The Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 Mens Electric Shaver is one of the high-end foil shaver models produced by Panasonic. Compared to other Panasonic mens shavers that weve tested in the past like the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3, the Arc4 offers a number of additional features. We recently tested the Arc4 to see how these advanced technologies enhance shaving results. Read on to see what we discovered.
A wet and dry shaver, the ES-LA63-S Arc4 has a sleek, modern design. The shaver features ergonomic contours that allow your hand to conform nicely to the handle, and it features slip-resistant padding along the sides to give you a secure, tight grip. Weighty, yet streamlined for maneuverability, the shaver is clearly of good quality.
The recommended retail price of the ES-LA63-S shaver is $299.99; however, we found it being sold for under $130 on Amazon. The sale price makes the shaver more than worth the money, but its worth noting that Panasonic doesnt include very many accessories in the box with the shaver. You receive a safety cap and a stylish zippered leatherette travel pouch in the box.
The shaving system included in the shaver includes four blades topped with micro-thin foils similar to the Optifoil used in high-end Braun shavers. The foils have large slits that allow long hairs to pass through, and they produce vibrations that lift shorter hairs away from the skin for a close crop. Engineered with a 30-degree cutting edge, the blades are constructed out of stainless steel.
Panasonic designed a two-way adjustable, flexible, pivoting head for the ES-LA63-S Arc4. This allows the shaver to move not just up and down to suit the facial contours but also from side to side. As a result, you can actually move the shaver in a circulation motion to recreate the effects of a rotary shaver and easily maneuver it like a traditional foil shaver in difficult spots like the jawline and under the nose. We found the shaver to be very easy to use for both wet and dry shaving alike. Because the shaver has a powerful 14,000 cycle per minute linear motor, it allows you to shave even second and third day growth a lot faster. Amazingly though, the shaver is still every bit as quiet as less powerful models that weve tried.
Overall, we found the electric shaver to be efficient, and its performance to be above average. Even our testers with thick beard growth were able to get very close shaves with the Arc4. We did find that the size of the head makes it hard to get in close under the nose quickly. We recommend taking a slower approach in this area and sucking your top lip down over your teeth to flatten your skin as much as possible to simplify shaving in this area.
The shaver is especially well suited for use on sensitive and irritation-prone complexions. To reduce the risk of allergic reactions, the blades are hypoallergenic, and the fact that the shaver performs for lubricated, wet shaving gives men with sensitive skin the ability to use a shaving soap or foam for added protection. Another nice feature that well get more into in a moment is the sonic cleaning technology, which greatly improves the hygiene of the shaver. Because the head is less likely to harbor microbes, the shaver is a good choice for men prone to ingrown hairs and folliculitis.
Battery life is really the only area where the ES-LA63-S Arc4 has any major drawbacks. When fully charged, the shaver can only be used for about 45 minutes of shaving, which is a short life span for a shaver of this price. On the plus side, the shaver can be recharged in just 1 hour, and it features no-fade technology, so it is just as powerful at 10 per cent power as it is at 100 per cent. The fact that it has a digital LCD display that shows you the remaining battery percentage is also handy, minimising the risk of forgetting to charge. We found that you can shave one last time when the display reads 10%.
With its waterproof design, the Panasonic ES-LA63-S is rinse-able after use. The model also includes a sonic cleaning function that sets it apart from others on the market. When you engage this feature, the shaver produces sonic vibrations that help to remove microbes. We recommend doing this after every shave to maintain hygiene. In terms of maintenance, the Panasonic is not labour intensive. The outer foils need to be replaced yearly, and the inner blades need biannual replacement. The LCD display has an icon that tells you when its time to replace the blades.
Like most shavers of its price, the electric shaver has a pop-up trimmer for facial hair and sideburns. The trimmer is efficient and easy to use. We were very impressed with the quality of the travel case that comes with the shaver, as it has a zip closure and is well constructed compared to the drawstring bags that come with many similar products. The shaver does have dual-voltage technology, so it can be used abroad without a voltage adapter.
Overall, we felt that the Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 Mens Electric Shaver was an excellent buy at the sale price that we found on Amazon. Provided that you keep an eye on the LCD screen display and recharge after you reach the 10% battery life mark, the short battery life of the model shouldnt get in your way of using the model. Men who will benefit most from the shaver include those with sensitive skin and folliculitis, those with thicker beards and gents who frequently travel.
The Basics/In the Box
A wet and dry shaver, the ES-LA63-S Arc4 has a sleek, modern design. The shaver features ergonomic contours that allow your hand to conform nicely to the handle, and it features slip-resistant padding along the sides to give you a secure, tight grip. Weighty, yet streamlined for maneuverability, the shaver is clearly of good quality.
The recommended retail price of the ES-LA63-S shaver is $299.99; however, we found it being sold for under $130 on Amazon. The sale price makes the shaver more than worth the money, but its worth noting that Panasonic doesnt include very many accessories in the box with the shaver. You receive a safety cap and a stylish zippered leatherette travel pouch in the box.
Operation and Ease of Use
The shaving system included in the shaver includes four blades topped with micro-thin foils similar to the Optifoil used in high-end Braun shavers. The foils have large slits that allow long hairs to pass through, and they produce vibrations that lift shorter hairs away from the skin for a close crop. Engineered with a 30-degree cutting edge, the blades are constructed out of stainless steel.
Panasonic designed a two-way adjustable, flexible, pivoting head for the ES-LA63-S Arc4. This allows the shaver to move not just up and down to suit the facial contours but also from side to side. As a result, you can actually move the shaver in a circulation motion to recreate the effects of a rotary shaver and easily maneuver it like a traditional foil shaver in difficult spots like the jawline and under the nose. We found the shaver to be very easy to use for both wet and dry shaving alike. Because the shaver has a powerful 14,000 cycle per minute linear motor, it allows you to shave even second and third day growth a lot faster. Amazingly though, the shaver is still every bit as quiet as less powerful models that weve tried.
Results After Shaving
Overall, we found the electric shaver to be efficient, and its performance to be above average. Even our testers with thick beard growth were able to get very close shaves with the Arc4. We did find that the size of the head makes it hard to get in close under the nose quickly. We recommend taking a slower approach in this area and sucking your top lip down over your teeth to flatten your skin as much as possible to simplify shaving in this area.
Sensitive Skin?
The shaver is especially well suited for use on sensitive and irritation-prone complexions. To reduce the risk of allergic reactions, the blades are hypoallergenic, and the fact that the shaver performs for lubricated, wet shaving gives men with sensitive skin the ability to use a shaving soap or foam for added protection. Another nice feature that well get more into in a moment is the sonic cleaning technology, which greatly improves the hygiene of the shaver. Because the head is less likely to harbor microbes, the shaver is a good choice for men prone to ingrown hairs and folliculitis.
Battery Life
Battery life is really the only area where the ES-LA63-S Arc4 has any major drawbacks. When fully charged, the shaver can only be used for about 45 minutes of shaving, which is a short life span for a shaver of this price. On the plus side, the shaver can be recharged in just 1 hour, and it features no-fade technology, so it is just as powerful at 10 per cent power as it is at 100 per cent. The fact that it has a digital LCD display that shows you the remaining battery percentage is also handy, minimising the risk of forgetting to charge. We found that you can shave one last time when the display reads 10%.
Cleaning and Care
With its waterproof design, the Panasonic ES-LA63-S is rinse-able after use. The model also includes a sonic cleaning function that sets it apart from others on the market. When you engage this feature, the shaver produces sonic vibrations that help to remove microbes. We recommend doing this after every shave to maintain hygiene. In terms of maintenance, the Panasonic is not labour intensive. The outer foils need to be replaced yearly, and the inner blades need biannual replacement. The LCD display has an icon that tells you when its time to replace the blades.
Special Features
Like most shavers of its price, the electric shaver has a pop-up trimmer for facial hair and sideburns. The trimmer is efficient and easy to use. We were very impressed with the quality of the travel case that comes with the shaver, as it has a zip closure and is well constructed compared to the drawstring bags that come with many similar products. The shaver does have dual-voltage technology, so it can be used abroad without a voltage adapter.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we felt that the Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 Mens Electric Shaver was an excellent buy at the sale price that we found on Amazon. Provided that you keep an eye on the LCD screen display and recharge after you reach the 10% battery life mark, the short battery life of the model shouldnt get in your way of using the model. Men who will benefit most from the shaver include those with sensitive skin and folliculitis, those with thicker beards and gents who frequently travel.