Braun Series 7 790cc-4 Review: Value for Money Option

by Garrick Dee | Last Updated: July 18th, 2020

In the world of male grooming, Braun is a market leader when it comes to electric shavers.

And the Braun Series 7 790cc-4 will give you a close shave in record time not possible with a cartridge or safety razor.

And at a comfort level not found in older electric razors.

If you’d ask me five years ago if I’d recommend an electric razor, I might have hesitated because it was expensive and didn’t perform up to par.

But technology has improved so much that I would not shy away from recommending one.

An innovative product

The 790cc is one of those innovative products in the market today.

Several tech blogs like The Sweet Home and Apartment Therapy have recommended because of features that it has introduced not found in most electric razors.

At the forefront of these features is the OptiFoil feature that Braun claims to cut facial hair as short as 0.05mm.

Gregory Ham of Apartment Therapy reckons that he didn’t need more than 2 passes to get a close shave.

It also utilizes a fully flexible head that adapts to the contours of your face, allowing it to reach more areas – especially trouble spots like the chin or neck area.

Now the bad news is the price.

This premium razor isn’t cheap, but an investment for someone looking for a quick, close shave, so is it worth it?

Well, we’re here to find out.

First, let’s look at the features:

• Intelligent sonic technology produces up to 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute to help cut dense growth areas
• Fully waterproof body – you can rinse it under running water
• 50 minute run time
• Lithium-ion batteries
• Pivoting head
• Has a cleaning base
• Has a pop-up trimmer that can trim the beard, sideburns and private areas
• ActiveLift trimmer help cut hair in problems areas like the chin and neck
• Uses a lithium-ion battery that will last for 50 minutes on a single charge
• Comes with a clean and charge station fully equipped to deep clean and lubricate to ensure longevity
• Has 3 shaving modes – extra sensitive, normal and intensive mode

Pros

• Long battery life
• Fully waterproof
• Lightweight and ergonomic
• OptiFoil and ActiveLift features allow this to give you a close shave in as little as two passes
• The docking station makes the cleaning process straight-forward
• You can plug the cord direct on the razor (no need to bring the heavy cleaning station when you travel)

Cons

• Expensive
• You will need to replace clean and renew refills at least once a month
• Because the cleaning solution consists mostly of alcohol, it will evaporate
• No, you cannot use this to wet shave

Features of the Braun 7 Series and What to Expect

The 790cc used to be Braun’s top-of-the-line razor before the Series 9 showed up.

But don’t let this discourage you from having a look at the 790cc because it is still a good performer. With the reduced price, it offers a lot of value for your hard-earned dollar.

And lots of men who’ve used this will agree.

What makes this a great shaver?

Well, let’s start at the head of the razor, where it has three features that allow this shaver to give you a close shave without having to shave the same area over and over.

This reduces the chance of irritation and saves you time.

These three technologies work in unison to cut your beard as close as possible without irritating your skin.

Underneath the OptiFoil exterior is Gillette blades that cut facial hair up to 0.05mm short while micro-vibrations help with shaving dense growth areas.

Lastly, the ActiveLift blades work like a closer to clean up flat-lying hairs in hard to shave areas like the chin and neck.

Combine that with the head that fully pivots on an axis, and flexible cutting elements help the 790cc cover more area on your face.

3 shaving modes

The 790cc is as versatile as other electric shavers in the market with three shaving modes from extra-sensitive (for men with sensitive skin), normal to intensive (for men with thick beards).

Warning: Not for wet shaving

Unfortunately, despite having a waterproof design, you can’t use this to wet shave.

This shaver is designed for dry shaving only.

Just in case you need the wet shaving feature, you’ll have to fork out $50 more and get the 7865cc wet & dry shaver.

If you’re comfortable with dry shaving, this is a great option.

But…

If you prefer to wet shave using an electric razor, then go with the 799-c, but it will cost around $70 more in Amazon.

Charging and cleaning station

All razors, yes, that includes electric will function at its best when cleaned regularly.

