Braun Electric Razor for Men, Series 5 5190cc Electric Shaver with Precision Trimmer, Rechargeable, Wet & Dry, Clean & Charge Station

First of all, I'm comparing this razor to a previous generation of the Series 5 from Braun. That last one (from around 2010) was a beast and I only retired it because the pop-up trimmer broke and the repair shop could not get replacement parts. So this is my second iteration. The S5 seems to strike a nice balance in the Braun line. I'm not keen on paying $200-300 for the top of the line models, but for about $100 ($20-30 more with the Clean and Charge station -- which sadly, cannot be reused from the older model), the 5190 fit the bill. I've had it for almost 6 weeks now and here are my initial impressions:Closeness/comfort: Very comfortable to use -- obviously this is subjective and different skin types may have a different impression (note that I shave dry, with no water or lotion), but I've had no razor-burn, hair-pulling or other irritation with this model. In that respect, it's a little better than my earlier Series 5 razor. The closeness of the shave is about the same as the previous -- which is to say, decent for an electric razor. Keep in mind that nothing really shaves as close as a blade, but for me the convenience of a foil razor is worth it. I often have to go over my neck several times to get all the hair, as I did with the last Braun as well. Overall I'm satisfied. If having a baby-smooth shave is of the utmost importance to you, this probably isn't your razor. Stick with a blade, or maybe spring for the big dollar 9-series (though I can't really say it shaves any closer -- but for $200 more it ought to). The 5 Series is a great choice for someone who's more concerned about speed, convenience and comfort than literally getting the closest shave possible.East of use: I also find the ergonomics of the razor to be quite comfortable -- although the on/off button is not in the best place and you may (I have) accidentally press it while shaving. Some may find the handle a little narrow, but it feels secure in the hand. I don't use the pivoting head lock, although it's handy to have and some may appreciate it for getting hard-to-reach places. As many others have said, the trimmer design is different than previous models. I don't mind it, but it is narrower than previous iterations. Braun appears to have done away with built-in trimmers on their latest Series 5 models (this particular design is already some years old), and that was a key reason I bought this one -- I wanted the slide-up trimmer. That said, the built-in trimmers seem to be a weak point in the overall design longevity of Braun razors, so maybe going to a separate pop-on trimmer was a good move in that regard, who knows?Battery life: Excellent. No complaints. I can easily shave 8-10 times on a charge, and the Li-Ion battery does not lose power as fast as previous NiMH versions. Also no need to run it all the way down before charging as with older batteries. You cannot use the razor when it is plugged in, which means eventually when the batteries do age out of their prime, replacing them is the only option to prolong the shaver life. This is a step backward IMO from the previous Series 5, which could be used while plugged in. But that's a down-the-road issue, and overall the battery is an improvement over older technology. Pro tip: You *can* get the batteries replaced on a Braun at most repair/service centers (you just cannot easily do it yourself). If your older Braun is still working great but the batteries have seen better days, Google "Shaver Repair Service" and get them replaced. Problem solves, new purchase averted.Noise/vibration: Considerable, especially the noise. This is a fairly loud shaver. Not really an issue for me, but it's something to be aware of. If you are up at oh-dark-thirty, shaving right next to a bedroom where someone else is sleeping, this model may not win the hearts of your loved ones/roommates/hook-ups. So if quiet is very important, keep shopping around. That's all I'll say. The vibration is about average, I think. Overall it's no worse than my older Series 5, but that one was loud and buzzy too.Cleaning: Pretty easy. The newer Braun cutters are all one piece -- no separate cutter and foil like in the previous generations. Overall I don't find it to be an issue compared to the two-piece design. I shave every other day on average. Most days, I just pop the cutter cassette off (one button), gently tap it out in the sink where the clippings are really more like a fine powder than fragments of hair, and rinse it down. Then maybe a few swipes with the little cleaning brush on the top of the head where the cutter block seats. Re-assembly is the reverse of removal, as they say. Then about once a week (every 3-4 shaves), I run it through the cleaning program, which shoots it full of cleaning solution 4 or 5 times and lets it drain (no drying function, it just evaporates). If you don't buy the Clean and Charge station, then *do* buy a little bottle of light oil and put a drop of it on the foil/cutter assembly every so often, *especially* if you choose to rinse the shaver under water to clean it (I don't). The water will rinse any lubrication off, so you must reapply. Really, this is the one main advantage of the cleaning station IMO: the solution keeps the cutter lightly lubricated, which should make both it and the motor last longer. FWIW, it also makes a handy razor stand. So that's two advantages.Like I said, it's only been six weeks, but I'm happy with the purchase. If I have any problems, I will update the review but I'm not really expecting any. In general Braun makes a good product and that's why I stuck with them when it was time to replace my shaver. I see from other reviews that some users have experienced failures with the 5190, but with a two-year warranty I feel OK taking my chances there. Happy shaving.

