Customer Reviews

Braun Contour System 5500 Series 5790 Electric Shaver

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

 

 

I have been using this shaver for about a year and it wasn't giving me a very close shave. My father recommended that I try Williams Lectric Shave. I don't know what that stuff does, but I now get a shave almost as smooth as a blade.

If you do have this shaver, you can make your own solution instead of the refill kits from Braun:

* denatured alcohol

* Singer sewing machine oil,

* McCormick pure lemon extract, This is optional. You'll need this if you want your razor to have that lemony fresh smell. Be sure to get extract, not lemon juice. Lemon extract is an oil made from the skins.

Directions:

Rinse the empty cartridge with water. I don't bother to completely clean it out. Just rinse it a few times, then let it dry.

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract.
1/2 teaspoon machine oil.
5 3/4 oz of alcohol.

I mix it in a little pitcher with a screw on top that I bought at Wal*Mart. After I shake it up, I pour it into the Braun cleaning cartridge.

Hey it's a razor what can I say.. It works! I get a great shave and the self cleaning feature is great. Battery life is excellent.

To make a long story short, I can't even think of shaving daily with blades because of irritation. I also own an 5-year-old high-end Norelco rotary (like it quite a bit), but I can only get a close shave with it while shaving (wet) every 3-4 days, I can shave with it (dry) daily with only minor irritation, but not a close shave... not close at all!

After researching insatiably, I decided to try a foil electric (Panasonic or Braun) because almost every review I read said that it provides less irritation and a closer shave than a rotary, and it's better for shorter hairs, making it ideal for daily shaving. My plan was to buy the Braun, use it for 30 days, return it and then give the Panasonic a try for the next 30 days, and then choose the one I liked most.

Let me put it this way, I know it takes the skin 2-4 weeks to get used to a new shaving system; I have owned the Braun for a total of THREE DAYS (that's right, 3 shaves) and I can honestly tell you that I will NOT be returning it, and not even thinking about trying out the Panasonic. This is the best shave I have ever had in my life, period!
The first shave wasn't as close as I was expecting, but after running it through the cleaning system, the next two shaves were spectacular... close, smooth and not one bit of irritation!

Oh, and don't pay attention to those who complain about the cleaning station being loud... I can't even hear the damn thing while the shower is running, and it only makes noise for about 5 minutes, after that it's all quiet... plus it has this really cool blue light that gives my sink counter a very high tech look.

My fiance hated shaving. I hated the pricklies on my skin! The Braun Shaver solved both problems! He is so happy with the shaver, he now shaves everyday. He was very happy with the design and the self cleaning mode of the device. The first few times he used it his stubble was resistant. Now, after using it for 3 weeks he gets a smooth as a babies butt shave everytime! This item was recommended to me by a friend and I will recommend it to everyone ! Happy Shaving!

i bought this shaver after trying other electric shavers. i have to say i am very satisfied with it. I love using it. it's gentle on your face with no cuts or pinches. it is also convenient in that it cleans and charge at the same time. just put it in the base and leave it to do the work for you . perfect for someone who is always on the go.

PROS:
Performance of its main duty as a razor is excellent.
Great battery life.
Handy lights to warn of need for charge or cleaning.
Easy to clean out foil, even easier with its own base!
Leather carry case.

CONS:
Trimmer is very fragile, and will malfunction eventually. To operate with it extended, I have to push it against the unit to get the mechanism to engage. Has happened to two of mine, and one of my friend's.

BL:
Great razor, have owned two, recommended to three friends who all love it. Braun should put the slightest bit more effort into durability on the trimmer. If you pay more than $50, you're getting shanked.

I used it for a year or so, but then one day it just
wouldn't turn off. It ran until the battery died.
Now it won't charge. Waah!

[Edit] After a month or so or charging, it magically started working again.
Pressing the hidden reset button at the bottom front seems to help sometimes.

This has happened three times so far, and it just happened again - it's buzzing its little heart out, and there's nothing I can do; pressing OFF or RESET doesn't help. I'm not looking forward to being without a razor again for however many days it takes to regain its sanity.

After using Norelco electric razors for many years, I decided to try Braun when my last Norelco's battery died.

After trying this razor for a few months, it was my experience that it is best at shaving recently shaved (like the day before) facial hairs. If I have some hairs that have grown for a couple of days or so, perhaps from being missed during previous shavings, it is very hard to get this razor to cut them and sometimes I have to use the pop-up sideburn trimmer for this purpose. In addition, it is much noisier than the Norelco and is not as comfortable or as easy to hold throughout the shaving process as a Norelco is. Overall, the Norelco feels better to the skin (smoother, more comfortable) while shaving. For these reasons, I have given up on this razor and switched back to a Norelco in the $120 price range, (model 8251). My only regret was that I didn't figure this out during Braun's 30 day money back guarantee period. (Norelco gives you 45 days.)

As for cleaning the Braun, I found that just using water and soap as directed (or even just removing the top and blowing away the hairs with my breath at times) worked fine. Perhaps there is some value in the cleaning solution trip but I doubt it is worth the extra price.

I just read another Amazon review of this product that suggested using Williams Lectric Shave to get a closer shave (even though the razor's instructions say to shave with your face dry). Maybe this tip would make a difference. (The same review has an interesting suggestion for making your own cleaning solution - the review is titled "Making a So So Shaver Better," by M.D. Young, 10/13/08)

Shaver was exactly as described. Received product promptly. Would not hesitate in buying any product from Amazon. Always 100% satisfied.

I have had this shaver for about 3 weeks now. It shaves perfectly. I had an older Braun shaver that wore out after about 9-10 years. It worked so well that I decided to stay with the Braun products. This shaver is much quieter than the older one I had. The shave is close and smooth without biting. The cleaner works well. I highly recommend this one.