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The Norelco 2 series and the 3 series are often thought of as the forgotten ones; whilst the 7, 4 and 5 series get a lot of interest, sometimes the 3 series gets a little bit overlooked. But, this is a mistake – if you’re after a rotary shaver, then you’d be hard pressed to find a better one than the 3600.
Currently, the 3600 is the dominant shaver of the 3 series clan and the 2100 has been discontinued, so you’ll want to look at the 3600 if you’re after a good quality rotary shaver. It’s up there with the better ones if you’re on a tight budget.
There are a lot of Norelco models out there; so much so that it can get a little confusing to decide between them. Fortunately, I’m going to run through the 3600 and compare it to some other models that you might find on the market that it’s worth comparing too.
Norelco 3600
- From the #1 electric shaver brand¹: Shaver 3600 Series gives you a comfortable, clean shave even on sensitive skin thanks to 27 self-sharpening ComfortCut Blades and 5D Pivot & Flex Heads
- Designed for life, built to last: with 2-year self-sharpening steel blades lifetime you can enjoy a shaver that performs like new every day
- By flexing and pivoting in 5 directions, the head follows every curve of your face, cutting just above skin level for a clean, comfortable shave even on sensitive skin
- Fast, clean shave: 27 self-sharpening blades comfortably cut hair right above skin level for a smooth, even finish, every time
- Choose a convenient dry shave, or pair with your favorite foam or gel for a refreshing wet shave, even in the shower
Please note: This review about the Norelco 3600 Electric Shaver. You’ll also find a 3 series version of the Multigroom, the Bodygroom and the Beard Trimmer too.
The 3600 is a good option if you’re looking to pick up something relatively cheap that can keep your stubble maintain. It’s not going to work well on long hairs, so you would need to pick up a separate trimmer to do that job. But if you like to keep your stubble on point, then the 3600 is a safe option.
It’s designed specifically to fit the curvature of your face and neck well. This is one of the good things about using a rotary shaver – it will easily adjust to your neck, which means that you can be sure of a good shave that is unlikely to cause irritation.
It should work well for anyone who’s dealt with skin irritation issues in the past, as it definitely will help to reduce the amount of irritation you may get from a shaver. If you’re after a comfortable shave above all else, then it is worth considering the 3600 as your shaver of choice.
Another good thing about the 3600 is that it’s extremely easy to clean out the beard hairs after you’ve finished shaving. It is an open top shaver, which means that you can just pop the face of the shaver off and access underneath where the hairs are stored. You can easily then rinse the shaver under the tap, which is really easy to do. I hate shavers that are hard to clean, so this is an important factor for me!
The battery life of the 3600 isn’t anything amazing, but it’s definitely up there with some of the better battery life’s considering it’s a foil shaver. It used a lithium ion battery like most similar shavers, and you’re going to get about 60 minutes of battery from a full charge.
Overall, the 3600 is a safety bet if you’re looking for a foil shaver to use than won’t break your bank in terms of cost. It’s a good quality shaver, and it’s definitely worth considering.
Norelco 2100
The Norelco 2100 is essentially the older version of the 3100/ 3600. It’s still a fine shaver, but there are a few differences that make the 3600 a better option than the 2100.
Firstly, the battery life. The 3600 has a 30 minute better battery life on paper than the 2100, but that isn’t the only thing that you’ll want to take into account here. There were reports of the 2100 not working, which probably led to Norelco deciding to discontinue the model many years ago. With the 3600 proving to be so popular, there was no need to continue selling the 2100.
You would also notice a dramatic different in the blades that are used in the 2100 if you compare them to the 3600. This is because the 3600 used ‘ComfortCut blades’ as opposed to the Close Cut blades than the 2100 uses. This doesn’t mean that the 3600 doesn’t cut as close as the 2100, but it does mean that you’re going to get a better more comfortable shave with the 7300.
Overall, the differences are subtle between the two – they’re very similar weights and they feel very similar in your hands. But, the 3600 is a definite step up on the 2100 in terms of usability.
Conclusion
It’s clear to see that the 3600 is the king of the budget Norelco foil shavers – no other options come close to it, and it’s a significant step up on the 2100. It’s a definite improvement, which is evident to see from first use. If you do have the 2100 or any 2 series, then it’s worth considering the upgrade.
Other options to consider;
- Norelco 7200 vs 7300 – If you want to get yourself a good beard trimmer, then the 7200 is a good option that you can choose.
- Norelco 5200 vs 9800 – Do you need a multigroom shaver? Then maybe the 5200 is a better option for you.
- Norelco 4100 vs 4500 – For better foil shavers, then the 4500 is an awesome option.
If you’re in the market for a new rotary shaver and you don’t have a ton of cash to spend, then play it safe with the 3600.
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These are rotary shavers, not foil shavers!!