Review: Braun NEVO

As a tech and gadget lover, it’s always like Christmas morning when a high-end product aiming to redefine its segment lands on the test bench. In an era where premium brands from both Japan and Germany have scaled back their presence and applied the brakes, it’s particularly nice that Braun actually dares to push the boundaries with the new NEVO shaver. Do you get what you pay for?

Unboxing the Braun NEVO, I am immediately struck by its sleekness. Gone is the typical plastic that dominates shavers; instead, we get a unibody construction in surgical stainless steel. It is very similar to Panasonic’s latest flagship in both size and design, even if the competitor is now a few years old, and the cool weight of the metal truly exudes premium quality when you hold it in your hand.

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Power and a close shave

When you press the start button, the machine springs to life with noticeable POWER. It’s a motor that is not only heard, but also felt, and you get a distinct vibration against the skin. It’s certainly not disruptive, but it’s very clear that you’re holding a precision tool with plenty of horsepower.

And boy, does it shave! The result is almost immediately very close and impressive. On the cheeks, two passes—three at most—are basically enough to get them as smooth as a baby’s bottom. The chin and neck, which are usually torture zones for electric shavers, are also handled better now. Shaving rougher skin where hair grows in different directions is still a challenge for the device, but I would say it’s about twice as effective there compared to most things I’ve tested before. Much of this is due to Braun’s new “AeroTouch” coating on the foil, which drastically reduces friction against the skin and thereby eliminates what is known as “razor burn.” However, it’s not entirely frictionless, and after a thorough shave, especially on the neck, an aftershave balm or aloe vera is helpful to reduce the worst of the redness.

Not entirely without drawbacks

However, nothing is perfect, not even in Germany. The NEVO is louder during use than I had hoped, and it has a slightly deeper, more buzzing sound profile. Another annoyance is that stubble flies around more than on Panasonic’s models, which seem to “suck them in” much better. The advice from senses is therefore crystal clear: only use this in the bathroom over the sink – don’t walk around the house unless you want beard stubble in your morning coffee!

Another controversial design decision is that Braun has removed the spring-loaded buttons on the side for releasing the shaver head. Now, you have to push and pull with pure muscle power to detach the cassette, which feels like a strange step backward for a product that otherwise exudes luxury. Sure, it doesn’t require much effort, but it just doesn’t feel in line with the device’s other high-end ambitions. NEVO is being released in various models, and some editions include both an extra shaver head and a rechargeable travel case (PowerCase). Our model didn’t have this, but it would have been interesting to see if the size of the case in a toiletry bag or suitcase justifies its functionality.

The included charging dock (7-in-1 Care System), which previously had a low “wife-acceptance factor” due to its shrill, saw-like tone during “maintenance,” is unfortunately just as tinny and loud here as with its Japanese competitor. However, Braun has a certain advantage: the motor only runs 2-3 times to pump the fluid around, and then it goes silent and switches to drying. This makes the annoyance much shorter than on previous models. One thing that is a shame is that the shaver itself is not equipped to be charged with a standard USB-C cable; that would have simplified things when traveling with just the case and no dock (yes, you can obviously unplug the charger from the dock, but you know—more proprietary chargers to keep track of).

Summary

It is unavoidable that 5,700 SEK is a ridiculous amount of money for a shaver. Is the Braun NEVO better than Panasonic’s latest flagship (ES-LV9U)? Yes, I think so. But is it 40%-50% better, as the price tag suggests? No, one cannot say that in good conscience. Quality at the absolute top costs exponentially more, as is usual in the gadget and hi-fi world. We are moving toward a time where consumers want and are willing to give extreme premium a chance; we have seen both toothbrushes and scales approaching the 4,000–6,000 SEK mark. This means they aren’t for everyone, but for those who can afford it, this is a new kind of “top-of-the-line” that undeniably has a right to exist.

If money is no object and you want the smoothest shave by far and the best-looking steel machine on the bathroom shelf, then the Braun NEVO is currently the “GOAT” and thus the new reference. For all other, more rational consumers, Braun’s own Series 9 Pro+ is perhaps a smarter buy (even if it isn’t much cheaper).

Braun sent a review unit for this review. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our texts.