Panasonic ES-RF31 Review: a no-nonsense 4-blade foil shaver that punches above its price

The Panasonic ES-RF31 is one of those older shavers that still shows up near the top of rankings and customer recommendations, even though newer and more expensive models exist. On paper, it's a fairly straightforward 4-blade wet & dry foil shaver with a flexible head, NiMH battery and no fancy display or cleaning station. Yet it has gathered over 5,000 reviews and sits at around 4.3/5 stars, which means it clearly does something right for a lot of people.

What stands out from the public comments is the number of buyers comparing it with much pricier Braun Series 7/9 or Panasonic Arc 5/6 models and saying the ES-RF31 holds its own, or even does better for them. There are also several long-term users who came back to buy it a second time after many years, which is usually a good sign for real-world reliability and shaving comfort, especially around sensitive skin and neck areas.

On the other hand, this is not a brand-new flagship. The spec sheet shows a NiMH battery rather than modern Li-ion, a simple LED battery indicator, no charging stand, and a fairly bulky head. Some users also mention that getting a very close shave requires a bit of technique and multiple passes, especially if you're switching from traditional wet razors or have tricky neck growth.

In my opinion, the ES-RF31 looks like a practical, value-focused shaver: strong core shaving hardware, fewer bells and whistles. The key question is whether the 4-blade head, Japanese steel and pivoting system really compensate for the older battery tech and basic ergonomics. The following sections dig into what the spec sheet promises and what buyers actually report in day-to-day use.

The ES-RF31 sits in a mid-range price bracket, and several buyers explicitly point out that they paid far less than the original RRP often quoted by retailers. One review mentions picking it up for around £56 while another store listed it at over £130, and another user compares it to 3‑figure shavers from Braun and Panasonic’s own Arc 5/6 lines. The general tone is that this shaver delivers performance close to, or in some cases better than, those more expensive models, which makes it look like a good deal.

From a pure spec standpoint, it offers 4-blade foil hardware, Japanese steel, wet & dry capability, a pivoting head, and 60 minutes of cordless shaving. The corners cut to keep the price down are clear: NiMH battery instead of Li-ion, basic LED indicator instead of a digital display, no charging stand, and a fairly plain plastic shell. For many buyers, those compromises are acceptable because the key functions—closeness, comfort, reliability—seem to be strong. Several reviewers explicitly say they don’t see why they should pay over £100 when this cheaper model “gets the job done” just as well.

It’s also placed very well in its category: ranked 18th in Men’s Electric Foil Shavers with a 4.3/5 rating from more than 5,000 reviews. That combination of popularity and solid average rating suggests that, even years after release, it still holds its ground against newer competitors. Replacement foils and blades are an extra cost to factor in over time, but that’s true for any foil shaver, and Panasonic parts are usually widely available online.

In my opinion, the ES-RF31 offers strong value if your priorities are shave quality and durability, not flashy features. If you insist on the latest battery tech, a charging dock, or Bluetooth gimmicks, you’ll need to spend more and look elsewhere. But if you want a relatively affordable, Japanese-made foil shaver that behaves like a workhorse and can rival pricier models, this one makes a solid case for itself.

From a design perspective, the ES-RF31 goes for practical rather than flashy. It has a silver body with dark grip areas and a fairly chunky 4-blade head. Several buyers highlight that the head is a bit bulky, which can make it slightly harder to manoeuvre in tight spots like under the nose or right in the corner of the jaw. That is the trade-off of having four foils side by side: more coverage, but more mass at the top.

The handle itself is shaped to sit securely in the hand, with curves and textured areas that, according to reviews, make it easy to hold even when used in the shower. There’s no glossy showpiece finish here; it looks like a typical mid-range Panasonic, with emphasis on grip and practicality. One user explicitly says they prefer how this design feels in the hand compared with an older Panasonic model, even if they miss the digital battery display.

The controls are minimal: an on/off switch, a travel lock, a pop-up trimmer slider, and three small LEDs for battery indication. Some buyers mention they would have liked a charging stand or a more advanced display, but they also accept that at this price point Panasonic focused on the shaving hardware, not on visual extras. The absence of a stand does mean you either lie it on its side or store it in the pouch, which is something to keep in mind if you like your bathroom counter tidy.

In my opinion, the design is very much in line with the product’s positioning: a no-frills tool built to shave well. If you like lots of chrome, big digital readouts and complex swivelling heads, this will feel basic. If you just want a straightforward foil shaver with a solid grip and logical controls, the ES-RF31’s design seems to hit that mark, with the only real compromise being the bulk of the 4-blade head in tight areas.

