Philips Norelco Shaver 9000 Prestige - Rechargeable Wet & Dry Electric Razor with Pop-Up Trimmer, Travel Case & SmartClean System SP9820/87 - Perfect for Home Use, Travel & Gift Giving

I've been shaving for close to 60 years now and most of those were with electric shavers. Whereas I've had several different brands down through the years (and currently own a Braun Series 7 and Series 9 as well as a Panasonic Arc 5), I've always come back to the Norelco rotary shavers. First off, why rotary? Rotary shavers are much quieter and nothing irritates me more in the morning that a loud, screaming shaver (i.e. Panasonic). Secondly, foil shavers almost always produce ingrown hairs on my cheeks while rotary shavers do not. Rotaries are much more easily manipulated across the many contours of your face and ultimately provide a more comfortable, complete shave.As for the Prestige s9000 it is simply the best rotary shaver currently available. The model being reviewed (SP9820/87) is in my view a much better alternative to its twin with the Chi charging pad for several reasons (i.e. faster charge time of 1 hour vs 3 hours; small footprint in my luggage since the case is considerably smaller; smaller footprint on the countertop). It's important to know that the Prestige models lack both a cleaning station which my older s9721 had and the newer 9500 series carries (a cleaning pod). However, these are not needed. In fact, I view them as undesirable since they add unnecessary expense for cleaning cartridges and take up counter space. How do I deal with this lack of a cleaning station? After popping off the head and rinsing it, I then leave it alone on the counter to dry while putting the shaving handle away in its case in a drawer. Once a week I will spray the shaver's blades and combs with Shaver Saver, a lubricating spray available here on Amazon. For those who still have the older cleaning station from the 9000 series which I also have, you can simply remove the Prestige's head, put it on your older 9300 or 9700 shaver and then insert that into the cleaning station for cleaning since the Prestige head with the SH98 blades fits perfectly onto the older shaver and can therefore be used in the cleaning station. Another solution to the lack of a cleaning station is to simply buy the Norelco cleaning fluid (here on Amazon) and put some into a Tupperware container. Once a week, pop off the lid and run the shaver, head down, in the fluid for 15-20 seconds then shake off the excess and let it dry on the countertop. Bottom line: no cleaning station is needed.It should also be noted that there is no charging stand to accompany the shaver, however the usefulness of a charging stand is questionable in my opinion. How often do I charge my shaver? I charge it about once every three weeks for an hour. Therefore I do not need to have it sitting in some stand on my countertop all the time. Instead it is put in its case when not in use leaving the counter neat and empty.A close, comfortable shave is what you will receive. And how close is this shave? Well, close is close. Any closer and you would be removing skin from your face. We have only one face per customer so we need to treat it gently. In my view the Philips SP9820 Prestige is as good as it gets.Having been a traditional open comb blade shaver for many years, I was reluctant to change to an electric shaver, but having been challenged by airport security several times for having a ‘blade’ in my carry on luggage, I decided to give it a try.I chose this model, having read a number of reviews, also the advice was give it three weeks to ‘bed in’. I’m pleased to report 8 days in and I was very close to achieving the same smooth shave I did with a traditional razor. Three weeks in and it’s now a quick five minute shave for a close smooth shave and no faffing with cream or blade changes.The 9000 prestige is a comfortable hold and moves easily on dry skin, although it can be used wet?The case is small enough to fit in my backpack, whilst large enough to fit everything in it.Washing under the tap, post shave, is quick and seems to clear the shaved bits. That said when I did the ‘once a month’ blade clean there were quite a few cut whiskers in the mountings. It doesn’t effect performance, but worth keeping up the once a month deep clean I think.It is a little pricey, but I expect to get a few years use out of it, so I’m optimistic it will be value for money in the long run.I previously used the Norelco 6100 (aka 1150X) for over ten years. It worked well. It was overdue for replacement. I was not good about replacing the blades. It wasn't great getting hair under the nose, but otherwise I was happy with it. I didn't get to comparison shop for it. I forgot my razor on a work trip, and bought what I could find at Target. I have been using Norelco since 1994. This is my fourth one.This is the first time I bought the higher end model. I'm not certain it was worth the extra cost. Then again, I have zero frame of reference on the other models currently available. I haven't used another brand since 1994. I'm sure Phillips is happy to hear that. I didn't want one of the 9700 series, with the cleaning system. I just didn't need something