Braun Series 9 PRO+ Review: Better Than The Pro?

The Series 9 has been Braun’s high-end line of shavers for more than 8 years.

During this time we’ve seen a few relatively minor updates, the most significant ones being a battery size bump and a tweaked foil head.

And while most of us thought the 2021 Series 9 Pro would be the last hoorah of the Series 9 before its demise, Braun quietly released the Series 9 PRO+ in 2023.

The S9 PRO+ is now the latest and greatest Braun electric razor and competes with the likes of the Panasonic Arc 5/Arc 6 and the Philips S9000 (Prestige).

I finally managed to buy a Series 9 PRO+ and I’ve been testing it thoroughly for a few weeks.

In this review, you’ll find out how good the new Braun Series 9 PRO+ is, how it compares to the previous Series 9 and Series 9 PRO, and whether it’s worth buying.

If you already own a Series 9 (Pro), you’ll also see if you should upgrade to the S9 PRO+ or hold on to your current shaver.

And finally, we’ll check out some alternatives from the competition that may be more suitable in some cases.

Let’s get started.

Braun S9 PRO+: a quick look

The Series 9 PRO+ first appeared a few months ago on ForMe, P&G’s (the parent company of Braun) online platform for testing unreleased products.

There are quite a few models in this new S9 PRO+ generation and the differences relate to accessories, colors, and of course price.

The performance is identical throughout the entire S9 PRO+ family.

My review unit is the Series 9 PRO+ 9565cc which comes with an automatic cleaning station and the basic travel case.

Other variations include a charging case (the same one that comes with the S9 Pro), a charging stand and a facial massage attachment (called ProComfort).

The availability of the Series 9 PRO+ shavers was scarce at the moment of writing this review and you had the best chance to cop one from Europe.

Fortunately, many models are now available worldwide.

In the USA, the Series 9 PRO+ was released on October 12 and several variations are available: 9567cc, 9599cc, 9597cc, 9577cc and so on.

The 9567cc for example is absolutely identical to my 9565cc except for the color of the shaver: silver for the 9567cc and a darker Precious Metal for the 9565cc.

This review will be relevant for any other S9 PRO+ variation since the shaving performance is the same for all models.

And speaking of models, here’s a table that quickly summarises the current variations.

** includes the above-mentioned ProComfort brush attachment.

Features overview

Let’s now take a swift look over the main features of the S9 PRO+ and the ones marketed as being new.

As you’ll see, there are a couple of things that could be misleading.

1. 4 shaving elements

The Series 9 PRO+ comes with the same shaving head (aka cassette) as the Series 9 Pro, the 94M, which has 4 active cutters.

So the Series 9 PRO+ is still a 4-blade shaver, just like all the previous Series 9 variations.

On the official product pages and even on the box (check out the picture below), the copy states that it features 5 ProShave Elements.

The elusive 5th element is in Braun’s view that simple metal bar (called SkinGuard) that sits next to one of the active cutters.

You can see it below:

That’s not an active cutter by anyone’s standards and should not be counted as one.

The Panasonic Arc 5 for example truly is a 5-blade foil shaver.

Moreover, Braun includes the hair trimmer as well for a total of 5+1.

We can probably all agree that a slide-out hair trimmer is separate from the shaving head unit and shouldn’t be counted alongside the other 4 cutters.

I wanted to explicitly mention the number of blades of the S9 PRO+ just to clear out any confusion — it has 4 active, independent cutters.

As such, there are two foil elements that cut the hair at skin level and two special trimmers for tackling longer, flat-lying hairs.

The flexing of the shaving head is the same basic but extremely effective front-to-back swivel, just like on the original Series 9.

Unlike Panasonic which makes a highly complex flexing head that’s just wobbly and not very useful, the S9 PRO+ head is a great example of simple and effective design.

The 4 cutters themselves also move independently and do so very smoothly and the range of motion is generous.

2. 40 000 cutting actions per minute

Braun keeps using this somewhat confusing metric to showcase the motor speed.

Precisely, the blades oscillate at a rate of 10 000 cycles per minute and they multiply that by the number of blades (4, not 5), resulting in 40 000 cutting actions.

The S9 PRO+ uses a motor with the exact same rating as the S9 Pro and the standard Series 9, so there’s no upgrade in that regard.

Side note: Subjectively, the Series 9 PRO+ and the Pro feel just slightly more powerful. Specs-wise they shouldn’t, so it just might be my impression or a more aggressive setting for the sensor.

3. Sonic and AutoSense Technology

This is another carryover from the previous Series 9 generations.

The tiny vibrations induced by the motor help capture the hairs more effectively and feed them into the cutters.

Braun calls this Sonic technology.

The Series 9 PRO+ also automatically regulates the power of the motor depending on the beard’s density and thickness (AutoSense) — again, just like the previous Series 9 variations did.

