Braun Series 3 ProSkin Electric Shaver, Electric Razor for Men With Pop Up Precision Trimmer, Cordless, Wet and Dry, Close Shave, Gifts For Men, UK 2 Pin Plug, 3020s, Black Razor, Fathers Day Gifts
Tackles tricky areas
The unique design of the precision head tackles hard-to-reach areas, like under the nose and neck area.
Corded or cordless
Never run out of power. The Smart Plug automatically adjusts its voltage for different global sockets.
100% washable
Rinse under running water for easy cleaning.
Premium NiMH battery
One charge provides 45 minutes of precision shaving with no performance loss. A 5 minute Quick Charge is enough for 1 shave.
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Flex head | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Washable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wet&Dry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Quick charge | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery | Li-Ion 50 min running / 1h charging | Li-Ion 50 min running / 1h charging | NiMH 45 min running / 1h charging | NiMH 45 min running / 1h charging |
| Accessories included | Beard Trimmer, Body Groomer, Charging stand, Cleaning brush | Precision Trimmer, Cleaning brush | Beard Trimmer, 5 Combs | Cleaning brush |
| Replacement head | 53B | 53B | 32B | 32B |
| Dimensions: | 15.5 x 5.7 x 22.2 cm; 385 Grams |
| Model: | 4210201112358 |
| Batteries Included: | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Manufacture: | Procter & Gamble |
| Dimensions: | 15.5 x 5.7 x 22.2 cm; 385 Grams |
| Origin: | Germany |
Bought this for my husband and he loves it. Has all the bits to it so it’s versatile for his beard too. It’s cheaper than his previous one so was a bit dubious when buying but he says it does a better job. Worth the money x
I have used Phillishave for years and thought I would have a change to the Braun, it is not bad to use, but does miss a lot and have to go back time and time again, this may be because of my age and skin, it gets into the cleft of my chin brilliantly.
I bought this for my son who’s only 12 but his moustache came in thick first. It’s been good for his young skin. I wish it had come with a case like the instructions show and make sure you buy a two pin adapter plug as it needs one of those as well. But overall great first time shaving experience!
Have used this product from this manufacturer for many years this latest is my third. Only problem they now only supply it with a continental 2 pin plug which means you need an adapter to use in UK. Thankfully I have kept a UK 2 pin plug from a previous purchase.
My old electric razer gave me very bad razor burn so I bought this as it is advertised as good for sensitive skin. So far I am very impressed as I get no razor burn and a much better and closer shave. The only negative is the battery as you only get 45 minutes run time on a full charge
I bought this as a present for my husband but I was very disappointed that the box was such a mess because it seriously detracted from the pleasure he should have had in receiving it. I’m not sure where it came from but there was some horrid waxy substance around the top of the box which I had to scrape off. Luckily the contents of the box appeared to be unharmed but when receiving a gift the presentation is important. Now, as far as the razor goes, he is really pleased as it moves over his very sensitive skin effortlessly giving a very close shave without any damage. He likes the feel and substance of the shaver and over all is very pleased with it.
This is my third one of these and it never lets me down.First class performance at a great price.
Great shaver at a great price. Previously bought a replacement head (for almost 20) for my old model series 3 which turned out to be awful so I bought an entire new series 3 shaver instead. Result is 100% better as it has original manufacturer parts. Watch out if you need to replace the foil and try and get genuine Braun parts – not easy though as they are all badged with Braun logos and are not the same quality.
I’ve always used a razor and gel/foam but decided to try the electric shaver as I was fed up of getting cuts. I was surprised at how good it is. It shaves close and is far more convenient than the razor. I’m delighted with my purchase.
Loved the S3 range for years.
Batteries just die after 2-3 years
This’ll be my 4th
his was recommended after a visit to my local barber, good battery life. I decided to have dry shaves as i have sensitive skin. Only downside is i end up with dry skin after using but its better than burning skin from traditional wet shave. I will try a pre shave powder stick which should hopefully prevent the dry skin after shaving.
A nice razor, comfortable to hold and use, gives a nice close shave and battery lasts a long time between charges. Very pleased with this purchase.
This is my second Braun shaver, same model. Excellent close shave and performance. Would highly recommend.
Went for this because it was top seller some shavers are stupid money can’t fault it great value best shaver you will buy for 50 definitely buy anothe
Excellent shaver, works very well, very happy with the product.
Had may Braun shaver for many years but failed to hold its charge or work on mains and new blade cassettes didn’t really rejuvenate it – decided to replace while on offer and the difference is remarkable.
Can’t beat a Braun for quality. This shaver is lighter than the previous model but it doesn’t miss a hair and probably does the job in less time. Brilliant!
Used mainly for fast, personal shaving, is quick and easy to use. Is first time I’ve used this type of shaver usually used 3 round headed, Philips or Phillishave shavers but will not go back to these, however, I have only used this new Braun S3 for 4 weeks, time will tell.
