it without getting the rest of my eyebrows. I’m looking to upgrade but my main concern is that this new blade shape is going to be too big for my uni brow.
Hi Mark,
Many thanks for the comment.
I think it should still be fine — the size of the actual rotary head is the same, so only the plastic holder is larger. Or better said, longer. The width is more or less the same so it should still fit between the brows. And again, if there’s some overlap, it’ll be just the plastic part as the actual metal cutter is the same size as before.
Hopefully this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Awesome article.
Thanks so much ! You save us!
By the way, I have an old Philips PT860 model.
May I know which is the like for like replacement model?
Thanks so much!
Hi,
Thank you for the kind comment.
From the current models, a Series 3000 like the Shaver 3600 can be considered a replacement model. It has the same form factor and ergonomics and a very similar hair trimmer. The cutting heads are different, with the Series 3000 using the SH30, while your shaver needs the HQ8 or SH50. The SH30 are gentler and not as bitey in my experience.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much!
Just to clarify my understanding.
Basically there are just 3 motor speed in Philips range.
Most powerful motor is from
9000 series.
3600 is using a faster/powerful motor vs other 3000 series , 1000 & 2000 series.
Is my understanding correct?
You are very welcome.
The most powerful is the one in the 9000 Prestige when using the shaver in the highest power setting (there are 3 user-selectable modes). The non-Prestige Series 9000 and 8000 use a slightly slower motor. Then comes the Series 7000, 6000 and 5000, all using a lower rated motor compared to the 8000 and 9000.
Only now comes the Series 3000 in this hierarchy, but the difference between a 7000 and a 3000 Series motor isn’t massive. All Series 3000 use the same motor, but the 3600 is usually the one to get thanks to its price and availability.
The 1000 and 2000 series use even slower motors, the only exception being the Shaver 2500 in the Series 2000 that uses the same motor as the Series 3000.
In the article above I mention the RPM for the motor of each series if you also want some actual numbers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Philips S5444/03 Shaver series 5000 Wet and dry electric shaver, Dark Royal Blue is the same
Price as 3600.
Is it a better buy?
https://amzn.asia/d/dREaDXt
It’s not — on the contrary. It has a 40 min NiMh battery, while the 3600 has a better Li-ion battery with up 60 minutes of cordless use. Both use the SH30 blades, so that Series 5000 is more of Series 3000 in disguise. The true Series 5000 uses the SH71 heads.
Also, the S5444/03 doesn’t have an integrated trimmer and comes with a separate attachment. The form factor of the 3600 is arguably more ergonomic as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu.
Which one do you recommend Philips S3343/13 or S5885/10 ?
Price both is same now in my city?
Thanks
Hi Meran,
The S5885/10 uses slightly better blades (more cutting edges, so more effective), but has the larger angular heads, so it’s not as user friendly as S3343/13. The latter also has an integrated hair trimmer instead of the separate attachment. The battery is the same for both. I think they are equally good options (with the aforementioned differences), but I would recommend them to someone with rather lighter stubble.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu !
The marketing gimmicks and models are so confusing. Really appreciate the help here. I will buy the 3600. You have a good day. Cheers!
You’re very welcome, glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Excellent and helpful review.
I don’t see what I assume is the discontinued 5000X (X5006/85) mentioned. As one is available for $49 in the US, it seems like a great deal. I am curious if the the SH30 blades in the 5000X (X5006/85) be replaced with the SH71s or SH91s?
Thanks.
Ivan
Hi Ivan,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I only mentioned the 5000X in the Series 3000 overview above because in my opinion it’s essentially a Series 3000 with a sleeker design (despite its name). It is a great deal and you can use both the SH71 and SH91 blades.
I would however not recommend the latter as the motor in the 5000X is less torquey than the one in the Series 8000 and 9000/Prestige and because the SH91 has two tracks, they require more power to turn the blades (more friction). As a result, the shaver will just feel slow and any benefits of the more capable SH91 heads will be lost.
The SH71 has more blades than the SH30 (15 vs 9), so should be more effective. Again more blades means more friction but in this case the power loss won’t really be noticeable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the detailed reply.
I also bought the 5000x, because it’s the first Philips shaver in a long time that can stand upright without a stand.
One major drawback is that it can’t be used while charging, making it unusable if the battery dies over time. And it seems like replacing the battery is a challenge, if not impossible. Do other models also refuse to run while charging?
The 5000x *does* flip open for cleaning and the shaving heads have separate retaining rings.
Hi Frank,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of current Philips shavers will only work cordless. There are only a few models you can use while charging and those are in the very basic Series 1000 or 2000, so the performance is not great.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I stumbled upon your website by chance and found the information really interesting and helpful. I have a question about Philips razors from the 9000 series.
What’s the difference, for example, between a Philips S9974 and an S9985? Is it just the included accessories, or the power, or are there other differences?
Thank you for your attention, and once again, compliments on your great work!
Hi Lorenzo,
Thank you for the kind comment.
It’s just the included accessories, so I would base my decision on those and on the price of course. The power, battery, shaving heads and performance are identical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hiya Ovidiu,
Thank you very much for the guide, luckily I read your article before buying, on this Black Friday, many sellers are selling an S5466 at 2/3 the price of the regular 5 series, your article pointed out that it actually uses SH30 blades and has a smaller battery, so I avoided this trap.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for the comment, glad the info about the S5466 was helpful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you. Old skool pro tech rewiew.
Otto,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated. Glad you found the info useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is incredibly useful. Thank you so much. Doesn’t help that these companies sell the exact same damn shavers in 10 different model codes to make price comparison harder for the consumer. I picked up a 9000 non-prestige as it’s 200usd vs 270usd for the prestige currently
Thank you so much, Paul, glad the info was useful.
I agree entirely, it’s just a puzzling number of models and variations. I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Series 9000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, your reviews are absolutely amazing, and the level of detail is truly fantastic! I’ve been purchasing and using various Philips Norelco shavers since 1994, and until reading your article, I mistakenly believed that Philips had acquired Norelco at some point.
The best shaving experience I’ve ever had was with the Norelco 8250XL. Unfortunately, the units I’ve purchased since then haven’t matched its exceptional shave quality. I also much prefer a built-in pop-up sideburn trimmer over the newer models with multiple attachments. On top of that, it’s a bit disappointing that my older charging cords are no longer compatible for travel, especially since I have so many of them.
Would you recommend the 8000 series as a suitable replacement for the 8250XL? I really miss that shaver— my puppy literally chewed it up, along with the nylon case! Otherwise, I’m certain I’d still be using it today
Steve,
Thank you for the kind comment, glad you found the reviews useful.
The old SpeedXL Norelcos were among the best rotaries ever made and also extremely reliable.
Currently, the S9000 Prestige is objectively the best rotary out there but it doesn’t have an integrated pop-up trimmer. So the next in line would be the Series 9000 or 8000 (both are identical performance-wise). These shavers use the same dual-track heads as the Prestige, but the motor is slightly less powerful. The performance is still solid.
The Series 8000 is primarily an option for European buyers, while the Series 9000 is the best option in the USA (I would consider either a Shaver 9500 or 9800 — whichever costs less).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I wish every product analysis and review was as comprehensive & detailed as yours. Brilliantly informative. I have a +15 year old Philips Arcitec RQ1060 takes a RQ10 shaver blade/head. All original & after 15 years that same blade is as good as new. Alas the motor is becoming noisy and weak. I think 15+ years old is outside any warranty!! Has a brilliant cleaning mechanism you plug in. I purchased a 5 series, it feels like a brick & has a silly rectangular head with enormous surrounds. Talk about stretching nose, lips & ears + it does not provide a close shave like my Arcitec. I can source a Prestige SP9862/14 although at a price, round heads. A few questions to test your shaver knowledge. 1 does it have an integrated trimmer? 2 if charging pad goes wrong does the pad for the rectangular Prestige also work with it? Is it the same as the new Prestige in that the USB port is dumb? I’m probably going to order the round head SP9862/14 albeit the price is high but if it does 15+ years again….. I just don’t want to order it if the charging pad goes wrong, cannot be replaced as old model making the main unit redundant. Thanks & appreciated, William UK
Hi William,
Thank you for the kind comment.
The Prestige does not have an integrated trimmer, so it comes with a separate attachment that you must constantly swap (not very practical).
You can use the rectangular Prestige pad or any Qi pad for that matter — I tried a generic one that I got for my phone and works just fine.
Regarding the port of the SP9862/14 (it’s a Philips port, not USB), I cannot confirm if it works or it’s a dummy. My rounded heads Prestige is the basic one with wired charging, not the wireless model. And user reports regarding the port of the wireless models like the SP9862/14 are conflicting — some say that it works, others that it doesn’t. I’m afraid I don’t have more reliable info right now. Hope I’ll be able to source a shaver and test it myself. I can confirm that the port on the new one with rectangular heads does not work.
But as I mentioned, you will be able to charge it with any Qi wireless pad.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for such a quick response Ovidiu. Your response on the charging pad has swung it for me so I’m going to dig deep & get the SP9862 before the last few are sold, retailer has eight left. I was concerned that as the SP9862 was an outgoing model something as silly as the charging pad going wrong would render the shaver useless but as it works with other charging pads that’s sold it for me. The blades are the same as the 9000 rectangular SH91 so I know they will be around for a while. If any of your readers look at this I purchased the rectangular 5000, it’s large, bulky and useless for around nose, upper lip & ears and the shave is not close. My 15 year old Arictec RQ1060 with the original blades is so much closer. Real science, I can do a full shave with the 5000, empty the chamber then run a second shave which produces nothing in the chamber, it does not feel close. I then straight after carry out a shave with my Arcitec and it goes much closer and the chamber shows quite a collection (three chambers as each head individually lifts up) proving it’s shaving closer. The plug in electric head cleaner is pure artwork. I had been using distilled water with a small amount of washing up liquid as Philips had long discontinued the cleaning solution. Why oh why does something so old out perform the latest? Hopefully the round head SP9862 Prestige will serve me as well as the Arcitec. I will order spare parts such as the plastic retaining clips, lesson learnt with products that are perfectly good being rendered useless for the sake of a small cheap part discontinued. So much for a policy of sustainability. Probably a bit unfair on Philips as it did last 15 years & it was the motor noise and a change in power that made me buy the horrid 5000. Many thanks again for such a quick response. Your site is now in my ‘favourites’ William
William,
You are very welcome — thank you for favoriting the site, much appreciated.
The SH71 heads of the 5000 are quite milder vs the ones in your Arcitec ( a lot bitier). The Prestige SP9862 comes with the SH98 heads which have been discontinued, but as you’ve said, the SH91 fit perfectly and are the official replacements and will be around for a long time. I actually think you’ll even like them slightly more than the SH98 thanks to the double-edge (Lift&Cut) design. But the SH98 are still great, very smooth and effective.
The locking rings are of great quality, metal+plastic, so they’re sturdy and should be durable.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I couldn’t leave my comment before because I have been clapping my hands until now, when I finished reading your article from “a” to “z”.
It is absolutely excellent, clear and helpfull.
Thank you so much!
Theo, you are too kind, thank you for the comment. Glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Right now the series 3000 and the 5000x are basically the same price. Which would you recommend?
I would still get the Series 3000 for the hinged flip-open head and integrated trimmer. You must pry-off the 5000x head with your fingers/nails, so it’s not as practical. The two shavers use the same motor and blades, so the performance will be the same otherwise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Also i currently have a at810 which needs new blades. Is the newer series 3000 better than the at810(old series 4000)?
I wouldn’t say it’s better, but the blades of the newer Series 3000 (SH30) are gentler and not as bitey compared to the ones on your AT810 (SH50). Seasoned users might not find the Series 3000 to shave quite as close because of that. Personally, I prefer the 3000 because it’s more comfortable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent summation of these shavers. Very informative. You fail to mention the CareTouch designation on the “lower end” shavers such as the 3000 series. The replacement cutters are labeled “Comfort Cut” on these shavers and are specifically designed to prevent ingrown hairs. These are excellent shavers for this purpose. The later model “lift and cut” shavers, on the other hand, are not recommended for anyone looking to avoid the razor bump problem. “Lift and cut” is a disastrous shaving technology for avoiding razor bumps for anyone struggling with this problem.
Hi Victor,
Many thanks for the comment, glad the info was useful.
The Series 3000 shavers do use single-edge blades (so no Lift&Cut technology). These are not the only ones though, the current Series 1000, 2000, and 6000 also using no Lift&Cut blades. I did mention this in the Key features of a Philips razor at number 3 (Double vs single-edge blade design).
That said, the series that come with Lift&Cut blades, the Series 5000, 7000, 8000, 9000 and 9000 Prestige use an improved design of the old Super Lift&Cut, significantly less aggressive. I used to dislike the old Super Lift&Cut as they gave me terrible razor burn, but the new version is a lot better. I think someone with a predisposition to razor bumps can finally consider them, eve though the non-Lift&Cut shavers are a safer pick.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent guide, very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for the comment, Denis, glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Don’t replace heads, do a DEEP clean first. In my case, although they were not working very well, they didn’t need replacing, just a deep clean.
I decided to seriously clean mine (HQ9’s which don’t appear to be available anymore). Periodically I’ve cleaned/washed/rinsed and even ultrasonically cleaned them. But that’s not enough.
This time I decided to do a DEEP DEEP CLEAN. I rinsed, brushed, soaked, used the ultrasonic cleaner, and repeated and repeated again various steps. But under magnification I could see they were still cruded up between the two metal pieces per cutter. So I went to the garage and soaked them in carburetor cleaner (it’s the first thing I saw that would help dissolve the oil based crud). I then brushed, rinsed, washed (mostly to get the cleaner smell off) until really clean. Finally I used toothpaste (google toothpaste rotary shavers), which at this time is mostly a polisher. A little light oil (baby oil in my case) to lube the cutters. I spent hours including soak times. Now, under magnification, they are CLEAN. BTW … keep the cutters matched to their foils!
OMG … They work SO WELL. Maybe better than new. I have to be careful not to push as hard as before. The old ones are back in service and the replacements (different desigh than the HQ9’s) back in their box.
Hey,
Many thanks for taking the time to share this.
Cleaning can make a huge difference, I always try to convey how important it is. Glad you managed to to rejuvenate your shaver, the HQ9 heads have been long discontinued and are some of the best heads Philips ever made.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a 7 yr old AT811 (4200) Norelco Shaver that is in need of replacement blades. They came with HQ8 blades which are no longer available (except for probably counterfeit sources). The replacement blades are listed as SH50 but I have seen on another site that you can use the SH30 blades that are cheaper and more comfortable. Do you know if that is correct? Thank you for your help. Your report is fantastic.
Hi Keith,
The SH30 should fit fine. The plastic hub of the blades is the same and even though the guards are different (with the SH50 using winglets to lock them in place), the AT811 use a retainer that locks the SH30 guards in place by sliding into the tiny notches on the rim.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
I currenly have a Philips PT870/16 Powertouch, which, if I amnot mistaken, was part of the 5000 series back then, whenever year I bought it.
Looking for a new shaver and reading your great article, I conclude the latest 3000 series is very much alike my PT870. However I would prefer an upgrade.
I find interesting offers for the moment, either a S5898/35 for 114 € or a S8696/35 – which costs normally around 190€ – at a discount price of 169€ and a cashback from Philips of 40€, thus 129€, The difference being not that much, I nevertheless would like your opinion.
Besides that, I have a question. I do not understand Philips when they add a USB and not let the buyer use his old wired charger. This means I have to use (or buy) another charger but how quick/strong should that one be? 5W? 25W 50W? Given the fact mobile phones charge quick these days, it’s unclear to me if any fast phone charger can be used or instead the wattage is limited.
Can you enlighten this?
Greetings from Belgium
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for the comment.
Given that you’d like an upgrade and also considering the prices of the available shavers, I would definitely get the S8696/35. It’s a significant upgrade over both the Series 3000 and even 5000, with better dual-track blades and a more powerful motor.
Regarding the newer models with the USB cables, I think the reasoning was to prevent the use of the old chargers with different voltage (for example 15v). USB chargers almost always output 5v and these newer Philips shavers for some reason require a much lower voltage.
I tried a few USB chargers of various wattage and didn’t seem to make a difference to the time it takes to charge the shaver, so it’s probably capped pretty low.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidio
Thank you for your reply, however I am a bit confused now.
Or I am stuck in a language hick-up as my English is far from perfect. I am just a bit lost here.
When you write :
“I would definitely get the S5898/35. It’s a significant upgrade over both the Series 3000 and even 5000, with better dual-track blades and a more powerful motor.”
I think the S5898 has no double-track blades out of the box. Also isn’t the motor the same motor as the 3000 series? If I am right I think your advise to me is to buy the S8696/35 for 129€ after cash-back as the price difference is little.
Am I correct?
And about the charger: so I can use any decent phone charger? (as I have some lying around – who doesn’t?)
Thank you again for your advise
Greetings from Belgium
Hi Patrick,
I apologize for the error — I meant the S8696/35, not S5898/35. I edited my original reply as well.
Yes, you can definitely use any decent phone charger.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the article on the Philips Series Shavers. It was really helpful to have someone explain the differences. I have owned a Series 5000 for the last 2 years and it’s been great. What I find confusing is trying to find out which 5000 series shavers have the quick clean cycle. My shaver (S5588/30) didn’t come with a cleaning pod but I have since purchased one. I have to manual turn it on and off. The quick clean cycle doesn’t work when I turn the shaver on in the pod. When I purchased the cleaning pod the Philips website did say it was compatible with my shaver. Is it the case that 5000 series shavers which come with a cleaning pod have the quick clean cycle enabled and 5000 series shavers which come without a cleaning pod don’t have quick clean cycle. Any clarification on this would much appreciated. An updated 5000 series model – S5887/13 – does this have the quick clean cycle?
Hi,
Thank you for the comment, glad the info was useful.
In short, the Series 5000 shavers that did originally come with a pod will have the cleaning mode enabled. The ones without a pod probably lack some hardware (like an accelerometer that can tell when the shaver is completely still and upside down, so sitting inside the pod) or would need a firmware update in case the accelerometer is present after all.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey
Was wondering if there is any difference between how it charges for 5000 and 9000 in Europe? I bought a 5000 series that has a charging cable as well as a charging stand but no adapter to actually plug into the wall socket. I prefer it this way as I’d be able to use my own adapter in other countries with different wall sockets. Do you know whether the same goes for the 9000 series when buying in Europe (Denmark)?
Hi Johnny,
I’m afraid no, the 9000 will come with a wired Philips charger and the USB cable of your Series 5000 won’t fit. So you will need a plug adapter to use it in countries with a different wall socket.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, I had previously written and pleased to say my Philips SP9862 arrived. Thank goodness, a close shave with a proper round head. I cannot comprehend why Philips have gone hexagonal. Guys need to do around nose, ears and judge lines such as sideburns or eyebrows. I thought I would come to you as your reviews have more insight and knowledge than any other products never mind shavers!! I have bought this in the knowledge its an outgoing model. To clean it there are no hinges, you have to sort of lever off the upper shaving head, I can see this breaking or something flying out of a wet hand with a crash landing. I would hate to buy an expensive top of range shaver to find the unavailability of a cheap part renders the shaver obsolete or put another way useless! The shaving pieces to seem rather fragile and thin or hard plastic. The shaving heads and blue retaining clips are easily found as they serve newer current models. However, Philips have confirmed they can no longer source the two spare back up items I’m after. Firstly the shaving unit bottom assembly (piece you pull out if you want to replace with brush or clippers) and secondly the bracket assembly head (three round holes the shaving head/guards go through. Philips have confirmed they had enquiries about these breaking so I’m not paranoid. Youtube videos mention the perceived vulnerability of these parts. If you shave and wash heads say 300 times a year yanking on/off will not end well. My Arcitec has three individual hinges, pure and perfect engineering. those original heads click open and shut as new. 15yrs x 300 per year 4,500. Shame the motor has started wheezing. Now, to test your unrivalled shaver knowledge….. where can I source these two parts (prefer Philips original). Thanks & appreciated….. no pressure of course:-) William
Hi William,
Many thanks for the followup — glad you love your Prestige.
The lack of a hinged head is arguably the biggest drawback of the rounded heads design. But even so it should normally last for years. I would however strongly advise against (constantly) removing the bottom unit and fitting other accessory in its place. In my opinion that’s the weakest link in the construction of all these high-end Norelcos that use a similar system.
Regarding the replacement parts, my go to place is of course Encompass. Here you can find the bracket assembly. Unfortunately the bottom unit is out of stock, but I would also try eBay from time to time — there’s a good chance it’ll show up.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu, that’s good advice, I will keep a look out. The longer you leave it with an outgoing product the more problematic to source a part becomes so may as well strike early on. I use the trimmer every day for sideburns but will use the 5000 series integrated one as it’s close by as opposed to regularly yanking off the whole head on my SP9862. Thanks, William.
You are very welcome, William. If you have another trimmer at hand that would be great as it won’t put any strain on the fitting.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks a million for making the minefield of electric shavers so simple! Purchasing as a spouse for a Christmas present doesn’t help either!
I had decided upon the 8000 series, as concluded what you have pointed out and it was much cheaper being on offer. However rather annoyingly customs have stopped over 200 items coming into the UK, one being mine, which has delayed delivery. I’m also not happy that a personal hygiene item which is a present, will now be previously opened. Philips themselves are being very nice and will replace it if I wish when it comes, but that doesn’t look like in time for hubby to get it for Christmas! I’m now unsure whether to purchase the now on special offer 9000 series, as the 8000 is back up to full price, or wait until it eventually comes and send it back for a replacement. I think overall from what you’re saying the 8000 series is better overall or literally the same as the 9000, so no point spending anymore if you can get it. What’s your take on this silly predicament? Never simple is it!!!
