Philips Shavers Comparison & Buyer’s Guide (2024) • ShaverCheck (2024)

Philips (Norelco) is one of the three major electric shaver brands alongside Braun and Panasonic.

With a rich legacy and a loyal user base, Philips managed to stay at the very top for decades.

Moreover, they stuck to their guns, being the only large manufacturer that makes rotary razors.

Their lineup is constantly changing, with many models being discontinued, updated or rebranded.

And to make things worse, there’s a lot of confusion regarding the performance of various series as well as the old vs new generations.

This Philips comparison and buyer’s guide aims to make it easier for everyone to understand the differences between the various shavers and series.

Without all that clutter, you can simply choose the Philips shaver that’s best for your needs and budget.

I’ve owned and used almost every Philips electric razor of the past 15 years, so I’m able to compare and evaluate them from a user’s perspective.

As you’ll see, choosing a Philips shaver is pretty straightforward when you only consider a few key aspects that really matter.

Let’s get started.

Philips shavers in 2024: a quick overview

Philips (or Philips Norelco in the USA) makes a wide range of grooming tools for both men and women.

However, we’re only interested in their men’s electric shavers for this guide.

In a world where foil electric shavers are ubiquitous, Philips carried on with their original rotary design.

All current Philips electric razors are of the so-called rotary type.

Without getting into too much detail, a rotary razor uses circular blades that rotate constantly in a single direction behind a perforated metal guard (or comb).

Hair pokes through the perforations or slots and gets cut by the rotating blade.

We’ll talk more about the specific pros (and cons) of rotaries later on, but the benefits that are universally agreed upon are:

• quiet operation
• better performance with longer facial hair
• more durable shaving heads

The rotary razors in Philips’ lineup are grouped into a so-called Series.

For example, the 3000 Series, 7000 Series or 9000 Series.

The higher the series number, the more capable (at least in theory) the shaver is.

As we move from the lower series to the high-end ones, we also get more features, more efficient blades, more powerful motors and various technologies.

However, not all of these will have an impact on the actual shaving performance and some are downright gimmicks.

This means that you don’t always have to pay more for a Philips shaver in a presumably superior series to get better performance.

Some Philips models simply offer better value for money.

And that’s my main goal with this guide — to showcase the truly important aspects to someone interested in buying a Philips shaver.

I will go over every Philips series separately, but before that, there are a couple of things that I would like to address.

Making sense of model names

Philips (Norelco) electric shavers are part of a Series, which is essentially a family of shavers with very similar characteristics.

With a single exception, the performance of any shavers belonging to a series from the same generation will have identical shaving performance.

The exception is within the Series 2000 and I will explicitly mention the models and the differences in the respective section.

But getting back to the names, these series are organized hierarchically, from low-end, less capable shavers, to high-end, advanced models.

For example, a Series 9000 shaver is better than a Series 5000.

The higher the series number, the better the shaver, at least in theory.

So the Series number would be the first, all-encompassing layer.

Next, we have the actual shaver model name.

It usually starts with S, followed by the series’ first digit.

For example, the S3212/82 is a shaver in the Series 3000, while the S9985/84 is a shaver in the Series 9000.

The model number, including the part after the /, also refers to things like color, the region where the shaver was released and so on.

I think you’d agree that these model names are not very memorable and don’t sound particularly exciting.

Therefore, Philips came up with a more user-friendly moniker for the most popular models in addition to that sterile model name.

For example, the S3212/82 above is also known as the Shaver 3500, while the S9985/84 is the Shaver 9500.

These are a lot easier to remember and to market.

The first digit in the Shaver xxxx moniker is of course a reference to the series the shaver is part of.

Let’s look at the Shaver 3500 and Shaver 3800 in the Series 3000.

They shave exactly the same, use the same shaving heads and the most important features are the same.

However, the differences are related to color and accessories — the 3800 also includes a charging stand.

And these are usually the differences you’d expect between Philips shavers belonging to the same series (from the same generation).

Models that come with more stuff or maybe a more advanced battery indicator (like 3 levels vs a single low-charge LED) are usually more expensive.

For some users, the extra stuff is not worth the extra money since the performance will be the same, so the decision is entirely yours.

The Philips naming scheme is a bit redundant and confusing at the same time, so hopefully it makes more sense now.

Fun fact: Philips sells its shavers and groomers under the Philips Norelco brand in the USA.

Because of a trademark issue, it couldn’t use the Philips name back in the day, so they used Norelco (North American Philips Electrical Company) instead.

Because it gained a lot of brand equity, they decided to append it to the Philips name once the legal issue had been solved.

Key features of a Philips electric razor

1. The cutting heads

A rotary Philips electric razor has a shaving unit comprised of several cutters or heads.

The vast majority of Philips shavers have three heads.

Three is a great compromise in terms of performance and ergonomics.

They’re plenty to cover large areas with great efficiency while the shaving unit remains manageable and not overly bulky.

Other rotary shavers that aren’t intended primarily as face shavers feature 4, 5 or even 6 heads.

For example, the Remington Balder Pro, a rotary head shaver, has 5 heads.

Such a high number of heads is still fine ergonomically when shaving your head but it’s very cumbersome to use on the face.

That’s why having three cutters seems to be a great, balanced solution favored by Philips.

The only Philips razors with two heads are a couple of travel shavers like the 510 or some older (discontinued models) like the Click & Style S738.

So in 2024, no matter which Series is part of, a Philips shaver will most likely have 3 cutting heads.

Now, a Philips rotary head can have single or double tracks.

A head with a single track will have a rotary cutter with one circular row of blades inside, while a dual-track head will have a cutter with two rows of blades:

In the past, we even had Philips heads with 3 tracks like the excellent RQ9 (highly praised by the community).

Currently, Philips rotary heads only come with a single track or with two tracks in the case of the higher-end models (from the Series 8000 and up).

Fun fact: some of the more advanced two-track heads are actually compatible with the lower-end series, so that’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade. More details later on.

As you might have guessed, a head with more tracks is more effective at catching the hairs, especially the ones that stay flat on the skin.

The closeness isn’t necessarily impacted by this, but because the shavers with double-track heads also have more powerful motors, getting a faster/closer/smoother shave is often a convenient side effect.

For example, the entry-level Series 3000 uses the SH30 single-track heads, while the Series 9000 Prestige comes with the double-track SH91 heads.

Objectively, the S9000 Prestige is better performance-wise; it has a more powerful motor and more effective, independently flexing cutters.

2. Rounded vs angular heads

Still related to shaving head characteristics, we have rounded and angular (aka pentagonal) shaving heads.

Until somewhat recently, Philips always used a conventional, rounded design of the three heads that comprise the shaving unit.

For any long-time Philips (Norelco) user, it’s a very familiar design.

And it also worked very well since these heads also tapered down toward the edge, making the shaver more manageable especially when shaving above the upper lip or around the sideburns.

But with the introduction of the new Series 7000, Philips moved gradually toward a new angular design language which in the meantime became the norm.

