Review Summary
Pros: very comfortable, adequately close shaves, suitable for sensitive skin, good performance on a 2 to 3 days beard, wet & dry use, excellent battery life, useful cleaning station
Cons: not quite as good as the old Series 7 (despite some improvements), mediocre slide-out trimmer, pricey replacement shaving head, no cleaning brush or lubricant included
Launched somewhere in 2019 without any drum rolls or hype, the elusive Series 8 appears to be a concoction between the old Series 5, 7 and 9, but also comes with a few particularities of its own.
Also, considering its price and performance, it’s arguably the most compelling Braun shaver in the mid to high-end segment.
I’ve been using a Series 8 for years and in this review we’ll see how well it shaves, check out its pros and cons, and ultimately see if it’s worth buying or if there are better options available.
Let’s dive right in.
Braun Series 8 features overview
Three-blade shaving head
Like most shavers in Braun’s lineup, the Series 8 features three independent shaving elements arranged in a familiar fashion:
- Two outer foils that shave hairs at skin level. With the Series 8, Braun uses its trademark OptiFoil design for the foil screens, meaning the perforations have this irregular form instead of the more common round shape. This supposedly makes them more efficient at catching the hairs and also improves comfort.
- One middle trimmer with wider slits that captures and cuts longer and flat-lying hairs.
It’s immediately obvious that the shaving head of the Series 8 is pretty much identical to the ones of the old (now discontinued) Series 5 and 7.
And that’s actually a promising start since those were really good performers; in fact, the old Series 5 and 7 were significantly better than the current Series 5 and 7 in every single aspect.
8D Flexible shaving system
The shaving head of the Braun Series 8 can only move from front to back, which is honestly all that’s needed and in my opinion a better approach than other super complex flexing systems.
Braun makes it sound a lot more complicated than it really is with this 8D thing.
The three cutters can also move independently and that really helps them stay in contact with the skin, even when shaving tricky areas.
30 000 cutting actions per minute
This simply means that the Series 8 is fitted with a 10 000 CPM (cycles per minute) motor, again just like Braun’s other top shavers.
If we divide 30 000 by the number of shaving elements — 3 in the case of the Series 8 — we get 10 000, which is actually the more relevant number (but 30 000 sounds better).
Sonic technology
The hype continues with the Sonic technology, which is again a feature found on other Braun shavers.
Basically, the motor also induces tiny vibrations into the foils, helping the Series 8 capture the whiskers with fewer strokes.
Beard density sensor
This is a distinctive feature Braun’s higher-end models.
The Series 9 (and its Series 9 Pro/PRO+ versions) is the only other shaver in Braun’s lineup that has it (it’s called SyncroSonic in that case).
The razor is fitted with a sensor that adjusts the power output of the motor depending on the particularities of the beard, precisely the density.
It all sounds good, but in reality, it doesn’t seem to do much. But more on that later on.
60 minutes of cordless shaving
This is in my opinion one of the most important features of the Series 8 and a clear improvement over many electric razors out there.
While the industry standard is 40 to 50 minutes, the Series 8 can provide at least 60 minutes of cordless shaving time (on a single charge).
Battery life on all Braun shavers was already good, so the Series 8 should perform even better in that regard.
Since this is a wet/dry electric razor, it will not work with the cord plugged in.
As usual, there’s a 5-minute quick charge function that should enable you to complete one shave.
Cleaning & Charging station
The Braun Series 8 cc models include an automatic cleaning station that charges, cleans and lubricates the shaver.
Side note: The newer Series 8 models that start with 84, 85 and 86 come with an upgraded cleaning station that also features a fan that dries the shaving head.
The station is identical in size and shape to the ones that come with the Series 9.
We’ll take a very close look at how it works in the Cleaning and maintenance section of the review.
Misc features
Other features of the Series 8 worth mentioning are:
- Slide-out trimmer
- 32-bit MCU (microcontroller unit)
- 5-level LED battery level indicator
- wet & dry use
The Braun Series 8 comes with a 2-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Build quality and ergonomics
The Series 8 in this review comes in a silver and black color scheme with just a dash of blue around the top part.
The entire body of the shaver is made out of plastic. While it doesn’t look or feel cheap, it’s not particularly spectacular either.
There’s no denying that it shares a lot of design elements with the Series 9 (and the old Series 5).
For example, it weighs exactly the same as the S9 and apart from the smaller shaving head, the dimensions are very similar.
All the silver trims have this matte, brushed finish that handles smudges a lot better than the high-gloss chrome coating found on other Braun models.
On the front part of the shaver, there’s this glossy black piece of trim that surrounds the head locking switch, power button and LED display.
The head locking switch of the Series 8 is again the same as the one found on the aforementioned Braun S9, however, this time around it’s covered in this very grippy, rubber-like material, making it easy to operate and an ideal thumb rest.
When engaged, the shaving head will be locked in a fixed position, preventing it from swiveling.
If you force it, the ratcheting mechanism is clever enough not to break and the head will simply move in a different (fixed) position (there are 5 of them).
This switch is also easier to operate because of the added grip, even when the shaver is wet or covered in foam.
