Braun's $150 Series 7 shaver is a big upgrade from the previous version, and it offers exceptional value

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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 $30 or a six-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.