Panasonic ES-LV67-A811

Author: APOC286

Rating: 5

Review: If you're looking for a premium shaver it always seems like the two that go head are the Braun Series 9 shavers, and the 5 blade Panasonic shavers like this one. Well I recently used a Braun Series 9 for about 3 weeks, and that's gone back to Amazon because the shave I was getting wasn't worth the money. What arrived afterwards was this Panasonic 5 blade, and after just a few uses I can confidently say it will not be getting sent back. For a start it's a whopping £100 cheaper at current prices than the cheapest series 9 you should be considering (don't get one without a cleaning station). Next and arguably most importantly, it shaves closer than a Series 9 and has no problems getting at awkward hairs, that Series 9 couldn't get to properly. It's so much easier to clean than a Series 9. Couple of taps on the sink, few swipes with the brush, and maybe a rinse under the tap for good measure, and you're done. With the Braun Series 9 though, you've no hope of getting that thing clean without using the cleaning base, and that means using the cleaning solutions etc. Also lugging about a cleaning station that you have to use is not particularly travel friendly. You'll want to clean that Braun frequently as well, as it cakes up with hair at the drop of a hat. This Panasonic seems to cake up a lot less. Basically the Panasonic is cleaner to use, easier to clean, and more travel friendly. Minor little thing, but the Panasonic came with a clip on foil guard to protect that expensive foil, the Braun Series 9, did not. Both came with travel cases, but with the cost of the foils on these, a bit of extra protection is hugely welcome. The Panasonic's head moves a lot better, and locks more securely as well. For a start the Panasonic head flexes side to side, and has some in and out movement for the entire head, not just back and forwards like the Braun Series 9. When the head tilts as well, the foils stay in place in relation to the head, this means you get the full benefit of the head flexing, whereas on the Braun the foils retract when the head is flexed, making the flex kind of pointless. Additionally when the Panasonic head locks, it locks, it's not moving, unless you unlock it, whereas on the Braun it just engages some heavy detents, so the head moves still but just needs more force meaning it can occasionally click out of position. Alright so now I've covered the whole Braun Series 9, vs Panasonic 5 blade thing, what about this shaver in it's own right? Well I shave my entire head, if it's not an eye brow, eye lash, or up my nose, it's getting shaved off. For me is the biggest challenge of any shaver for me is the neck and chin, the skin is very sensitive there, but the hair there could probably sand wood, with just a day of growth, and I'm really fussy about shaving this area, as it's unpleasant rubbing your chin and feeling like you're swiping the rough side of velcro with the back of your hand. Also a smoother shave makes wearing a cloth mask less of a trying experience as well. However for this area with this shaver, it's hands down the best electric shave I've ever had. The 30 degree curve works for you here, effortlessly getting hairs where chin meets neck, and recessed areas around the windpipe where the skin goes inwards. I've never had a quicker, closer, or easier underchin shave with an electric razor. I have had marginally better results with standard razor, but not this quickly and easily, and even then only with a brand new fresh blade. In terms of shaving my head and face, it gives a great silky smooth shave, but the angle of the blades works slightly against you here, as it reduces the shavers contact patch on the flatter parts where there is nothing between skin and skull. This is easy to work around though in those situations by slightly tilting the shaver so you're using the side of the blades rather the centre. Ordinarily this would mean you'd be shaving for longer, but the shaver does such a good grab of getting hairs on a single pass, you'll make that time up in reduced repeat strokes. I thought the massive size of the foil head would lead to areas like directly under my nose, or behind my ears being difficult to get to, but I had no issues at all, I think it's the multiple directions the head flexes in, that make up for the size there. As for irritation, none at all. As I mentioned my neck and chin, are prone to sensitivity, but except for a very light tingle afterwards that could as much be due to the vibration from the motor, despite the closeness of the shave, there is no soreness or redness at all. This is with no balms, creams, or anything, just a straight up dry shave. If I had to nit pick anything, and it's a trivial thing, the noise... the noise this thing makes is horrible. It's loud and high pitched, and the first time you turn this thing on, you're most likely going to wince. Pleased to say though, not so bad when actually in use, but still there, still going to quite often be near your ears, and still possibly the least pleasant sounding shaver I've ever used, and shavers as a rule are not pleasant sounding things. I've bought a variety of different shavers over the last couple of years, from rotaries to foils, to expensive Skull Shaver Pitbulls, and obviously the Braun Series 9, to cheap and cheerful Sweetlyf, and Surker's, but out of all them, this is the one that if it got run over by a truck tomorrow, I'd immediately buy another.

Author: D Taylor

Rating: 4

Review: I have to admit I'm surprised by this shaver. I've had a couple of other "premium" shavers, both over £200, that were all returned. Now, let's quickly address the obvious. No electric shaver us going to give you as close or as smooth a shave as doing it with a razer. That's why I've returned all the others I've had, as they were really bad shaves. However this one is a really good shave. The semi floating head adds a lot to the shave I believe. And while yes, it does miss some of the fine hairs around the base if the throat, it does really well elsewhere. It does have a fine shaver on the side as well, so getting most of the finer hairs isn't a huge issue. As for the running costs of the shaver, it's about on par with what i spend over a year on normal Gillette razers. So I don't really have that much of an issue with the costs. Especially since you don't "need" the cleaning solution. Overall I'm really happy with this shaver, especially since its half price fir the prime sale