Customer Reviews

Braun Series 1 1-150 Men's Shaver

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(37)

 

 

Braun has a diverse line of shavers from budget shavers, such as this one, to state of the art, innovative products, such as the $200+ Braun Pulsonic Men's Shaver, Panasonic Vortex, Norelco Arcitec,

Braun Pulsonic Shaver

Budget shavers for cost conscious consumers are an important niche. With more and more 'blades/foils' (for example, the Panasonic Arc), simplicity of design still has its place.

I have tried numerous shavers by Remmington, Norelco, Panasonic, Braun, 3 generations of Panasonic Linear shavers and I currently use the Panasonic Arc Shaver (by the now defunct, Sharper Image).

What comes in the box:
Shaver
Foil guard
Plug
Brush
Lubricating solution

DESIGN:

The shaver is a no-frills shaver with a single floating foil and single 'blade'. A pull out trimmer is integrated in the back. The unit has a separate on and off button, and the only indicator light lets you know when it charges. The slim silver body is stylish and conservative. It fits comfortably in my medium sized hand.

The unit is charged utilizing a plug. There is no carrying case or charging base. However, a foil guard protects the button and foil. The guard is quite sturdy and stable. I prefer a shaver to have some sort of case - even cheap nylon. This is one of the first $50+ that I have owned that doesn't include a carrying case.

USE:

The foil flexes with the contour of your face and is able to cut around the most difficult area with ease (junction of my jaw and neck). The head is fixed and does not swivel or flex. It cuts remarkably close but not as close as a real conventional razor (on the first pass), or higher tiered shaver that incorporates a swiveling head. This shaver does surprisingly well for the the neck - which is a limitation of most, if not all electric shavers/razors.

My skin is sensitive to shaving and I find it leaves my skin soft with no irritation, burning or the sensation of having my facial hair pulled (unlike a Remington or 1st generation Norelco). One thing it does not do is cut my skin, unlike my old Remington Shaver.

The trimmer is precise and cuts a clean line.

MAINTENANCE:

Clean up allows you to rinse the blade (unplugged), and the instructions say not to use the unit until completely dry. I still prefer this method over 'self cleaning' solutions in a docking station, like a Remington electric shaver (costly, messy and inconvenient). A brush and oil are useful for getting out stubble. The manufacturer states that the blades last about 18 months (I would think that this would depend upon amount of usage and the coarseness of the user's hair).

NEGATIVES:

However, this is a noisy shaver (above the average noise) and even noisier as it cuts. This motor/drive system is perceivably weaker in strength when compared to high end/boutique models.

This is not a wet/dry shaver and is not submersible, nor usable in the shower. However, at this price point, many shavers are not submersible or self contained. After cleaning, it is recommended that the foil is kept separate from the body to facilitate drying.

Recharging is a big negative: 16 hours of the initial charge followed by 8 hours for subsequent charges. Having only experience with high end rechargeable shavers (i.e. 1 hour full charge and 5 minute quick charge in the flagship Braun Pulsonic), the recharge time is painfully long. Although, you would keep it plugged in, there are times when a long recharge time would be inconvenient (such as travel to another country or camping). There is approximately 20 minutes of shaving time giving you about a week for a daily 3 minute shave.

CONCLUSION:

This would make an good backup electric razor for short term travel, shaving the 5 o' clock shadow at work and daily use.

Overall, this is a solid performer for the price.

Above average noise and longer charging times are a big negative that keep me from giving it the full 5 stars.

However, don't just take my word for it. The company feels so strongly that you will be satisfied with this shaver that there is a 60 day money back guarantee. If you are unhappy with this unit, you can send it back for a full refund.

The Braun Series 1 150 would be my third electric shaver in the past 4 years. I switched to my second one about 4-5 months ago for no particular good reason other than my previous unit was getting old and the new one was requiring less maintenance. I was very happy with 'BrandX' but I decided to give the Braun a try.

This morning, I did what seemed to be fair, given that I can't offer any scientific expertise, which was comparing this Braun model to the BrandX (my current shaver) by shaving half of my face with Braun and the other half with BrandX. To be fair, it should be known that BrandX is currently selling at Amazon for about $30-40 more than this unit.

- Noise: Braun is noisy to the point of being annoying. By contrast, BrandX is barely audible.
- Vibration: Braun's vibrations can be felt in the hand. BrandX feels steady by comparison.
- Cleaning: Braun requires that the cutting block is washed and brushed (with the supplied brush). BrandX gets completely clean by simply placing it under the faucet.
- Other maintenance: Braun comes with a little bottle of what the manual calls 'machine oil' which is supposed to be applied on the shaver foil. BrandX does not require such maintenance.
- Parts: Braun's package includes the body of the shaver, the charger, a protective plastic shield, a cleaning brush and the little bottle of machine oil. BrandX consists of the body, a smaller protective shield and a charger-stand.
- Performance: It took Braun longer to shave its half and, in the end, I had to use BrandX to redo my neck and my chin. It does not appear to shave as close as BrandX. My skin feels a little itchy on the Braun side.

Other details (no more comparisons): There is a 2-year warranty that does not cover the foil and the cutting block which, the manual suggests, should be replaced every 18 months. I did not have the opportunity to interact with customer service or tech support so I can't say whether they are helpful or not. The manual is very brief but it covers the essentials of using and maintaining the product.

After using this unit I concluded that I will keep BrandX and I will not use the Braun Series 1 150 in the future. While it does cut one's beard, I was unable to find any advantage in any category other than 'price' where the Braun outperforms the slightly more expensive (but still rather cheap) BrandX that I am currently using. I understand that this unit is probably marketed as an 'entry level' product but I always had trouble understanding the concept of 'entry level'. If you start with 'entry level' to save money and then you advance to the 'higher level' you end up paying more.

My advice would be to research some more advanced (expensive) Braun units or investigate what the competition has to offer. I am giving this unit 2 stars because, in my view, while functional, it is 'below average' for an electric shaver.

This is my first power shaver in years after being burned and disappointed by them when I began shaving. This shaver exceeded my expectations and may cause me to bring the blades out only for special occasions.

It definitely provides a smooth shave, not quite as close as a blade but almost. My biggest surprise is that it does not burn my skin or cause irritation around the neck and jawbone areas.

The shape makes for a nice fit in the hand and is compact enough to travel easily. It can be cleaned by rinsing and using an included brush. Braun recommends replacing a couple parts after 18 months for continued quality. The charger plugs in and the NiMh battery should provide an adequate charge without wearing out.

If you regularly use shavers or are considering trying one, I recommend this Braun. It made my wife happy with my close shave and that's what counts.

According to my husband, this shaver gave a very close shave and was even able to get some of the little stubble areas in the crook of the neck that a blade has trouble with. Did a good job of shaving around a mole that a blade tends to slice. The precision trimmer for sideburns seemed a little rough to the skin, so press lightly. The literature says you should replace the foil and cutters every 18 months. As compared to the 190 model, this 150 model gets 20 minutes of cordless shave time when its battery is fully charged. First charge is recommended to be 16 hours, and subsequent charges are recommended to be 8 hours. Both the shaver and the electric cord are made in China if you care about that sort of thing.

Pros: Shaver head can be rinsed with water to clean it (must be unplugged first). Lightweight unit. Attractive silver, black and blue.

Cons: Doesn't have a "base", so it can't stand on the countertop (either on it's own or in a charger)..it has to lie down. If you decide not to use the clear foil protection cap everyday, at least make sure you don't lose it because the power button turns on with relatively little pressure so you'll need the protection cap when you travel so that the shaver does not turn on by itself inside your luggage. Separate on and off buttons can take a little getting used to if you are accustomed to a simple toggle button (on and off in one button) or a slide switch.

this is my 3rd Braun shaver & the last one, model 4615 ($64.95) lasted over 3 years on the ORIGINAL cutting block & foil...I've NEVER rinsed it under water (probably leading to its longevity), only used the brush that came with it after every shave and have NEVER used the oil that came with it...had I not needed a new foil, I would still be using this...finally had to get a new foil (dual) but figured I might as well just get a new shaver since the cutting block & foil kit was MORE than this series 1 150...I paid $28.65 w/FREE freight...

I have used Remington, Sanyo (remember them), Panasonic & finally Braun...

upon the first shave with my newly charged 150, I remember what drew me to the Braun brand...the shave was smooth, close, precise & comfortable. the unit is easy to maneuver & the neck shave was no problem...I've heard some complaints about the noise, HELLO, it's a shaver...in going from a "twin foil" (model 4615) to a "single" (series 1 150) didn't notice it...yes, a case would've been nice, but for $28.65 I can use the case from my other Braun shavers that I have used only sparingly...the clear plastic "foil/power button" cover is more than adequate to prevent accidents during travel...

you want a good shave at a great price, look no further...

I bought this shaver as a replacement for my model 1175 (which was excellent). In comparison, this shaver has a much less powerful motor, a ridiculous recharge time (8 hours minimum), and cannot be used with the wall charger if the battery runs down while in use. About the only thing it is usable for is a quick 1-2 minute touch-up shave. Don't even think about it as your main shaver. As a loyal Braun customer for many years, this is the last Braun product which I will ever purchase.

Several years ago, I got a very expensive Braun shaver as a gift. It was three times as expensive as this one. It did a good job shaving, but left tiny cut hairs all over the bathroom countertop every time I used it, so eventually I got tired of the clean-up and went back to a blade.

Because of that experience, I was hesitant to try this one. To my amazement, however, this one did not suffer the same problem, and unlike my previous model, can be rinsed clean under water. So, they've definitely solved that issue.

It is also much lighter than my last one, mostly because the charging circuitry has been moved out of the unit and into a "wall wart" transformer plug. The nice thing about this is that the plug is very well designed, and only takes up a single outlet. Because it only has to be plugged in to charge it, you don't have to leave it in the outlet, so this is really not a disadvantage. The lighter shaver is great, and makes it much easier to hold and maneuver.

It has a separate on and off button, which takes a little getting used to because most devices of this type use a toggle. Still, it is kind of nice to have the separate buttons, and I like the fact that they are rubber and have a good tactile feel when used.

There isn't a traditional case. Instead, Braun uses a click-on clear plastic shield that covers the delicate blades. The shield holds on tightly enough to not come off accidently, but loosely enough so that it comes off without a hassle. This design takes up a lot less space than a big bulky case, and I'm already planning to bring this with me next time I travel. It is funny how something that seems like a disadvantage at first, like the lack of a case, or the transformer not being in the unit, can turn out to be advantages (less space, lighter weight). I definitely get the feeling Braun put a lot of testing into this.

It isn't perfect, of course.

It is fairly noisy and vibrates, like most shavers of this type. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it isn't silent either.

It takes quite a while to charge. About eight hours, according to the instruction booklet. So, it will be ready to go by the time you need it again, but if you pull it out and it isn't charged you'll need to wait before you can use it. You won't know when this is because there is no charge meter. And, finally, while it does have a charge indicator light, the light doesn't change color or blink when the batteries are full. So, you'll have to leave it there for eight hours to make sure it is charged. If this sounds like a drawback, it is. It isn't a deal-breaker, though, as just plugging it in every so often and leaving it there overnight will keep you going just fine.

Overall, I really like it. There are a few compromises, but nothing huge, and some of them even turned out to be pluses, especially when travelling.

Recommended.

Sean P. Logue, 2008

I've been shaving with a blade my whole life. Yes, it's true, I've never experienced the joys of an electronic shaver. Why spend the money, why suffer the hassle, when all you have to do is shampoo your face when you do your hair and run a cheap Bic over it when you're in the shower.

