If you are looking for a new, high-quality, electric shaver or want to switch from manual to electric, this Braun series 9 9290CC review is for you. In it, we will not only feature the Braun series 9 9290CC but other quality electric shavers on the market.
Shaving is a necessity for most men. The average man will spend almost six months of his life shaving. Choosing the correct electric shaver has the potential to reduce acne, nicks, razor burn, and limit the expense of blades. Electric shaving also saves time.
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Table of Contents
What Is the Braun Series 9 9290CC?
Braun is a name consumers have come to know and trust. The Braun Series 9 9290CC is one of their premium electric shaving options. It is a foil shaver that is packed with features and has unparalleled performance.
What Is a Foil Shaver?
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If you are new to electric shaving, there are two main types of shavers available, foil and rotary. Foil shavers, like the Braun Series 9 9290CC, have straight heads and oscillating blades that sit beneath a ‘foil’. The foil is a meshed layer of metal that captures hair for cutting near the skin. It is also the foil that provides a barrier between the skin and blade, leading to less damage to your face when shaving.
Rotary shavers differ from foil shavers in that they have three spinning circular cutters. The cutters depend on a stationary guard to capture facial hair for trimming. Some men enjoy a rotary shaver’s flexibility and contour. However, they are much more harsh on the skin than foil shavers. That said, we will feature a rotary model later in this review.
Benefits of a Foil Shaver
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Foil shavers are best for men who shave daily. They are also ideal for men who do not have toughened skin, have finer facial hair, want a closer cheek shave, and more precision. If you are transitioning from a standard razor, a foil shaver is a good choice as it is used in straight lines per your normal shave.
Despite their gentle nature, foil shavers are most effective and non-damaging when used properly. You can prevent razor burns and acne by taking certain precautions. First, be sure to use shaving cream. The benefit of a wet-dry razor, like the Braun Series 9 9290CC, is it can be used with shaving cream. That is part of what the wet setting is for.
Shaving ‘Wet’
A quality shaving cream will cause the cuticle of your hairs to swell and soften for easier cutting. It will also lessen skin irritation. Pre-wash your face, apply shaving cream, and then use the Braun Series 9 9290CC. If you need to make multiple passes in one area, apply more cream. Wet shaving also provides a closer shave, so it is best to use it for “cleaner” looks.
As you shave, the shaver will warm. Be sure to shave the most sensitive areas of your face first. Shave against the grain of your hair in straight lines. Upward, downward, left, and right are all ok. Never use a circular motion with a foil shaver.
Skin Care
Once you are finished shaving, wash your face with water and use an aftershave. Skipping the last steps can be tempting but don’t. To prevent dry skin, make sure your aftershave is alcohol-free. Most importantly, clean your shaver after every use with the included cleaning brush. Keeping your shaver clean will help prevent acne and limit the spread of bacteria and oil.
Lastly remember, if you are new to electric shaving, there will be an adjustment period for your skin. It will be a week or two before it becomes used to the new shaving technique. The same rule applies if you are switching from rotary to foil. With all of that said, let’s get into the specs of the Braun Series 9 9290CC.
Product Specs
The Braun Series 9 9290CC is 2.4 pounds, compact, and stylish. It has a durable silver and black metal body and titanium coated blades. This shaver can be used wet or dry. Included with the shaver are a cleaning brush, smart plug, travel pouch, and cleaning cartridge.
Features
This unit has rubberized and textured grip areas for a secure grip even when wet. Speaking of wet, the Braun Series 9 9290CC is fully waterproof. It can be used in the shower and is safe from water damage up to 5 meters. Another notable aspect of the shaver is its LED display. The display notifies you of battery life, including minutes left of battery operation, and cleanliness. The rechargeable battery takes less than an hour to fully charge. A full charge can last up to a week depending on use.
As far as for maneuverability, the Braun Series 9 9290CC has a multi-directional shaving head with a 10 setting adjustment. We especially like the units charging and cleaning dock. However, it is worth noting, the shaver must be free of foam or dripping water for the dock to work optimally. Overall, we feel this series is an excellent addition to the Braun family.
