Performance: Powerful, Effortless, and Oh So Smooth

The Series 9 Pro+’s performance is excellent. Even as someone who typically gets on better with rotary shavers, I found it delivers a very close, smooth shave with minimal effort. Under the hood, it’s driven by a high-speed motor and a multi-element foil system designed to tackle everything from short stubble to flatter, more awkward hairs. What really stood out to me is just how powerful it feels. The first time you switch it on, it’s reminiscent of revving a V8 engine—there’s a real sense of force behind it, and thankfully, the performance matches that initial impression. Even on my tougher, more stubborn head stubble, it sliced through to a near razor-smooth finish with ease, and with fewer passes than many other shavers I’ve tested.

That power doesn’t come at the expense of comfort, either. I get consistently close results without the irritation I’d usually expect, especially around the neck, where foil shavers normally do a number on my skin. With the Series 9 Pro+, there’s very little redness and no lingering discomfort, even when shaving more frequently. It comfortably handles five days’ worth of growth far better than many shavers I’ve used, cutting cleanly without much tugging and dealing well with flatter, more stubborn hairs. I also used it on my head, and it holds up well. It delivers a close, even finish and has more than enough power to deal with thicker head stubble. That said, it’s a little slower than a dedicated head shaver like the Philips Head Shaver Pro 5000. The smaller shaving surface means you’re covering less ground per pass, so while the result is strong, it takes longer to get there.

The 9 Pro+’s power does come with a trade-off. It’s not the quietest shaver out there—there’s a noticeable buzz in use—and it’s also a bit messier than the rotary shavers I’ve tried. Foil shavers don’t trap hair in quite the same way, so this is one you’ll want to use over a sink, rather than wandering around mid-shave like I regularly do with a Philips. Elsewhere, the Series 9 Pro+ has a pop-up trimmer around the back. It’s fine for getting rid of stray stubble around the top of your ears, and I use it to keep the odd hair in check between my eyebrows. But for anything more serious, you’ll definitely want to look at getting one of the best beard trimmers.

Battery and Charging: Still No USB-C

Battery life is rated at 60 minutes and in real-world use, that feels about right. It’s enough for multiple shaves, and I never found myself worrying about it running out unexpectedly. There’s also a five-minute quick-charge feature, which is very useful if you’re caught short. Where it does fall short, though, is convenience. Braun’s continued use of a proprietary charger is beginning to feel archaic (I’m looking at you too, Philips). It works fine, but it’s less flexible than USB-C, especially when traveling.

Some versions of the Series 9 Pro+ come with Braun’s SmartCare cleaning station and the PowerCase. The cleaning station automatically cleans, lubricates, dries, and charges the shaver using replaceable cartridges, making day-to-day maintenance largely effortless. Even though I’ve always maintained that a rinse under the tap and an air dry also gets the job done, it works well enough. The PowerCase is the standout extra, though, and a very useful one at that. It’s essentially a protective travel case with a built-in battery, so when you place the shaver inside, it charges at the same time. If you travel regularly, or just like the idea of a shaver that stays protected and topped up between uses, it’s definitely worth spending extra on.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ is one of the best foil shavers you can buy right now, and one of the best electric shavers, period, making a convincing case for itself, even if you’re traditionally a rotary shaver user. It’s powerful, extremely close-shaving, and impressively comfortable, with little to no irritation whatsoever. It handles both short stubble and days’ worth of growth with ease, and even doubles up as a capable head shaver if needed. It’s not perfect—the trimmer is average, charging feels dated, and the price is high, but nothing is. I’d recommend picking up the cheaper bundle that includes the useful charging case, but ditches the cleaning station—though you’re welcome to splurge on the top-end one, if you wish. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

This story originally appeared in British GQ.