Panasonic ES8228S Men's Linear Vortex Nano Arc Foil Shaving System, Silver
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Customer Reviews of Panasonic ES8228S Men's Linear Vortex Nano Arc Foil Shaving System, Silver
Customer Review: My best electric shave ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used various models of Norelco rotary shavers over the last 20 years. First was a corded only model when I first started shaving. It worked ok but especially if my face was a little damp I'd get bad "razor burn" irritation on the neck area (not ingrown hairs). I ended up switching to blades and dealt with the usual nicks and cuts. Then later on I tried a model given to me in early 2000 that was better but I still got the "burn" and if I didn't shave every day it wouldn't pick up the longer hairs. That's something rotaries are supposed to be better at though which surprised me. Finally I've been using the "James Bond" model Spectra since it came out until about 2 weeks ago (on its 3rd set of cutters) when I picked the Panasonic up. Even with the Spectra I had the same "burn" and various hairs being missed problem. I thought the "comfort" settings were supposed to fix that and it did a bit, at a sacrifice of closeness evidenced by 5 o'clock shadow by 2pm.
Having seen that there was a new generation of shavers out from both Braun and Panasonic I set out to do my research. I got the overall impression right away from reviews that the new Arcitec would be even worse for closeness than my Spectra so I decided to take a chance on trying a foil shaver. The problem there is areas of my beard grow in different directions and that's supposed to be something that rotaries are better at dealing with (so I thought I could be in trouble with a foil since rotaries weren't "cutting it" already). I was very close to getting the Braun Pulsonic when I saw a Panasonic Arc IV mentioned on a shaver forum. I'd never even looked at Panasonic yet and didn't realize they had "high end" shavers.
After doing more research I settled on the 8228. While I'd seen many reviews on the Braun that sounded problematic, I saw very few "red flag" type reviews on the Panasonic Arc Nano series. I was going to go with the less expensive 8109 until I found out that the 8109 the foils move in and out as one unit (up and down) where the 8228 the two foils and center cutter can move up and down or "float" independently. I was impressed with the first shave. I actually tested it side by side with the Spectra for 3 days by shaving 1/2 my face with the Spectra and 1/2 with the Panasonic. By feel the Pansonic seemed slightly closer right then. The big difference was the lack of "burn" and a general better feel after than the old Spectra. The closeness was more evident later in the day when the Panasonic side was still shorter than the Norelco.
I did the "final test" today. With foils you're supposed to shave every day or you run into problems with long hairs (I guess the center cutter helps with this now though). So I didn't shave for two days over the weekend and hit it with the Panasonic today. Now, if I did this with the Norelco I'd be in for of course a little longer shave but also more "burn" because of that, and more stray missed hairs. The panasonic added maybe 20-30 seconds of shave time and left no strays and still no burn. I have yet to try it wet but so far on dry this is the best electric shave I've ever had.
Customer Review: Closest Shave from an Electric
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had the ES8228S for about 4 months now and have to give it high marks for its performance although I have one serious misgiving about the device's charging system. I have been using electric shavers for nearly four decades - starting with Norelcos, moving on to Braun, and recently a couple of Remingtons. Each of these shavers lasted a few years and then made its way to the landfill for various reasons. I have been quite dismayed over the past few years to see the adoption of all kinds of exorbitantly expensive features on better quality shavers. This one seems to fall nicely in the middle ground of high quality and good shave without extra gimmicks.
I chose the Panasonic over many others and have to say it shaves the best of any shaver I've owned. I have a fairly light beard, but have been plagued by other shavers missing neck hairs. Once they are missed, the hairs grow longer and can't be shaved off with the regular foil and blade. The Panasonic shaves the closest I've experienced and almost never misses the neck hairs. I rate the shave quality as excellent. As a professional who sits with clients face to face all day, shave quality is the most important element I look for.
Impressions: The design is comfortable in the hand, it's well made, and fairly trim and compact. I probably will never use the liquid cleaning system because the supplies are expensive and I don't believe it is necessary in any way. I've also not used it wet. As a dry shaver, it works well enough for me.
The sound of the shaver is different from others I've used - the high speed makes a whining sound as opposed to the familiar buzz. It's not louder and I have gotten used to it, but would say it is slightly harsher on the ears first thing in the morning. For travel and bathroom drawer storage, the cord is less user-friendly than the Braun's coiled, non-transformer type. It has a fairly large transformer and is stiff and long, making it harder to wind up and bring. So far I count on the battery to make it through trips. I don't believe there is a way to lock the on/off switch for travel so it could turn on in the luggage if bumped wrong.
My main concern is a feature of the battery and charging system that I couldn't know about before I bought the unit. The shaver doesn't work with the cord plugged in. Most of my previous shavers have failed in 2-3 years due to batteries losing their storage capacity. I have been able to extend the life for a couple more years by using them with the cord attached. Can't do that with this unit. I suspect when the battery gets to the point of needing a full charge to get through one shave, it will be useless. With the unbelievably high cost of replacement batteries and blades, expensive shavers like these are pretty much disposable items after way too short a life span.
Overall this is a very good product, well designed and executed. I'll be looking for Panasonic shavers in the future.
Customer Review: Great Shave, it's Lexus vs BMW
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this shaver to replace my 7 year old Braun 7570 Syncro. The Braun had been gotten really loud over the past couple of years, due to a loose fitting foil block. A new foil didn't fix the problem, so I decided it was time to retire the old girl. I read every review on Amazon and everywhere else before making my decision. It was tough, since I've owned 3 Brauns over the past 16 years, but I really wanted to try a wet shaver and I liked the idea of the 13,000 RPM linear Panasonic motor. Plus, Amazon has great deals on the Panasonic stuff which I just couldn't pass up. I just couldn't see spending twice as much on the top-of-the-line Braun.
