Philips Norelco Electric Shaver (arcitec 1090 Men’s Shaving System)

Not happy!
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
This is a fancy shaver but does not give a close shave, even with a pre shave cream.

It’s Back to Braun for this Consumer
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I’d used a Braun foil shaver for many years, but grew tired of having to purchase their clean and renew refills every month. Thought I’d give the Norelco a try.

My expectations were high for this shaver, given the numerous favorable reviews here and the amount of money I paid for it (even though Amazon’s price point is pretty darned competitive).

After using the Norelco for three months, I’ve ordered a new, top-of-the-line Braun shaver. I shave every day – and shave my face and entire head (given that the hair on the very top of my head is long gone) and this shaver hasn’t lived up to expectations. If there’s a few days growth (e.g., shaving on Sunday in preparation for work on Monday), the shaving process takes an inordinately long period of time, as areas have to be shaved over – and over – and over again before the closeness of the shave is anywhere near acceptable.

The shaver’s pop-up trimmer is a joke. It barely protrudes when extended and is positioned in such a way so that the shaver’s three shaving heads obstruct your view of the trimmer (and what you’re attempting to trim).

It’s a sharp-looking shaver, but that’s about the only positive I can mention.

Good, but not excellent
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I bought this to replace a Philishave 8000 series razor. Boy, is this a cool looking razor, with the carbon-fiber panels, the neat countertop stand, and the spaceship-like “power pod” (which is too hard to get the razor in and out of). The shave is closer than my previous electric experience, and does not irritate my fairly sensitive skin. However, the razor definitely has trouble picking up long hairs and hairs that lie flat against the skin. I used to shave every other day and find myself having to hit areas multiple times if I do that now – but the flip side of that is that now I can shave daily and not suffer horrible skin irritation. I feel I chose the right razor, but can’t shake the feeling that it could be better.

A final note – it really does take 21 days, maybe longer, for your skin to adjust to the new razor, EVEN if you are ALREADY using a different electric razor. Wait it out before giving up.

Not Worth the Price!~!!!
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Negatives? Price, depending on your perspective. The trimmer is worse than useless. it is quite small and mounted at an odd place in relation to the cutting head making it especially awkward to use.

I copied and pasted the above from the previous reviewer and his statement could not me more accurate. I purchased mine for $200 and it is ridiculously over priced at that amount. I was sold based solely on appearance as this unit to me conveys that it could cut a small tree off your face with the three heads but this also could not be further from the truth. From initial handling of the unit I became disappointed. The unit feels cheap, when you turn it on it sounds like it is going to break. It shaves OK if you shave everyday but if you wait a day? Forget it. This unit (to me) should of been priced at $79.95 and the review would of been not the best shaver in the world but then again, you get what you pay for. I bought this unit to replace my Panasonic ES809X (comes in three version 2,4,and 5) and I am now back to using the Panasonic (which is a 5yr old unit) more than the Norelco. I wanted to try something different. There are definitely better buys and don’t be fooled by the cool look. This unit is perfect for those of you who never shave and want a cool looking shaver displayed in your bathroom.

Completely Satisfied
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have no complaints. The ergonomics took some getting used to without a contour dedicated for your thumb. The shave is very smooth and battery seems to lasts forever.

Good razor
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This razor is very effective at giving a clean, close shave on your face.

Cleaning the razor is a breeze, just rinse it out under a little hot water.

The charge lasts for about a month, with regular use, and the time indicator seems to be very accurate.

It’s light, gets into tight areas of the face with relative ease.

My only complaint with this razor, along with every other electric I have tried(which covers every brand) is the neck area. I was really hoping that I had found the answer to the neck going through the meat grinder issue. This razor is like any other electric, it’s murder on the neck. I HAVE to use Lectric Shave. I have no option, if I am going to use an electric. I have tried everything known to man and nothing works as well as Lectric Shave on my neck. I use it everyday. I do not skip a use, nor do I resort to trying a blade in between shaving with the electric. Before/after showering, morning/night, before/after breakfast. It makes no difference. So if you are looking at this razor as an answer to shaving the neck area with an electric you will be disappointed.

Better than expected
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I think this is my fourth Norelco shaver, having used each one for about ten years.

Good features:

Shaves much faster.

Water cleanup is really easy.

Trimmer is precise and easy to use for side burns.

Not as good features:

Case, while secure, does not hold accesories such as charger, brush and head cover. (This is the sole reason for downgrade from 5*)

I have used the arcitec for one month. Battery life is good – over 3 weeks. Shaves are close and comfortable. The information display is fun, showing minutes left on battery, recharge indicater, and cleanup time indicater. I can’t say that the arcitec is light years ahead of my last Norelco, but it is a signifcant improvement.

Is there really a blade in this thing?
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I’m sixty-four and have been using Norelco shavers all of my adult life. When I needed a new one, my wife wanted to get it for my birthday. I specified a Norelco Arcitec, mostly because its looks made it look light and handy, and I anticipated that I would get my usual Norelco shave.

WRONG! From day one, I had to check to be sure there were blades in this thing. It’s like a kid’s toy shaver–it buzzes and runs around over the stubble, but gets very little of it after several passes. I kid you not, I can go over the same spot 6-8 times and then test it with my finger tips and not notice any change. I generally shave during a one-hour commute. With the Arcitec, it takes me a half-hour to get the job done–and poorly! The Arcitec has a tiny capacity to hold shavings and when it fills up (half way through one shave) it shaves even worse. If you skip shaving for even one day, the Arcitec is essentially useless.

I have a really OLD Norelco shaver that I bought at an estate sale as a backup. This thing was OLD when I bought it twenty years ago. The previous owner used it to shave her legs. It’s so old that I can’t entirely read the model number, but it looks like it might be “SC7800.” It looks like a style from the 1940s. It doesn’t even have an on-off switch. I have no idea how old the blades are in this thing but it shaves circles around my Arcitec. I now use it instead.

A First Class Disappointment
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I too was expecting a first class shave with this new model. Instead it seems to skim over my beard growth cutting only a small irregular swath. I’ve used Norelco rotary electrics for over 35 years and instead of this model being the best it is one of the worst.

Specifically, my gripes center around shaving performance. Longer hairs escape the slots in the heads, and the longer the hairs become the harder it is for this razor to cut them. I wear glasses these days and am not used to having to wear them to shave. Also, some of my beard hairs have lost their oroginal coloring. Imagine the surprise when I put on my glasses and see those few random quarter inch plus long white hairs I’ve been sporting for the last week or so. Impressive.

The side burn trimmer is practically useless. It is both too narrow and does not extend out far enough. Cutting performance is unacceptable. Both these deficiencies are probably the result of a designers effort at making the “package” attractive, but done at the expense of function.

Save your money and pay half as much for one of Norelco’s more traditional models.

Good technology, poor results
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I have a skin very sensible and bought that norelco believing that it would resolve my problems and give me good shaving. I was disapointed, the product has very good quality, but the results aren’t what i expected. I waste about 5 minutes for shaving but my skin was very bad after that with large irritated areas. The necessity of pass the shaver many times was terrible for my skin. I tried sometimes like recomended by the manual, but notice no change nor improvement. I think that it would be a great shaver for those that don’t have sensible skin, not my case. Besides that i don’t think that the flexible heads helps a lot, in fact i get the impression that fixed head it would be better for closer shaving. The display indicating time remaining is great.

It can be a great product for those who already use eletric shavers succesfully, but i don’t think that should be your first norelco if you’re thinking trying eletric shaver.

Old man likes arcitec razor.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’m an old man with a tough beard and the arcitec 1090 cuts right through the thick whiskers. Louis

norelco electric razor 1090 arcitec
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
77 yrs young, decided i needed a break from the blade (5) razor. previously tried several electric razors over the last 50 – 55 yrs. still not happy with the shaving results. old dog, new tricks kind of thing. am not giving up easily. plan to persevere for 3 to 6 months at the very least (after all $200 is $200). i have tried a daily routine but that is really rough on this old face. am down to every other day and that is somewhat better. thank GOD for retirement with no need to impress anyone.

The greatest shaver ever!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is the best Norelco shaver I’ve had. I have been using Norelco for over 25 years, always buying the top model after every few years (and occasionally trying, and being dissapointed by other brands). The Philips Norelco arcitec 1090 Men’s Shaving System really tops any other shaving experience. It just feels great on your hand, and the shaving is fast (probably twice as fast) and smooth (as smooth as a blade shave).

I bought the Arcitec 1090, with doubts on how well will it work. The reviews seem to be a mixed bag, with some users loving the shaver, and others unable to get a good shave. Some users were complaining that the heads did not move to accommodate to your face.

I have to say the shaver is just great. The heads not only accommodate your face, but have an even larger angle for doing so. The shaving area is also larger, and the whole set (includes a traveling case, and a ‘stay at home stand’) is amazing.

It is a bit pricey, but, if you think of how often you do shave, it is worth it.

Highly recommended!

Not so hot!!
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I’ve owned Norelco razors for 40 years and this razor was a complete disapointment…It’s noisey, has no trimmer that can be used, has to be charged in its holder which means you can’t use the cord directly and the performance of the shaver is questionable….all this for $200. What happened?

Unique razor that works well but has it’s short comings
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’ve owned Norelco electric razors for over 20 years and found them to work better than Braun. Not crazy about this razor, you must clean it every 1 to 2 days versus the older style design can go well over a week. It does the great job I’m use to but it’s a pain to clean after everytime I shave. Also, I’m concerned the way the shaving heads open, they flip open individually from the center out and don’t know if they will go the 5 to 7 years my other Norelco shavers have lasted. BTW, the only reason why I replaced my previous Norelco razors is because the batteries would no longer hold a charge.