Panasonic Arc5 vs Braun Series 9 really is the battle of the titans.
These two are arguably the most powerful, advanced and capable electric shavers you can buy today.
But which one is better? More precisely, which one would be a better fit for you?
In these article we’ll address all the facets of the matter and go over the most important aspects that should be considered when trying to decide between the Arc 5 or Series 9 electric shavers.
An overview of the Panasonic Arc 5 and Braun Series 9 lines
Both Panasonic and Braun release updates for their electric shavers. The frequency of the cycles varies and the naming scheme is often inconsistent and confusing.
Moreover, it’s not always clear if the update is a major one, impacting the performance, or it’s just a minor makeover.
These things only make choosing between a Panasonic Arc 5 and a Braun Series 9 even more difficult.
For this very reason it’s vital to clarify the confusion before getting to the actual differences between the Arc5 and the Series 9 lines.
Panasonic Arc 5 shavers
The Arc5 represents Panasonic’s high-end line of electric shavers. The Arc designates the slightly arched profile of the shaving head, while the 5 stands for the 5 cutting elements. We’re going to group the Arc 5 shavers into 3 categories:
The first generation Arc 5 (released in 2009). These include shavers like the ES-LV61-A or ES-LV-81-K. You can also differentiate them from the newer Arc 5 razor by the bulkier cleaning stations that used the older detergent cartridges instead of sachets. More on this later on.
First generation Arc5 ES-LV-81-K with the older cleaning station
The second generation Arc 5 (released in 2013). In this group we’ll find the ES-LV-65-S (no cleaning station) and the ES-LV-95-S (automatic cleaning station). The cleaning stations received a major update and use detergent sachets – a very economical solution. The design is also a departure from the older Arc4 and Arc5 lines and paved the road for Panasonic’s latest design language (also used for the new Arc3 LT shavers).
Second generation Arc5 ES-LV-95-S with the updated design and cleaning station
The third generation Arc 5 (launched in September 2015). This latest lineup includes shavers like the ES-LV-9A-S (international model, automatic cleaning station), ES-LV-6A-S (international model, no cleaning station). They use the same automatic cleaning stations as the second generation above. The shavers for the American market are named ES-LV-9N and ES-LV-6N, but they are identical to the international ones there are also available in the USA. In September 2016 Panasonic released a minor update to this third generation Arc5. You can differentiate them from the previous 2015 international models by the use of the letter B in their names instead of A (ES-LV9B-S, ES-LV-6B-S). The improvements consist in the use of a textured material for the thumb rest instead of a smooth finish, an increase in the front-to-back tilt angle of the head (from 17 to 20 degrees) and a low battery alarm. More details here. I personally don’t consider these changes to affect the actual shaving performance in any significant way.
Latest generation Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
In this article we’ll mainly refer to the latest (third) generation of Arc5 shavers when putting them against the Series 9. It’s only fair to compare Panasonic’s latest and greatest to the similar shavers from Braun.
However, I’ll still mention the older generation Arc5 in certain situations as they can still represent an excellent choice.
Braun Series 9
The Series 9 is Braun’s current flagship shaver. The older Series 7 was beginning to show its age and Braun needed a new beast to remain at the top. And with the Series 9 it achieved precisely that.
At the moment of writing, there are basically two generation of Series 9 shavers:
The original Series 9. The shavers for the American market are the 9095cc (automatic cleaning station wet/dry use), 9090cc (automatic cleaning station, dry only use), 9093s (no cleaning station, wet/dry use). While choosing one comes down to your personal needs, the shaving performance is identical throughout the entire line.
Braun Series 9 9090cc (dry only, cleaning station) from the original line.
The updated Series 9. The updated models are now called 9295cc, 9290cc and 9293s. The update is minor and mainly consists in a titanium coated HyperLift&Cut Trimmer and a new silver color scheme. You can identify the newer models by the distinct golden color of the trimmer (it used to be blue on the previous models). As you probably guessed, this doesn’t improve the actual performance in any way. Moreover, these newer models are more expensive than the original Series 9 shavers which can be found at an excellent price with a bit of research.
If you would like to know more details, I wrote a comprehensive post outlining the differences between the original and updated Series 9.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the most important part: the differences between the Panasonic Arc 5 and the Braun Series 9 and how they stack against each other for the things that matter the most.
Panasonic Arc 5 vs Braun Series 9: shaving performance
Shaving performance is likely the most important aspect to factor in when buying an electric razor.
And since we’re analyzing two of the most advanced shavers on the market, we’re going to divide the shaving performance into 4 distinct parts as there are lots of important bits to cover and both the Arc5 and Series 9 have pros and cons:
Closeness of the shave
Comfort
Dealing with longer, curly, flat lying hair
Wet & dry use
Please note that shaving is a very personal matter and a lot of these considerations are based on anecdotal evidence that should serve you as guidelines when trying to decide which one would suit you better.
