Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K review

The Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K provides a close shave with minimal effort. It has a four-blade cutting system with hypoallergenic, stainless steel foils and an angled inner blade, and it shaves almost as cleanly as a manual razor.

(Image: © Panasonic)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K is a consistent favorite among users who want a close, smooth shave. It shaves almost as cleanly as a manual razor and has flexible, pivoting heads.

Pros

  • +

    Provides a close, smooth shave

  • +

    Comes with a cleaning/charging station

Cons

  • -

    Battery life is a bit disappointing

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K is a muscular unit that's every bit as powerful as it looks. As with the best electric razors , it's designed to deliver the kind of shave that leaves you looking and feeling like you're ready for business. 

The shaver's multi-flex pivoting heads – which can be used in a circular motion – move smoothly over your face, chin and jawline at 14,000 cuts per minute. It took only two or three passes for our testers to get a close shave, and they gave this razor an A+ for shaving performance because it didn’t irritate their skin. 

Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K: Design

Clad in jet-black with a muscular torso, the Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K looks like a no-nonsense shaver – and as you'll read elsewhere in this review, this foil device has the performance to match.

It's quite a weighty shaver, which may not appeal to some, but the Arc4 fits in the palm of your hand like a dream, while the sturdiness of its build gives you complete confidence that it won't fall apart mid-shave.

Adding to the shaver's satisfying aesthetic is an LCD status display on the front, while the cleaning and charging station that comes with it is fairly compact and modestly designed.  

(Image credit: Panasonic)

Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K: Features

The Panasonic Arc4 provides 42 minutes of use time on a one-hour charge, which is approximately 14 three-minute shaves. Although it doesn’t have a quick-charge feature to give you enough power for a single shave, it does have a corded-use option that lets you plug in to keep shaving when the battery is low. If you’re looking for more battery power, the Wahl LifeProof 7061-100’s battery life offers more than twice the Arc4’s on a full charge, although the Wahl doesn’t allow for corded use.

If you’re looking for a shaver that travels well, the Panasonic Arc4 is a good choice because it has worldwide voltage adaptation and comes with a travel lock and travel pouch. The lock keeps it from accidentally activating during transport. Additional accessories include a cleaning and charging station, detergent cartridge, AC recharger and foil guard. The cleaning and charging station efficiently cleans, dries and charges the Arc4. The razor also has a sonic vibration cleansing mode that can be activated as you rinse the unit under running water. 

This shaver’s 10-stage LCD display has indicators for battery life and charging status, along with reminders for cleaning the unit and replacing its blades. Panasonic recommends replacing the outer foil annually and the inner blade every two years. However, some consumers say it works best to replace the inner blade annually as well. Replacement blades are available for less than $40 a set.

The Panasonic Arc4 is waterproof and can be used to shave wet or dry. When shaving wet, you can use shaving foam or gel for smoother results. It also has a small pop-up trimmer for detailing facial hair and sideburns, but the trimmer isn’t full-sized like the Wahl’s.

Should you buy the Panasonic Arc4 ES-LA93-K?

While Panasonic’s next-generation shaver, the Panasonic Arc5 ES-LV65-S, is very similar in design and performance, it is priced $30 higher than the Arc4 and doesn’t come with a cleaning and charging station. 

However, the Arc5’s battery gives you three additional minutes of use time – the equivalent of one more day’s shave. Panasonic guarantees both shavers for two years, and customer service is available by phone, email and live chat. 

Jennifer Christensen

Jennifer Christensen has written for many newspapers and magazines and has broadcast experience in television and radio. She has earned journalism awards from the Utah Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists and enjoys being a writer for Top Ten Reviews. Jennifer has five amazing children and loves to hike, play the piano, kick a soccer ball and eat ice cream.