Comparison Panasonic ES-RT77 vs Philips Power Touch PT727/16

Electric shavers are divided into types depending on the design and principle of operation of the shaving heads.

— Rotary. Rotary shavers have characteristic round shaving heads inside which blades rotate. Their main advantage over foil is a better fit of the blades to the skin and, as a result, a more efficient and clean shave. And rotary models are generally less noisy. On the other hand, rotary heads can be uncomfortable for people with sensitive skin; this is especially true for inexpensive models — advanced products usually use special tricks designed to minimize irritation from shaving.

— Foil. In foil shavers, the blades do not rotate, but vibrate finely under the foil with small cells. This design is considered more gentle compared to the rotary, because foil reduces irritation and reduces the risk of cuts. However, in terms of shaving cleanliness, foil models, especially low-cost ones, can be noticeably inferior to rotary ones, and they are worse for wet shaving.

— Shaver (travel). Compact and lightweight electric shavers, free from extra attachments and trimming blades for longer stubble, are intended for a close and smooth shave. These shavers, often termed "safety razors," are favored in professional barbershops and are even nicknamed "road razors" for their ability to provide a shave without the need for foam or other products. W...ith their mesh head design, they can trim bristles to an almost bare minimum (around 0.1 mm). These razors are effective for facial shaving, refining beard and mustache outlines, and even edging hairstyling. They excel at handling short hair but might struggle with long and coarse growth. These razors are commonly used for defining haircuts and shaping sideburns and whiskers.

— Shaving trimmer. Shaving trimmers usually have a small head with cutting elements that allow you to precisely remove hairs or shape them into the desired shape. During operation, the hair is cut with the trimmer knives flush with the skin, and some models allow you to set the desired cutting height. Trimmers are good for creating contours of a beard and mustache, trimming eyebrows, sideburns or any other “vegetation” on the face. Some models can be equipped with attachments to change the shaving width or height.

— Dry. Dry shaving is suitable for shavers specifically designed for use on dry skin, excluding the application of creams, foams, or similar products. It's important to recognize that these models might have moisture-resistant qualities and tolerate water washes (as described below), but these features don't imply compatibility with wet shaving.

— Wet/dry. Shavers that can shave not only "dry", but also on wet skin, which is applied with foam or other shaving agent. Wet shaving is considered more gentle and is well suited for people with sensitive skin. However, such shavers are much more expensive than “dry” ones — after all, the shaving head must have certain features (so as not to clog with foam and not smear it instead of shaving hairs).

Models feature waterproof casing with varying levels of protection, often indicated by two numbers. The first number pertains to dust resistance and is often marked as X. The second number reflects moisture resistance, particularly water. For instance, IPX3 and IPX4 offer splash protection, IPX5 and IPX6 enable shower use, while electric shavers with IPX7 can be submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes.

— Built-in trimmer. Device for trimming the contours of facial hair. A trimmer is similar to a clipper, but smaller and better suited for fine work. Located directly on the body of the device.

— Blade for hair cutting. Removable version of the trimmer (read more about the trimmer above), made in the form of a replaceable nozzle and is installed instead of the main nozzle with shaving heads. Thanks to this, the trimmer can be made wider than the built-in trimmer, and overall more efficient.

— Nozzle for ears and nose. The cylindrical nozzle of small diameter allows you to penetrate the inlet and ear and remove unwanted vegetation from there. It is installed mainly on top of the main nozzle.

— Universal comb. Such a nozzle can be useful for regular care of the stubble or beard, when you need to trim, shorten, and not just shave. Length adjustment allows you to select the desired value for a particular area or depending on the image and type of "hairstyle".

The speed of rotation of the electric motor of the shaver. A higher rotational speed (ceteris paribus) usually means a higher speed of movement of the blades, which has a positive effect on the closeness of the shave.

Model of replacement head(s) compatible with electric shaver. This data will be useful primarily when looking for spare nozzles.

Type of power source used by the shaver:

— Mains. The shaver is typically powered by a household supply of 230 V, though other voltage variations are possible. When connected to this power supply, users don't need to worry about limited device operating time since the razor operates as long as there's mains voltage. This eliminates the concern of battery depletion. However, these razors rely on a power source and the cord can restrict movement. Modern models sometimes feature a hybrid system combining mains and battery power for greater flexibility.

— Battery. The shaver operates using its internal battery, offering maximum autonomy without needing an external power source. This design provides freedom of movement by eliminating the need for a mains cable. However, the battery's lifespan is finite, requiring periodic recharging. Inexpensive models lacking charge level indicators during use might pose a risk of running out of power unexpectedly, such as mid-shave, necessitating a recharge wait.

— Batteries. The shaver is powered by replaceable elements (batteries). Such devices, in their advantages and disadvantages, are in many ways similar to rechargeable ones: on the one hand, they are autonomous, on the other, the operating time is limited. The main difference is that a “dead” battery can be easily replaced if...you have spare ones with you; the built-in battery does not provide replacement, and the only option is charging, often quite long.

— From the cigarette lighter. Power supply from the car's on-board network through the cigarette lighter plug (or a separate auto socket of the same size). Shavers with this power supply can be charged and/or used directly in the car, which can be useful for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.

— Li-Ion. Currently, the prevailing battery type is Lithium-ion (Li-Ion), known for its high energy density, compact size, and light weight. Li-Ion batteries offer approximately 400 charge-discharge cycles on average. These batteries exhibit minimal self-discharge and lack a significant "memory effect" (capacity reduction due to charging a partially drained battery). However, they are sensitive to cold temperatures and require high-quality charging currents.

— Li-pol. Lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries maintain stable output voltage even during significant discharge. These batteries offer an average lifespan of about 800 charge-discharge cycles. Unlike some battery types, Li-Pol batteries don't exhibit a memory effect, and they operate reliably within a wide temperature range of -20 to +40°C. However, they are sensitive to deep discharge and overcharging. To address this, specialized chargers employing suitable power supply algorithms for the lithium polymer context are recommended for maintenance.

— Ni-Mh. Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries excel in managing substantial charge and discharge currents, making them suitable for power-demanding electric motors and rapid charging. These batteries now boast impressive longevity, enduring around 1000 to 1500 charge-discharge cycles, while maintaining an eco-friendly nature. In comparison to Li-Ion, Ni-MH batteries appear bulkier and add weight to the device, yet they offer a more economical option.

The average runtime of electric shavers on a full battery charge, without recharging, is generally overestimated due to factors like hair length, density, and trimmer usage. Manufacturer claims for runtime tend to be higher than actual usage. Longer runtimes require heavier and more expensive powerful batteries. Most shavers offer around 45 minutes of runtime, while some models provide up to 1 hour or as low as 30 minutes of operation.