Braun Series 3 390CC-4 Review

The Braun Series 3 390CC-4 is a modern mid-range facial shaver that comes with an attractive charging unit. Both the shaver and the charging station have a black and blue color scheme that look great and far more expensive that they are. They both have a thick plastic outer that is finished with a sleek and shiny gloss.

The Braun Series 3 390CC-4 that we are reviewing uses a foil shaver head, as do most Braun products, that can be used wet or dry. This is great for those of us who prefer to use a shaving cream or to shave in the shower . The 390CC-4 is completely cordless and can be recharged in the charging station.

Design of the Series 3 390cc-4

There are two main types of shavers ; rotary and foil. Philips is famous for the former whilst Braun is known for their foil shavers. Braun has claimed in the past that there types of foil shavers can reduce irritation because they are designed to be used in a swiping motion rather than in a circular pattern. The Series 3 is a long series of shavers from Braun that are relatively new and a little more expensive that their previous ranges. However, they are also some of their best and come with fancy features such as the charging station.

Shaving Head and Blades on the 390CC-4

The shaving head itself is able flex and contour to the shape of your face to allow a comfortable gliding motion. What this does it bend the blades to any small bumps in your face to make sure that no hair is missed. This prevents you have to go over the same spot multiple times which could cause irritation.

Braun’s foil system is comprised of 3 distinct blades. Together they have a triple action cutting system that means they are able to cut hair the first time, regardless of whether it is long or short.

Lot’s of men swear by Braun’s foil system and claim that it offers a superior shave to the rotary system which is used by some competitors.

Braun has a patented “SensoFoil technology” that is supposed to be able to ‘sense’ the hair. It does this with hundreds of small holes in the foil which the hair can push through and then be cleanly cut. This prevents the hair from being pulled, instead, it simply falls into the holes naturally before it is cut.

As with all of Braun’s modern shavers, the Series 3 390CC-4 is completely waterproof. You can use it in the shower or with any cream or gel that you use.

Braun Series 3 Clean and Renew Station

This also means that you can clean the shaver with water. Fortunately, the charging station has a built-in “Clean and Renew” system that will clean and then lubricate the blades of the 390CC-4. Every time you use it, it will be like the first time.

This is the first series of Braun shavers that had the “Clean and Renew” charging stations. Essentially, the station will take care of everything for you from charging through to cleaning and maintenance . All you have to do it put your shaver in after you’re finished and press a button.

The station itself does require that you insert new cleaning cartridges every two to three months to ensure that it can operate properly. They are replaceable and slide easy into the bottom of the station.

You don’t have to use the cleaning station, you could choose to simply wash it under running water. However, the cleaning cartridges include a strong alcohol-based solution that will eliminate any bacteria, so, we would highly recommend that you use the cleaning station regularly.

You’ll want to consider this on-going cost when deciding which shaver to buy. These cartridges aren’t cheap but they do make your life easier and ensure that the shaver is safe and clean to use.

The power button on the 390CC-4 is located in the middle of the front panel and has a bright blue LED to indicate when it is on. Underneath, you’ll notice a series of LED lights that are used to tell you the remaining power, when it needs to be cleaned and when it needs a replacement part fitted.

On the back of the unit you also get a pop-up detail trimmer which is designed to be used on your sideburns and to detail facial hair. If you’ve read any of our other shaver reviews then you’ll notice how often we complain about trimmer that pop-out at 90 degrees. Fortunately, the 390CC slides upwards above the main foil shaver. This allows for a far more natural movement and greater control over the blade.

This trimmer should also be used if you haven’t shaved in a few days or your hair is particularly tough. A common error that men make is to use the main foil shaver on longer hair and then complain that it struggles to cut it. You should ensure that you’re trimming that hair down first with the built-in trimmer and then shaving it clean with the foil shaver.

For a mid-range shaver with a complete cleaning station the Series 3 390CC-4 is sold at a very reasonable price. Braun designed this range as the little brother to their Series 9 range which is far more expensive.

What's in the Box?

When you open up the box you’ll find that you also get a few accessories. A cleaning brush is provided for day-to-day cleaning if you choose not to use the cleaning station. There is a SmartPlug that can be used at any voltage between 100V and 240V, meaning that you can travel across most of Europe and North America without having any problem . You’ll get one cleaning cartridge for the station. Finally, you get an attractive travel pouch.

It’s recommended that you should change the shaving heads every 18 months but many men have reported that they have gone far longer without replacing it. The amount of time you can get from a single foil and cutter is likely to depend on how thick your hair is, how often you use the shaver and whether you clean it regularly with the cleaning station.

Is the Braun Series 3 390cc-4 Worth the Money?

These extra on-going costs need to be considered when you decide which shaver to buy, they are going to be slightly higher with models in the Series 3 range because you need to also buy refills for the cleaning station.

Overall, we think that the extra cost is easily worth it. The Braun Series 3 390CC-4 is one of the best mid-range shavers available, it comes from a trusted company and has all the bells and whistles that some competitors do not. One alternative which we would argue is better is the Braun Series 5 5090CC which can be found for a slightly higher price and offers a marginally better product. If you can find the Braun Series 3 390CC at a reasonable price then it is well worth the price. It’s one of the prettiest shavers that we’ve reviewed and the reports we’ve read suggest that it offers a close and comfortable shave.