Braun Series 9 Review 2026: Is This Premium Electric Shaver Still Worth It?

If you want a premium electric shaver that can handle thick beard growth while keeping the skin comfortable, the Braun Series 9 has been one of the strongest choices for years. In 2026, however, there is an important update: the Series 9 PRO+ is no longer Braun’s newest flagship platform, because Braun has introduced the new NEVO range. Still, the Series 9 PRO+ remains a high-end shaver and can be a very good buy, especially when discounted.

In this review, we will look at the Series 9 PRO+, its shaving performance, comfort, battery, cleaning system, pros and cons, and whether it is still worth buying in 2026.

Braun Series 9 at a Glance

Feature	Braun Series 9 PRO+
Shaving system	Foil
Shaving elements	5+1 synchronized elements
Beard sensor	Pro SensoAdapt
Head movement	Up to 40°
Wet & Dry	Yes
Waterproof	100%
Battery	Up to 60 minutes
Quick charge	5 minutes
Cleaning station	5-in-1 or 6-in-1, depending on model
Travel case	Available with selected models
Replacement head	Around every 18 months
Best for	Daily shaving, thick beard, sensitive skin

Braun’s current Series 9 PRO+ models use five synchronized shaving elements, a flexible head, automatic power adjustment and a built-in precision trimmer. Some bundles also include the 6-in-1 SmartCare Center and PowerCase.

Design and Build Quality

The Series 9 PRO+ has the premium look you would expect from an expensive electric shaver. It has a solid handle, a large foil shaving head and a comfortable grip.

The overall design is made for regular use. The shaver feels substantial in the hand without being difficult to control.

One advantage of the Series 9 family is the flexible shaving head. It can follow areas such as the jawline, chin and neck better than a completely fixed foil head.

The head can also be locked when you want more control in a particular area.

Shaving Performance

This is where the Braun Series 9 PRO+ really stands out.

It uses 5+1 synchronized shaving elements designed to catch different types of facial hair. Braun combines technologies such as OptiFoil, ProLift, SkinGuard and Direct&Cut to deal with short, long and flat-lying hairs.

The latest 96XX version also introduced a redesigned 96M shaving cassette. Independent testing found that it can provide slightly better closeness than older Series 9 PRO+ versions, although the improvement is not huge.

For normal daily stubble, the Series 9 PRO+ is very fast. You usually do not need to make many passes over the same area.

It also performs well on a few days of growth. This makes it useful for people who do not shave every day.

Is It Good for Thick Beards?

Yes.

The Pro SensoAdapt system continuously reads beard density and adjusts the power. Braun says its system analyzes beard density 300 times per second.

This is useful if your beard is not the same thickness everywhere. For example, you may have lighter hair on your cheeks and much thicker growth around your chin and neck.

The motor can increase power where needed without requiring you to manually change settings.

Independent testing has also found the Series 9 PRO+ particularly good with longer and tougher stubble.

Comfort and Sensitive Skin

Comfort is probably the biggest reason to consider the Series 9.

The foil system is designed to cut hair while limiting unnecessary contact between the cutting elements and your skin. The SkinGuard element also helps protect the skin.

Independent reviews have generally rated the Series 9 PRO+ highly for comfort. GQ’s 2026 testing described the shave as very close and comfortable, including around difficult areas such as the neck.

That does not mean irritation is impossible. Your skin type, shaving pressure and technique still matter. But compared with many powerful electric shavers, the Series 9 is designed to balance closeness and comfort very well.

Shaving Difficult Areas

The jawline, chin and area under the nose can be difficult for any electric shaver.

The Series 9 PRO+’s flexible head helps here because the shaving head can adapt to facial contours. Braun specifies up to 40 degrees of head adaptation.

The built-in ProTrimmer is also useful for sideburns and longer hairs.

However, if you regularly maintain a detailed beard style, a dedicated beard trimmer will still give you more control than the built-in trimmer.

Wet and Dry Shaving

The Series 9 PRO+ is 100% waterproof, so you can use it for dry shaving or with water, shaving foam or gel, depending on the model and your routine. Braun states that the shaver is designed for wet and dry use.

Dry shaving is normally faster and cleaner, while wet shaving can feel more comfortable for some users.

If you use foam or gel, remember to rinse the shaving head properly afterward.

Battery Life

Battery performance is another strong point.

The Series 9 PRO+ provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving time. It also supports a 5-minute quick charge, which is useful when you forget to charge the shaver before going out.

Some bundles include Braun’s PowerCase. Braun says the PowerCase can provide up to six weeks of shaving based on its usage assumptions.

For normal home use, the standard 60-minute battery should be more than enough.

SmartCare Cleaning Station

Higher-end Series 9 PRO+ packages come with Braun’s 6-in-1 SmartCare Center.

The station can automatically clean, lubricate, dry and charge the shaver. This makes maintenance much easier.

The main downside is that you need cleaning cartridges, so there is an ongoing cost.

If you prefer to clean your shaver manually, you can save some money, but the cleaning station is one of the features that makes the premium Series 9 models convenient.

Braun Series 9 PRO+ Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Very close shave	Expensive
Excellent comfort	Cleaning cartridges add cost
Good for thick and longer stubble	Can be noisy
60-minute battery	Built-in trimmer is not a replacement for a full trimmer
5-minute quick charge	Premium models can be overkill for light beard growth
100% waterproof	Some older Series 9 models offer less value in 2026
Flexible 40° head	Not the absolute newest Braun platform
Excellent cleaning station on selected models	Replacement shaving heads are expensive

Independent 2026 testing also highlighted the Series 9 PRO+’s excellent closeness and comfort while noting its relatively high price, noise and mediocre dedicated trimming performance.

Braun Series 9 vs Series 9 PRO+

The original Series 9 is still available in some markets and configurations. Braun’s current product pages list both Series 9 and Series 9 PRO+ models.

The Series 9 PRO+ is the better choice if the price difference is reasonable.

It adds improvements such as the ProComfort head on certain models, updated shaving technology and improved long-hair trimming. The newest 96XX models also use the newer 96M cassette.

If you already own a relatively new Series 9 PRO or PRO+, however, upgrading just for a slightly closer shave may not make financial sense.

Is Braun Series 9 Still Worth Buying in 2026?

This is the most important question.

Yes, but choose the model carefully.

The Series 9 PRO+ remains an excellent premium electric shaver. It is particularly attractive if you find a good deal on a 95XX or 96XX model.

But there is now a major new competitor from Braun itself.

Braun has launched NEVO, its new flagship shaving platform. Braun says NEVO introduces AeroTouch technology, a new low-friction foil design, 250 diamond-sharp cutting edges and a new intelligent processor.

The company positions NEVO as its best shaver yet and says it can glide up to 24% better than previous Braun shavers.

So, if you want the newest Braun technology, NEVO is the model to look at.

If you want premium performance for less money, a discounted Series 9 PRO+ can still be a smarter purchase.

Braun Series 9 PRO+ vs Braun NEVO

Feature	Series 9 PRO+	Braun NEVO
Position	Previous flagship platform	New flagship platform
Shaving technology	5+1 synchronized elements	AeroTouch system
Beard sensor	Pro SensoAdapt	NEVO Smart Processor
Sensor analysis	300x/sec	340x/sec
Battery	Up to 60 min	Up to 60 min
Quick charge	5 min	5 min
Waterproof	Yes	Yes
Cleaning system	Up to 6-in-1	7-in-1
Head adaptation	40°	40°
Travel PowerCase	Selected models	Selected models
Best reason to buy	Proven performance + discounts	Latest Braun technology

Braun’s own comparison shows NEVO using a newer sensor system and 7-in-1 care system, while Series 9 PRO+ uses Pro SensoAdapt and the 6-in-1 SmartCare system on selected models.

Who Should Buy Braun Series 9?

The Series 9 PRO+ makes the most sense for:

• Men with thick or coarse facial hair
• People who shave frequently
• Men who want a very comfortable foil shave
• Users with sensitive skin
• People who want a premium cleaning station
• Travelers who want the PowerCase
• Anyone who finds a Series 9 PRO+ at a good discount

It is less attractive if you only have light facial hair or rarely shave. In that case, a cheaper Braun Series 5, Series 6 or Series 7 can provide better value.

Final Verdict

The Braun Series 9 PRO+ is still one of the best premium foil shavers you can buy in 2026. It gives a close shave, handles thick stubble well and offers excellent skin comfort. Its 60-minute battery, waterproof construction and optional SmartCare cleaning system make it a very complete grooming tool.

However, the situation has changed because Braun has now introduced NEVO as its newer flagship platform.

Our rating: 4.5/5

If you already have an older Series 9 and it works well, there is no urgent reason to upgrade. But if you are buying your first premium Braun and find the Series 9 PRO+ at a strong discount, it remains an excellent choice.

Best for: Close, comfortable shaving with powerful performance
Main weakness: High price and expensive maintenance
2026 verdict: Still worth buying at the right price.