Braun Series 9 Pro+ Review: Premium Electric Shaver with PowerCase and SmartCare Centre

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ is Braun’s flagship electric shaver, representing what the company has to offer in terms of shaving technology and build quality at its best. It’s a premium product with a premium price tag, and truly reserved if you want the best of the best shaving experience possible even after your shaving session has finished.

Unboxing and Packaging Contents

Design and Build Quality

The Series 9 Pro+ feels substantial in hand without being heavy. Being 100% made in Germany, the build quality is immediately apparent – everything feels precisely engineered and built to last. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold and easy to manoeuvre around the contours of the face and neck, even during longer shaving sessions.

The shaver head can be tilted and locked in place, which turns out to be more useful than it sounds. When you’re tackling stubborn areas or need a firmer grip for precision work, that locked position gives you better control.

The Series 9 Pro+ features five synchronised shaving elements working together with ProLift technology and Sonic vibrations at 10,000 per minute. This translates to 40,000 cutting actions per minute, which is impressive on paper but more importantly, delivers solid performance in practice.

I tested this shaver on both daily stubble and longer growth after several days without shaving. The shaver handles everything from 1-day to 7-day beard growth surprisingly well. Let’s be clear though – no electric shaver will give you a perfectly smooth result in a single stroke. That’s just not how electric shavers work. However, the Series 9 Pro+ requires fewer passes than most electric shavers I’ve used, and that matters because fewer passes means less potential for irritation.

The AutoSense technology adjusts power based on beard density, and you can actually feel it working as you shave. When the shaver encounters denser areas, it ramps up the power automatically. This is particularly noticeable around the chin and neck where beard growth tends to be thicker.

Speaking of the neck, this has always been the most challenging area for electric shavers. The Series 9 Pro+ handles it pretty good thanks to the ultra-adaptive 40° shaving head that flexes to follow the contours. However, no matter how good an electric shaver is, long hair stub will always be the most challenging to cut.

The built-in ProTrimmer features surgical-grade steel and a straight edge design that’s intended for precision work on sideburns, moustaches, and under the nose. The straight edge does make it easier to get clean lines compared to traditional rounded trimmers.

For anyone who maintains specific facial hair styles, this is a valuable feature. For those just after a clean shave, it’s nice to have available but not something you’ll use constantly. I, for example, don’t really use a trimmer so it remains unused.

Being 100% waterproof, the Series 9 Pro+ works equally well for wet or dry shaving. I tend to do quick dry shaves so unfortunately I can’t give you any feedback on the wet shaving experience.

After each shave, you can rinse the head under the tap for a quick clean. The waterproofing is solid and there’s never been any concern about water damage. I can clearly see the amount of tiny, fine cut hairs while washing – a proof at how good the shave is.

But if you are after a more premium cleaning experience (while keeping your shaver in prime condition), definitely get the model that comes with the cleaning system – or the SmartCare Centre.

The 6-in-1 SmartCare Centre cleans, lubricates, dries, and charges your shaver automatically. This isn’t just a fancy charging dock – it’s a comprehensive maintenance system that keeps the shaver performing optimally.

My approach is to rinse the shaver head under the tap after each use to remove most of the hair, then pop it into the SmartCare Centre every few shaving sessions for a deeper clean and lubrication. This helps extend how long the cleaning cartridge lasts before needing replacement, which keeps ongoing costs down.

The station automatically selects the appropriate cleaning program based on how dirty the shaver is. It’s a smart system that doesn’t waste cleaning solution unnecessarily. Replacing cartridges is straightforward when you eventually need to, and they’re readily available from retailers like Shaver Shop and other online stores including eBay.

If you’re the type who can’t be bothered with maintenance or you’re always in a rush, the SmartCare Centre takes care of everything at the touch of a button. It’s one of those features that sounds like a luxury but quickly becomes something you rely on.

The PowerCase is one of the headline features of the Series 9 Pro+ model too. This mobile charging case stores enough power for up to 90 minutes of shaving time, which Braun claims equals about six weeks of shaving without needing to plug in anywhere. For frequent travellers, this is brilliant. You can charge the case at home, toss it in your luggage, and not worry about finding power outlets or carrying additional charging cables. The case itself feels premium and provides good protection for the shaver during transport. It’s unfortunately quite bulky so if you want to travel light (or trying to keep those weights and items inside the luggage down), then you may want to reconsider.

The previous model actually has a slimmer, hard case but without any charging capabilities. But honestly, you can’t resist having this premium, good-looking case.

And if you don’t travel regularly, the PowerCase becomes less essential. The shaver’s built-in 60-minute Li-Ion battery is already adequate for most users, giving you several weeks of shaving between charges. It’s nice to have, but it’s worth considering whether you’ll actually use it before paying extra for a model that includes it.

The Li-Ion battery provides 60 minutes of runtime from a full charge, which translates to several weeks of daily shaving for most people. The LED display shows battery level clearly, along with other useful information like travel lock status and cleaning reminders.

With the PowerCase, you’re looking at impressive battery life that removes any anxiety about running out of charge. Even without it, the base battery life is more than adequate for typical use.

Regular maintenance through the SmartCare Centre helps keep everything running smoothly. The shaver head will eventually need replacing (Braun recommends every 18 months), but that’s standard maintenance for any electric shaver regardless of brand or model.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ Review Conclusion

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ is an excellent electric shaver that delivers close, comfortable shaves across different beard lengths. The five synchronised shaving elements, AutoSense technology, and adaptive shaving head work together to provide one of the best electric shaving experiences available on the market.

The SmartCare Centre is a valuable addition that keeps the shaver performing optimally with minimal effort on your part, and the PowerCase extends an already respectable battery life to the point where you don’t need to think about charging for weeks at a time.

The premium price is justified by the build quality, performance, and thoughtful features, though you should carefully consider whether you’ll actually use the PowerCase before opting for the top-tier model. For many users, a model with the SmartCare Centre but without the PowerCase might offer better value.

The Series 9 Pro+ makes most sense for two groups of people. First, those who want the best electric shaver Braun makes and are willing to pay premium prices for premium features and build quality. Second, frequent travellers who will actually benefit from the PowerCase’s extended battery life and portable charging capabilities.

If you’re in the market for a high-end electric shaver and want the best that Braun offers, the Series 9 Pro+ won’t disappoint. It’s well-designed, performs excellently, and built to last for years. The Series 9 PRO+ Wet & Dry Electric Shaver with 6-in-1 SmartCare Center & PowerCase retails for A$949 but it’s currently on sale for just A$474 at ShaverShop.

Disclosure: Braun Series 9 Pro+ review sample was supplied for reviewing