by Garrick Dee | Last Updated:The Series 7 is perhaps the most popular of Braun’s electric shavers, and a lot of people consider it the gold standard for comfort and performance that does not break the bank.
However, the Series 7 is the more costly option makes you wonder if it’s worth spending more on with the latest version of the Series 5 available right now.
The newer Series 7 may have more features, but the Series 5 has a few things up its sleeves that may sway your decision.
This article will cover a lot of ground, but in the end, the choice between the Braun Series 5 vs. 7 will boil down to just a few considerations, and we’ll look at these in detail.
Hopefully, this will help you decide which shaver is the better option for you.
Here’s a quick overview of the Braun Series 5 vs. 7
Braun Series 5
To give you an overview, I’ll be comparing the major features of these models and which one is the better option.
This will help make a better choice if you’re on the fence between these two excellent products.
Introduction to the Braun Series 5 vs. 7
The Bruan Series 5 and 7 are two of Braun’s mid-priced options for men looking for something more affordable.
These two razors have similar shaving heads containing two foil blades plus a trimmer in the middle.
The Braun Series 5 is an in-between alternative of the entry-level Series 3 and the more expensive Series 7.
Braun Series 5 5090cc
It’s got better performance than the Series 3 thanks to the upgraded battery and shaving head but is cheaper than the Series 7.
Here’s a quick overview of the different Series 5 options:
- 5090cc/5190cc – dry only/wet & dry, includes clean & charge station
- 5070cc/5050cc – dry only, clean & charge station
- 5030s – dry only, no cleaning station
- 5040s – wet & dry, no cleaning station
The Series 7 is perhaps the most popular Braun electric shaver available right now.
It was released in 2010 and combines great shaving performance, excellent build quality, effective clean & charge station, and reasonable pricing.
Braun Series 7 7865cc [latest]
This combination is a huge reason why it’s so popular.
Like the Series 5, there are different options for the Series 7.
Let’s go through them one by one:
- 7865cc – wet & dry, clean & charge station, gray
- 799cc – wet & dry, clean & charge station, silver
- 797cc – wet & dry, clean & charge station, silver
- 740s – wet & dry, no clean & charge station, black
- 790cc – dry only, clean & charge station, silver
- 760cc – dry only, clean & charge station, black
- 720s – dry only, no clean & charge station
Aside from the finish and accessories, all these shavers use the same components, such as shaving head and battery, so expect similar performance.
The same can be said for the Series 5, so what I’ll be talking about both models as a whole, not specific sub-models.
We’ll look at the similarities and differences between both shavers.
To summarize here are the similarities of the Series 5 and 7
- Shaving head: Both shavers have two foil blades and an Active Lift blade in the middle.
- Run time: These electric razors will run for 50 minutes on a single charge.
- Quick charge: Just in case you’re in a hurry, these razors have a feature that allows you to use it for one shave after a 5-minute charge.
- Wet/Dry shaving: Depending on the variant you’ll choose, you can use both these shavers for wet or dry shaving.
Shaving head comparison: Braun Series 5 vs. Series 7
The shaving head of the Series 5 (left) and 7 (right) look strikingly similar.
Despite being the newer model, not much has changed with the Series 7 shaving head. In fact, with only a few minor details, they’re both have the same design.
Since both have the same head, the results will be similar. With the price difference between the S5 and S7, the former provides better value.
Series 5
The Series 5 shaver was the first Braun shaver that integrated the pivoting head.
It is similar to the Series 3 in that it has three cutting elements, but the main difference would be the central shaving element that’s thicker.
Its job is to grab hair, straighten it then cut. Being ticker means more cutting area and a better job at tackling hard to shave areas such as the neck and chin area.
Now, it will not cut as close as a safety, cartridge, or a straight razor, but it’ll finish the job much faster.
Series 7
If you put these two shavers side by side, you’ll notice one thing. Both have the exact same shaving head. Just check this out and see for yourself.
This means that if you don’t mind the additional features that the Series 7 brings to the table then just save the $$$ and go with the Series 5 period.
Hence, shaving performance will be the same. So consider the other features you’ll see below before making your final choice.
Pivoting head
The Series 5 and Series 7 head pivots and lock at 5 different positions. This helps the user find the most comfortable setting in shaving different areas.
Shaving Performance
Like what I’ve said, both the Series 5 and 7 will perform roughly the same because both have the same cutting head.
So let me just share a few videos of both shavers in action.
First the Series 5…
Sorry, I can’t find a decent English video for the shaving test, so I’m settling with this. I’m guessing that this is around a 4 or 5-day beard growth, and the Series 5 shaver was able to handle it pretty well.
The entire process took less than 8 minutes from start to finish, and there was no visible irritation after on the cheeks or neck area.
It’s a dry shaving process, so you’ll save quite a bit of time applying shaving cream.
