Review Summary
Pros: incredibly smooth, close and effortless shaves, suitable even for very sensitive skin, powerful and effective, user-friendly and compliant shaving head, brushed metal unibody, improved LED display, solid battery life, updated cleaning station
Cons: expensive, no USB-C port, mediocre hair trimmer, a couple of downgrades compared to the Series 9 (PRO/PRO+)
In early June 2026, a new Braun electric shaver quietly showed up on UK’s Boots (of all places) and took everyone by surprise.
No major launch event, no marketing campaign, and no mention on Braun’s official website.
And this wasn’t some ordinary new shaver.
It was, in fact, Braun’s new flagship, the elusive and long-awaited successor to the eternal Series 9 (PRO/PRO+).
Called the Braun Nevo, the new top-of-the-line model comes with a host of improvements and some bold claims.
I managed to buy one before the official global launch, and I’ve been shaving with it for the past few weeks.
In this review of the Braun Nevo, I’ll cover everything you need to know, including what it gets right, where it falls short, and who it’s for.
I’ll also compare it to the Series 9 PRO+ and see whether Braun’s new high-end shaver is actually worth the premium.
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
As impressive as the Nevo is, Braun also made a couple of unexpected steps backward.
Finally, we’ll see how it stacks up against the Panasonic ARC 6, another impressive foil shaver and a main competitor.
Braun Nevo: overview and model comparison
Ever since the PRO version of the Series 9 was launched 5 years ago, many users have been eagerly awaiting the release of a truly new successor.
After two more PRO+ revisions of the Series 9, we finally got it: the Braun Nevo.
Fun fact: Braun registered the NEVO trademark in 2025.
In an effort to distinguish the new shaver from its predecessors, Braun ditched the Series moniker in favor of Nevo, which sounds different and fresh.
The new shaver has the Type 5799, while the Series 9 (PRO/PRO+) is of Type 5793.
Side note: The Type is a Braun-specific reference number that groups similar products (shavers, cleaning stations, etc).
When the Nevo first went on sale at Boots, the information and mentions of the shaver were very scarce.
This unusual and low-key rollout went on for around one month before a press release finally announced the official launch.
As such, the Braun Nevo was released globally on July 7th, including in the USA, where it is available in 3 variations:
| Model | Kit | Price |
|---|---|---|
Braun Nevo 17610C (grey) | Cleaning station, PowerCase, cleaning brush, cleaning cartridge, charger, extra shaving head, ProCare head attachment | Amazon |
Braun Nevo 17010C (grey) | Cleaning station, PowerCase, cleaning brush, cleaning cartridge, charger | Amazon |
Braun Nevo 11000c (silver) | Cleaning station, textile hard travel case, cleaning brush, cleaning cartridge, charger | Braun |
Considering the current prices, as well as the accessories you’re getting, the full-option 17610C is, surprisingly, the best package.
It includes an extra replacement foil head and Braun’s ProCare attachment for only a fraction more than the 17010C.
And while the ProCare massager has a rather questionable usefulness, the replacement head is definitely something you’ll need later on.
Interestingly, all the shavers are bundled with a cleaning station, so there’s no solo variation available.
Until the official July launch, the shaver was sold exclusively by Boots, and that’s how I managed to get my 17010C a month ahead.
The differences between the Nevo models are only related to color and accessories; the performance is identical.
There are also only two colors to choose from:
- grey (like the one in this review)
- silver
Just like the USA Nevo models, the UK shavers come with a cleaning station and either a basic case (leather or textile) or the PowerCase.
Again, no solo variations were available at the time of writing.
Key features (old and new)
The Braun Nevo is a 4-blade foil electric razor, just like the previous Series 9, but it now features a stainless steel body for a much more premium look and feel.
The foil head, LED display, hair trimmer, head locking mechanism, and cleaning station have been redesigned.
But some other (important) features have remained unchanged, and both what’s new and what’s carried over will impact shaving performance.
Braun’s marketing often exaggerates incremental improvements, presenting familiar or existing features as major innovations.
So let’s see how these claims hold up in practice.
1. Metal body (finally)
While there’s nothing wrong with good-quality plastic, Braun shavers from the past decade have been way too plasticky.
An inexpensive Series 3 gets a pass, but given the price of a Series 9 PRO+, for example, it just didn’t cut it anymore.
With the new Nevo, Braun finally made the switch to metal, and the shaver features a surgical stainless-steel unibody.
The difference is immediately obvious when you hold the shaver in your hand, with the cold, smooth metal body feeling durable and expensive.
Apart from the Laifen P3 PRO, there aren’t really any other top shavers out there that use a metal case.
Philips stopped using metal after the OG S9000 Prestige, while Panasonic only used it on a few 5-blade models sold exclusively in Japan.
Braun is now the only one of the big three to offer a globally available shaver in metal.
2. New Ultra Gilding Foil
The other notable novelty the Nevo brings over previous S9 variants is a new foil head (cassette).
While on the outside it looks exactly the same as before, and the structure of the 4 cutting elements is the same, there are a couple of important differences.
First, there’s the so-called AeroTouch Shaving Technology, a thin special coating that makes the foils glide incredibly smoothly on the skin.
The previous Series 9 cassettes were already excellent in this regard, so we’ll see if this is just marketing or a noticeable improvement.
Apart from the ultra-gliding coating, the foil frame has been substantially tweaked.
The shape and the texture are now much smoother, which should further help with an effortless have.
And now for the question on everyone’s mind:
Does the foil head of the Braun Nevo fit the existing Series 9/9 PRO/9 PRO+?
The answer is YES, it does.
So that will be a quick upgrade for current S9/PRO/PRO+ users.
I tried it on several of my Series 9 shavers, and it worked flawlessly.
Fun fact: Braun continues to claim that the Nevo has 5 shaving elements.
But just as the Series 9 before it, the new shaver also has 4 active cutting elements.
The fifth one, that simple metal bar (called SkinGuard), is not an actual cutter.
The Panasonic ARC 5 for example is a foil shaver with 5 active cutters.
In terms of head flexing capabilities, the Braun Nevo is exactly the same as the S9/PRO/PRO+.
It only swivels up and down, and this is, in my opinion, the best and most useful flexing system for a foil shaver.
It’s simple, effective, and truly improves the shaving experience.
3. 10 000 vibrations per minute
The motor powering the Braun Nevo is, at least specs-wise, the same as the one in the Series 9 PRO and PRO+.
While in terms of cycles per minute it is still behind Panasonic’s monstrous 14 000 CPM linear drive unit, the Nevo motor is a super torquey, smooth and reliable motor even at 10 000 oscillations.
According to Braun, it’s now paired with a new Nevo Smart processor.
The Pro SensoAdapt sensor in the S9 PRO+ 96xx for example was able to read the beard density 300 times a second.
There aren’t any specs available, so we can only assume the Nevo is at least as good as the one in the S9 PRO+ at modulating the motor’s output.
4. New LED display
Another area where the previous S9 PRO+ flagship lagged behind the competition was the LED display.
With the Nevo, we get a more useful and colorful display, though, in my opinion, it still falls short, especially given the shaver’s price.
While we now have a 10-level battery charge indicator, the duration of the shave is still not being shown.
The Panasonic ES-LV65 for example does it, and that model is 13 years old:
The latest top-of-the-line ARC 6 ES-L690U will also show the duration of the shave.
Braun uses some big words to describe the Nevo display, like Real-Time Guidance or Real-Time Personalized Insights.
In reality, the display will simply show a notification icon when it’s time to clean the shaver, when it’s clean, when it’s time to replace the foil head, and so on.
And these were available on the Series 9 as well, but the graphics were small and fuzzy and not particularly intuitive.
There’s no Nevo companion app either, like Philips offers for its Series 7000 and 9000.
I personally don’t use (or miss) such a feature, and Braun says they’ve done some research and most of their users weren’t particularly fond of the idea.
5. New automatic cleaning station
This is another important change in the new Nevo ecosystem.
The previous Series 9 station (Type 5425 and 5430) didn’t get any truly important upgrades since it was introduced more than 10 years ago.
But now, the Braun Nevo is shipped with a redesigned cleaning center, called the Nevo Care 7in1 System (Type 5432).
Functionally, it’s exactly the same as the previous Series 9 6in1 (and 5in1) center; it automatically cleans, dries, lubricates and charges the shaver.
They just added some vague new thing (Live care status) for a total of 7:
The Live care status simply means that the shaver will show some of the above-mentioned icons: cleaning in process, cleaning completed, etc.
That said, the actual hardware changes are real.
I will go into more detail later on, but in short, the station looks and feels sturdier, it’s more compact and the contact pins have been redesigned.
6. New trimmer and locking switch
The Braun Nevo uses the same style of hair trimmer as the Series 9.
It’s still that long slide-out trimmer on the back of the shaver, but it now integrates the head locking switch as well.
Similar to Panasonic’s multi-switch, it has 3 positions: free, locked, and trimmer extended.
On the Series 9 PRO/PRO+, the head locking switch was a separate switch on the front of the shaver:
I personally prefer the old implementation over the new system on the Nevo (I will explain why in the next section).
7. Waterproof, cordless-only operation
There are no surprises here: all Braun Nevo variations are wet/dry, cordless-only.
This means you won’t be able to shave with the cord plugged in.
And speaking of it, the Nevo still comes with Braun’s proprietary port, which just doesn’t make sense in 2026.
Panasonic switched to USB-C for their latest 5 and 6-blade cordless shavers, and I just don’t understand why Braun didn’t do the same.
Philips is somewhere in the middle, as they include a Philips-to-USB-A cable with their current shavers.
8. Up to 5 years of warranty
In certain countries, you will be able to register your Braun Nevo shaver and get 3 additional years of warranty on top of the standard 2 via BraunCare+.
This offer will probably be limited and Braun’s Terms and Conditions will apply.
As a side note, I managed to register my shaver on BraunCare+ UK and got the extended warranty.
Build quality and ergonomics: upgrades and (some) downgrades
For years, Braun users have been asking for a more substantial-feeling high-end shaver.
I’ve been interacting with many Series 9 owners, and one complaint came up repeatedly: the plasticky, almost hollow feel in the hand.
The switch to a metal unibody for the new Nevo series addresses this almost entirely.
Fun fact: the flexible shaving head, as well as the foil frame, are plastic; they may look like metal, but the body of the Nevo is the only part made of metal.
My unit is the 17010c, which comes in a gunmetal grey finish, and it looks the part in my (subjective) opinion.
Unsurprisingly, the shaver is a bit heavier than before by around 25 grams and now weighs approximately 230g according to my kitchen scale.
The metal stainless steel unibody is only 0.55mm thick and has a very nice brushed finish that provides surprisingly good grip.
And that’s important because unlike the Series 9/PRO/PRO+, the Braun Nevo doesn’t have any rubber sleeve for extra grip.
The latest 96xx S9 PRO+ with the tweaked thumb rest, lighter weight and the grippy rubber inserts is a bit better from an ergonomic standpoint, though.
That said, I didn’t have any issues gripping and using the Nevo for extended periods of time.
The Nevo LED display is now placed a lot higher than before, right where the thumb rest would be on the Series 9.
So the display essentially becomes the thumb rest when you shave with the Braun Nevo using a conventional grip.
It’s an improved display, with better and more intuitive graphics, though the resolution is quite low.
The power button that doubles as a travel lock is located right below it and from what I can tell, it’s not a direct carryover from the Series 9.
In this screenshot from Braun’s promo video of the Nevo, the button appears to use a different spring.
And here’s the Series 9 spring for comparison:
So hopefully the button’s tiny feet that would sometimes break on the Series 9 have been revised as well.
Some users (myself included) did have some issues with the Series 9 button popping out.
There’s no head-locking switch on the front of the Braun Nevo anymore; we only have the display and power button.
The switch is now integrated into the slide-out trimmer (Panasonic-style).
I think the former system worked better and was faster to operate via a dedicated switch lock on the front:
With the Nevo, you must turn the shaver over, press and hold the tiny locking tab on the trimmer and slide it just a bit upward until it clicks into the first position.
Now the head will be locked in place for those times when you need more precision. I personally don’t use it a lot.
By the way, even if you forcefully move the head while it’s locked, the ratcheting mechanism won’t break.
Sliding all the way will extend the hair trimmer, which has a straight edge, just like the one on the S9 PRO+.
It’s a bit notchy to operate and it takes some force to slide up.
The plastic on the back/trimmer and on the bottom of the shaver feels scratchy and it’s not very nice to look at, but it does the job.
On either side of the trimmer, we now get these recessed gold contact plates instead of the old pins that would stick out above the rubber sleeve on the Series 9:
I think this is a better approach, as the previous design was prone to issues caused by the rubber deteriorating and obstructing the pins.
When that happened, the shaver could not physically connect to the cleaning station.
To accommodate these changes, Braun has updated the new Nevo charging case and cleaning station as well.
These would be the main, mostly positive changes concerning the design and build of the Braun Nevo.
Let’s now talk about the negatives.
The first, and in my opinion the most important downgrade of the Nevo vs the Series 9/PRO/PRO+ is the lack of a foil release system.
On the Series 9, we had two buttons on both sides of the flexing head that you would press simultaneously to release the foil head (cassette).
It was effortless to remove (for cleaning) and to put back on.
Surprisingly, Braun ditched the two foil release buttons for the Nevo.
So how do you remove the cassette? Well, you grab it and forcefully pull it out.
And that comes with a few issues.
First of all, it’s fiddly and annoying to remove when cleaning the shaver with water and your hands are wet.
And it’s finicky to put back in place if the cassette is not perfectly centered.
To me, the most puzzling thing is that the Nevo flexing head, the part that swivels, is identical to that of the Series 9, so they could have just used that one.
Instead, they removed the release mechanism that retracts the 4 tiny spring-loaded plastic tabs that hold the cassette in place.
Here it is in action on the Series 9:
I think this is an obvious cost-cutting decision.
The release buttons were part of an effective, practical, and reliable way of removing the foil head, something you would be doing quite often.
And in my opinion there’s no excuse for removing them; it’s fine on a Series 3, even on a Series 6 or 7, but for a premium-priced shaver like the Nevo, it doesn’t make any sense.
Again, there was no need to do that since the flexing head, as well as the inner part of the Nevo cassette, are the same from the Series 9.
So while from a user experience point of view this is objectively a step back, I can’t say with certainty what it would mean in terms of reliability.
Instead of the 4 pins being retracted by pressing the two buttons, they will be pushed back (plastic on plastic) by the pressure applied when removing or inserting the cassette.
It does come out smoothly (at least when my hands are dry), so I personally am not too worried about wear.
The four retaining pins on the Braun Nevo (red arrow) have a more rounded tip vs the Series 9 (blue arrow), and that’s why the cassette can be pulled much easier:
Trying to do the same with a Series 9 without pressing the release buttons would be almost impossible, as the pins are a lot grabbier.
From what I can tell, this seems to be the only tweak made to the Nevo to compensate for the lack of the release mechanism.
But I was in disbelief when I first realized that the two tabs were gone.
I even grabbed the user manual, thinking I had missed a new, more clever way of removing the cassette.
But no, you just grip it and pull it out.
My main issue with this approach is that the Nevo could have worked perfectly fine with the existing foil release buttons.
They just aren’t there anymore.
Think of a car that has the wiring for heated seats, but the manufacturer removed the buttons that turn on the heating.
I personally remove the head of a foil shaver very often to clean it, even if I’m using the station.
I want to give it a quick rinse so the stubble won’t end up in the cartridge. So there’ll be plenty of inserting and removing the Nevo cassette.
The lack of a foil release system is in my opinion very disappointing and something that will impact user experience in a negative way.
Other small niggles include the new trimmer+head locking switch, which can be jerky to operate, the position of the LED display that gets covered by your thumb during use and the lack of rubber on the back/trimmer.
The trimmer of the Series 9 for example is covered in a super grippy material, while on the Nevo is just plain plastic.
