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Being an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from purchases made through my tracking links. All products are bought and tested using my own budget. Our standards.
Our Verdict
While this shaver is fairly popular, it doesn’t get enough praise in the bigger picture.
I found this shaver to perform very well for the price and with the addition of turbo mode that is even more so.
It’s not the perfect experience with it being a mid-end shaver but Braun definitely matched their standards, or surpassed it here in some areas.
Braun Series 5 EasyClean
Model:
Braun Series 5
Introduction
Being a best selling but affordable shaver and having nearly 2000 units being bought on amazon every month, the Series 5 EasyClean is a solid but basic option, often hailed for how valuable it is for the money.
The Braun S5 was released in January of 2020 alongside the Series 6 and 7 with all three having similar design with some slight and some major differences.
They were only in the USA market until introduced to Europe up until this present day.
People may be more willing to purchase a low-medium priced shaver (like this one), but does this one still hold quality for the money?
Our days worth of testing the product on our own beards firsthand will determine if buying is the right decision for you in specific plus which model to purchase.
We understand Braun is notorious for their many units to choose from, and the least we can do is provide you with a table along with an explanation of everything included.
Everything you need to know is right here:
Table of Contents
Features
Throughout the variations of the Series 5, there are different attachments but the design of the shaver stays the same. It’s up to preference what you need, but we will be explaining the core uses of everything to help you decide which link to click on.
Rating
Included Items And Model Comparison
There are currently 7 models available to buy for the Braun Series 5 and the prices vary wildly according to the accessory amount.
We have the closest European / EU model to the American ones we listed, but there’s some differences between them that we made sure to mention in the right column.
Model Name
Accessories
European Equivalent
- Beard Trimmer
- 5 Trimmer Combs
- Body Groomer
- 2 Groomer Combs
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Charging Stand
Braun Series 5 52-N7650cc (With Cleaning Station)
- Beard Trimmer
- 5 Trimmer Combs
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Turbo Mode
Braun Series 5 52-B1650s (With travel case)
- Beard Trimmer
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Turbo Mode
Braun Series 5 52-N1000si (With travel case)
- Beard Trimmer
- Body Groomer
- 2 Groomer Combs
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Charging Station
- Protective Cap
Braun Series 5 52-B1650s (With 5 trimmer combs and no charging station, plus turbo)
- Beard Trimmer
- 5 Trimmer Combs
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Charging Station
- Protective Cap
Braun Series 5 51-M4500cs
- Beard Trimmer
- 5 Trimmer Combs
- Cleaning Brush
- Wired Charger
- Protective Cap
Braun Series 5 51-W1500s
Some models include combs and trimmers while others include cleaning and charging stations and often times a mix of the two.
There’s tons of models to choose from with different combinations of all these accessories, and that’s why we’re providing you with a table. Here’s what you should expect in the package for the most basic model with all its accessories being available alongside every unit (5118s):
- Trimmer attachment
- Protection cap
- Small Cleaning brush
- Charger
- User manual
A unit like this with its cheap cost and being light on accessories is perfect for the average person that doesn’t need extra equipment, offering exclusive features or not.
If you start out with a model like this one, you can almost always find ways to purchase accessories independently that we’ll talk about in their respective sections.
Important: Some of the S5 models say they include a travel bag but in reality don’t.
Cleaning Brush
Every model here includes a cleaning brush.
I primarily used the cleaning brush the polish up parts because especially after drying, there will be some water marks and/or dust.
Getting into the grooves or grip of the shaver is tough and calls for some light scrubbing with something damp like a wet towel.
You can also use it for sweeping loose hairs in the cassette and body, but overall I didn’t find it too useful for that intended reason of it.
Trimmer & EasyClick Attachments
Some models include varying lengths of guard combs in quantities of 2-5 for the Precision Trimmer.
If you’re planning to grow your beard out, you may want a model that has them.
I’d recommend learning a bit more about how it performs later in the article.
There is also a body groomer that includes 2 trimmer guards.
