The Panasonic Arc6 is the latest and most advanced shaver from Panasonic. It is an improvement over the previous Panasonic Arc5 series, which was already a high-end segment of shavers. The Panasonic Arc6 has some new features and technologies that make it more efficient, comfortable, and durable than the Panasonic Arc5. In this article, I will give you some practical insights about the new Arc6 Series shaver that will help you decide whether or not you should upgrade your shaver.
Pros
- Robust built quality and powerful motor.
- Extremely close and fast shave
- Very comfortable and suitable for sensitive skin
- Sleek and elegant interface
- Uncompromised wet/dry shave
- Very effective popup trimmer
Cons
- Super expensive
- Battery life is not surprising
- Bulky head
- Not much effective for long stubble.
Insights
The Panasonic ES-LS8A and ES-LS9A are two models of the Air 6 series that are widely available on the market. Here I will delve into the insights of Panasonic Arc6 shavers based on these two models because the shaver I tested is the Panasonic ES-LS9A-K.
6 Bladed Shaver: The Panasonic Arc6 shavers are the first and only shavers on the market that have six cutting blades. They are called Arc6 because of these six shaving elements, which work together to provide a close and comfortable shave. The six shaving elements consist of four regular foil blades and two foil trimmers. The regular foil blades are the main blades that cut the hair from the skin level for a smooth shave. The outer two regular foil blades are called finishing foils, and they are designed to capture and cut the hairs that are missed by the other blades. The foil trimmers are the blades that cut the long and flat-lying hairs to a short stubble and then let the regular foil blades finish them. The foil trimmers also help to lift and align the hairs for a more efficient shave. The Panasonic Arc6 shavers are engineered with a unique and innovative 6-bladed shaving system to handle any type of beard with ease.
22-D Pivoting Head: The shaver has a flexible head that can move in all possible directions to adapt to the facial contours and make the shaving process effortless. Panasonic claims that the head and the shaving elements can move in 22 directions, which is why they call it a 22-D pivoting head. I found that the head is very impressive in pivoting smoothly in all directions and shaving flawlessly, which reduces the wrist work as well. As a result, the shaving process becomes very comfortable, even on sensitive skin.
Powerful Linear Motor: The Arc6 shaver has a powerful 14,000 CPM Japanese linear motor that delivers fast and flawless shaving performance. The motor produces 84,000 cross-cutting actions per minute with the six shaving elements, which means that it can cut more hair in each stroke and reduce the shaving time. The motor is made to handle any kind of coarse and dense beard without losing speed or power.
Autosensing Technology: The motor has an auto-sensing technology that can detect the density of the beard and adjust the power accordingly. This feature allows the motor to deliver the optimal amount of power for each area of the face, resulting in a more efficient and comfortable shave. The auto-sensing technology also helps to save battery life, as the motor only uses the necessary power for each shave.
Battery and Charge: This shaver comes with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 45 minutes of cordless shaving performance after a full charge. You can fully charge the battery in just 40-45 minutes, or use the quick charging option to get enough power for a complete shave in only 3 minutes. This feature is very convenient for when you need a quick shave on the go.
LED Display: The shaver has an advanced LED display that lets you see the battery percentage and the charging status at a glance. You can easily monitor how much power is left and when you need to plug in the shaver for recharging.
Wet/dry and Waterproof: The Panasonic Arc6 Shavers are designed for wet or dry shaves and they are fully waterproof. You can choose your preferred shaving method and enjoy a smooth and comfortable shave with gel, foam, or water. You can even use the shaver under the shower since it is waterproof and durable. Moreover, you can easily clean the shaver by rinsing it under running water after every shave to remove any dirt and debris. The shaver also has a sonic vibration cleaning mode that helps to remove any stubborn stubble.