But the main letdown is the removal of the foil release buttons. Now even the Braun Series 8, a shaver that costs significantly less than the Nevo, has them.
That aside, the build quality and in-hand feel of the Nevo are excellent.
Included accessories
Your Braun Nevo shaver will come bundled with various accessories, depending on the model.
Also, the availability of certain configurations will probably be limited to select countries/regions.
For example, at the time of writing this review, the Nevo was available in the USA and UK only with a cleaning station.
So even if you don’t need the station, you will have no choice but to buy the whole package.
It is possible that Braun will only sell the Nevo as a shaver+station combo.
For them, it would be convenient, as such a bundle is priced higher.
My review unit is the 17010C, and here’s what came in the box:
- Braun PowerCase
- Automatic cleaning station
- 1xcleaning cartridge
- Charger
- Cleaning brush
- User manual
Other variations include a basic hard travel case (leather or fabric) and even an extra replacement shaving head (or a massage head).
It’ll be interesting to see if more budget-friendly bundles become available in the future, without a cleaning station, charging case, and other extras.
As a side note, Braun continues the trend they started a while back with these minimalist user manuals.
There are no written instructions, only illustrations, which are nowhere near as helpful, and many users have been complaining about this lazy approach.
And I fully agree, it leaves a lot to guesswork and doesn’t answer some of the legitimate questions users might have.
Braun Nevo performance: How does it shave?
Let’s now find out how Braun’s new premium shaver handles real-world use.
To say expectations were high within the shaving community would be an understatement.
A new Braun flagship is always a big deal, and many users have been waiting for a Series 9 successor for years.
It’s now been almost a month since I got my Braun Nevo and I’ve been testing it thoroughly, making sure to note any relevant observations.
I was particularly interested in what sets it apart from the Series 9 PRO+ and whether there are any genuine, noticeable improvements.
Oftentimes, I would shave half my face with the Nevo and the other half with my Series 9 PRO+ (96xx) or even switch the shavers repetitively.
And while this is a Nevo review, references to the Series 9 (PRO/PRO+) are unavoidable and, in my opinion, necessary to determine whether the Nevo price tag is worth it.
Closeness of the shave
I mentioned at the beginning that the Nevo shaving head (the 4 cutting elements) looks identical to the current Series 9 cassette (92, 94 and 96 variations).
The Nevo cassette would even fit the Series 9 shavers, and the Series 9 cassette would fit the Nevo.
Now, any improvements to the closeness of the shave could only come from actual hardware tweaks of the Nevo cutters or the motor.
We know the motor is still a 10 000 oscillations per minute unit, and I have no reason to believe it’s any different than the one in my Series 9 PRO+.
It sounds and feels the same.
What could alter motor performance is the tuning of that beard density sensor.
Braun only says the new shaver is fitted with a new Smart Nevo processor, but no other details.
Subjectively, the Nevo seems the same in how it ramps up or throttles down the motor depending on the beard density.
Those adjustments are super smooth and subtle, almost undetectable, in complete contrast to Panasonic, which you can clearly hear (and feel).
So the motor and motor management of the Nevo are unlikely to significantly influence the closeness of the shave compared to the S9 PRO+ (96xx).
Again, this is a subjective impression after using the shavers in question.
Which means it all comes down to the new Nevo cassette.
Braun mentions two key features of it:
- 250 diamond sharp blades
- AeroTouch Shaving Technology
The first one is very vague, but sounds promising.
That number is most likely the number of individual blades and teeth among the 4 active cutters of the Nevo cassette.
The older cassettes also had the same number of blades, so that’s nothing new.
What is new is the explicit mention of diamond.
In this case, it most likely refers to a process of hardening the steel with a coating of carbon (which can be considered a diamond-like material).
The purpose of this process is edge retention and wear reduction.
So is it new for the Nevo cassette? I honestly don’t know, but this process is quite common for these applications, and the previous 96M cassette for example could have it as well.
But it was never mentioned.
Likewise, the previous S9 cassettes came with Titanium coated blades, which was actually Titanium Nitride (the gold coating on one of the 4 cutters).
We’re still getting that with the Nevo, but there’s no mention of it anymore.
What is truly new and specific to the Nevo cassette is the so-called AeroTouch Shaving Technology.
The outer part of the foils features an incredibly smooth finish for improved gliding and it does have a more matte/powdery finish vs the older Series 9 cassettes.
This, along with the Nevo cassette’s new foil frame, which is rounder and smoother and actually touches the skin, especially when shaving the neck toward the jawline, makes the Nevo the smoothest shaver I’ve ever used.
But do all these actually improve the closeness vs the S9 PRO+?
In my experience, not really. They do make the shave incredibly enjoyable and effortless, which might improve closeness in several cases.
It’s at least as good as before, but in my case I can’t say I noticed any significant differences.
That said, the bar was already very high, with the latest S9 PRO+ 96xx shaving closer than the previous S9 generations.
I think the vast majority of users will be absolutely happy with the closeness, and only in a very specific case, another shaver like the Panasonic ARC 6 (or even ARC 5) would provide a closer result.
And that specific situation is having very thick stubble, hairs with a large cross-section that would cast that shadow soon after shaving.
I am blessed with that type of hair on my moustache and chin, and it’s incredibly difficult for any electric shaver to give me a very clean shave.
The one that manages the closest result to a blade (without the irritation) is the Panasonic ARC 6.
That one is still ahead of the Braun Nevo.
However, if you don’t have that particular facial hair, I think the Braun Nevo will give you a similarly close shave.
Moreover, Panasonic’s main (and only) advantage is the closeness, especially with that type of coarse stubble.
For everything else, I think the Nevo is superior.
It’s a lot more user-friendly, the head is much more manageable and compliant, it takes fewer strokes for a clean result, and it is way more effective at catching difficult hairs.
The Nevo shaves remarkably close while being (arguably) the most enjoyable and effective shaver out there right now.
And by effective, I mean how easy it is for the shaver to reliably catch and cut facial hair, even the ones that stay flat on the skin and grow in different directions.
Compared to an ARC 6 that works optimally only on short, straight stubble, the Braun Nevo is in a different league.
So while the new Braun flagship still can’t dethrone the absolute closeness champion, the ARC 6, it is a safer pick for most users.
Unless you have that very dense, coarse, and thick stubble that still looks like a five o’clock shadow even after you shave, I think the Braun Nevo (or the latest S9 PRO+) would be a better, more versatile option.
The flexing of the head and of the 4 cutters is actually useful and practical, and it is effortless and enjoyable to use.
I would recommend the ARC 6 over it only if you shave often (it works best on short stubble) and you have very coarse hair and want the closest possible shave.
For anything else, I actually prefer the Nevo.
It will even work brilliantly as a head shaver.
Also, if you already have a Series 9 PRO/PRO+, regardless of generation, you can upgrade the foil head to this new Nevo cassette and get most of the benefits, including that impressive gliding.
I would strongly suggest the use of a good pre-shave lotion like Speick or Gatsby if you shave dry.
It will help you get the most out of this shaver, further improving the glide and closeness.
Also, it won’t leave any residue on the foil, so there’s no need to rinse it before using the cleaning station.
Comfort and Aerotouch Technology
While all the previous S9 and PRO variations were excellent in terms of comfort and smoothness, the Nevo is even better.
In fact, it’s outstanding and in my opinion the new benchmark.
I was skeptical at first when I saw the Aerotouch Technology; I thought it was just some fancy buzzword.
But I was wrong.
The Braun Nevo head, when used dry, is noticeably easier to move across the skin than the Series 9 PRO+.
It feels effortless, super smooth, and the cutters are incredibly forgiving; the trademark Braun sonic vibrations feel like a gentle massage.
The foil frame of the Nevo cassette also plays a big role in that improved gliding.
As you can see in the image above, the part right below the foil, which often touches your skin, has a rounded profile, and the plastic has a smooth finish.
This further makes the head of the Nevo glide more easily on the skin.
Of course, you can have that on your S9/PRO/PRO+ as well when you upgrade to the Nevo cassette.
Aside from the metal body, new display and so on, the Nevo cassette is what truly improves the shaving performance of the new flagship.
I have very dry, irritation-prone skin, especially on my neck, and the Braun Nevo is even better than any other shavers that were already great with sensitive skin.
Among those, I can mention the legendary OG Series 7, the non-PRO Series 9 (fitted with the mild 92 cassette), and the Laifen P3 PRO.
The Braun Nevo is gentler to the skin while also shaving a bit closer than those.
If budget is not a constraint, this is now probably the best option for someone with very sensitive skin.
I was impressed that it didn’t snag any hairs when I shaved a 3 to 4-day beard and I even moved the head faster.
Some pulling did occasionally happen in the past with my S9 PRO/PRO+.
Personally, in terms of sheer enjoyment of the shaving experience, I would rate the Braun Nevo higher than any other current electric razor.
Performance with longer facial hair
Apart from the two classic foil cutters, the Nevo has two special elements that tackle longer, flat-lying hairs.
Those are unchanged and carried over from the previous 94 and 96 cassettes.
And I honestly have no complaints, as those were the best foil systems on the market for that type of hair.
The Braun Nevo continues to perform remarkably on difficult facial hair.
It’s effective, smooth and, most importantly, it won’t annoy you like other shavers when trying to shave stubborn whiskers.
I think only the high-end Philips shavers from the Series 9000/i9000 families are able to perform as effectively if you don’t shave often.
Braun says the Nevo can successfully shave a 7-day beard, just like the previous S9 PRO+.
I think a week-long beard would be on the very limit for any shaver, but still doable if the stubble grows slower.
It is a known fact that the longer the hair, the more difficult it will be for a shaver to catch and cut it efficiently.
I have to mention Panasonic again, which struggles a lot with longer stubble, whereas Braun has been consistently better for years.
I personally don’t go more than 4 days between shaves, and I would pick a Braun Series 9 PRO+, and now the Nevo, over any other shaver on the market.
I’m not a rotary guy, so foil shavers are my default choice.
If you’re someone who doesn’t shave regularly and goes up to 5 days between shaves at times, the Nevo is one of the best options out there.
I think it’s even better than the previous S9 PRO+ since it glides more easily and it’s less likely to snag hairs (again, that can be solved with a cassette upgrade).
So even if you have very sensitive skin and tend to get razor burn, you can give it a few extra days to recover between shaves.
This razor would still perform well on a few days of beard growth.
Overall, the Nevo was outstanding in the comfort department, and I can confidently say it’s one of the most comfortable shavers on the market, if not the most comfortable.
Wet shaving
Traditionally, using a Braun shaver with shaving cream didn’t make a dramatic difference to the quality of the shave for most users.
So a dry shave was by far the preferred method: faster, less cleaning, and the shave was easily good enough.
It’s the same here with the Nevo series.
I only tried it once (because of the above-mentioned reasons), and while it was supremely smooth, in my case it wasn’t worth the extra work and prep.
Those areas with super thick stubble would still not be as clean as in the case of a wet shave with my Panasonic ARC 6.
So adding a shaving cream or gel to my routine just wasn’t worth it.
Some users benefit more from wet shaving regardless of the razor, and in that case, the Nevo will probably impress you.
Hair trimmer
The Braun Nevo uses the same style of slide-out trimmer we’ve seen across Braun’s current Series 8 and Series 9 shavers.
I’m not a fan, and while it has been improved on the PRO+ and now with the Nevo, it still lags behind Panasonic trimmers.
The position, the poor leverage it gives you, and the fact that you have to hold the shaver at an awkward angle are what ultimately ruin the experience for me.
It’s still better than nothing, but whenever I use my Nevo to shave, I always reach for one of my Panasonic shavers just to use their trimmer.
For trimming/edging sideburns, the Braun Nevo trimmer is just not as effective, nor does it cut as close.
The trimmer was an accepted and inherent weakness of the S9 PRO+ and will continue to be in the case of the Nevo.
And that’s despite the Nevo hair trimmer being a bit better: it sticks out slightly more and seems sharper.
Noise during use
To my ears, the Braun Nevo is just as loud as the S9 PRO+.
It also has the same sound profile, with a lower, buzzier noise vs Panasonic’s trademark high-pitched whine.
It’s a noisy shaver, but all foil machines that perform decently are loud.
The motor runs fast, and the head and cutters vibrate a lot.
If you’re looking for a quiet shaver, this isn’t it.
Only a Philips i9000 (Prestige Ultra) will be noticeably quieter if you need a hush high-end shaver.
Cleaning and maintenance
With all the focus on closeness and tech, it’s easy to overlook one of the more practical aspects of owning and using an electric razor.
The ease of cleaning and maintenance is just as important for the overall user experience.
And the Nevo is off to a great start just by being fully waterproof, allowing for quick and effective cleaning with water.
On top of that, all Braun Nevo shavers (so far) are bundled with the revamped cleaning center, now called the Nevo Care 7in1 system.
There are a few very interesting and mostly positive tweaks vs the old cleaning center of the Series 9/PRO/PRO+, but also one small downgrade.
So let’s see what it’s actually like to live with the Nevo and clean it on a regular basis.
I will first go over the automatic cleaning routine and then the manual.
In my opinion, combining both methods is the best compromise, ensuring proper hygiene and optimal performance while keeping costs low.
Automatic cleaning
Despite some quirks and known issues (generally easy to troubleshoot), the Braun cleaning system is in my opinion the most practical.
The new Nevo station (Type 5432) is based on the existing Series 9 PRO/PRO+ station (Type 5430).
They are NOT however cross-compatible, meaning you can’t clean a Nevo shaver in a Series 9 station (or the other way around).
After using it for several weeks, I’d say the changes are mostly to the outside of the Nevo station, while the internals, features and functionality have remained the same.
Visually, I think the Nevo station is a clear evolution.
It is more compact, has a squarer shape, feels more solid, and is more aesthetically pleasing.
The cleaner, almost minimal design works really well, and it looks like a higher-quality product vs the Series 9 station.
That unsightly gap at the bottom is now gone and apart from a glossy trim band at the top, the entire station is matte black plastic.
The electric pins have been redesigned and now feel more substantial and less likely to cause contact issues.
To open the station, you would press the button on the back just as before.
But unlike the Series 9 station, you now insert the cartridge from the front, which is more practical.
This was a specific feature of the OG Series 7 station and I’m glad Braun decided to bring it back.
However, one downside of the more compact design is that the Nevo station will only work with the new style Braun CCR cartridges.
So if you still have a lot of those old hammer-head style cartridges with a bottom lip, you won’t be able to use them as they won’t physically fit.
Tip: You can still use your old stock of CCR refills if you transfer the liquid into the new style cartridge. Just make sure you give it a thorough rinse after disposing of the dirty fluid.
Another quirk of the new station is that you can no longer place it with the back right against the wall.
And that’s because the cord connector has been repositioned from the side to the back of the station, and the cord sticks out a bit.
Depending on where you place it, this could be a slight annoyance.
The gap between the wall and the Nevo station is however very small, so I don’t think it’s a serious limitation.
Setting up the station is just as easy as before.
First, you would connect the cord to the back of the station, open it and insert the cartridge from the front after removing the cap.
Make sure you hold on to the cap as we will use it later.
After that, simply close the station and you’re all set.
Tip: I like to remove the cassette and gently tap out most of the clipped hairs so they won’t end up in the cleaning fluid. If you shaved with cream or gel, then you should rinse the cassette with water and pat it dry before using the station.
Once you place the shaver in the correct position, the station will automatically start charging and select an appropriate cleaning program:
- Short
- Normal
- Intensive
Important: Always have the trimmer in the fully retracted Flexible position before using the cleaning station.
You can easily tell which program was selected by the number of LED lights being shown: one for Short, two for Normal and three for Intensive.
These small LEDs replace the old droplet-shaped lights of the Series 9 cleaner.
After testing the Nevo station for the past few weeks, I noticed that it almost always selected the Intensive mode, even when the shaver had only been used for a single quick shave.
It’s a quirk that was specific to many older Braun stations that still hasn’t been addressed.