Except for the entry-level Series 1000/2000 and 3000, all current Philips families use this new angular design of the shaving head.

In my opinion this is a case of form over function because from an ergonomic perspective, this change doesn’t make much sense.

These new heads are thicker, wider and require a bit more work when shaving the tricky areas I mentioned earlier.

Most users aren’t bothered by this and I admit that I have gotten used to it.

I think there’s a reason behind this — the angular heads look striking and sleek — and also for making these shavers compatible with the new cleaning pods (more on that later).

Personally, I prefer the old rounded heads design as it’s more user-friendly and makes the razor easier to use.

And at least for now, we can still opt for such a shaver.

For example, the old Philips S9000 Prestige (still available) comes with rounded heads, while the new one features the angular, larger heads.

But the trend is definitely to move completely toward this new design which is now present on all the latest generations from the Series 5000 and up.

3. Double vs single-edge blade design

Rotary shavers have an inherent weakness compared to a typical foil machine.

Because the guards are thicker than a foil screen, the closeness offered by a Philips rotary isn’t generally as good.

To compensate for the closeness issue, Philips came up with a unique design of the blade.

Specifically, they used two cutting edges instead of one, the so-called Super Lift&Cut system.

Side note: single and double-edge only refer to the individual blade tips on the rotary cutter, it’s different from the single, double or triple blade tracks discussed earlier.

The idea was that the first edge would grab the hair and pull it up, allowing the second one to cut the hair at skin level or even below.

And the solution worked but came with a major compromise to the comfort of the shave.

These double-edge blades were very unforgiving and aggressive, especially for men with somewhat sensitive skin.

For example, I found them very grabby and irritating and would even nick the skin on my neck.

Men who weren’t affected by this loved the Super Lift&Cut blades because they were able to get very close shaves.

However, the comfort compromise was probably not worth it and Philips gradually phased out the Super Lift&Cut blades throughout the different series.

As of 2024, only the 5000 Series comes with the original Super Lift&Cut blades (the SH50).

All the other ones were switched to either more comfortable single-edge blades or a new, refined double-edge design called Lift&Cut (without the Super).

To be more specific, the lower-end, budget shavers now use single-edge blades (Series 1000 through 6000), while the mid to high-end families use the new double-edge Lift&Cut design (Series 7000 through 9000/Prestige).

This new double-edge design is a lot more comfortable than the old one and still allows the blades to cut the hair close to the skin.

One of the ways they achieved this was by reducing the gap between the two blade edges:

Again, these Lift&Cut blades only come with the range-topping series (7000 and up).

In my opinion, the switch to single-blade tips for the more budget series was the right move as it made Philips razors more user-friendly.

Seasoned, life-long Philips users on the other hand may not be as happy with this as some feel that the new blades aren’t as bitey as the old ones (despite being more comfortable).

But the Series 5000 still offers the old system and as mentioned, the 7000, 8000, 9000 and 9000 Prestige even come with upgraded, more comfortable Lift&Cut blades, so you’re getting the best of both worlds.

Some of the old and aggressive double-edge Super Lift&Cut heads (like the SH90) can still be found and will even fit newer shavers.

Likewise, more comfortable single-edge heads are available for older shavers if you feel like your Norelco could be more forgiving.

I will explicitly discuss the compatible parts when going over each series later on.

4. Motor speed

Entry-level and high-end Philips shavers are different in several ways.

Apart from blades, features and accessories, motor speed is one of the more important aspects as it has a major impact on the performance.

While rotary shavers usually have slow rotating motors (around 2000 RPM) compared to foil shavers (up to 14 000 CPM), a difference in speed and torque is noticeable among the different Philips models.

Philips doesn’t share any explicit RPM numbers, but they do mention some useful bits of information, like the motor consumption (wattage) and especially the cutting actions per minute.

The latter is particularly helpful in determining (approximately) the motor speed of a certain series/shaver.

And that spec is useful because a theoretically lower-end series with the same motor and blades as a more expensive one will shave the same and be a better buy.

Let’s take a practical example, the new Series 9000.

Philips says it’s able to deliver 150,000 cutting actions per minute.

We also know that the SH91 rotary heads that come with the Series 9000 have 72 individual blades (24 per head).

If we divide 150,000 by 72 we get approximately 2100 which is actually the RPM figure we’re looking for.

So the Philips Series 9000 is fitted with a 2100 RPM motor and the SH91 Lift&Cut blades.

With that info, we can easily conclude that the Series 8000 for example also comes with the exact motor and blades, so it will perform identically.

But the Series 8000 usually costs less than the 9000, making it the better pick.

5. Cordless and corded operation

Most of today’s electric razors will only work cordless.

There’s an obvious trend toward cordless-only shavers and all the major manufacturers seem to have embraced it.

Braun for example only has cordless shavers in its lineup (with a few exceptions in the entry-level Series 3 range).

Panasonic only sells corded shavers in Japan, while the rest of the world gets only cordless variations.

Philips (Norelco) is no exception and most of their current shavers are cordless-only.

I think cordless and corded operation makes even more sense for rotary razors in the context of long-term use and low costs of ownership.

Luckily there are still a few and even corded-only Philips models available.

This feature is a must-have for some users who don’t want to stress about charging a shaver.

I will explicitly mention the ones that work with cord; unfortunately, there are very few and only in the low-end segment.

There are no high-end cordless&corded Philips shavers anymore.

Side note: even though corded&cordless Philips shavers are marketed as dry-only (for safety concerns), they are still waterproof for easy cleaning (with the cord unplugged of course).

6. Integrated vs click-on trimmers

Another feature that may be important when choosing a Philips shaver is the hair trimmer.

While Panasonic razors for example only use integrated, pop-up trimmers, Philips (Norelco) shavers have either integrated or separate (click-on) trimmers.

The integrated ones are more practical since they’re always there and you simply deploy them when needed.

On the other hand, the separate click-on trimmers are more capable and even suitable for trimming an entire beard (although I wouldn’t use one regularly).

Such a trimmer will fit in place of the rotary shaving head and some even have an integrated adjustable comb.

But you’ll always have to remove the rotary shaving head and snap the trimmer in its place.

They’re also a bit too bulky for things that require more precision (edging a sideburn or a moustache).

I wouldn’t however recommend any of them for regularly trimming a beard.

You’ll be much better off with a dedicated beard trimmer like the Multigroom 7000.

Since I shave often and don’t need to pre-trim my beard, I prefer integrated Philips trimmers.

I only use them for my sideburns and they’re ideal for that type of grooming, even though the Philips pop-up trimmers are nowhere near as good as the ones from Panasonic.

The click-on trimmers are more fiddly to use since they’re thicker and bulkier, but again, more capable for more extensive trimming.

To some users, having a shaver with a particular type of trimmer matters a lot, so I will mention it for every Philips series later on.

7. Cleaning systems

For many years, Philips shavers belonging to different series at different price points were available with or without an automatic cleaner.

