Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I do not know where all the research is coming from that is allowing so many advances in electric razor technology, but Philips and other companies seem to release a new line of electric shavers every year. I think for the last decade, there has been a competition, starting with manual razors trying to see how many blades they could add to their razors (my current razor has six), and electric shavers responding by seeing how many different models they could put on the market. Philips Norelco currently has almost two dozen different models listed on their web site, and I have never in my life had so much difficulty now and in the past, as I do trying to distinguish between them. The AT830 is part of their new line of shavers released in February 2012. From what I can tell, they are discontinuing most of their current line in favor of these new razors.
Below I'll provide a brief rundown of the current main product lines, followed by the different models within that line in brackets (least expensive to most), and then discuss this actual model.
-------------PN's CURRENT RAZOR LINE --------------
6000 Series [6940, 6955] This is Philips Norelco's base level of razors. They, along with the 7000 and 8200 series are dry shavers, meaning they cannot be used in the shower and are not designed to be used with any foams or gels. The 6000 series do have floating heads, but there is no movement in the head unit. These models are corded.
7000 Series [7310, 7315, 7325, 7340, 7345, 7380, 7810] Now you start to add some cordless options, and get LCD indicators to let you know about battery life. Better models add things like a pop-up trimmer and floating heads.
8200 Series [8240, 8250, 8251] Another line of dry shavers. The 8200 has a little "better" shaving head technology, and a different form factor thath is a little more comfortable. It also adds a precision trimmer. I've compared the 7000 and 8200 models and didn't notice enough of a difference in the quality of the shave to recommend the 8200 over the 7000 (unless you need the trimmer).
SensoTouch and SensoTouch 3D [1150, 1160, 1180, 3D 1250, 1260, 1280, 1290] Their most advanced/expensive razor models. The razor head pivots and flexes on a ball to get around a lot of contours on your face. The SensoTouch can move in two different ways while the SensoTouch 3D can move in three. The SensoTouch 3D is the best electric razor I've ever used (but also the most expensive) and I highly recommend it if you don't mind the cost.
Nivea for Men [HS420, 8040, 8060] You need to use this with the Nivea for Men hydrating cream, which is released as you shave through the shaving heads. I like Nivea for Men hydrating cream, but it's a hassle to use with the razor. I don't recommend anyone buy this.
-------------AT 830 REVIEW --------------
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Now that you can see what Philips Norelco currently has available, I should say that the 6000, 7000, and 8200 lines are being discontinued in favor of these new models and their SensoTouch. The AT830 is in their PowerTouch Series (which looks like it is being marketed to replace the 8200 line). It is an AquaTouch shaver, meaning that it is entirely waterproof, and can be used in the shower with gel/foam, or just by itself as a dry razor. I don't like dry shaving, so I was excited to try this out and see how effective it is. Normally, shaving dry with an electric razor tears my face up so I prefer to use a manual razor. The first thing I noticed about it is the form factor. It is very light weight when compared to previous razors I have used. The contoured handle felt good in my grip, but the design mostly mimics previous models and there is nothing really new here. It doesn't feel "cheap"but it doesn't feel like a top of the line shaver either.
SHAVING EXPERIENCE AND SHAVING TIPS I first did a dry shave with it on half of my face. Like all of their shavers, it contains "Lift and Cut" technology, which just means that it lifts the hair follicles and then cuts them, so it cuts lower on the hair and gives you a closer shave. I could feel it pulling the hairs to cut them, however it wasn't an unpleasant experience, just a slight tugging. Next I tried out a wet shave, which surprisingly worked fairly well. The one area I had a problem with is under my chin. The blades on the AT830 do flex a good bit for getting around your face, but I still had a bit of trouble with this area. I would suggest using shaving gel or tea tree oil rather than foam. I kept worrying that the shaver was going to short out in the middle of my showers but it did fine every time. I did not have any problems with breaking out or getting a rash from using it. I do recommend using it with gel, as I found I get a smoother shave doing that as opposed to dry. The pop-up trimmer wasn't very useful to me and worked okay, but it is fairly basic and not as nice as some of Norelco's precision trimmers. Overall, it gave me a fairly close shave, but not nearly as good as I've gotten with the SensoTouch 3D, or with a manual blade. I did have some razor burn after my first shave, but this is normal when using an electric shaver for the first time in awhile, and for me, goes away after about a week (Norelco says it can take 21 days for your skin to adjust). Whenever you shave with a manual razor, you are actually removing a thin layer of skin. Electric shavers go underneath the skin line but don't actually remove any skin, so this adjustment period is used to allow your body to get rid of the scar tissue that the body creates from using a blade (your body doesn't create scar tissue when using an electric shaver). Do not switch back and forth between an electric shaver and a manual shaver.
