Customer Reviews

Panasonic ES8043SC Pro-Curve Pivot Action Linear Wet/Dry Shaver, Silver

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(58)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I have the identical shaver, the ES8077S. The difference between the two is that this ES8043SC model does not include a cleaning station.

I bought this as a replacement unit for my old Braun 5550, which after a few years of use has finally died.

If you prefer not to purchase the bulky cleaning station (from the ES8077S model), the manual suggests an alternative method to clean -- using liquid soap and water; this would be convenient when on the road!

Replacement Parts & Accessories (Retail prices & model # as indicated in insert):

1) Protective Cap (WES8044X7158): $0.62

2) Outer Foil (WES9085PC): $35.00

3) Inner Blades (WES9064PC): $21.95

4) Charging Adapter (WES8044K7658): $16.11

5) Self-Cleaning Recharger (WES8078H4218): $41.89

6) Detergent Cartridge 3-pack (WES035P): $9.99

Pros:

- The Panasonic Vortex is relatively light, and easy to hold/grip.

- Wet/Dry: One of the main features that won me over. I decided to get this unit instead of the Braun Activator because of this feature. I usually shave right after I take a shower, and my old Braun wouldn't cut cleanly until I fully dried off. First thing I did when I received this unit was to try shaving after a shower -- worked perfectly.

- Speed: For my old shaver, I had to take several passes, and yet still missed stubs here and there. With the Vortex, I was able to shave cleanly in one quick pass. I'm impressed!

- Head Pivots: The head of the shaver adjusts smoothly to the contours of my face.

- Battery: Right out of the box, I used my shaver for about a month before charging!

Cons:

- After my shave, my skin got a bit irritated at first use. After a few uses, my skin was able to adjust.

- Came with a cheap travel bag.

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Some reviewers have mentioned the noise of the unit. With any electric shaver, the noise is unavoidable. I didn't find the noise too annoying, though some of you may.

The following review is because I found it excruciating to find an electric razor that really truly met all my needs. And because I can't trust anyone's opinion that hasn't really tried a few.

To start I have very sensitive skin on my neck, the hairs lie very flat as well there...and my beard hair is freaking tough. Freakishly thick, evil little guys.

The contenders:

Norelco (Phillips) has been around for a while and is known for their 3 head rotary design. I got a SpeedXL, 8175XL. Claiming 50% more surface area than before with three rings on each head.

Braun a big name in the foil shaver market and apparently the top rated by a certain consumer mag. I got a 8975, 360 Complete.

Finally Panasonic "Linear", the lone entry as a wet/dry shaver, boasting "fastest speed" and "sharpest" blades. ES8043 was the model.

The lowdown:

Norelco...bundled with lots of extras. Best feedback with most LEDs. Very quiet, picked up the wonky hairs. But I wasn't happy. I had little control over where it cut and it was hard to address the little problem areas. Also it doesn't cut along a line well...so if you want a beard and to shave your neck, not a good chioce.

I realize others may not have that concern...so how about the actual cut? Decent, but I had an OLD Panasonic model which was right in the ball park...and I wanted to replace that one. Back to the store with you!!! The cleaning on this was also harder as the rotary area wasn't very streamlined.

Braun. After that first round I was done. I went for the top (well almost, mine didn't have the cleaning station). The 360 Complete had new Gillette tech, a really cool looking foil patter, and wow!! it was $140. This guy was a little heavier than expect. Fired it up...and loud, MUCH louder than the Norelco, even louder than the Panny...and it vibrated more in my hand.

Not too worried, more power right? First off...we have a contender. It cut fast, and closer than my previous Panny, much better than the Norelco. Came with a nice little hard case for travel. Pretty much it was all good. I figured this was the same model as the one with the cleaning stand...so rinse clean right? NOPE. A three step process of open partly, shake out, open fully brush out, finally a drop or two of oil.

Hmm still it cut pretty darn nice. But it was very expensive. Better take one last look....I had a Panasonic, what do they have? Without returning the Braun I got the new Panny. Hmm..wet/dry, self cleaning "sonic mode" (add a touch of soap and cleans itself), 13,000 rpm motor. It was quiet, it was lighter.

Now I had the two contenders in hand, time to test on the 5 o clock shadow. Panasonic first. Quickly shaved one side of my face. Hmm quieter than the last...subconsciously thought might not live up. Felt that side of my face...HOLY &^*(& that is smooth, like perfect, blade-eque smooth, except one tiny ridge along the jaw bone I just missed.

Still this was the easy task...nice short hair, lets bring out the Braun again. It made quick work of the other side of my face as well. Well mostly...one spot stayed a little rough and I gave it multiple passes. Still very much acceptable. Before finishing up, I decided to run the Panny back over the area the Braun had some issues with. ...and some tell tale hair clinking noise....felt it. Perfect.

The easy winner: Panny

Done. Told my now exasperated GF I found it. My shaver. Fastest, middle quiet, cheapest of the bunch, able to clean itself with no special stand, and finally wet or dry capable. Awesome!!

Wrap up:

Norelco (Phillips) 8175XL:

Pro:
+Great accessories
+Best LED feedback
+Li-ion batter (pretty sure)
+Quietest
+Best on slightly longer hairs that are laying flat

Con:
-Least close shave
-longest time to shave
-those longer hairs get pulled a bit (ouch)
-a bit more irritation (more passes)
-Hard to cut along a line (beard shaping)
-iffy sideburn trimmer (fell all the time)

Braun 8975

Pro:
+Almost as close a shave
+good sideburn trimmer
+Top rated makes you feel cool
+indicator for time to replace cutting block
+best pivoting head
+Hard Case for storage

Con:
-Loudest
-Expensive
-Didn't cut as well as the Panny
-No allowance to even get it slightly wet anywhere
-Only one with Ni-MH batteries
-Heavy

Panasonic ES8043
Pro:
+Least expensive
+great cleaning that can be done anywhere (so special stand)
+Best shave, close and fast
+Much quieter than Braun
+Light
+Li-ion battery
+Only with full, in the shower Wet capability (not even tested...still won)
+Great sideburn trimmer, now a solid flip up design

Con:
-Lousy soft vinyl case
-weird plug design...have to look when plugging in for charging
-same brand as before

So there you have it. I don't want to sound too down on the Norelco, it just was slow, imprecise and didn't cut as close...maybe with enough time training your skin it would be better?

I've tried the Norelco Spectra series (now discontinued and replaced by an even newer series) but I've been much more impressed with this shaver. As other reviewers have said elsewhere, the type of electric shaver -- rotary or foil -- that works best for you will totally depend on your skin type and your beard. I can't tell you which one to buy. I can say that a foil shaver will be my choice in the futute, and this Panasonic has delivered impressive results for me.

My own beard is thick in places and the hairs themselves tend to be quite coarse. I have a long, angular face, and the skin on my neck tends to be quite sensitive. I always cut my neck when I shave with blades -- and I do mean always, even using the superior Mach 3 -- and the Norelco gives me a pretty good razor burn on my neck unless I'm very careful.

On the other hand, I had no problems at all with the Panasonic. I have nicked myself once or twice but not severely, and it's more of a fluke. There's no accompanying irritation or razor burn; I must just have held the shaver incorrectly. By comparison, the Norelco will really chew up my neck if I want to get a close shave. I think the Norelco worked well when I first bought it, but the "lift and cut" heads become clogged with hair fairly quickly and can be difficult to clean. The Panasonic seems much more straightforward: There are blades, they move, they cut your beard. As I said, I don't think I'll be going back to a rotary shaver again.

As others have mentioned, the 8043 is of the same series as the more expensive 8077 model with the cleaning station. There are a number of other models in the same series, such as the 8044. The bottom line is that the cutting head on all these shavers is identical. The replacement parts are the same and you will get the same shave. The models differ in terms of minor features. For example, the 8077, in addition to the cleaning station, has a more detailed battery-charge readout. The 8043 just has an LED that tells you it's time to recharge. I expect the battery life is longer on the 8077 as well, though the 8043 lasts several shaves on one charge and it recharges rapidly. The cleaning station itself is unnecessary; every model has a high speed cleaning mode and can be cleaned up with liquid soap and water.

