An electric razor is arguably the best option for shaving on the go: it’s practical, portable, and easy to use.
Also, many of the so-called travel shavers are quite affordable, especially when compared to full-fledged electric shavers.
However, they also present some specific limitations, so when choosing the right travel shaver, you should consider a few key aspects.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes a good travel electric razor and what are the pros and cons of using one.
As someone who enjoys traveling and shaving with electric razors, I’ve owned many of the popular travel-friendly models.
And some are really good, while others are simply not worth buying.
As such, I’ll also be sharing my top picks for 2026 and hopefully help you choose the best travel shaver for your needs and budget.
If you want to jump straight to my list, here it is:
What to look for in a travel-friendly electric shaver
There are a few hallmarks of a quality travel razor.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for when buying one.
Decent shaving performance
As with any electric razor, how well a travel model shaves should be among the decisive buying factors.
And while I do think the expectations should be realistic — these are compact, basic razors — you should still be able to get a decent shave.
The less advanced and less powerful a shaver is, the more it will struggle with shaving longer, flat-lying hairs for example.
Therefore, a travel shaver must be used more often because short stubble will be more manageable, and even a single-foil shaver can get the job done.
A good travel electric razor should still be able to provide a reasonably close and comfortable shave.
Travel lock and protective foil cover
This one is pretty self-explanatory and of great importance in my opinion.
An electric razor suitable for on-the-go grooming must be fitted with a locking mechanism so it won’t turn on by accident in your luggage.
Also, the shaving head, particularly in the case of foil shavers, is very sensitive to mechanical shocks, so a protective cap is a must when traveling.
Many of the travel shavers I picked have ingenious ways of tackling both aspects.
For example, a protective cap that also covers the power button so it can’t be accidentally switched on.
Replaceable batteries or USB charging
I think replaceable batteries are a decent solution when it comes to travel razors.
These batteries are inexpensive and readily available anywhere in the world.
Moreover, this eliminates the need for a dedicated charger. So that’s one less item to forget at home or in the hotel room.
With that said, a travel shaver fitted with a USB-C port would be even better, as you can simply use your phone charger.
If your shaver has a proprietary port, there are third-party USB cables available for Panasonic, Braun and Philips (more on this later on).
Such a cable is the next best thing, as you can leave the charger at home and only bring a cable instead.
Compact size
Portability is one of the main reasons to buy a travel razor, so look for one that is compact in size and lightweight.
It shouldn’t take up too much space, especially if you’ll only be carrying cabin luggage.
Integrated hair trimmer
With this one, we’re stepping into the nice-to-have features territory.
And that’s because hair trimmers are rather uncommon and difficult to implement on a travel shaver.
I think a hair trimmer is very useful and for me it’s a must-have.
Whenever I travel for more than 3 to 4 days, I always bring along a travel shaver that’s fitted with one.
My sideburns tend to grow very fast and a hair trimmer is perfect for some quick grooming.
Affordable and readily available replacement blades
Ideally, the replacement parts for a travel electric razor should be easy to source and inexpensive.
And in the past, not being able to buy them would’ve been a deal breaker for me.
However, as I’ve used various portable shavers throughout the years, I also somewhat reconsidered my stance on this.
And that’s because a travel shaver will be used sparingly while I’m traveling, so it won’t get nearly as much use as my main, regular shaver.
As such, the foil and blades will normally last for years before needing to be replaced.
And if I’m able to use a travel shaver for years for what would be a cost of $5 to $10 per year, that’s a win in my opinion.
Generally, replacement foils and blades for travel electric razors aren’t as easy to source as in the case of full-size shavers.
And in some cases, you’d be better off buying a new travel shaver, especially if the price won’t be that much higher.
Takeaway
These would be in my opinion the main things to keep in mind when choosing an electric shaver for traveling.
However, there’s not a single one that checks all the boxes and no matter which one you’ll end up buying, you will be making a compromise.
So it comes down to picking the one that makes the most sense for you and your budget.
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the more compelling men’s travel shavers you can buy in 2026.
Top 8 best travel electric razors (2026)
1. Panasonic ES-CM3A
Also available at Walmart, Panasonic.com
This compact 3-blade shaver from Panasonic is the latest addition to my list, and it went straight to the #1 spot.
Considering its performance, size, availability, features and even price, I think the Panasonic ES-CM3A is the best travel shaver for most users.
The first time I saw and handled it, I was immediately surprised by how compact and lightweight it is, weighing only 111g.
Yet Panasonic still managed to squeeze in a rechargeable Li-ion battery that will provide 60 minutes of cordless operation.
And yes, it has a USB-C port as well, which is super convenient when traveling.
Moreover, the ES-CM3A is fitted with a very punchy and reliable 13 000 CPM (cycles per minute) motor taken straight from the full-size Panasonic Arc 3 (Series 700) series.
The 3-blade shaving system also uses the exact same foils and blades as the Arc 3.
As a result, the shaving performance of the ES-CM3A is top-notch.
The closeness is impressive and so is the comfort.
You would still need to use it more often (daily or every two days at most) for the best results as Panasonic shavers generally don’t excel when dealing with longer stubble.
The build quality is excellent and there are a few things you normally only see on expensive full-size shavers.
For example, the foil head is fitted with two release tabs, making it a breeze to remove when you need to clean it.
And the shaver is IPX7 waterproof, so you can easily rinse it clean or shave with your favorite shaving cream/gel.
The protective cap covers the power slider as well, so it will never turn on accidentally.
And speaking of it, the swipe right (or left) strip is fun to use and effective.
Instead of pressing a typical power button, you need to swipe continuously from one end to the other on the touch-sensitive strip.
The ES-CM3A is significantly more powerful than any other electric shaver of this size.
It’s among the tiniest out there but without compromising the performance.
Here it is next to the single-foil, AA battery-powered Panasonic ES-RS10:
Shaving with the ES-CM3A is enjoyable and effective and because it’s so thin and lightweight, the ergonomics are great.
As for the cons, well, there’s no hair trimmer, which I guess will not matter to most users.
I’ve been using it on short trips and it’s been great so far.
Finally, there’s the price.
I think it’s well worth it considering the performance and features you’re getting, but the ES-CM3A does cost more than the typical AA battery-powered travel shaver.
2. Panasonic Arc 5 Palm (ES-PV3A)
The Arc 5 Palm-sized is the bigger brother of the ES-CM3A at number 1.
It has two extra cutters for a total of five, and it’s powered by Panasonic’s 14 000 CPM unit, arguably the best motor in the industry.
And as the Arc 5 in its name might suggest, the performance is outstanding.
It is objectively the best (performance-wise) travel shaver you can buy in 2026.
The Arc 5 Palm shaves closer and faster than the ES-CM3A at number 1.
However, it only got second place because of its price.
It costs three times more than the ES-CM3A, and I don’t think it’s three times better.
Yes, it’s more powerful and can cut the hair even closer, but most users will get satisfactory results with a bit more effort using the ES-CM3A.
Moreover, the replacement foil and blades for the Palm cost a lot more as well (you do have a lot of options, as you can read in my Arc 5 foils guide).
If you’re fine with paying more for some extra performance, I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with this shaver.
It will be worth it if you want a very close shave or if you have coarse, dense facial hair.
You would still need to use it more often for the cutters to catch the hairs effectively in fewer strokes.
The Palm is available globally in two color finishes, black (ES-PV3A/ES-PV3B) or white (ES-PV6A, ES-PV6B).
Both are identical performance-wise, but the white variation uses a special composite material for the body and it’s usually more expensive.
With the Arc 5 Palm, you’re getting USB-C charging, travel lock, a magnetic protective cap and a super nice hard travel case.
A full battery will provide around 50 minutes’ worth of cordless shaving.
In terms of size, it is very compact, but rather bulbous, as you can see from this comparison with the ES-CM3A:
It’s also heavier at 135g for the black variation, while the white one weighs 145g.
The shaver is of course waterproof for easy cleaning or if you prefer to shave wet.
There’s no hair trimmer, which is a bummer for a product in this price range.
