Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet/Dry Rechargeable Shaver, Blue
030 4 For a bald guy that shaves every day this is by far the best razor I have used yet . I used a TCT 3 for 8 years and only replaced it because it was dropped and not worth repairing . I THOUGHT I had the best razor because it never let me down . I searched for the best replacement and this was by far the best reviewed for the money . I now know why . This razor takes a minute or 2 longer than usual when you first use it . But after a few weeks it averages out . There is definetly a break in time for the razor and your skin . It's almost like the shave trains the hair the correct way to be shaved and you don't realize this until you have used it for a couple of weeks . The result is a shave as close to a blade but much more comfortable and alot less irritating . I never realize there was something out there this good . The timer on it lets me know it takes me 13 minutes a day to shave face and head . That means I spend 4745 minutes a year shaving . That's 3.3 days of continous shaving a year ! ! Why wouldn't you invest in a razor like this if you where spending that much time ? The only thing I can say about this razor is it advertises as one pass shaving . While it does a good job on the first pass you definetly need to cover an area more than once . Frankly what razor out there cuts on one pass only ? Maybe a straight razor but who uses those anymore ? By far this is well worth the money . If you are reading these reviews you obviosly take shaving seriously . You owe it to yourself then not to think twice about purchasing it . You will not be disappointed . I will be sure this razor is never dropped . Make sure you keep it plugged in . A 13 minute shaves brings a full charge to 80% . That means I get 3 good shaves before the productivity decreases . So bring the charger when you travel .
088 4 After struggling for years to get a nice close , clean shave with an inexpensive electric shaver I finally broke down and spent a few extra dollars to get a better razor . Man , am I glad I did ! For the past 2 years or so I have been using an inexpensive Braun shaver , and besides being rough on my face I had a hard time cutting the hairs on my neck . I would constantly have to go over and over the same spot to try and get all the neck hairs cut close , finally I would pop open the trimmer , cut the long hairs , then go over the spot with the razor . . . a complete waste of time ! This new Panasonic is light years ahead of what i was using . Absolutely no struggle to get neck hairs or hairs anywhere . In about 180 seconds I had my whole face and neck shaved without irritation or struggle ! It took me about 5 minutes daily to get a decent shave with my Braun . I use the razor dry , I figure if I want to use shaving cream I can use it with a blade . I might actually try shaving cream with this razor someday to see if I can get an even closer shave than I am presently getting . I highly recommend this shaver to anyone looking for a convenient way to get a close , almost blade-like shave ! ! I absolutely love it !
096 4 i like to shave with a wet face , so based on the good reviews this shaver had received i went ahead and bought it . Frankly , i did not expect such a close shave . The shave is comfortable , fast and very close even in the areas like the chin and neck where tradititionally i could not get a very close shave . In the past I was using a norelco coolskin for years and i was quite happy with it , very durable , fairly close shave although not very close around the neck and chin . Then i bought an arcitec which i regretted since the shave was very poor and the shaver very expensive . I have had the 8243 for two weeks now and i am really surpised at how close the shave is . It is a great product , excellent price and the battery is good as i have used it 10 times now it still has 30% to go . The only disadvantage is the noise , it is certainly louder than my previous two electric shavers but not enough to give it anything less than 5 stars rating .
131 4 I have been using Panasonic wet-dry electric shavers ever since they first came out in the 1970 ' s . They have steadily improved through the years , both in battery strength and shaving performance . I have always used shaving cream as it gives the smoothest and most comfortable shave . This shaver replaces a previous nano , 3 - blade model that I used for 2 years . This 4 - blade shaver is by far the best Panasonic model that I have used . It gives me a very smooth , comfortable shave and I get about 14 shaves on a full charge . I highly recommend this shaver .
197 4 This is a great shaver . I owned a Panasonic linear motor shaver 5 years ago , then switched to Norelco and now switched back to Panasonic . I love the ease of shave , floating heads , and almost everything about this shaver - except the trimmer , which is kinda small . Overall great product and 100% worth the money .
203 4 Having a Wahl for 14 years , I was reluctant to change but glad I did . This razor has been excellent in my first 2 weeks of use , almost fun to shave with , very quite and shaves very close . For this razor to be this good , makes me wonder how the more expensive Panasonic razor could top it . Almost now wish I would have gone a step further and bought it .
036 4 I dry shave with this razor every time I shave and it does a great job leaving no missed spots or irritation anywhere . It even gets my neck area clean and smooth which a lot of shavers do not . I usually just use a can of compressed air to clean it off but once and a while you'll need to run some water over it while cleaning it . Its one of the most durable things I have in my possession , I've been stationed in Iraq for almost a year now and it has served me well with a long battery life . Shaving only takes a couple of minutes . Its been through sand storms and 120 + degree weather and still works and shaves like the day I got it . I never thought a electric razor would give me a close military shave like my normal mach 3 razor , but this one does and I'm happy I found it .
199 4 I've gone through several shavers from different brands . This one works as well as a shaver twice the price . I don't miss having to buy the cleaning fluid for the Braun units I owned . Only nits - This shaver cannot be used while it is charging . So if you forget to charge it and it quits mid-shave , you'll have to plug it in and wait about 15 minutes while you walk around with half a beard ! My other nit is that battery life doesn't seem as long as the Brauns and Remington's I've used . But otherwise , it does the job .
214 4 I've been using electric razors for many years , including at least 10 years of Panasonic wet and dry ones . This shaver is great ! i shave in 30% less time and the shave lasts longer in the sense that 24 hours later I could easily get away without shaving again . I just ordered another one for my second home .
120 4 The Panasonic ES8243 A Arc IV Nano is without a doubt the best electric shaver on the market . I have used this shave consistently now for about two weeks . A couple of advantages that this shaver has over the Braun Pulsonic is that the liner motor moves at a faster speed , the pop-up trimmer is more convenient and easier to use , and this shaver can be used wet / dry . While I haven't used it dry , I can say that using the shaver wet has provided me with amazing results . One thing that I'm not to happy with about this shaver is the battery life . A full charge is only good for about 10 three minute shaves . My pulsonic lasted much longer . Other than the battery life , I don't have any complaints . I purchased this shaver because I have sensitive skin that is prone to ingrown hairs and I have thick coarse facial hair . The motor in this razor has no problem cutting my hair and I'm left with smooth skin and zero irritation . I highly recommend the shaver .
084 4 Let me preface this by saving that this shaver gives one of the better electric shaves you will find . Unfortunately , it is flawed . Maybe its just my unit , but when i shave , the thing leaks hair clippings everywhere . My cover is on properly and I regularly empty and clean it so I know those aren't the problem . It fairly annoying to have my chest / shirt covered in hair after using this . Hopefully this is just a defective unit I got and not a widespread problem .
124 4 mom & i bought this for dad for his 88th birthday . he says he has never had a better shave in his life using this razor ! mom & i are so happy we bought it for him now . at first we were skeptical because of the new technology and i will say that if there was anything bad about this purchase it would be the instructions are a bit overwhelming for older folks . however , once he had it charged and ready , he says its the greatest ! he loves the optional wet / dry features and he says its really easy on his face . . . easier than anything he has ever used . it has been a perfect gift for him ! !
231 4 Does everything it claims to do , Had mine for almsot one month and am very pleased .
126 4 This shaver does a very good job . Much nicer shave than my previous Remington . Earlier Panasonics are not comparable . Shaves very close and comfortable . Fairly quick . Cleaning is easy and the unit seems tough enough to last awhile . I suspect the higher cost shaver that includes the cleaning stand is not necessary . This one cleans simple and does not require a special solution . Blade and screen replacements are somewhat expensive , but worth it if they keep it shaving at current level . I would buy it again .
145 4 This is the best shaver I have ever used . No irritation or bumps . Works great wet or dry . Cleaning it is also a breeze . It is definitely worth the price . I've tried shavers that cost more and I've spent a ton of money and on regular manual razors . But neither have done as good a job as the Panasonic . It recharges really fast and lasts a good period of time . So far I have not encountered any problems at all . This shaver is a must buy .
063 4 I've always had problems of one sort or another with electric shavers . They never came close to a razer shave for me , and on top of that , really irritated my skin . I use this fabulous shaver wet with the Billy Jealousy Hydroplane shave cream , and the Billy Jealousy Shaved Ice aftershave balm , and I couldn't be any happier . Finally , an electric shaver that works great , and is really well made . Would very highly recommend this product to anyone .
081 4 I've not owned that many electrics maybe three but this one is the best by far . It doesn't require excessive pressure to produce results and the time required isn't objectionable . I like the fact that it is cleaned by washing it under the water nozzle , both the hand set and the separate blade cover can be quickly cleaned . Amazon promotes a needless option for cleaning so be aware when the web site steers you to available options .
175 4 Husband shopping for new shaver so I got on Amazon and began reading reviews . . . . purchased this for him a month ago and it is a hit ! ! ! His usual shaving ritual involved first going over his face with an electric shaver and following up with bic throw away to get a close enough shave . . . but left him with skin irritation . . now with this Panasonic , he gets a great close shave and no more skin irritation . No need to follow up . . . I think he is suprised by the great shave . . . He has not tried shaving with shaving cream as some of reviewers suggested , said there is no need , gets close shave without . Having reviews to read before purchasing an item is a money saving feature that I appreciate from Amazon . Thank you
032 4 I received this as a christmas present and I have been delighted with it .
I give it 4 stars rather than 5 for the following reasons :
1 . Replacement head is VERY expensive - around 50 + dollars !
2 . Unable to use it from the charger , so if it goes flat mid-shave you have to wait for it to charge up .
Other than those two issues it does a fine job .
051 4 This electric shaver gives me the best shave that I have ever had in over 45 years of shaving . I have used various electric shavers over the years including several generations of Norelco and Remington . I have used various safety razors over the years all the way to Trac 4 style razors . None compare to this Panasonic . After shaving , my face is smoother than it has ever been . At 5 o'clock , my face is smoother than after just finishing shaving using the other electric shavers or regular razors . I would not have believed it possible if I didn't try it . I have been using it for a month now and couldn't be happier .
073 4 I have had this shaver going on two years . The first one completely broke down after a year and Panasonic sent me a replacement - it was refurbished ! I have had that one about 8 months and it is terrible : the place where it shows minutes and other data is so scrambled that it is impossible to read - the shave is rough and no longer close . I just believe this shaver is meant to last no longer than a year and then it goes bad . By the way , this is an authentic review - I live in California and have been a member here for years .
153 4 I have used electric razors for years and owned only top of the line models . This one truly lives up to its hype . It is very easy on the face and comfortable to hold . Highly recommended .
216 4 It's amazing how good this machine is . It gives me an smooth and deep shave , that last longer . Very good battery charge , usually good for two weeks . I love it .
224 4 I have been using this electric razor for two months . It is without doubt the best I have ever used . One gets a close shave without nicks and cuts ; it's fast and easy to use . At first I was a little uncomfortable using water to clean the razor , but my trepidation was quickly dispelled by the efficiency of the cleaning cycle . The only suggestion I would make to Panasonic regarding this excellent razor is to consider making the trimmer a little smaller . In this way , it would be easier to trim my mustache . The current trimmer makes that process more complicated . Thank you Panasonic for an excellent razor .
183 4 I have been using Braun's for the last 10 - 12 years and I thought I was getting a pretty good shave . I decided to switch to this Panasonic and the difference is unbelievable . I could not get a closer shave , even with a blade . The cleaning process is so simple and it recharges quickly . The unit is comfortable and balanced . I am now a lifetime panasonic user .
065 4 This razor definitely gave me the best shave of any other brand I have tried . It is expensive - but it performs !
106 4 I have had probably six Panasonic Wet / Dry . They keep getting better , though everyone i have has had probably less than a year of battery life . The shave is the best I have had , but the jury is still out on battery life . Hopefully this one will be longer
122 4 Probably the finest shaver I have owned and I am 79 years old . Got a great sale price from Amazon and received shaver within 4 days from order.Could not be more pleased with both Panasonic and Amazon .
128 4 Thought this would be an awesome shaver after reading all the reviews . However , it doesn't shave all that close on my neck even after four weeks of use . Also , it tends to smell as if it's burning . I think it's just the fast action of the blades though . I would probably look else where for my next shaver .
133 4 After three weeks I am impressed with my first Panasonic shaver . It consistently shaves close even during the more humid days . I will see how it holds up as relates to closeness and blade change out . I am pleased that I switched from Braun and thought I received good value for my purchase .
141 4 This is the best shaver I ever had but if you are using manual razors think twice before buying any electric razor because shaving with good manual razor can be faster , cleaner and cheaper .
226 4 This is the first Panasonic shaver I have used ! I have found a electric shaver that works ! I have never shaved with a blade and never felt that my shave was very close this feels good . This is the best shaver I have ever owned . Thank you Panasonic . . . .
228 4 This is by far the best shaver I have ever owned . It shaves as close as a blade when used wet and with shave lotion - - I used superslick by billy jealousy .
247 4 I am a repeat Panasonis customer who knows how quick and close their shavers cut . Unfortunately the last model I owned had a defective battery and no replacement batteries could be found . I hope this problem has been resolved by the manufactture or this will be my last shaver by Panasonic .
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Overall , this is a very good product . I say this after having previously owned two Remington electric shavers ( about 4 years ) , the last one being the Remington Titanium MS280 shaver . I have also been a long-time wet shaver and have a ton of experience with Mach 3 , Schick Quattro , and Merkur Double Edge razors ( have tried Feather , Gillette , Bic , Dorco , Crystal , Derby , Merkur , etc . blades ) via wet shaving . The Remington shavers usually got a pretty close shave , however this close shave was accompanied by a lot of skin irritation ( razor burn ) , mostly around the neck area due to repeated passes ; although , I did find that applying baby powder before the shave would help with the burning a bit . As for the wet shaves , they mostly produced very close shaves , but often the amount of time it would take me to achieve such a close shave ( on average about 15 - 20 mins . ) , and the resulting nicks and cuts on my face , plus ingrown hairs , eventually had me abandon this method of shaving . It wasn't efficient and ultimately became incredibly frustrating - I tried before-shower , after-shower , shave brush , no shave brush , and used tons of different types of shave creams and gels and ridiculous combinations of this and that before I said , this sucks .
So , my brother purchased this same shaver , but with the cleaning dock . He let me do a trial shave on his , so I have to give him credit for introducing me to this product , even though I ended up buying the shaver without this cleaning dock .
A little bit about me , my beard , and my shaving habits - I'm a 25 year-old engineer , I have incredibly sensitive skin ( I sunburn easily , get razor burn easily , and get dry skin often in the winter ) , my beard is pretty dense ( about 7 / 10 on the density scale ) , not extremely dense , but the whiskers are extremely coarse ( about 9 / 10 on the coarseness scale ) and curve slightly toward my face after a few days of growth ; consequently , my beard is very prone to ingrown hairs . I shave around 4 - 5 days per week , usually letting the weekend scruff go for about 2 - 3 days . When I shave , it's usually in the mornings ( pre-shower ) . I always shave dry , but do apply Williams Lectric shave ( w / Green Tea extract ) to my beard pre-shave to straighten those whiskers and slightly lubricate the shaving surface of my skin . One complete and close shave , usually after one full day's growth , will take me about 7 - 8 mins . on average .
Now to the review :
Sound when operating - In my opinion the Remington shavers that I have used emitted a much deeper-toned and coarser piercing sound when in operation . This sound was often pretty loud also ( 9 / 10 on loudness scale ) , and sometimes would hurt my ears when I was shaving close to them . The Remington shavers would often pull slightly on my hairs when going over them , and the motor would noticeably strain when navigating through thick patches on my face , most notably on my chin and stache regions . This Panasonic shaver , by comparison , has a much higher-pitched sound - I believe due to its much higher RPM motor . The motor really seems to have plenty of power , even for my very coarse beard . I've heard some people say this Panasonic shaver is pretty loud . I would say that in comparison to the Remingtons I've used , it's definitely quieter and less harsh on the eardrums . That being said , it is not a very quiet shaver . It reminds me a bit of my Sonicare toothbrush with that high-pitched almost sonic wine , and this sound coupled with the sound of your hairs being mowed down can be considered somewhat noisy by some people's standards . In my opinion though , this thing is a 7 / 10 on the loudness scale , about average , but definitely tolerable ( a 10 / 10 would be ear-piercing and painful most of the time ) .
Closeness of shave - This thing definitely gets a pretty close shave . It does have four blades , as advertised . It has two independent blades within the shaving compartment of the shaving head , and two additional blades located on the exterior of the shaving head , located between the two screens protecting the two internal blades . The two blades on the surface of the razor head interlock with each other during operation to create the effect of a trimmer almost ( imagine two razor sharp screens slightly overlapping each other ; the hairs enter the holes in the screen , and as the screens move toward each other , they cut the hairs ; the screens move out again away from each other such that the holes realign and the hair slips in again . Etc . , etc . This repeats but at hyper speed ! ) . Hopefully I was able to explain the operation of the external blades ok . Altogether , the four blades working together in sonic-speed harmony really seem to create an irritation-free shave , and never do I notice a hair-pulling sensation as I did with the Remington shavers . The biggest plus with this razor is that is produces little but mostly 0% shaving irritation ! Usually , I get no irritation at all whatsoever ; although I have to say that on occasion , when I spend too much time on my neck going over the same area several times , I will get a very slight burning sensation , but this never results in really any redness - just a slight burning sensation ( nothing a little bit of Nivea post-shave lotion can't fix ! ! ) This phenomenon really threw me at first but after using this razor for almost 2 months now , I am REALLY impressed with that aspect of the shave . Overall , the closeness of the shave above my jaw-line would rank a 9 / 10 ( 10 / 10 being a Mach III shave ) and about an 8.5 / 10 on my neck . Pretty good considering the short time invested .
Design - This thing fits pretty ergonomically in my hand . It is very lightweight and sits comfortably in my hand during operation . The high motor speed transfers very little vibration to the handle or head surface , resulting in a very comfortable and manageable grip and shave . The shiny blue body is very sharp , especially in contrast with the orange font digital readout on the LCD screen , telling you the elapsed time of the shave in minutes and seconds ( i.e . , 7'08 would be 7 mins . 8 secs . ) . This screen also flashes the battery life remaining ( i.e . , 80% ) for about 3 seconds after you turn the razor off but before the screen dims completely for power-down . There is a single push button power switch to turn the razor on and off . It is conveniently located and the razor reacts instantly once it is pushed . If you hold this button down for greater than say 5 seconds , it will enact cleaning mode which basically is like a turbo mode that increases the motor RPMs and lasts for about 20 seconds before turning off automatically ( I have not found a real use for this feature yet ) . The razor head is somewhat bulky in size , and the cover enclosing the screen is made of a durable and lightweight plastic , as is most of the razor . Note - the large razor head does make it somewhat difficult to shave around facial hair , i.e . , sideburns , stache , goatee , etc . due to its wide size . The razor head is spring loaded with a gentle suspension that allows the head to tilt left and right , up and down , to better glide along the contours of your face . The head may also be switched to the locked position , which will give the head rigidity and restrict its movement . The trimmer that pops out is somewhat useful but it is not the best design I've seen . In this respect , the Remington razors do outperform this Panasonic here in terms of trimmer effectiveness , use , and design . The somewhat narrow Panasonic trimmer pops out at about a 110 degree angle from the body and seems to have a difficult time staying in the locked position whenever I use it to trim any stubborn hairs that I missed during shaving . Also , the funky angle that this trimmer sits when extended makes it tough to trim missed hairs on your face , but especially more difficult to do so on the neck . For making a straight edge on sideburns , it works quite well , however .
Cleaning - The reason I purchased this standalone razor over the package with the cleaning and charging dock is pretty simple . You don't need the charging / cleaning dock ! Cleaning this razor is effortless . As many have said here , a drip of dish soap on the screen spread with your finger all over the razor head while running under hot water for about 20 seconds is all you really need ( do this while the razor is on of course ) . I of course pop off the razor head to make sure to rinse off the internal compartment with the internal blades ( do this when the razor is off so water doesn't splash all over the place ) , but in total , cleaning takes about 30 seconds ! ! This is great because I have felt that my Remington dry razors would sometimes accumulate bacteria on the screen over time and this would be evident on my face via breakouts of achne , etc .
Charging and battery life - Charging is a breeze and takes about an hour from 0% - 100% , as others have said here . The cord plugs directly into the wall and plugs right into the bottom of the razor . I would say that the battery life , for me , lasts about the equivalent of 4 - 5 good shaves . Also , this is rated for up to 220 volts AC . Just brought this with me on my on trip to Australia and it handled the 220V AC power there no problem . ( US uses 110V AC power ) .
Overall impression and final notes - If you buy this razor , you must know this FACT : this will not get quite as close as a Mach 3 ! However , it gets pretty dang close ! If you are willing to compromise a bit of shave closeness in exchange for ZERO irritation , then this is the razor you've been waiting for . For me , using this razor saves me time , as compared with wet shaving with a Mach III , so in my case , this is an added benefit . This shaver claims that it will get a close shave on the first pass , but I have yet to see this . Often I will go over the same area a few times ( gently of course , and that is key ! ) to make sure that I get every hair ground down as close as possible . This is especially true on my neck , as the hairs seem to change direction all over the place . Also , I find that stretching the skin on your neck during shaving with this razor will help to expose some hard-to-cut hairs , especially on the outer regions and on the adam's apple . Definitely use some sort of pre-shave lotion . As I said previously , Williams Lectric shave is definitely liquid gold , super cheap , and will last you a while . People with facial hair may find this razor has a tough time shaving around such places . This razor works best for full-face and neck shaves , with minimal facial hair to navigate around . The replacement blade / screen razor head cartridges are expensive ( $50 ) , but this annual cost is still cheaper than buying Mach III refills and shaving cream over the span of a year . Very importantly , this shave is most efficient after a day or two of full growth . Any more growth than this , and this razor really becomes less efficient . I tried shaving a week's worth of growth and it takes a lot longer ( 2x ) ! It also requires use of the trimmer to get the longer growth hairs that this razor seems to miss beyond 3 day's growth . And lastly , don't buy the cleaning dock ! It is truly a gimmick and a waste of money ! Otherwise , props to Panasonic for this tactfully engineered consumer grade electric shaver ! I am a new convert !
Cheers ,
Rob
001 4 Really don't like a dry shave , so I went looking for a wet / dry electric option . A little over a year ago I bought the Panasonic ES8168 . It gave a good shave on the face but I needed to go over the neck several times for the closeness I wanted . All in all a good shave . . . but not great . Also , I wasn't crazy about the cleaning / drying / charging station - I didn't like having to buy the refillable cleaning units and it took almost four hours to complete all cycles .
Recently I picked up the ES8243A and couldn't be happier . Firstly , the shaver's appearance is much nicer than the online photos . . . the blue on the front is dark and the sides and back are slightly rubberized black ( I think it is black ) . So if you are holding out for the black model ES8243K ( with the cleaning unit ) don't bother . The 8243A is the new four blade technology - purported to be a faster , closer shave . I have found it is what has been advertized - a faster and closer shave ! The four blades actually refers to the outer foil , a squarer design than the 8168 . There are still two inner blades , but spaced farther apart than the 8168 . For me , the new head design touches more of my face than the 8168 and therefore cuts faster . I have read on other sites that the foil is a thinner steel , allowing the inner blades more access to the skin . The shave has been fast , gliding easily and for the most part needs only one pass for the reults I want . Big improvement !
Ergonomically the shaver is easier to hold than the 8168 and the head design hits all of the hard to reach areas of the neck .
Have been using it with Billy Jealousy Hydroplane shave cream , a great product . Because you only need to apply a very thin layer it is perfect for an electric shaver . The ES8243 glides effortlessly over it and the build-up on the razor is minimal . I usually rinse it 3 - 4 times during each shave .
Until this shaver I have been of the opinion the electrics couldn't compare to the closeness of the Gillette Fusion ( my previous fav ) , but all that has changed with the ES8243A . For the first time I can say the shave is as close as the non-electric options , and with no razor burn . IMO Panasonic has hit the bullseye with this product .
002 4 Please note : I should probably finish evaluating these things before posting reviews since I changed this review in favor of the ES8101S before I figured out I was using too much pressure with the ES8243A and that was why I was getting irritation . So my recommendation is that the ES8243A is better if you don't press really hard into your neck / face like I was doing .
My old review that is true if you don't use too much pressure :
Let me start by saying I have sensitive skin and tough neck hairs which really seem grow in different directions , and I have always nicked / scratched my neck up when using a manual razor , especially around my reasonably protrusive Adam's apple . Six months ago I jumped on a deal for the Panasonic ES8101S ( like the ES8109S minus the expensive cleaning station ) , and I have been pretty pleased with what it had to offer since it can be used both for wet-shaving and dry . I just found that regular dry-shaving with it would not provide enough skin protection , and wet-shaving would give me trouble around my aforementioned Adam's apple since wet-shaving does get closer than any dry-shaving shaver .
Then THE deal ( $80 ) for this ES8243A came along and I had to see if it could beat an already pretty versatile and powerful Panasonic shaver . Again I tried wet-shaving ( shower , wash face , hot / wet towel , good shaving cream ) , and this shaver totally rocks for that , since it drastically reduces the time needed to shave and gets closer than any dry method . I just find that with my sensitive skin paired with shaving everyday , the closest possible shave may not be right for me . Enter Afta Pre-Electric Original-scented , which I find to be more pleasant and mild than the Fresh-scented variety . Conventional wisdom is to dry shave ( with Afta ) before showering and washing your face , but I find that the hairs do not stand up well and you end up needing to go over and over the same areas to get good results . So I tried this shaver with Afta AFTER my shower , and I will never look back ! The hairs really stand up and , with my skin pulled taut , the shaver really plows right through them ; it gets as close as I need without irritation on the area around my neck .
Shave time is definitely less than with my previous Panasonic due to the extra middle blade and better design ( flatter shaving surface ) , so this really is the best Panasonic shaver yet . It comes with a built-in timer and traveling case , which aren't critical but are certainly appreciated , and it doesn't come with an expensive cleaning station which is actually a feature IMHO . Cleaning stations aren't really necessary with wet / dry shavers since cleaning can be accomplished just by running them under water in turbo-mode with the occasional use of liquid soap and then wiping them dry . The only negative for some travelers may be the battery life since a full charge might last for only 5 - 6 shaves depending on how long each shave takes for you ( mine take 6 - 7 minutes each ) . Thus , I would definitely recommend this shaver for even sensitive skin types over anything else on the market so far - wet or dry - when used after a shower and with the right skin conditioner .