The station or shaver can’t actually tell how dirty the shaving head is, so this hygiene meter is only a very basic time-based evaluation.
Precisely, the station only takes into account how long it has been since the last automatic cleaning.
So even if the shaving head is pristine, it can still select the Intensive mode.
Luckily, even the Intensive mode lasts just over two minutes, so it’s super short and economical.
In comparison, Panasonic’s cleaning phase lasts around 10 minutes, so 5 times longer.
To start the cleaning, you simply press the button at the top of the station.
During this process, the station will pump cleaning fluid through the shaving head, while the razor will be switched on and off.
As mentioned earlier, Braun’s cleaning phase is super short regardless of which program is being used:
- Short: just over 1 minute
- Normal: around 1 minute and 40 seconds
- Intensive: around 2 minutes and 10 seconds
Personally, I don’t mind the station’s tendency to favor the Intensive program; on the contrary, I think it’s preferable for a more thorough cleaning.
Here it is in action:
After the cleaning cycle is completed, the station will begin to dry the shaving head.
Just like the Series 9 station, the Nevo cleaner is fitted with a small fan that blows air over the cassette through a small narrow gap.
It’s not the most effective system, and the head would still be slightly damp at the end.
Panasonic stations are fitted with both a fan (which spins a lot faster and is louder) and a heating element, and that combo is super effective.
The drying phase lasts around 50 minutes on the Braun Nevo station and once it’s done, the station will resume charging the shaver.
Side note: During the cleaning and drying cycles, the shaver will not be charged.
Braun’s cleaning fluid is alcohol-based, so apart from the effective cleaning, it also prevents the formation of mildew and the development of any funky smells.
This is one of the most underrated advantages of the Braun station vs Panasonic.
The latter uses detergent, and mold is a constant issue, and you need to clean the fluid tray and filter very often and thoroughly (and even so, it’s not enough).
With Braun stations, I never had any of those issues.
Moreover, because Braun uses cartridge refills, you can remove the cartridge, reseal it (that’s why we didn’t throw away the cap) and store it until the next use.
This will prevent the alcohol-based solution from evaporating.
I always do this once the drying cycle is complete, and a single cartridge easily lasts me several months.
This is possible because I also alternate between cleaning my shaver manually and using the station.
I generally use the station once or twice a week and clean the shaver manually in the meantime.
I’ve been doing this for years with my Braun shavers with great results and very low costs.
Moreover, I also refill my cartridges with third-party solutions, which are inexpensive and effective, further reducing my running costs.
Takeaway
Functionally, the new Braun Nevo Care 7in1 station is the same as before.
It cleans, dries, lubricates and charges the shaver. It’s super effective, practical and easy to use.
Visually, it is an evolution and there are even some improvements to the user experience (inserting the cartridge from the front, better contact pins).
The one downgrade vs the old station is the lack of support for the old-style cartridges.
Manual cleaning
When you’re not using the station, you can clean the shaver with water and (ideally) some liquid hand soap.
Once you finish shaving, turn the shaver off and remove the cassette.
To do that, you grab the frame between your index finger and thumb and pull it off the shaver.
This is when I truly miss the foil release buttons, which made things so much easier.
If your hands are wet or if the cassette is covered in leather, it gets more annoying and fiddly.
With the cassette removed, give it a quick rinse under the tap, inside out.
Rinse the flexing head of the shaver as well.
Reattach the cassette, pour a few drops of liquid soap on the foils and switch the razor on.
Add a bit more water if needed and use your finger to spread the soap evenly across all four cutters.
Let the shaver run for around 15 seconds, then rinse it generously with warm tap water (while the razor is still running).
Turn it off, remove the cassette again and give everything one final rinse.
Gently pat (don’t rub) everything with a clean towel and let the shaver and cassette air dry completely.
I only put the cassette back on the next day once all the moisture has evaporated from all the nooks and crannies.
The soap part is optional, but I believe it’s well worth the extra effort.
I personally never dry clean my waterproof shavers as I find water (and soap) to work a lot better, and it’s super quick.
All this process takes around one minute and you can only clean your Braun Nevo in this manner if you don’t want to deal with the cleaning center.
Lubrication
Regularly using the station will, however, mean that your shaver will always be properly lubricated and you won’t have to do it yourself.
Lubrication is important for the comfort and closeness of the shave, but also for the longevity of the foils and cutters.
If you only clean your Nevo shaver with the station (or for most of the time), there’s no need for any additional lubrication.
Also, if you use the station once or twice a week and clean the shaver manually in the meantime using only water, it’s probably fine as well.
But if you only clean the shaver manually, and especially if you use soap, then you need to lubricate your Braun Nevo.
There are two main options: lubricating oil (for shavers and clippers) or a spray cleaner and lubricant (also for shavers and clippers).
The former is inexpensive and easy to source and will last a really long time.
Brands like Wahl, Syprin or Oster sell clipper oil, which is essentially highly refined mineral oil, and it’s perfectly suitable for an electric razor.
With the shaver clean and dry, place a single drop on the outside of each cutter, then turn the shaver on for 5 to 10 seconds.
Gently wipe any excess oil with a paper tissue, and you’re all set.
Doing this once or twice a week should suffice.
As for cleaning and lubricating sprays, those also work really well.
I use Andis CoolCare Plus or Wahl Blade Ice and the lubricating properties of these products are excellent.
The downside is that after spraying the foils, you would need to let the product evaporate before using the shaver.
Also, the cost will likely be higher vs using oil.
Battery life and charging
For the past decade or so, Braun has been ahead of the competition in all things battery-related.
This has consistently been my experience with shavers from the three major brands, with Braun holding a narrow lead over Philips and a comfortable one over Panasonic.
Panasonic is still underwhelming when it comes to battery life, and I’ve even seen reports of batteries failing prematurely.
Braun, on the other hand, has been more reliable and offers better battery life and performance.
It also has an impressively low discharge rate when the shaver is sitting idle for long periods of time.
With the introduction of the 93xx Series 9, Braun bumped up battery capacity, allowing the shaver to operate for 60 minutes on a single charge.
For the Nevo family, we have the same battery that provides 60 minutes of cordless shaving.
That is actually quite impressive for a powerful high-end razor.
In comparison, Panasonic’s ARC 5 PRO and ARC 6 can only realistically work for around 40 minutes on a single charge.
Also, unlike Panasonic, Braun shavers don’t slow down significantly when the battery is almost drained.
Charging the Braun Nevo can be done in several different ways:
- With the cord plugged directly into the shaver (it supports 100–240V automatic voltage, so you can use it abroad)
- Via the cleaning station
- Using the travel PowerCase
- Via a Braun charge stand (should any models include one in the future)
Where Braun does fall short and lags behind Panasonic and even Philips, is in its use of a proprietary charging port instead of USB-C.
Since all Nevo models are cordless-only, there’s no need for special ports and protocols.
They could have put a USB-C port on the shaver while keeping the Braun connector only on the cleaning station.
Charging the shaver directly with the cable or via the station takes less than an hour and there’s even a 5-minute quick charge function.
That may come in handy when the battery is completely drained and you’re in a hurry.
The Nevo PowerCase looks a bit different from the old one that came with the Series 9 PRO, but it works exactly the same.
It features a very nice fabric outer, but that will probably be very difficult to clean.
Also, because the Nevo shaver uses different charging contacts, the Nevo PowerCase isn’t compatible with the Series 9.
Likewise, the Braun Nevo razor won’t work with the older Braun PowerCase.
The PowerCase has a built-in battery and works much like an AirPods charging case.
It adds an additional 50% of battery charge, according to Braun, and I can confirm that it comfortably surpasses that.
In theory, this would be an ideal travel case for your Braun Nevo.
But there are two issues with it.
First of all, it is large and heavy, so not very travel-friendly. I wouldn’t bring it along (unless I had checked luggage).
Second, it uses Braun’s charging port instead of USB-C, which would have been much more practical and versatile when traveling.
So I will definitely be taking one of my old basic Series 9 cases instead, plus a tiny Braun-to-USB-C adapter.
The battery indicator on the Braun Nevo is a clear step forward from the 5-level display of the Series 9.
It can show the charge in 10% increments, which is super useful.
Overall, I think the Braun Nevo fares very well in terms of battery life and, most likely, long-term battery reliability.
The lack of a USB-C port is still a letdown.
The Nevo head replacement. Upgrading your Series 9 (PRO/PRO+)
The Braun Nevo comes with a new shaving head (cassette) called Nevo-s (silver) or Nevo-b (black).
Braun Nevo replacement head
The foil frame color of the Nevo-b is more of a glossy, gunmetal grey though (the Nevo 17010C in this review uses the Nevo-b).
The key feature that sets it apart from all previous Series 9, PRO, and PRO+ cassettes is its special ultra-gliding coating.
That aside, the cassette appears to be built on the same blueprint and will even fit any previous Series 9 (PRO/PRO+) models.
I tried it myself and it worked perfectly.
As mentioned before, this will be a quick and easy upgrade for your existing S9 or S9 PRO/PRO+.
To my surprise, the new Nevo cassette became available immediately after the global launch of the shaver.
In the USA, it can be bought directly from Braun or from Amazon. If you’re in Europe, you can order it from Amazon.co.uk.
However, using any of the previous cassettes (96M, 94M and even the old 92s/92b) would be a perfectly good alternative.
In my experience, the 96M shaves just as close as the Nevo head, but doesn’t glide on the skin as effortlessly and may occasionally snag a hair.
The older 94M and 92s/92b cassettes, while also lacking the AeroTouch coating, do have a minor closeness deficit, but they’re still easily good enough.
Braun 94M shaving head
I think these older Series 9 cassettes, especially the 96M, can be a more cost-effective alternative to the official Nevo cassette.
The price of the Nevo-s and Nevo-b is quite a bit higher.
As expected, Braun recommends replacing the head every 18 months.
I always recommend changing the head when it can’t reliably provide an effective shave.
That may happen sooner or later than those 18 months.
Various factors will come into play, such as the beard’s coarseness and density, how often you shave, and how you care for the razor.
Braun explicitly mentions Diamond sharp blades, so this hardening process could make the Nevo cassette wear out more slowly.
But at this time, the Nevo is just too new to draw any definitive conclusions in that regard.
Takeaway: Should you buy the Braun Nevo?
The long-awaited Series 9 successor is a very interesting proposition.
It represents an evolution in shaving performance, a revolution in terms of its vastly improved metal unibody, and, somewhat surprisingly, an involution for the lack of a foil release mechanism.
That said, it looks and feels like a premium shaver, and the aesthetics and build quality are complemented by stellar performance.
With the S9 PRO+ 96xx, Braun has managed to narrow the gap to Panasonic in terms of shaving closeness.
The Nevo brings, on top of that, arguably the smoothest and most enjoyable shaving experience of any current electric razor.
The (backward-compatible) cassette is primarily responsible for this improvement.
Having tested dozens of shavers, I’d say the Nevo is now the benchmark for effortless, enjoyable shaving.
It’s a very versatile shaver, catering to both beginners and seasoned users, and it’s equally effective on both a short and a 5-day beard.
While the latest ARC 6 remains the closeness benchmark (if you have very coarse facial hair), that shaver has a much narrower operating window for optimal results.
Specifically, you would need to use the ARC 6 often, and it works optimally on hair that grows straight.
The Nevo is also more user-friendly with the smaller and more conforming head and foils.
For these reasons, I think the Braun Nevo is the safest choice in the high-end segment.
The main drawbacks are the premium price tag, the lack of a foil release mechanism, and the absence of a USB-C port.
These may or may not be deal breakers.
Let’s now see how it fares against its main rivals.
And surprisingly, we’ll start with a shaver from Braun.
Alternatives
Braun Series 9 PRO+ vs Braun Nevo
There are many things worth mentioning for this comparison, and throughout the review, I tried to reference the S9 PRO+ whenever relevant.
That said, I will share a concise, actionable conclusion in case you already own a Series 9 PRO+ or even a non-PRO Series 9 and are thinking about upgrading to a Nevo.
Also, if you just want to buy a new shaver, I think the S9 PRO/PRO+ should really be on your radar, especially now as the price of the Nevo is much higher.
Braun Series 9 PRO+ 96xx
The S9 PRO+ 96xx would make the most sense in this comparison, but since its main upgrade over the older S9 PRO+ 95xx and S9 PRO 94xx is the 96M cassette, those models should be considered as well.
So here are the main advantages of the S9 PRO+ over the Braun Nevo and why you should consider buying one or holding on to yours.
- It costs (a lot) less
- It shaves similarly, especially the 96M cassette, with the Nevo feeling smoother, more comfortable, and more enjoyable
- It has a foil release mechanism, which is a very underrated and practical feature that’s missing on the Nevo
- It has the same motor and battery life
- The head locking mechanism is more practical and more intuitive in my opinion
- It can be upgraded with the Nevo-s or Nevo-b cassette, so you’ll be getting most of that improved Nevo shaving experience
- The Series 9 cleaning station is compatible with both the old and new style cartridges
And here’s why the Braun Nevo is (objectively) better:
- The metal body looks and feels exquisite and durable
- The new display is more useful
- The shaving experience is incredibly smooth, refined, and enjoyable (but mostly thanks to that new cassette that will work on the Series 9)
- The new station looks better and is more compact. You can now load the cartridge from the front, which is more convenient
- Your existing Series 9 head attachments (ProCare, ProComfort) would still work on the Nevo
- The power button appears to have been revised, making it less likely to ever pop out; that can (although rarely) happen with the Series 9
This is pretty much it. I think choosing between them is more of a subjective call and your budget will play a big part.
A Series 9 PRO+ that costs half the price of a Nevo with similar accessories will be hard to beat in my opinion.
As I mentioned earlier, you will be able to upgrade the cassette as well.
And with the Series 9’s foil release buttons, swapping it out will be a breeze.
Panasonic ARC 6 vs Braun Nevo
The ARC 6, especially the latest Japanese revision with the new (backward-compatible) ES9610 foil, is still, in my opinion, the benchmark for raw power and closeness.
But as we know, it will not be nearly as effective and pleasant to use unless you shave often and the stubble grows straight.
A Panasonic razor is not as good at catching difficult, longer stubble, and the large head and stiffer blades of the ARC 6 will make things worse.
But in a very specific use case, like shaving daily and having coarse straight stubble, I think the ARC 6 is the current best shaver out there.
It also has a much better pop-up hair trimmer, and the Japanese cordless models come with USB-C.
And if you want to, you can even buy one that will work cordless and corded (model name ES-L650D).
I think the station should be skipped; it’s just not as practical as the Braun cleaner despite being technically superior.
Tip: The latest Japanese foil head for the ARC 6, the ES9610, is 100% compatible with the USA/global ARC 6 razors (ES-LS8A and ES-LS9A).
Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra vs Braun Nevo
Finally, we have the range-topping model from Philips, the i9000 Prestige Ultra.
This is a rotary shaver, so a totally different machine that caters to different users and different use cases.
After talking to thousands of users over the past 13 years of reviewing shavers, I think rotaries can work exceptionally well in some very specific situations.
Users with thick facial hair that grows in multiple directions and who don’t have sensitive skin may benefit from a rotary cutting system.
Also, I would stick to foil shavers for frequent use and mainly consider a rotary for shaving less often (like twice a week or even less).
A Philips is also a lot quieter, so it’s perhaps the only realistic alternative if you need a quiet shaver.
If these situations sound familiar or you know from experience that rotaries work well with your skin, beard, and technique, definitely consider the Prestige Ultra.
It normally costs a lot less than a Nevo, and the shaving heads should last longer.
Personally, I would choose the Nevo over the Prestige Ultra any day, but that’s because foil shavers work a lot better for me.
In general, the typical user tends to prefer foil shavers as they are faster, easier to use, and most of the time they work better (provided the beard is reasonably short).
This concludes my review of the new Braun Nevo, one of the most important releases in recent years.
If you have any questions or you’d like to share your experience with this shaver, make sure to leave a comment below.
