Sales Rank: 133; Release Date: 15 April, 2003; Media: Health and Beauty


Features:

Turbo cleaning mode; automatic voltage conversion

Rechargeable wet/dry shaver with fast motor for smooth, powerful shave

Adjustable pivot action head follows facial contours

Sharpest inner blade available provides closer shave

Pop-up trimmer grooms mustache and sideburns

Average Rating:
Rating: - The world's best shaver...period!!!
I have used electric shavers in the past with no variable in the degree of results I obtained....none of them worked on my beard! They left me patchy, irittated and still stubbly! Like many, I was very interested in the Braun Synchro and received one as a Christmas gift. The Braun is a fine shaver and I had better success with it than any other previous electric model. I received the Panasonic Wet Dry as a gift and thought I would try it out. This shaver, for me, shaves AS CLOSE AS A BLADE AND WITHOUT THE IRRITATION! Clean up is quick and easy and you can shave in the shower for the best shave yet. I am still convinced that the Braun is an excellent dry shaver, but for me, the point is when I shave with each doing what each is capable of, I get a better, closer, smoother shave with my Panasonic wet dry. Is it the world's best shaver? You bet, for me at least...and, like autombobiles, different models and brands may better suit other individual beards. Mine is heavy and dark and this shaver mows through it without any nicks or cuts. My recomendation is to try it in the shower with a fog free mirror and with a good shaving oil like The total shaving solution for men. The results are world class. The pricing may make this a hesitant choice for some but the payback on mach III blades is pretty quick...and the results, in my opinion, are better. Five Stars, only because the rating system won't let me use 10!

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Rating: - Exceeds Expectations
I'm new to electric shavers and had always heard bad things about them, but I was worn out from shaving with Gillette Sensor, Mach III, and other "manual" razors. Sometimes they were comfortable, but at other times even a brand-new blade was painful. Hoping for a more comfortable shave, I decided to take a chance on an electric. I was even willing to sacrifice some closeness for comfort. Still, I wanted to get the best electric possible, and after reading quite a few reviews here on Amazon I opted for the Panasonic ES8095. The first time I shaved with it was fun and I was surprised at how close it shaved. There were a couple of spots that needed extra work, but I've been using the shaver for two weeks now and have learned how best to approach the various contours of my beard. I've used it both wet and dry with equally good results. Before buying it, I thought that I might return to a Mach III for special occasions when I needed to look extra good, but now I know that won't be necessary. I can't compare this Panasonic to other electric shavers, but I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

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Rating: - Compared to Norleco
I've used whatever was the current top-of-the-line Norelco for years, but after reading the reviews of this razor decided to give it a try. I noticed that most of the other reviewers don't mention if they use this razor wet or dry. I used it dry. Here are my findings:

PROS

* Very smooth shave on the cheeks, much smoother than the Norelco in that area
* Cleaning is easy
* It is relatively quiet
* I haven't cut myself or gotten razor burn as I have with other foil shavers

CONS

* Only cuts hairs when the razor perpendicular to the direction of hair growth. That means unless you've trained all of your facial hair to grow in neat rows pointing in the same direction you have to make multiple passes from many directions to get the hairs to cut. It is sometimes necessary to make a pass to cut one hair because it happens to grow at a different angle from the others. This is both tedious and uncomfortable given the contortions needed to get the razor going in some directions. The multiple passes mean it takes about twice as long to shave.
* You must wear your glasses and work in front of a non-fogged mirror. I could shave with the Norelco by feel, just move it over the face for a while and do a quick check at the end in front of a mirror to see if I missed anything. This razor requires real concentration and good eyesight to make sure you are coming at the hairs in right direction and getting them all. Areas like under the nose, the Adams Apple, and around the jaw line require close attention because of the many growth directions. Pay attention or your Singificant Other will make comments about your looking scruffy, which doesn't sit too well after you've paid $160 for a new razor.
* The trimmer is just plain stupidly placed and so easily accidently activated that you will find yourself with an exposed running trimmer several times during each shave. The only solution seems to be to hold the razor at the base, which is uncomfortable, reduces control, and impairs your ability to shave in the odd directions needed to get the hairs to cut. This never happens with the Norelco, and Panasonic should buy one of them and study how to do it right.
* Battery life is horrible. Given how long it takes to shave each time, you have to charge this razor more than once a week. That means for travel you must bring the charger with you. It is a compact charge stand, but still bulkier than a simple cord.

Conclusion

I bought this because I thoguht there had to be a better shave available than what the Norelco could do. However, compared to the current top-of-the-line Norelco they are about the same, with obvious negatives that make neither a particularly good experience. Since I'm not going to get a great shave in either case, I might as well save the extra 5 - 7 minutes each morning and stick with Norelco. It is also considerably cheaper.