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Quick answer: Get the Panasonic Arc5 if a very close shave is your top priority and you shave often. Get the Braun Series 7 7185cc if you want selectable modes, a cleaning station and beard trimmers in the box.
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Check Braun Series 7 Price on Amazon
Panasonic Arc5 vs Braun Series 7: Specs at a Glance
Highlighted rows show where the two products differ.
Braun sells several Series 7 bundles in the US; the 7185cc is the one featured on its US page, and ShaverCheck says shaving performance is the same across the 71-series models.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Closeness
ShaverCheck rates the Arc5 ES-LV67 as one of the closest electric shavers available, even on dense, coarse stubble, and gives it 4.5 out of 5. Its Braun review scores the 71-series Series 7 at 4 out of 5 and calls it a good all-rounder that needs more work in Standard mode. The Arc5’s five blades and faster motor are the reason. If you measure a shaver by how smooth your jaw feels afterward, Panasonic has the edge.
Winner: Panasonic Arc5
Comfort and longer stubble
Neither is the gentlest shaver around. ShaverCheck noted minor pinching and mild redness on a sensitive neck with the Arc5, and redness and stinging on the neck with the Series 7. Braun does give you more control, with a Gentle mode, while the Arc5’s sensor always stays on. Braun also handles longer, flat-lying hairs better; the Arc5 often needs extra passes on hair past about three days. If you skip days between shaves, the Series 7 fits that habit better.
Winner: Braun Series 7
Battery and charging
Braun’s numbers are stronger on paper. Shaving Advisor lists about 50 minutes in Standard, 40 in Turbo and up to 60 in Gentle, and Braun says a five-minute charge covers one shave. The Arc5 is rated at about 45 minutes, takes just under an hour to charge, and also has a quick-charge feature. ShaverCheck says Panasonic’s battery trails Braun’s. Neither shaver can be used corded according to the reviews, so plan on charging ahead of time.
Winner: Braun Series 7
Cleaning and what’s in the box
The 7185cc arrives with Braun’s SmartCare Center, which cleans, lubricates and charges the shaver, plus stubble and beard trimmer attachments and a pouch. The ES-LV67-K has no station at all, though its waterproof body and removable inner blades make rinsing easy, and the ES-LV97 version adds one. ShaverCheck notes the Arc5’s station dries with a fan and heater, while Braun’s has no active drying. For a complete kit, Braun is the easier pick, but station cartridges are a recurring cost.
Winner: Braun Series 7
Upkeep and model choice
ShaverCheck calls Panasonic’s replacement parts pricey, and Panasonic suggests a new foil yearly and inner blades every two years. Braun recommends a new head cassette every 18 months. Also note that the ES-LV67 is an older generation Arc5; ShaverCheck says fourth-generation ARC5 PRO models are sold in the US in 2026, so compare before paying a premium. Braun’s current US range centers on 71-series bundles such as the 7185cc, 7177cc and 7120s.
Winner: Tie
Winner by Category
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Panasonic Arc5 if:
- Closeness matters more to you than extras
- You shave daily or every other day
- You prefer a slim kit without a station to maintain
Check Panasonic Arc5 Price on Amazon
Buy the Braun Series 7 if:
- You want Turbo, Standard and Gentle modes
- You like a cleaning station and beard trimmers included
- You often shave after a few days of growth
- You want the longer battery life
Check Braun Series 7 Price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Braun Series 7 is current in the US?
Braun’s US page shows the 7185cc, a 360 Flex model with SmartCare Center and Turbo, Standard and Gentle modes.
Is the Arc5 ES-LV67 still a current model?
It remains an Arc5 model, but ShaverCheck reports newer fourth-generation ARC5 PRO shavers are on sale in the US in 2026.
Do these shavers work wet?
Yes. Both are waterproof shavers that can be used wet or dry.
Does the Arc5 include a cleaning station?
The ES-LV67-K does not. The ES-LV97 is the same shaver sold with a station.
Final Verdict
The Panasonic Arc5 is the better choice for most buyers who care about the shave itself. Its five blades and fast motor give it the closest result in reviewer testing, and that is the point of a shaver. Pick the Braun Series 7 7185cc instead if you value modes, trimmers and a cleaning station over the last bit of closeness.