ConsFirst / Electric shavers / Compare
Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver vs Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on skin comfort, battery, easy cleaning.
The biggest complaint about the Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver is expensive to buy and to maintain; for the Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver it's harsher on sensitive skin. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver | Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric shavers | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Foil | Foil |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | 9% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 3.7 |
| Closeness | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Skin comfort | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Battery | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver
- Expensive to buy and to maintain
Wirecutter says a replacement head costs about $70 and should be swapped every 18 months, and that for daily shavers the gain over the Series 8 isn't worth the extra cost. ShaverCheck lists price as a con and says the new 96M head costs slightly more than older Series 9 heads. Amazon's review summary says some owners find it expensive to maintain.
- Loud, bulky cleaning station and a weak trimmer
CNN Underscored says the loud cleaning cycle was the only real drawback. Wirecutter found the station and charging case take a lot of counter space, the pop-up trimmer doesn't get as close as a standalone trimmer, and the head pivots only vertically. ShaverCheck calls the trimmer mediocre and the shaver itself noisy.
- Some owners find it no closer than older models
Walmart's lowest-rated reviews of the Series 9 Pro 9477cc say an older Series 7 shaved closer, shaving took longer than with a manual razor, and the trimmer hardly trims. Amazon's summary for the PRO+ says skin-irritation feedback is mixed.
Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver
- Harsher on sensitive skin
ShaverCheck saw pinching and stinging on the neck when moving fast and mild redness, says Braun's Series 8 or 9 is gentler, and doesn't recommend it for very sensitive skin. Amazon's summary says some owners report red, burning or irritated skin.
- Slower, struggles with long flat-lying hair
ShaverCheck says it struggles with long, flat-lying hair, a long-standing Panasonic issue. Wirecutter found neither Arc5 version shaved as quickly or closely as its top Braun pick, and CNN's three-day beard took nearly 3 minutes versus about 1.5 minutes with the Braun Series 9 Pro.
- Messy dock, pricey parts, average battery
CNN says the dock uses an open reservoir where you mix detergent and water, so you have to empty it to travel, and it is loud. ShaverCheck says the detergent tray can grow mold and mildew, foils (yearly) and blades (every two years) are pricey, and battery life is okay but behind Braun and Philips. Amazon battery feedback is mixed.
Who should pick which
Pick the Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver if
Thick beards or shaving every few days
Sensitive skin that still wants a fast shave
Hands-off cleaning with a dock
Skip it if: You shave daily and want the best value (the Series 8 is close); You want the very closest shave under the nose and on the chin; Counter space is tight
Pick the Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver if
The closest possible shave
Daily shavers with coarse beards
Hand-rinsing with a sonic cleaning mode
Skip it if: You have very sensitive skin; You let long, flat-lying hair grow between shaves; You want the longest battery life
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.