In the world of shaving, at the end of the day only one thing matters – is the stubble gone? With the Braun Series 3 390cc cordless foil shaver, the answer is a definite yes. But wait, there’s more.

The 390cc provides a triple action free float system, which Braun claims provides better performance on three day beards. In theory, this means your Monday morning shave after a lazy weekend should go down a lot smoother, and in practice this was indeed the case.

 

Using the shaver dry provided a pleasingly close shave, most importantly, without leaving behind the usual shaver rash associated with some entry-level electronic models. For those with sensitive skin, going wet with shaving gel/ cream should not be a problem, since the 390cc is protected from water and can be used in the shower.

 

Braun Series 3 390cc on its own and in the Clean & Renew system  

Also does the cleaning

The device’s battery life was excellent and after two weeks, we’ve still not bothered with the power cord. Actually there is no need to use it separately if you make use of Braun’s rather excellent Clean & Renew system.

 

One of the problems with electronic shavers is that they can become quite mucky, even with constant manual cleaning. Pop the Braun 390cc into the alcohol-based Clean & Renew centre and it starts a four-minute four-step cleaning process. It cleans the heads, kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, and lubricates the shaver - all while recharging the unit as it goes along (just remember to take it out of the cleaner to dry).

 

This works extremely well, and having a clean shaver makes for one less hassle at the start of the morning. The only possible problem we foresee is having enough space in the bathroom (and a power plug) for this quite bulky stand.

A few helpful extras

To help with a trimming beards, a long hair trimmer can be found on the top of the device, but although it does the job, it could have been slightly smaller in size. A head-lock is also in place, which drops down the bottom cutting element to help with tricky areas such as beneath the nose. Typical of electronic shavers, it does not quite provide the same close shave as plain old manual razors.

 

 

To the end (of stubble)

There’s really not a lot that we can use as ammunition against Braun’s Series 3 390cc shaver. It provides a clean shave without any shaver burn (in our case at least); the shaver can be used in wet or dry conditions; and it has great battery life. The added benefit of having a clean razor each morning thanks to the Clean & Renew system seals the deal.

The Braun Series 3 390cc foil shaver comes with a hard travel case and should retail in the region of R1050 from Dis-Chem and Dion Wired Stores. Clean & Renew cartridges retail for R179, with Braun recommending replacing it four times a year.

 

Pros: Long battery life; Clean & Renew system works a treat; wet & dry shaving.

Cons: You might have a problem finding space for the cleaning unit; long hair trimmer too big.

 

Check out the video below for more on the triple action free float system. 

 

Note: Unlike other products reviewed on this site, this shaver was not collected after the review period.