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The Panasonic ES8243A Arc4 is one shaver on the market that promises to provide the closest, cleanest, smoothest shave through its combination of unique innovative features. I was enticed by some of these features – particularly by its innovative Nanotech four-blade design and ultra-powerful motor drive – so I decided to give it a try myself.
The final verdict? This is one razor that delivers. There were a lot of things I loved about it and not much to complain about. If you’re looking for an electric razor you can count on to deliver a super-close shave, this one is certainly worth a try. From its patented Nanotech blades and its ultra-thin Arc4 foil to its linear motor drive and lightweight, you can definitely get a super-close shave with the Panasonic Arc4 electric shaver for men.
Innovative Features Deliver Comfort and Precision
The Panasonic Arc4 is designed with a ton of features all geared toward delivering the closest shave possible. These are the main features that got my attention and really delivered.
Four-Blade Nanotech System
The razor is built with four patented Nanotech blades that sit on the outside of the foil. These are precision honed to sit at a 30-degree edge. There are also two inner blades that side inside the razor. These are designed with a special coating that makes them twice as sharp as standard blades.
This four-blade system is designed to capture, lift and hold hair to deliver a clean cut at the base of the follicle. The Arc4 blades and foils are also stainless steel and hypoallergenic. This provides a close, comfortable shave for any skin type without causing irritation. This was another feature that really drew me in. I have sensitive skin and tend to experience razor burn and itchiness even after using razors that are marketing toward men with sensitive skin. However, with this shaver, I was pleased to find that there was no discomfort when I was done shaving – just smooth, baby-soft skin.
Pop-Up Trimmer
The shaver is also built with a pop-up trimmer that’s super easy to use. It sits at the back of the shaver and when you want to use it, you just pop it up. It’s great for touching up your sideburns, mustache, and even neck hairs.
Awesome Added Features
Aside from the features that help the Arc4 deliver a great shave, it comes with some awesome added features for convenience.
The shaver’s sonic vibration mode makes cleaning simple. You can activate this mode whenever you want. It revs the motor up to 17,000 cuts per minute, which shakes out any hair, foam, or gel that may have got stuck. This stuff can be difficult to clean out without this feature, so I really liked it.
Speaking of foam and gel, this shaver is cordless and 100% waterproof. You can use it in the shower or just standing over a sink for a quick shave. You can use it dry or with foam or gel. Whatever way you use it, it will always give you a smooth and comfortable shave.
One great feature that I think every electric shaver should have is the digital LCD screen. The screen displays a shave timer, the status of battery power on a scale of 1 to 10, a charge indicator, and a reminder for cleaning as well as for the replacement of foils or blades.
What do You Get When You Order?
When you order the Panasonic ES8243A, you will receive the electric razor, a travel pouch, and a rechargeable AC adapter. Every Panasonic electric shaver also comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Built for Precision, Comfort, and Convenience
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the Panasonic ES8243A is that it’s built with four patented stainless steel, hypoallergenic Arc4 Nanotech blades. The super-sharp precision of the blades provides a quick, clean shave whether you use it wet or dry. The hypoallergenic steel means you don’t have to worry about irritation after shaving, no matter how sensitive your skin is.
Precision
Even the foil on this shaver is innovative. The multi-fit stainless steel Arc4 foil is much thinner than the foil on any other electric shaver I’ve seen. The ultra-thin design allows the shaving head to conform to the contours of your face for that super-close shave you’ve been looking for.
Comfort
In addition to the razor’s four patented outer blades, two super-sharp inner blades, and its ultra-thin foil, the shaving head of the ES8243A is gently curved. This design allows you to move the razor in a circular motion instead of straight up-and-down like most of the razors on the market.
Convenience
The shaver is 100% waterproof and is designed with an easy-grip, non-slip handle. It’s also cordless and rechargeable. You can shave anywhere with it – in the shower, over the sink, on the go – and you can use it with shaving gel, foam, or dry.
Don’t let the high-performance linear motor drive of the Arc4 fool you. This powerful grooming tool weighs in at a mere 6.2 ounces. With its lightweight, cordless design and convenient travel pouch, you can take it anywhere with you. These convenience factors are ideal for guys like me who are always on the go.
Never Run Out of Charge
The Panasonic ES8243A Arc4 has a rechargeable battery that will last a couple of weeks when it’s at full charge. I used mine for 14 days before I had to plug it in to charge again. The best thing about this battery is that it will work at full power until the battery runs out. I’ve used electric razors before that start running slower when the battery starts getting low, which is annoying because the shave won’t be as close and sometimes it will be uneven because of this as well. But with the Arc4, the shave is always super close and super even and smooth, even on the last little bit of battery.
If your battery is running low while you’re in a hurry, there’s a quick charge feature built-in. This allows you to charge the shaver for just five minutes to get enough power for a full shave. However, it’s unlikely that you will run out of battery because the LCD screen on the front of the handle displays 10 levels of battery power along with an indicator to tell you when the battery is running low
Shave with Power
This lightweight razor packs a powerful punch. It’s built with a high-performance Panasonic linear motor drive that delivers 13,000 cuts per minute. Standard razors on the market today run at 8,000 to 10,000 cuts per minute on average. This extra power gets you a close, smooth shave without tugging or pulling on your hair or skin. This power combined with a flexible, pivoting shaving head means that you can move the razor in a circular motion as it glides over your chin, jaw, neck, and faces effortlessly.
As if that weren’t enough of a powerful feature, the Panasonic Arc4 took power to the next level. The shaver is designed to maintain peak battery power all the way up until the end of the charge. Unlike other shavers that slow down and start to shave unevenly as the battery drains, this one ensures that your shave will always be close, even, and consistent.
What You Should Know
As I mentioned at the beginning of this Panasonic ES8243A Arc4 review, there really wasn’t anything for me to dislike about this shaver. It really delivered on its main selling point, which is to deliver an ultra-close, smooth shave. However, there are a couple of things for you to know before you decide to purchase one for yourself:
- When the blades and foil become dull, you will need to replace them. Replacement packs are easy to find. You can purchase the blades and foil together or find them each sold separately. There’s also a convenient indicator on the LCD screen that will let you know when either of these needs to be replaced.
- Although it’s built with universal voltage, meaning that you can use it anywhere in the world, it’s only available for purchase in the United States.
Pros
- It’s lightweight
- It gives a super close shave
- LCD screen indicates when the battery is running low
It’s a Keeper
When I got the Arc4, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m a skeptic, so I was definitely wary about all the emphasis on the four blades, the extra power, and all the other features packed into this razor that promised to deliver such a close, smooth shave. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it really pulled through, and after two weeks with it, I didn’t want to let it go. It’s definitely a keeper if you’re looking to find an electric razor that will deliver the closest shave possible.