Review Summary Editor's choice
Pros: smooth, close and comfortable shaves, surprisingly good performance with longer, flat-lying hairs, solidly built & reliable, good ergonomics, wet & dry use, long hair trimmer, inexpensive and durable replacement head, good battery life, easy to clean, reasonably priced
Cons: can feel a bit underpowered at times, not the best long hair trimmer, works best for daily or two days shaving, no travel pouch or lubricant included, noisy
Braun’s Series 3 ProSkin range continues to maintain its strong position in the affordable shavers segment.
The Series 3 ProSkin 3040s, the successor of the highly popular 340s-4, has become the best-selling model by balancing cost and features.
This, along with its worldwide availability, makes the 3040s the pick of the ProSkin range.
Without further ado, let’s see how well the Braun 3040s performed in my long-term, real-world review and whether it would be a good fit for you.
We’ll also compare it to a few other similarly priced options from Braun and from the competition.
Braun 3040s features overview
The 3040s is a wet/dry razor in the Series 3 ProSkin (aka Series 3+) family and sits somewhere in the middle of the pack considering its price and features.
It comes with the usual three-blade setup, with two outer foils for cutting stubble close to the skin and one middle trimmer that tackles longer hairs.
Around this trimmer, there is a micro-comb that should feed hairs more effectively to the cutters.
The three cutting elements can move independently, and the blades and foils are integrated into a single cassette, so they can’t be bought and replaced separately.
The shaver also has an integrated hair trimmer, a 3-level LED indicator for battery status and it can only be operated cordless.
Other noteworthy features are the 5-minute quick charge option and waterproofing, allowing it to be used in the shower as well.
Overall, the 3040s is a basic, no-frills razor that gets the job done.
Build quality and ergonomics
Upon first holding the razor in hand, you will notice that it’s nicely weighted and has a substantial girth.
The generous blue rubber sleeve provides a fantastic grip and can be handled very securely, even when it’s wet or covered in foam.
The materials used are plastic with both matte and glossy treatments; the razor feels very solid and durable and in my subjective opinion it looks even better than its predecessor.
The hair trimmer is positioned on the back of the razor and slides forward, barely passing the shaving head when fully extended.
The power button is rubberized and it takes quite a lot of force to press it.
Since the 3040s doesn’t feature a travel lock, I guess this is a good thing as there is no way you could turn it on by mistake.
The protective cap does extend over the ON/OFF switch and also acts as a physical travel lock, so props to Braun for trying to make up for the lack of a built-in one.
Overall, the 3040s performs very well in terms of build quality and ergonomics.
I would have liked the body of the shaver to taper a bit since it’s rather bulky, but with that generous grippy teal rubber, it’s not really an issue.
My only other gripe with the otherwise excellent ergonomics has to do with the use of glossy plastic on the shaving head.
It becomes very slippery when wet or when used with shaving cream and it’s a bit of a pain to remove for cleaning.
Besides, you must be extra careful as you have to squeeze the sides hard to remove it, and when the head finally pops out, you could drop it and damage it.
You can check out our short unboxing video below:
Battery life and charging
As previously mentioned, the 3040s can only be operated cordless as a safety precaution.
It comes with a rechargeable Ni-Mh battery that provides enough charge for 45 minutes of use.
Charging the razor is done with the included adapter, and it’s pretty compact in size.
Mine came with the old coiled cord but it was discontinued and replaced by a regular, straight cord for current models.
The shavers sold in the USA will come with a USA power plug (my review unit was bought from Europe).
There is a convenient 5-minute quick charge feature for those times when you’re in a hurry and the battery is completely drained.
Speaking of which, battery life proved to be excellent, pretty much on par with the best (affordable) razors I’ve used in this regard.
I consistently got a bit more than the claimed 45 minutes per charge, so battery life was very solid.
Cleaning and maintenance
The Series 3 ProSkin family also includes shavers that come with Braun’s cleaning & charging station, like the 3090cc and 3050cc.
That’s not the case with the 3040s in our review, so you’ll have to resort to manually cleaning your razor. And that’s pretty easy to do.
If you use the 3040s for dry shaving only, just remove the shaving head and gently tap the plastic frame on a flat surface.
With the included brush, remove the hair clippings and debris from the inner area of the head.
Do not use the brush the foils, as this can damage them. You can also rinse the parts under running water for a more thorough cleaning.
