Electric Shavers · owner-verdict comparison

Braun Series 9 Pro vs Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Braun Series 9 Pro: 78% of 112 owners recommend it, vs 65% of 17 for the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Braun Series 9 Pro

78%of 112 owners recommend
78% recommend · 7% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Razor-close, near-BBS shave
  • Little to no irritation on sensitive skin
  • Fast and effortless shaves
Owners complain about
  • Irritation, ingrown hairs, and breakouts for some
  • Expensive
  • Misses flat-lying hairs on the neck
Full owner report →

Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97

65%of 17 owners recommend
65% recommend · 11% neutral · 24% don't
Owners praise
  • Shaves closer than other electric razors owners have tried
  • Fast, quick shaves
  • Works well on face, neck, and even a bald head
Owners complain about
  • Cleaning station can stop detecting fluid and quit working
  • Larger, bulkier head takes getting used to
  • Replacement blades are pricey
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Braun Series 9 Pro if
  • ✓Head shavers wanting a fast, smooth bald look
  • ✓Men wanting near-razor closeness from an electric
  • ✓Sensitive skin that reacts to blades
  • ✓Anyone who values the self-cleaning charge station
Skip it if
  • Skin prone to ingrowns from daily electric use
  • Purists needing true razor-blade closeness
Get the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97 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
Skip it if
  • Anyone shaving long or infrequent stubble on a foil head
  • Buyers wanting a trouble-free automatic cleaning station

What Braun Series 9 Pro owners say

“My Braun Series 9 Pro has been a revelation. Delivers an excellent shave, but is very costly.”
— slidearea47 on Reddit
“I've got the Braun Series 9 Pro, it's the gold standard especially for sensitive scalps”
— ValuablePace1317 on Reddit
“Why does it not have the 360° header when even the half-price cheap S7 does?”
— @Krypteia9 on YouTube

What Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97 owners say

“Great Shaver. My head is as smooth as a peanut.”
— @jaywax on YouTube
“Just got the Arc 5 yesterday and it's amazing.”
— @erizzle67 on YouTube
“The Parasonic takes multiple laps and didnt seem to get a close shave in typical spots you mentioned”
— @WinnieTheTrain on YouTube

Braun Series 9 Pro vs Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97: frequently asked questions

Is the Braun Series 9 Pro or the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97 better?

Real owners lean toward the Braun Series 9 Pro: 78% of 112 owners recommend it, vs 65% of 17 for the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97.

Who should get the Braun Series 9 Pro?

Owners point the Braun Series 9 Pro at head shavers wanting a fast, smooth bald look, and men wanting near-razor closeness from an electric.

Who should get the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97?

Owners point the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97 at men wanting a close daily face, neck, and head shave, and bald-head shavers who also groom facial hair.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Braun Series 9 Pro is irritation, ingrown hairs, and breakouts for some. For the Panasonic Arc 5 ES-LV97, it's cleaning station can stop detecting fluid and quit working.