Braun’s AutoSense is in my opinion one of the less intrusive technologies of this type (I was never able to detect any variations in sound/performance), which is a good thing in my opinion.

4. Wet/dry, cordless-only use

All Braun Series 9 PRO+ models are fully waterproof and suitable for wet/dry use.

The rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides up to 60 minutes of cordless-only use.

None of the S9 PRO+ shavers will work with the cord plugged in.

5. New 6in1 SmartCare station

When I first saw the official pictures of the Braun S9 PRO+, I was immediately intrigued by the cleaning station which seemed to be different than the previous ones.

There was an obvious silver bevel at the top and it had SmartCare written on the front.

But moreover, it was now a 6-in-1 SmartCare center vs the previous 5-in-1, so it had to be different, right?

Well, no, actually.

It’s the same station, Type 5430, just like the one that came with the 93xx (standard) S9 and the 94xx S9 Pro.

It even works perfectly fine with those shavers  — I’ve tried it myself (more details in the cleaning section of the review).

The only differences are a couple of visual tweaks: the aforementioned silver bevel and a matte top part where the LED indicators are.

But on the inside the station is the same.

So why 6-in-1 instead of 5-in-1? There must be one extra thing that the S9 PRO+ station does and the previous one didn’t.

Well, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the S9 Pro and the S9 PRO+ box.

As you can see, for the S9 PRO+ there’s an extra Protects blade lifetime feature.

I think we can all agree that the 5-in1 station also did that and the new one is essentially the same.

6. New ProTrimmer

Finally, we have something that’s truly new on the Series 9 PRO Plus: a new slide-out hair trimmer.

Called a ProTrimmer, it now features a straight blade instead of the curved one we’ve seen on many Braun shavers (the old Series 5, the Series 8 and all the previous Series 9).

I think it’s a good move by Braun as the curved blade was ineffective and downright annoying to use.

In the performance section of the review I will get into more detail on how good the new S9 PRO+ trimmer is.

This pretty much sums up the main features of the Braun Series 9 PRO+.

As we’ve seen, most of them have been carried over from the Series 9 and Series 9 PRO, the only true novelty being the hair trimmer.

7. Warranty

The Series 9 PRO+ comes with a standard 2-year warranty.

However, if you register your shaver with P&G Consumer Relations you can benefit from an extended warranty.

This offer seems to be limited to only a handful of countries like the UK and Germany where registering your S9 PRO+ will get you an additional warranty of 3 years for a total of 5.

That is really impressive and if you can take advantage of it I think that alone is a major reason to get the Series 9 PRO+ over the Pro.

The 5-year warranty promotion only applies to the Series 9 PRO+ (in select countries).

The USA models unfortunately only benefit from the standard 2-year warranty.

Build quality and ergonomics

The new Series 9 PRO+ looks very similar to the previous Series 9 Pro.

Both weigh exactly the same (207g/7.3oz) and unsurprisingly feel exactly the same in hand.

Apart from a few visual tweaks and that new trimmer, the S9 PRO+ appears to be essentially the same.

That said, the build quality is adequate for a shaver in this price range.

It doesn’t look or feel as premium as a metal Arc 5 or the Philips 9000 Prestige.

My S9 PRO+ 9565cc comes in a matte Precious Metal finish which looks identical to the previous Graphite color option.

The S9 PRO+ body is made entirely out of plastic and even the silver and gold accents are plastic, even though they may look like metal.

The plastic does however feel of better quality compared to the old glossy Series 9 models and has a nice texture.

I think the black accents on the front work well with the overall aesthetics of the shaver.

As mentioned previously, the shaving head is unchanged and that’s a good thing in my opinion.

Braun really nailed the flexing with the Series 9 and it is in my opinion one of the better foil shavers out there for dealing with hair on the jawline.

And the head with the independently moving cutters has a lot to do with that.

Below the head, on the front part of the shaver there’s a textured thumb rest.

On the standard Series 9 the thumb rest used to double as a head locking switch:

But on the Series 9 Pro and PRO+, the switch was moved right below, probably in an attempt to eliminate any involuntary operation of the switch while shaving.

The head locking mechanism works very well on the Series 9 PRO+.

In the free position, the head swivels freely from front to back.

You can lock it in a fixed position by sliding the switch down.

This can come in handy when shaving the hair below the nose and only use the uppermost foil to get into the tight space right below the nostrils.

Even if you force the head when locked, the ratcheting mechanism will simply move it into another fixed position (there are five of them).

The ON/OFF switch is the familiar round Series 9 button; it’s very clicky and doesn’t have a lot of travel.

Long pressing it will activate the travel lock and show a small red padlock icon on the display.

To unlock it you must press and hold the power button again.

The display is the same one found on the 93xx standard Series 9 and on the 94xx Series 9 Pro.

It shows the battery level in 20% increments using 5 bars that will gradually turn off as you use the shaver.

On certain S9 PRO+ models like the 9565cc/9567cc the battery graphic will actually show a digit when there are approximately 9 minutes of battery life left (and go down as you use it).

The same graphic is used to show the foil head (cassette) status — basically when the shaver considers you should replace it with a new one.

Right after you turn off the shaver, the battery level indicator will switch to the foil head indicator.

There will be a small foil head icon at the left of the bar stack. Initially, there will be 5 bars which means a new head.

The bars will gradually disappear as you continue using the shaver.

Other info like cleaning reminder (a couple of droplets) will also be shown.

It’s not the most advanced or impressive display, the graphics are somewhat fuzzy and there’s quite a bit of backlight bleed.

But it does the job and it’s pretty straightforward once you get used to the rather unintuitive way of showing the foil head status and the 9-minute countdown for the battery.

Ergonomically, I think the S9 PRO+ is very good, just like any of the previous Series 9 variations.

It’s lightweight for a 4-blade shaver and the head size is manageable, so I don’t think anyone will need much time to get used to it.

The back and sides are covered in a super grippy rubber-like material and the razor feels extremely secure in hand.

Also on the back, there’s the new ProTrimmer and the two contact pins to connect the shaver to the cleaning & charging station.

The oval gold knob must be pressed down in order to slide out the trimmer.

On the bottom there’s the usual Braun two-prong charging port.

All Series 9 PRO+ models can be charged either directly with the cord or via the cleaning station.

Overall the wow factor of the S9 PRO+ is pretty much on the same level as it was before with the older Series 9 (Pro), so a bit underwhelming for a shaver in the same price range as a Panasonic Arc 6 or the new Philips S9000 Prestige.

That said, there’s also nothing inherently wrong with it and it gets the basics right which ultimately makes using it quite enjoyable and straightforward.

Included accessories

While this review will be relevant for any Braun Series 9 PRO+ (they all shave exactly the same), the accessories will vary.

Here’s what came with my 9565cc.

• Automatic cleaning & charging station
• 1 cleaning cartridge
• Cleaning brush
• Charger
• Hard textile travel case
• Shaver + station instructions

The accessories included with this model are pretty standard for a cc Series 9 variation.

As you can see, there’s no protective cover for the foil head (Braun never made one for the Series 9).

Other Series 9 PRO+ models can come with some extra goodies, like the charging case, charging stand and a special massage brush that fits in place of the foil head.

I managed to purchase the massage head separately (the part number is 94PS) and I will share more details in the performance section.

I already had a Braun PowerCase from my Series 9 Pro 9477cc so I tried it with the S9 PRO+.

As expected, it works perfectly and it’s a good accessory if you plan on taking the shaver with you when traveling.

But keep in mind that it’s very bulky and heavy and if you’re going for a model with the PowerCase (like for example the 9577cc), you won’t get the textile case.

Braun also doesn’t give you any oil lubricant with the Series 9 PRO+ regardless if it’s a cc or solo model.

But there are of course alternatives available (more on that in the cleaning and maintenance section).

Battery life and charging

Since the 93xx generation, all subsequent Series 9 flankers have been cordless-only, including the latest S9 PRO+.

While this may be a deal-breaker for some, the battery reliability of Braun shavers has been rock solid in my experience.

Moreover, the Series 9 PRO+ comes with a pretty hefty rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can provide up to 60 minutes of use on a single charge.

And in practice, that number is pretty much spot on.

The S9 PRO+ is one of the best high-end shavers in terms of battery life, right up there with the Philips S9000 Prestige.

A Panasonic Arc 5 or Arc 6 will only give you about 40 to 45 minutes worth of shaving time before you need to plug it in.

And speaking of it, the Series 9 PRO+ comes with the typical Braun charger we’ve had for years.

It has a universal voltage adapter, so you can use it anywhere in the world — you may need a basic plug adapter though.

The battery charges from 0 to 100% in about 50 minutes which is quite good.

Again, a Series 9 PRO+ (cc or solo) can be charged either directly with the cord or when placed inside the SmartClean center.

The 5-minute quick charge function is present here as well, allowing you to get just enough power for a quick shave when the battery is completely depleted.

Braun S9 PRO+ shaving performance

Whenever Braun launches a new shaver, especially one that is supposed to be the best one yet, there’s a lot of interest from potential buyers.

And current Series 9 and Series 9 Pro owners may also wonder if it’s a worthy upgrade.

I admit I was just as curious before finally being able to buy and use one.

I’ve been testing my Series 9 PRO+ for a few weeks, trying to shave in a variety of scenarios so I can get a good idea of the shaver’s strengths and weaknesses.