These were full-fledged cleaning stations that charged, cleaned and dried the shaver.

And I’m using the past tense because nowadays, none of the current Philips series include such systems anymore.

Instead, there’s only the option of a so-called Quick Clean Pod or no cleaning system at all.

I will get into more detail later on, but the important thing is that the latest (current) iteration of a Philips shaver can at most include a Pod, not a fully automatic station.

The Quick Clean Pod is a very simple cleaning device that uses the shaver to power itself and flush the cleaning fluid through the head.

The fully automatic station only comes with older/discontinued generations of the Series 5000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 if you can still find one.

Those stations evolved throughout the years, the latest one before the decision to drop them being the so-called SmartClean system.

The SmartClean station uses a detergent-based solution that comes in cartridge refills.

A Philips cleaning station uses induction heat to dry the shaving head.

This system works best and is the most effective when paired with a fan. However, only Panasonic stations use both.

Generally, a Philips SmartClean station purchased later on will work with a shaver that didn’t originally come with one.

It will however need to be compatible with it, so a Series 9000 station will not work with a Series 5000 shaver.

Whether a cleaning station is necessary or not — that’s entirely up to the user.

I think it can be practical and useful and the Philips detergent solution lasts a long time.

Again, the current Philips razors can only come with a less advanced Quick Clean Pod (it’s the same device for all the series).

8. Price and value for money

I think the price is a key factor when deciding which Philips shaver to buy.

Prices can vary a lot throughout the same series for no logical reason.

For example, a shaver in the Prestige line with a different color can cost significantly more than another, even though it doesn’t come with any improvements.

It just costs more.

Also, the price difference between two Philips series can be significant.

And as you’ll see, some of the presumably inferior series can sometimes shave pretty much the same and even use the same blades/motors as the next one in the hierarchy.

This was one of my main goals with this comparison guide — to show the Philips razors that offer the best performance for the money and are worth buying.

The new Philips Quick Clean Pod

Since the full-fledged cleaning and charging stations are now history, the Quick Clean Pod is the only option for automatic cleaning.

The Pod is available with various shavers from the Series 5000 and up and it’s the same no matter the shaver model.

So a range-topping S9000 Prestige will come with the same Pod as a budget Series 5000 for example.

Let’s take a look at the device and how it works.

The Quick Clean Pod is a very basic automatic cleaning system comprised of three elements:

• a container (essentially a plastic tub)
• a cleaning cartridge
• a lid that features an intake tube and a cleaning chamber

With the cartridge placed inside, you would then screw the lid on top, with the intake tube submerged into the cleaning fluid.

The Pod is not electrically powered and doesn’t have any type of logic to determine the fluid level or if the shaver is placed in it.

Instead, it relies entirely on the shaver to provide the power.

Inside the intake tube, there’s a small impeller that pushes the cleaning fluid from the cartridge into the cleaning chamber where the shaving head rests.

And the way the Pod works is quite ingenious.

The shaver has a small metal piece at the very center of the shaving unit that rotates when the shaver is switched on.

That tiny metal piece splines to a plastic shaft at the very center of the pod and that shaft connects to the impeller in the intake tube.

So when the shaver is placed inside the Pod, it would actually drive the impeller shaft, causing the cleaning fluid to go up into the cleaning chamber.

This system has both pros and cons.

In my opinion, the pros are the compact size of the Pod, its portability, the ease of use and the fact that there’s no way for the Pod to force you to replace the cartridge.

You would simply replace it when you feel like the solution is way too contaminated with grime and hair.

Philips recommends once a month, but I think you can go longer than that.

The cleaning is pretty effective and the solution also provides lubrication for the blades.

As for the cons, the Pod will not charge or dry the shaver.

Also, the cartridge doesn’t have a mesh filter, so the clipped hairs from previous cleans can actually end up in the shaving head.

Once the cleaning is done, the shaving head is dripping wet and foamy, so you will need to let it air dry (with the head unit open).

The Pod compatibility is a bit strange.

A Philips shaver that comes with a Pod is fitted with an accelerometer that determines when it’s placed inside the pod.

So instead of an electrical connection (like in the case of a fully automatic station), the accelerometer will sense when the shaver is upside down and completely still and presume that it must be inside the Pod.

As a result, the shaver will enter a special cleaning mode.

Fun fact: You can actually fool the accelerometer if you hold the shaver upside down very still — it will think the shaver is inside the pod and enter the cleaning mode.

Once you start the cleaning by pressing the shaver’s power button, it will turn on and off, flushing the fluid through the shaving head.

The shaver will turn off automatically after approximately one minute.

The shavers that didn’t come with a Pod lack this accelerometer, so they can’t know when they’re upside down and will never enter the cleaning mode.

But because they still have that tiny rotating metal piece, they will still power the Pod.

However, the shaver will run continuously until you manually switch it off.

Here’s a video of my S9000 Prestige that didn’t come with a Pod. I tried cleaning it using a Pod from another shaver and this is how it went:

So if you plan on buying a Pod later on, just know that it will only be partially compatible, but as you can see in the video, it will work.

I think the Pod is quite useful despite its shortcomings and it’s probably worth getting from the start.

Philips (Norelco) shavers comparison and differences (2024)

In this section, I will go over each Philips series of shavers currently available.

As you’ll see, there will sometimes be an older (even discontinued) generation alongside the current one.

Some of the older models are still available and because many users still own and use them regularly, I thought it would be useful to mention them as well.

I won’t be getting into as much detail as with the current shavers just to keep things simple.

With that out of the way, let’s check out the Philips shavers available in 2024 and see how they stack up against each other.

Philips Series 1000 & 2000

• Motor speed: <2000 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: <55 000
• Replacement heads: SH30 (single-edge blades, single track, 9 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The 1000 and 2000 Series are the very basic, entry-level shavers currently available from Philips.

The reason why I referred to them together is because the Series 1000 and 2000 are essentially the same shavers (feature and performance-wise).

In Europe, we have only the Philips Series 1000, while in the USA we have both the Philips (Norelco) Series 1000 and 2000.

The shavers in the 1000 and 2000 series are 3-blade rotary machines, reasonably priced and with somewhat modest features.

Some of those (like battery level indicators) won’t have any impact on the performance, but others, like motor speed and blades, will (when compared to a superior series).

Model comparison

The table above depicts the most popular models in the Series 1000 and 2000.

You may come across some other country-specific models (that don’t show up in the table) depending on where you live.

These shaves can work either cordless (wet/dry models) or cordless & corded (dry-only), while the Shaver 1100 (USA model, dry-only) can only be operated corded.

A wet/dry Philips shaver can also be used with shaving cream/gel or in the shower.

With most current shavers (regardless of brand), cordless-only operation seems to be the new norm.

Philips on the other hand decided to offer corded&cordless models, even though these are limited to the entry-level series like the 1000 and 2000.

The mid-range and high-end models are cordless-only as you’ll see later on.