And speaking of grip, there’s a generous surface of the same rubber-like material on the back of the shaver and it extends to the sides as well.
This, along with the matte finish of the silver plastic, allows you to hold it very securely in your hand, even though the body of the Braun Series 8 has quite a substantial girth.
On the back we’ll find the typical Braun slide-out hair trimmer and two metal studs that charge the shaver when placed in the cleaning station.
The Series 8 is made in Germany, just like the other Braun middle to high-end shavers.
On the bottom we have the charging port, surrounded by some glossy black trim.
As mentioned previously, the shaving head of the Series 8 looks extremely similar to the ones of Braun’s other 3-blade models, the OG Series 5 and 7.
While the silver foil frame is slightly different in shape and size among these 3 families of shavers, the actual foils/cutters seem to be identical.
In order to remove the cassette of the S8, you must press the tabs located on the lateral sides of the shaving head.
However, only the one on the right (as you hold the shaver with the front part facing you) is actually used for this; the other one is simply there for symmetry, despite even having the same eject symbol engraved on it.
This can be a little confusing and I actually tried to press the dummy button very hard at first before realizing that it doesn’t actually do anything.
The one that does work can be a little jerky to operate sometimes, but nothing too serious.
Overall, the build quality of the Braun Series 8 is definitely adequate.
There’s nothing to wow you, like for example Panasonic’s newer Arc 5 models, but then again we’re talking about a totally different price point.
I do appreciate the fact that with the release of this shaver, Braun fixed some of the problems of the original Series 7 — a simple, more intuitive and useful battery display, a better head locking mechanism that won’t break and finally, a travel lock.
The travel lock on the Series 8 can be activated by pressing and holding the power button for 3 seconds.
When the shaver is locked, a small red padlock will appear on the display. It can be deactivated by pressing and holding the power button again for 3 seconds.
Included accessories
The Braun Series 8 cc models usually come bundled with the following items:
- Cleaning & Charging station
- One cleaning cartridge
- Charging cord
- Hard travel case
- User manual
While the absence of a protective cap and a small bottle of lubricant was to be expected, I was surprised to see that Braun didn’t include a cleaning brush.
I personally won’t miss it too much, however other users may find it useful when cleaning the shaver manually.
Tip: the protective cover of the old Series 5 will actually fit the Series 8 perfectly, including the new 85xx and 86xx models.
The part number for the plastic cover is Braun 81406970 and you can still buy it and use it on your Series 8:
The station of my Series 8 8370cc looks the same as the ones we get with the Series 9 (minus the drying feature which is specific to the S9 and the newer 84, 85 and 86 S8).
Just by looking at the S8 and S9 stations, you won’t be able to tell them apart.
The travel case is made out of hard textile material; it feels very sturdy and will offer adequate protection against mechanical shocks. There’s no room for the charging cord though.
Battery life and charging
The Series 8 is a wet&dry shaver and as a result, it will only work cordless. You cannot use it with the cord plugged in.
But there’s a silver lining to that: the S8 is fitted with a high-capacity Li-ion battery that will provide 60 minutes of shaving time on a single charge.
Having used the Series 8 for more than a month by now, I can confirm that the battery life of this razor is outstanding.
While I didn’t track precisely how many minutes of use I got on a single charge, I managed to shave around 15 times before needing to charge it again.
Regarding strictly the battery life, the Series 8 is definitely among the best out there right now.
While I do prefer the percentage-based battery level display of other shavers, the one on the Braun S8 is good enough.
It shows 5 segments, each one representing 20% of the remaining charge.
Certain Series 8 models, including the 8370cc reviewed here, will actually show a digit representing the remaining shaving time when it’s less than 9 minutes.
So it’s basically a 9-minute countdown when the battery is almost drained.
The Series 8 can be charged directly from a power socket using the cord or via the cleaning station.
When placed inside the station, it will automatically begin to charge (without actually starting the cleaning cycle).
It does so via the two metal studs on the back of the shaver that come into contact with two small metal plates inside the station.
Charging the Braun Series 8 from 0 to 100% takes approximately one hour.
Also, charging it only for 5 minutes will provide enough juice to complete a shave when you’re in a hurry.
The charger is of course fitted with a universal voltage converter, so you can use it anywhere in the world. Mine came with a USA plug, but that may vary depending on where the shaver is being sold.
And speaking of traveling, on shorter trips you may very well leave the charging cord at home as the battery life of the Braun S8 is very solid.
Just make sure to have it fully charged before packing.
Shaving performance
Let’s now focus on the part that really matters and that is how well the Braun Series 8 actually shaves.
Specs mean nothing if they don’t also translate into decent performance.
Luckily, the Braun S8 does live up to the expectations, but not without some glitches and hiccups.
After testing it for a month, here’s everything you need to know about the performance of this particular model.
Important: All Series 8 generations (83xx, 84xx, 85xx and 86xx) shave the same.
Comfort
A comfortable shave is usually taken for granted with Braun electric razors, especially with their mid-range models and up.
As mentioned previously, the shaving head of the Series 8 looks identical to the old Series 5 and 7, which already hinted at a similar performance.
And when it comes to comfort, that’s a good thing and the Series 8 was more than adequate.