Thanks a million,
Regards,
Bambi
Hi Bambi,
Many thanks for the comment, glad the info was useful.
When choosing between a Series 8000 and 9000, provided the included accessories are more or less the same (or don’t matter much to you), my suggestion would be to simply buy the one that costs less. Just like you said, they are essentially the same.
Also, I’ve ordered many shavers from abroad (USA, Japan) and customs officers usually only open the outside cardboard box — the actual shaver box was unopened and with the factory seal in place.
I can’t say what will happen with your 8000 that’s being held up at the customs because these procedures might be different in the UK.
Hope your husband will enjoy using his new Philips shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks a million Ovidiu!
Very helpful advice and insight to customs. Let’s hope the Netherlands leave the seal intact too!
I was in a real quandary as to what action to take next, so you’ve really helped me out!
Have a fabulous festive time and thank you once again!
Best wishes,
Bambi
Xx
You are very welcome, Bambi, glad I could be of help.
Hope you’ll get the shaver in time for the holidays.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
SP9862 I’m really struggling with the way the head opens, half the time trying to lift the head off daily to clean out results in the whole attachment including base plate coming off never mind when I do get it right its a perilous watch whether I keep it in hand with slippery fingers. Watch YouTube vids some people seem to put their nails under one side and lift, to me that puts a strain on lifting one side up first. Sure I will get the hang of it. Give me hinges any day!! I’m in UK, thought I would let you know that I have sourced the two parts, having grumbled to Philips about rules on suppling parts for a defined period after selling a product miraculously the base plate part CP0264/01 is now freely available on Philips own website and FixPart who seem to be enormous have the top bracket original Philips CP1414 although it cost £37.00!! Although expensive these guys seem enormous and have a great compatibility drop down when browsing. No need to reply, thought I would update, love the shaver though, super smooth, glides, no irritation and very close shave. I find a hot flannel held over face pre shave helps the closeness. William.
Hi William,
Many thanks for the follow-up. I know it can be annoyingly difficult to remove the shaving head. Unfortunately a hinged head only comes with the new Prestige (with the large angular heads).
I find it a lot easier to pry it open from one side by working my thumb into the gap between the two parts, never trying to pull it straight out.
I’m glad you managed to find the parts and that you’re loving the shaver — that’s what matter the most.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
I used to have the shaver that had the integrated lubricating gel dispenser. It came with a charging dock which had the gel there to load up the shaver, I think it was the 8020 model (coolskin). This was absolutely amazing for me with my sensitive skin. I think this model is no longer available, what would you recommend I get now. Am currently using a cheap alternative.
Thank you
Hi Lewy,
Thank you for the comment.
That shaver has been discontinued for a few years I’m afraid. If the budget allows it, the S9000 Prestige is currently the best Philips rotary you can buy. A more affordable option would be the Series 9000 (non-Prestige) or 8000. If your beard is not very coarse you may even consider the Series 7000, that one is also very gentle to the skin.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
And what is the better 2600 or 2400 (maybe them same?)
A lot of thanks!
The 2600 has a larger battery (50 vs 40 minutes of cordless use), but that’s really the only difference between them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
First, I must compliment you on the professional review you did. It’s truly outstanding work, and I really think you’re one of the best in the field. Kudos to you!
I’m debating between two Philips shavers:
Model S5898/17 from the 5000 series
Model S7887/55 from the 7000 series
What’s your opinion on choosing between them? Is there any significant difference beyond the additional features that come with the 7000 series shaver?
Thank you so much,
Gadi
Hi Gadi,
Thank you for the kind comment, I’m glad the info was useful.
In terms of shaving performance, the two shavers are identical. Same motor, same blades, same shaving unit. If however the price difference isn’t significant, the S7887/55 does have a couple of nice accessories — the cleaning pod which I’ve personally grown to like despite my initial reluctance and a charging stand (which may or may not be useful to you).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
First of all: **HAPPY NEW YEAR!!**
I have recent Series 3 (S3133/51), but not happy with the number of time I have to go over to get a clean shave. I’m keen to swap the SH30 heads I have with SH71.
I saw the relevant post on 15 September 2024, and the picture of a Series 3000 with three different heads fitted. One thing I’m confused about is the official blurb says that the SH71 is for angular head shavers, not rounded, but isn’t Series 4 rounded?
Please clarify? Thanks
Hi Alex,
Happy New Year!
The SH71 will fit the Series 3000 even though (officially) it’s only intended for the angular head shavers. The rotary cutters of the SH71 have more blades and will be more effective than the SH30, however, I don’t think you should expect a radical improvement because I’m afraid it won’t be one. I’d say there’s a rather incremental upgrade going from the SH30 to the SH71 on a Series 3000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Than you- very good news.
Hello. Thank you very much for your time and research that you put into compiling this very compromisive and informative article about Philllips Norelco cordless shavers. I has decided to purchase a new Prestige 9000 shaver. Now, I just have to figure out which model has the best accessories for the price. There are so many diffrent models it makes my brain hurt (SP9840, SP9841, SP9842, SP9871, SP9872, SP9883, SP9886). I would like the cleaning station, Qi charging, and the trimming attachments. I assume that the most recent / updated model would be the higest model number. Is there anywhere to go that would summarize the different Prestige models and compare the simularaties/differences of the various models? What Prestige model would you recommend that would give me the best value for the most accessories included? I appreciate your recomendation(s). Happy New Year!!
Hi Mike,
Thank you for the kind comment and Happy New Year!
I personally would choose a variation that includes just the cleaning Pod, beard trimmer and no Qi pad (like the SP9841) as such a bundle would also mean a lower purchase price. But that’s just personal preference. If you want all those accessories you’ve mentioned, you should get the SP9886/89. You will find a comparison table in the article above in the section about the Philips S9000 Prestige.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I wish all product comparisons can be so detailed and descriptive, easy to understand and make the necessary choice. Thank you!
Hi Joan,
Thank you so much for the kind comment — really glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
WOW, what a SUPERB review!
I am still using my James Bond 8894 Philishave but unfortunately the rubber around the button has perished and I need to find a new part… any ideas? It still works perfectly since 2002!
Also it takes the HQ8 heads – how many blades per rotary cutter are those? Would SH30 or SH50 be better and how many blades per rotary cutter are those?
Thank you for your time!
Hi John,
Thank you for the kind comment.
Being an old model, sourcing parts for it will be very challenging. While you would still be able to find a head holder for example, the rubber insert is I’m afraid almost impossible to find (as a new, standalone part).
The HQ8, SH30 and SH50 all have 9 blades per cutter. The OEM HQ8 are discontinued and difficult to find (I wouldn’t recommend the aftermarket compatible heads). So your best option would be the SH50 which should perform similarly.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What do you know about the 6500? There is a 6500 at Sam’s and a 6500 on Amazon, but are quite different. The one on Amazon has a Turbo function. Is that something worth while?
Hi Mike,
The one at Sam’s is essentially a Series 3000 with a different form factor and rebranded as Series 5000. The package is still compelling with all the included kit. It uses the very gentle SH30 blades.
The one with the Turbo mode is an old Series 6000, currently discontinued, that uses more aggressive SH50 Super Lift&Cut blades and with the Turbo mode enabled, it is better performance-wise than the other one. I would not recommend it if you have sensitive skin — in that case it might be too aggressive.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Thank you very much for your quick and thorough response. I am an engineer and really appreciate the detailed knowledge you convey about the Norelco shavers. I found the old 6000 series S6810/82 on amazon for $145. It is a bit expensive, but still much less than the 9000 series and I believe I will like the round head better than the the rectangular head as that is what I am used to.
Thank you very much again,
Mike
Excellent commentary and buyers guide. Very thorough with pros and cons of each generational series.
I’ve got to tell you – an electric shaver is the best tool ever invented for a man. The daily hassles of shaving is a
curse for men. A huge inconvenience even with a one-day facial hair growth. The time, water, shaving cream if any, the razor, and the expense are all resources that are avoided with a shaver. No more than a few minutes
with a clean shave – at or below the skin. How amazing is this ?? And the solid improvements within a few decades is just incredible for grooming technology. The older S9000 Prestige is top-dog as I’ll be shopping for one. I’m old school with quality in-mind as I despise plastic construction over a metal chassis.
Its everything I’m looking for in an electric shaver. Thank you Ovidiu.
Kenneth,
Thank you so much for the kind comment.
I completely agree, the modern electric shaver is underrated and I could never go back to shaving with a razor blade. I’ve always struggled with bumps and irritation (on top of the lengthy prep and shave).
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with the OG Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Very helpful commentary, Ovidiu. Thanks much for putting it together. One question: you say that the new angular heads “require a bit more work” in shaving above the upper lip and sideburns. I have been using rounded Philips heads for many years. Shaving the stubble just below the nostril has always required a great deal of effort, as even with the rounded heads there is barely enough clearance for the cutting edges to reach the hairs in that area. It seems to me that the angular heads, with their long pentagonal flange projecting out so far from each cutting head, it would not be possible at all, and I would end up needing a second shaver just for that part of my face. Is there some way to maneuver the angular heads so they can actually work here?
Thank you for the comment, Jeff.
That’s an excellent question. The pentagonal heads do have that large flange which seems completely unnecessary. But there is one workaround that for me and for other users I’ve talked to works decently. If you rotate the shaver 90 degrees it is a bit easier to get closer to something, be it the sideburn edge or the nose. The distance between the very edge of the angular head and the actual rotary cutter will be smaller that way, and somewhat similar to the rounded heads.
I hope the explanation makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the extensive comparisons and reviews Ovidu. I am so glad I found your site! I have an *old* 7310XL that I love, however it may be time to look into a new model since I may need to replace the heads and from the reviews that I read they have replaced the HQ8 heads with SH50 and most people say that the quality has gone down. In that case, since I like the corded and cordless operation would you recommend the 2500? Thanks again for the extensive research!
Hey,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
If corded & cordless operation is a must, then the 2500 is among the very few rotaries that check the box. But it’s essentially a Series 3000, so an entry-level Philips shaver that uses the SH30 blades. Those are really comfortable and reliable, but you may not find them as bitey as the HQ8 or the SH50. Some users don’t feel like they cut the hair as close. I personally like them precisely because they are gentler than the SH50. But again you don’t really have other options apart from the 2500, unfortunately.
The more powerful and more advanced Philips shavers will only work cordless.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any plans for Phillips to upgrade its prestige model?
It s surprising that the most premium model lacks features that other models have, like oled, Bluetooth etc
No timeline yet, but it will need to be a completely new design like they did with the Series 7000 and 9000. The current Prestige architecture doe not allow for adding such features.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your prompt reply. I am hoping for an update this year…. we ll see how it goes.
Ovidiu, what is your go to shaver at the moment, and if it is a foil shaver do you oil the blades?
Thanks
Hi Kevin,
If I’m not testing one specifically for a review, it’s usually a foil shaver. Right now I’d say the one I’ve used the most is the 2024 Arc 6 — whenever I shave daily or every other day. But if for some reason I haven’t shaved in 2-3 days I generally use a Braun Series 9 variation (standard or Pro/PRO+, they all shave very similarly). These are more effective than the Arc 6 at catching the longer hairs in fewer strokes.
For my skin and beard, foil shavers tend to work better than rotaries. I do lubricate them regularly, using either oil or a spray for shavers/clippers (like the Andis CoolCare Plus). If you’re using a cleaning station or pod, the oiling part won’t be necessary.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, I just purchased a Braun 9 Pro Gold. I am coming from a Philips which works good but I get clipped every now and then which is frustrating as it draws blood. Hence my switch to Braun. I never thought a electric shaver could do that.
Hi Ovidiu,
Fantastic article, very informative. I do have a question. I used to use an older Norelco that I don’t recall the model, but it was a very powerful shaver and operated cord and cordless. After several battery replacements (soldered NiMH), it finally gave up the ghost.
Now I’m looking on eBay for a “better” unit.
For the same price (~$150), I can get:
1. last gen round head version prestige (SP8920/87)
2. last gen round head S9000 series (S9721/89 with cleaning station)
3. New model prestige (SP9871/13 with quick clean)
4. New model S9000 series (S9987/85 with quick clean)
Which is the best bang for the buck here?
It looks like the older S9000 had 3 power levels, were those equivalent to the current prestige power levels?
I’ve never had a cleaning station, so not sure if one is needed.
Thanks so much!
Hi John,
Many thanks for the kind comment, glad the info was useful.
I think most of the options are very compelling, but given that the price is the same, I would not consider option #4. The new S9000 makes sense to buy if it costs (significantly) less than a Prestige for example.
The last gen S9000 with upgraded heads (the SH91 of the Prestige) + the excellent cleaning station is another great option, but if you won’t be using the cleaning station regularly, the old Prestige with rounded heads will probably be better. The power levels are indeed similar to the Prestige, with the later feeling and sounding more refined.
Coming from an old Norelco, the switch to the large rectangular heads of the new one might be somewhat troublesome, at least in the beginning. The new Prestige does have a flip-open head and the Quick clean pod which are both very practical. You can check out my review of the new Prestige and if you think the larger heads won’t be an issue, it’s a great package for the price.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu, a very interesting Philips Shaver story, I think needing a new 9000 model 9800, I’ll discuss it with an expert (unbelievable after your story!) As a young Dutch engineer I landed in the 1950ties in a leading position at the building of the Philips Factory in Drachten Friesland Netherlands, after which I changed shavers from Remington to Philips, I could write a book about my Philips experiences all over. In California I started an AED program +/-15 years ago and choose Philips for it’s easy to save lives by bystanders etc. I spent/raised hundreds of thousands for my first 130 units, of which I got 25% discount (thanks Philips), installed them at schools, police cars, fire trucks, beach guard stations etc. Oceanside City thanked me for the many lives I already saved! Thanks again Philips. I live 25 years in California and experience sometimes gratefulness signs from saved Cardiac Arrest victims, mainly Police and Beach guard………yes Ovidiu, Philips is well known here.
Rudy
Rudy,
What an amazing and inspirational story, thank you so much for taking the time to share it. I think there are countless places that would benefit from such a program, including the country where I live (Romania) — I think I’ve only spotted a few AEDs throughout the entire country.
If you have any questions regarding the 9800 I’ll be happy to help if I can. I got the 9500 variation but it’s identical in terms of performance.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I need to change my old SH98 but I am confused
SH91/50 vs SH91/52 vs SH91/53
What is the deal with the last two digits?
thank you
From what I know it’s just related to the region where the heads are being sold. All of them are however the same, so simply buy the one that is available or costs less.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
very informative article! where does the Philips Norelco 8240/XL fit into the naming scheme? Seems to have dual track heads but not sure which heads/blades actually fit.
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. The XL was mid-range series, very durable and loved by many Norelco users. The HQ9 heads had three tracks and have been discontinued for years.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I’m looking for a relatively inexpensive shaver for my friend who’s in a nursing home and needs his own electric shaver. I think he has a fairly heavy beard. I see that there are some used Norelco old series 9000 shavers with the round heads, 9031 and 9311 in particular, on ebay for $50-$60. I would buy new SH91 heads, per your recommendation. None of the ones offered have the cleaning station you mention.
But you say that “The head also doesn’t have the flip-open hinge…” so how does someone who doesn’t have a lot of manual dexterity clean that older series 9000 shaver?
Would you recommend the older series 6000, with the rounded heads instead, which I see one can get for maybe $70 new on ebay? Does that have the flip-open hinge which can be cleaned under a faucet?
I’m just not sure that that model would work on his beard.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Dave,
Unfortunately the old Series 9000 like the 9031 and 9311 do not have the flip open head, so the shaving unit must be pried off with the fingers/fingernails and that could be challenging for someone with limited dexterity.
The old Series 6000 is the same in that regard.
The only affordable model with a hinged head is the Series 3000, but that one is probably not ideal for someone with a heavy beard.
If you can bump the budget a bit maybe you can get a new Series 9000 as I feel a Series 5000/7000 would just need too much work for a clean shave. The price for the most affordable Series 9000 you can find shouldn’t be a lot higher than what you’d pay for a pre-owned 9031 and a set of SH91 heads.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have an old S9041 shaver, but the rubber parts of the handle have become sticky. Unfortunately, Philips uses low-quality rubber on the S9000 series, and after 8 years it is disintegrating and melting. The device should be disposed of, not sold to a new user.
Question please… Can i use SH51 on Norelco Series 7000? Coz i am thinking about getting 7000 instead of 5000.
I am just a bit concerned on the coating used on the SH71 and SH91. I try not to use anything that has chemical at all. So i am not sure if the coating is chemical or not.
Thank you so very much
Hi Sean,
Unfortunately no, the SH50 won’t be compatible. The guards have winglets and won’t fit inside the holder.
I wouldn’t worry at all about that — all blades are made of stainless steel and the coatings are usually just special plastics with low friction and are used on the holders, not on the metal heads.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ive just managed to obtain a S6620 Phillips shaver as you recommended the old style 6000 series with rounded heads. Can I upgrade the sh60 blades for the sh91 set as intimated in your write up ? Wait your reply. Many thanks.
Hi Norman,
Yes, the SH91 will fit as well. I would however only do that when the SH60 in your shaver have worn out. It just seems wasteful otherwise as the SH60 are almost as good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, Some time ago, after reading several of your excellent articles, I bought a Phillips 9311/84 and a 9700 model, open box, and one included the SmartClean+ cleaning system. All work exceptionally well. I now need to replace the heads, and you suggested earlier that I could upgrade to the SH98 head later. You now note that the SH91 head is almost as good. When searching for the right head that is compatible with the plug-in cleaning station and in the silver color (like those I have), I’m unsure of the correct head number to order I also try to be prudent when purchasing, so almost as good, but less expensive, seems best. What do you suggest?
Hi Syd,
Thank you for the comment. The SH91 will 100% fit your shavers and you’ll be able to use the cleaning station just as before. The SH98 are getting difficult to source, so they’re not really an option anymore. The SH91 shave the same and I think you’ll like them, they’re gentler than the ones that originally came with your shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu, how are you?
Have you heard of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra shaver?
https://produtodoano-pt.com/philips-i9000-prestige-ultra/
It supposedly shaves down to -0.08mm, at the root of the hair.
But the heads are the same as the 9000 series, SH91, is that possible?
Thank you.
Hey Thierry,
I’m very well, thank you — hope you are too.
I am aware of it, haven’t managed to buy one yet as it seems to only be available in a few select European countries. The blades are indeed the same SH91, but from the available images I can definitely tell that the three angular heads have been tweaked and are now smaller and more rounded than before, so one of the main gripes with the previous model has been addressed.
Can’t comment yet on the performance, but since it uses the SH91 and very likely the same motor, the improvements are probably in the ergonomics department.
I will of course update the guide and post a detailed review once I manage to buy and test one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, Ovidiu, and congratulations on your excellent work.
Sincerely,
Thierry.
do you think these Philips shavers’ inner track with just little round holes are just designed to look cool at the expense of a good shave? i can’t see how a tiny dot can capture hair as well as a standard track so I wonder if the inner track is now a gimmick to make the shaver look more advanced….
This is an amazing article. When my dad died in 2000 my mom gave me his old Norelco wet dry. Still using it today but the performance has diminished considerably. I had no idea what to do next, until now. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the comment, Joel, you’re very kind. Glad the info was useful and hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Norelco.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a Philips electric shaver with a model number of “6851”. I have been unable to identify an appropriate replacement head for it. Even the Philips website can’t find it. I need to replace the cradle which has a wire connector to the unit. The only ones I have found have a metal plate. Can you advise me on this please?
Hi Robin,
I think your shaver might be an old Quadra Action model (discontinued). If I’m not wrong, it would need the HQ6 heads — also discontinued I’m afraid. From your comment I understand you charge it via a cradle and not by plugging the cord directly into the shaver? But nevertheless, searching for a used one on eBay (by the part number written on it) would probably be your best option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Good morning,
Thank you for this. I feared that this might be the position. Incidentally, the charger does plug directly into the shaver – does this make a difference?
Regards,
Robin
You are very welcome, Robin. I’m afraid so — or at least one that has the same connector and output (current, voltage).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Fantastic article about the current Philips options but can I ask about some older models I still have in the cabinet and my best way forward?
AT890 – Send to recycling?
HQ7340 – Fixed head so not inclined to use
S5420 – Worth using? with which new blades for best performance?
S7370 – Worth using? with which new blades for best performance?
Thank you for your help.
PS, I did read your article about the Braun Series 9 Pro 9575cc which I am also considering if I cannot make progress with my Philips. Very difficult to determine the best way forward. What you recommend?
Hi Ian,
Thank you so much for the comment.
Regarding your shavers:
– AT890: if it’s still in good shape (the battery holds a decent charge) and you enjoy shaving with it, replacing the blades with new ones (SH50) would be a quick way to put it to good use.
– S5420: this is the older generation Series 5000 (with rounded heads) that also uses SH50. I can’t say this with certainty, but I think the newer SH71 won’t fit because of the locking rings. It’s a low to mid-range shaver, so it’s worth using only if it gives you a decent shave.
– S7370: also a previous generation Series 7000 (rounded heads). You can upgrade the blades to the SH71, these should fit just fine and will be gentler than the original SH70.