First impressions really good. Close shave, easy to hold and clean. Don’t know about battery life yet as only purchased about a month ago
Just get it… Steve
Pleased with this purchase. Good value for money and does the job.
The motor is occasionally noisy and sounds coarse. Time will tell if something is wrong.
Very pleased and happy to recommend.
I really like this shaver. Have always used the Braun Brand. Very comfortable to hold for both normal shaving, or using the trimmer blades, for beard and mustache. Quite in operation and easy to clean. Very satisfied.
Easy to use and very comfortable as it gives a very good shave
Does everything I want of an electric shaver. Easy to hold. Gives a close shave.
Slightly disappointing that the pack doesn’t include a small cleaning brush.
Comfortable to hold, good weight and size. Side trimmer works nicely. I’m happy with it.
Make sure you get this one with the side trimmer (cheaper versions don’t have it and they don’t make it obvious in the listings).
Highly recommended
I had to get an electric shaver and get rid of my razor as I have a super, super sensitive skin. Razor irritated my skin like crazy, I tried using warm water, I tried to use moisturizer before and after shaving, tried a whole bunch of different razors but nothing. Shaving with razors irritated my skin and often gave me pimples..
however, since switching to this shaver I NEVER had such issues related to skin irritations/swell. My skin comes super smooth just like after having shaved with a regular razor…and my girlfriend loves it!
little downside, it can be hard sometimes to get the job done in hard spots like around the jaw, and you might need to cover the area a few times before getting it done. Really this is the only thing i can complain about.
This is a good deal, it’s a great product that does what’s supposed to do and does it well, and it’s great value for money. You can’t go wrong with Braun!
Does all it informs, never use anything else, gives a closer shave than any other electric shaver. Good for sensitive skin, usually finish off with twin blade razor if needed (Gillette) otherwise this gives a satisfactory close shave without. Tested many rotary and sent them back to shops as not fit for purpose. Stick with Braun and they work, with some models being used wet or dry. Easy to maintain and last years if well looked after with lubricant.
Shaving razer. The 3 green lights don’t show when the razer is fully charged
Thought this would be better but this is almost as bad! Blade blunt after four weeks doesn’t leave a close skin shave like it did the first week or so
A really close and fast shave. Really low price too.
Even on a two or three day growth, the shaver provides a smooth and comfortable shave.
When looking on line I found an article about just this problem; electrical items, not just shavers, being supplied with European plugs for the UK market. The article was dated 2013, so it looks like some things never change.
Don’t put up with this. Don’t buy an adapter, send the product back and demand a UK version. If they can’t be bothered to make one why should we be bothered to buy their stuff?
And the Shaver? Seems good so far. Shaved off my five-day stubble easily enough, and I’m quite old so my whiskers are like sandpaper. I’ll update later if things change.
This is my second one. No need to spend more this does the job.
This shaver is perfect for a good shave and the battery life is long
Great shaver. Tried and tested and now upgraded. Pop up trimmer os great so don’t buy the cheaper model in the Braun series
Excellent. A good close shave. Never liked electric razors, but my son persuaded me to try his. Purchased one same day.
Having struggled with electric shavers before, irritation and skin burn, this one does the business.
Clean close shave, no afterburn. Usually charge it up once a week which is more than enough. Top buy.
Absolutely wonderful shaver. Perfect for the disabled person and easy to use and clean using water.
i got the shaver for myself and what a good decision it is the closes shaver i have ever had i would recamend it to anybody
Braun, hence, German made stuff is always very durable and of high quality!
And you don’t spend that much more! The company will always have me as customer because they are REALLY GOOD and not fake like others!
Got this because I’m not a fan of shaving (too much effort) use it on my neck and cheeks. (Have a beard) works perfectly fine. Do a quick run over everyday. Does not irritate the skin like ones I’ve had before. Easy to clean. Good buy.
After my last Braun shaver was still working after 15 years and getting a little worse for for wear I decided to get another Braun . Excellent shaver and getting at least 4 good shaves before a charging top up First class!
Good shave almost as good as a blade shave. Trimmer not as good as some.
Got this to replace a similar shaver that had problems with the pop up cutter.
Works fine and battery life is good.
Got it for my elderly neighbour as his old one broke and he loves it and it was on offer ar the time of purchase
Yes it’s good looks nice blue and black colour, hubby likes i
Like – appearance and ease of use
Dislike – n/a
So i have been using electric shavers for a while now, and i have to say this one is the best on yet. I used to use a phillips rotary shaver, which did an ok job but because i shaved everyday i got irritation from it and not that close of a shave on a daily basis. i had heard that foil shavers are good for everyday close shaving, so after a bunch of research i ended up going with the braun one because of it’s reliability as a brand in general. It has now been almost 2 months that i have used it daily and there has been no irritation to speak of, and the shave is always very close to the skin, even comparable to a safety razor. The only small downside is that it may take a little bit more time to shave the neck area clean, but other than that it’s a great shaver, with great battery life and a great design, which i’m sure is going to keep working for years, even with the original head piece, which i don’t intend to change.
