Braun Series 3 ProSkin is an affordable line of foil-type shavers from the highly influential brand Braun. The Braun 3040s is considered the flagship model in the Series 3 ProSkin shavers. It aims to deliver a smooth and effective shave, making it a preferred option for those who seek a reliable and easy-to-use shaver. In this article, I’ll share my insights and experience with the Braun Series 3 3040s shaver, which can help you decide whether it’s suitable for you.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Reliable built quality
- Shave wet or dry
- Easy to clean
- Easy to use
- Ideal for sensitive or normal skin
- Shaves quickly
- 100% water resistant
- Popup Trimmer
- Convenient rubber grip
Cons
- No pivoting head
- Need several passes on the coarse beard
- Flimsy precision trimmer
Insights
The Braun Series 3 3040s is an electric foil shaver that is made for a smooth and comfortable shave at an affordable price. However, to determine whether it’s a good shaving device, we should know its insights first. So, let’s delve into the key insights surrounding the Braun Series 3 ProSkin shaver to help you assess its suitability for your specific shaving needs.
Shaving Elements: The Braun 3040s has three shaving elements, like the other Series 3 shavers. It has two foil (SensoFoils) shaving elements that shave short stubble smoothly and a middle trimmer that cuts longer and flat-lying hair. The foils have micro-comb technology that is designed to catch more hair in every stroke.
Pressure-sensitive Head:
The Braun Series 3 ProSkin razors are designed to offer a comfortable shave at a low cost. They have pressure-sensitive shaving elements that can flex and adapt to the skin. The shaving elements can move and float up and down to reduce skin pressure. This makes the shave smooth and irritation-free with this ProSkin shaver.
Waterproof: The Braun Series 3 3040s is 100% waterproof which makes the cleaning process easier. You can directly rinse it with running tape water and moreover use it under the shower.
Wet/Dry Shave: The Braun 3040s is a wet/dry shaver that gives you the freedom to choose between:
- Refreshing wet shaves: Enjoy the soothing and moisturizing experience of using your preferred shaving gels, foams, or oils. This can be especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin, as the lubricants help reduce friction and irritation.
- Quick dry shaves: When you’re short on time or simply prefer a dry shave, the Braun 3040s is ready to go. Its foil shaving system effectively captures and cuts hair without needing any additional products.
This flexibility makes the Braun 3040s a convenient option for busy individuals or those who simply appreciate having shaving options. You can choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences, ensuring a comfortable and efficient shaving experience every time.
Cordless Shaver: The manufacturer engineered the Braun 3040s shaver only for cordless use. They used a rechargeable NiMH battery in the shaver that offers 45 minutes of continuous cordless shaving with a 1-hour full charge. There is a 5-minute quick charging option as well for an urgent shave.
LED Battery Level Indicator Display: Braun used 3 segments of LED display for battery and charging indication. The last remaining indicator will warn red after draining the full battery power. Every segment represents 15 minutes of power and you have to put it into an electrical outlet after getting the red warning.
Popup Trimmer:
The Braun Series 3 3040s shaver has a built-in pop-up precision trimmer that is used to accomplish the shave with the final touches of precision trimming. It is useful for styling sideburns and mustache, or for creating clean edges and contours.
What’s in the Box?
Since the Braun Series 3 3040s is an entry-level shaver, it only comes with the essential items in the package. When I opened the Braun 3040s shaver box, I saw the following items inside it.
- The shaver itself
- Charging adapter (universal volt.)
- Cleaning brush
- Protective cap
- Manual book
The model doesn’t even come with a travel bag. So, you need to outsource it for storing the shaver or carrying in a trip. However, the protective cap(4) is a useful item to protect the foils from damage and dust. You can use the charging adapter(2) anywhere in the world since it comes with a universal volt.
Personal Experience
The Braun Series 3 3040 has a thin precision head that can reach hard-to-shave areas like under the nose. The shaver has a light, attractive, and elegant design. It is well-made and compact, thanks to the efforts of the Braun developers. The shaver also has an ergonomic grip, with rubberized zones on both sides. This makes it easy to hold and use. The shaving elements are pressure-sensitive and protected by a patented metal mesh. As a result, they provide a clean, close shave with excellent skin comfort. I tested the shaver on my one-day stubble, and it performed well, the result was satisfactory. It also worked well for wet shaving, but it required more passes to achieve a clean shave on the wet and foamy face. However, the result was acceptable for its price range, since some similar shavers do not even have a wet shaving feature. The shaver has a pop-up trimmer for precision trimming, which is a nice addition. However, it needed more passes to get a precise result. The trimmer is not suitable for shaping a full beard, so, if you want perfect precision or to shape the full beard, you need to use a dedicated beard trimmer alongside this shaver. The main drawback I noticed is that the shaver cannot handle long stubble. It can also pull and tug the hair when shaving very coarse and long stubble. Therefore, the Braun Series 3 ProSkin shaver is ideal for regular shaving, but not for occasional shaving with three or more days of beard. However, I liked the shaver for my daily shave, and it was very comfortable. I recommend it for men who like to shave every day. It gives a neat and close shave with great skin comfort, and you can feel this quality every day.
