Panasonic: Can I Clean Model Es-lv65-s In The Es-lv95-s Cleaning Station?

Techlicious editors independently review products. To assist support our mission, we may earn chapter commissions from links contained on this page.

After reviewing the options and easily-on testing, the Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65-S wins our meridian pick for the All-time Shaver on the marketplace with its superior shave and a history of glowing reviews.

Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65 Shaver

For immigration away facial pilus, men have two choices: a modernistic electric shaver or the age-onetime razor and blade. I accept favored electric shavers over razors for nearly xxx years, and through the decades I've used and tested various models from three leading brands—Braun, Philips Norelco, and Panasonic.

Today, my shaver of pick is Braun's superlative-of-the-line Series 7 model 790cc–four, which I started using after its debut in 2010. The Series 7 also ranks at the top of Consumer Reports' shaver test. And to-appointment, Braun still has non announced whatsoever intention to replace it with a new meridian model.

Nevertheless, I wanted to know: What is the all-time men'south electric shaver now, at any price? Is at that place a newer shaver from any brand that's amend than the Braun Series 7? To notice the answer, I searched the Web for reviews of an assortment of shavers from diverse brands, compared technical specifications and prices, and then tested out the peak contender head-to-head confronting my beloved Serial 7.

I discovered the Series 7 has been equaled in user reviews online, by the Panasonic Arc5 model ES-LV61-A—an electric shaver with five blades, two more than than the Series seven.

To see if I would hold, I contacted Panasonic to request a review unit. I learned that there is an even newer Arc5 model that is just debuting in stores— the ES-LV65-South—that shares all the best features of the LV61, plus adds a new "stubble sensor" that automatically detects your beard's density and adjusts the shaver'southward motor speed to optimize cutting ability.

With review unit in hand, I went about testing the ES-LV65-Southward against my tried-and-true Series 7. While it was a close phone call, the Panasonic ES-LV65-South gets my option for the best electric men's shaver based on its superior shaving results, even if it comes at a stiffer cost.

Better technical specifications

The Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65 carries a stunningly high $499.99 manufacturer'due south suggested retail cost (MSRP), which is nearly double the $269.99 MSRP of the Braun 790cc. Only the toll of the ES-LV65 is quickly dropping, currently bachelor for $399.99 on Panasonic.com. And, helping to justify that staggering price differential, a comparison of both models' technical specifications does give the edge to the Panasonic shaver:

Whereas the Serial seven utilizes three cutting blades (ii at the front and back edges and one in the eye), the Arc5 has 5: two at the front and back edges, two adjacent to these, and one in the center.
Whereas the Series vii has a powerful motor that keeps the shaver'due south cutting head moving at a super quick speed of 10,000 vibrations per minute — to help lift hairs off the skin and prepare them to be cut — the motor in the Arc5 is 40 percent faster, vibrating the cutting head at a rate of fourteen,000 cycles per minute.
Different the Serial 7, which integrates all of the blades and foils in a single replaceable cartridge, the Arc5 has separately replaceable foil and blade cartridges, allowing users to economize past buying only new blades if they so choose. Nevertheless, there is a caveat: The cost to supervene upon the Serial seven's unmarried cartridge is lower than the cost to supersede the LV65'south split up cutter and foil, at $33.99 and $69.95 respectively. (I did find an Arc5 combination cutter and foil bundle on sale at Amazon.com recently for merely $67.98.)
The new "stubble sensor" in the LV65 automatically detects the beard'south density and adjusts the shaver's motor speed to optimize the device's cut power.
Both the Series 7 and the Arc5 feature 100 per centum waterproof bodies, and so they can be rinsed clean under running tap water. Merely the Arc5 is marketed as a "wet/dry out" shaver that can be used with shaving cream or gel if desired, and the Series 7 is not.

Like a vacuum cleaner for your face — but the caput is huge

An on-paper comparison is i thing, an on-face comparison quite another.

Indeed, similar a facial vacuum cleaner, the Arc5'due south five-bladed shaving head erased my bristles stubble quickly and efficiently, sometimes needing only i stroke to articulate an expanse of my face, fifty-fifty with 2-days of growth. And, overall, it completed the shaving task in as few or fewer strokes than my Series 7. But as with other Panasonic shavers, I plant that the Arc5's extremely large shaving head fabricated it awkward to use, especially around the edges of my sideburns.

Aesthetics are e'er a matter of personal opinion, of course, only I also idea the Arc5'due south shaving head was disproportionately oversized and visually weird atop the shaver's slim torso. The Braun Series 7 blueprint is proportional and fashionable and more appealing to me.

The new Arc5 follows a winner

There is no denying the popular consensus around the ES-LV65's predecessor, Panasonic'southward Arc5 model ES-LV61-A.

Amazon ranks products according to their share of positive user reviews, updating the rankings daily. And as I'm writing this commodity, in the category of "mens foil shavers" the Arc5 is up near the top, ranked in fourth identify behind 2 other Panasonic shavers and the Series 7—having only recently dropped beneath the Serial seven in rank.