1. Closeness of the shave
As I’ve said it several times before, I find foil shavers to provide the closest shaves. And among foil shavers, Panasonic is the king when it comes strictly to the closeness of the shave.
The Arc5 is their top of the line shaver and unsurprisingly it absolutely shines when it comes to performance.
Don’t get me wrong, the Series 9 is an extremely capable razor and the majority will be more than satisfied with the closeness it provides. But the Arc5 has the edge.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
So how does Panasonic manage to offer a closeness that’s comparable to a razor blade? There’s a combination of several factors that work together seamlessly.
Starting with the shaving head, the curvature (arch) of the foils allows optimal contact with the skin. Then we have Panasonic’s extremely sharp blades that have a very aggressive 30 degrees bevel and cut the hairs clean and efficiently.
Finally, there’s the very powerful 14 000 CPM motor and, as far as I know, it’s the fastest unit fitted to any shaver. In fact, Panasonic uses an almost as fast motor on even their lower end shavers, like the Series 3.
The result? The Arc5 is arguably the closest shaving electric shaver you can buy today. And this statement is also true in the case of older generation Arc5, like the ES-LV61-A or ES-LV-95-S, which are still fantastic performers when it comes to closeness, but can now be bought at great discounts.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
Check the price on Amazon.com
2. Comfort
While Panasonic is slightly better when it comes to closeness, Braun has set the benchmark in the comfort department with the Series 7. And with the Series 9, it has taken things one notch higher.
With a redesigned shaving head, a more powerful motor and an additional cutting element, the Series 9 is Braun’s best shaver to date. And it is supremely comfortable and gentle to the skin.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
The micro-pulsations, while they don’t make a huge difference in the end result, really transform the shaving experience with the Series 9 which feels like a gentle massage.
Shaving with the Series 9 feels effortless and is a real treat. The foils remain cool during use and you’ll really have to struggle to make the Series 9 cause any noticeable discomfort.
However, with the Arc5 there’s a small trade-off in comfort for that extreme closeness and the Arc5 is not as forgiving as the Series 9. Applying more pressure and going over repeatedly over a sensitive area can cause rashes and irritation. The foils also tend to generate some heat during use, which is not ideal for sensitive skin.
The newest Arc 5 shavers (third generation) use comfort rollers to prevent excessive pressure and allow the shaving head to glide smoothly over the skin. This improves the comfort compared to the previous generations, but the Series 9 is still slightly on top.
The Braun Series 9 would definitely be the better choice for someone with sensitive, blemish prone skin.
3. Dealing with longer, curly, flat lying hair
This is the Achilles’ heel of most electric shavers and the majority of them falls short. This is particularly the case with lower end shavers that only perform decent when used for shaving short stubble.
The more advanced electric razors usually fair better in this regard and have specially designed cutting elements to tackle longer, flat lying hairs. This is also the reason why an advanced razor is recommended if you’re not planning on shaving daily.
The Arc5 uses a trimmer called a Quick Comb Blade that catches longer hairs and cuts them to a more manageable size for the other cutting elements. This trimmer it flanked by two Lift-Tech Foils that supposedly lift and cut flat lying hairs.
The Braun Series 9 uses a Hyper Lift & Cut (colored blue) trimmer that was originally found on the Series 7 (and worked quite decently) to tackle the hairs that lie flat on the skin. The novelty of the Series 9 is the Direct & Cut trimmer that captures longer hairs that grow in different directions.
The two specially designed trimmers of the Series 9 work very good with longer, curly hairs that lie flat on the skin
Braun’s implementations of these specially designed trimmers seems to be superior. They work synergistically and allow the Series 9 to perform better than pretty much any other foil shaver when it comes to cutting longer, flat lying hairs that tend to curl and grow in different directions.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
So if you plan on shaving every 2 to 3 days and have flat lying hairs that grow in multiple directions, the Series 9 is the more sensible choice. The Arc5 requires more passes to get all the tricky hairs and this can also irritate the skin.
The Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are equally impressive with shorter hair and will mow through even the coarsest beards with ease.
4. Wet & dry use
Wet shaving with an electric razor can improve the closeness and particularly the comfort. This can be a great option for men with very sensitive skin.
All Panasonic Arc5 shavers are suitable for wet & dry use, while the Series 9 offers both wet & dry (9095cc, 9093s) and dry only shavers (9090cc).
But there’s a catch.
Usually, wet & dry means that you can use the shaver with a shaving cream. With the Panasonic Arc5, there are no restrictions to that. You can use it with shaving creams or gels, in the shower, then toss it into the cleaning station and you’re all set.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
However, that’s not the case with the Series 9. Braun oddly decided to make the wet & dry models that come with a cleaning station, like the 9095cc, only suitable for shaving in the shower, and NOT to be used with a shaving cream as it can damage the cleaning station.
So if you want to use a Series 9 with shaving cream you’ll be stuck with choosing a variation that doesn’t include a cleaning station, like the 9093s. And that means, of course, to clean it manually. And that’s a bit of hassle with the Series 9 as you’ll see later on in this article.
For these reasons, and also due to the fact that the Panasonic Arc5 performs better when used with a shaving cream, improving the comfort of the shave, my advice is this:
Choose the Series 9 if you’re only going to be use it for dry shaving. The 9090cc is the best option here as it comes with a cleaning station and is also cheaper than the wet & dry 9095cc.
Choose the Panasonic Arc5 if you’re going to use it with a shaving cream. There are no restrictions to it, you can use the cleaning station or clean it manually with ease; moreover, the comfort of the shave will be improved.
Build quality and ergonomics
A pioneer in industrial design, Braun was often praised for the simple, but ingenious design solutions used in their manufacturing process. The high quality materials and flawless finishing were also a highlight of their products.
And this was the norm for many years. However, things have changed with the introduction the two lines of shavers discussed here.
So how does the Panasonic Arc5 fair against the Series 9 when it comes to build quality?
Quite good, actually.
Braun’s flagship is made entirely out of plastic, with either a chrome finish or a high gloss black. As it was expected, this treatment will not stand the test of time very well, at least aesthetically.
The chrome or glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet and will begin to tarnish in time. The use of plastic also makes the razor feel less premium.
Panasonic have upped their game with the latest iteration of the Arc5 line which now features an all metal body. This is a clear departure from the older generation, which featured plastic and a more in your face design.
The metal body of the new Arc5 has brushed/matte finish that looks and feels outstanding and the whole design just oozes quality. The intricate and massive shaving head, with its distinct golden comfort rollers, is something to behold.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
So the tides have changed and the new Panasonic Arc5 takes the lead in the aesthetics and build quality department.
As far as ergonomics go, both the Arc 5 and the Series 9 score very good. The Series 9 is lighter and has a slimmer shaving head as it “only” has 4 cutting elements and this makes it more nimble.
The Panasonic Arc5 has a massive shaving head and may seem awkward at first, but you quickly get used to its proportions. Also, the Arc5 has probably the most adaptable shaving head of any foil razor, as it can also be depressed. This is useful when shaving difficult areas that are problematic for foil shavers, like beneath the jawline.
None of the two however is ideal for finesse work (shaving around a goatee or around the sideburns) due to the large shaving heads. Both feature a head locking mechanism that comes in handy in these situations.
The long hair trimmers found on the Panasonic Arc5 and the Braun Series 9 are different in the way they are designed, but are both suitable for light grooming and touch-ups.
The Arc5 uses the same design as all Panasonic shavers, with the trimmer placed behind and perpendicular to the shaving head. The Series 9 has a trimmer that slides forward, but doesn’t extend beyond the shaving head.
The Arc5 popup trimmer is obscured by the shaving head
In both cases the trimmer is obscured by the massive heads, but you can sort of get around this problem by removing the shaving head and blades before using the trimmer.
Automatic and manual cleaning
When deciding whether the Panasonic Arc5 or the Braun Series 9 would be a better fit for you, the automatic cleaning solutions deserve a separate topic. And that’s because there are quite a few things to be considered here.
Traditionally, Braun cleaning station were superior when compared to those of the competition. They use alcohol, do an excellent job at cleaning and sanitizing the shaver, they are quiet, fast, efficient and the cleaning fluid also lubricates the blades.
So if we were to compare the first generation Arc5 shavers and the Series 9, I would simply tell you to skip the station for the Panasonics and go for it if you were to choose the Braun.
But things are different now.
With the second generation Arc 5, Panasonic also updated the cleaning stations. They now use sachets of detergent instead of cartridges that must be dissolved in water beforehand. The cleaning bases are also more compact in size compared to the previous ones.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
The switch to the detergent sachets is also economical. They are very cheap to buy and also last longer than Braun’s cleaning cartridges. This means that the cost associated with the cleaning stations will be lower in the case of the newer Arc5 shavers (second and third generations).
For these reasons I can safely state that the automatic cleaning stations that come with the newer Arc5 shavers are at least as good as Braun’s.
My recommendation would be to go for a model that includes one if you’re buying a second or third generation Arc5 and skip it if you’re going for a razor from the first generation. Or you can skip it regardless and save some money as Panasonics are dead easy to clean manually. For these reasons the first generation ES-LV-61-A below is a very good budget-friendly option.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
Check the price on Amazon.com
Regarding the Series 9, definitely go for a model that comes with the Clean & Renew station. Braun shavers are notoriously difficult to clean manually due to the fact that the blades and foils are integrated into one piece, called a cassette.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
On the other hand, Panasonic shavers are dead easy to clean, so if you decide to skip the station and save some money it won’t be such a big deal.