The Braun S9 PRO+ is in my opinion superior to the aforementioned rotaries, but it’s difficult for me to say how your experience will be if you’ve only used Philips shavers. But most users will find better in pretty much every aspect.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I’m wondering if you meant SH91 for my S7370? I bought some and they fit perfectly.
Also, may I ask whether there is a recommend state the battery should be in when storing unused shavers. With MiMH batteries the advice seems to be about 80%, I was wondering if this would be the same for Philips shavers.
Hi Ian,
Both the SH71 and SH91 will fit the S7370.
From the Series 5000 and up Philips uses Li-ion batteries and a charge of just over 50% should be ideal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
1 year ago I bought S5887/10 shaver. I bought it with the expectation i could do really close shaving. I thought I wouldnt feel any hair after i shaved on my face but to do that I have to press the machine to my face really hard which i think irritates my skin. It causes burning pain when i go in to the shower after i shave. Recently I lost the blue locking ring. I have 3 questions for you. 1) Should i go buy another shaver to feel no hair after shaving and no pain in the shower? 2) Can sh91 fit in my s5887/10? 3) Does sh91 replacement heads come with blue locking ring? Thanks for the great review.
Hi Ahmet,
Thank you for the kind comment.
Your shaver is a Series 5000, so it’s in the low to mid-range segment. The performance is adequate for the price, but it’s not in any way class leading when it comes to closeness. The SH91 will fit, but I don’t think it’ll give it a significant performance boost. The SH91 heads have two tracks, with more blade edges, and require a lot of power to turn the cutter. And the Series 5000 doesn’t really have that power.
The Series 8000, 9000 and 9000 Prestige are the best fit for the SH91 heads as those shavers have more powerful motors. Also, the replacement heads do not include the locking rings.
I think an upgrade to a more capable shaver is probably the best option here. The aforementioned 8000, 9000 or 9000 Prestige are your choices if you want to continue with a Philips rotary.
Another option would be to try a foil shaver. Many users (myself included) tend to get a closer shave with foil razors. I have a comprehensive guide here if you want to check it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
Will glad to your advice. I used many years with Philips shavers. Need to buy new shaver. Had the 9985 (hope I remember correct the numbers) and get pretty nasty cuts in the lips here and there (blidding for 30-90 minutes after the cut, pain for 2-3 weeks). Also had something from 7000 series.
Both of them wasn’t amazing (especially the 7000 series). Do you think it coincedence that this happen with the 9985? Never happened to me with other Philips machine. Do you think I should aviod series 9000 or maybe buy those that can change speed?
Or do you recommened in my case to go with the 7000 series. Is the 7000 seris for delictae skin (google translate give me the word delicate, but I am pretty sure the word should be something like, don’t remember the term).
And another something – I bought Braun serieas 9 pro+. Consulted with you because got very very bad results. Let’s say that the result are still bad. Wanted to ask you about something. This machine almost fell all the dirt on my shirt, the floor, my hands and some of my arm. Is this normal behaviour of Braun mahicne? In Philips, maybe 30% of those hair are fell.
Hey,
If you’re referring to the 9985 from the current Series 9000, that one should be adequately comfortable. I find it similar to the Series 7000 in that regard, so I wouldn’t say one is better than the other for sensitive skin. The 9000 is a bit more powerful and the heads have dual tracks which should make it more effective. If you didn’t find the 7000 (which has a slower motor) to be comfortable enough, I don’t think you would benefit greatly from another shaver with speed settings (like the Prestige).
Foil shavers like the Braun S9 PRO+ generally don’t contain the clipped hairs inside the head as efficiently as rotaries, so they can be messier.
My guess is that your technique could be tweaked a bit. The Series 9000 and the Braun S9 PRO+ are among the better shavers out there from both camps and they are very different. Try a pre-shave lotion, use short and controlled strokes and don’t lift the shaving head from the skin while moving it — that can snag some hairs. Also, never run the shaver over your lips. Any shaver will cut them and those nicks are extremely painful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your replay.
I check, it’s was S9985/50.
The 7000 came with One Blade, cleaning station, the liqiud for cleaining. Don’t remember the excent number of model. I found it ok, but I felt like I need to make some effort that this will cut close.
About the change speed – the only reason that I consider this it becuase the S9985/50 cut me and in those machines I could slow the speed and more problematic areas. btw, the 7000 series didn’t have option to change speed.
About the Braun – but the differnce is so significant? If I was shave after 3 days, all my shirt was with hair (and my hand, and some of the arm, and the floor). I assume that only 30% of the hair isn’t fell out.
About the lips – so how you shave there? I shave for many years and guess that had around 20 machines. No single machine cut me in the lip (not the Braun 9+ pro, not the series 7000 from Philips) except the S9985/50. Therefor I consider if this was coincedence or this isn’t and will be smart to avoid from series 9000 beucase of this.
You are very welcome.
What I do when I shave with the Braun S9 is lean a bit more over the sink and avoid pointing the shaving head downward — this minimizes the amount of hairs that will fall out of the head.
Regarding the S9985/50, it does have a large head and you can’t always tell where exactly are the three shaving heads, so my guess is that when shaving below the nose or below the lower lip, you might have gone over the area of the lips. The skin is super thin and highly vascularized. All you can do is to be very mindful when shaving those areas, especially if you use a shaver with a very large head.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for you replay.
This is good idea, but unfortunattly my mirror isn’t above the sink.
About the S9985/50 – in all the machine, I go over all the lips. Never had a scratch (Philis Serios 7000, Braun 9 pro plus, other Philips machines). This is very strange what you say. I felt like the lip tarped in the blade when this happen.
Do you have any recommendation on the 9000 or 7000 series?
Has mention, the 7000 that I had include one blade, clean startion, cratidge for the clean station and maybe something else.
Want to ask you something – is there any option to turn off the option that when I move the series 7000 or 9000 the machine monitor is turn on?
About the big head – if you mention this, I had problem in the 7000 and 9000 series to shave below the nose. The circle of the razor isn’t at the edge of the head, what make it very diffcult to cut there.
I had cheaper machines of Philips and I don’t remember the circle of the bldae was so inside.
You are very welcome.
The skin on the lips is very thin and even a very small bit can poke through the foils/rotary guard and get cut, so again, I strongly recommend avoiding going over them with any electric shaver as there’s a high risk of getting a painful cut.
The distance between the edge of the head and the actual cutter is a problem with all these new Philips angular heads. They already made some tweaks, but the new smaller heads are (for now) only available with the i9000 Prestige Ultra which is only available in several European countries.
Not exactly sure what you mean by turning off the machine monitor. Are you referring to the light ring on the 9000 that shows how much pressure you’re exerting?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks
Hope you will see this because this give me replay for higher post.
About the monitor – when I had Philipes machine and the machine lie down on table and I took it with my hand, the monitor automatically turn on although I don’t click on the power button. This happened to me both in the series 7000 and in the 9985 model (series 9000). Is there option to turn this off so I can take the machine and the monitor won’t turn on automatically?
About the head – check the model you wrote. This still isn’t in my country but I see this is the same. The head are very far from the edge of the head so you can’t cut what below the nose (in the more mid range modles, I didn’t have this issue)
Will glad for you recommendation for model from serias 7000 and from 9000 (will choose one of them). Already lost from all the different models and need to buy one in the next few days.
btw, saw that Redmington also has machines. Is they have good ones that give competition for Philipes?
No, I’m afraid you can’t turn it off.
All Series 7000 and 9000 Philips models now use that larger head, so it doesn’t really matter which model you buy.
A workaround is to turn the shaver approximately 90 degrees when you shave below the nose. There are three edges: the middle (largest one) and two smaller ones on the sides. Try using one of the two smaller ones– hope this makes sense.
Remington rotary shavers are very underwhelming to put it lightly, I wouldn’t recommend them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Will the sh91 dual track blades fit a 7886.
That failing, are there blades for the 7600 with dual tracks that will improve the cut?
Regards.
Yes, the SH91 will fit and those are pretty much the only dual-track option. The SH91 are better than the ones that came with your shaver, but the Series 7000 isn’t quite as powerful as a Series 8000/9000 or Prestige, so the performance upgrade won’t be that significant.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, may I please get a list of the model numbers of the older series 9000 shavers with the round heads. I must have a pop up trimmer. I assume they will have these.
Regards Lance
Hi Lance,
The old Series 9000 (with round heads) does not have a pop-up trimmer, only a separate trimmer attachment that fits in place of the shaving head. Here are some of the model names: S9311/84, S9721/84.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Dear Ovidiu:
Since the older 9000 round heads are best, can a person buy a complete head from an older 9000, as parts, and just attach it to a newer, square head 9000 to improve it?
Or when you buy new cutters, can you just buy the complete round head instead and place it on a square head shaver?
Regards Lance
Hi Luke,
Unfortunately the complete head of the old Series 9000 (round heads) will not fit on a new Series 9000 with square heads (the strut is too short).
Your only option is an old Series 9000 shaver or the original 9000 Prestige; both have round heads, but they come with a separate trimmer attachment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great job and I think Norelco should hire you as their site is not good. Thank you!
Ron,
You are too kind, thank you so much for the comment. Glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Talked with you before several days about purchse new Philips machine. Although had series 7000 + series 9000 (don’t remember if Prestige. Didn’t thought there is difference between 9000 and 9000 Prestige. Wrote you the model back than) I felt that I didn’t have enough knowledge and decided to read all the article. Saw that you mention the head and nose issue that we talked.
I want to purchse tommrow (if not tommrow the day after) new machine. Will glad if you could share from your knowledge about those issue:
1. I mention that the 9000 made me nasty cuts in the lip. I saw in your article that the 9000 and 7000 have diffent blades (pretty suprised to see that the 7000 is mid range. They cost almost the same as some of the 9000 in my country so was sure that they close in there level). I saw that the 9000 has 2 truck and felt like my lip enter to one of them when I cut. I wonder if I bought the 9000 and see that I am still get cuts, could I downgrade the blade to the 7000 one (so that there is option to upgrade). btw, they mention there is option to upgrade or this somthing not official?
And if I downgrade, saw the motor still diffent. Do you think that with 9000 + razor of 7000 I still cut? I know for sure that the 7000 won’t cut me. Have one for sevreal months and another one for short time and they was fine altough felt that I need strive (hope this is the right term) to shave.
2. You mention the pod and the oil thing. Didn’t know that I need to put oil on my shaver. From what I understand from you, this although clean and also put oil on the machine so I don’t need to do it by myself?
For long does a cartidge last? You also mention that hair can enter and you need to replace it.
I am asking because in my country 2 cartidge cost something like 20-25% of series 5000 machine and around 15% of the 7000 (depends in the model).
3. About charger – just to be sure all the new model came with type a? So that on some you wrote type a and on some charger and wonder if when you wrote charger it’s full charger. btw, they sale it sepratly so this is the real reason they made this.
4. Last question – you wrote all the 7000 models are the same except accesoris. Is this logic that machien that came with charing stand + pod + one cartidge + one blade (if I remember correct the model one of those two 7887/87 or 7887/78) will cost less than something that for example came with only stnad in the same shop?
Thanks in advance
Hi,
1. Yes, you can use the Series 7000 heads (the SH71) in a Series 9000. It will be a downgrade in the sense that the SH71 have a single track, while the SH91 that come on the Series 9000 have two tracks. But if for some reason those work better for and won’t cause any nicks, then you can certainly do that. You will essentially have a slightly more powerful Series 7000.
Regarding the price, with electric shavers, especially Philips, there can be huge differences that make no sense, for example an almost identical model costing a lot more or a lot less. So I would not necessarily take the price into account when assessing the performance of two shavers.
2. Oiling is especially important in the case of foil shavers. With rotaries, you can probably skip it. And you will definitely not need to do oil it yourself if you’ll be using a Pod.
The cartridge lasts for as long as the fluid isn’t overly contaminated and murky. The Pod is not electrically powered, so it won’t tell you when to change the cartridge. So you should judge that yourself. The default interval is 30 days, but again that depends on how often you shave and use the pod.
3. Some Series 7000 come with USB-A charging, some with a Philips charger. The USB-A models only include the special cable, so you’ll need your own USB-A charger (it’s not included in the package). The other ones do include the Philips wired charger.
A USB-A Series 7000 shaver can’t be charged with a Philips wired charger as the charging port on the shaver is slightly different and the cable won’t fit.
4. That is correct, the difference comes down to accessories. Usually the ones with more stuff included will cost more, but there can be exceptions. Again, shaver prices don’t always make sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your help and thanks for your great article.
1. Decided at the end to buy the 7000 series and not take risks.
By the way, the main reason that I want to buy the 9000 is the option to see the % of battery (had this in the model that I had). In the 7000 I had only 3 lines (in the model that I had).
2. But I guess that you some experience. Is it last 3-4 times? 10 times? 20 times?
3. Wow. Great that you wrote me. I seach to buy one and need to drive pretty far in order to buy one. How I know which head to buy? (that won’t be too much powerful and not enough powerful)
Thanks again for you great site and article. You are truly king
You are very welcome, glad you found it useful.
1. The 3-level battery display is a bit of a letdown in this price range, but again I don’t think you should get a Series 9000 for that alone.
2. You can easily get past 20 cleanings. Again it also depends on how dirty the fluid gets; I like to remove most of the stubble from the shaving head before cleaning it with the pod — pop open the head and blow over it a few times.
3. It really doesn’t matter, any USB-A charger will work as all of them output 5v and the shaver draws as much power as it needs. I’ve used both fast and regular chargers and the charging time is the same. So any USB-A charger will be just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks.
I will just say the Braun 9 Pro+ cost me double and came with 5 lines and no %. Very liked the % in the Philipes 9000.
2. So one time in month X 20 months, meaning around 1.5 years? Did I understand correct?
btw, if I put water on the machine so it will be as clean as possible before, could I put it in the pod with the water or I need to wait that the machine will dry?
In theory, you could stretch it that long, but you shouldn’t as the solution will degrade significantly and won’t be hygienic.
It’s fine to rinse the shaver beforehand, just make sure you shake off most of the water as it will end up in the cartridge and the liquid will overflow during cleaning.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you.
Last 2 questions:
1. About what you wrote – is this the same in every cleaning station that the dirt get inside the cartidge?
Got the machine. Just to be sure, I probably didn’t shave 9 days. Is this make damage to the blades. I now it’s not ideal to shave in beard like this and probably will be little bit painful
That is correct, with any cleaning system there is that limitation.
9 days is stretching it to the extreme and any electric shaver will have trouble shaving a beard this long. I would highly recommend pre-trimming your beard before using the shaver as you will likely experience some hairs getting pulled or even some nicks. And it will take a lot longer to complete the shave. Any beard trimmer, maybe even the one on the Series 7000 should be good enough to reduce the length of the stubble.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
You probably don’t remember, so in short – I had Plilips series 7000 and than change to Braun 9 pro plus and than get back to Philips.
Wanted to ask you two questions:
1. When I shaved with the Braun I had starge feeling a little bit right and lower to the right side of the lips and left and lower for the left side of the lips. I thought that this was because the new machine but I still feel this. Seems to me that start to grow hair there and this very annoying. Any chance that the Braun cause to hair to grorth when I didn’t have before (and I sahve for 20 years).
2. I had starge noise of one of the razors. How I opened them?
Hey,
Thanks for the context.
1. Absolutely not, that would be impossible. A shaver simply provides the means to cut the hair, it cannot induce physiological changes.
2. Are you referring to your Philips shaver? If so, the user manual generally provides detailed instructions on how to open the shaver in order to dispose of the battery. But you can use that simply as a reference to know how to pry off a panel or where a screw is located.
Are you absolutely certain that the strange noise comes from within the shaver and it’s not related to the shaving head? Is it still present with the shaving head open or removed?
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks for you replay
1. What happened if I cut hair that never cut before, didn’t he start to grow? I asked my barber and he also told me to not cut in some areas (those area I shave once in while, and while I don’t shave them, they don’t appear to grow more the 1-2 cm, after the shave the start again to grow to 1-2 cm.
2. No, I meant to the razors. There is curved arrow to right and left and the razor, so I don’t sure to where I should swing (hope this is the right word)
Hi,
You are very welcome.
1. The cut hair will simply grow again and while it can be perceived as thicker/coarser, that’s simply because the end is cut straight, and it’s not so thin and worn out as before. Again, trimming and the type of shaver cannot cause more hair follicles to appear.
2. I am sorry, but I am again not sure what you’re referring to.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Sorry for the late response
1. Could be that in older age, new hair in new places start to grow?
Thought that this happened until something like 18, but might wrong.
2. There is 3 razors in the Philies head. Want to remove them for cleaning. Every head had something that keep himi in his place. How I remove this thing so I can remove the heads for cleaning?
There is arrow for both side so I don’t sure to where to swing.
No worries.
1. Some very fine or dormant hair follicles could become more visible/coarser as a reaction to certain hormonal changes as we grow older. But it will still be a rather gradual process and again, shaving (and the tools we use to shave) cannot influence it.
2. The locking rings can be removed by turning them counter-clockwise. But make sure you’re only removing them one at a time so you won’t intermix the guard and blade pairs. After cleaning make sure they sit properly in the head holder, place the locking ring back in place and turn it clockwise while gently pressing it — it should click into the locked position easily.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I came across your site via a reddit post and I have to say after accidentally breaking my old phillips with round heads I was forced to look for something new and your reviews were very in depth and helpful Thank you for taking the time to gather all the info not just for the phillips brand but all the other info on other shavers on this site as well.
I do however wish there was some info on the norelco series 5000x as it appears to be a different design than the 3000,5000,7000 I can’t seem to find much in depth info on this model
Thanks so much for the comment, Matt.
I do mention the 5000x in the Series 3000 section above. I included it there because it’s essentially a Series 3000 in disguise (but with a fancier design).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello there, thanks for a great review here and the in depth- review on the S9000 Prestige!
Just as i had decided to buy the S9000, i noticed your comments here about the all new i9000 Prestige Ultra. So i did some research and bought the Ultra (XP9405/11) instead, directly from Philips Online shop. And i must say i am very happy and pleased with that decision!
At first glance the Ultra looks similar to the plain i9000 series, but it is actually a completely different machine. The first and most obvious difference to the S9000 Prestige is that the Ultra in my opinion is much better ergonomically designed, and easier and better to hold in the hand, just wrap either of the hands around the shaver and the thumb comes to rest above the on/ off- button for a very safe and comfortable grip.
But… I simply cannot get the shaver to run as smooth and easy over my face as stated in all the nice pictures and videos, i struggle to even get those circular movements, maybe i’ll be able to improve further on. And also i think the cutting parts is a bit rough and “bitey”, it doesn’t hurt, but it isn’t silk smooth either.
But overall i’m very pleased with the result! The Ultra shaves closer than my Oneblade Pro, and i would say as close as a regular razor blade. Only sad and bad thing is that i now remember that my skin is extremely sensitive and doesn’t like to be shaved at all… :-)
The Ultra has some very nice features and connects to the GroomTribe app (be sure to start the motor while pairing the devices), actually rather useful and interesting info can be read in the app. I think and hope the motor is the same digital (brushless?) topspinning one as in the S9000 Prestige (it has a rather high pitch sound), the battery is easily charged in less than an hour.
The Ultra has a very sensitive motion detection that wakes the display up at the tiniest of movements, for good and bad i guess. It also has a built in, already activated quick clean programme, just turn the shaver upside down and press the on- button and the shaver starts the 60 second cleaning process.
So far so good, i have not much to compare with, but i’m very happy with my new shaver, looking forward to a in depth- review on the Ultra!
BRG/ Örjan.
Hi Örjan,
Thanks so much for the comment.
I just got my Prestige Ultra (XP9401/38) today and I am yet to shave with it, so I’ll be able to properly compare it to the Prestige after I test it for a while. The motor definitely has a higher pitch than the one in the Prestige, though both are rated at 2300 RPM in the highest power setting.
If you’ve never used a rotary shaver before, it will take some time to get used to it and to improve your technique (and the results). Don’t stress too much about using perfectly circular motions, but be mindful of pressure and don’t lift the shaving head from the skin while you’re still moving it — doing so will likely pull a few hairs and that can be painful.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent, thank you for your input!
I’ve used my Ultra for several days now and my skin is already getting used to it, and my performance is also improving. Make it as quickly as possible, don’t get stuck on the same area and don’t push to hard, is what i have learned so far. :-)
Else I’m pleased, the Ultra might be a bit “plastic fantastic” (the shiny parts look a bit cheap), but overall the quality seems to bee very god, and the important thing is the hardware inside, not the protective coat outside.
Thanks again!
/ Örjan.
Awesome, glad the shaves are getting better already.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I can confirm what Örjan wrote about the cleaning mode on the XP9405/11. I recently purchased this model. It doesn’t come with a cleaning pod, but it has an accelerometer and cleaning mode functionality fully enabled. It fits perfectly with my old quick clean pod (CP2173), and the GroomTribe app also shows cleaning progress information and remaining cartridge usage.
On Philips’ official European web store, there are three different pods available: QCP10, AC52, and CP2173. What’s the difference between these pods? Why are QCP10 and AC52 so expensive compared to CP2173? Are these also compatible with the Prestige Ultra and other i9000 shavers?
Hi Emil,
Thank you for the taking the time to share this. That’s very interesting and I think it’s a great move by Philips to fit all the Prestige Ultra models with an accelerometer and make them fully compatible.
I’ve also noticed the different part numbers for the old-style pods and I never could find any differences whatsoever between them. The i9000, i9000 Prestige and i9000 Prestige Ultra come with a redesigned pod called QCP20, but the inner part of the cleaning chamber is identical to the older ones you listed. It’s only visually different. So in short, all the pods are compatible with the Prestige Ultra.