The ES-RF31 uses a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, which is a bit old-fashioned compared to the Li-ion cells used in most modern shavers. The manufacturer states an average battery life of 60 minutes after a one-hour full charge, plus a 5-minute quick charge option for a single shave. That spec is actually competitive even today: 60 minutes is what many current mid-range shavers advertise, regardless of battery chemistry.

In the reviews, users generally confirm that the runtime is solid. One buyer mentions shaving once a day and getting about a week between charges, which lines up roughly with the 60-minute claim if each shave takes a few minutes. Others don’t obsess over precise numbers but simply say the shaver holds charge well and charges fairly quickly. No recurring complaints about sudden drop-offs or poor battery life show up in the comments provided, which suggests the NiMH implementation is at least reliable.

The charging interface is basic: a UK 2-pin mains plug that connects directly to the shaver. There is no stand, no USB, and only a three-LED battery indicator instead of a percentage display. A few long-time Panasonic users say they miss the digital readout and charging stand from older, more expensive models, but they accept this as a cost-saving choice. The travel lock switch is a small bonus, as it helps avoid accidental activation in a bag, which matters when you rely on cordless use.

In my opinion, the only real downside here is the NiMH chemistry, which typically doesn’t age as gracefully as Li-ion over many years and can be more sensitive to partial charges. But given user reports of multi-year daily use before any noticeable slowdown, it looks good enough for the price. If you want USB charging, a dock, or detailed battery stats, this model will feel dated. If you just want to plug it into a bathroom socket once a week and forget about it, the ES-RF31 seems to deliver.

Comfort is where this model gets a lot of positive feedback. Several buyers explicitly mention sensitive skin, eczema, and irritation from blades, and still report that the ES-RF31 works for them. One user with underlying facial eczema and very thin skin says they never experienced shaving rash or cuts with this shaver, even when removing up to four days of heavy growth. Another explains that they switched from multi-blade wet razors because of irritation and found their skin improved after a few weeks with this Panasonic.

There is, however, a recurring theme: transitioning from a razor to electric takes time. One review explains in detail that the first shaves were disappointing, and they had to give their skin about a week to adapt and let the top layer of skin recover from blade shaving. After that period, comfort and closeness improved significantly. This matches common shaving advice: foil shavers often need 1–2 weeks of regular use before your skin and technique are dialled in.

Many users report that going over the same area multiple times is necessary, especially on the neck or with several days’ growth. The positive point is that they also say this does not usually cause irritation, especially when combined with a pre-electric lotion or shaving oil. People who use it wet often mention applying shaving cream or oil and then shaving against the grain, which seems to give them a closer and still comfortable result. The flexible head and curved foils likely help distribute pressure, reducing the risk of hot spots or razor burn.

In my opinion, the ES-RF31 looks like a good compromise between closeness and skin friendliness, as long as you are willing to invest a bit of time in technique and let your skin adapt. If your skin is extremely reactive, the positive reports from users with eczema and previous blade irritation are encouraging. Just don’t expect instant perfection on day one, and be prepared to do multiple passes, especially on the neck.

The spec sheet states that the ES-RF31 is made in Japan and uses stainless steel blades sharpened to 30°. Among shaving enthusiasts, Panasonic’s Japanese-made foil shavers generally have a good reputation for blade quality and machining, and several Amazon reviewers echo that sentiment here. People moving from cheaper brands or older models frequently comment that the cutting elements feel more efficient and stay sharp for a long time, even with daily shaving.

The outer casing is plastic, which is standard at this price, but multiple buyers describe it as well put together and robust, especially compared with some modern “premium” shavers that feel lighter or more hollow. One long-term user says they had their previous ES-RF31 for around five years before the motor and blades started to feel tired, which for a plastic-bodied shaver is decent. Another comment compares it favourably to newer, much more expensive Braun and Panasonic models, saying this older design actually feels more solid and less gimmicky.

Foils and blades are, as usual, wear parts. Panasonic officially recommends replacing them every 6–12 months, but at least one buyer reports using the same set for years with occasional oiling and still getting acceptable performance. That’s obviously dependent on beard type and usage frequency, but it suggests the steel quality is not cheap. Replacement cassettes are not mentioned in detail in the reviews provided, but for Panasonic foil shavers they are generally easy to find online, even for older models.

In my opinion, the materials and build are one of the strong points here. You’re not getting metal housing or luxury finishes, but you are getting Japanese manufacturing, proven stainless steel cutting parts, and a casing that buyers describe as sturdy. For a shaver that sits far below the price of current flagships, that’s a respectable package, especially if you want something that can handle daily use without feeling flimsy.

Durability is one of the consistent positive themes around this shaver. Several owners describe using Panasonic foil shavers, including this ES-RF31, for many years of daily shaving with very few issues. One buyer explains that they had an older Panasonic for around eight years of trouble-free operation and only replaced it after multiple drops on a hard floor finally killed it. Another says they used their first ES-RF31 for at least five years before the motor slowed and blades dulled, and then simply bought the same model again because it had served them well.