Pricing
The price of electric shavers varies depending on the quality of the unit. On the lower end of the price scale, you will spend between 50 and 100 dollars. Lower priced units will have less power and a lower charge. They also risk pulling more and not providing as clean a cut. Blades on cheaper models will dull easily, and they typically come with far fewer accessories.
On the other side of the price scale, there are the mid and higher-end razors. They will typically cost between 100 and 300 dollars. The most expensive models will have digital components, titanium blades, and a high charge. They will provide a closer shave, have a self-cleaning station, and be fully waterproof. More expensive models also come with a larger variety of accessories and more extensive warranties.
How It Compares
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We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare:
Philips Norelco Shaver 4500
Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
Panasonic ES8103S Arc3
Braun Series 9 9290cc
Braun Electric Razor for Men With Precision Beard Trimmer,...
- Braun Series 9 9370cc Men's Electric Shaver with Clean & Charge Station, Cleaning Cartridge, Travel Case, Smart Plug and...
- World's most efficient electric shaver* features 5 shaving elements to get more hair in one stroke than any other...
- These electric razors for men intelligently respond to your face contours and beard density, giving you more skin...
However, one of our main complaints is that the sanitation and lubrication station only works if you clean and dry the shaver first. We feel that is a bit of a limitation. However, that issue is more with the included accessories and not the shaver, so we did not dock points from our features rating.
We like the build quality of this shaver as a whole. The unit is durable and well made. That said, we would be happier with less plastic on the body. At this price range, we feel a full metal shaver would be nice.
We have no complaints about the performance of this shaver. It provides a very close and clean shave. One thing we must mention is, since this is a foil shaver, it will not be ideal for long beards. That is not a fault of the Braun Series 9 9290CC though, rather it is a limitation of all foil shavers.
We felt it is a bit annoying to have to fully clean and dry the shaver before sanitation. This is not a major gripe, but when you shave every day, the hassle will be noticeable. That said, the station also lubricates the unit, so we cannot ignore that major bonus. We felt the Braun Series 9 9290CC deserves a five-star rating.
Pros
- Completely waterproof and ideal for shower use
- Automatic cleaning, charging and lubrication station
- Automatically adjusts power output based on facial hair type
- Four cutting elements
- Skin guard
- Rapid charge
- Extended battery life with a 50-minute life
- Travel pouch
- Adjustable and flexible shaving head
- Led display
- Travel lock
Cons
- Not ideal for fuller beards or very coarse hair
- The head is large and not ideal for tighter spaces, like under the nose.
- Manual cleaning
Philips Norelco Shaver 4500
Philips Norelco AT830/41 Shaver 4500, Rechargeable Wet/Dry Electric...
- Designed with your skin in mind, Philips Norelco Shaver 4500 lets you shave any way you want for a comfortable dry shave...
- Protect your skin with our unique Dual Precision shaving system to deliver a smooth shave that's gentle on your skin;...
- The pivot, flex & float heads follow every contour of your face to remain in close contact with skin for a fast shave...
Phillips is a respected name, and their Norelco line is one of the most popular shaving brands in the Western world. The Norelco 4500 model AT830/41 is a quality, no-frill, rotary shaver ideal for experienced shavers and men with thicker beards. The unit was once named the PowerTouchAquatec AT830/41.
This shaver is a cordless option with a strong charge. It is ideal for both wet and dry use. The shaver’s dual precision shaving heads can handle long hair and short stubble alike. Aesthetically, it is attractively designed with a grey and black matte finish. The body of the shaver is plastic to keep the unit economically priced.
Design
The Norelco is designed to pivot and flex to the contours of your face. Even though it provides a close shave, it is surprisingly gentle on the skin. It is powerful and accurate enough to effectively shave in one pass, lessening the need to graze over the same areas multiple times. It also does not bounce on the face the way poorly designed models do.
