Series 9 Pro+ verdict: who should buy it
The safest high-end buy for most faces. It's quick on a two- or three-day beard, gentle enough that most men with touchy skin stop noticing it after the first couple of weeks, and it's built to run for years.
Best for
- Daily or every-other-day shavers who want a near-blade finish
- Medium to thick beards and flat-lying neck hair
- Men who keep a shaver five years or more
Look elsewhere if
- You want the lowest running cost; heads are pricey: Panasonic Arc5 (ES-LV67)
- Your neck hair grows in swirls and foils leave you red: Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra
- You shave twice a week and want to spend under $100: Braun Series 6 (6120s)
Why it ranks #1 of 17
Braun's top head puts five elements into each stroke: two foils for the finish, two trimmers for longer hairs and a ProTrimmer that catches hair lying flat along the jaw. That last bit matters more than the box makes it sound. Flat neck hair is where most foil shavers make you go over the same patch four times, and every extra pass is another chance for redness. The head swings about 40 degrees, locks if you prefer a fixed angle, and the motor pushes harder when it meets denser stubble.
It earned a Shaver Notes score of 8.9/10 and the "Best overall" spot on the best electric shavers for men list.
What the Series 9 Pro+ does well
- Handles 1-day to week-old growth without a separate trimmer
- ProTrimmer cleans up sideburns and the strip under the nose
- Titanium-coated, fully waterproof, made in Germany
- 60 minutes per charge, so roughly three weeks of shaves
Series 9 Pro+ problems and things to know before you buy
- The 9517s ships with a charging stand, not a cleaning station. Want the automatic SmartCare station? Pick a 'cc' model such as the 9667cc.
- The 94M head is one of the more expensive replacement parts in the category. Budget for one every 18 months.
- The handle is chunky. If your hands are small, hold a Series 8 in a store before deciding.
What owners keep saying
Across the owner reviews the praise repeats: fewer passes than the shaver it replaced and less burn on the neck. Complaints cluster around price and around paid cleaning cartridges on the station versions. Very few people complain about the shave itself.
Owner base: Thousands of owner ratings; one of the strongest records among premium foils (Amazon, October 27, 2026). Summarized in my own words; no reviews are copied.
Series 9 Pro+ specs that matter
| Shaving system | Foil, 5 Pro Shave Elements with built-in ProTrimmer |
|---|---|
| Head movement | Swivels about 40°, lockable |
| Beard lengths | 1-day to 7-day (maker's claim) |
| Wet / dry | Yes, 100% waterproof |
| Battery | Li-ion, 60 min, 5-min quick charge |
| In the box (9517s) | Charging stand, fabric case, brush |
| Cleaning station | Not in 9517s; included with 'cc' models |
| Replacement head | Braun 94M, about every 18 months |
| Voltage | Worldwide auto-voltage charger |
From the maker's listing, checked October 27, 2026.
Model numbers and versions explained
Braun's model number tells you the generation. 90xx is the original Series 9, 92xx and 93xx are the second and third runs, 94xx is the Pro and 95xx is the Pro+. The newer 96xx Pro+ batch (for example the 9667cc) reworks the head layout around a SkinGuard strip. After the four digits, 's' means charging stand and 'cc' means clean-and-charge station. Older 'best of' lists still recommend 92xx and 93xx units, which is the first sign a list hasn't been updated.
Other versions on Amazon
- 9697cc: current 96xx run, 6-in-1 SmartCare station, ProComfort attachment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGQQ9X2R?tag=best-electric-shavers807-20
- 9667cc: another 96xx run with the SmartCare clean & charge station https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2ZYSK3H?tag=best-electric-shavers807-20
Running cost: heads and cleaning
Replacement part: Braun 94M cassette (94xx and 95xx models), about every 18 months. Rinse under hot water after each shave with the motor running, then let it dry with the cap off. If you skip the station, one drop of light oil on the foil every week or two keeps the cutter quiet. Swap the cassette when the shave starts taking extra passes or the foil feels warm. The Braun Clean & Renew cartridge (cc models only) adds roughly $5 a month if you use it.
Rough 5-year cost including heads: about $525 at a $$$$ street price (estimate). Run your own numbers in the 5-year calculator. Check head price
Score breakdown
Overall 8.9/10. Weights: closeness 30%, comfort 20%, owner ratings 20%, running cost 15%, convenience 15%. Editorial score from specs, owner data and costs, not a lab test. Method.
Series 9 Pro+ alternatives
Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra
Better if: your neck hair grows in swirls and foils leave you red.
Head-to-head comparisons
- Braun Series 9 Pro+ vs Panasonic Arc5
- Braun Series 9 Pro+ vs Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra
- Braun Series 8 vs Series 9 Pro+
- Braun vs Philips Norelco
Also recommended in
Series 9 Pro+ FAQ
Is the Braun Series 9 Pro+ worth it?
If you shave most days and keep shavers for years, yes. Spread over five years the premium over a Series 7 comes to pennies per shave, and the Pro+ is noticeably faster on longer stubble. If you shave twice a week and have no skin trouble, a Series 6 or Series 7 does the job for much less.
What are the common Braun Series 9 Pro+ problems?
Cartridge cost on the 'cc' station models, a heavier handle than mid-range Braun shavers, and the price of the 94M head. Complaints about the shave quality itself are rare.
How often should I replace the Series 9 Pro+ head?
Braun suggests every 18 months. Very dense beards, or lots of shaving with foam, can shorten that a little.
Where can I buy the Series 9 Pro+?
It is sold on Amazon. This page links directly to the listing (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFCJYQ57?tag=best-electric-shavers807-20); the price and stock shown there apply.