Comparison with Alternatives
Panasonic Arc3 ES-LL41-K: The Panasonic ES-LL41-K is a hybrid men’s grooming machine that comes with 3 foil-shaving elements. There are 2 guide combs that offer to trim off long hairs in 6 different lengths. The ES-ll41 is a powerful wet/dry shaver that can handle thicker hairs. I found the LED display of the Panasonic shaver is more advanced than the Braun 3040s and moreover, the ES-LL41-K has a more powerful battery that provides 50 minutes of runtime. This is also a waterproof design and comparably easier to clean since it offers separate cleaning of the foils and cutters. Two aspects of the Braun 3040s that can beat the Panasonic ES-ll41 are; the shaving comfort and the durability of the replacement head. The shaving process of the Braun shaver is much more comfortable and enjoyable than the Panasonic shaver. The Panasonic heads last for 12 months and the Braun heads last for 18 months on the other hand. If you are fond of comfortable shaves and like to save some replacement costs, the Braun Series 3 3040s is a better choice. But the Panasonic ES-LL41-K has some compelling features as well that can beat the Braun 3040s. By the way, the Panasonic ES-LL41 shaver has a bit higher price than the Braun’s one. So, you need to take your decision accordingly.
See Panasonic ES-LL41’s Price on Amazon
Wahl LifeProof Shaver: The Wahl Lifeproof shaver is another popular shaver that is waterproof and shockproof. It has four stylish versions in different colors: gray, green, yellow, and orange. The Lifeproof shaver has a powerful Lithium-ion battery that can last for 90 minutes of cordless shaving after a full charge. It also has a 5-minute quick charge option for an emergency shave. The shaver has self-sharpening blades and flexible foils that can shave efficiently and smoothly. The shaver also has a travel lock system that prevents accidental activation, which the Braun 3040s shaver lacks. The shaver can be used for both wet and dry shaving, and it has a full-size stainless steel trimmer for precision trimming. The main drawback of the Wahl Lifeproof shaver is that it does not have a battery indicator to show the remaining power that the Braun Series 3 3040s and Panasonic Arc3 shaver have. However, the Lifeproof shaver has many attractive features and functions that are better than the Braun 3040s shaver. But the Braun Series 3 ProSkin shaver excels the Wahl shaver with its sturdy built quality and reputation. So, you should choose your electric shaver considering all the aspects above and select the perfect matched one according to your requirements.
See Wahl LifeProof Shaver’s Price on Amazon
Verdict
The Braun Series 3 3040s is an electric shaver that offers good value for the price. It is an entry-level shaver, but it still has some features that are typically found on more expensive models. for example, it has a ProSkin pressure-sensitive shaving system that can help to prevent skin irritation. It is also convenient to use and easy to clean. However, there are some limitations to the Braun Series 3 3040s. It is not as powerful as some of the more advanced shavers on the market, and it may not be effective on longer or coarser hair. So, if you have more challenging hair or are looking for the best possible shave, you may want to consider a higher-end model like Braun Series 9 Pro or Series 9 Pro+. To sum up, the Braun 3040s is worth buying and a good option for budget-minded men who are looking for a great basic-level shaver.
Should You Buy the Braun 3040s Shaver?
Yes, if you need a simple shaver for efficient shaving.
Yes, if you want to have the best inexpensive shaver with premium features.
Yes, if you have sensitive skin and want an electric shaver that will do its job flawlessly without irritating your skin.
No, if you have a very coarse beard or want to shave long stubble.
No, if you need the best shaver for flat-lying hairs.
I have just purchased the Braun Series 3-3040s and I am totally pleased with its features and performance. As a confirmed blade user, I was surprised by the closeness of the shave I get from this new shaver, and the built-in trimmer helps me take care of my recently grown beard. I don’t consider the lack of a charging/cleaning station to be a negative in any way, as this unit is so easy to charge and clean without that. In fact, I bought this shaver because the switch on my old 7578 model broke. Although the older shaver was much more expensive, this new Series 3 is far superior in my opinion. The older shaver had the cleaning station, which broke, so I had it repaired, and it broke again. Thereafter, I cleaned it with shaver spray cleaner which was much less expensive. The Series 3 avoids all such problems and works better.
Hi Rich,
Very pleased to hear from you.
-Thank you.
I was used to shaving with the safety razor but decided to use Braun series 3 3040s after reading your review. Even it can shave wet and dry. Now I am using Braun 3040s shaver with happiness. Thanks to the ShaverZone.