The shaver maintains an even stream of power even when running on a low battery. The unit is outfitted with a unique patented technology called Super Lift and Cut dual-blade action. The technology efficiently lifts hairs so they can be trimmed at a greater depth, making your skin smoother and the shave last longer. If you have very thick stubble, this model would be ideal for you.
Despite its modest price point, the unit has an LED indicator that alerts you when the unit is charging, the battery is low, and when it is fully charged for use. It is also worth noting that this unit is fully waterproof; not all wet dry shavers are.
Notable Features
The Norelco is aerodynamic and comfortable to hold. It has an anti-slip grip to ensure it is safe to use even when wet. The unit is powered by a lithium-ion battery that requires only one hour to charge. Similar to the Braun Series 9 9290cc, it holds about 50 minutes of charge which is good for about one week of use depending on your shave time. It also has a 3-minute quick charge for emergency shaves if the battery is dead.
A downside to this unit is that it does not have a charging stand. That is likely because of the price point. There is also no dry, lubrication, or cleaning stand. It does have a protective cap for travel and storage and a cleaning brush, though. As we said, it is bare-bones, so the quality is put into the razor itself vs. accessories.
Care
This unit requires a simple rinse under warm water to clean and a clean cloth dry. It should be cleaned after every use. The blades should be replaced once every 12 months for optimal results. At such a modest price point, we appreciate that the Norelco is backed by a two-year warranty manufacturer’s defect warranty.
Another bonus is that this unit’s exceptionally lightweight. It is only 6.2 ounces. Overall, we feel the Philips Norelco 4500 model AT830/41 is an exceptional buy for the price. It is superior to most other shavers in its price range and provides a close clean cut without irritation to the skin.
For the price range, this shaver is packed with features. Comparing it to other shavers in its class, we were impressed. It can raise its blades for detail work, is easy to clean, and provides a close clean shave.
While this is a budget shaver, the fully plastic encasing is not the best material choice. We know the manufacturer had to keep cost low, so we can forgive the cheaper choice. However, plastic is far less durable than other options. We also wish the blade quality was slightly better and longer-lasting.
One area we cannot fault this shaver is on its performance. Will you get as clean of a cut as a more expensive shaver? No. However, you will get one of the best shaves possible for this price range. Overall, we are impressed with this shaver; it is top of the line for its class. It is a high-quality, budget shaver that gets the job done.
This unit is low maintenance overall. The blades only need to be replaced once a year.
Pros
- 100 percent waterproof
- Very smooth shave
- Has a precision blade setting
- Can be used wet and dry
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- No cleaning unit
- Not suitable for all skin and hair types
- Not ideal for beginning shavers
- No storage container
Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
Panasonic ARC5 Electric Razor for Men with Pop-Up Trimmer, Wet/Dry...
- Sharp men’s shaver blades: Panasonic Arc5 men's electric shaver with five ultra-sharp precision honed 30° Nanotech...
- Wet/Dry electric shaver and trimmer 2 in 1: Built-in pop up trimmer details mustaches, beards and sideburns; Wet/dry...
- Multi Flex pivoting head: Panasonic flexible pivoting electric shaver head glides effortlessly to trace the individual...
The Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65-S has earned its award-winning status. It is a foil razor with an angled five blade system. We love the performance of the shaver, but dislike the lack of a charging and cleaning station. However, what was not spent on accessories definitely was spent on technology. While we cannot say this shaver is a better option than the Braun Series 9 9290cc, it is pretty close.
The razor has pivoting, multi-flex heads. The motor is very powerful and supports an astonishing 14,000 cuts per minute. The unit is ideal for both fine and coarse hair. Similarly to the Braun Series 9 9290CC, it has a sensor that adjusts power flow as the density of your hair changes. The slit blades are made with reverse-tapered edges, so even flat-lying hair can be lifted and cut.