The battery as a great life and is easy to hold
I’ve had several electric razors over the years. This is definitely the best when it comes to shaving closely
First time that I have spent 50 on an electric razor. Does a decent job, not as close as wet but you do look clean shaved. My skin is not good with wet or dry shaving but this does not aggravate my face much at all, no blood!
It’s overall a good product, and works very well for a smooth shave. My kids love the smooth skin I now have instead of the stubble my usual trimmer leaves behind.
However, I’m unable to shape sharp edges for a french beard / goatee. I can use the side attachment for shaping the edges, but I’m not able to confidently shave right upto the edge of my beard / sideburns.
Still, I don’t think the stubble beyond the edges is very obvious. Thanks for a great, clean shave.
Perfect, nice smooth and very easy to use. Edging tool is excellent if you have long stubble to rid of prior to shaving.
Leaving you rash free and stubble free.
This is the second of this model I have bought. The fist battery started to hold its charge for three days at the best. The quality of shave, even with a new head was poor.
This purchase of the same model, costing 20 more, gives a much better shave quicker. I hope the battery life is better.
I’m probably a sucker for buying a second one.
Got this as an upgrade for my partner. No major issues does the job! Only negative feedback is it has no warning system for battery low, just gradually shuts off in the space of 5-10seconds. Also if you’re in the UK you’ll need a European adaptor. No issues otherwise.
This shaver is giving me a good shave, it is comfortable to hold. As it is only a couple of months old the battery seems to hold it’s charge well. I would say that for the price and quality of shave it gives it is well priced.
My husband has been testing this shaver for over a month now and this is what he thinks about this product :
It is light and quiet. Gives a much closer shave than the other branded shaver he was using. One charge gives you a lot of shaves. Even if you forget to fully charge it, quice 5 -minutes charge is enough for one shave. Brilliant!
It is easy to use.
Nice design and color. Comfortable to use.
Recommended!
Thank you for reading my honest and unbiased review, I hope you found it helpful! 🙂
I have used an electric razor since I was a spotty teenager as a wet razor damaged my skin too much!
My first electric razor was a battery powered Phillips and was great for my skin! A couple of years later while at The Ideal Home Exhibition in London I tested a mains powered, rechargeable Braun foil razor and was amazed how comfortable and quick it was, so I ordered one.
The Braun 3040s does everything I want from a razor. I tend to replace my Braun razor every three years, rather than buy a new foil and battery as they do get worn out. I figure 20 per year plus a little electricity is remarkable value. By the way, I will be 67 years old soon!
I haven’t use an electric shaver in years. I was expecting big things from this one but I was very disappointed at first. It irritated my skin, didn’t shave well and required many passes before a decent cut was achieved.
After the first 2 or 3 uses I almost sent it back but decided to keep using it a bit longer to see if my skin adapts and surprisingly it did. Perhaps it’s also to do with my increasing skill in using it.
It cuts decently now, still requires a couple passes (5-11?) before a good shave is achieved but my skin doesn’t get irritated at all, unlike with a razor which used to consistently cut me. My skin doesn’t even sting anymore.
So overall I guess I’m pleased. I understand now why the reviews are so mixed.
Also, I use clipper oil to lubricate the blades every couple uses, I feel that it helps reduce heat build up when shaving and probably prolongs the life of the blades.
So I need to be clean shaven for work, this was recommended by a friend. It works pretty well so far and does not leave too many marks. I will say the only downside is that it does make my neck a bit red, but that is because I am trying to get every hair possible with i
This shaver from Braun is probably one of the more budget friendly versions of their high end shavers. It is compact, easy to use and has decent shaving performance.
From performance point of view, it is a not comparable to top end devices but it does provide a close shave and that is ultimately what it is all about. It is however not comparable or even close to the safety razors. You dont have a lot of setting options and there is only 1 button to turn it on and off. This keeps things simple and I was able to use it as soon as I took it out of the package as it already had some charge in it. I have used it for dry shaving as well as wet shaving. I saw a big difference in the dry shaving compared to other shavers as the irritation was very less.
It is easy to clean it under the tap yourself. Battery life is quite good as well and I have had to charge it only once in the around 2 weeks that I have had it and I have used it almost every other day
Pros –
Shave performance
Ease to keep it clean
Compact design
Good battery life
Cons
No options for customisation based on your skin
Overall, as mentioned it is a decent, well priced shavers which looks like a good value for money.
