Electric Shaver Brands Compared: Braun, Norelco, Panasonic

On this page (6 sections)

1. Which electric shaver brands make foil or rotary shavers?
2. What does Braun offer in electric shavers?
3. What does Panasonic offer in electric shavers?
4. What does Philips Norelco offer in electric shavers?
5. How should you choose between Braun, Norelco and Panasonic?
6. Which electric shaver brand should you choose?

The electric shaver brands compared here offer foil models from Braun and Panasonic and rotary models from Philips Norelco. The best brand for you depends on which head style and features fit your shaving routine.

The models differ in how their shaving heads meet your face. Braun Series 7 7032cs and Panasonic ARC5 use foil heads, while the Philips Norelco models here use rotary heads with flexible movement.

If you're still deciding between those systems, our guide to foil vs rotary shavers explains the basic trade-offs. You can also start with the broader electric shavers buying guide.

Which electric shaver brands make foil or rotary shavers?

Braun and Panasonic offer foil shavers, and Philips Norelco offers rotary shavers in these examples. Brand alone doesn't tell you everything, so compare the model's head, controls and included tools.

Foil and rotary heads move across the face differently. Read about how foil shavers work and what a rotary shaver is before deciding which style to try.

A particular model's features matter as much as its brand. Some have a pop-up trimmer; others include separate attachments, motion guidance or a battery display.

What does Braun offer in electric shavers?

Braun Series 7 7032cs is a foil shaver with three flexible SensoFoil blades and a 360 Flex adaptive system. It may suit you if you want a flexible head and several included trimmer attachments.

Braun's AutoSense Technology adjusts power based on beard density. The model is waterproof and supports wet or dry shaving with foam or gel, including in the shower.

It charges fully in 1 hour and provides up to 50 minutes of shaving time. Braun says a 5-minute quick charge provides enough power for one shave.

The box includes five additional trimmer attachments, a charging stand, travel case, cleaning brush, cord and manual. That set gives you options for different grooming tasks, though you may not need every attachment.

Consider Braun if a foil head and included tools are priorities. For more options from the brand, see our best Braun electric shavers guide.

What does Panasonic offer in electric shavers?

Panasonic ARC5 is a five-blade foil shaver with a flexible head and a sensor that adjusts power based on beard density. Its feature set may appeal if you want several blades and an on-device battery display.

Panasonic says the ARC5's linear motor delivers 14,000 cuts per minute and maintains power through the end of each charge. The head pivots to follow contours, and the built-in sensor monitors changes in beard density.

Panasonic ARC5 supports wet and dry shaving, including in the shower. Its built-in pop-up trimmer is for detailing a mustache, beard or sideburns.

A 10-stage LCD shows battery status. The shaver takes 1 hour to charge, and its AC 100 to 240V input supports automatic international voltage conversion.

Consider Panasonic if you want five blades and a battery display in a foil shaver. Our Panasonic ARC5 review covers the model in more detail.

What does Philips Norelco offer in electric shavers?

Philips Norelco 7800 and Philips Norelco 3900 are rotary shavers with flexible heads and wet or dry use. Their feature sets differ, so compare motion guidance, shaving sensors, battery runtime and included charging gear.

Philips Norelco 7800's motion-sensing technology tracks how you shave and gives guidance on technique. Its facial-hair sensor reads density 250 times per second, and its flexible heads turn 360 degrees.

Philips Norelco says the 7800's Nano SkinGlide coating is designed to improve gliding. It supports dry shaving or wet shaving with gel or foam, including in the shower, and has a pop-up precision trimmer.

Philips Norelco 3900 has a five-direction pivoting head and ComfortCut blades. It runs for up to 60 minutes after a 1-hour charge and supports wet shaving with gel or foam, including in the shower.

Its set includes a protective cap, travel pouch, charging stand and USB-A charging cable; a power adapter is not included. Philips Norelco 7800 also comes without a wall adapter, so check your charging setup before choosing either model.

Consider Philips Norelco 7800 if motion guidance matters, or Philips Norelco 3900 if you prefer its simpler feature set and 60-minute runtime. For more rotary options, browse our best Philips Norelco shavers guide.

How should you choose between Braun, Norelco and Panasonic?

Choose first by head style, then compare the features that fit your routine. A brand name is a useful starting point, but it doesn't tell you whether a specific model has the tools or charging setup you need.

• Choose a foil style if Braun's or Panasonic's head design is what you want to compare. For head-style differences, see our foil shavers guide.
• Choose a rotary style if Philips Norelco's flexible heads appeal to you. Our rotary shavers guide covers that category.
• Compare the accessories if you want more than a pop-up trimmer. Braun Series 7 7032cs includes five additional trimmer attachments.
• Check charging details if you travel or don't have spare adapters. Philips Norelco 7800 and Philips Norelco 3900 do not include a power adapter.
• Match wet or dry use to how you shave. All four examples support wet and dry shaving, though the included accessories differ.

If you're new to electric shaving, our complete electric shavers guide can help you narrow down the features to compare.

Which electric shaver brand should you choose?

Choose among these electric shaver brands by the features you'll use: Braun for separate trimmer attachments, Panasonic for the ARC5's five-blade foil head and battery display, or Philips Norelco for rotary models with flexible heads.

For a wider model comparison, see our best electric shavers guide. If your decision mainly comes down to head style, return to our foil vs rotary comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Which electric shaver brand makes foil shavers?

Braun and Panasonic both make foil shavers: the Panasonic ARC5 has five blades and a flexible head, while the Braun Series 7 7032cs has three flexible SensoFoil blades and a 360 Flex adaptive system. Compare the head style, included accessories and wet or dry use before choosing.

Is Philips Norelco a foil or rotary shaver brand?

The Philips Norelco 7800 and Philips Norelco 3900 are rotary shavers with flexible heads that follow facial contours, and both support wet or dry shaving. Compare their specific features, such as the Philips Norelco 7800's motion guidance or the Philips Norelco 3900's 60-minute cordless runtime.

Are Braun electric shavers better than Panasonic?

Neither brand is automatically better for everyone: Braun Series 7 7032cs pairs three flexible foil blades with a 360 Flex system and trimmer attachments, while Panasonic ARC5 uses five blades, a pivoting head and a shaving sensor. Choose by the features and routine that matter most to you.

Can you use these electric shavers wet or dry?

All four models described here support wet and dry shaving, including use with foam or gel in the shower. Panasonic ARC5, Philips Norelco 7800 and Philips Norelco 3900 have built-in pop-up trimmers, while Braun Series 7 7032cs includes separate trimmer attachments for other grooming tasks.