big and bulky on my bathroom counter. Using water to clean it works well for me, like it did with my previous model.Charging: It uses nearly the same charging cord, but not the same. The new model is 15V @340mA versus 15V@300mA in my older model. It would have been nice to have an extra cord from the older model. Maybe they are all 340mA now. It is the same connector. I like the % indicator quite a bit. I never had a useful charge indicator before, on any previous model. The number is useful. It charges quickly as well. It seemed like less than an hour from 10 to 100%. I didn't time it exactly. I did not want the charging pad model. Too big, and unnecessary. I also find them slow to charge electronics like my phone, and it is the same Qi charger that works with a phone. I hated the cradle of my previous model. I'm actually glad to be back with a charging cable. Much smaller, and easier to pack for a trip.Look and Feel: It feels just about the same in hand as my old one, just with a new look. Same weight, same motor, same tools. My 11 year old head(s) fit the new model and work perfectly. I like that it does not need the cradle to charge. Similar to my first two models.Battery Life: I haven't had it long enough. I'll update later.Performance: I've been using it on the medium speed. It does not chew up my face like some YT reviewers experienced. I do not think they were regular Norelco users before trying this model. It does cut hair faster and a little closer. I'm sure some of the "Closer" feel was because it had new blades, but I know my previous model wasn't this effective. Plus, it gets under my nose better. I don't know how, because it seems like the blades are farther from the edge, but it does. It is definitely fast too. Just how much, I don't know, but I can tell there is a difference.Travel Case: The case with this model is perfect. I considered buying something else, because the videos with the Qi charging version made the case look really big for travel. This case is just small enough to hold the razor, charger, and sideburns cutter, with little wasted space. It could be slightly smaller, but it doesn't look significantly larger than the other options I found on Amazon. If you had a previous case you liked, it will probably fit just fine.Other features: I like the travel lockout. I cannot tell how many times I have arrived at my destination, and my battery was dead, because it turned on en route. I like how this works. It didn't say in the manual, but the lock is disabled when you plug it in to charge. I probably don't need this feature now that I have a proper case, but I don't have to worry either way now.Caveats: I do not use shaving cream. I do not use it in the shower, nor do I plan to start.Lessons Learned after 20+ years of dry shaving:1) If you dry shave with it, there are tiny bits of hair left on the face. Immediately wash your face, either in the shower, or at the sink. You will get less pimples by keeping the very small bits of hair out of your pores.2) Do not dry shave when your face or neck is even slightly wet, or sweaty, you will regret it.I had similar lessons with a Remington screen razor before I started using this brand, so it isn't specific to Norelco.Summary:(+) Performance(+) No cradle, and compact charging method(+) Charges fast(+) Travel Lockout(+) Travel Case(+) Water resistant(+) Same compact Size as previously used model(-) Price ($165-$225 would have been more appropriate)TBD:Battery LifeBlade Life11Jun2021 Update:The battery lasts about 35 shaves. 2-3% per shave for me. I have used it in the shower, a couple times. I lather up with soap and get to work. Not my preference, but it works when I get my face wet before I shave. Minor amount of burn the first couple times, but not every time. It seems to be less of a problem. I still prefer dry shaving.The drainage on it after a shower is pretty decent. A simple shake and it empties pretty well. Still using the original blades. I hope to change them yearly.These blades are for the S9000 Prestige razor.Likes:They shave closer and glide better over your skin when you're dry shaving than the previous version of these blades.They come pre-assembled in a shaving head, so replacement is two step:1 Snap off the old shaving head.2 Snap on the new one.You get the ideal shave when you wet shave with shaving gel or cream, but dry shaving gives you a perfectly acceptable shave (per my wife).Dislikes:The shaver sounds a bit louder with these blades than with the ones it came with.The shaver heads work well and they are OEM. I thought it was the heads and the part that it snaps into but it's the heads and assembly . Typical Phillips / Norelco the parts are so expensive .Really good value and shaves really well. Works here is Australia with the US to AUS plug adaptor.corta en primera pasada la barba de tres dias sin darme "tirones"; nunca habia utilizado un cabezal tan eficaz y mas teniendo en cuenta que lo utilizo adaptado en una maquina serie 9000 de 5 años de antigüedad.It feels solid, its quiet and it shaves well. 12-14 days between charges. One of the best shavers I have ever had. And its made in Holland, the home of the original Phillips shavers. Recommended!!