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Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver vs Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on closeness, skin comfort.
The biggest complaint about the Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver is expensive to buy and to maintain; for the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver it's pricey for small gains. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Braun Series 9 PRO+ Electric Shaver | Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric shavers | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Foil | Rotary |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | 10% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Closeness | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Skin comfort | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Battery | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| 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.
Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver
- Pricey for small gains
ShaverCheck lists the price and only incremental gains over earlier Philips models as cons. Wirecutter says you're paying for frivolous extras such as a light-up pressure sensor and app coaching. Amazon's summary says some owners find it disappointing for such an expensive model.
- Irritation and battery are hit-or-miss
ShaverCheck, whose reviewer has sensitive skin, had occasional stinging and redness and says foil shavers usually shave closer. Amazon's summary says some owners find it excellent for sensitive skin while others report lots of irritation, and some complain of fast battery drain.
- App sign-up, no USB-C, no wall charger
Wirecutter notes the GroomTribe app requires registering an email address. ShaverCheck says some features are app-only and the shaver uses a Philips-to-USB-A cable with no USB-C and no charger included.
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 Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver if
Rotary fans
Shaving every few days
Easy rinsing and a long warranty
Skip it if: You want the closest shave possible (a foil is closer); You don't want app features or registration; You want USB-C or a wall charger in the box
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