Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Electric shaver
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The Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver is a new and improved men’s electric shaver from Panasonic. While it is a foil style shaver like the Panasonic ES-RF31-S, it’s considered a step up and has some new technologies and features incorporated into its design. We recently took the shaver for some test runs to see how the Panasonic ES8103S stacks up to the Panasonic ES-RF31-S and to other shavers on the market today. Read on for our full Panasonic ES8103S review.
The Basics/In the Box
When we unpacked the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver, we were impressed with its look and feel right away. The shaver has a nice tapered shape to its handle with natural curves that allow you to grip tightly with your thumb in the perfect position. Compared to the Panasonic ES-RF31-S, the Panasonic ES8103S has an overall sleeker, more modern look, and it seems to be a little more light in weight for easier handling. The shaver comes with only the basics: an AC adapter for charging and a travel pouch. The suggested retail price on the Panasonic ES8103S is $149.99, but we found it on Amazon. Its price point places it in the middle between economy shaver models like the Panasonic ES-RF31-S and high-end shavers like the Braun Series 7 799cc-6.
Operation and Ease of Use
With the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver, Panasonic unveiled some new technologies that do enhance the performance of the shaver and make it more efficient than other shavers. The head of the razor is adjustable not just up and down but also from side to side, so it’s not difficult to move the shaver over any part of your facial contours. The shaver has three blades, each of which floats independently beneath the foil, allowing them to move independently to maintain contact with your skin as much as possible. The blades are Panasonic’s new Nanotech blades, which are cut at a precise 30 degree angle to slice hair at an optimal angle. More powerful than other shavers of its price range, the shaver has a motor drive that moves rapidly at 13,000 cycles per minute. As a result, you can move the shaver rather quickly without any pulling or discomfort.
Results After Shaving
We were impressed with the performance of the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver when it was used both as a wet and as a dry shaver. One thing to note is that the shaver really only works well with gels and foams. Creams tend to clog it up and interfere with its performance. We found that the Nanotech blades were able to cut close to the skin, and we noticed fewer ingrown hairs due to the angle of their cuts.
Sensitive Skin?
The Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver is definitely a good choice of shaver for men with sensitive skin. The stainless steel blades used in the design are hypoallergenic, and their Nanotech edge reduces friction to diminish the risk of irritation. Because the shaver can be used for wet shaving, it’s ideal for men who need the added lubrication of a shaving lotion or cream.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver is similar to that of the Panasonic ES-RF31-S. You’ll get about 45 to 50 minutes of shave time with only 1 hour needed to fully charge the battery. What’s different about the battery function of the Panasonic ES8103S is that it has a digital LCD display that tells you the amount of battery life remaining in increments of 10 percent. This allows you to better judge how much time you have remaining to shave than the three-light indicator on the ES-RF31-S; however, it is not as convenient as models that have LCD displays that tell you the number of minutes remaining rather than the battery percentage.
Cleaning and Care
Because the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver can be used wet and dry, it’s rather easy to maintain good hygiene with the model. You can simply rinse the waterproof shaver after use. The shaver is capable of producing sonic vibrations while you rinse it to remove debris and fight germs. In terms of maintenance, the Panasonic ES8103S is rather simple. You only need to replace the outer foil every year and the inner blades every other year. There is no need to use lubrication on the motor to maintain the razor. Replacement parts are economically priced and widely available.
Special Features
As mentioned earlier, the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver comes with a travel pouch, making it a convenient shaver for men who frequently travel. In addition, the shaver features dual-voltage technology, so it can be used in European 240-volt outlets and North American 120-volt outlets. This is another nice feature for the gent who is always on the go. Along with its travel-enhancing features, the shaver features a pop-up trimmer that is easy to lift and very convenient for trimming around the edges of a beard or keeping a mustache or sideburns well groomed.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Panasonic ES8103S Arc3 Wet and Dry Electric Shaver is impressive, especially when you consider how much it costs. This shaver will be best for men who travel and who like to switch between dry shaving and wet shaving with a gel or foam. It is a nice step up from entry-level models, and while it lacks some of the advanced features of more expensive shavers, many gents won’t miss these added perks due to the impressive performance of the Panasonic ES8103S.
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For US viewers: Panasonic ES8103S
Compare this Shaver to others below:
Review | Foil or Rotary? | Wet or Dry? | Charging Time | Battery Life | Special Features | Price check (US) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braun 340s/3040 | Foil | Both | 1h+ | 45m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Panasonic ES-RF31 | Foil | Both | 1h | 65m | Trimmer | Here |
Philips AT890/20 | Rotary | Both | 1h | 50m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Remington F7800 | Foil | Dry | 2h | 60m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Braun 799cc-6 | Foil | Both | 1h | 50m | 120v/240v plug | Here |
Philips Norelco 2100 | Rotary | Dry | 8h | 35m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Remington F5-5800 | Foil | Dry | 1h+ | 60m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Panasonic ES8103S | Foil | Both | 1h | 50m | 120v/240v plug | Here |
Philips Norelco 3500 | Rotary | Dry | 8h | 45m | Pop-up Trimmer 120v/240v plug | Here |
Philips Norelco 6100 | Rotary | Both | 1h | 40m | Pop-up Trimmer 120v/240v plug | Here |
Braun 5030s | Foil | Dry | 1h | 45m | Pop-up Trimmer 120v/240v plug | Here |
Panasonic ES-LA63-S | Foil | Both | 1h | 45m | Pop-up Trimmer 120/240v plug | Here |
Braun 9095cc | Foil | Both | 1h | 50m | Pop-up Trimmer 120 /240v plug | Here |
Braun Waterflex WF2s | Foil | Both | 1h | 45m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Philips S5420/06 | Rotary | Both | 1h | 60m | Trimmer | Here |
Remington XR1330 | Rotary | Both | 4h | 50m | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Panasonic ES-LV95-S811 Arc5 | Foil | Both | 1h | 45m | Cleaning/Charging Station Pop-Up Trimmer | Here |
Philips Series 9000 S9031/26 | Rotary | Both | 1hr | 50m | Cleaning /Charging Station Pop-Up Trimmer | Here |
Remington Black Diamond-X | Rotary | Dry | 90m | 60m | Pop-up Trimmer | N/A |
Braun CoolTec CT2s | Foil | Both | 1hr | 45m | Cooling Technology Cleaning/Charging Station | Here |
Philips SensoTouch 3D | Rotary | Both | 1hr | 50m+ | Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Braun Series 3 3080s | Foil | Both | 1hr | 45m | Precision Mode Pop-up Trimmer | Here |
Review | Build Quality | Ease of use | Closeness of Shave | Gentleness on skin | Overall ‘Shaverhaven’ Rating | Price check (US) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Braun 340s/3040 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.5/5 | Here |
Panasonic ES-RF31 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.4/5 | Here |
Philips AT890/20 | 4 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6/5 | Here |
Remington F7800 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.1/5 | Here |
Braun 799cc-6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8/5 | Here |
Philips Norelco 2100 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8/5 | Here |
Remington F5-5800 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.7/5 | Here |
Panasonic ES8103S | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.5/5 | Here |
Philips Norelco 3500 | 4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4 | 4.2/5 | Here |
Philips Norelco 6100 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.2/5 | Here |
Braun 5030s | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.6/5 | Here |
Panasonic ES-LA63-S | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5/5 | Here |
Braun 9095cc | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5 | 5 | 4.9/5 | Here |
Braun Waterflex WF2s | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8/5 | Here |
Philips S5420/06 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.8/5 | Here |
Remington XR1330 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.3/5 | Here |
Panasonic ES-LV95-S811 Arc5 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5 | 5 | 4.9/5 | Here |
Philips Series 9000 S9031/26 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5 | 4.9 | 4.9/5 | Here |
Remington Black Diamond-X | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.6/5 | N/A |
Braun CoolTec CT2s | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 5 | 4.7/5 | Here |
Philips SensoTouch 3D | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8/5 | Here |
Braun Series 3 3080s | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5 | 4.5 | Here |
Philips SensoTouch 2D | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7/5 | Here |
*All ratings out of 5 (/5)
*Ratings may be refined as we continually use the shaver, for more accurate results.
We only review the very best and most popular shavers on the market. We can recommend all shavers listed above as great purchases.