Short answer
Pick the Series 6 if your skin is even slightly sensitive. It adds a SensoFlex head and Gentle mode. Pick the Series 5 if your skin is tough and you want the lowest price. They share the 53B replacement head, so running costs match.
Category wins in the table below: Series 6 2, Series 5 1, the rest a tie.
Braun Series 6 vs Series 5: side-by-side
| Category | Series 6 | Series 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Head | SensoFlex with SkinGuard | 3 flexible blades |
| Modes | Gentle + Turbo | Standard + Turbo |
| Battery | Up to 50 min | Up to 50 min |
| Replacement head | 53B | 53B |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Shaded cell = better in that category.
Which should you buy?
Choose the Braun Series 6 (6120s) if
- Sensitive skin
- First electric shaver after razors
- You want a Gentle mode for bad skin days
Choose the Braun Series 5 (5118s) if
- Tough skin
- Lowest price
- You mainly need a dependable shower shaver
The details that decide it
Same parts, different comfort
The two share batteries and heads, so the decision is purely about comfort. The Gentle mode alone justifies the Series 6 for touchy necks.
What the Series 6 adds
The Series 6 SensoFlex head tilts to keep pressure even across the foil, and a SkinGuard strip stretches the skin flat just before the foil reaches it. Its Gentle mode lowers the cutting speed on bad skin days. The Series 5 has three flexible blades and a Turbo button, but no Gentle mode and no SkinGuard.
Battery and trimmer
No difference to pay for here. Both run up to 50 minutes on a Li-ion battery, both are waterproof and both use the click-on EasyClick precision trimmer for sideburns rather than a built-in one.
Long growth
Neither is built for a five-day beard; trim first. The Series 6 is also slower than a Series 7 on dense, coarse growth. If that describes your beard, budget for the Series 7 instead.
Other versions you'll see
The Series 6 6172cc is the same idea with a cleaning station, and the 6040cs is the older run. On the Series 5 side, the Li-ion battery is one of the main reasons to choose it over a Series 3.
Who should skip both
Skip both if your beard is coarse and grows back by evening; a Braun Series 7 or a Panasonic Arc5 copes better. If your neck hair grows in swirls and foils leave you red, a budget rotary such as the Philips Norelco 3600 is gentler.
Full reviews: Braun Series 6 (6120s) and Braun Series 5 (5118s).
What each one costs over five years
| Series 6 | Series 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shaver (estimate) | $90 | $60 |
| Replacement part | Braun 53B cassette | Braun 53B cassette |
| Replaced about every | 18 months | 18 months |
| Parts over 5 years | 3 × $35 = $105 | 3 × $35 = $105 |
| 5-year total | $195 | $165 |
| Cleaning cartridges (optional) | None needed | None needed |
On these numbers the Series 5 costs about $30 less to own over five years. Street prices are rounded estimates from the Amazon listings checked on October 27, 2026; the live price on Amazon is the one that counts. Cartridges are optional and not in the total, because rinsing under hot water does the basic job.
Quick facts and full specs
| Series 6 | Series 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Foil | Foil |
| Shaver Notes score | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Price tier | $$ | $ |
| Replacement part | Braun 53B cassette | Braun 53B cassette |
| Award on our list | Gentlest foil under $100 | Best cheap foil with Turbo |
Full spec sheets
| Series 6 | Series 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shaving system | Foil, SensoFlex head with Sensitive SkinGuard | Foil, 3 flexible blades |
| Modes | Gentle and Turbo | Standard and Turbo (up to 25,500 cutting actions per second, maker's figure) |
| Wet / dry | Yes | Yes, waterproof |
| Battery | Li-ion, up to 50 min | Li-ion, up to 50 min |
| In the box | EasyClick precision trimmer, pouch | Not listed |
| Replacement head | Braun 53B | Braun 53B (shared with Series 6) |
| Trimmer | Not listed | EasyClick precision trimmer attachment |
From the makers' specifications and the Amazon listings checked on October 27, 2026. "Not listed" means the maker doesn't describe it in the same terms.
More comparisons
Before you click buy
Braun Series 6 (6120s)
- Slower on dense, coarse growth than a Series 7.
- The 6172cc adds a station; the 6040cs is the older run.
Other versions on Amazon:
Braun Series 5 (5118s)
- No Gentle mode. The Series 6 adds it plus a SkinGuard strip.
- Not built for 5-day growth; trim first.
- The attachment trimmer is a click-on part, not built in.
FAQ
Is Braun Series 6 better than Series 5?
For comfort, yes.
Do Series 5 and 6 use the same head?
Yes, the 53B.
Which is better as a first electric shaver?
The Series 6 if your skin is even a little sensitive, because the SkinGuard and Gentle mode make the first weeks easier. The Series 5 if your skin is tough and price matters most.
Can I use the Series 5 and Series 6 in the shower?
Yes. Both are waterproof and work wet or dry.
How often should I replace the 53B head?
About every 18 months. Both shavers use it, so a spare fits either one.