OK, on with the review. The feel of the Panasonic is totally different from the Braun. Like a Japanese car versus a German car. Very different, but great in their own way. Most noticeable is the weight and balance. The Panasonic is much lighter and the motor is in the shaving head, shifting the balance from the handle into head. No bad, just different. The cleaning/charging base is much more streamilined and compact than the Braun. My only gripe is the power cord. I prefer the springy coiled cord of the Braun which feels much higher in quality. But you don't shave with the power cord.
Shaving performance... WOW! Since I've been shaving with an electric for 16 years, I didn't need the 30 days recommended to let my face adjust. I could tell from Day 1 that I made the correct decision. Great close shave, especially on my upper lip. Shave time for me is about 5 minutes, but I'm picky and keep going over those tough spots under my jaw until they're silky smooth. I can do it in about 3 minutes if I'm in a hurry. The best part of the new razor for me is when the foil starts to heat up after a minute or so, I just run it under cold water for a few seconds. Not only does the razor stay cool, but the wet foil glides over my face much easier than a dry foil. I never got serious razor burn or a rash with the Braun, but the redness, especially on my neck, is significantly reduced with the Panasonic. I actually enjoy shaving now!
In addition to not liking the power cord, I don't like the Panasonic cleaning system as much as the Braun. I prefer the antiseptic quality of the Braun solution and the alcohol based cleaner dries in a fraction of the time. Since I rinse the new shaver after every use, I don't have much need for the cleaning base, so this isn't as big a deal for me. If I was just rating the shaver itself, I would give it 5 stars. As a system, the cheap power cord and water based cleaner knock it down a notch for me. All in all, I highly recommend this shaver.
Customer Review: The Lexus of Shavers
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been an electric shaver user for over 15 years, and have not found anything that comes close to matching the Panasonic ES8228 for overall quality, and ability to provide a true razor close shave, My last 2 were Brauns(Synchro and Activator). I was very impressed with this product right out of the box, fit and finish are flawless. And yes it is made in Japan not China and the quality shows it. It is a precision product.
My first shave I noticed 2 things right away after years of being a Braun driver. First, this shaver is light, very light, giving it a sportscar feel on your face. Its very easy to handle and manipulate to do what you need it to do. Second thing is there is a lot more drag resistance against the beard with this shaver than the Braun, perhaps this is just the more precise Nanotech cutting blade system, but it definately cuts closer than the Braun. I was very surprised at how close the shave is, leaves your face baby bottom smooth and soft, something I have not been able to acheive for several years. I tried it in the shower, and as a Wet shaver it does great, it glides with little effort needed using shave gel or bodywash and it keeps it cleaner rinsing it in the shower, uses less cleaning solution.
I really like the charger/cleaning stand which has a smaller countertop footprint than the Braun, a consideration for limited space. The Panasonic uses a cleaning cartridge that is a solid that mixes with water you pour into a reservoir tank to clean with and lasts longer than the Braun cartridges. I like it because it is Not alcohol based, which the Braun is. My concern with this arose when I found my Braun cleaning stand electronics had gone berserk and the evaporative heated drying mode would not shut off, when I picked up the Braun from the stand smoke was coming off the heads that had been immersed in alcohol solution. Fortunately, I was home to catch this, but had I left home with it still in the stand the solution could have exploded and caught the house on fire. I am too scared of the alcohol based Braun system and would never have another one.
I am very satisfied with the Panasonic and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality shaver that will perform. It puts the fun back in shaving..if there ever was any that is.
Customer Review: Best wet/dry shaver on the market
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of the Panasonic razor since I bought my first one back in 2000. This is my 3rd Panasonic shaver and it is also the best one that I have owned. I really liked my last shaver (Panasonic ES8077S) but I didn't take as good of care of it as I should have so had to replace it with this one.
This is a reminder to everyone not to let the shaver sit around wet (with the shaving head sitting up) for long periods of time as eventually the water will get inside the unit. With that said the construction of these shavers did allow me to take it apart easily and clean it up but once I did that the seal was just not as good as it originally was.
With the 8228 I find that the shave is even closer than what I had with the 8077 and that it feels smoother on the skin as well. The neck is always a hard area to shave and I used to have to use a razor to get it really clean but with the 8228 I seem to be able to get a better shave on my neck as well. I use Gillette Fusion shaving gel and it works great. I saw someone say that they felt the shaver got clogged with the shaving cream but I have not found that to be the case in my use. With more beard growth it does take more to get through the thickness than normal but take it slow and it will do a great job. I don't think you will find any other shaver that does as good of a job without causing irritation.
I did look at the Phillips Norelco line of wet shavers as well before buying this one, in fact I bought one, took it out of the box, looked at it and just found the construction of the unit so inferior to the Panasonic I was concerned as to how long it would last. I tried it once and the issue with the Phillips shavers is that it is hard to get those little circular shaving heads everywhere easily and it just felt cheap (it cost almost the same as the 8228). I thought the idea of having the shaving gel right in the shaver neat but I had a shaver like that a long time ago that after one or two times refilling it I never used that feature again.
For me Panasonic is the best wet/dry shaver on the market that I have been able to find at a reasonable price as well and will continue to be a customer of theirs.