The shaver is gentle, forgiving and smooth and will likely be a perfectly suitable choice for users with sensitive skin.
I am one of those users and I can say that I was pretty happy shaving with the Series 8 (for the majority of the time).
I used it mostly dry, sometimes along with a splash of Speick pre-shave lotion to reduce the dampness of my skin on those hot and humid days.
The neck is usually a problem area in my case and some shavers are just too aggressive for my skin.
Again, I had no issues with the Series 8 except for some minor stings and itches.
So the comfort is really good, I’d say somewhere between the old Series 5 and 7. So yes, surprisingly, I do find the OG 7 a bit more comfortable and smoother.
At least from the name perspective, you would expect the Series 8 to be better, but I have used them side by side, shaving half my face with each one and the S7 would constantly be a bit more comfortable, gentler and more enjoyable to use.
Again, whenever I mention Series 7, I am actually referring to the old (discontinued) Series 7, not the new Series 7 360 Flex.
The difference is not by any means huge, but I was able to notice it.
Even so, I think the Series 8 would definitely be a suitable choice for men with irritation-prone skin.
Closeness
The closeness of the shave using the Braun S8 was generally pretty good.
I think most users will be satisfied with the results unless they are really strict about this aspect.
The shaver was particularly good on the cheeks, however on the neck and chin, I could sometimes feel a few slightly rough patches after the shave.
I do however have coarse and dense hair, especially on the chin.
With that said, if closeness is particularly important to you, this shaver (and Braun in general) may not be the ideal choice.
A Panasonic Arc 4 or Arc 5 will provide a closer shave in most cases, but do keep in mind that those aren’t as comfortable and if you have very sensitive skin, they are likely to cause some discomfort or irritation, especially during a dry shave.
Shaving longer facial hair
Braun electric razors are generally very good with longer hair, definitely better than the foil shavers from other brands.
This is particularly obvious when the hairs also stay flat on the skin or grow in different directions.
The Series 8 was quite good at catching and cutting those difficult hairs, so if you don’t shave daily, this razor could be on your shortlist.
I do however have to mention the original Series 7 as in this case it was again better than the Series 8.
Not by a huge margin, but it was definitely more effective at cutting flat-lying hairs, requiring fewer strokes and less effort.
Also, in the highest speed setting, my 7865cc was also faster and allowed me to actually finish my shave faster.
The Series 8 doesn’t have any speed settings, instead it’s fitted with a beard density sensor, but I never noticed it at work as in the case of Panasonic shavers.
The S8 just seems to run at full speed all the time, which is good in my opinion, but I would rather use the old S7, especially when shaving less often, like once every 3 days. It just feels faster, more efficient and more enjoyable to use.
Wet shaving
One of the most unexpected and pleasant surprises regarding the Braun Series 8 was the wet shaving performance.
Braun shavers usually don’t perform significantly better when used with shaving cream and in most cases it’s not really worth all the hassle of lathering, cleaning and so on.
For example, I would simply shave dry with a Series 7 or 9 as the results will be excellent, both in terms of closeness and comfort.
However, using the Series 8 with a good shaving cream like Nivea or Speick was a real treat. The results were outstanding.
The shave was closer and extremely comfortable. The biggest difference was when I shaved those flat hairs on my neck that required quite a few more strokes during a dry shave.
With just a very thin layer of slick lather, the razor was able to cut them quickly and efficiently and I managed to finish my shave faster despite spending more time prepping.
So if you’re into wet shaving with electric razors, the Braun S8 will certainly be a great choice.
As a side note, it’s particularly important to clean it thoroughly after a wet shave as the lather will harden and it will be very difficult to get it out of the cassette.
I recommend rinsing the razor under the tap and using a bit of liquid soap (check out the cleaning and maintenance section below for more details). You shouldn’t use the cleaning station if the shaver is dripping wet or covered in foam.
Trimmer
This shaver features the same slide-out trimmer found on almost all of Braun’s current models (except for the old S7 which has a totally different pop-up trimmer on the front).
Located on the back of the Braun Series 8, you must press the small release button and then slide the trimmer forward toward the head of the razor.
The sliding action is very smooth and the trimmer is actually spring-loaded, so it will easily snap into position.
Once it’s fully extended, you can press the power button and proceed to use it.
Just as a side note, the mechanism is quite clever and there’s a bit more to it than meets the eye. For example, if you don’t press the release button, the trimmer won’t budge, so you won’t activate it by accident.
Also, when the trimmer is retracted, the blades won’t shear against each other when you switch the shaver on.
And finally, if the shaving head is locked in a fixed position that gets in the way of the trimmer, it will automatically move one or two positions below so the trimmer will clear it.
However, despite the thoughtfulness behind it, the trimmer on the Series 8 is average at best, at least in my experience.
The position of the trimmer makes it somewhat awkward to use and involves a lot of wrist work.
But my main gripe with it is that the blades just seem dull and require multiple strokes to cut the hairs, especially the ones that lie flat on the skin.
The curved profile of the blades makes this even worse as only the middle part will come into contact with the skin properly. This is not ideal when trying to shape a sideburn for example and you’ll have to tilt the shaver so that the edges of the trimmer can cut the hairs.
