BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 7 vs 8 vs 9 Pro+
BIKMAN TECHWelcome to the BIKMAN TECH blog! If you're navigating the world of premium electric shavers, you've likely encountered Braun's impressive lineup. But with multiple series boasting advanced technology, choosing the right one can be a close shave in itself. This post aims to clear the confusion by diving deep into a comprehensive comparison of three popular contenders: the 🟨 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 7, 🔵 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 8, and 🟩 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 9 Pro+. We'll break down their key features, performance, and nuances to help you find the perfect grooming companion for your needs and budget.
Product Overview: A Glimpse into Braun's Shaving Prowess
Braun has long been a trusted name in personal grooming, renowned for its German engineering, innovative technology, and durable products. The Series 7, 8, and 9 Pro+ each represent different tiers within Braun's portfolio, catering to varying preferences for closeness, comfort, and advanced features.
The 🟨 Series 7 has been a long-standing favorite, known for its excellent balance of performance and value, providing a comfortable and efficient shave. It's often seen as the workhorse of the Braun family.
The 🔵 Series 8 steps up the game, offering enhanced comfort and skin-friendliness, often incorporating more advanced sonic vibrations and a slightly more refined design than the Series 7. It aims to bridge the gap between the Series 7 and the premium Series 9 range.
The 🟩 Series 9 Pro+ represents the pinnacle of Braun's shaving technology. It's designed for ultimate closeness and comfort, even on dense beards, boasting the most advanced features, cutting elements, and a premium feel.
Key Differences: At a Glance
While all three series promise a quality shave, their core distinctions lie in their shaving heads, motor power, specialized features, and included accessories.
| Feature | 🟨 Series 7 | 🔵 Series 8 | 🟩 Series 9 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaving Head | 360° Flex head | 8D Flex head | 10D Flex head, ProTrimmer |
| Cutting Elements | 3 cutting elements | 3 cutting elements + SkinGuard | 5 ProShave elements |
| Sonic Vibrations | AutoSense Technology | 30,000 cutting actions/min | 40,000 cutting actions/min |
| Motor Power | Good | Very Good | Excellent (Highest) |
| Wet & Dry Use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cleaning Station | SmartCare Center (select models) | SmartCare Center (select models) | 5-in-1 SmartCare Center (Pro+) |
| Precision Trimmer | EasyClick attachment | Integrated/EasyClick (varies) | Integrated ProTrimmer |
| Battery Life | ~50 minutes | ~60 minutes | ~60 minutes |
Design and Build Quality: Crafted for Comfort and Durability
All three series exhibit Braun's commitment to ergonomic design and robust build quality, ensuring a comfortable grip and long-lasting performance.
🟨 The Series 7 typically features a sturdy plastic body with rubberized grips for secure handling, even in wet conditions. Its design is functional and has been refined over years for user comfort.
🔵 The Series 8 often presents a slightly more premium aesthetic compared to the 7, with sleeker lines and sometimes metallic accents. The ergonomics remain excellent, providing a balanced feel in hand.
🟩 The Series 9 Pro+ boasts the most luxurious design and feel. It often incorporates more premium materials, such as chrome finishes, and has a meticulously balanced ergonomic shape designed for optimal control and comfort during extended shaving sessions. The build quality is undeniably top-tier, reflecting its flagship status.
Shaving Performance: Closeness and Comfort Compared
This is where the rubber meets the road, or rather, the foil meets the stubble.
🟨 The Series 7 utilizes its 360° Flex head and AutoSense Technology, which adapts the motor power to your beard density. It provides a close and comfortable shave, particularly effective for those with up to 3-day beards. While efficient, it might require an extra pass on denser or longer hairs compared to the higher series.
🔵 The Series 8 aims for enhanced skin comfort. Its 8D Flex head and increased sonic vibrations (around 30,000 cutting actions per minute) allow the shaver to glide more smoothly over the skin. The SkinGuard helps protect against nicks and irritation, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin. It generally handles slightly denser beards better than the Series 7.
🟩 The Series 9 Pro+ delivers Braun's closest and most comfortable shave. Its 10D Flex head adapts to even the most difficult contours. With 5 specialized ProShave elements, including the unique ProLift trimmer designed to lift and cut flat-lying hairs, and 40,000 cutting actions per minute, it tackles dense beards (even up to 7-day beards) with remarkable efficiency and gentleness. The SyncroSonic™ technology ensures the shaver provides the right amount of power precisely when needed.
Key Features Deep Dive
Let's delve into some specific technological highlights.