Corded&cordless operation is a must-have feature for some users and it’s one of the selling points of the Series 2000.

Philips clearly caters to the budget-conscious buyer with these models.

It even goes to the extreme of offering a corded-only shaver, the Philips Norelco 1100, so you won’t have any battery-related worries even after years of use.

The corded&cordless Series 1000 and 2000 shavers are suitable for dry-only use as a safety precaution.

However, all of them are waterproof for easy cleaning (with the cord disconnected).

The Shaver 2300 was the best-seller of the series for many years.

It offered decent performance, cordless&corded use and was very reasonably priced.

However, nowadays I think the pick of the range would be the Shaver 2500.

It has a couple of advantages over the 2300: charging takes less than 1 hour (compared to 8), the battery lasts a bit longer (45 vs 40 minutes) and it is slightly more powerful (~2000 RPM).

Considering that it costs almost the same, I think the Shaver 2500 is now the budget Philips shaver to buy, the corded&cordless operation being again one of its pros.

In Europe, the Series 1000 S1332/41 would be my pick for the same reasons.

All these shavers have a flip-open head for easy cleaning and an integrated hair trimmer.

The trimmer isn’t great, it falls back easily and requires many strokes to get a clean cut, but it’s still better than nothing.

Replacement heads

The Philips Series 1000 and 2000 rotaries use the SH30 replacement heads.

These are single-track, single-edge cutters that are very comfortable, durable and reasonably priced.

They aren’t as effective as the more expensive ones from the high-end series, but they’re still decent.

You can easily source them and according to Philips you should replace the heads every two years.

That will of course depend on how often you shave, the coarseness of the stubble and how well you take care of the razor.

Cleaning

Since these are low-end rotary shavers, there’s no automatic cleaning system or even a Quick Clean Pod available.

So you will need to clean your Series 1000 or 2000 manually.

Because the shavers are waterproof and you can pop the head open with the press of a button, cleaning is easy and simple.

A deep clean is more fiddly and you’ll need to clean each pair of guard and blade while making sure you’re not intermixing them (they are matching pairs).

Luckily, you will only need to do that every few months (it’s the same with any rotary when you’re not using a cleaning system like the Pod).

Key takeaway

The Philips Series 1000 and 2000 are budget-friendly rotary shavers with decent performance and low cost of ownership.

They are ideal for men who shave more often since the shaving system isn’t the most effective and advanced but should still work fine on a 3-day beard.

The Series 1000 and 2000 razors are easy to use thanks to their form factor and compact shaving head, making them a good option for beginners as well.

The closeness is decent and the comfort is excellent, but I wouldn’t recommend them to men with coarse beards.

In short, they offer great value for money, corded & cordless use and decent performance, especially in the case of the Shaver 2500 fitted with a more powerful motor.

Philips Series 3000

• Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 55 000
• Replacement heads: SH30 (single-edge blades, single track, 9 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

A Philips Series 3000 shaver is extremely similar to the ones in the lower-end Series 2000.

They look almost the same, use the same cutting heads and feel pretty much identical in hand.

However, the Series 3000 models do have a few extras to justify the higher price.

Among those are the larger batteries (almost all models offer 60 minutes of cordless operation from a 1-hour charge), more useful LED displays (selected models), more grippy material on the sides and some extra accessories like charging stands.

But the most significant advantage of a Philips 3000 Series over most Series 2000 models is the slightly more powerful motor.

For example, a Shaver 3800 from the Series 3000 feels and sounds a bit faster than a Shaver 2300.

This translates into a more pleasant, slightly faster and more effective shave (although not dramatically better).

But as we know from the Series 2000 above, there’s one model in the Series 2000 that is different and is basically a Series 3000 in disguise: the Shaver 2500/2600.

Despite the very basic battery level indicator and grippy side inserts, the Shaver 2500 shaves exactly like a Series 3000.

So it’s a worthy alternative, especially if we consider the lower price and the fact that it works cordless and corded.

All Series 3000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only models.

They feature a flip-open head and an integrated hair trimmer, same as the Series 2000.

By the way, you will see a 5D flexing head in the specs for the Series 3000, but it’s merely a gimmick as the range of motion is extremely limited and pretty much useless.

This 5D feature refers to the flexing of the entire shaving unit, and not of the individual heads.

You can see it barely moving in this animation:

Let’s now check out the most popular Series 3000 that are readily available, both in the USA and Europe.

Model comparison

All Philips Series 3000 shavers are identical in terms of shaving performance.

Therefore, choosing one should only come down to price and accessories.

For example, some users find the charging stand very practical as they can leave the shaver sitting in it on the countertop.

The Shaver 3800 for example includes a charging stand and a travel pouch.

The 3500 on the other hand doesn’t include the stand but it usually costs less, so it’s probably a better buy if you don’t need a charging stand.

Any Series 3000 shaver can be charged either directly with the cord or via the stand.

The Series 3000X which is a new release (in Europe) comes only with a USB-A cable that has a Philips connector on the other end.

So the charger is not included in the box and you will have to use an existing USB-A charger or wall socket.

As you can tell from the table, all Philips 3000 Series are wet/dry shavers that only work cordless.

So if you want an entry-level Philips you can also use with the cord, you will need to buy a Series 2000 like the Shaver 2500.

The Shaver 5000X is a bit of an oddity.

First, there’s the name that might suggest it is a Series 5000. However, it is not, it’s still a Series 3000 that uses the same blades and motor.

Second, its design is different from the rest of the shavers in this range and it has a separate click-on trimmer. This also means it lacks the flip-open head feature.

The Shaver 5000X supposedly has a special coating around the heads that allows it to glide easier on the skin.

But ultimately, its shaving performance is in line with the rest in the 3000 range.

Replacement heads

The Philips Series 3000 uses the same SH30 heads as the Series 2000.

These are the workhorse heads of all entry-level Philips shavers — simple, durable, and with decent performance.

Like all other Philips heads, they should be replaced every two years (or when needed).

By the way, you’ll sometimes see some conflicting statements on official Philips product pages.

For example, a European Philips site might recommend replacing them every two years, while the USA site says a new set is needed yearly.

Since these are the same heads and traditionally Philips recommends a two-year interval, I think we can safely go with that.

Cleaning

Unsurprisingly, the Series 3000 shavers aren’t available with any cleaning stations/pods.

That was to be expected since these are still entry-level, budget-friendly shavers.

Cleaning the shavers by hand is however very simple with the flip open heads and the IPX7 waterproofing.

Key takeaway

The Series 3000 used to be my default recommendation for a reasonably priced rotary.

I used to choose them over the Series 2000 mainly because of that small power bump.

However, with the Shaver 2500 which comes with the same snappier motor, it’s a bit difficult nowadays to recommend a Series 3000 over a 2500.

If you don’t care for the corded&cordless operation of the 2500 and you’d rather have a charging stand or a wet/dry rotary — only then would a Series 3000 make sense to buy.

It’s a very easy-to-use razor, especially when compared to the latest Philips shavers with angular, thicker heads.