All in all I've been very satisfied with this product in the weeks since I bought it and it's given me some of the nicest shaves I've had in a while.

I have owned many different razors in my time. My last razor was a Panasonic ES726. This was a great razor for $40.00. Close and comfortable. But the battery is dying so I went to buy another $40.00 Panasonic. It was one of the basic Pro Curve models. It didn't do as good a job as my ES726. I took it back and got a Braun Cruser3. This razor was terrible! So I took it back and got the Panasonic ES8043SC Pro-Curve Pivot Action Linear Wet/Dry Shaver. After the 1st use I was like, OMG! This razor shaves as close as my ES726 but is even more comfortable!

This razor runs at 13,000 RPM's.

Has a triple blade system.

Wet/Dry shave.

Cleans under water.

Pivot head.

Turbo clean mode.

Cord/Cordless operation.

This razor has everything you could want and it delivers. I highly recommend it

This is an excellent electric razor. This review is also for all the head shavers out there that need a good quality razor for getting bald. How do I know this Panasonic is a good razor? Well a little while ago I began searching for an electric razor to shave my head, it had to be fairly inexpensive and able to shave razor close. I bought two different electric razors that were in my price range and tested them both out. And the Norelco was returned to the store for a refund.

I began using the Norelco 7735X Cool Skin, electric razor. It took another few days for my Panasonic ES8043SC to arrive, so I continued to use my Norelco to shave my head. Let me be honest, the Norelco Cool Skin works great and gets a good head/face shave. Then my Panasonic arrived and I wasn't very impressed with the look of the razor and was not expecting much. As soon as I did a dry head shave with the Panasonic I could see the difference! Quickly, I knew this Panasonic is a better all around razor and shaves closer than the Norelco. I can also shave faster with the Panasonic but the Norelco contours my face and head a little better.

Because of the speed of the Panasonic I can shave everyday. I like to keep my head shaved very close and keep it clean looking, the Panasonic is the best for this. My hair grows fast and I just shave my head in the shower every day. It's like mowing a lawn; if you keep it trimmed it is very easy to cut it the next time. I don't use any shave gel and I merely shave my head in the shower and rinse off. If there are any missed spots I usually shave them after the shower to clean my head up. It takes 5 minutes at most to shave my head in the shower with the Panasonic. And I'm getting quicker by the day. I actually think the Panasonic shaves my head better than my face. This is because of how flat heads are compared to faces. It can be hard to get to certain places on a face.

Actually, the Norelco contours your head better than the Panasonic, but the Panasonic shaves quicker and a closer. A strange paradox here. The Norelco does do a good job, don't get me wrong here. But the Panasonic is better. I'm really pleased with the closeness of the razor. Additionally, I shave against the grain on my head to get a really close shave, and this baby of a shaver does get razor close. I will repeat, razor close, completely smooth.

This Panasonic 8043 runs at 13,000 rpm and works excellent. Turbo Cleaning Mode (available on our Pivot Action Shavers) is used for quick and easy cleaning. Press and hold the On/Off button to shift from 13,000 RPMs to an impressive 17,000 RPMs in this mode. I will never use a Mach 3 again on my head because there is no need for one. This thing rocks! Great product, great feel, quick charge, excellent razor wet/dry close shave. Period.

*Updated on 10/7/2007
So after about a year and a half I bought a new razor. Remember, I do shave my head every day in the shower. I believe there was wear and tear from being in my shower over time. I did notice a big performance boost from my new razor and I am completely satisifed with the new purchase. Buying new replacement blades only worked for so long. Still a great shaver. Lets face it, head hair is tough to shave. I found its better to shave everyday and keep it trimmed. I do not see how men shave their heads with razor blades. Also recommended is baby oil or "King of Shaves" shaving oil for better performance.

It has been three years now using this shaver, and I would never go back to another brand. It shaves clean and close in less time than any I've owned, and its shape and weight makes it comfortable to use.

There is no need for the added-expense cleaning kit, as it cleans itself with soap and water, unlike many other models.

The only complaints I have are:
1) with the cheap travel bag, which does not hold the charger. A minor drawback.
2) the motor sound takes some getting used to, as it is a high pitched whine.

I finally made the jump after almost seven years with the original Mach 3. First, if this is your first electric, realize that your face is gonna be tender for a while as your not used to it. I hear it takes a month to get used to it...I'm on day 2. First of all, let me say that this thing shaves closer than the Mach 3 in some areas. For example, the mustache area. If I had wanted to get this close in the mustache area, I would had to have shaved against the grain, and that simply isn't an option with the Mach 3. Can we say razor burn? Well, this electric got it nice and close, seems even below skin level. On the other hand, in other, more fleshy areas like the neck and cheek, its not quite so close. I would right now say that it rivals the Mach 3 but not quite as close in those areas. As my sensitivity decreases to this, I'm betting on getting closer and closer shaves. If your thinking about the other more expensive Panasonic model with the base charger/cleaner, don't get it. Get this one like the other reviewer mentioned. It takes 2 seconds to clean this shaver with soap and water. If I remember, I'll try and do a follow up later on after my face gets adjusted. I'm glad I made the switch. I always heard the mantra that you can never get a close a shave as with a wet shave, well you can wet shave with this thing, and its as close as any blade...well maybe not as close as the ridiculous 5 bladed monster they have now. SNL coming to life.

P.S. Its pretty cool shaving with an electric and being able to use shaving get.

I've been using my new Panasonic shaver for a month now and love it. I had an older Panasonic linear shaver before, and it served me well for quite a while. The newer version tends to shave more closely in a single pass and holds a charge for at least an entire week's worth of shaves. I like being able to wash it with soap and water and not have to deal with those expensive alcohol based cleaners like the Brauns use.

My one complaint is that the newer shaver does not have a charging stand; you simply plug the cord into the bottom of the shaver to recharge. The base on the older version gave you a place to keep your shaver dry and made charging an automatic. On the other hand, having a simple cord is easier when you travel.

I just tried out this shaver in the shower and I am extremely impressed. I read some reviews here, and I thought I'd give it a try, and I'm glad I did. Here's what I like:

- I can now shave in the shower (need to invest in a shower mirror)

- This thing cuts CLOSE people. For me, it's just as good as my Mach3. We'll have to see how long it can keep this up.

- The form factor is much more ergonomic than my Braun. Shaving with a Braun is like shaving with a garage door opener. The Panasonic is small and lighweight, and contours to your hand.

- I can put a little shaving cream on the razor itself and it seems to help get a closer shave

So there you have it. I'm sold on Panasonic. It's only the first day, but I'm confident I won't regret this purchase.

I purchased this shaver because I was disappointed in the performance of Norelco electric rotary shavers that I've tried.

Above the chin was okay, but below the chin proved to be problematic as multiple passes would have to be done to clip the whiskers, causing visible skin irritation.

Being fed up with the lackluster performance of the Norelcos, I decided that I needed to get a new electric razor.

I had previous experience with Remington (not impressed) so I skipped them. That leaves Braun and Panasonic.

I ended up purchasing the Panasonic ES8043SC over other Panasonic and Braun models because of various benefits, including the wet/dry ability and being able to wash the cutting blade and foil by using just liquid soap and a little water instead of the cleaning base with expensive fluid cartridges.

Basically, the shave was almost perfect the first time I used this thing when shaving wet with cream. There were still some missed hairs that required shaving over again, but not as frequent or as uncomfortable as the Norelco shavers. Dry shaving was almost just as good with performance still superior to Norelco.

Although Panasonic insists that it may take a month to adapt to it, I feel like I've already gotten used to it; I think it's because after suffering from the Norelco all this time, the Panasonic is a revelation in comparison, even on the first try! If my face actually adapts, I can only imagine performance being better, even though it's already good as it is!

The fact that I can fully charge the Panasonic's battery in just one hour is a plus compared to the eight hours required of my last Norelco.

So, I think I may forgo the 30 day exchange. As of now, I am convinced that this is the electric that works for me.