Once in a while, it’s a good idea to use a bit of liquid soap and warm tap water to remove older debris and grit that may have stuck to the cutting parts.
This cleaning method is mandatory after every use if you’re shaving with cream or gel.
This is when a shaver with separate cutters and foils is usually easier to clean; Braun uses a cassette that integrates both, making it a bit more difficult to clean thoroughly than a Panasonic Arc 3, for example.
To maximize the performance and minimize the wear on the cutting parts, it’s recommended to apply one drop of clipper oil on the foils once a week, especially if you regularly clean your razor with water.
Braun used to include a small bottle of lubricating oil with some of its razors, but not anymore.
Shaving performance
Let’s now get to the most important part of the Series 3 3040s review and see how well it shaves.
I was actually expecting a familiar experience with the 3040s since it’s not very different from the older 380s-4 and 340s-4 I reviewed some time ago.
It turns out I was right. And that’s a good thing for the most part.
Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3040s
I tested the Series 3 ProSkin 3040s extensively, and during this time, I shaved daily, every other day and every two to three days.
The dry shaving performance was quite good overall; I got the best results when I shaved more often with the 3040s.
This wasn’t a surprise as in my experience the lower-end foil electric razors yield the best results when used daily or every other day.
The closeness was adequate for the most part and the comfort was excellent.
The razor does a very good job at shaving short hair, but has some trouble with longer, flat-lying hairs from a few days of growth.
Some were left behind and I had to go over certain areas a few times. Again, nothing out of the ordinary for a basic electric shaver.
In fact, it was quite a bit better compared to other similarly priced shavers, like the Arc 3 from Panasonic.
I didn’t experience any major discomfort during use, be it irritation, razor burn or hairs being yanked.
Also, using an electric pre-shave (the Speick pre-electric lotion in my case) seemed to help.
While the dry shaving experience was good, using the 3040s with shaving cream was even better, especially with regard to closeness.
I know most men will prefer to shave dry as it takes less time and you don’t have to mess around with lather, but if wet shaving is your thing, you can definitely use the 3040s with your favorite cream or gel.
My pick is actually the Jack Black Beard Lube no-foaming shave balm.
The Series 3 is definitely not the quietest electric shaver out there; it emits a raspy buzz and also vibrates a bit more than Braun’s high-end shavers.
Overall, I highly recommend buying this razor if you’re planning on shaving daily or every other day and need a gentle and inexpensive shaver; longer hairs can be a challenge for even top-of-the-line razors.
Now for the negatives.
In my subjective experience, the Series 3 from Braun can sometimes feel a bit underpowered and as a result, shaving takes somewhat longer than with other shavers (more on this in the alternatives section).
However, this will only be a problem if you have very thick and dense facial hair.
While shaving dry, the middle trimmer did get a little hot. The two outer foils remained comfortably cool, though.
I strongly recommend putting a drop of lubricating oil on the middle trimmer if you’re planning on using it dry, as this helps with the heating issue.
The long hair trimmer was a bit of a mixed bag.
While its positioning and shape were spot on, it didn’t feel sharp enough.
When tweaking my sideburns, it would sometimes leave hairs behind, even after additional passes.
To be honest though, even the Series 9 trimmer works pretty much the same, so I can’t really complain.
Included accessories
The standard package includes the bare essentials only:
- 3040s razor
- Charging cord
- Protective cap
- Cleaning brush
No travel case and lubricating oil are present, unfortunately.
My particular review unit, which had Limited Edition written on the packaging, included a free 32b shaving head replacement as seen in the image above.
This was a very pleasant surprise that pretty much makes up for the lack of other accessories.
Replacement parts availability
The updated Series 3 ProSkin uses the same 32b/32s replacement cassettes as the previous generation.
They now feature a redesigned micro-comb around the middle trimmer that comes in white instead of black.
Other than that, they seem to be exactly the same. And that’s probably a good thing since they tend to last more than the average cutters and also cost less.
Braun Series 3 32B
Takeaway: Should you buy the 3040s?
The Series 3 ProSkin 3040s is definitely a compelling product in its category: an affordable, solid razor that offers good value for money and performs very well, especially when used more often.
If we consider Braun’s reputation for making reliable products, the inexpensive and long-lasting replacement cutters and the reasonable purchase price, the 3040s is shaping up to be a pretty good deal.
Anyone who doesn’t need all the features of premium razors but also doesn’t want to pay the premium price should consider it.
Beginners should also look at the 3040s for their first shaver.
