Philips Norelco S9311/87, Shaver 9300

I have used Norelco shavers for 30+ years and have always loved them. I use one at home, one for travel and one in my car - so you can imagine I've bought a few of these products, even before Philips bought them out. I discovered that there is a difference in the cheapest versions and the top of the line - primarily in the quality of the shaving heads. So, I was willing to fork out the money for the 9300 when my last home shaver needed replacing. As to the shaver itself - it's great. My shave is as close as a blade - especially if I use a shaving gel (though I don't usually take the time to do that on busy mornings). The one big disappointment is the cleaning system. I've only had the unit for a little over a month and the light came on to replace the (expensive) cleaning fluid cartridge. On top of that, there were a couple times that I pulled my shaver from the cleaning unit and the cleaning fluid was in the head when I started to shave. So, I reread the instructions. Turns out that I'm supposed to run the shaver head while under the tap "for "a few minutes" (do you know how long that is). Then I'm supposed to remove the blade assembly and clean the insides of the shaving head. Then I'm supposed to let it "completely dry" before reassembling the shaver head. Now we can put it in the "Smart-Clean" system and push the handy clean button. I find this process completely useless. Who has the time for all this. I thought the cleaning system was supposed to do all this for me, saving me time and "extending the life of the blades." In addition, when I changed the cleaning fluid for a new one, there was blue cleaning fluid inside the Smart-Clean system and even under the unit - obviously something is leaking. I have light beard - and there was not much in the bottom of the original cleaning unit that I replaced. My recommendation: Buy the comparable shaver model and forget the Smart-Clean system. It's a waste of money, from my perspective. Perhaps I have a defective unit - I'm trying to reach Philips-Norelco to see what they have to say, but I haven't been very impressed when I called them about how long I can store the 3-unit replacement fluids. When the rep said, "One month." this made no sense with 3 of them in the box. I will write a revision if I find that all this trouble was because of a defective Smart-Clean unit. However, if the instructions are right, that you have to clean and dry the heads each time BEFORE you clean and dry the shaver with the Smart-Clean system, then I'm still disappointed. My advice - get the great shaver without the cleaning unit.UPDATE: Norelco came through with a new "Smart-Clean" unit. It is obviously a newer version and it works perfectly! I waited to write this update to be sure. It worked as advertised for 3 months, then the icon told me I needed to change the solution. I reinstalled a new cleaning solution and everything works great again. Also - there is no need to "double clean" the razor with water before you clean it with the "Smart-Clean" unit. I've checked the razor head a few times after the unit finished its cycle, and it did a great job. I'm raising my rating to 4-stars. If I hadn't had a bad experience with the first cleaning unit, and the instruction manual was less conflicting, I'd give it a five!

The razor works fine snd is better than any others I have tried including the Braun 700 series which was terrible, The Norleco docking device is a waste of money and doesn't work. It's a poor imitation of the Braun docking device which does work but has a crappy razor.This razor has a two year warranty, which is good. The last two Norlecos I bought didn't make it more than a few months. There is probably some truth to saying you get what you pay for. But if you are leaning towards this one, save some money and get the 900 series without the docking station. I've tried to find the best shaving razor for many years, and I have to put this one at the top. A blade will probably still cut closer, but most of us are tired of the nicks and cuts. I will also addd that this one shaves very well using shaving cream.

I am a long time use of Braun razors and this is only the second Norelco razor I've ever purchased. I tried a cheaper model Norelco some years ago and it didn't shave well and the cleaning station didn't work well. This razor is an entirely different experience. I don't have a heavy beard but the Braun always provided an almost painful shaving experience. Even with a new head, it left my face feeling like I'd just peeled the skin off. The Norelco barely gives me a tickle unless I let my beard grow a little long then it might become a little uncomfortable. The cleaning station with the Braun did nothing but run the razor a couple of times after the heads were submerged and then air dried the head. This razor has a much more extended cleaning cycle that you can hear actually pulsing the fluid into the head and actually provides a heated drying cycle. It has a similar cleaning fluid cartridge setup as the Braun but I have noticed that it seems to filter out the hair particles much better and so far it seems to last almost twice as long as the Braun did before needed a new cartridge. It is taking me time getting used to the 3 rotating heads vs one rectangular head but it seems to be just as fast. The razor has multiple speeds that's supposed to range from gentle to close but I prefer the close speed which is faster and seems just a gentle as the slower gentle setting. One thing I really like over the Braun was the Norelco keeps the trimmed whiskers collected inside the head dropping very few if any while you're shaving while the Braun dropped them all over you during the shave. The razor can be used directly with the cord if you're traveling and the battery runs down. The only downside of this razor is there is no travel charging stand like the old Norelco but it's not a biggie since you can plug it in and the charge does seem to last for quite a long time. I've used mine over a weeks period without the need to recharge.Sorry I have to compare this razor to the Braun so much but the Braun line is what I apparently thought I liked over the past 10 or 12 years. If you're thinking of which one to buy though, give it a lot of thought.

As I was routinely planning to change the cartridge today I immediately noticed it was no longer blue or anywhere near it.. but BROWN. Upon draining the cartridge I realized the sediment (1st attached picture) throughout the cartridge was actually RUST, with various deteriorated pieces of what was once parts of the smartclean injection system (2nd attached picture).It took nearly two years for this to occur with normal use and maintenance so BUYER BEWARE. One day you'll wake up realizing you're shaving your face with a rust cleansed razor.. let's hope your tetanus shots are up to date. Anyone else experience this health hazard yet?