Priced in the mid-range (MSRP $149.99), the Braun Series 5 5190cc foil shaver received an A- performance rating from our testers, who remarked that it pulls a bit on longer whiskers but provides excellent results overall. “It took a minute to get used to,” one tester said, “but I like it.” Choosing our list of the best electric razors is never an easy task, as there are so many high-quality products out there – and the Braun Series 5 5190cc was very unlucky to miss out.
This razor is one of Braun’s Series 3, 5, 7 and 9 shavers, and it’s designed for maximum comfort and convenience whether you’re shaving wet or dry. Because it is waterproof up to 15 feet deep, you can use it to shave wet with water, foam or gel. You can also use it in the shower, and it has a textured grip to keep it from slipping from your hands as you shave.
With two foil blades and an ActiLift middle trimmer, the Series 5's shaving head is designed to cut uniformly and to capture flat-lying hair. It also flexes in eight directions to help you achieve a close, comfortable shave.
Braun Series 5 5190cc: Design
Sophisticated yet simple, the design of the Braun Series 5 5190cc is one of the most attractive we've seen. The combination of black body and silver head gives the shaver an air of understated elegance that would grace any bathroom shelf, while the lightning blue of the trim and battery display add a little contemporary zest.
The Series 5 doesn't bamboozle with buttons – there's no need to fiddle with complicated settings before you can get down to the business of shaving – and it also scores points for the quality of its grip, which ensures that you'll keep hold of the thing even when your hands are slippery.
Braun Series 5 5190cc: Features
The Braun Series 5 has a battery life of 50 minutes, and a three-level battery display tells you how much shaving time you have left. If you don’t have time for a full one-hour recharge, it has a quick-charge feature to give you enough power for a single shave. You can also use this razor while it’s plugged in, though its battery life indicator is disabled during charging.
Like the Braun Series 7 790cc-4, the Series 5 has an auto-sensing motor that adapts its power to the density of your beard to minimize pressure on your skin. This helps to protect sensitive skin from irritation. The Philips Norelco 7500 is another good choice for sensitive skin, especially if you’re a fan of rotary shavers.
The Braun Series 5 has worldwide voltage adaptation and a convenient travel lock. However, it’s missing a storage/travel pouch. There’s a Clean&Charge station to hygienically clean, lubricate and dry the shaver with a proprietary alcohol-based solution. Although our testers thought the Series 5’s cleaning cartridge was “kind of a pain to install”, they were pleased with its result.
Braun warranties the Series 5 for two years, which tends to be the industry standard – though the Wahl LifeProof 7061-100 comes with a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. Braun’s options for consumer support include phone, live chat and an online self-service tool.
Should you buy the Braun Series 5 5190cc?
It's hard to find fault with this shaver – it performs well, it looks great and it's priced competitively. Even the negatives aren't a big deal, and most people will be able to cope without a pouch or being able to see the battery display when the shaver is plugged in. Sure, we'd like a longer battery life, but with so much else going for the Series 5, we'd be prepared to waive that.