Notable Features
The battery life of this shaver is slightly shorter than the Braun Series 9 9290CC at only 45 minutes. Fully charged, the unit can support three fifteen-minute shaving sessions. A major downside is the lack of a rapid charge. However, the LCD display gives a convenient battery percentage reading. That said, the LCD screen is not as advanced in features as our featured product.
The Arc5 is waterproof and suitable for both wet and dry shaving. It has a detail trimmer that is smaller than standard. Along with the shaver, you will receive a foil guard, cleaning brush, and AC charging cord. It also comes with a travel bag and blade oil. Best of all, it includes a two-year warranty, which is an excellent sign that they stand behind their product.
This shaver ticks off most of the boxes. We are somewhat willing to overlook things like the smaller than standard pop up trimmer. What we cannot overlook is the lack of a rapid charger or docking station.
Overall, this shaver is built well and is durable.
While this shaver does not perform as well as the Braun Series 9 9290CC, it is a close second.
The lack of a charging and cleaning station makes maintenance on this shaver far more tedious than it should be for its price point.
Pros
- Accurate
- Powerful
- Five-blade shaving system
- Hypoallergenic foils
Cons
- Small pop-up trimmer
- No charge and cleaning station
Panasonic ES8103S Arc3
Panasonic Electric Shaver and Trimmer for Men ES8103S Arc3, Wet/Dry...
- Sharp men’s shaver blades: Panasonic arc3 men's electric shaver with 3 ultra-sharp nanotech blades and ultra-thin arc...
- Wet/dry electric shaver and trimmer 2 in 1: Build-in pop up trimmer details mustaches, beards and sideburns; Wet/dry...
- Flexible pivoting head: Panasonic flexible pivoting electric shaver head glides effortlessly to trace the individual...
The Panasonic ES8103 is a wet or dry foil head shaver. Its blades sit at a 30-degree angle. The blades have a pivoting feature for a clean comfortable shave. The blades use a “nanotech” technology for quick, accurate, hypoallergenic touch-ups.
This shavers motor is not as powerful as some others on our list at only 13,000 RP, with a tops speed of 17,000 RP. It is advisable to plug the unit in after each use, as the battery life is one of the shortest on our review.
This razor is pretty sparse on its features, but it does provide a very clean cut for the price.
Since this is a more economical shaver, its build quality is lightweight. The materials are kept as cheap as possible, so emphasis can be put on the blades and cut precision.
This shaver performs well compared to other options in its class.
The maintenance of this unit is a little more involved than more expensive options. The blades dull easier, and cleaning is slightly more difficult. However, for its class, it has acceptable maintenance parameters.
Pros
- Wet or dry shaver
- Cordless
- It has a 30-degree pivoting foil head
- Pop-up trimmer
- Travel pouch included
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No charging and cleaning sock
- No cleaning tools
- A hassle to clean
Conclusion
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This concludes our Braun Series 9 9290CC review. Overall, our featured product is literally one of the best foil shavers on the market. We love the LED display. While LED’s are becoming common, few are as interactive as the one on the Braun Series 9 9290CC.
The titanium coated blades provide a cut hard to achieve with an electric shaver. That said, we were disappointed you have to clean and dry the razor before it can be charged, cleaned, and oiled by its stand. The whole process seems pretty redundant. Also, the dock is pretty large considering how compact the razor is. We would also like to see a longer hold on the charge. For the price, we would expect over an hour of shave time.
The Bottom Line
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In the end, most of our complaints are nit-picky; the reality is, this is an exceptional shaver. It is powerful, provides an ultra clean-cut, is sensitive, skin-friendly, and durable. Overall, we feel this shaver is easily a five-star shaver. Other than a few luxuries we would like to see included, the unit cannot be faulted on its performance.
We hope you found this review informative and helpful. We tried to include shavers for every skin type, hair type, and price range. Each option presented is exceptional for its class, so pick the one best suited for your needs. Your face is the first thing people see when they meet you. Choosing the right shaver can help make your initial presentation the best it can be.
