Binding: Electronics
Brand: Panasonic
Model: ES8228S

Customer Rating:
Summary: My best electric shave ever
Comment: 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.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Panasonic Electric Shaver
Comment: I was very pleased with the great service. I received the product much faster than I anticipated. I am also very satisfied with this product.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent product
Comment: It's solid, the battery lasts for 2 weeks, it has a compact self cleaning system that works like a charm and it also shaves close and comfortable. Coming from an old Braun shaver, I could only find mixed reviews on current Braun products. Everything that's said about this Panasonic here is true; you won't be disappointed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not to bad
Comment: Two weeks of total immersion to research for a shaver: Players: Panasonic, Braun and Norelco. I boiled down to I wanted a shaver I can use in the shower.

There are so many Panasonic Models it is unbelievable. After research I found many to be the same with some minor differences. The three are the ES8228, ES8109 (Same but different color) ES8101 (Same but does not have the cleaner) and not a cool looking.

Using the 8228 every two days.
1st shave dry, slight oily skin. Kinda rough on the skin
2nd Shave two days later in shower with non-allergic soap- Not to bad but was not that smooth and kinda hurt
3rd Shave in shower, with non-allergic shave cream. Pretty smooth and pretty close
4th shave. Same but each shave is getting closer and less painful on my skin.

When I factor in, I shave with hot water.. seems like there are still stubbles left, but after my face cools down shortly after, it is pretty close to a razor shave.

This unit is 149.00 plus tax, the 8109 is 105.00 at drugstore.com and the 8101 is 70.00 at Amazon (with out the cleaner) I do not believe I need an extra item on my master bath counter and do not see a need to use the cleaner if you simply pop the top off and rince it and then put it on 17,000 rpm for few seconds.

Last comment, is nothing can shave as close as a three or five razor shaver.. it takes me about 60 seconds to use a razor, but about 3 min to use the electric shaver.

I am taking back the 149.00 8228 and getting the 8101 strictly for price. Saving 70-80 bucks is two rounds of golf or a family night out.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The best shave I've ever had, period.
Comment: I'll add my effusive praise for the Panasonic ES8228S to the others here. I've been using Norelco Quadra shavers for the past 8 years, quite happily; and had Braun and Eltron shavers before that (Eltrons have Braun bodies and upgraded gold plated foils and cutting blocks). I use blades fitfully in between - liking the close shave but not liking the nicks and longer ritual. I gave up on the foil shavers and went back to Norelco because the foil shavers required more care in use to avoid burn. Plus they seemed to need more frequent foil and cutting block replacement than the Norelcos. Norelcos also let you shave in a quick swirly motion I enjoyed.

The ES8228S is a different league than all of those. Unlike other foil shavers of my past, this one seems immune to shaver burn - while having all the closeness in spades. I attribute this to a remarkable synergy of technologies: the 13,000 rpm magnetic drive motor with its speed and relative lack of vibration; the curved dual thin foils with the hyper-sharp cutting blocks; the fact that the head and foil assemblies can independently move and pivot to fit your face; the excellent centrally mounted long-hair capturing cutter (the 3rd cutting block - more of a slot in between the two foils). I've always had a problem with stray long hairs down in my neck - and the ES8228S is the first shaver I've ever had that did a good job of getting these.

In use, the ES8228S feels incredibly light and smooth on your face. It's loud, but there's not too much buzzing on your skin. The beard disappears very quickly and afterward your skin feels remarkable unburned. It's just flat out the best shave I've ever had. BTW - I've only been using it dry. Part of what I didn't like about blade shaving was the hot water ritual. Used wet with shaving gel it's even better - but I always end up using it dry because it's plenty good that way and I'm done quicker.

The EW8228S charges quickly - about an hour for a full charge. It has a lithium ion battery which should last a long time. A big backlit LED display tells you level of charge as a percentage number. It comes with a cartridge detergent cleaning/charging unit (the "HydraClean" system)that washes and lubricates the shaver automatically; but the detergent cartridges cost $5/month ($15 for a 3 pack) list. They are currently discounted about 30% on Amazon. The HydraClean unit can charge, clean, rinse, and dry in any combination (e.g. you can set it to just charge, or just dry or whatever combination). It's a little noisy for the first 20 minutes of the cleaning cycle but then settles down. It has an odor that I find not to my liking, but the unit is certainly clean and somewhat lubricated afterwards. You can also clean the unit with water and hand soap using a an "ultrasonic" speed mode. It's very convenient and works very quickly and well. The charging cable also charges the shaver directly so use of the "HydraClean" bath unit is entirely optional. I've ended up using it once a week for the lubrication effect - and according to the docs I should be able to use it for 3 months at that usage level. I wash it under the tap after every use so it's clean as a whistle all the time.

The cutter and foil assemblies cost about 1/2 the cost of the shaver - list - to replace (once again, discounted about 30% on Amazon). This is a bit high - but given the extraordinary quality of the shave and the incredibly reasonable cost of the whole unit, I'll put up with it. The cutting block is supposed to last a year and the foil two years - so it's not like you're doing it all the time. Given how good this thing shaves with a fresh cutting block, this will probably be the first shaver I've owned where I don't resent replacing the cutting block every year.

All in all, it's clearly a quality unit with unbelievable performance at a real world price. Highest recommendation.

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