The New King of Shavers? • ShaverCheck (2024)

The world’s first and only 6-blade foil shaver, the Panasonic Arc 6, has been around for 3 years.

And even though it was an impressive machine from the beginning, it never really offered enough compelling benefits over a less expensive Arc 5.

But that may be about to change.

With a new and improved foil head, the 2024 Panasonic Arc 6 (aka Lamdash Pro 6) promises an even closer and more effective shave than the previous models.

I managed to buy the new Arc 6 from Japan and I’ve been testing it extensively alongside a few other high-end shavers.

Among those there’s the old Arc 6 (ES-LS8A, ES-LS9A), but also the Arc 5 and the Braun Series 9/9 PRO+.

In this review I’ll tell you if it’s worth going through the trouble of buying the 2024 Panasonic Arc 6 (you will need to import it from Japan) or whether you’d be better off with a model from the previous generation.

Also, if you already own an Arc 6, I think you’ll find the comparison useful if you’re thinking about upgrading to the latest model.

The 2024 Arc 6 (Lamdash Pro 6) in a nutshell

Panasonic officially launched the latest Arc 6 in September 2024 and the shavers are only available in Japan.

It’s unclear at this point if this new revision will be released globally.

I will update the review if that happens (the model names will likely be different for the global variations).

For example, the Arc 6 is sold in Europe under the Series 900+ name.

But getting back to the 2024 Arc 6, this is essentially the third update since the original Arc 6 (revision A), so we can (unofficially) refer to it as revision D.

There are 4 different shaver models in this 2024 update and you can buy them from Amazon.co.jp or Panasonic Japan.

The performance is identical throughout the range, but there are a few important differences between the models.

Here’s a table that showcases them:

In my opinion these are the only things that matter when choosing which one to buy (aside from the price of course).

All of them, including the dry-only ES-L650D, are waterproof.

For a more in-depth comparison you can check out the chart at the bottom of this page on Panasonic.jp.

I got the ES-L650U variation which is cordless-only and features a USB-C charging port.

The review will still be relevant for the other ones as the shaving performance is identical.

Side note: Sometimes you’ll find the shavers listed with -K at the end which stands for Kuro (Japanese for black). For example, ES-L690U-K.

I find all Panasonic shavers easy to clean, so the station is not a must-have for me.

Also, a shaver that didn’t come with a station will not work with one purchased separately later on.

The models that don’t include the cleaner generally cost less which was the case with my ES-L650U as well.

I bought it from Amazon.co.jp and used forward2me.com (not affiliated) to have it shipped to me in Europe.

If you live in the USA you might be able to buy the shaver with direct shipping from Amazon.co.jp.

Unfortunately I couldn’t so I had to use a third-party forwarding company which further increased the total cost.

The customs fees will vary depending on the destination country.

Features overview

1. New 6-blade foil head

The 2024 Lamdash Pro 6 generation comes with a new foil head with the part number ES9610.

This is arguably the highlight of of this release as it can a have a direct and significant impact on the shaving performance.

As you’ll see, some of the other changes are downright gimmicky, but not this one.

And one thing that is of particular interest to the current Arc 6 users is that the new ES9610 head is backwards compatible with the previous Arc 6 models.

I tried it on my older, first generation Arc 6 and in the Shaving performance section you can find out if the improvement was noticeable.

At first I was a bit skeptical about the compatibility as the new shavers have a rounder foil frame, but luckily the new foil fits perfectly on the older models as well.

According to Panasonic, the new ES9610 head uses even thinner foils (0.041mm) for a closer shave and the perforations pattern is tweaked to make the shaver up to 50% more effective.

At least visually, the changes are subtle and you really need to get to macro level to notice the differences.

Here’s a closeup side-by side shot I took of the previous ES9600 foil head and the new ES9610:

I will also add that the two gold slit trimmers (that capture longer, flat-lying hairs) also appear somewhat flatter and any improvements in that department will be more than welcome.

Panasonic razors were never class-leading when shaving longer stubble and performed optimally only on short facial hair.

We still have the single comfort roller at the very center of the foil that helps reduce the friction with the skin.