But you should always try to get a good deal on a Series 3000 — I wouldn’t buy one that costs a lot more than a Series 2000 like the Shaver 2500/2600.

Philips Series 5000

• Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 90 000
• Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The current Series 5000 is the first in the Philips hierarchy to feature the new angular head design.

And while the Series 5000 is ultimately a budget Philips razor (price and performance-wise), it does come with a few notable upgrades over the Series 3000/2000.

The motor output remained the same at around 2000 RPM, however, the SH71 blades it comes with are better than the basic SH30 of the Series 3000.

Specifically, there are 15 blades per rotary cutter instead of 9 and each of these 15 blades has a double edge.

As we know, the double-edge design (Lift&Cut) allows a closer shave, and having 15 blades instead of 9 will make the shaver more effective (more cutting actions per rotation).

In practice, these do make a difference, however, I wouldn’t say it’s a massive one.

It will likely take you less time to get a clean shave with a Philips Series 5000 vs a Series 3000 and the closeness will be a bit better.

But the limiting factor is still the motor speed and the fact that we still have single-track heads.

The Series 5000 features a flip-open head and an integrated hair trimmer, just like the Series 3000.

It’s also the lowest-end Philips series available with a Quick Clean Pod, although these models are not released in the USA.

Let’s now check out some of the most popular models from the current Series 5000 generation.

Philips Series 5000 model comparison

The most important takeaway from the comparison table above is that all Philips Series 5000 will shave exactly the same.

They’re fitted with the same motor and blades and the differences come down to color and accessories.

You’ll sometimes notice some significant price differences — just know that a higher price doesn’t necessarily reflect a better shaver.

Again, all Series 5000 shave the same.

Among the included accessories the most notable is of course the Quick Clean Pod which we know is a very basic automatic cleaning device.

There’s one Series 5000 variation I didn’t include in the table above, the S5466/18.

This is an unusual European model; it comes with the less advanced SH30 blades (the ones from the Series 3000 and 2000) and has a smaller battery.

Because of that, its performance will in fact be slightly less compelling vs the other Series 5000 models.

I personally wouldn’t consider it unless you stumble upon a great deal or you want this model for some specific reason.

Replacement heads

The current Philips Series 5000 generation uses the SH71 cutters.

As mentioned above, they have more blades per rotary cutter (15) vs the SH30 (9) and also feature the Lift&Cut double edge, so the closeness will be better.

The SH71 replacement heads are a balanced compromise considering their cost, durability and performance.

They are readily available worldwide and according to Philips, they should be replaced every two years.

Again, that can vary depending on various factors.

Upgrading the shaving heads

The double-track SH91 heads that come with the Series 8000 and 9000/Prestige will fit the Series 5000 as well.

So that would be a quick and relatively affordable upgrade.

The SH91 blades will make the Series 5000 a more effective shaver, but it won’t transform it into a Series 9000 which also has a more powerful motor.

Cleaning

All Philips Series 5000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers, and fully waterproof for easy cleaning.

Unlike the previous S5000 models, they also feature a convenient flip-open head.

Another plus of the Series 5000 over the more basic Series 2000 and 3000 is that it has individual locking rings for each of the three heads:

The Series 2000 and 3000 have a single locking bracket that once removed, unlocks all of the three heads at once.

In practice, this can be a problem when deep cleaning the three heads.

Specifically, the guard and blade are matching pairs and it’s very easy to intermix them when all of them are unlocked at once.

With the Series 5000 (and all of the subsequent higher-end series), there are separate locking rings for each head, so you can simply clean one at a time.

Apart from a manual clean, you also have the option of using the Quick Clean Pod if your Series 5000 comes with one.

In the USA for example there aren’t such models available, so you’ll have to buy at least a Series 7000 to get a Pod.

Key takeaway

The Philips Series 5000 is a compelling rotary shaver in the low to mid-range segment.

It’s a particularly good option if you can buy one for a similar price to a Series 3000.

The shaving performance of the Series 5000 is adequate, being very gentle and offering a satisfactory close shave.

However, for men with coarse and dense facial hair, it may be worth investing in a more powerful and more capable razor from a higher-end series.

Upgrading to the SH91 heads won’t turn the Series 5000 into a Prestige because the motor will still have an output similar to a Series 3000.

Series 5000 old/discontinued generation

Some of the previous Series 5000 models are still available and you can easily tell them apart as they feature rounded instead of angular heads.

Apart from that, the main difference would be that the old models don’t have integrated trimmers and flip-open heads units.

The Li-ion battery is smaller, offering only 40 minutes worth of cordless shaving vs 60 minutes in the case of the new models.

The old Series 5000 also comes with SH50 Super Lift&Cut blades that a few seasoned users prefer as they’re able to get a closer shave.

However, for most men, these can come across as too aggressive.

Luckily, the gentler SH71 blades of the new Series 5000 are compatible as well.

I think the old models can still be a worthy option but only if you can get a great deal on one.

Philips Series 6000

• Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 90 000
• Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The current Series 6000 is probably the strangest in Philips Norelco’s lineup.

There seems to be a single variation available in the USA, namely the Shaver 6800.

Side note: There’s a Shaver 6600 as well, but only available as refurbished.

And this Series 6000 with its angular heads is essentially a Series 5000: same motor, same specs, same blades, same performance.

In fact, I am pretty sure it’s just a rebranded Series 5000. Philips doesn’t even list the Series 6000 on their USA or European websites.

Therefore, I will not get into much detail as everything about the Series 5000 above applies to the Series 6000 as well.

Also, there’s a single model available, the Shaver 6800 that comes with a hard travel case and a trimmer attachment with a built-in guard.

Key takeaway

The current Philips Norelco Series 6000 is rather unremarkable, being a rebranded Series 5000 that’s only available in the USA.

As a result, it makes sense to get it over a Series 5000 only if you can get a better deal for it.

Let’s now quickly take a look at the previous Series 6000 which is in my opinion better and much more interesting.

Series 6000 old generation

The old Philips Series 6000 was in my opinion one of the most compelling families of rotary shavers in recent years.

It was released somewhere in 2019 and the availability has been somewhat spotty ever since.

You can easily tell the old Series 6000 apart from the current one (the rebranded Series 5000 above) as it uses rounded heads.

What impressed me the most was the performance, comfort and some rather premium features that you don’t normally get with a mid-range rotary.

For example, the old Series 6000 features dual-track heads (SH60), extremely similar to the ones on the much more expensive Prestige.

The two Series 6000 models available in the USA are the Philips Norelco 6880/81 (Shaver 6800) and the S6810/82 (Shaver 6900 ).

The differences between them are only related to the included accessories.

The 6900 offers an additional charging stand and a hair trimmer with an integrated adjustable comb.

In 2024, these two shavers are rather difficult to find and the price is sometimes pretty high.

But a few years ago, this Series 6000 was the mid-range Philips shaver to buy as the price was excellent.