Got this for our teenage son who is just entering the realm of facial hair and has immediately taken to ensuring his early stage developing facial hair is immaculately sculpted and manscaped for perfect stubble and sideburns which this is pretty good for and also great for going over his neck/under chin area where he doesn’t want ‘an old man’s beard’ which this is very effective in removing to the skin with no stubble or irritation. It’s a good option for those who use it frequently and lightly as you can get a good enough charge from five minutes charge time to have a quick tidy up, so is perfect for a forgetful teenager in an emergency. He’s really pleased with it so am happy with it and would recommend.
My father is happy with this shaver, he never leaves a beard so shaves every day. It’s maybe not the best shaver to get a super smooth shave, but for a daily decent shave it’s great. The battery life is good so no need for constant charging. It’s also very easy to use.
Be aware that this product does not come with a UK plug as it is a German brand.
I have tested a great many shavers for the Vine programme, some expensive some cheap. This lower-end unit has been developed to be used either wet or dry. I recently tested a Panasonic, at this price level and supposed quality, but it falls short in the closeness of the shave, compared to this unit. Some initial thoughts. This does not have the same quality feel or look as a Philips at the same price. Also, the Philips uses a swivel head system, which cuts closer than the Braun, but has a design fault in that the cutting wheels can fall out of the head when opened. In my humble opinion, the design of the Philishave is far better than this Braun.
The Braun head uses older “beating technology”. You have to press quite hard onto the skin and if using it dry, it can create irritation. The Phillips system is just better, as the rotating heads cut closer with less pressure. This shaver has a quick charge feature and when it is fully charged will last about 45 minutes.
This is the base Braun and it shows. It offers a simple cutting system, which if you can get used to it, does work, but for my skin it creates irritation. For the money I prefer Phillishaves. It is not bad, but I just prefer another brand.
This gives a fairly good, close shave – very good at this price. It struggles with neck hair and no matter how much skin stretching I did, I couldn’t persuade it to do a good job, having to resort to the beard trimmer to make progress. As such, it’s a bit limited – I don’t really need a furry neck and shaved face. But at this price point, it’s workable, feels good in the hand and battery life is good.
This razor is light, quick to charge (in around fifteen minutes) and easy to use. It fits comfortably in your hand so makes it easy to move around the contours of your face, which is also helped by the moving heads. You get a really close shave on a few days beard growth, and does not leave a rash, despite me being sensitive to razor rash from other products. It also has a beard trimmer attached which allows you to shape and trim any beard you may be growing. Once charged it lasts for me for about a month using it at least a few times a week. Also it allows you to shave even when charging which is quite unusual when comparing to other similar products. Overall a great razor that I would recommend.
Unfortunately it looks like there are reviews of several different Braun Series 3 models here, and apparently some of them aren’t great, but as far as the Braun Series 3 ProSkin 3020s model goes, it works well for me. It’s a fairly basic shaver for the price though, with only a spring contouring feature to help the blades get closer to your face, and the addition of a pop-up precision trimmer on the back of the shaver.
The contouring blades certainly work and make it easier to get around the edges of your chin, but there’s nothing here that you couldn’t do yourself with a little bit of manual dexterity. The precision cutter is useful now and again, and some might use it more than others. I’m not sure that this entirely justifies the extra cost of near 100.
But as far as practicalities go, this works well. It shaves closely and quickly. It takes a few hours to fully charge, but the charge lasts well. It comes with a standard 2-pin charger, a small brush and a plastic cover to protect the blades. There’s no other unnecessary bags or accessories. The use of plastic has also been reduced in the packaging, which is great, but it would be better if they had redesigned the box so that it would house the shaver and everything didn’t rattle around loose.
I ordered this electric shaver for my husband who hasn’t used one for decades as has been a wet-shave fan for longer than he can remember.
He was pleasantly surprised with this one! He has actually said that this one might change his mind. It’s easy to use, comfortable to hold and gives a really close shave. There is a sideburn shaver that you simply slide up to activate it, which he thought was a really nice touch. His skin felt good after using it (he didn’t like electric shavers in the past because they often left him with a rash). The shaver charges up quickly and holds its charge for ages.
To sum up, in the words of a sceptic, “It’s actually a really nice piece of kit!” If my husband likes it, I’m sure others will. It gest a resounding five stars from us!
First of all fit and finish is absolutely top notch as you’d expect from Braun, and the quick charge is a handy function, along with waterproofing. It’s a very well-built shaver and looks set to last a good while.
However I found the performance to be hit and miss. It’s excellent on the face, delivering a near baby-smooth closeness. But for me on the neck area it is lacking, leaving noticeable stubble and even a little irritation after repeated passes. I’ve tried dry, and with an electric pre-shave and it’s the same result. This was quite frustrating considering how clearly high quality this thing is. It doesn’t out-perform a lesser-known (and considerably cheaper) brand equivalent that I’ve used in recent months.
