Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best shaver you've never heard of, November 30, 2007
I'd like to add my review for this excellent unit as it seems to not get the attention it richly deserves.
I've extensively used and tested numerous electric shavers the past 2 years. I've used every major model and many lesser known products from $15-$280, including the newer wave of products such as the Braun Pulsonic and Norelco Arcitec.
The Panasonic ES8228S is the shaver on my counter and the one I use everyday.
A marketing problem for Panasonic is that typically their products are only found at speciality retailers like Best Buy, Sharper Image etc. In fact, my purchase of the ES8228S occured when I was delighted to see it at a major US Mass Retailer-Target-at a very reasonable price. I hope this experiment works and Panasonic increases its exposure in stores more familiar to the average consumer. I also hope Amazon continues to sell it online.
My review is for the identical unit for sale at Amazon and you'll have a great experience purchasing here as well.
Ironically, I was not thrilled with the last Panasonic I used, the 8043. However, the ES8228S has made 2 innovations from that model that really seem to mean something.
In addition to the fabulous 13000 rpm motor, the ES8228S line adds the ARC foil of its immediate predecessor, AND new "nano sharpened blades."
Many times terminology and features are thrown around in shaver descriptions. In my experience the combination of the motor, ARC foil and ultra sharp blade truly create a revolutionary experience.
Dry, the Panasonic matches the best shaves I'd previously had; which happened to come from the Remington MS series of shavers...also affordable, excellent units which however lack the elegance of the Panasonic and are much louder.
The motor speed and sharpness create an ultra close shave without tearing at the epidermis. You really don't feel the shave as you do in some units
Unlike the Pulsonic and Arcitec the ES8228S affords you the option to shave with shave creme, shave soap, shave gel, in the shower. This results in an obscenely good shave. But my dry shaves have been so good I've seldom felt the need.
The ES8228S is a bit smaller and lighter than the Pulsonic. Looks are highly subjective of course, but to me, its a beautiful, elegant and functional device in look and feel.
Braun has the best self cleaning module in my opinion. However, the improved cleaner with the Pansonic ES8228 comes close. It is small, and attractive. It offers several clever options...for example, you can rinse off the shaver and dry and charge the unit without cleaning it to save the cleaning cartridge. The dry cartridge in the Panasonic cleaner does last about 1.5 months, compared to about a month in the Braun, at the same price. It also doesn't evaporate if it sits unusued for a time for some reason.
Many knock the idea of a self-cleaner as a way to get extra money for cartridges. Personally, I love it. With an electric shaver you ought to spend $5 every month or two on a lubricant anyway. I'm happy to spend $5 per month on a beautifully clean and lubricated device every single day.
There are many good electric shavers out there, in many price ranges.
All I can say in conclusion is this is the best overall shaver I have ever used and I cannot recommend its purchase for yourself or as a gift highly enough.
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53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Panasonic quality at its finest!, November 18, 2007
First off, I don't own this Panasonic ES8228S model, I own the 8109S, but the only substantive difference is that the 8109S is slightly cheaper, is black-and-chrome and does not have wood trim. This is my third Panasonic wet/dry shaver in about 5 years and, by far, this one is the best one yet. I've experimented with other manufacturers' shavers over the years, including Brauns, Norelcos and Grundig shavers, but I've ultimately found nirvana, ok, not quite nirvana, but a most pleasant shaving experience with Panasonic shavers. I love Panasonic's shavers because I like being able to shave in the shower with an electric shaver and a little glycerin based shaving foam (Gilette Series foam in the long silver tube works best for me and doesn't gum up the shaver like gels do). I swear, this unbeatable combination (i.e., shower steam, Panasonic wet/dry shaver and Gilette Series foam) shaves me closer than even the best blades that Gilette offers (at present, the Gilette Fusion) with far less irritation and with no annoying little cuts in conspicuous locations around my face and/or neck.
Just to review, my first Panasonic wet/dry was great and served me well for about 3 years, but when the Panasonic models came out a few years ago with the Vortex cleaning systems, I just had to have one, so I moved on to the model ES8078 wet/dry shaver. The ES8078 served me well for a year-and-a-half - until I dropped that bad boy in the shower earlier this week! 'Nuf said. It didn't break into a zillion pieces or anything, but the motor just stopped working. (It's actually kinda funny because I was so preoccupied with ensuring the safekeeping of that little shaver ever since I brought it home, chiding my poor wife for even looking at it wrong, and then my dumb arse drops the dang thing in the shower. AAARGHHHH!!!) Anyhow, after a quick review of the top of the line shavers from various manufacturers currently available (including the new Braun Pulsonic models), I opted to go for the latest offering from Panasonic. Even though the new Brauns cost $100 more than the Panasonics, their motors are still slower, and you still can't shave with 'em wet. For the uninitiated, higher motor speed = faster moving blades = less friction = less irritation. Panasonics have consistently had the highest motor speed available in any electric shaver.
I've shaved with the new ES8109S shaver for a few days now, and my first impression after the very first shave was that I got a very close shave (consistent with the performance of my prior Panasonics) and, try to understand this, my face did not FEEL as though I had just shaved. It may sound a little odd, but you know how your face feels sensitive to the touch after you typically shave? Well, that sensation, at least for me, was far less apparent after shaving with the new Panasonic. Heck, maybe it's the new curved blade and foil assembly that reduces irritation or something. In this respect, the new ES8109S actually outperforms Panasonic's prior top of the line offering (the ES8078) and actually causes even less shaving irritation than that model (which itself wasn't all that irritating to begin with). Also, much like the prior models, the little pop up trimmer on the side of the new shaver is great not only for trimming sideburns (which I actually never use it for), but also for capturing those awkward little hairs that lie flat or may be becoming ingrown. The latest model is also quieter than the last model and has a more substantial feel to it while holding it.
Oh, one more thing, the ES8109S comes with Panasonic's latest iteration of its Vortex Cleaning and charging base, which is slightly different from its prior models, but appears to use the same cleaning cartridge. The Vortex quietly cleans, lubricates and even fully recharges your shaver for you (alternatively, you can just plug the power cable for the Vortex directly into the shaver to recharge it). The cleaning/lubricating solution in the Vortex consists of a slender cartridge containing a detergent based solid that becomes "activated" when it mixes with water in the Vortex base. The cleaner is not alcohol-based, so it does not evaporate over time like the Braun cleaning solution does - along with the money you'll spend on their big, expensive refills.
In summary, I highly recommend the Panasonic ES8109S shaver to persons like me with sensitive skin that is prone to irritation (I know you're thinking, "Why didn't he just say that from the outset?") Hope this review helps!
LONG TERM UPDATE! - Well, I've had 8109S for almost one full year now and it's still going strong. I've noticed it's become slightly less efficient at capturing the few hairs on my cheeks that tend to lie flat, so it's about time for the annual changing of the foil, which I know (based on past experience with Panasonics) will restore the shaver to its fullest hair capturing & cutting potential. One tip I have about cleaning the razor - I shave and rinse clean my shaver every day, and I only clean it in the Vortex when it needs charging which, for me, is about once every two weeks. This cuts down on the usage of the cleaning cartridge. The need to clean your shaver will depend in large part on what you shave with (I use a foam, which tends to rinse cleaner than creams and gels). Also, one more tip regarding the cleaning cartridges in the Vortex cleaning system - you DON'T HAVE TO replace the cleaning solution at the manufacturer recommended interval. You can definitely get away with using them longer. I tend to use them until the service light on the Vortex base turns on, then I change the cleaning cartridge and water in the Vortex and it's good to go. I'm only on my third cleaning cartridge in the year I've owned the razor.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you have sensitive skin, you should give this a try, November 17, 2008
I have very sensitive skin on my neck, and until recently I couldn't shave every day. A few months ago I began trying different shaving products and techniques in hope of finding something that would work for me. For the last three weeks, I've been wet-shaving with this shaver and Billy Jealousy Hydroplane shaving cream with no irritation to speak of.
No, this shaver doesn't shave a close as a blade, but since for me the alternative was shaving every second day, it's way closer than a blade on one day out of two. It also doesn't deal with long hair very well, so I feel like I can't skip a day. That's the only reason I haven't given it 5 stars.
If the Hydroplane seems too expensive, I've also used the shaver with inexpensive shaving oil with good results. The shave is slightly less comfortable during the act, but doesn't result in any lingering irritation. The oil seems to leave a film on the blades and foil, so more frequent cleaning is needed. It didn't work well with any of the traditional shaving creams or gels that I tried. They seem to clog the works and the shave, while comfortable, isn't very close.
Used dry, this shaver wasn't any better than the many others I've tried over the years. I also can't say that this model is any better than the less-expensive Panasonic wet-dry shavers on the market. What I can say is that used in the shower with the right shaving lube it results in the least irritation of any method I've ever tried.
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