Here’s an interesting video comparing the Series 5 and a Mach 3.
If you have not seen my review of the Mach 3, please click on this link to understand why I think this is the best cartridge shaver right now.
Impressive! The difference isn’t a lot considering the Series 5 did the job much quicker and potentially less irritation.
You’ll save a lot of money by switching to an electric razor. Another thing when using an electric shaver is that you won’t need to buy a trimmer because this razor has it.
Next, let’s move to the Series 7
You can fast forward to the 6:04 mark to see the shaver in action.
This is probably a 2 or 3-day growth, and the Series 7 was able to effectively shave pretty close.
There’s no visible irritation, but just in case you experience irritation, then apply some shaving cream. And use an electric shaver that’s effective for sensitive skin. These shavers can shave both wet and dry.
Tyler says that to maximize the efficiency of this shaver, you’ll need to shave more often and not allow your beard to grow longer than stubble.
Electric razors are most effective when shaving just stubble, as you’ll see in this video. One workaround would be using the trimmer to mow down excess beard then use the electric shaver to finish the job.
Other factors affect shaving performance, and we’ll look at each point one by one below.
1. Comfort
If you close at the shaving head of both razors, it has the same design that includes two foil elements and a trimmer in the middle.
The two foils will cut shorter strands of hair, and the trimmer handles the flat-lying hair.
This design is simple and yet effective in providing a close and comfortable shave.
One difference that makes the Series 7 more comfortable to use is the skin guard.
It protects the skin from irritation caused by friction and direct contact on the shaving elements.
You can still use the Series 5 on sensitive skin if you’re careful, but the Series 7 is more comfortable to use and something that I would recommend.
2. Closeness
When it comes to how close these razors shave, it’s pretty close. It won’t outperform an electric shaver with more blades like the Panasonic Arc 4, but it’s far more comfortable to use.
As I’ve said earlier, the shaving heads of both these razors are almost identical in terms of design.
The difference between the two in this regard will be negligible.
3. Shaving Longer Strands of Hair
The Braun Series 7 is the better option for cutting long strands of hair thanks to the Sonic technology that, according to Braun, will help lift up hair thanks to the vibration it creates.
In the real world, this feature seems to make a difference with shaving flat-lying hair.
The Series 5 also does an excellent job at shaving long hair even with the Sonic technology, but it won’t be as good as the Series 7.
One technique that some men use to capture long hair on the Series 5 is to go against the grain.
4. Speed
The Series 7 motor has a higher pitched sound versus the Series 5. This indicates that the Series 7 has a larger motor inside it.
The Series 5 produces a lower pitch, actually more of a hum, plus it vibrates vigorously during use. In terms of refinement, the Series 7 will perform better.
5. Personalization Modes (5 Speed Settings)
Braun incorporated five-speed settings in the Series 5 – Sensitive, Normal, and Intense.
Toggling through different settings is done using the two buttons just below the power button.
This will allow men to adjust the speed of the motor, depending on the need.
In theory, you can use the lowest setting on the more sensitive neck area then the highest setting on the cheeks.
However, in reality, the personalization modes seem to be a gimmick because there’s not much of a difference when it comes to comfort in different settings.
So you’ll notice the Series 9 razor does not have this feature.
6. Trimmer
The S5 trimmer (on the left) slides up, while the S7 trimmer (on the right) pops out to the side.
Both these razors come with built-in trimmers that will help you trim longer beard growth before using the razor itself.
The design of the trimmers is different. In the Series 5, the trimmer slides up at the back, it’s a similar design as the trimmer in the Series 9.
It looks sleek, but the design isn’t efficient as the short trimmer is obstructed by the head. You wouldn’t want to rely on this as your trimmer, but for sideburns, it’s okay.
The design in the Series 7 pops up to the side and is at a perpendicular angle from the body. It gives the trimmer more reach for trimming.
However, like the Series 5, the trimmer is positioned such that the body obstructs the view.
Another issue with the Series 7 trimmer is the curved profile that isn’t the best design for trimming beards.
You’ll probably get uneven results using this for just trimming. It is usable, but the comfort level won’t be the same as a stand-alone trimmer.
Wet/Dry Shaving
Most Series 7 variants you’ll see in Amazon work only for dry shaving, even if it’s waterproof. Only the black 740S and the 7865cc are usable for both dry and wet shaving.
What’s the difference between the two?
The 740s does not have the clean and charge station, while the 7865 has it.
Most Series 5 shavers have wet and dry functionality, so the only choice you’ll make if you go with this variant is to go with the more expensive shaver with the clean and charge station or the cheaper one without it.
Other Braun comparison articles
If you want to learn more about other Braun electric shavers, please check our article on the best Braun shavers. Also, please have a look at the other comparison articles comparing the different series shavers.
Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Design
If you look closely, the Series 5 and 9 integrate the same design principles.
Both of these razors taper down to the bottom and will have excellent grip thanks to the rubber inserts.
These two shavers are almost similar in size with the Series 5 slightly longer.
The Series 5 has a matte black finish. Some variants like the 5030s come with red accents, others like the 5190cc come with blue accents.
Despite the larger body, the Series 5 feels balanced on your hands. It has lots of rubber to help ensure that it won’t slip off your hands.
For the Series 7, the design is a bit more formal with the silver and gray finish. Its handle is straighter versus the tapered design of the Series 5.
At the bottom of the Series 7 interface is a small screen that tells you if the battery status and when you need to clean it.
Build quality of the shaving head
Another thing to consider with these two electric razors is the size of the shaving head.
It is worth noting that the Series 5 frame that holds the cassette is larger than the Series 7.
The smaller frame makes the latter more agile around the mustache and jawline area.
Lock Mechanism (Shaving Head)
The shaving heads of both these razors can swivel back and forth. It’s really a great design that helps it maintain contact with the skin.
There’s also an option to lock the head in place on instances where you need more precision.
When you lock the shaving head, one of the foils lowers, making the head slimmer, which is great for tight spots.
On the Series 7, the switch is on the side of the head. While the Series 5 switch is on the front of the body.
This won’t be an issue with the Series 5 since the head will relocate into a different position if you try to move it. There’s no damage done to the lock.
Display Screen
Both these shavers have a screen that tells you information about the battery status and hygiene status.
LED Display (Series 5)
The Series 5 has an LED screen below the power button up front. It shows the battery status through 5 bars and flashes a water drop icon if the razor needs cleaning.
The black background provides high contrast with the bright LED indicators, and you’ll quickly see the status even during the day.
LCD Display (Series 7)
The Series 7 uses an LCD display that’s located at the bottom of the handle. Why Braun chose this placement baffles me because it’s in an awkward position and can be challenging to read in a darker room.
Travel Lock
Surprisingly, the Braun Series 7 does not come with a travel lock despite being a newer alternative.
You don’t have an option to physically disable the on/off switch.
If you’re planning on bringing this on business trips, you’ll have to store it inside a travel case to prevent it from turning on accidentally.
The Series 5 has a travel lock, and you can activate this by pressing the On button for 3 seconds.
Battery and Run Time
These shavers have a lithium-ion battery that will run for about 50 minutes on a full charge.
Both have a quick charge feature that gives you enough time for a full shave after charging for only 5 minutes. This is a great feature to have if you’re in a hurry and forget to charge the razor.
It will take 60 minutes to fully charge both of these razors.
Clean and Charge Station
For both models, you can opt for a shaver with the clean and charge station or without it.
While it is possible to clean foil shavers thoroughly even without a cleaning station, having one makes the task much easier.
It will literally do everything for you, especially Braun.
Here are some reasons why you should consider a Braun with an automatic cleaning station:
- It uses an alcohol-based system that not only cleans but also disinfects the blades.
- Another plus of using alcohol is it dries fast.
- The cleaning cycles of the Braun cleaning station are short.
- You can use third-party cleaning solutions.
- In addition to cleaning, the cleaning solution will also lubricate.
- Cleaning solutions aren’t expensive.
Next, let’s look at the differences between the Braun Series 5 and 7 cleaning stations.
Series 5 Clean & Charge Station
The Series 5 Clean & Charge station is a lot bulkier than the Series 7. It’s not something you’d want if space is a premium.
One issue with the Series 5 station is the lack of a drying element, so it’ll take hours for the cleaning solution to air dry.
The good news is your shaver is clean, lubricated, sanitized, and ready to go for the next cleaning cycle. This should not be an issue if you plan on using the cleaning station after shaving.
Take note that the cleaning station found in the 5090cc and 5190cc comes with the hygiene status and automatically selects a cleaning mode – short, normal, and high intensity.
This feature is not found in the 5070cc and 5050cc.
Series 7 Clean & Charge Station
One advantage the Series 7 cleaning station has over the Series 5 is its size. It’s the better option if space is a premium in your bathroom because it is more compact.
The earlier versions of the Series 7 (790cc and 799cc) come with an induction heating system that will dry the razor for you.
This feature reduces the time from a few hours to 45 minutes.
Unfortunately, the newer Series 7 shavers don’t have this feature anymore. Braun has replaced this with a quick cleaning mode.
Another difference between the Series 5 and 7 is the compatibility of the “solo” variants with the clean and charge stations sold separately.
The Series 7 solo shavers have a special chip making it compatible with the charging stations if you decide to purchase one separately later on.
Unfortunately, the Series 5 does not have this chip, so it isn’t doesn’t have that compatibility.