3.5 stars for me. Probably 4 stars or higher for those with less thick stubble or no sensitive skin.
I chose this because you can run it from a shaver socket if the battery is flat. Also because it has a buit-in trimmer. Some reviewers commented that the plug is a European 2-pin. That is correct but modern UK shaver sockets (e.g. MK) are designed to accept that. I’m happy with the shaving performance and battery life. The price seems to have gone up quite a bit, it was just over 50 when I got it, so not sure it is good value any more.
If you’re after a quality shaver for a budget price then the 3040s is definitely one to consider.
Despite the price, it has most of the features which you’d expect to find in more expensive electric shavers, one of which is the impressive triple action cutting system.
I’m always one to be rather sceptical about this fancy names for simple features but surprisingly enough the three piece cutting actually provides a close shave without irritation.
It also has 5 minutes quick charge feature which is perfect for those when you’re in a hurry in the morning.
Its effortless to clean and can be used for both wet and dry shaving.
Given all the above features, there is no doubt that this shaver is excellent value for money.
I have used both manual razors and electric in the past and my skin is pretty sensitive so electric is the way for me. I wanted something half decent but not too expensive and this fitted the bill. My first time using one of this shape though and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised with how soft it was it didn’t pull the hairs or hurt my skin at all and gives a nice close shave. It feels good to hold, nice ergonomic design, no accidental button pushes, shave with ease. Can’t comment on battery life yet though I expect it will be fine. I use this dry, haven’t tested wet yet though it’s easy to clean and maintain. The slide up trimmer on the back is so so, it does trim longer hair but not stubble so not much use really. I am happy with it though, time will tell how long it lasts. I do recommend this product for its cheap price and close comfortable shave that it gives.
I was somewhat skeptical at first about this product given that people seem to either love it or loathe it. I don’t have a lot of facial hair so I can’t comment for people with thick beards, but this product does the job for me. It does a very good job especially under the the chin area, the bit I struggled with the most with my DE razor. It’s quick, convenient and helps with skin irritation. I have also managed to only nick myself once as opposed to almost every single time when using a DE razor (something I’ve unsuccessfully been trying to perfect for the past 4+ years). This product will not blow your socks off, it won’t offer a professional level shave but it will do the job quite well for the most part and for me that’s worthy of 4 stars. Your mileage may vary…
I got this shaver for when i wanted a quick shave and didn’t want to do a wet shave.
Pros:
Good battery life which meant i could do a decent shave
Easy to clean
Allowing a wet shave also gets the shave a bit closer and smoother
Cons:
Pulls a bit on longer hair
Misses some hairs even if repeatedly used
Overall i found it good for a quick shave but wouldn’t want to use before going out due to how many times i would need to go over areas to get a really good cut, i may as well just do a wet shave.
Since i got it, i now only use it when i go on holiday and just get on with a wet shave when i need to.
UPDATE (2020/07/05): – Either I was just ignorant, or didn’t read the manual, (or both), but have just figured out that if I just run the “precision shaver” over my face quickly when my stubble is long I can get a comfortable close shave quickly and easily, hence have upped the rating to 4 – one star taken off as would have preferred if this extra step wasn’t required.
Works ok if you only have one or two days worth to shave, but for me at least after a long weekend (shaved Friday, tried to shave again the following Tuesday) it really struggled, just seemed to push the hair out of the way. When the hair is short it’s a nice smooth shave though. Both wet and dry are good. Battery life is nice and long and only need to charge every few weeks (usually every 3/4 weeks for me).
Unfortunately I have sensitive skin and find wet shaving very irritating and it also brings my face out in a rash. I still feel discomfort with an electric razor, just not as much.
I can use these for at least a week, possibly two before they need to be recharged. The shave itself is good (admittedly not as close as a wet shave, but close enough).
Personally, I haven’t used this in the shower (who shaves in the shower?) so not sure if all that water would eventually cause issues with the longevity or functionality of the machine, so for now I can categorically state that I am delighted with it.
Off to have a shave now
I’m still using this after three years, which says something for the quality and ease of use of the shaver. Granted, after two years I bought a new cutting head/foil for it – the handbook says replace after 18 months. So it shaves like new again.
The quality of shave isn’t as good as a blade, but is good for an electric shaver. If you want baby bum smooth get a Double or Single Edge wet razor and learn to shave like your grandad.
The battery life is more than adequate, even after three years of use there’s enough charge for a two week holiday.
It will happily shave of a week’s worth of beard, too if you get lazy – just use the trimmer part first or it will pluck the odd hair.
The only slight downside is the piddly little brush Braun supply for you to clean it with. I’ve now replaced that with a 1/2″ paintbrush (cheapest I could get) and cleaning is now quick and easy.