Even so, the Panasonic Arc 5 Palm is currently the best-performing travel shaver that’s readily available.
But you will have to pay a premium for that.
For more info (and a detailed comparison to the ES-CM3A), you can check out my full Arc 5 Palm review.
3. Braun Xiaomi Mini Electric Shaver
Also available on eBay, AliExpress.
Side note: There’s a bright yellow variation available as well (model M-1010) and you can find it on Amazon.co.jp.
This double-foil travel shaver is the result of a collaboration between Braun and Xiaomi and offers surprisingly good shaving performance.
It is among the best affordable portable razors out there right now.
Side note: affordable is a key aspect — the number 2 pick on my list is on a whole different level, performance and price-wise.
What surprised me the most about the Xiaomi Braun mini shaver was the comfort.
This shaver is among the most gentle I’ve tested so far.
Provided you’ll be using it more often, the shaving experience will be very enjoyable.
I think most users will be satisfied with the results: decent closeness, excellent comfort, and you can complete your shave reasonably quickly.
The shaving head is comprised of one foil element and a slit trimmer.
The foil cuts the hair close to the skin, while the slit blade pre-trims longer, flat-lying hairs.
And even though it is better with longer hair than a single-foil shaver, I’d still recommend using it every two days at most.
Otherwise, your shave will just take too long to complete.
Apart from the remarkable comfort, the Braun Xiaomi travel shaver has a few tricks up its sleeve as well.
The build quality is excellent — it feels and looks expensive, while the rubber-like material ensures excellent grip.
The large protective cap covers the power button as well, so it won’t switch on by accident.
It’s also a waterproof, wet/dry travel shaver.
And while most men will shave dry, being waterproof is a big plus since you can clean it quickly with tap water.
The shaver is fitted with an internal rechargeable battery.
However, it comes with a special cable you can connect to any USB-A charger or wall socket.
The included charger is among the tiniest I’ve seen, but it doesn’t really matter since you can just bring the cable with you.
So what about the negatives?
There are basically two main ones.
First, it doesn’t have a hair trimmer.
For me, this isn’t an issue if I travel for less than 3-4 days.
But for anything more than that, I prefer one with an integrated trimmer.
Again, this aspect may or may not be an issue for someone else.
And while it’s not by any means big, it is larger than for example the Panasonic ES-CM3A:
But the main shortcoming of this Braun travel shaver is its availability.
Precisely, you can usually only buy it from Asia.
It seems to be available in China (AliExpress) and Japan (Amazon.co.jp, eBay) so the shipping time will be quite long.
It’s the same for the replacement foil and blade — you will only be able to order them from abroad.
However, I don’t think this is a deal-breaker and considering all the positive parts, I think the Braun Xiaomi mini shaver is one of the best out there right now.
4. Panasonic Arc 5 ES-CV70 (ES-CV51)
The ES-CV70 (ES-CV51 in Europe) is an older, travel-friendly model in the Arc 5 range.
What makes it special though is that Panasonic didn’t make any compromises when it comes to performance and features.
Just like the newer Arc 5 Palm at number 2, it features the same shaving head as the top-of-the-line, massive Arc 5 shavers and they fitted the same powerful 14 000 CPM motor.
However, Panasonic also managed to cram everything into a compact and lightweight body, including an excellent hair trimmer.
The result is an outstanding shaving performance, identical to the Palm, but with the added practicality of a hair trimmer.
The closeness is among the best you can get (and not just for a travel shaver) and the comfort is great.
It will mow through a coarse beard with ease.
The build quality is exceptional: the body is made out of brushed metal, which feels expensive and premium and also looks stunning in person.
Despite the massive shaving head, it is not top-heavy and the ergonomics are very good.
The Panasonic ES-CV70 comes with a plastic protective cap and features a travel lock function.
The included hard leather travel case is among the best I’ve seen.
It looks great and offers excellent protection.
Like all modern Panasonic shavers, the ES-CV51/ES-CV70 is fully waterproof and extremely easy to clean.
The pop-up trimmer on this razor is also really good.
It’s wide enough and it cuts the hairs efficiently and close to the skin.
It is by far the best and most effective trimmer I’ve seen on a travel shaver.
So far the ES-CV70 appears to be the perfect travel shaver. But we do know that there’s no such thing, so let’s get to the cons.
First of all, the price. This thing is expensive. We usually associate mobile shavers with a low purchase price.
That’s not the case here as the ES-CV70/ES-CV51 costs the same as a full-size Arc 5.
In its defense, it does shave like a regular, full-fledged electric shaver and squeezing all the components in a tiny body is a challenge.
The Arc 5 replacement foil & blades are pricey as well. But they will last a lot since this is a shaver you’d only use when traveling.
Also, all Arc 5 foils are compatible with it (except for the 2024 generation), so you will be able to easily source a set no matter where you live.
Then there’s the size. While it’s definitely smaller than any regular electric razor, the Palm for example takes up less space:
Finally, there’s the charging issue. The Panasonic ES-CV70 comes with Panasonic’s proprietary charging port.
While the battery life is good (45 minutes of use) and you can probably leave the charger at home if you’ll be gone for less than a week, on longer journeys you will need to bring it along.
That said, there is a very practical solution to that. Precisely, a cable with USB-A on one end and a Panasonic connector at the other:
This is a must-have accessory for anyone who uses a Panasonic electric shaver and especially if you’ll be taking it with you when traveling.
It takes no space in your luggage and you can simply use your phone’s charger or you can plug it directly into a USB outlet.
This Panasonic is currently my go-to shaver when I travel for a longer period (mainly because of its trimmer).
If you’re someone who travels a lot, I think it’s a worthy investment. Unfortunately, it’s getting very difficult to find in 2026 because it has been discontinued.
For more details on the shaver’s performance, make sure to check out my review of the ES-CV70/ES-CV51.
5. Braun M90 Mobile Shaver
Also available at Walmart
The M90 from Braun’s line of mobile shavers is one of the most popular and affordable options.
This little razor has quite a lot going on for it and it’s a very decent option for a travel shaver that is also readily available and budget-friendly.
Let’s check out its main pros.
Integrated protective cap and travel lock.
This is one of the most unique solutions you’ll find on any electric shaver.
Braun has masterfully integrated a rotating protective cap that also doubles as a travel lock.
When it covers the foil, the ON/OFF switch is physically locked and cannot be operated.
Integrated trimmer.
As we know, a trimmer is a rare find on travel razors.
While the one on the M90 is very small and only suitable for touch-ups and light grooming, it’s definitely better than nothing.
Battery-powered.
The M90 is powered by AA batteries, making it very versatile and great to be used on the go.
The M90 is one of the more frugal travel razors, so a new pair of batteries should provide up to 90 minutes of use.
Fully waterproof.
This shaver can be safely rinsed with water as rubber gaskets are fitted around the battery cover and other parts to keep water away from the internals.
As a result, cleaning it is quick and convenient.
Integrated cleaning brush.
Another innovative and simple design solution is the integrated brush that stays securely attached to the battery cover.
Solid build quality.
The M90 is well built and feels very sturdy.
I would even go as far as saying that you don’t really need a travel case for it.
The foil is also very well protected by the integrated rotating cap.
The performance is what you would expect from a small, inexpensive single-foil mobile shaver.
It’s good enough for shaving daily, but don’t expect anything more than that.
It will get the job done but you’ll have to spend more time to complete a shave than you would with a shaver with a more powerful motor and multiple cutting elements.
And while the M90 is not by any means large, it is not as compact as other travel shavers.
The Pansonic ES-RS10 for example is much smaller. That one isn’t however waterproof, so it didn’t make the list.
Finally, the M90 is not as comfortable as the Panasonic ES-CM3 at number 1 nor as effective, requiring more passes to catch all the stray hairs.
It will however be good enough on short stubble (and if you don’t have very sensitive skin).
Overall, the M90 represents a strong package as far as travel razors go. The price is very reasonable and you can also find replacement parts easily.
For more info, you can also check out my in-depth review of the Braun M90.
6. Panasonic ES4815P
The Panasonic ES4815P is a small shaver that does almost everything right.