2. Highly flexible shaving head

The head unit of the new Lamdash Pro 6 is identical to the previous Arc 6 generation, meaning it can move front to back, side to side and also vertically.

The latter has a very limited range of motion though and the whole head is in my opinion still a bit too wobbly.

Despite the impressive flexibility, the very bulbous head, along with the limited range of motion of the 6 individual blades, falls a bit short when compared to a Braun Series 9 for example.

The Braun uses a much simpler front to back flexing, but the compact size, along with the highly flexible individual cutters make it a lot more complying during use.

This is a limitation of Panasonic’s other shavers, like the 3 and 5-blade models.

Nevertheless, the head can be blocked in a fixed position via a switch located at the back.

3. High-speed linear drive motor.

The 2024 Arc 6 razors are fitted with the same 14 000 CPM motors as before, and these units are arguably the best in the industry.

The motor ensures smooth and constant power delivery regardless of the coarseness of the beard.

4. USB-C charging

This is (at least for me) a long-overdue feature and I’m glad it’s finally here.

Even though not all the models got it, you can choose an Arc 6 that charges via USB-C, so you don’t need a Panasonic charger anymore.

Just a regular charger (like the one you use for your phone or laptop) will work just fine.

The only Lamdash Pro 6 model that still uses Panasonic’s proprietary charging port is the one that works both cordless & corded, namely the ES-L650D.

So if corded operation is a must-have, you won’t get a USB-C port on your new Arc 6.

5. LED lights

Let’s now get to the not so useful features I mentioned earlier.

The 2024 Panasonic Arc 6 comes with a couple of LED light strips right below the shaving head.

They will light up in different colors to signal different things, like a low battery or whether the shaver is running in Boost (coarse hair) or Soft mode (gentle setting for lighter beards).

Since the shavers already have a dedicated low battery icon and you can actually hear the difference in noise between Boost and Soft, the LEDs are somewhat redundant.

The 2024 Arc 6 is fitted with the same beard density sensor as before that supposedly analyzes the coarseness and density of the beard and adjusts the power output accordingly.

You cannot disable this function like you could on the older Arc 5 models like the ES-LV65.

The range-topping ES-L690U also has a more advanced display that shows the battery level in 20 increments plus the shave duration.

The rest of the models only have a 5-level battery indicator which is a bit disappointing for a shaver in this price range.

6. Misc features

• 45 minutes worth of cordless shaving
• Universal voltage adapter (100-240V) for the Panasonic charger
• IPX7 water resistant (all the models)
• Pop-up hair trimmer

Included accessories

The Panasonic Arc 6 2024 models come bundled with various accessories.

Here’s what was included with my ES-L650U:

• Protective cap
• Travel pouch
• Cleaning brush
• Lubricating oil
• USB-C-to-USB-A cable
• User manual (only in Japanese)

Some models will of course come with a cleaning station and a Panasonic charger, but most of the other accessories will be common for all of them.

You can find a detail comparison of the included accessories below.

The major letdown for me is the textile storing pouch that only offers protection against scratches and dust but will be pretty useless against mechanical shocks.

It’s a downgrade even from Panasonic’s previous faux leather travel case.

Also, if you have one of those from an older Arc 5 or even an Arc 6, this new Arc 6 will not fit since the shaver is longer by ~10mm.

Only the two range-topping models, the ES-L690U and ES-L670U come with a proper hard travel case.

It is available separately as well with the reference number ES-2L15 and you can buy it from Panasonic Japan or Yahoo Shopping Japan.

I’m glad at least that Panasonic still includes a plastic cover that protects the foil head.

Braun and Philips for example don’t offer them anymore, at least not with the high-end shavers like the Series 9 or the S9000 Prestige.

Side note: I suggest only using the cover while traveling or when there’s a high risk of damaging the foils.

Otherwise, the foil head can develop a funky smell or can even get moldy.

Build quality and ergonomics

Panasonic electric razors are some of the best when it comes to build quality (at any price point).

The 6-blade Arc 6 (or Lamdash Pro 6 as it’s called in Japan) is the top-tier model, so it should be really good.

And it is for the most part, even though there are a couple of things that are somewhat underwhelming.