Family had tried in vain to wet shave him, so I chose this shaver because I use foil shavers for underarm shaving, and this shaver was described as ProSkin, wet or dry – but for men! I liked that it was for sensitive skin, and could be rinsed. And I like Braun products.
However, my uncle resisted, said it hurt (probably because no-one cleaned it for him), and refused to let anyone help him. He grew a beard….. which came off when I visited him! I rinsed the shaver under a hot tap, then I demonstrated it to him, on my own face and forearms, then on the back of his hand. Despite a lot of protests, the beard came off (over a period of days) using a hair trimmer – until it was short enough all over to shave.
Now that he has the hang of it, he finds it easy to use. It gives him a clean shave and he’s perfectly happy with it. However, if at any time he plays up again, I will keep this shaver myself…… and get him the one he’s familiar with.
Has a really nice weight to it and does not feel cheap, the rubber on the side makes it feel comfortable in the hand. The shaving head moves around as you shave and still feels as good as his old shaver which had a swivel head. The fast charging is great meaning the shaver is fully charged in one hour. Its also alittle quieter then his older shave which he said he liked.
Overall good quality and good price.
I’ve been using Braun shavers for nigh on half a century, and I think that this one is the best yet. Its shape and blue rubber sides make it easy to hold securely even on the bleariest morning. My day’s shave lasts only three or four minutes, and is blissfully trouble-free: the 3040s doesn’t shave as closely as a wet razor, of course, but then neither does it ever cut me or allow me to develop a trapped-hair pimple. Indeed, something about the 3040s has liberated me from the acne that has troubled me all my adult life – I haven’t had a breakout for months. And the shaver’s long-hair catcher never lets any escaping whiskers grow into half-inch chin-weeds in the way that my old Braun sometimes did.
A full charge lasts me a week or so. A red LED tells me when it’s time to recharge; the 3040s is invariably full up again (indicated by green LEDs) by the time I’ve finished my breakfast. The only negative about the shaver is that according to Braun, we should replace the cutter-foil cartridge every 18 months (there’s another LED to remind us when), and that the cost of a cartridge is roughly twenty quid. Not cheap, certainly; but for the convenience, speed and comfort that the 3040s brings to our morning routine, probably not too much to ask. After twelve months of happy experience, heartily recommended.
My only comment is the price of replacement foils is extortionate (but this is the pricing model).
My old shaver broke when I accidentally dropped it on a tiled floor and by the time I got around to ordering this one, I had two weeks worth of beard growth to get rid off. You need to give shaving a little time to get it right – I usually allow 10 minutes to shave properly, but it doesn’t usually take that long…
I usually have a circle beard/goatee thingamy (whatever it’s called nowadays) and wanted to get back to it. The shaver worked right out of the box, I used the trimmer to quickly and easily cut the unwanted beard areas down to a close stubble and then switched to the main shaver to finish off. The trimmer is really accurate and I found it really easy to re-trace the shape of my Goatee, it’s also really good for quickly correcting any shaping errors that you might’ve made…
As far as I’m concerned, the main shaver on this thing is good enough for the price and it got through the stubble well, leaving my skin feeling smooth and silky in about 8 and a half minutes… A good time, considering I had two weeks worth of beard growth. If you take your time and shave against the natural flow of the hair, I find that these kind of shavers work really well… You may need to go over a tricky patch a couple of times (you know where your tricky patches are, right?), but I refuse to pay a lot for a shaver, so that’s nothing new.
My Missus liked the outcome too, so it gets the seal of approval. Sure, you can probably get a better one that will shave you smooth in one swipe, but they’re likely to be much more expensive.
Bought for 37. My previous shaver was Braun and lasted me well over ten years – it was still going strong with a good battery, but the foil broke, and I thought its not so much more money for a new shaver than it would be for another foil… so here we are.
In comparison to my old Braun it took a little getting used to the shape for holding it (my old one was straight, and this has a curvy grip). The cutting of hair is better than my old one (although the blades must have been blunt over the years). I also prefer the new beard trimmer – it works a lot better.
Battery life seems OK. You get full power up until the last few seconds when it goes dead and you need to recharge. My old one would just gradually slow down, so you knew when it was time to recharge. Both have the 5 minute fast charge feature, which can be a life saver!
All in all, this shaver is pretty decent. For 37 I think it was a bargain – especially if it lasts as long as my other Braun.
Update: My foil finally broke after 2 years 10 months use. Battery still working well. Still happy with it.
The blade area does get a little hot though after using it for about 5 minutes and there is very minor dryness and irritation after using it but not much more than a wet razor shave and nothing that would prevent me from using it again.
For sensitive skin users like myself I would recommend this shaver if you are looking for a convenient shaver without having to wet your face and lather up. But I would recommend using an after shave balm to help cool and moisturise the skin afterwards.
In term of shaving performance, this is very good, even on dry shaving.