Performance-wise, I would place it towards the very top. There aren’t many other AA battery-powered travel razors that can outperform it.
The Panasonic Arc 5 Palm is of course a much more capable shaver but one that also costs a lot more.
So let’s get the negatives of the ES4815P out of the way first.
It doesn’t have a hair trimmer and the replacement foil and blades are not as easy to find anymore.
That’s really it.
Other than that, the ES4815P is quite a remarkable compact razor.
It features a double-foil shaving head and compared to the single-foil shavers in this roundup, the foils on the ES4815P are very narrow.
This makes it feel more nimble and you’re able to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Moreover, it is very comfortable and smooth, better in that regard than the Braun M90.
With a motor rated at 8200 CPM (cycles per minute), it’s also quite snappy for a shaver of this type.
The closeness was in my experience perfectly adequate, very similar to the Braun Xiaomi shaver.
The Arc 5 is of course the best when it comes to closeness, but again, it also comes with a premium price tag.
The Panasonic ES4815P is very well built, compact and in my opinion looks really nice.
It even features a foil head release button, something you normally only get with high-end, normal-size shavers.
The foil and foil frame seem very durable and of high quality.
In that regard, the Panasonic ES4815P and the ES-CM3A are ahead of the rest — again with the exception of the Palm/ES-CV70 that come with the outstanding Arc 5 foil & blades.
The travel lock on this Panasonic is cleverly implemented in the form of a tiny tab that you must press and hold in order to operate the power slider.
A plastic cover and a cleaning brush are included as well.
Since it’s a wet/dry shaver, you can use it with shaving cream and also clean it with tap water.
Out of all the AA-battery powered shavers on this list, the ES4815P would be my pick for its excellent comfort, decent closeness and great build quality.
A Braun M90 costs less and it’s also easier to find replacement parts for it, so if that matters more to you, the M90 does offer better value for money.
In fact, it’s the sole reason why I placed the M90 ahead of it.
Performance-wise, the ES4815P is (objectively) better: more comfortable and shaves slightly closer.
The availability and price of the replacement parts are the main negatives of this travel razor.
But considering the high-quality foil head and that you’ll be using it only when traveling, I don’t think it’s that much of an issue.
For all the details, you can read my complete review of the Panasonic ES4815P.
7. Panasonic ES3831K
Also available at Walmart, Panasonic.com
This Panasonic is another solid option for a very affordable electric travel razor if you can’t get the ES4815P above.
It only has a single foil, but the performance is still quite decent. I do prefer the ES4815P because it’s slightly more comfortable.
But let’s check out the main features of the single-foil ES3831K.
Powerful 8500 CPM motor.
The Panasonic ES3831K is powered by a snappy 8500 cycles per minute motor, which is quite powerful for an AA battery compact razor.
This will translate into faster and closer shaves.
In practice, it feels just as powerful as the Panasonic ES4815P above with its almost identical 8200 CPM motor.
Just don’t expect Arc 5 level of performance — that one is in a different league.
Wet & dry operation.
The Panasonic ES3831K can be used with shaving cream as well, which will improve the comfort and the closeness of the shave.
I don’t think many men would go through the trouble of carrying and using shaving cream when traveling — after all, you buy a travel shaver to avoid doing that — but it’s nice to have the option.
And of course, you can just rinse it clean after you finish shaving.
Regular AA batteries.
Just like the M90 and ES4815P, the ES3831K uses two AA batteries.
According to Panasonic, these will last for roughly 60 minutes of cordless shaving, the same as in the case of the ES4815P.
Reasonably priced.
The price of the ES3831K is usually similar to the ES4815P.
The replacement foil and cutter set isn’t that easy to find anymore, but it’s still available on eBay for example.
Protective cap and travel lock.
Located at the center of the triangle-shaped ON/OFF slider is a small button that you must press and hold in order to operate it.
It’s the same system used on the ES4815P.
The protective cap also covers the top part of the switch, so that’s an extra layer of security.
As for disadvantages, there’s no pop-up trimmer (which is to be expected).
The performance of the Panasonic ES3831K was pretty underwhelming when shaving longer, flat-lying hairs, so it’s best to use it daily.
For even more details, you can check out my in-depth review of the ES3831K.
8. Philips OneBlade
Also available at Walmart, Philips.com
Finally, there’s the Philips OneBlade, which I think can be a great travel companion for some men.
The main thing about the OneBlade that sets it apart from the other ones in this roundup is that it’s not a foil shaver designed to provide a close shave.
Instead, it uses shearing blades with rounded tips that will get you a very short stubble beard.
If that’s something you prefer, it can work great when you’re traveling and you can also use it as a body hair groomer (with or without the included guards).
You can also use the compact head to shape and tweak your sideburns or goatee or edge your beard.
Because it doesn’t cut the hair so close to the skin, the risk of ingrown hairs is greatly reduced and it’s very gentle.
However, I would not recommend it to men with very coarse facial hair, I think it just doesn’t have enough power for that.
The OneBlade also works well on longer hair, so you don’t have to use it daily like you would with a single-foil travel shaver.
It’s waterproof, lightweight, easy to clean and the replacement heads are widely available and pretty reasonably priced.
The OneBlade does have an internal battery and a Philips charging port, but this latest model comes with a special Philips-to-USB-A cable.
Should you use a travel electric razor?
Well, it depends.
Some men can even get away with using a travel razor as their main, daily shaver, while others can’t stand using one for a few days when traveling.
Some compact electric razors can feel underpowered and usually have a less capable shaving system, so shaving takes more time.
If you want a close, comfortable and fast shave or you have coarse facial hair then just opt for a more capable, full-size electric razor.
The same goes for men who don’t shave regularly; most travel razors don’t perform well on long stubble, so you would need to shave often.
If your budget allows it, the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-CV70 or the newer Arc 5 Palm will definitely provide a satisfactory shave.
Using your main shaver when traveling
The Panasonic ES-CV70 is currently my travel razor of choice and for my needs, it’s the best option.
I also enjoy taking the ES-CM3A mini shaver on short city breaks.
But before that, I would often bring my main shaver with me when traveling.
I would rather give up a bit of space in my luggage for a proper electric razor and enjoy a decent shave.
When I am away for shorter periods, I also leave the charger at home as a fully charged razor should easily last for a few shaving sessions (I only recommend doing so on short voyages).
Taking your main shaver with you when traveling does pose a risk, though.
It can get damaged if not properly stored in a hard case or you can even forget it in your hotel room.
And some shavers are really expensive, so it’s something to consider.
Having a second, inexpensive portable shaver would probably be a better option.
Key takeaway
The strongest argument in favor of compact travel razors is their practicality and minimal financial impact should they get lost or damaged.
In the end, the right travel shaver can either be just your regular shaver or a compact one.
The decision is entirely personal. You might as well use both depending on the circumstances.
Something like the inexpensive Panasonic ES4815P works great if you want to travel light for just a few days.
But if a few cubic centimeters in your luggage are not a big deal or you’ll be gone for a longer period, then you can bring along a proper shaver and treat yourself.
Finally, make sure not to overlook the must-have features of a travel razor if you decide to get one — those can really make a difference.
Over to you now: how do you deal with shaving when traveling? If you have any other questions, make sure to leave a comment below.
I disagree that the batteries should be replaceable – unless of course they’re triple A. Then you can just “borrow” them from the hotel TV remote controller !
Seriously, it’s a major pain when you’re half way through your shave and the batteries crap out. Then it’s not only a question of where do I go to get some new ones but more importantly do I even have TIME to do this. Even if the hotel has some to sell me I hate being ripped off by the price they charge.
A better solution is to have a shaver that recharges from something you ALREADY CARRY – a USB cable ! Unfortunately the Chinese ones I’ve found so far are terrible. The heads are very narrow and the shave quality quite poor. I wish Braun would make one.