Regarding the i9000 Prestige and i9000 (non-Prestige), I don’t know with certainty if the shavers that didn’t originally come with a pod are fitted with an accelerometer. So those could only be partially compatible, meaning the shavers will not enter the cleaning mode and will simply run indefinitely inside the pod.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have recently purchased (in the UK) the i9000 Prestige Ultra with UV case.
Amazon UK has them in half price introductory sale.
– The shaving head it is smaller, however the new Prestige Ultra handle size is 1 to 1 to the previous 9000 series, so not anymore compact that the previous Prestige range. This makes me a bit disappointed.
– The UV case weight nearly 500gr, not that travel friendly as I would expect.
– The new redesign cleaning station (pod) doesn’t have any changes in terms of shape for the shaving head, and shaver with old sheaving head will fit same way – is just visual change. Unfortunately, the bottom part ot this pod is made from glosy plastic, and will be very easy to make visible scratches.
Hi Mike,
Many thanks for taking the time to share this.
You are absolutely right about the handle, it is a lot similar in size and shape to the Series 9000, the main exception being the slightly sculped part at the back and the lack of the pop-up trimmer. For some reason I did find the handle of the Prestige Ultra better, maybe the weight distribution and the slightly more ergonomic shape had something to do with it.
Ironically the power cases aren’t very travel friendly — same thing with the Braun Series 9 Pro charging case.
I personally don’t like the new pod. Apart from being more prone to tarnishing like you’ve said, the plastic is thinner, it bends easier and the see through tub just make it look flimsier. I have a couple of original pods and those look and feel better with the sturdier matte plastic.
I did have the chance to shave a couple more times with the Prestige Ultra and I must say that the new head is a noticeable improvement, it is easier to use than the slab-like thicker heads of the current Prestige and Series 9000. I think for that alone I would actually prefer it over the Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello ,
i also have bought the new Prestige XP9404/46 . Haven´t tried it yet only ( will do in the next few days)charged it .
One thing i don´t like is that the UV case when charging the machine you don´t see any lights , so you don´t really know when it´s fully charged ,only by time/guess . In that aspect Braun charging case is better .
Other then that i personally like the case and the UV is a plus .
The Pod yes being glossy will scratch easy
Regarding the machine itself i like the feeling , and i have a few others , Philips , Braun (latest and some older models) and a Panasonic ESL690U K since i read your review .
The reason is my skin in the neck area is a bit sensitive and if sometimes one machine works better next time i have to change the type oh machine or i will be burning the next days. Most of the time i keep my beard trimmed the closest i can .
So i try new machines in a attempt to have one that will always work good in my skin.
Also would like to thank you for all your deep and Honest reviews , i always learn something new .
Kind Regards
David
Hi David,
Thanks so much for the comment. Hope you’ll like your new Prestige Ultra. If other Philips shavers worked well for you, there’s a good chance this one will too.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have an Ultra on order from Best Buy in the USA.
Will that version include the UV cleaning case?
Harold
Hi Harold,
The USA model that includes the UV case is the XP9400/89. If you bought that one it will come with the case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu.
Apparently I am out of luck. Here is the link for what BB calls XP9405/84 and does not show the UV case: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/philips-norelco-i9000-prestige-ultra-shaver-with-triple-action-lift-cut-technology-black/6619023.p?skuId=6619023
Is XP9400/89 not currently available in the USA? Amazon says it will be released on April 28, 2025, which is too late for my international trip. https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-Prestige-XP9400-89/dp/B0F1P7L74Q
Harold
Hi Harold,
I’m afraid that is correct. The XP9400/89 is the only USA variation with the UV case (at least from the available info) and it will indeed be released on April 28. I am actually surprised that Best Buy already has the XP9405/84 in stock as these shavers don’t even show up on Norelco’s website yet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My BB version of the Ultra arrived today without the UV case.
Ovidiu, would it not be possible to purchase the UV case as a separate tool in coming months?
Harold
I think it’s very likely that we’ll see it sold as a separate accessory.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Prestige Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I was surprised to see how thorough this whole article is! Thanks for making this available! I have a quick question. I own an S9031 that was bought in Europe. How do I properly clean it in a way that is practical? I don’t own a cleaning station for it. Any help would be appreciated!
Hi Markus,
Thanks so much for the comment. You can check out my cleaning guide here, I cover both foil and rotary razors like yours.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, thanks for such amazing and in-depth review!
Has been incredibly useful both to know how to replace parts in my 15-20 years old Philishave 8445 (HQ8445) as well as what to buy if I wanted a new model.
The original blades are HQ8, initially looked for the SH50 which should be the closest match, then read about the basic SH30 being more gentle and the SH71 potentially being compatible. However, the SH71 has no “winglets” as expressed earlier so, while it would fit, I guess the guard shell would not be correctly locked in place in my model and could potentially rotate with the blades or affect the self-sharpening feature. I finally went for the SH30, double checking in the box that there was a picture of the winglets since I came across SH30 pictures online that did not have them.
As for the powerplug or power adapter, the original one is the HQ800, with the infamous self-destructing blue cord, although the user manual also talks about the HQ8000. Both are discontinued, but I have a more recent HQ8505 to charge another Philips machine and that works perfectly, it’s the same output: 15 V, 0.35 A (5.3 W). At first I was misled by the 9 W input printed in the original HQ800 adapter but the shaver actually consumes around 3 watts and the relatively high input figure is due to bad efficiency of old power adapters. What a difference the bulky HQ800 and the slim HQ8505.
Guess I won’t be buying anything in the short term, I don’t really like the trend of battery-only devices with embedded non-standard non-easily replaceable batteries.
Thanks again for all the information!
Hi Alberto,
Thank you so much for the insightful comment. The reliability of old Norelcos was truly impressive, I think none of the current shavers (regardless of brand) could function for 20 years with regular use. And the battery (which does have a finite number of cycles) is not even taken into consideration.
An interesting detail regarding the guards is that Philips uses either winglets or cutouts to hold the guard in place and prevent it from spinning. Some guards have both to fit multiple shaver models.
Wingless guards (like these SH71) have cutouts in the guard rim and what actually holds them in place are the locking rings/brackets. They have a pair of tiny feet that slide into the cutouts — here is a photo of them.
Some Philips shavers will even work with both winglet and notch guards. But a winged guard won’t always fit if the shaver originally came with wingless guards.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave a comment, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Absolutely! Some old devices seem immortal. I’m even surprised the plastic parts have aged fine, except for the vanishing power cord. The bracket in particular always looked so fragile to me but it has proved me wrong.
Talking about the bracket, thanks for the pic of the guards, now I get why some models accepting the SH50 may accept the SH71. Mine is definitely too old since the original guards didn’t even have those cutouts and the bracket does not have that feet design.
Well, thanks again for the wonderful guide, it’s always a pleasure finding actual original research that digs deeper than expected. Best!
so to confirm.. you can swap out the stock sh71 blades in the new s5000 series for sh91?
thank you for writing such a thorough article!
Hey,
Thank you for the comment.
Yes, the SH91 will fit, but the performance of the shave will be hindered somewhat by the motor. The shavers that come with the SH91 by default (Series 8000, 9000 and all the variations/Prestige) are also fitted with more powerful motors as the SH91 are dual-track, so there are more blades and there’s more friction.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, could you please help me out a bit? I’ve been trying for days to figure out which one is best for me to buy.
These are the models and prices I can get — I’m from Argentina:
– Braun Series 3 ProSkin: $99
– Philips Series 7200: $126
– Philips Series 9400: $199
– Braun Series 8: $240
I hope you can help me, thank you very much!
Hi Franco,
Those are very different shavers at very different price points, so I would need a few more details to be able to recommend one.
– can you tell me if you’ve used an electric shaver before? If yes, do you know the brand/model? Did it work well for you?
– is your facial hair light, medium or heavy? Is it very coarse/wiry or dense and grows back quickly?
– how often do you plan to shave? Would you say the closeness is very important to you?
– what would be the budget for the shaver?
These details would be very helpful to know.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for a great guide! It really helped me in deciding what to get. In the end I managed to get a S9974/63 for approximately 230 euros. I would have settled for something less fancy but they were all about the same price as this one.
Hey Olof,
Thank you for the comment, really glad the info was useful. I’m all for paying less on shavers without the bells and whistles, but if the price is the same, why not. Hope you’ll like your new Series 9000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the article!
My wife gifted me s5000 model. And I’ve already bought quick cleaning pad. It’s great!
Now I think about buying SH91 razors or/and 7000 head frame with Nano SkinGlide coating for my s5000. What do you think? Is this buying good update?
Hey Andy,
Thank you for the comment.
The SH91 blades will fit your shaver and they are better than the original SH71, but the bottleneck will be the motor of the Series 5000. The SH91 are dual-track heads with a lot more blades, so the friction between them and the guards will be higher. The motor will work harder to spin the blades and it’s not quite as powerful as the one in the Series 9000 or Prestige. So I think the upgrade won’t be as noticeable.
The Series 7000 head does have better glide characteristics and I think you could get the entire head unit in the future, but only if you get a good deal on it. In the meantime you may use a slightly oilier pre-shave lotion, like the Lab Series or the Williams Lectric Shave. These work particularly well with rotaries or very large foil shavers.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for your answer!
So I think about replacing my gift to more powerful model. Currently I see on S8696/35 (approx. $174 in my area) and S9502/83 (approx. $144). Is S9502/83 is better option than S8696/35?
I think about upgrate as I use my shaver for my head but in the future going to get read of beard and use it for face shaving too. It’s good to have one shaver for any type of shaving :)
You are very welcome. Both the S8696/35 and S9502/83 shave exactly the same, so the S9502/83 is clearly the better option since it costs less.
Should be a good pick for both the head and (later on) the face.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much! Just ordered S9502/83 :)
Two years ago I’ve bought S3000 model to my father. And now it’s time to replace razors. So I think whether is it possible to replace old SH30 razors to new SH71? Do razors from S5000 fit to S3000?
Thank you in advance!
Yes, the SH71 will fit and since they are single-track, they won’t require a lot of extra power from the motor.
The SH71 are quite similar to the SH30 performance-wise, but because they have more blades per rotary cutter, they’re a bit more effective and less likely to snag hairs when you move the shaving head faster.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu,
Thank you for the terrific information. I have one quick question. I have a 6885 XL, and I’m wondering if it is possible to get decent blades for it?
Hi Mitch,
You are very kind, thank you. I’m afraid none of the currently available heads will fit. Your shaver needs the HQ6 heads that have discontinued for years. The closest match would be the SH50 as the guards also use winglets to lock them in place, but the shape of the plastic hub at the center of the blades is very different, so they won’t work.
Then there are the so-called generic HQ6 (compatible) blades, but the quality of the shave is poor or they won’t last.
I’m sorry I don’t have better news.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just bought a S9982/50.
I was a Braun S9 user, want to try rotary.
Hope i am not making any regretable decision lol
Hey,
Thank you for the comment. It is a bit of a gamble, but switching to a rotary can be worth it when you’ve tried everything with a foil shaver and there are still things that just can’t be improved. In some instances users can get great shaves with both.
I hope you’ll like the new shaver and maybe you can share an update later on if you have the time.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu!
The only thing that annoyed me as a long S9 user is the inability to effectively remove flat hair around my chin and side neck with a couple of passes. It’s so much that every time I have to use a manual twitzer and pull the irritating single hair out lol.
Lets see if this latest Philips 9000 series works better… or at least quieter than my current S9.
You are very welcome. It will certainly be quieter, and in theory also more effective with the flat hairs. Might take a couple of weeks to get used to it though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I’m Korean and I’ve been enjoying your great reviews.
I have one question — I’m currently using the Braun 9 Pro Plus mainly for dry shaving, but when I shave dry, there’s a lot of hair dust flying around. Because of this, I’m considering switching to another brand.
Do you think Philips could help solve this problem?
Note: This message was translated using a translation tool.
Hi Jun,
Thank you for the comment, glad you enjoyed the article.
Yes, a Philips rotary will definitely be better at containing the hairs inside the head and there will be fewer clippings and hair dust flying around. So in that regard you will see an improvement.
To determine if a rotary would be a good fit for you (that is how well will it work for your beard type and shaving frequency), you can check out this section of my best shavers guide.
Hope it helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the reviews. Finally something logical to follow. I came here hoping to see some details on the “new” line up, branded i9000 Prestige (model names have XP instead of S before the number).
Reviewing what you’ve stated here and their specs on the Philips site, they appear to just be “rebranded” S9000 series.
Would my assumption be correct?
Hey,
Thank you for the comment, glad the info was useful.
The i9000 and i9000 Prestige are indeed rebranded S9000, but with a tweaked shaving head that is now more compact, thinner and has rounded edges. This helps with making the shaver more user friendly and easier to use. The i9000 Prestige Ultra adds more features, the most important one being the user selectable speed settings. You have the option of a custom mode that allows you to bump the motor speed to the max for a noticeable performance gain. The Ultra also has a more ergonomic shape of the body.
All these shavers do use the same SH91 blades, so the quality of the shave will be similar. But the power advantage of the Prestige Ultra means the shave will be faster and in my opinion more enjoyable. I reviewed the Ultra and also compared it to the S9000 and S9000 Prestige here if you want to check it out.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I have a old PHILIPS AT890/16 with sh50. I have sensitive skin. Maybe sh30/50 or sh71/50 will compatible this shaver.
I’d like to try this option if possible.
Sincerely
Hey,
Both the SH30 and SH71 should fit just fine. The SH30 are a tad gentler as they use a single blade design, while the SH71 feature a tweaked Lift&Cut double edge blade. But they are still noticeably gentler than the SH50.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I tried replacing the SH 71 blades on my 7200 with SH91 and, although they do fit as you had said, I found the performance to be rough and uncomfortable. I’m no expert but my guess is they perform bettter with the higher speed motor of the series 9000 shavers.
Hi Larry,
The dual tracks definitely add some extra drag and the Series 7000 motor isn’t as powerful as the one in the 9000. But should work decently nevertheless. When I tried my 7700 with the SH91 I found it to shave pretty much the same as before, but it didn’t cause any discomfort. From what I can tell it would be best to stick to the SH71 and maybe put the SH91 to good use in the future — in an S9000 or i9000 variation.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu. Great comparisons! The 7200 does a good job but the low rpm motor seems like a 4 cyl car compared to 6! Philips currently has the 9400 listed for 129.96 and I’m thiking of taking advange of the offer. As I compared the 9400 with the i9000 on their site I noticed they recommend blade change every ONE year for the 9400 and every TWO years for the i9000.
Same SH91, same motor, correct? Do you see any reason for the different guidance?
You are very welcome, Larry. The difference regarding changing the blades doesn’t make any sense and I can only attribute it to an error. Two years should be the default timeframe in both cases.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Thank you for the fantastic comparison.
I ended up going for the s9982/50 in Canada as I found it for $149CDN on sale (from $289CDN)
The new i9000 couldn’t find any in stock was $299CDN
The s9000 Prestige I did find for $299CDN (from $399CDN) as well but felt the wireless qi charger is slow and large pad and without direct connect charging for travel, and slide up trimmer was more a practical deal breaker.
Hopefully the 2100rpm and same replacement head is good with the S9982
I also preferred to have the clean pod than not have it.
Question can you still adapt the cleanser brush and 4 click beard trimmer pop on for the S9000 models? Have you reviewed those accessories?
Thanks again for the thorough reviews and comparison.
Hey,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
All things considered, I think you made the right call with the S9982 and the price was excellent as well.
The accessories that come with the i9000 models will fit the S9000. I didn’t get the chance to try the brush attachment, but the new beard styler with the adjustable comb was included with my i9000 Prestige Ultra. I did cover that one in my review of the Ultra.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey,
Thanks a lot for the very thorough walk-through. It seems like, though, that you have forgotten the comparison scheme for the S9000 series. It is the shaver that I’m looking for so the detailed comparison would be extremely appreciated :-)
Brgds,
Robert
Hi Robert,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
There is a model comparison table for the current Series 9000 right above. If you’re referring to the new i9000 series, that one will be included as well soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So much useful information!
I am thinking of getting the S9987/85 from Amazon after many years with a foil shaver. As a retired person, I now only shave every 3 or 4 days and I no longer need the closest shave.
I have read as much as I can here about the differences between foil and rotary. One thing I have not quite found the answer to. People comment on the difficulty of shaving close under the nose etc because of the design of the heads but I haven’t seen whether there is a solution to it. How do people deal with that?
One other quick question. Does the S9987/85 use the USB charging or is it the traditional AC plug?
Thank you, Norman, I appreciated it.
With these larger rotaries (with the new angular heads) one workaround would be to rotate the shaver ~90 degrees while holding it so that the smaller part of one single head can get closer to the base of the nose. Here is an image of that (blue arrow). Hope this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi again. I’ve been rereading your review of the 9500 and it seems that the S9987/85 does not have USB charging. It seems that the USB cable can be bought separately. Would it be compatible with the S9987/85?
Hi Norman,
That is correct, the shaver comes with the common Philips AC charger. The USB cable will not be compatible because its plug is slightly different than the one on the AC charger. That’s intentional as the input (voltage, current) required for the shavers that come with the USB cable is different.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks. I am going to need a second US type AC charger to keep in a different location. I can only find a part number on Philips UK. Do you know what is the correct part number for the US charger, please?
You are very welcome. It’s the Philips HQ8505 (AD21163HF) and if you order it from the USA it will have a US plug. The European type is usually only listed as HQ8505.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Fabulously written! I just bought a S6900 from COSTCO for $69. It has the head of the 7000 series rather than the round head of the 6000 series you reviewed. My purchase excludes the additional attachment on the clipper to leave stubble. Is this an off beat model? Is this why you did not specifically address the S6900 model? I would like to know if you think I should keep my purchase? Included in my box are two quick cleaning solutions, quick cleaning apparatus, cleaning brush, and the charging cord. When it comes time to replace the blades, I will do so with the SH91.
Hi David,
Thank you so much for the comment.
The shaver you bought is the new Series 6000, so it comes with the larger heads (they are indeed the ones from the Series 7000). I think this new 6900 is still a great package at that price considering everything you’re getting. The shaving head is larger vs the old (discontinued) model that I got, but most users tend to get used to it quickly.
You will also be able to upgrade the heads with the SH91. I don’t think you’ll get the most out of the SH91 though, as the Series 6000 isn’t as powerful as the 9000 series. But you should still notice an improvement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am looking at the Philips 9000 series (non prestige). I have a cheap Xioami rotary head currently, and what I find difficult is cutting my mustache area right up to my nose as the cutters are slightly inset from the edge. Looking at the Philips with its angular design it seems like they are way inset. Does this make it impossible to cut close to your nose, ears etc?
Hi Chris,
You are right, they are the most inset from the edge on the Series 9000 and S9000 Prestige (as well as on the new lower series 5000-8000). The latest i9000 Series are a bit better, the heads are a bit thinner, rounder and the offset between the metal head and the edge is slightly smaller. So if you can find a good deal on an i9000, it is a bit more user-friendly.
You can sort of get around the inconvenience of the inset head by turning the shaver ~90 degrees and using the smaller inset side when shaving at the base of the nose (the blue arrow in this picture). I hope this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
I am thinking of getting the Philips Shaver i9000 Prestige XP9207/30 from Amazon UK. I am confused as to where this range fits in your excellent review. I only see XP mentioned on your pages for the Ultra, but is definitely not the Ultra. Is it somewhere between the S9000 Prestige and the Ultra?
Hi Norman,
You are right and I will be updating the article to include all the new i9000 variations as well.
The non-Ultra i9000 Prestige is essentially the regular Series 9000 (not the S9000 Prestige) but with the new, smaller, rounder shaving heads of the Ultra. So it’s not quite as powerful as the S9000 Prestige or the Prestige Ultra as it lacks the power settings and only has a single operating mode — again, just like the standard Series 9000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. You posted this just seconds before my post about the XP9207/30.
Why do Philips have to make the numbering so confusing and unhelpful?
I totally agree, even Panasonic models seem easier to grasp in comparison. Will be updating the post soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
There is also the XP9204/85 available from Amazon.com and which is on Philips US website. It seems to be the same as the XP9207/30.
I bought Series 5000 and tried it several times, I got really bad razor burn every time so I had to return it. I don’t get such a bad razor burn with braun series 8. Can series 9000 or prestige be better for my face or its my face which just doesn’t like rotary shavers ?
Hi Matt,
The Series 5000 (the one with the larger angular heads) is a mid-range rotary in terms of performance, but it is nevertheless comfortable and gentle. So I don’t think that upgrading to a 9000 series will bring a massive improvement. I think a foil shaver will simply work better here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve been wavering in trying to decide what to do. Well, I just saw the XP9403/88 i9000 Prestige Ultra, which you mention in the review, as a Limited Time Deal on Amazon.com for $284.96 and decided it seemed too good a price to miss. I’ve just ordered it and I hope I did the right thing.
Hi Norman,
Saw that one as well, I think it’s a fantastic deal considering all you’re getting. Hope you’ll like the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu. I would have preferred to have a built in trimmer, although I know that’s not possible with the Ultra.
I would also have preferred a Precision Trimmer instead of the Beard Styler. (I don’t have any kind of beard.) If I remove the adjustable combs, can I use it like a Trimmer just for straightening sideburns?