I think people not shaving frequently may be disappointed, as this is not designed for cutting long hairs/beards. However, a precision trimmer is built-in for sideburns etc, and people shaving every day or every few days should be happy.
Compared to the Philips shavers I had in the past, with rounded heads, this seems to perform better, and it’s shaving a much wider area in one go.
Other Philips models currently sold on Amazon for a similar price as the Braun 3040 don’t include precision trimmers, and take much longer to fully charge, or are just dry models (much harder to keep clean). The replacement blades are also likely to be more costly.
Build quality is very good, and the device feels robust. It’s the first time I have a waterproof shaver, and it’s going to make proper cleaning some much easier.
If using for wet shaves, or cleaning the head under running water frequently (as opposed to using the provided brush for “dry” cleaning), Braun recommends to put some oil on the foils once a week (oil not provided), else water will make the mechanism too dry. I believe this is good advice as I had the same experience with clippers, but would have been nice to have some oil provided.
Blades/foil should last for about 18-months, according to Braun, and cost about 20 to replace. Item is losing one star because of this, as spare blades shouldn’t cost 60% of a new shaver price. Lots of people will buy a new shaver, which is not very green.
Some people are reporting that the precision trimmer does not work, but it’s moving so quickly that it may not appear to be working (when just looking at it).
Some people are reporting that their shaver is not charging fully: the lights are indeed confusing. There are three charging lights, but only the top two light up when fully charged. The third light (red) is just to indicate low battery. It would have been better for Braun to just use the three lights as charge normal charge indicators.
There is also an indicator at the bottom that is supposed to remind users when the blades have to be replaced. I guess it may just be based on duration, as opposed to actually usage/count.
Differences with the next model up (Braun Series 3 3080), currently sold on Amazon for 30 more:
* The cutting mechanism/blades/foil are exactly the same (so shaving performance will be basically the same)
* The battery life is the same. Charging time is the same
* Motor is the same, and body is broadly the same (apart from colours, and one more switch)
* The 3080 comes with a charging station. 3040 with just a charging cable. As it’s recommended to fully discharge before recharging (to preserve the battery), and charging should only have to be done about once a week (for 1 hour), I am not sure a charging cradle is that necessary
* The 3080 comes with a traveling pouch. 3040 just has a protective plastic cap. However, third party travel pouches can be bought for 10
* The 3080 has an additional switch to lock the blades lower for sensitive areas
None of this is worth an extra 30 to me, and it’s interesting to see that the 3080 model is rated much higher on Amazon by customers, while the shaving performance should be basically the same as the much cheaper 3040…
The first thing I should mention is that I have used a wet razor for years and was reluctant to give it up, but at 10 for 4 blades it becomes expensive after a while. I have in the past tried various electric shavers and never really found them as good so drifted back to a razor.
I read the reviews of many shavers before I plumbed for this one but like all reviews you always get the ones who love it and those who hate it.
Out of all the ones I have tried over the years this one is the best I have come across, not as good as a wet razor but the next best thing.
I have now had the opportunity to use it both wet and dry and both are just as good. It takes longer than my razor to shave as you have to go over your face a few times to get a smooth finish and the result is quite acceptable and as yet no razor burn. It’s easy to hold in your hand and I rinse it out every time under the tap.I have to say I was sceptical about using an electric razor, but in this case I have been proved wrong.
I have to say that the price is very good especially given that there are shavers out there that are 100+ and I doubt are any better.
So for me I am happy with my choice, the price is very good, it shaves well (albeit not as good as an old fashioned razor) and it less expensive as many others.
Despite purchasing thousands of items from Amazon in over 10 years, I’ve never been compelled to write a review; until now. Had this shaver delivered today (quick delivery). I have a thick/strong-haired fast growing beard in various directions and sensitive skin, and have never found a good comfortable shave. 20 yrs ago I used a wet razor, got fed up with bleeding/sore skin and rashes. 15 yrs ago I switched to foils from Braun and Remmington, never happy with the shave closeness. About 10 yrs ago switched to rotaries from Remmington and Phillips; not bad but never a really good close shave, and often some tugs with 3 day growth. So I lathered up with foam in the shower, with 2 days growth, expecting a difficult time after so long using rotaries. The shave was incredibly comfortable, and pretty fast, although I was intending to take my time. Upon inspection after drying down and adding some moisturiser, I have to say I’m very impressed. It’s the closest shave I’ve had for years, especially around my difficult neck/throat area, and was very easy/comfortable. It’s really not far off a wet razor shave. Cleaning was simple. I’ll reserve the last star for the test of time; I’ve only had it for 6 hrs so far. There is no pouch, no stand. But the shave is excellent, I’m very happy with it for 40.