Not only will this extend the life of the shaver, but it will give you a better shave because your skin’s biggest enemy is a dirty blade.

This variant comes with a charging base that also doubles as a cleaning station that does that job for you.

With a push of a button, it will automatically clean, disinfect, lubricate, scent, and dry the shaving head for you but at the expense of having to buy refills once it runs out.

30-minute cleaning cycle

It will take around 30 minutes for the standard cleaning cycle to finish, but there is an optional “quick cleaning” button at the bottom part (the blue button) just in case you’re in a hurry.

While the primary tool for cleaning this product is the cleaning base, you can also do it manually.

You can clean this manually.

There are a couple of ways to clean this manually, first is to run it under running water with the shaver on then remove the shaving head and let it dry.

If you’ll wash this under running water Braun recommends that you apply mineral oil on the foil part of the head once a week.

The second way of cleaning this again to remove the foil head then gently tapping it on a face towel to dislodge any facial hair trapped.

Do not brush the top part where the foil is, only the base to dislodge any gunk and facial hair.

Some consumers recommend cleaning this part mid-shave if you’re shaving a substantial beard growth.

To see more maintenance tips, please watch the video below…

What comes in the box?

Product Specification

See it in Action

Check out features and how this razor works in this video…

Consumer Reviews

One of the biggest compliments it got was how close it shaved.

In fact, some have bought other high-end razors like Remington and Philips Norelco, and the 790-cc was the best performer most of the time.

One of the best performing electric shavers

Not only did it perform the best, but it was one of the more quiet electric shavers.

Build quality is also another positive, which is something you’d expect from Braun. The plastic used was substantial, and you could feel it when you hold the product.

One consumer, in particular, mentioned that even after a year and a half, this razor still performed like it was brand new.

Expensive shaving head

You may need to replace the shaving head after 2 or 3 years of use. The original part isn’t cheap.

The cost of clean and renew refills is a concern for consumers. But according to one review, a single cartridge will last between 5 and 6 weeks if you use it for 5 days per week.

But your mileage may vary depending on how much you use it.

Some went as far as pouring alcohol onto the cartridge. But I wouldn’t recommend this because it can void the warranty.

Cost of running the clean/charge station

When you compute the cost of replacement cleaning cartridges, it will go for a little less than $7. But it should last over a month, and that’s if you use it for 5 days. Some men have used the auto cleaning feature for as little as two days, and they still got a fantastic shave.

Most of the complaints made by consumers who think the price of the refills are too high and are complaining about the running costs.

The cleaning solution that contains alcohol is another point of concern because it does evaporate rapidly.

A workaround

One customer shared something that could put all of these concerns to rest.

Instead of using the cleaning solution every day, use it only once a week and then remove the cartridge and cover it with the cap so that it does not evaporate.

Make sure not to throw the cap when you install the cartridge!

You will, however, need to remove the head and brush the heck of out it to remove any excess hair and gunk.

This would not be possible for men who have dense beard growth, so you have to play it by ear.

Where can I buy this?

You can buy the Braun Series 7 790cc on Amazon. And it is eligible for the 2-day free shipping if you join Prime. A newer version is also available that can wet and dry shave.

Amazon also sells extended warranties for this up to 3 years if you want more peace of mind.

Take note that if you purchase through the links above, I will earn a commission, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for both of us!

To Wrap It Up

This high-tech electric razor is excellent for the busy executive who travels a lot and simply does not have the time wet shave.

The foil design and the flexible head will result in a close shave in as little as two passes without irritating your skin.

The cleaning base disinfects, cleans, and keeps this razor in tiptop shape for years to come, and Braun says that if you follow the proper maintenance, this will last for 7 years.

The initial investment is pretty steep, but you get what you pay for.

A high-quality razor that will shave your facial hair at a fraction of a time a manual razor would minus the pulling and tugging that plagued old electric razors.

The additional expense of the cleaning station refills pales in comparison with the refills of a cartridge razor.

This is the minimal price you’ll have to pay for the convenience of the cleaning station that cleans the razor for you with a touch of a button.