Absolutely, you can use it like trimmer with the blade exposed and no guard. The only inconvenience is that the styler is a bit thicker than the basic Precision trimmer because of that built-in dial for adjusting the comb.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am looking into buying a new shaver and i am debating about the following options:
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/XP9404_46/i9000-prestige-ultra-wet-dry-electric-shaver-with-skiniq-pro
this is currently at £700 which is just too much, especially considering that this is at £290 (same shaver, different accessories):
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/XP9402_31/i9000-prestige-ultra-wet-dry-electric-shaver-with-skiniq-pro
My debate is whether i should choose this instead:
https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/SP9883_35/shaver-s9000-prestige-wet-and-dry-electric-shaver-series-9000
i know it s the old model, but it s the same price, a few more accessories and it is using the same blades so shaving should be more or less similar. Also i quite like the wireless charging (but i know it is quite slow)
What do you think?
Also i cannot find any info about the case of the second link. Is it a hard or soft travel case and how big is it? Any pics with it open?
Hi,
The one in the first link is indeed outrageously expensive even if it includes the charging case.
Both the second link (i9000 Prestige Ultra) and the third (S9000 Prestige) are in my opinion equally good options. Having used both, I’d say the shave itself is identical. The main difference is related to ergonomics, the i9000 Prestige Ultra having smaller, rounder, thinner heads (the blades are the same SH91). It’s not a huge difference between them, but the Prestige Ultra feels more manageable and a bit easier to use below the nose thanks to the tweaked heads. It also comes with a companion app that enables some features more or less gimmicky. I would highly recommend reading my review of it where I also compare it to the S9000 Prestige.
And speaking of the S9000 Prestige, that one has a few pros of its own: better looks (in my opinion), subjectively better build quality, the motor is a bit quieter and more refined (although it still runs at 2300 RPM in the highest speed setting, just like the i9000 Prestige Ultra). I think the older S9000 Prestige is definitely worth considering especially if you like the accessories and the charging pad.
Regarding the case of the i9000 Prestige Ultra, here is a picture of it with the shaver inside. It has a textile feel but it is hard/solid, it’s really nice, to be honest. The one that comes with the S9000 Prestige is taller/thicker and has a rubber-like finish (also solid), very nice as well and probably more durable (here is a picture as well).
Hope this helps you make a decision.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Was really useful!
Kind regars,
John
It’s so hard to roll down and leave a comment. Like your review. I am from China, if you are going to update this, the best review I found so far about the high end line ups, I would suggest to add about more about the motor. I have walked through Philips DE/US/CN websites and Amazon and also the retail store, the SP9840/9871, the S9000 prestige is the only series which offer brushless electric motor, the so called digital motor which makes almost no sound if you take the head down, while even i9000 prestige ultra XP9404’s motor is making noise. (Not sure if only China version work like that. But there is not much mentioned about that)
The SP version seems the results based on Qi wireless charing. It should be a failure as it only can be charged on the official wireless charger as the customer care replied. So you are taking risk that this 2/5 years warranty device might not be able to work due to the wireless charger pod. And the pod looks really bad as it cable is using a type A usb. However SP9840 still one option to go. Though I just noticed the old S9000 is offering a metal one.
The i9000 prestige ultra seems the most advanced one as it showed on the US and Germany websites. But pay attention to its motor. The US website has a lineup image which reads i9000 is above all. Among the i9000s, there is prestige, prestige pro, and prestige ultra. The prestige ultra offer the SkinIQ Pro and the prestige offers the Skin IQ. SP9840 series and above only offers the SkinIQ. So if you take the SkinIQ technology as the key technology platform indicator like the vehicles, that is easier to understand this i9000 lineups. And the SP9840, is actually offering a brushless motor with SkinIQ.
Interestingly, compared to Braun, Philips is the most quiet and comfortable one, Panasonic is in the middle. However, i9000 prestige ultra as the most newest one, seems sacrificing its advantage like less noise and shaking. But I should admit, even the motor is not that good as sp9840, the noise is less than Braun.
Another one you should add is the after buy costs. Philips acclaimed its header SH91 features the auto grinding blade. You need to replace that every 2 year. It is sold like 250 Chinese yuan(40usd), however, if you buy the Panasonic LV9W or 9AX, you need to replace the blade every year. That is sold more than double price or more.
Last but important, Philips product can be used for more than 7 years or more. I am not sure Braun product quality control but only Braun’s product (high end one) could not be work due to the battery. And i9000 prestige ultra offer 7years warranty though the motor is not that good than sp9840. While sp9840 only offer 5 or 2 years warranty.
I need to point out, the i9000 series is somewhat products after Philips make their home appliances isolated independent. It could be a result of rich marketing as you can see the i9000s can range from the price 1000 to 2500 in china, which possibly a result of fierce competition and cost down thinking. I am a bit sad when I figured out the thing. Some AI and interaction come up as the add on to price but the shaver’s performance is almost the same. Yes they are all using SH91 blade. The differences are just about the SkinIQ Pro or something.
And you should admit that Braun and Panasonic shaver work faster but noisy. It is more clean but you skin might feel not that comfortable as well. I cannot feel that Philips prestige ultra xp9404 can shave -0.08mm as it claimed.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for taking the time to post such an insightful and interesting comment.
I would be surprised if the motor used in the i9000 variations isn’t brushless despite being louder than the one in the S9000 Prestige. It’s clearly not as refined and probably not of the same high grade.
Philips motors (and shavers) have always been quieter compared to Panasonic and Braun and I’ve mentioned that when comparing and reviewing the shavers.
Rotaries are intrinsically quieter and various factors contribute to that (low RPMs, less vibrations from the shaving head, the fact that the shafts spin in only one direction, while the blades of a foil shaver oscillate sideways at a very high rate).
Rotary blades also last longer and again I’ve tried to emphasize this when comparing foil vs rotary shavers.
But foil shavers, especially Braun, do tend to be gentler and work well for a variety of users. Things have gotten better for Philips though, especially with the new double-edge heads (like the SH91 or SH71). Moreover, the latest Panasonic Arc 5 and Arc 6 (only available in Japan and Australia for now), have gotten so much more comfortable while somehow managing to improve the closeness.
Also, I would not get too hung up on Philips marketing and negative closeness claims.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Oh, the old version s9512 also offer brushless motor. I guess it’s not new technology and many S9 series offered that motor in the past. I am using that and sad to found that Philips is making more efforts on the marketing phrasings like digital motor in SP product while lower the specs in its newest i9000 series. And I assume, since i9000 prestige ultra is named XP9404, there could be an upgraded model like XP9604/9804 using brushless motor in the future.
As I mentioned in the previous comment, the motor in the Prestige Ultra is most likely brushless as well. Also, since the speed can simply be altered by the readings of the shaving sensor, by the user with a few taps in the app or directly on the shaver, the digital label can be applied here as well. Brushless motors are electronically commutated, so we can have precise control on the speed/torque.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I tested both new Philips shavers: S3145/00 (cost CAN $54.96 plus taxes) and Series 9000 Prestige Ultra (cost CAN $399.00 plus taxes), which supposed to be top of the line. Results were same. Obviously, I purchased S3145/00. 3 battery-capacity indicators on other Series 3000 shavers are just a gimmick and add about CAN $30 to the price. Who needs them? I clean and charge my shaver after each use, so no 3 indicators are needed. Charging after each use has no impact on shaving, but reduces strain on the battery and prolongs its life. I had old AT892 for almost 12 years, and would continue to use it, if new heads holder-bracket was available (original) to replace worn one. I also use AT892’s pouch and cleaning brush (not supplied with S3145/00). I have SH50 heads from old shaver and do not want to try them in new one until warranty will expire (lift-and-cut HS50 supposed to be better than SH30).
Hey,
Thank you for the comment.
You are in the ideal situation where a low-end shaver works just as good as a flagship model. Most of us can’t say the same.
The extra features of the more expensive Series 3000 (LED display, charging stands etc.) won’t indeed improve the shave, so getting the one that costs less makes sense.
The SH50 will fit a current Series 3000, but make sure the guard stays properly inside the holder. You may need to rotate it a bit until it drops in place as the SH50 has winglets and fits only in a certain position. The SH50 can shave a bit closer but it’s not as gentles and smooth on the skin as the SH30, at least not in my experience. Some men really like the SH50.
Enjoy shaving with your new S3145!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovi,
Following up from posting here last summer/fall.
After years of using Philips, I switched to Braun (9 Sport +).
I opened up a suitcase I haven’t used for about 5 years and found a shaver which I thought I had lost.
It is Philips S9031, with the older round heads. It says “REPLACE WITH SH90 HEADS”. Purchased at Costco probably ~5 years ago.
-Can the SH90 be replaced with the more comfortable SH91 ?
-Does this model have a motor comparable in power to the other 9000s?
Finally, here’s my cleaning routine for my Braun 9 Series.
Every day or two: remove head, tap out hair.
Every week: remove head, tap out hair. Rinse head thoroughly under tap. (I forgot about using some soap). Then, drench head with rubbing alcohol. My thinking here is that the alcohol should dry out much more quickly than the water. Pat dry and leave to dry thoroughly, then reattach to shaver body. Finally, use shaver/clipper oil, (though I find I do need more than one drop per blade) and run shaver for 10-15 seconds to help spread the oil around.
That’s about it!
PS Awesome website !
Let me just add that I do have the cleaning station but just don’t feel like mucking around with it. I’m away from home about half the time and I get the feeling the cleaning cartridge fluid would evaporate if left sitting. Then I would have to go to the trouble of replacing it. Funny because I already have some of that cleaning fluid powder mix that I have not yet used.
Hey Jordan,
Hope everything’s great.
Yes, you can certainly use the newer (and gentler) SH91 in your S9031.
Regarding your Series 9 cleaning routine, I think it’s effective, particularly with the weekly deep clean, otherwise just tapping out the hairs will probably not be enough. An alternative to that would be a quick rinse of the head with tap water as that alone would remove even more hairs.
You are right about the cleaning fluid evaporating — it’s why I recommend removing the cartridge from the station and sealing it with the original plastic cap. You would do this of course after the cleaning and drying cycles are completed.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Based on all of the your great reviews, I decided to track down a round head prestige and ran across SP9842/85. Do you know anything about this variant? It seems to have the new thinner ultra head, looks to be the metal body & despite saying qi charger in the description, the photo of a used one on eBay shows a corded charger. If it is all of those things, I think it might be the perfect combination.
Hi Ken,
When I first saw a picture of it, I thought there must be an error. It’s like a unicorn Prestige that has indeed the body of the OG Prestige and the head of the i9000 models. I thought that would be impossible because the head of my Prestige Ultra doesn’t actually fit my original Prestige, and the old Prestige didn’t come with a Pod (but it does have an accelerometer, so the Pod compatibility could be solved). But the SP9842 does seem to exist, and it’s even listed on Norelco’s website. It should come with a normal wired charger.
If you can find a good deal on it, I think it’s a really nice combo. The heads are not quite as small as the round ones, but you do get a flip-open head and a Pod.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, I have a Type H P 1131. Great old shaver , plenty of power. Just need a replacement shaving head. Where can I find one or all three parts that go to make it up ?
Hi Don,
I think eBay would be your best bet; the chances of finding (new) parts for such an old model are very small anyway. Buying the whole shaver might also be a worthy option if you find one in mint condition and for a fair price. None of the blades used by the current Philips shavers will fit, I’m afraid.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi ovidiu
I’m looking at some options and I found some offers on Amazon for the 9400, but I don’t know exactly what the difference is between the S9502 and the X9002/82. Could you please help me with this question. I wouldn’t want to buy a model that isn’t good.
Is this 9400 part of the new i9000?
Hi Felipe,
The X9002/82 is indeed part of the new i9000 series, so it comes with the new compact head. It also includes the quick clean pod, so it’s definitely the better buy if the price is similar.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu Thanks for your prompt response.
One more question.
Are the X9000/90 and X9002/82 the same shaver? The only difference is the accessories?
The X9000/90 costs $140 and includes a nose trimmer, charging stand, and travel case.
The X9002/82 costs $154 and includes a travel case and cleaning capsule.
both have SH91 HEADS?
You are very welcome.
Yes, both have the SH91 heads and shave exactly the same. The accessories are the only things that are different, so you should buy the one that makes more sense for you.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, xclnt piece. It’s prime day and i saw a norelco phillips series 9000 ‘prestige special edition’ on sale which includes nose trimmer and power station. Hard to decipher what the difference is between it and the ultra. Do you know what differences are/what are your thoughts on this one. Appreciate quick response if you can as sale won’t last.
Thank you!!
Hi Marty,
If you’re referring to the SP9842/85, that one seems to be a unicorn, in the sense that it shouldn’t exist. It has the body of the S9000 Prestige, but the head unit of the new i9000 series. And that head doesn’t fit to the S9000 Prestige (I tried it myself). That’s what the official images show, anyway. But if that’s the case when you get the shaver, it should be an excellent performer, as you’re getting the best of both worlds (the quiet, powerful and refined motor of the S9000 Prestige + the more user-friendly head unit of the i9000).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wow – thanks so muchfor the quick reply! Yes, sounds too good to be true. Guess I can order and return if necessary though I hate to do that. Also doesn’t have a power station included but I assume they must include a USB charging cable.
One last question, please. Costco sells a model – 9600 – S9507/87. Any knowledge of this model and comments?
Thank you again, Ovidiu.
You are very welcome, Marty. That 9600 is just a regular Series 9000, so it has the larger heads, the motor is less powerful vs the one in the SP9842/85 and you also don’t get the user selectable power settings.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I wanted to let you know that I did order the prestige 9000 special edition and it’s awesome – thank you! Previously, I had the Braun 9000 which I happened to leave behind at a hotel and had to replace and I find this infinitely better for me. Shaves much closer than the Braun and gets into the various places that the Braun could never get to for me (I always needed to follow up with a regular blade even after replacing the blades on the Braun).
There are so many different iterations of this razor (and the Braun 9000) that I know it’s difficult for the consumer to process. Not sure why these companies do that as I can’t imagine it doesn’t lead to a lot of extra expense due to packaging. associated labor, minor tweaks, etc.
Anyway- I wanted to thank you and let you know the results of my search in case it may be beneficial for you and/or your readership.
All best, Marty
Hey Marty,
That’s awesome, glad the switch to a rotary went so well. Seems like you found a winner.
Thank you for the comment and enjoy shaving shaving with your new Prestige!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great. Thank you again for your prompt replies!
I have had a Norelco Series 5000 for at least 10 years. It may even be closer to 20. I am not sure of the specific model, but it is either S5280, S5210, or S5205 according to the manual. I have changed the heads in the last year, but I don’t think the shave is as close as it used to be. I also have to go over the same area multiple times, and it takes too long to get what I consider a close shave. Or maybe I am just noticing it more. I usually shave every other day, and I have a “normal” beard, not course or light. I have always used a rotary shaver. Now I am considering a new shaver. Probably a mid tier. Would a new version Series 5000 (ie the 5400) work better than what I have? Or should I look at the Series 7000? Or do I need to look at a foil, like the Braun Series 8? Thanks in advance.
Hi Dennis,
Your Series 5000 uses the SH50 blades, with the old Super Lift&Cut that was rather aggressive but could in turn give you a closer shave (if it didn’t cause any discomfort). The new Series 5000 comes with the SH71 that has a more refined and gentle Lift&Cut design, but you may not find them to shave quite as close. The Series 7000 shaves exactly the same as the 5000, which is why I usually recommend the 5000 for a mid-range Norelco (unless you want the Pod that only comes with the 7000 in the USA).
I would rather be on the lookout for a great deal on the Series 9000 (like the 9400) or i9000 as those come with better SH91 blades and more power compared to the 5000/7000.
A foil shaver could be a great option as well, but I think Panasonic would be a better bet if you are primarily interested in getting a very close shave. The Arc 5 (ES-LV65, ES-LV67 or ES-ALV6H) usually offers the best performance for the money. You will have to shave often for a foil shaver to work optimally; foil shavers work best on short stubble.
Also, if you’ve only used rotaries, the safest option would probably be another rotary like the Series 9000 or i9000 I mentioned above.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the advice. I certainly would not want the less aggressive blades for the new S5000. The old one isn’t cutting well at all. With Amazon Prime they had the 9400 and i9000 at about the same price, so I went with the i9000 9001/91. I don’t need or want all the bells and whistles, but it has the pod. I see it has a 45 day trial period, so I can send it back if it doesn’t give me a better and faster shave.
You are very welcome, Dennis. I think that one was the best option all, things considered. Hope you’ll like it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Now that I have used the i9000 9001/91 for over 45 days, here is my opinion. It is shaving MUCH closer and MUCH faster than my old 5000 series, so I am keeping it. The only complaint I have is the popup trimmer. It is much worse than my old one. So I am keeping my old shaver around just for trimming sideburns, moustache, etc. That is not really what I prefer. Is there a trimmer that would fit the i9000 if I remove the heads?
Hi Dennis,
Glad you like the i9000. I also never liked any of the Philips trimmers, be it the integrated type or the separate ones. Speaking of which, the click-on beard trimmers/stylers included with the i9000 Prestige Ultra will fit your shaver as well, but I’m not sure if it’ll be an upgrade. You can read my impressions of it here, hope it helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great comparison. I am getting one for my dad and I found the older 6000 series. I noticed that the older S6540 uses the SH50 but the newer 6800 (albeit legacy) i.e with rounded heads came with the SH60 heads ?
I think it would be a fantastic edition if you could list the various series 6000 models out there since it appears you can still pick them up on eBay etc
thanks
Sunil
Hi Sunil,
Thank you so much for the comment. You are correct regarding the SH50 and SH60 heads. I will try to update the article with the model names asap.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I had an older Prestige model that developed a musty smell. I did not have a cleaning pod. I ordered the XP9402/86. I love the shaver. However within the first week the cleaning pod stopped working. I called Phillips customer service. They refused to replace the pod. I returned the shaver to Amazon and they will issue a refund. I then ordered the XP9400/89. The UV sanitizer won’t charge beyond 29% and is now losing the charge despite being plugged in. Again Phillips says they can’t replace the defective sanitizer and I need to contact Amazon. Amazon will refund $92.65 but can’t replace the defective accessory. I ordered another cleaning pod. I think the current shaver gives me the closest shave I’ve ever had. I would also say that Phillips offers perhaps the worst customer support I’ve ever experienced.
Hi David,
Thank you for taking the time to share this. I’m sorry about the issues you’ve had, that’s quite unlucky. Philips support is usually more helpful in these situations.
I’m glad the shaver works great though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What a fabulous resource this is. I’ve been needing a new shaver for a while and researching on the web. Until today I was unsure what to buy. I have a Braun Foil and an old Philips (which I prefer) neither are working so well as they used to. Braun is quicker but Philips gives me a better shave.
Your superb article has identified an i9000 as the one to for. Ordered with 59% off from Amazon. Delivery tomorrow.
Thanks very much.
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment. Glad the info was useful and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Philips.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I randomly found an interesting pdf file called “PHILIPS history shaving and grooming”.
It is a database that covers Philips shavers from the years 1990-2023.
I have two electric Philips shavers that I bought within this time-period. I know the years precisely because I have saved the receipts.
I bought one (HS 545) in 1997 and the other one (HQ 6696) in 2006.
According to the database, I can read that Philips started production of them in 1991 and 2006 respectively. You can also read which shaving heads the different shavers came with. In my two, I can see that they were HP 1917 and HQ55 respectively, which is also correct.
You probably have to be bit of a nerd to find the pdf file interesting, but maybe i am not the only one.
It can be found on the website https://philishavehistory.com/ under the menu “catalogue” and submenu “index database”.
Correction submenu is “Index numerical”
In fact, the first mentioned submenu “index database” is just as interesting.
Among other things, I can read that the HQ 2 shaver head replaced and is identical to the HP 1917 that came with my shaver. This knowledge can be useful in search for compatible shaver heads.
Hi Kim,
Thanks so much for the info — that’s a fantastic resource that goes way back. My guide only covers the recent (still in production) models.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
you’re welcome
I thought you would probably find it interesting, like I did.
Great write-up – super informative, especially with wading through the multitude of different model numbers etc. I have been using Philips 3 blade rechargeable shavers since 1991, and a AA battery powered 2 blade Philips before that.
I just bought a XP9201/88 (via Amazon Australia, but shipped from Amazon US) on a early Prime Day sale price. It only arrived 2 days ago, so not used it much yet, but it is very noticeably quicker than my 7yo S9711 (which started having a fast-fading battery in recent months – it dropped from 44% to battery alarm at 8% in one shave).
Probably the single biggest change I would have suggested is fitting the shaver with a standard USB-C plug (so either USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C) instead of the USB-A cable with the propriety Philips plug style (which is different to the older Philips plugs).
To me this would have been a significant benefit for traveling since everything else is moving (or already there) to USB-C, so it would have meant one less cable to carry.
Otherwise (and early days yet), it seems like a great shaver.
Hey Colin,
Thanks so much for the comment — glad you like the new shaver.
I totally agree with you on the USB-C port, I’d say it’s the most underrated feature you can have on a modern electric shaver. After I’ve used a Panasonic Arc 6 with a USB-C port as my main shaver, using a proprietary charger feels like such a nuisance — let alone when traveling.
It really was missed opportunity for Philips, but at least we get the USB-A cables, still better than what Braun is doing (the latest top-of-the-line Series 9 PRO+ comes with a wired Braun charger).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes, clearly the designers of these “travel” items never actually travel
I travel with a shaver, electric toothbrush, Canon camera, iPhone (Lightning), iPad (USB-C), laptop, travel router, powerbank, and sometimes action camera, wireless earbuds & bluetooth transmitter (for the earbuds on a plane). With my old shaver, the shaver, toothbrush, camera and laptop all had their own (corded) chargers, plus USB-A (Lightning & micro-USB) and USB-C chargers for the rest.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could all use a single multi-output USB-C charger and 2-3 USB-C cables for the whole lot ? We are getting there, but some companies, like Philips are slow to change.