The blades and foils of the Arc5 can be separately removed, making it easier to clean all the hair clippings and dirt from the shaving head. Panasonic also has a special cleaning mode, called sonic mode, activated by turning then shaver on, then pressing and holding the ON/OFF switch for 2 seconds.
This makes the blades to vibrate really fast, dislodging any debris and dirt.
To sum it up:
If the Series 9 is a better fit for you, go for one that includes a cleaning station
If the Panasonic Arc5 is your pick, skip the cleaning station for the first generation; for the second and third it’s up to you to decide if the added convenience of automatic cleaning is worth the extra money.
Price and value for money
When assessing the costs of the Panasonic Arc5 vs the Braun Series 9, we must consider three components:
Purchase price
Replacement parts
Cleaning cartridges/detergent
Also, please note that the availability and price of these parts can vary tremendously and I’ll do my best to keep this post updated and relevant.
Newly launched products are usually expensive and that was (and still is to some extent) the case with the Braun Series 9 and the Panasonic Arc5.
So here’s an overview of the situation at the moment of writing.
Braun Series 9
Due to the recent (and minor) update mentioned at the beginning of this article, (the titanium coated trimmer), previous Series 9 shavers like the 9095cc, 9090cc or 99093s can be found at great prices, especially the dry only models (9090cc).
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
The replacement shaving heads for the Series 9 are still pretty expensive and they were also difficult to find in the beginning. The shortage was eventually sorted out and the steep price will go down as time passes. And considering that Braun recommends replacing the cassette every 18 months, this isn’t such a big issue anymore.
Regarding the price of the cleaning cartridges, your costs should be around $2 – 3 per month. This depends on the price of the cartridges (which can vary) and how often you shave. Also, buying them in bulk (a pack of 4 for example) will usually mean a lower price per cartridge.
Braun Clean and Renew Cartridges
Check the price on Amazon.com
Please do keep in mind that being alcohol based, they tend to evaporate faster and will need to be replaced more often. To avoid this, make sure to remove the cartridge from the base and put the cap back if you’re not using the cleaning station daily.
To sum it up: apart from the replacement cassettes that are still pricey, the Series 9 is looking pretty good in terms of overall costs, at least for a high-end electric shaver.
Panasonic Arc5
As said previously, there are three generations of Arc5 shavers and all of them are still available.
Unsurprisingly, the older ones can be found at a great price, especially the models that don’t come with a cleaning station.
And since they can be easily cleaned manually, the older models represent a fantastic option for someone on a tighter budget.
The Panasonic ES-LV61-A Arc5 below would be my personal pick in this case. Or any other shavers from the first two generations if you can find them at a nice discount.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
Check the price on Amazon.com
Regarding the latest models, the price is pretty high at the moment, but comparable to a wet & dry Series 9 (9095cc). But if this is not an issue, it really is a fantastic performer and definitely Panasonic’s best shaver yet.
One of the most significant improvements of the second and third generations Arc5 was the cleaning station. The detergent sachets are cheap and the monthly cost is even lower compared to Braun’s solution (about half at the moment of writing).
Panasonic WES4L03 detergent packs (3 count)
Check the price on Amazon.com
Also, since they don’t use alcohol, you won’t have to worry about evaporation anymore.
The ES-LV95-A (second generation) comes with the same cleaning station as the latest generation Arc5, but the shaver and particularly the replacements cost less. It is an excellent budget Arc5 if you also want the convenience of a cleaning station.
Panasonic ES-LV95-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
The Panasonic replacement foils and blades used to be pretty expensive compared to the ones for similar Braun shavers. Regarding the latest Arc 5 and the Series 9, it still appears to be the case, even though the difference is not huge. In its defense, the Arc5 is newer, so the price will definitely go down in the future. Again, this is where the older Arc5 can be a great option as the foils and blades are priced significantly lower.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
Takeaway: The Panasonic Arc5 can also offer excellent value for money, especially in the case of the older models. The low price of the detergent will reduce the running costs – in the case of second and third generation Arc5. Regarding the latest models, the replacements are still expensive and difficult to find (you can order them directly from Panasonic).
Overall, I would say that the Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are pretty similar in terms of overall costs.
Final word
This concludes our Panasonic Arc5 vs Braun Series 9 battle. By this time you should hopefully have a slight inclination towards the shaver that looks like a better option.
The Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are fantastic performers, but depending on your particular situation, choosing one over the other can make perfect sense. Also, there are currently 3 Arc5 generations and the first two can still be great budget-friendly alternatives.
The titanium coated Series 9 shavers are not worth considering in my opinion, so just stick to the regular ones when making your decision.
Finally, since these are probably the best foil shavers on the market, it’s hard to think that you won’t be perfectly satisfied with either of the two.