I own all of the previous Series 9 variations as well, so I was able to compare them directly with the S9 PRO+ — I even used three different shavers in the same session just so I could notice even the subtle differences.

So let’s see how good the new Braun S9 PRO+ is in the real world.

As usual, I will break down the performance section into several chunks, starting of course with the closeness.

Closeness of the shave

The Braun shavers in the Series 9 range always have shaved close enough but were never class-leading.

With the introduction of the Series 9 Pro (which felt slightly more powerful and had a new bitier cassette), there was a slight improvement.

But it was still no Arc 5 which is in my opinion the closest shaving razor without any major compromises.

The latest Series 9 PRO+ shaves just as close as the Series 9 Pro, which is again excellent but not the very best out there.

It’s difficult to quantify closeness, so it’s more of a subjective feel.

I usually gauge it by looking at three things:

• How smooth the skin feels when I run my hand over the face
• How it looks when viewed up close
• How fast does the 5 o’clock shadow show up

It’s not the most scientific and accurate way of evaluating closeness but it should still be good enough.

The Series 9 PRO+ shaved really close on my cheeks and neck and even on the jawline.

It was very effective and with minimal effort, I got a perfectly smooth shave.

On my chin however and below the nose where my beard is particularly thick and coarse, the closeness could have been a bit better.

I could feel and even see some stubble if I really tried to.

It was still great for my personal standards, but not quite as good as what I would get from an Arc 5 or Arc 6.

The result was perfectly in line with what I expected, knowing that the S9 PRO+ comes with the same motor and shaving head as the S9 Pro.

The closeness is overall very good in my opinion, but it’s not the standout feature of this razor.

Comfort

The comfort on the other hand was just superb.

I know I said in the past that the new 94M cassette that debuted on the Pro models is a bit more aggressive than the previous 92 heads, but it’s a very subtle difference.

I think it’ll be perfectly suitable even for men with very sensitive skin.

There’s a very low risk of getting irritation and razor bumps. I know this because I get them with other shavers, especially on my neck and chin.

I didn’t have any such issues while I shaved with the S9 PRO+.

This is again unsurprising considering the similarities with the previous S9 versions which were stellar in terms of comfort.

The four cutters have a lot of give and are very forgiving even if you press too much.

The Series 9 PRO+ always feels adequately powerful and it’s one of the more enjoyable, easy-to-use shavers out there.

I only had one minor issue which isn’t specific to the PRO+, but to the Series 9 in general.

When shaving longer stubble (3 days+) and you move the head too quickly or lift it before stopping, it can occasionally snag some hairs, especially the ones on the chin or neck.

And that can hurt. Luckily this doesn’t happen unless I’m sloppy. I think it’s the gold ProLift cutter with its very wide slots that can pull the hair.

Overall the Braun Series 9 PRO+ is a very gentle, comfortable and forgiving shaver, perfectly suitable for sensitive skin.

I recommend using the razor with a good pre-shave lotion when you shave dry.

It just makes it a bit better in every aspect, from closeness to comfort and also the time it takes to complete the shave.

My personal favorite is the Speick Pre-shave lotion, it pairs perfectly with all Series 9 variations.

Shaving longer/difficult stubble

Braun markets the new S9 PRO+ as being capable of shaving up to 7 days of beard growth (just like the previous Pro).

And while I don’t think all users will be able to get a great shave with a 7-day beard, it is doable.

But a more reasonable length will pose no problem for this shaver.

It is one of the more capable electric razors for shaving longer, flat-lying hairs or even hairs that grow in different directions.

Seen the price on Amazon

I tried it on a 4-day beard (I think that’s the most it can effortlessly handle in my case) and it was very effective and comfortable.

The hair on my neck stays completely flat on the skin and I also have a few areas with swirls of hair which are always tricky to shave.

I got a smooth shave without much effort and I know from past experience that most other foil razors would have struggled.

I think the S9 PRO+ would be a great option for men who shave less often or don’t have a very regular schedule.

Then again, the S9 Pro or even the standard S9 will also be very effective in this situation.

Any improvements in the way this series handles difficult hair would have been incremental.

In this regard, I can safely say that the S9 PRO+ really is class-leading.

Shaving the head

Any electric shaver can be used as a head shaver provided the hair is short.

Men who shave their head often use the same tool on the face and it’s just more practical to have a single device to handle everything.

And while I don’t shave my head, I do cut my hair myself (new skill developed during lockdown) and use a foil shaver for a bald skin fade on the sides and back of my head.

The Series 9 Pro was one of the best I’ve used in this manner and so is the S9 PRO+.

It’s impressively effective, fast and conforms so well to the bony parts of my skull and the shave is very close.

The comfort is the best I ever got from a shaver, especially on the back of my head where I would often get serious irritation and even bumps.

I didn’t get any with the S9 PRO+ and I can 100% recommend it as a head shaver should you need one.

