Panasonic ES4026NC Pro Curve Rechargeable Double Blade Wet/Dry Men's Shaver, Blue/Yellow
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Our Price: $79.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Panasonic ES4026NC Pro Curve Rechargeable Double Blade Wet/Dry Men's Shaver, Blue/Yellow
Customer Review: Well, I Guess It's OK ...
Summary: 2 Stars
The reviews for this shaver seem to be all over the place - some real high 4-5 stars, and some blistering 1 stars. I've had this shaver for almost a year, been debating whether or not I should write up a review, and it wasn't until it crapped out that I finally decided, yeah, put some thoughts down from someone who has had it, and is moving on:
After having a number of electric shavers over the years, I saw this on sale at Best Buy for $20. A true wet/dry shaver; something I always wanted - a shaver I could use in the shower, as well as out. Well, I have to say, it really does not work (for ME) out of the shower. And I found I needed more than being just "wet" using it in the shower. If I didn't use soap on my face as a lubricant, it was borderline painful to use in the shower. But, using it with my face lathered with soap, it worked very well. A nice close shave, closer than a blade.
But the close shave could only be obtained if I shaved EVERY DAY at the SAME TIME. If I waited even a few hours past 24, then blades could not handle the longer whiskers. I would end up using a double edge razor to get the substantial amount of whiskers left behind.
Further problems were that the razor could not hold enough charge to do more than 6-7 shaves. Not a problem, I just got into the habit of plugging it in every Sunday, ready to go Monday. But think about it, as an example, if this shaver held enough to do 7 3-5 minute shaves, for an average of 4 minutes, a total of 28 minutes of shaving time per charge cycle. Extending that by just a minute more cuts it down to 6 days; 2 minutes extra minute 4-5 days. And now it becomes a pain - not being able to get a full week of shaving. And any vacation you HAVE TO bring the charger. A pain.
Finally, either the razor stopped taking a charge, or the charger stopped charging. It would charge erratically, not getting a full charge even overnight, barely charging enough for a single day's shave, until finally, it would not take a charge anymore.
So, what did I learn from my experience? It was a nice little shaver, but not cut out for everyday use. It was far too harsh for dry shaving, and was incapable of handling a slightly over 1 days growth. I still liked the wet/dry concept, so went looking for a replacement and found the Panasonic ES7103K. Panasonic ES7103K Pro-Curve Wet/Dry Triple Head Shaver, Black My results with this shaver are much more favorable - very capable of wet AND dry shaving; it's going on three weeks on one charger; cleans up nicely. All in all, a much better everyday shaver.
So, I was originally going to give it 3 stars, but knocked it down 1 for dying on me less than a year after purchase. If you need a nice travel shaver, larger and more sturdy than the tiny little travel shavers, and would like to shaver in the shower, this is it. Definitely NOT ready for everyday use.
Customer Review: Depends How Often You Shave...
Summary: 2 Stars
Let me start by saying that I hate shaving. I think it's the biggest waste of time a man (or a woman) has in his life. Having said that, unless you're hairless, it's usually inevitable and at some point you have to breakdown and do it.
I can't say enough how disappointed and annoyed I've been with the shavers on the market and the companies making them. Let's be honest...it's a terrible scam, really. We get the "convenience" of cordless shavers that ironically don't work with cords, just to have the cheap batteries die out in about a years worth of time. Let's not kid ourselves; this is on purpose, so we either a) buy another shaver or b) take it in for expensive service. Considering that most shavers already cost upwards of $50, some up to $250 (unbelievable), it's, well, quite a scam. Why we keep buying into it and not take a stand I'm not sure but that's a whole different article.
Having said that, my latest Braun's battery once again, ironically, died out after a little over a year. I decided to try this shaver based on all the overwhelming reviews. I was a little skeptical about the 2 blade system versus three but took the plunge anyhow. The most I could lose was $30 so not a lot on the line.
My conclusion is that it must depend how often you shave. Again, I hate shaving, and quite frankly I look better with a couple days of growth, so I only shave once or twice a week. If you're like me, this probably isn't the shaver for you since it simply can't get hair off your face efficiently once it's grown out a bit. I just shaved with it a little while ago and it took me 20 minutes, most of the battery life, mind you, and I still have stray hairs all over which I need to get with a regular razor, or play that little game where I find and then pluck them out.
Perhaps if you shave daily this might be the "dream" shaver, especially because of the price. If you don't, though, you get what you pay for here. I will say the Braun with the built in hair trimmer is much more efficient, that is, when it's working and has a charge to it. On the positive side, I personally really like the small compact recharger on this shaver. I despise having these huge eyesores on my countertop, ala Braun's self cleaning pods, something that also doesn't easily fit anywhere in a normal sized bathroom. Another positive is how very light this shaver is. Highly impressive! Lastly, due to the light weight and the small size, it is easy to shave around beard growth, that is, if you're sculpting you're own beard.
Overall, I'm giving this shaver a so-so review. Obviously, it works for some but really doesn't for me. So, anyone want to buy a gently used shaver?! I'll give you a REALLY good price!