Popup Trimmer: The Arc6 shavers feature a pop-up trimmer that is similar to the one in the Panasonic Arc5. You can easily activate the trimmer by sliding up the multi-function button at the back of the shaver. The trimmer is ideal for detailing your sideburns, moustache, or beard. However, the pop-up trimmer is not meant for trimming a full beard, as it would take too long and not be very convenient. It is only suitable for fine-tuning your facial hair or pre-shaving longer hairs. If you want to trim your full beard, you should use a dedicated beard trimmer that has more power and precision.
What’s in the Box?
The Arc6 shavers have different models that come with different accessories in the package. I have used the Panasonic ES-LS9A and ES-LS8A shaver, so I can tell you what I found in my package. The first and main item in the package is the shaver itself and the other including are the following:
Deluxe Travel Pouch: Both models include a hard leather travel pouch that has a solid and premium feel. The travel pouch has a new and improved design compared to the arc5, and it also provides more security for the shaver. The travel pouch has a zipper closure and a soft lining inside to protect the shaver from scratches and dust. The travel pouch is also compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. The travel pouch is a useful accessory that adds value to the arc6 shavers.
Lubricant Oil: The arc6 shavers also include a small bottle of lubricating oil that helps to maintain the blades and foils in optimal condition. The lubricating oil helps extend the lifespan of the blades and foils by applying it after every thorough cleaning with liquid soap. The lubricating oil prevents rust and corrosion and ensures a smooth and comfortable shaving performance.
Cleaning and Charging Station: The main difference between Panasonic ES-LS9A-K and Panasonic ES-LS8A-K is that the first one comes with an automatic cleaning and charging station, while the latter does not. This makes a big difference in the price of the two models, as the premium Arc6 cleaning dock is quite expensive. If you choose the ES-LS8A shaver, you will get the same shaver as the ES-LS9A, but without the cleaning dock, and save a lot of money. However, if you are willing to pay more and want to enjoy the premium cleaning and charging convenience, the ES-LS9A is the option for you. The ES-LS9A also includes an extra cleaning detergent in the package, which is used by the dock to clean the shaver thoroughly and hygienically. The dock uses this detergent to remove any dirt and bacteria from the shaver and make it ready for the next use.
The package also contains a small cleaning brush that is very handy for removing the debris from the blades quickly, a protective cap that covers the foils and prevents them from getting scratched or damaged, and a universal charging adapter with a type-A charging cable. You can use the adapter to charge the shaver in any country, as it supports different voltages and frequencies. The package also has a user manual and a warranty card that provide you with useful information and instructions about the shaver and its features. I think the package has everything you need to enjoy your arc6 shaver.
Personal Experience
The Arc6 is the new flagship series of electric shavers by Panasonic, and they have made a lot of improvements to make this series more advanced and refined. The new arc6 shavers have a luxurious ergonomic and reliable build quality. The body is not made of metal but of premium plastic that gives a solid feel to the hand. The textured rubber grip covers most of the back side and adds a new layer of security and comfort to the grip. Panasonic made the foils thinner and sharper to make the shaving process smoother and keep the head smaller, as the bulky head was a drawback in the previous models. Even though there are more blades in the head, it does not exceed the size of the Arc5’s head, but it is still a bulky head for new users.
Panasonic added two foil trimmer elements in the head along with the four foil shaving elements to cut the long hairs more efficiently, as the other Panasonic shavers are not very effective for long stubble. I found that the Arc6 can cut slightly longer hair than the Arc5, but it is still not very suitable for long stubble. However, the Arc6 shavers impressed me with the best close shave with short stubble (1-2 days beard) that I have never experienced with any other foil shaver. You can say that it is the closest shaving monster in the foil-shaving industry.
Moreover, it shaves more effectively with shaving cream or foam than dry shaves. So, if you are fond of wet shaving, I think this will change your shaving experience with the most reliable wet shaving performance. Despite having six aggressive shaving elements, the shaver did not irritate my facial skin at all, and it felt like the most comfortable shaver in Panasonic’s line. So, a user with sensitive skin can use this shaver without any hesitation, with or without shaving products/lubricants.