I’ve only used it dry on my head, but I am sure it’ll work just as well with shaving cream or gel.

Wet shaving

Regardless of the model you end up buying, the Series 9 PRO+ will be suitable for wet/dry use.

So shaving cream, gel or even shaving in the shower are all available to try.

I’m not a fan of the latter, so I only wet shaved with my S9 PRO+ 9565cc using shaving cream.

I’ve constantly said that for most users, shaving dry with a Braun razor will probably be the best compromise in terms of closeness, comfort, (minimal) prep work and cleaning.

And I still think that’ll be the case with the Series 9 PRO+.

But I’m not saying wet shaving with it is bad — on the contrary.

It’s an extremely enjoyable experience, the comfort is just sublime and the closeness even a bit better, especially on the neck in my case.

But it does take longer and you need to thoroughly clean your shaver afterward.

I recommend using a very thin, slick, and watery layer of lather when shaving, not the fluffy foam from a pressurized can.

For more details, you can also check out my guide on wet shaving with an electric razor.

The new hair trimmer

As mentioned at the beginning, one of the very few true novelties of the Series 9 PRO+ compared to the Series 9 is a new hair trimmer.

Called a Precision ProTrimmer, Braun says it is enhanced with surgical-grade stainless steel.

The previous iteration of this slide-out trimmer, found on all the Series 9 variations, including the Pro, was underwhelming, to say the least.

It had a curved blade, it was cumbersome to hold at the right angle and wasn’t very effective at catching the hairs.

The new trimmer on this latest Series 9 PRO+ is an improvement over the old one — it is a bit easier to use and more effective, mainly because it is now straight instead of curved.

But this ProTrimmer is essentially the same, it’s not a significant upgrade.

It’s still not very practical since it’s so close to the shaver’s body.

And you can’t really hold it at an optimal angle relative to the skin because the head will get in the way.

It will work reasonably well for trimming the occasional stray hairs or tweaking the sideburns/moustache.

However, it’s still not as close-shaving, effective, practical or capable as a Panasonic integrated trimmer, the best by far in my opinion.

The ProComfort massage head

Among the usual accessories shipped with the new Series 9 PRO+, there was a novelty as well.

A so-called ProComfort massage brush that was supposed to lift and prime the hairs, allowing you to get a closer and more comfortable shave.

And I must admit I simply thought of it as a mere gimmick. But I was still pretty intrigued, especially after some users told me that it actually works.

Luckily, I managed to buy one soon after and I was able to try it.

The part number is Braun 94PS and at least for now it only seems to be available separately in Europe.

This accessory is essentially a soft silicone brush with short bristles bolted on a cassette frame.

It comes with a handy travel case and the case cover doubles as a drying stand for the massage attachment.

Using it is dead simple — you just remove the foil cassette of your Series 9/9 Pro/9 PRO+ and snap the massage attachment in its place.

Important: you need to press both foil release buttons on the sides of the shaving head, otherwise the brush won’t fit.

Once the massage brush is securely in place, slide the head locking switch down in the locked position, turn the shaver on and start massaging the skin on your face and neck, focusing on going against the hair grain.

The bristles are soft and very comfortable on the skin even though there’s some resistance and don’t just glide on the skin.

The vibrations induced by the motor feel nice and the whole experience is quite enjoyable.

I usually massage the parts that are tricky to shave, like the neck, chin and moustache area.

I do this for less than two minutes, then I apply the pre-shave lotion and start to shave.

So does the Braun massage brush actually work?

Well, to my surprise, it does. And it’s actually very good.

Whenever I used it, my shave was just better. The hairs were cut with less effort and in fewer passes and I would say that the closeness was better as well.

And it makes perfect sense when you think about what this massage brush actually does.

It loosens the hair inside the follicle and makes it stand clear of any tiny skin tissue that clings to it.

This allows the shaver to cut it really close to the skin and minimizes the risk of nicks.

I think the brush will be particularly beneficial if you have flat-lying hairs. But even if you don’t you’ll still see an improvement.

I did not expect the brush to be that effective but it is and I actually think it’s worth getting.

The availability of the separate attachment is limited, so you might want to purchase a model that comes bundled with it, like the Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9597cc.

Noise

The Braun Series 9 (regardless of version or generation) is in my opinion among the quieter foil shavers out there.

It’s better in that regard than other Braun series or other foil shavers from Panasonic.

But it is still loud compared to a rotary Philips for example.

If you’re very sensitive to constant buzzing noise close to your ears, you will probably still be bothered by it.

Noise is subjective and I’m very used to it having used electric shavers for more than 20 years, so my impression may not be the most relevant.

Cleaning and maintenance

With the S9 PRO+, you have the option of cleaning it manually or automatically (if it came with a cleaning station or you have one from a previous 93xx Series 9 or 94xx Series 9 Pro).

I’ll first go over the manual cleaning routine and then check out the new SmartClean station of the Series 9 PRO+.

Manual cleaning

Foil electric razors are generally easy to clean provided they’re waterproof.

And all versions of this series are.

Being able to just rinse the shaver clean with warm water is a huge time saver and makes cleaning a breeze.

And even if current Braun shavers use these cassettes with the blades integrated into a single piece, they’re still fairly easy to clean manually.

The S9 PRO+ is in that regard identical to every Series 9 variation before it.

If you opt for a solo model or simply don’t want to use the station after every shave (which is what I personally do), then you’ll need to clean your S9 PRO+ manually.

This is how I usually do it.

Once I finish my (dry) shave, I turn the razor off, remove the foil head and very lightly tap out the bulk of hairs trapped inside.

Always tap just the plastic frame, never the foils as they will get damaged.

The Series 9 PRO+ does a fine job of capturing most of the clipped hairs, so very few end up on my forearm and t-shirt.

After that, I put the cassette back on, turn the razor on and rinse the head with warm tap water for about 10 seconds.

Every once in a while, I like to also add a few drops of liquid hand soap on the outside of the foil (with the shaver still turned on).

I let it run for another 10 to 15 seconds, using my finger to distribute the soap evenly and coat all the cutters.

I then proceed to rinse the shaving head again with water.

I turn off the razor, remove the cassette and give it one good final rinse.

I shake off the water and pat everything with a clean towel.

I always leave the shaver air dry with the head removed until the next morning.

If you put the head back on while is still damp, the water will take a lot longer to evaporate and the head can get a funky odor in time.

The soap part of the manual cleaning is optional but I think it’s highly beneficial in the long run, especially if you don’t have or don’t use the cleaning station.

I would however highly recommend it after every shave if you use shaving cream. Lather from shaving cream/gel is notoriously difficult to remove with water alone.

Faint traces inside the cassette will build up over time and will be difficult to remove later on.

Automatic cleaning

If I had to describe the new 6-in-1 SmartClean station, I’d say it’s the same but (a bit) different.

But at the core is the same — it even has the exact Type (5430) as the stations shipped with the previous 93xx Series 9 and 94xx Series 9 Pro.

However, the cleaner that comes with the Series 9 PRO+ has a couple of visual tweaks.

The most obvious is the silver bevel at the top which does make it look nicer.

The slanted top part of the station is now matte, while with 93xx and 94xx stations it used to be glossy.

Glossy black plastic shows scuffs, hairline scratches, and dust a lot easier, so I think it’s a good move.

The LED lights for low fluid and the three droplets for the cleaning program are also now more visible in the off state.

But overall, these are minor changes.

The station is essentially the same as before, with 3 cleaning modes and active drying.

My 9565cc S9 PRO+ came with this new cleaning station and a cleaning cartridge.

Setting up the station is very straightforward.

First, you need to connect the cord to the port on the side of the station and plug it into an outlet.

You then pop open the station by pressing the large oval button at the back.

The cleaning cartridge has a seal that you must remove before putting it inside the station.

Tip: Make sure you hold the cartridge firmly pressed onto a hard surface while removing the seal — otherwise the cartridge might just tip over or spill when the cover finally comes out.

Store the cover somewhere safe (you will need it later on) and then slide the cartridge into the station from the back until it clicks securely in place.

Close the station and you’re all set.

Before placing the shaver into the cleaning station, make sure the head locking switch is in the free position — otherwise the shaver may not sit properly.

As soon as the shaver is in the correct position, you will hear a beep confirming that it’s now connected to the station and it will begin charging immediately.

The station will also evaluate the hygiene status of the shaver and automatically select a cleaning program: short, standard or intensive.

It will show the selected mode via the droplet symbols: one for short, two for normal and three for intensive.

If the shaver is considered clean, then no droplet will be shown.

Side note: if no cleaning mode is shown (meaning the shaver is clean), the short program will always be selected if you still decide to run it.

As I mentioned at the beginning, the station can’t really determine how clean the shaver is.

It will only take into account if it was turned on (and for how long) since the last automatic cleaning.

Even if it’s squeaky clean (from a manual cleaning with water and soap), it might still select an intensive cleaning if you haven’t used the station in a while.

And speaking of the intensive mode, the station tends to prefer that one for most of the time.

Mine would almost always select it, sometimes even after a single short dry shave.

That said, the differences between the three modes are not that significant.

For example, the short cleaning program lasts a little over one minute, the standard mode one minute and 40 seconds, while the intensive one little over two minutes.

So there won’t be major differences between the effectiveness of the cleaning or how much cleaning fluid is being saved.

But getting back to the actual cleaning, once you press the station’s button, it will start the routine.