Hi Randy,
That’s actually a very valid point. I prefer replaceable batteries so I won’t have to carry a dedicated charging brick. A decent travel shaver fitted with a micro-usb or even better, a USB type C connector would be amazing. I think you’re on to something here.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
A Braun user on Amazon said batteries last a month. If that’s true, if you put fresh batteries in before your trip, I wouldn’t worry about them dying unless it was a VERY long trip. In which case, you’d have plenty of time to buy more or just take a couple more with you from home. Alternatively, there are many small AA USB battery chargers. But, has anyone actually tried rechargeable NiMH or Lithium batteries in any of these shavers? I ask because some electronics are optimized or alkaline batteries and don’t work well with rechargeables. For example, does the motor run as well with rechargeables vs alkaline?
Hi Bertran,
Thank you for your comment. I’ve only used the Panasonic ES3831K and the M90 with rechargeable AA batteries and they worked without any issues. I haven’t tried the Norelco yet, but I’m pretty sure it’ll work just fine as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have been using PowerOwl Rechargeable Ni-MH AAs with 2800 mAh capacity in a Panasonic ES-RS10 and it runs perfectly while the batteries easily last over a month with light daily use.
Due to recent air travel regulation for checked luggage, you have to take removable batteries out of electronic devices and bring them on carry-on luggage. So, built-in rechargable batteries became a must for frequent travellers. E.g. my wireless mouse has built-in batteries and makes my life easier. I am now looking for a portable shaver with built-in trimmer, built-in battery, and… 5v USB port. In other words, I don’t want to carry a dedicated charger, but use my regular phone charger to keep my shaver alive for weeks outside home. This just doesn’t exist in US market, and manufacturers are not looking into this.
Hi Claudio,
Thank you for your comment. I agree, I’ve been wanting to see USB electric shavers for a long time. So far, out of the big brands, only Panasonic offers a micro-USB adapter, but from what I understand it’s not available for purchasing. It’s only offered as a gift in select countries. The other option that I know of is Xiaomi, they have several shaver models, both rotary and foil and all of them can be charged via USB. Can’t say anything about their shaving performance as I haven’t got the chance to use them yet.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m shocked. I expected to chose between shavers that charge from USB. Bummer.
Looks like we’ll have to wait. Except for a few models (mostly Chinese brands), the big players don’t seem too eager to jump on the USB bandwagon and will continue using proprietary chargers.
Any experience with or heard anything about the Panasonic Twin-X Compact 2-blade Shaver ES4815P? You can find it on Amazon – 2 blades, AA batteries and wet/dry sound good. My problem with the other two reasonably priced Panasonics (ES-RS10 and ES3831K) is they’re only single blades. And in my experience (with facial hair which seems like it’s just like yours) is that 2-blade foil shavers have the potential to do better with thicker moustache-area hair and flat neck hairs. Therefore, I’m curious of this Panasonic Twin-X can do better?
Hi Nicolas,
I haven’t got the chance to try it yet, but I think I can sort of speculate on its performance compared to the other single blade Panasonic shavers. Since it has two shaving elements, the performance will be slightly better and you’ll probably be able to finish your shave faster and with fewer strokes. However, I wouldn’t expect anything significantly better; for example, it isn’t more powerful than the other two and it only has an extra (identical) foil, so the performance when shaving flat hairs for example will be pretty much the same. There’s no slit foil to capture and cut them more efficiently.
I will probably order it and do a proper review in the future as well. But for now, that’s unfortunately all that I can say about the Twin-X.
–Ovidiu
I have tried to find the Panasonic ES-CV51 Arc 5 online. It doesn’t seem to exist. Not even at Panasonic.com. I did find a lot of razors with an LS code.
I think I bought mine from amazon.de, it’s quite easy to get this model in Europe. On Panasonic.com it is not listed as the ES-CV51 (ES-CV70) wasn’t officially released in the USA. You can however get it on amazon.com.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I just found a Panasonic plug-to-USB adapter on Amazon. It was the only one I could find, but I would love to not have to bring another charger along with me when I travel. I imagine it will charge slower, but I’m going to give it a go.
I have a Panasonic ES-LV65, and found this USB plug here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J5YUZ98/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A27SVFUT1EWV2K&psc=1
Thank you for the heads-up, Brandon. It’s definitely better to bring along a cable instead of a charger, that’s for sure. I still hope that the major manufacturers will start implementing USB type-C ports on all their shavers, not just on the travel models.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the informative review. It seems there are a lot of people like me who are waiting for a decent shaver with USB-C. That way one charger can be used for my laptop and phone and shaver when travelling.
In my experience Xiaomi makes good quality devices. I’d like to see your review of their shavers.
Thank you for your comment, Greg. That was my experience as well with Xiaomi products, although I’ve never used any of their personal care products yet. But I will be getting some Xiaomi shavers and review them soon, they seem intriguing to say the least.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Yes Xiaomi make something good but don’t touch there shaver they are cheap and good looking, very bad performance and all break within a month I have try 3 model none are good.
Well I’ve been using the Xiaomi every second day for the last 3 years now and it still gives an acceptable result. I keep saying that as soon as it breaks I’ll buy a more expensive shaver but it just keeps on going and works just fine for me.
What the Panasonic ES4815? It has two blades and seems like it would be far superior to the Bruan or other Panasonic travel shavers. Any thoughts on this?
https://shop.panasonic.com/support-only/ES4815S.html
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Compact-2-blade-ES4815P-S-Alkaline/dp/B001MBV4WY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ES4815&qid=1577542724&s=books&sr=8-1
Hi Marc,
I actually have that exact model, but it’s still in the box. I haven’t got the chance to try it, much less to review it. But I did buy it for the same reason — it looked promising. I will be posting a detailed review once I test it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have just ordered the dual razor Panasonic and the catch seems to be that the two blades together are smaller than the one blade of. The cheaper Panasonic. They are two micro blades and the unit seems to spin slower than the one blade version. Not sure it is improved. Will two smaller blades clog more then one bigger one?
Will try both and see.
The two shaving elements on the ES4815P are definitely smaller and narrower — can’t say right now how it will impact the performance.
I tried both Panasonic Travel shavers and I can say that for me, the winner is clear. The Panasonic ES4815 with the dual smaller blades is superior by far. The smaller dual razors have much better flex on the contours of my face, shaves a bit closer and there is NO irritation! No matter how many times I go over the same spots, the ES4815 does not cause irritation. It has same comfort level as my Braun 9295 (not as close as the Braun, but just as irritation-free to use).
On the other hand, the Panasonic ES3831K single-blade razor was brutal on my face, causing redness and bloody spots. It does feel like a miniature orbital sander, more rigid, less flex and lots of irritation.
I only wish the duel razor Panasonic ES4815 had a trimmer, but otherwise, it is a far better shave for than the other offering from Panasonic.
I would add that both of the Panasonic travel razors had trouble cutting longer flat hairs in the neck area. But the dual head ES4815 razor was closer overall of the two.
Update: I have decided that for anyone with thick fast growing beards that include longer flat hairs, travel razors without a pop up trimmer are not for you. If I use the Panasonic travel razor ES4815 after two days of not shaving its fine. If I wait 4 or more days, it is a mess. If all travel razors had a pop up trimmer for sideburns, etc, then you could use that trimmer on the longer hairs that the razor heads miss.
Thank you for the update, Marc. I agree that it’s really useful, unfortunately not many compact shavers have one. It’s yet another reason why I like the Panasonic ES-CV51 the most. The price is quite high, even though I think it’s worth spending that much on it.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I recently bought the Xiaomi Mijia Shaver
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000061592559.html
and for less than $16 this is a good shaver. It’s not as close a shave as my Panasonic ES-GA20 but it’s definitely good enough. Most importantly for me it has a USB-C rechargeable battery so I don’t need to pack a separate charger, I just use my phone/laptop charger. It is slower, so what is usually a 2 minute shave with the Panasonic takes about 4 minutes with the Xiaomi. Overall I’m happy with the Xiaomi.
Thank you for the comment, Greg. I am yet to try Xiaomi shavers, they seem indeed very decent for the price and as you said, the USB-C connector is something I would sldo like to see on all electric shavers. I have a few reviews coming already, but I will definitely try some from Xiaomi, hopefully sooner than later.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I think you may want to give the Braun 190s-1 a try as a travel shaver. I managed to get one by chance for USD$28 while planning on giving the m90 a try, and it’s quite decent.
