Comparison Braun Series 1 130s vs Panasonic ES-3042

— 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).

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.

— Turbo mode. The function of a short-term increase in the speed of rotation of the motor. This increases the performance of the shaver, which can be especially important when working with thick hair or in hard-to-reach areas. Note that the turbo mode, usually, is not intended for long-term operation.

— Auto-detection of bristles. The electric shaver's head contains a sensor to detect bristle density or stiffness. Through the automatic stubble feature, the shaver's motor adjusts power according to the skin area's requirements. This capability facilitates effective one-pass shaving, even with thick stubble. As the shaving head transitions from dense to moderate bristles, the motor power decreases automatically. This not only conserves battery life but also provides a gentler experience for the skin.

— Floating head/foil. The floating or movable shaving head(s) are capable of moving relative to the shaving unit and shaver body. Such a system follows the contours of the face during shaving, which ensures a tighter fit of the shaving heads to the skin, as a result — a cleaner and better shave, especially in difficult areas.

— Possibility of washing with water. Possibility of washing the shaving unit with water. This method is often much more convenient and effective than dry cleaning with a brush or other method.... Note that being washable with water does not necessarily mean wet shaving (see above).

— Cleaning indicator. A special indicator that notifies the user of the need to clean the shaver.

— Self-sharpening blades. Blades made using a special technology, thanks to which they sharpen themselves, due to friction against each other in the process. Thus, the blades remain sharp at all times, and their maintenance is limited to the replacement of worn blades.

— Child lock. Shavers featuring a safety switch are designed to activate only when held in the user's hand and intentionally turned on. This design prevents unintended activations, such as during travel when the device might shake inside luggage, avoiding unnecessary battery drain during idle moments.

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.

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.

Charging time for the electric shaver battery from a fully discharged state to 100% charge. If freedom of movement when shaving is most important to you in a cordless shaver, and you always have access to the power supply (for example, you rarely travel), this parameter does not matter much. However, if you often travel on trips in which you have to constantly move from place to place, you should pay attention to models with a short charging time.

The ability to switch the voltage for which the shaver is designed, adjusting it to the characteristics of various electrical networks. This feature is useful for those who often travel abroad: in different countries, the voltage in the outlet can also be different. For example, in Europe and most Asian countries, 230 V networks are used, but in North America the voltage is 110 V.

In the simplest models with this function, the voltage is switched manually, more advanced shavers have an automatic network adjustment system.