Braun Series 3 3040s Review
Braun are one of the most renowned companies on the planet for developing and manufacturing high quality shaving products. The Braun Series 3 3040s is one of their more budget offerings but the model has a strong following of loyal customers who rate this budget shaver very highly indeed.
We thought we’d find out what all the fuss was about and whether it was truly possible that Braun had created a cheap(ish) foil electric razor that performs well – and so we did – and we now bring you the results in our full Braun Series 3 3040s review.
Braun 3040s Overview
On the face of it there is nothing overly special about the Braun 3040s razor but it does have some features that come in extremely handy. First off, it is worth mentioning that the 3040s can be used for wet or dry shaving and can even be used in the shower. It is designed specifically for facial shaving and can be used along with shaving gels or foams as well as being used completely standalone as a dry shaver.
This is a foil razor that houses 3 separate cutting areas. The two outer foils sandwich a centre comb that is designed to pull and cut longer hairs.
The Braun 3040s is completely cordless except for when it is being charged and you get 2 NiMH batteries (in certain package deals) with this razor and both will provide you with around 40-45 minutes worth of continuous usage meaning for most men a single charge will provide a week’s worth of shaves. Having the spare battery is highly convenient so you never get caught short.
This electric razor is completely waterproof to 5 metres so you can use it in the shower (or even the bath if you prefer) and it will have no issues with the water. This is one of the most impressive features we found with it.
Cleaning the 3040s is relatively easy and there is a cleaning brush provided as well as a handy protective head to keep the blades in tip top condition. The heads can be rinsed under running water and brushed out once dry.
This model from Braun looks pretty smart and features battery level indicators on the front as well as a power button above them. The look and feel of the 3040s is pretty impressive and although it does not have any kind of pivoting head to react to the contours of your face, doing this with your hands is pretty easy thanks to the grip on each side of the unit and the ergonomically designed handle.
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What’s In The Box
As this is more towards the budget end of Braun’s wet & dry range you don’t get an awful lot included in the box. Some packages have the additional battery and an additional foil head but not all – so be sure to check this when buying (you will pay more for the packages with additional bits though).
As standard you get the main unit with shaving head. The shaving heads are recommended to be replaced every 12 months so you will have at least a year’s worth of use out of this razor when you first buy it and replacement heads are relatively inexpensive.
In addition to the main unit, you get a plastic head cover to keep the shaver protected, a small brush for cleaning the head and the charger.
There is no carry case or pouch to speak of which is likely an effort by Braun to keep the costs as low as possible to make this a true budget option.
Braun 3040s Key Features
The Braun 3040s is a decent foil based electric razor. It doesn’t have a load of snazzy features but what it does do it does well. Let’s take a look at the key features that stand out about this razor:
Battery and Charging – Braun state that the battery on the 3040s provides up to 60 minutes of usage. We found that when using it under real life conditions that the battery life was closer to 45 minutes but for most people using this razor for 5-7 minutes today they will easily achieve a week’s worth of usage out of a single charge. The charging time is pretty quick too with about an hour to charge from empty to full capacity and if you do find you need a shave when the battery is completely flat then a 5 minute fast charge will give you enough juice for a 5 minute shave. Unfortunately, this unit cannot be used when plugged in so you will need at least some charge to have a shave. Charging is done through a 2 pin shaving point and is very straightforward.
Foil Shaver – The main head of the razor is made up of a flat foil that is split in to two parts. This provides your face with a good amount of cutting coverage and we found this to be pretty close. For more stubborn or shorter hairs the middle section features a comb and cutter that is designed to pull the hairs forward and then chop them which results in an overall very effective result. The main head is easy to detach as it just clips off and can be cleaned under running water or dry cleaned with the brush provided. The foil shaver can be replaced if needed and is likely to remain sharp and effective for 12-15 months with daily usage.
Beard Trimmer – One of our favourite features of the Braun Series 3 3040s shaver is the beard trimmer that is hidden in to the rear of the unit. You simply push it out and you can use it to either trim away excessively long growth before finishing with the foil razor or to shape existing facial hair. This makes this an ideal razor for anyone looking to use a wet or dry electric razor to clean up their beard neck lines or shape goatee style beards and keep that clean look on a daily basis with the minimum of fuss.
Waterproof Design – As we have already mentioned, the Braun 3030s is completely waterproof to a depth of 5 metres. We wouldn’t recommend fully submerging it (and we didn’t test this) but it is certainly shower and splash proof and it is pretty easy to use in the shower if you are going completely clean shaven. It is fine to use this shaver with a wet or dry shave and it is great to have this option.
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Using The Braun Series 3 3040s
The 3040s wet & dry shaver from Braun performs incredibly well considering the low price tag. It’s not quite in the league of the more expensive Braun series’ but it punches well above its weight compared to rivals at a similar price tag. The fact that it can be used in water is an absolute game changer but for those who prefer a dry electric shave it performs admirably here too.
We found it to be particularly kind to sensitive skin especially when compared to rotary shavers and the overall closeness of shave was not far off what we expect to achieve with a true wet shave.
The real plus points about this razor are that it has a decent battery life and is quick to charge. If you do get caught out then you can easily plug in for a quick charge which takes just 5 minutes.
For many people, they find foil shavers do not provide as close a shave as a rotary blade, however we found that this particular model performed better than your average foil cutter and this is likely due to the middle comb and extra cutter that is so cleverly designed.
Having the built in beard trimmer is another key feature that allows this model to stand out ahead of the competition and you are able to create perfect lines and really define the edges of your beard and/or sideburns with the trimmer.
It’s a shame that you can’t plug this shaver in to use it but we are happy to forfeit that feature in return for using it for a wet shave.
Our Verdict
The Braun Series 3 3040s offers exceptional value for money considering its budget price and gives an awful lot in terms of features at the price point. You will get a pretty close shave (that actually looks like a proper clean shave) and this can be achieved easily in less than 5 minutes per day. Using it in the shower feels great and provides a super smooth result with no concerns about getting the shaver too wet thanks to its waterpoof qualities.
This shaver tops it all off with a great battery life and a good lifespan of the razor head too and it is hard to find a wet and dry electric razor that offers better value for money than this unit.