Hi its good that the cassette is compatable with s9 , i have had not had to change my cassette yet its showing two bars now from last october when i got the shaver , thanks for another thorough review.
Hi Ian,
Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it. The cassette compatibility is surely a positive (and unexpected) surprise. Probably a side effect of using the same Series 9 flexing head/system.
I personally wouldn’t put too much thought into how many bars the display shows. I’d go by how well the foil head shaves. If it’s still cutting well, there’s really no reason to replace it, even if the shaver says otherwise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Once again a great and honest review. I have just bought the 17010 version. Used twice so far and it really is a great shave.
The stainless steel body feels really great when using.
I also have the 9 series Pro + and some of your remarks are very relevant.
Losing the head release buttons is a nuisance but to me not the end of the world. And yes the head lock is fiddly but I never really bother with it so again no worries. I do like the new cleaning station and digital display. I always felt the display on the 9 series a bit basic.
Having had every Series 9 I definitely feel this is a step forward.
Keep up the great reviews.
Roy
Hey Roy,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
That pretty much mirrors my experience with the Nevo compared to the S9 PRO+. I also (always) shave with the head in flexing/free position, but when I need to use the trimmer, it’s a bit notchy to operate and that small plastic tab digs into my thumb. Another slightly annoying thing about it, also vs the S9 PRO+, is that the trimmer blade sticks out more, and I now tend to rest my index finger right on top of the sharp blade, while with the S9 PRO+ I would place it right below the blade. Not a big deal though, and I think it has more to to with my particular way of gripping and using the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for a great comparative review, Ovidiu. I’m off to buy JUST the Nevo cassette for my S9 Pro Plus.
Thank you so much, Terry. That’s probably the most sensible option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
great review good information thanks —tommy Antonacci—-saintgermain@aol.com
Thank you for the kind comment, Tommy, I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Excellent and detailed review as always Ovidiu! I do like the head release buttons, the grippy back and the front swivel controls on the S9 Pro+, so I may not be in a hurry to make the switch, but some of the NEVO features are intriguing, like the metal case and compact cleaner. I think my total count of S9 shavers right now is 8, including the original, so I’ll probably weaken! Thanks for the great rundown!
Hey Allan,
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.
That’s an impressive Series 9 collection; I’ve now only kept a single specimen from each generation as it was getting out of hand. For Series 9 aficionados, I think the Nevo is a safe buy. Maybe wait a bit longer for a good deal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu thank you for another great review and for confirming what I thought about upgrading to the Nevo. In my previous email I told you that I had seen the new Braun Nevo for sale in Boots which surprised me as I had only seen a brief announcement on the Braun Website. I currently use a 96. Series pro.+. I shave every day which means I only get 12. Months use out of a cassette, and a new one is imminent. As upgrading to the Nevo would involve a serious outlay I intend to buy the Nevo cassette as you advise, I am happy with my existing cleaning station along with the performance of the 96. Please keep up with your excellent reviews. Many thanks Eddie.
Hi Eddie,
Tanks so much for the comment, I appreciate it.
I think that’s definitely the best option. The 96 PRO+ pairs perfectly with the Nevo cassette. I was lucky to buy the Nevo at that promotional Boots price, and at 50% off, it was actually a very compelling package, similar to a Series 9 PRO+ bundled with the charging case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
An excellent analysis and review of the Nevo – which is nothing new from you! Thank you. After reading your comments several times, my conclusion is that buying the new system would not be one I will be doing. Instead, my 6-year old Series 9 system will do fine and will be even better once I switch out my current head for the new Nevo version – but it’s not available in Canada yet (at least, I haven’t found it). Maybe soon…. Thanks again.
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for the comment. My guess is that the Nevo lineup will be released in Canada by late July or the first half of August. If your Series 9 is still in good shape, a cassette upgrade is an excellent option.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu … thx for your reply. I just had a thought about head compatibility between the Series 9 and the Nevo. My 9 has the foil release system (squeezing the ends) but you tell me that the Nevo needs to be pulled off. Isn’t there an inherent difficulty here for a possible upgrade?
Hi Richard,
No, you would still (always) remove the cassette be squeezing the ends, just like you would for your current cassette. Because the Nevo shaver doesn’t have the release buttons, it uses slightly modified retaining pins that allow the cassette to be pulled off.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi, Ovidiu.
Thank you for the excellent and detailed review of the Nevo. Since I just purchased a Series 9 Pro+ 9677cc a little over a month ago, the news of the Nevo took me by surprise. My first thought was to contact Braun to see if they might offer some kind of trade-in for very recent customers. Yeah. I know. Good luck. However, after reading your review, it seems like I already have a very good option for “upgrading.” When my Series 9 Pro+ 9677cc cassette is ready for replacement, I’ll just replace it with a Nevo cassette. I’ll keep the current charger/cleaner station, since “The Series 9 cleaning station is compatible with both the old and new style cartridges.” ALSO: I share your frustration with the manual. In my opinion, it was lazy and inconsiderate of Braun not to include text directions. A little effort would go a long way towards a more relaxed and skillful user experience. Thank you again for the review!
Hi Bob,
Thank you so much for the comment, you are very kind.
I think that’s the best option considering you have a brand new 96 S9 PRO+ that can be easily upgraded when it’s time to replace the cassette. Moreover, it even has a few specific pros over the Nevo: the cartridge compatibility that you mentioned, the foil release system, and the more practical head locking switch. Enjoy your shaver, it’s an excellent one and it shares the Nevo’s core traits.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
I first want to thank you for your great reviews of shavers. You are the best reviewer that I have seen. I am writing to you from Canada. I bought a Braun Series 9 PRO+ one year ago and I use it almost daily. I love that shaver and I will not upgrade for a Nevo but I will buy the Nevo head when the time comes to replace the 94M head. My question is : Do you know when the Nevo will be available in Canada? I checked on Braun Canada and Amazon Canada. There is nothing. Braun USA has it but they don’ont ship outside their country. Also, I use Lectric Shave pre shaving lotion. I see now that Amazon Canada sells the Speick lotion. It’s twice more expensive than Lectric Shave. Is it that much better?
All the best,
Jean-Guy Aubry
Hi Jean-Guy,
Thank you for the comment, you are very kind.
I think it should be available at Braun Canada within 2 to 4 weeks, at least that’s what happened when the Series 9 PRO+ was launched in North America.
Outside of Europe, the Speick lotion is unfortunately more expensive. I personally prefer it to Lectric Shave because it’s less oily and smells better. The latter is totally subjective. I wouldn’t say it’s twice as better as the Lectric Shave does the job fine.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Jean-Guy, you can get the Speick electric pre shave from Fendrihan.ca located in Hamilton, Ontario. I believe the cost is about $27 for the bottle plus shipping, unless you can pick it up. I have a Panasonic ARC 5 (based on Ovidiu’s recommendation) and used both the Speick and the Lectric lotion (again, based on his recommendation). I like them both but give the edge to Lectric, even though it is oily. I would suggest trying both.
As for the new Braun shaver, I will be about $750 (+/-) Canadian when it comes available. For that price, I will stick with the Arc 5 and eventually the Arc 6.
Hi Ovidiu
Thank you for this great review of the new Braun Nivo. I have a question about the plastic pin (drive pin) that engages with the (shaving cassette) to transfer the movement from the motor to the blades. This part used to wear out in the Braun Series 9, which led to loud, annoying noises when operating the shaver. Did Braun fix this issue in the new Nivo? Did they use better quality plastic?
Hi Emad,
Thank you for the comment. Visually, the plastic part that covers the four metal pins looks exactly the same, and so does the entire flexing head setup (minus the foil release system). So from the info I currently have, I don’t have a reason to believe it’s any different on the Nevo.
As a side note, I have been free of that issue with all my Series 9 shavers so far.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you fo the great review! My only complaint with the 96m Cassette was that in my case the upper lip area was not as close as other areas of my face. My hair is pretty coarse in that area and the Arc 6 delivers best results there. Any chance for improvement with the NEVO Cassette?
Hi Manuel,
I have the exact type of thick, coarse stubble on my moustache (and chin) and I didn’t see much improvement with the Nevo cassette when shaving that area. In fact, it was the same as the 96M. The ARC 6 is constantly better than both Braun cassettes at shaving that type of stubble closer to the skin.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Another great review, thorough and fair giving us both the positives and the trade-offs. Sometimes I’ve seen reviews of new shavers elsewhere that only extol the wonders of the latest and greatest whereas you have never done this. We all appreciate your honesty and expertise.
So, the question for me (since I still do use my original series 9 Braun which is in pristine condition) is this: will that new Nevo head fit my older shaver?
So they’ve essentially taken a Braun Series 9 and stuck on an Oral-B IO Toothbrush screen.
I’ll pass on this one I think…
And it still surprises me they try and pass off these cleaning stations as “X-in-1” – just state what it actually is, which is 3-in-1 (clean, dry and charge).
Thank you for the comment, Gary.
The cleaning station’s ever-growing feature list is almost comical at this point. :-)
I think the shaver’s metal body will be the biggest selling point over the Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review Ovidiu and thanks again! Another question from the pics – on the S9 Pro+ I’m fairly certain that the cassette base on mine (the swivel part on the shaver to which the head attaches) is made of fairly robust metal. It appears to be plastic on the NEVO. True? Another cost savings by Braun?
Thank you, Allan. It’s metal on the Nevo as well, absolutely identical from what I can to the swivel mechanism on the Series 9. It may look like plastic from the photos, but it’s definitely metal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu! Looking better – I’ve paid more than $600 for some of my bladed razors, but I’m guessing Braun’s price point for this razor makes it officially the most expensive commercially available electric razor today. Hopefully their marketing decision pays off, but that’s a big outlay for a razor for many. Not much competition right now for features/quality OR price though, so standing alone may work. I may be getting in line….(-:
Hey Allan,
I agree, and I recall that the second gen S9000 Prestige, some of the UK models, were even more expensive at launch, but the prices came down pretty quickly. Right now the Nevo costs more than any other shaver, at least from my research. I personally think it’s going to be a success.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Agree, and factoring in inflation for just about everything, probably ballpark for a top of the line electric in the future (Panasonic was near that a few years back). You can certainly pay that or more for rare or top-line bladed razors (La Faulx, Wolfman). I HAVE ordered the NEVO cassette for my S9 Pro+ – interestingly, although the cassette is advertised on the Braun USA site, it says undeliverable to my US address. It’s also not available on the Amazon.de site (where they make it), so I used my reliable Amazon.jp site which had a pre-order. A trial run because my Braun is generally not my go-to for an electric, preferring the Arc 6, but we shall see….
Hey Allan,
That’s very interesting, they may not (yet) have the cassette physically in stock in the US.
When I’m not testing a certain shaver, I almost always default to either a Series 9 variation (and now the Nevo) or the ARC 6. For most of the time I shave dry, and in my case the Series 9 is more effective and faster with the type of facial hair I have. The ARC 6 requires more work but the closeness is superior, particularly the areas with very thick and coarse stubble. That said, I think you will like the S9 PRO+ with the new cassette at least as much as before the upgrade, but even so, I’m not sure you would prefer it to the ARC 6. I don’t think the improvement is transformative, even though it makes the shave very pleasant and effortless. I’ve been using mine lately with the Gatsby pre-shave gel (the green bottle, very difficult to source), and it’s an outstanding pre-shave and pairs wonderfully with the Series 9/Nevo.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for this great review of the new Braun Nivo. I have a question about the plastic pin (drive pin) that engages with the (shaving cassette) to transfer the movement from the motor to the blades. This part used to wear out in the Braun Series 9, which led to loud, annoying noises when operating the shaver. Did Braun fix this issue in the new Nivo? Did they use better quality plastic?
Hi Emad,
I already replied to the first comment right above. I will copy-paste the answer below as well:
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
you did it again – excellent review, I was looking forward to it ever since you mentioned you bought the new Nevo.
Congratulations for keeping this site alive with such great articles and good advice. You are really the best!
Alex
Hey Alex,
You are very kind, thank you so much for your comment. Glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidio
Thank for the review, retail price in UK appears to be £839 which is extremely high – Im not sure it will sell at that price – its far cheaper to fit a the new head onto a series 9.
Regards
Hi Miles,
Thank you for the comment. Right now it is a very expensive shaver compared to a Series 9 (PRO+). I managed to buy mine from Boots when they had a 50% off promotion, so I got it for essentially the same price as a Series 9 PRO model with a cleaning station and charging case.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The one I’ve just ordered (Currys in the UK) is a tad under £380, so there’s some hefty discounting going on.
Many thanks for the review: extremely informative.
Thank you, David, I appreciate it.
That’s actually a very good deal, probably the best price I’ve seen so far. I’m curious if it also includes the charging case. Either way, it’s still a good deal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Well done yet again for the most comprehensive review on this lo g awaited Braun shaver.
I’ve had the 9 Pro+ now for a few months and happy with it and delighted that the Nevo cassette will fit it. I’m sure I’ll order the Nevo cassette when I need a replacement.
The way you have to remove the cassette from the new shaver now seems baffling and it remains to be seen how it will stand the test of time by having to forcibly remove it going forward.
Oh and there’s always the mad way you need to attach the power cord to the cleaning station, always cracks me up.
Thx again for your time, Braun need to get you to re-write their instruction booklet!
John
Hi John,
You are too kind, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
I think holding on to your S9 PRO+ is the best option.
Very good observation regarding the power cord. As a side note, the OG Series 7 came with a coiled cord that had the connector bent at 90 degrees (picture for reference), which allowed the charging port on the station to be fitted normally, not downward like it is on the Series 9 and Nevo stations. It was such a simple and practical design solution.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Thank you for the Nevo review. At this point you saved me $500+ by letting me know the Nevo cassette would work on my 9 pro+. I’ve learned over the years to rely on your thorough professional reviews before I ever go forward with a new shaver purchase. My biggest issues is the longer hairs at the bottom of my neck which always seem to be left behind after a shave. Looking forward to see if this will be handled by the Nevo cassette.
Ovidiu,
Thank for the Nevo review. I’ve come to rely on your thorough professional reviews before proceeding with any new shaver purchases. In this case you saved me $500+ by letting me know that the new Nevo cassette could be used on my 9 Pro+ shaver. My biggest problem for years has been the failure of any shaver to get the longer hairs at the bottom of my neck. Anxious to see if the Nevo cassette will do the trickZ
Thank you for the comment, Bob, I appreciate it.
The Nevo and the S9 PRO+ are in my opinion the most capable foil shavers with that type of stray/long hairs. I wouldn’t say the Nevo cassette is noticeably better in that particular regard than let’s say the 96M cassette, since the two cutters that handle longer hairs are the same, but it’s less likely to snag them and it’s super smooth, so at least you can be more through in trying to cut them without worrying too much. Those hairs at the base of the neck are among the most stubborn ones, and perhaps only a top rotary could potentially be more effective, but it has other specific weaknesses, definitely more than a good foil shaver like the Nevo or the Series 9.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiou, thanks for another thorough and informative review!! It’s about time for me to replace the cassette on my S9 Pro+. Based on your review I will buy the Nevo cassette rather than purchasing the Nevo shaver.
Hi Ken,
Many thanks for the comment, glad you found the review useful. The Nevo cassette should pair very nicely with your S9 PRO+.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiun, thank you very much for the excellent work you put into analyzing the new device. You clearly invested a lot of time in this, and it helps many people make the best decision regarding whether or not to invest in the new shaver. You are right—the absence of the two side buttons to release the shaving head is a serious flaw. Your information that the new shaving head fits Series 9 models is very useful and important. In my case, I’ve had a Series 9 for about two years, and the cleaning station has been malfunctioning, spilling out some of the cleaning fluid. Thank you very much for your help.
Thank you for the comment, Afonso, much appreciated.