Slightly larger than the m90, but a lot lighter than a series 3. Also slightly lighter than my old faithful Panasonic es-st23.
In comparison to the st23, it’s about as wide at the top, slightly wider at the bottom, slightly shorter, and slimmer. The charging block is similarly sized but a lot lighter (and doesn’t need a charging cradle).
I usually go on 1 week long business trips with a single carry on luggage bag so both space and weight are a premium to me, and it doesn’t seem to take up much more space than a m90/60/30
Shave wise, i can get about as clean a shave as the st23 as long as I remember to really stretch my skin and shave against the grain. Shaves terribly especially around the neck if you don’t. Takes longer, and requires more passes, but I do have more time to shave when traveling so its fine.
The banana phone shape is great for grip and definitely necessary as it vibrates like it wants to give you a hand massage. The trimmer is also great.
Other than these, the cap fits better than on most shavers and it covers the power button so you can’t accidently start it in the bag. Also it’s 100% necessary as the foil seems very thin and friendly.
Oh, it’s also not very good for anything more than a day and a half of growth if you have quick growing coarse hair. My workaround was to gently glide it over as a “pre-shave trim” before shaving with the mentioned trick. Q
*the foil seems flimsy. Not friendly. LOL
Thank you for the detailed review, Noel. Those are some great insights. I did use a Series 1 back in the day and I recall that it shaved decently for a cheap single foil razor, but pretty similar overall to the M90. The trimmer is definitely better compared to the really small one on the M90. I will be updating this post soon and add a couple more shavers to the list.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The M90 Braun shaver is the best I have used. Close enough shave. Just buy batteries ahead of time.
Thank you for your comment. It’s definitely one of the better cheap shavers out there.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the advice and reviews. Over the years I have been back and forth between travel electrics and cheap Gillette disposable blades. I prefer a blade shave and when I get the nerve Id like to learn straight-edge shaving. Of the travels, I have a Remington Microscreen II twin foil, and a Braun 350 single foil. The updates to those now-old shavers are the Remington TF70 and Braun M60 (or M90 and i cant see any difference between M60 and M90). My old ones still work fine and use AA batteries. BUT….I got these 20 years ago and never could decide which is better. The Braun shaver quality is better overall but it doesnt cut as well as the twin-foil Remington. I have really tried patiently to carefully shave to determine shave quality and have to say that a twin-foil is better at mowing down the roughest hair but the single-foil Braun is better at giving a closer shave if the hair is finer. Result? I carry both when traveling which seems crazy. I do the rough work with the twin-foil and finish with the single-foil. I really dislike doing this but havent found a better solution in ONE shaver. I have tried several rotary blade shavers and they torture my face, basically PULLING the hair out. About batteries and airports, in my experience the airports allow batteries that are installed in their devices, loose batteries have to be separately scanned and there is a MAH limit to what a passenger can have. Last, I agree very much that after a few days of a travel razor you dont want to continue. Because of logistics and Covid now, disposable shavers are extremely expensive so Im going to try to be on the travels full time for now. By the way, nobody has mentioned it but my good shaves came from first using the hard talc shaving stick. Its called Face Saver. You can find online. Its like a small deodorant stick. An alternative is brushing your face with body powder or talc powder before shaving. Lotions and bare skin ensure a painful shave. Because im going to be on the travel shavers for now, I wanted to see if there has been any improvements over the years. They seem the same as my old ones so maybe I wont buy anything yet.
Many thanks for taking the time to share this, Charles. In my opinion there hasn’t been any real progress made with the current travel shavers, so I doubt you’ll find any of them significantly better than your Braun and Remington. I guess there’s really not much that can be achieved when the final product has to be cheap and compact. The Panasonic Arc 5 ES-CV51 for example is in a different league, but the price is really high as well.
I am aware of the Face Saver stick and I’ve even used it in the past with good results. However, I switched to alcohol-based pre-shave lotions as those aren’t as messy (it’s a weird personal thing, I just don’t like talcum smeared on my face). Also, that powder is mineral-based, so it can lead to premature wear/dulling of the blades.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I want to add to recommend that people not buy any shaver with a fixed internal battery. Whether its a phone, shaver, haircut shaver, anything, these USB devices are garbage and replacing batteries are either expensive or non-existent. I bought a China wet-dry-cordless full size shaver and by the 10th re-charge, the battery was dead and wouldnt re-charge. The case has no screws or method of opening the device so I had to throw it away. I insist on user-replaceable batteries no matter what the type. The quality of fixed, internal batteries is terrible.
Sorry about your experience, Charles. I will however say that the internal (not user-replaceable) batteries of electric shavers made by reputable companies will normally last for years of constant use. I’ve been shaving exclusively with cordless shavers for the past 20 years and I own dozens (weird hobby, I know) and I can tell from personal experience that it’s not really a concern. Granted, any rechargeable battery has a finite number of charging cycles, but even so, under normal circumstances, you should expect a few good years of use. It’s obvious that the quality of that particular Chinese shaver was terrible.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I don’t have a thick beard and dry shave every day. I have the Panasonic ES-RS10, and find it really effective. It is very gentle on the face, and doesn’t suffer for only having one set of blades. It was £30 on Amazon, and comes straight from Japan, where it’s made. It’s tiny, elegant and uses 2AA batteries which last for ages. I use Panasonic eneloop rechargeable batteries, so the batteries will never fail. You don’t have to wait for it to charge as you just change the batteries. It’s a travel shaver, but it’s my everyday shaver. I love it!
That’s awesome, David. This is an ideal situation where the shaver works perfectly fine for your needs and your costs of using it daily are almost zero.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is there no full fledged AA battery shaver? The Arc 5 seems solid, but it has a rechargeable internal.
Agree with Charles on this trend of internal battery, but looks like corded shavers are more viable.
Not that I know of I’m afraid. A full-fledged shaver, with a quality shaving head and punchy motor requires a lot of power and I don’t think a pair of AA batteries would be able to supply it. If you want a corded&cordless or maybe even a corded-only shaver, check out this post.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
As a beardy, frankly I’ve never felt the need for a close shave. More important is that my beard is neat, and above all that my moustache doesn’t get so long it interferes with eating. In both respects, the trimmer is not an option, but the core utility. Effectively, there are at least two distinct use cases as far as travel shavers go.
A further point I’d like to make, however, is that batteries should not be of a type impacted by memory effects. For those that are, it doesn’t take many complete discharge cycles (in pressing need?) to trash an otherwise workable shaver.
Hi Douglas,
Thank you for the comment. If you need to trim and maintain your beard, I wouldn’t really use the pop-up trimmer of an electric shaver, let alone a travel shaver. In this case I think I would either buy a compact beard trimmer or a shaver with a trimmer attachment like the Braun Series 3 3010BT.
Current batteries are no longer affected by memory effect, so you can safely charge the battery whenever you want.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Is the m90 a better shaver than the m60. I bought the m60 and was impressed by everything, but…it’s shaving performance, which was dreadful. Back it went to Amazon. I now have the Norelco travel shaver which is only so-so
Hi,
No, the performance is the same I’m afraid. I think only getting a proper full-size shaver will bring a noticeable improvement if you found the M60 unusable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I hope you could also make a review on xiaomi mijia braun 5603
Hi Rob,
I’d really want to, unfortunately I can only get it from aliexpress or gearbest, so it will take a long time until it arrives. It does look very intriguing — like a Braun Series 3, but with only two elements, a foil cutter and a trimmer with wider slots.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I use the Panasonic ES4815P, which I think is the best thanks to its wet-shave capability, regular batteries, dual cutters and budget price. I often travel to tropical places like beach resorts, where a dry shave amid humid and sweaty conditions can feel unpleasant and give rough results.
Shaving gel isn’t an issue, as I use Molton Brown Sport or other all-in-one shower gel that also works well as a shaving gel. For facial hair and trimming, I take a Schick Groomer that runs on a single penlight battery.
