Self cleaning shaver systems including Braun 8985 shaver, Braun 8995 shaver

A self-cleaning electric shaver protects your face and may improve your complexion. As one reviewer of the Braun 8985 electric shaver noted, “hair harbors bacteria and so can your razor,” and notes that trace left-over amounts of shaving gels or foams can be bacterial breeding grounds, as can the hairs themselves. The improvement in hygiene very much justifies purchasing a shaver that comes with a cleaning system.

Our research indicates that the Braun shavers with cleaning systems are very well liked. The Braun 8995 shaver has tons of positive reviews on Amazon. One reviewer notes that “the shaver always comes out sparkling clean,” with a slight, pleasant citrus scent that does not compete with any after-shave lotions or colognes he may use. Another comments that he runs the cleaning cycle twice per week, rather than every day as recommended, and the shaver appears to remain just as clean; however, as we saw above, there are hygiene benefits to the every-day cleanings. Refills for the Braun shaver cleaning systems are available here.

Comparisons reveal that you can save some money by purchasing the Braun 8985 shaver, rather than its big brother the 8995. The 8985 shaver page on Amazon has a side-by-side comparison, and it appears that the only difference is that the 8995 has LED indicators and foil indicators, while the 8985 has LCD. You can compare the prices and determine whether you want to spend substantially more money for the LED.

One of the 8985’s reviewers further explains why these razors are hygenic: The blade lifts the hair up out of the skin, then cuts it. As a result, the hair actually receds to below the skin line after being cut, and the skin protects it from bacteria formation. Numerous reviewers who were former Norelco or Remington owners praised the Braun’s close shave.

The Panasonic Men’s Vortex HydraClean System (model ES8168S) also received high marks from reviewers. One reviewer compared it to Norelco and Braun shavers (including the 8995), and pronounced it the winner. He especially liked its 13,000 RPM linear motor, compared to 8,000-10,000 for most others, for its increased effectiveness on thick beards. He also complimented its quietness, and said its small footprint made his wife happy because it takes up little space in the bathroom. In addition, he said, this unit is definitely well-made enough to be used in the shower. The Panasonic ES7056S model offers HydraClean technology at a lower price, but it did not receive as high marks as the ES8168S.

The Remington R 9500 Shaver was considerably less expensive than the highly-regarded Braun and Panasonic models, but received lower reviews. One reviewer described it as merely an “adequate shave” and noted that cleaning refills are only available through mail order. However, some reviewers loved it – one said “shaving has gone from an annoying chore to a breeze.” It’s worth considering if you want a shaver cleaning system on a tight budget.

Another thing our research revealed is that there are a lot of shavers out there that consumers think are pretty horrible. When we looked at the complete list of men’s electric shavers on Amazon and sorted by reviews (highest to lowest), we did not get very far down the list at all before we were done with the top-rated 5-star, 4.5-star, and 4-star shavers. If you want to do further research on your own, we recommend sticking with shavers that average at least a 4-star review, over a large number of reviews (a dozen minimum, and we’d prefer to see 30 or more to get a fair statistical sampling).

Whether you decide on one of the Brauns, one of the Panasonics, the Remington, or a different electric shaver, you’re sure to get the ultimate in hygiene and cleanliness when you purchase a shaver that comes with a daily cleaning system. We’ll keep an eye on the shaver market and update this page as new models come out.