Do NOT buy the 51s replacement foil...it will definitely NOT work. I've personally spoken with Braun and they said the 51s is not the right foil for the 5190cc model. If you try using the 51s, it might fit, but if it does, you will most likely cut your face to ribbons. The correct replacement foil for the 5190cc model is the 52S/52B -- the letter is the color "S" for silver, "B" for for "black".

The Braun Series 5 5090cc Electric Shaver is, for this user, the best electric shaver I have ever owned. Over the years I have owned a number of different Norelcos, a couple of older style Brauns, and a Panasonic wet/dry model. All of those were OK. Some of them were pretty good. But none came close to a real shave. There was always just a bit left. An extra day or two of growth seemed to really challenge some of those older models. The Braun Series 5 5090cc is the first electric razor that I have used that met the challenge and left a result that I would call as close as a real shave, minus the residual smooth feel of whatever cream or lotion you might have used on your face for the real shave.All that said, I have some minor gripes with the accessories. For one thing, Braun has chosen, as with this and all their current "Series" razors, to use an external power block "smart plug" for charging. In a world of a zillion little chargers to carry around, and lose, why gawd why another one? The 12v 4A output of the "smart plug" is of course more than a USB style connection could have supported - paradise would be ALL little rechargeable personal devices being able to use the same type of USB connected charger. But it does seem that they could have built the charger into the handle. The only reason to have made it an external power adapter is so that it could also do double duty powering the counter-top cleaning and charging station. This approach seems a little cheap for a high end razor like this. Why not one solution for the shaver and one for the cleaning center?The "Smart Plug" charger also has a very short coiled cord. OK for charging the razor directly. But using it with the included cleaning and charging station means that you had better have a power outlet close by, and low to the counter-top, or you may have to use an extension cord. And, last but not least, the "Smart Plug" is angled straight out from the socket. A 90 degree charger that would lay flush to the wall would have been more in tune with its mission to recharge, not power while the shaver is in use. The cord needs to be twice as long.Then there's the cleaning and charging station. I get it that electric razor makers (Braun, Norelco, Panasonic) have all zeroed in on the cleaning station idea as a way to make sure that the razor owner reliably cleans and keeps his razor operating at top form. The charging stations, for all brands, are also a revenue stream of course. Each brand has a system wherein your are pretty much tied to refreshing the solution by buying the brand's official product. The Braun Series 5 5090cc is annoying in that, fresh out of the box and with zero shaves done, it started flashing the time to clean the razor icon after only one use. This is obviously meant to keep the user consuming as much cleaner product as possible. It is probably a good thing in pure performance terms. But there definitely seems to be a guilt, worry and nag element ("OMG! Am I not doing my best to keep the razor tip top!?! Duty calls. Time to buy more cleaner!) built into the system that perhaps benefits the company a bit too much. And if you ignore it you have to put up the with illuminated "clean" icon on the razor handle.End of day, a great razor. Superb industrial design, sleek looking, fits the hand well, nicely balanced. The free pivoting shave head, that can be locked into a click stop position with a button, makes keeping the head aligned to your face easy. The included travel carry case is handy. The ability to put the razor into travel mode to prevent accidentally turning it on in your luggage is very much appreciated. I tried it out after not shaving for three days. To my surprise I came up with a great shave, first try. No other electric has ever passed that test for this user. Great razor. Wish they would revisit the charger cord length and design. RECOMMENDED.

Supérieur à mon ancien série 7 de Braun que j'ai utilisé pendant plus de 8 ans. Ce série 5 est de style similaire avec quelques améliorations qui le rendent supérieur à l'ancienne série 7. Meilleur taille favoris, plus étanche pour ne pas laisser tomber les poils coupés, dans la tête du rasoir, un peu partout. Le bouton de mise en marche/arrêt est mieux conçus, moins accrochant, par mégarde. Ce rasoir est aussi solide que mon ancien série 7, ce qui n'est pas le cas de la nouvelle série 7 que j'ai essayée et qui a cessée de fonctionner après 3 semaines.Donc bref, ce série 5 qui est similaire à l'ancien série 7, en mieux, est un très bon rasoir que je recommande, un bien meilleur achat que la nouvelle série 7.

I use this razor to shave my sensitive skin beard every morning. It does a great job. I wonder why Braun discontinued this model. This is my fourth Braun electric shaver.

Excelente producto, incluye la estación para limpiar y renovar la rasuradora. El modelo que me enviaron fue el 5190cc que según la caja dice que es para rasurado en seco o con gel para afeitar.

me gusto la posibilidad de usar o no usar el equipo be limpieza.

Excelente desempeño, potencia, ergonomia y calidad en la rasuradas