Then along comes this shaver via Amazon's vine program. I ordered it, so now I was going to have to review it and I was going to have to use it before I could review it. This is not something you need directions for. Besides, I've seen other men shave with these things. I've seen them do it on TV commercials, in cars on the freeway, in airport bathrooms even, so I knew I wasn't going to have a problem. I figured a shave or two, then I would write about it and go back to shaving with shampoo and a Bic.

But after the first shave I knew I wasn't ever going back. This gets as close as that Bic ever did, isn't nearly as irritating, actually it's not irritating at all and it's pretty darned convenient. Now I don't have to take a shower to shave. If I'm going out at night, I can run this baby over my face and all of a sudden I'm smooth.

The charging time is long, but since I leave it plugged in all the time it's not a problem. You can clean the heads running simple running H20 over it and the mess just runs down the drain. Electronic shaving whenever you want is just so bloody convenient. I don't know why I never figured this out. Can you tell I like this shaver? Anyway, just incase you haven't gotten the message, I like this razor, I really do.

First of all my Vine choice came a bit too late for me as I've owned a new Braun for a couple of months now. I used to have a Norelco triple header rechargable, but the battery finally gave out. I bought the Braun 1775 Free Control from Braun as a replacement. It listed for about ten bucks cheaper than the one I'm reviewing, but with discounts the reviewed one only costs about two bucks more. When my shaver gave out I started to look at the really expensive super models, and was shocked at the prices. As I read the customer reviews, I realized many of the inexpensive shavers were almost as good, and I could buy six of them for the price of one of the top of the line models. My comparison will be between the one I bought (1775), and this new model (1-150).

I decided to do the taste test "so to speak" first, so I let my beard grow a couple days. I have a somewhat sparse, wirey beard, with very soft skin underneath. I had both shavers take a half of my face, and shave for 25 seconds. Before starting I cleaned the older one, and oiled it, it may have lost some sharpness, but probably not that much. After the test I looked in the mirror, and felt the two sides of my face. The 1-150 was definately smoother. Neither razor had pulled, burned, or chaffed my skin, and handling was similar. I really can't totally account for the smoother shave with the 1-150, so we'll have to take it to the differences, and see if that makes sense.

To start with, both shavers use the same kind of blade, have the same width and use the same trimmer. There was one significant difference in the head, and it may have made the difference. On the 1775, the older shaver, the foil flexes (both are foil shavers), and the head holding it floats. On the new shaver the 1-150 the foil itself both flexes and floats, the head is rigid. This may account for the closer shave, but maybe is slightly less comfortable.

Additional Comparison:

1. The 1775 has rubberized grip coating on the base, the 1-150 does not.

2. The 1775 is shorter, the 1-150 is thin, long, a bit sleeker.

3. The 1775 has a triangular on/off button, the 1-150 has separate on/off buttons a bit smaller and harder to find.

4. The 1775 charging lamp is on the back, the 1-150 on the front.

5. The blade keepers are similar but the 1775 is a better fit.

6. The sound is a bit higher pitch on the 1-150 over the 1775.

The bottom line is I have a slight preference for the 1775, except for the quality of the shave itself. I like the design a little better, the grip, and keeper are better features. Still overall, the Braun foil shavers in this class gain high ratings, and I'd be happy to own either. If you like sleek, you'll probably go for the new model (1-150), and maybe the head design gives a slightly closer shave. If you like simply stated function like I do, the 1775 might be your backup choice in the same price class.

I tested this shaver out on my legs (LOL) and then handed it over to my husband for a more through review. We both decided that while it doesn't quite stack up to the other electronic razor in the home (which is 3x the cost of this one) it does NOT do a bad job for the price. Very quick and easy to shave with but it does miss hairs randomly and need a bit more pressure to work than other razors. Still a decent shave for the cost and ease! LOVE the fact that it's washable!