Customer Reviews

Braun 360° Complete Shaver - 8985

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've owned this shaver for a few months now, and love it. I've only used electric shavers for about 30 years, and my last three were all Brauns. They consistently give the closest shave I've ever received, and they last for years. The foil head, the "power comb", and especially the pivoting head combine to work exceptionally well. I highly recommend any of their shavers. However...

This is the first time I've purchased one with the Clean & Renew base, and honestly, I'd recommend purchasing a model without it. The base station unit adds a lot to the price, and I don't think it adds that much value. In addition, the base and power cord are very poorly designed. The plug on the end of the cord is huge and juts straight out from the wall, getting in the way and taking up a lot of counter space unnecessarily. A right-angle plug (like the ones on every 20-dollar hair dryer) would be much better. The other end of the cord is just as bad! The connection to the base station sits at an odd angle, sticking out from the side and making it almost impossible to sit the station against a wall.

One other power-cord-related issue: this shaver comes with a protective travel case, but the case ONLY holds the shaver... the cord can't fit with it! You have to pack the cord separately. Not a big deal, but it just seems like an obvious oversight.

All in all, the shaver itself is terrific, but if you're strapped for counter space near your bathroom sink, I'd look for one of Braun's units with the swiveling head and not the Clean & Renew base.

I bought this razor on a recommendation in Consumer Reports. I switched from a rotary head razor and, as the user's guide predicts, it has taken a few weeks to get used to this one, but it does give a very close shave. The cleaning station is a cool idea, but it's decision as to how dirty the razor is (which determines how much cleaning fluid it consumes) it purely a programmed response - for example, emptying the razor yourself has no effect, and if you put it back in its station but don't clean it then a day later it will decide that the razor needs a more thorough cleaning. Since the cleaning cartridges are consumable items, and not particularly cheap, I've found that leaving the razor out of its cleaning station for 3 or 4 shaves is one way to conserve cartridges. YMMV.

I've had my Braun 360° Complete shaver for 2-1/2 years now, and it's by far the best shaver I've ever used.

For years I used Norelco shavers, but they gave me razor burn. When shaving with a new Norelco razor burned my neck so badly that it looked like it was covered in hickeys and stung for days, I decided to try this foil shaver. What a difference! It did give a slight razor burn when brand-new, but that quickly went away. The lubricant/cleaner helped, too, and shaving with a razor that is always thoroughly clean is fantastic. The swiveling head works well to follow the contours of your face, but you can lock it if you prefer. Since the Braun is slim, the shaving head doesn't get in the way of the trimmer like it does with the Norelco, either.

To clean and charge, you insert the shaver into the base unit and press a button. Two sets of lights on the base indicate the battery level and amount of cleaning necessary. If you've only done some light shaving, less cleaning solution is used, saving on cost, which is a nice touch. The cleaning solution is dispensed from cartridges that are a little larger than a hockey puck, and come three to a package.

It took my shaver 2-1/2 years for my "Change Foil + Cutter" light to come on, and its battery seems to hold a charge as well as when it was new, which is pretty impressive. When the battery does finally start to degrade, it looks like I'll have to send it in for a replacement, instead of being able to replace it myself.

The only problem I've found with the entire system is that if you accidentally tip the base, cleaning fluid will leak out. Hopefully Braun will add seals to its newer shaver bases.

This is a very good electric shaver -- much better than the Norelco I had. I generally use a blade, and have an electric for early evening touch-ups. The Norelco didn't shave close enough to make the touch-ups worthwhile. The Braun does shave close enough, provided you make sure to clean it with the enclosed brush after every shave. It's not enough to simply use the built-in cleaning system. Maybe I'm belaboring the obvious, but I thought the built-in cleaning system would suffice and that the brush was for the times when you didn't want to use up the cleaning fluid. Wrong. You should do both.
The Braun is heavier than the Norelco -- maybe evincing better build quality -- so much so that you might not want to carry it in a briefcase for end-of-the-workday touch-ups before going out in the evening. But the quality of the shave makes the extra weight worth it.

I have had my Braun 5 (now the 8985) for over a year. The IDEA is great! One push of a button and the razor gets cleaned and charged. The shave is also good. Noise level is not bad. The problems came when the silver finish started to peel off. I called Braun and they said that the "cosmetic" features were not covered by warranty. Today, the shaver started making a very, very loud raspy sound as if someting inside was grinding. I take that to mean that it is not much longer for this world!
I am considering giving Braun another chance with another model (perhaps with its Series 7 - 760 cc) but I'm not sure. I would hope that the shaver would last for longer than just a year!!!!

I have owned this shaver over a year now. Bottom line, if you shave EVERY day, it does a pretty good job. If you are prone to skip a day or two, like I am, forget using this shaver (after a day or so) because it will take your forever to get a close shave. When I do miss a day or two, I go back to my old Braun 3612 or my old Panasonic (both at least 10 years old). Not impressed with this shaver at all!! Do not recommend!

I had problems with this razor from day one. Did not shave well. Would not hold a charge. Cleaning function worked intermittantly.
Can't return. No Braun service centers within 100 miles.
Threw it away
Buyer beware

I have never used an electric razor prior but checked Consumer Reports to get a recommendation.
After about one week I was used to the shaver and it works great! Best investment considering the amount of money blades have increased.

I have owned this shaver for six months now and am still waiting to get a good shave. My previous Braun was excellent but this model I would not wish on my greatest enemy

Great shaver. I have used mine for about a year now and it still shaves close just like when it was brand new and still looks like brand new since the cleaning system works very well also. Much better than Norelco or Remington. I know what I'm talking about after using electric shavers for more than 30 years.