As for the battery debate, definitely regular batteries. My wife and I take about 4 or 5 rechargeable devices like phones that are a hassle to keep charged in hotel rooms. For my shaver, I simply pop in two fresh batteries before the start of the trip, and they last the entire trip. No fuss.
Hi Geoff,
Many thanks for taking the time to share this.
I actually got it as well after publishing the article (which I will also be updating). I liked how close and comfortable it shaves, but I can only get a decent result if I shave daily. I have lots of flat neck hairs and it’s a real challenge to get those with this shaver. The replacement foil and blades are kinda pricey though.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have the Braun M90, Panasonic 3831 and Remington TF70, but none can match my JTrim JPT-TFS100 for closeness and comfort of shave, and it has a very useable slide-up trimmer. I would like to buy another one, but it seems it’s not sold anymore. I keep hoping one will show up on EBay or Amazon, or even replacement screen and blades. Meanwhile I’ll baby this one for as long as I can. I agree with you that the Braun M90 would be my 2nd choice.
Unlike some other comments, I prefer AA battery shavers — replacement batteries are easy to get, and you get lots of warning that the batteries are getting spent.
Hey Don,
Thanks so much for the comment. That shaver sounds really intriguing and I would absolutely want to try it. Apparently there’s in stock at Amazon (non-affiliate link), unfortunately the vendor won’t ship to my location in Europe. I’ll keep searching on eBay, maybe I’ll get lucky.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
For the last 10 months I’ve used this shaver
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000061592559.html
Pros
Very cheap
Light
USB-C. I travel ultra-light and one small charger and one cable is all I need for my phone and laptop and shaver.
Cons
Not as close as some other shavers but it’s close enough for me.
Even cheaper here
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33031318186.html
Thank you for the info and feedback, Greg. Haven’t tried that one yet. I don’t know if you’ve used the foil Xiaomi/Braun model, that one just might give you a closer shave. It costs a lot more though than the rotary.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
The Xiaomi Mijia Braun looks just like the Manscaped Handyman.
Hey,
Thanks for the comment. It does look like the Handyman. But the Xiaomi costs a lot less and while I haven’t used the Handyman, I would be inclined to think that the Braun foil will last more. I would also give the Xiaomi/Braun the edge for performance and overall reliability — again this is just my opinion prior to owning and trying the Manscaped travel shaver.
As a side note, my experience with other Manscaped products has been far from great so far.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I can’t justify spending more for a separate travel shaver. Maybe if one was packing extremely light but the size of my Arc 4 or an older Norelco Quadra has never been an issue when traveling and packing. If I am flying I always bring a Norelco. This is because one can’t bring aerosol Andis Cool Care onto a plane. I have tried mineral oil on the Arc 4 but it still heats up quickly.
Thank you for the comment, Mike.
Totally valid point of view. There’s also the fear of losing or damaging an expensive shaver when traveling and some of the compact models can be very affordable.
I agree regarding the Arc 4, most of them get really hot during use to the point where the oil is not enough anymore. My ES-LF51-A that still has the original foil and blades can only be kept cool with the Remington Shaver Saver spray — by far the best product of this type I’ve ever used. Sadly it has been discontinued.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Nicolae,
Thank you for the reviews and the valuable source of info.
It seems no it is almost impossible to find authentic spare foils for Braun/Mijia on Aliexpress. Apart from that shaving experience is really nice.
However, keeping in mind that the article is close to 7 years it is my personal problem that I purchased outdated shaver))
Hi George,
Thank you for the comment, glad you found the site useful.
That is true, unfortunately, and this shortage of foils/blades tends to affect compact shavers more. It can happen even with more recent models, not just the ones released a long time ago.
I still hope things will get better in the case of the Braun Xiaomi foil shaver as it’s an excellent travel-friendly device.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
This is one of the best and most informative articles I have read. I am in the market for a travel electric razor and would like to know based on your testing, which travel electric razor is best for getting under the nose and the chin horizontal crease? These are difficult areas to get with most electric razors.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for the kind comment.
I’d say definitely a foil shaver and one that has a more compact foil frame. Also, it would help if the foils would be closer together and not very wide. For example, single foil shavers like the Braun M90 in the post above have a really wide foil element, not ideal for a close shave right below the nose or a skin crease.
Since the comment was posted on an article about travel shavers, I assume that you would need a compact/inexpensive shaver as well? If that’s the case, I would go with the Panasonic ES4815P in my list above. It has two very thin foils with basically no foil frame, so it’s very nimble.
If you want a full-fledged shaver (more powerful and capable of fast and close shaves), there are a lot of options. In the affordable segment we have the Braun Series 3 ProSkin and the Panasonic ES-LL41, both being quite similar overall, but with the Braun costing quite a bit less. The Panasonic does have a bit more power and can shave closer.
In the higher-end segment, the Panasonic Arc 5 (like the ES-LV65) would be a great choice. Despite the large 5-blade head, the foils are very narrow and the frame is not bulky, so you can use just one or two of the foils to get very close to the nose. It’s one of the closest shaving razors out there and the price is really good for what you’re getting.
Also, I would try to stretch the crease and pull down on the skin right below it so the shaver can cut the hairs closer to the skin.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Mr Nicolae, could you review Philips PQ206? Thanks
Hi,
Thanks for the comment.
I’ve actually bought one a while ago, but never got to even use it once. Hope I’ll review it soon.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I don’t understand the Panasonic ES3831K. The Panasonic ES-3833 seems better than the ES3831K in every way and includes a relatively large trimmer, hard carry case, and a brush. However, the ES3831K is discontinued. I feel the ES-3833 was too good; people were using it as a primary razor, and marketing people can’t allow this.
Hi Erric,
Thank you for the comment — I have to say that I agree, for me a trimmer is a must-have on a travel shaver and almost always a deal-breaker if I can’t get one. You can still find the ES-3833 on eBay, but the prices have gotten higher lately.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
There is a RECHARGEABLE Panasonic ES-SA40 single head shaver that is still available outside North America. (It was discontinued in the USA marketplace in 2009 because it was so inexpensive and excellent that it was cannibalizing sales of more expensive rechargeable shavers among both men & women that routinely use an electric shaver daily rather than the majority who buy/receive them on Fathers day and graduation gifts and Christmas presents, but prefer to shave with blades and cream as likely 90% of Americans do.)
The ES-SA40 rechargeable has a trimmer and uses the exact same cutting blade assembly and replacement foil as the ES-3833 battery AA travel model with trimmer and ES-3831 battery AA travel model without trimmer.
This cutting blade assembly and replacement foil design dates back to the early 1990’s, when effectively nearly identical, visually anyway, single head rechargeable Panasonic shavers first were offered in the US around 1990.
Those early models ( the ES-3040 and ES-3041) were nearly exactly like the currently available in Singapore/Hong Kong/Taiwan/and I think Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, ES-SA40 model that is sold there but last sold here in the US in 2009. The ES-SA40 was no longer available to USA shoppers after 2009. The ancient, early ES-3040 and ES-3041 models of the 1990 – 1998 era differ only slightly in looks but their plastic pieces such as the head shell and AC adapter will not interchange with the later and current ES-SA40. (the reason is the shape is just different enough as they won’t, even though the power requirement is the same and the screen and cutter is exactly the same…..THE SCREEN & CUTTER IS THE SAME AND DOES INTERCHANGE but the shape of how the specific power adaptor mounts to the early ES-3040 / ES-3041, is different than on the later and currently available ES-SA40.
********** Important: Should any of you Americans wish to obtain a NEW Panasonic ES-SA40 from the far east, etc, those are 220v AC adapters specific for those areas in which it is currently marketed. YOU CANNOT USE A SIMPLE CONVERSION PLUG which changes foreign plug to USA parallel prongs BECAUSE IT WON’T CHARGE THE SHAVER because their supplied AC charger expects 220v input, and you’d only still be supplying 120v.
