Philips Norelco 9700 Electric Shaver: Enjoy a Smooth, Close Shave Every Time

kevin: This shaver is not much sharper or better than my 15 year old also Philipps shaver which I bought at less than a third of the price. Not to mention complicated instructions even for a simple cleaning job. I do not recommend this.

Canada on Jul 25, 2021

Steve S.: I have been shaving for over 50-years, starting with a DE for several years, until Gillette introduced its first cartridge, theTrac II in 1970 or 1971. I then progressed through all the cartridges that Gillette introduced over the years. About 10-years ago I went back to shaving with a DE and even shaved with a straight razor, from time to time, along with the latest Gillette Fusion cartridge. Recently, however, I decided to go all-in on electric shaving (for the first time). I was no longer willing to deal with wet shaving: the face prep, the cream/soap, brush, bowl, the long duration shaves, the clean-up, and the blood. So, I purchased the three top rated shavers on the market: the Panasonic ES-LV9N-S (purchased from the shavercentre), the Braun 9290cc, and the Philips Norelco S9721.

All three shavers will provide a very close shave, possess excellent build quality, and have charging/cleaning/drying stations that perform well. So, my main criteria for judging a shaver is how close it shaves. I do not have very sensitive skin and shave dry (as I think this provides the closest shave). Recently, however, I have begun using Dickinson's Witch Hazel as a pre-shave prep. I just...

United States on May 09, 2017

D. Martin: This Norelco 9700 shaver is the best electric razor I've ever used. It cuts just about as close as a blade. It's noise level is lower than other electric razors. The only caveat is when you go to use the automatic cleaner, it also charges the razor every time. So the way I see it using the auto clean system is a good way to abuse and prematurely wear out the battery. That is why I usually rinse mine under hot water. Then when I have only have 10-15% power left I'll use the auto clean function. Also by doing that makes the cleaner cartridge last quite a while. Even with the one caveat, I am still singing praises of this razor. It is by far the best one I have ever had. And I have had at least 10 Norelco and Braun electric razors in my lifetime. I think you'll be very happy with this razor!

United States on Jul 09, 2015

Dannyboy: I used a Braun foil shaver some years ago. Super slow and the occasional painful tug of a hair. Eventually I got tired of it. I tried a Norelco about 16 years ago. I know they said to get used to it, but it was torture and I returned it. Went back to a traditional straight razor. I have very sensitive skin. If I shave with a few days growth I am going to be scraping my face in a few places and leaving a mess in the sink. The 9700 is nothing short of amazing. First time use was with 5 days growth. That would usually be a lather several times and finish with a few blotches routine. The 9700 effortlessly cleaned my face like a baby's bottom. Its surprisingly quiet and very comfortable. I find I am getting a closer shave than ever. I am shaving those little places that were always a nuisance to get to. It leaves my skin baby smooth and without the occasional scrape a regular blade gave me. Razor burn is a thing of the past. The thing is amazing and worth every penny.
My only peeve is that the carry case has no slot for the removable edge trimmer for sideburns and such.Its an odd omission.

United States on Mar 11, 2015

MIMDOFMSODI9893MN4JHK5KLH34: U pick up the razor and it kinda says hello, it lights up, it woulda been kinda campy if it did, but showing the power level and showing u it's ready to goto work is pretty useful and cool....

great shaver, speed, faster, slower, three positions, power cable plugs into the machine itself too, so u can travel very easily with this machine, the cleaner is pretty good, it leaves the machine, perfectly clean. Cleaning the machine is also easy manually, just pop the top with the blades and rinse.

Quiet machine, nobody bitches that the machine is doing its thing, big plus, also doesn't drown out the radio or whatever ur listening to in the morning...

the shave.... it takes about a week for the skin to get used to ithe new blades, the main cutter now has a z pattern, but it works just as nice as the old cutters, but it seams to grab more stuble, and more hair in each revolution, so in effect the machine is a little faster than the old one, messing around with the speed of the blades also helps depending on your skin, so great idea norelco...

the batteries are great, they won't die because u charged them mid charge or anything.... but to capitalize on the...

United States on Nov 20, 2014