If you pay over $100 for an electric razor, you overpaid...

I use three razors. Last year's model of this Braun, a triple blade rotary from the leading manufacturer of rotary razors and standard double edged disposables from the major manufacturer of razors.

OK, now, let's do some math. I get 10 great shaves from a disposable razor. I pay, on average, 40c or so for a disposable razor. That is about a nickel a shave including the shave cream. At a nickel a shave, it would take 3000 shaves before I would spend $150. Would take me over 8 years.

Now, anyone that says any electric razor shaves better than a double edged high quality blade razor (not even the expensive triple edged ones, just cheap disposables) is dreaming. The blace does a much better job and much faster. But, sometimes, they can irritate the skin, but electrics can too. I can get irritated by both, sooooo, I rotate between them, and find that reduces my skin irritation problem quite well.

I bought this Braun (last year's model) after reading the positive reviews here, and later bought a rotary razor. The basic difference is that the cheap model rotary from that major manufacturer is much quieter, shaves just as well, and cost me about 1/3 the price.

The only thing that is better in the Braun is the battery lasts longer. It is possible also, that in some cases, it gives a slightly closer shave than the rotary, but it also tends to miss spots no matter how many times I go over them. The Braun also has a problem with my beard when it is longer, like when I have two to three days growth. The rotary and disposable razor breeze through that three day bush.

The cleaning machine/charger that comes with the Braun is a joke. Yes, it cleans the razor great, but it is way oversized and you need a large space for it in your bathroom. Even then, say you have that larger space, you can pay between $5.00 and $8.00 each for the cleaning cartridges. I have found they last about a month before drying out. Add $60 to your annual cost to just clean your razor. The rotary cleans fine with a brush and the disposable razors with water.

Finally, the switch that turns on the razor is right where you hold the razor and it also locks the blade. So I am constantly locking the blade position by accident. Inexcusable design flaw in a razor this price.

Don't get me wrong. This razor shaves fine. It works best on short beards and works better than cheap razors. But for $50 you can get a better rotary razor and for $150 you can shave for over 8 years with a disposable twin blade. Does the price difference sound rational to you?