It will eventually get the job done, but with more effort on your part and I would never use it for anything more than some light grooming and touch-ups.
Noise level
Regarding the noise level during use, it’s pretty much what you’d expect from a foil shaver. It’s pretty loud, but not too bad compared to other razors.
For example, the Series 8 is a bit quieter than a Series 3, 5 and even a Series 7 in the highest power setting.
It makes a higher-pitched whine than those, but isn’t as raspy and also doesn’t vibrate excessively.
With that said, it’s nowhere near as quiet as a rotary shaver, so if that’s very important to you, the Series 8 is not a game-changer by any means. It will likely wake up someone sleeping in the same or nearby room.
Cleaning and maintenance
The Series 8 cc models come with Braun’s Clean & Charge station that charges, cleans and lubricates the shaver.
However, if for some reason you cannot or do not want to use it, there’s always the option of cleaning the shaver manually.
Let’s start with that and then take a close look at the station and the automatic cleaning process.
Manual cleaning
Cleaning the Series 8 is generally very straightforward and easy.
As mentioned before, Braun skipped on including a cleaning brush, but you don’t really need it.
The most efficient way to clean this Braun (or any other waterproof shaver) is with tap water and optionally a bit of liquid soap.
Once you’ve finished shaving, remove the cassette and gently tap the plastic frame on your sink or countertop to remove most of the hairs.
Snap it back on the shaver and switch it on, rinsing the shaving head under warm tap water.
For more thorough cleaning, especially if you use shaving cream, at this point you may add a few drops of liquid soap on the foils and let the shaver run for 10 to 15 seconds, so the lather can spread evenly over the foils.
With the shaver still running, rinse the foam under the tap. Turn it off, remove the cassette and give it a rinse as well, both on the outside and the inside.
The inner part of Braun’s cassettes is very intricate and offers little access to remove dirt, so you’ll want to be thorough when cleaning it manually.
Shake off excess water, optionally pat dry the cassette and shaver with a soft cloth or paper towel and let them air dry completely.
As for maintenance, the shaver will require regular lubrication only if you don’t use the cleaning station (and especially if you clean the shaver with soap which removes any lubrication from the blades).
You can use a light lubricant like clipper oil, sewing machine oil or a special spray lubricant. Here’s a complete guide on how and when to do it.
Automatic cleaning
One potential issue with cleaning the S8 manually is that in time, some grime, hairs and dead skin may remain trapped inside, despite regularly cleaning it.
Luckily, this is where the station is really handy (and you absolutely don’t have to use it after every shave).
I personally use it after a few manual cleanings just to prevent any dirt and hairs from accumulating inside the shaving head.
In the meantime, when the station is not being used, I simply remove the cartridge and put the plastic cap back on; make sure you don’t throw it away when you install the cartridge for the first time.
The cleaning solution is alcohol-based and will evaporate pretty quickly if you don’t put the cover back on.
But let’s get back to the automatic cleaning process using the station that comes with the Braun Series 8.
At first glance, it looks the same as the one used by the old Series 5 and 9. Same dimensions, exactly the same design.
Important: the stations that come with the 84, 85 and 86 Series 8 generations are identical to the Series 9/PRO/PRO+ stations. Only the 83 Series 8 comes with a station specifically designed for it.
There’s a large oval button on the back of the station. Pressing it pops open the station and you can now insert the cleaning cartridge from the back of the station after you’ve removed (and safely stored) the cap.
Close the station, connect the charging cord and you’re all set.
Just a word of caution: the shaver must be dry and free of any foam before using the station.
Once you place the razor correctly in the cleaning unit (confirmed by a beep sound), it will immediately begin to charge (without actually starting the cleaning cycle).
The cleaning symbol — two droplets — will also appear on the shaver’s display if it’s not already shown.
That symbol is a reminder that you need to clean the shaver and it will only disappear after an automatic cleaning. When cleaning the shaver manually, you might as well ignore it.
The station of the Braun 8370cc only has one cleaning mode, so there are no short, normal or intensive modes.
These are most likely disabled by Braun as on a closer look you can clearly see three small bumps where the LEDs that show the cleaning modes would be.
So other newer Series 8 models (84, 85 and 86) will come with this feature enabled.
However, that’s not a big deal at all since there’s little difference between those modes.
Also, the station of my Series 9 shavers, for example, will always select the high-intensity mode even after a short, 3-minute shave.
To start the cleaning process, you simply have to press the button on the front of the station. The LED next to it will start blinking throughout the entire process.
The shaver will be switched on and off a few times and the cleaning solution will be flushed through the shaving head, removing any hairs and dirt.
The whole process lasts just over 2 minutes. After that, the LED lights up continuously and the charging resumes.
The droplets symbol on the shaver’s display will also be turned off.
At this point, you can simply let the shaver in the station to continue charging. After the shaver is fully charged, all the indicators will turn off.
The station of the Series 8 8370cc is not fitted with any systems that dry the shaving head, so it will take at least 3 to 4 hours for the moisture to evaporate from the cassette.
For this reason, I actually prefer to take out the shaver and just let it air dry. I also remove the cartridge from the station and put the cover back on to prevent the solution from evaporating.