Its great ergonomics, reasonable price and the fact that it’s a basic razor, easy to use and to maintain, make it a solid option.
The smooth and comfortable operation makes it suitable for men with sensitive skin as well.
Alternative shavers
As I said in the performance section, my only real complaint about the way the 3040s performs is that it doesn’t shave quite as close, especially when compared to similarly priced Panasonic models.
An Arc 3 Panasonic like the ES-LT67 and ES-LL41-K that have a 13 000 CPM motor will shave a bit faster and closer.
Panasonic Arc 3 ES-LL41-K
On the downside, the Panasonic costs quite a bit more and it uses cutters and foils that are more expensive and, at least in theory, wear out faster.
The Arc 3 is also a bit more aggressive, especially during a dry shave. So if you have sensitive skin, the 3040s is still probably the better pick.
Braun Series 5 5118s (with Turbo mode)
When the current Series 5 was first launched, there weren’t really any compelling reasons to buy one over the Series 3 ProSkin.
The Series 5 shaved the same, but it was usually more expensive and the head has a wider frame, so it is not quite as nimble as the 3040s.
However, Braun updated the Series 5, which now features a Turbo mode, which gives the shaver a noticeable power boost.
And while the closeness of the shave remained the same (and similar to the 3040s), it is faster and feels more powerful than the 3040s.
For someone with medium coarse stubble, this would make the Series 5 (Turbo) a more suitable shaver.
For ease of use, I would still pick the 3040s though; it’s just more user-friendly with the narrower head and the 3 cutters that stick out more.
Another option would be the Series 3 ProSkin 3010s, which is basically identical to the 3040s, except that it lacks the extendable hair trimmer.
However, if you can get past that and you can buy it for less money, it’s a really good alternative.
Finally, there’s the issue of wet and dry use.
Some men will never use their electric razors with shaving cream; they don’t want the extra hassle of lathering and cleaning the razor, or it simply doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of closeness or comfort.
If you’re in this situation, you could opt for the budget-friendly 3000s.
This one is usually among the most affordable Series 3 ProSkin models you can buy and as a bonus, it will also work corded:
Performance-wise, it’s identical to the 3040s that tested in this review, uses the same shaving head, but just like the 3010s, it doesn’t have a slide-out trimmer.
Even if it’s a dry-only shaver, it’s still waterproof and you can safely clean it with water.
Unfortunately, it;s getting more difficult to find nowadays.
You don’t say how long the CHARGE lasts?
Hello Bobby,
I actually mentioned that it lasts for approximately 45 minutes of use.
It’s replacement head costs about Rupees 3850 which we have to spend for 18 months…this is bit extra cost as machine itself Rs4500
Does the Braun 3040s shaver operate on 220 volts?
Yes, it is fitted with a universal voltage converter (110V – 220V).
I’m from the Philippines.. we use 220 volts .. is it ok to charge my Braun 3040s model
Yes, it’s definitely ok — the charger takes from 100 to 240 volts.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I had given up on electric shavers decades ago because of my sensitive skin, but decided to try the Braun 3040s after reading your review. Even shaving dry with it, I have not experienced any significant irritation. I do notice that it sometimes misses a hair, and have to go back over the spot repeatedly to get it, but this is so much more convenient than a manual razor that it’s worth the extra effort! Thank you for the review!
Hi Dan,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the 3040s. I’m glad to hear you found the review helpful. Less advanced electric shavers can miss stubborn stray hairs, but as you said it is a minor inconvenience given the benefits.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The charger unit does not fit my normal bathroom shaver point. Do I have to buy a special plug unit?
Hi David,
You only need an adapter plug that will fit your socket.
Is it safe to charge the razor from the bathroom shaver socket?? Any risk of damaging/overheating the socket’s transformer by overloading it? It would be advisable for Braun to provide an option with a UK 13 amp plug on the charger unit. The 2-pin plug provided won’t fit into the live and neutral points on a standard UK 13amp mains socket. A bit annoying! Thanks for your review
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the comment.
It should be safe to use it from the shaver socket. I never had any issues with that regardless of the shaver I’ve been using. That said, I’m no electrician and I also don’t live in the UK, so I’m probably not in a position to give you the best advice. I do agree that manufacturers should include the proper plug with the shavers sold in specific countries.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The replacement foil is near cost as much as the razor. come on Braun get these foil prices down, or will be chaning make.