These two are arguably the most powerful, advanced and capable electric shavers you can buy today.
But which one is better? More precisely, which one would be a better fit for you?
In these article we’ll address all the facets of the matter and go over the most important aspects that should be considered when trying to decide between the Arc 5 or Series 9 electric shavers.
An overview of the Panasonic Arc 5 and Braun Series 9 lines
Both Panasonic and Braun release updates for their electric shavers. The frequency of the cycles varies and the naming scheme is often inconsistent and confusing.
Moreover, it’s not always clear if the update is a major one, impacting the performance, or it’s just a minor makeover.
These things only make choosing between a Panasonic Arc 5 and a Braun Series 9 even more difficult.
For this very reason it’s vital to clarify the confusion before getting to the actual differences between the Arc5 and the Series 9 lines.
Panasonic Arc 5 shavers
The Arc5 represents Panasonic’s high-end line of electric shavers. The Arc designates the slightly arched profile of the shaving head, while the 5 stands for the 5 cutting elements. We’re going to group the Arc 5 shavers into 3 categories:
The first generation Arc 5 (released in 2009). These include shavers like the ES-LV61-A or ES-LV-81-K. You can also differentiate them from the newer Arc 5 razor by the bulkier cleaning stations that used the older detergent cartridges instead of sachets. More on this later on.
First generation Arc5 ES-LV-81-K with the older cleaning station
The second generation Arc 5 (released in 2013). In this group we’ll find the ES-LV-65-S (no cleaning station) and the ES-LV-95-S (automatic cleaning station). The cleaning stations received a major update and use detergent sachets – a very economical solution. The design is also a departure from the older Arc4 and Arc5 lines and paved the road for Panasonic’s latest design language (also used for the new Arc3 LT shavers).
Second generation Arc5 ES-LV-95-S with the updated design and cleaning station
The third generation Arc 5 (launched in September 2015). This latest lineup includes shavers like the ES-LV-9A-S (international model, automatic cleaning station), ES-LV-6A-S (international model, no cleaning station). They use the same automatic cleaning stations as the second generation above. The shavers for the American market are named ES-LV-9N and ES-LV-6N, but they are identical to the international ones there are also available in the USA. In September 2016 Panasonic released a minor update to this third generation Arc5. You can differentiate them from the previous 2015 international models by the use of the letter B in their names instead of A (ES-LV9B-S, ES-LV-6B-S). The improvements consist in the use of a textured material for the thumb rest instead of a smooth finish, an increase in the front-to-back tilt angle of the head (from 17 to 20 degrees) and a low battery alarm. More details here. I personally don’t consider these changes to affect the actual shaving performance in any significant way.
Latest generation Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
In this article we’ll mainly refer to the latest (third) generation of Arc5 shavers when putting them against the Series 9. It’s only fair to compare Panasonic’s latest and greatest to the similar shavers from Braun.
However, I’ll still mention the older generation Arc5 in certain situations as they can still represent an excellent choice.
Braun Series 9
The Series 9 is Braun’s current flagship shaver. The older Series 7 was beginning to show its age and Braun needed a new beast to remain at the top. And with the Series 9 it achieved precisely that.
At the moment of writing, there are basically two generation of Series 9 shavers:
The original Series 9. The shavers for the American market are the 9095cc (automatic cleaning station wet/dry use), 9090cc (automatic cleaning station, dry only use), 9093s (no cleaning station, wet/dry use). While choosing one comes down to your personal needs, the shaving performance is identical throughout the entire line.
Braun Series 9 9090cc (dry only, cleaning station) from the original line.
The updated Series 9. The updated models are now called 9295cc, 9290cc and 9293s. The update is minor and mainly consists in a titanium coated HyperLift&Cut Trimmer and a new silver color scheme. You can identify the newer models by the distinct golden color of the trimmer (it used to be blue on the previous models). As you probably guessed, this doesn’t improve the actual performance in any way. Moreover, these newer models are more expensive than the original Series 9 shavers which can be found at an excellent price with a bit of research.
If you would like to know more details, I wrote a comprehensive post outlining the differences between the original and updated Series 9.
With that out of the way, let’s get to the most important part: the differences between the Panasonic Arc 5 and the Braun Series 9 and how they stack against each other for the things that matter the most.
Panasonic Arc 5 vs Braun Series 9: shaving performance
Shaving performance is likely the most important aspect to factor in when buying an electric razor.
And since we’re analyzing two of the most advanced shavers on the market, we’re going to divide the shaving performance into 4 distinct parts as there are lots of important bits to cover and both the Arc5 and Series 9 have pros and cons:
Closeness of the shave
Comfort
Dealing with longer, curly, flat lying hair
Wet & dry use
Please note that shaving is a very personal matter and a lot of these considerations are based on anecdotal evidence that should serve you as guidelines when trying to decide which one would suit you better.