***Thus, You Need To Have a PANASONIC AC Adapter for the ES-SA40 from when it was offered for sale in the US fifteen years ago, OR YOU CAN BUY IT as Panasonic still makes it and vendors and Panasonic overseas, still sells this particular US AC Adaptor for those that wish to travel to North America with their ES-SA40 shaver.
*********the exact model US market , AC charging adapter is Panasonic Model No. RE 7 – 53 , Input AC 120v 20 mA (this is the exact adapter supplied to USA market ES – SA40 shaver during the early 2000’s thru the year 2009.
There are other charger stand bases that are more elaborate that fit and do the exact same thing but I don’t currently have any so I can’t tell you the model numbers. ***JUST BE CERTAIN THAT WHATEVER us market AC charging Adapter is made by Panasonic and that it states on it that it fits the ES-SA40 shaver model, it will say what models that it precisely fits, that info will be molded into the plastic on the adapter itself.
I have purchased several new ES-SA40 shavers direct from vendors in Hong Kong, and Singapore off the US Ebay site during the past fifteen years. Since I have the adapter from 20 years ago from when I bought one ES-SA-40 here in the US at Kmart, I just use that exact AC charging adapter.
Lastly, I just want to say that I switched full time to an electric shaver more than 45 years ago, near the beginning of the 1980’s. I became a devotee of the REMINGTON MICROSCREEN RECHARGEABLE two headed twin foil shaver which Victor Kiam, who had bought Remington, did memorable tv commercials saying that “I bought the company because I love it so much, ..so it shaves as close as a blade or your money back” That was a damn good shaver but some time about a decade later somebody bought the company again and immediately ceased production of this extremely popular shaver. I may be wrong on this, but Victor Kiam did own the Patriots football franchise and it was then Sullivan Field, Foxboro Mass. and then the new ownership it became Gillette Field, Foxboro Mass, same stadium….. Hmmm maybe the corporate entity wished to remove a popular alternative to blades even though historically only about 8 to 10% of Americans have ever been dedicated electric shaver users.
Remington never ever made a decent electric foil shaver ever again after that, and BRAUN , a Gillette owned brand with German manufacturing and engineering did seem to rise significantly in stature after the MICROSCREEN was discontinued. Previously BRAUN was a second class citizen to NORELCO and others.
It is interesting that Victor Kiam’s sales pitch for the REMINGTON MICROSCREEN from 1979 to 1987 of that it shaves as close as a blade or your money back had been the same sales pitch that RONSON had used in magazine print ads during early and mid 1960’s for their excellent line of foil screen shavers which was the best at that time. The foil screens did get thinner and thus the MICROSCREEN did prove it was far superior to the rotary NORELCO style, and that it was indeed as close as a blade for many users.
Even at $35 for the ES-3831 (panasonic Travel Shaver two AA without trimmer) and at $50 for the ES-3833 (panasonic Travel Shaver two AA with the pop up trimmer) , those are still huge great bargains that really cannot be beat. The ES-3833 with pop up is again marketed outside of the USA but you can find it brand new from foreign based vendors with 100% rating and hundreds of thousands of ebay transactions on the USA Ebay site. As for replacement screens and cutters, you can find overseas vendors that carry those replacement parts but as inexpensive as those shavers are, just plan on buying a new one every one or two years. Buy inexpensive Alkaline AA batteries in bulk from Harbor Freight.
Yes, you can replace the screen and cutters as long as the tiny plastic tabs survive (somewhere between four years and fifteen years)….the plastic tabs that I speak of are built into the pull-off plastic top shell which houses the screen and surrounds the blade/cutters…….Once those tabs break from age/and from being dropped etc, then you are out of luck, although you might be able to superglue or jb weld the screen in place temporarily for a few days until the new shaver that you have to buy arrives via the Amazon delivery truck or UPS truck at your doorstep. Nothing lasts forever but those Panasonic shavers that I mentioned are fantastic.
The ES-3833 (AA with pop-up trimmer, sold outside of the USA) comes with an impressive little clamshell protective storage case, something that the ES-3831k NON POP-UP usa model does not have.
In 2017 through 2019 before the pandemic, you could buy NEW the Panasonic ES-3831k from Amazon and various Ebay vendors for $16 to $18 total BUY it NOW price with Free shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states, and the imported pop-up ES-3833 model , NEW, was selling for about $29 total with free shipping.
Certainly at that point in time, it made zero sense to buy replacement screens when you could just buy a new shaver for three dollars more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share this — what a fantastic write-up! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I do recall seeing the ES-SA40 even in physical store here in Romania (Europe) in the 2000s, but it’s now completely gone. Anyone who wants one will probably need to get it from Asia like you’ve said.
It’s particularly appealing with the conventional shaver design as opposed to a rectangle/puck shape and of course the inclusion of a hair trimmer.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hello can you please update with the newest Panasonic 5 blades travel shavers? Panasonic ES-PV3B-K811 Series 900s for example ?
Thank you and excellent work.
Hi Rob,
Thank you for the comment.
Will surely do. I just bought ab ES-PV3B so I will be testing it for the next few weeks and then update the article.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for your thorough reviews!
I’m curious about a comparison between:
Panasonic Palm ARC5 ES-PV3A-K
Panasonic ES-CM3A
Philips PQ206 / PQ208
I find that while foil shavers might be great when brand new, they tend to dull and soil quickly, while rotary shavers continue to work better on various neck hairs after the new sharpness dulls.
I’ve previously had a Braun travel foil shaver fail me badly while traveling for a month, whereas I’ve owned an Asian-market 2-headed Philips AA-battery model for fifteen years. It is slow but reliable, not waterproof, and replacement blades can cost as much as a new unit, although some users re-sharpen cutters against glass.
Hey Ralph,
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated.
The Arc 5 ES-PV3A-K is in a different league, the performance is fantastic, but it also costs a lot more than the other two and while it’s not too big, it’s bigger than the typical travel shaver.
The ES-CM3A will be my pick as it’s a great blend of performance, cost and form factor.
I know these two are foil shavers and the parts do wear out faster vs a decent rotary, however, the blades and foils of the ES-PV3A and ES-CM3A are taken straight from the regular, full size Arc 5 and Arc 3, so they are reliable, durable and easy to source. And if you’ll only be using them on travels (+ regular cleaning and lubricating), I think you’ll be very happy with the performance and the experience will be a lot better than in the case of that Braun foil shaver — those usually have brittle foils. Panasonic foils and blades are however of great quality.
I also own the PQ208, but it’s not among my favorites. Like you’ve said, it’s slow, doesn’t shave as close and in my case it also pulls some of the hairs. But the blades will last for years and the costs will be very low. I guess it comes down to what matters more to you. Again, I would pick the ES-CM3A all things considered.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you for the reply!
Comparing a well-used ES-CM3A to a well-used PQ208, which one would you pick for cutting laid-down hairs on a neck? For me, those are the hairs that many shavers miss, and they inevitably grow long. I’ve found that the “pull” from rotary shavers can help pick up those hairs.
I agree with a view of the high-cost league of premium shavers; that performance return compared to cost doesn’t make them worthwhile as they wear over years.
You are very welcome. In this specific case I would give the edge to the rotary. Even if the PQ208 is a very basic shaver with single track blades, it’s still more effective on those stubborn hairs than a (basic) foil shaver.
Personally, I would still choose the ES-CM3A and shave more often — it’s more than decent with flat-lying hairs if the hairs are short. So I would probably shave daily or every other day and in that case it would be easily good enough. For me it’s a worthy compromise to shave more often and in return get a closer and irritation-free shave. But again, this may not be the case for everyone as I tend to get along better with foil machines.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I think the Braun-Xiaomi shaver should be kicked out of this list now. Reasons being –
1. It is not easily available right now. Very few sellers on Aliexpress sell it at inflated prices.
2. Replacement heads are impossible to find. I feel they have stopped production. Regretting not buying extra heads when they were easily available.
Hi Abhi,
Thank you for the comment.