You need to charge the shaver for four hours before use and use it without charging again till it runs flat. This is to condition the battery for maximum life. I like to shave almost every day and was sceptical that I’d get anything like as close as close a shave with the electric shaver as with a wet shave. My scepticism was well-founded. However, it was quite a surprise to find what a good close shave I did get. It’s quite quiet in use, ergonomic in the hand and powerful enough to get through tough stubble easily, I have a few places where hairs lie flat and very close to my neck and the Braun struggled with those at first. After a few shaves it is catching them now. I suppose it takes a little time for skin to get used to dry electric shaving again.
Some slight niggles. The on/off button is where my thumb goes when moving the shaver over my face and I occasionally switch the thing off accidentally. Not a major problem but slightly irritating. There is no carrying case with it although a guard to protect the shaver head and on/off switch is provided. The shaver can be used in the shower with gel or foam but I don’t really get that as I want an electric shaver for the convenience of being able to shave clothed if necessary and to avoid all the mess and paraphernalia of wet shaving.
A small cleaning brush enables me to sweep away debris though it can be washed under the tap – necessary if used with gel or foam.
The battery is claimed to last about an hour between charges but I haven’t used it that long so I’m unable to verify that yet. It seems well made, strong but light and I’m very pleased with it.
Braun are such a well know name you know you are buying quality. This shaver claims to be the best on 3 day stubble, and it doesn’t disappoint.
It is a fully wet and dry shaver, so you can use it as a standard dry electric shaver, or use it with shaving gel or foam in place of a razor. You can use it in the shower or bath, and can wash it under running water to clean it after use.
I use it every day as I can’t use a standard razor. I have psoriasis and shaving literally tears my skin open. This shaver is gentle enough to use without leaving my face sore, but good enough to shave it very close. It shaves closely on the first pass, so there is no need to go over the same bit over and over again, reducing irritation.
At has an integrated trimmer for sideburns, which slides up with a push from your thumb and two shave heads which move independently to keep the shaver in contact with your face.
The battery life seems good. On the day I received it, I charged it for 5 hours as instructed. The next instruction was to use it until the battery runs out and then charge it again. This conditions the battery so that a standard full charge will only take one hour. I will have to wait and see, as I have shaved every day since that first charge and it is still going strong. 7 days so far.
I can’t fault this shaver, and just hope it lasts a long time.
I bought this as a replacement for my old shaver: a nearly five-year-old early 3-series, which has given years of reliable service.
It was due for another set of foils (they last for about 18 months to 2 years before needing replacement at a cost of about 30 a set), so when the new 340S came up as deal-of-the day for 33 it seemed a sensible way to spend a birthday gift voucher.
There are a few differences between the two models:
The new foils seem a little thinner than the old ones, which probably explains the slightly smoother shave that the new one gives, and its better performance when coping with anything from a two to five day growth: the old one used to pull quite painfully after I’d missed shaving for a few days, unless I went over the worst bits with the built-in trimmer first.
The battery seems good for over a week’s daily shaving between charges – a couple of days better than the old one (but bear in mind its age).
The 340S is apparently safe for use in the shower, although I’ve not tried that, and don’t want to. However, there’s a safety feature which prevents the shaver being switched on whilst charging. Annoying, because on holiday I used to plug the shaver in and let it charge while I shaved. Not really a problem, as it only needs a five-minute charge to build up enough charge for a normal shave.
No problems so far; I’m very pleased with the shaver (regardless of price).
Only reason for 4 rather than 5 stars is that, like my first 3-series, it comes without a carrying pouch. For my first one, someone suggested a pencil case. I took the shaver into House of Fraser, and found a really good “Paper Chase” brand pencil case that’s a perfect fit. Looks great in a woven Cordura – style black nylon, with a full-length pocket along each side, one zipped and one velcroed. Cost me about 3 (about 5 years ago) and still looks as new, so I’m now using it for the new shaver. I haven’t checked, but suspect Amazon could do a better deal on that or a similar case.
Until I bought this, I only wet shaved and I hadn’t had a shave for 6 months. But my face was getting too hot due to the large amount insulation around my jaw. So, I bought this as it looked like it would be good for trimming and shaping my beard and completely revealing areas that hadn’t seen the light of day for months.
It worked great! As I’m lazy and don’t need to shave daily, I use it every few days and have done for just over a month now. I’m yet to test the 5 minute quick charge that it claims but that’s only because I only charged it the once when I first got it and it seems like it’s still going strong.
It is great quality, I’ve only felt it tug once, the rest of the time it has worked smoothly and easily. It is easy to clean: just take the blade off and empty out then flush out under water. And it’s really easy to use.
The reason it only gets 4 stars is that it’s not a particularly close shave unless you go over the same spot multiple times. And it would be nice if they provided even a little bottle of oil but they don’t so make sure you get some blade oil as well for occasional use.
I bought this in a lightning sale for 34.00.