The station issue points to either a clogged drain hole or the rubber gasket not sealing the intake tube properly against the cleaning cartridge. Both can be pretty easily fixed, and I have a how-to guide on that as well if you want to check it out.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
My Braun S9 (94xx) recently died only a year out of warranty because the button broke off and manual cleaning with a broken button probably fried the internals. The Braun is a less finicky shaver than my backup Panasonic Arc 5 and I love how it performs. New Braun shavers in the USA get a 5 year warranty through BraunCare+. Should I get a Braun Nevo (which fixes the button issue) or rely on the 5 year warranty with a S9+ Pro or switch to a Panasonic Arc 6 for reliability?
Hey,
I think the button issue and the water ingress damage are unrelated; the button falling out, while annoying, will not affect the waterproofing of the Series 9. The Nevo appears to have a different button setup from what I could observe in that promo clip, but I cannot confirm that without taking it apart.
I personally don’t think the Series 9 button issue is that common or serious to be a cause of concern, and given the similar performance of the S9 PRO+ and Nevo (and the 5 year warranty for both), choosing between them comes down to personal preference and budget. So that’s entirely up to you.
The ARC 6, while a fantastic shaver, should be picked if it makes sense for your shaving routine and beard type. In the Alternatives section of the review I go into more detail about the situations where the ARC 6 would make sense as an alternative. Water damage or even battery problems also occur occasionally with Panasonic. Again, these are rather uncommon and not recurring, known problems, so I personally wouldn’t let them prevent me from choosing the more suitable shaver. From what I can tell from your comment, the Series 9/Nevo would be a better fit.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the advice. Appreciate your advice and the reviews.
I am not sure the big jump in price is worth the metal body and display, since the main improvement is in the head, which can fit on a Pro +, anyway.
Maybe this will drive the price of a 9 Pro + down, though.
Hi John,
I agree, and the price difference may or may not be worth it depending on how much each potential buyer values those specific upgrades. The PRO+, especially when it’s on sale, is a very compelling alternative.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
I have been able to upgrade to Braun Nevo from my old Brain Series 9 Pro (94) for around 50 euros. The issue is that I have got only the razor and not the other accessories. Do you think it’s still worthy it? Is there a way to eventually use Nevo with older cleaning stations?
Thank you
Hi Fred,
Unfortunately no, there’s no way to physically connect the Nevo shaver to the Series 9 station; it will not work.
For only 50 euros more, I think it’s still worth it, especially if your S9 PRO is around 4-5 years old. If however you are used to always rely on the station, you will probably miss it.
In the future you may be able to purchase the Nevo station separately; at this moment it’s not available as a separate part.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am not sure what to make of this new generation. I was expecting closer shave and USB-C. Both did not happen.
The search or wait for perfect electric shavers continues. The closeness of Arc 6 but into Nevo body while supporting USB-C would have been perfect.
Hi Ed,
I agree, that Frankenstein mashup between the ARC 6 and Nevo would be close to perfection. Until then, both of these otherwise excellent shavers have some specific weaknesses, but one of them should still make more sense than the other depending on various things (frequency of shaving, type of facial hair, better closeness vs easy of use and effectiveness etc.).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi same here not sure what i make of it really not a totally new design , i think its gonna have to be a complete re desighn of the cassette for one on future shaver from braun , maybe like the arc 6 with bigger head more cutters , also maybe led like on philips when press too hard , also a more info display shave time etc, will just be upgrading just the cassette to a nevo one when time comes.
Hi Ian,
It’s clearly a Series 9 evolution if we consider just the performance, the 4-blade cutting system and even the cleaning center (despite the obvious tweaks and updates).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I received the Nevo cartridge today and you are absolutely correct that it takes less passes than the 9 Pro+ to cleanly shave my face. I did notice that while the cartridge can still be removed by pressing the side buttons of the 9, there was a slight resistance(very minor) more than the 96m, when pushing the new cartridge on to the 9.
Hey Bob,
I appreciate the follow-up, glad the improvement was noticeable. I would attribute that slight resistance to the fact that it is a brand new cassette, so all the contact points are sharp and with zero wear. A brand new 96M would probably feel the same until it gradually loosens up a bit.
Any cassette fitted to a Series 9 shaver, be it a 9x cassette or the Nevo cassette, should always be removed by pressing the side buttons. That way of removing and fitting the cassette is specific to the shaver itself, so it shouldn’t change with a cassette upgrade.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
Should the new cassette be run through the cleaning system after every shave?
Hi Bob,
The Nevo cassette is not any different in that regard than any previous Series 9 cassettes. So it’s entirely up to you to tweak your cleaning routine in a way that suits you the best. You could use the station after every shave (not the most economical option, but surely the most practical and effortless), or you could use the station in combination with a manual cleaning (described in detail in the review). You could even only clean it only manually as long as it’s thorough and performed after every shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The battery on my S9 “semi-pro” (a first-generation S9 upgraded with the 92 and later 94 cartridge) finally started seriously falling off earlier this year so I treated myself with a Nevo. If it hadn’t been for the dying battery though I’d likely have just stuck a Nevo cartridge on.
Like you I immediately noticed the loss of the clips to remove the cassette as soon as I started using it. Given the price of the Nevo such an obvious cost-cutting measure is hard to swallow. The one thing that helps is there is a lip on the front and back between the cassette and the head that allow you to put your fingernail in and easily pop the cartridge off. That’s been very reliable, even with wet hands. Doesn’t excuse the cheaping out, but does make it easier to work with.
I’m also annoyed by the lack of USB-C. For the charging station it’s admittedly not much of an issue, but for directly charging the shaver and the charging case having to unplug the charging station then use a rather awkward plug is an obvious miss.
Fortunately that’s it for my gripes. Despite cheeping out with the lack of cassette clips the metal body immediately feels far more solid in the hand, where the old S9 never felt like it merited its cost. In addition for me I’ve gotten a noticeably better shave than I ever did in a decade with my old S9. I do realize the limits of this comparison since I still was using a 94 cassette when the 96 apparently made a real difference and the PRO models also had a considerably more powerful motor, but for anyone making the jump from an older model it’s worth noting. In addition, not only do I get a closer shave I also get it far faster and with much less effort than the previous one. The Nevo feels more forgiving of not lining the blades up perfectly with the direction of hair growth, which is particularly useful on my neck and under my jaw where the shape of my face and the direction of hair growth don’t always align very well. And as mentioned it’s far comfortable and smoother to use. The feel of the shave itself, not just the results, is much much nicer.
Was it worth it? Maybe? If someone already has a PRO model S9 then as others have mentioned keeping the shaver and putting in a Nevo cassette is not only the obvious move, it’s the only one that should even be considered. The metal body is nice, but not THAT nice. But if your old shaver is dying, even though there are two real misses it does add up to a genuinely nicer experience. And if you get the model that includes the charging case and extra cassette it’s not THAT overpriced.
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such an insightful overview of your Nevo. I think it’ll be particularly useful to those who have an old (first or second gen Series 9) that’s on its last leg.
In this case, buying a new shaver was the right call. I think a Series 9 PRO+ (96xx) would have been a good option as well, but treating yourself to a Nevo with a more premium build and a smoother cassette also makes sense.
Enjoy your new shaver!
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
New panasonic lamdash
https://youtu.be/1ObGqq_2dv8?si=l4VctVeXgQXzbWT_
Hi Emad,
I saw it this morning as well; what interests me in particular is the new foil head (ES-9S62) and whether it would fit the full-size ARC 6. There’ll also be a new Lamdash Pro 5 revision with a new foil head (ES-9S51). I will be getting them in September when they go on sale.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, thank you for your review, very helpful and informative, as always! New Braun looks promising but not to the point of changing Panasonic L690 to Nevo. Panasonic new palm-ins are the biggest disappointment. I have the first generation of palmin 5 and I am not impressed. Why do Panasonic think the the Palmin 6 with a cleaning station is way to go remains unclear. Let’s hope Panasonic will feel the need to respond to the Nevo in some meaningful way.
Hi Vasyl,
Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.
The L690 is a fantastic performer, arguably the best if it’s suitable for the user & use case (beard type, shaving frequency). Therefore, switching to the Nevo will probably not bring any improvements in this case.
The Arc 5 Palm, despite having one less cutter and a slightly detuned motor vs the (full-size) Arc 6, should still perform solidly. It sounds like it hasn’t been working very well for you?
The Palm 6 should also retain most of the full-size Arc 6 traits (it even comes with a new foil that may or may not be backward compatible). I will be ordering one in September, but I will probably skip the cleaning station. I thought the Arc 5 Palm was already at the very limit for a compact shaver with its 5 blades, so I’m curious to see how wide the Arc 6 will end up being and whether that’ll affect its usability.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Yes, I bought the Palm-in 5 as a travel shaver, but I did not like the performance. My skin is very reactive, and the Palm 5 was very rough on it because of the time you need to spend maneuvering the shaver. You are absolutely right in skipping the cleaning station with the Palm 6. Panasonic positioned the Palm-in shavers as travel shavers; why do you need a cleaning station for the travel shaver? It is not clear and not very logical. In any event, let’s hope Panasonic updates and improves their current Panasonic 6 Pro, and Braun keeps innovating. I do like Nevo’s looks, but I will follow your advice, and I will skip Nevo for now. Again, thank you for your excellent work, my friend, as always!
Hi Vasyl,
You are very welcome. That was precisely what I was thinking about the cleaning station, plus I’m not a fan of the Panasonic system in general. I’m sorry the Palm 5 didn’t work out, the foil it comes with is the latest revision that uses the setup with 2 removable blades, so it should have been reasonably comfortable.
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great review as always.
Seems like electric razors are kinda at the limit, they can only slightly improve the actual shave a TINY bit here and there. I don’t think they will ever match a blade unless someone can figure out how to make an electric razor without even a foil between the blades and skin.
Hi Ron,
Thanks so much for the comment, I appreciate it.
Technically, that is correct, there is a physical barrier between the skin and the cutting blade.
That said, there are a couple of things working in favor of the electric shaver despite that inherent handicap. When the hair pokes through the hole in the foil, the foil exerts pressure all around it, making the hair pop out of the skin a bit more. Think of those blackhead removal tools for an analogy (probably not the best one). This action would partially make up for the thickness of the foil and the hair is getting cut lower. Some users can press a bit harder (for even better closeness), while others are limited by razor burn. Some very tiny bits of skin tissue surrounding the hair can enter through the foil as well and get scraped by the moving blade, causing razor burn. But many current shavers are quite forgiving, a lot more than before; I personally am able to get the same closeness as I did back in the day with a razor blade but faster and with greater comfort. For me, that winning combo (for the best closeness) is the Panasonic ARC 6 and the Jack Black Beard Lube.
I would still dry shave with a Series 9 variation/Nevo for most of the time though, as it’s so much faster and the closeness is easily good enough.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
could you specify why the series 9/NEVO is faster than the ARC 6 in your experience? Do you mean faster by being easier to handle? Spec-wise the ARC6 SHOULD cut faster than the Braun, at least in theory i guess.
Hi Manuel,
Excellent question. Specs-wise the ARC 6 is indeed faster; in fact, it’s outstanding. But you can really only take advantage of that in a more restrictive context. The ARC 6 shaving head is very large, the flexing is rather annoying than useful, the 6 blades don’t stick out as much, and they have very little “give”, as in they don’t conform as easily as those on the Series 9/Nevo. This, plus the fact that the ARC 6 requires a lot more passes to catch more stubborn hairs means the Series 9/Nevo is able to complete a shave faster and requires less work from the user.
This effectiveness gap is particularly apparent if the hair grows in different directions and tends to stay flat on the skin, especially on the neck. The ARC 6 will however take advantage of its more powerful motor if the stubble is short, coarse and grows straight. In that case, it will be faster. For men who shave often and have that type of facial hair, the ARC 6 makes more sense. Otherwise, the more compliant and user-friendly Nevo/Series 9 would generally work better.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I think one of the main differentiators between electric razors for me is the cleaning system. Ovidiu covers them very well, but to me that’s one of the most important components of a shaving “system.” Braun is the clear winner here with an alcohol-based cleaner that effectively cleans the foil and blades as well as drying and sanitizing them. Philips follows with an alcohol-free phenoxyethanol cleaner, but has regressed to a sort of “drip-dry” soak system, which has portability and simplicity as an advantage, as well as antibacterial properties, but leaves a wet shaver head to dry in room air. Panasonic is dead last with a detergent-based cleaner with no antimicrobial properties, which grows mold and bacteria in a dark, contaminated environment within a couple of weeks, even with moderate care. You can of course clean any of them manually, but two of the primary advantages of an electric razor are speed and convenience, enhanced by modern cleaning systems. If you have issues with ingrown hairs or irritation, a sanitary shaver head is one part of the solution. I do use an Arc 6 as my primary electric, but I use Braun and Philips as well, and the most significant flaw for me in the Panasonic razors is the cleaning system, which seems to be carried over in all of its new models.
Great point, Allan. The mold issue, and the whole setup with the open fluid container and filter is just a deal breaker for me; I even prefer Philips’ bare-bones pod to a Panasonic cleaner, despite some of the excellent features of the latter. And you are right, it’s the same system with the new models, with some minimal tweaks mainly to the cleaning well to accommodate 3 to 6-blade shaving heads.
I now only use Braun cleaning stations regularly, it’s by far the most practical system (for my use case at least).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu – if the cleaning fluid is the same in the newer cleaning cartridges for the Nevo, do you think it would be possible to use the cleaning fluid in the old cleaning cartridges and refill the newer ones (after flushing, cleaning, and drying them first) for the Nevo cleaning station? I have about 6 of the old cartridges leftover that I have not used.
Thanks!
Hi Steve,
Absolutely, you can do that.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. If you could only shave with one electric shaver for the rest of your life which shaver would that be and why? If you were to recommend one electric shaver to most if not all men which would you recommend and why?
Hi Robert,
I think I would have to pick a Series 9/PRO/PRO+ or now the Nevo which is an incremental improvement over the Series 9. But the reasons why I would choose these shavers may not be relevant for other users. In my case, it’s the efficiency of these shavers and the minimal effort on my part to get a fast, comfortable and reasonably close dry shave. For my skin, beard, technique and shaving frequency, these shavers work best. On the other hand, if I need the closest shave I can possibly get, I would go for an Arc 6 and shaving cream (it’s actually a shave balm, the Beard Lube by Jack Black). I also always use the Panasonic hair trimmer, for me it’s in a different league vs the one on the Series 9/Nevo; even if I’m shaving with the Series 9, I would grab a Panasonic (Arc 5 or Arc 6) just to use its trimmer for my sideburns.
For most men, the Series 9/Nevo would be perfectly safe picks (if there aren’t any budget constraints) and I think the majority would like them. That said, there are other options that may be better in a different context. For example, for shaving daily (or every other day, as long as the stubble is short and grows straight), the Arc 6 will provide a closer shave in most cases. For shaving less often, like once a week, a powerful rotary like the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra could work better, although rotaries aren’t in my opinion a safe bet for everyone.
If the Series 9/Nevo is outside the budget, then the Braun Series 8 would be the next best thing. Not quite as effective (requiring more passes for a clean result) and not as smooth/refined, but still great and more or less having the same pros and cons.
I always try to mention context/use cases because no matter how good a shaver is, it will most likely not be the ideal pick for everyone. Something that doesn’t bother me too much could be a deal breaker for someone else.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi i have always had braun shavers , my late father had one or two other brands that i had tried , what i like about braun is there cleaning system its something that just works for me, i would miss not having it ! , i use that once a week and keep the shaver clean in between , i shave every other day .
Hi Ian,
I totally agree, it’s the most practical cleaner despite its quirks.
That’s an excellent strategy, I’ve been doing the same for years with excellent results and minimal costs.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I ordered the Nevo. I have the first gen series 9 from before it was water proof and the cleaning station broke. I also have the first gen of the current series 7 design, which always felt like a cheap product.
I thought about trying Panasonic, I like that they make a few models in Japan again, but it sounds like it wouldn’t be the best choice for me.
I have somewhat sensitive skin and I often wait a bit between shaves. I often have flat hairs under my chin that the razor misses. Also I don’t care about the closest shave, as long as it’s even and doesn’t irritate my skin.
