Braun Büffel Syncro 7570

The Braun Syncro Series of shavers is possibly the first major breakthrough in shavers in many years. It is a SYSTEM. It incorporates a self-cleaning system that thoroughly cleans the shaver after each shave and releases a measured amount of lubricant which probably extends the life of the cutting heads and the foil. Braun claims average life, using it once a day, is 18 months before cleaning effectiveness is reduced by about 25% and the cutting assembly/foil should be replaced. It comes in four models:

7505 - lists around $125, sells for around $100. No display and no cleaning unit is included. Cleaning unit can be purchased later. Somewhat difficult to clean manually - remove the head and use included brush.

7526 - lists around $150, sells for around $120. Includes cleaning unit but no display. Essentially does everything the two more expensive units do. The owner must judge when the battery need recharging. Big deal .

7546 - lists around $200, sells for around $150-160. Adds a LED display (6 LEDs I believe). They provide information about battery condition I believe - I haven't really examined one.

7570 - list around $250, sells for around $179. The top of the line. Has a full Liquid Crystal Display on the shaver. Tells battery charge graphically - when fully charged shows a smiley face! After each shave tells you the duration of the shave. Can provide simplified use instructions and part number of the replacement cutter head. All of these features are fun but do NOT have any effect on the shave. (This is the unit I purchased).

The Syncro shavers provide the closest shave I have ever had with an electric razor. I previously tried, and discarded, the top of the line Grundig and had settled on the previous best Braun. I have tried rotary models in the past, including the best Norelco units made before this year, and could never get a clean shave with them. (Maybe there are rotary beard people and foil beard people). I agree with most of the previous comments on shaving effectiveness.

The cleaning unit is a major breakthrough in my opinion. It plugs into the wall outlet (110 or 220 volts) and the shavor plugs into the unit, cutter head down. It starts automatically into a cycle lasting around 15 minutes. If the battery needs recharging you push a button on the unit and that will be done while it cleans. Takes around an hour to recharge. A warning light comes on if the cleaning fluid needs changing. I found this happens between 30 and 45 days/shaves. It is difficult to replace the cleaning cartridge which slides into the bottom of the unit. The cleaning unit will NOT travel without removing the cartridge and placing a plastic cover over some holes on the top of it. I choose to leave it at home and clean manually when I travel. The cleaning cartridges cost around $6 when purchased in twin packs and $5 each when purchased by the dozen.

The shaving action is similar to several of the newer foil shavers with a sideways motion added to the back and forth motion. The foil is very thin, possible the thinnest on the market, and this helps me get a very close shave without irritation. BUT, as I have mentioned, the main breakthrough is the cleaning system - which should (if Braun is correct) result in much longer cutter head life.

The main drawbacks are the difficulty in changing cleaning fluid cartridges and the fact that the cleaning unit cannot travel - and, as I have mentioned, it is harder to clean manually than most other foil shavers I have used. I would not recommend it to people who are constantly on the road. In fact, after making one seven day trip, I have elected to carry my older Braun when I travel. I have used this shaver for around three months.

Since no one product seems to be able to capture the market by itself, I predict that other shavers will soon be introduced with self-cleaning/lubricating systems. It will be interesting to watch what the competition develops!