1. Closeness of the shave
As I’ve said it several times before, I find foil shavers to provide the closest shaves. And among foil shavers, Panasonic is the king when it comes strictly to the closeness of the shave.
The Arc5 is their top of the line shaver and unsurprisingly it absolutely shines when it comes to performance.
Don’t get me wrong, the Series 9 is an extremely capable razor and the majority will be more than satisfied with the closeness it provides. But the Arc5 has the edge.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
Check the price on Amazon.com
So how does Panasonic manage to offer a closeness that’s comparable to a razor blade? There’s a combination of several factors that work together seamlessly.
Starting with the shaving head, the curvature (arch) of the foils allows optimal contact with the skin. Then we have Panasonic’s extremely sharp blades that have a very aggressive 30 degrees bevel and cut the hairs clean and efficiently.
Finally, there’s the very powerful 14 000 CPM motor and, as far as I know, it’s the fastest unit fitted to any shaver. In fact, Panasonic uses an almost as fast motor on even their lower end shavers, like the Series 3.
The result? The Arc5 is arguably the closest shaving electric shaver you can buy today. And this statement is also true in the case of older generation Arc5, like the ES-LV61-A or ES-LV-95-S, which are still fantastic performers when it comes to closeness, but can now be bought at great discounts.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
Check the price on Amazon.com
2. Comfort
While Panasonic is slightly better when it comes to closeness, Braun has set the benchmark in the comfort department with the Series 7. And with the Series 9, it has taken things one notch higher.
With a redesigned shaving head, a more powerful motor and an additional cutting element, the Series 9 is Braun’s best shaver to date. And it is supremely comfortable and gentle to the skin.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
The micro-pulsations, while they don’t make a huge difference in the end result, really transform the shaving experience with the Series 9 which feels like a gentle massage.
Shaving with the Series 9 feels effortless and is a real treat. The foils remain cool during use and you’ll really have to struggle to make the Series 9 cause any noticeable discomfort.
However, with the Arc5 there’s a small trade-off in comfort for that extreme closeness and the Arc5 is not as forgiving as the Series 9. Applying more pressure and going over repeatedly over a sensitive area can cause rashes and irritation. The foils also tend to generate some heat during use, which is not ideal for sensitive skin.
The newest Arc 5 shavers (third generation) use comfort rollers to prevent excessive pressure and allow the shaving head to glide smoothly over the skin. This improves the comfort compared to the previous generations, but the Series 9 is still slightly on top.
The Braun Series 9 would definitely be the better choice for someone with sensitive, blemish prone skin.
3. Dealing with longer, curly, flat lying hair
This is the Achilles’ heel of most electric shavers and the majority of them falls short. This is particularly the case with lower end shavers that only perform decent when used for shaving short stubble.
The more advanced electric razors usually fair better in this regard and have specially designed cutting elements to tackle longer, flat lying hairs. This is also the reason why an advanced razor is recommended if you’re not planning on shaving daily.
The Arc5 uses a trimmer called a Quick Comb Blade that catches longer hairs and cuts them to a more manageable size for the other cutting elements. This trimmer it flanked by two Lift-Tech Foils that supposedly lift and cut flat lying hairs.
The Braun Series 9 uses a Hyper Lift & Cut (colored blue) trimmer that was originally found on the Series 7 (and worked quite decently) to tackle the hairs that lie flat on the skin. The novelty of the Series 9 is the Direct & Cut trimmer that captures longer hairs that grow in different directions.
The two specially designed trimmers of the Series 9 work very good with longer, curly hairs that lie flat on the skin
Braun’s implementations of these specially designed trimmers seems to be superior. They work synergistically and allow the Series 9 to perform better than pretty much any other foil shaver when it comes to cutting longer, flat lying hairs that tend to curl and grow in different directions.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
Check the price on Amazon.com
So if you plan on shaving every 2 to 3 days and have flat lying hairs that grow in multiple directions, the Series 9 is the more sensible choice. The Arc5 requires more passes to get all the tricky hairs and this can also irritate the skin.
The Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are equally impressive with shorter hair and will mow through even the coarsest beards with ease.
4. Wet & dry use
Wet shaving with an electric razor can improve the closeness and particularly the comfort. This can be a great option for men with very sensitive skin.
All Panasonic Arc5 shavers are suitable for wet & dry use, while the Series 9 offers both wet & dry (9095cc, 9093s) and dry only shavers (9090cc).
But there’s a catch.
Usually, wet & dry means that you can use the shaver with a shaving cream. With the Panasonic Arc5, there are no restrictions to that. You can use it with shaving creams or gels, in the shower, then toss it into the cleaning station and you’re all set.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
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However, that’s not the case with the Series 9. Braun oddly decided to make the wet & dry models that come with a cleaning station, like the 9095cc, only suitable for shaving in the shower, and NOT to be used with a shaving cream as it can damage the cleaning station.
So if you want to use a Series 9 with shaving cream you’ll be stuck with choosing a variation that doesn’t include a cleaning station, like the 9093s. And that means, of course, to clean it manually. And that’s a bit of hassle with the Series 9 as you’ll see later on in this article.
For these reasons, and also due to the fact that the Panasonic Arc5 performs better when used with a shaving cream, improving the comfort of the shave, my advice is this:
Choose the Series 9 if you’re only going to be use it for dry shaving. The 9090cc is the best option here as it comes with a cleaning station and is also cheaper than the wet & dry 9095cc.
Choose the Panasonic Arc5 if you’re going to use it with a shaving cream. There are no restrictions to it, you can use the cleaning station or clean it manually with ease; moreover, the comfort of the shave will be improved.
Build quality and ergonomics
A pioneer in industrial design, Braun was often praised for the simple, but ingenious design solutions used in their manufacturing process. The high quality materials and flawless finishing were also a highlight of their products.
And this was the norm for many years. However, things have changed with the introduction the two lines of shavers discussed here.
So how does the Panasonic Arc5 fair against the Series 9 when it comes to build quality?
Quite good, actually.
Braun’s flagship is made entirely out of plastic, with either a chrome finish or a high gloss black. As it was expected, this treatment will not stand the test of time very well, at least aesthetically.
The chrome or glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet and will begin to tarnish in time. The use of plastic also makes the razor feel less premium.
Panasonic have upped their game with the latest iteration of the Arc5 line which now features an all metal body. This is a clear departure from the older generation, which featured plastic and a more in your face design.
The metal body of the new Arc5 has brushed/matte finish that looks and feels outstanding and the whole design just oozes quality. The intricate and massive shaving head, with its distinct golden comfort rollers, is something to behold.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
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So the tides have changed and the new Panasonic Arc5 takes the lead in the aesthetics and build quality department.
As far as ergonomics go, both the Arc 5 and the Series 9 score very good. The Series 9 is lighter and has a slimmer shaving head as it “only” has 4 cutting elements and this makes it more nimble.
The Panasonic Arc5 has a massive shaving head and may seem awkward at first, but you quickly get used to its proportions. Also, the Arc5 has probably the most adaptable shaving head of any foil razor, as it can also be depressed. This is useful when shaving difficult areas that are problematic for foil shavers, like beneath the jawline.
None of the two however is ideal for finesse work (shaving around a goatee or around the sideburns) due to the large shaving heads. Both feature a head locking mechanism that comes in handy in these situations.
The long hair trimmers found on the Panasonic Arc5 and the Braun Series 9 are different in the way they are designed, but are both suitable for light grooming and touch-ups.
The Arc5 uses the same design as all Panasonic shavers, with the trimmer placed behind and perpendicular to the shaving head. The Series 9 has a trimmer that slides forward, but doesn’t extend beyond the shaving head.
The Arc5 popup trimmer is obscured by the shaving head
In both cases the trimmer is obscured by the massive heads, but you can sort of get around this problem by removing the shaving head and blades before using the trimmer.
Automatic and manual cleaning
When deciding whether the Panasonic Arc5 or the Braun Series 9 would be a better fit for you, the automatic cleaning solutions deserve a separate topic. And that’s because there are quite a few things to be considered here.
Traditionally, Braun cleaning station were superior when compared to those of the competition. They use alcohol, do an excellent job at cleaning and sanitizing the shaver, they are quiet, fast, efficient and the cleaning fluid also lubricates the blades.
So if we were to compare the first generation Arc5 shavers and the Series 9, I would simply tell you to skip the station for the Panasonics and go for it if you were to choose the Braun.
But things are different now.
With the second generation Arc 5, Panasonic also updated the cleaning stations. They now use sachets of detergent instead of cartridges that must be dissolved in water beforehand. The cleaning bases are also more compact in size compared to the previous ones.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
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The switch to the detergent sachets is also economical. They are very cheap to buy and also last longer than Braun’s cleaning cartridges. This means that the cost associated with the cleaning stations will be lower in the case of the newer Arc5 shavers (second and third generations).
For these reasons I can safely state that the automatic cleaning stations that come with the newer Arc5 shavers are at least as good as Braun’s.
My recommendation would be to go for a model that includes one if you’re buying a second or third generation Arc5 and skip it if you’re going for a razor from the first generation. Or you can skip it regardless and save some money as Panasonics are dead easy to clean manually. For these reasons the first generation ES-LV-61-A below is a very good budget-friendly option.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
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Regarding the Series 9, definitely go for a model that comes with the Clean & Renew station. Braun shavers are notoriously difficult to clean manually due to the fact that the blades and foils are integrated into one piece, called a cassette.
Braun Series 9 9090cc
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On the other hand, Panasonic shavers are dead easy to clean, so if you decide to skip the station and save some money it won’t be such a big deal.
