Customer Reviews

Philips Norelco 7140 Cord/Cordless Rechargeable Shaver

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(53)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The Norelco 7140XL is an excellent electric razor. Compared to more expensive models, it seems to be a great way to go. Made almost entirely of virtually indestructible plastic, the 7140XL's light weight gives it a somewhat "cheap" feel. However, many months of everyday use have proved to be confidence inspiring. This shaver is easy to recharge with the included plug in cord and the charge lasts about 2 to 3 weeks which seems to be a long time considering how easy it is to recharge...simply plug it in overnight, and when it's done an LED in the front will blink to signal that it is recharged.

The shave is close and fast and you'll be done in no time with no fuss or mess. Each of the three rotating heads flexes individually plus the entire head assembly flexes in the middle allowing it to follow the contours of your face. The only negative I have found is it doesn't shave hairs that lay flat against the skin like some of mine on the lower neck near the adam's apple. Maintenance is really easy, too...pop open the top, rinse under water, shake off excess water and let dry.

The Norelco line has many models, and the heads are a significant part of the price of the shaver (like most parts that require periodic replacement). By the time the heads need to be replaced you will have had ample time to decide if this is the shaver for you. If shaving is a chore, you might as well decide based on quick, easy and convenient...on that basis Norelco is a reliable consideration.

Best of life to you.

Upgraded to this razor after my old Remington died, and I've been very happy with it. It cut a bit close, which irritated my skin at first, but I think that was just me getting used to the "Lift & cut."

This would be an excellent razor if it wasn't for two features (or lack thereof) that make it a pain to use.

1. The internal battery is NiCd. This type of battery has "memory" to it, which means for optimal performance, the battery should be fully drained before you recharge it. Otherwise, the life of the battery will slowly shorten until the battery is useless.
2. There isn't a low battery indicator.

By itself, either of these features wouldn't pose a problem. Combined, you're left wondering when you'll have to charge the shaver, or when you're off on that business trip, if you'll need to bring the charger.

In the long run, this razor is cheap enough and I expect the battery to last for years. Still, it would have been better if the battery was made of NiMH or some technology that's not 15 years old.

I bought this to replace a Norelco 5885 XL after the battery stopped taking a charge. I had the 5885 repaired at a Philips authorized place, but it still didn't take much of a charge, so I went back again and, in the end, still didn't have a razor that I could use for more than a few days. I finally decided to give up and get this. I paid about $40 for it (the price has since gone up) and the repair was $30, so I figured this was a faster way to get something that worked.

In general, this is a very nice shaver. It's super-quiet, noticeably quieter than the 5885. It shaves a tad closer and needs less pressure to do so, and it seems to take a few less passes over the same area to get a close shave. The trimmer is just okay -- exactly like the old one. It won't cut you, but it won't easily make a clean edge for your sideburns, either. It's nice to be able to rinse out the head under running water.

There are a couple of caveats, though. The design of the head is slightly different and it doesn't move as smoothly over my skin. For me, this is a noticeable and moderately significant disadvantage. The old one felt better. It took a bit more effort to get a close shave, but I enjoyed the process more.

There's no battery meter. The old one told me how much of a charge I had. It wasn't all that accurate, but it let you know if you needed to charge the thing before going on a trip. But the battery lasts a long time -- I've had it for three weeks and I'm still on the first charge (I don't necessarily shave every day, though).

I never cut myself with the 5885. With this one, I've had two nicks in the first three weeks. Using less pressure may help.

I bought this over the more expensive Norelcos because I didn't want to carry a charging base on trips -- I just wanted a cord. I would have paid more, but Phillips just doesn't make the shaver that I want, which would be similar to the old one -- no base, but with a charge meter. In general, Phillips makes way too many models and it's awfully confusing trying to sort out the differences.

Overall, I'm happy, but replacing my old one, for a dead battery, was way too much hassle and the result is a shaver that isn't quite as nice as the one it replaced.

A note for those of you who've never used one of these: you'll get a close shave, but a blade will always be closer.

I bought this razor to replace a clunky Remington which had been a big disappointment. The Norelco is a breath of fresh air: it shaves very well, is nicely balanced in the hand, and is stylishly designed. It shaves tough spots-- like under the nose and around the adam's apple--effortlessly and comfortably. Being able to rinse it out after shaving is a nice bonus. Highly recommended!

After ten years or so my original Norelco Chargable Razor gave up the ghost. I tried to find a duplicate, the razor I choose is the subject of these comments. I was amazed to see the improvements, not only in the features of the razor and its maintence program, but also in the quality of the shave I am now enjoying. In my eighty years as a consumer I have learned that new is not always better, but this experience was a plesant surprize.

I've been using this shaver for about a month now, and find its performance to be somewhat better than my previous Norelco shaver (5822) at this price point. Not having a low battery indicator is the most serious deficiency of the 7140.

The instructions state: "Battery performance is best if you recharge only when the batteries are (almost) completely empty."

If you follow this advice, it means you'll have a bad shave or two as the battery runs down, and then have to use it as a corded razor on the day it really slows down. At least the AC adapter bypasses the battery charger when using it corded, so this will not further degrade the battery. Another reviewer commented Norelco's web site says the battery is NiMH, which is supported by the fact there is no NiCd warning on the outside of the 7140 (like there is on the 5822). So fully discharging the batteries before recharging may not be that important.

This is my first Norelco with a washable shave head. I am so far very satisfied with this feature, and consider it one reason the shaver delivers consistently close shaves.

I would have deducted two stars for the lack of a low battery indicator, were it not for the apparent use of NiMH batteries and the effectiveness of wash-through cleaning of the shave head. Other than that, it is what I expected with respect to operating noise, weight, trimmer, etc. One thing to note: it does not come with a case of any kind; just a plastic blade protector.

About me: I have been shaving with electric razors for about 30 years. I started with Norelco rotary, tried Remington foil, Braun foil, and then eventually back to Norelco rotary probably 15 years ago. Therefore my face is well conditioned for this shaver. However, if I go more than a couple days without shaving, I "pay for it" when the electric razor has trouble with relatively long whiskers - a lot of pulling along with the cutting. I generally replace the blades once a year, and don't disassemble and clean them as often as I should (instructions recommend montly).

Seems like I've only owned about 3 or 4 shavers throughout my shaving career of 30+ years but I still remember an earlier Norelco whose ni-cad batteries never died. My latest Norelco seemed to last only about 5 years but it is amazing how each generation of shavers is quieter. This 7140XL is very quiet and almost seems like it isn't running very fast, but yet it does a great job. I've had it about 3+ weeks and I'm still running on the original charge. All my previous Norelco's had a plain straight power cord but this one has a small wall wart at the 110v end. That is my only complaint, I don't like wall warts and would prefer that it be built into the shaver (of course that would add some weight). Overall I am quite pleased and have to wonder if I'm missing something by not buying one of the $150 models. This was a good deal at Amazon, but right after I purchased it, both Wally World and Target had them on sale for about $40.

Bought this to replace another Norelco shaver that was a few years old and needed new heads (HQ55 Heads, which I was never very happy with). This shaver has the HQ8 heads, which I think are Norelco's best design. As mentioned by other reviewers, this shaver is very quiet- disturbingly so. You think it can't possibly be doing anything. It has given me the closest shave ever with an electric razor (which is all I use) with absolutely zero skin irritation. It even works well on the hard to get close areas, like the chinline. Neck was no problem at all. The rubber grips give it a good feel.

The only cons are relatively minor. The head protector cap is a bit chintzy as it does not cover the whole head assembly as my previous Norelco's did- it just covers the heads themselves. The trimmer is pretty useless, but I haven't had a good trimmer on an electric shaver in the last 25 years, so I don't expect it. And, yes, it would be nice if it came with a pouch of some kind. I don't mind the new power cord arrangement. There is now a small wall wart instead of a normal plug. And, yes, it would be better if it used NiMH batteries instead of NiCAD.

Overall, though, a good value. Definitely 5 stars.

I've tried more expensive shavers over the years, and this one yields as close a shave as any of them. It's also very easy to clean by running a tap over it.

Corded operation is a real plus, because in my experience the rechargable battery will be just about useless by the time the second set of replacement heads wears out.

I can't give it 5 stars, because its results can be improved by following up with a blade (just as with every other electric I've tried), but it's a great value for the price.

This is a Great razor,my wife gave me one for Father's Day and I couldn't wait to use it. After a four hour charge,per the directions, I got to use it. Wonderfully close and pleasant shave. What a treat!

Gunner June, 2007