The other advantage of a USB-C cable would be for using the charging stand in a wall-mounted shaving cabinet (which has a power outlet inside the cabinet) at home. Mine isn’t deep/large enough to accommodate the charging base with the (rather long) Philips plug coming out of the base. A right-angle USB-C cable would solve this easily.
Ordered the Ultra, got the non-Ultra. Feels cheap in hand, even more so than the mid-tier options. Is the entire i9000 line made in Netherlands?
Hi George,
Yes, all the 9000 shavers, be it the i or S models, are made in the Netherlands. You should return the shaver and request for the correct model to be sent to you; the Ultra does have a few noteworthy pros, the high-power mode being probably the most important one.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, the Ultra doesn’t shave noticeably closer than the non-Ultra, right? The SH91 gets rid of the ingrown hairs I got with the SH71 but takes more passes than I’d like to get a clean enough shave.
You are very welcome. I’d say no, the closeness will be very similar in the end, but I do like the extra power as it makes the shaver feel faster and a bit more enjoyable to use.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ok thanks! I suspect the -0.08mm vs 0.00mm figures quoted by Philips relate to the stronger motor for the Ultra because the non-Ultra’s coating appears identical.
You can definitely achieve similar if not identical closeness with the regular Prestige, though it may require a bit more work (more passes, maybe a bit more pressure if the skin can handle it).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
To add on, the regular Prestige still gives me the occasional ingrown hair. Assuming the Ultra model won’t make much of a difference, I should consider something like the Braun Series 9, right?
The occasional ingrown won’t necessarily be fixed with a new shaver. A hair that was cut very close and has the tendency to curl back into the skin can become ingrown, though there are other factors as well, like a clogged pore. The Braun Series 9 and the various models in the Philips 9000 family, be it the S or the newer i series, will probably be similar in terms of closeness provided you get along well with both.
I would rather try to manage it with exfoliating around twice a week (with a gentle face wash/scrub, maybe something containing salicylic acid), especially if the problem is not that serious and there are only a few hairs that cause problems.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Right, I saw your comments about using pre-shave for ingrown hairs. Braun’s website says the closer the shave, the more likely ingrown hairs will occur and gives the advantage to rotaries over foils. Would you agree? The newer Panasonics look appealing but maybe not.
I think there’s a bit of a nuance to that. In theory, rotaries with the thicker guards don’t shave as close as foil shavers (the foil screen is usually a lot thinner), which can be beneficial in reducing ingrown hairs.
That said, Braun foil shavers, including the latest S9 PRO+ 2025, don’t shave quite as close as 5 and 5-blade Panasonic shavers for example. And Philips uses the Lift&Cut blade design to overcome some of the inherent closeness deficit caused by the thicker guards. So a 9000 series Philips and a Braun Series 9 can give you a similar closeness.
I prefer foil shavers, they just work better with my skin/stubble/technique, so the closeness is better when I shave with a Braun S9, even though technically both are just as capable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello, just wondering you said that a series 5000 shaver could fit in SH91 double railed shaver head yes? Just wanted to double confirm my shaver serial is S5885, thank you!
Hi,
Yes, the SH91 will fit. However, you won’t get a very significant performance upgrade because the motor of your shaver isn’t as powerful as the units in the Series 8000 and 9000, let alone the S9000 Prestige/Prestige Ultra. The dual-track heads also require more power from the motor just to spin the rotary blades (24 individual blades vs only 15, so more friction), and that will be a limitation of the shaver itself. But again, the SH91 will fit just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thank you for all of your insight and knowledge. I think I would like to get the Series 6900 razor. You said that the high end SH91 heads work with this razor. I have seen some information that says they are not compatible.
If they are compatible then my purchasing decision, has been made.
I just wanted to double check with you.
Thanks again!!!
Hi Daniel,
Thank you so much for the comment, you are very kind.
I have used them in my shaver and I can confirm that they fit. In fact, the SH91 heads are almost identical to the SH60 that originally come on the Series 6000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am fortunate to own a Braun series 9 and a Phillips (Norelco) i9000 razors. I experimented for weeks shaving ½ of my face daily with each one. I am a red head and am 77 y/o. My beard is graded as medium. I judged each razor for comfort and closeness of shave. My conclusion is, Phillips (Norelco) is the best by far!
Hey Norman,
Many thanks for sharing your experience. It’s ideal if you have the possibility to actually try the shavers. Enjoy your i9000, seems to be a great fit.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I bought a Model Rs8993 Shaver to replace my older Philips Series 3000 Shaver.
Unfortunately the newer Model Rs8993 shaver does not work any more ( will not accept a charge ) and I do not know what to do about it.
My series 3000 shaver works fine.
So much for trying to keep up with technology ???
Hi Ray,
Sorry about that. When it comes to rotary shavers, Philips is pretty much the only viable option nowadays, especially with regards to reliability and performance. I am yet to find a decent alternative.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu, I don’t know if you’ll understand me. This message is 100% translated by Google because I don’t write, read, or speak English. I’m from northeastern Brazil (there’s no warm tap water here!) Thank you so much for the site and your incredible hard work. You’re a lifesaver for desperate men. Could you help me choose an electric razor for a 44-year-old beginner who shaves once a week. To remove excess beard, he uses a Wahl HI-VIZ (I don’t recommend buying it for shaving, because the hair can get in your eyes at some point). In zero-setting mode, you can adjust the blade distance to very close to the skin, although it shouldn’t be more than 0.04 mm in this close setting. I also use a OneBlade, which cuts at 0.03 mm (I believe), but look, Ovidiu, the OneBlade is VERY laborious to “shave”; it’s a lot of back and forth with my arm for me, so I’d like an electric shaver, but due to lack of money (I don’t have a precise budget yet either) and since I’m also a complete beginner and shave once a week, I don’t know whether to buy a Philips S5898/17 (this is very affordable here in Brazil with warranty although I can’t buy it now) or a Panasonic Es-lv67 or a Panasonic Es Lv97 (much more expensive and without a warranty). To avoid putting you in a very complicated situation, choose from the perspective of a beginner who shaves/shaves once a week using a modified Wahl HI-VIZ first and then uses an electric shaver, okay.
Forget price, warranty, or anything that might get in the way.
If you understood what I wrote.
If you didn’t understand almost anything, that’s okay.
Thanks for trying to read.
Hi Augusto,
You are very kind, thank you for the comment. The translation is perfectly clear.
The Wahl HI-VIZ is a powerful trimmer and if your beard is slightly longer (it should be after one week of growth) and coarse, the clipped hairs will jump all over the place, including in your eyes, which can actually be quite dangerous. So definitely take extra care.
Because you’ll always be using the trimmer to pre-cut the hairs (a very good idea after if you haven’t shave in one week), either the Panasonic ES-LV67 and the S5898/17 should handle the remaining stubble just fine. That said, these are two completely different shavers. As a sidenote, the ES-LV97 is identical to the ES-LV67, but the ES-LV97 also includes a cleaning station.
The ES-LV67 is significantly more powerful than the S5898/17 and will shave closer. The S5898/17 is a mid-range rotary that is a decent performer for the money, but can’t match the ES-LV67 in terms of power and closeness. So if closeness is really important to you, the price difference is probably worth it.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu, I have somewhat sensitive skin and am planning to buy a MUCH more expensive electric shaver like the Braun 9575cc (it costs a LOT here in Brazil, many times more than in the US).
But that’s a very distant future, like two years or so.
However, I’m writing to ask which of the two electric shavers (the Panasonic ES-LV67 and the S5898/17) would be suitable for a beginner in terms of ease of use who shaves once a week with a modified Wahl HI-VIZ.
Thanks for reading.
Hi Augusto,
I already replied to your comment right above, not sure if you saw it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article but for some reason for months when I’ve tried to access it totally kills my browser – same in Edge and Chrome
Hi Stuart,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. It is a large article with many comments, but should still be fine, especially when using Edge which is not as resource-hungry as Chrome. It’s the first time someone has mentioned this to me. I will look more into it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just loved your article. I got an odd model from Costco (in Canada) — the s6632/88 (https://www.costco.ca/philips-shaver-series-6000-wet-%2526-dry-electric-shaver.product.4000326879.html).
It cost me CA$134.99 + taxes in store.
How would you classify this model? It doesn’t seem to fit into your reviews above.
Hi Ari,
Thank you for the comment, glad the article was useful.
The S6632/88 is indeed sold in Canada and while visually it appears to be a bit different than other current Series 6000 sold globally, it is actually the same in every way that matters (motor, angular heads, SH71 blades, performance).
Relative to this article, it would fall into the Philips Series 6000 category (which is identical performance-wise to the Series 7000).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This Philips shaver review was easily the most comprehensive, credible and helpful review of any product I’ve ever read. Simply outstanding, and ultimately indispensable in choosing the Philips i9000 Prestige model shaver I finally purchased. Even with the help of the review, it was a protracted decision. Without it, I would never have been able to identify and digest all of the features of the respective models and to make a confident decision. Thanks for your dedication to task. Alan Parkin
Alan,
You are too kind, thank you for the comment. Glad the info was useful and I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new i9000 Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great analysis. The best information source about this topic!
One question: I’m thinking to go with the i9000 prestige. How important is to get the cleaning pod? The version I found in the store I want to but it from don’t come with it. Is it water cleaning enough or will it deteriorate the shaver overtime?
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad the info was useful.
You can of course clean the shaver manually (after every shave), it will not deteriorate overtime. The Pod is not a must-have, so if you found a great deal on the Prestige, definitely go for it. I usually recommend the Pod as the models that come bundled with it often cost the same or only marginally more. However that’s not always the case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your very cristal review.
I’d like you to advise me between these deals, which one would be a better choice for the price (relation price/quality).
Philips i9000 Prestige XP9205/30 203€
Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9404/38 320€
Philips Shaver série 5000 S5889/50 96€
Philips Série 7000, S7885/63 7000 152€
Thank you in advance,
João Carlos
Hi João Carlos,
Thank you for the kind comment.
The Series 5000 and 7000 have absolutely identical shaving performance, so the Series 5000 would be the best pick in the budget category.
If your budget allows it, you should consider one of the other two, especially if your facial hair is coarser or you shave les frequently, like twice a week. The performance difference between the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra and the Philips i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) essentially comes down to a slightly more powerful shaving mode for the former: 2300 RPM vs 2100 RPM. In practice, this won’t be that noticeable and the results will be very similar. Other features of the Prestige Ultra (like pressure and technique guide, less powerful shaving modes) won’t impact the performance.
So if you want to save some money and get most of the good stuff, then buy the Philips i9000 Prestige XP9205/30.
I will say however that the deal for the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra XP9404/38 is quite good since it includes the UV charging case as well. If you won’t be using it, again I think you can just buy the Philips i9000 Prestige XP9205/30 since it also comes with the Quick Clean Pod.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am curious, where do the Norelco Aquatouch (on Walmart’s website) and the Norelco 6500 (on Sam’s Club website) fall on this list?
Hi Michael,
Sam’s Club sells two different 6500: one with SH30 blades and a single shaving mode and one with SH50 blades and an additional Turbo mode. So it would be fair to think of the former as being essentially a Series 3000 with a different design, while the latter would be a Series 6000, but fitted with the older and more aggressive SH50 blades. The better SH60 blades (with dual tracks) should fit as well and would be a great upgrade.
The Walmart Aquatouch is pretty much the same as the Sam’s Club 6500 with a single mode and SH30 blades.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you so much for the informative and quick reply!!!
FYI all….
The 8000 is available in the USA at COSTCO!
Hey,
Thank you for the heads up. It’s a bit difficult for me to check Costco regularly, I have to use a USA VPN, otherwise the site just denies access for European visitors.
The S8696/86 they sell is a great deal at the current price, you’re essentially getting a Series 9000 (with a pod, nose trimmer and a stand) for the price of a Series 7000 with similar accessories. That’s excellent value for money.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for such a detailed guide Ovidiu!
Having looked at the disassembly of the shavers, it raised a very interesting question. I currently have an old 5000 series (round heads), and would i be able to swap the whole head unit to the s9000 prestige (round heads)?
Basically, an s9000 prestige head on a 5000 body! By the looks of it, the triangular dock on the body that connects its motor to the head unit, seems to be identical across all lineups. (i would love to post a picture for explanation, but unfortunately i can’t. Hopefully this explanation makes sense)
It would be really awesome if you could test it out for me, if an s9000 prestige head unit is interchangeable with different types of bodies (maybe even on the new 5000, 7000 series too)
Cheers and happy Halloween!
Hi Tim,
Thank you for the comment, glad the guide was useful.
The head of the S9000 Prestige (with rounded heads) will not fit the body of the new Series 5000 and 7000. The plastic shaft is way too short on the S9000 Prestige head and can’t reach far enough into the fitting on the shaver’s body. It will fall right out.
As for the old 5000 like yours, I’m afraid I don’t have one right now so I can try it out (I gave mine away as I was running out of space to store all my shavers). However, I will say that there’s a good chance it will fit. I recall the old Series 5000 using a shorter strut, similar to the one on the S9000 Prestige head.
But before thinking about upgrading your 5000 with the Prestige head, there’s one major issue. Even if it does physically fit, an S9000 Prestige has a more powerful motor: slightly higher rotational speed (2300 RPM vs ~2000 RPM), but quite a lot more torque. And that torque is necessary to drive the SH91 blades that come with the S9000 Prestige head. The SH91 use dual-track blades, so the number of individual blades is a lot higher compared to the SH50 heads in your shaver: 24 vs 9. So that’s a lot more friction and you need a powerful motor to properly drive the blades. Your shaver will probably feel sluggish when fitted with the S9000 Prestige head and the performance gains will be minimal. Unfortunately just upgrading the head will not turn a Series 5000 into an S9000 Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am auction bidding on a Series 1000 (S1332) Phillips shaver in Canada. I note from your review that is intended for the European market. Is there a charging issue (Canada and the US share the same electricity system) using it in North America? Also, I note that you commented that it gives an acceptable shave despite its low price position. I have never used a Phillips shaver before (only Braun shavers, currently a SynchroPro 7505), and if I win the auction the Phillips would be for occasional use, when, say, the Braun is being recharged. Will I be disappointed in its quality (the Braun I find a little disappointing to begin with even with new heads), and maybe the cleaning chore, which seems to require disassembling the shaver head?
Hi Gene,
If you’ve only used (Braun) foil shavers, then your first experience with a low-end rotary may not be great. A Series 1000 will be quieter and maybe even better at catching the flat hairs, but a decent foil shaver will otherwise shave faster and closer.
Charging it won’t be a problem as the charger takes 100-240V, but you will need a simple plug adapter (Europe to North America). Disassembling the shaving head would only be required every few months, for regular cleaning it won’t be necessary.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Fantastic review mate, thank you!
I have an opportunity to buy th i9000 Prestige or the S9000 prestige at a similar price.
Which would you pick in this isntance? Similar attachedments and clean pod inlcuded. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Jordan!
Both will be similar (performance-wise) but with one notable difference.
The S9000 Prestige is a bit more powerful in the high-power shaving setting (2300 RPM vs 2100 RPM), but it comes with the larger slab-like thicker heads. So the shaving head feels bulkier and less user-friendly if you’ve never used a rotary or you are used to the old round design of the heads.
The i9000 Prestige comes with the updated squircle heads, so they are more manageable and a bit easier to use. You also get Bluetooth connectivity via the GroomTribe app, but there are no speed settings (only the standard 2100 RPM mode). There’s also an integrated trimmer, while the S9000 Prestige has a separate attachment.
I would mainly consider these things when making a decision. My personal pick would be the S9000 Prestige, I like the smoothness and extra torque of the motor and I got used to the larger heads. I do not like the separate trimmer at all though for small tweaks (usually for my sideburns), though it is more capable if you need to pre-trim your entire beard.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu!
One extra consideration for me is the warranty, which is 5 years on the i9000 Prestige vs I think either 1 or 2 years on the S9000 Prestige.
Do you think his is worth consideration or do the products usually hold up well?
First time using a rotary shaver.
You are very welcome, Jordan. Philips razors are generally very reliable, both the shaver/motor and the battery. That said, 5 years of warranty represents some extra peace of mind and might just tip the balance in favor of the newer i9000.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I just left the following comment about your excellent Philips Norelco comparison, but I accidentally addressed it to “Alan,” not you (Ovidiu), and I cannot find a way to edit my comment. Sorry about that. Fell free to change that in my original comment, if you are able to.
Here is my corrected comment:
Thank you, Ovidiu. You’ve provided a very thorough comparison of all the Philips Norelco rotary shaver series and models. After using Philips Norelco rotary shavers for many years, I switched to Panasonic because I wanted an integrated sideburns trimmer. However, very recently Costco in the U.S. started selling an 8000-series model (the S8696/86), with its integrated trimmer as well as a pod for cleaning, a nose hair trimmer, a charging stand, a travel case and up to a 5-year warranty (with product registration)! I also have a Philips Norelco beard trimmer attachment from an older shaver. Better yet, it went on sale in the Costco coupon book. I bought one and I am overall happy with it. Needless to say, I stopped using my Panasonic, which was unable to shave soft neck hair. My only wish is that my Philips Norelco 8000 Series had the closeness of the rounded, beveled head design and the three rows of blades, like the best older models had. As you say, the newer, angular head cannot get close enough to shave right up to the nose. I was very impressed with the effectiveness of the cleaning pod. I had never used a cleaner before. Only using it occasionally, when I think it is needed, will greatly extend how long a cleaning cartridge refill lasts.
Hi Jan,
No worries, thank you so much for the comment.
The Series 8000 is often a fantastic buy, being essentially a Series 9000 that costs a lot less. It does come with the large heads, so it’s not as manageable as the newer i9000 models, but you can still sort of get around that. For example, you can rotate the shaver ~90 degrees so that the smaller bezel of a single head goes toward the base of the nose (the blue arrow in this image). I hope this makes sense.
The Pod cartridges last a long time, especially if you use them occasionally.
Enjoy your new Series 8000!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks, Ovidiu! Your site is one of the greatest resources I have ever seen – for any complicated but important consumer product line. It’s the perfect balance of detail and summary, and non pushy opinion.
I’m replying to this post because this is the EXACT issue that I am hung up on. Was going to buy the Costco Series 8000 (Model S8696/86 – Costco Item 3640860), but I’m concerned about the ability to get up to shave under the nose. Is this method (rotating 90 degrees to but the smaller bezel up to the base of the nose) a COMPLETE solution? Does it solve the issue? If not, it seems like a deal breaker for me.
Also, it looks like the image you linked is actually of the i9000 head, with “the squircle-shaped” head, not the more angular one; the Costco Series 8000 actually has the more angular one.
Would love to hear your reply about the degree to which it solves the problem.
Also, given that the more angular heads and even the squircle-shaped head is less functional and user friendly, do you think Philips Norelco will move back to the original, round heads in the near future?
Thanks again, Ovidiu!
Hi Jim,
Thank you so much, I appreciated it. Glad the info was useful.
Those are some excellent observations. The image I linked to is indeed of the one with the squircle heads, but it was the only one I had at hand with the arrow annotations. It’s the same in the case of the larger angular heads, like the Series 8000. But those are larger and thicker, so they may feel bulkier if you’re coming from a rotary with the old round head design. Rotating the shaver 90 degrees is (at least in my case) a pretty effective workaround, but I guess it also depends on the particular physiognomy of the user, how much space there is at the base of the nose and how closer to the nose the stubble gets. But I think it should be fine in most cases.
Alternatively, you could get an i9000 or i9000 Prestige that use the squircle heads; it is possible to find a good deal on a model that comes with similar accessories. The shaving performance is more or less identical to that of a Series 8000.
Philips seems to be all-in with this new design and reverting to the round heads would probably require some very costly changes. Things like Pod compatibility and integrating the flip-open mechanism. Previous round-head shavers, like the OG Prestige, didn’t have the flip-open system.
So my guess is that it’s pretty unlikely for that to happen in the near future.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a question about switching back-and-forth between rotary and foil razors. I’ve been using the i9000 Ultra Prestige exclusively for the last six months or so. I absolutely love it but every so often, I’d like to switch things up, like maybe with a Braun Series 9 Pro+. My question is, if you switch between rotary and foil — say a few weeks of one, then a few weeks of the other, would you be compromising the closeness/comfort of the shave with the respective razors? Does it take time for your growth to “adjust” to the new style of razor, so that you’re basically starting over each time you switch? In short, what’s your advice on changing between rotary and foil every so often?
Hi Brian,
That’s a great discussion.
In short, no, it shouldn’t be any problem switching between the two. The adjustment is a thing when switching between a razor blade and an electric shaver for example (and the other way around). But when using two electric shavers, even if the type is different, it shouldn’t matter too much. The hair is still being sheared between a perforated screen and a moving blade in the case of booth foil and rotary shavers. Your technique/pressure, the way you tackle a certain patch of stubble etc. are the only things that will need some tweaks. For example, maybe you can apply a bit more pressure while shaving with the S9 PRO+, but you need to ease off a bit when using the Prestige Ultra. But other than that, I see no reason not to alternate, especially if you enjoy the rotation (I do as well).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Are the SH 71 blades compatible with the 3000x
Hi,
Yes, the SH71 should fit just fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, and thanks again for this great resource. It’s incredibly helpful!
I have two old Series 6000 shavers (a 6850 and 6820) that came with the rounded, dual-track heads (SH60) – I’ve had one for years, and just got one for my son. I need new blades for mine, and it appears that both the SH60 and SH91 heads are currently available online (I’m in the U.S.). So, I’m trying to decide which to get.
The back of these shavers both say – right on the shaver – that they take SH60, but I understand from you that either the SH60 or SH91 will work, and the SH91 might even be better.
I reviewed your prior comments, as follows:
“The old Series 6000 that I mentioned in the post above is the American version that comes with the excellent SH60 blades, very comfortable and very capable“
“The SH91 heads are almost identical to the SH60 that originally come on the Series 6000”
“For example, the old Series 6000 features dual-track heads (SH60), extremely similar to the ones on the much more expensive Series 9000.”
“The replacement SH60 blades are sometimes difficult to source, but you can safely use the SH91 from the higher-end series; they will fit perfectly.”
“The SH60 that come with the old Series 6000 are in my experience already better than the SH30, but you should get an even better shave with the SH91. Just makes sure you don’t intermix the blades and guards when swapping the heads and keep the original pairings.”
So, my questions are:
1. So the SH91 blades fit just as well in the old Series 6000 shavers as the original SH60 blades?
2. Do the SH91 blades actually perform better than the SH60? (Not sure what the difference is).
3. And, could you clarify what you mean when you warned to “Just make sure you don’t intermix the blades and guards when swapping the heads and keep the original pairings.” I am not sure exactly what you mean and don’t want to make a mistake.
Thanks again for your help!
Jim
Hi Jim,
Thanks so much for the comment, I appreciate it.
1. Yes, the SH91 will fit perfectly.
2. The main (and only) difference in my opinion between the SH91 and the SH60 is that the former uses a double Lift&Cut blade design, while the latter comes with a single blade edge. Please refer to the Double vs single-edge blade design in the Key features of a Philips electric razor sub-section above for more info.
What this essentially means is that the SH91 can potentially shave a bit closer, while the SH60 can feel a bit smoother (in the sense that there’s less of that tugging sensation). That said, the differences in both closeness and comfort are in my experience minimal, and the SH60 and SH91 essentially shave the same. The old generation SH90 for example featured more aggressive Super Lift&Cut double-edge blades, with a larger gap between the two edges, and those felt significantly rougher. With the SH91, I find this issue to be completely gone. So in my opinion most users should expect the SH91 to shave at least as good as the SH60.
3. When you buy a new set of Philips rotary blades, in this case the SH91, the three heads comprised of one guard and one rotary blade are machined together as a pair. So the blade will sit perfectly flush inside its designated guard, and even more so after you’ve been using the shaver for a while. If you take one blade and put it in a different guard than the one it was paired with, there’s a possibility it won’t fit perfectly. This could cause some issues like hairs getting yanked a bit or the closeness being not quite the best and it will take some time until optimum performance is achieved. And in doing so, the blade might be subjected to more wear than usual until it settles in perfectly inside the guard. Hope this makes sense. So be careful not to intermix the cutters when opening the package and always remove the retaining rings one at a time when for example you take out the heads for a thorough cleaning.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu, you are the best. Seriously, not only have you created a comprehensive, exceptionally helpful resource, but you quickly (and thoroughly) answer questions. I would like to repay your kindness. Do you have an affiliate link for the blades/heads, so that I can buy them through the link? Or do you have a venmo or paypal link?
Final question: Can you create comprehensive consumer information pages about all the other tricky, confusing products that I need to buy to live in the modern world? ;-) That would be greaaat. :-)
Thanks again!
Jim,
You are too kind, thank you so much for the support. I do not have a buy me a coffee link or anything similar, but I appreciate it a lot.
I’ve always been interested in electric shavers, so writing about them and interacting with other users are things I truly enjoy. I honestly don’t know how successful I would be discussing other products. I’ve been using and tinkering with shavers for so many years, so it’s something that comes naturally. :-)
Glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
https://www.costco.com/philips-norelco-full-metal-prestige-electric-wet-dry-shaver-wireless-charger.product.4000416837.html
To my taste… the Full-Metal Prestige is a nice looking version. Quite a price tag though.
Thanks Ovidiu.
Hi Michael,
Oh yes, the SP9888/83, quite a looker and with a price tag to match. I can’t buy it unfortunately as no store will ship it overseas. Would have loved to experience that Prestige generation in metal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have a 8700 (1250x/40) that still work well. Should I upgrade to the SH91 cutters & guards? Do I need to buy a new head or can I upgrade just the cutters & cutter guard? Also what do you think of aftermarket heads, cutters & guards?
Hi,
Normally you would need to buy the whole Series 9000 head as the SH91 don’t work with shavers that came with the original RQ12 heads. Only the SH70 (also discontinued) would fit. My experience with aftermarket Philips heads has been very poor, I cannot recommend them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I had been trying to decipher Philips-Norelco numbers when I came across your blog…wow, lots info there and lots of blanks filled in. It’s obvious you have been accumulating info for many years. Do you know if there is a bobble head that uses the retaining frame and will fit early shavers? (I have S6880) I used the squeeze-wire retainers for years, then bought a AT920 with that super convenient retaining frame system …then two-steps-back, they engineered the silly, finicky single ring system. BTW, that shiny “metal” shaver would weigh many pounds if it were not merely plated plastic. MANY THANKS, Ross
Hi Ross,
Thank you so much for the comment, you are very kind, Glad the info was useful.
That’s a great observation, unfortunately you don’t really have any options. Philips uses the retaining frame system only on the entry-level shavers like Series 1000, 2000 or 3000 and those have so-called integrated head units. The shavers that have detachable head units (like your Series 6000) all use the individual rings. So if you were to buy (any) head it would still use the ring system.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Well, I figured as much… not enough room to stuff a retaining frame into a bobble head. Too bad the engineers couldn’t cobble up one to fit, or puff up the head to accommodate a modified version. I have a trimmer mounted on a second S6880 body instead of a groomer. I do miss that wobble-head AT920 pop-up trimmer but genuine HQ9 blades have become too scarce and it’s hit-or-miss to find counterfeit ones that do the job. I did try a 3800 but think it’s a step back from the old AT920. I wonder how the RPM of AT920 & S6880 compare?
Looking forward to your updates although I am now satisfied with my pair of S6880s. It’s all your fault!
Keep up the good work,
Ross
Thanks so much, Ross, I appreciate it.
Many seasoned Philips users miss some of the quirks of the older models. The current ones are more mass-pleasing and user-friendly, the cutters are more forgiving but with less bite and have lost some of that edge that the old models had.
I don’t have the exact numbers, but the RPMs of the AT920 & S6880 are similar, somewhere just above 2000 RPM. The torque on the other hand could be a bit different, but the main difference in my opinion is related to the blades. The HQ9 were triple-track blades and quite aggressive, while the SH30 for example are single-track blades and a lot gentler. I think that’s the main reason why the 3800 shave was rather underwhelming in comparison.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu for your amazing articles! It’s an absolute joy reading through all of them.
You’ve mentioned that you enjoyed using the powerful motor on the i9000 PU paired with the SH91 blades and I would really love to experience that. And while searching for 9000 models, I’ve noticed that the old s9300 model also has this function where you can choose between three different motor speed settings.
This made me wonder if s9300 is also fitted with the same powerful motor, and if so, I would definitely choose the older version over the i9000 PU, as it has a lower price tag and comes with the older cleaning station that charges the shaver while cleaning, which is so convenient!
If that’s not the case, do you think the higher speed and torque of the i9000 PU’s motor is worth the upgrade?
Cheers!
Hi Kevin,
Thank you so much for the comment, you’re very kind.
The highest speed setting on the S9300 is ~2100-2200 RPM (a rough estimate). So the i9000 Prestige Ultra would have a slight advantage in the Custom power mode, but it wouldn’t be transformative — the two would still be quite similar in terms of power. If you can get the old Series 9000 with a cleaning station for a great price, and it’s something that would appeal to you (the fully automatic station plus the smaller round heads), I think it’s a worthy alternative. You can use it first with the original SH90 heads, especially if you don’t find them too grabby, and later on upgrade to the SH91.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So I recently ordered the SH91 heads for my Norelco 5000 series. They definitely make the shaver more efficient with cutting hairs. The shave also feels closer than the SH71 heads. Comfort feels the same, which is very good. I know the 5000 series motor is not as powerful as the higher end models, but my facial hair is soft and I can’t imagine a faster motor being worth the price upgrade for me.
On another note, I am still very happy with my Arc 4. It still provides a closer shave than the SH91 heads in the Norelco. I like having both though.
Hey Mike,
That’s awesome, glad you’re enjoying the SH91 upgrade. I think the Series 5000 is borderline powerful enough to drive dual-track blades.
The Arc 4 was a fantastic line of shavers, it’s a shame Panasonic decided to abandon it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, Great article giving a good overview.
Please note the 3000X has a 40 min NiMH battery, making it the 3000 Series with the lowest price. Since the Shaver 2500 is not an option anymore, the 3000X is the default recommendation for a reasonably priced rotary?
Anyone “upgrading SH30 to SH71 (or SH91)”, the 60 min Li-ion battery (and grippy side inserts) might be preferred, but lower RPM remains.
A new classic-rotary (4000) Series with more power is needed for SH71 or SH91 (to properly succeed eg. AT920 with HQ9).
Hi,
Thanks so much for the comment and heads-up, I edited the error in the comparison table.
The 3000x would be a good option in my opinion only if the price is quite a bit lower than a Series 3000 with the larger Li-ion battery. Otherwise, I would still recommend a Series 3000, preferably one with a 3-level battery indicator as well.
I think the current Series 3000 can drive the SH71 fine, but will struggle with dual-track heads. A presumed Series 4000 with more power and the classic form-factor would be awesome, and an instant buy for many Philips users. It would be difficult for Philips to justify the existence of almost all the series between it and the 8000/9000 though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve come across conflicting information on whether you need to oil a rotary razor. I have (and love) the i9000 Prestige Ultra and I’ve never oiled it. One source said that the cleaning pod that comes with it actually has some lubricant in the blue liquid. Another source said that it does not. And yet another said that it does in fact have lubricant, but that you should still oil it after every cleaning, like with Wahl or Andis clipper oil. What is your recommendation?
(Also, one of these sources says that the cleaning solution for the Braun Series 9 Pro +, which I also have, does not have any lubricant in it — that’s not right, is it? Do I need to oil the Braun?)
Hi Brian,
Rotary shavers don’t really need lubrication, definitely not the the extent foil shavers do. The guards are very thick and don’t buckle under pressure like the thin foil screens, and the sturdy rotary blades spin at a much slower rate. If you also use the cleaning pod (which does indeed lubricate the blades), then there’s really no need for additional lubrication.
The Braun cleaning fluid also lubricates the blades, and it’s even oilier than the Philips cleaning solution. You definitely don’t need to oil your S9 PRO+ yourself if you use the cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What a fantastic resource, thanks for putting in the effort.
I bought a Model SP9885/35, a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t be happier.
Matthew,
You are very kind, thank you so much for the comment. Enjoy your new Prestige.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Sir,
Thank you for the very comprehensive guide.
I have been using the Philips shavers for more than 30 years. Interestingly, every shaver I bought still works.
Based on my experience, I feel like they newer models presented in the 2010’s with the newer shape have some disadvantages no one seems to notice or complain about:
They have much less room for hair, so you need to empty them all the time, whereas in the past you could go on for weeks with no trouble.
They also seem to be more delicate, if I shave too hard they just fall apart, compared to the bomb proof older models.
What do you think?
Something I do miss in your guide is a real world comparison between shave-time to acceptable/great daily result each model provides. That is something that could really convince to upgrade to a certain model: for instance, if a new model save you 30 seconds of shaving a day – that is a real upgrade.
Can you provide you timing with the models you recommend?
It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Eran
Hi Eran,
Thank you so much for the comment and suggestions, those are some excellent pointers.
You are right about the old models, those felt a lot sturdier. Some of the newer entry to mid-level Philips rotaries can almost feel hollow and some of the plastics aren’t the most confidence inspiring.
The hair chamber is another interesting difference, though I feel it won’t be a deal breaker since many users clean the shavers after every use (which is definitely preferable).
I tried to touch upon shaving time, especially in the stand-alone reviews when comparing a shaver to another one, but the time it takes me to complete a shave is highly subjective. It will depend a lot on the type of facial hair, thickness, grain, how sensitive is the user’s skin, technique and so on. But with the next update of this guide I do plan to get into more detail and make it clearer when a superior series would provide a serious boost in that regard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Well done for a most comprehensive review. I have an old Philishave 5846 that has done sterling service for about 25 years. There are indications that the battery is not taking a full charge, so time to consider a new shaver. There are several features of your review that stood out for me that you might like to comment on. Firstly, I am amazed by the plethora of different models created over the years, all based on the same (with minor variations) rotary cutting design. I have often wondered how Philips stayed in business if their shavers could last so long. The answer is endless iterations on the same basic concept; they push out new models to keep refreshing the range. So making a choice is really a decision minefield. The second feature that strikes me is the recommendation to change the cutting head every two years. I’ve not changed mine in 25+ years. Has the material quality changed over the years? Are the replacement heads inferior (in longevity) to those in my trusty 5846? Or is this just a marketing ploy? Incidentally, the heads look identical to the modern ones. They are inscribed,’ Lift and Cut Reflex Action’. In my eventual decision, I will of course take advantage of the numerous changes to design: the wet and dry cut, variable speed (sometimes a lower speed works better!), the dual ring cutter blades and possibly the cleaning system. One thing is certain, I will stay with the circular head design. Again, thank you for your most comprehensive review. An enjoy to read.
Hi Tony,
Thank you for taking the time to comment; those are some excellent observations and questions.
Refreshing the range is something that pretty much all other brands do to some degree, while the improvements are generally incremental. Over the course of 10 or 20 years the performance jump can however be significant.
Worn out rotary heads (the blade and guard) often behave differently compared to a foil system where the thin blades (usually spring-loaded with tiny springs) sit perpendicularly to the (thin) foil screens and rub against them up to 14 000 times a minute. Because of that, a foil system will eventually wear out to the point where it would physically disintegrate. A rotary head is a lot simpler and a lot sturdier, with the blades and guards being just very basic and sturdy components. Because the blades rotate flush against the guard and they have a bevel angled quite sharply, the wear (even after many years of use) generally consists of a loss of performance. Different users perceive this loss of performance differently, which is why in some cases the same heads can be used for so many years. Loss of performance could mean anything from discomfort/hairs getting pulled, underwhelming closeness, to how much it takes to complete the shave and so on. It comes very gradually, so you get accustomed to your shaver and you may not even realize that it doesn’t shave as efficiently as it used to. You may only notice it when you try a new shaver. I’m on the complete opposite for example and I usually notice it quite early.
The manufacturing process of these heads, as well as the alloys have changed over the years, but I don’t think it had that much of an impact on the durability. That’s why I always recommend my readers to change the blades when they can’t provide a decent shave anymore, especially in the case rotaries which tend to last a lot longer than foils. Again different users will perceive this differently.
The shavers themselves are probably not as durable as they were 30 years ago (cutting production costs, planned obsolescence, etc.). That said, performance-wise, the improvements are in most cases very noticeable, and modern shavers are objectively better.
One thing to keep in mind is that current Philips shavers don’t come with an automatic cleaning system anymore. We only have the Quick Clean Pod, which I guess is still automatic, but a lot less capable. Also, the rounded head design is now only available with low-end rotaries like the Series 3000, so if you want a more advanced Philips with significantly better performance, you would have to try to find for example the original S9000 Prestige. It’s a bit more difficult to source nowadays since it has been discontinued.
The next best thing, sort of a compromise, would be the i9000 Prestige (Ultra) with the squircle-like heads.
Hope this helps and thank you again for the feedback, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
do you have any info on noise levels?
I don’t remember which model I recently bought but I returned it because the noise level was higher than my current shaver, 8240XL
I live in the USA.
I appreciate your thorough review of all these shavers.
Barend Meiling
Hi Barend,
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.
I will include more info on that in the next update, along with actual noise levels measured by me (in a very non-scientifical way). But in short, noise levels tend to be pretty similar throughout the current models, at least to my (subjective) hearing. The motors are very quiet, so the noise is essentially generated by the friction between the blades and guards plus the vibrations. Some of the current shavers, especially in the low to mid-range segment, are quite light and hollow-feeling, and that can actually amplify the noise and vibrations.
The old XL models like yours were a lot sturdier and tightly packed, and that can have noticeable impact on the perceived noise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Wish I had found this article sooner. Just bought a XP9403/88 and it seems like a good product but my old XL8894 that I bought probably 30 years ago still works and gets 120 minutes shaving on a charge. Why did Norelco reduce the shaving time per charge of the new ones. The new one does give a better shave with less effort. Appreciate your effort in writing the detailed article…..Luke
Hey Luke,
Many thanks for the comment. The 8894XL had outstanding battery life. Nowadays 50 to 60 minutes is the norm, the only expectation being a few simple (dual-foil) shavers.
There are some obvious downgrades of the current Norelcos compared to the ones from the past, especially regarding the build quality and robustness and the actual shaving heads (we went from triple-track HQ9 heads to mostly single-track models). The shave itself is however improved, especially for the range topping models (Series 8000 and up with dual-track heads and more torque) and I think rotaries are now more mass-appealing and user-friendly, despite some of the questionable design decisions (like the large angular heads).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the detailed overview. Unfortunately, I’m at odds. I currently have a series 2000 that I would like to replace. I’m looking for a closer shave, easer and faster with similar features. I would like to stay under $100. If under 100 is too low, I may be willing to go higher. Which do you recommend? Thanks again.
Hi Robert,
The Philips model that would come with a noticeable performance upgrade but wouldn’t go over your budget by much is the Series 8000 (Costco should have them in stock). If you’re not in a hurry, I would wait a bit (two month ago the Series 8000 was on sale for an excellent price).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidio.
Your site is the best shaving site world wide!
My experience with sensitive skin and hair that grows in different directions is that the Philips series 7000 with the SH71 is best. The density of the plastic on the series 5000 shaving head is lower than the density of the plastic on the series 7000 shaving head. That is important in order to avoid irritation. I also own series 8000 with the SH91 blades and they are to rough on the skin during winther.
I also own Braun and Panasonic 5 blades – very nice and soft but both gives me shaving bumps and leave single long hair after a week.
Hope this can inspire your reader with sensitive skin.
Hey Soren,
Thank you so much, you are very kind.
The Series 7000 seems to be the best compromise in this case, with the 8000 and the dual-track SH91 being more aggressive. High-end foil shavers cut the hair super close, which can lead to bumps if your skin is prone to that.
It looks like you found the one that is just right for you.
Thank you again for taking the time to share this with the community, I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the excellent and very comprehensive review.
The 9000 nomenclature is complex and difficult to get your head around.
Argos have the 9000i prestige, with cleaner, for £180, at the moment, which looks very good value. However the model number is 9200/30 and I can’t see a comparison as to how it relates to other 9000i Prestige models.
Any advice gratefully received!
Hi Ian,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
Unfortunately there will be some country-specific models that will get left out, but even if they don’t appear explicitly in the comparison, everything mentioned for the i9000 Prestige models is still relevant for the XP9200/30.
In short, it is part of the new 9000 series (designated by the letter i instead of S), so it has the more rounded and user-friendly heads, but it’s not a range topping model — that one would be the i9000 Prestige Ultra. But it’s still almost as good in terms of raw performance (only slightly lower RPM) and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. But considering its price and the bundle (charging stand and quick clean pod), it’s a really appealing model.
It will of course shave exactly the same as other i9000 Prestige (non-Ultra) models.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks very much Ovidiu
Very helpful. I’ll probably go for it as it seems a very good buy for the price
No problem, Ian, glad I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello,
An acquaintance has the S5587 and was complaining about it not cutting hair anymore.
After reading your very wonderful guide, I hesitated between SH71 and SH91, and bought him the SH71 heads, supposedly good for 2 years.
He was happy, but after only 1 year, and his beard is light, he complained that it stopped cutting again. I now tried buying the SH91, he used it for a couple of months only and complains again that it stopped cutting. The motor noise is the same but the hair remains on the face, not in the shaver.
What would you say? Is the motor getting weak and time to replace the machine, or should we go back to the SH71? Or if you know a better place to ask…
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi,
Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.
One year of use for a new set of SH71 is not great, but still considered normal. Switching to the SH91 is a bit of a compromise, as the heads themselves are objectively more capable, but require a more powerful shaver to get the most out of them. But if this was the issue, it should have been obvious from the start. Would it be possible a scenario in which he doesn’t clean the heads regularly/thoroughly and the buildup inside the heads prevent them from cutting the hair optimally?
Otherwise, from the provided info, the shaver itself seems to be fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you!
You were right. Upon examining them, the older one had broken blades, but the newer one was indeed clogged, despite cleaning according to the instruction manual.
No problem, glad you managed to find the culprit. Sometimes, under certain conditions, grime buildups can still happen, and in that case a more thorough cleaning should be performed more often than recommended in the manual, like every two to three weeks. That would mean taking out each guard and cutter and cleaning them, making sure of course not to intermix the guard and blade pairs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Some of the odd models are ones that were either Sam’s Club or Costco exclusives. You noted the 6600 model; I know that was sold at Costco. I also have a model 5675 from Sam’s Club; it uses SH 50 heads and really more of a 3000 series shaver.