Shaving Heads and Flexibility:
- 🟨 Series 7: Features a 360° adaptation for constant contact, even in tricky areas like the jawline.
- 🔵 Series 8: Offers an 8-directional flexible head that maintains close skin contact.
- 🟩 Series 9 Pro+: Boasts a 10-directional flexible head, providing maximum adaptability to facial contours for ultimate closeness.
Cutting Elements:
- 🟨 Series 7: Comes with 3 cutting elements (2x SensoFoil™, 1x MiddleTrimmer) that work together to capture more hair in one stroke.
- 🔵 Series 8: Also features 3 cutting elements but often includes an additional SkinGuard to protect the skin while shaving efficiently.
- 🟩 Series 9 Pro+: Is equipped with 5 synchronized shaving elements: 2x OptiFoil™ for perfect closeness, a ProLift Trimmer to capture flat-lying hairs, a Skin Guard to protect your skin, and a Direct&Cut Trimmer to align and cut hairs growing in different directions.
AutoSense™ and SyncroSonic™ Technology:
Both the 🟨 Series 7 and 🔵 Series 8 feature Braun's AutoSense™ technology, which reads beard density and adapts motor power accordingly. The 🟩 Series 9 Pro+ takes this further with its advanced SyncroSonic™ technology, delivering 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute to help capture more hair with every stroke, making it exceptionally efficient.
ProTrimmer (Series 9 Pro+):
A standout feature of the 🟩 Series 9 Pro+ is its redesigned ProTrimmer. Enhanced with surgical-grade steel, it’s designed for maximum cutting efficiency on even longer hairs, sideburns, and mustaches, providing a precise finish.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | 🟨 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 7 | 🔵 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 8 | 🟩 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 9 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Technology | AutoSense Technology | AutoSense Technology, Sonic Tech | SyncroSonic™ Technology, ProLift Trimmer |
| Cutting Actions/min | Varies (Adapts) | ~30,000 | ~40,000 |
| Flexible Head | 360° Flex | 8D Contour Adaptation | 10D Flex Head |
| Shaving Elements | 3 | 3 + SkinGuard | 5 (incl. ProLift Trimmer) |
| Wet & Dry | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | LED (varies by model) | LED (varies by model) | Advanced LED Display (Pro+) |
| Run Time | Approx. 50 minutes | Approx. 60 minutes | Approx. 60 minutes |
| Quick Charge | 5 minutes for 1 shave | 5 minutes for 1 shave | 5 minutes for 1 shave |
| Full Charge Time | Approx. 1 hour | Approx. 1 hour | Approx. 1 hour |
| Waterproof | Yes, up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) | Yes, up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) | Yes, up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) |
Note: Specific features and model numbers within each series can vary. Always check the exact specifications for the particular model you are considering.
Contents and Accessories
The included accessories can significantly enhance the ownership experience.
🟨 Series 7 models typically come with the shaver, a charging cord, a cleaning brush, and often a travel pouch. Select models include the SmartCare Center for automatic cleaning, charging, and lubrication. An EasyClick precision trimmer attachment is usually standard.
🔵 Series 8 shavers generally include similar accessories: the shaver, charging cord, cleaning brush, and a travel case. Many Series 8 models also come with a SmartCare Center. Precision trimmer functionality is either integrated or available as an EasyClick attachment depending on the specific model.
🟩 Series 9 Pro+ shavers come with a more premium accessory package. This usually includes the shaver, the advanced 5-in-1 SmartCare Center Pro (which cleans, lubricates, dries, charges, and selects cleaning programs), a cleaning cartridge, a cleaning brush, a premium travel case (often a PowerCase for charging on the go with select Pro+ models), and a smart plug. The ProTrimmer is integrated.
Dimensions and Weight
While specific dimensions and weights can vary slightly between models within each series, they are all designed for comfortable handling.
- 🟨 Series 7: Generally lightweight and ergonomic, weighing around 200-250 grams (7-8.8 ounces).
- 🔵 Series 8: Similar in weight or slightly heavier than the Series 7, maintaining good balance, typically around 220-280 grams (7.7-9.9 ounces).
- 🟩 Series 9 Pro+: May feel slightly more substantial due to premium materials and advanced components, but still ergonomically balanced, often in the 230-300 gram (8.1-10.6 ounces) range.
Exact dimensions are best checked per specific model, but all are designed to fit comfortably in the hand and be maneuverable across the face.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
All three Braun series are designed for user-friendliness. They are 100% waterproof, making them easy to clean under running water. For those who prefer automated cleaning, the SmartCare Centers are a significant convenience.