This is a convenient solution if you aren’t in the market for a separate Body Trimmer tool but need a quick solution for light use.
Only 2 out of all the models have one of these, so always pay close attention when buying.
Cleaning and Charging Stations
Only some of the Braun Series 5 models come with an automatic cleaning station / SmartCare Center or charging station with the former being reserves to Europe.
To distinguish between the 3 types, it’s CC for cleaning stations, CS for charging stations and S for neither station.
If you already own the shaver or need to buy one by itself, here are the compatible models:
In my opinion Braun missed a major opportunity to include a SmartCare model for this shaver
It can be a hastle to purchase these stations due to availability plus ordering separately in general.
You can see more info about how the cleaning and charging stations are useful later in the article.
Travel Lock
By simply holding down the power button for 3 seconds, you’re both childproofing and preventing foil damage in your luggage.
The shaver will beep 3 times for each second you hold it down until it locks, displaying an icon on the screen and not allowing the power to be on.
To unlock the shaver, press and hold for another 3 seconds.
I’m glad they included this small feature because it definitely helps to easy my anxiety about things like this.
Protective Cap
There is a protective cap included with all models that offers foil protection in place of a travel case.
The Series 5 is the only Braun shaver to include one of these.
It’s a cheap solution, but this little piece of plastic can prevent wear and tear pretty well.
Sometimes when removing the protective cap it has a tendency to take the whole cassette off, other times it pops off a bit too easily.
Design & Motor
The design of this shaver seems pretty standard, but there’s some things that stand out whether that be positive or negatively.
Rating
Motor Power (Cutting Actions) & AutoSense
AutoSense technology supposedly adjusts motor speed based on your beard density, offering a more consistent shaving experience.
I honestly can’t make out much of a difference in sound while shaving, but this is a pattern I’ve noticed with most shavers.
For future reference too, I don’t feel a change in power during my shave but I do believe there is benefits to it.
The amount of cutting actions on gentle mode for this shaver is 24,000 and I’ve found this sufficient enough to achieve a smooth face, although being on the lower end.
That is not to mention Turbo Mode:
Turbo Mode Addition
Not all the Braun Series 5 models include turbo mode, this feature is exclusive to models with “51xx” prefix in the US or “52xx” in Europe.
It works by taking the motor power up to a total of 26,000 cutting actions per minute from 24,000, a difference of 500 RPM in other terms.
It’s enough to make an audible difference and feel it vibrate slightly more.
You can read all about the performance difference across the entire Shaving Experience section.
There’s times when and when not to use this mode. Personalization factors are responsible for that.
Simplified LED Display
There are 6 indicators counting the charging dots as one.
To view the LED screen it first needs to be turned on, but it stays lit up for a couple seconds after powering down.
The indicators present on the shaver are:
- Foil replacement
- Cleaning station use
- Turbo mode
- Charging
- Travel lock
- Low or no charge
It’s not that complicated to understand what all the symbols mean, and I like the extra notice that the shaver is low on battery especially so I don’t get caught mid-shave.
All the other indicators are essential.
My only complaint has to due with the charging dots, as I prefer a strip style instead. It more accurately tells you the percentage plus looks better in the process.
Everything here was strictly designed to be functional, but that’s what we look for in quality shavers.
Remember: Only stop charging once the third dot becomes solid to reach full charge.
3 Blade Shaving System
Three main elements (two outer foils and the middle trimmer) make up this standard foil shaver.
The middle trimmer catches the longer hairs that are missed by the outer foils which are meant for closeness after the fact.
These 3 elements flex left, right and dip down affecting the way contouring takes place that we will explain more of later.
One thing I wished there would be if I had the choice is head movement.
Sometimes I find the pivoting element movement could use some support in tricky areas for your beard, but this is enough for a basic shaver like this.
Note: The Series 6 is basically the Series 5 with a flexible head.
One of the flaws I can’t stand is the unnecessarily wide frame that causes skin contact problems and prevents proper contouring when pressing too hard.