In the cleaning phase, the shaver will be turned on and off, while the station will pump cleaning fluid from the cartridge into the cleaning chamber, flushing it through the shaving head.

This will go on for 1 to 2 minutes (depending on the selected program).

After that, the drying phase will begin.

The Series 9 station uses a fan that blows air through a tiny slot at the front of the cleaning chamber.

Other stations use inductive heating and a fan (like Panasonic) which is more effective than only one or the other.

During the drying phase, the S9 PRO+ shaver won’t charge — the charging will only resume once the drying is done.

And speaking of that, it takes around 40 minutes after which the fan will be turned off. You can also do it sooner by pressing the station’s button once.

The shaving head is definitely dryer compared to how it was at the beginning of the drying cycle (dripping wet), but it’s not bone dry.

The foils and especially the inside of the cassette will still be a bit damp, so I usually take it out of the station, remove the cassette, and let it dry for another hour — that should be more than enough.

The Braun cleaning fluid has a high alcohol concentration, so it will dry quickly.

That’s also the reason why I recommend removing the cartridge from the station and putting the cover back on (make sure you don’t misplace it).

This will help a lot with saving cleaning fluid and you won’t have to replace the cartridge as often.

How often then? Well, it highly depends on how often you use the station.

If you alternate between manual and automatic cleaning, you should be able to use the same cartridge for a few months.

You can also buy a few third-party cleaning solutions that work well and cost less.

I find the Series 9 (PRO+) station quite useful and practical and I usually go for the cc models since they don’t cost a lot more.

The shaving head is always perfectly clean and sanitized.

Also, the third-party solutions are very reasonably priced and some users even make their own.

But station or no station — that’s entirely up to you. Some users just don’t want to mess around with cleaning stations and refills.

Also, you can just buy the station later on (Type 5430) if you change your mind, it should work perfectly with a solo Series 9 PRO+ (like the 9527s for example).

An older station from a Series 9 93xx or 94xx will also work.

I generally use the station once or twice a week and just clean the shaver manually as described above in the meantime.

It’s a good compromise that will keep the shaver clean and save cleaning fluid.

Lubrication

If you use a cleaning station regularly, you don’t need to lubricate your Series 9 PRO+ in addition to that.

The cleaning fluid also acts as a lubricant and it’s quite effective.

If you only clean the shaver manually it’s recommended to lubricate the cutters yourself.

Once or twice a week should be enough in most cases.

You can use either a light mineral oil (like clipper oil) or a spray lubricant for electric shavers.

There’s the Andis CoolCare Plus which is very effective and conveniently priced for its size or even Braun’s very own cleaning spray.

I will however recommend lubricating the blades after every cleaning that involves soap (with either a spray lubricant or oil).

Soap will remove any traces of oil/lubricant, so it’s important to do it after every such cleaning.

Just make sure the blades are dry before applying the oil or spray.

If you choose the spray, I would let the product evaporate completely before shaving.

Replacement parts availability

The 2023 Braun Series 9 PRO+ comes with the 94M cassette that debuted on the previous Series 9 Pro.

It is now readily available and you should be able to source it easily no matter where you live.

Braun 94M Replacement Head

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Tip: The previous 92M/92s/92b cassettes that come on the standard Series 9 will also fit the Series 9 PRO+.

The differences compared to the 94M are rather subtle, so the 92 cassettes are a viable alternative if for example you can get one for less money.

In the past, the 94M used to cost a lot more than the 92 series heads, but nowadays the prices tend to be similar.

According to Braun, you should replace the foil head (cassette) of your Series 9 PRO+ every 18 months.

In practice, you would replace it when the shaver won’t give you a decent shave anymore (in terms of comfort, closeness and effectiveness — how long it takes to complete your shave).

For that reason, relying entirely on the foil replacement notification is probably not the best approach.

You should always decide when to replace the cassette based on how well it shaves.

That said, you may need to do it sooner (or later) than the recommended 18 months.

A lot of variables will come into play and determine how fast the blades will wear out.

The frequency of shaving, the coarseness of your beard, and regular cleaning and lubrication will have a major impact.

You can reset the foil head replacement notification on your Braun S9 PRO+ by pressing and holding the power button for (at least) 8 seconds.

Or it will reset automatically after a few shaves.

Again, the razor can’t truly assess the state of the cassette; it’s a time-based counter that makes an assumption based on how long it was used since the last reset.

In that regard, it is similar to the hygiene status.

Braun Series 9 PRO+ vs Series 9 Pro vs Series 9

If you are planning to buy the Series 9 PRO+ or you’re wondering how it stacks up against the previous Series 9 versions, here is exactly what you need to know.

Closeness

The Braun Series 9 PRO+ shaves just as close as the Series 9 Pro, no differences whatsoever.

The standard Series 9 is maybe just slightly behind, but the differences are marginal.