🟨 The Series 7 is straightforward to use and clean. The EasyClick system allows for quick attachment changes. Manual cleaning is simple, and the SmartCare Center (if included) automates the process.
🔵 The Series 8 offers a similar ease of use. Its cleaning and maintenance are comparable to the Series 7, with the SmartCare Center providing added convenience for models that include it.
🟩 The Series 9 Pro+ with its 5-in-1 SmartCare Center Pro offers the most hands-off maintenance experience. The station handles cleaning, drying, and lubricating automatically. The integrated ProTrimmer means no swapping attachments for detailed work.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is consistently strong across these series.
- 🟨 Series 7: Provides approximately 50 minutes of shaving time from a 1-hour charge. A 5-minute quick charge is sufficient for one shave.
- 🔵 Series 8: Offers a slightly longer run time, typically around 60 minutes from a 1-hour charge, with the same 5-minute quick charge capability.
- 🟩 Series 9 Pro+: Also delivers around 60 minutes of shaving time on a full charge. The 5-minute quick charge is standard. Some premium Pro+ models come with a PowerCase, a portable charging case that can provide up to 6 weeks of shaving without needing a wall charger, which is a fantastic feature for travelers.
All use Li-Ion batteries, known for their longevity and lack of memory effect.
Compatibility
The primary compatibility concern is with charging accessories and cleaning cartridges for the SmartCare Centers. Generally, components are specific to their series or even sub-models.
- EasyClick Attachments: Braun offers a range of EasyClick attachments (e.g., beard trimmers, stubble stylers, cleansing brushes) that are compatible with many models across these series, but it's crucial to verify compatibility for your specific shaver model before purchasing additional attachments.
- Cleaning Cartridges: Braun Clean & Renew cartridges are used in the SmartCare Centers. Ensure you purchase the correct type for your specific center.
Real-World Use and Consumer Feedback
Consumer feedback generally praises all three series for their build quality and shaving performance, but preferences emerge based on individual needs.
🟨 Users of the Series 7 often highlight its reliability and good value for money. It's praised for providing a comfortable shave for most beard types without excessive irritation. Some users with very coarse or dense beards mention needing a few extra passes.
🔵 The Series 8 is often lauded for its enhanced comfort, especially by users with sensitive skin. The smoother glide and effective cutting action are frequently mentioned as positives. It’s seen as a noticeable step up in comfort from the Series 7 by many.
🟩 The Series 9 Pro+ consistently receives top marks for closeness and comfort, even on challenging beards and sensitive skin. Users appreciate its efficiency, requiring fewer strokes and causing minimal irritation. The premium feel and the advanced SmartCare Center Pro are also popular features, though the higher price is a consideration. The PowerCase (on select models) is a much-loved travel accessory.
Sustainability Considerations
Braun, as part of Procter & Gamble, is making efforts towards sustainability.
- Durability: Braun shavers are generally built to last, which reduces the need for frequent replacements. Many shavers are repairable, and spare parts like shaver heads are available for several years (typically 18 months for replacement foils and cutters).
- Packaging: The company is working on reducing packaging material and increasing the use of recyclable materials.
- Energy Efficiency: The SmartCare Centers and chargers are designed to be energy efficient.
While specific sustainability reports for each shaver series are not commonly detailed, opting for a durable product and maintaining it well (e.g., regular cleaning, replacing foils/cutters as needed) contributes to a more sustainable approach to personal grooming.
Conclusion: Making Your Choice with BIKMAN TECH
Choosing between the 🟨 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 7, 🔵 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 8, and 🟩 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 9 Pro+ ultimately depends on your individual priorities, beard type, skin sensitivity, and budget.
If you're looking for a reliable, high-performing shaver that offers excellent value, the 🟨 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 7 is a fantastic choice. It delivers a consistently close and comfortable shave for most users.
For those with sensitive skin or who desire a step up in comfort and a slightly more advanced feature set, the 🔵 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 8 provides a smoother experience and often a more premium feel without reaching the top-tier price point.
If only the best will do, and you seek the ultimate in closeness, comfort, and cutting-edge technology, especially for dense or challenging beards, the 🟩 BRAUN Electric Shaver Series 9 Pro+ is the undisputed champion. Its advanced features, superior shaving elements, and premium accessories justify its position as Braun's flagship shaver.
We at BIKMAN TECH hope this detailed comparison has illuminated the path to your perfect Braun shaver. We encourage you to share your experiences or ask any further questions in the comments below! Ready to find the best deal on your chosen shaver? Click the link below to explore current offers.