It doesn’t interfere with performance too much though and I feel like pressing with less pressure alleviates the problem.
Once you get that part down, there will be no more plastic rubbing against your cheek and less chance for it to hinder performance.
How to Remove The Attachments
The process is simple.
All you do is place two of your fingers on either groove and pull up. It can be a little tricky at first, but there’s a solution I found:
The easiest and simplest way is to pull the attachment up with your thumb. It may seem simple, but removes a lot of the frustration at stake.
Some people think that a press and slide mechanism as seen in the S9 would be more convenient, but EasyClick doesn’t bother me too much.
I do prefer the other style though because it makes things much smoother and sometimes it feels a bit rough when removing or attaching pieces.
Lacking a pop-up trimmer, you may have to undergo this process a bit more because of swapping between attachments.
Braun Series 5 Replacement Head
The two cassettes (54b and 53b) are interchangeable and have no noticeable difference in performance or design.
I recommend purchasing the one that’s on sale or currently available, as there’s no pros or cons to either or.
If you want to purchase replacement cassettes, you can find them both here:
How often should you replace Braun Series 5 blades?
Consistent use will wear out the cassette faster, but they’ll typically last you around 16-18 months. Some people say that the S5 cassette degrades fast (lasting around a year with heavy use), but that time period is usually satisfactory. Dull blades cause irritation, so ensure replacement if experiencing performance issues such as snagging or skin irritation.
Charging & Battery Performance
The Li-Ion battery in the Series 5 last around 50 minutes on gentle and 40 minutes on turbo.
That means each charging cycle will last you roughly 3 weeks of consistent use before you charge again even if using consistently.
Every model includes a cable that charges the shaver for the same amount of time it lasts, and this works fine unless you need a fancy alternative (with no impact on time) such as a Charging Station.
The connector and port type is barrel type and have this appearance:
A small but useful feature, if you charge your shaver for only 5 minutes you’ll get enough juice for a full shave.
QuickCharge will be appealing if you find yourself forgetting to charge the shaver the night before use is needed.
This is a cordless shaver, so you won’t be able to use it plugged in.
There isn’t much to complain about here, but also not alot to brag about.
Ergonomics & Build Design
The grip on the Braun Series 5 is spectacular due to the rubber on the front and back of the shaver, plus I can appreciate the diagonal thumb grip direction.
It’s also still easy to have a view of the LED display and press buttons.
Materials used is a mix of plastic, rubber, and metal for all models, and these are responsible for the lightweight feel but it doesn’t feel like it’s hollow or cheap and keeps its quality feel.
The total weight comes in at around 175 Grams (6oz) with the foil head in place.
Colors
With most of the Series 5’s details being related to functionality, this is the one area for customization.
I don’t mind the colors for the original Braun Series 5 (mostly black with blue spots and line), but I always look for alternatives to find the best ones.
I found that most of them are exclusive to buyers in Europe, but here is what I found for you:
- Black (Braun Series 5 5018s) (USA) (Braun Series 5 52-N1000si) (Europe)
(Braun Series 5 52-N1200s) (Europe) (Braun Series 5 52-N7650cc ) (Europe) - White (Braun Series 5 5050cs) (USA) (Braun Series 5 51-W1500s) (Europe)
- Red (Braun Series 5 51-51-R1000s) (Europe)
- Green (Braun Series 5 51-M4500cs) (Europe)
- Azure (Braun Series 5 52-A1000s) (Europe) (Braun Series 5 52-A1820si) (Europe)
My preference is definitely black with its simplicity but that may have changed if more options were available in the USA.
Shaving Experience
The Series 5 definitely holds its value for the money, but is that enough for the average male user? Turbo Mode has a direct effect on performance with its ups and downs, but is an essential feature for reasons you’ll see.
Rating
Braun Series 5 EasyClean
Closeness
After the initial shave of 4 days growth, I was mostly impressed with the shave the Braun Series 5 achieves even though it wasn’t the smoothest feeling of shaves but was visibly perfect.