The price usually varies between $20 and $25, which is lower than what you’ll be paying in the case of other foil shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Besides the long hair trimmer, is there a difference between this model and the Shave & Style model which comes with a set of combs?
No, absolutely no other differences between it and the 3010BT.
How is the sound and effectiveness of the trimmer compared to a panasonic Arc 4.
The sound of the Arc 4 has a higher frequency and you can perceive it as being louder because of that. As for the trimmer, the one on the Arc 4 is clearly superior, it cuts way better.
Will the 3050’s Charge & Clean station work with the 3040? And if so, is the clean station available as a separate purchase?
No, it won’t work with the 3040s or with any other Series 3 models that didn’t originally come with a cleaning station. Only the Series 7 solo models will work with a compatible station purchased separately.
It would appear from the picture that this shaver does not have a UK mains plug! The one shown is a Euro plug. Do I really have to use it with a bulky mains adapter in the UK?
Hi,
They are apparently sold only with the Europlug in Europe, so you would need an adapter to use it in the UK.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m afraid that seems to apply to every shaver regardless of make.
Hi!
I’ve been using a Braun Series 3 Wet&Dry 380s-4 since 2012. I am not satisfied with it at all. But it’s not that bad as my previous cheap Phillips rotary (that tore out my skin so hard). Very slow, and impossible to maintain a close shave without a proper preshave. Does really messy work. Been using standard Gillette blades instead, but want to go for a new electric one – without compromise. I have sensitive skin, a little flat beard at my neck area, but my beard isn’t coarse at all.
Which waterproof model would you recommend, if money is not an aspect, and my goal is a fast, clean, close shave? (I don’t need a cleaning station, but I’m okay with it.)
Hi,
I would go for a Series 5 or, better yet, a Series 7 if money is not an issue. They are vastly superior to the Series 3 and perfectly suitable for sensitive skin. You can opt for any of the s (solo) models as they don’t come with a cleaning station. For example, the Series 5 5040s or Series 7 7983s are two such models that are also waterproof. You can check out all the details about the various S5 and S7 models here and here.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can this model be used as trimmer? Means can the trimmer kits be set up in this model? Or is it just a shaver?
In short can I trim beard with this?
Yes, you can buy separately the trimmer attachment and combs (model 32BT, Amazon link) and use it as a trimmer to maintain your beard.
Hi, does this shaver can baby smooth close shaved? If yes how many times do we need to repeat at the same area to achieve baby smooth result?
Hi,
That really depends on your facial hair. Someone with light to medium hair can get a very close shave, but the 3040s is really just a simple, entry-level shaver, so I wouldn’t really expect a bbs shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have used this model for the last 5 years, it is not bad and I do find my complexion feels a lot smoother after a wet shave. Recently the cassette light has come on indicating new foil needed. Was therefore looking to just purchase another razor within that price range and was wondering if there are better alternatives within that category or whether I should stick to this model. Also, is the clean and charge station worth it or is it just a gimmick from Braun. Please email back.
Hi Andrew,
If you were satisfied with the performance, I would suggest sticking to the same model. In the same price range (although a bit more expensive) there’s the Panasonic Arc 3 ES8103S, but as mentioned in the alternatives section of the review, it comes with its own specific shortcomings.
In my opinion you shouldn’t bother getting a Series 3 with a cleaning station.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Shifting from razor to Braun Series 3 3040s. Not as close a shave but excellent nonetheless. No more nicks and cartridge purchases. No need for shaving cream. Very happy with this purchase so far. It doesn’t pull on the whiskers much. I thought it wasn’t cutting anything but it was. Just need a few passes.
Thank you for your comment, Antonio. That sounds about right — it’s not the closest shaving machine out there, but definitely good enough for the money and pretty comfortable as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi I’ve been using my 3040s for 10 months now and feel sometimes I get a great shave from it and sometimes it underperfomes. I oil it once a month. Do I oil the springs or just the cassette?
Also I worry about overcharging it. Is this possible?
Hi,
There’s no need to oil the springs, just a couple of drops on each of the three cutters will suffice (make sure to spread it with your finger and let the shaver run for a few seconds). I personally would do it more often though, like at least three times a month.
As long as the shaver is charged, reasonably clean and lubricated, the performance should be consistent. There may be some other factors that affect the quality of the shave, not necessarily related to the shaver (maybe your skin is a bit damp which isn’t ideal during a dry shave, maybe your beard is a bit longer than usual, etc.). No worries about overcharging it. You should also charge it as often as you need to, the battery won’t be affected.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Can I use sewing machine oil to maintain it?