BATTERY LIFE It takes one hour to fully charge the shaver, which Philips Norelco says will provide you with 50 minutes of shaving time. I ran four battery drain tests, where I fully charged the shaver and then ran it down completely. The average battery life was 80 minutes. Actual battery life will be shorter when the shaver is having to work to cut hair as opposed to the way I tested it, but based on my tests, their claim that you will get 50 minutes of shave time seems accurate to me. If the battery is dead, you can also do a quick charge, by charging it for three minutes, which will give you enough power for a five minute shave. Instead of using the traditional nickel-cadmium battery, this shaver contains a lithium-ion battery. Not only is this type of battery much better for the environment, but it doesn't experience a "memory effect," which is what happens when you constantly charge a nickel-cadmium battery without fully discharging it first. I would have liked it if they had included a charging station for the shaver.
CLEANING A lot of people will probably find cleaning and taking care of the blades to be a hassle and not spend a lot of time on it, but I am a big believer in properly cleaning the shaver and maintaining the blades, which will not only extend the life of the blades, but give you a better shave. Even if you get all of the hair out, there is microscopic residue and debris on the blades that you can't see. Cleaning this razor is very easy. The top pops open and you can just run the underside of the blades in the water or under the shower. It takes me about 10 seconds to fully clean it and it rinses and dries very quickly. You do need to make sure you clean it after every use, because any hair or residue left under the blades can prevent you from getting a smooth shave the next time. This is especially important if you're using the shaver with gel/lotion. Dried gels will hold onto tiny hair residue and wear down the blades and give you a poor shave. You should also clean and lubricate your blades every couple weeks with a mineral oil solution or something like NORELCO RAZOR LUBRICANT. The shaver does come with a tiny brush and every couple of months you should pop out the blades from the head and clean the grills and blades individually. If you want to make your own cleaning solution, mix one part white vinegar with 10 parts water, and soak the blades in it for thirty minutes. Then rinse the blades to get rid of the vinegar. Replace the heads with Philips Norelco HQ8 Spectra Tripleheader Replacement Heads every 12 months.
I've gone back and forth between electric and dry shavers over the last few years and always seem to come back to a manual razor, but I really think the AquaTouch technology makes a difference in the AT830 and I will probably use this shaver for awhile as I get a fairly close shave with it. I think the closeness of the shave you get will depend a lot on your face. It is not as nice as the SensoTouch 3D, but it is a decent mid-range shaving option.
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I shaved with a blade for many years, but have tried several different electrics over the past year because I like the convenience of not having to stand in front of a bathroom mirror to shave. In my quest to find the right razor for me I tried a Norelco SensoTouch 3D, a Braun, and now this Norelco AT830.
The AT830 actually gave me a better shave than the fancier and more expensive SensoTouch. The closeness and time shaving were about the same, but I got less irritation with the AT830, particularly in the sensitive area below my chin. One big thing I like about the Norelco rotary razors is the fact that they are really quiet. They're also comfortable to hold and lightweight. Thumbs up for ergonomics.
What I didn't like about the AT830 were the lack of features. There is no battery meter, only a light that flashes when the battery is about to run out. A big detractor is the fact that you cannot use this razor plugged in; you have to wait until there is a charge and unplug it before you can use it. If you need to shave and the battery's run out, you're out of luck.
I will say that I get a better shave with the Bran--closer, quicker, and with no irritation. However, everyone's skin is different, and it's worth trying a variety of different razors to find out which works best for your skin. If you are looking to try a rotary razor I would recommend this one over the more expensive SensoTouch.
Buy Philips Norelco AT830 Powertouch with Aquatec Electric Razor Now
I have a difficult beard--it's tough and the hairs grow slightly sideways so I have to pull the skin to the side with one hand to get them to stand up. When I first started shaving I used a blade and had to finish up by pulling it against the grain to get a smooth result. But my skin would get irritated and break out, so I went to a Remington electric. Since that time I have had several Remingtons, a Braun, and this is my third Norelco. I have used it every day now for several months, and it is the best one I've ever had.
I was going to reward myself with the most expensive "3-D" model but several things made me choose this one. First, the 3-D uses what looks like a more advanced shaver head, but all of the higher end models just below that (including the 2-D) use the HQ-8 heads, so I didn't think the difference in performance would be all that noticeable considering the premium price. Plus the 3-D apparently flexes every which way but Sunday, but this one flexes way more than enough, so I didn't see an advantage significant enough to justify the higher price.
Second, to use the trimmer on the Norelcos with a "neck" (like the 2 and 3-D) you have to snap it on as an extra accessory. One of my other Norelcos was like that and it was always a minor annoyance. The integrated pop-up trimmer on this model is so much handier and has the perfect angle for trimming even nose and ear hair as well as sideburns.
Third, my older Norelco had a charging stand and it was a major annoyance. Lightweight and cheap, the shaver sat in it awkwardly and would tip over if you weren't careful. It was a pain to travel with it as well. It is so much handier to just plug the cord into the shaver and let it charge that way.
Finally, I got the Aquatec model, not because I use it to shave wet, but because it is easy to clean by just holding it under running water. Some have complained that you can't use it with a cord (I assume that is so you don't electrocute yourself while shaving wet), but there are plenty of warning lights when the battery is running low. Also charging doesn't take that long (in an emergency you can get a quick five-minute shave with only a five-minute charge) and lasts for a good while (I have only had to recharge the shaver once so far).
Some have complained that the heads are surrounded by a border that keeps the cutters from close places like around the nose. I know what they mean, but a bit of extra pressure gets them into the corners and it is certainly not even close to a deal breaker for me.
In short, this is the best shaver I have ever owned. I still have a high-end Braun and it does a good job as well. But it is noisy and doesn't pick up longer, twisted, or stray hairs as well. So, I highly recommend this Norelco as the best combination of price and performance in the entire line.
Read Best Reviews of Philips Norelco AT830 Powertouch with Aquatec Electric Razor Here
***UPDATE***UPDATE*** I have been shaving with this razor now for about 2 weeks and it delivers a really close shave even with my heavy dark beard, but here's a surprise: If you have a Jet Clean for the 8260cc the Power Touch AT830 will work in that Jet Clean. I have used mine in it a couple of times and it didn't harm my razor at all! I called Philips Norelco and the Lady who took my call asked one of her product specialist and he said do not use this razor in that Jet Clean. Well, I called back and the Guy that I talked to this time said it was perfectly ok. It seems that the first rep that I talked to just wanted me to buy a Jet Clean for this model. The Power Touch models with Jet Clean arn't going to be out til around Father's Day, so if you like useing Jet Clean, you can use your Power Touch AT830 in the Jet Clean for 8260cc. I am a collector of Philips Norelco Electric Razors. I have several models including the Spectra 8894XL James Bond Razor which in my opinion is best Norelco has ever made! The Senso Touch 3D left a rash on my neck and a burning sensation on my face. In my opinion this razor shaves better than the Senso Touch 3D. It delivers a close comfortable shave without the razor burn. I got this model because of the aquatec feature meaning you can use it either wet or dry. Pros: easy grip, washable, fast charge, and comfortable shave / Cons: No travel pouch, and No charging stand. I like to use a little talc or William's Lectric Shave which helps the razor deliver a close shave. I have a heavy dark beard and this razor shaves almost as close as a blade! The only reason that I did not rate this razor 5 stars was because it does not come with a travel pouch or charging stand. I use one of my old travel pouches which the razor fits in perfectly and a lid from one of cans of shaving gels which the razor is able to stand upright in. This is a good razor. It is one of the better Norelcoes that I have owned and I enjoy shaving with this razor. Get tis razor and you wont be disappointed! Happy Shaving!, Michael, Baton Rouge, LA
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I have a rough and nappy beard like most people of African descent. I absolutely cannot use a straight razor without bumping up.
So I splurged and got the Panasonic ES-LV81-K Arc 5 figured that paying three hundred bills that it had to work..but it was too bulky, loud, and still left me with irritation.
I returned my 300 dollar Panasonic and ordered this model because I wanted to try rotary and I liked how it fits into my hand.
Well after 3 weeks. My Lady out of nowhere remarked "Wow the irritation on your neck has completely cleared up"
This thing is quiet, easy to maneuver, and leaves no irritation on black skin. The main difference between this and the Panasonic that I mentioned earlier is that you don't need to do multiple passes.
I got mine from Target because Amazon was back ordered. You also can buy the Jet Clean base Direct from Phillips, mine is already on its way.
I Shave with Noxzema and Vinegar. Hope this helps
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