Panasonic Electric Shaver and Trimmer for Men, ES8243A ARC4, Wet/Dry with 4 Blades and Flexible Pivoting Head

There are already over 1600 reviews, so I don't want to beat a dead horse. In short, I LOVE this razor. Not only does it give me a great, blemish free shave, but it saves me 20 minutes in the morning compared to shaving with a blade or other popular brands of electric razors I actually started setting my alarm a little later because of this bad boy!!! :) If you want to know why I LOVE this razor so much, keep reading.First off, I am 41 years old and have a course and thick beard. On top of having a tough beard, I was also cursed with very sensitive skin. I get razor burn and ingrown hairs just looking at a Gillette Fusion or Mach 3. I tried using a couple of Remington electrics and a Braun electric back in the 80's and early 90's, but they gave me a terrible shave and were often just as irritating to my skin as a blade. I ultimately gave up on those electrics and went back to using blade.On the advise of my dermatologist, I stopped using blades altogether in 2007 and bought a Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050 (his recommendation) for close to $150. It was a very cool looking razor (carbon fiber etc.) and, compared to the Remington and Braun electrics I had in the 80's and 90's it gave me a decent shave--nothing great, but passable. I accepted this to be the best I could hope for from an electric and at least it was gentle to my skin. Unfortunately, I still needed 3-4 passes to get an acceptable shave, so my morning shave still took me 20 minutes in the morning and I still had 5 o'clock shadow by 3pm. I also had to supplement with a regular razor for some parts of my chin and neck because the Norelco 1050 just could cut those hairs close--if at all.By 2014, the 1050's battery was no longer doing well and the head needed to be replaced (I replaced the blades and foils in 2010 and again in 2012--but never the whole head). Since the head would cost $60 and the battery was only lasting half as long as it did when new, I decided I was better off just buying a new razor. Believing the 1050 was the best I could expect from an electric, I stuck with Norelco and "upgraded" to the Philips Norelco 8800. Despite the move from the 2D head on the 1050 to 3D head on the 8800, I didn't see any improvement in the shave quality--it was just as mediocre as before. It also still took me 20 minutes to shave every morning. Nevertheless, if the 8800 had been as "good" as the 1050, I would have been satisfied.The fact is the new Norelco 8000 series is text book example of over-engineering. Instead of a simple floating head design like the 1050, the 8000 series used a new 3D head (RQ12) which had dozens of tiny pieces just in the blade and foil sections alone. The old 1050 could withstand many drops onto a tile floor, but don't even think about dropping the 8000 series--unless crawling around for parts and putting together complex puzzles. Unfortunately, I went through 2 heads in my first 6 months ($60 a head). Also, with the new 8000 series you can't just replace the blades and foil like you could on the old 1050--you have to buy the entire head. Expect to be spending $60-70 a year on those heads.In October, I called Norelco to complain about the fragile head design and the customer service rep told me that they had issues with the original head (RQ12), but was pleased to inform me that that Norelco recognized the problem and redesigned the head entirely (now it's the RQ12+). In fact the old head design (RQ12) that I had just purchased had been discontinued. As nice as that sounded, I told the rep that I had already dropped $200 on the razor and another $120 on replacement heads. I didn't think it was fair for Norelco to expect me to spend another $60 or $70 for a fourth head just to get the experience promised. She apologized, but told me should could not exchange the heads for me at no cost. Needless to say, I was not pleased.Less than a month after that call, the razor started acting up. The blades were running at uneven speeds--and sometimes one blade or another would just stop running. The head also started marking a horrendous grinding sound. am no mechanic, but I know when cheap plastic gears have broken teeth. That was it for me. I was done with Norelco.About 2 weeks ago, I decided to give the Panasonic ES8243A a shot. After giving it a full charge out of the box, I took it into the shower for a wet shave (just using a little conditioner on my face for lubrication). My first impression: Wow!!!! What have I been missing out on all these years!!!! This Panasonic razor does really cut as close as a blade, even on my neck and chin. No touch ups with a blade required. Best of all, I can get a baby bottom close shave for the first time in my life without razor burn in less than 3 minutes!!!!!! I am in heaven and I only paid $89 for the razor on Amazon (which only $19 more than the head on the Norelco).I really have no complaints about this razor, but if I had to suggest improvements to Panasonic, I would suggest that they improve the battery life. Even though I am only using the Panasonic for 3-4 minutes a day, the batter is only lasting me 6-8 days before it runs down completely. With the Norelco, I was able to get more than 15-20 days on a full charge using the razor for 15-20 minutes daily (this was the Norelco's one redeeming quality). I can live with charging the razor once a week, but a year from now when this razor needs to be charged every day (or every other day) I won't be so pleased. In addition to improving the battery life, I would also like to see Panasonic provide a nice charging stand (another small plus for the Norelco). Yes, I know the more expensive versions of this Panasonic razor include a charging base that also cleans the head. This, however, requires that you buy special cleaning solution from Panasonic and it doesn't work that well. Auto cleaner or not, you will still need to use a brush and alcohol to clean these blades.There are all small niggles. This Panasonic razor has given me the best shaving experience of my life. If this razor lasts me more than year without requiring a replacement head etc., I will easily be the best razor I have ever owned and the best $89 I have ever spent.

After more than a thousand reviews what can I add? Well, as a traditional wet shaver I feel that electric razors have been given a bad rap. That has been deserved to only a degree. I started out using them back in the mid 70's and continued until about 10 years ago. I have used a couple of Norleco razors and one Braun. I still have the Braun (Model 5414) that I was using for evening touch-ups. For reference I have a moderately tough beard combined with sensitive fair skin.I have been wet shaving for about a decade. I travelled the familiar route of canned shaving cream and decent disposable razors and then to a Schick Quattro. For the last 3-4 years I graduated to using a shaving brush, better shaving creams and soaps and finally to double edged razors. I still use on very rare occaisons the Edwin Jagger razor equipped with Derby, Feather or Dorco blades. That served me well for years and is a very nice way to shave for very little money long term. As mentioned previously though, I have sensitive skin and it was taking it's toll. I tended to use 5 passes on average to get a nice close shave. Six was not out of the question. By Sunday my face was very sensitive and I was tempted to skip a day which is not something I like to do at all. Trying to shave in the evening for a night out was not a fun prospect and I would cheat and use the Braun. Not nearly as close but passable.To give context I will rate my shaves in order of comfort and closeness. First off, cheap disposable razors. Worst of everything. Feels like I am ripping out the hair and the skin with it. My experiences with these go all the way back to their earliest days.Second, the older electric razors. Not very close and I would have to go over and over my face to get the job (it really felt like a job) done. ElecricShave did not help much. Any raising of the hair was accompanied by drying of the skin as well as a burning sensation.Third, the newer Gillette and Schick 4 blade razors. Ridiculously expensive blades and the shaves are not as close as a double edge. I experimented with this several times. After about 3 passes with them it seemed they just started gliding over my face without getting any closer. They are a good compromise between comfort, no nicks, and closeness. I could easily get closer after them with my double edge. In fact, when my face was a little tender I would use my Schick for the first 3 passes and then two more with the DE.Fourth, my trusty DE razor. If it were not for the skin irritation I would have just stuck with it. The closest shave of all and quite a pleasurable experience every morning. Very economical as well once you purchase a razor. About 10 cents a blade when bought in decent quantities.OK, so now you have a baseline for my review. I would like to take the opportunity here to thank previous reviewers for helping me make the decision to purchase this razor. I have been using it for 5 weeks now. My face is in better condition than before without a doubt. I don't have to worry about touching up before going out at night anymore. As a side note, I do not use any alcohol based after shave balms or cologne. As per my previous experiences I was hesitant to purchase another electric razor. This razor is in a completely different league. I did not expect to ever be able to give up my DE razor especially with my affinity for really close shaves.You can use this razor to dry shave but if you want a nice, COMFORTABLE shave, use a wet shaving technique. I still use my shaving brush to apply a very small amount of shaving cream directly to my face. No need for a shaving bowl. It's too bad since a have a couple of nice ones. If you over-apply it will be like putting Bubble-Bath in a jacuzzi. Just a big counterproductive mess. I use Truefitt & Hill shaving creams. It can be applied using just your hand if you wish to avoid the cost of a brush. I tried using plain water and facial soap but the results were not nearly as good.I make a few passes and then rinse off the razor and some of the lather off of my face. There is plenty of cream left inside the razor to give you a nice glide for a couple more passes. Don't let it get dried out from the friction. Just keep your face slightly wet. You will get a nice feel for it in no time. The results have surprised and pleased me. Really a great shave with almost no irritation. I can touch up at night using a dry shave method without too much irritation at all. A little (non-alcohol) aftershave balm and I feel great. Is it as close as a 5-6 pass DE shave? Not quite but it is as close as a 4 pass shave at least, and certainly IMO as close as a Shick or Gillette shave with much more comfort. Everyone's face is different so YMMV.A few folks have mentioned the noise of the razor. I only have my old Braun for comparison. At 4" away it measures 71 db. The Panasonic measures 66 db. The Panasonic is much quiter but it's noise is a little higher in pitch. Certainly not too much to complain about IMO.My final verdict; a very fine product for a reasonable price. Works better than expected. This is coming from a very dedicated DE shaver.I will add a couple of side notes here for guys who have not tried products outside of the norm or are just struggling with having to shave and getting no pleasure out of it at all. First off, if you are using alcohol based after shave balms or colognes and you do not like the burn or the drying sensation quit using them. Just because most guys use them they might not be suitable for you. The most widely available non-alcohol product out there is Nivea for sensitive skin. There are a few out there as well but that one is still in my rotation.Secondly, consider quitting the shaving cream in a can. Besides not being the most environmentally freindly stuff out there it winds up costing more especially if you purchase this razor. You do not want a thick and foamy product on your face. At the rate I am using my cream it will take me years to use one tub of this stuff.The most widely available cream that I know of is Proraso (also marketed as Bigelow at Bath and Body). It comes in a metal tube like toothpaste. Very nice "old school" scent as well.