Customer Review: One of the Best Shavers Out There!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is simply one of the best electric razors out there for the price. It is relatively inexpensive, yet performs much the same as some of the very pricey, very upscale products. Up until now, I've always used a Norelco rotary head razor. After my last one started wearing out (needed battery and blades) it seemed easier to just replace it altogether. I saw the Panasonic and bought it and it has been great.
What's in the box?
* Shaver
* Charger
* Carrying bag
* Instruction manual
I've owned the shaver for about a month and it provides a very nice, close shave leaving my skin smooth. It performs well wet or dry and holds a charge much the same as my Norelco did. The initial charge takes a few hours. After that it charges fairly quickly. The battery charge lasts a little over a week or so for me (I shave once, occasionally twice, each day). When the battery runs down I put it in the charger base when I leave for work and its ready when I get home again.
I've used it dry, with some "pre-shave', and with shave gel. It performs well in all applications.
PROs:
* Provides nice smooth shave in both wet and dry applications.
* Decent charge time and battery usage (about the same as a Norelco rotary shaver).
* Very easy to clean, and because its meant for wet usage, it can be easily rinsed as well.
* Exceptional price point.
CONs:
* The charger design could be better. Instead of being an adapter type with a cord the Panasonic charger is a small base. The shaver sits in the base, with the base plugged into a wall outlet. This means:
1. The shaver cannot be used while it is charging since its sitting in the base against a wall outlet.
2. You must plug the charger into the upper outlet on a receptacle to avoid obstructing access to the lower receptacle on your wall outlet.
Personally, I do not find this to be a huge deal, but I do prefer the convenience of being able to use a shaver on a corded charger in case I need to shave when the shaver battery is dead.
Overall, I really like this shaver and its well worth the price. The performance is great. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of the charger design.
Customer Review: Great Shave, Superior Value
Summary: 5 Stars
First thing I did after this shaver arrived was wait a few days before shaving, so I could really put it to the test. I have a light-to-medium beard growth but with hair that is reddish-brown and coarse. Which is to say that my "five o'clock shadow" punches in at around midnight. So if you have a much heavier growth, take this review with a grain or two.
Anyway, I lathered up (light coat, as recommended) and went to work. The shaver's operation was smooth and quiet, with a compact feel in my hand that indicates quality. About ten minutes later, and after going over my face a few times, I knew the shaver had done as much as it could do under the circumstances--which was offer a generally close shave while leaving a few strays, particularly on my kneck and jawline. But zero nicks or cuts! To present a thoroughly polished look I had to go over my face again with a safety razor. So under those circumstances--which were really a test, not how I would normally shave--the shave was ok.
Now on to every-day use. I find this shaver works best with a very thin coat of cream, but it works nearly as well dry. Even after going over my neck (the most difficult part of my face to shave) a few times, I still get zero nicks or cuts or skin irritation. If I shave every day, I'm golden. This shaver gives me by far the closest shave I've ever had--I mean smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom close. And plenty of battery power, even after fifteen minutes.
In looking for a good electric on my way to finding this one, I saw a few priced way above what this one costs. So when I chose this one, as cheaply priced as it is, I thought I might be taking a chance. No way! Unless you need your shaver to tie your shoes, fill the gas tank, and take you on a trip to Mars all in one day, I'd steer clear of those and grab this one. At this price it's a no-brainer.
Customer Review: Works fine for a wet shaver
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought one of these from Amazon to replaced my older Panasonic ES728 because its battery does not hold charge anymore. I am surprised how little this shaver costs. It works fine as a wet shaver in and out of the shower and it's quiet because of the counter directional blades. You can shave it with shaving cream and just wash it under the faucet. It's a lot bigger than my ES728 and it takes 8 hrs. to charge vs. 1 hr. My ES728 is also induction charged so no external power terminals to get rusted out. You can use it as a dry shaver but I find my Braun 5416 works a lot better. I finish the shave by using some after shave lotion or gel like Nivea to smooth out my facial skin. It also does not work well if let I my beard grow more than a couple days as it lacks the third blade that my Braun has to catch the long stubbles. I think that people has a fault expectation that any foil shaver will work as well if they let their beards grow more than 1-2 days. Even if one uses the blade, one will have to run it thru multiple times if the beard is more than a 2 couple days. The magic key for a close shave is to shave every day and this shaver delivers that after 2-3 weeks. I used it mainly as a wet/semi-wet shaver and it is easy to clean with just water.
I'd not buy any expensive Panasonic shavers like the linear, vortex or arc lines because they do not offer battery replacement and they tend to lose charge in a few years. They'd be an expensive paperweight after 3 years when the battery worn out and it is not eco friendly to throw away a perfectly good shaver because the company does not provide typical battery repair service that Norelco would. I am forced to replace my old ES728 because this thing costs less than the replacement foil/cutter and plus more $$ cost to replace the old battery (assuming that it is even available from Panasonic).