The waterproof construction and washable design also play into durability. The shaver is intended to be rinsed under the tap, and Panasonic includes a “Sonic Vibration Cleaning” mode to help shake out hairs. Users describe simple cleaning routines: running it under the shower, sometimes with a drop of shower gel, then rinsing. Some go a step further and use dedicated cleaning sprays and a few drops of clipper oil (e.g., WAHL oil) on the foils to keep everything moving smoothly. At least one long-term user credits this occasional oiling with extending foil and blade life well beyond the official replacement interval.

As with any electric shaver, foils and blades are the wear points, and eventually the battery and motor will age. What matters is that there are no widespread reports of early failures, cracked foils, or water ingress in the comments provided. In fact, one person explicitly contrasts their experience with Braun foils that broke and cut their face, saying the Panasonic foil on the ES-RF31 never failed in that way over years of use. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but it suggests such incidents are not common.

In my opinion, the ES-RF31 looks reassuringly robust for a mid-priced plastic shaver. Japanese manufacturing, a sealed wet & dry body, and a track record of multi-year daily use give confidence. If you take basic care of it—rinse it, occasionally oil the foils, and replace the cassette when needed—it should reasonably last several years. It’s not immortal, but for the money, the durability picture is quite strong.

The ES-RF31 is a cordless, wet & dry foil shaver aimed at men who want to shave the face, chin and neck, with occasional use on the scalp or body according to some reviews. It uses a 4-blade foil system with what Panasonic calls multi-fit arc blades and curved foils, designed to follow facial contours. Under the foils there are stainless steel cutting elements sharpened to 30°, which is fairly standard for Panasonic and known among enthusiasts as one of their strong points on paper.

The head is described as a 2D multi-directional pivoting head. That means the entire cassette tilts to follow the face, while the individual foils float independently. Several buyers mention that this helps particularly on the neck and jawline, even if it doesn’t magically solve every awkward spot. There is also a retractable pop-up trimmer, mainly for sideburns and moustache edges, which is integrated into the body so there are no external attachments to misplace.

Power-wise, it runs on a rechargeable NiMH battery with an advertised 60 minutes of cordless use after roughly one hour of charging. There is also a 5-minute quick charge function claimed to be enough for one shave, which a few users confirm is handy in emergencies. The shaver is fully washable and supports wet or dry shaving, including in the shower, and Panasonic even adds a “Sonic Vibration Cleaning” mode to help flush out hair under running water.

In the box, you typically get the shaver, UK 2‑pin mains cord, a soft pouch, a cleaning brush and basic documentation. Some listings mention a cleaning cartridge, but buyer comments mostly talk about manual cleaning with water and optional spray, so this doesn’t look like an automatic cleaning station model. Overall, the feature set is focused on getting a close, comfortable shave without gadgets: no digital display, no stand, just the essentials and a 4-blade head that is the main selling point.

On paper, the ES-RF31 has the right ingredients for strong shaving performance: four foils, 30° Japanese stainless steel blades, and a pivoting, floating head. In the comments, many buyers back this up, saying the closeness is comparable to or better than other electric shavers they’ve owned, including high-end Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc 5/6 models. One user even says that in their experience, none of those more expensive shavers outperform this ES-RF31 in real shaving results.

Several reviewers who use it as a wet shaver go further and claim the closeness is similar to a traditional blade shave on the face. One long review from a heavy user mentions dry shaving the face and head daily with the ES-RF31, and occasionally doing a wet shave on the face for an “ultra smooth” result that they describe as on par with a wet razor. However, they still prefer to finish their scalp with a manual razor for a perfectly smooth “billiard ball” feel, so the ES-RF31 is strong but not magic, especially on curved scalp areas.

Where the shaver demands more effort is with multiple days of growth or tricky neck hair. Buyers repeatedly mention needing to go over the same spot several times to catch flat-lying hairs or thicker growth. One owner notes that removing four days of heavy stubble takes about seven minutes and several passes, which is longer than a quick daily shave but still acceptable for them. The upside is that, according to these users, the shaver manages this without causing much irritation, so the extra passes are more about time than pain.

In my opinion, the ES-RF31 is very capable in terms of raw shaving effectiveness, especially for its price bracket. It seems to reward good preparation (washing the face, softening the beard, maybe using pre-shave products) and a bit of patience. If you expect a single-pass, zero-effort shave on a three-day beard, you may be disappointed. If you are fine with a few minutes of methodical passes, the closeness reported by many buyers is quite impressive for a mid-range foil shaver.