Pros : Made in Japan ( vs . China like my ES8101S ) , top of the line Panasonic with 4 blades , wet / dry versatility , closest shave for any electric without irritation ( I've used the Norelco Advantage also but that irritated my neck ) , easy to clean ( without needing a cleaning station ) , blades / foil last a long time , timer / battery life indicator , traveling case , trimmer , nice blue color
Cons : Battery life could be better
003 4 For years I've searched for the perfect electric shaver . I have a tough beard and very sensitive skin , so a straight razor is out of the question . To get a smooth shave from any top brand electric shaver takes 20 minutes , and the abrasions are a killer , not to mention the red face for most of the day . So I once again entered the new razor arena , recently trying the top brand shavers including the newest Braun Pulsonic 9585 and the latest Norelco Arcitec , and was left unsatisfied with 20 minute painful and irritating shaves , until using the Panasonic Arc 4 ES8243A .
I've never been inspired to comment on any product of any kind like this , but I would like to spare others the hours of surfing online for the perfect shaver . The Panasonic Arc 4 actually delivers as claimed . I can shave comfortably and even more smoothly in literally half the time compared to my previous 20 minute ordeals . I'm also experiencing an unexpected bonus : even after only a few days , each shave has taken less time than the day before . My last shave this morning was only 8 minutes . My skin is consistently left smooth and comfortable . So far , I've only used this shaver dry . When I'm not rushed in the morning I may try it wet to see if I can lessen my shaving time even more .
004 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have several electric shavers - always looking to try out something new . Up until now , my best shave was from the Norelco Arcitec line . Well , the Arcitec has been put aside in favor of the Arc IV .
I used a Panasonic a couple of years ago ( one of their lower-end models ) and found it gave a pretty good shave when used wet , but a so-so shave when used dry . It was particularly poor on the neck and jaw line , areas where the Arcitec really shines . It was a very comfortable shave , but the Panny got passed along to my nephew since I mostly tend to shave dry .
Heard that the Arc IV had some notable improvements , so I thought I'd check it out ( especially since it was on sale ) . I'm pleased to report that the improvements are real - - the dry shave is far better than before , especially on the neck area . Just as gentle as the Braun Pulsonic , but far closer . Perhaps even a wee bit closer than the Norelco , and certainly more gentle on the face than a rotary .
The build quality is excellent - - very solid with a non-slip grip . The screen area gives info on charge status which is very helpful ( does it in percent of charge left ) . Recharge time is great ( under 1 hour for a total discharge to total charge status ) .
This razor is one of the easiest to clean , so save some money and get this model rather than the model with the cleaning station . I've used the Panasonic cleaning stations and , while they are better than the ones offered by Remington and Norelco , they are way behind what Braun offers . You'll get the razor just as clean - - and usually cleaner - - if you clean it under the tap ( just a couple of drops of liquid soap , run it in turbo mode , quick rinse , and you're done ) . Since the razor is built to be used in the shower , you don't have to be careful as you are with other razors when rinsing it off under the tap .
Excellent shave , easy to clean , quick to charge , and comfortable to use . Five stars ! !
005 4 I have several electric shavers - always looking to try out something new . Up until now , my best shave was from the Norelco Arcitec line . Well , the Arcitec has been put aside in favor of the Arc IV .
I used a Panasonic a couple of years ago ( one of their lower-end models ) and found it gave a pretty good shave when used wet , but a so-so shave when used dry . It was particularly poor on the neck and jaw line , areas where the Arcitec really shines . It was a very comfortable shave , but the Panny got passed along to my nephew since I mostly tend to shave dry .
Heard that the Arc IV had some notable improvements , so I thought I'd check it out ( especially since it was on sale ) . I'm pleased to report that the improvements are real - - the dry shave is far better than before , especially on the neck area . Just as gentle as the Braun Pulsonic , but far closer . Perhaps even a wee bit closer than the Norelco , and certainly more gentle on the face than a rotary .
The build quality is excellent - - very solid with a non-slip grip . The screen area gives info on charge status which is very helpful ( does it in percent of charge left ) . Recharge time is great ( under 1 hour for a total discharge to total charge status ) .
This razor is one of the easiest to clean , so save some money and get this model rather than the model with the cleaning station . I've used the Panasonic cleaning stations and , while they are better than the ones offered by Remington and Norelco , they are way behind what Braun offers . You'll get the razor just as clean - - and usually cleaner - - if you clean it under the tap ( just a couple of drops of liquid soap , run it in turbo mode , quick rinse , and you're done ) . Since the razor is built to be used in the shower , you don't have to be careful as you are with other razors when rinsing it off under the tap .
Excellent shave , easy to clean , quick to charge , and comfortable to use . Five stars ! !
006 4 Purchased about a month ago and have been using it daily for about four weeks . I have used every brand of electric razor under the sun . This one is nice because it isn't too loud and is very easy to clean . The charge is fast and lasts for over a week before needing to be recharged . The readout display is simple and easy to use at a glance . I especially like the fact that it can be used wet or dry .
On the downside it takes longer than most shavers to get a true close shave . Several passes though and it achieves a nice smooth shave . This shaver does not do too well on the neck area . My neck has been irritated consistently since using the razor , I'm hoping this will cease as I use the razor more . I have relatively thick growth , I have a true five o clock shadow by dinner time so most razors have to work hard on my face . I would say it is probably worth the money if you find a great deal on Amazon .
007 4 The best of the many recent wiz bang models I tried . The 4 blade thing really does cut faster and closer . And I don't bother with all the prep work of lotion . No razor burn . Clean it dry for 2 or 3 shaves and then a soapy rinse under water gets any buildup . But using soap and water will dull the blades faster .
Pros :
Much lighter than the older inductively charged shavers .
4 blade foil cuts more and easier .
Holds its charge for many days .
Charges before I leave for work .
Under $100 .
Cons :
Won't work while charging .
Charging without a stand . ( but there are more expensive models that do this . )
Cost of replacement blades and foils are high .
008 4 This is the first electric shaver I have used . I used a Gillette Fusion razor before that . I did a decent amount of research before buying this one .
When I initially started using this shaver ( little more than a month ago ) , it did a very good job on the face , but really struggled on the neck ( there were patches of hair it could not remove ) - trying it wet or with a regular shaving cream did not help either . I put too much pressure and tried repeatedly , but that did not improve results ( just as the manual says ) , it only caused irritation . The manual also says you need to wait about 30 days to see improved results ( so do others , with experience with an electric shaver ) , so that your skin and hair get used to it . Even though I was disappointed at first , and wanted to return it , I patiently waited for 30 days , even though waiting past 30 days would mean it will be beyond the returnable time limit .
Gradually , it started doing a better job on the neck . Now , I can get an excellent , close shave ( just like an excellent razor ) , without applying any pressure , and without any irritation , both on my face and neck . Dry seems to work better than wet or with a regular shaving cream , for me . However , the best results were with a pre-electic shave lotion - closest shave ( even on the neck ) , least effort , least irritation and least amount of time spent .
Pros :
+ Excellent , close shave ( face and neck ) , like an excellent razor
+ Very little effort required ; easy and convenient to use and carry ( comes with a travel case )
+ No shaving cream required ; also does a very good job dry
+ Does a phenomenal job with an electric pre-shave lotion
+ No irritation , no cuts
+ Not messy - most of the cut hair stays inside
+ Very quick - usually takes about 2.5 minutes for me ; it has a timer
+ Very easy to clean - just remove foil , and rinse both foil and blades in running water ( an expensive , elaborate and cumbersome cleaning system is not required )
+ Enough charge - I can get at least 15 to 20 shaves on 1 charge ( no need to take your charger with you on most trips ) ; charges very quickly
+ Money saved on expensive regular razor blades - I believe you need to seldom replace this electric shaver's foil and blades ( at a reasonable price )
+ Excellent value for money
Cons :
- requires at least 30 days to start showing good results , especially on the neck ( in my case )
Overall , an excellent product ( as you would come to expect from Panasonic ) , however I had to be very patient for a little more than 30 days , and had to resist the urge to return it .
Worth every dollar - I thoroughly enjoy using it ! Much more convenient and quicker shave than a regular razor , without the mess , cuts or irritation !
009 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
The Winner Is . . .
The Panasonic ES8109S 3 - blade - barely . Put the Remington blades and cutter ( keeping the center blade of the Panasonic ) on a Panasonic 13,000 RPM shaver and you would have the World's best electric shaver . The Remington shaved a little closer than the Panasonic and provided a faster shave . However , the difficulty in cleaning , noise and lack of a charging base tipped me to the Panasonic as the final choice .
This is a review of three Panasonic models ; ES8243A ( 4 - blade ) , ES8109S ( 3 - blade ) and ES7109 , the Remington MS2 - 390 , the Norelco 8260 CC and the Braun Series 5 8995 ( 8985 & 8975 only differ in displays and cleaning ) . I have an average beard and have been using electric shavers ( foils and rotaries ) over 30 years . The models here are no better than any of the other higher quality shavers I've owned . It takes about 10 minutes ( no shaver will give you a first-pass close shave ) to get to that good dry shave ( with or without pre-electric gels / oils ) and you do have to put pressure on to get a close shave . This means recharging every 4 - 5 days . Gels / oils do make the process easier - not faster - and I have reviewed six of them on their Amazon sites .
ES8109S : This 3 - blade shaver gives a very close shave , with some work . It does give off a higher pitch ` whine ' , while shaving , that is somewhat annoying , but is not what I would consider noisy . Nor is the cleaning operation noisy . Based upon other reviewers , I was expecting it to sound like a lawn mower , but it is just an occasional buzzing noise as it cleans . The Arc Foil design slows shaving ( see discussion , below ) .
ES8243A : I had hoped that the four blades of the Panasonic ES8243A just might be able to give a superior shave . As it turns out , the large four-blade surface is like trying to keep the end of a 2x4 on your face . It makes cutting in the areas where you don't have a lot of skin area ( chin , jaw line , upper lip , base of sideburns , etc ) more difficult . In fact , I think that the fourth blade in the middle actually interferes with a better shave and these two middle blades are not as good as the primary cutters . The Arc Foil design makes it even slower ( see discussion , below ) . Another future problem with the 4 - blade system is that you'll want to buy a new shaver when your blades and foil need to be replaced . What kind of an idiot is going to spend 80% of the cost of a new shaver just to get a set of new cutter blades and foil ? All in all : the ES8243A 4 - blade is a poor value .
ES7109S : The flat design of the foil is a better design than the Arc Foil ( see below ) . Unfortunately , this shaver has an under-powered motor and the floating head that cannot be locked .
Panasonic discussion : Panasonic had developed an outstanding shaver line some ten years ago . My old ES8067 still shaves closer than this new NANO Technology - a misnomer ( marketing gimmick ) . I think the reason is that Panasonic's older models came with cutting blades with the individual blades having been about half the width of all of Panasonic's newer cutting blades ( including replacements ) . This means more surface area on the newer blades and that means less cutting . Remington has the ideal blades ( that Panasonic used to make ) and it shows in closer cutting and less time spent doing so . Additionally , these new Panasonic Arc Foil shavers have the foil curving AWAY from your face at the ends of the foil , further decreasing exposure to the blades and requiring many more passes to cover the same area . Unfortunately , Panasonic puts their better motor ( 13,000 RPMs ) only on these ill-conceived Arc Foil designs . Battery time on the Panasonics is the shortest of all shavers reviewed here . The Panasonic trimmers are so narrow , on all of these models , that you will not be able to trim sideburns with one attempt . You will have to re-position the trimmer to get what you missed . This increases the probability that you will get an uneven sideburn .
The Remington MS2 - 390 has the blades that the Panasonics should have ( and did have years ago ) : flat foil area ( not Arc Foiled ) , good length ( 25% longer ) and ultra thin cutting blades . As a result , closeness of the shave is better and time spent is shorter . This is , however , the loudest ( and it is loud ) of all shavers and there are no bells and whistles . Using a pre-shave oil / gel will gum up the blades , as with any shaver , but these blades pop off with even the slightest brushing so be prepared to watch them fall into the sink with every cleaning attempt . A charging stand would greatly increase the convenience of this shaver . Remington did a poor job with the details .
The Braun Series 5 8995 tries hard ( you can hear noticeable slowing when necessary pressure is applied , like a lawn mower when it reaches thicker grass ) , but it doesn't get quite as close as the Panasonics or Remington without leaving a stronger burning sensation after the shave . The Braun can also leave burn marks and even cuts ( nose and lips ) that will bleed . Odd : you would think that , with it getting so close as to actually burn the skin , it would also give a closer shave . I suppose this is proof that shavers cannot lift hairs to cut better . Additionally , the design of the handle is inferior , making positioning more difficult . It does have a much wider trimmer and longer battery life between charges , though .
The Norelco 8260 CC : I used this rotary-type of shaver for many years during the 80 ' s . I switched to foil and found I could get a closer shave . This is still the case . Additionally , because of the circular blades , it is somewhat difficult to target certain spots for cleanup . However , this is the quietest shaver .
PS : don't accept the nonsense about giving your face 30 days to adjust , unless you are coming off a blade . If you are accustomed to an electric shaver , you only need a week or two to determine the difference . The only thing magical about 30 days is that you can no longer return it for a refund - what a coincidence !
010 4 The Winner Is . . .
The Panasonic ES8109S 3 - blade - barely . Put the Remington blades and cutter ( keeping the center blade of the Panasonic ) on a Panasonic 13,000 RPM shaver and you would have the World's best electric shaver . The Remington shaved a little closer than the Panasonic and provided a faster shave . However , the difficulty in cleaning , noise and lack of a charging base tipped me to the Panasonic as the final choice .
This is a review of three Panasonic models ; ES8243A ( 4 - blade ) , ES8109S ( 3 - blade ) and ES7109 , the Remington MS2 - 390 , the Norelco 8260 CC and the Braun Series 5 8995 ( 8985 & 8975 only differ in displays and cleaning ) . I have an average beard and have been using electric shavers ( foils and rotaries ) over 30 years . The models here are no better than any of the other higher quality shavers I've owned . It takes about 10 minutes ( no shaver will give you a first-pass close shave ) to get to that good dry shave ( with or without pre-electric gels / oils ) and you do have to put pressure on to get a close shave . This means recharging every 4 - 5 days . Gels / oils do make the process easier - not faster - and I have reviewed six of them on their Amazon sites .
ES8109S : This 3 - blade shaver gives a very close shave , with some work . It does give off a higher pitch ` whine ' , while shaving , that is somewhat annoying , but is not what I would consider noisy . Nor is the cleaning operation noisy . Based upon other reviewers , I was expecting it to sound like a lawn mower , but it is just an occasional buzzing noise as it cleans . The Arc Foil design slows shaving ( see discussion , below ) .
ES8243A : I had hoped that the four blades of the Panasonic ES8243A just might be able to give a superior shave . As it turns out , the large four-blade surface is like trying to keep the end of a 2x4 on your face . It makes cutting in the areas where you don't have a lot of skin area ( chin , jaw line , upper lip , base of sideburns , etc ) more difficult . In fact , I think that the fourth blade in the middle actually interferes with a better shave and these two middle blades are not as good as the primary cutters . The Arc Foil design makes it even slower ( see discussion , below ) . Another future problem with the 4 - blade system is that you'll want to buy a new shaver when your blades and foil need to be replaced . What kind of an idiot is going to spend 80% of the cost of a new shaver just to get a set of new cutter blades and foil ? All in all : the ES8243A 4 - blade is a poor value .
ES7109S : The flat design of the foil is a better design than the Arc Foil ( see below ) . Unfortunately , this shaver has an under-powered motor and the floating head that cannot be locked .
Panasonic discussion : Panasonic had developed an outstanding shaver line some ten years ago . My old ES8067 still shaves closer than this new NANO Technology - a misnomer ( marketing gimmick ) . I think the reason is that Panasonic's older models came with cutting blades with the individual blades having been about half the width of all of Panasonic's newer cutting blades ( including replacements ) . This means more surface area on the newer blades and that means less cutting . Remington has the ideal blades ( that Panasonic used to make ) and it shows in closer cutting and less time spent doing so . Additionally , these new Panasonic Arc Foil shavers have the foil curving AWAY from your face at the ends of the foil , further decreasing exposure to the blades and requiring many more passes to cover the same area . Unfortunately , Panasonic puts their better motor ( 13,000 RPMs ) only on these ill-conceived Arc Foil designs . Battery time on the Panasonics is the shortest of all shavers reviewed here . The Panasonic trimmers are so narrow , on all of these models , that you will not be able to trim sideburns with one attempt . You will have to re-position the trimmer to get what you missed . This increases the probability that you will get an uneven sideburn .
The Remington MS2 - 390 has the blades that the Panasonics should have ( and did have years ago ) : flat foil area ( not Arc Foiled ) , good length ( 25% longer ) and ultra thin cutting blades . As a result , closeness of the shave is better and time spent is shorter . This is , however , the loudest ( and it is loud ) of all shavers and there are no bells and whistles . Using a pre-shave oil / gel will gum up the blades , as with any shaver , but these blades pop off with even the slightest brushing so be prepared to watch them fall into the sink with every cleaning attempt . A charging stand would greatly increase the convenience of this shaver . Remington did a poor job with the details .
The Braun Series 5 8995 tries hard ( you can hear noticeable slowing when necessary pressure is applied , like a lawn mower when it reaches thicker grass ) , but it doesn't get quite as close as the Panasonics or Remington without leaving a stronger burning sensation after the shave . The Braun can also leave burn marks and even cuts ( nose and lips ) that will bleed . Odd : you would think that , with it getting so close as to actually burn the skin , it would also give a closer shave . I suppose this is proof that shavers cannot lift hairs to cut better . Additionally , the design of the handle is inferior , making positioning more difficult . It does have a much wider trimmer and longer battery life between charges , though .
The Norelco 8260 CC : I used this rotary-type of shaver for many years during the 80 ' s . I switched to foil and found I could get a closer shave . This is still the case . Additionally , because of the circular blades , it is somewhat difficult to target certain spots for cleanup . However , this is the quietest shaver .
PS : don't accept the nonsense about giving your face 30 days to adjust , unless you are coming off a blade . If you are accustomed to an electric shaver , you only need a week or two to determine the difference . The only thing magical about 30 days is that you can no longer return it for a refund - what a coincidence !
011 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have always had sensitive skin , my neck particularly . Ever razor I've previously owned has irritated my neck and I've had to resort to using the pop-up trimmer to shave my neck .
Not with this razor ! The pop-up trimmer is not necessary for me . I consistently get very close shaves that leave me skin feeling fine . I keep waiting for the skin on my neck to start burning but it hasn't happened .
The shaves are also extremely quick compared to what I'm used to . Two and half to three minutes and I'm done which for me is lightning fast . It also has a long lasting charge , right at 13 - 14 shaves per charge .
I could not be happier .
Amazing razor !
012 4 I have always had sensitive skin , my neck particularly . Ever razor I've previously owned has irritated my neck and I've had to resort to using the pop-up trimmer to shave my neck .
Not with this razor ! The pop-up trimmer is not necessary for me . I consistently get very close shaves that leave me skin feeling fine . I keep waiting for the skin on my neck to start burning but it hasn't happened .
The shaves are also extremely quick compared to what I'm used to . Two and half to three minutes and I'm done which for me is lightning fast . It also has a long lasting charge , right at 13 - 14 shaves per charge .
I could not be happier .
Amazing razor !
013 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I just received my ES8243A and after the first shave , have to say I'm totally impressed . I have a heavy beard and have been shaving with a Braun for about 5 years . I was getting tired of spending 10 minutes every morning going over and over my face to get a close shave ( only to be asked Did you shave today ? ) so I decided it was time to take the plunge and get a new shaver . After researching different options , I settled on the ES8243A . I decided against the much more expensive Black Vortex model after discovering that you can just as easily , with a few drops of liquid soap , clean the ES8243A and avoid having to buy the $5 monthly soap cartridges that the Vortex requires . That appears to be the only difference between the two models - the Black one has the Vortex cleaner / charger and the Blue one just has an AC adapter and you clean it with soap and water .
After charging the shaver ( only takes 1 hour ) I gave it a try and am totally impressed with how fast and close this shaver works . Compared to my older Braun , it's a totally different shaving experience . This Panasonic shaver is quieter , lighter and all around a great shaver . I'm looking forward to trying it out in the shower ( something you can't do with a Braun ) .
014 4 I just received my ES8243A and after the first shave , have to say I'm totally impressed . I have a heavy beard and have been shaving with a Braun for about 5 years . I was getting tired of spending 10 minutes every morning going over and over my face to get a close shave ( only to be asked Did you shave today ? ) so I decided it was time to take the plunge and get a new shaver . After researching different options , I settled on the ES8243A . I decided against the much more expensive Black Vortex model after discovering that you can just as easily , with a few drops of liquid soap , clean the ES8243A and avoid having to buy the $5 monthly soap cartridges that the Vortex requires . That appears to be the only difference between the two models - the Black one has the Vortex cleaner / charger and the Blue one just has an AC adapter and you clean it with soap and water .
After charging the shaver ( only takes 1 hour ) I gave it a try and am totally impressed with how fast and close this shaver works . Compared to my older Braun , it's a totally different shaving experience . This Panasonic shaver is quieter , lighter and all around a great shaver . I'm looking forward to trying it out in the shower ( something you can't do with a Braun ) .
015 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Overall , this is a very good product . I say this after having previously owned two Remington electric shavers ( about 4 years ) , the last one being the Remington Titanium MS280 shaver . I have also been a long-time wet shaver and have a ton of experience with Mach 3 , Schick Quattro , and Merkur Double Edge razors ( have tried Feather , Gillette , Bic , Dorco , Crystal , Derby , Merkur , etc . blades ) via wet shaving . The Remington shavers usually got a pretty close shave , however this close shave was accompanied by a lot of skin irritation ( razor burn ) , mostly around the neck area due to repeated passes ; although , I did find that applying baby powder before the shave would help with the burning a bit . As for the wet shaves , they mostly produced very close shaves , but often the amount of time it would take me to achieve such a close shave ( on average about 15 - 20 mins . ) , and the resulting nicks and cuts on my face , plus ingrown hairs , eventually had me abandon this method of shaving . It wasn't efficient and ultimately became incredibly frustrating - I tried before-shower , after-shower , shave brush , no shave brush , and used tons of different types of shave creams and gels and ridiculous combinations of this and that before I said , this sucks .
So , my brother purchased this same shaver , but with the cleaning dock . He let me do a trial shave on his , so I have to give him credit for introducing me to this product , even though I ended up buying the shaver without this cleaning dock .
A little bit about me , my beard , and my shaving habits - I'm a 25 year-old engineer , I have incredibly sensitive skin ( I sunburn easily , get razor burn easily , and get dry skin often in the winter ) , my beard is pretty dense ( about 7 / 10 on the density scale ) , not extremely dense , but the whiskers are extremely coarse ( about 9 / 10 on the coarseness scale ) and curve slightly toward my face after a few days of growth ; consequently , my beard is very prone to ingrown hairs . I shave around 4 - 5 days per week , usually letting the weekend scruff go for about 2 - 3 days . When I shave , it's usually in the mornings ( pre-shower ) . I always shave dry , but do apply Williams Lectric shave ( w / Green Tea extract ) to my beard pre-shave to straighten those whiskers and slightly lubricate the shaving surface of my skin . One complete and close shave , usually after one full day's growth , will take me about 7 - 8 mins . on average .
Now to the review :
Sound when operating - In my opinion the Remington shavers that I have used emitted a much deeper-toned and coarser piercing sound when in operation . This sound was often pretty loud also ( 9 / 10 on loudness scale ) , and sometimes would hurt my ears when I was shaving close to them . The Remington shavers would often pull slightly on my hairs when going over them , and the motor would noticeably strain when navigating through thick patches on my face , most notably on my chin and stache regions . This Panasonic shaver , by comparison , has a much higher-pitched sound - I believe due to its much higher RPM motor . The motor really seems to have plenty of power , even for my very coarse beard . I've heard some people say this Panasonic shaver is pretty loud . I would say that in comparison to the Remingtons I've used , it's definitely quieter and less harsh on the eardrums . That being said , it is not a very quiet shaver . It reminds me a bit of my Sonicare toothbrush with that high-pitched almost sonic wine , and this sound coupled with the sound of your hairs being mowed down can be considered somewhat noisy by some people's standards . In my opinion though , this thing is a 7 / 10 on the loudness scale , about average , but definitely tolerable ( a 10 / 10 would be ear-piercing and painful most of the time ) .
Closeness of shave - This thing definitely gets a pretty close shave . It does have four blades , as advertised . It has two independent blades within the shaving compartment of the shaving head , and two additional blades located on the exterior of the shaving head , located between the two screens protecting the two internal blades . The two blades on the surface of the razor head interlock with each other during operation to create the effect of a trimmer almost ( imagine two razor sharp screens slightly overlapping each other ; the hairs enter the holes in the screen , and as the screens move toward each other , they cut the hairs ; the screens move out again away from each other such that the holes realign and the hair slips in again . Etc . , etc . This repeats but at hyper speed ! ) . Hopefully I was able to explain the operation of the external blades ok . Altogether , the four blades working together in sonic-speed harmony really seem to create an irritation-free shave , and never do I notice a hair-pulling sensation as I did with the Remington shavers . The biggest plus with this razor is that is produces little but mostly 0% shaving irritation ! Usually , I get no irritation at all whatsoever ; although I have to say that on occasion , when I spend too much time on my neck going over the same area several times , I will get a very slight burning sensation , but this never results in really any redness - just a slight burning sensation ( nothing a little bit of Nivea post-shave lotion can't fix ! ! ) This phenomenon really threw me at first but after using this razor for almost 2 months now , I am REALLY impressed with that aspect of the shave . Overall , the closeness of the shave above my jaw-line would rank a 9 / 10 ( 10 / 10 being a Mach III shave ) and about an 8.5 / 10 on my neck . Pretty good considering the short time invested .
Design - This thing fits pretty ergonomically in my hand . It is very lightweight and sits comfortably in my hand during operation . The high motor speed transfers very little vibration to the handle or head surface , resulting in a very comfortable and manageable grip and shave . The shiny blue body is very sharp , especially in contrast with the orange font digital readout on the LCD screen , telling you the elapsed time of the shave in minutes and seconds ( i.e . , 7'08 would be 7 mins . 8 secs . ) . This screen also flashes the battery life remaining ( i.e . , 80% ) for about 3 seconds after you turn the razor off but before the screen dims completely for power-down . There is a single push button power switch to turn the razor on and off . It is conveniently located and the razor reacts instantly once it is pushed . If you hold this button down for greater than say 5 seconds , it will enact cleaning mode which basically is like a turbo mode that increases the motor RPMs and lasts for about 20 seconds before turning off automatically ( I have not found a real use for this feature yet ) . The razor head is somewhat bulky in size , and the cover enclosing the screen is made of a durable and lightweight plastic , as is most of the razor . Note - the large razor head does make it somewhat difficult to shave around facial hair , i.e . , sideburns , stache , goatee , etc . due to its wide size . The razor head is spring loaded with a gentle suspension that allows the head to tilt left and right , up and down , to better glide along the contours of your face . The head may also be switched to the locked position , which will give the head rigidity and restrict its movement . The trimmer that pops out is somewhat useful but it is not the best design I've seen . In this respect , the Remington razors do outperform this Panasonic here in terms of trimmer effectiveness , use , and design . The somewhat narrow Panasonic trimmer pops out at about a 110 degree angle from the body and seems to have a difficult time staying in the locked position whenever I use it to trim any stubborn hairs that I missed during shaving . Also , the funky angle that this trimmer sits when extended makes it tough to trim missed hairs on your face , but especially more difficult to do so on the neck . For making a straight edge on sideburns , it works quite well , however .
Cleaning - The reason I purchased this standalone razor over the package with the cleaning and charging dock is pretty simple . You don't need the charging / cleaning dock ! Cleaning this razor is effortless . As many have said here , a drip of dish soap on the screen spread with your finger all over the razor head while running under hot water for about 20 seconds is all you really need ( do this while the razor is on of course ) . I of course pop off the razor head to make sure to rinse off the internal compartment with the internal blades ( do this when the razor is off so water doesn't splash all over the place ) , but in total , cleaning takes about 30 seconds ! ! This is great because I have felt that my Remington dry razors would sometimes accumulate bacteria on the screen over time and this would be evident on my face via breakouts of achne , etc .
Charging and battery life - Charging is a breeze and takes about an hour from 0% - 100% , as others have said here . The cord plugs directly into the wall and plugs right into the bottom of the razor . I would say that the battery life , for me , lasts about the equivalent of 4 - 5 good shaves . Also , this is rated for up to 220 volts AC . Just brought this with me on my on trip to Australia and it handled the 220V AC power there no problem . ( US uses 110V AC power ) .
Overall impression and final notes - If you buy this razor , you must know this FACT : this will not get quite as close as a Mach 3 ! However , it gets pretty dang close ! If you are willing to compromise a bit of shave closeness in exchange for ZERO irritation , then this is the razor you've been waiting for . For me , using this razor saves me time , as compared with wet shaving with a Mach III , so in my case , this is an added benefit . This shaver claims that it will get a close shave on the first pass , but I have yet to see this . Often I will go over the same area a few times ( gently of course , and that is key ! ) to make sure that I get every hair ground down as close as possible . This is especially true on my neck , as the hairs seem to change direction all over the place . Also , I find that stretching the skin on your neck during shaving with this razor will help to expose some hard-to-cut hairs , especially on the outer regions and on the adam's apple . Definitely use some sort of pre-shave lotion . As I said previously , Williams Lectric shave is definitely liquid gold , super cheap , and will last you a while . People with facial hair may find this razor has a tough time shaving around such places . This razor works best for full-face and neck shaves , with minimal facial hair to navigate around . The replacement blade / screen razor head cartridges are expensive ( $50 ) , but this annual cost is still cheaper than buying Mach III refills and shaving cream over the span of a year . Very importantly , this shave is most efficient after a day or two of full growth . Any more growth than this , and this razor really becomes less efficient . I tried shaving a week's worth of growth and it takes a lot longer ( 2x ) ! It also requires use of the trimmer to get the longer growth hairs that this razor seems to miss beyond 3 day's growth . And lastly , don't buy the cleaning dock ! It is truly a gimmick and a waste of money ! Otherwise , props to Panasonic for this tactfully engineered consumer grade electric shaver ! I am a new convert !
Cheers ,
Rob
016 4 Overall , this is a very good product . I say this after having previously owned two Remington electric shavers ( about 4 years ) , the last one being the Remington Titanium MS280 shaver . I have also been a long-time wet shaver and have a ton of experience with Mach 3 , Schick Quattro , and Merkur Double Edge razors ( have tried Feather , Gillette , Bic , Dorco , Crystal , Derby , Merkur , etc . blades ) via wet shaving . The Remington shavers usually got a pretty close shave , however this close shave was accompanied by a lot of skin irritation ( razor burn ) , mostly around the neck area due to repeated passes ; although , I did find that applying baby powder before the shave would help with the burning a bit . As for the wet shaves , they mostly produced very close shaves , but often the amount of time it would take me to achieve such a close shave ( on average about 15 - 20 mins . ) , and the resulting nicks and cuts on my face , plus ingrown hairs , eventually had me abandon this method of shaving . It wasn't efficient and ultimately became incredibly frustrating - I tried before-shower , after-shower , shave brush , no shave brush , and used tons of different types of shave creams and gels and ridiculous combinations of this and that before I said , this sucks .
So , my brother purchased this same shaver , but with the cleaning dock . He let me do a trial shave on his , so I have to give him credit for introducing me to this product , even though I ended up buying the shaver without this cleaning dock .
A little bit about me , my beard , and my shaving habits - I'm a 25 year-old engineer , I have incredibly sensitive skin ( I sunburn easily , get razor burn easily , and get dry skin often in the winter ) , my beard is pretty dense ( about 7 / 10 on the density scale ) , not extremely dense , but the whiskers are extremely coarse ( about 9 / 10 on the coarseness scale ) and curve slightly toward my face after a few days of growth ; consequently , my beard is very prone to ingrown hairs . I shave around 4 - 5 days per week , usually letting the weekend scruff go for about 2 - 3 days . When I shave , it's usually in the mornings ( pre-shower ) . I always shave dry , but do apply Williams Lectric shave ( w / Green Tea extract ) to my beard pre-shave to straighten those whiskers and slightly lubricate the shaving surface of my skin . One complete and close shave , usually after one full day's growth , will take me about 7 - 8 mins . on average .
Now to the review :
Sound when operating - In my opinion the Remington shavers that I have used emitted a much deeper-toned and coarser piercing sound when in operation . This sound was often pretty loud also ( 9 / 10 on loudness scale ) , and sometimes would hurt my ears when I was shaving close to them . The Remington shavers would often pull slightly on my hairs when going over them , and the motor would noticeably strain when navigating through thick patches on my face , most notably on my chin and stache regions . This Panasonic shaver , by comparison , has a much higher-pitched sound - I believe due to its much higher RPM motor . The motor really seems to have plenty of power , even for my very coarse beard . I've heard some people say this Panasonic shaver is pretty loud . I would say that in comparison to the Remingtons I've used , it's definitely quieter and less harsh on the eardrums . That being said , it is not a very quiet shaver . It reminds me a bit of my Sonicare toothbrush with that high-pitched almost sonic wine , and this sound coupled with the sound of your hairs being mowed down can be considered somewhat noisy by some people's standards . In my opinion though , this thing is a 7 / 10 on the loudness scale , about average , but definitely tolerable ( a 10 / 10 would be ear-piercing and painful most of the time ) .
Closeness of shave - This thing definitely gets a pretty close shave . It does have four blades , as advertised . It has two independent blades within the shaving compartment of the shaving head , and two additional blades located on the exterior of the shaving head , located between the two screens protecting the two internal blades . The two blades on the surface of the razor head interlock with each other during operation to create the effect of a trimmer almost ( imagine two razor sharp screens slightly overlapping each other ; the hairs enter the holes in the screen , and as the screens move toward each other , they cut the hairs ; the screens move out again away from each other such that the holes realign and the hair slips in again . Etc . , etc . This repeats but at hyper speed ! ) . Hopefully I was able to explain the operation of the external blades ok . Altogether , the four blades working together in sonic-speed harmony really seem to create an irritation-free shave , and never do I notice a hair-pulling sensation as I did with the Remington shavers . The biggest plus with this razor is that is produces little but mostly 0% shaving irritation ! Usually , I get no irritation at all whatsoever ; although I have to say that on occasion , when I spend too much time on my neck going over the same area several times , I will get a very slight burning sensation , but this never results in really any redness - just a slight burning sensation ( nothing a little bit of Nivea post-shave lotion can't fix ! ! ) This phenomenon really threw me at first but after using this razor for almost 2 months now , I am REALLY impressed with that aspect of the shave . Overall , the closeness of the shave above my jaw-line would rank a 9 / 10 ( 10 / 10 being a Mach III shave ) and about an 8.5 / 10 on my neck . Pretty good considering the short time invested .
Design - This thing fits pretty ergonomically in my hand . It is very lightweight and sits comfortably in my hand during operation . The high motor speed transfers very little vibration to the handle or head surface , resulting in a very comfortable and manageable grip and shave . The shiny blue body is very sharp , especially in contrast with the orange font digital readout on the LCD screen , telling you the elapsed time of the shave in minutes and seconds ( i.e . , 7'08 would be 7 mins . 8 secs . ) . This screen also flashes the battery life remaining ( i.e . , 80% ) for about 3 seconds after you turn the razor off but before the screen dims completely for power-down . There is a single push button power switch to turn the razor on and off . It is conveniently located and the razor reacts instantly once it is pushed . If you hold this button down for greater than say 5 seconds , it will enact cleaning mode which basically is like a turbo mode that increases the motor RPMs and lasts for about 20 seconds before turning off automatically ( I have not found a real use for this feature yet ) . The razor head is somewhat bulky in size , and the cover enclosing the screen is made of a durable and lightweight plastic , as is most of the razor . Note - the large razor head does make it somewhat difficult to shave around facial hair , i.e . , sideburns , stache , goatee , etc . due to its wide size . The razor head is spring loaded with a gentle suspension that allows the head to tilt left and right , up and down , to better glide along the contours of your face . The head may also be switched to the locked position , which will give the head rigidity and restrict its movement . The trimmer that pops out is somewhat useful but it is not the best design I've seen . In this respect , the Remington razors do outperform this Panasonic here in terms of trimmer effectiveness , use , and design . The somewhat narrow Panasonic trimmer pops out at about a 110 degree angle from the body and seems to have a difficult time staying in the locked position whenever I use it to trim any stubborn hairs that I missed during shaving . Also , the funky angle that this trimmer sits when extended makes it tough to trim missed hairs on your face , but especially more difficult to do so on the neck . For making a straight edge on sideburns , it works quite well , however .
Cleaning - The reason I purchased this standalone razor over the package with the cleaning and charging dock is pretty simple . You don't need the charging / cleaning dock ! Cleaning this razor is effortless . As many have said here , a drip of dish soap on the screen spread with your finger all over the razor head while running under hot water for about 20 seconds is all you really need ( do this while the razor is on of course ) . I of course pop off the razor head to make sure to rinse off the internal compartment with the internal blades ( do this when the razor is off so water doesn't splash all over the place ) , but in total , cleaning takes about 30 seconds ! ! This is great because I have felt that my Remington dry razors would sometimes accumulate bacteria on the screen over time and this would be evident on my face via breakouts of achne , etc .
Charging and battery life - Charging is a breeze and takes about an hour from 0% - 100% , as others have said here . The cord plugs directly into the wall and plugs right into the bottom of the razor . I would say that the battery life , for me , lasts about the equivalent of 4 - 5 good shaves . Also , this is rated for up to 220 volts AC . Just brought this with me on my on trip to Australia and it handled the 220V AC power there no problem . ( US uses 110V AC power ) .
Overall impression and final notes - If you buy this razor , you must know this FACT : this will not get quite as close as a Mach 3 ! However , it gets pretty dang close ! If you are willing to compromise a bit of shave closeness in exchange for ZERO irritation , then this is the razor you've been waiting for . For me , using this razor saves me time , as compared with wet shaving with a Mach III , so in my case , this is an added benefit . This shaver claims that it will get a close shave on the first pass , but I have yet to see this . Often I will go over the same area a few times ( gently of course , and that is key ! ) to make sure that I get every hair ground down as close as possible . This is especially true on my neck , as the hairs seem to change direction all over the place . Also , I find that stretching the skin on your neck during shaving with this razor will help to expose some hard-to-cut hairs , especially on the outer regions and on the adam's apple . Definitely use some sort of pre-shave lotion . As I said previously , Williams Lectric shave is definitely liquid gold , super cheap , and will last you a while . People with facial hair may find this razor has a tough time shaving around such places . This razor works best for full-face and neck shaves , with minimal facial hair to navigate around . The replacement blade / screen razor head cartridges are expensive ( $50 ) , but this annual cost is still cheaper than buying Mach III refills and shaving cream over the span of a year . Very importantly , this shave is most efficient after a day or two of full growth . Any more growth than this , and this razor really becomes less efficient . I tried shaving a week's worth of growth and it takes a lot longer ( 2x ) ! It also requires use of the trimmer to get the longer growth hairs that this razor seems to miss beyond 3 day's growth . And lastly , don't buy the cleaning dock ! It is truly a gimmick and a waste of money ! Otherwise , props to Panasonic for this tactfully engineered consumer grade electric shaver ! I am a new convert !
Cheers ,
Rob
017 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I was torn between this model and the top Braun model 790CC Pulsonic ( 9595 ) . The Braun is not a wet / dry model . This Panasonic usually sells for $100 here at Amazon . If it is selling for more , be patient and you'll find it for this price shortly . I do not want needless and expensive cleaning gimmicks like found on the Braun and the top Panasonic model , the ES8249K , which is identical to this model but adds the cleaning system . I can clean mine under running faucet water very easily and for free . Using this shaver is smooth and comfortable . I like it a lot . Even shaving dry , with no lubricants or anything , is great and very smooth .
Unfortunately it does not shave well under my nostrils . I have to use a razor for this small area . Being a wet / dry model , you cannot use this shaver with the AC cord plugged in . This is to protect a moron user from electrocuting themselves while showering . In case the battery is depleted , you only need a 5 - minute charge for a complete shave .
I have tested the Braun shaver . It does shave good too , but found it feeling a bit fragile and plasticy when compared to this more robust Panasonic shaver .
My research also showed that the Braun shaver is susceptible to more breakdowns and is not as heavy duty as this Panasonic shaver .
Overall , I think this is the best shaver in the world . The $100 price I paid is unbeatable . I have used it for a month now , and have been extremely satisfied .
018 4 I was torn between this model and the top Braun model 790CC Pulsonic ( 9595 ) . The Braun is not a wet / dry model . This Panasonic usually sells for $100 here at Amazon . If it is selling for more , be patient and you'll find it for this price shortly . I do not want needless and expensive cleaning gimmicks like found on the Braun and the top Panasonic model , the ES8249K , which is identical to this model but adds the cleaning system . I can clean mine under running faucet water very easily and for free . Using this shaver is smooth and comfortable . I like it a lot . Even shaving dry , with no lubricants or anything , is great and very smooth .
Unfortunately it does not shave well under my nostrils . I have to use a razor for this small area . Being a wet / dry model , you cannot use this shaver with the AC cord plugged in . This is to protect a moron user from electrocuting themselves while showering . In case the battery is depleted , you only need a 5 - minute charge for a complete shave .
I have tested the Braun shaver . It does shave good too , but found it feeling a bit fragile and plasticy when compared to this more robust Panasonic shaver .
My research also showed that the Braun shaver is susceptible to more breakdowns and is not as heavy duty as this Panasonic shaver .
Overall , I think this is the best shaver in the world . The $100 price I paid is unbeatable . I have used it for a month now , and have been extremely satisfied .
019 4 First off , I don't use cheap razors . Learned that lesson a long time ago , when it comes to placing a sharp cutting edge on your face , saving a few bucks isn't worthwhile . So I have experience with a lot of high-end razors over the years , and originally didn't consider this one because it was so inexpensive . I bought this shaver about a month and a half ago , and have used it steadily since then . I like it , but it's not the perfect shaver . A very good shaver , but not perfect .
Pros - This is the closest to a true single-pass shaver that I've ever had the pleasure to use . The documentation cautions you not to apply a lot of pressure which means you might have a habit to break there ; applying too much pressure will give you razor burn , and with shaver , you simply don't need to press hard . Even if you need a few ' scrubs ' across an area , minimal pressure works great . I use this to not only shave my face , but the top of my head as well , every morning . It works even better on the dome than it does on the face , giving me the closest shave that an electric has ever offered . The wet-shave option just makes the experience nicer , and you can actually use a light layer of shaving cream with this razor .
Cons - Battery life isn't as good as I had hoped . This isn't a show stopper , just something to be aware of it ; it won't last as long as many other electric razors out there . Probably due to the higher cutting speed . This razor has a big head which makes it fine for large areas , like the top of your head , and it covers your cheeks pretty fast , but I sport a goatee and moustache too . That's where this razor really shows it's limitations , the shaving head is too big to do anything approaching detail work . I shave the upper part of my moustache and this razor is just too big to even see what I'm doing in that area , let alone do fine work like shaping a moustache and goatee . On the flip side side of the razor is the obligatory push-up trimmer , and yes , it works , but you're taking a chance very time you use it . That big shaving head once again gets in the way of being able to see what you're doing with that little trimmer and you're just as likely to trim off half your moustache if you insist on trying to use it .
Bottom line - The Arc 4 is what it is ; a superb shaver of broad , open areas . But if you have a moustache or goatee , don't be so fast to get rid of your other shaving options because the Arc 4 can't do it alone .
020 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have an extremely heavy and stubborn beard . Think 5 O'Clock Forest instead of 5 O'Clock Shadow . If I don't shave for 2 days , little old ladies hurry across the street and cops follow me around . While I used a Panasonic ES 8092 regularly , I was never satisfied since it took repeated passes to get the heaviest areas and the neck clean . Even then , when I got into work I'd see bits that hadn't been properly cleared and the overall look was still a bit shadowy . If I didn't use the electric for 2 days in a row - forget it . Only a Fusion FIVE BLADE would really clean things up . In fact , when I really needed a clean look - meetings , dates , DMV pictures - I would use the blade .
So I decided to retire the old 8092 and give electrics one last chance . When I saw the specs and the price on the 8243A , I figured this was it . I waited a day and a half before using it for the first time . Wow ! In literally 1 minute ( yes , I timed it ) , my beard was gone , my neck was clear and my skin clear . It still stung a bit ( skin not used to 4 blades and a 13k rpm motor ) , but it didn't feel anywhere near as bad as a blade . This thing is amazing . It blows regular blades , including the Mach3 , out of the water and I suspect it could match the Fusion . Need to do a few more test shaves before I can be sure .
Effortless shaving , incredibly clear results , fast shaves and quick recharges . What's not to like ? ? ? ?
Update : I can now report that I have used this shaver regularly for weeks on a SINGLE charge . That's how effective it is . Shaving barely takes 2 minutes . I even look forward to it since it provides a clean look . Truly exceptional .
Update 2 : Six months and still going strong !
021 4 I have an extremely heavy and stubborn beard . Think 5 O'Clock Forest instead of 5 O'Clock Shadow . If I don't shave for 2 days , little old ladies hurry across the street and cops follow me around . While I used a Panasonic ES 8092 regularly , I was never satisfied since it took repeated passes to get the heaviest areas and the neck clean . Even then , when I got into work I'd see bits that hadn't been properly cleared and the overall look was still a bit shadowy . If I didn't use the electric for 2 days in a row - forget it . Only a Fusion FIVE BLADE would really clean things up . In fact , when I really needed a clean look - meetings , dates , DMV pictures - I would use the blade .
So I decided to retire the old 8092 and give electrics one last chance . When I saw the specs and the price on the 8243A , I figured this was it . I waited a day and a half before using it for the first time . Wow ! In literally 1 minute ( yes , I timed it ) , my beard was gone , my neck was clear and my skin clear . It still stung a bit ( skin not used to 4 blades and a 13k rpm motor ) , but it didn't feel anywhere near as bad as a blade . This thing is amazing . It blows regular blades , including the Mach3 , out of the water and I suspect it could match the Fusion . Need to do a few more test shaves before I can be sure .
Effortless shaving , incredibly clear results , fast shaves and quick recharges . What's not to like ? ? ? ?
Update : I can now report that I have used this shaver regularly for weeks on a SINGLE charge . That's how effective it is . Shaving barely takes 2 minutes . I even look forward to it since it provides a clean look . Truly exceptional .
Update 2 : Six months and still going strong !
022 4 For the past year , I used a Braun Pulsonic 9595 and a Remington MS2 - 390 as my primary foil shavers . I was never satisfied with the shaves I received from either model - the Braun was more comfortable , the Remington more close , and both had build quality issues that required shipment to a repair center ( Braun ) or outright replacement by the manufacturer ( Remington ) .
I had heard about the Panasonic ARC IV Nano shaver line and what superior shavers they were , and I almost bought a Panasonic last year instead of the Pulsonic . Now that I have experienced shaving with the ES8243a , I definitely wish I had ! ! This shaver delivers a closeness / comfort level beyond my wildest expectations . It can be used dry or wet , its foil is hypoallergenic stainless steel and the unit is easily cleaned under the tap without having to resort to a cleaning system ( although you can get the more expensive ES8249k if you really want that ) . I'm very pleased with the build quality . The shaver is sturdy , fits well in my hand , and the blue / black color combination is quite pleasing to these eyes !
I now have a single foil shaver that performs the way I expect every morning . Check the ES8243a out - you won't be disappointed !
023 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I purchased this shaver about a month ago . Before that I was using Mac3 . When I switched , I expected some irritation in the first few days . The shaver is very smooth and to my surprise my skin did not have virtually any problems adjusting . The coolest feature of the ES8243A is Wet / Dry function . The shave is close in dry mode or with shaving cream . I suggest using shaving cream only when your face is moist ( right after the shower ) . Otherwise , Dry shave is the way to go . It usually takes me 3 - 4 min . to shave in the morning . Charging is fast and battery lasts for 10 shaves .
My only complaint is the shaver does not do a good job on the neck . It seems it is unable to grab all the hair . The neck requires 3 - 4 passes before I can get a somewhat close shave .
024 4 I purchased this shaver about a month ago . Before that I was using Mac3 . When I switched , I expected some irritation in the first few days . The shaver is very smooth and to my surprise my skin did not have virtually any problems adjusting . The coolest feature of the ES8243A is Wet / Dry function . The shave is close in dry mode or with shaving cream . I suggest using shaving cream only when your face is moist ( right after the shower ) . Otherwise , Dry shave is the way to go . It usually takes me 3 - 4 min . to shave in the morning . Charging is fast and battery lasts for 10 shaves .
My only complaint is the shaver does not do a good job on the neck . It seems it is unable to grab all the hair . The neck requires 3 - 4 passes before I can get a somewhat close shave .
025 4 First off , I've been a pretty loyal Mach 3 guy for a long time now . I tried a Norelco wet / dry shaver a few years back , but I dropped it in the shower and that was all she wrote . I was fairly satisfied with that unit , but man , did it tear up my neck .
I had been wanting to try another electric shaver again , but couldn't really see dropping $150 - 250 for some of the better ones . Then I saw this Panasonic with the nano-tech blades , and tons of great reviews . I couldn't beat the $99 price tag , either . I spend that a year in Mach 3 blades easily .
By the way , the shipping was quick . I ordered it on 1 / 15 , and it arrived by USPS on 1 / 20 . Another good job by Amazon .
Anyways . . . I had to check it out . It's much smaller , lighter , and less bulky than it appeared in the pictures . Feels nice in the hand , too . It comes slightly charged in the box , as I found out by hitting the power button . It is a lot quieter than the Norelco I had , too . A mild buzzing . I went ahead and charged it up .
About an hour later , it was flashing 100% charged . Pretty fast , in my opinion . I hadn't shaved since Friday night , so I figured why not ? I didn't use any shaving cream or wet my face down . Just went right for the dry shave . It tackled my beard with no problems , other than some hairs on my neck .
I usually shave twice with my Mach 3 . Once to get it close , and then a second time against the grain to make it baby smooth . The Panasonic didn't quite get it to that baby smooth closeness , but it's somewhere in between . It's at least as good as the first pass with the Mach 3 . Add in that I was shaving * dry * and there's the wow factor . I can't wait to try this with a little shaving gel .
The negative ? The neck hairs that lay flat on the neck . It took a few passes and a little more pressure to get them . Even then , I didn't get them all . But it was very few , and I'm sure I'll get used to how to get them . But even this negative has a bright side . Even though I put pressure on my neck , it never bit me . The Norelco with any extra force applied made you feel like it was peeling skin off . That was with the Nivia lotion , too . I am really amazed that the Panasonic gave me a good shave , dry , with no irritation or nicks .
026 4 I was in the market to find a shaver to replace my seven-year old Braun . Used to be a big fan of Braun's shavers , but get irritated by their push of models coming with pricey washing solution cartridges . I was impressed with features of this Panasonic shaver and decided to give it a try .
I ended up a very happy user . This is probably the best shaver I've ever had . Here is my take for this shaver :
Pros :
1 . A terrific wet / dry shaver which allows you to shave in the shower or with shaving cream .
2 . It comes with a sonic washing mode which allows you to wash it right under the tap water . The shaver even let you know when it needs cleaning .
3 . Fast recharge speed . Ready in minutes .
4 . Provides a smooth , close shaving experience . Never had I been treated by an electric shaver in such a clean and polished manner .
5 . No need for pricey cleaning cartridges .
Con :
1 . It would be better if it's power cord is retractable ( something like those connected to conventional telephone receivers , which are used on some of Braun's shavers ) .
027 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have many high end shavers . The quality if the shave outstanding with great ease and no facial burning . Blade shavers do not believe that an electric can shave close . The truth is some shave too close and cause skin burning from too close of a shave . A quality shave needs to have a balance - this one hits the mark - Close and comfortable , and fast .
I only wish they would go back to the induction chargers . They are those will pay the additional on a high end product .
028 4 I have many high end shavers . The quality if the shave outstanding with great ease and no facial burning . Blade shavers do not believe that an electric can shave close . The truth is some shave too close and cause skin burning from too close of a shave . A quality shave needs to have a balance - this one hits the mark - Close and comfortable , and fast .
I only wish they would go back to the induction chargers . They are those will pay the additional on a high end product .
029 4 The Panasonic ES8243A is a great shaver . It gives a close shave ( not as close as a straight-edge manual shave , but close enough ) and without irritating the skin . And it's very fast , plus it's easy to clean . This shaver exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to others looking for an electric shaver .
031 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I received this as a christmas present and I have been delighted with it .
I give it 4 stars rather than 5 for the following reasons :
1 . Replacement head is VERY expensive - around 50 + dollars !
2 . Unable to use it from the charger , so if it goes flat mid-shave you have to wait for it to charge up .
Other than those two issues it does a fine job .
033 4 I am 42 , and have been shaving since I was 15 with nothing but Norelco electric shavers . My last Norelco was a top of the line model , purchased about 4 years ago . I thought having to go over my face 10 different times , using 10 different angles and spending 10 minutes doing so , was just the price of using an electric shaver . . . . . . . . . . . That is until I bought the Panasonic Arc IV ! Just like you , I read all of the reviews on this shaver , and I thought What the heck , I'll give it a try .
It is hands down the best shaver I have ever used . I have only used it dry , and I will probably only use it dry . I have average Joe stubble , and my shaves are all under 4 minutes long , and they are the closest shaves that I have ever experienced . I just cleaned it for the first time , and that too is the easiest , and most complete experience that I have had cleaning a shaver . Some dish soap , hot water and 3 minutes , and it looks just like new . I shaved for a week and the clean shaver indicator never came on , so I cleaned it anyway . Next time I will wait for the indicator to come on before I clean it .
I could go on and on about this shaver , but if you are wondering if it is really as good as the hype , I say no , it isn't . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It's better ! !
034 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I bought this Panasonic model for traveling , and it hasn't disappointed me . It's compact , lightweight , and the wet / dry capability makes it easy to clean under the tap . It gives a nice , comfortable shave , although not quite with one pass as claimed . For this reason I use a top model Braun shaver at home , which does shave more closely but is charged and cleaned in a cradle that is too bulky for traveling .
In short , as a travel shaver , I give this model a high rating !
035 4 I bought this Panasonic model for traveling , and it hasn't disappointed me . It's compact , lightweight , and the wet / dry capability makes it easy to clean under the tap . It gives a nice , comfortable shave , although not quite with one pass as claimed . For this reason I use a top model Braun shaver at home , which does shave more closely but is charged and cleaned in a cradle that is too bulky for traveling .
In short , as a travel shaver , I give this model a high rating !
037 4 I have used blades all of my shaving life ( 45 years ) with a few intervals using an electric shaver . Blades give me the closest shave ( I don't have a heavy beard ) but there are times when I am in a hurry or when traveling that I like the convenience of an electric . The ES8243A is by far the best electric I have owned . It is quiet , powerful , and in 2 minutes gives me the next best thing to a blade . With a coupon I paid $100 for this outstanding shaver . Delivery was earlier than expected and I am very pleased with my purchase from Amazon .
038 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Never thought an electric shave could get as close as a razor , but this one does . No difference in time it takes to shave , but the convenience to shave any time and any place is a plus . Cleaning is a breeze . . . liquid soap and water , turn it on a few seconds , done . Reliability , yet to be seen , Panasonic products normally are .
039 4 Never thought an electric shave could get as close as a razor , but this one does . No difference in time it takes to shave , but the convenience to shave any time and any place is a plus . Cleaning is a breeze . . . liquid soap and water , turn it on a few seconds , done . Reliability , yet to be seen , Panasonic products normally are .
040 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
i purchased the ES8243 and thought it did a good job . But , it has now failed after one year of use . The on / off switch does not work , and it turns on sporadically through the day . I called Panasonic and was told I would have to pay $42.50 to get it fixed or they would give me 15% off full retail price ( $199 ) to buy a new one ( Amazon price is $125 ) .
Why can't companies make an electric razor that lasts more than one year ? ? I am going back to shaving with a blade . . .
041 4 i purchased the ES8243 and thought it did a good job . But , it has now failed after one year of use . The on / off switch does not work , and it turns on sporadically through the day . I called Panasonic and was told I would have to pay $42.50 to get it fixed or they would give me 15% off full retail price ( $199 ) to buy a new one ( Amazon price is $125 ) .
Why can't companies make an electric razor that lasts more than one year ? ? I am going back to shaving with a blade . . .
042 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This shaver is amazing . I used to shave with a Mach 3 , and then the mid-range Panasonic ES7056 ( which was quite good ) . My beard is * so * coarse , thick , and fast-growing that I would cut myself several times per shave with the Mach 3 ( and yes , I do know how to use it properly ) . I then switched to the Panasonic ES7056 which gave me a decent shave without the cuts . Unfortunately , that broke after two years of use and I upgraded to shaver that I'm reviewing now ( the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV ) . There is a definite difference between my old Panasonic and this one . If my old Panasonic was good , this new one is hands down better , with the razor making short work of my very coarse hair . The four blades do not appear to be a gimmick - - I definitely feel like I am able to shave more quickly with this razor . My old Panasonic razor came with a one year warranty . I am glad to see that this one comes with a two year warranty on battery and razor considering that my last Panasonic electric razor broke just before the two year mark .
Pros : Probably the best shaver available , waterproof ( can use in the shower , which I do regularly ) , very easy to clean ( don't bother getting the more expensive version with the cleaning station . . . it cleans itself ) , two year warranty . This is a no fuss razor that does its job and does it VERY well .
Cons : There are a couple small spots on my neck that I still have to go over multiple times in order to get everything ( this has been a problem with every razor that I've owned in the past ) . . . although , this problem is much improved with this new Panasonic ( I guess no electric is perfect ) , replacement blades / foil is expensive ( they're around $40 , I can't comment yet on how long the foil will last but if it's anything like my last Panasonic , it should go at least a year ) , at over $100 , it's not cheap ( but it is worth-it ) .
Final thoughts : if you have a beard that is thick and / or tough to shave , I can't recommend this razor highly enough . It's not cheap , but if shaving with a non-electric razor causes many painful cuts ( like they do for me ) , this electric gives a fantastic shave without the pain and embarrassment and for me has been money well spent . Note that if you're used to non-electric razors , it will take at least a few days and possibly a couple weeks for your face to adjust and for you to get the most out of this razor .
043 4 This shaver is amazing . I used to shave with a Mach 3 , and then the mid-range Panasonic ES7056 ( which was quite good ) . My beard is * so * coarse , thick , and fast-growing that I would cut myself several times per shave with the Mach 3 ( and yes , I do know how to use it properly ) . I then switched to the Panasonic ES7056 which gave me a decent shave without the cuts . Unfortunately , that broke after two years of use and I upgraded to shaver that I'm reviewing now ( the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV ) . There is a definite difference between my old Panasonic and this one . If my old Panasonic was good , this new one is hands down better , with the razor making short work of my very coarse hair . The four blades do not appear to be a gimmick - - I definitely feel like I am able to shave more quickly with this razor . My old Panasonic razor came with a one year warranty . I am glad to see that this one comes with a two year warranty on battery and razor considering that my last Panasonic electric razor broke just before the two year mark .
Pros : Probably the best shaver available , waterproof ( can use in the shower , which I do regularly ) , very easy to clean ( don't bother getting the more expensive version with the cleaning station . . . it cleans itself ) , two year warranty . This is a no fuss razor that does its job and does it VERY well .
Cons : There are a couple small spots on my neck that I still have to go over multiple times in order to get everything ( this has been a problem with every razor that I've owned in the past ) . . . although , this problem is much improved with this new Panasonic ( I guess no electric is perfect ) , replacement blades / foil is expensive ( they're around $40 , I can't comment yet on how long the foil will last but if it's anything like my last Panasonic , it should go at least a year ) , at over $100 , it's not cheap ( but it is worth-it ) .
Final thoughts : if you have a beard that is thick and / or tough to shave , I can't recommend this razor highly enough . It's not cheap , but if shaving with a non-electric razor causes many painful cuts ( like they do for me ) , this electric gives a fantastic shave without the pain and embarrassment and for me has been money well spent . Note that if you're used to non-electric razors , it will take at least a few days and possibly a couple weeks for your face to adjust and for you to get the most out of this razor .
044 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've always been a fan of the Panasonic razors and had one prior to this model for over 2 years . Just wanting to see what the future of shaving was , I cast aside my perfectly good but aging electric and , based on the reviews on Amazon and my belief in the Panasonic product line , purchased this model . Within the first minute of use , I knew this was the ultimate shaving experience . I have a heavy beard that wants to ( and does ) , grow in many directions . This Panasonic takes full control and leaves me smooth without the burn that I have felt from other razors in the past - especially when shaving dry . Battery life is good and I find the indicator very helpful . This is the first time I have taken the time to write a review , if this gives you a clue as to how I feel about this product . I had to get the word out !
045 4 I've always been a fan of the Panasonic razors and had one prior to this model for over 2 years . Just wanting to see what the future of shaving was , I cast aside my perfectly good but aging electric and , based on the reviews on Amazon and my belief in the Panasonic product line , purchased this model . Within the first minute of use , I knew this was the ultimate shaving experience . I have a heavy beard that wants to ( and does ) , grow in many directions . This Panasonic takes full control and leaves me smooth without the burn that I have felt from other razors in the past - especially when shaving dry . Battery life is good and I find the indicator very helpful . This is the first time I have taken the time to write a review , if this gives you a clue as to how I feel about this product . I had to get the word out !
046 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
So , I've never been one to get an extremely good shave , although the 5 blade jobs have come pretty close ( pun intended ) .
I switched ( back ) to electric after my dermatologist told me to in order to alleviate some skin problems . I've had many electrics , including older rotary and a recent straight foil shaver . None of them did a particularly good job , and nowhere near as good as the Mach razors .
Well , this Panasonic completely changed my expectations . On day one I got a very nice shave , and a week later it seems to be holding and / or maybe getting better . Everyone says you should give it a few weeks for your hair to adjust , so we'll see what happens .
The instructions suggest you should wet shave with soap / lather , but for me it works much better dry before the shower . The only downside is my showers are sometimes hot enough that it seems like I can make more hair show up during the shower : ) ( From the water softening your skin and relaxing the beard hair . . . ) So , I may switch to post-shower shaves .
I also use it to shave my head . It's a bit more awkward than a blade , so I may not switch over completely ; it's just hard to do the multipass that you have to do with electrics when holding the razor behind your head ; - )
You can tell from the sound how much faster the motor is than other razors , which may indicate why this one works so much better ( more oscillations = more times the blades cross the face ) .
At any rate , for a razor in the $100 range ( and Amazon continually has coupons / sales that lower it $30 or so ) , it's an excellent buy . I'm still not sure it will ever be as close as a blade , but it definitely provides a decent shave with less skin irritation / breakouts .
047 4 So , I've never been one to get an extremely good shave , although the 5 blade jobs have come pretty close ( pun intended ) .
I switched ( back ) to electric after my dermatologist told me to in order to alleviate some skin problems . I've had many electrics , including older rotary and a recent straight foil shaver . None of them did a particularly good job , and nowhere near as good as the Mach razors .
Well , this Panasonic completely changed my expectations . On day one I got a very nice shave , and a week later it seems to be holding and / or maybe getting better . Everyone says you should give it a few weeks for your hair to adjust , so we'll see what happens .
The instructions suggest you should wet shave with soap / lather , but for me it works much better dry before the shower . The only downside is my showers are sometimes hot enough that it seems like I can make more hair show up during the shower : ) ( From the water softening your skin and relaxing the beard hair . . . ) So , I may switch to post-shower shaves .
I also use it to shave my head . It's a bit more awkward than a blade , so I may not switch over completely ; it's just hard to do the multipass that you have to do with electrics when holding the razor behind your head ; - )
You can tell from the sound how much faster the motor is than other razors , which may indicate why this one works so much better ( more oscillations = more times the blades cross the face ) .
At any rate , for a razor in the $100 range ( and Amazon continually has coupons / sales that lower it $30 or so ) , it's an excellent buy . I'm still not sure it will ever be as close as a blade , but it definitely provides a decent shave with less skin irritation / breakouts .
048 4 This shaver is by far the best I have ever used . I have sensitive skin and had a Braun series 5 for a couple years and thought it was nice , but after trying the Panasonic it is no contest . The Panasonic is quieter , faster , and shaves closer . I can't believe how smooth my face is ! Clean up is awesome . . . . . just a little soap and water and you are done . I use it dry , but it can be used wet .
049 4 A few years ago , I switched from a Braun 7540 ( 3 of them over a 4 year period . . . too many repairs , virbrations , etc . ) to a panasonic 8077 . It shaved as close as the Braun , no vibrations or repairs or anything for the past 3 years except a very close shave with no irritations . The linear motion cannot be compared to any of the standard battery configurations . It really does hold a full powered charge to the end . . . . it does not weaken as it is being used .
After reading about the Panasonic 8243A with the 4 blades and Arc ( convex ) shaped foils , I decided to see if the claims were true .
They were . It shaves even closer ( didn't think it was possible ) than the 8077 . By the way , I am in early 60 ' s , my beard grows quite wiry , dense , and in several directions . The shaver handles it all very easily , even after not shaving for a day or two .
I would recommend any linear Panasonic to everyone .
050 4 Have been shaving with an electric razor for over 20 years . This is the best I have ever had . The spots on my neck my Braun would leave behind are easily gone with this razor . Have only had it for a month but it is the best razor I have had . Water proof makes it easly cleaned without a special cleaner .
052 4 I've owned electric shavers for years . My first was a Remington , then a Norelco . I gave up on both and went back to a blade because they didn't shave very close . I eventually decided on an electric shaver again and bought a Braun ( 5614 ) . It was better than my first shavers , but I still had to go over the same areas on my neck over and over again to get a close shave . Finally , after reading the reviews here on Amazon , I tried this panasonic ES8243A . All I can say is , Wow ! I am totally blown away at how close it shaves . It is by far the best shaver I've ever owned . And the trimmer works great , unlike other shavers I've owned .
One note on price . J & R ( www.jr.com ) has better prices than Amazon . Check it out and compare .
I realize everyone's face is different , but for me at least , this is an awesome shaver !
053 4 I've been trying quite a few brands and models of shavers for the past couple of months , then I bought this model . This has to be the best I have tried .
Doesn't irritate my skin , it gives one of the closest shaves , specially if wet-shaving . Very easy maintenance , no special detergents or fluids required .
Somebody had pointed out that it was noisy . I don't find it noisy but it is louder than a Norelco I was using .
I recently bought the ES8249K , same model , in black and with a cleaning / drying / charging station , mainly because I wanted some kind of station where it could rest & charge automatically ( I wasn't interested in the cleaning portion ) .
054 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Lets face it , there is no electric shaver that can match the closeness & speed of a razor blade shave ! I have tried many and none compare . That includes this one . However , it is pretty good in COMPARISON to the best electric shavers . The head of the shaver is large and not the best design for those who have sideburns or a trimmed beard . It also eats up battery power because of its high speed blade system . It feels nice in your hand and looks very modern . The upper Braun models seem to be just as good and have a smaller shave head .
The wet / dry feature is very good . The shaver seems to work better in the shower .
If you want the best shave use a razor . If you have skin that does not permit a razor shave this , and the top line of expensive Braun shavers , would be a good alternative .
055 4 Lets face it , there is no electric shaver that can match the closeness & speed of a razor blade shave ! I have tried many and none compare . That includes this one . However , it is pretty good in COMPARISON to the best electric shavers . The head of the shaver is large and not the best design for those who have sideburns or a trimmed beard . It also eats up battery power because of its high speed blade system . It feels nice in your hand and looks very modern . The upper Braun models seem to be just as good and have a smaller shave head .
The wet / dry feature is very good . The shaver seems to work better in the shower .
If you want the best shave use a razor . If you have skin that does not permit a razor shave this , and the top line of expensive Braun shavers , would be a good alternative .
056 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have been shaving with Panasonic shavers for about 6 years now , I settled on the panasonic brand after trying Norelco and remington , I feel that the panasonic shaves better for me .
My previous panasonic models were the 8066 that I used for 3 years then got replaced with the ES8163 which has worked flawlessly for about 3 years now , the only complaint on the 8163 is that the LCD screen doesn't work after 3 years of daily use but does not interfere with the performance .
I decided to upgrade to the new Arc Nano 4 ES8243 after seeing very good reviews on the electric razor forums and from previous positive experience with this brand , I just got it and all I can say is WOW ! This new model shaves way better than the 8163 I had ! I feel that the shave is closer and more confortable , wet or dry it shaves more closely than previous models with less irritation and no burns specially in the neck area and jaw .
This model also feels lighter than the 8163 and is less noisy . The pictures posted on Amazon does not do this shaver justice ! ! ! This blue shaver is gorgeous !
The only Con I see is that they should have included a charging base as the 8163 had , nothing fancy just a nice base , and drop the price of the screens and blades to around $30 ' ish this would be an even sweeter deal .
If you are on the fence on one of these , I suggest you go for it and buy it , you won't regret it .
Thanks !
AlexGT
057 4 I have been shaving with Panasonic shavers for about 6 years now , I settled on the panasonic brand after trying Norelco and remington , I feel that the panasonic shaves better for me .
My previous panasonic models were the 8066 that I used for 3 years then got replaced with the ES8163 which has worked flawlessly for about 3 years now , the only complaint on the 8163 is that the LCD screen doesn't work after 3 years of daily use but does not interfere with the performance .
I decided to upgrade to the new Arc Nano 4 ES8243 after seeing very good reviews on the electric razor forums and from previous positive experience with this brand , I just got it and all I can say is WOW ! This new model shaves way better than the 8163 I had ! I feel that the shave is closer and more confortable , wet or dry it shaves more closely than previous models with less irritation and no burns specially in the neck area and jaw .
This model also feels lighter than the 8163 and is less noisy . The pictures posted on Amazon does not do this shaver justice ! ! ! This blue shaver is gorgeous !
The only Con I see is that they should have included a charging base as the 8163 had , nothing fancy just a nice base , and drop the price of the screens and blades to around $30 ' ish this would be an even sweeter deal .
If you are on the fence on one of these , I suggest you go for it and buy it , you won't regret it .
Thanks !
AlexGT
058 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the first electric shaver I've bought in 8 years . My previous shaver was a Braun which I really liked , but I certainly am glad I switched to Panasonic this time . I haven't tried using this shaver with shaving cream - as it recommends - but even still as a dry shaver it shaves very close .
I like this shaver a lot ( and Amazon has it for a very fair price ) .
059 4 This is the first electric shaver I've bought in 8 years . My previous shaver was a Braun which I really liked , but I certainly am glad I switched to Panasonic this time . I haven't tried using this shaver with shaving cream - as it recommends - but even still as a dry shaver it shaves very close .
I like this shaver a lot ( and Amazon has it for a very fair price ) .
060 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I was a Norelco user for over 30 years and always liked them . I received a Braun foil shaver as a gift a couple of years ago and I never liked it due to missed hairs and being noisy . I decided to finally replace my Norelco Spectra with the Panasonic ES8243A based on all the reviews . I was going to order this a couple of times but just couldn't pull the trigger . Earlier in the week I made the decision and am glad I did . I never write reviews and not sure many of them are honest . I can say this is the best shaver I have ever owned . I never even knew Panasonic made a quality shaver . It is easy to clean and comes with a lithium ion battery unlike some others . I shave in the shower with liquid soap and the shave is so much better than the rotary type . Don't hesitate like I did . . . Go ahead and get this one .
061 4 I was a Norelco user for over 30 years and always liked them . I received a Braun foil shaver as a gift a couple of years ago and I never liked it due to missed hairs and being noisy . I decided to finally replace my Norelco Spectra with the Panasonic ES8243A based on all the reviews . I was going to order this a couple of times but just couldn't pull the trigger . Earlier in the week I made the decision and am glad I did . I never write reviews and not sure many of them are honest . I can say this is the best shaver I have ever owned . I never even knew Panasonic made a quality shaver . It is easy to clean and comes with a lithium ion battery unlike some others . I shave in the shower with liquid soap and the shave is so much better than the rotary type . Don't hesitate like I did . . . Go ahead and get this one .
062 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've always had problems of one sort or another with electric shavers . They never came close to a razer shave for me , and on top of that , really irritated my skin . I use this fabulous shaver wet with the Billy Jealousy Hydroplane shave cream , and the Billy Jealousy Shaved Ice aftershave balm , and I couldn't be any happier . Finally , an electric shaver that works great , and is really well made . Would very highly recommend this product to anyone .
064 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This razor definitely gave me the best shave of any other brand I have tried . It is expensive - but it performs !
066 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've been using Panasonic electric shavers for many years now . The two models that preceded this one were pretty decent shavers , but can't hold a candle to this one . The ES8243A is an outstanding shaver . It appears to be well put together and feels well-balanced in your hands . I usually shave dry . The shave I get out of this is very close , no irritation at all , and I'm usually done in just over a couple of minutes . As another reviewer remarked , the shaver makes a nice satisfying sound as works through your hair : ) I'm extremely happy at this point ( after a couple of months use ) .
067 4 I've been using Panasonic electric shavers for many years now . The two models that preceded this one were pretty decent shavers , but can't hold a candle to this one . The ES8243A is an outstanding shaver . It appears to be well put together and feels well-balanced in your hands . I usually shave dry . The shave I get out of this is very close , no irritation at all , and I'm usually done in just over a couple of minutes . As another reviewer remarked , the shaver makes a nice satisfying sound as works through your hair : ) I'm extremely happy at this point ( after a couple of months use ) .
068 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Bought this shaver after my Norelco SpeedXL became essentially worthless for getting a decent shave . I've had it for about 5 weeks and am quite impressed so far . Hopefully this shaver will have some long term durability - that's my main concern .
Pro's :
- Very close ( dry ) shave - best I've ever had from an electric
- Handles tricky neck area well
- Long lasting battery - I can get over 8 shaves ( 5 + minutes each ) out of it before recharging
- Pretty easy to clean / rinse ( and this does not need to be done every shave )
- Included travel case
Con's :
- A bit expensive
- No stand for shaver to sit upright on
069 4 Bought this shaver after my Norelco SpeedXL became essentially worthless for getting a decent shave . I've had it for about 5 weeks and am quite impressed so far . Hopefully this shaver will have some long term durability - that's my main concern .
Pro's :
- Very close ( dry ) shave - best I've ever had from an electric
- Handles tricky neck area well
- Long lasting battery - I can get over 8 shaves ( 5 + minutes each ) out of it before recharging
- Pretty easy to clean / rinse ( and this does not need to be done every shave )
- Included travel case
Con's :
- A bit expensive
- No stand for shaver to sit upright on
070 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I bought this shaver because my Norelco broke . I was a little skeptical about an electric razor that claimed I could use it wet , with shaving cream . The instructions say to use it for 3 weeks with the shaving cream to get use to it . Well , it only took me three days to be TOTALLY convinced that THIS IS THE BEST SHAVER ON THE MARKET , ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE PRICE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I JUST USE ENOGH SHAVING CREAM TO COVER MY FACE WITH A VERY THIN LAYER . IT IS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE . NO ROUGHNESS OR DRY FEELING . NO STINGING AFTER SHAVING . IT IS INCREDIBLY SMOOTH . MY WIFE LOVES THE WAY IT FEELS WHEN I USE IT ALSO . EVEN AT THE END OF THE DAY , IT FEELS GREAT . I'M STILL GETTING THE HAND OF HOW TO GET THE BEST SHAVE , BUT IT IS GREAT . IT IS EXTREMELY EASY TO CLEAN . THE LED DISPLAY IS VERY USEFUL ALSO . I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS SHAVER WITHOUT ANY HESITATION .
072 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have had this shaver going on two years . The first one completely broke down after a year and Panasonic sent me a replacement - it was refurbished ! I have had that one about 8 months and it is terrible : the place where it shows minutes and other data is so scrambled that it is impossible to read - the shave is rough and no longer close . I just believe this shaver is meant to last no longer than a year and then it goes bad . By the way , this is an authentic review - I live in California and have been a member here for years .
074 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
So , I'm a Jew with curly hair and have had problems with ingrown hairs on my neck ever since I started shaving . Regular razors caused me to get them all the time . So , I switched to this product called Bump Patrol , which is made specifically to prevent ingrown hairs . That didn't help . I struggled through that for a couple years , eventually deciding to just maintain a five-o'clock shadow .
Now , I have a job and have to shave daily . That is where this comes in . I started using it a few weeks ago , and I am yet to get an ingrown hair on my neck . It's a miracle . While the shave isn't as close as it could be on the neck , I can deal with it . I'd rather have a not-too-close shave than unsightly ingrown hairs .
I can't attest as to whether this electric razor is better than other razors in this regard , but I can say that it gets the job done for me .
Finally , cleaning this thing has been very easy . Just detach the foil and run it under water with a little bit of soap . Voila . As this is so easy , I would recommend this over any self-cleaning razor . Self-cleaning seems like a gimmick and a way for the manufacturer to continue to make money off you after you buy the razor .
075 4 So , I'm a Jew with curly hair and have had problems with ingrown hairs on my neck ever since I started shaving . Regular razors caused me to get them all the time . So , I switched to this product called Bump Patrol , which is made specifically to prevent ingrown hairs . That didn't help . I struggled through that for a couple years , eventually deciding to just maintain a five-o'clock shadow .
Now , I have a job and have to shave daily . That is where this comes in . I started using it a few weeks ago , and I am yet to get an ingrown hair on my neck . It's a miracle . While the shave isn't as close as it could be on the neck , I can deal with it . I'd rather have a not-too-close shave than unsightly ingrown hairs .
I can't attest as to whether this electric razor is better than other razors in this regard , but I can say that it gets the job done for me .
Finally , cleaning this thing has been very easy . Just detach the foil and run it under water with a little bit of soap . Voila . As this is so easy , I would recommend this over any self-cleaning razor . Self-cleaning seems like a gimmick and a way for the manufacturer to continue to make money off you after you buy the razor .
076 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I am thrilled with this razor . I have been skeptical of electrics and almost always shave with a blade until I got this . I've had a couple of Norelco electrics previously , and they never shaved as well as a blade or as fast . However , I just had some surgery and wanted a new electric so took a chance on this one based on the many good reviews . I was also attracted to the wet / dry nature as I thought this might shave better in the shower . But for me , I found it shaves better dry . I haven't tried it with ' Lectric Shave or any kind of electric shaving lotion yet .
I have only had it a week so cannot comment on longevity , durability , etc . But here's the bottom line - it shaves great ! I'm throwing out the Norelco , and tossing my blades . At around $100 , if it lasts 4 months it breaks even with the cost of blades .
I cannot compare to other foil shavers but vs . the 3 head norelcos this is far superior .
Pros -
* Cuts well - very close shave . I think 98% as close as a blade .
* Cost effective
* Wet / dry - nice for shaving any body parts in the shower , if you are into that .
* Comfortable ergonomically - fits well in the hand .
* lockable / free floating head at the flip of a switch
* very easy to clean - pop the top and rinse it out , or squirt soap on it and run it in turbo mode .
* readout is easy to see . . . seems well organized .
Cons -
* You wouldn't want to try to do detail work with this , like around a beard or mustache - the large head is more lawn mower than weed trimmer . But it does have the flip up trimmer on the back side for sideburns and that works about the same as others I've used ( which is not that great by comparison to a razor blade )
* I wish it had a stand so I could stand it up vs . laying it down , to take up less surface space .
* Slightly slower than a blade shave , but not too bad .
Overall highly recommended , very nice shaving razor .
077 4 I am thrilled with this razor . I have been skeptical of electrics and almost always shave with a blade until I got this . I've had a couple of Norelco electrics previously , and they never shaved as well as a blade or as fast . However , I just had some surgery and wanted a new electric so took a chance on this one based on the many good reviews . I was also attracted to the wet / dry nature as I thought this might shave better in the shower . But for me , I found it shaves better dry . I haven't tried it with ' Lectric Shave or any kind of electric shaving lotion yet .
I have only had it a week so cannot comment on longevity , durability , etc . But here's the bottom line - it shaves great ! I'm throwing out the Norelco , and tossing my blades . At around $100 , if it lasts 4 months it breaks even with the cost of blades .
I cannot compare to other foil shavers but vs . the 3 head norelcos this is far superior .
Pros -
* Cuts well - very close shave . I think 98% as close as a blade .
* Cost effective
* Wet / dry - nice for shaving any body parts in the shower , if you are into that .
* Comfortable ergonomically - fits well in the hand .
* lockable / free floating head at the flip of a switch
* very easy to clean - pop the top and rinse it out , or squirt soap on it and run it in turbo mode .
* readout is easy to see . . . seems well organized .
Cons -
* You wouldn't want to try to do detail work with this , like around a beard or mustache - the large head is more lawn mower than weed trimmer . But it does have the flip up trimmer on the back side for sideburns and that works about the same as others I've used ( which is not that great by comparison to a razor blade )
* I wish it had a stand so I could stand it up vs . laying it down , to take up less surface space .
* Slightly slower than a blade shave , but not too bad .
Overall highly recommended , very nice shaving razor .
078 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Have owned this for about a month and this is the best shaver I have ever owned . It shaves closer and is less irritating than anything else I've had . I've preferred Remington screen shavers over the Norelco rotaries due to the closer shave that the screen gives me , but this shaver can shave closer than I thought was possible with an electric . I would say that most of the time , 5 hours after I shave with this , my beard feels about the same as it did immediately after shaving with my Remington .
Panasonic claims that these are the sharpest blades they've ever made and I believe them . While shaving , there is less drag than I've had with other shavers and that along with the cutting sound definitely leads me to believe that these blades are slicing through the hair much easier than my old shaver . Additionally , I've noticed that it cuts longer hair much easier as well . Previously , if I skipped a day , shaving with my other shavers was a bit tough . If I skipped more than that I would either have to use the sideburns trimmer or use a blade - the other shavers either wouldn't cut at all or hurt like crazy . If I skip a day with this shaver , it still cuts well , just takes a minute longer or so to finish . I tried skipping 2 days to see what it would do . It worked , it didn't hurt and I only had to use the trimmer on a few hairs that just wouldn't stand up . That was pretty amazing !
I'm impressed with the linear motor . Its light and it definitely sounds like it is moving much faster than other shavers with traditional motors . This shaver sounds much different than anything else I've used .
The build quality seems good and fairly solid . The only two complaints I would have about this shaver at this point is that I only get about 20 shaves per charge ( Remington MS - 5500 went nearly 40 ) and you can't run the shaver from the charger . It does have a 1 shave quick charge , but I would have preferred that they made the body a little larger , add another battery and a large enough charger to run off of . That being said , I'd buy it again in a heart beat and I like it enough that I'll replace the battery when it dies in a few years .
Previous shavers I've owned : Remington MS - 5500 ( 3 years + ) , Remington MS3 - 4700 ( 2 years ) , various Norelco rotaries .
079 4 Have owned this for about a month and this is the best shaver I have ever owned . It shaves closer and is less irritating than anything else I've had . I've preferred Remington screen shavers over the Norelco rotaries due to the closer shave that the screen gives me , but this shaver can shave closer than I thought was possible with an electric . I would say that most of the time , 5 hours after I shave with this , my beard feels about the same as it did immediately after shaving with my Remington .
Panasonic claims that these are the sharpest blades they've ever made and I believe them . While shaving , there is less drag than I've had with other shavers and that along with the cutting sound definitely leads me to believe that these blades are slicing through the hair much easier than my old shaver . Additionally , I've noticed that it cuts longer hair much easier as well . Previously , if I skipped a day , shaving with my other shavers was a bit tough . If I skipped more than that I would either have to use the sideburns trimmer or use a blade - the other shavers either wouldn't cut at all or hurt like crazy . If I skip a day with this shaver , it still cuts well , just takes a minute longer or so to finish . I tried skipping 2 days to see what it would do . It worked , it didn't hurt and I only had to use the trimmer on a few hairs that just wouldn't stand up . That was pretty amazing !
I'm impressed with the linear motor . Its light and it definitely sounds like it is moving much faster than other shavers with traditional motors . This shaver sounds much different than anything else I've used .
The build quality seems good and fairly solid . The only two complaints I would have about this shaver at this point is that I only get about 20 shaves per charge ( Remington MS - 5500 went nearly 40 ) and you can't run the shaver from the charger . It does have a 1 shave quick charge , but I would have preferred that they made the body a little larger , add another battery and a large enough charger to run off of . That being said , I'd buy it again in a heart beat and I like it enough that I'll replace the battery when it dies in a few years .
Previous shavers I've owned : Remington MS - 5500 ( 3 years + ) , Remington MS3 - 4700 ( 2 years ) , various Norelco rotaries .
080 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've not owned that many electrics maybe three but this one is the best by far . It doesn't require excessive pressure to produce results and the time required isn't objectionable . I like the fact that it is cleaned by washing it under the water nozzle , both the hand set and the separate blade cover can be quickly cleaned . Amazon promotes a needless option for cleaning so be aware when the web site steers you to available options .
082 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have used Braun ( Synchro ) and Norelco ( Arcitec ) shavers for the last few years and haven't tried a Panasonic for at least 10 years . I always liked the Panasonic Linear shavers except for their battery life .
This one is a bit better with respect to battery life getting about 12 - 14 shaves per charge where past experience would have me charging at least once a week .
The most noticeable difference between this shaver and the others is the speed . It takes less time to get a good shave with this razor than with any other razor I have tried . It shaves as close as any other but most times I can shave in under 3 minutes even after a full weekend's growth . The Norelco Arcitec in contrast takes me over 6 minutes of going over and over my beard to get a full shave .
The Norelco's battery life is at least 3 to 4 times the Panasonic , going over a month between charges . This is little consolation when spending more than twice as much time shaving .
All in all this Arc IV is the best shave I have tried to date . My time ( especially in the morning before work ) is very valuable to me and this razor shave close , fast and without the irritation of going over and over the same areas .
083 4 I have used Braun ( Synchro ) and Norelco ( Arcitec ) shavers for the last few years and haven't tried a Panasonic for at least 10 years . I always liked the Panasonic Linear shavers except for their battery life .
This one is a bit better with respect to battery life getting about 12 - 14 shaves per charge where past experience would have me charging at least once a week .
The most noticeable difference between this shaver and the others is the speed . It takes less time to get a good shave with this razor than with any other razor I have tried . It shaves as close as any other but most times I can shave in under 3 minutes even after a full weekend's growth . The Norelco Arcitec in contrast takes me over 6 minutes of going over and over my beard to get a full shave .
The Norelco's battery life is at least 3 to 4 times the Panasonic , going over a month between charges . This is little consolation when spending more than twice as much time shaving .
All in all this Arc IV is the best shave I have tried to date . My time ( especially in the morning before work ) is very valuable to me and this razor shave close , fast and without the irritation of going over and over the same areas .
085 4 I'm a longtime wetshaver . I have sensitive acne prone skin that's treated with topical medications . I also have a thick beard . As a result , it used to take me a long time to wetshave . I used to use an old fashioned italian barber's shave cream that I lathered up in my hands , and used a Gillette Sensor XL . I lathered up twice , shaving once with the grain , and a second time across . I never shaved against the grain so despite my routine , a lot of hair on my cheek wouldn't get cut short enough but I lived with it . For whatever reason , I decided to try electric . I was skeptical .
I started with the Braun Series 5 I got from Costco . Although the box said series five , I found out a few days later that it was actually the old 360 Complete in a Series 5 box . Anyway , after a couple of days the shave wasn't bad . It was close enough to where I decided never to go back to wetshaving . I could shave in 2 minutes instead of 10 ! Plus it had the cool auto-clean system .
Well I read a few more reviews , and found that 99% of people preferred the Panasonic ' Arc IV ' over anything else . With nothing to lose , I bought the Panasonic and decided between the two , I'd return the weaker link . I really did NOT want to like the panasonic . It didn't come with a cleaning stand , and above all , I couldn't use it while plugged into the wall . Nevertheless , I tried the Panasonic this morning with a DRY shave , and decided I'm returning the Braun . The Panasonic cut CLOSER than I could get with my blade , with no burn ( I had some slight skin sensitivity / discomfort after using the Braun 5 ) . It was also much quicker . It curves around my jawline where the Braun would not ( The Braun left enough hairs straggling to where my wife noticed them ) . I had to go at them with my blade . Not so with the Panasonic . I would say once every few days I'll use the blade around the neck because no electric will do that well in that area .
I considered the Braun Series 7 but the Panasonic cost me $115 or so from Bed Bath and Beyond with their ubiquitous 20% off coupons + + plus a return policy that can't be beat - - - no limit to when you can return . So if this thing craps out , guess where it's going back to for an exchange ?
Bottom Line : despite a major boneheaded design flaw ( can't use while plugged in ) this thing makes up for it with the quality of the shave . When comparing to a traditional wetshave with a blade going with and across the grain , the Panasonic will be the same if not marginally closer . Nothing will cut closer than a blade going against the grain , though , but do you really need to go that close and get bumps ?
As far as the cleaning stand , I'll order one from Panasonic .
086 4 I decided to get this model instead of the ES8103S solely on the fact that it had 4 blades instead of 3 . When opened you see 2 inner blades attached to the main unit , and 2 blades attached to the foil . I was expecting 4 inner blades , but I am pleased to say this unit is as advertised and is the BEST electric razor I have owned in my 20 plus years of owning one . This is my3rd or 4th Panasonic and they have all been the wet / dry types , the last one being the Smooth Operator ES718 , which was not my favorite .
It did not take long to charge this unit , probably about an hour as advertised on the box . I do not think it's too loud at all as some reviewers have said . It sounds nicer than the old ES718 , more like happy bees buzzing rather than irritated wasps ! At 42 I still have sensitive skin , and I prefer going every other day between shaves , particularly with a Mach 4 and cream . But now I don't mind using this unit every day and I look forward to it ! I seem to average just over 4 minutes per shave and the feeling is very smooth . I don't feel it tugging at my skin or hurting it in any way . The head pivots very nicely and it stays on my skin with no problem . I am very impressed with the lack of irritation and the closeness of the shave , the closest I have ever gotten from an electric . I rarely use wet / dry units with cream , but I did try it in the shower once and it worked well , if you use some soap for lubricant .
Minor issues : The head is big , and the only thing that the ES718 seemed to be better at was shaving the mustache area . This unit takes a bit of maneuvering to get that area clean , but overall , not that bad . My first charge lasted 2 weeks , and there is a battery indicator , which you should look at closely . I didn't and expected the unit to sound like it was slowing down before it cut out . Not at all . It sounds like it's fully charged and will die on you in under 10 seconds , and you cannot connect it to the wall outlet and use at the same time . I would have loved to see this razor at a store to look at , but for whatever reason I can't find many Panasonics around , other than their lower priced ones , and only at Best Buy . But I took a chance and got this at a great price at Amazon , and it was delivered only 2 days after ordering , and at the standard free shipping rate . WOW !
I've had it for less than a month and I love it . It's very attractive with its blue and silver colors . It is very easy to clean . I get a much better shave with foil compared to a rotary . I was given a Remington PowerClean Titanium R - 1000 a couple years ago , and I just didn't care for it's performance at all and it irritated me no matter how long I used it . I am very happy I purchased the Panasonic ES8243A and I will be getting many good years out of this razor . I highly recommend it .
087 4 I bought the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV electric shaver . The first day I shaved dry and wasn't that impressed - I got the same shave as I got with any other electric shaver ( I own Norelco rotary and Remington shavers ) . The second day I tried wet shaving . I lathered up with a bit of shave cream , started shaving and WOW ! The shave was fast and comparable to a shave with a razor blade . I'm sold on the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV electric shaver . It's the best I've ever had . My Norelco and Remingtons have been retired .
089 4 I purchased this shaver ( model 8243A ) this past May 2009 . It's my third Panasonic shaver . I've tried Brauns , Norelcos , and even a Grundig shaver over the years , but Panasonic seems to be the best - for me at least . I have sensitive skin , so shaving in the shower works best to keep the blades cool and delivers an irritation free , very close shave ( try this shaver in combination with a little Billy Jealousy Hydroplane Shaving Cream for a truly close , irritation free shave ) . I would say an even better shave than the Gillette Fusion because I experience absolutely no minor cuts or irritation when using the Panasonic . ( I only use the Gillette when I forget to charge my shaver ! )
Like I said , I purchased this shaver this past May , and five months later the LCD began displaying unintelligible readings . Then the shaver just died - it wouldn't turn on . I've never had that sort of problem with my Panasonics in the past , and since it was still well within the 2 year warranty , I contacted Panasonic by phone . I was instructed to ship the shaver to their service center in Texas . About 2 weeks later , I received a new replacement shaver in the mail , and get this , Panasonic sent me a brand spankin ' new model ES8249K - the Arc 4 Nanotech shaver with the Vortex cleaning system . I was a little annoyed by the turn around time , but it was obviously worth the wait ! The ES8249K shaves exactly the same as the 8243A - it's the same shaver but just can be used in the Vortex , whereas the 8243A can't . Thanks Panasonic for your awesome shaving product and awesome customer support ! You've got a loyal customer in me , and like Ahhnold in The Terminator , I'll be baaaack when it's time to purchase my next shaver ! : - )
090 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I purchased this shaver based solely on the reviews I read on Amazon for my husband who has not owned an electric shaver for many years . He loves it ! It provides a close shave in or out of the shower ( without first-use irritation ) and he likes the convenience of the battery charge display and that it that it holds a charge for two or three weeks ; no need to leave it sitting in a charging base . Thanks Amazon reviewers !
091 4 I purchased this shaver based solely on the reviews I read on Amazon for my husband who has not owned an electric shaver for many years . He loves it ! It provides a close shave in or out of the shower ( without first-use irritation ) and he likes the convenience of the battery charge display and that it that it holds a charge for two or three weeks ; no need to leave it sitting in a charging base . Thanks Amazon reviewers !
092 4 I've been blade shaving since I started shaving ( 68 yrs old ) . I've tried several electrics but I was not satisifed with any of them so when the wet / dry shavers came along I thought I'd give this one a try . I purchased it in December ' 09 and I wanted to use it a while so I waited until to write this review so I could give it a fair rating .
I will have to say that I was impressed from the start , but I do have some recomendations though . When wet shaving reduce your lather by 3 / 4 and keep your lather wet and thin . A lot of thick lather seems to clog up the head somewhat . I also have tried shaving using just warm water but using just a little lather seems to work a lot better . I sometimes dry shave whenever I just want a quick touch-up and I believe that using a pre-shave lotion such as Williams Lectric Shave works well this way .
About 6 months or so after purchasing the razer all the read-outs started staying lit when the shaver was in use . This didn't bother me to much and didn't seem to affect the performance of the razer but I contacted Panasonic anyway just to make them aware of the problem . Their response was NONE . I sent them another e-mail a couple of weeks ago and still no response .
So I would say that this is a 5 - star razer and comes with 0 - star customer service .
Bottom line is this shaver will give you good close shaves , not as close as a blade but by the same token it does not remove as much skin as a blade does either .
093 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
First , I have read comments that these reviews are fake . I can't speak for other reviewers , but I am an actual customer with no connection to Panasonic .
I have been shaving with electric shavers for almost 10 years ( two Norelcos and the Braun Activator , which started to die on me about two months ago - - a slow painful death ) . While these shavers got the job done , the results were not great . With the Activator , for example , it would sometimes take me more than 20 minutes to shave , and it wasn't rare for my neck to appear very red .
The Arc IV is a different story . I have owned it for less than two weeks , and my face already feels better . It takes less time to shave , less passes , and because it can be used wet , there is less irritation . It's also not as noisy as the Braun ( but louder than Norelco ) .
So far , I have shaved with shaving cream ( good ) and shaving oil ( excellent ) . I will try a dry shave in the future , but for now , I am enjoying the fact that I have what I think is a better option with the wet shave .
I did like the automatic cleaning with the Braun , but it was noisy and bulky . The Arc IV does require a little more cleaning effort ( put some liquid handsoap on the outer foils , turn it on until it foams , rinse it , take the foil off , rinse the blades and let it dry ) , but it's not a big deal . I also got tired of spending $12 every two months for Braun's cleaning solution .
I highly recommend this !
UPDATE : Still satisfied almost three months later . I've been using it dry ( with pre-shave ) and the results are incredible . Every once in a while I shave wet , but only because the mood strikes - - not out of necessity . I do find that if I use too much pre-shave , the alcohol will cause a little more redness than normal .
094 4 First , I have read comments that these reviews are fake . I can't speak for other reviewers , but I am an actual customer with no connection to Panasonic .
I have been shaving with electric shavers for almost 10 years ( two Norelcos and the Braun Activator , which started to die on me about two months ago - - a slow painful death ) . While these shavers got the job done , the results were not great . With the Activator , for example , it would sometimes take me more than 20 minutes to shave , and it wasn't rare for my neck to appear very red .
The Arc IV is a different story . I have owned it for less than two weeks , and my face already feels better . It takes less time to shave , less passes , and because it can be used wet , there is less irritation . It's also not as noisy as the Braun ( but louder than Norelco ) .
So far , I have shaved with shaving cream ( good ) and shaving oil ( excellent ) . I will try a dry shave in the future , but for now , I am enjoying the fact that I have what I think is a better option with the wet shave .
I did like the automatic cleaning with the Braun , but it was noisy and bulky . The Arc IV does require a little more cleaning effort ( put some liquid handsoap on the outer foils , turn it on until it foams , rinse it , take the foil off , rinse the blades and let it dry ) , but it's not a big deal . I also got tired of spending $12 every two months for Braun's cleaning solution .
I highly recommend this !
UPDATE : Still satisfied almost three months later . I've been using it dry ( with pre-shave ) and the results are incredible . Every once in a while I shave wet , but only because the mood strikes - - not out of necessity . I do find that if I use too much pre-shave , the alcohol will cause a little more redness than normal .
095 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
i like to shave with a wet face , so based on the good reviews this shaver had received i went ahead and bought it . Frankly , i did not expect such a close shave . The shave is comfortable , fast and very close even in the areas like the chin and neck where tradititionally i could not get a very close shave . In the past I was using a norelco coolskin for years and i was quite happy with it , very durable , fairly close shave although not very close around the neck and chin . Then i bought an arcitec which i regretted since the shave was very poor and the shaver very expensive . I have had the 8243 for two weeks now and i am really surpised at how close the shave is . It is a great product , excellent price and the battery is good as i have used it 10 times now it still has 30% to go . The only disadvantage is the noise , it is certainly louder than my previous two electric shavers but not enough to give it anything less than 5 stars rating .
097 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I was cautiously optimistic about the performance of the shaver when I ordered it .
It shaves as close as a blade and performs better than I expected ! quiet comfortable to hold and the floating head maked it a breaze to use .
I highly recommend it .
098 4 I was cautiously optimistic about the performance of the shaver when I ordered it .
It shaves as close as a blade and performs better than I expected ! quiet comfortable to hold and the floating head maked it a breaze to use .
I highly recommend it .
100 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I got the Panasonic ES8228S . My dad refuses to use electric shavers as they always irritate his face . He liked the ES8228S so much that I got him the Panasonic ES8243A .
Pro : Very close shave . Little irritation , even for sensitive faces . Waterproof means it easy to clean . Little vibration . The handle is lightly textured making it easier to grip , even with slippery hands .
Con : It does not used the nice induction charger that the ES8066 used . However , the plug in charger is much more compact and easier to travel with . Since it needs charging only once a week or so , it is not much of a con either .
101 4 I got the Panasonic ES8228S . My dad refuses to use electric shavers as they always irritate his face . He liked the ES8228S so much that I got him the Panasonic ES8243A .
Pro : Very close shave . Little irritation , even for sensitive faces . Waterproof means it easy to clean . Little vibration . The handle is lightly textured making it easier to grip , even with slippery hands .
Con : It does not used the nice induction charger that the ES8066 used . However , the plug in charger is much more compact and easier to travel with . Since it needs charging only once a week or so , it is not much of a con either .
102 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is my fifth Panasonic wet / dry shaver that I had since 1997 . I like what they have done with product and all the new features . I have thick facial hair and if this could give me a smooth shave , then it will be very convenient for others with less irritation and no cuts . Since I put a lot of miles on it , it usually doesn't last more than two years ( I noticed that the rechargeable battery loses its capacity to hold power over time ) .
Overall , I like the product and I would never try anything but a Panasonic shaver .
103 4 This is my fifth Panasonic wet / dry shaver that I had since 1997 . I like what they have done with product and all the new features . I have thick facial hair and if this could give me a smooth shave , then it will be very convenient for others with less irritation and no cuts . Since I put a lot of miles on it , it usually doesn't last more than two years ( I noticed that the rechargeable battery loses its capacity to hold power over time ) .
Overall , I like the product and I would never try anything but a Panasonic shaver .
104 4 I ordered the Panasonic ES8243 Arc IV nano from Amazon . I usually shave dry . This shaver is very good , better than my Braun 7 series . My skin does not feel hot and I have not experienced shaving nicks .
The only cons that I can think off is that the plastic cover over the shaver foil is difficult to remove without removing the foil as well
105 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have had probably six Panasonic Wet / Dry . They keep getting better , though everyone i have has had probably less than a year of battery life . The shave is the best I have had , but the jury is still out on battery life . Hopefully this one will be longer
107 4 Great razor ! Been using electrics for 40 years and this is the best I've ever had . Haven't tried it wet , but cleaning under the tap with a little liquid soap is great .
Reccommend to anyone . Even my wife likes it !
108 4 This razor is better than my previous Panasonic razor . The battery in my old Panasonic ES8152 has a short life after over 5 years of use . I decided to try this new ES8243A since I was so happy with my previous razor . All I can say is that the shave is better and I don't have to make as many passes . I shave my head and my face on a daily basis so my previous razor was used well over 2000 times without a flaw . I always use the razor wet for that very smooth close shave . My friends do not believe that I use an electric on my head . I could continue my old razor but I wanted to upgrade . Very good product .
109 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is a very good electric shaver . It takes a little while ( 3 - 4 minutes ) , but it leaves my face as clean shaven as a razor ; although the razor does seem to do it more quickly . I do like to shave in the morning before I leave for the gym or a workout , and on those mornings the electric shaver is just so much easier to use .
110 4 This is a very good electric shaver . It takes a little while ( 3 - 4 minutes ) , but it leaves my face as clean shaven as a razor ; although the razor does seem to do it more quickly . I do like to shave in the morning before I leave for the gym or a workout , and on those mornings the electric shaver is just so much easier to use .
111 4 This razor is simply the best electric razor I have owned . My previous razor , a two year old Philips Norelco arcitec , while still functioning fine it is underpowered and unable to keep up with my shaving needs . With longer periods of time in-between shaving the arcitech lagged behind and would end up taking forever to shave while pulling way too many hairs .
The Panasonic Arc IV is a wonderful razor that was able to keep up with my shaving needs whether wet or dry . I am very happy with this purchase and plan on buying Panasonic from now on for all of my electric razor needs .
112 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've been a Panasonic man for over 15 years . I buy the newest model when it comes out and by far this is the best shaver that Panasonic has produced to date . This particular packaging is one off the top of the line . The only difference is the top model comes with a self cleaning bath system . I prefer to clean my shaver with liquid dish soap myself . I have tried the Bruan with the solvent auto cleaning system and its just a toy , and the refill cartridges are pricey.Obiously I'm the husband of Nurse Nancy .
114 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have used Panasonic electric razors for several years . From time to time I have tried other brands , including top of the line Braun models , but I always came back to Panasonic as the best overall for me at least . I was pretty satisfied with my current Panasonic , a triple blade Arc nano unit ( 8109 ) . However , I saw some unusually good reviews for this new Arc IV model that led me to try it . I have to agree with the reviews I saw . This model is clearly the best Panasonic has ever made , and better than any other brand that I have tried . I don't know if it is the wider head , something about the extra blade in the center , or some other design change - - but this model gives a closer shave with fewer strokes . I noticed the difference the first time I used it . It is easy to clean under the faucet ( no need for those cleaning bath units ) , and it has a nice display on the razor that shows not only battery time remaining but also elapsed time and other indicators .
Just FYI , this razor has two conventional blades that are mounted separately under the cover and replaced separately . The other two blades are built into the cover . One of those appears similar to the one on triple blade models intended to cut longer hairs . The other appears more conventional from the outside , but is still integrated in the cover . I am not sure why this was done , but it seems to work .
115 4 I have used Panasonic electric razors for several years . From time to time I have tried other brands , including top of the line Braun models , but I always came back to Panasonic as the best overall for me at least . I was pretty satisfied with my current Panasonic , a triple blade Arc nano unit ( 8109 ) . However , I saw some unusually good reviews for this new Arc IV model that led me to try it . I have to agree with the reviews I saw . This model is clearly the best Panasonic has ever made , and better than any other brand that I have tried . I don't know if it is the wider head , something about the extra blade in the center , or some other design change - - but this model gives a closer shave with fewer strokes . I noticed the difference the first time I used it . It is easy to clean under the faucet ( no need for those cleaning bath units ) , and it has a nice display on the razor that shows not only battery time remaining but also elapsed time and other indicators .
Just FYI , this razor has two conventional blades that are mounted separately under the cover and replaced separately . The other two blades are built into the cover . One of those appears similar to the one on triple blade models intended to cut longer hairs . The other appears more conventional from the outside , but is still integrated in the cover . I am not sure why this was done , but it seems to work .
116 4 To put this review in perspective , my previous shaver that I owned for over 5 years was a Norelco 6885XL Quadra Shaver . My Norelco gave excellent shaves but the battery was dying and the head shell and blades needed replacement . So after reading all the stellar reviews on the Panasonic ES8243K , I decided to give it a whirl . [ My shaver is identical to the ES8243A but in black . It was originally offered without the HydraClean system , which I think is unnecessary . ] When it arrived in the mail , I was happy to see Panasonic is using eco-friendly all cardboard packaging .
Both my old Norelco and the Panasonic are very ergonomic . I decided to use the ES8243K dry for the first couple week to be able to compare apples to apples . The Norelco gave me a close shave but the Panasonic was even closer and more consistent over all parts of the face and neck . And each day during the first three days of use , it seemed to shave a little closer . I didn't find it to be any quieter than the Norelco , just a different sound . The Norelco left my face just mildly irritated but the Panasonic was considerably more irritating for the first three days . After my skin adjusted to the change , I found it to be less irritating than the Norelco . I have a thick beard but sensitive combination ( normal / oily ) skin .
The second week I tried using shaving cream . This is the first time I've used shaving cream with an electric razor . It seems to shave slightly closer than when I shaved dry . But the main benefit is no irritation at all after shaving . No need to use an after-shave anymore - - just a good organic moisturizer . What works best for my skin and beard is to first shower , then wash my face with a good quality organic facial wash or exfoliant . Then I pour hot water into my shaving scuttle I bought from Dirty Bird Pottery . Next , I create a lather with Classic Shaving Cream ( unscented ) and a Rooney best quality badger brush . These products are relatively expensive when compared to drug store brands , but they last quite a while because I have to use only a small amount each time . Plus they're hypoallergenic , the shave is very close , and my face doesn't feel irritated afterwards . The shaving head has a locked and unlocked position . I really don't notice a difference in the shave . I just leave it unlocked and the head flexes slightly . I like to shave once , not going over the same area a lot . Then I re-lather and go over my face and neck a second time . Now the trick to a really close shave is to shave the neck and chin in a direction 90º from how you shaved before re-lathering . After shaving , I rinse with warm , then cold water to close the pores . And I apply an organic moisturizer . The last step is very important to protect the skin and I have no idea why a lot of men don't use a moisturizer .
Cleaning is easy and just takes a little over a minute . Apologies , I can't compare the shave to a safety razor since I don't use one . I doubt that it's quite as close as a Feather single edge double-blade but there's always trade-offs . I paid $200 because I bought it when it first came out - - no complaints . It's a bargain at it's current price .
Cons : There is no stand for the razor so that it can rest vertically and take up less shelf space . It would also look nicer on the shelf . Panasonic should design and offer a stand with a clip or something to hold the outer foil shell while it's drying after cleaning . The other problem is that the lighted read-out for minutes shaved and percentage of charge left should be brighter to be able to read it in a brightly lit room . It's a little hard to read because my bathroom has a skylight .
117 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Shaves faster and smoother than any others I've owned . Best feature is the waterproofness for wet-shaving and for cleaning . Longer battery life would be nice . Comfortable to hold . Works especially well for hacking off multi-day growth without pulling or irritation ( I often skip days ) . Would have given 5 stars if battery life was better , if it could operate in corded mode , and if it could truly live up to its shave smooth in a single pass claims , which are a bit exaggerated ( need to add and even smoother with an additional 5 or 6 passes ) .
118 4 Shaves faster and smoother than any others I've owned . Best feature is the waterproofness for wet-shaving and for cleaning . Longer battery life would be nice . Comfortable to hold . Works especially well for hacking off multi-day growth without pulling or irritation ( I often skip days ) . Would have given 5 stars if battery life was better , if it could operate in corded mode , and if it could truly live up to its shave smooth in a single pass claims , which are a bit exaggerated ( need to add and even smoother with an additional 5 or 6 passes ) .
119 4 Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
I have been shaving with electric shavers for over 40 years because I never found a blade system that was comfortable for my skin . During those years I have owned almost every conceivable shaver made by either Braun or Norelco . Once my Braun died recently I decided to do some reviews and was about to settle on either another top of the line Braun or Norelco until I saw the written reviews for the Panasonic Wet / Dry electric shaver . I was impressed by the almost uniform raves and at about half the price I took a chance and bought one together with Billy Jealousy shave cream . As with all electric shavers the insert cautioned that it might take around 30 days for my beard to adjust . News Flash - it was immediate . I have never had such a close , smooth and irritation free shave in my life . The neat thing is that you can shave in the shower , rinse off the shaver as you use it and be done in a very short time . I can't say enough good things about it . If you are on the fence in making a decision about your next purchase , give this one a try . I don't think you will be disappointed .
121 4 Have used various Norelco shavers all my life , except for a time with a Braun . This Panasonic far outperforms them in comfort and closeness of shave .
Bought same for my grandson , whose face breaks out using other shavers . He loves the Panasonic , because it does not cause the skin problem that other shavers do .
123 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
mom & i bought this for dad for his 88th birthday . he says he has never had a better shave in his life using this razor ! mom & i are so happy we bought it for him now . at first we were skeptical because of the new technology and i will say that if there was anything bad about this purchase it would be the instructions are a bit overwhelming for older folks . however , once he had it charged and ready , he says its the greatest ! he loves the optional wet / dry features and he says its really easy on his face . . . easier than anything he has ever used . it has been a perfect gift for him ! !
125 4 I have been using Panasonic wet / dry razors for 20 years . I have always been pleased with the quality and reliability of their product . I have not purchased any of their razors over the $50 price point but that comes with drawbacks . You only get one shaving head and no indicator of how much charge is left .
This time I had a couple of Amazon gift cards and used them on this model ( ES8243A Arc IV Nano - Blue ) . I didn't want the model with the cleaning cartridge thing ( that's what soap and water are for ) or a large charging station taking up valuable counter space in my bathroom .
After just a few uses I can't believe how close the shave actually is . I will say that even though I have used Panasonic razors all these years there is still a period of adjustment for your face and some razor burn is part of that .
A big plus is the LARGE shaving head - powered by 2 razors underneath , and the digital readout displaying how much charge is left . Even if it goes to zero it takes no more than 1 hour to put it back at 100% good enough for at least 5 shaves ( a big improvement on what I was using ) even a 5 - 10 minute charge should be enough to get you by in a hurry .
I am very glad I purchased it , so is my wife . Definitely worthy of 5 stars .
127 4 I rarely use electric shavers as they have never shaved as close as a blade in my opinion . That is until now ! It really does shave as close as my gillette fusion system . I simply wet my face as i do with blade shaving , and start shaving for a shave as close as the blade . I have not tried using shaving foam or gel with the Arc IV , but am amazed it worked this well . The trimmer is especially useful to me also as i have sideburns . The battery seems to last a very long time too , at least 20 shaves , and the unit is very quiet compared to other braun and Norelco's i have tried .
I would highly recommend this shaver to those who are used to blade shaving as it is very close to a wet shave , but less messy and quicker . To get a closer shave with a blade , i would probably need to spend 15 minutes to shave twice !
129 4 For many years I have been a Phillips Norelco electric razor user . The Panasonic ES8243A has changed all that . It cuts facial hair like a five bladed razor , leaving a close ,
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
smooth , finished shave . Something I could never seemt to get with the Norelco .
Kudos to Panasonic for creating a great product .
130 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have been using Panasonic wet-dry electric shavers ever since they first came out in the 1970 ' s . They have steadily improved through the years , both in battery strength and shaving performance . I have always used shaving cream as it gives the smoothest and most comfortable shave . This shaver replaces a previous nano , 3 - blade model that I used for 2 years . This 4 - blade shaver is by far the best Panasonic model that I have used . It gives me a very smooth , comfortable shave and I get about 14 shaves on a full charge . I highly recommend this shaver .
132 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
After three weeks I am impressed with my first Panasonic shaver . It consistently shaves close even during the more humid days . I will see how it holds up as relates to closeness and blade change out . I am pleased that I switched from Braun and thought I received good value for my purchase .
134 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I am a Norelco Rotary Shaver guy , and i was very scab tic about buying the Panasonic ES8243A . But Belief me if I say it is the best shaver i ever had . it save me Time and and Pain . go a head get it you will love it . and AMAZON had the cheapest price .
135 4 I am a Norelco Rotary Shaver guy , and i was very scab tic about buying the Panasonic ES8243A . But Belief me if I say it is the best shaver i ever had . it save me Time and and Pain . go a head get it you will love it . and AMAZON had the cheapest price .
136 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have always used Norelco before and decided to try the Panasonic due to the good ratings . It gives a very nice shave and I am very happy with it .
137 4 I have always used Norelco before and decided to try the Panasonic due to the good ratings . It gives a very nice shave and I am very happy with it .
138 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Very close shave ! I feel like I shaved an hour or two ago after using this shaver . It leaves a tiny bit of stubble behind , but shaves WAY closer than anything else I have ever used .
* * * Shipped faster than anything I have purchased on Amazon ! ( APO ADDRESS )
Worth every penny and then some !
I originally was looking for an electric shaver to maintain a shorter beard throughout the day since I am working 12 hour shifts now . I bought this preshave lotion after reading some info about how much closer of a shave it will give you .
Mennen Afta Pre-Electric original 3 FL OZ ( PACK OF 2 )
The combonation of these two products has changed how I will shave forever . I don't think I will ever use anything else ever again . I have such faith in this product after just 2 weeks of use that I bought one for my Step Dad for Father's Day : )
139 4 Very close shave ! I feel like I shaved an hour or two ago after using this shaver . It leaves a tiny bit of stubble behind , but shaves WAY closer than anything else I have ever used .
* * * Shipped faster than anything I have purchased on Amazon ! ( APO ADDRESS )
Worth every penny and then some !
I originally was looking for an electric shaver to maintain a shorter beard throughout the day since I am working 12 hour shifts now . I bought this preshave lotion after reading some info about how much closer of a shave it will give you .
Mennen Afta Pre-Electric original 3 FL OZ ( PACK OF 2 )
The combonation of these two products has changed how I will shave forever . I don't think I will ever use anything else ever again . I have such faith in this product after just 2 weeks of use that I bought one for my Step Dad for Father's Day : )
140 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the best shaver I ever had but if you are using manual razors think twice before buying any electric razor because shaving with good manual razor can be faster , cleaner and cheaper .
142 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Great shaver much better than the Braun it replaced .
Very close baby face shave . The shaver holds its charge very well .
It also very easy to clean .
143 4 Great shaver much better than the Braun it replaced .
Very close baby face shave . The shaver holds its charge very well .
It also very easy to clean .
144 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the best shaver I have ever used . No irritation or bumps . Works great wet or dry . Cleaning it is also a breeze . It is definitely worth the price . I've tried shavers that cost more and I've spent a ton of money and on regular manual razors . But neither have done as good a job as the Panasonic . It recharges really fast and lasts a good period of time . So far I have not encountered any problems at all . This shaver is a must buy .
146 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Works very well wet or dry . Best electric shaver I've ever owned in the last 30 + years .
147 4 Works very well wet or dry . Best electric shaver I've ever owned in the last 30 + years .
148 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I hate shaving , and I bought the Panasonic ES8243A a few months ago to make the process more convenient . I have never previously owned an electric shaver because I had always heard the standard refrain that you can't get a good , close shave with them . After some extensive use now , I'm pleasantly surprised . I think this shaver debunks that common argument : I have gotten shaves with the ES8243A that are just as close as I ever got with blade shavers . It takes some getting used to , but after you are conditioned to it , the results are great . To get the closest shaves , it's necessary to use a pre-shave treatment ( I use Lectric Shave ) , but I definitely prefer this over using shaving cream with a blade razer .
Aside from fantastic results , the shaver is pretty convenient and requires minimal maintenance . The wet / dry option allows great versatility for use in the shower or on the run ; the battery life is fantastic ( I probably get about 15 - 20 uses between each charge ) ; and cleanup is simple ( a few seconds of washing with cold water and soap ) .
If you're on the fence , take the leap . This is a fantastic product !
149 4 I hate shaving , and I bought the Panasonic ES8243A a few months ago to make the process more convenient . I have never previously owned an electric shaver because I had always heard the standard refrain that you can't get a good , close shave with them . After some extensive use now , I'm pleasantly surprised . I think this shaver debunks that common argument : I have gotten shaves with the ES8243A that are just as close as I ever got with blade shavers . It takes some getting used to , but after you are conditioned to it , the results are great . To get the closest shaves , it's necessary to use a pre-shave treatment ( I use Lectric Shave ) , but I definitely prefer this over using shaving cream with a blade razer .
Aside from fantastic results , the shaver is pretty convenient and requires minimal maintenance . The wet / dry option allows great versatility for use in the shower or on the run ; the battery life is fantastic ( I probably get about 15 - 20 uses between each charge ) ; and cleanup is simple ( a few seconds of washing with cold water and soap ) .
If you're on the fence , take the leap . This is a fantastic product !
150 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the best and closest shaver I have ever bought . I face never needed to adjust to the shaver . It shave smoothly and cleanly from the get go . I love this shaver and highly recommend it ! I used to think rotary shavers were nice until I tried this foil shaver . This foil shaver is MUCH better than anything else !
151 4 This is the best and closest shaver I have ever bought . I face never needed to adjust to the shaver . It shave smoothly and cleanly from the get go . I love this shaver and highly recommend it ! I used to think rotary shavers were nice until I tried this foil shaver . This foil shaver is MUCH better than anything else !
152 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have used electric razors for years and owned only top of the line models . This one truly lives up to its hype . It is very easy on the face and comfortable to hold . Highly recommended .
154 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've had this razor for about five months now . It gives me a smooth shave and requires no real upkeep . I think I've had to recharge it only twice . I keep the plastic guard on the top when it's not in use ; haven't had problems with the top getting dented ( even though I travel with it ) .
155 4 I've had this razor for about five months now . It gives me a smooth shave and requires no real upkeep . I think I've had to recharge it only twice . I keep the plastic guard on the top when it's not in use ; haven't had problems with the top getting dented ( even though I travel with it ) .
156 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the second review of this magnificent razor.The first I wrote after a short while , now I ' ve had it for a while and my thoughts are the same . I had norelco top of the lihne for thirty years with a brief stop at braun . This one right out of the box gave the perfect shave and ahas continued to do so wet or dry ( I do dry except weekends ) . What I am adding here is how well it does the neck . No more regular razor touch up and I have a tough beard ! Easy cleaning too .
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
157 4 This is the second review of this magnificent razor.The first I wrote after a short while , now I ' ve had it for a while and my thoughts are the same . I had norelco top of the lihne for thirty years with a brief stop at braun . This one right out of the box gave the perfect shave and ahas continued to do so wet or dry ( I do dry except weekends ) . What I am adding here is how well it does the neck . No more regular razor touch up and I have a tough beard ! Easy cleaning too .
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
158 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Got this product for about $110 , works as described takes a little getting used to if using electric shaver the first time
159 4 Got this product for about $110 , works as described takes a little getting used to if using electric shaver the first time
160 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have been using this shaver for about 3 weeks . The shaver is much quieter than my older triple foil Remington .
The Panasonic also gives a very close shave . In the past I had to go over my beard about 3 - 5 times , now only twice . The digital timer is an interesting feature . I've noticed that my shaving time is cut in half and that I had very few problems with skin irritation . This is one product that really is worth the money .
161 4 I have been using this shaver for about 3 weeks . The shaver is much quieter than my older triple foil Remington .
The Panasonic also gives a very close shave . In the past I had to go over my beard about 3 - 5 times , now only twice . The digital timer is an interesting feature . I've noticed that my shaving time is cut in half and that I had very few problems with skin irritation . This is one product that really is worth the money .
162 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I had an earlier version of the ES8243A and was hoping for a little more . My earlier version ( forgot the model number ) did not have the electronic display , which I appreciate on the ES8243A . I was hoping for a quicker shave but both models still take me 15 to 20 minutes to get anything close to a shave . I would like to find the guy that shaves in 3 minutes and gets 14 shaves per charge as the instruction manual suggests . I get at most 4 shaves per charge and usually 3 . So I am afraid to travel without bringing the charge cord with me . I really like the wet / dry shaving system - although I cannot see how anyone shaves in the shower given the shaving time - Al Gore would never approve . I will never go back to a dry only shaving system . Amazon did have the best price I could find .
163 4 I had an earlier version of the ES8243A and was hoping for a little more . My earlier version ( forgot the model number ) did not have the electronic display , which I appreciate on the ES8243A . I was hoping for a quicker shave but both models still take me 15 to 20 minutes to get anything close to a shave . I would like to find the guy that shaves in 3 minutes and gets 14 shaves per charge as the instruction manual suggests . I get at most 4 shaves per charge and usually 3 . So I am afraid to travel without bringing the charge cord with me . I really like the wet / dry shaving system - although I cannot see how anyone shaves in the shower given the shaving time - Al Gore would never approve . I will never go back to a dry only shaving system . Amazon did have the best price I could find .
164 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Bought it to replace my old Panasonic , which was great . This is better .
Pros : Slides smoother over my face . I don't need to go over each spot several times . Average shave is less than 4 minutes and uses about 10% of it's battery . Recharge is quick . Would buy again
Cons : Lighter weight construction than old shaver . Expensive .
165 4 Bought it to replace my old Panasonic , which was great . This is better .
Pros : Slides smoother over my face . I don't need to go over each spot several times . Average shave is less than 4 minutes and uses about 10% of it's battery . Recharge is quick . Would buy again
Cons : Lighter weight construction than old shaver . Expensive .
166 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I may not be the ideal person to give a review , but I'll try . This is my first electric shaver , and after many years of using a single blade , yes , a single blade , I moved to this thing . I have soft skin and have had a slow-growing beard my whole life until the last year . That's why I've finally moved to an electric . I've always wanted one , but saw no use for it . Heck , I didn't need double blades until last year . Well , like all Panasonic products , this thing works as it claims to . I have strong chin and jaw lines and didn't think this would work so great but the first time I used it , it got everything but the hair on my neck and underchin . I used it wet with shaving cream in the shower . I noticed that the less the shave cream , the better . In fact , this thing cuts better without lather , but won't glide so well on your face , so a little bit of lather is better . Anyways , this shaver cuts well . As for the hair under your chin , you have to go over slowly , but it will get everything if you have a shower mirror to see what's left behind . The trimmer is pretty good , but could be more effective . I use it , but wouldn't suggest it for shaping anything . The shaver is easy to clean too . It looks great with the blue metallic finish . The reasons I got this one are that the others were too expensive , had a cleaning system I didn't want , or weren't of a good enough quality in my opinion . For the $125 I spent , I felt this was the best choice for me , and I feel I made the right decision . I've never been let down by a Panasonic product . Perhaps the top-of-line Braun is better , I wouldn't know , and I really don't care . What I do know is that anything more would be unnecessary for me and if a product has the quality I appreciate , then I'll just stick with it , rather than get something newer or more sophisticated . A great product overall and I'm very happy , but this thing can always perform better of course . For example , for thick beard hair like mine and most guys , you'll have to go over to make sure everything's cut . This happens on all electric shavers b / c some hairs simply will not fit easily through the foil's holes to get cut . But I'm sure this is better than pretty much every other shaver out there except that Braun or something . Still , I'm extremely happy and this is more than enough for the money . As for a product that IS perfect : if anyone who reads this is interested in a hair clipper that will crush pretty much anything else out there , or at the very least cuts just as well , try the Panasonic ER 153A . It's the sickest thing you'll own for grooming . It is cordless and is also of professional quality with ceramic and titanium-coated blades that slice right through hair . ( I have thick hair that always gets comments by barbers and stylists . ) It was the only professional cordless hair cutter I could find at the time ( several years ago ) . It is also extremely lightweight and compact for a professional clipper , not to mention far easier to use with its attachments than American or European clippers . So easy to use that it can be used as a trimmer as well for beards or your crotch hair lol . It's that good . It is ridiculously easy to use and It still works as well as the first day I bought it , seriously . I've easily saved the $180 that cost from not having to go to a barber . I hope this shaver works just as long . If four foils are not necessary for you ( for me it isn't , but it also didn't make the shaver more cumbersome or less precise ) , then the 8103S is your best bet with three foils . I probably would be just as happy with that one as well . The three models that cost more than this were simply too large and sophisticated for me so I passed on them .
167 4 I may not be the ideal person to give a review , but I'll try . This is my first electric shaver , and after many years of using a single blade , yes , a single blade , I moved to this thing . I have soft skin and have had a slow-growing beard my whole life until the last year . That's why I've finally moved to an electric . I've always wanted one , but saw no use for it . Heck , I didn't need double blades until last year . Well , like all Panasonic products , this thing works as it claims to . I have strong chin and jaw lines and didn't think this would work so great but the first time I used it , it got everything but the hair on my neck and underchin . I used it wet with shaving cream in the shower . I noticed that the less the shave cream , the better . In fact , this thing cuts better without lather , but won't glide so well on your face , so a little bit of lather is better . Anyways , this shaver cuts well . As for the hair under your chin , you have to go over slowly , but it will get everything if you have a shower mirror to see what's left behind . The trimmer is pretty good , but could be more effective . I use it , but wouldn't suggest it for shaping anything . The shaver is easy to clean too . It looks great with the blue metallic finish . The reasons I got this one are that the others were too expensive , had a cleaning system I didn't want , or weren't of a good enough quality in my opinion . For the $125 I spent , I felt this was the best choice for me , and I feel I made the right decision . I've never been let down by a Panasonic product . Perhaps the top-of-line Braun is better , I wouldn't know , and I really don't care . What I do know is that anything more would be unnecessary for me and if a product has the quality I appreciate , then I'll just stick with it , rather than get something newer or more sophisticated . A great product overall and I'm very happy , but this thing can always perform better of course . For example , for thick beard hair like mine and most guys , you'll have to go over to make sure everything's cut . This happens on all electric shavers b / c some hairs simply will not fit easily through the foil's holes to get cut . But I'm sure this is better than pretty much every other shaver out there except that Braun or something . Still , I'm extremely happy and this is more than enough for the money . As for a product that IS perfect : if anyone who reads this is interested in a hair clipper that will crush pretty much anything else out there , or at the very least cuts just as well , try the Panasonic ER 153A . It's the sickest thing you'll own for grooming . It is cordless and is also of professional quality with ceramic and titanium-coated blades that slice right through hair . ( I have thick hair that always gets comments by barbers and stylists . ) It was the only professional cordless hair cutter I could find at the time ( several years ago ) . It is also extremely lightweight and compact for a professional clipper , not to mention far easier to use with its attachments than American or European clippers . So easy to use that it can be used as a trimmer as well for beards or your crotch hair lol . It's that good . It is ridiculously easy to use and It still works as well as the first day I bought it , seriously . I've easily saved the $180 that cost from not having to go to a barber . I hope this shaver works just as long . If four foils are not necessary for you ( for me it isn't , but it also didn't make the shaver more cumbersome or less precise ) , then the 8103S is your best bet with three foils . I probably would be just as happy with that one as well . The three models that cost more than this were simply too large and sophisticated for me so I passed on them .
168 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
In the past , I have usually spent $40 - 80 on a razor , but I figured I would spend a little extra and she what I get , and I am so happy I did . This razor is awesome ! ! Well worth the small difference in cost ! !
169 4 In the past , I have usually spent $40 - 80 on a razor , but I figured I would spend a little extra and she what I get , and I am so happy I did . This razor is awesome ! ! Well worth the small difference in cost ! !
170 4 Shaving with an electric can leave your face , and especially your neck , red and raw and you without the smooth results you want . At least this is my experience with them . In the last few years , I've owned and tried several , including Braun and their latest 790cc , a few by panasonic including the ES7037 , and a few others . None of them were very impressive so I approach buying a new shaver with caution . I had a choice to make recently when I left my ES7037 power adapter at a hotel . I could get a new one or get a new shaver . I opted to take my chances with a new shaver . I got the most expensive one Best Buy had to offer ( not recommended since its a lot cheaper here ) in part because it had good reviews here . I ripped it open in the parking lot and began to shave my 2 day old scruff . It had only 10% charge so I seriously doubted I could finish shaving . After about 5 minutes or less I was done and my face and neck were smoother than I can ever remember . Not only was it fast but it was extremely effective and didn't redden my neck like some do . I have to say that this is the best shaver I have ever owned . Oh , and it still had 10% charge left when I was done so it seems to be pretty efficient as well . There are a lot of rave reviews on the 790cc , but it doesn't work so well for me . . . it might for you . If you've tried it and weren't impressed then the Panny might be what you're looking for .
171 4 I had a Braun shaver before this Panasonic - this thing is great ! The Braun required cleaner fluid and a base ( takes up space , always plugged in , had to buy this insane plastic cartridges with fluid ( $10 a pop ) ) .
This thing feels great to me , and I have a considerably closer shave with no irritation . The Braun was fine , but in the end this is one step up in terms of closer shave .
I like the weight , the head flexibility , and the power charge by % ( it also posts time used , sort of interesting in a way ) .
Great shaver - I heartily recommend it !
172 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Several months ago I began a quest to find the best electric razor under about $150 . I had a Norelco and it was pretty good , but for some reason I started to get very particular about the closeness of the shave , which , frankly , is odd for me , because I've never been very good at maintaining a clean shave . However , using an electric razor is kind of fun compared to a blade .
First I tried the highest end Norelco . I was suprised that actually it was no better than the mid range Norelco . One thing to say about the Norelcos is that they are exceedingly quiet . I shaved with this in a hotel room while my toddler was sleeping and she didn't even stir . But it didn't get that close , especially on the neck . And over time , it started to make my skin feel raw after using it , much like after using a dry blade .
I decided to try a foil type electric . I got a Braun 370 . I immediately noticed that it gave a closer shave . It was slightly louder than the Norelcos . But the shave still wasn't perfect . I had to go over and over the same areas and ultimately couldn't get a perfectly clean shave . Everyone I talked to said a really clean shave is impossible with an electric , but I wanted to keep trying . One thing about the Braun is that of the three brands I tried , the clipper on the back ( long hair trimmer ) was by far the best . The thing was like a laser . It cut very well .
Finally , I got this razor , after reading Consumer Reports and lots and lots of reviews . Actually , Consumer Reports gave the highest award to the top of the line Braun , which is also much more expensive than this Panasonic , so I can't say how that razor might compare to this one . But the Panasonic was a close second . When I first tried the Panasonic I knew immediately that it was the best razor I'd tried so far , in terms of the closeness of the cut . It is actually possible with this razor for me to get a completely clean shave - - to rub my hand up and down my cheek and neck , in all directions , and not feel any stubble ! Previously only a blade could do that . Mind you , to achieve that with this razor does take quite a few passes , and you have to learn how to pull your skin to get those tricky hairs , but it can be accomplished in about 3 minutes or less .
As for the wet shaving thing , eh . . . as far as I can tell it's mostly a gimmick . I can understand if you're taking a shower , you could save time shaving while you're in there , but why would you bother to use shaving cream ? It just obscures the job . To me , the point of having an electric is that you can do it without having to lather up your face . I did try it once with shaving cream , but it certainly didn't work any better , and possibly worked slightly less well .
The long hair clipper is ok . Not wonderful like on the Braun , and a bit short - would be handy if it were a little easier to see .
Like the digital screen too . It's the most useful of the three razors .
Not easy with this razor to get close to my mustache / goatee . Some reviewer said something like it's more like a lawnmower than a weed trimmer , and that's true . The margin of my facial hair has become slightly less clean because of this .
However , it's still my favorite electric razor ever .
173 4 Several months ago I began a quest to find the best electric razor under about $150 . I had a Norelco and it was pretty good , but for some reason I started to get very particular about the closeness of the shave , which , frankly , is odd for me , because I've never been very good at maintaining a clean shave . However , using an electric razor is kind of fun compared to a blade .
First I tried the highest end Norelco . I was suprised that actually it was no better than the mid range Norelco . One thing to say about the Norelcos is that they are exceedingly quiet . I shaved with this in a hotel room while my toddler was sleeping and she didn't even stir . But it didn't get that close , especially on the neck . And over time , it started to make my skin feel raw after using it , much like after using a dry blade .
I decided to try a foil type electric . I got a Braun 370 . I immediately noticed that it gave a closer shave . It was slightly louder than the Norelcos . But the shave still wasn't perfect . I had to go over and over the same areas and ultimately couldn't get a perfectly clean shave . Everyone I talked to said a really clean shave is impossible with an electric , but I wanted to keep trying . One thing about the Braun is that of the three brands I tried , the clipper on the back ( long hair trimmer ) was by far the best . The thing was like a laser . It cut very well .
Finally , I got this razor , after reading Consumer Reports and lots and lots of reviews . Actually , Consumer Reports gave the highest award to the top of the line Braun , which is also much more expensive than this Panasonic , so I can't say how that razor might compare to this one . But the Panasonic was a close second . When I first tried the Panasonic I knew immediately that it was the best razor I'd tried so far , in terms of the closeness of the cut . It is actually possible with this razor for me to get a completely clean shave - - to rub my hand up and down my cheek and neck , in all directions , and not feel any stubble ! Previously only a blade could do that . Mind you , to achieve that with this razor does take quite a few passes , and you have to learn how to pull your skin to get those tricky hairs , but it can be accomplished in about 3 minutes or less .
As for the wet shaving thing , eh . . . as far as I can tell it's mostly a gimmick . I can understand if you're taking a shower , you could save time shaving while you're in there , but why would you bother to use shaving cream ? It just obscures the job . To me , the point of having an electric is that you can do it without having to lather up your face . I did try it once with shaving cream , but it certainly didn't work any better , and possibly worked slightly less well .
The long hair clipper is ok . Not wonderful like on the Braun , and a bit short - would be handy if it were a little easier to see .
Like the digital screen too . It's the most useful of the three razors .
Not easy with this razor to get close to my mustache / goatee . Some reviewer said something like it's more like a lawnmower than a weed trimmer , and that's true . The margin of my facial hair has become slightly less clean because of this .
However , it's still my favorite electric razor ever .
174 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Husband shopping for new shaver so I got on Amazon and began reading reviews . . . . purchased this for him a month ago and it is a hit ! ! ! His usual shaving ritual involved first going over his face with an electric shaver and following up with bic throw away to get a close enough shave . . . but left him with skin irritation . . now with this Panasonic , he gets a great close shave and no more skin irritation . No need to follow up . . . I think he is suprised by the great shave . . . He has not tried shaving with shaving cream as some of reviewers suggested , said there is no need , gets close shave without . Having reviews to read before purchasing an item is a money saving feature that I appreciate from Amazon . Thank you
176 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I stopped using electric razors about four years ago because of the irritation it was causing on my face and the inability to achieve a nice close shave . I recently decided to research to try an electric razor again and my criteria was simply an affordable razor that gave a close shave without irritation . I also refused to buy an electric razor that was going to require me to spend more money for cartridges to maintain it . After about one week of shaving with this razor I found it hard to find very much difference between a shave with this and my straight razor and cleaning is as simple as a little soap and water .
I couldn't be happier with this purchase and I would suggest this razor to anyone who is looking for a nice close shave .
177 4 I stopped using electric razors about four years ago because of the irritation it was causing on my face and the inability to achieve a nice close shave . I recently decided to research to try an electric razor again and my criteria was simply an affordable razor that gave a close shave without irritation . I also refused to buy an electric razor that was going to require me to spend more money for cartridges to maintain it . After about one week of shaving with this razor I found it hard to find very much difference between a shave with this and my straight razor and cleaning is as simple as a little soap and water .
I couldn't be happier with this purchase and I would suggest this razor to anyone who is looking for a nice close shave .
178 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I recently switched to this shaver after having used a Braun 7526 for about the last four years . Although the Braun was decent , I never relied on it as my sole means of shaving - - I would periodically use a razor . After seeing high reviews on the Panasonics ( and feeling that it was time to see if technology had evolved ) , I got the Panasonic ES8243A .
I have a fairly heavy beard , unfortunately combined with sensitive skin . This is part of the reason why I alternated between different methods of shaving . The aforementioned Braun could give me a close shave , but it required me to spend about 12 - 15 minutes going over the same areas numerous times . This sometimes led to irritation , especially on the neck . After reading that the Panasonic ES8243A has a much faster motor than the Braun ( and most other electric shavers ) , I hoped to reduce my shaving time while getting a closer , more comfortable shave . I also liked the idea of shaving in the shower , which was not recommended for the Braun .
Ultimately , I have concluded that this Panasonic is considerably better than my old Braun , and is overall an excellent shaver . It does indeed allow me to shave more quickly . I have had the best experience using this shaver in the shower with a small amount of non-foaming shave gel or cream . I recommend King of Shaves Alpha Gel . ( Neutrogena Sensitive Skin also works well , but because it's a white cream rather than a clear gel , it can make it a little harder to see what you are doing compared ) . I can use this shaver in the shower for 5 or 6 minutes and get a closer shave than twice as much time spent with my old Braun - - and I have yet to have a problem with irritation . I'm very pleased so far .
I will say that the advertising claims are nonsense . The box claims that you will get a close shave with one pass . Well , maybe if you have a very light beard . . . For me , the notion of a one-pass , close shave is still an electric shaving fantasy . I can get a very close shave with this Panasonic , but I still have to do a lot more than one pass - - particularly on the neck area . Nonetheless , as far as electric shavers go , this is the best I've used .
Other positives are :
- Very easy to clean ; doesn't require a cleaning system and expensive liquid cartridges ( as my Braun did ) . You clean this Panasonic by putting a little liquid soap on the head , turning it on turbo mode ( which cuts off automatically after 20 seconds ) , and it self-cleans .
- Ergonomically-designed ; it's easy to grip this shaver .
- Nice appearance ; has a high-tech look .
- It charges up quickly . I find that ten minutes of shaving will run down the charge 20% , so you get about 5 shaves on each full charge . The very fast recharging is helpful .
- Made in Japan , not in China .
Minor negatives :
- There is no charging stand ; after cleaning , I lay it on a small , folded towel .
- The included case is adequate , but it's not a leather case as was sometimes provided with shavers in the good old days .
Overall , an excellent shaver but I'm withholding a fifth star because it still requires going over some areas multiple times - - no one pass miracles !
179 4 I recently switched to this shaver after having used a Braun 7526 for about the last four years . Although the Braun was decent , I never relied on it as my sole means of shaving - - I would periodically use a razor . After seeing high reviews on the Panasonics ( and feeling that it was time to see if technology had evolved ) , I got the Panasonic ES8243A .
I have a fairly heavy beard , unfortunately combined with sensitive skin . This is part of the reason why I alternated between different methods of shaving . The aforementioned Braun could give me a close shave , but it required me to spend about 12 - 15 minutes going over the same areas numerous times . This sometimes led to irritation , especially on the neck . After reading that the Panasonic ES8243A has a much faster motor than the Braun ( and most other electric shavers ) , I hoped to reduce my shaving time while getting a closer , more comfortable shave . I also liked the idea of shaving in the shower , which was not recommended for the Braun .
Ultimately , I have concluded that this Panasonic is considerably better than my old Braun , and is overall an excellent shaver . It does indeed allow me to shave more quickly . I have had the best experience using this shaver in the shower with a small amount of non-foaming shave gel or cream . I recommend King of Shaves Alpha Gel . ( Neutrogena Sensitive Skin also works well , but because it's a white cream rather than a clear gel , it can make it a little harder to see what you are doing compared ) . I can use this shaver in the shower for 5 or 6 minutes and get a closer shave than twice as much time spent with my old Braun - - and I have yet to have a problem with irritation . I'm very pleased so far .
I will say that the advertising claims are nonsense . The box claims that you will get a close shave with one pass . Well , maybe if you have a very light beard . . . For me , the notion of a one-pass , close shave is still an electric shaving fantasy . I can get a very close shave with this Panasonic , but I still have to do a lot more than one pass - - particularly on the neck area . Nonetheless , as far as electric shavers go , this is the best I've used .
Other positives are :
- Very easy to clean ; doesn't require a cleaning system and expensive liquid cartridges ( as my Braun did ) . You clean this Panasonic by putting a little liquid soap on the head , turning it on turbo mode ( which cuts off automatically after 20 seconds ) , and it self-cleans .
- Ergonomically-designed ; it's easy to grip this shaver .
- Nice appearance ; has a high-tech look .
- It charges up quickly . I find that ten minutes of shaving will run down the charge 20% , so you get about 5 shaves on each full charge . The very fast recharging is helpful .
- Made in Japan , not in China .
Minor negatives :
- There is no charging stand ; after cleaning , I lay it on a small , folded towel .
- The included case is adequate , but it's not a leather case as was sometimes provided with shavers in the good old days .
Overall , an excellent shaver but I'm withholding a fifth star because it still requires going over some areas multiple times - - no one pass miracles !
180 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
First of all , let me say that this is the first time that I've ever written a review for any product that I purchased on Amazon . However , I purchased this product based on the reviews that it got , and the fact that i was looking to try an electric shaver that was different from the Phillips Norelco , non-foil type shaver , which wasn't that impressive at all as it did not get to all the areas of my face and neck effectively and needed several passes to get even a not so close shave , not to mention the irritation that it would leave on my face .
So I received it today and decided to give it a try . I used it in the shower , and let me tell you that I'm completely blown away . . . . . . . . . . waw ! I heard that one should never expect as close a shave from an electric than from a regular razor , but this is as close a shave that I've ever gotten . I was so impressed by it that I thought that I must spread the word . . . . . . . . Guys , GET ONE OF THESE ! it requires minimal pressure on the skin and the motor is really fast and powerful . Cleanup is a breeze as well . . . . . . . . . Incredible product !
181 4 First of all , let me say that this is the first time that I've ever written a review for any product that I purchased on Amazon . However , I purchased this product based on the reviews that it got , and the fact that i was looking to try an electric shaver that was different from the Phillips Norelco , non-foil type shaver , which wasn't that impressive at all as it did not get to all the areas of my face and neck effectively and needed several passes to get even a not so close shave , not to mention the irritation that it would leave on my face .
So I received it today and decided to give it a try . I used it in the shower , and let me tell you that I'm completely blown away . . . . . . . . . . waw ! I heard that one should never expect as close a shave from an electric than from a regular razor , but this is as close a shave that I've ever gotten . I was so impressed by it that I thought that I must spread the word . . . . . . . . Guys , GET ONE OF THESE ! it requires minimal pressure on the skin and the motor is really fast and powerful . Cleanup is a breeze as well . . . . . . . . . Incredible product !
182 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have been using Braun's for the last 10 - 12 years and I thought I was getting a pretty good shave . I decided to switch to this Panasonic and the difference is unbelievable . I could not get a closer shave , even with a blade . The cleaning process is so simple and it recharges quickly . The unit is comfortable and balanced . I am now a lifetime panasonic user .
184 4 I have been shaving electric since I was 16 and this is my fourth electric shaver . I believe I can provide a unique perspective since my first three were one each of the three major brands , as follows :
1 . Braun - Paid : $80 . Duration : eight years . Demise : battery . Shave : decent , not great but it was also 1989 when I bought it ( it was a single foil ) . Build quality : amazing , a brick , solid .
2 . Panasonic ( can't recall model , but it was a mid-upper model , I think it was a three blade ) . Paid : $70 . Duration : five years . Demise : foil ( didn't replace since cost was about 1 / 2 a new shaver ) . Shave : dry-excellent wet-unbelievably close . Build quality : good overall , but excellent in that it was truly water proof . This was a true winner . I loved this shaver . One might question the duration but I also took it to three continents on multiple trips , it had a hard life .
and for some reason I ventured away from Panasonic to buy a Norelco . . .
3 . Norelco 6891XL . Paid : $95 . Duration : seven and a half years . Demise : foil ( again , almost 8 - yrs old , didn't want to drop $35 on new blades , etc ) . Shave : mediocre - I always struggled getting a decent shave from this razor , I pretty much hated it from day one wishing I bought another panasonic . Build : Very good . Not bad , but not impressive .
So given my experience , I decided to repurchase a Panasonic , the ES8243a . Paid : $75 ( ebay NIB ) . I am in disbelief as to how good this shaver is . Yes , there's no such thing as a perfect shaver ( no such thing as a one pass shaver on the neck ) , but it's amazingly good . And it's as good as a dry shaver as my first Panasonic used as a wet shaver . I haven't tried this one as a wet shaver at this time . The raise clippers are about average but do the job ( i.e . , trimming gotee or what have you ) . With minor technique , you can edge hair lines ( side burns , gotee , etc ) quite well . It could use a stand , would be handy on the counter , but not a big deal . This really is an impressive razor . I highly recommend it .
185 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I bought this on a special deal for 79 $ . Its supposed to be somewhat in the higher end models .
PROS :
1 ) In real it looks much more trendy and stylish than in picture .
2 ) Actually after couple of uses I felt disappointed with it since it took so much time to achieve a clean shave . But soon when I got used to it and I realized that for the little extra time it took it was giving me a really clean and smooth shave much better than the usual razors .
3 ) Lasts for good number of shave before the charge runs out .
4 ) Very good and effective on wet shave
5 ) Cleaning is very easy on running water
CONS :
5 ) A bit of downside though is for the close shave it skin does feel slightly irritated if you hold it hard pressed against the skin to get a close shave , but not too much .
6 ) Another thing is it * for me * it doesnt do a good job in the neck area . So what I usually do is do it in two rounds . First I use the electric shaver to get 90% of the work done and then gently scrape off the remnant 10% with an ordinary razor to finally arrive at a close shave . So the downside overall for me is the little extra time it takes than with an ordinary razor for the whole shave . Anyway since I dont shave everyday and do like twice in a week , I usually shave with it during the weekends . One important thing we need to keep in mind is that same shavers behave in different ways with different people's skins because everyone's skins could be so different . If your skin is of my type and you plan to shave everyday with it then it may not be suitable for you .
186 4 I bought this on a special deal for 79 $ . Its supposed to be somewhat in the higher end models .
PROS :
1 ) In real it looks much more trendy and stylish than in picture .
2 ) Actually after couple of uses I felt disappointed with it since it took so much time to achieve a clean shave . But soon when I got used to it and I realized that for the little extra time it took it was giving me a really clean and smooth shave much better than the usual razors .
3 ) Lasts for good number of shave before the charge runs out .
4 ) Very good and effective on wet shave
5 ) Cleaning is very easy on running water
CONS :
5 ) A bit of downside though is for the close shave it skin does feel slightly irritated if you hold it hard pressed against the skin to get a close shave , but not too much .
6 ) Another thing is it * for me * it doesnt do a good job in the neck area . So what I usually do is do it in two rounds . First I use the electric shaver to get 90% of the work done and then gently scrape off the remnant 10% with an ordinary razor to finally arrive at a close shave . So the downside overall for me is the little extra time it takes than with an ordinary razor for the whole shave . Anyway since I dont shave everyday and do like twice in a week , I usually shave with it during the weekends . One important thing we need to keep in mind is that same shavers behave in different ways with different people's skins because everyone's skins could be so different . If your skin is of my type and you plan to shave everyday with it then it may not be suitable for you .
187 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
There are many worthwhile reviews , so I will only post some specifics . My old top-of-the-line ( I think ) Remington MS5700 finally died , so I tried the Panasonic . This shaver with its 4 heads shaves my fairly heavy beard 30% faster than the Remington , is just as close and has not caused any irritation . In my opinion , fancy cleaning systems are bulky , expensive ( plus an ongoing expense ) and unnecessary . The turbo mode of cleaning by rinsing under the faucet is quick , simple and it works . This shaver is also much quieter . The design is ergonomic and elegant . A one hour charge lasts for about 3 weeks of daily shaves . Having used it for 6 weeks I am quite pleased with this purchase .
188 4 There are many worthwhile reviews , so I will only post some specifics . My old top-of-the-line ( I think ) Remington MS5700 finally died , so I tried the Panasonic . This shaver with its 4 heads shaves my fairly heavy beard 30% faster than the Remington , is just as close and has not caused any irritation . In my opinion , fancy cleaning systems are bulky , expensive ( plus an ongoing expense ) and unnecessary . The turbo mode of cleaning by rinsing under the faucet is quick , simple and it works . This shaver is also much quieter . The design is ergonomic and elegant . A one hour charge lasts for about 3 weeks of daily shaves . Having used it for 6 weeks I am quite pleased with this purchase .
189 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
After one month of using this shaver I find that it works pretty well , but I've had better shavers . I've exclusively used rotary shavers in the past . This is my first foil type shaver and also my first wet / dry shaver . So some of my gripes may be common to all foil shavers .
Pros : Nice readout of time spent shaving . Easy to clean . Its convenient to shave in the shower . Gets a lot shaves off of a single charge . Seems well built , its quite a solid piece of machinery .
Cons : Fairly close shave , but not as close as other shavers I've had . There are always some hairs on my neck that this shaver will never shave . I go over them a hundred times in every direction , tried it wet , dry , with shaving gel , and without . It doesn't matter , there are always a few hairs that refuse to go . I don't even try anymore and just use the razor on those . With rotary shavers I've had hairs that would take several tries to get , but they always would get cut eventually .
Overall its good enough for me , but I'll probably be going back to a rotary shaver next time .
190 4 After one month of using this shaver I find that it works pretty well , but I've had better shavers . I've exclusively used rotary shavers in the past . This is my first foil type shaver and also my first wet / dry shaver . So some of my gripes may be common to all foil shavers .
Pros : Nice readout of time spent shaving . Easy to clean . Its convenient to shave in the shower . Gets a lot shaves off of a single charge . Seems well built , its quite a solid piece of machinery .
Cons : Fairly close shave , but not as close as other shavers I've had . There are always some hairs on my neck that this shaver will never shave . I go over them a hundred times in every direction , tried it wet , dry , with shaving gel , and without . It doesn't matter , there are always a few hairs that refuse to go . I don't even try anymore and just use the razor on those . With rotary shavers I've had hairs that would take several tries to get , but they always would get cut eventually .
Overall its good enough for me , but I'll probably be going back to a rotary shaver next time .
191 4 I have had electric for 35 years . My last one was a Braun and while it was a reliable good razor this Panasonic beats it . I like that I can take it in the shower and it is fast and easy to clean . It might be a touch closer of a shave than my Braun but both are good . What I really like is that it is FAST and that the stubble stays in the razor and not all over the counter .
Great Razor
192 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Before I decided to purchase this shaver , I read all the reviews on Amazon and I was pleased to see all the very positive reviews . So , I jumped on it . I like the fact that this shaver gives me a very close shave . However , in order to get this close shave , it takes me at least 20 minutes and not the advertised 3 - 5 minutes . But the real problem I have with this shaver is that the foil and blades ( I have submitted a separate review on this ) only last 2 - 3 months . Beyond this time frame , I start to get cuts on my face . That's pretty disgusting in my opinion . This also becomes quite an expense since these things are by no means cheap . I have yet to try wet shaving and perhaps I will get close shaves in much less time and hopefully the cutters and foil will last a lot longer .
193 4 Before I decided to purchase this shaver , I read all the reviews on Amazon and I was pleased to see all the very positive reviews . So , I jumped on it . I like the fact that this shaver gives me a very close shave . However , in order to get this close shave , it takes me at least 20 minutes and not the advertised 3 - 5 minutes . But the real problem I have with this shaver is that the foil and blades ( I have submitted a separate review on this ) only last 2 - 3 months . Beyond this time frame , I start to get cuts on my face . That's pretty disgusting in my opinion . This also becomes quite an expense since these things are by no means cheap . I have yet to try wet shaving and perhaps I will get close shaves in much less time and hopefully the cutters and foil will last a lot longer .
194 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I'm loving this razor ! I've had Brauns before and have been using Mach III and Edge gel for the last year . Bought a Norelco at Costco and took it back after 1 try . Felt cheap and not very high rpm . It doesn't lose its charge until after a week and I like the fact that the razor on day 7 is as fast as on day 1 . It doesn't lose any speed by unplugging it either . With my Brauns , you could hear the rpm loss as you unplugged it from the wall , so I always was tethered to the sink . Not with this one .
Got this one and absolutely get the best shave I've had . Doesn't leave any strays on my neck or anywhere . I'm also a fan of Aubrey Organics ' products and use the North Woods face scrub first , then shave with their North Woods shave cream . It's not a gel so it won't muck it up . Just run a little water in the shaver and it foams it up . Makes the chore of shaving a much better experience .
195 4 I'm loving this razor ! I've had Brauns before and have been using Mach III and Edge gel for the last year . Bought a Norelco at Costco and took it back after 1 try . Felt cheap and not very high rpm . It doesn't lose its charge until after a week and I like the fact that the razor on day 7 is as fast as on day 1 . It doesn't lose any speed by unplugging it either . With my Brauns , you could hear the rpm loss as you unplugged it from the wall , so I always was tethered to the sink . Not with this one .
Got this one and absolutely get the best shave I've had . Doesn't leave any strays on my neck or anywhere . I'm also a fan of Aubrey Organics ' products and use the North Woods face scrub first , then shave with their North Woods shave cream . It's not a gel so it won't muck it up . Just run a little water in the shaver and it foams it up . Makes the chore of shaving a much better experience .
196 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is a great shaver . I owned a Panasonic linear motor shaver 5 years ago , then switched to Norelco and now switched back to Panasonic . I love the ease of shave , floating heads , and almost everything about this shaver - except the trimmer , which is kinda small . Overall great product and 100% worth the money .
198 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've gone through several shavers from different brands . This one works as well as a shaver twice the price . I don't miss having to buy the cleaning fluid for the Braun units I owned . Only nits - This shaver cannot be used while it is charging . So if you forget to charge it and it quits mid-shave , you'll have to plug it in and wait about 15 minutes while you walk around with half a beard ! My other nit is that battery life doesn't seem as long as the Brauns and Remington's I've used . But otherwise , it does the job .
200 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I was using a Norelco shaver with 3 heads for about 8 years . I started to develop severe irritation on my face and that's when I realized it was time for a new shaver . Since I shave pretty much every day , I figured a shaver is a good item to invest a little money in so i purchased this one . I also liked the fact that I could shave wet because I wanted to in order to eliminate the irritation my face had from the Norelco dry process . So I purchased this and some
Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Shave Cream - 5.1 fl oz
and although it didn't help at first , it ended up not only completely clearing my skin , but I also get a much better shave .
The bottom-line difference is that this product's motor is much stronger than the Norelco and therefore it does not slow down when it is shaving longer hair or hits a thick patch . It's quite amazing to watch this thing shave a thick beard without even slowing at all actually .
My only complaint is that I seem to get cut more by this thing but that may be a technique thing and something I need to get used to . It's probably just because the shaver is so much stronger .
201 4 I was using a Norelco shaver with 3 heads for about 8 years . I started to develop severe irritation on my face and that's when I realized it was time for a new shaver . Since I shave pretty much every day , I figured a shaver is a good item to invest a little money in so i purchased this one . I also liked the fact that I could shave wet because I wanted to in order to eliminate the irritation my face had from the Norelco dry process . So I purchased this and some
Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Shave Cream - 5.1 fl oz
and although it didn't help at first , it ended up not only completely clearing my skin , but I also get a much better shave .
The bottom-line difference is that this product's motor is much stronger than the Norelco and therefore it does not slow down when it is shaving longer hair or hits a thick patch . It's quite amazing to watch this thing shave a thick beard without even slowing at all actually .
My only complaint is that I seem to get cut more by this thing but that may be a technique thing and something I need to get used to . It's probably just because the shaver is so much stronger .
202 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Having a Wahl for 14 years , I was reluctant to change but glad I did . This razor has been excellent in my first 2 weeks of use , almost fun to shave with , very quite and shaves very close . For this razor to be this good , makes me wonder how the more expensive Panasonic razor could top it . Almost now wish I would have gone a step further and bought it .
204 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Shaving is a highly subjective experience , and hair and skin texture varies widely , but this shaver is perfect for me . I've tried several electric shavers in the past ( Norelco ) but my sensitive skin simply couldn't tolerate them for more than a week or two . I had been using a Gillette Fusion , and didn't think any electric shaver could get close to the smoothness that it produced . Well , this Panasonic accomplishes that for me . The dry shave is quite good and works well when I'm in a hurry , but a wet shave in the shower with shaving gel is every bit as good as my Gillette Fusion Power . I wouldn't have believed it was possible , and I do realize that your skin or beard may respond differently , so don't flame me if you try it and don't like it . For myself , the search is over . I'll never go back to using a razor as long as a Panasonic wet / dry shaver is available . It rinses clean in seconds , so I agree with other reviewers that paying extra for a cleaning system is unnecessary . For a quick , easy , clean shave , I've never found anything I liked even half as well .
205 4 Shaving is a highly subjective experience , and hair and skin texture varies widely , but this shaver is perfect for me . I've tried several electric shavers in the past ( Norelco ) but my sensitive skin simply couldn't tolerate them for more than a week or two . I had been using a Gillette Fusion , and didn't think any electric shaver could get close to the smoothness that it produced . Well , this Panasonic accomplishes that for me . The dry shave is quite good and works well when I'm in a hurry , but a wet shave in the shower with shaving gel is every bit as good as my Gillette Fusion Power . I wouldn't have believed it was possible , and I do realize that your skin or beard may respond differently , so don't flame me if you try it and don't like it . For myself , the search is over . I'll never go back to using a razor as long as a Panasonic wet / dry shaver is available . It rinses clean in seconds , so I agree with other reviewers that paying extra for a cleaning system is unnecessary . For a quick , easy , clean shave , I've never found anything I liked even half as well .
206 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I bought this shaver as a result of the recommendations posted on Amazon . I was tired of paying Gillette a small fortune for blades . I must admit that the first week my shaves were less than close and I was skeptical about the manufacturers advise to wait for my face and beard to adapt . I have owned the shaver for 30 + days ; the shaves improved as time went on ( maybe I just learned how to use the device better ) but IT IS NOT as close as a blade shave . The big advantage is speed and lower use cost , I will recoup my investment in a little less than a year . I tried using the shaver dry with very bad results and find it works best with a thin layer of good soap on my face and frequent rinsing of the razor . I shave in the shower and clean-up is easy , it holds a charge for a week with each shave lasting ~ 3 minutes . It charges quickly and is compact for travel even if you bring along the charger . It would be nice if the charger was mini USB but it is unique to the device . Do not be confused by the various models of Panasonic with comparable features ; shop by price and use the comparison chart published by Panasonic .
207 4 I bought this shaver as a result of the recommendations posted on Amazon . I was tired of paying Gillette a small fortune for blades . I must admit that the first week my shaves were less than close and I was skeptical about the manufacturers advise to wait for my face and beard to adapt . I have owned the shaver for 30 + days ; the shaves improved as time went on ( maybe I just learned how to use the device better ) but IT IS NOT as close as a blade shave . The big advantage is speed and lower use cost , I will recoup my investment in a little less than a year . I tried using the shaver dry with very bad results and find it works best with a thin layer of good soap on my face and frequent rinsing of the razor . I shave in the shower and clean-up is easy , it holds a charge for a week with each shave lasting ~ 3 minutes . It charges quickly and is compact for travel even if you bring along the charger . It would be nice if the charger was mini USB but it is unique to the device . Do not be confused by the various models of Panasonic with comparable features ; shop by price and use the comparison chart published by Panasonic .
208 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I am coming from an older high end Panasonic shaver . This one is lighter , cuts faster , charges very fast , and gives an excellent shave . I'd say it actually gives credence to the old saw Shaves as close as a blade .
The shaver comes with a carrying case along with the power cord . My previous shaver had a charging stand and could be charged while wet . This one is a direct connect , so is not quite as safe but works well and makes the whole package less bulky .
I highly recommend this shaver to anyone who wants a fast , close shave . I have been using it dry with no irritation and for the money is a great deal .
209 4 I am coming from an older high end Panasonic shaver . This one is lighter , cuts faster , charges very fast , and gives an excellent shave . I'd say it actually gives credence to the old saw Shaves as close as a blade .
The shaver comes with a carrying case along with the power cord . My previous shaver had a charging stand and could be charged while wet . This one is a direct connect , so is not quite as safe but works well and makes the whole package less bulky .
I highly recommend this shaver to anyone who wants a fast , close shave . I have been using it dry with no irritation and for the money is a great deal .
210 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have never found an electric razor that can give my heavy beard the close shave that I would like to have .
I had been using a Remington MS3 1000 for a long time and thought the Panasonic might be better but so far it has been about the same . I have tried blades but they don't treat my skin very well and are more expensive . I will keep the Panasonic in hopes that it will be satisfactory over time .
211 4 I have never found an electric razor that can give my heavy beard the close shave that I would like to have .
I had been using a Remington MS3 1000 for a long time and thought the Panasonic might be better but so far it has been about the same . I have tried blades but they don't treat my skin very well and are more expensive . I will keep the Panasonic in hopes that it will be satisfactory over time .
213 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I've been using electric razors for many years , including at least 10 years of Panasonic wet and dry ones . This shaver is great ! i shave in 30% less time and the shave lasts longer in the sense that 24 hours later I could easily get away without shaving again . I just ordered another one for my second home .
215 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
It's amazing how good this machine is . It gives me an smooth and deep shave , that last longer . Very good battery charge , usually good for two weeks . I love it .
217 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I was looking for an electric shaver and came across this one , the shaver is very comfortable and it shaves excellent . The arc holds a battery charge of about 2 weeks and this is very nice . the feature that i like most about this shaver is the fact that when your done it's incredibly easy to clean . It comes in a nice traveling case also . I would recommend this shaver to anyone
219 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
The Panasonic ES8243A is the best shaver I have ever used ! ! ! Have used this shaver since October 2009 . I have a heavy beard ( shave twice a day ) and have used electric shavers for 50 years ( Remington , Norelco , Braun , Pansonic , you name it ) . The ES8243A is quiet , comfortable , a fast charge , easy to use , easy to clean and gives a fast , smooth , close shave with no burns or chaffing . No hassle purchase through Amazon at a great price and with fast regular shipping . I no longer dread shaving . . . and I don't have to use a blade to follow up my electric shave . Highly , highly recommend this product ! ! !
220 4 The Panasonic ES8243A is the best shaver I have ever used ! ! ! Have used this shaver since October 2009 . I have a heavy beard ( shave twice a day ) and have used electric shavers for 50 years ( Remington , Norelco , Braun , Pansonic , you name it ) . The ES8243A is quiet , comfortable , a fast charge , easy to use , easy to clean and gives a fast , smooth , close shave with no burns or chaffing . No hassle purchase through Amazon at a great price and with fast regular shipping . I no longer dread shaving . . . and I don't have to use a blade to follow up my electric shave . Highly , highly recommend this product ! ! !
221 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I wanted something waterproof , and it was sharp as heck the 1st 2 weeks but then got a little dull . For the price its ok , Ive had it for maybe 3 months now .
The display is a little off but maybe thats because i was charging it overseas . Not amazing but worth it for a cool shaver / with display that is water proof .
222 4 I wanted something waterproof , and it was sharp as heck the 1st 2 weeks but then got a little dull . For the price its ok , Ive had it for maybe 3 months now .
The display is a little off but maybe thats because i was charging it overseas . Not amazing but worth it for a cool shaver / with display that is water proof .
223 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I have been using this electric razor for two months . It is without doubt the best I have ever used . One gets a close shave without nicks and cuts ; it's fast and easy to use . At first I was a little uncomfortable using water to clean the razor , but my trepidation was quickly dispelled by the efficiency of the cleaning cycle . The only suggestion I would make to Panasonic regarding this excellent razor is to consider making the trimmer a little smaller . In this way , it would be easier to trim my mustache . The current trimmer makes that process more complicated . Thank you Panasonic for an excellent razor .
225 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is the first Panasonic shaver I have used ! I have found a electric shaver that works ! I have never shaved with a blade and never felt that my shave was very close this feels good . This is the best shaver I have ever owned . Thank you Panasonic . . . .
227 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
This is by far the best shaver I have ever owned . It shaves as close as a blade when used wet and with shave lotion - - I used superslick by billy jealousy .
229 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
My father in law purchased one for himself and one for me as a gift . For the past several years I've used shaving cream and a regular razor , electric ones just couldn't give me a close enough shave . I tried this Panasonic and could not believe the shave I get with this product . I have a very rough Fred Flintstone type of face that looks rough even after I shave . But with this razor my skin gets as smooth as a baby's butt . I travel a lot for work and not having to lug a can of shaving cream around is a pleasure plus the charge is quick ( 1 hour or less ) and it lasts a long time . I bought one for my son he and loves it , and a co-worker also purchased one on my recommendation and he is very satisfied .
The only thing remotely negative about this shaver is the fact that the case it comes with does not hold both the shaver and the charging cord .
230 4 My father in law purchased one for himself and one for me as a gift . For the past several years I've used shaving cream and a regular razor , electric ones just couldn't give me a close enough shave . I tried this Panasonic and could not believe the shave I get with this product . I have a very rough Fred Flintstone type of face that looks rough even after I shave . But with this razor my skin gets as smooth as a baby's butt . I travel a lot for work and not having to lug a can of shaving cream around is a pleasure plus the charge is quick ( 1 hour or less ) and it lasts a long time . I bought one for my son he and loves it , and a co-worker also purchased one on my recommendation and he is very satisfied .
The only thing remotely negative about this shaver is the fact that the case it comes with does not hold both the shaver and the charging cord .
232 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
My husband really likes this product . He says it gives a close shave without irritation . He would recommend it to future customers .
233 4 My husband really likes this product . He says it gives a close shave without irritation . He would recommend it to future customers .
234 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I purchased the ES8243A shaver to replace my aging Braun . I liked the Braun and owned 4 before going with something different . In my experience , all the Brauns provided a close shave , but couldn't cut my difficult neck area .
My first impressions after I used it was that it was well-built , quieter than expected , and cut my facial hair much faster than my 5 year old Braun and even tackled my neck area pretty well after I used a circular pattern . I have used it in the shower several times and it performed about the same wet or dry . I prefer to use it wet to reduce skin irritation . I don't even have to use after shave lotion when I use it in the shower . The shaver holds the charge fairly well , but to be honest I leave it charged most of the time .
The only negative was that it didn't provide a closer shave than the Braun . With that said , I have very sensitive facial hair and it does much better not to irritate my face .
Overall , I am very pleased with the purchase . I can actually bring this shaver on travel and leave the razor blade behind . . . . really !
235 4 I purchased the ES8243A shaver to replace my aging Braun . I liked the Braun and owned 4 before going with something different . In my experience , all the Brauns provided a close shave , but couldn't cut my difficult neck area .
My first impressions after I used it was that it was well-built , quieter than expected , and cut my facial hair much faster than my 5 year old Braun and even tackled my neck area pretty well after I used a circular pattern . I have used it in the shower several times and it performed about the same wet or dry . I prefer to use it wet to reduce skin irritation . I don't even have to use after shave lotion when I use it in the shower . The shaver holds the charge fairly well , but to be honest I leave it charged most of the time .
The only negative was that it didn't provide a closer shave than the Braun . With that said , I have very sensitive facial hair and it does much better not to irritate my face .
Overall , I am very pleased with the purchase . I can actually bring this shaver on travel and leave the razor blade behind . . . . really !
236 4 I am proudly holding a soft baby's * ss for a face at almost 40 years old .
I am not kidding . . . . . I started my electric shaving journey in my teens with a mid-model Norelco , graduated on to my first Braun before upgrading four more times with various Braun models .
My last shaver was the 9595 Pulsonic model and it was an absolute joke compared to this Panasonic Nano . I stood at my pedestal sink in awe this evening just staring at the little baby's * ss in the mirror .
The Braun never gave me a close shave and within a year , it started pulling ( not cutting ) the longer whiskers like a modern day torture device . And even worse ? I paid over $220 for the experience .
This one ? As if I took out the lathering cream and slid a razor over my face for over 25 minutes .
Having gone through Norelco models and several top-of-the-line Braun models , this Panasonic is THE BEST SHAVER ON THE MARKET . PERIOD .
FYI . . . Don't waste money buying a higher end model . For cleaning , simply rinse the head under warm water . After it dries , just spray with lubricant / cleaner . And whalla . . . . you just saved yourself some $ $
A company has mastered the Art of Shaving once and for all in the form of an electric razor . That company , folks , is called Panasonic .
Thank you for ending my painful experience with the Braun Series .
237 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Out of the box , this shaver gave me the closest , most pain free shave I ever had . I opted for this model
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
instead of the one with the cleaning station
Panasonic ES8249S Arc IV Nanotech Vortex Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Silver
because I didn't want the clutter . But I wondered if I'd miss the cleanliness ; so I was pleased to see that even without the extra cleaning base , these shavers have a hypersonic cleaning mode that you perform manually with soap and water - and the LED display has a reminder when to do it - - it keeps track of when it needs to be cleaned . Great !
10 years ago , both my linear Panasonic shavers ' batteries died much sooner than expected , so I abandoned the Panasonic brand for a while even though the shave was superior . Now I'm back ; I hope the battery lasts . The shave quality is definitely worth coming home to and worth another try on battery life .
Btw , Panasonic must have the best shaver design division on the planet - - all their hair removal products , from epilator
Panasonic Wet / Dry Epiglide 3 - in - 1 Epilator Hair Removal System with Skin Protector
to groomer
Panasonic ER224S All-in-One Cordless Hair and Beard Trimmer ( Silver )
, are superior to the competition , and I've spent $100 ' s trying all the major brands - - after years of painful hair abatement by trial and error , I finally settled on using a combination of these Panasonic products on different body regions . When I find something that really works , it just happens to be a Panasonic .
238 4 Out of the box , this shaver gave me the closest , most pain free shave I ever had . I opted for this model
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue
instead of the one with the cleaning station
Panasonic ES8249S Arc IV Nanotech Vortex Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Silver
because I didn't want the clutter . But I wondered if I'd miss the cleanliness ; so I was pleased to see that even without the extra cleaning base , these shavers have a hypersonic cleaning mode that you perform manually with soap and water - and the LED display has a reminder when to do it - - it keeps track of when it needs to be cleaned . Great !
10 years ago , both my linear Panasonic shavers ' batteries died much sooner than expected , so I abandoned the Panasonic brand for a while even though the shave was superior . Now I'm back ; I hope the battery lasts . The shave quality is definitely worth coming home to and worth another try on battery life .
Btw , Panasonic must have the best shaver design division on the planet - - all their hair removal products , from epilator
Panasonic Wet / Dry Epiglide 3 - in - 1 Epilator Hair Removal System with Skin Protector
to groomer
Panasonic ER224S All-in-One Cordless Hair and Beard Trimmer ( Silver )
, are superior to the competition , and I've spent $100 ' s trying all the major brands - - after years of painful hair abatement by trial and error , I finally settled on using a combination of these Panasonic products on different body regions . When I find something that really works , it just happens to be a Panasonic .
239 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Lets start by saying I hate shaving . . . My beard is more like a bunch of miscellaneous fuzz and hair that grows at weird angles than anything else . I was using a Mach 3 and the blades lasted for a couple shaves , I cut myself all the time , and my skin was always red and irritated later . Lots of people suggested this cream that lotion and who knows what else . Nothing I tried helped much besides shelling out $ $ $ $ $ for fresh blades .
Enter the ES8243A . . . . I read a lot of the reviews here , and as reluctant as I was to spend so much on a shaver , I pushed the button and soon an amazon box showed up at the door .
Well , what can I say . . . I'm a believer . It's worth the $ , it really is that good . First time I tried it there was a definite improvement in the irritation department . I decided it was a keeper , and I would also see if there was an improvement over time as the card in the box suggests there will be . I wouldn't call it dramatic , but after a few weeks it seems that has gotten easier / quicker to shave with it . Part of it might just be getting used to which angle works best on each part of your face , but it does seem to be able to cut closer now .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some other things I'll mention :
I don't mind having to clean it , portability was a main concern for me and I did not want to be tied down to a base station . If you always stay at home and are in a rush I suppose the version with the cleaning station is nice , but you will be buying cartridges for that as well .
Cost wise , the ridiculous pricing and short life of standard razor blades means you will not be spending as much on this as you think you are . I'm not sure how long the foils will last yet , but so far it works like the day I got it .
One of my favorite things is the consistency . With a standard razor , you put on a new blade and it's just straight downhill from there . Every day the shave gets worse until you can't take it anymore and replace it . With the Panasonic , its the same every time .
Battery charges fast and lasts a long time . I tend to plug it in around 50% and it's usually done by the time I take a shower and get dressed .
240 4 Lets start by saying I hate shaving . . . My beard is more like a bunch of miscellaneous fuzz and hair that grows at weird angles than anything else . I was using a Mach 3 and the blades lasted for a couple shaves , I cut myself all the time , and my skin was always red and irritated later . Lots of people suggested this cream that lotion and who knows what else . Nothing I tried helped much besides shelling out $ $ $ $ $ for fresh blades .
Enter the ES8243A . . . . I read a lot of the reviews here , and as reluctant as I was to spend so much on a shaver , I pushed the button and soon an amazon box showed up at the door .
Well , what can I say . . . I'm a believer . It's worth the $ , it really is that good . First time I tried it there was a definite improvement in the irritation department . I decided it was a keeper , and I would also see if there was an improvement over time as the card in the box suggests there will be . I wouldn't call it dramatic , but after a few weeks it seems that has gotten easier / quicker to shave with it . Part of it might just be getting used to which angle works best on each part of your face , but it does seem to be able to cut closer now .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some other things I'll mention :
I don't mind having to clean it , portability was a main concern for me and I did not want to be tied down to a base station . If you always stay at home and are in a rush I suppose the version with the cleaning station is nice , but you will be buying cartridges for that as well .
Cost wise , the ridiculous pricing and short life of standard razor blades means you will not be spending as much on this as you think you are . I'm not sure how long the foils will last yet , but so far it works like the day I got it .
One of my favorite things is the consistency . With a standard razor , you put on a new blade and it's just straight downhill from there . Every day the shave gets worse until you can't take it anymore and replace it . With the Panasonic , its the same every time .
Battery charges fast and lasts a long time . I tend to plug it in around 50% and it's usually done by the time I take a shower and get dressed .
242 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Approximately 5 years ago I switched from a wonderful Panasonic Linear . Braun's self-cleaning feature was highly attractive . At that time the Braun shaved closer than any electric that I had ever tried . The one feature that I missed was the Wet / Dry capability of my Panasonic Linear . When my Braun began to fail , likely from a weaker battery , I needed to replace the foil and blades every few months as opposed to once a year . I finally gave up .
Tha Panasonic Arc caught my eye . Given my previous experience with the Panasonic Linear I was very curious about how much Panasonic had improved since I had my Linear . The Arc has not disappointed . I didn't think an electric razor would be able to shave much closer than the Braun . Pansonic's razor technology continues to improve , giving me almost a blade-close shave . I haven't used the Arc in the shower yet but suspect that it will work just fine .
I read some complaints about the Arc's shaving head's being too big . I have not had any issues with shaving tight spots . One legitimate complaint has to to with the trimmer . It's not in the best position and requires a little more finesse to use . One small complaint that I have is that the power cord does not plug into the razor very easily . I sometimes feel as though I have to force it into the bottom of the razor . I miss the small stand that I had with my original Panasonic Linear . However these small complaints certainly would not be deal breakers if I had to make this purchase again .
I really liked my Braun . Two things kept me from simply purchasing a new model . First , as much as I appreciated the self-cleaning feature , over time I wasn't so certain that it made too much difference in the closeness of the shave . Also , living in Hungary , I have to pay anywhere from 50% - 75% more for the cleaning cartridges . If I were still in the US , where you can get the cartridges at a more reasonable price , I might not be writing this review . Also , as I wrote earlier , I missed the option of shaving in the shower . After factoring the lower cost of the Panasonic to the Braun , the monthly cost savings on cleaning cartridges , and the wet dry option , I went with the Panasonic . I'm extremely happy with the closer shave that I now have .
UPDATE FEB 16 , 2010
After several weeks of use I can write that I am extremely happy with the Panasonic Arc . It really does give me the closest electric shave that I have ever had , coming extremely close to a blade .
As mentioned in my original review I used a Braun for some years . I thought that I might miss the cleaning functionality . However I do not miss it . The Panasonic is very easy to clean . The one thing that I definitely do not miss is the cost of having to replace my Braun cleaning cartridges !
243 4 Approximately 5 years ago I switched from a wonderful Panasonic Linear . Braun's self-cleaning feature was highly attractive . At that time the Braun shaved closer than any electric that I had ever tried . The one feature that I missed was the Wet / Dry capability of my Panasonic Linear . When my Braun began to fail , likely from a weaker battery , I needed to replace the foil and blades every few months as opposed to once a year . I finally gave up .
Tha Panasonic Arc caught my eye . Given my previous experience with the Panasonic Linear I was very curious about how much Panasonic had improved since I had my Linear . The Arc has not disappointed . I didn't think an electric razor would be able to shave much closer than the Braun . Pansonic's razor technology continues to improve , giving me almost a blade-close shave . I haven't used the Arc in the shower yet but suspect that it will work just fine .
I read some complaints about the Arc's shaving head's being too big . I have not had any issues with shaving tight spots . One legitimate complaint has to to with the trimmer . It's not in the best position and requires a little more finesse to use . One small complaint that I have is that the power cord does not plug into the razor very easily . I sometimes feel as though I have to force it into the bottom of the razor . I miss the small stand that I had with my original Panasonic Linear . However these small complaints certainly would not be deal breakers if I had to make this purchase again .
I really liked my Braun . Two things kept me from simply purchasing a new model . First , as much as I appreciated the self-cleaning feature , over time I wasn't so certain that it made too much difference in the closeness of the shave . Also , living in Hungary , I have to pay anywhere from 50% - 75% more for the cleaning cartridges . If I were still in the US , where you can get the cartridges at a more reasonable price , I might not be writing this review . Also , as I wrote earlier , I missed the option of shaving in the shower . After factoring the lower cost of the Panasonic to the Braun , the monthly cost savings on cleaning cartridges , and the wet dry option , I went with the Panasonic . I'm extremely happy with the closer shave that I now have .
UPDATE FEB 16 , 2010
After several weeks of use I can write that I am extremely happy with the Panasonic Arc . It really does give me the closest electric shave that I have ever had , coming extremely close to a blade .
As mentioned in my original review I used a Braun for some years . I thought that I might miss the cleaning functionality . However I do not miss it . The Panasonic is very easy to clean . The one thing that I definitely do not miss is the cost of having to replace my Braun cleaning cartridges !
244 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
Hello . Compared to my previous Philips Norelco Speed XL 8140 ( it broke ) the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV is much better in terms of a closer shave done in less time . I used two solid hours of my life researching all facts and opinions on nearly all the other competing razors ( Braun series , Remington , etc . ) and this is the best one . I could afford any razor , but this is the best shaver for my course and stubborn thick beard . Like a baby's butt , seriously .
245 4 Hello . Compared to my previous Philips Norelco Speed XL 8140 ( it broke ) the Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV is much better in terms of a closer shave done in less time . I used two solid hours of my life researching all facts and opinions on nearly all the other competing razors ( Braun series , Remington , etc . ) and this is the best one . I could afford any razor , but this is the best shaver for my course and stubborn thick beard . Like a baby's butt , seriously .
246 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I am a repeat Panasonis customer who knows how quick and close their shavers cut . Unfortunately the last model I owned had a defective battery and no replacement batteries could be found . I hope this problem has been resolved by the manufactture or this will be my last shaver by Panasonic .
248 4 This review is from :
Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV Nano Men's Wet / Dry Rechargeable Shaver , Blue ( Health and Beauty )
I recently purchased through Amazon a Panasonic ES8243 Shaver with which I am delighted . As a long time dedicated Panasonic shaver user , it is the smoothest shaving model that I have purchased in many years . I prefer shaving while showering , and I find that this shaver is very fast and close - noticeably faster and smoother than the the ES8103 that I had purchased earlier this year . It is also an improvement over my older model ES8077 . Even though it is a quad head , it is not bulky . One positive ES8243 review that I read before purchase mentioned that it was actually made in Japan as in the past . It certainly shaves my heavy beard better than my last two models which were made in China . Although shaving is a very personal experience , I recommend this model without reservation .
249 4 I recently purchased through Amazon a Panasonic ES8243 Shaver with which I am delighted . As a long time dedicated Panasonic shaver user , it is the smoothest shaving model that I have purchased in many years . I prefer shaving while showering , and I find that this shaver is very fast and close - noticeably faster and smoother than the the ES8103 that I had purchased earlier this year . It is also an improvement over my older model ES8077 . Even though it is a quad head , it is not bulky . One positive ES8243 review that I read before purchase mentioned that it was actually made in Japan as in the past . It certainly shaves my heavy beard better than my last two models which were made in China . Although shaving is a very personal experience , I recommend this model without reservation .