I’ll get to them as well but let’s first check out the good parts.

The shaving head of the Arc 6 is a remarkable feat of engineering and sets the shaver apart from other flagship models it competes against, like the Braun Series 9 PRO+ and the Philips S9000 Prestige.

The sheer size of the head, along with the refinement of the cutting elements, machined with great precision, are impressive.

The entire head swivels very smoothly and there are a few tweaks compared to the previous Arc 6 generation.

The most obvious is the way the foil frame integrates with the other half of the shaving head.

There’s virtually no gap between them anymore and the more curved sides make the new head look as one piece.

As you can see in the image above, with the older model there was a visible gap.

The foil head snaps in place very securely and smoothly, with a satisfying click.

It’s also easy to remove by squeezing the two side tabs between your index finger and thumb.

In contrast, removing and especially fitting the foil head of a Braun Series 9 for example feels jerky and finicky.

On the back of the shaving head we have the same excellent pop-up hair trimmer and a multi-function switch with 3 positions.

1. Flexible head
2. Fixed head
3. Fixed head + Hair trimmer deployed

The front of the shaver is very simple and minimalist, with a small and clicky power button that has a couple other functions as well.

If you press and hold it while the shaver is turned on, it will activate the travel lock function, indicated by a small padlock icon.

Pressing and holding the button will unlock it again.

Side note: The top spec Lamdash Pro 6 model, the ES-L690U, has a Smart lock function that automatically unlocks it when you grab the shaver.

The other function of the power button is either a Sonic cleaning mode on dry-only models (ES-L650D) or a rather gimmicky Bubble making mode on wet/dry models (ES-L690U, ES-L670U, ES-L650U).

To activate the special mode you must press and hold the power button with the shaver switched off.

This will make the blades oscillate in a specific manner (not suitable for shaving).

I will get into more details about these special modes in the Cleaning and maintenance section.

The battery level indicator on my ES-L650 is rather basic but still pretty useful with 5 levels, each representing 20% of battery charge.

As mentioned earlier, only the ES-L690U model comes with a more advanced and more useful display that shows the battery in 5% increments and also the shave duration.

The back and sides of the shaver are covered in a very grippy rubber-like sleeve.

Unfortunately the thumb rest on the front doesn’t feature any non-slip coating and the shaver body is quite thick, especially the part where you would grip it.

An Arc 5 for example is slightly slimmer, so holding and using one feels better.

On the bottom of the shaver we have the USB-C charging port that’s covered by a plastic flap fitted with a rubber seal (for waterproofing).

Fortunately it is attached to the shaver and it’s very easy to pop out.

The Arc 6 that works cordelss&corded (ES-L650D) will have the Panasonic charging port instead of USB-C.

The size of the 2024 Lamdash Pro 6 models has also increased compared to the previous generations.

As you can see in the image below, the new model is quite a bit longer (around 10mm) and the bottom part of the body doesn’t taper as much.

Despite this, the weight has only increased by 10 grams and now weighs approximately 215g (7.58 oz).

As a reference, a Braun S9 PRO+ weighs almost the same even though it looks significantly smaller.

Fun fact: the ES-L690U and ES-L670U weigh a bit more than the others at 230g and 225g, respectively.

So despite the large proportions, the latest Arc 6 is still quite manageable and doesn’t feel too heavy.

As for the things that could have been better, we still have a plastic build, even though it doesn’t look or feel cheap.

But considering how much the shaver costs, I would have liked to see a metal body option.

Some of the older Arc 5 models like the ES-LV9Q looked and felt premium with an all metal body.

Also, not fitting the better LED display to all the 2024 Arc 6 models is disappointing.

You will have to buy the range-topping ES-L690U in order to get it and that one costs quite a bit more than my ES-L650U.

Battery life and charging

The new Arc 6 comes with the same Li-ion battery as before, so we get 45 minutes of cordless shaving (at best).

This is another somewhat disappointing decision as I think a larger battery for the Arc 6 (and Arc 5) is long overdue.

Braun and Philips are way ahead with batteries that provide 60 minutes of cordless operation on a single charge.