The replacement SH60 blades are sometimes difficult to source, but you can safely use the SH91 from the higher-end series; they will fit perfectly.

So if you own an old Series 6000 or you managed to find one at a great price, you will still be able to buy compatible heads in the future.

And on that note, I would highly recommend buying the old Series 6000 if you can get a good deal.

With its dual-track heads, it’s more capable than a Series 5000 or even 7000.

The compact, rounded heads also make the old Series 6000 very easy to use.

As for downsides, you don’t get a flip-open head or an integrated trimmer (only a separate attachment).

Philips Series 7000

• Motor speed: ~2000 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 90 000
• Replacement heads: SH71 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, single track, 15 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The current Series 7000 was the first one to get the new angular head design which has now become the norm for all mid to high-end Philips razors.

And considering its price and performance, the Philips Series 7000 is definitely a mid-range electric shaver.

The motor and blades, as well as the overall shape and design, are carried over from the Series 5000.

So it comes as no surprise that the Series 7000 will perform very similar to a more affordable Series 5000.

However, the Series 7000 does offer a few extras that can make it the better pick, especially if you won’t be paying a lot more for it vs a Series 5000.

To be more specific, here’s what you’ll get with a Series 7000 over a Series 5000.

• a special coating on the head holders that supposedly makes them glide easier over the skin
• a motion sensor that sends data to a mobile app and helps you improve your technique
• more accessories: hard travel case, charge stand, beard styler; a Quick Clean Pod is also available with most models.

I personally didn’t find the sensor and app to be of much help and seemed rather gimmicky.

The special coating is also not as effective as the one on the latest Prestige models which seem to glide easier during a dry shave.

So the extras you’re getting with a Series 7000 don’t improve the shaving performance significantly vs a Series 5000.

Philips Series 7000 model comparison

All Series 7000 models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with Li-ion batteries that provide around 1 hour of use.

The integrated pop-up hair trimmer is present on all the models, but some include an additional beard styler/trimmer attachment as well.

You’ll notice that some shavers come with a charger (the so-called old Series 7000 variations), while others (the new ones) include only a Philips-to-USB-A cable.

This change is part of Philips’ efforts for sustainability and reducing waste. The shavers themselves are the same.

You can also tell from the comparison table that most Philips Series 7000 are available with a Quick Clean Pod.

Some even include a large bundle of cleaning cartridges.

The travel case is sturdy and looks very nice. It is in fact the same one that comes with the Series 5000.

The shaving performance is identical throughout the entire Series 7000 range, regardless of price difference.

Replacement heads

The Philips Series 7000 comes with the SH71 heads, the same ones you’re getting with a Series 5000.

We know that these are single-track heads with decent performance that are readily available in most countries.

However, you can upgrade your Series 7000 with the SH91 dual-track heads.

The SH91 are currently the most advanced blades from Philips and they use them on the range-topping Series 9000/Prestige.

But as we saw with the Series 5000, this won’t turn your Series 7000 into a Prestige as it still lacks the power.

Cleaning

As all waterproof Philips razors with a flip-open head, the Series 7000 is very easy to clean with water.

The individual locking rings also allow you to disassemble the heads one by one for a thorough cleaning.

If yours came with a Pod, then you can also rely on it to automatically clean your shaver.

I think it’s worth getting the S7000+Pod considering that it doesn’t cost a lot more and the cleaning device is quite practical and economical.

Key takeaway

We can view the Series 7000 as being the most feature-rich mid-range family of shavers from Philips.

But as we saw, the extras don’t really translate into better shaving performance compared to the very similar Series 5000.

The power of the shaver and the blades are the same.

The bundle of accessories is however better and that, coupled with the plethora of models that include a Pod can make the Series 7000 a better buy.

For more info, you can check out my full review of the Series 7000.

Philips Series 8000

• Motor speed: ~2100 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 150 000
• Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The current Philips Series 8000 is among the newest entries and comes with a couple of noteworthy upgrades over the series below it.

Specifically, it’s fitted with a more powerful motor (2100 vs 2000 RPM) and uses the SH91 heads.

So unlike the Series 7000 which had the same specs as the Series 5000/6000, we truly get a performance bump when going from the Series 7000 to the 8000.

With the Series 8000, we’re stepping into the high-end Philips shavers.

Design-wise, the Series 8000 is extremely similar to the lower-end Series 5000, 6000, and 7000. But it also resembles the more advanced Series 9000.

In fact, the Series 8000 is essentially a rebranded Series 9000 but it’s only available in several countries (the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands).

This limited availability is the main reason why the Series 8000 will not be a viable option for users outside those countries.

Series 8000 model comparison

Since the 8000 is not readily available outside of a few select regions, we only have a few models to look at.

All of them are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with a Li-ion battery that will provide around 50 minutes worth of shaving.

So the battery is in fact a small downgrade compared to the other mid to high-end Philips razors that offer 60 minutes of cordless operation.

The differences between the available Series 8000 models come down to color and accessories. As expected, they all shave exactly the same.

The S8692/55 for example comes with a cleaning pod, while the S8697/23 includes a nose trimmer attachment.

All the Series 8000 shavers have a pop-up hair trimmer.

We also get Bluetooth mobile pairing and the companion GroomTribe app with its questionable usefulness.

Replacement heads

The 8000 is the first series in the pecking order equipped with the SH91, currently the most advanced Philips heads.

The SH91 features double-edge blades (Lift&Cut) and 24 blades per rotary cutter arranged in two tracks.

This makes the SH91 very effective at catching difficult hairs and the heads are very comfortable and provide a close shave.

The standard replacement interval is two years.

Cleaning

It’s business as usual regarding the cleaning since the Series 8000 shavers are waterproof and feature a flip-open head.

The Quick Clean Pod is available as well with the S8692/55 model but it’s not as easy to buy as the other variations.

Key takeaway

The Series 8000 is the entry point to the more advanced Philips rotary razors.

With more power and better shaving heads vs the series below it, the 8000 should be considered by users with coarser, denser stubble who want a capable razor.

It’s also effective when used less often and normally should handle a 5-day beard as well.

The selling point of the Series 8000 is that these shavers are essentially Series 9000 in disguise and the price is often lower compared to a Series 9000.

In that case, a Series 8000 does make more sense than a Series 9000.

However, they’re not as easy to source as the Series 9000 and in most countries, the Series 8000 is not available at all.

Philips Series 9000

• Motor speed: ~2100 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 150 000
• Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

The Philips (Norelco) Series 9000 will be the high-end rotary to buy for the majority of users.

Unlike the Series 8000, the Series 9000 is readily available and it comes in many variations.

The Series 9000 also features a couple of exclusive features:

• an LED ring around the head that changes color depending on the pressure you’re exerting
• a Menu button that allows you to cycle through three different screens (battery level, travel lock, light ring control)

Not all Series 9000 models come with the Menu button and the advanced display though; as we’ll see, the more budget-oriented variations lack these.

The current generation features the now notorious angular head design, a departure from the old generation that had rounded heads.

Specs-wise, the Series 9000 is the same as the Series 8000 above and uses the same 2100 RPM motor and the SH91 blades.

Let’s check out the most popular models in North America and Europe.

Philips Series 9000 model comparison

All these Series 9000 variations have a few things in common:

• identical shaving performance
• wet/dry, cordless-only operation
• 60 min operation from a fully charged Li-ion battery
• integrated pop-up hair trimmer
• GroomTribe mobile app pairing

The differences are related to color, accessories, and several features (light ring, menu button & OLED display).

The European Series 9000 lineup has more variations and some of them come with a generous bundle, like 4 cleaning cartridges and a beard styler with an adjustable comb.

In the USA, the Norelco Shaver 9500 variation is probably the one to get considering its price and included accessories.

Among those, the Quick Clean Pod is the most noteworthy and I think it’s a useful device despite its shortcomings.

The light ring and the more advanced OLED display are nice extras, but hardly necessary and won’t make the razor shave any better.

I found the light ring to be more of a gimmick and a bit inconsistent, you definitely shouldn’t rely (solely) on it to get the pressure right and improve your technique.

So buying a less feature-rich Series 9000 variation like the Norelco Shaver 9400 (USA) is a good option if you’re on a tighter budget.

Again, the performance will be identical.

There are some other country-specific Series 9000 variations apart from the ones in the table above.

Just keep in mind that the only differences are again related to color, accessories, and features like the Menu and OLED display.

Replacement heads

As mentioned before, the Philips Series 9000 is fitted with the excellent SH91 dual-track blades.

These heads should last around two years before needing to be replaced.

Since these are currently the best blades Philips has to offer, there’s no upgrade option available.

Cleaning

All Philips Series 9000 shavers are fully waterproof for easy cleaning with tap water.

Most models will however include the Quick Clean Pod.

It’s the only option available for automatic cleaning with the current Series 9000 generation.

With the previous one, you had the option of getting a fully-fledged automatic cleaning station.

Unfortunately, it’s not available anymore and a current Series 9000 shaver will not work with an older SmartClean Philips station.

Key takeaway

If we consider its price, performance, and availability, the Series 9000 will be the best option for most users looking for a highly capable Philips rotary.

Just like the Series 8000, it can deal impressively well with longer, flat-lying hairs, making it ideal for men who shave once or twice a week.

The power is adequate and the blades are very comfortable and provide a close shave.

As for downsides, the current Series 9000 is a large shaver and the body has this rectangular shape that’s not particularly ergonomical.

Series 9000 old/discontinued generation

I will only briefly go over the old Series 9000 models as many users still own one.

These shavers featured rounded heads and came with the rather aggressive SH90 heads.

The SH90 uses the original Super Lift&Cut double-edge design, which many users find too grabby and uncomfortable.

It’s one of the reasons I wasn’t particularly a fan of that generation.

The head also doesn’t have the flip-open hinge and there’s no integrated pop-up trimmer.

On the bright side, you had the option of getting a model with a fully automatic cleaning station (like the 9300 or 9700).

If you have one of these older Series 9000 shavers and it’s still in good shape, the best thing you can do is to upgrade the heads to the SH91.

The SH91 are significantly more comfortable while providing the same close shave and will fit the old Series 9000 perfectly.

I don’t see a reason to buy a new Series 9000 shaver if the old one works fine and especially if you have one of the models that came with a cleaning station.

Philips S9000 Prestige

• Motor speed: ~2300 RPM
• Cutting actions/min: 165 000
• Replacement heads: SH91 (double-edge Lift&Cut blades, dual-track, 24 blades/rotary cutter)

Overview

Finally, we have the range-topping S9000 Prestige.

Objectively, the Prestige is the best electric shaver that Philips currently offers.

We can make a case that it doesn’t provide a lot more over the Series 9000 — after all, they come with the same SH91 blades.

However, after owning and using both, I’d argue that the S9000 Prestige is worth the extra money.

The motor is probably the most important upgrade you’ll be getting with the Prestige.

It can run at 2300 RPM and it’s a very refined, torquy and powerful unit.

In practice, it makes the shaver very enjoyable and effective and just feels effortless to use vs a lower-end model.

The 2300 RPM power output is only available in the highest power setting.

Unlike other Philips shavers, the Prestige features so-called Personal Comfort Settings that allow you to choose between 3 shaving modes:

• Comfort (1900RPM)
• Dynamic (2100 RPM)
• Efficiency (2300 RPM)

And while the first two modes could be useful for men with very sensitive skin, I think for most users (myself included) the high power Efficiency mode is the best.

The shaver remains adequately comfortable, but it’s faster and cuts the hair in fewer strokes.

Fun fact: in the Dynamic mode, the power output is identical to the standard Series 9000 (2100 RPM).

Another aspect that in my opinion makes the Prestige better than the Series 9000 (and 8000) is the improved ergonomy.

The Prestige is better balanced and the shape of the handle allows you to grip it comfortably and securely.

Even though the shaving unit is the same size and shape, it somehow feels more compact during use.

Also, the head just seems to glide smoother over the skin.

All these things add up and make the Prestige a great and enjoyable rotary shaver, in my opinion the best you can currently buy.

It’s not all great though — because of that sculpted body shape, a pop-up hair trimmer couldn’t be integrated.

As such, the Prestige is only available with a wonky click-on trimmer attachment.

And then there’s the price. You will need to spend a hefty amount to get the top-of-the-line Philips shaver.

S9000 Prestige model comparison

As you’d probably guess, the core features and performance are identical throughout the entire Prestige line.

There is however a multitude of models available, some of them country-specific, that come with various accessories at various price points.

In my opinion the most important ones to keep in mind when buying a Prestige are the Quick Clean Pod and the Wireless charging feature.

The latter is particularly interesting because the Prestige shavers that come with wireless charging cannot be charged with a regular wired charger.

And that’s despite being fitted with a Philips charging port (covered by a plastic flap) — it simply will not work.

So wireless vs wired charging is something you’ll need to decide before making a purchase.

Charging the Prestige wirelessly via a Qi pad takes a lot more time (3 hours vs 1 hour).

That said, it may not be a problem if you simply let it rest on the pad all the time.

I think for most users a Prestige variation with wired charging and Quick Clean Pod (like the SP9841/84) will be more useful.

The battery life of the S9000 Prestige is excellent.

All models are wet/dry, cordless-only shavers fitted with a Li-ion battery that provides approximately 60 minutes of cordless shaving.

The included premium travel case is of great quality and there’s enough room inside for the shaver, trimmer/beard styler and charger.

The downside is that it’s rather bulky compared to the regular textile hard travel case.

The price of the Philips Prestige varies a lot, especially in Europe where you’ll see huge price differences between the available models.

The important thing to know is that all of them shave exactly the same, so as long as any Prestige model comes with the accessories you need (like for example the Pod), you can safely buy it.

Replacement heads

As we know, the latest Philips S9000 Prestige shavers come with the SH91 heads.

Just like with the Series 8000 and 9000, you would normally replace the heads every 2 years.

Cleaning

Cleaning a Prestige is not any different than cleaning any waterproof Philips shaver that is available with a Pod as well.

You can quickly open the head unit and rinse it with tap water or you can clean it with the pod if it came with one.

As we know, the Philips shavers that don’t include a Pod are only partially compatible with one (you’ll need to stop the cleaning cycle yourself).

Key takeaway

In my opinion the Philips S9000 Prestige is the rotary shaver to buy in 2024 if your budget allows it.

It is the most capable and enjoyable Philips razor out there and I think its pros over a Series 8000 or 9000 are worth the price difference.

I would however look for a great deal on a Prestige that comes with a cleaning pod.

As for wired vs wireless charging, that’s entirely up to you. Both are viable options but one usually makes more sense than the other depending on the use case.

If you enjoy shaving with rotaries, there’s a great chance you’ll love the S9000 Prestige.

It shaves close, it’s very comfortable and effective and it should handle even a one-week beard.

For more details, you can check out my in-depth review of the Prestige.

S9000 Prestige old/discontinued generation

The original S9000 Prestige series is still available to buy in 2024, even though there aren’t many models to choose from.

When it was first launched, I called it a game-changer as I was so impressed by the excellent comfort.

It was so much gentler than the available Philips shavers (S9000 with Super Lift&Cut) of that time.

And the old Prestige still is a worthy option even today.

You can easily spot the old generation as it has rounded heads:

Moreover, it has a couple of advantages over the new/current generation.

The body of the old Prestige is made of metal, while the new one is plastic.

This makes the old shavers feel even more premium.

Another benefit stems from the rounded, more compact heads — the original Prestige is a bit easier to use under the nose for example.

You do lose the flip-open head feature though.

Performance-wise, the old one feels exactly the same. The motor is the same and we get the same 3 power settings.

The blades that come with it are however different. The old Prestige uses the SH98 (currently discontinued) heads.

Compared to the SH91 of the new one, the SH98 are single-edge (no Lift&Cut). However, the performance (comfort, closeness) is very similar.

You can of course use the new SH91 heads in the old Prestige, they will fit perfectly.

There’s no Quick Clean Pod available with the old Prestige and it will not work at all with one.

Overall, I think the old models are still a great alternative if you can get a great deal.

Which Philips shaver should you buy?

With all these series and generations, it may seem complicated to choose the right Philips shaver.

But if we only consider the things that matter — actual shaving performance, price and value for money — we can narrow it down to only a handful of options.

Here are what I consider to be the best Philips shavers in 2024.

1. The budget pick: Series 2000/3000

Philips Norelco Shaver 2500

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If you’re looking to buy a very affordable Philips razor that also has a low cost of ownership, I think the Philips Norelco Shaver 2500 from the Series 2000 is the best pick.

It’s essentially a Series 3000, but costs less and works cordless and corded.

Unless you need a wet/dry razor or one of the accessories of the Series 3000 (like a charging stand), the Shaver 2500 is simply a better buy.

While the closeness of the Series 2000/3000 isn’t the best, it’s still decent and the comfort is excellent.

Even though it comes with the basic SH30 blades, it deals surprisingly well with more difficult, flat-lying hairs, especially when compared to a similarly priced foil shaver.

The Shaver 2500 is a USA model, so if you live in Europe, I would consider a Series 3000 like the Philips S3241/12.

If you have denser/coarser stubble and shave less often, the Series 2000/3000 will probably not be up to the task.

In that case, it would be worth it to invest a bit more in a more capable shaver.

2. The mid-range pick: Series 6000/5000

Philips Norelco Shaver 6800 (Series 6000)

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A couple of years ago, the Series 6000 (old generation, rounded heads) was by far the best pick for a mid-range Philips.

And strictly from a performance point of view, it still is.

Unfortunately, it’s getting more difficult to find.

In the past, the Series 6000 would cost only marginally more than a Shaver 3800 from the Series 3000, so buying one was a no-brainer.

If you can’t find a Series 6000 anymore (for a reasonable price), the next best thing would be the Series 5000.

Philips Norelco Series 5000 (Shaver 5400)

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As we know, the Series 5000 shaves just like the current Series 6000 (angular heads) and the Series 7000. All use the same motor and the same shaving heads (SH71).

But the Series 5000 usually costs less, so it makes sense to recommend it over the Series 7000.

The Series 5000 is also available with a cleaning pod, but only in Europe.

So USA buyers will need to opt for a Series 7000 in order to get a shaver with a Pod.

A Series 5000 and especially a Series 6000 (old models, rounded heads) are more effective than a Series 2000/3000 and require less work for a clean shave.

But you will need to step up to at least a Series 8000 for a noticeable performance upgrade.

And especially for men with very coarse beards, I think it will be worth it doing so.

3. The high-end pick: S9000 Prestige

Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige SP9841/84

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If you have the budget for it, the S9000 Prestige is without a doubt Philips’ best shaver.

It’s the most powerful, comfortable and capable rotary you can buy in 2024.

This shaver performs impressively well on both short and longer stubble (up to one week) and the result is excellent.

The SH91 heads are very gentle and still manage to cut the hair at skin level.

The old Prestige (rounded heads) is still available and it’s a perfectly viable alternative to the new one especially if you can buy it for less.

If the price is still outside your budget, you can consider the Series 9000 or even the Series 8000 (if you live in Europe) — whichever you can buy for less money.

In the USA, the Shaver 9500 is usually the one to buy as you get a Quick Clean Pod and the price is pretty reasonable as well.

Philips Norelco Series 9000 Shaver 9500

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The Series 8000 and 9000 are still great performers — only slightly less powerful than the Prestige — and they use the same SH91 heads.

The Prestige however has better ergonomics and feels a bit more powerful and more refined.

The end result, in terms of closeness and comfort, will be similar when using a Prestige or a Series 8000/9000.

But it will take more effort to get the same smooth shave with the latter.

As for what I would pick, my favorite shavers from Philips are the old Series 6000 (rounded heads) and the S9000 Prestige (both generations).

I am rather picky when it comes to rotaries and these two are the ones I enjoy using the most.

It’s a shame the old Series 6000 is getting so difficult to find, it really was a fantastic shaver for the money.

Final word

This pretty much concludes my 2024 Philips (Norelco) shavers buyer’s guide.

Hopefully you now have a clear picture of the differences that matter and you can choose the Philips shaver that makes the most sense for your needs.

Philips customers are usually long-time users who prefer rotaries over foil shavers and are simply accustomed to their pros and quirks.

But men who are new to rotaries or electric shaving in general can consider one as well.

Usually, a Philips shaver will work great on both short and long stubble (up to one week), the cost of ownership is low and they’re quieter than other types of electric razors.

If that sounds like something you’d want, a Philips razor would be an option worth considering.

If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your experience, make sure to leave a comment below.