It is very effective as a lubricant, however, I wouldn’t really recommend it for electric shavers since it’ll be touching your skin. Clipper oil would be a safer option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for this great resource Ovidiu.
My 380s is dying after many years of solid use, and so time to replace. It looks like I’ll be going with the 3040. I do worry though that Braun may be soon to release a new version, since the 3040 has been out for a while. Oh well.
One question, re charging. In the 3040 manual it says initial charge is 4 hours then do a complete discharge, then charge again to full, and after that the shaver should only take an hour to charge. I’m wondering though if that second charge to full should also be for four hours. Braun doesn’t specify. Any thoughts? I know NIMH batteries can be finicky, so want to get it right.
Thanks again for your great content which quickly helped remind me why I like foil shavers the best.
Hi Phil,
Thank you for the comment, I really appreciate it.
I wouldn’t be too worried about Braun discontinuing the Series 3, it’s still going strong and even in the event of an update, the older ones will continue to be sold alongside (the same goes for the replacement cassettes). After the initial 4-hour charge, you should just charge your shaver normally (1 hour or until fully charged which is usually done in less than one hour).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Well I just got the 3040s today, and there’s 1 hour left for the initial 4 hour charge. I’m lucky (thank you Braun), that the case and stand which came with the 380s will also work with the 3040s. I was interested to see on the outer box it says that the 3040s shaver unit and the protective cap are made in Germany, with the brush being made in China. (The power adapter is also made in China). I got 4 months short of 10 years usage out of the 380s. We’ll see what happens with this one. As you note the power adapter no longer includes the coiled cord. I prefer the coiled cord to the straight one provided with the 3040s, but I expect that I can just continue to use the cord from the 380s instead.
Ovidiu, I will be reading up next on your shaver maintenance and cleaning content. The 380s lasted remarkably well considering it was not cleaned as often as it should have been. I hope to do a better job with the 3040s. I do have some of the machine oil at least.
Thank you again for all the detailed information that you provide.
Best Regards,
Phil
Hi Phil,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
The 3040s, as well as the other models in the Series 3 ProSkin lineup, is pretty much the same as the former generation (380s, 340s, etc) minus the design changes, so I am confident that it will be very reliable. Many of the previous accessories will still work, so you can certainly use the coiled cord (I also prefer it) and the charging stand.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I have been looking at purchasing this as a first electric shaver for my son.
He has autism and I am now put off after you mentioned how loud it is.
Are you aware of a similar shaver which is quieter?
Hi Stacey,
It is loud and may be too much in this case. It emits a raspy buzz and also vibrates which can only accentuate the perceived noise. All foil shavers are loud I’m afraid, so I cannot really recommend a similar shaver because of that.
The only option would be a rotary shaver which is significantly quieter, but it is in my opinion more difficult to use, especially for someone just getting started with electric shavers. It requires circular motions and gentle pressure. I wrote more about the pros and cons of foils and rotaries here — maybe you can get a better idea if a rotary would be a viable option. I recommend the Philips Shaver 2300 or Shaver 3500 in that case, those are easier to use than most.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
I have written to you before with compliments for your thorough and readable information. It is a life saver.
I have just purchased a 3040S (541B / 32B) but it did not come with a plastic protective cap. Do you know where I might purchase one? I can go online.
It did come with a zip case.
Many thanks. Patrick K (Sydney Australia)
Patrick, thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
The part number for the protective cap that will fit your 3040s is Braun 81559881. Unfortunately not many online shops seem to have it in stock. I did manage to find it here, but I do not have any personal experience ordering from that particular shop. It seems trustworthy though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My ancient 6520 won’t die, however the battery barely holds a charge… my 13 year old Series 5 (w/ cleaning station) finally disintegrated & fixing it seemed unlikely…& based on some other reviews I’d read on current Braun options left me with concerns on investing in one of Braun’s higher end models. Your Series 3 / 3040s review was spot on, very happy with the purchase. Only one question, from the Toronto Canada area: My understanding was ‘Made in Germany’ models were primarily available in Europe, while North America/USA/Canada received the ‘Designed in Germany’ (Made in China) models. I managed to find/purchase a Made in Germany Series 3 at our local Walmart. Wondered if you had any perspective on this?
