[summary] The closest thing to a barbershop shave you'll get at home Works on three-day stubble without pulling or dragging Expensive upfront, but the blades last 18 months [/summary]
What we tested
Eight weeks. One tester who has used a blade every day for twelve years and was genuinely sceptical about switching. One who moves between electric and blade depending on the week. We ran the Series 9 Pro against a Philips Series 9000 and a Braun Series 7 to see where the money actually goes.
The short answer: it goes into the shave quality. The longer answer is below.
Shave quality
Exceptional. The Series 9 Pro uses five shaving elements — two specialised trimmers for flat-lying and problem hairs, two foil cutters, and a central trimmer — working simultaneously. The result is a shave that is closer than anything else we've tested in an electric razor, and noticeably closer than the Series 7.
Our blade convert used it for two weeks before switching permanently. That's the clearest endorsement possible. He reported less irritation than with a blade on sensitive areas around the jaw and neck, which is a genuine surprise.
It handles three-day stubble without the catching or dragging that undermines most foil shavers at that length. Set the AutoSense motor to work and it adjusts power automatically based on beard density. You can feel it working.
The charging station
The Series 9 Pro comes with a SmartCare Centre that cleans, lubricates, dries, and charges the shaver automatically. You press one button, it does everything. The cleaning fluid cassette lasts around 30 cleans.
It's a genuinely useful feature if you find cleaning electric razors tedious — which most people do. If you'd rather just rinse it under the tap and save the money, the shaver works fine that way too.
Battery life
60 minutes of shaving per charge, which is around three to four weeks of daily use. A five-minute quick charge gives you one shave if you've forgotten to charge it overnight. The LED display shows exactly how much charge is left, which is more useful than the vague indicators on cheaper models.
Build quality
The best in class. The grip is solid, the head movement feels precise rather than loose, and nothing rattles. It's the kind of build quality that makes the price feel justified rather than aspirational.
The replacement head costs around £40 and Braun recommends replacing it every 18 months. Factor that into the long-term cost.
Should you buy it
If you want the best electric shave available under £400 and don't mind spending properly for it, yes. Nothing we've tested comes closer to a blade without using one.
If you're on a tighter budget, the Series 7 does 85% of what this does for around half the price. Worth trying first.
If you've never got on with electric razors before, try this before writing them off entirely. It's a different category from the £50 foil shavers that put people off.