In practice you’ll want to charge your Arc 6 more often and not wait until the battery is almost depleted.

And that’s because you will likely experience a performance drop and the shaver will feel slower when the charge goes below 20% or so.

The 6 blades need a lot of power to be moved (more blades means more friction), so I usually charge mine when there are 2 segments left out of the 5.

And speaking of charging, we can finally do it using an ordinary USB-C cable.

Panasonic includes a USB-C to USB-A cable in the box and mentions explicitly that you should only use that particular cable to charge your Arc 6.

While I don’t recommend to stray from what the manufacturer tells you, I have to confess that I’ve never used the included cable and always charged my Arc 6 with whatever I had at hand.

And it worked perfectly fine.

Also, I’m happy to report that charging works with both USB-C to USB-A but also USB-C to USB-C cables.

And that’s not always the case with electric shavers. For example, the Andis reSURGE will only charge with USB-C to USB-A cables.

I tested various phone chargers with different wattage and charging my Arc 6 ES-L650U from 0 to 100% always took around 1 hour and 55 minutes.

So that’s roughly double the time it takes to charge an Arc 6 that has a conventional Panasonic port (or via the cleaning station).

But given how practical USB-C is, I think it’s a fair compromise and I’m quite happy with the charging speed.

Please keep in mind that if you want a 2024 Arc 6 that works both cordless and corded it will only come with a Panasonic charging port and not USB-C.

For the older Arc 6 shavers (pre-2024), you could buy a Panasonic-to-USB-A cable and that was the next best thing, especially when traveling.

Unfortunately you can’t do that anymore as Panasonic fitted the 2024 Arc 6 with slightly different connectors that have two triangular dividers, so the third-party cables won’t fit.

I will update the review once a USB cable with the new Panasonic port becomes available.

Shaving performance

The previous two updates to the Arc 6 (revisions B and C) didn’t bring anything significant and the performance remained unchanged.

The 2024 models (revision D) come with a new foil head that promises improvements across the entire spectrum — closeness, comfort, and catching difficult hairs.

As mentioned previously, I will also compare the new model to the old Arc 6 and also a few other shavers that may or may not be worthy alternatives.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the test, starting of course with the closeness.

Closeness of the shave

Panasonic shavers, in particular the 5 and 6-blade models, are probably the ones that can offer the closest shave without major compromises (to comfort, effectiveness, durability of the foils and so on).

I think we have a new champion in that regard: the 2024 Arc 6 is probably the closest shaving electric razor I’ve used so far.

It was constantly better than the previous Arc 6 generation and, at least in my case, it’s difficult to imagine how another shaver would get any closer.

Yes, there is room for improvement in some other areas, but strictly related to closeness, this is about as good as it gets.

The new head with the thinner foils feels more bitey and cuts the hairs extremely close with no razor burn at all.

This for me was the most significant improvement over any pre-2024 Arc 5 and Arc 6 shavers I’ve used.

The 2024 Arc 6/Lamdash Pro 6 is (for me) the new closeness champ.

I am 100% certain that the new foil head is the thing that does the magic and you can upgrade your old Arc 6 and get essentially the same result.

I did precisely that and the closeness with my old Arc 6 fitted with the new ES9610 foil was identical.

And it makes sense since the rest of the things that would impact the performance remained the same (motor, battery).

The closeness was excellent during both a dry and a wet shave, with the latter being even closer which is usually the case with all Panasonic razors.

And here’s another metric that I use to gauge the closeness, apart from the more conventional way of feeling the skin with my hand for any rough patches.

I generally shave every other day when I use a razor that gives me a close enough shave.

With this Arc 6 however I’ve noticed that I can stretch that to shaving every two days without looking too scruffy.

That’s something I generally can’t pull off with other shavers.

The LED lights would almost constantly be orange during my shave, signaling that the shaver is in the high-power Boost mode.

They would only turn blue when going again over an area with almost no stubble left to shave.

Overall, the closeness with the new Panasonic Arc 6 was outstanding.

You do have to keep in mind that these results will always be partly subjective and your experience may not match mine entirely.

The Arc 5 and older Arc 6 models were already excellent in terms of closeness, so the improvements can’t be considered groundbreaking.

But I can say that the Arc 6 with this 2024 foil is clearly better at giving me a 10/10 closeness with the least amount of effort.

Comfort

My main concern after reading about the thinner foils of the new Arc 6 was the comfort.

Precisely, the risk of razor burn that was quite high with other Panasonic razors, like the older Arc 4 and even Arc 5 models.

Luckily, my fears were put to rest after the very first shave.

I’d say the comfort was at least as good as before despite the improvements to the closeness of the shave.

And that’s no easy task to achieve.

It did sting a bit on the neck after pressing maybe too hard and going multiple times over the same area.

But other than that, I had no issues with razor burn or bumps.

I always follow-up with an alcohol aftershave balm, which means any tiny nicks or abrasions, even in the absence of bleeding, would sting.

There was almost no stinging at all which I used to experience when using a very close-shaving razor.

I would strongly suggest adding a pre-shave lotion that helps the head glide easier and also primes the hairs for a gentler shave.

I always use the Speick pre-shave as it’s slick without feeling too oily and makes shaving more enjoyable.

In conclusion, I’m happy to report that the new Arc 6 is still suitable for men with sensitive skin.

A Braun Series 9 is probably still ahead, but only marginally and the gap has shrunken significantly.

Shaving longer hairs

One weakness of Panasonic shavers is their ability to capture longer, flat-lying hairs, especially the ones on the neck and jawline.

It’s the reason why I always mention the ideal frequency of shaving whenever I recommend a Panasonic razor.

In contrary, Braun and Philips are usually more effective at catching these difficult hairs.

Panasonic razors, even high-end models like this Arc 6 are generally best suited for frequent use.

For most users, that means shaving daily and up to every 3 days — maybe more if the stubble grows back slowly.

So how does the new Arc 6 generation fare in this regard?

Better than before, but it’s still behind the very best out there.

Precisely, the head is too bulbous and wobbly, with limited range of motion of the 6 cutters.

This reduces its effectiveness when shaving below the jawline. It’s perfectly fine on the cheeks and below the nose and even on my chin.

But the neck remains a weak point for the Arc 6 if the stubble is longer, stays flat on the skin or grows in different directions.

And that happens even though the shaver has two special cutters specifically designed for this type of hairs.

The solution is of course to shave more often to compensate for this inherent shortcoming.

If you only shave once a week, I think a Braun Series 9 PRO+ would probably be a more suitable shaver.

Wet shaving

While most users will be shaving dry, I have to praise the new Arc 6 for its stellar performance when used with a quality shaving cream/gel.

I paired it with the non-foaming Jack Black Beard Lube and the result was just fantastic.

The Beard Lube shaving balm provides remarkable slickness and soften the hairs, making the shave so enjoyable and satisfying.

The closeness and comfort were sublime and easily among the best shaves I ever got.

If the thought of using shaving cream is not to appealing, definitely consider the Jack Black Beard Lube as it’ll make things so much easier and less time-consuming.

Unlike shaving cream, you don’t have to lather it, you can see through the product when applied to the face and it doesn’t add much overhead.

Just wash your face with warm water, apply a very thin layer and start shaving.

It provides amazing residual slickness, doesn’t clog the shaving head and has a very pleasant cooling effect.

Just keep in mind that you should probably clean your shaver with water and a bit of liquid soap to remove any traces of product from the foil head.

Hair trimmer

The pop-up hair trimmer on the new Lamdash Pro 6 is unchanged, meaning it continues to the best in business.

There’s no other integrated trimmer that is as effective, easy to use and cuts the hairs so close to the skin.

It’s very convenient for shaping your sideburns or moustache and to cut a few stray stubborn hairs.

I would not use it to (pre) trim my entire beard, it’s simply not designed for that, even though you will get it done eventually.

If you often have to trim your whole beard, you’d be better off with a dedicated and inexpensive beard trimmer.

Noise

In addition to the performance upgrade brought by the new foil, the 2024 Arc 6 is also a bit quieter than other high-end Panasonic shavers.

The difference in noise between the various Arc 6 and Arc 5 models comes down to the foil and blades and how much the motor ramps up during use.

With this latest generation, there’s minimal to no vibration from the foils and the motor sounds less harsh and not as loud even when in Boost mode.

I’ve compared it to my other Panasonic shavers and it definitely seems more refined and it vibrates less.

My phone app says it’s only 3 decibels quieter than the old Arc 6 but it is noticeable.

And to my ears, it is better than an Arc 5 as well, including the latest 2024 models.

That said, nobody would consider the Arc 6 a quiet shaver. All foil shavers are intrinsically loud and there’s no way to get around that.

A rotary is still the only option if you need a very quiet electric razor.

Cleaning and maintenance

Most Panasonic razors, being waterproof and using less convoluted foil heads, have always been easy to clean manually.

Factor in the special Sonic cleaning mode and the automatic station becomes almost redundant.

Side note: the Sonic mode is a special cleaning setting that makes the blades oscillate very quickly, dislodging grime and preventing water from splashing when rinsing the foil head.

With this latest Arc 6/Lamdash 6 Pro, cleaning the razor is still easy, but with a couple of quirks.

First of all, unlike most other Panasonic models, the Arc 6 uses a foil head with all the blades integrated into the head.

Prior to the Arc 6, two of the blades were removable, which made the foil somewhat easier to clean.

But having cleaned an Arc 6 manually for the past 3 years, it’s not that big of a deal.

The second notable difference vs most other Panasonic shavers is the Sonic cleaning mode of the 2024 Arc 6.

Precisely, it’s not available anymore for the wet/dry models like the ES-L690U, ES-L670U or my ES-L650U.

Panasonic decided to replace the Sonic mode on these shavers with a goofy-sounding Bubble making mode that should help you lather shaving gel.

The dry-only ES-L650D on the other hand still gets the original Sonic cleaning mode that makes cleaning more effective.

So is this a deal-breaker?

I’d say no, but I do feel that the Sonic mode was a lot more useful in practice than the gimmicky new feature that supposedly helps you lather shaving gel.

So let’s see exactly how the manual cleaning goes and then check out the automatic station as well.

Manual cleaning

Once you’ve finished shaving, turn the razor off and remove the foil head by squeezing the two side tabs between your thumb and index finger.

The foil head will pop right out.

You can gently tap the plastic frame on the sink a few times to remove some of the clipped stubble.

Interestingly, this new ES9610 foil seems to contain the hairs better than the previous Arc 6 head.

There was clearly less hair dust on my forearm and chest than usual.

I then proceed to give the foil a generous rinse (both the inner and outer part) and this is often good enough if you’ve just had a quick dry shave.

You would then rinse the shaver body, shake off the excess water and let it air dry with the foil head detached.

However, I usually like to clean my shavers more thoroughly with some liquid hand soap.

So I put the head back on the shaver, pour a bit of soap over the foil and then press and hold the power button.

Normally this would make a Panasonic shaver enter the Sonic cleaning mode.

But in the case of the 2024 wet/dry Arc 6, this will in turn activate the Bubble making mode which is somewhat similar, but not quite as good at dislodging hardened grime.

The blades don’t oscillate as vigorously (it’s also a lot quieter than the old Sonic mode) and it still splashes water when you rinse the head.

But it does lather the soap very effectively.

Once it enters this mode, you’ll notice the LED strips flashing blue and the sound changing slightly.

You can use your finger to spread the soap across the foils or even add a few drops of water to lather the soap.

Let it run for ~10 seconds (after 20s it will automatically switch to normal mode) then rinse the head with tap water with the shaver still running.

After that, turn the shaver off, remove the foil and give everything one final rinse.

Shake off the excess water and as usual, leave the foil detached until it’s completely dry.

It may sound like a lot to do, but in reality it should take less than a minute.

So cleaning the new Arc 6 manually is still straightforward and easy, with the slight disappointment of the altered Sonic mode that has morphed into a less useful Bubble making mode.

Automatic cleaning

My review unit didn’t come with an automatic cleaning & charging station, but I do have a few from other shavers and the 2024 station is essentially the same.

It still comes in the nice matte black/dark grey finish and has the same features as before.

In that regard, it is without a doubt the most feature-rich cleaning station out there:

• It automatically cleans, lubricates, dries and charges the shaver
• You can choose just the dry function if for example you cleaned the shaver manually
• The drying system uses both inductive heating and a fan, making it very effective
• It’s compact and well built

The Panasonic station uses concentrated detergent packs that you must mix with water in the station’s tray.

This is different than what Braun does with their refill cartridges that can be easily removed from the station, resealed and stored securely for future use.

With the Panasonic station, once you’ve committed to set it up, you’re pretty much stuck with it on your counter-top.

For me this isn’t very practical as I tend to switch shavers a lot, so I never really use Panasonic stations even though objectively they are the best in business.

Plus I can always clean the shaver very easily with water and liquid soap.

Another downside vs a Braun station is that you don’t have as many options for a third-party cleaning detergent.

So you will most likely have to buy the OEM Panasonic detergent packs.

The station does work great, so if you see yourself using it regularly, you might as well get an Arc 6 that comes with one, like the ES-L670U.

A Panasonic cleaner will not work with a shaver that didn’t originally have one, so buying the station later on is not an option.

The cleaning solution also lubricates the blades which is especially important with Panasonic razors.

If you don’t have or don’t want to use the station, you will needto do it yourself.

Luckily, that’s very straightforward as well.

Lubrication

The new Arc 6 foils are thinner than before according to Panasonic.

And considering the noticeable improvement in closeness, I think they really are thinner, which makes lubrication even more important.

Right out of the box, the head of my Arc 6 didn’t get warm at all after the first shave.

There are very tight tolerances between the moving parts and the blades rub against the foil which usually generates heat.

I cleaned my shaver with water and soap and did not lubricate the blades on purpose for the next few shaves just to see how they would fare.

Unsurprisingly, they did get noticeably warm towards the end, which again shows how important lubrication is.

Panasonic still includes a small bottle (6ml) of oil with all Arc 6 models, so you can use it to oil your shaver.

With the foils clean and dry, place one drop of oil on the outside of each foil, then let the shaver run for 5 to 10 seconds to spread the oil evenly.

After that, gently wipe any excess with a paper towel and you’re all set.

I would do this once a week and after every cleaning with liquid soap as soap strips off any traces of lubrication.

You can also use a lubricating spray for shavers and clippers like the Andis CoolCare Plus — I’d say it’s even more effective at reducing friction and heat.

Also, once you run out of oil, you can safely buy and use clipper oil. Some of the brands that I like are Wahl, Syprin and Oster.

If your Arc 6 has a cleaning station and you use it regularly, there’s no need to oil the blades yourself.

Replacement parts availability

The new foil head with the part number ES9610 is already available on Amazon.co.jp and on Panasonic.jp.

Panasonic Arc 6 ES9610 replacement foil

See on Amazon.co.jp

As mentioned before, it is 100% compatible with the older Arc 6 shavers.

You can upgrade yours for roughly the same price you’d pay for the older ES9600 foil (not taking into account shipping costs of course).

The old Arc 6 foil is of course compatible with the new Arc 6 and it can be a decent plan B in case you can’t or don’t want to buy the new one.

If Panasonic won’t release the 2024 Arc 6 models globally, the new foil will likely remain available only in Japan, so you will need to import it.

The replacement interval is still the same, 1.5 years, but that depends on several factors, like how often you shave and how coarse is your beard.

Lubrication will also play a big part, so make sure you don’t skip it.

Finally, the new foil is thinner than before, which may cause it to wear out faster. But only time will tell.

Takeaway — Should you buy the new Arc 6 (Lamdash Pro 6) 2024?

In terms of pure shaving performance, there are very few things to criticize about the latest generation of Panasonic’s 6-blade shaver.

Yes, the head is still quite large and you will need to shave regularly for the razor to be the most effective at catching the hairs.

It’s also a pricey shaver, although similar to other high-end models from Braun and Philips.

But that aside, the 2024 Panasonic Arc 6 is a fantastic razor that shaves incredibly close while still remaining very comfortable.

The power is plentiful and delivered very smoothly and even men with very dense and coarse facial hair will find it more than adequate.

It’s without a doubt one of the best if not THE best when it comes to closeness — again without sacrificing comfort or the durability of the foils.

Being a Japan-exclusive release, that’s probably the biggest hurdle for most people in buying it over the older, global models.

Apart from the additional costs (customs fees, possibly forwarding if shipping to your country is not available), there’s the warranty issue.

The shavers will come of course with a 2-year international warranty and as long as you can supply the proof of purchase, the warranty should be covered.

However, since these are Japanese models, you will likely need to send them to a Japanese service center, which might not be so straightforward.

If however you’re ok with that, I think these 2024 Arc 6 (revision D) shavers are a very compelling option for someone wanting the latest, top performing foil razor.

And given the price of the first generation ES-LS8A and ES-LS9A, getting the new one may even end up costing less if you stumble upon a great deal.

Should you upgrade if you own an older Arc 6?

If you already have a previously released Arc 6 (ES-LS8A, ES-LS9A) and it’s still in good shape, I think getting just the new ES9610 foil makes more sense.

Doing that will essentially give you all the benefits of the new model without needing to buy the whole shaver.

It’s true that the new one also has a USB-C port and the fancy LED lights, but those have zero impact on the shaving performance.

I’ve used the new foil on my old Arc 6 and I can tell you without a doubt that it shaves the same as the latest 2024 model.

Alternatives

1. The old Arc 6

The original international Arc 6 models (ES-LS8A, ES-LS9A) are still fantastic performers and if you find a great deal, go for it.

Panasonic Arc 6 ES-LS8A

See the price on Amazon

As mentioned above, you will be able to upgrade the foil and you don’t have to worry about import fees or warranty issues.

But again, I would wait for a good deal as these Arc 6 shavers still have a hefty price tag.

2. The 2024 Panasonic Arc 5

My favorite alternative to the 2024 Arc 6 is probably the 2024 Arc 5 (Lamdash Pro 5).

This one is also a Japan-exclusive release and having used it alongside the new Arc 6, I can safely say that it’s just as good even with one less foil.

The closeness is identical and the comfort is also at the same level.

However, it has a few pros over the Arc 6:

• it generally costs less
• the shaving head is noticeably smaller and nimbler (it’s even smaller than all previous Arc 5 models)
• the body of the shaver is thinner and easier to grasp
• the new replacement foil costs less (although it’s still only available in Japan)

As for the shortcomings, I’ve only noticed a few and I don’t think they are in any way a deal breaker:

• it doesn’t feature a comfort roller, so the head feels ever so slightly draggier on the skin. The comfort is still just as good
• it’s not as quiet as the Arc 6 because the blades vibrate more and the motor ramps up abruptly when shaving areas with denser stubble
• it doesn’t have the Arc 6 LED lights

For most users these probably won’t matter that much, so this new Arc 5 is essentially and Arc 6 with a smaller head that costs less.

But if your budget is very limited, don’t ignore the older generation Arc 5 like the ES-LV65 or ES-ALV6H that are available globally.

These are still fantastic shavers that cost only a fraction of the 2024 Arc 6 and Arc 5.

They’re not as comfortable, but if you don’t have sensitive skin, you will most likely be impressed with their performance.

3. Braun Series 9 PRO+

This is Braun’s current flagship and an impressive shaver, although the closeness is not its main strength.

While I find it perfectly adequate, the Arc 6 is better in that regard.

But the S9 PRO+ is in a class of its own when it comes to shaving longer, flat-lying hairs.

No other foil shaver is as effective and as effortless to use if you shave less often.

So I would strongly consider one if you’ll be using the shaver once or twice a week and you have areas with a lot of flat-lying hairs.

It’s also a great choice for men who shave their head.

Another razor that is impressive when used less often is the Philips S9000 Prestige.

This one is however a rotary shaver and I would consider it especially if you’ve used rotaries before and liked how they work.

Otherwise, a foil shaver like the Braun S9/S9 PRO+ is probably a safer bet for most users.

This pretty much wraps up my review of the latest Panasonic Arc 6/Lamdash Pro 6.

If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your experience, make sure to leave a comment below.