When I first added the shaver to the list it was readily available and for a fair price. Unfortunately in late 2024 it started to get increasingly difficult to find and the price spiked as well. Still hope things will get better, otherwise I will have to remove it from the list. Which would be unfortunate as the shaver is really good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I’m 78 and hope to walk the Camino; hence weight is important. What does the Panasconic ES4815P weigh, and how does it compare with the lightest high quality rechargeable erazor?
Hi Bill,
The ES4815P weighs 148 grams according to my kitchen scale and that includes the AA batteries. The ES-CM3A at number 1 is even lighter at 123 grams (including the plastic cap). The latter is also noticeably more powerful and more expensive. I personally think it’s worth the price difference and charging it via USB-C probably won’t be a problem even during the Camino. The ES4815P would still be good enough if your facial hair is light to medium and I would recommend shaving more often with both.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great article. Do you know anything about Xiaomi S200 travel shaver? I’ve read some good reviews.
Thank you, Kamil, much appreciated. I will be testing it soon, I’m really curious about it as there aren’t many travel rotary shavers out there.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you :) So I will wait patiently for your review.
Take care.
I did pick up a Panasonic ES-CM3A and used it traveling this past week. It worked fine, packs great, charges by USB and I washed it daily, but my personal preference still leans rotary. I feel that the rotary is much better at shaving the troublesome spots.
I previously owned a Panasonic Arc5 and found it to shave fabulously smooth when brand new, and but lose that sharpness quickly, so I will be careful to reserve the ES-CM3A for traveling. I need to learn about that lubrication. A prior Braun clogged quickly with face oils, not by being brittle.
I replaced the rotary blades on my Philips S9000 Prestige with some SH91/52 and fit the used blades into my Philips travel shaver. The travel shaver is slower, but works better for me than foil for the neck hairs, under the nose and around the corners of the mouth.
So I have the ES-CM3A in my travel kit and the 20 year-old 2-headed travel Philips rotary in the car for roadie use. All set for what I hope is a good long time tho none have a sideburn trimmer!
Thanks for your reviews!
Hey Ralph,
Many thanks for the follow-up. In some specific cases where several things line up (type of facial hair, skin, technique and so on), rotaries can work better. Your mobile shaver may feel even slower than before with the SH91 as those have lots of blades per cutter and are dual-track (the original heads were single-track), so there’s a lot more friction now.
Regarding the lubrication, it’s very important that the blades are clean and dry before applying a single drop of oil on the outside of every foil element. Otherwise they can get clogged. I always clean my foil shavers with water and liquid hand soap after every shave — maybe a bit excessive, but never have any issues with clogging. I would also only use very light mineral oils (like clipper oil). A lubricating spray for shavers/clippers is great as well, but not very practical to carry around. Braun does make a small can, so it could work. In the case of rotaries, I wouldn’t worry too much about lubrication, this is generally necessary for foil shavers.
With proper lubrication, the foils and blades of any Panasonic should have a reasonable lifespan, and even more so if you’ll only use yours when traveling.
No sideburn trimmer is a bummer and for me personally a deal breaker — except for those very short weekend travels.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Edit to include above: the sure way to avoid counterfeit replacement shaver heads is to order direct from the manufacturer!
One of the best product evaluations I have ever read. Thanks for your effort.
Thanks so much for the kind comment, Ian, glad the info was useful.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great reviews. Thank you. Do you have a view on the ES-PV6B-W841 (5-blade) Panasonic travel razor? Is it noticeably better than the 3-blade one (ES-CM3A)?
Hi,
Thank you so much for the comment.
I will be posting a review of the 5-blade model as well. It is noticeably better, the motor is quite a bit more powerful despite the small difference in specs (14 000 vs 13 000 cycles per minute) and the cutters just bite into the stubble more aggressively. It will perform better (faster, closer shave) especially in the case of thick/coarse and dense stubble.
On the other hand, it is a lot more expensive, the replacement blades are pricey, it still lacks a hair trimmer and while it’s not by any means large, it’s not exactly small either.
For shorter trips and especially if your beard isn’t very coarse, I think the ES-CM3A is the best compromise in most cases. I would use it daily for the best results and effectiveness.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thank you. I think I’ll try the 5-blade. Do you know if the 5-blade also works with any USB-C to USB-C (like the 3-blade), rather than needing USB-A?
You are very welcome.
Yes, the 5-blade will also work with any USB-C to USB-C cable.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi Ovidiu,
I’m wondering if you can checkout the Yoose Mini5 and compare it to Panasonic ES-CM3A
Hey,
Thank you for the suggestion. I would like to review it, but I’m afraid it will take a while as I still have quite a few shavers lined up for a review. On paper it looks very promising, though the foil system is usually a let down with most of these novelty brands. But there can be exceptions like the Laifen P3 Pro for example.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Really appreciate the reviews. It looks like the Panasonic availability has shifted here in Canada and on AliExpress, and they are now offering a Panasonic CM30 (which looks like the CM3A) and CM20 (which looks to have two similar cutting elements as the Braun-Xiaomi). Have you tried the CM20? It looks like a lesser motor to the CM30, and one less cutting element. Would the Braun still be preferable to the CM20? Should I try the CM30? The Braun-Xiaomi is definitely less expensive and easily attainable from Ali, and I’ve been happy with Braun products my whole life after abandoning Philips in my teens. I’m currently using an old braun AA battery travel model that I need to replace, as the battery door has finally fallen off after nearly a decade of being taped to hold the batteries in.
Hey Curtis,
Thank you for the comment.
I’d say the CM30 is pretty much identical to the CM3A, so it’s probably just a case of a different model name for a different region. I haven’t got the chance to try the CM20 but I think the Braun Xiaomi would still be the better shaver (if we consider strictly the shaving performance). My previous experience with Panasonic shavers fitted with lower RPM rotary motors instead of the linear drive unit has been quite underwhelming, though the one in the CM20 doesn’t look too bad at 9000 RPM (Panasonic even sells larger shavers fitted with 7600 RPM units, and those are quite bad). Moreover, I think the slit trimmer on the Braun Xiaomi is better and more effective, even though you wouldn’t really use any of these shavers on long stubble.
The CM20 is however smaller and has USB-C, but those are not really related to performance. So I would personally buy the Braun Xiaomi or if you want to try a Panasonic, I think the CM3A/CM30 will be noticeably better than the CM20.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Thanks for the info. I think I’m leaning towards the Panasonic CM30- the really compact form factor along with the ability to charge USB-C is a real plus. I’m concerned about losing the proprietary cable for the Braun-Xiaomi. It’s hard to consider all the angles.
This razor would mostly be to bring a bit of civility to outback/kayak camping. I have a fairly thick barb – would that be a problem for the Panasonic? Would the Braun be better in that regard? The Panasonic is double the cost of the Braun but that isn’t really a factor when I’m going to have it for a while.
I’m used to the Braun Series 7/8/9 razors as a point of reference. Any further advice would be appreciated.
You are very welcome.
Ideally you would use the CM30 (which is essentially an ARC 3 performance-wise) on a medium beard, but it can get the job done if you use it often even on a coarser beard. You really wouldn’t want to shave a few days’ worth of growth with it as it’ll take a long time. The Xiaomi wouldn’t be much better in my opinion, even though that slit trimmer is more efficient than the one on the CM30. The size, USB-C charging, availability of replacement blades and even a power advantage are all pros in favor of the CM30. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe you can wait more for a better deal.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I paid $60CDN more for the Panasonic than what the Xiaomi was on Ali (140 vs 80 – not bad). It was the best deal available. I will let you know my thoughts after I get it! Looking forward to a new ultra-compact travel razor.
Thanks again,
Curtis
Hey Curtis,
You’re very welcome. Hope you’ll like it. It’s still a bit expensive, then again the specs, performance and the form factor are all better compared to other compact models.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I have the ES4815P and am looking for an upgrade. How would you rank the ES4815P, ES-CM3A, and Arc 5 Palm in terms of comfort?
Thanks!
Those three are surprisingly similar in terms of comfort, even though the performance and price differences are massive. I think you would find both the ES-CM3A and the ARC 5 Palm at least as comfortable. They should however feel like a substantial upgrade in power and speed, particularly the ARC 5 and it will shave closer as well.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu