100 of 101 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is The One To Buy!!, December 19, 2006
This review is from: Panasonic ES7056S Vortex Triple Head HydraClean Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)
I've been looking for an electric shaver for a while, since my old Norelco was dropped and was exploded. I enjoyed using an electric for my cheeks and mustache and chin, but anywhere below the neckline just got destroyed by the Norelco. I'm not sure who came up with the concept of using three discs to cut hair from your face, but they should be beaten. My neck would turn red, get rashes, and the hair would not have been cut at all. So, Norelcos are out. I wanted a wet/dry shaver, so I discounted the Braun models (which are expensive and according to a friend less-than-ideal as a shaver), and I began looking. This Panasonic caught my eye, but there were dozens of models with basically the same technology and features, with random price fluctuations. It breaks down like this:
The ES8078S is basically this model with a new "Linear" motor. There is basically no difference in performance, but the new motor makes this one cost 30 bucks more.
the ES8077S is as the above one, but is a Gold color. Also 110 bucks as of this review, and both of these come with the Vortex cleaning stand.
And on and on and on.... there are dozens of these little choices, with tiny differences and random price changes and so forth. Its this way with Norelco, too, but it's annoying and looking for a new razor was a big pain. Hopefully this review will help if you're in the same boat.
I decided to go with this one. It went on sale the other weekend for 49.99 - 70% off! - and I couldn't wait any longer. I got it the other day and I couldn't be happier with it.
The shaver works great. That's the main thing I care about - My first shave, my second and my third are all perfect, razor close with NO IRRITATION! It says that normally your face needs 30 days to adjust from a blade, but the only thing my face needed to adjust to was the lack of razor burn and nicks. I've been using a Mach 3 and a Quattro, but this is just as smooth. My neck is perfect, too - the head doesn't irritate my skin and it's been noticeably better since I started using the Panasonic. I used it dry the first two days and then tried a wet shave out of the shower for the third, and the wet shave was great! I wasn't expecting an electric to perform this well, but I treated it just like a blade and the results are the same. The wet shave was (BARELY) closer, but only marginally, and I've been happy with the results. It's as quiet as an electric as I've ever used, and while certainly not silent, it's quiet enough to not wake roommates who are still sleeping, which is all I need in terms of volume.
As to other features...
The Vortex cleaning stand works very well. It is a little noisy for the first 15 minutes, but no more than a dryer or television in the background. The cleaning cartridges work for six months and I've only used the cleaning setting once for three shaves, so this seems like it'll last well, especially since a 3 pack of cartridges for the cleaning solution is only 10 bucks here. Also, you can use just soap and water to clean the shaver and it works just as well if you don't want to pony up the dough, but seeing as how I used to drop 10 dollars every four weeks for new blade cartridges, paying those 10 every 1.5 years seems like a deal. It also has settings for just drying, just cleaning, cleaning and drying, charging, charging and cleaning, charging cleaning and drying... whatever you need, this can accommodate your needs, and it looks pretty good, too. Not too stainless-steel-black-marble-countertop in looks, and not too soft, either. The black stand and this blue/silver/black shaver look great, and more importantly, feel good in your hand. It's very well made, heavy enough to feel solid and waterproof. You can take it in the shower with no worries.
These may seem like little things, but all the intagibles are here - noise, feel, look, etc. - and that really matters when you get a shaver you want to keep around for a few years.
If you're looking for a great electric at a bargain price (at 80, this is on the low end, price wise [Norelco's top of the line is 200, Braun is about 140, and even Panasonic's other models can reach mid 150s], but performs beautifully. Buy this and you won't be sorry!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Disappointment, March 8, 2007
This review is from: Panasonic ES7056S Vortex Triple Head HydraClean Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)
I've used Panasonic Wet/Dry shavers for about ten years now, and wanted to upgrade from my 2003 "LINEAR" model to the new generation of shavers. Both Panasonic and Braun have really been pushing their versions of HydraClean systems, so I went with Panasonic's ES7056S, as it is submersable. After 45 days of daily use, I can report that the RPM's generated by the unit are painfully slow, making for long shaving sessions. The sideburn trimmer is clumsily located on the back side of the shaver, is only about an inch wide, and is flimsy. The HydraClean self-cleaning cradle is more or less a gimmick; you can get equal cleaning results by immersing the unit in plain soap and water for a few seconds. The HydraClean system requires the consumer to purchase additional cleaning pods over time~ helping Panasonic's bottom line, but wasting the consumer's time and money. When considering an electric razor, forget about all of the gimmicks~ look at how many RPM's the shaver produces. The higher the number, the faster the shave. This one is s-l-o-w.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good shave, but I prefer the Braun for a couple of reasons, February 1, 2007
This review is from: Panasonic ES7056S Vortex Triple Head HydraClean Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)
First let me say that this razor gives me a good shave, which is its primary purpose, so that's good. I am a caucasian with a medium-heavy beard, and I get a generally close shave from the Panasonic. No electric razor is ever going to shave quite as close as a blade because of the simple fact that there is a screen between the blade and your face, but this one does a nice job. I have to go over some spots on my neck a couple of times, but I have to go a couple of different directions with a blade, too. (BTW, I use an electric because my neck breaks out a bit when I shave with a blade.)
The reason that I'm giving four stars instead of five is that I think the Braun is a better product overall. Here are some comparison points:
- The Panasonic is a little quieter
- The Panasonic can be used wet
- The Braun head pivots the right way, so the head stays at the right angle to your face as you move the razor up and down (which is the way most men shave). The Panasonic head rocks side-to-side, which doesn't make any sense to me. I don't see any benefit from that.
- The Braun's pop-up trimmer works better. I don't know what the problem is, but trimming my sideburns with the Panasonic trimmer is painful and frustrating, while the Braun is quick and clean.
- My experience is that the Braun can run longer before recharging.
- The two cleaning systems are basically equivalent. The Braun solution has a stronger smell that my wife doesn't care for.
- I was surprised to find that I actually prefer the way the Braun feels in my hand. Somehow it's more comfortable, even though the Panasonic is shapelier and looks like it should feel better. Maybe I'm holding it wrong.
And one more big plus for the Panasonic: it's cheaper!
So the summary is that this is a nice razor that works well for me, but the Braun just happens to work a little better.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No