The blades and foils of the Arc5 can be separately removed, making it easier to clean all the hair clippings and dirt from the shaving head. Panasonic also has a special cleaning mode, called sonic mode, activated by turning then shaver on, then pressing and holding the ON/OFF switch for 2 seconds.
This makes the blades to vibrate really fast, dislodging any debris and dirt.
To sum it up:
If the Series 9 is a better fit for you, go for one that includes a cleaning station
If the Panasonic Arc5 is your pick, skip the cleaning station for the first generation; for the second and third it’s up to you to decide if the added convenience of automatic cleaning is worth the extra money.
Price and value for money
When assessing the costs of the Panasonic Arc5 vs the Braun Series 9, we must consider three components:
Purchase price
Replacement parts
Cleaning cartridges/detergent
Also, please note that the availability and price of these parts can vary tremendously and I’ll do my best to keep this post updated and relevant.
Newly launched products are usually expensive and that was (and still is to some extent) the case with the Braun Series 9 and the Panasonic Arc5.
So here’s an overview of the situation at the moment of writing.
Braun Series 9
Due to the recent (and minor) update mentioned at the beginning of this article, (the titanium coated trimmer), previous Series 9 shavers like the 9095cc, 9090cc or 99093s can be found at great prices, especially the dry only models (9090cc).
Braun Series 9 9090cc
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The replacement shaving heads for the Series 9 are still pretty expensive and they were also difficult to find in the beginning. The shortage was eventually sorted out and the steep price will go down as time passes. And considering that Braun recommends replacing the cassette every 18 months, this isn’t such a big issue anymore.
Regarding the price of the cleaning cartridges, your costs should be around $2 – 3 per month. This depends on the price of the cartridges (which can vary) and how often you shave. Also, buying them in bulk (a pack of 4 for example) will usually mean a lower price per cartridge.
Braun Clean and Renew Cartridges
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Please do keep in mind that being alcohol based, they tend to evaporate faster and will need to be replaced more often. To avoid this, make sure to remove the cartridge from the base and put the cap back if you’re not using the cleaning station daily.
To sum it up: apart from the replacement cassettes that are still pricey, the Series 9 is looking pretty good in terms of overall costs, at least for a high-end electric shaver.
Panasonic Arc5
As said previously, there are three generations of Arc5 shavers and all of them are still available.
Unsurprisingly, the older ones can be found at a great price, especially the models that don’t come with a cleaning station.
And since they can be easily cleaned manually, the older models represent a fantastic option for someone on a tighter budget.
The Panasonic ES-LV61-A Arc5 below would be my personal pick in this case. Or any other shavers from the first two generations if you can find them at a nice discount.
Panasonic ES-LV61-A
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Regarding the latest models, the price is pretty high at the moment, but comparable to a wet & dry Series 9 (9095cc). But if this is not an issue, it really is a fantastic performer and definitely Panasonic’s best shaver yet.
One of the most significant improvements of the second and third generations Arc5 was the cleaning station. The detergent sachets are cheap and the monthly cost is even lower compared to Braun’s solution (about half at the moment of writing).
Panasonic WES4L03 detergent packs (3 count)
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Also, since they don’t use alcohol, you won’t have to worry about evaporation anymore.
The ES-LV95-A (second generation) comes with the same cleaning station as the latest generation Arc5, but the shaver and particularly the replacements cost less. It is an excellent budget Arc5 if you also want the convenience of a cleaning station.
Panasonic ES-LV95-S
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The Panasonic replacement foils and blades used to be pretty expensive compared to the ones for similar Braun shavers. Regarding the latest Arc 5 and the Series 9, it still appears to be the case, even though the difference is not huge. In its defense, the Arc5 is newer, so the price will definitely go down in the future. Again, this is where the older Arc5 can be a great option as the foils and blades are priced significantly lower.
Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV9A-S
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Takeaway: The Panasonic Arc5 can also offer excellent value for money, especially in the case of the older models. The low price of the detergent will reduce the running costs – in the case of second and third generation Arc5. Regarding the latest models, the replacements are still expensive and difficult to find (you can order them directly from Panasonic).
Overall, I would say that the Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are pretty similar in terms of overall costs.
Final word
This concludes our Panasonic Arc5 vs Braun Series 9 battle. By this time you should hopefully have a slight inclination towards the shaver that looks like a better option.
The Panasonic Arc5 and Braun Series 9 are fantastic performers, but depending on your particular situation, choosing one over the other can make perfect sense. Also, there are currently 3 Arc5 generations and the first two can still be great budget-friendly alternatives.
The titanium coated Series 9 shavers are not worth considering in my opinion, so just stick to the regular ones when making your decision.
Finally, since these are probably the best foil shavers on the market, it’s hard to think that you won’t be perfectly satisfied with either of the two.