The new metal body sounds really nice. Never liked how plasticy the series 9 felt. Also mine definitely got damaged from being dropped before
Hi Ben,
Thank you for the comment. I think the Nevo is clearly the more suitable shaver in this case. I hope you’ll enjoy shaving with it, it should feel familiar coming from an old Series 9, but noticeably better all around.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
As an addendum to my comments above regarding cleaning stations, I did get confirmation that Panasonic’s latest detergent packets (specifically ES-4L03, perhaps earlier) now contain a cationic surfactant as well as ordinary detergent. I couldn’t obtain a Japanese MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or equivalent, but one of the most common cationic surfactants is Benzalkonium chloride (a quatenary amine – and also a component of the Braun solution), a very effective low-concentration antimicrobial agent. This would put the Panasonic cleaner in at least the same category as the Braun cleaners for sanitizing effectiveness. Another possibility is Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, also a “quat,” which is equally effective. The exact agent and concentrations are unknown (proprietary), but either are an effective answer to any biological growth. The anionic surfactant component (detergent) is likely sodium laurel sulfate, which has no antimicrobial properties but is an effective cleaner.
With that, I change my opinion of Panasonic’s cleaning system. That said, quats are known skin irritants and strongly cytotoxic, but the dose is the poison, as they say, so presumably Panasonic has sufficient research to back it’s use for the general public. At a minimum though, with that knowledge a thorough rinse before using the shaver is certainly a prudent practice (and I’m not sure that’s indicated in any of the Panasonic literature – a good idea with the Braun or Philips units as well). Currently running a trial with my Arc 6 to determine 1) effectiveness at cleaning, and 2) suppressing biological activity (with microscopic analysis) – I’ve never actually run a Panasonic station for 30 days straight, so should be interesting.
Great observations, Allan. Looking forward to your conclusion. The WES4L has been around for quite a while (I think the 03 part in the name only refers to a 3-pack variation) but the composition might have been altered. That said, I can confirm that the detergent packs from as early as 9-10 years ago also contained cationic surfactants. I still have the original detergent sachet that came with my Arc 5 ES-LV95 that I bought somewhere in 2017 and I even took a picture of it at that time (for a future review).
But the proportions and the exact chemical used are probably adjusted constantly (at least that would make sense to me) without any explicit notice, so the effectiveness of the same reference detergent packs could vary.
I don’t recall ever seeing a warning from any shaver brand to rinse the shaver. I think that is a calculated decision as having to rinse the shaver after an automatic cleaning which should be the most effective and effortless way of keeping your shaver sanitized doesn’t sound too appealing. But like you said, the dose really is the poison, so I personally think it’s perfectly safe, I don’t think any reputable brand would risk anything.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu! I suspect you’re right – the FDA in the US is fairly strict about cosmetic products coming into the country to get approval for sale, and both Braun and Panasonic cleaners dry the heads (mostly), so with a 12-24h pause between shaves you should be fine using the razors straight from the cleaner. I shave wet anyway, so my razors always get a rinse, but probably unnecessary for a dry shave except for an abundance of caution – quatenary amines are particularly nasty (oven cleaner, drain cleaner), but again concentration matters. We come into contact daily with stuff that isn’t good for us, in the wrong place and the wrong strength, but somehow we survive. With your permission I’ll post a very brief summary at the end of next month in your Arc 6 review so as not to clutter up your excellent review of the Nevo here. I might do the same for the Braun for antimicrobial properties, but intuitively the composition of the Braun fluid is likely acceptable for a hospital surface disinfectant (I checked their MSDS and no formalin, formaldehyde or phenols, so essentially alcohol, quats, water, fragrance and lubricant). Our charge nurses on the wards though would have sent anyone straight to disinfectant jail if they found anyone just using detergent wipes though. (-:
I really appreciate it, Allan. Looking forward to your Panasonic (and Braun) cleaners review.
I personally was never able to use the Panasonic cleaner consistently and draw a proper long-term conclusion, it just doesn’t gel with my routine and the stations always end up back in the boxes. I do however use the Braun cleaners regularly and have been doing it for many years. Apart from the occasional clogging of the drain and overflow holes, I’ve never had any issues. In the end, it’s the convenience and practicality that have mattered most to me.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu! Have the Braun results already – I had a 30-day plus used cartridge lying around. I will note that I generally shave wet with shaving soap, and I always wash and rinse the razor and head before placing in the cleaning station. Method: AmScope w/Moticam, 4x, 10x, 40x and 100x Plano (non-immersion) objectives, 10x WF occulars, Abbe condenser. Sterile sample collection x3, with mixed debris field containing identifiable hair shafts, oil globules, and fragmented skin cells. Dessicated bacterial debris found, possibly S. Epidermidis (abnormal cocci morphology, no clusters). No living organic materials observed. Conclusion: The Braun cleaning solution is an effective sanitizing agent for deactivating common facial organisms on their razor head up to 30 days, possibly beyond, although culture was not attempted and only the used cleaning fluid was examined. Exclusively observational opinion, not to be interpreted as definitive.
Hi Allan,
That is fascinating. I think it’s the first user evaluation of the Braun fluid’s effectiveness I’ve seen that’s backed by actual evidence. And it aligns with the empirical observations of regular users like myself, ie no visible mildew or any funky smell.
Thank you so much for sharing. Curious about the Panasonic fluid.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu! Just posted my first impressions with the NEVO as well, including kudos to Braun’s cleaning system. I was also curious enough on the Panasonic system that I did a sample run after a week. Not good. To the extent I’ve stopped using the station to clean my Arc 5 and 6 – strictly manual cleaning normally, which I would recommend for everyone – certainly no more than a week’s use with the same solution. I may still complete the 30-day analysis using the station, but at this stage it may be superfluous, and I’ll certainly be cleaning my razor manually after a session in the station. I love the Panasonic razors, but I’m a complete Braun convert now, for their overall comfort and efficiency as well as the convenience of an automatic cleaning station. I do have an analysis summary prepared on the engineering of both stations, and if you like I can post it after the final run, non-attributionally. Sort of lengthy, but educational for users of either system.
Allan, I would absolutely love to read your analysis of both stations. You have a real knack for explaining the more technical aspects of shavers (like the accelerometer in the Prestige), and I’m sure it’ll be very informative.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the great review. Just FYI, on the Braun USA website, they are selling the Nevo 11000c for $549.99. But if you sign up for their email list, you get $125 off, making it $424.99 with free shipping. That is a more fitting price for an incremental improvement over the Pro+. I have one of the earliest Series 9 that just started falling apart (the head is lifting off one of the metal arms that protrudes from the body). I was going to order a Pro+ based on this review until I saw the discount on the Braun site. Now I have a Nevo on the way.
Hey Steve,
Thank you for the info. With that discount in place, it makes sense to get the Nevo 11000c instead of the S9 PRO+ or any of the other USA Nevo variants, for that matter. Given the condition of your old S9, I think the upgrade will be quite noticeable.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Braun Nevo.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu! Braun NEVO arrived today and first use (there was a one-time sale on Amazon for the kit – which included a spare head and a charging case for the same price as the Braun site for shaver alone). And I agree with all your comments – this is the best Braun yet IMO, including their ground-breaking original S7. It really does now approach the Arc series for closeness. Minor quirks I also agree with: I prefer the shaver head lock on the front as well. Easy enough to activate on the NEVO with practice, but you can’t tell the condition of the head by looking at the front of the razor, and I use that feature every shave. No latches for the head is also less convenient – I got used to it on their later Series 7, but it’s still not as easy to remove/replace the cassette. The other minor irritant is the position of the cord connection on the back of the cleaning station, which seems to protrude more, preventing the station from being as close to a wall. That said, there are enough positives that you highlighted to more than compensate. Speaking of the cleaning station, the more compact design and front loading are very much improvements over any of their recent iterations. I’m now also a complete convert to the Braun cleaning system after analyzing both Panasonic’s and Braun’s in detail, to the extent I will never use the Panasonic station to clean my razors. Ever. Strictly manual cleaning, which greatly reduces the convenience although I still love their razors. Braun wins hands-down, and the NEVO is now my go-to electric.
Hi Allan,
That’s awesome, I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much! For Series 9 fans, I think the Nevo is a go, despite the obvious performance similarities between it and any Series 9 upgraded with the Nevo cassette. Anyone who loved the Series 9 will probably never regret buying the Nevo.
You are spot on with the new head lock, the visual feedback of a locked/unlocked head is now less obvious. I never really thought much of it since I always keep mine in the unlocked position and I never use the Nevo trimmer (always grab a Panny for that).
The angled cord connectors appear to have the same slope on both stations, and stick out in a similar way, but on the old Series 9 station, the port is offset to the side of the station, so it can be pushed right against a wall without the cord getting in the way. On the Nevo station, the port is right in the middle of the back, and it can’t sit flush against a wall. But like you said, a minor niggle overall.
Thank you again for taking the time to share such valuable feedback, Allan. I’m sure many other potential buyers will find it very useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu! Panasonic cleaning station 14-day study complete (planned 30-day analysis terminated early because results were achieved). Method: AmScope w/Moticam, 4x, 10x, 40x and 100x Plano (non-immersion) objectives, 10x WF oculars, Abbe condenser. Sterile sample collection x3. As with the Braun samples, the Panasonic samples include a mixed debris field consisting of fragmented epidermal cells, hair shafts, possible Corynebacterium spp, S. Epidermidis, but additionally contains intact cocci clusters, possible yeast spp, and mold spores/hyphae. In the visual field intact organisms are TNTC (Too Numerous to Count), with some demonstrating motility.
There was also a distinctly unpleasant organic odor to the solution, as opposed to the aldehyde (soapy, clean) fragrance demonstrated in a freshly-mixed batch of solution, as well as soapy/fatty appearing white deposits surrounding the rim of the tank and filter. I suspect the overall quality of the cleaning solution (mainly water with cationic and anionic surfactants) may well depend on variable water quality – in this case mixed with RO – Reverse Osmosis (<10 ppm TDS) – water at <1gpg hardness. Distilled water might improve results but would lack any residual antimicrobial chloramine activity present in most tap water. One issue with quaternary amines in specific, like those in the Panasonic cleaner, is that they are substantially inactivated by very hard water.
Conclusion: a variety of species appear to be alive in the Panasonic samples based on motility and organization of groups, distributed throughout. None can be clearly identified as other than normal facial/aerobic flora, although a gram stain was not accomplished to differentiate species. Growth appears positive in all of the samples, although culture was not attempted and only the used cleaning fluid was examined. Exclusively observational opinion, not to be interpreted as definitive.
In the process I've become somewhat familiar with the engineering strategies of both companies addressing the major question with these razor cleaning stations: How do you keep your cleaning fluid from being contaminated by the razor you're cleaning in an enclosed container? The short answer is you don't – but you can mitigate it in various ways. Braun's strategy is to use a low-viscosity, low molecular weight fluid (mostly alcohol) that will allow heavier contaminants in the returning fluid – including bacteria – to fall to the bottom of the cartridge, which has a sort of honeycomb filter/baffle through which debris falls (some being trapped), and the remainder settling to the bottom, where it is prevented from going back into the (relatively) clean solution on top by the same hexagonal baffle (which likely also minimizes disturbance of the sediment layer). It's a simple but elegant strategy, dependent on the cartridge being undisturbed by the action of the pump returning the (mostly) clean top solution to the station cleaning chamber, rinse and repeat. The cartridge solution itself being a powerful disinfectant (isopropanol and ethanol plus quaternary amines) kills any trapped or suspended organisms in a short time, preventing any living biota from returning to the shaver head on the next cleaning cycle. Coupled with a short period of fan drying to vaporize any remaining alcohol solution on the head, which should desiccate any residual living organisms.
Panasonic's strategy is almost an upside-down version: the cleaning solution (water-based) is filtered as it goes back into the holding tank by what appears to be a small fabric mesh over the return outlet, that filters out larger debris (skin cells and hair shaft fragments) as it returns to the solution. The apparent engineering problem with this is that if the mesh is very effective, it soon clogs and the returning solution just goes around it (it's not sealed). The mesh is far too coarse to filter out anything but large debris, so everything else rinsed from the shaver head essentially just gets dumped back into the main solution to be mixed again. And even If the mesh is effective at blocking most large fragments, any microscopic biologicals (bacteria, yeast, mold) just pass through anyway. And the large molecular weight surfactants hold them in solution to be pumped back into the cleaning station on next use. You ultimately end up with a homogeneous biological "soup" that is constantly recycled, becoming more concentrated with use. This coupled with the fact that the holding tank itself is completely open and exposed to the air inside the station (which in the cleaning process is mixed and circulated with outside air by a running fan for 40 minutes or so), is a recipe for a perfect biological growth medium in a dark, warm, moist environment. Seeded by whatever remains from the shaving head, and bioaerosols in ambient air (which include bacteria, fungi, viruses, pollen and algae). Mitigated somewhat by the fact that the solution does contain some unknown concentration of antimicrobial agents (quaternary amines), and the shaver head itself is ultimately heated (to about 150F) and dried.
So at the end of the day, either cleaning station may leave the shaver head (mostly) sanitized after a complete cleaning cycle because of the post-washing cycles in the stations, regardless of what's left in the cleaning solution. Maybe. The folks over on the wet shaving forums agonize about how to sanitize, and even sterilize, a vintage razor before they use it. Most would be horrified to learn what you find in used electric shaver cleaning solutions – some of which finds its way onto the head and cutters before you shave with it – particularly Panasonic's.
A more surprising finding in this study was the amount of residual debris on either shaving head even after thoroughly washing and rinsing with warm, soapy water – and drying – prior to using a cleaning station. For those who believe your shaver is "clean" after manually washing, these findings would indicate otherwise. But perhaps clean "enough."
These subjective results may or may not alter your shaving routine, or your perspective on electric shavers and cleaning them. The practical result of having your own facial flora (or even random biological opportunists) on your electric razor head when you shave is likely nil with regard to causing an actual life-threatening or even irritating skin infection (although a certain "yuck" factor exists – you cannot unsee the sample slides) – realizing that your own skin microbiome is constantly being ground into your freshly-mown follicles as you shave with an electric razor anyway (a dynamic worthy of its own study perhaps). Our ancestors after all likely shaved in a dirty puddle with sharp rocks for a few millennia, and yet here we are. For me, I am now more inclined to use Braun's cleaning system more confidently, and relegate my Panasonic shavers strictly to manual cleaning (and spraying with a barber disinfectant like Andis after a cleaning cycle, manual or automatic), which reduces their convenience significantly.
Hi Allan,
I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to share this. You have an impressive amount of knowledge in this area, I certainly don’t, and I find it simply fascinating to see these results. Even though the test was observational, I think it is very relevant. I also never considered the potential benefit of drying the shaving head, or the impact that drying might have on bacterial growth inside the station. I will be referencing these results, with your permission, in future reviews, with a direct link to this comment.
Incidentally, I’ve been recommending Braun stations and suggesting the solo version of Panasonic shavers mostly for the practical aspects of using the station, with Braun being clearly better in that regard, at least in most use cases. As for effectiveness, Braun again always seemed to come out on top with a lack of any mold or funky odor. The alcohol in the cleaning fluid always felt reassuring, but I never saw any actual comparative results.
I also think regular, manual cleaning with warm water and soap is good enough, maybe even very effective by adding a spray disinfectant. That, along with never sharing the shaver with anyone, is probably sufficient in most cases.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks Ovidiu – my pleasure! I actually learned a lot for this exercise myself, which sometimes contradicted what I always thought of the cleaning stations (I’m guessing the same for Philips) – “I ran it through the station, it must be “clean.” And though we sometimes fuss over what “clean” really means, keeping in mind the difference in SANITIZING a surface versus STERILIZING a surface: Sterilizing being the elimination of any living microorganisms on a surface (not possible with these solutions or processes), compared to sanitizing a surface which is the REDUCTION of microorganisms on a surface generally to some public health standard – which either of these stations likely effectively accomplishes. Thanks for a great forum and your efforts to explore the electric razor world objectively!
