Remington F5-5800 Foil Review: Cordless and Corded Functionality

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

So far, all the electric shavers I’ve written about are cordless.

I love the wireless convenience it brings. But there are instances where you need a cord. These are instances when you forget to charge and really need to shave.

Dual power source

The Remington F5-5800 solves this issue thanks to its dual power source feature that allows you to use it plugged or unplugged.

Like the more expensive Braun shavers, this also uses two foil razors and an “Interceptor” in the middle that pre-trims longer strands of facial hair.

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If you aren’t familiar with this term, it’s the middle part of the cutting head flanked by foils.

This allows this product to shave multiple-day growth with fewer passes. It also has a pop-up trimmer to help you with your beard trimming purposes.

A quick look at the features

• You can use this corded or cordless – this gives you great flexibility depending on the need
• 60 minute run time
• 1 hour charge time with the optional 5-minute quick charge
• Washable head – you can clean this under running water
• Pivot and flex head allows the head of the razor to maintain contact to the skin especially on hard to reach spots like the jawline and neck area
• Interceptor technology precuts longer strands of facial hair allowing you to shave even multiple-day beard growth
• Ni-Cad battery
• 2-year warranty
• Not waterproof

Pros

• Very affordable at less than $50
• Corded and cordless functionality offers excellent flexibility
• Long run time
• Washable head saves you money in terms of not having to buy cleaning refill packs
• Easy to clean (it comes with a cleaning brush)

Cons

• Cannot use this to wet shave
• While the head can tilt back and forth, there is no side to side movement
• May not be suitable for men with sensitive skin

What to Expect from the Remington F5 5800?

Remington isn’t as popular as Braun but still well respected in this industry. The primary reason would be straight forward to features and design.

This is an excellent example of that reputation.

It’s one of the rare electric shavers that you can use even when its plugged in.

I’ve read lots of reviews about men wishing that the cordless shaver they used had this feature, and I never thought I’d find a product with such until this came along.

But regardless, it gives you an excellent option just in case you forget to charge it and you’re in a hurry.

60 minute run time

When you use this in cordless mode, a full charge will last for around 60 minutes.

Depending on how long you shave, it will last for more than two weeks without having to plug.

Great for travel

If you travel a lot, this is a great travel buddy because of the run time alone.

Another feature that adds to the convenience is the 5-minute quick charge feature. Just in case you need only one shave.

Remington, however, does not specify the type of battery they used for this. One consumer said that this uses a Nickel Cadmium battery, which explains why this is heavy.

With the Ni-Cad battery, expect some sort of power fade throughout the charge cycle – this is a con for electronic devices with this type of battery.

1 hour charge time

To fully recharge this shaver, you will need to plug it in for a full hour.

You can still use it while plugged in and charging.

Hair Interceptor

In between the two foil blades is a trimmer that they call the intercept shaving technology. This part basically works like a trimmer that cuts longer strands of hair.

Different brands have different terminologies for this part, but basically, it acts like a small comb and scissor that lines up the long facial hair and cuts it short enough for the foil blades to shave off what remains.

It basically allows this razor to shave several days’ growth of hair.

Pivot and Flex

This feature refers to the two foil shavers that flex to adapt to the different contours of the face.

You don’t have to buy a Braun just to enjoy this feature.

The head pivots on an axis but only back and forth, so it isn’t as flexible as a higher-end brand like a Braun.

Pop up trimmer

The F5 5800 also has a pop-up trimmer on the side that helps you trim the sideburn and mustache area.

But I have to warn you that the trimmer can be awkward to use because of its placement at the back. There’s a big chunk of razor blocking your view, which can be tricky when trimming your goatee.

It shouldn’t be a problem for the sideburns, though.

Is It Easy to clean?

You will notice that this razor does not come with a cleaning station – something that’s becoming a trend with higher-end variants.

But it really doesn’t need it.

All you need to do to clean this is to remove the head and use the cleaning brush to brush off excess hair off the foils and rinse under running water.

Make sure to do this after every shave, as one consumer advised.

What’s in the box?

You’ll get the Remington F5 shaver, charging cord, and a cleaning brush.

Nope, it does not come with a pouch, so you’ll have to buy one separately.

Product Specification

See it in Action

“Futureman” tests this razor on a 3-day beard growth…

Consumer Reviews

One common thread for consumers who gave this a high rating is a value-for-money proposition it offers because of the shave quality it provides without the irritation.

A high-end Braun will easily cost over $100, top of the line variants go over $200 and sometimes close to $300. Ouch!

Good budget option

If you cannot afford one of those shavers, this is a good budget option to try for just under $50.

A lot of men who used this said it gave them a pretty close shave, some even said baby butt smooth (or BBS!) shave.

Men with different facial hair types – coarse and fine also said the same thing – they were pretty happy with the results.

May not work on sensitive skin.

But not everyone gave high grades men in particular with sensitive skin complained about how this product left them with razor burn, so if you fall into the same category, this is something to think about.

Other complaints about this shaver are the weight (primarily because it uses Ni-Cad batteries), loudness (this is louder than a Braun), and size.

Not everyone liked how the trimmer worked. Some said it was perfect, while others said the length of it gave them some trouble using it.

Don’t expect safety razor closeness.

The bottom line is if you’re expecting to get safety razor closeness from an electric shaver, then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Expecting such from this product isn’t fair. The most significant advantage of an electric razor is convenience.

Also, remember shaving effectively with an electric razor requires a certain level of skill.

Not only men used this razor but also women to shave their legs and their genital area with success.

All of this tells me that your mileage may vary, but if this razor fits your skin, you’ve got a great bargain!

Where can I buy this?

You can buy this electric razor from Amazon, and it is eligible for the 2-day free shipping if you join Prime.

They also offer extended warranties for up to 3 years, which is another reason why I like buying there.

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

To Wrap Up

The Remington F5 8500 is a good budget option for men looking for a decent shaver that is capable of shaving a multiple day growth.

This is possible because of the two foil and intercepts feature that cuts longer strands of hair.

Now, remember that some men who have sensitive skin said that this razor has given them trouble because it was too aggressive. So if you have the same type of skin, this may not be the right product for you.

Though men who claim to have sensitive skin were happy with the results. So this is another case of “your mileage may vary.”

Remember to test it out to find out, and if it doesn’t work for you, return it for a refund, but if it works, then you’ve found yourself a diamond in the rough.