As mentioned, the shaver features a pop-up trimmer that is similar to the Arc5’s, but I found that the Panasonic Arc 6’s pop-up trimmer is sharper and more efficient to do its job precisely. Panasonic’s pop-up trimmers are always market favourites, and this shaver added a new value to their reputation. Overall, the Panasonic Arc 6 is a great shaver for achieving perfect shaves with premium features and sensations, including shaving comfort.
Comparison with Alternatives
Panasonic Arc5: Panasonic Arc 5 is the previous series of Arc6, and it has almost the same technologies and design as the Arc6. But the Arc5 is much more affordable than the Arc6 shavers. The main difference between them is the number of shaving elements: Arc6 has six shaving elements, and Arc5 has five. Panasonic added an extra foil trimmer to the Arc6 to cut long and flat-lying hairs more effectively. So, the Arc6 has two gold-coated foil trimmers, while the Arc5 has one. However, I found that the new addition is not very noticeable when shaving short stubble, as both shavers provide a very close shave. So, if you shave regularly and do not have long stubble, the upgrade will not make much difference for you. As an upgraded series, the Arc6 looks more polished and refined than the Arc5, but that does not affect the actual performance. Although it is an upgrade, the Arc6 has the same battery capacity as the Arc5, but it charges faster (Arc5 takes one hour and Arc6 takes 40 minutes for a full charge), which is a slight improvement. So, the Arc6 is definitely a better option, but not a game-changing one compared to the Panasonic Arc 5. Therefore, you can choose your shaver according to your budget and preference.
Braun Series 9 Pro: Braun Series 9 Pro is another premium series of foil shavers that can be a good alternative to Panasonic Arc 6 shavers. The Braun Series 9 and Series 9 Pro shavers have four foil blades that shave the beard efficiently. Since they have fewer foil elements, the head of Braun’s shavers is slimmer and smarter than the Arc6 shavers. Braun Series 9 Pro has a more advanced LED display than the Arc 6 shavers, and the foils and the head are smoother to move, which makes the shave more comfortable. Therefore, the Braun Series 9 Pro is gentler and even the best for sensitive skin. But if you compare the shaving closeness, the Arc6 does it better with its many shaving elements. So, if you need the best close shaving machine, the Arc 6 will come first. However, the Braun Series 9 Pro can handle long stubble, even 5-7 days beard, whereas the Arc 6 fails to perform well on 3 days beard. So, Braun Series 9 Pro is the best choice in foil shavers if you shave once or twice a week. One very important difference between them is that the Braun Series 9 and Series 9 Pro provide 60 minutes of cordless shaving power, while the Arc 6 provides 45 minutes, which might be a drawback for the Arc6 shaver.
I found that the Arc6’s pop-up trimmer is more user-friendly and effective than Braun’s one, which is a plus for the Arc 6 shaver. The price range of the Braun Series 9 Pro is also very close to the Arc6 shaver. To decide between them, the Arc6 is great for men who need extremely close shaves for regular shaving, and the Braun Series 9 Pro is a better option for men who need extremely comfortable shaves and need to shave long stubble. So you can choose your perfect shaver according to your needs.
Verdict
The Arc6 is a top-tier electric shaver that offers outstanding shaving results, flexibility, and ease of use. If you’re looking for a high-quality grooming device and ready to spend a premium cost, the Arc6 is a worthy option and a great addition to your grooming routine.
Should You Upgrade to Panasonic Arc6 Shaver?
- Yes, if you are looking for an extremely close shave with an electric shaver.
- Yes, if you are looking for a top-notch and sturdy foil shaver with all advanced technologies.
- Yes, if you are fond of wet/dry shaves and shaving comfort.
- Yes, if you are ready to spend a significant price tag.
- No, if you shave occasionally(once or twice a week) and want to shave long stubble.
- No, if the bulky head is inconvenient for you and you need a longer battery backup.