Please note that my S9 Pro was only used a couple of times before this and I put a brand new 92M cassette on my standard Series 9.

So the comparison was fair.

If you were to get the S9 PRO+ as an upgrade for a 6-month-old (or more) S9 or S9 Pro, it would be better, but mainly thanks to its sharp, new blades.

Comfort

No surprises here either — all three are extremely similar, with maybe a slight advantage for the regular (non-PRO) Series 9.

The Pro and PRO+ are a bit grabbier, which makes the standard S9 seem slightly gentler.

But all of them are among the most comfortable shavers out there.

I would also say they’re just as capable for shaving longer stubble and will work great for someone who shaves twice a week or even less.

The PRO 94M cassette is marketed by Braun as being better with longer hair but to me, all of them seem just as good.

Features

The Series 9 PRO+ only brings three actual changes compared to the Series 9 Pro: the new hair trimmer, a few visual tweaks and the cleaning station with the silver bevel and matte top surface.

That’s really it — everything else is carried over from the Pro.

The older standard Series 9 is itself very similar in terms of features, the main difference being the head locking switch that also doubles as a thumb rest.

On the Pro and PRO+ there’s a separate switch below the thumb rest.

Price and value for money

As with any newly launched shaver, the PRO+ costs more than other Series 9 models.

And since we saw that performance-wise and feature-wise it is very similar, the standard S9 and S9 Pro offer better value for money.

Availability

Right now the Braun Series 9 PRO+ is available in several variations (with various accessories) in several countries (from Europe in particular).

However, many of them are out of stock, at least for now.

In the USA the Series 9 PRO+ will be available as of October 12.

More versions will become available later on and in more countries as well, but right now it is a lot easier to buy the standard Series 9 or the Series 9 Pro.

Key takeaway

If you already own a Series 9 (Pro) and it works well, I don’t think you should upgrade.

If you’re looking to buy a shaver, the standard Series 9 or Series 9 Pro will generally cost less, so those would be my personal picks.

I think price should be a decisive factor.

The Series 9 PRO+ is now the latest and I guess we can say it’s the best, although the improvements are minor.

If you don’t mind paying more, it’s an excellent shaver, just like the previous ones.

Wrapup: Should you buy the Braun Series 9 PRO+?

The overall performance of the Braun Series 9 PRO+ is excellent, with close and comfortable shaves no matter the stubble length.

Braun Series 9 PRO+

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It’s a very powerful, smooth, capable shaver and a safe bet for pretty much anyone.

The S9 PRO+ will be a perfectly suitable choice for men with sensitive skin and can handle very coarse hair as well.

I think a beginner and a seasoned user alike will enjoy shaving with it.

However, the exact same things can be said about the Series 9 Pro. And that one is already widely available and the price is lower.

Braun Series 9 Pro

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Moreover, even the standard Series 9 which usually costs even less than the Pro is almost identical performance-wise and is compatible with the so-called 94M PRO head.

So unless you just want the latest version, the older Series 9 and Series 9 Pro are probably a better buy, at least right now.

Further reading: For all the details and differences, you can check out my Series 9 comparison guide.

The Braun S9 PRO+ is a really good shaver, but I would rather save some money and get the S9 Pro which will give me the same shave.

Let’s now check out a couple of non-Braun options.

Alternatives

The Panasonic Arc 6 would be a worthy alternative to the Braun Series 9 PRO+ if you’re mainly interested in a close shave and you usually shave often.

These ifs are very important as the Arc 6 will perform optimally on short hair that grows relatively straight.

It’s a great shaver that impresses through its power and the closeness of the shave.

The Arc 6 is also very comfortable for a Panasonic.

The problem with the Arc 6 is still that it costs a lot, even more than a similarly specced S9 PRO+.

For example, a solo Arc 6 like the ES-LS8A (no cleaning station) costs about as much as a Series 9 PRO+ with a cleaning station.

A more budget-friendly alternative would be a Panasonic Arc 5 (aka Series 900) which is very similar to the 6-blade Arc 6 but usually costs a lot less.

The newer Arc 5 models are very similar to the Arc 6, so if that one was a good match for you but out of your budget, definitely consider the Arc 5.

An older Arc 5 model (and no cleaning station) like the ES-LV65 or ES-LV67 can even be bought for a fraction of the Arc 6 price.

Just keep in mind that the older Arc 5 razors aren’t as comfortable as the Arc 6 or the newer Arc 5 (like the ES-LV9Q or Series 900).

But unless you have sensitive skin, those should still be fine — and again they work best on short stubble.

The hair trimmers on the Arc 5 and Arc 6 are also much better than even this new S9 PRO+ ProTrimmer.

That pretty much sums up the new Braun S9 PRO+.

If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your experience using Braun’s new flagship shaver, make sure to leave a comment below.