Is this shaver worth over $300?
Like a Mercedes S-Class, the ES-LV81 is loaded with features, and you're part of an exclusive club because for some reason very few other people own one.
The ES-LV81 does not lock you into $1600 brake jobs or $50 wiper blades, but Panasonic does its level best to make you feel special. For example, the included cleaning system uses a detergent cartridge available only from Panasonic. If the shaver lasts 6-years, you can spend $114 for 2 quarts of detergent. Plus about $400 on replacement blades/foils (see Note 1).
The same shaver without the automatic cleaning system is about $50 less:
Panasonic Men's 5-Blade Shaving System (ES-LV61-A).
My base of comparison is the $35
Norelco 7310XL. I've used this and similar Norelcos for 15+ years. The Norelcos are much quieter, but do not shave as close.
PROs:
- Closer shave than Norelco style rotary shavers (see Note 2)
- Wet or dry use
- Switch lock (prevents accidental suitcase-ON)
- Smart charger is fast (1 hour) and energy efficient (zero drain when finished)
- Battery status indicator
- Instructions for hand cleaning with standard soap & water
- Fit and finish is good. Doesn't feel cheap.
OKs:
- Large blade area - 1.0" x 1.6" - good for straight-aways, awkward on curves
- Automatic Cleaning system - Might not be worth the hassle (see Note 3)
- Lithium Ion battery provides 45 minutes shave time (my Norelco is 30 min.)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Satisfaction Guarantee: 30 days (see Note 4)
- Travel case: vinyl
- Head swivels left-right, up-down (benefit?, prone to breakage?)
- Owner manual: Clear and readable
CONs:
- Louder than Norelco style rotary shavers (see Note 5)
- Expensive
- Consumables are also expensive
- - - Summary - - -
It might be hard to justify $300 - $400 for this shaver. Harder yet with the expensive supplies.
- - - Notes - - -
Note 1: Manual recommends foil replacement (WES9171p - $ 60) every year, blade replacement (WES9170p - $30) every 2 years, and detergent cartridge (WES035p - about $ 3.16 each on amazon) every 2 months or sooner. Blade-Foil combo is sold as WES9030 ($78 - $99). Foil + blades could cost $67 per year or more.
Note 2: Close shave. Rotary shavers don't shave as close as thin-foil reciprocating shavers. I did a left-face, right face comparison. The Norelco side freshly shaved matches the Panasonic side 2 hours after shaving. (In a time when every hip model and celebrity dude is rocking the 36-hour stubble, "super-close" might not even be a big priority.)
Note 3: Automatic Cleaning System: This involves a cleaning tray into which you set the shaver head, a 5-oz. tank of recirculating water, a detergent cartridge (replace every 2 months), a 10-minute Clean cycle, and a 80 minute Heated Dry cycle. The shaver display will direct you to clean at the proper time.
After the Cleaning System has saved you the trouble of cleaning your shaver, it's time for...Ummm... you need to clean the cleaning system! Every 2 months or so. The manual shows you how.
You can read many comments on the cleaning system under amazon reviews for the
Panasonic Detergent Cartridges) (WES035p). One guy uses hydrogen peroxide instead of Panasonic's expensive detergent cartridges.
If you're starting to feel like the cleaning system is an elaborate joke, you can just run some soapy water on your shaver once in a while and declare victory.
Note 4: Satisfaction Guarantee: Panasonic gives you 30 days. They also say "Please allow 30 days for your skin to adjust." [after which it's too late.] Norelco gives you 45 days to return, while saying your skin needs "21 days to adjust."
Note 5: Loud: The ES-LV81 is no louder than other reciprocating shavers I've tried. But it's a lot louder that Norelco-style rotary shavers. Annoying if you hate loud, or if someone is sleeping nearby.