Hi Mike,
Many thanks for the comment — I’m glad your happy with your new Series 3 3040s. This one is in my opinion the budget Braun shaver to buy nowadays — the new Series 5 and 6 aren’t better in my opinion, while the Series 7 360 Flex is more powerful but not really comfortable and a downgrade from the old Series 7. The next better Braun shaver would be the Series 8, but it cost a lot more than a Series 3.
I don’t think that Made in Germany matters so much nowadays. For example, large subcomponents can be made in China and assembled in Germany, hence the Made in Germany text on the box. Also, I got a couple of Series 3 shavers from Europe and both are Made in China and have the German Technology label as well. And the quality is solid.
As for the USA and European models, I think it has to do more with the family of the shavers; the Series 7, 8, 9 and 9 Pro are usually Made in Germany, while the more budget oriented models like the Series 1, 3 and 5 are usually Made in China. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a Made in Germany Series 3 (and I live in Europe). But as I mentioned, it doesn’t really mean anything.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I bought a 3040s 3 weeks ago from Argos £75. Did as per instructions re charging. Let it discharge till red light appears for a few hours. Just had a wet shave and before I finished red light appeared. Are there problems you know of in this regard.
Hi Philip,
Just to make sure I understand this correctly. Did the red light come on after a single shave (with a fully charged battery)? If so, you should ask for a replacement. The Series 3 ProSkin and the 3040s are actually very reliable, with no such recurring issues.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu
Do u know any shaver recommendations for baby smooth results? Close shave? And price not that expensive? Perhaps medium? Thank you,
Henry
Hi Henry,
Check out the Panasonic Arc 4 ES-LF51-A. That one is the closest-shaving mid-range shaver in my experience. You can read more about it in this post. If you cannot find it, the Arc 5 ES-LV65/ES-LV67 would also be a great option, but it usually costs more than the ES-LF51-A.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Any other options?
I tried to find it at Indonesia but it seems very difficult to find them.
Any Panasonic Arc 5 model you can find locally, just get the one with the lowest price because they all shave the same. The model names might be different from the ones I mentioned, but as long as it has Arc 5/Lamdash 5/Series 900 in the name, you’re good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I am looking for my first shaver and would like it to be suitable for pubic and light facial hair. This razor looks like a good option, but I can’t really find if it is suitable for pubic hair. Do you know if it is? And if not, do you know of a different shaver that meets these wishes? My budget is ~€100.
Sincerely,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I would highly recommend a separate body trimmer for the pubic area (and you would still stay within the budget).
A Series 3 ProSkin like the 3040s would be ideal for someone with light facial hair, just make sure you use it regularly as electric shavers are designed to cut short hair (daily to every 3 days at most).
As for a trimmer for the genital area, I would go with the Philips Bodygroom 5000. It’s very forgiving and gives a close, comfortable shave. And it has a reasonable price.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
What would you recommend over 3 ProSkin? Am 85, just found my old 2008 SynchroPro 7505, seems to do an ok job, but parts availability is a problem. I have a light beard, usually blade razor myself every other day. Thanks.
Hi Carl,
The next in Braun’s current hierarchy would be the new Series 5 with Turbo mode (the 5118s is usually the model with the best price) or the Series 7 360 Flex. Even though these are more powerful than the 3040s, the larger foil frame makes them a bit draggy on the skin which is why I usually recommend the Series 3 ProSkin to users with light facial hair. I think it should be good enough and also has a very reasonable price.
A Braun Series 8 will be noticeably more capable, but it costs a lot more and again it will probably be overkill for someone with a light beard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Bought one, terrible, takes forever to shave, over and over you have to go. Gave it to my wife she said terrible. Bought ES-LL41K Panasonic, fabulous, works great will cut my beard quick even if I skip a day.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated.
This goes to show again that the same shaver can perform differently for different users. I also have both, but in my case the shave is surprisingly similar between the two. The Panasonic feels faster and can cut the hair a bit closer, but I also get a very decent shave with the 3040s. The latter is actually a bit better with the flat hairs on my neck.
The LL41 is arguably the best 3-blade Panasonic you can buy right now. Other similar models are too expensive and/or have some quirks (large heads, slippery handles, poor hair trimmers).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A HUGE tip of the cap to ShaverCheck for the research that you have done!
