Braun Series 8 with PowerCase Review

The Series 8 lacks a few extras found on its big brother, the Series 9 Pro — specifically slightly slower RPMs and simpler cutting head — but otherwise, it offers nearly everything you're looking for, including a friendlier price.

Performance Comparison

Shave Quality

The Series 8 offers two foil cutting heads that sandwich a third cutting strip designed to mow down longer stubble. Although no electric razor will ever measure up to the baby-smooth skin that some standard manual razors can produce, our testing proved that the Series 8's three-step cutting system is effective and reliable. However, this model's blade RPMs (30,000 passes per minute) are a little slower than the Series 9 Pro (40,000 passes per minute). Additionally, the Series 9 Pro comes with four separate shaving heads that attack a wider range of hair types.

We also liked this model's swiveling head. It seamlessly glides along a sturdy metal track, which allows the cutting head to pivot a total of 40 degrees (20 degrees in each direction). We feel this fluid motion is key to this razor's ability to hug closely to the skin while it contours the face, jaw, chin, and neck. And, when more control and precision are needed, the entire cutting head can be locked into place with the flip of a switch. The Series 8 also offers a slide-up trimmer that makes it easy to work on sideburns or problem areas.

Run & Charge Times

A series of very strong run and charge times earned the Series 8 close to perfect scores for this metric. Not only does it stay charged for weeks, it also recharges in a jiff.

It doesn't boast the longest run times of our group, but the Series 8 is definitely no slouch when it comes to battery life. During our timed tests, our unit continuously buzzed for nearly 2 hours and 15 minutes on a single charge. And, when it comes to replacing its spark, our tests proved that the Series 8 could completely fill its tanks in under an hour (59 minutes). This run-to-charge ratio is very solid and even outperformed the Series 9 Pro.

Ease of Use & Versatility

We liked using the Series 8. In fact, some of our testers even thought it was fun. A sleek design, digital interface, several charging options, and a fabulous cleaning station really add to this razor's value.

In addition to its cool features, we really liked the ergonomics, balance, and overall feel of the Series 8. It has great grips, a comfortable thumb pad, and just the right amount of heft to give it added appeal. Our absolute favorite accessory is its amazing mobile power carrying case — one of the first ever. It keeps the Series 8 safely bundled during storage or transit, but it also automatically charges the razor on contact. This is an excellent feature for travel, especially international travel, because it doesn't require a voltage adapter. The case has its own power button and power supply readout, and it also has a convenient look-see window that allows the user to see through to the razor's power bars.

To engage the travel lock, simply press and hold the power button for three seconds, this will keep your Series 8 from accidentally firing up after shoving your bag into your flight's overhead compartment. To unlock, press and hold for the same amount of time. We also loved this razor's iconic Braun style, its easy-to-grip rubber stripping, and its comfortable thumb pad (which doubles as the head-locking lever). The power button is perfectly placed, and the digital screen is simple and easy to understand, making the entire product enjoyable and intuitive. In fact, some of our more adventurous testers easily figured out all of its functions without a single glance at the owner's manual. On the negative side, we didn't like the slide-up trimmer. It requires the user to first press a release button before forcing it upward, but the button is too small and too shallow. We often didn't press it deep enough, or we forgot about it altogether, which routinely caused the trimmer to catch and stick.

The Series 8 is great for dry shaving, but it's also waterproof, so you can shave with foam or gel or even use it in the shower. We also loved its many charging options. This model can pull a spark from its power cord, carrying case, and even its self-cleaning station, so rarely will you have a dead battery. Lastly, our biggest beef with the entire Series 8 system is its instruction manual. Braun is an international brand, so in an attempt to communicate to a broad customer base, nearly all of the user information is conveyed through images. Although it solves the multi-lingual dilemma, we feel the diagrams and drawings miss the boat a little bit by being a bit confusing and sometimes vague.

Ease of Cleaning

We really liked the cleaning options of the Series 8. We shelled out very decent scores for this metric because we liked having choices. However, its conveniences also come with an added cost, causing us to hold back on our best scores.

We also loved the convenience of docking our Series 8 into its SmartCare center when it was time for a more thorough cleaning. The full-service device also lubricates and charges the razor. During our testing period, we felt our cleaning station worked very well, and we feel that consistent use can help maintain the razor's performance qualities and overall longevity. This convenience, however, isn't free. Even if not used, the cleaning solution reservoir only lasts for eight weeks. We considered this when scoring this metric.

Should You Buy the Braun Series 8 with PowerCase?

You'll like this razor if you are seeking a top-notch product and are willing to pay a little extra for quality and performance. That all said the Series 8 is not Braun's top performer. However, what sets the Series 8 apart is the more reasonable price. This model offers about the same quality and function as its more luxurious Braun siblings — minus a bit of function and a titch of horsepower — but it performs nearly as well. The best part is it does it all with a noticeably lower price point.

What Other Electric Razor Should You Consider?

If you're impressed with the Series 8 but would still rather go all-in on one of Braun's best models, we think you'll love the Braun Series 9 Pro. It offers a more powerful cutting process and elevated engineering when it comes to its cutting heads. If you prefer the price point of the Series 8 but prefer rotary blades, our favorite option is the Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige.