Philips Norelco 7865XL Quadra Action Rechargeable Cord/Cordless Shaving System

by Philips

Product Features

• "Lift & Cut" technology causes the first blade to lift whiskers sooner and higher for a second blade to cut whisker closer to the skin.
• For easy cleaning just rinse under tap water
• Slots and Holes pattern on razor heads maximize shaving both long hairs and stubble.
• LED display signals amount of shave time left before recharging needed
• 66 day full refund satisfaction guarantee

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The three floating heads on this corded or cordless shaver adjust in multiple directions to fit facial contours while Norelco's patented Lift and Cut, below-skin shaving technology employs a two-stage cutting system (slots for longer hairs and holes for stubble) to produce a close, smooth shave. A full-width trimmer pops up for neat work on sideburns and mustaches. Perfect for the traveling man because it works worldwide on 100- to 240-volt systems, the razor recharges fully in one hour for 45 minutes of cordless shaving time or quick-charges in six minutes for a three-minute shave. When the shaver is operating cordless, an LED meter displays the shaving time remaining before the unit needs recharging. The shaver rinses clean under running water, fits the hand comfortably, and comes in a travel pouch. It carries a 60-day, full-satisfaction, money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty against defects. --Fred Brack

Product Description

Norelco's Quadra Shaving system provides unexpected closeness and convenience without the nicks and cuts of blades.

Product Details

Product Manual [440kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068PBM
• UPC: 075020207869
• Item model number: BB7865XL
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,671 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #93 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Shaving & Hair Removal > Electric Shavers > Men's > Rotary Shavers
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best electric but takes practice, August 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Philips Norelco 7865XL Quadra Action Rechargeable Cord/Cordless Shaving System (Health and Beauty)

First of , this model is almost identical to the 6000 series Quadras except for a slight change in colours and trim.

It's most effective feature is the pivoting head as this allows the heads to stay in contact with the skin even when shaving the curved and uneven areas of the face. This is especially good when doing the neck area. Most electrics are notoriously bad when doing the neck compared to blades but the Quadra is about as good as an electric gets.

The unit is waterproof and for good reason as you can wash the heads under running water . This is very effective and quick cleaning compared to the traditional brush method and is a real time saver.

The shave is good but not as close as a blade. Even though it feels as close immediately after a shave , the truth is that with a blade I can shave every 2 days , whereas with this I have to shave every day. I think that electrics make your face swell slightly due to the vibrations of the shaver and this is the reason for the apparent closeness after shaving , but this swelling goes down in a few hours.

The unit is extremely quiet and vibration free for an electric ( much quieter than previous Norelcos). This surprised me at first because it doesn't sound powerful but it doesn't have any problems tackling the toughest hairs. Still , it's nice to be able to shave without waking the household. Also this is a sign of quality. Less noise and vibration means that better reliability.

Couple of minor negatives,

1. The trimmer- Unfortunately Norelco got it wrong . It's very ineffective. It is very reluctant to cut the hairs.

2. The heads - Supposedly , holes for shart hairs and slots for long hair. Personally I don't believe the holes do a darn thing. What I have noticed is that the heads are made of a material that tends to stick to your face while shaving making smooth strokes difficult. For this reason you will have to use lighter pressure. This is why it takes a little practice to use .

3. Non standard shaving cord - Also has a big transformer end. This does not make it traveller friendly. Also if you lose the cord you will have to order a new one from Norelco.

4. Shape - The shaver has no flat edges . What this means is that it will roll with the slightest disturbance when you put it down after use. One time it rolled off my dresser and landed on the floor. The slight disturbance was just simply opening a dresser draw. Luckily the shaver is solidly built and made to last. Just be careful.

I highly recommend this shaver to anyone who has had trouble with electrics in the past. Try it out..

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best electric I've had, May 31, 2004

By 

JDiver "You haven't lived until you've dived." (Roseville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips Norelco 7865XL Quadra Action Rechargeable Cord/Cordless Shaving System (Health and Beauty)

This Norelco (actually made by Philips) one was bought to replace an older shaver (I've used Norelco, Philips and Panasonics over the years.) This one is more efficient (faster, better shave) than my older one, and an amazingly amount quieter. What do you know- this time, "new and improved" really is accurate!

What I like: the shaver fits the hand well, the pivoting blade heads fit the face and as a result shave quite well. The battery strength indicator, consisting of bright LEDs showing the percentage of charge remaining in 20% increments, is very useful, and the flip-up hinged shaver head section is easy to clean with warm water (I still have to consciously force myself to do this!) They have also "shrunk" the half-egg shaped power transformer, and you can use 100 - 220 volts to plug / charge, a good thing for someone who travels globally as I do.

What I don't like: the pop-up trimmer is only fair - it works, but it's actually not as effective as the one on my old shaver! The deep well holding the head rotors shafts is not so easy to clean with a brush, particularly with the hinged head; they are still using a non-user replaceable NiCd battery; the gimmicky cutter head plate section with holes seems merely that - gimmicky, not useful for any real shaving.

Tips: After cleaning the head / blade assemblies, allow them to dry fully and spray-lubricate with something like "Shaver Saver." When power seems low, turn the shaver on and allow to discharge fully before reccharging - these are, after all, still NiCd batteries with the "memory" effect. These tips have allowed my previous electrics' battery - and cutter head assemblies - to last a long time (I have a heavy beard - even with a blade shaver, I have to shave again in the afternoon if I have a dinner appointment.)

Recommendation: This is a very good, easy to use, quick and quiet electric shaver - the best I have ever used. It packs easily for travel, and though it is a bit finnicky to clean, I like it because it does the job I need it to do. Given the several deficits, I'd never give it four stars if not for how it handles its ultimate function - shaving my beard.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Innovations not worth the price, September 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Philips Norelco 7865XL Quadra Action Rechargeable Cord/Cordless Shaving System (Health and Beauty)

Just brought the 7865 XL Quadra Action shaver to replace my 20 year old Norelco Rotatract HP1318 that died. I was going to replace the batteries again (I replaced them once before about 10 years ago) but the price for doing that has gone up to [$$]. My wife convinced me to shell but the extra for a new one - better technology, new blades, etc. After some research, I decided to go for the 7865 XL because of the new "Quadra Action" blades that are suppose to give one a closer shave.

Well, after a few days, the fancy new 7865 is no better than my old Rotatract in closeness. In fact, the sideburn trimmer on the old Rotatract did a better job because of that shaver's better shape. The 7865 XL's sideburn trimmer sticks out about twice as far so it is harder to cut a straight trim. It sticks out so far that the shaver doesn't touch your face so you can't use your face for a pivot point - to steady the trimmer (kind of like trying to write with your hand in the air). I hope it gets easier as I get use to the shaver. Mechanically, both trimmers look similar.

The "Quadra Action" shaving head is no better than the old Rotatract heads. The new "holes" for "short hair" do nothing. Unfortunately, because they cover almost 1/2 of each circular blade, it takes longer to get the (shaving) job done. The "Reflex Action" feature also does nothing extra.

If I had the opportunity to test the shaver before buying, I would have just purchased the bottom of the line Norelco 4601X at half the price or less. The 4601X appears to have the same basic features as my old Rotatract.

I'm not knocking Norelcos, just their fancy, high end units. I've used Remingtons and other non-three circulating blade shavers and they just don't compare to the Norelco system for closeness. The Norelco reliability is unbeatable as well - 20 years of service is just amazing! I give my old Rotatract 5 stars for reliability and performance. The new 7865 XL is almost as good (and hopefully as reliable). I just hate paying extra for all the useless new features.