To speed up the drying, I remove the cassette from the shaver so air can circulate freely through it.
The Series 8 station only has a low cartridge indicator. When it lights up continuously red, the remaining fluid will be enough for approximately 3 more cleaning cycles.
After that, it will blink red and you will need to replace it.
Using the station after every shave and leaving the cartridge inside will of course require more cleaning fluid and the cartridge will need to be replaced sooner.
But again, you definitely don’t have to do that. Here are more tips on how to make the refills last longer.
The cleaning station is very efficient at removing any traces of dirt and hairs and the solution also lubricates the blades.
If we also factor in the availability of various third-party cleaning solutions that work just as well, I think the 8370cc and particularly the newer 84/85/86 Series 8 models that include a cleaning station are worth considering over the solo variations.
The new 84, 85 and 86 stations are also fitted with a fan that dries the shaving head.
Replacement parts availability
All Series 8 shavers and generations use the same shaving head (cassette) specifically made for this range, with the part number 83M.
Despite the actual shaving elements being pretty much identical to the discontinued S5 and S7, only the 83M will fit the Series 8 properly because of the shape of the plastic frame.
And at least at the moment of writing this article, the 83M cassette can be difficult to find and quite pricey.
This isn’t very surprising since the Series 8 is a new model and we’ve seen this type of shortage before with other Braun models.
However, it is a potential cause of concern. The new cassette is not yet listed on Braun’s website, but it is listed on Encompass and on other online stores.
If you are on the fence with regard to the replacement cassette, check out the alternatives section below.
UPDATE: The 83M cassette is now readily available.
The Series 8 cleaning station uses Braun’s CCR cleaning cartridges.
They can be bought in bulk as well (usually for a better price per refill), but as mentioned earlier, you can find cheaper third-party cleaning solutions as well.
Wrapup: should you buy the Braun Series 8?
Having tested the Braun Series 8 for over a month now, I can confidently say that it is a capable and versatile electric razor.
Braun Series 8 8567cc
Also available at Walmart, Braun.com.
It would be a suitable choice for men with sensitive skin and it’s powerful enough for even a coarse and dense beard.
It can shave longer, flat-lying hairs quite well for a foil shaver, especially when used with shaving cream or gel.
The closeness is satisfactory (at least for me), but as mentioned before, it’s not the best for the money.
Panasonic is still on top in this regard. However, not even Braun’s most expensive models can match them, so I can’t really complain.
The battery life is really impressive and arguably its strongest asset against other Braun models.
If you’re looking for a full-fledged, capable travel shaver and don’t want to bring along the charger, the 8567cc with its compact and sturdy case could be ideal.
I actually recommend getting the newer 8567cc over the 8370cc in my review simply because it comes with a better cleaning station (a fan that dries the head and 3 cleaning modes).
However, I can’t help but notice that the Series 8 did fall a bit short compared to other well-established Braun models mentioned throughout this review like the old Series 7.
Again, it’s not a huge performance difference, but it is there.
Personally, if I had to choose between the Series 8 and let’s say the old 7865cc/790cc as my main shaver, I would easily go for the latter despite some of the improvements of the Series 8 (better battery, better display, better head locking mechanism).
But since the old Series 7 can’t be bought anymore, the Series 8 is the next best thing.
With that said, let’s check out some alternatives that may be better, at least for now.
Alternative shavers
Braun Series 7 790cc
The most obvious alternative to the 8370cc would be Braun’s own OG Series 7.
As for which model to choose, the 790cc or 7865cc are usually the most popular, easy to find and their price is also pretty reasonable.
Despite the S8 coming with the aforementioned improvements, the older S7 still has the edge in my opinion when it comes strictly to how it actually shaves.
In short, the 790cc (7865cc) feels faster, a bit more nimble because of the narrower foil frame, more comfortable and it’s better at cutting flat-lying hairs.
Moreover, the replacement shaving heads are cheaper and easy to find.
I also prefer the cleaning station of the 790cc/7865cc as it is a bit more compact, better looking and it has the 3 cleaning modes.
UPDATE: the OG Series 7 is impossible to buy in 2026, so it’s not a viable alternative anymore.
Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV65-S
For even less money than a Series 8, you can get a Panasonic Arc 5, which can be a better pick depending on your priorities.
If you’re mainly interested in getting a very close shave and you don’t mind shaving more often, a Panasonic ARC 5 or ARC 5 PRO makes more sense than the Braun S8.
The best picks are currently the older models like the ES-LV65-S or ES-LV67-K.
Those don’t include a cleaning station but are really easy to clean manually.
If however you want a cleaning station, you can get that as well with the ES-LV95-S and ES-LV97-K, respectively.
But do keep in mind that an Arc 5 will work best on short hair and isn’t quite as gentle as the Series 8.
Finally, there’s the Series 9/PRO/PRO+, which is overall a slightly better, more effective Series 8, especially if you have hairs that stay flat on the skin or grow in different patterns.
While the Series 9 is usually more expensive, you can often find good deals, so you’ll be able to get one for roughly the same money as a Series 8.
