Add The New York Post on Google I have avoided using electric shavers for years because they never got the job done, but Panasonic’s ARC5 Pro razor just made me change my tune.
The art of shaving isn’t as easy as TV ads make it look — at least it hasn’t been that way for me. Some guys might have the luxury of using any old shaver they please, but my stubborn stubble has always required a little extra effort.
It’s not for lack of trying. Covering men’s grooming over the years has made me a prime target for PR pitches offering the latest shaving innovations, but all of them failed to give me as close a shave as my go-to manual razor. Needless to say, Panasonic had a lot to prove if they wanted to impress me with the ARC5 electric razor.
Utilizing Japanese technology, the ARC5 Pro features ultra-sharp blades encased under 5 outer foils — all made from hypoallergenic stainless-steel for sensitive skin. The internal linear motor is designed to easily power through thicker patches of hair and has sensors which adjust how much battery power is being utilized to handle those denser areas. The shaver can run continuously for around 45 minutes on a single charge.
My product preferences are as stubborn as my beard stubble, so to say that I was a tough sell on this shaver feels like an understatement.
Although it pains me to admit it, I was wrong. The ARC5 Pro gave me the closest shave I have ever gotten from an electric razor. It was quick, easy, and actually sort of fun having it pivot to the contours of my face and feel the motor get a little extra juice when it got to the area around my chin, which tends to be where my beard grows thickest. I have officially found my new travel shaver.
It has slightly more weight than similar razors I have used, but that’s understandable considering the smart motor and everything else it has going on inside. I also found myself fearing that the pivoting head was going to snap off if I applied too much pressure, but that feeling went away the more I used it.
Ultimately, while it may be heavier and bulkier than similar products I have experimented with, the results were far more effective proving that sometimes bigger actually is better.
Is it worth it? Consider me a convert. My skepticism went down the drain with all of those little hairs that will eventually clog the sink. Although some might think twice about the price, this is an investment piece from a brand that has been churning out quality electronics for decades. The ARC5 Pro is ideal for shaving on the go or when you’re trying to tame some unruly scruff.
My primary criticism is not about the razor itself, but the self-cleaning charging station you can pay extra for. Some may find it practical, but I found it noisy and not very user-friendly.
I shaved with the ARC5 Pro on four different occasions with my facial hair at various lengths. I tested the special features, including the self-cleaning charging base. I took into account how close of a shave it provided and how long it took to finish the job.