Warranty
All Braun electric shavers come with a 2-year warranty. If you think that isn’t enough, then you can purchase the optional extended warranty on Amazon of up to 3 years if you want that extra peace of mind.
Take note that this extended warranty isn’t available if you purchase this direct from Braun.
Maintenance Costs
The longevity of an electric razor will depend on how religiously you maintain the shaving heads.
Failing to do so will leave you with a dirty razor that will breakdown prematurely.
Fortunately, maintaining the shaving heads on the Series 5 and 7 is easy thanks to the clean and charge station available to both models.
| Part | Replacement Frequency | Braun Series 5 | Braun Series 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foil & Cutter Shaving Head | ~18 months | Check Price | Check Price |
| Clean & Renew Cartridge Refills | ~ 2 to 3 months | Check Price | Check Price |
Both models offer clean and charge stations that will thoroughly clean the shaving head.
The difference is that the Series 7 version has an extra step that dries the blades for you. It’s more of a time-saving feature if you ask me, but it adds convenience.
Braun recommends that you replace the shaving heads every 18 months and the clean and charge refills every two months (for the Series 5) and every three months (for the Series 7).
All this will add up to a monthly cost of $39.84 for the Series 5. The monthly expense of the Series 7 will slight be higher at $40.2. if you follow Braun’s recommendations.
Remember that cleaning the shaver isn’t needed after every shave. You can extend the use of the CCR by cleaning every other shave.
Product Specs of the Braun Series 5 vs. 7
Here’s a quick look at the specifications of both these shavers.
| Features | Braun Series 5 | Braun Series 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Run time | 50 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Type | Foil Razor | Foil Razor |
| Flex Head | 8-D | 8-D |
| Mustache/Sideburn Trimmer | Yes | Yes |
| Wet Shaving | Yes | Yes |
| Dry Shaving | Yes | Yes |
| Water proof | Yes | Yes |
| Charging/Cleaning stand | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Pouch | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Value for Money Comparison
Best value for acquisition and running costs
Hands down the Braun Series 5 is the cheaper option of the two across the price range. Factor in maintenance, which includes only two things – changing the shaving heads (or cassettes) every 18 months, and refills every three months, the Series 5 still wins because the cassettes are cheaper.
Best value for shaving performance
Both these shavers use the same dual foil, one trimmer setup. But here’s the kicker, the Series 7 does better cutting long strands of hair thanks to the Sonic technology that lifts up hair according to Braun.
The Series 5 also does well with flat-lying hair but not as good as its newer sibling.
Both razors will be equal in terms of how close it cuts, but the Series 7 gets the edge with cutting longer strands of hair.
Also, the large motor inside the Series 7 translates to speedier results.
Best value for convenience features
When it comes to convenience features, it’s a bit of a tossup. The Series 5 has the advantage of having the travel lock feature that’s a must-have for frequent flyers.
While giving you the option to purchase the clean & charge station separately, the solo Series 5 shavers don’t have that chip that makes it compatible should you decide to buy it later on – the Series 7 has this compatibility.
Furthermore, the Series 5 clean & charge station is bulkier and takes longer to dry versus the Series 7.
The Verdict: Which Braun Shaver is a Better Option?
When it comes to shaving performance, there isn’t much of a difference between the Braun Series 5 and 7 razors. Except for the skin guard, both have the same design, which means similar performance.
So the choice between the two will depend on the extra features the Series 7 brings to the table.
Are they worth the extra $$$ you’ll spend?
3 Reasons to buy the Braun Series 5
- Cheaper option: The Series 5 is the more affordable option than the Series 7. If you’re looking for something that costs less, this is a better option.
- Costs less in the long term: The maintenance costs with these razors add up to around $40 annually, and that’s just a conservative estimate.
- Great for busy men: Electric shavers, in general, will do the job in less time than a cartridge or safety razor, but won’t cut as close.
- Decent run time: At full charge, this razor will run for about 50-minutes, great to have for business trips.
To learn more about the Braun Series 5, please click on this link.
5 Reasons to buy the Braun Series 7
- Better interface: The Series 7 interface gives you far more information. Not only will it tell how the battery status, but it also gives you a heads up if you need to clean the shaving head.
- 5 Shaving modes: You have the option to choose between 5 different power settings. Great for men who prefer to have more control.
- Cleans and dries the shaving head for you: The cleaning station of the Series 7 will charge, clean, lubricate, and dry the shaver for you. It’s the first electric razor in the world to have this 4-step system.
- Waterproof: You can use the Series 7 even inside the shower if you choose so because it is waterproof up to 5 meters. This design also makes it easy to clean the shaving head under running water to help extend the interval of the clean and charge refill.
- Flexible shaving head: The shaving head has floating elements that allow it to adapt to the different contours of your face.
To learn more about the Braun Series 7, please click on this link.
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