I purchased my Panasonic ES-LA63-S Arc4 in late 2021 and wanted to share my experience after 4 years of daily shaving. This razor doesn't get as much attention as the Arc5 but it's been a reliable workhorse for me.
The Arc4 uses a 4-blade linear motor system running at 14,000 CPM, which is the same motor technology as the Arc5 just with one fewer blade. For my medium-coarse beard this has been more than sufficient. I shave every morning and the razor handles overnight stubble without any issues.
Battery life has held up well over 4 years. I'm getting about 10-12 shaves per charge now compared to maybe 14-15 when it was new. That's reasonable degradation for a lithium-ion battery with this much use. The 1-hour charge time hasn't changed.
I've replaced the outer foil and inner blades twice during the 4 years, roughly every 18-24 months. The WES9025PC replacement combo runs about $35-40 depending on where you buy it. Total maintenance cost over 4 years has been around $75.
The wet/dry capability still works perfectly. I typically shave dry but occasionally use it in the shower with shaving gel. No issues with water resistance after all this time.
Build quality remains solid. No cracks, the pivot head still moves freely, buttons work fine. The only cosmetic issue is some minor scratching on the body from normal use.
If you're considering an Arc4 versus spending more on an Arc5, my experience says the Arc4 is plenty of razor for most people. The fifth blade is nice to have but not essential unless you have very thick or challenging facial hair.
Would I buy another one when this dies? Absolutely.
Gareth
The Arc4 uses a 4-blade linear motor system running at 14,000 CPM, which is the same motor technology as the Arc5 just with one fewer blade. For my medium-coarse beard this has been more than sufficient. I shave every morning and the razor handles overnight stubble without any issues.
Battery life has held up well over 4 years. I'm getting about 10-12 shaves per charge now compared to maybe 14-15 when it was new. That's reasonable degradation for a lithium-ion battery with this much use. The 1-hour charge time hasn't changed.
I've replaced the outer foil and inner blades twice during the 4 years, roughly every 18-24 months. The WES9025PC replacement combo runs about $35-40 depending on where you buy it. Total maintenance cost over 4 years has been around $75.
The wet/dry capability still works perfectly. I typically shave dry but occasionally use it in the shower with shaving gel. No issues with water resistance after all this time.
Build quality remains solid. No cracks, the pivot head still moves freely, buttons work fine. The only cosmetic issue is some minor scratching on the body from normal use.
If you're considering an Arc4 versus spending more on an Arc5, my experience says the Arc4 is plenty of razor for most people. The fifth blade is nice to have but not essential unless you have very thick or challenging facial hair.
Would I buy another one when this dies? Absolutely.
Gareth