In a lengthy review comparison the Arc5 LV61 to both a Braun Series 7 shaver and another Panasonic shaver—the iv–bract ES-LA63—Amazon user Dean! wrote in October 2011, "The shave on the v-blade LV61 is as close every bit whatsoever blade razor without drawing claret! I did the chin stubble exam and with this LV61 you admittedly cannot feel whatsoever stubble...I go close shaves that last beyond 5pm...and my pare ever feels smooth." This was comparable to the 4–blade LA63 shave quality, he said, adding that both of those machines shaved closer than the Braun. Only Dean! observed that the LV61 is amend built than the LA63, which "feels cheaper in quality from grip to aesthetics." He noted that the LV61 too feels lighter and amend balanced in the hand than the LA63, which he called "top–heavy."

Likewise, Amazon user William F. Liberatore wrote in September 2011, "I still don't call back that the Panasonic is as close as a skilful blade shave, just information technology is shut plenty that you'd be difficult pressed to tell the divergence." He added, "Information technology charges very quickly and seems to run a fairly long time on a accuse. I've used information technology 3 mornings now and notwithstanding showing 100%."

Cleaning machine selection

I like that my Braun 790cc came with an accessory machine that uses an alcohol–based cleaning and lubricating solution in "Clean & Renew" cartridges (sold separately) to refresh the shaver after each use. In packs of 4 at Amazon.com, those cartridges cost about $five each. Shaving every other mean solar day, I normally consume one cartridge per month (12 per year).

Many people would consider using such a cleaning system for a shaver that tin can be rinsed off in the sink to be silly. Information technology adds to the cost of the shaver, creates monthly cleaning cartridge expenses and takes up more space on your vanity. And for those people, the fact that the Panasonic LV65 is sold without the cleaning motorcar option could be a do good. But if y'all really want it, the ES-LV95-S comes with 1 for an extra $100.

Concluding phone call

If you're looking for the best shaver on the market place, go for the new Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65-Southward. It takes the winning technology of its predecessor and steps it up a notch. If you lot don't want to plunk downwards the admittedly pricey $399, the Braun Serial 7 model 790cc and Panasonic ES-LV61-A are fine runner-ups that volition save you lot $100-$200. And if you're really on a budget, check out our option for the Best Shaver Under $100.

Panasonic Arc5 ES–LV65–S

UPDATE 10/27/xiv: At present available on Amazon for $353

Foil vs. Rotary and a Runner–Upwards: Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1280X

Philips SensoTouch 1280x Shaver All of the above shavers fall into the "foil" category. That ways their blades sit beneath a curved metal encompass with a pattern of holes to capture hairs for cutting (the foil). The other major shaver category is "rotary," dominated past Philips Norelco models. Rotary shavers accept blades that sit down beneath round pigsty–covered heads that spin to capture and cut hairs. Bestratedelectricshavers.com offers an excellent exploration of the differences between foil and rotary shavers.

I also researched the best rotary shaver bachelor today, and easily concluded it'southward the Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D, which features three shaving heads stock-still in iii independent sections, each able to move in iii dimensions — pivoting around, tilting inward and flexing outward — to shave closer on face and neck curves. And each of the three heads besides incorporates 3 unlike schemes for capturing hair to be cutting: channels to grab longer hairs, slots to catch normal length hairs, and holes to grab short stubble.

A few SensoTouch 3D models are available, but the height–rated of all is the 1280X, which is the elevation–rated rotary shaver at Amazon.com, (where it sells for $312.95, discounted from an MSRP of $349.99). It also is the summit–ranked of all electric shavers in ShaverGuide.com's Top x list, and it garnered a "top rated" listing and accompanying stellar review at Bestratedelectricshavers.com.

All the same, the 1280X is one of those shavers that includes a cleaning motorcar. For those who adopt to buy just the shaver, the technically identical SensoTouch 3D 1290X (MSRP and Amazon.com cost of $249.99) excludes the cleaning machine and offers a meaning discount.

I tested a review unit of the 1290X with three–day stubble and found it quickly eradicated about of the whiskers on my face and neck. I was unable to accurately shave around the edges of my sideburn with the rotary heads, however, when following the recommended procedure with rotary shavers of using circular sweeping motions. I substituted the shaver's horizontal long–pilus trimmer equally a solution, but it did not perform the task anywhere near as well as a foil shaver does.

The motor in the 1290X besides seemed to me less powerful than that in either the Panasonic Arc5 or the Braun Series 7. None of this was a surprise to me; I take found in past trials that the best foil shavers provide me a closer shave than the best rotary shavers.

Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1280X

But here, of course, is the overarching caveat: Your preference may vary.

If the store's render policy allows it, sample each of these for two to three weeks — the fourth dimension it usually takes for skin to adjust to an electrical shaver when switching from a manual razor — keep what you like and return the others.

(Panasonic, Braun and Philips Norelco offer their ain money–dorsum satisfaction guarantees contained of retailers — valid for 30 days, sixty days and 45 days from appointment of buy, respectively.)