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Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver vs Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on skin comfort, battery, easy cleaning. Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver wins on closeness.
The biggest complaint about the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver is pricey for small gains; for the Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver it's harsher on sensitive skin. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige / Prestige Ultra Electric Shaver | Panasonic ARC5 Electric Shaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric shavers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Rotary | Foil |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 10% | 9% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Closeness | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Skin comfort | 4.0 | 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
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.
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 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
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
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