I got an email about your new posts of the new Braun razors. Seems as if Braun has gone above and beyond to create a new, confusing line up. Series 3,5,6,7,8, & 9 – goodness! I couldn’t really see a huge difference the 5,6,& 7. The new attachments on those have a striking resemblance of Norelco’s attachments. The series 8 seems to be a combination of the style of the series 5 but the features seem to combine the series &7 (7865?) and the series 9. I am curious to see within a few years if Braun keeps the line up they have now.
Hi Taylor,
Thank you for your comment. That is true, Braun has been really active recently with various new lines being released. The Series 8 is really a rebranded Series 5 with a larger battery (I also wrote a post covering the S8 here).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Thank you for your excellent and all-encompassing review of the Braun Series 8 8370cc. I just bought one, complete with a brush, on sale at Costco in San Diego, CA for only $119.99 (at the physical store — online with delivery is $129.99) (sale ends today — June 14, 2020). I switched to this Made-in-Germany shaver from Philips shavers (the models with 3-rotary heads with built-in trimmers), which I have been using for many, many years, due to many negative reviews about the current, but Made-in-China models, that look similar to my old Philips Norelco shavers.
Decades ago I used to use foil shavers (Remington). It will be interesting to see how well this Braun foil shaver performs.
Coincidentally, due to the coronavirus pandemic sidelining barbers and stay-at-home orders, I bought the Braun All-in-one Trimmer 7 at Costco on sale for $34.99 (again, in-store price — online with shipping is higher). I gave myself a haircut with it and I am very satisfied (you can read about my experience doing that here: https://drivetribe.com/p/how-i-cut-my-own-hair-during-the-XsTLTlNOTV6ZyQ30PALerQ?iid=PVeh1x9mSu-WeuUBvyRR5Q).
Hi Jan,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I think you nailed the self haircut. Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with the Series 8 as well, I personally would prefer it over any 3-head rotary shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu: I just purchased the 8370cc at COSTCO a few days ago, On sale, displayed along the impulse isle just past the entrance. $95.99. Really. I wasn’t in the market for a replacement for my Norelco but who could resist the shiny blue and silver box? Oh, and I DID read your review. However I read your review AFTER I purchased the shaver. I’m quite surprized and happy with the shaver. I reviewed it on Amazon, even though I bought at COSTCO. I am so impressed (I have never owned a Braun) that I returned to COSTCO and bought 2 more. One each for my twenty something sons for Christmas. I’ve forgotten where I was going with this letter, so, thank you for your detailed review.
Hi Alan,
Many thanks for taking the time to leave a comment — really glad you’re happy with your Series 8. I’ve seen quite a few users being completely surprised by the performance of a decent foil shaver. It’s another reason why I generally recommend them over rotaries, I think they represent a safer choice in most cases. I hope your sons will enjoy them as much as you do!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’ve enjoyed reading your roundups which are quite helpful. I have an S7 which I have had long enough to have had to replace the cleaning station. Just recently the trimmer spring broke or stuck and the trimmer won’t hold itself flat, although it still works. So I thought I’d treat myself to a new Braun and was going to go with the new 7 until I read your reports. Seeing as they have taken a step backwards I was thinking of the old 7 series which I have been very happy with. But it seems the series 8 is very close with some advantages. The biggest advantage is that Costco is putting it on sale, with brush, for $70 off starting late November. This would bring it down to $109.99 which would be a savings of about $70 over the prices I see for the old 7s. With that kind of price difference I think I can handle the apparently slight speed and comfort differences. Thanks for the reviews.
Thank you for your comment, Thomas, glad you found them helpful.
If the cons of the Series 8 don’t seem to be a problem, then yes, it is quite a bit cheaper than a Series 7 and seems like a good option in this case. The replacement shaving head for the Series 8 on the other hand is more expensive at this moment, but the price will probably go down.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just bought the series 8 on sale at Costco. At this price point, it seems to be a good buy even if not better than the series 7 as you stated. But nearly $50 for a replacement head is even more expensive than the newer series 9! What’s up with that? I am disappointed at the expensive price of a replacement head. I will probably never buy a new one at that price. Can’t complain about the $99 sale price though.
Paul
Hi Paul,
The replacement head for the Series 8 is unfortunately (still) a bit difficult to find and the price is also pretty high, especially when compared to other Braun models, including the Series 9 like you’ve mentioned. It should definitely be lower and hopefully it will go down at some point.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is.series.good.8.good.on.5.day.beard
I’d say it’s really on the limit. If your hair grows slower and isn’t very wiry, it might still work fairly well. But I usually recommend the Series 8 for shaving daily and up to every 3-4 days.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
Your excellent review didn’t mention similarities with the series 6. I was particularly interested if the series 8 also uses the same shaving head/cassette and cleaning station as the series 6. Also, you mentioned the series 8 is really a rebranded series 5, but the series 5 shaving head is fixed (not front/back flexible like the series 8). So I’m wondering how that could be a rebrand. Thanks much!
Hi Richard,
At the time of writing the review the Series 6 hadn’t been launched yet. Also, it’s an entirely different shaver that uses a completely different shaving head/cassette and also a specific cleaning station (not compatible with the Series 8). You can check out my review of the Series 6 here.
