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There are three elements to getting the perfect shave — a sharp blade, steady precision, and cleanliness. If any of these features are missing from your shaving routine, you're bound to experience leftover stubble, cuts, irritated skin, or dreadful razor bumps.
The older Braun Series 7 has long been my favorite shaver for avoiding those headaches, so when the new model came out, I decided to test the upgrades, which include a sleeker body and a removable trimmer head rather than a built-in one. The short of it is that the upgrades do make the new version better than the older.
This razor made it into our guide for the best electric razors as our top budget pick.
Series 7 technology and features
Technological features
As one of the most technologically advanced shavers, the Braun Series 7 (7071cc) uses AutoSense Technology to read your beard's thickness and adjust the power of the shaver's motor to deliver a close shave with just one stroke. Instead of hard, repetitive strokes, which can be harmful to your skin, you'll get the shave you want without too much effort.
Construction
While that technology has been around for some time now, the Braun Series 7 7071cc does have some new features — the main one being the 360° Flex Head. Replacing the eight-directional shaving head, the shaver can now move in any direction, allowing for better contouring along the specific curves of the face and neck.
You'll also find an ergonomic design with a rubberized grip handle for easy and accurate control in hand. Perhaps the biggest difference between the new Series 7 and the old is that the trimmer now comes as an attachment rather than being built into the shaver. This provides more control and accuracy when trimming — something I'll get into later.
Battery life
The shaver also has a 50-minute battery life, equivalent to about three weeks of use for a daily shave. You won't have to worry about the battery ever dying if you put it on the stand after each use, but the long battery life is great for traveling.
Self-cleaning feature
Whether you prefer an advanced electric shaver or an old-school single-blade safety razor, it's important to maintain clean grooming tools.
As a self-cleaning model, The Braun Series 7 7071cc makes that easy. In addition to the small cleaning brush, the shaver comes bundled with a Clean and Charge stand and one Clean and Renew cartridge, which is filled with a solution formulated to clean and lubricate the blades.
The cleaning cartridge loads into the base of the Clean and Charge stand. To activate the self-cleaning, simply dock the Series 7 with the shaver head facing down (as pictured above) and press the power button on top of the Clean and Charge stand. The Clean and Renew solution washes and lubricates the blades so that the shaver head is ready for the next use.
One cartridge contains enough solution for 30 cleaning cycles, which makes it good for about a month of daily use. If you don't shave daily, then they will last much longer. When it is time to replace Clean and Renew cartridges, refills aren't incredibly expensive. You can get a six-pack from Braun under $30or asix-pack from a lesser-known shaving brand for $17.99.
In addition to the hygienic benefits, the Clean and Charge station also gives you a neat place to store your trimmer instead of just leaving it on your bathroom counter.
What it's like to use
After using an older version of the Braun Series 7, which, for the record, still works wonderfully, I gave the newer 7071cc model a try because the changes seemed substantial. After just one shave and trim, I confirmed that the changes were, in fact, major improvements to an already solid shaver.
The biggest improvement in the design is the new 360° Flex Head shaver, which contours to the curves of your face and neck. As mentioned before, the older Braun Series 7 featured an eight-directional flexible head, and although it did get the job done, the range of motion pales in comparison to the 360° Flex Head. Using the 7071cc model feels effortless, even in hard-to-shave areas like your Adam's apple or jawline.
I usually wear a mustache and goatee with a clean shave on my face and neck, but more recently, I've let my facial hair grow in a bit — and that's where the second biggest improvement, the re-designed trimmer attachment, has come in handy most.
In the redesign of the Series 7, Braun got rid of the slide-out trimmer on the front of the device and replaced it with a detachable trimmer that goes on top in place of the shaver. This was a great improvement because you can see what you're doing while trimming. The old slide-out trimmer was convenient because it couldn't be misplaced or lost, but it wasn't easy to use. I lacked the confidence to execute more detailed trims due to poor visibility.
With the 7071cc model, I can accurately trim my mustache, beard, and even hairline. Its more ergonomic design also boosted my confidence while trimming. It's perfect for staying clean in between haircuts, and I heavily relied on it when barbershops were closed during social distancing orders.
The Series 7 is also completely waterproof, so you can use it for wet or dry shaving, bringing it in the shower or rinse it off in the sink — something not all electric shavers can do.
Cons to consider
To be frank, there aren't any actual cons to this model. I've extensively tested electric razors and shavers, and the Braun Series 7 (7071cc) is my favorite option. When taking into consideration the price, the versatility of shaving and trimming features, and its dependability for effectively cutting different hair types and thicknesses, the Braun Series 7 (7071cc) made it into our guide to shavers as the best option overall.
However, there are other shavers out there with slight upgrades that could be worth it to you if you shave every day. The Braun Series 9 is available for about double the price, and it has higher-end features like a cutting mechanism to handle hairs that grow in different directions more seamlessly and a titanium-coated build. You can read my full review of the Braun Series 9 here.
The bottom line
If you prefer electric shavers and razors over more traditional multi-blade razors, the Braun Series 7 (7071cc) is an all-around good choice. It can handle all hair types and thicknesses, can be used for wet or dry shaving, and has an attachment for trimming.
Whether you like a completely clean shave or neatly trimmed facial hair, you can achieve your desired style with it.
I recommend the Braun Series 7 (7071cc) to anyone looking to buy their first electric shaver or to upgrade from an older shaver, even if it's the previous Series 7 model.
Editor, Reviews
Amir Ismael is an editor on Business Insider’s Reviews team specializing in men's style and grooming products. He joined the team (then called Insider Picks) in 2017, initially covering a wide range of subjects, including deals of the day, clothing, phone cases, headphones, and more, before leaning into his true passion — men’s style.ExperienceAmir began his journalism career at Complex Media in 2015, working as an intern and freelance writer for Complex Sneakers and Sole Collector. He joined Business Insider in July 2017. During his time on the Reviews team at BI, he’s covered all aspects of menswear and footwear, including the latest startups you should know about, brands focusing on sustainability, where to buy affordable work clothes for men, outerwear, watches, and more. He’s also continued to lead on style deal coverage for multiple key seasonal events each year, such as Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.Why you can trust AmirAmir’s expertise in style is rooted in his personal love for collecting fashion, from vintage finds on eBay to new, innovative designs that spark his interest. Some of his favorite brands include Ralph Lauren, Timberland, The North Face, Nike, and Air Jordan. His enthusiasm focuses less on the materialistic side of consuming fashion, as he prefers delving into the stories behind them, be it their cultural significance, sports history, or impact on the outdoor/adventure space.Amir’s a passionate sneaker collector (and can tell you how to clean and restore them so you’re always looking your best), and he has you covered head-to-toe for everything you need to know in men’s style and grooming. He’s extensively tested glasses, wallets, watches, razors, skincare, and both casual and formal wear.For Amir, hunting for deals goes far beyond his coverage during shopping events like Black Friday. He prides himself on always being able to find great deals and attributes most of his personal collection to his deal-hunting prowess. If he says it’s a good deal, then it is!Expertise
- Men’s street fashion
- Footwear, including significant release dates, design history, construction, and materials
- Menswear staples, including workwear, casual clothes, underwear, T-shirts, and more
- Brand founder or designer interviews
- Men’s grooming and shaving products
- Prescription eyewear
EducationAmir graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism and public relations.Outside of workAmir has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey. When he’s not working, he enjoys working on and driving his small collection of classic BMWs.Say hello to Amir at aismael@businessinsider.com or on Instagram @amirjismael.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.