For the price, it’s definitely worth what you’re offered. I only felt a few short coarse hairs post shave.
It’ll take a few more strokes for tricky / coarse areas such as the neck and jaw to reach acceptable quality, but this is less apparent on the cheeks.
I feel like a majority of the positivity comes from the 3 flexible blades that aid with contouring, but I experienced even more the next shave when utilized Turbo Mode, and I was surprised once again.
Time to shave is much faster than gentle mode, and I recommend using turbo mode as your regular strictly for this reason if there’s no issues appearing.
Normal mode will be enough for the average person though, most of the benefits from turbo mode come from time saved.
Missed Patches & Longer Hairs
Some spots that the S5 handles exceptionally well while most electric razors struggle is below the nose and neck.
I honestly thought that the wide frame would cause more issues with missed patches, but it wasn’t all that bad.
On the contrary my sideburns gave me the most trouble when I wasn’t using turbo mode, forcing me to shave over them a fair amount.
The shaver also missed out on some of the finer peach fuzz hairs that caused me to give up after not being able to catch them.
Most of these missed patches were caused by longer, flat lying hairs usually after more than 4 days of growth, which I recommend as a limit without a pre-trim.
The cassette handle these well and again can extend your time shaving significantly.
Yes while you may be able to allow more growth if using turbo mode, that isn’t always the ideal solution.
People I recommend this product to are people who shave fairly consistently unless they’re prepared to use multiple attachments in the process of achieving a smooth face.
Can you shave your balls with the Braun S5?
Yes, you can use the Braun Series 5 to shave your groin area with the requirement of a Body Groomer attachment. This is only available for some models but will prevent any irritation you would get from using the standard cassette.
Comfort
After shaving daily, I experienced little irritation and zero redness, with a bit showing up for turbo plus along with a bit more irritation.
When I mentioned repeated movement I didn’t mention the potential drawbacks of it, which can be all related to comfort.
I find that shaving coarser or longer sections with Turbo Mode allows for less burn as it’s more effecient and calls for less strokes.
On the cheeks or any easier areas, it was the opposite so I stopped soon as I felt it coming on.
Skin irritation factors can vary for different skin types and ages of people so consider that when choosing to use turbo or not.
This shaver is reasonably comfortable but I still experience slight irritation in certain scenarios.
If you don’t have sensitive skin, Turbo Mode is no longer a potential issue.
Can you wet shave with the Braun Series 5?
While the Series 5 is fully capable of using with water or shaving creams, gels and foams I don’t fully advise for you to even try it out if you fit a certain demographic.
I will admit, the S5 glides exceptionally well across the skin while wet shaving, even though most of us will be using it dry due to skin irritation.
After wet shaving my face was left fairly painful to the touch even though only using a thin layer and going in the opposite direction of growth.
My face was slightly dry that day, but in my experience this doesn’t happen too often and that fact that it happens at all is a concern to take into account.
Pain began to suffice after around 12 hours, where it then became negligible.
The type of shaving cream I used was tube shaving cream, being the highest quality for the test.
Noise
The noise isn’t too terrible and I didn’t disturb anyone, but that doesn’t mean the motor isn’t powerful.
Series 5
Turbo Mode S5
It’s not as quiet as a rotary shaver (Braun has none of these) but won’t be an issue as it’s much less than other shavers I’ve utilized.
I thought turbo mode would be much worse, but it was only higher pitched and not much louder.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Braun has always made maintaining your shaver’s health easy and that is the same case here. The addition of EasyClean also holds some value and its uniqueness makes things more interesting.
Rating
Is the Braun Series 5 Waterproof?
Yes, the Braun Series 5 is 100% waterproof with a guarantee of no damage. You can use it in the shower or sink with shaving creams, gels, foams or rinsing out under the tap. This shaver is cordless so you can’t use it plugged in.
How To Clean Braun Series 5
There’s only a couple steps to the process:
Remove And Tap The Cassette
Start by removing the cassette and setting aside the body.
Afterwards, you want to gently tap the foil cassette on whatever surface is in front of you to knock loose hairs stuck inside.
Keep the shaver detached, as you’ll need to reach the internals a bit deeper:
Rinse Pieces Thoroughly Under Sink
I found rinsing for around 10 seconds each part at minimum did the trick to flush hairs out, all the while switching up the angle to reach everywhere.
The cassette may be a bit harder to clear out, so ensure you double check it.
Lather With Soap (Optional)
If you consistently shave wet with any types of cream, gel or foam than this step is necessary. If you just want a more thorough clean, that’s fine too.
Simply apply a pump of liquid soap on the cassette and spread it around with your fingers while the head is attached and shaver on.
Letting it run like this for 10-20 seconds with all the spreading occurring will help the soap to reach all grime.
After done this, rinse again for another 10-20 seconds until all soap residue is cleaned out.
Dry The Components
Gently pat the parts you cleaned dry with preferably a towel and let them sit detached from other another.
They don’t need to be completely void of water, but this is good practice to keep your shaver pristine.
If you’re keeping up and doing these things properly then significant extension of the lifespan is guaranteed, but ensuring lubrication for it does the most to help:
How To Lubricate Your Braun S5:
With the shaver being both clean and dry, prepare your preferred lubricant (clipper or spray oil) and apply one drop or short spray to the cassette.
After this, let it run for 5 seconds and wipe off any excess.
Even though the shaver stays cool right until the end, it should still be once or twice a week that you undergo this process.
I stress this mostly because cleaning can strip any lubricant, but especially if you’re cleaning with soap as it’ll speed it up even more.
EasyClean System
On either side of the shaver is two holes that open up to the internals of this waterproof shaver and allow for water to pass through.
The plastic is blue around the outside of them, so they’re easy to spot.
EasyClean won’t deep clean your shaver and definitely isn’t ideal for washing after wet shaving.
However, I found its use to be great if you’ve only completed a light, dry shave where a majority of caught hairs can be flushed out.
Make sure you’re holding the shaver at a steep angle like in the second image, obsverving if the water is coming out the cassette to make sure it isn’t flowing straight out the other side.
This feature isn’t going to change much in your routine, but it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it and it makes for an interesting angle they took.
Automatic Cleaning
The only benefit there is to owning one of these is that the maintenance process is faster, but this can be useful to some plus it’s a cool piece of tech.
All of the things this station does can be done manually, but the only difference is that here you insert a cartridge, press a button and it does everything for you.
It handles lubrication, cleaning and charging making it the all in one solution.
As mentioned before non of the Series 5 USA models come with a cleaning station, so you’ll need to buy one separately.
Here you can find the Braun Type 5435 SmartCare station that’s also compatible with the Series 6 and 7:
Is the Braun Series 5 worth it?
This shaver provides quick and quality shaves that are worth the price but the main highlight turbo mode. This shaver already performs very well for the price. If used properly, it can provide a close, comfortable and smooth shave and turbo Mode speeds things up even more.
While some may experience skin irritation when using this mode for others it’s a huge time saver and achieves a close shave with minimal missed patches in a reasonable amount of time.
The lack of a travel case or cleaning station for the USA makes it a bit basic, but this shaver has most features anyone would need such as trimmers, chargers, and guards.
The design is great with exceptional grip, decent colors and solid materials.
Maintenance is easy to complete with the lack of a cleaning station if you don’t wish to purchase one separately in addition to EasyClean changing things up a bit.
Besides a few issues such as minor irritation, missed patches and frame width there isn’t much of a reason not to buy it.
Braun Series 5 vs 6 – Model & General Comparison
Most of the differences when comparing the Braun Series 5 vs 6 are small, but add up in the end to make for an interesting comparison.
Braun Series 6 Review (Turbo Mode) and Model Comparison
The Braun Series 6 is a great addition to the lineup, plus Turbo Mode and SensoFlex are essential features in this solid medium end shaver.