The head of the Series 5 is flexible (front to back), just like the one on the Series 8. In fact, apart from a slightly different foil frame and a bigger battery, they’re pretty much the same. You’re probably thinking of the 2020 Series 5 which does in fact come with a fixed shaving head. The 2020 S5 is however an inferior shaver in every aspect (it’s also significantly cheaper than the Series 8).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks much for the detailed reply! That completely explains my questions (and confusion) about these models. Your shaver discussions here are indispensable and so helpful for the buying public. Thanks much again, Ovidiu!
hello, my braun 8 has problems on the side of the neck but i can achieve rotary-like results by rotating it full circle over the problem area. this works much better than stretching the skin or feeling the grain and shaving against it
Hi there,
Many thanks for the comment. It can definitely be effective if that allows you to better match the direction of the hair growth and go against it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I had a couple of Proskins (3000 & 3040), and have recently been using my new Series 8. I was curious whether it would be that much better than the Proskin. Yes & no. It feels more powerful, and it’s a little faster & more satisfying to use. And the battery life is great, as you noted. But the Proskin actually has significant advantages over the Series 8:. way easier to clean (so you don’t need a cleaning station), lighter & easier to control (so you don’t need a pivoting head)), and it comes with a protective cap that doubles as a travel lock by covering the power button. The S3000 also works corded. For travel, I’d still go with a Proskin. For home use, yes, the Series 8 is nicer. Worth the price difference? I’m not sure.
Hi,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with the S8. It totally makes sense and in this case I’d say it’s not worth the price difference. The Series 3 ProSkin seems good enough for the job. It’s also pretty unique with the design of the shaving head, there’s practically no foil frame like we see on most shavers. That makes it really easy to use and it’s one of the reasons why I actually recommend the S3 ProSkin over the new Series 5 and 6. Great for travel as well and overall excellent shaver for the money.
As for the S8, I’d say it’s worth getting in several cases. For example, someone with coarse and dense hair will find the power difference more noticeable. The S8 is also superior when shaving after 3 or 4 days, especially if you have some patches of flat-lying hairs with different grain. At least that was my experience with it. Not a whole lot better in terms of closeness, but no Braun really excels at that, not even the S9 Pro. I also find the S8 more enjoyable to use in the long run, but that’s rather subjective.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have an electronic and Media Disneyland in my six room apartment, with variations of every kind of electronic and media you can imagine. The best and most used gift I ever received was my Braun 8 razor. I received it when I finally shaved my head, around six months ago, and I’ve used it for my head and face, every day since. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll take it with me and shave on the run and I’ll often shave while doing other things, at home.
My problem, that doesn’t seem to be unique from what I’ve been able to research, is that there is suddenly a tiny hole in the metal, on the top of the razor’s head. This seemed to appear, from nowhere and from what I viewed on Youtube, it seems to happen to these razors all the time. It can scrape or even cut you, while you’re shaving. The Youtube programmer’s solution seems to be to put a strong piece of tape over the hole. That’s well and fine except tape doesn’t necessarily stay on a vibrating piece of metal. The company doesn’t seem to have customer service, or at least a place to write a letter or send a detailed E-Mail. Do you have a practical solution? Many thanks.
Hi Rob,
Thank you for the comment.
In this situation, my advice would be to get a new shaving head. I know it’s probably not the solution you wanted, but I simply cannot recommend fixing a broken foil — it just won’t work and the risk of injury is really high. That said, your foil did break a lot sooner than normally and the Series 8 is one of the more reliable Braun shavers out there. My advice would be to contact Braun support via chat or phone (here is the link), let them know about your issue and they’ll most likely send you a replacement head for free. Braun and Philips customer support are usually very friendly and a lot better compared to Panasonic for example.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I forgot this was here or I would have gotten back to you much sooner. I contacted Braun at your suggestion and they happily replaced my shaver head. From this and other experiences, I would give Braun an S+ for customer service.
Hey Rob,
Thank you for the update, glad they were helpful and sent you a replacement.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have an 8000 series/8781 which I want to replace. I’m very satisfied with the performance but have issues withe power cord being flimsy. I read your article and reviews. I also read your review of the new 8000 series. After reviewing all the information I’m leaning toward the series 7/ 7865cc as a replacement.
Hi,
If you can still find the 7865cc (and for a reasonable price), that one would be my pick. It is slightly better than the newer Series 8 and coming from the 8000 I think you will enjoy shaving with it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ps I meant A+ but I can’t seem to go back and change it.
I have an old BRAUN series 5 5769 shaver and I am happy with it. Despite this, I thought about replacing it with a newer and better model. I was considering about Braun series 8, but now, reading the review and comments, I have doubts. I shave once every 3 days, I have light, soft beard. Does it make sense to change the shaver, and if so, which model would be clearly better than old Series 5 5769?
Hi Adam,
If your Series 5 is still working well, I think you should hold on to it. Performance-wise, the Series 8 is pretty much identical. If you have a soft and light beard then spending money on a superior series like the S9 or S9 Pro won’t feel like a significant upgrade since your current Series 5 can handle the job just fine.