Since the days when I first started to shave, to now being 56 years old, I have always used a Norelco rotary razor. The 7340XL is the razor that I have been using for several years. I used to be happy with it and the triple track blades always did a great job. However, with those blades no longer being available, I have been forced to switch to the SH50 blades. In my opinion the performance with these blades has greatly dropped, and I am not getting as near of a close shave as I used to. It’s not the razor’s fault that the blades are not as good, but I finally decided to see what other razors the world has to offer.
Using your research as a guide, I decided to give foil razors a look. After much debating, I finally settled on the Braun Series 3 ProSkin. Venturing into the foil realm for $60 seemed like a good place to start as compared to going all in and spending $250+ just to find out that I don’t like foil razors.
I admit that I was a bit nervous to try it – would I be happy with it or did I just waste $60? And if I wasn’t happy with it would I be doomed to putting up with a lousy shave for the rest of my life.
Well call me impressed. What an incredible upgrade as compared to what I was used to. A significantly closer shave with no skin irritation whatsoever, all while still being very easy to use. And for only $60.
The only question I have is how could the higher series Braun’s shave any closer than the Series 3? The 3 leaves no hint of stubble at all on my face. How do you get better than that?
Mike,
Thank you so much for the kind comment.
You are one of the more fortunate users that got a great shave immediately after switching to a foil shaver after a lifetime of using rotaries. And better yet, it’s an affordable shaver as well.
Many things will cumulatively affect your experience and the quality of the shave (with a certain machine): the density, length and thickness of the hair, your skin, your specific shaving technique, any extra products you’re using (like pre-shave lotions). From what I can tell, you’re able to get a perfectly satisfying shave with your Series 3 ProSkin, so it would not make any sense to spend a lot on a more advanced foil shaver.
In other cases a more capable machine like the Series 9 would be beneficial. Users with coarser, flat-lying hairs that shave less often would likely see an improvement. The time it takes to complete the shave would also drop significantly.
Enjoy your S3 ProSkin and thank you again for taking the time to share your experience with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Should repairs be needed for any reason, where in the USA can one obtain repairs? I’m in the Chicago, IL area.
Thanks, Ed
Hi Ed,
It appears that the closest authorized Braun center is in New York. You can see it at Braun’s service finder page.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
After using Mach 3 razor for ages, I bought my first electric shaver Braun Series 3 Proskin 3040s in April 2024. I have been using it as a dry shaver for last 10 months. The cutting takes lot of effort (multiple to and fro ) and is not effective as Mach 3 Razor (single glide is sufficient).
For the last few months, after each shave, I had to remove the shaving head and tap it out on flat surface to remove the hair clipping. Lately, I am noticing there is no hair clipping inside the shaving head and all of them fall outside while shaving. Also, shaving is not as effective as before. Is this normal?
I have cleaned the head thoroughly and even oiled it using Wahl clipper oil but still hair clippings fall outside while shaving.
Any insight would be useful.
Thanks.
Hi Suresh,
Foil shavers in general aren’t the best at containing the clipped hairs inside the head and this will also be affected by how each of us shave. Precisely, if you tend to hold the shaver more parallel to the floor (horizontally), many hairs will end up in the sink or on your forearm and shirt. If you lean more forward and you’re able to hold the shaver more upright (with the foil pointing up), more hairs will be contained inside the head. Hopefully this makes sense.
Removing and washing the foil head after each shave is in my opinion a must right from the start.
The S3 ProSkin just might not be right shaver for you — it’s good enough for frequent use and for users with light to medium beards. But for coarse, dense hair, and especially if you shave less often, it’ll take a lot of time and effort for a decent result.
I would try to shave more often and also add a pre-shave lotion (I especially like the one from Speick). If that doesn’t make any difference, it might be worth it to invest in a more capable razor like for example the Panasonic Arc 5, especially if you can get a good deal on one (ES-LV65, ES-ALV6H).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Would you recommend this for someone with a beard that only shaves their neck and upper cheeks? If not, what would you recommend? Your articles have been so informative and I’m always coming back for more info on the available options.
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for the comment, glad the site was useful.
It would work fine especially since the shaving head is very compact for a 3-blade shaver. However, since the area you’ll be shaving is only restricted to the lower part of the neck and top of the cheeks, I would also consider a double-foil shaver from BaByliss or Andis if getting a really close shave is a must. Those have very thin foils and are particularly well suited for this use case. The one drawback is that they are not waterproof, so cleaning isn’t as easy as in the case of the Braun.
But whichever you end up buying, it will only work on short stubble, so I would use my beard trimmer to reduce the hair to stubble before shaving it clean with the foil razor.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu