PanasonicSeries 800 ES-LV97 5-Blade Wet and Dry Electric Shaver for Men, Rechargeable, Responsive Beard Sensor, Multi-Flex 16D Head, Auto Cleaning, Charging Stand, Gift for men (2 pin UK plug)

The Panasonic Arc5 LV97 is a solid, well engineered, electric razor which is one of the most powerful electric razors on the market. It’s very smooth and glides across your face cutting with ruthless efficiency. I use mine with Proraso Green Tub soap and a GFCC synthetic brush and give it a quick rinse before placing it in the cleaner/ charger unit. This is noisy periodically for ten minutes whilst it cleans and lubricates the head, but then it whirs away softly and quietly whilst it fan drys the razor head with warm air. It cleans the razor perfectly. I also sometimes use just a pre electric lotion like Blue Stratos which is available from Amazon. This is a comfortable and very quick method, no brush to rinse and pop the razor straight into the cleaning station. You can buy the Panasonic cleaning sachets in a six pack from Amazon which is cheaper -currently £16.99 for six or £2.83 a sachet which lasts for about 44 days if you shave everyday and clean the razor in the unit every day. Keeping the razor cleaned and lubricated will give you a better shave and extend the life of the foil and cutters which are not cheap.If you use the razor daily the foil should be replaced annually. However the foil and a foil and cutter set cost about the same, currently around £49 .Some have criticised the soft case, but unlike Braun, Panasonic supply a hard cover for the foil so a hard case is not really needed. Panasonic shavers give the closest shaves of any electric razor because the foils are much thinner and the motors run faster. You should protect the foil at all times as it is naturally easily damaged if knocked or dropped. The built in battery has an expected life of 3 years. Not a cheap option in comparison to a top quality double edged razor but easy, quick and convenient. It gives great results, not quite the perfect smooth s of a three pass traditional razor but very very close.

What I like:• Unbeatable smooth shave. I have thick facial hair, and it works very well.• Easy to use: Just shave.• Easy and comfortable to hold• Low Noise• The washing unit makes cleaning super easy. Just pop it in the unit and press the button. It also charges the unit, so no more running out of power.• Comes with a handy travel case that fits well.Keep in mind:• Replacement blades are on the pricey side, at around £50 a set, but they are supposed to last for 1-2 years.• I previously had an older Panasonic ES8249, which lasted me 12 years and was a 3-blade system. Although, this5-blade Panasonic ES-LV97 is a big upgrade; it's not amazingly better, so a 3-blade might be good enough for people with less thick hair (or people with thick hair who don’t mind spending an extra few minutes shaving).• While the washing unit is great, it takes 80 minutes to do a wash, and the first 10 minutes can get loud!• The manual of the Panasonic ES-LV97 says the battery only lasts for 3 years. However, my previous ES8249 said something similar, and I got 10 years out of it (and then a further 2 when I changed the battery myself, which wasn't that hard).

Dong a great job but needs to get little closer at times, the cleaner is really useful and does a great job, the price of the liquids need to use with the cleaner is not, arrived with a EU plug, why can they never send the right one, its cost them a star.

I've been using this shaver for a few weeks now and I must say I'm impressed. It's quick to charge, comfortable on the face and gives a very close shave. I have tried most styles of shaver and this one tops the lot, my skin doesn't feel sore after using it, and my wife has noted that my "5 o'clock shadow" is not as spikey or rough as with previous shaving methods (wet & electric.) The shaver is light in the hand, the battery lasts well and the noise level is acceptable. I thought it was pricey when I bought it but now I've used it a while I think it's good value for money.

After using a Braun series 5 (two blades) for quite a few years on both head & face, I thought it was time for an upgrade. After much research the two products that had caught my eye after been mentioned time and time again were the Panasonic ARC 5 or the Braun series 9.I bought both to test.Ill try gloss over a few things to get to the main bit:Packaging: Both are excellant, nothing too fancy, but functional. DrawLooks: I think overall the Braun is the nicer looking for most folks, and it certainly feels nice. Though for me, the ARC 5 has an edgyness. For me its a winner for the ARC.Cleaning: Both very good, both cleaning systems work very well though the ARC 5 can be cleaned manally really nicely. Again I prefer the aesthetics of the ARC 5 in the cleaning base, plus the cleaning solution lasts longer and is much cheaper to replace. Win again for the ARCThe juicy bit, the bit we all really want to know......the cut:Both perform excellant, but there are some differences that are rather important. I say this as to me it seems like Braun prefer a nice smooth shave that is less likely to irritate those with sensitive skin. I dont have sensitive so I didnt gain much from this side of the device.The Panasonic ARC 5 goes for the complete opposite, almost ignoring sensitive skin, with the sole aim of getting as close a shave as possible with a foil electric shaver. So how did it do? I kid you not, the ARC 5 surpassed my expectations. It literally felt as close as what id imagine a razor shave would do.It cut through the other side of my face/head hair with no issue, requiring far less repeat "go overs" with the device. For me, it was an easy win for the ARC5. This isnt to knock the Braun series 9, I think that is an excellant shaver, but if your goal is to get as close as possible, then its quite simply the ARC5.Now just for testing purposes (and tidying some tough to reach areas i guess) I also bought a Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Razor, just to see how close these electric shavers got.Goingeach side in parts were the shavers went, I couldnt actually feel any difference on the ARC side. Id assume that the shaver has taken some more fair hair with it as there was some on the razor, but there was a noticeable diffference on the Braun side.So clear win for the ARC 5 in relation to closeness of the shave.Only negatives of the ARC 5 i guess are:Size...Having 5 blades on the top does add some bulk, so will require some adjustment for your routine. Though having those 5 blades, with the 30 degree angle that they have gives you that super close shave with convenience.Noise...I didnt find its nosiey, but its an annoying noise compared to the Braun. This wouldnt put me off suggesting this as a product to buy though.Overall, Id say if your in the market for a high end electric foil shaver (if your shaving your head, FOIL is the only way, not rotary) then the Panasonic ARC 5 is the way forward. It comes with everything you need for an amazingly close shave. Im aware they have released a new set of foil catridges that are labeled for another upcoming shaver, but they are also compatable with this shaver and help with sensitive skin.This product is well worth a buy, I couldnt be more impressed.