Hey,
You are absolutely correct. Performance-wise, it’s very close to the 3000 Series, though the SH50, at least on my skin, are clearly more aggressive than the SH30.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
My father and I each have a Philips S5130 equipped with SH50 blades, which we’ve been using for over 9 years. Actually, ever since we bought them, I’ve felt that the closeness of the shave is slightly inferior to the older dual-head (HQ8) models. On those older models, not only could the shaving unit itself flex toward the center, but the individual shaving heads also had springs, similar to the Series 3000 design you mentioned in your article. This double-floating head design genuinely seems to contour to the face better. Strangely, none of the current Philips models feature this design anymore.
To be honest, after 9 years of using these two S5130s, neither my father nor I have noticed any significant drop in shaving closeness. The areas that always required a few extra passes still require them, and for some hard-to-shave spots, it feels like that’s just the limit of the shaver. For example, with neck hairs growing in all sorts of weird directions, applying more pressure and making extra passes still causes slight razor burn (redness), just like it always did. Does this mean the blades haven’t really worn out much? After all, I’m a bit hesitant to buy a replacement set of older-style blades that costs nearly 70% of the price of a brand-new shaver. Moreover, the SH71 blades lack the side wings, and according to the official specs, they can’t be installed on this machine anyway.
I am a bit curious: would the current models with SH91 blades, despite lacking this “double-floating head” design, shave closer than my old SH50 model?
Also, I have a question about the Quick Clean Pod. If it is used infrequently—for example, running the cleaning cycle only once a week and just rinsing the shaver with water on other days—wouldn’t the cleaning fluid evaporate quickly? Or does the pod itself have a built-in mechanism to seal out the air?
Thank you!
Hey,
Thank you so much for the comment.
You are absolutely correct, Philips unfortunately doesn’t have any current shavers featuring the flexing mechanism you mentioned. The springs for each individual head are now only available on low-end models like the Series 2000 and 3000 and it’s really puzzling, as I feel they truly make the shaving experience better.
After using the S5130 constantly for almost 10 years, there’s certainly a degree of wear. But because the rotary blades are a lot more substantial than the blades of a foil shaver, they can last for a very long time, and the performance drop comes very gradually, so you get used to them and it becomes difficult to really notice the degradation.
I think you would notice an improvement when using a shaver fitted with SH91 blades, because the blades are new (so zero wear), objectively better than the SH50 and gentler, so you will probably be able to press more. The Prestige Ultra also comes with a power advantage (in the Custom mode) over other shavers that use the SH91. So in my experience all of these will compensate for the lack of a better flexing system.
Regarding the Quick Clean Pod, the fix to prevent the fluid from evaporating is very simple: you remove the cartridge from the Pod and put back the screw lid when not in use. It’s a very simple, quick and effective way to fix the problem.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your reply!
I recently noticed on Amazon Japan that Philips Japan is already selling the new SH92 replacement heads (they are incredibly expensive!). However, I can’t really spot any differences between them and the SH91 heads that are currently on sale. Moreover, the official description states that the SH92 is designed for the “i9000 Prestige” and “i9000 Prestige Ultra,” which seems a bit weird to me.
Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0F9X8Z8ZD
You are very welcome. The part number is most likely market-specific and the heads are identical to the SH91.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I didn’t read any mention of self sharpening blades… I thought some models had that.. Does it work? Good article on the Norelco razors. I bought a Braun few years ago and and hate it. I’ve used Norelco for 50 years. I’m going back I think. I did like the fact the Braun blades last much longer… But it takes forever to shave with it and the hair goes all over the sink
Hi Jeff,
Usually rotary blades last a lot longer than foils. But while that may vary depending on the use case, rotaries are much better at containing the clipped hair inside the head.
The self-sharpening is a feature common for most rotary blades and it’s a side benefit of the way the blade edge rubs against the guard. But the real-world benefits are not as significant as some manufacturers make them seem.
If you take a close look at the individual blades of a rotary cutter, you’ll notice that the flat part of it, and not the bevel (think of the blade of a chef’s knife) will push and rub against the guard when spinning. This has a similar effect to running a file or a stone flat against the flat edge of a knife. So in theory, it should sharpen it. But you would need to do the same for the opposed side, which doesn’t happen in the case of a rotary blade. And the guard is not as abrasive as a sharpening stone. The main benefit of this system is that a rotary blade will wear out a lot slower compared to the blade of a foil shaver that sits perpendicularly to the foil it rubs against.
I hope this makes sense.
From what I can tell, your stubble, skin and technique favor a rotary system, so a Norelco is probably a good option to consider for your next shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Superb review! Thank you. I have an old 7000 SensoTouch that I’ve had for about 15 years and love. But the heads aren’t readily available anymore and I’ve been umming and ahhing over what to go to next. I’m thinking a 9000 series if I can afford it as I do struggle with sensitive skin at times, though I suspect anything from a 5000 up sounds like it would probably be ok.
Thank you again for the detail, it’s good to know performance is mostly identical within series.
Hi Daniel,
You are too kind, thank you for the comment.
A 5000/7000 would probably be good enough, but if you’re not in a hurry, I would wait for a great deal on a Series 9000 or 8000 (at Costco). Those can sometimes cost almost as low as a Series 7000, but are a bit more powerful and come with noticeably better heads (SH91).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Having been a fairly regular reader of shavercheck.com for several years. I also purchased some of your recommended shavers. Currently I have the following devices in rotation:
– Panasonic Arc5 (1st gen head)
– Braun Series 7 old model (70s cassette)
– Philips HQ6925 (HQ56 head lift and cut)
I have some kind of dilemma:
I am a daily shaver.
Shaving with the Pany Arc5 is indeed one of the closest you can have with a foil shaver. I still have some areas that are badly shaved, this is mostly in the neck region and some areas on the jaw.
Shaving with the venerable Braun Series 7. I have a less “close” shave but overall good results except in the neck region.
With the Philips HQ6925 perhaps the oddity in the mix. I bought this shaver in an emergency around 15 years ago? My Braun 5476 had a foil issue and I could not order a new foil in a reasonable timeframe.
I used this “emergency” shaver for a couple of years. I had a straight- and double edge period but the ritual was very time consuming, although with great results.
I bought the Arc 5 and the Braun on your recommendation. Both are excellent shavers, but I still have trouble in the neck region. In a first time I used the Philips locally for dealing with my flat lying hair and growing in all directions. I finally settled with the Philips as I did not want my bathroom transformed in a testing ground for shavers.
The shaving is perhaps not as close but consistent.
As this shaver is in need of retirement I am contemplating a 3000 series or a i9000 series. I am more an adept of the classic Philips shape of the 3000 as I find the i9000 kind of oversized, but the 9000 series has a more powerful motor and double track blades SH91. The 3000 series has less powerful motor and SH30 heads with are inferiour compared the the HX56. To have the same # of blades (15) and lift and cut. I need at least the SH71 heads.
The question is:
– Buy a series 3000 and upgrade the heads with the SH71 variant. I keep the classic ergonomics of the Philipsshave.
– Buy a series 5000 equipped with the SH71 heads although the motor is arguably the same in a more bulky packaging compared to the 3000 series
– Go the full option with i9000 series, more powerful motor and SH91 double track heads with are considered as Philips “finest” shaving heads at least on paper alas in a more bulky packaging.
Please advise,
Eric
Hey Eric,
Great comment and observations. I’d say a Series 3000 out of the box would feel rather underwhelming, mostly because of the SH30 blades, which are very comfortable but I don’t think the results would be satisfying given your experience with the HQ56 which are bitier (and the closeness was still just decent).
Between a Series 3000 with SH71 and a Series 5000 with SH71, the former combo makes more sense considering your preference for the 3000 form factor and also taking into account the motors of the two shavers (quite similar).
The i9000 would be in a different price and performance category (motor and especially blades). The bulkier head isn’t as bad as in the case of a Series 5000 and I think you will get used to it fairly quickly. Philips does offer a 45-day money back guarantee, so if you can take advantage of that, it’s probably worth giving it a try. It might be exactly the kind of electric shaver you’re after.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Thank you for your reply. As I consider this as a long term purchase. Perhaps better of purchasing directly a X9003/30.
Unbelievably excellent report and comparison. I don’t believe I have seen as thorough report on ANY product as this one. Bravo!
Ralph, you are too kind. Thank you so much for the comment, glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Brilliant article thank you! I have an HQ8260 and I think it has triple row heads. Is there a modern equivalent?
Hi Doug,
Thanks so much for the comment. The SH50 heads are still available and should fit your shaver just fine. They also feature SuperLift&Cut, so should have the same bitey cutting action. But they are single-track, so won’t be as effective as the original HQ9 blades in your shaver. Unfortunately there’s no other option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The triple cut heads are brilliant and I find them very smooth.
I did try one of the newer “high end” shavers and found it not nearly as good as the Speed XL.
I also recently purchased some replacement heads claiming to be OEM: They are all counterfeit and are rubbish! Luckily I was able to rescue my old ones from the rubbish! They still work fine :-)
The Speed XL was awesome, and I still prefer the form factor for the shaver; unfortunately, Philips now uses it only for low-end shavers.
The compatible heads are truly awful; I always recommend against buying them, they’re either bad from the start or go blunt after a few shaves.
Luckily rotary cutters are very durable, so you can still use your old ones.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thank you for such a thorough article! I have an S6540 and I’d like to replace the SH50 heads with something more gentle if possible. Do you know of any heads that would work for this purpose?
Hey,
Thank you so much, I appreciate it. The SH71 should fit fine, even though the guards do not have winglets like the SH50. The locking rings have tiny feet that would lock the SH71 guards in place and prevent them from spinning. The plastic hubs of the SH71 are the same as on the SH50, so again they should be compatible. I, for one, find them noticeably gentler than the SH50.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
2 years ago I moved from years of using Philips rotary shavers to a Braun 9 Pro+. Mostly influenced by this site. I loved it and was always thinking how I should’ve made the switch much sooner. In general my skin feels better and the Braun is very easy in use.
However, since the last couple of months (but in hindsight I had the same problems last Summer) I have several inflamed hair follicles in the area of my face where I shave. Tried cleaning the shaver more often (I used to clean it every other time, now i do it after each shave with soap and hot water). I’m getting the impression that moving back to a rotary might fix the problems.
In Spring/ Summer I use Pitralon Pre-shave. The problems with the inflamed hair follicles started before I started using it again this year but also don’t seem to improve with the use of the pre-shave.
Doubting between gtting the “regular” Philips i9000 prestige and the i9000 Prestige Ultra. I have pretty sensitive skin.
Hi Thomas,
I wouldn’t necessarily say the issue is directly related to using the Series 9 PRO+. Switching to a good rotary like the i9000 series will most likely lead to the same outcome, provided the impact on the skin, the closeness of the shave, your shaving routine, and the shaver hygiene are the same. And from what I can tell, your skin gets along better with a foil shaver.
Older Norelcos were generally more grabby, so the i9000 may feel better than the previous rotaries you’ve had. The Ultra is a bit more powerful in the Custom setting, but it’s not a huge difference. If you can buy a non-Ultra Prestige for (much) less, I think it’s the better buy.
In my case, the use of an alcohol pre-shave and an alcohol aftershave balm pretty much eliminated my folliculitis problem.
If you can take advantage of Philips’ money-back guarantee (it’s not available where I live, unfortunately), you could give rotaries another try. But from what I can tell, a foil would still be the best compromise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks for you thoughts on this.
I am basically already doing all the things your recommend except for the alcohol aftershave. I am now using an alchol-free aftershave balm: Alverde Sensitive Aftershave Balm, which is an “all natural in-house brand” (of DM a German drugstore in case you happen to know it).
Did you really mean that it should contain alcohol or was that perhaps a mistake?
Anyways in the meantime since I wrote my first comment I ordered a i9000 Prestige Ultra (XP9402/31) from the offical Dutch Philips online store. I ordered it with them because there is no offical money-back promotion at the moment but they told my I could make use of their regular 30 days return-policy even if the shaver was used + they offered a 25% discount (which made the set I choose € 20 les than the same set at the next cheapest other online store).
So I guess I will see what happens in the next 30 days. Although I think 30 days might still be a short time but it’s something.
KR,
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
You are very welcome. When it comes to aftershaves, you should always use what seems to be working best for you. In my case, I have been avoiding alcohol aftershaves since I was a teenager (sensitive, dry skin), and I started using one a few years ago only because I really liked the scent (Tabac Original balm). To my surprise, that particular product didn’t dry my skin and apart from some initial stinging, the comfort was outstanding, and, more importantly, my folliculitis (razor bumps) problem was finally gone.
I really can’t say that an alcohol aftershave will work well for everyone (it won’t), but it’s worth a try. Also, if you know from past experience that your skin and alcohol don’t get along well, definitely stay clear of any alcohol aftershaves.
That’s a great deal on the Prestige Ultra, hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it. 30 days should be enough to decide.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
just here to say thank you for your fantastic work, it definitely helped me make a decision. After a switch from a Philips 5550 to a Braun Series 5 (old version) I wanted to give the rotary shave another try.
I like the Braun, but it was time to swap the blades again and I found a great deal on a 5884/35 (43 € / open-box), so I was open to switch things up again.
I’m curious how much the SH71 will be an improvement over the SH50. The results with the older 5550 were good but not great, however I loved how quiet it was.
Also, my Braun 5 trimmer would get very hot within seconds of use and since I’m using it every other day to trim my mustache it got annoying. Not sure if that’s a thing with Braun in general or if mine is malfunctioning, but I’ve only noticed it ever since I’ve grown a mustache and actually using the trimmer more often.
Anyway, thanks again for all your effort, it is indefinitely more helpful than any other reviews out there!
Hey,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad the info was useful.
On my skin, the SH71 are noticeably more forgiving and less grabby than the SH50. A seasoned rotary user might find them too mild, but I think it’s overall a good compromise. Personally, I prefer the SH71, but my skin gets along better with this type of rotary heads.
The trimmer on the old Braun Series 5 is essentially a pair of shearing blades, and in time, that friction and wear will generate a lot of heat. The trimmer is often neglected when we lubricate our shavers, so a drop or two of clipper oil should help. Spray lubricants for clippers also work great.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
thanks again! Sounds promising as I prefer comfort (and silence) over ultimate closeness.
I have to admit I’m terrible when it comes to maintaining my shavers besides a good rinse (or a cleaning station) after use.
I’ve just lubricated the trimmer and will test it again, maybe that’s all it needed.
However, with current prices for spare blades I’m much more inclined to just buy a new shaver within that price range and give my old one away.
That might change if I ever decide to invest in one of the high-end shavers.
Cheers!
Dom
Hi Ovidiu! I have been an ARC and Braun foil user for years and years (past few years has been an ARC 6). I have sensitive skin (not severe but noticable) and my face always broke out with traditional razor blade styles like the Mach 3 and stuff like that so I switched to the ARC 3 if I remember correctly decades ago and kept going mostly with the ARC family. I tried the Braun Series 9 a year or two ago but it wasn’t as good as the ARC. That being said, I always found The ARC (and I guess foil shavers in general) to really struggle with certain, specific areas on my face and neck. The areas below my earlobes down to the jaw, a left cheek area where hair randomly grows in an angled up direction and some weird angle patches on my neck. It would take numerous passes at different angles to get these areas and sometimes it was mixed results. Often, I would start doing “circular motions” to see if that helped and sometimes it did but it was generally hit or miss. I never thought about trying a rotary shaver for two reasons – everything I’ve read about them “not being able to get as close a shave as a foil and especially the ARC 6” and also because they generally get shot down on sensitive skin forums.
Recently, I have grown tired of my ARC and this “hit or miss thing” so I decided to start looking to see if there were any newer versions or alternative options that would be worth the shot. Shavercheck was, of course, my first destination to see what was out there (it was ultimately your site that lead me to the ARC 5 and 6) and I spent a few hours going through a bunch of information which landed me on this post here about rotary shavers. As others in the comments have mentioned, Cotsco has the Series 8000 w/ the pod cleaning system, stand charger and nose attachment on sale at the moment for $120. I figured, now is the best time to rule out a rotary shaver and give it a try because of the price for this unit and Costco’s untouchable return policy. Well, that return policy will not need to be used AT ALL and let me tell you, switching to the Philips Series 8000 is an absolute GAME CHANGER FOR ME and I can’t believe I didn’t try these earlier in life (I’m now 50 years old).
All I can say is WOW! To my absolute shock and surprise, The 8000 outperforms my ARC 6 in so many ways. It covers more ground, it got all of those trouble areas of hair in the FIRST PASS that my ARC never ever gets and is a pain to even get to correctly at all. 2nd best aspect – it cut my shave time IN HALF and, I’m telling you – my face is honestly just as smooth, maybe even smoother then with the ARC or any foil shaver I’ve used in the past. I was blown away and I couldn’t believe it due to every bit of information I have read about the ARC 6/Braun 9 being the best closest shave you can get with an electric razor. I know everyone is different but for me, this blows away the ARC and is right there with comfort, no noticable different in how my face felt afterwards and no break outs or anything. Also, for what it’s worth, there was no adjustment period about the change in motion for me needed – the circular motion just came naturally. The ridiculously stupid “app” actually confirmed this with a high score of my “technique” on my first ever shave with a rotary, haha.
I wanted to write this up here in case anyone else has been turned off to even trying a rotary due to the majority of information being out there that they are inferior to the foil style razors. For me, this is simply not the case at all. Lastly, thank you, as always, for continuing to provide such amazing insight and up to date content. You have been at this a long, long time and we all appreciate your work.
BTW – We exchanged some emails years ago when the Panasonic Multigroom came out and I was one of the first to get one early. I have since retired it. The “clip” to the main guard I used broke, the shaver was still under warranty and Panasonic did not respond to any of my requests for a replacement guard at all. Due to the completely dismissal of this, I will never buy another Panasonic shaving product again. I found the much cheaper Braun Series 5 “all in one” – particular this version of it (https://www.target.com/p/braun-styler-aio5510-all-in-one-electric-shaver/-/A-94904224#lnk=sametab) is absolutely perfect and it’s ergonomics and grip are incredible.
Hi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. That’s awesome, and it only goes to show that ultimately nothing beats actually trying a certain shaver. When nothing seems to improve the experience past a certain point, with the Arc 6 and Series 9 being arguably the best foil shavers out there, a rotary may very well be the answer. The Series 8000 is particularly appealing with its performance and price, it’s a shame it’s only sold via Costco, otherwise it would probably be my default rotary recommendation.
Glad you’re enjoying yours and thank you again for the detailed and insightful comment.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you, again, for all you do!
The Series 8000 at Costco is a bargain. I am trying to figure out what, if any advantage there is to a more expensive Philips shaver. I have an old series 9000 with the pull off head. Still works well. I find almost any blade only lasts 6 months. They start to pull and take a lot longer. And I have an Arc5 and Braun 9.
Boy, your reviews are incredibly detailed. There should be easier summaries.
I think the Arc 5 on sale on Amazon or an Ebay deal, and the Costco Philips 8000 are the best deals out there. Spending any more money really becomes incremental.
We need more updates on care, lubrication, cleaning. Oil or no oil? Andis Cool care every day (why not) Whats the best cleaning fluid for Panny, Braun, Philips? is there a one size that fits all?
thanks again.
Hey Alan,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.
The Series 8000 is probably the best rotary in terms of value for money, and the performance is pretty close to the i9000 Series (with all the variants). It’s a shame it’s not that easy to buy, and in most countries, it’s not available at all; it would be my default recommendation for a rotary in the mid to high-end segment.
The ARC 5, any of the ES-LV65, ES-LV67, or the USA-exclusive ES-LV6H are often on sale, and those are pretty much the foil equivalent of the Series 8000.
For foil shavers in particular, lubrication is very important. Oil or spray lubricant, it should be done regularly. If you only use water to clean the shaver, once or twice a week should be enough. For water + liquid soap, lubricating after every such cleaning would be optimal. The lubricant should be applied to clean and dry foils.
For rotaries is not as necessary, and Philips doesn’t even say you need to lubricate a rotary, but I think it can have some benefits. I would definitely recommend a spray vs oil for rotaries. I personally wouldn’t do it more than once a week.
Thank you for the feedback, I’ll try to make future posts easier to skim through.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
You said:
The S9000 Prestige has 3:
* Comfort (1900 RPM)
* Dynamic (2100 RPM)
* Efficiency (2300 RPM)
However, when I check the US Philips site and Amazon Japan for the SP9841, both list 150,000 cutting actions per minute rather than 165,000. That seems to suggest the motor only runs at the standard 2100 RPM.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/zh/dp/B0C57Z4CTP?th=1
https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/SP9841_84/shaver-s9000-prestige-wet-dry-electric-shaver-with-senseiq
Could you confirm whether all S9000 Prestige units definitely have the 2300 RPM mode? I’m waiting for a sale on Amazon Japan. Thanks!
Hey,
That’s a great question and the RPM discrepancy stems from a simple fact. Philips, on the box of the S9000 Prestige and on some of the product pages, lists 150,000 cutting actions simply because that’s what we are getting in the Normal/Dynamic mode. However, in the Efficiency mode, the shaver feels and sounds faster than a standard S9000 that runs at 2100 RPM.
A few years ago, pretty much all Philips pages listed 165,000 cutting actions for the S9000 Prestige as it was the latest and the range-topping model. With the launch of the i9000 Prestige Ultra (and the gradual discontinuation of the S9000 Prestige), that one will probably be the only one marketed as having 2300 RPM (in the Custom mode).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu