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Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97

Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97

Scored on 17 verified owner verdicts, from 156 comments read across 4 communities
TL;DR
Owners consistently say the Arc 5 shaves closer and faster than other electric razors they've used, handling the face, neck, and even a bald head while staying comfortable on sensitive skin. The most common gripe is the automatic cleaning station, which several people found stops working until the water-sensor pins are cleaned. The bulkier head, the cost of replacement blades, and weak performance on longer stubble are the other trade-offs to weigh.

65% of 17 verified owners recommend the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97, based on real owner verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

See the problems 4 owners report →

What 17 owners say
156 comments reviewed · scored on the 17 clearest verdicts
65%
Recommend
11 owners
11%
Neutral
2 owners
24%
Don't recommend
4 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
73%
11
Other forumsProductreview, Badgerandblade
50%
6
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
YouTubeiowner comments
85%
20
No clear verdictiSetup, tips & quirks
7

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, blogs with no affiliate links, and YouTube owner-comments when they line up with owners. YouTube is shown for perspective but kept out here — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Shaves closer than other electric razors owners have tried · 5 · 29%
  • Fast, quick shaves · 3 · 18%
  • Works well on face, neck, and even a bald head · 3 · 18%
  • Gentle on sensitive skin when you don't press hard · 3 · 18%
  • Strong value for the price · 3 · 18%
What owners flag
  • Cleaning station can stop detecting fluid and quit working · 7 · 41%
  • Larger, bulkier head takes getting used to · 3 · 18%
  • Replacement blades are pricey · 3 · 18%
  • Struggles with longer stubble, so trim first · 3 · 18%
Who it's for
A great fit if
  • Men wanting a close daily face, neck, and head shave
  • Bald-head shavers who also groom facial hair
  • Sensitive skin, provided you shave with light pressure
  • Value seekers who prefer it over pricier Braun rivals
Look elsewhere if
  • Anyone shaving long or infrequent stubble on a foil head
  • Buyers wanting a trouble-free automatic cleaning station

Synthesized from what Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97 owners say — not a spec sheet.

How buyers rate it elsewhere

Retailers' own star averages, for comparison — separate from our vetted owner-verdict score above.

Top quotes, sourced

156 reviewed · 37 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
YouTube▼ don’t recommend

The Parasonic takes multiple laps and didnt seem to get a close shave in typical spots you mentioned

Badger & Blade— neutral

The shaver works well but I have an issue with the cleaning station and I do not understand why it smells like mildew (shaver and the station as well) given the station clean and dries.

YouTube▲ recommend

Great Shaver. My head is as smooth as a peanut.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

One of the worst razors ever after only two months it was clear i would either go deaf or get White Finger

YouTube▲ recommend

Just got the Arc 5 yesterday and it's amazing.

ProductReview.com.au— neutral

Great Close Smooth Shave, Tends to miss too many whiskers, Best pop up Trimmer I have used.

YouTube▼ don’t recommend

yesterday something felt really off

YouTube▲ recommend

I've always used and enjoyed the Panasonic shavers

YouTube▲ recommend

It is absolutely brilliant.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Same thing happen to me this am. Light showed low on cleaning fluid. Cleaned it out and put new cleaning solution in and got the red light along with the blue dry light.

YouTube▲ recommend

it was an awesomely comfortable and pleasant shave!

ProductReview.com.au▼ don’t recommend

BUT, after only a few years the shaver died. I took it back to the store and they said the battery had died and nothing they could do and this was the same response from Panasonic. Not what you would expect for a $500+ shaver and a major company.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Mine stopped working after cleaning it. The lights still come on but the button doesn't do anything.

YouTube▲ recommend

It’s been amazing so far with much closer shave and very smooth feeling.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Right now it won't stop drying...more than 90mins now.

YouTube▲ recommend

the shave is much closer with the arc 5 the two outer blades cut super close which make a big difference for me compared to series 9

YouTube▲ recommend

After using it I'm excited to say it's the first time shaving without my neck getting irritated.

YouTube▲ recommend

I’ve had both for years and yes the Panasonic is better and cuts more

YouTube▲ recommend

I've been pleased and impressed with it.

YouTube▲ recommend

for 5 years it was cheap enough (about $120 if i recall) and has done good job

YouTube▲ recommend

Love my Arc5, it's amazing.

YouTube▲ recommend

My old arc5 battery just died after 11-12 years(still on original head/blade)

YouTube▲ recommend

previously I was using my dad's Panasonic arc 5 and it was way better

Showing 124 of 37

Common problems & things to know

Practical notes owners raise — setup, quirks, and issues to watch for. They don't say whether the person likes the product, so they're not counted in the score, but they inform the pros, cons, and who it's for.

Redditⓘ good to know

Just experienced this myself with an es lv97. Evidently it didn't think there was enough cleaning solution. Once I added water to raise the level to the internal marker, it started working correctly again.

Redditⓘ good to know

Yes the blade replacement is at least in my case about 25% of the cost, but you only need to replace them every 2 years. Thats not too bad

Redditⓘ good to know

I use mine to sometimes clean up after the Arc5. You can hear it cut hairs the Arc5 misses and even gets hairs a blade misses too.

Redditⓘ good to know

I fixed mine this afternoon. Up inside unit there are 3 silver pins that read minerals in the water. I cleaned them with some alcohol and made some new cleaning solution and it worked. I think the build up of minerals stops it from detecting the water.

Redditⓘ good to know

easier to remove the head on the small ones. I prefer the heft of the bigger one personally.

Redditⓘ good to know

The Arc 5 is a foil type razor. It's not really suited for longer stubble.

Redditⓘ good to know

No, I've just been cleaning mine manually.