Hi Ovidiu,
thanks for your very competent and detailed report, it is a real pleasure for me to read your statements and observations in this depth, especially also with a comparison to Panasonic and previous Braun series 9 and 9Pro+. You are an excellent reviewer and I am writing from Germany and can share your comments because I am also an Aficionado of electric shavers.
Since long time I am using Panasonic, Philips and Braun products. At the beginning I was in favour for Panasonic due to fact that they were made for wet and dry use when the other brands were for dry use only. Since a longer time, Philips and Braun can also be used for wet shaving use, which is an improvement as well, even if the most use and in general for me will be dry and not wet. But for some special feeling of more freshness and the feeling to be close to wet razors I believe it is an enriching experience using electric razors with foam and wet – even you need more time for the shaving. For special occasions I prefer and celebrate the wet enjoyment. Regularly, I use my Panasonic ES-LS9A for the wet adventure.
My Braun Series 9 Pro+ I have bought in February 2026 – without having the information that a half year later Braun is promoting the new flagship NEVO.
But the NEVO will come to me in two days after I have ordered it yesterday. I’m really excited.
Some observations in addition to all comments before:
– I have heard that the USB-C was considered by Braun as well but to electrical issues they have decided to come up again with the electrical connector as used in the previous models for Braun.
– I regret that electrical supply of the cleaning station is now direct in the aft position and no more on the side. I have no idea why Braun has changed the location for the cable input. Especially if you put the cleaning station on a small board or in the Mirror Cabinet, the side location for the cable input was an advantage.
– For me it is not clear why Braun has modified the cassette opening from the head removing the comfortable opening buttons at the sides. Wondering why good things were deleted. Will see, if I can accept it or not.
– I am a little bit sad that the functionality of the cleaning station is the same as for the Series 9. My expectation was that Braun will come up with a modified setup for cleaning only without charging the device. Otherwise the razor will be charged all the time to 100% and is never be forced to be downloaded for a battery cycle care. That’ s a pitty. If I choose not to charge it after each use, I cannot use the cleaning station. Smartphones of vacuum cleaners powered by battery (Li-Ion) have mostly an intelligent loading management on board, where you can choice the maximum loading capacity to 80, 90 or 95 percent for battery care, see Apple or Bosch.
– Missing a stand up holder – in this price league – I think this gadget should be attached compulsory in the package as well.
– Unfortunately the Power Case from the Series 9 Pro+ is not usable for the new NEVO. I have not seen that the Power Case for NEVO can be ordered separately as an accessories. On the Braun Web-shop in Germany this is not listed. The brush in the Power Case for the Series 9 Pro+ is fixed in the holder that you cannot release it by hand. A tool like a screwdriver or a chip or a small plate has to be used to release it. Hmhh, wondering why nobody is claiming this…
– Loudness is obviously unchanged. My measurement has shown for Braun 9 Pro+: 75 dB in average and is at the same level as the Panasonic ES-LS9A.
However, as to your summary so far, it seems that the shaving result is of its own and a perfect one. Hope this new NEVO is the beginning of a new Era of Shaving with or without our observations so far.
Have all time individually good results and feelings with your electrical shavers…
Sincerely
Peer
Hi Peer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share these insightful observations. I can totally relate, as I use a shaver pretty much the same way as you do, with a wet shave maybe once a week (with a Panasonic Arc 5 or Arc 6) when I have the time and want to treat myself with a super close shave.
Allan actually mentioned the cord positioning on the Nevo station in a comment above and that it introduces a new quirk, as you cannot place the station with its back right against a wall anymore.
The removal of the cassette buttons was in my opinion about reducing costs (and complexity) but of course I might be wrong. The same thing happened with the Series 7, when Braun discontinued the OG Series 7 and introduced the Series 7 360 Flex that lacked any cassette release buttons.
As for the charging, you are right; you would need to remove the shaver from the station right after the drying cycle is completed if you don’t want the station to start charging the shaver.
Regarding the cleaning brush, it is pretty firmly lodged in its place in the case. However, instead of trying to scoop it out, try pressing down on the top of the plastic part. It should pop out immediately with no effort. Hopefully the station will be available as a separate item in the near future.
Hope you’ll enjoy shaving with your new Nevo.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu. I am finding the new Nevo impossible to find here in Canada. This being the middle of August I was wondering if you have heard anything about the broader availability of it?
As a side note I have gone back from using the Lamdash Pro 6 to the Braun Series 9 Pro+. I have extremely sensitive skin and the Lamdash was too harsh for me. Thank you for your advice regarding sensitive skin.
Hi Arthur,
I don’t have an update on this, I’m afraid. It’s an unusual situation, and I was expecting the Canada launch to follow a few weeks after the US release. If importing the shaver is not convenient (mainly because of taxes or warranty-related issues), your S9 PRO+ should be a great solution in the meantime.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I honestly stopped considering it when I saw it didn’t use USB-C.
Fair enough. It’s such an underrated feature and having used an Arc 6 with USB-C for almost two years, it just feels like a major inconvenience now. I do have a Braun to USB-C adapter from Yinke and it’s been working fine so far. But it’s still not as seamless as having a USB-C connector on the shaver.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
So I bought a Nevo and concur with your conclusions. The only thing I would add is that this model doesn’t seem very well thought out. The cleaning unit power cord protrudes from the back so the unit can’t sit flush against a backdrop or wall. The swivel head itself feels and looks like cheaply made plastic. Each half of the swivel head sepearates a little below the cutting head cartridge. It performs exactly the same as my S9 pro and maybe not even as efficient as the M4 cartridge. Nevo is oven spelled backward which seems to capture the extent of Braun’s innovation.
For context, I only get a close shave with the Lambda or S9 pro using shaving cream. Save your money save your money save your money.
Many thanks for taking the time to share this, Jon.
The power cord connector placement is becoming a recurring theme, and it’s obvious at this point that it wasn’t the best decision to change its position. The swivel mechanism of the Nevo head seems to be identical to that of the Series 9/PRO/PRO+.
I also get the closest shave when shaving with a 5 or 6-blade Panasonic + shaving cream.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I am a long-time Philips rotary shaver user (other than a few years with a Braun as my first teeneager shaver), shaving every other day; currently rocking a Series 9000 (S9711) from 2017, using the updated SH91 heads. Despite its quirks, I have stuck with this as long as I have (by far my longest owned shaver!), due to the excellent SmartClean Plus system and the great shave provided by a combination of pre-shave oil and the newer heads. However, it is really starting to show its age due to wear and tear alongside the inevitable reduction in battery life. Frustatingly, Philips’ inexplicable change to the much inferior Quick Pod system alongside a few others annoyances have forced me to reconsider if I should now switch (back) to a Braun foil shaver.
In view of this, and seeing this review, I’m wondering if this Nevo shaver might be a good option? My main concern is how my skin and hair growth will adapt to switching from a rotary to a foil….am I likely to encounter any problems?
Hi Deepak,
Given your preference for an automatic cleaning system, a Braun shaver is currently the only viable option. Otherwise, the safest pick would have been a shaver from the Philips i9000 series.
But getting back to Braun, their current shavers, particularly the Series 9 and Nevo, are in a totally different league compared to the vintage models when it comes to performance.
As a lifelong rotary user, switching to a foil razor will be quite a big deal, but I think there’s a good chance you will like the shaver and the results. You will need to get used to it though; for example, the use of short, straight passes as opposed to using a circular motion will probably be the biggest adjustment. I would also strongly suggest the use of a pre-shave lotion before trying the new shaver with oil or shaving cream/gel. It’s easier that way to get used to its quirks and the new technique.
You also have the option of buying a Series 9 PRO or PRO+ if you can get a great deal on one of those; the performance is similar to the Nevo and the Nevo shaving head is compatible as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for your helpful advice. In the end, I bought the Nevo whilst it was 50% discounted on Amazon, making the premium over the Series 9 (somewhat) easier to bear.
I have been using it for just over a week now, in conjunction with my pre-shave oil. My skin is still getting used to it, but so far….I am impressed! The closeness is *definitely* better compared to my Philips Series 9000, although that might be attributable to the age of the blades. Comfort also seems at least equivalent, if not noticeably better. I do find the neck area trickier to shave with the Nevo (which was one reason why I was reluctant to switch over from a rotary), but having said that, I am still getting acceptable results. Would you recommend locking the head on a foil shaver when using it on the neck to improve this?
I am now planning to repurpose the Philips as a head shaver, once I have replaced the blades. As I don’t anticipate doing this regularly (fortnightly at most), I think this should be OK for the remaining longevity of the unit. In your experience, how do you find the Series 9000 (with the SH91 blades) for this use case scenario?
Many thanks.
Hi Deepak,
Excellent, glad you’re enjoying your Nevo.
A capable rotary, especially for a seasoned user, can often work more efficiently on the neck. The closeness improvement is probably due to the brand new blades in the Nevo, plus a somewhat inherent advantage of foil shavers in this area.
As for repurposing your Series 9000 as a head shaver, it should work really well with the SH91 blades for that. There is one caveat though: using it fortnightly will probably not be ideal, and that is a limitation of any electric shaver. Only a device with exposed shearing blades can effectively catch and cut long hair. So you will most likely need to pre-trim the hair before using your Series 9000 for a close shave. The alternative would be of course to use it more often (at least weekly).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the review.
Just to confirm – a Nevo cassette will work on a Series 9 razor?
And a Series 9 cassette will work on a Nevo razor?
Hi Jeff,
That is correct.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the reply.
Have you tried experimenting with the “opposite” cassette for a long term experiment (like a week) on both the S9 and the Nevo? If not, it would be interesting to get your feedback on that?
Also, are the charging stations compatible between S9 and the Nevo? And I guess the S8 and the Nevo as the S8 and S9 can use the same charging station.
Thank you. Keep up the good work!
Hi Jeff,
You are very welcome.
I have, but not for a week. But it was more than enough to draw some clear conclusions, and it was immediately obvious that the cassette is what sets the two shavers apart in terms of performance. To be more precise, the Nevo with the 96M cassette shaved just like a Series 9 with the 96M cassette, while the S9 with the Nevo head shaved just like a Nevo shaver with a Nevo cassette.
The S9 and Nevo stations are not cross-compatible because the contact points are different; they are placed lower on the Nevo station, so the pins of a Series 9 shaver will not make proper contact. Likewise, the Nevo shaver has recessed contact plates and the contact pins on the Series 9 station don’t protrude far enough.
The Series 8 stations (84xx, 95xx and 86xx) are indeed compatible with the Series 9 (93xx, 94xx, 95xx, 96xx).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu, fantastic review as always! Spot on with every feature you mentioned. Few steps forward and a few backwards. A few missed opportunities to take things to next level. Overall a marginal improvement to 9 Pro+.
Quick question – I totally get the importance of marketing from Braun – but how on earth can a foil shaver shave 0.12mm below the skin level?
I can understand Philips’ i9000 Prestige Ultra claim it goes below skin level by lifting the hair, cutting it, and then letting the hair recede back below the skin level.
Surely, Braun had to prove the claim before putting it out there!?! Any ideas?
Hi Miki,
Thank you so much, I appreciate it.
With foil shavers, it’s sort of a similar effect but obtained in a different manner. But in both cases, the results can be (very) limited by a few key characteristics of the user’s skin and facial hair.
Philips relies on pulling the hair out a bit via their Lift&Cut blades, while a foil shaver would achieve a similar effect by applying pressure around the hair, making it stick out a bit more. Think of pressing that extractor tool (with a metal loop) around a blackhead to get it to pop out (not the most elegant analogy, so I am sorry for that in advance).
But with both rotary and foil shavers, if the user’s skin is thin, flaky (at a microscopic level), irritated, or there are very tiny bits of skin tissue clinging to the hair, that would cause trouble (the closeness won’t be the best, in addition to razor burn or maybe even tiny nicks). I have almost all of those, hence my constant issues with more aggressive shavers. It’s also why shaving cream works so well for a close shave in my case, helping loosen the skin around the hair shaft for a clean and comfortable cut.
In practice, a skin-level shave or ever so slightly below it can be achieved, but lots of variables would need to align.
Hope this makes sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you again for a very detailed yet clear review Ovidiu!
Would you recommend I upgrade from my Braun Series 9 9095cc (2015)? I still use it 1-2X a week, with the latest cassettes and cleaning station. It seems from your other posts comparing 9 pro/ + to older models and from this one, that once again the gain in performance comes from the cassette, with quite marginal gains (and sometimes regression) from the body (battery, LED, design), am I getting it right?
Hi Ollie,
Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it.
That is correct, the improvements are mostly due to the newer cassettes, with the 96M and Nevo probably offering the most noticeable performance gains. Your 9095cc is quite old, but I wouldn’t necessarily suggest buying a new shaver right now. If yours is still in good shape (battery life, no rattling or strong vibrations, etc), you could just upgrade the cassette. With a new shaver, you would notice a greater improvement, but mostly because the shaver is brand new, with zero wear.
When you do decide to buy a new shaver, be it a Series 9 (PRO/PRO+) or Nevo, you would need to buy a cc variation if you want a cleaning station, because your current one will not work with the newer generations of shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you Ovidiu! And yes duly noted for the cleaning station! I was also wondering on that topic, is there anything against once having an empty cartridge new format, filling it with the liquid of a cartridge old format? So that at least consumables do not go to waste
You are very welcome, Ollie.
You can absolutely use an empty new cartridge with the solution from your old stock, no problem at all.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Just a PSA and cautionary note – the NEVO on Braun’s official sites is currently unavailable, but if you type “Braun” into a search engine, at the top of the list it will take you to braunm.it.com. And you will find the NEVO for $66 USD. And the S9 Pro+ for $48 USD. And it looks exactly like a legitimate Braun site. This is NOT the Braun site, and will undoubtedly create havoc if you put any personal or financial information in it. Be safe out there.
Thank you for the heads-up, Allan. Right now it still shows up in the results list. I reported it as well, hopefully it will be taken down soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu,
I’ve recently upgraded from the Series 3 to Series 9 and you just reminded me that one thing I miss one the series 3 is the non-button release system. It was so simple. If I remember it right, I was able to take the cassette out with one hand which now I cannot do- wow I have to press 2 buttons (why 2?). Obviously I’m exaggerating a little and I don’t have a problem operating the Series 9 but maybe I’m not alone and it’s not just cost-cutting measure and it’s a good step back? But then I don’t have the experience with the Nevo…
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
Having used a Series 3 quite a bit, I can confirm that the Series 3 cassette is actually easier to remove than the Nevo cassette. Grippier, it comes out in a cleaner and smoother way, maybe because it was designed from the start to work that way. With the Nevo, they just removed a working mechanism and made a tweak (the rounded pins) so it would actually come out.
Personally, I would struggle a lot more to remove a Series 3 cassette with one hand vs doing the same with a Series 9. I can grab the Series 9 in my right (dominant) hand, squeeze the two sides of the head between my thumb and index finger, and the cassette would simply fall out.
The experience of removing and putting the cassette back on the Nevo is definitely a step back in comparison; at least that was my experience while using both shavers.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
As ever, Ovidu, your shaver reviews – here for Braun’s new Nevo – is thorough and authoritative, helping with reader buy decisions. Exemplary work!
I am happy enough with my three years old Braun Ser 8 with regular cassette replacement.
Here, I would merely share with others the marketing email I received from the official Braun UK importer that lists ‘normal’ or RRP prices of around £800 UK depending on model.
Yes there is a 50% off launch deduction late Summer 2026, so it begs the question is the Nevo range much over priced if they can sell at half price?
Buyers need to think very carefully about these substantial ‘normal’ prices unless dealers and the large online marketplace sites offer big discounts. £840 UK for the top unit, full price, is bewildering in my view.
Hi Simon,
Thank you so much for the comment, you are very kind.
What I can say with some confidence is that manufacturers are unlikely to sell a product at a loss. As a user/buyer, I don’t think I would pay the full retail price, especially with the current prices of older Series 9 PRO/PRO+ and knowing how they perform vs the Nevo. I think anyone considering the Nevo should be on the lookout for a deal or simply go for a Series 9 variation if they don’t want to wait.
I was lucky enough to grab mine at the promotional price (50% off), it would have been a very tough sell otherwise, even though I was really eager to try it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu
Thanks for your new review.
I bought during last years:
– panasonic 5 blades: the best for a closest shave but little bit aggressive
– philips 9000: good compromise between close shave and skin care
Bot of them are up and running: Philips is my daily razor, braun is my backup for holidays
I used braun in the past so now i am curious to test Nevo. Is it a good upgrade in your opinion?
In italy now we have a promotional launch for the first 200 customers with 400€ off discount. It means paying 389€ for the nevo silver without charging case (11000C) or 428€ (15125C) or 469€ (17010C) both graphite, bith with charging case.
Do yoi recommend me this buy?
Which one?
Or is better to wait buying Panasonic Arc6 when one of my 2 razors will dye?
Hi Giovanni,
Both the Nevo and the Arc 6 would be an upgrade from your Arc 5, but they excel at different things.
The Nevo is definitely gentler than a 5-blade Panasonic, so I think in that regard it will definitely be an improvement. If however you value a close shave above everything else and you shave daily, the Arc 6 will probably make more sense than the Nevo. A Japanese Arc 6 for example would cost less, and it comes with USB-C, which is ideal for holidays. The Arc 6 is more comfortable than your 5-blade Panasonic, although I would still say the Nevo is the smoothest out there right now. That, and its ability to catch stubborn/longer hairs for a seamless and enjoyable shave, are the main pros of the Nevo vs an Arc 6.
If you do decide to go with the Nevo, those are probably the best prices I’ve seen in Europe. The concept of the charging case is nice and it’s built very well, but it is large and heavy, so I’m not sure how many would be able to take advantage of it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the review. I’ve had a s9 for quite a few years now and one of the things I noticed with the clean and renew cartridges is that they don’t have a separate compartment for dirty fluid so in effect after the first or second time of using a new cartridge you’re cleaning the razor with dirty fluid. Braun haven’t changed that with the nevo so that’s no good. I’ll stick with the s9 but might get the refill solution which you say you use as that would make it cheaper to change cartridges more often, although I’ve just bought 8 new ones from braun. Thanks again.
Hi Rob,
Thanks so much for the comment, glad the review was useful.
Regarding the cartridge, it does have a fine mesh filter at the very bottom (pretty difficult to spot) that actually does a fine job of containing particles/stubble. That, plus the high alcohol content, means it’s the most effective at sanitizing the shaver out of all the different cleaning systems out there. Allan did a very thorough experiment (Panasonic vs Braun) which confirms this.
If your Series 9 is still in good shape, there’s really no reason to upgrade to the Nevo (you can just buy the Nevo cassette in the future). I would definitely try one of the third-party cleaning solutions as they are more economical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu! Wasn’t sure where to put this, but finally had the opportunity to obtain an MSDS on Philips’ cleaning solution for the QCP (Quick Clean Pod) and do a microanalysis on a 30 day-old solution to round out the cleaning station tests. The main active ingredient is phenoxyethanol (a phenol ether) which is a fairly effective bactericidal and bacteriostatic agent, effective against both gram positive and negative bacteria, as well as yeast (Candida spp). Other ingredients include water, surfactants, lubricants, fragrance and dye (no quaternary amines). Same equipment and process as with the Braun and Panasonic samples.
The results were very similar to the Braun solution – fragmented cellular debris and low-count isolated non-pathogenic cocci spp. No motility observed in any samples. The conclusion is that Philips’ solution is at least as effective as Braun’s at inactivating bacteria and vegetative microorganisms in their cleaning solution, based on visual lack of activity and growth after 30 days. The caveat is that there is no drying function in the Quick Clean Pods, so the razor head air-dries over several hours. This does permit longer contact with the cleaning solution (if not removed), so it is likely that the razor head is sanitized to the equivalent of the Braun heads at least. There is some sort of fixed filter in the base of the pod cartridges, so this likely contributes at least some to a reduction of debris in recirculated solution, similar to Braun’s system. No swab was accomplished on any of the heads for further evaluation however to validate absence of identifiable contaminants on the heads themselves.
My personal opinion is that any of these solution/station combos are effective at what they advertise – cleaning the razor heads. Sanitizing is more related to the effectiveness of the cleaning solution and the cleaning process itself. From microscopic inspection of the solutions post-use, I would rank order them in sanitizing effectiveness with Braun first, Philips second and Panasonic third. Again, this may not directly relate to number of viable organisms on the heads themselves, but is indicative. Actual living organisms were found only in the Panasonic solution, and after only 14 days versus 30 days for the others.
And as far as I could determine, Panasonic does not actually advertise sanitizing properties for their solution, nor does Philips, although both cleaning solutions contain antibacterial/antimicrobial components. So in summary it’s likely that these cleaning stations/solutions do what their manufacturers claim – clean the razor heads (remove shaving debris), with Braun’s additional claim of sanitizing the razor head validated. Panasonic and Philips make no such claim, although it is likely that some reduction of viable microorganisms on the razor heads occurs in the process of a complete cleaning cycle for both, with a more significant reduction likely in the Philips system.
Allan,
Thank you so much for the follow-up; now the trifecta is complete.
I must say that I am (pleasantly) surprised by the Philips cleaning solution; I have always viewed it as being identical to Panasonic in terms of any sanitizing type of action, essentially meaning none. These are super useful and very interesting results.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Your results for each of the cleaning systems are a fascinating read! Are you a microbiologist, perchance?
Thanks Ovidiu! As I said, I learned as much myself from the trials. I’ve always used a cleaning station with my electrics so equipped, and it adds so much to the convenience of an electric for me – just drop it in, no disassembling, scrubbing or lubricating needed. And they have all done an exceptional job at visibly cleaning the complex components of an electric razor head, scruffy Panasonic included. If the Pannys were less smelly after a couple of weeks, and less visually unappealing on the inside after use, I’d give them a full thumbs-up as well!
That makes sense, Allan. I wonder if it would be an easy fix for Panasonic to simply alter the composition of the concentrate packs, perhaps by adding a phenol ether (the Philips way), and mitigate one of the main issues with their cleaning system. For me it would still not be as practical as Braun or even Philips stations, as I very much prefer the convenience of a cartridge that I can easily remove and reseal. My use case is however a bit atypical.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
Panasonic actually advertises sanitzing properties for their cleaning solutions claiming 99 percent bacteria reduction on the head after the cleaning process backed up by internal studies. You can mostly find it on their japanese site but i also found it on the German one. It seems important that the study details always explicitly mention the whole process INCLUDING DRYING. So the drying part DOES seem to make a real difference and the actual shaver head might be somewhat sanitized after a couple of weeks even though Allan’s observation of the actual fluid itself cannot be denied.
Best Regards
Manuel
Hi Manuel,
That may very well be the case, and it would involve swab samples from the dry shaving head. What can be empirically observed is that the Panasonic solution is much more prone to developing mold. Same for the filter and the inside of the station. And the solution gets murky and crusty pretty quickly and definitely doesn’t look too reassuring. With the Philips solution, I have never had this happen, even after using the same solution for months.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Following up from Allan’s posts, do you know if the solution used in the Philips QuickClean Pod is identical in composition to that used in the legacy SmartClean cartridges (or even the older JetClean solution, for that matter)?
Given that Panasonic’s cleaning solution sounds very unappealing (albeit not unsanitary or unacceptably hazardous, based on Allan’s data), I’m wondering if a different non-alcohol solution (e.g. decanting the QuickPod fluid into the cleaning tank) might be better? Using anything alcohol-based is probably a non-starter, as it will evaporate relatively quickly from the semi-enclosed tank and might strip away the coating on the Panasonic shaver cassette assembly, depending on the materials used.
Hi Deepak,
It’s the same as far as I know. I’ve even used some of my old stock of JetClean in the pods and it worked great.
An alcohol-based solution in a Panasonic cleaner is definitely a no-go, but the Philips fluid could work just fine. I haven’t tried it myself though, so I can’t say anything with certainty.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu! Just to round out the study of the three cleaning systems, it would be remiss not to include Philips’ XA90-00 UV Power Charger Case for the Prestige Ultra (I think you mentioned it in the Prestige review). I’ve used one for a week, with some observations. The first is that it’s only compatible with the i9000 Prestige Ultra, so if you don’t own one of these, consider the following NA. The second is that it’s only available as a razor bundle from Philips and elsewhere, and on some Philips Asian sites – there are no replacements available on Philips’ USA site. As a standalone (eBay for example) it’s expensive – over $200 everywhere I looked (new). So there’s every indication to me that Philips may discontinue it at some point.
With the above said, using Philips’ QCP for debris removal and cleaning, followed by 10 minutes in the UV case, is the only method as far as I know to likely STERILIZE a razor head with any of the three sytems. If you are extremely fastidious, or are in some way immunocompromised, this may matter. This would be dependent on the wavelength of Philips’ light source (254-265 nm is ideal), and the contact surface (the 3 light sources are underneath the cap facing downward, reflected by mirrors), but there is no way I could find to measure the wavelength because the lights turn off when you open the case (a safety feature). The light absolutely reaches the exterior top surfaces of the combs however, although it is possibly reflected to the interior of the combs onto the cutters through slits in the combs as well. Because metal is opaque, the UV light sterilizes only what it reaches.
Considering all, it’s extremely likely that the surfaces of the combs in contact with your face in the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra following this procedure are in fact sterile (or near enough – endospores are resistant, and prions), something no other manufacturer can claim (and in fact Philips doesn’t – only that the razor head is “sanitized”). Again, this matters only if you own this razor, and if for some reason you wanted or needed a sterile razor head (vice sanitized). The case does charge the razor as well, although Philips’ claim of “6 weeks” use is slightly exaggerated. I found that with my normal 10 minute shave (using 10% of the charge), I got about a week of recharging with the case. If I shaved alternate days, I could extend that to 2 weeks. Cutting my shave to 5 minutes on alternate days, 4 weeks. Six weeks is a stretch. But still useful, and you can replace a charging stand with the case – it takes up about the same counter space as a stand and razor, and you can leave it plugged in (although the cord extends more than an inch from the back of the case so outlet location is a consideration). The other consideration is that the razor needs to be dry before placing in the case (enclosing a wet razor is a sure way to grow mold and mildew), but it does have a drain hole.
I thought it a unique enough accessory, and the opportunity to have a truly sterile razor head, that I should mention it as a standout among the 3 systems.
Hi Allan,
Awesome insights, thanks so much for sharing.
I think the UV case efficiency is also somewhat limited by the intricate structure of each shaving head, with the comb and rotary cutter potentially harboring some bacteria that the light won’t reach. But the exposed surfaces will definitely be sterilized.
Philips probably considers that a shave takes 3 minutes under ideal conditions when making those claims about the battery life, and for most of us, 3 minutes is just not realistic.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the honest review! So many times you see a review and you have to see what is actually is true and what exactly did the person have to say to get the free product. You were very honest on everything. Being someone that shaves and I’m a huge fan of the Braun Shavers, my first reaction was, let’s order the Nevo tonight! Braun always did a great job on their shavers from series to series. After seeing the price and going through your honest review, I’m proud to say, I just saved myself $650. Yes, great medal casing, but having the Newest Braun Series 9 pro+ shaver, what a waste of money!!! Thank you for your review and thank you for saving me the money!!!!
Hi Ely,
You are very kind, thank you for the comment. I’m glad you found the information useful.
If you have the latest iteration of the Series 9 PRO+, I also don’t see any compelling reason to buy the Nevo. You can of course upgrade the cassette when it’s time to replace it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
If we compare the Arc5 and the Nevo in terms of closeness, which one delivers a closer shave?
Hi Morgan,
Strictly regarding the closeness, I would still have to pick the Arc 5. If you shave often (it works best on short stubble), and want a very close shave, I would go with the Arc 5. It also costs significantly less, especially if you buy a model that’s on sale (ES-LV65, ES-LV67).
The Nevo has other specific pros (a lot more efficient at capturing difficult hairs, more comfortable and, to me, easier and more enjoyable to use), but if you’re in the above-mentioned situation, the Arc 5 would make more sense.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I ordered a Nevo before I read your review and I’m gutted to be honest.
Coming from a S9 Pro+ that developed a fault I just thought it would be a nice upgrade but it’s so bad. The head just keeps popping off if it hits any skin resistance. The head clips are not strong enough any more. Considering all of the other upgrades its a serious oversight. I got fooled by the incentivised reviews on the braun and boots.com websites too. Even discounted to ~£380 i still feel a bit ripped off so I am returning it and getting another S9 Pro+.
Braun have really disappointed me here considering how much I loved my S9 before it died (of heave usage, I got my moneys worth on that one!).
Thank you so much for the time you put into your reviews, they are very helpful.
Hi Robin,
Thank you so much for the comment, and I’m really sorry about your bad experience with the Nevo.
I have to say, however, that while the lack of a foil head release system is a downgrade, the head should NEVER, under any circumstances, pop off during normal use. So the fact that yours keeps doing that is, to me, a strong indication that you got a defective unit. I would definitely try to return the shaver and get a replacement or a refund.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello Ovidiu, I have a Braun Series 9 Pro 9615s shaver. It is good for my somewhat sensitive skin, but I am not satisfied with its shaving performance, especially regarding closeness. Could you recommend a shaver that provides a closer shave?
Hey,
Your 9615s is among the best for sensitive skin, and it normally strikes a great balance for comfort and closeness. Before buying a new shaver, I’d suggest trying a pre-shave. The best I’ve used so far for closeness is the Gatsby Pre-shave gel (green bottle). It’s usually shipped from South Korea, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s also very reasonably priced. You can find all the details and buying links in my pre-shaves guide.
A shaver that would cut hair even closer would be the Arc 6 (aka Lamdash Pro 6), especially the latest Japanese model with the updated foil. That one does however work best on short stubble, so you would need to use it very often and the large head isn’t nearly as manageable and easy to use as the one on your shaver.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I currently have the Braun 9615s; should I switch to the new head for a closer shave, or should I buy the Panasonic LV67 instead?
Hi Brian,
Having used both, I’d say that the 96M head (that came with your 9615s) shaves pretty much the same as the Nevo head in terms of closeness. The latter is noticeably gentler/smoother (in the way it glides), but I think you won’t be able to notice any significant closeness improvements. The 96M and Nevo cassettes are pretty much the same in that regard.
The LV67 can cut the hair closer to the skin, but I would only recommend switching if you shave often and you don’t get razor burn easily. The 9615s is in my experience more effective at catching longer/flat-lying hairs; that’s why it’s key to use the Panasonic on short stubble for a quick and effective shave.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi,
Do you know if the Nevo shaving head is reversible or does it need to be oriented the same way each time? I think reversing the cartridge may extend the life.
Hi Dave,
It’s definitely reversible and can be fitted both ways. There also won’t be any additional wear if you only fit it one way (unless you apply excessive, uneven pressure on one of the two outermost foils).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu ,
always appreciate your reviews especially Braun shavers which i use since youth. This one well when i first saw it selling online i was amazed by the prices getting to 900 euros depending the model . 2 days ago a shop near my home made a promotion in the Nevo and ended up buying the same one as you 17010C . Picked it up today so only charged it and the travel case.
I like the construction the feeling of the machine and yes like you and others don´t understand why the head is now pullable without the 2 buttons.
Don´t find that hard to do it but in the future we will see the durability because i also take the head off after each shave and run it by water before putting it in the cleaning station trying to let less hairs in the cleaning solution.
I will update you after some use .
Hi David,
Excellent, hope you got a good deal on your 17010C. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. Removing the head can get a bit annoying when your hands are wet or slippery, and putting it back on can sometimes be fiddly if it’s not perfectly centered.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu