Braun FreeGlider 6680 Men's Shaver :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
A shaver that automatically conditions your skin as you shave? Braun was the first to come up with this smart idea. The result is a smooth gliding shaver that sensitive skin will love. After a cartridge containing the conditioning solution is inserted into the bottom of the shaver, a slender applicator bar running parallel to the cutting foils releases the liquid as you shave. The Glide Control setting lets you choose between minimum and maximum release. Adding to the comfortable shave is the pivoting head, with two foils and cutter that hug face and neck contours. The head can also be fixed in place if desired, and a trimmer pops up to define jaw lines and sideburns. Another convenient feature is the start/stop button: it can be depressed slightly and held for a quick touch-up shave, or depressed all the way and locked for a longer shave. Large hands will appreciate the girth of this shaver, which requires a thicker handle due to the cartridge system. Its high-tech design is quite distinctive, with a metallic-look top half that transitions into a transparent lower half. Useable in corded or cordless mode, the shaver features an LED charging light, low charge indicator, one-hour complete recharge for 50 minutes of shaving time, and a handy five minute rapid charge for quick shaves. A deluxe travel case with two zippered compartments and mesh sides are also included, along with two conditioner cartridges and a two-sided cleaning. Although the shaver can be easily rinsed clean under hot tap water. Because the conditioning solution is 90 percent alcohol and flammable, smoking near the shaver should be avoided. Braun covers the shaver with a two-year warranty. --Ann Bieri
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Customer Reviews

Adequate Shaver

2007-10-05
I am fairly happy with the freeglider. I think I have had it for 3 or 4 years. I haven't replaced the blade or foil so I was looking online to do it. The battery doesn't really hold an adequate charge anymore so I just plug it in when I shave. Even without replacing the blade (ever!), it still does an adequate job. I haven't used the lotion in years (it cost too much and Walmart quit carrying it). I have used panasonic and norelco in the past but to be honest, they are all about the same. My beard is not too demanding and they all seem to be adequate. I would like to find a self-cleaning rasor that uses rubbing alcohol to clean. I will probably just end up replacing the blade and foil and using it until it breaks.

avoid this one

2005-04-06
I had a similar problem to what another reviewer mentioned: after a few months the shaver completely stopped working. Obviously that's not good. Prior to that, it was an average shaver. Not really any better than my previous one (a Norelco). I didn't like the almost pure alcohol conditioner, so I stopped using that after a short time.

Excellent Shaver...Been Using it for almost 3 years...

2005-03-04
O.k., enough of the tried it for a few months reviews...

I bought this shaver about two and a half years ago from a store in Japan when I was teaching on a small island. I had forgotten my Norelco back in the states when I had taken a trip home. I was ticked to have to "waste money" on a new shaver, but I'm actually happy I did.

I get a much better shave than I ever did with the Norelcos I used to own. Sure it takes a few minutes to shave, but by shaving a little more slowly you can really get a close shave...pretty darn close to razor.

As far as the liquid goes, I used it for a little while when I first owned it, but it really didn't seem to affect me much and I have very sensitive skin. The scent is pretty much non-existant as far as I noticed. Since those first couple of months though, I have used is sans liquid conditioner and it has worked absolutely flawlessly.

The reason I am on here is that the blade cover ripped open so I have to replace it and thought I'd check out the price of the shaver itself...

Footnote...I have only used two Norelco shavers and this Braun, but heck, I figure if it works well who cares what the others do!

Please don't waste your money!

2004-07-01
This shaver should never have made it past quality control.

First of all, it simply does not shave...not close enough to be worth its price, anyway. I would spend a long time using it, trying to shave thoroughly, only to find that I would still have a shadow.

Secondly, the built-in aftershave cartridges, while a novel idea in theory, are faulty. In my experience with this unit, either the liquid spilled out and leaked all over the place, or it didn't come out at all. There's a sliding lever where you can supposedly adjust the amount of this "conditioner" that comes out, but the lever seems flimsy.

Third, one day, after about 6 months of use, my shaver simply stopped working for some reason. I'd press the button--nothing. So I had to send it out to New York to have the complete interior replaced (even they couldn't explain why it stopped working). It was covered under their warranty, except for the time and shipping costs, of course. But it was still an inconvenience.

Finally, this shaver irritated my skin so much that my neck looked like it had one giant rash on it...and it lasted all day.

So unless you have lots of time, skin of steel, tons of patience, a small box and some bubble-wrap, and a towel draped over your sink to catch the spillage, please hold off on buying this one until they fix the problems and get it right.

One of the best but not everyone 2004-01-24
My family bought me this shaver as a present, because they knew I was looking for a new one, to replace my old Norelco 5885XL and Philips 5615, that offers you a "wet shaving", but not close enough.
To make it easier, I wrote my review as a "FAQ", that I asked, when I was looking for a shaver.
1. Get to the bottom line - is it a good shaver?
Yes it is. One of the best in the market today.
2. How is it, comparing to other models you know?
I haven't used Braun for more than 20 yrs., because I thought (then), that their old shavers are inferior to Philips/Norelco. Things have changed and now I can tell you, that 6680 is better than Philips/Norelco best shaver, 8894 (I tried it for few days and wasn't satisfied). I don't know about other models of Remington or Braun, but I don't believe that any electric shaver can do better.
3. So, is it the perfect shaving solution?
Not for everyone, because of the conditioner. It contains 90% alcohol! More than the worst vodka in Moscow! I'm not sure that any sensitive skin can stand it, although personaly, I don't have any problems with it. Another thing that bothers me about the conditioner, is the cartridge's price: about 2.5$ in Amazon.com. I wish you to find cheaper places. Braun tells, that it takes you 15 days to finish one, which means, that you have to spend 60$ a year for it. That's a lot of money and makes 6680 a very expensive machine.
4. To buy or not to buy? That is the question
If you have a sensitive skin, but still decide to buy it, try it first for a few days. Its total cost (including the buying of new cartridges) must be calculated before buying it. If you like gadgets, Norelco 8894 and Braun 7680 look nicer, but don't shave better. If you don't care about the conditioner, the costs, and the lack of LCD, this is the shaver for you .

A Great Introduction to Electric Shaving 2003-12-06
A shaver that automatically conditions your skin as you shave? Braun was the first to come up with this smart idea. The result is a smooth gliding shaver that sensitive skin will love. After a cartridge containing the conditioning solution is inserted into the bottom of the shaver, a slender applicator bar running parallel to the cutting foils releases the liquid as you shave. The Glide Control setting lets you choose between minimum and maximum release. Adding to the comfortable shave is the pivoting head, with two foils and cutter that hug face and neck contours. The head can also be fixed in place if desired, and a trimmer pops up to define jaw lines and sideburns. Another convenient feature is the start/stop button: it can be depressed slightly and held for a quick touch-up shave, or depressed all the way and locked for a longer shave. Large hands will appreciate the girth of this shaver, which requires a thicker handle due to the cartridge system. Its high-tech design is quite distinctive, with a metallic-look top half that transitions into a transparent lower half. Useable in corded or cordless mode, the shaver features an LED charging light, low charge indicator, one-hour complete recharge for 50 minutes of shaving time, and a handy five minute rapid charge for quick shaves. A deluxe travel case with two zippered compartments and mesh sides are also included, along with two conditioner cartridges and a two-sided cleaning. Although the shaver can be easily rinsed clean under hot tap water. Because the conditioning solution is 90 percent alcohol and flammable, smoking near the shaver should be avoided. Braun covers the shaver with a two-year warranty. --Ann Bieri