Customer Reviews

Panasonic ES8249S Men's 4-Blade (Arc 4) Wet/Dry Nanotech Rechargeable Electric Shaver with Vortex Cleaning System, Silver

5 star:		(213)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

After using electric and cordless shaver models from Norelco, Remington and Braun, I settled on the wet/dry features of the Panasonic models. I replaced my first one with a 3-blade ES8092 6 years ago. It shaved closer than other models, was smoother and more comfortable on my face, and you could wash the heads. It no longers works well. I may just need a new head, but instead of spending up to $40 on a new head, I decided to check out the latest and greatest in new shavers.

I didn't look seriously at the offerings from Norelco and Braun as I have been disappointed the performance of both those models and poor durability with Braun shavers. I was astonished to see that the Panasonic models have lower prices than both the Norelco and the Braun. I settled on the Nanotech Vortex 4 blade models. The blades are extra sharp. One blade has a wider opening to handle my coarse African American graying beard hairs, two regular blades handle the bulk of the shave, while a fourth finishing blade leaves your face as smooth as a baby's bottom. I recall how the Norelco rotary had a blade system that lifts the hair while a second blade cut if off. Unfortunately, when it pulled that hair up, it sometimes pinches and the second blade cuts off some raised skin. It was uncomfortable and abrasive. This Panasonic is smooth and painless. There is a turbo mode with an extremely high vibration rate to clean the blades under running water. It is a significant improvement over my previous Panasonic 3-blade model. I highly recommend Panasonic's Arc IV 4-blade shavers. The shave is top notch and build quality is great.

The cleaning system that comes with this model is a waste of money and time. I bought this model because it was only about $25 more than the ES8243 model without the cleaning system. What a waste. It takes over an hour to clean and dry. It's noisy. It uses costly proprietary detergent cartridges that must be replaced monthly. It is a gift that keeps on taking your money and you don't need it anyway. It's just a gimmick folks. Don't fall for it. You will be happier with the cheaper model.

Amazon has the best price along with top notch customer service, but I bought mine down the street at my local Target for 6 dollars more.

Have tried Norelcos triple-blade, no good. Tried the top of the line Braun, seemed to take too long to shave, and had to go over the same area 5 times to get a close shave (also VERY noisy)! The Panasonic Arc IV is very quiet, I can ACTUALLY HERE the stubble being shaved, and shaving only takes 5 1/2 minutes (I know this, because the shaver has a timer). I clean it in the stand 4 times/week, which keeps the shaver looking new every time I use it. I like not having to press it hard to my face, to get it to shave close (head is spring loaded, to give the correct amount of pressure). I just bought the cleaning cartridges, 3/$12.70 on Amazon subscriber program, and will have them sent every 6 months. Face still feels shaved after 8 hours (this is very strange, but nice).

I have always been an opponent for an electric razor for a number of reasons, biggest one is that I have sensitive skin and without pressing really hard on my face, never seemed to get a close shave. After my friend got his, and after a recent visit to the big box store where I got to see a 40 dollar price tag on disposables, I was convinced to try. I opted for the most bang for my buck and a model that was wet dry, you can actually use shaving cream with this model, which helps to nearly eliminate the break in irritation of most razors. The shave I get in just 2.5 minutes (the razor has a timer) is so smooth and so easy, its sad to think of all the money and time I have wasted over the years on traditional shaving products. Fantastic shaver, fantastic value.

Up front note: I shave my entire head, so if you're looking for a head shaver's view, this is it.

I received the Panasonic ES8249S about two weeks ago and have been using it each day since then. Previous to using the Panasonic, I used Mach3 blades. When using blades, even the good ones like the Mach3, my neck would break out with painful razor burn/bumps, I'd get acne around my chin and mouth, and sometimes I'd break out in a rash on the back of my neck. So blade shaving with my sensitive skin was a 2 or sometimes 3 day per week deal, there was no way I could shave every day. The days in between I'd be running around with a day or two of growth on my head and face. Not very professional, but this is the way it was for me for 20+ years.

Not anymore.

While I had tried a variety of electric shavers in the past, they all had some kind of downside: the shave wasn't close enough, they were hard to clean, got too hot, or whatever. Always something. So while the reviews here were very positive, I wasn't overly optimistic about the ES8249S. Fortunately, the ES8249S has so far proven to be a different breed of electric. While it doesn't shave quite as close as a blade (I don't believe any electric can), it get's pretty darn close, and the cleaning system is about as dummyproof as you can get. Just place the shaver in the base unit and hit the button and you have a nice, clean shaver waiting for you the next day. Simple.

But I think the biggest upside for the ES8249S is that I can use it in the shower. I think having a warm, wet head helps the ES8249S give a closer shave, and it certainly makes keeping the sink area clean since there are no hair clippings to clean up. I use HeadSlick shaving cream by HeadBlade, just rub it all over my head and face, and shave up. It takes me between 7.5 and 9 minutes to shave my head, neck and face to the level of closeness I desire - about the same time it took to prep, shave, and clean up using a blade.

This shaver has been a huge hit for me, I can now shave my head and face every day without suffering from rash/burn/acne, the quality of the shave is very good, and the convenience of the cleaning system is welcome.

I highly recommend that bald guys give this electric a try. I love it!

Update on 8/12/10: I've been using the ES8249S for about 3.5 months and so far it's been rock solid, a real winner. I did notice, though, that the shave quality was degrading a bit, where it would take additional passes and time to get a close shave. Not really a great big deal, my shaves were taking 10 minutes instead of the 8 minutes I got when the shaver was new.

So I purchased the blade replacement kit (not the foil, just the blades) for 16 bucks and now the shaver is as good as new. Being that I shave my entire head each day, taking between 8 and 10 minutes, and considering that most people only shave the face, I use my shaver about 3 to 4 times as much as a once-per-day face shaver does. So while a head shaving guy like me will need to replace the blades once every 4 months or so, a face shaver should be able to get away with replacing the blades once a year or less.

Great shaver!

I bought this razor as a December 2010 Christmas gift to myself. After reading the reviews on many different razors it sounded like the best deal for the money. When I got it and started using it, it was definitely a closer shave than my three previous Norelco's. It was working great until the self-cleaner stopped draining the second time I used it. The manual has no info on troubleshooting that I could find. It wasn't a big deal because it can be taken in the shower and is easy to clean. I also dumped out the self-cleaner, but the problem continued. Customer services response to this is to use a toothpick, but if this is going to happen every two times I use it, then I will stick with washing it myself.

The real problem started just two months after I bought it. The foil ripped and nicked me before I realized what happened. Now if the foil was $5, I could see the potential of replacing it every couple months. At $60 (MSRP) this does not seem like an item that should be replaced every 2 months. My first reaction was to contact customer support and see if they would replace this because it was a little over 2 months (And it has a 1 year warranty). Their response -

"The blades and outer foil are consumable items. These are items that you have to purchase if needed to be replaced." Then they direct me to their parts site. They aren't even courteous enough to give me the exact part number that I would need. So I contact them back asking if 2 months is a common amount of time for this foil to last. Their response:

"We recommend to replace the system outer foil once a year. However, since the outer foil is very thin and can be damaged if not used correctly, we advise that you check that the foil is not damaged before using the shaver."

My response to that was "It really seems like I got a defective foil if it is supposed to last a year and it only lasted 2 months. Are you telling me that you never have any defective foil, only customers that misuse the product?" I am waiting for their canned response to this.

What really sucks is that I was liking the razor, but if you don't have a company that will stand behind it's product then what good is the product. I am someone who is willing to spend a little bit more for a quality product and good customer service. When you can get both, then that is a plus.

UPDATE 3/3/11 - After their email department directed me to make a phone call to their phone department I did. I explained the problem and even though they had stated that their warranty would not cover the issue, they replaced the foil (I am guessing because it is uncommon for the foil to fail a little after 2 months, they are actually trying to keep a customer happy or both!). I changed my rating from 1 to 3 stars. I am hoping that I won't have a similar issue with the new foil, but I will keep you updated. This would probably be four out of five stars if the email department had handled the problem originally without directing me to take three more steps before someone handled the problem. It would be 5 out of 5 stars if I did not have to use a toothpick to clean the cleaner every two times I use it. It also only get's four, because I paid almost the same for one with the cleaner than I would have for one without. I believe the cleaning base was partially a culprit in this, and I will most likely be doing self cleaning form hear on out.

I hate shaving...I would rather mow the yard than shave my face. I used the Norelco 985RX for years...it was slow and required many strokes over the same area...then I bought the Brawn 7526 with the automatic cleaner. Same drill, slow and requiring many trips over the same area...particularly my neck; it requiring up and down and side-way strokes to eventually rid my neck of hair.

So bad was my experience with electric shavers since I started shaving (I am now 64 years old) that I rarely shave on the weekends. On Monday morning I Gillette safety razor it in the shower to rid my weekend hair....because the electric shavers can't handle two days growth.

Enter the Panasonic ES8249 into my world. This week I have been amazed....unlike the Brawn that near required ear plugs so your ears wouldn't be subjected to noise approaching that of a jet engine while trying to shave the side of your face, the buzz is low and very tolerable. The shave is closer than the Brawn or the Norelco and it requires only a second touch-up stroke to make it happen.

By no means does the Panasonic make me want to shave, but the morning 'little tiny hair' removal drill is now quick and relatively noiseless.

The side burn trimmer is on par with the Norelco and the Brawn.......which is very good.

The self cleaning feature of the Panasonic is on line with the Brawn....which is excellent. Although the Panasonic doesn't sound like you have entered a jet engine test cell when it's doing the cleaning....it's relatively quite.

The Brawn is easier to recharge the cleaning feature...one cartridge slides into its little place under the shaving unit takes care of the reload. The Panasonic requires a little container on the back replenished with tap water and a tiny cleaning fluid cartridge placed under the unit. Two steps instead of one.....basically irrelevant.

I paid $149 through Amazon.....well worth it for the many years I anticipate it will provide quiet, effective shaving while preparing for the next shave by self cleaning.

UPDATE:

Didn't shave for three days....growth was serious...until the Panasonic I would have had to use my Gillette and foamy that resides in the shower to take it off. Thought I would try before I showered. The Panasonic took it off as if it were a one day growth. I have a fast growing heavy beard.

I was skeptical when I read the reviews, but i was tired of always having to shave with a Mach 3 Fusion Power razor all the time just to get a decent shave. If you are anything like me and have sensitive skin and coarse, thick facial hair, then this razor is what you have been looking for. The first time I shaved with the Arc IV was after 2 days of not shaving, and I just wanted to see how it would cut. I didn't use shave cream or a preshave cause I just wanted to test it out. I was so astounded at how smooth my skin felt that I just kept shaving till my whole face and neck was shaved. And the interesting thing about it was that my face didn't feel all raw, like I had several small cuts all over, in fact it felt just fine. It was the closest thing to a straight razor shave that I have ever had with an electric razor. Granted, I don't shave dry often, most of the time I shave in the shower with shaving cream. My skin has really cleared up since I have been using this because my face has been able to heal from the trauma of using a Mach 3 razor every day (even though a Mach 3 Fusion is awesome, after shaving 5 days straight my skin gets traumatized). The charge lasts a very long time. Using it 5 times a week in the shower for 3+ minutes at a time I am able to get about a week and a half out of one charge. The base/charger also has a nice option to clean the razor as well. This is very nice and convenient and makes the razor perform like new and smell nice. I have heard complaints about how long it takes to clean and how noisy it is. Well, I don't really consider this a problem. In fact, it might just even be a little nitpicky. Just don't charge it in your bedroom when you are trying to sleep and you will be fine. It does take a while to clean (perhaps about an hour), but I just set it and forget it while I am on my way out the door in the morning.

If you have been considering taking the plunge into the foray of the electric razor world, then look no further than this. The wet/dry option is an undeniable advantage in both longevity and rugged survivability. Take it on a camping trip down the Colorado river and you won't worry about breaking it. It is nice looking, relatively small, gives a comfortable, close shave that will make your significant other want to make-out more and not worry about looking like a sand-paper attack victim. I would highly recommend this and it has changed my perception about the viability of electric razors in the modern age.

Cheers!

I bought this razor after seeing reviews in which the reviewers said it shaves nearly as close as a regular razor. I am a woman who likes to use an electric razor in the winter months when shaving with a regular razor is difficult due to goosebumps. I have been much disappointed with ladies electric razors for not shaving close and for seeming to "run out of steam" after less than a year. It is nearly impossible to even find an electric razor for women. The one bought last summer for me as a gift seems to have noticeably less power already.
I am very pleased with the Panasonic ES8249S Arc IV Nanotech Vortex razor. I have been using the dry shave method daily since purchasing the razor. It gives an unbelievably close shave. My legs are so smooth, you'd think I had used a razor blade. It was a little pricey, but if it lasts, then it will have been worth it. I recommend it to all my women friends. I can't speak for the guys. The cleaner machine is kind of neat, although I wish there was a way to use it without having to keep buying the soap cartridge.

My husband has had the opportunity to test the difference between the Braun Series 7 Pulsonic shaver and this Panasonic 8249. The Braun had trouble coping with the neck area whereas the Panasonic did a great job there. Where the Braun did a pretty good job, the Panasonic produced a fantastically smooth skin surface (I'm seconding his opinion!) That is why I'm writing this glowing review. I can truly appreciate the difference in the quality shave that this Panasonic gives. So if you are buying a shaver for your spouse, I recommend this one highly since you will definitely be enjoying the benefits of it. It gets five solid stars from me.

I have sensitive skin and hard facial hair, and that resulted in "tired" skin with occasional rashes and redness when using Gillette's blades. I've used them for many years, and was always looking for an alternative to alleviate skin problems. I tried a Remington's electric shaver about 8 years ago, yet didn't like it and returned it. Then I tried Norelco about 3 years ago, with better, but similar result (significant irritation). Recently I decided to give electrics another try, since technology keeps improving, and found this shaver. After reading reviews on Amazon and other sites, and studying the specifications, I decided to give it a chance, and I am very glad I did. I've shaved with it about 8 times now (every time with Aveeno Sensitive Skin gel) in the shower (love the wet mode), and my skin looks much better already, and the process is much more pleasurable than with Gillette blades. I tried the base's washing cycle once, it's a bit loud and goes on for 2+ hours, however it is not really an issue. The shaver washes well in the shower, and once in a while I will wash it using the base. Excellent shaver overall, and it didn't even take the 3 weeks "adjusting time" to prove it.