Customer Reviews

Remington MS-5500 PowerClean Titanium Foil Cleaning System Rechargeable/Corded

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I have owned this shaver for about five months now, so I feel qualified to provide an experienced review. And, no, it's not because my last name is Remington.

The unique aspect of this shaver is the use of Titanium. Titanium allows the screens to be made of a thinner physical construction, which results in a closer shave. The cleaning system increases the efficiency of shaving. It also helps sanitize the screens and blades and lubricates the face with a pleasant smelling oil.

During the last five months I've learned how to work with the shaver and some do's and don'ts. First, you can effectively use the razor without the cleaning unit, but I wouldn't recommend it as a general form of usage. Going on a trip or traveling for business, no problem. A leather travel bag is included and a week or two without the cleaning system will be fine, but you will need to manually remove the screen assembly and use the brush to clean out the hair and debris that collects between the blades. Not doing this will diminish the quality of shave you get, over time.

As a test, I tried not using the cleaning system for a while just to see what benefit it provides. I found not using it increased the amount of time it took to shave because the blades clog with hair, skin, body oil, and debris. This required me to take the time to manually clean the blades every few days. I learned I could remove and tap the screen assembly in the sink and the loose hair would fall out. Also, with the screen assembly removed, I could tap the razor body on the edge of the sink and hair would fall from the blades.

Bad idea... don't do it! I broke a portion of the screen assembly. It looks like metal -- it's not! Also, tapping the side of the razor body caused the smallest blade to dislodge and disappear down the drain. At that point, I decided this little experimental excursion was not worth the trouble. It became obvious that the cleaning station is a definite asset and time saver.

This brings up something else to consider when deciding whether to purchase this razor or any Remington product: Customer Service. When I called about the head assembly, which they call a "hair pocket," they immediately routed me to the proper department that handles non-standard parts. The individual took my name and address and said it will ship today. I asked if he wanted my Visa number and was told, "Don't worry about it; we're sorry for the inconvenience." They provided the part for free and paid for the shipping, even after I told them I damaged the part.

The only problem I had with this razor was with the cleaning system. The plastic fan blade that whisks the liquid around broke. I called and ordered another for $19.99. It never arrived, so I called again a few weeks later and they apologized for the error, refunded my money, and sent one out immediately, free of charge. I thought, "Wow... what fantastic customer service!"

You will need to consider the expense of maintaining the razor. Cleaning solution can be purchased [...] They have the cheapest price I can find. I buy six months worth at a time. The solution should be changed every four weeks. Tip: Buy a cheap bottle of isopropyl alcohol and pour a little in the base once a week. A lot of alcohol evaporates, especially in the winter when the air is dry. You can stretch out the four-week interval to about six weeks by doing this. That way you use less product.

Screens: Screens run $19.99 and they are delicate. Don't press hard on your face when shaving. Shaving gently will extend the life of your screens and blades. They are very thin and will tear/wear. Screens last about four to six months, depending on your shaving habits.

Blades: I have not needed to replace the blades yet. I believe they recommend once a year and my guess is the blades will cost about $20.

There is also a cutter attached to the razor that is really handy for trimming around sideburns, moustache, beard, etc. Over time, the cutter will need to be replaced. Both the cutter and screens can be purchased together for $27.99.

Lastly, the battery life is really strong. I used it for a week and didn't need to recharge it. When you insert it into the cleaning system, it automatically plugs into a powered holder that charges it, so losing power is a non-issue. The AC adapter on the cleaning system unplugs from the system base and can be plugged directly into the shaver. This is handy when traveling. There is also built-in reserve power in case you run out of power before you're done shaving.

Pros: Very close and clean shave; cleaning solution leaves a soft, smooth, pleasant scent after shaving; cleaning system is actually effective and not a gimmick; superb customer support!

Cons: The shaver is quite loud; getting a good shave takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on hair thickness and length; some of the parts are delicate so don't do what I did and be less than gentle with them.

If you do purchase this razor, especially if this is the first electric razor you've owned, it will take a few weeks to determine the technique that works best for you. It may feel a little awkward at first, but after a few weeks, you'll develop a technique that speeds your shaving time and increases the overall quality of shave.

Overall assessment: Recommended!

I have always purchased Remington's for shaving and always will. Like many others I was a huge fan of the 3700 series shaver. I've never paid $90+ for a shaver before so I had great expectations, but sadly was very disappointed. For some reason, this razor just plain ol doesn't shave like the other Remingtons. The most disappointing functions are the pop up trimmer and the pop up foil in that neither seem to actually cut.

In fact, I tried the pop up trimmer on my hand just to see what the problem was and I swear it took 5+ passes to notice hair being cut. I also found that it snags in thicker hair (around mustache and goattee). So I actually just reordered the 3700 series again. Older model, but it performs like a Remington at least.

My wife got me this razor for christmas 2004. I have loved the way it shaves, but in the first three months the battery died. It would accept a charge. Remington promptly and courteously replaced my unit under warranty. Over the last few months the charge has lasted less and less time. This weekend, we went out of town and the razor was dead as a doorknob the first morning when I tried to turn it on. This morning I plugged it in to charge it, it got too hot to touch and the display turned black. I'm assuming that it is now deceased.

While I love the way the razor works, I am very disappointed with the reliability, given the price.

I bought into the "Titanium" hype of this model and have regretted it. I think Remington was shooting for a performance shave and it is possible with this razor. The reality is the foils are so thin they are not practical to maintain. I've had an MS-5500 for a few months and I'm ordering my third set of foils already. I ordered a MS3-3700 as an alternative and am happier with that model (though the battery does not perform as well as the MS-5500's). The MS-5500 is the loudest razor I have ever owned. When I do use this unit, I go into another room in the house and close the door so I don't disturb my wife. I shave my head and face so I need to wear earplugs when I use this unit (not the case with the MS3-3700). The bottom line for the MS-5500 is this...
1) Noise - Horrendous!! WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!!!!!
2) Foils - Too thin, while cleaning the unit when a brush hair gets caught in a foil hole most times the foil will be warped and you and your coworkers will know it by the fine scar lines left on your head and face.
3) Battery Life - The best feature of this unit, works as advertised!!
4) Push up mini-foil - Great feature!! Foil is as thin as larger foils, same warp problem which ruins the foil.

Remington needs to retool this product line and address the problems that hamper this unit from reaching its true potential.

This shaver replaces a Braun low end model. The shaver performs exactly like I thought it should. However, the cleaning system began to leak very badly after only 6 mos of use. I contacted the customer service department via email and told them about the problem. Apparently, they have had similar messages because they told me " A new unit will be shipped to you as soon as possible". They didn't ask me for anything. Not even the age of the unit. The new cleaning unit arrived a few days later and has been operating fine ever since. I am very impressed with this company for standing behind their product and for their fine customer service. I whole heartedly recommend this product and services.

I can't disagree with any of the other reviews here, though I have so far been fortunate not to brake the screen, which I found easy to do with a previous titanium model.

Yes, this thing is noisy, and it takes multiple passes. I tried the Panasonic Linear system and that was much quieter. I also tried a nice Braun. But they both kept tearing my neck up. I could choose either not have a close shave, or live with horrendous red marks for the next 4 hours if I did.

I then tried the MS3-2700 by Remington and was pleasantly surprised. I used it in conjunction with the Remington FaceSaver, a powder pre-shave (also sold on Amazon), which really works well. Finally I had a system that didn't tear up my neck. I was impressed enough with it that I decided to grab this more expensive Remington MS-5500 because I liked the idea of not having to clean the thing by hand, or running it under the faucet every day. (With the powder the MS3-2700 had to be cleaned all the time.)

So the noise bothers me and it is not a perfect shave. But the cleaning solution works well, and adds a mild lubricant that enables the same shave as the MS3-2700 without having to use the FaceSaver powder. You have to replace the solution about every 3 weeks, but this is easier than having to run it under the faucet each day.

Also, the cleaner does have a typical male cologne smell, and though it doesn't bother much, I would prefer it to be odorless. I don't really notice the smell on my face after shaving.

In conclusion, I have to give it 4 stars because it doesn't tear my neck up, and I'm very happy about that. If they'd pop a Panasonic Linear motor in, and made the screen and blades more durable, this thing would be ideal.

I have had many foil shavers, including the Braun model with a cleaning system as well. This Remington definitely shaves closer than any other I know. Yet the cleaning system worked well for less than 60 days, being on every other day.
At a certain time the low fluid light started to flash, and I completed the volume. A week later, it happened again and I decided to clean the base, replace fluid and filter
Two days later the red LED started to flash again and I completed the fluid once more. This time I ran a cleaning cycle just to realize that, 30 seconds after starting, there was fluid all over the sink top
A clear design flaw and I through the shaver away, since it would not worth the trouble repairing it

I've been using this shaver for a total of 10 months. I would rate the shave it gives as about average. It is not a bad shave by any means, but for the price it will not give you a better shave then some much less expensive razors. However the cleaning system does work extremely well, and once you use a razor with a system like this you will never go back to using one without it. I never even wanted a self cleaning system because I considered it a 'gimmick' in order to make you as a customer have to frequently buy refills. However I was given this as a gift and so I reluctantly tried it and now I am definitely a believer. Other positive points include worldwide voltage compatibility, very quick recharge(60 minutes for full, 5 min for 1 shave) and a battery level indicator.

So far it seems like a pretty average review, so why 5 stars? Let me tell you, about 2 weeks ago I had a problem with the razor involving the pop up trimmer not retracting, so I called up customer support for warranty service (this model comes with a 2 year warranty). I was on the phone for literally less then 1 minute before they told me just to ship it back and I would be sent an entirely new razor. Wow, that was easy. Very well, so I sent 'just' the razor back for service, and a week later they sent me not only a razor but an entirely new retail package including cleaning/charging station and refill kit. This type of customer service is utterly first rate, and when a company stands behind thier product like this they deserve every bit of the 5 star rating I am giving them.

I will also note that the razor I received back from them actually works better then my original in a few ways. First of all it is noticeably quieter. Secondly the trimmer seems to work better then my old one ever did. I would venture to guess that perhaps they've made a few subttle improvements over the initial design over time. However please note this is purely my own speculation.

Overall I do highly recomed this shaver. It holds a charge for a very long time, the cleaning system is fantastic, it gives a good shave, and finally the customer support is absolutely unbeatable.

I chose this razor due to its self cleaning feature and guarantee to cut very close. Reviews prior to the purchase were excellent and it received high marks. Styling was attractive (compact and light - albeit flimsy compared to other brands in my opinion). It had plastic chrome with a rubber feel wrap/trim. To disassemble the foil from the unit to expose the blades was easy but putting it back took a bit more time to do correctly.

The unit could be charged in a docking station or through a plug.

It comes with a case, foil cover and brush. The power indicator was good although I really never depended upon it on a frequent basis (it was always being charged except for one 7 day trip). I have to say that the battery life was good (lasting 7 days without a charge). When the energy runs low, it doesn't have enough juice like the Panasonic Linear that it replaced. Operation is simple and the buttons are responsive.

The trimmer is quite effective and one of the only features to stand the test of time.

This was not a wet/dry shaver to my dismay (despite the 'wet cleaning solution'). You also had to be careful not to tip the base over or you would spill the solution on the vanity (not safe). I was shocked at how loud the 'cleaning process' was and how long it took (it must take 5-10 minutes which is excessive - and ineffective). It also tended to drop beard clippings all over the place (sink, vanity and floor) - messy...messy thing!

The case is big - a bit too big and the compartments are too confusing to see what goes where (the plug on one side and the shaver in the other?). It is a bit bulky for a 'travel' shaver, too.

THE HONEYMOON:
When I first used this shaver, I was impressed with how well and how close of a shave I received. It was truly as close as a real blade. It was one of the noisiest shavers I have ever used.

THE BATTLES:
After a month, I noticed it was not cutting as close but I put up with it.

However, despite the refilling of cleaning solutions and daily 'cleaning', I found that it was not cutting very close, at all, towards the 8-9 months of use. I never bothered to replace the blades since I had used Norelco's (2), 1 Braun and Panasonics (2 Linear) with no problems like this. Was this a function of rapidly deteriorating blades or an ineffective cleaning system?

Given the price, I would have expected this to be a wet/dry shaver which limited its versatility (it was replacing a 2nd generation Panasonic Linear). This was my 5th electric razor since I started shaving - and sadly one of the worst.

The 'cleaning system' consists of a small filter and volatile/oily cleaning solution that needs to be replaced monthly. Cleaning this unit is quite messy and I found that the blades still had lots of stubble despite cycling through a cleaning cycle. I find this to be the least effective methods of cleaning (nice concept and in theory). I hope this 'fad of self contained cleaning solutions' fades away.

IN THE END:
I even resorted to 2 months of using a disposable razor because of it. However, after two months of using a disposable, I bought a Panasonic Arc Shaver, exclusively from Sharper Image (look in the near future for a review on this model).

SUMMARY:
As for now, this shaver gets 2 thumbs up (out of 5 thumbs). I do not recommend this unit, at all. It is a poor value (for cost and maintenance) and a product of poor engineering. The thing that really sold me at the beginning (in addition to such poorly earned stellar reviews) was the name (to which it did not live up to - Titanium). It should have been named iron (to parallel rust) or silver (to parallel the tarnishing).

I do not recommend a 'self cleaning unit' that uses solution like this (especially, if you have pets or small children or careless cleaning ladies) from ANY manufacturer. The effectiveness of a close shave was short-lived.

NOT RECOMMENDED.

I see that the last review on the MS-5500 is about a year old, so I thought I would add a new one.

I'm a long-time Remington shaver user and have tried many of the models over the years. To make a long story short, I would purchase the MS3-3700 (or similar MS3 models) over this newer version. I used the MS3-3700 for two years, and then switched to the MS-5500 about four months ago. I have enough experience now to recommend the right one for you.

Although the snazzy new self-cleaning feature of the MS-5500 looks useful, it's utility does not outweigh the fact that this model just does not shave as well as the previous MS3 series. The reason? Remington took a great 3-head shaver in the MS3 series and made a 2-1/4 head version in this model. They shortened the third screen and made it pop-up, reducing its usefulness to almost zero. So, you really get a two-head shaver with a corresponding loss in shaving surface area.

In addition, the motor of the MS-5500 seems to run slower than the MS3-3700, reducing the effectiveness of the shave as a result and requiring about 50% more time to achieve the same close shave. The MS3-3700 has a useful "turbo" mode which increases the motor/blade speed, and I just leave it in this mode all the time. The difference is noticeable.

Save your money and buy a MS3-3700, if you can still find them. I have not had any problems with battery life, as mentioned in previous reviews. Mine lasts easily for 4-5 shaves after two years of use.