In the future, I think a Series 8 will make the most sense to get. Really good performance for a reasonable price especially if you can grab it at a discount. You really don’t need more than that in my opinion.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your response and help. I’ll stay with my old Braun 5.
if you dropped your shaver and the blades rattle it’s fixable by repositioning the springs behind the black jackets that surround the head rods — the jackets should have equal travel and bounce. however, disassembling the head is complex and requires clear thinking
Does shaving with Speick cream make the Series 8 as good as the Series 9, Pro, etc?
Thanks as always for your help!
Paul
I would say it’s really close — extremely smooth, comfortable and close. Really difficult to quantify the differences.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Thanks so much for your very helpful reviews. I see the next generation 85 models are out (e.g. 8513s). Do you know if there are any differences between the new and older models?
Thanks, Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for the comment.
No performance differences, just minor visual tweaks. I haven’t yet updated this article, but you can read more in about them in my Braun guide.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent web site and based on the reviews I bought a series 8 8467CC last year. Very happy with it but was checking availability of replacement foils. I live in Wales so looked at Amazon UK. There is an 83M foil but the details only mention 83XX shavers. Does this foil fit my 8467?
Thank you for the comment, Steve, glad you found the info useful. The 83M is the only shaving head used by all Series 8 generations, including your 8467cc and the latest 85xx models. So the answer is yes, it will 100% fit your shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu – Would a Series 8 cassette fit the prior-generation Series 7 shaver?
More precisely, can I substitute a Braun 83M cassette in place of a Braun 70S cassette for use on my older Series 7?
As always, thanks for your amazing resource about electric shavers!
–David
Hi David,
You are very kind, thank you.
Unfortunately no, the 83M cassette will not fit the old Series 7. Even though the foil elements and the overall cassette looks extremely similar to the 70s, the shape of the plastic frame is different and it will simply not fit. So I’m afraid you’ll still have to find a genuine 70s for your Series 7.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, I bought a series 8 in December, he is nearly 89. He was very impressed with how well/close it shaved. It was the model without the cleaning station. A few weeks ago he was complaining that it wasn’t cutting as well. I didn’t think this could be possible so soon. I have a Series 7 and the heads don’t usually dull for at least a year.
Next time I was at his house I checked the head… it was extremely dirty! I had given him a spray can of the lubricant oil. I think he had been using that too often on a head that was not clean so there was so much goo in the head.
I have just bought him the cleaning station and I am hoping that this will solve the problem.
However, I find out today that he uses shaving cream with the shaver…. I had never heard of this as a possibility. I looked online and it seems it might be OK? There is firm opinions in both camps… yes and no. Can you please advise if this is a wise decision for this shaver? Would this be the reason that the blades are dull so soon?
thanks Geoff
Hi Geoff,
The performance drop is definitely related to the dirt buildup. A spray lubricant for clippers should only be used on a a clean and dry shaving head, so it must be properly clean beforehand. The cleaning station will however take care of everything (cleaning and lubrication) if used regularly.
Regarding the shaving cream, the Series 8 is a wet/dry shaver, so it can safely be used with shaving cream. It would however be recommended to rinse the foam and dry the shaver body (with a towel) before cleaning it in the station. The foam that ends up in the cartridge can cause pressure buildup and the solution will be contaminated and you will need to replace it sooner. Also, the shaver connects to station via two metal contacts, so again you want to make sure that the shaver body is perfectly dry before putting it in the station (for obvious safety reasons).
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks so much Ovidiu for the quick reply and advice. Dad has some dementia/cognitive issues, so it is a challenge! Geoff
Hi Ovidiu, after having read (studied) your detailed Series 9 comparison, I bought a 9465cc and this is really a great development compared to my old Series 5 shaver. On the other hand, my Series 5 was perfect for body groom (especially for pubic hair). Again, I followed your recommendation for Philips Series 7000 and bought one, and it’s ok, but the edges, even if rounded, are not ideal for me. So I thought, why not taking Braun’s Series 8, which has the nearly identical shaver head like my old one? And now my question, which I was not able to solve, as it’s too complex… would a S model like 8510s be compatible with the CCR station that was provided with the 9465cc shaver? Many thanks! Best regards, Gerhard
Hi Gerhard,
Glad you’re happy with the S9 Pro. Regarding the Series 8, it will feel (and shave) almost the same as the Series 5 if you found it to work well for trimming body hair. The Philips Bodygroom trimmers do have a learning curve and I would not give up on it just yet. Try some tweaks to the length and speed of the strokes and also the angle of the groomer relative to the skin. The leading blade should trim down the hair to a short stump and then holding the trimmer more upright would allow the foil element to cut the remaining hair at skin level.
Regarding the station, the answer is yes, an 85xx S model will be compatible with the station of your 9465cc.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great, many thanks for your prompt and helpful reply!!
Hi Ovidiu: Thanks for your comprehensive reviews. I am a 80 year old man looking for a close and comfortable shave using a device which requires minimal maintenance. That said , which brand and model should I buy? Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Hey Harry,
Thanks so much for the comment, I appreciate it. Braun shavers are usually a very safe choice and strike a good balance of performance and ease of maintenance. That said, it would be very useful to know your budget, how often you usually shave and whether you’ve used other electric shavers before.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu