Replacing Electric Shaver Heads | A 5-Minute Swap

Dull blades tug at your skin, leave irritation, and make every shave take twice as long. The fix isn’t buying a new razor—it’s swapping the cutting parts. Whether you use a Braun or a Philips Norelco, the process follows the same basic pattern: open the shaving unit, remove the old heads, click in the new ones, and close it until it locks. Here’s exactly how to do it right, plus when you actually need to.

When Should You Replace Shaver Heads?

Both major manufacturers publish replacement intervals, and they’re close enough that you can plan around either. Braun recommends replacing the foil and cutter block every 18 months for optimal performance.

Watch for these warning signs between scheduled replacements:

• The shaver pulls or tugs at hair instead of gliding
• You notice more skin irritation or redness than usual
• The foil shows visible dents, tears, or worn patches
• Shaving takes noticeably longer than it used to

Replace all heads at once rather than one at a time. Mixing old and new parts creates uneven cutting and can leave your skin raw on one side.

How To Replace Philips Shaver Heads

Philips shavers use a three-part rotating head system held in place by retaining rings. The procedure is consistent across the brand’s Series 1000 through 9000 models.

Step 1: Switch the shaver off and unplug it from the wall socket. Step 2: Press the release button to open the shaving unit. Step 3: Turn the retaining rings anticlockwise to unlock them. Step 4: Remove the old heads and discard them immediately—Philips warns against mixing old and new heads. Step 5: Insert the new heads, making sure any notches or projections align with the holder hooks. Step 6: Reinstall the retaining rings, close the shaving unit, and press until it clicks.

One note: the exact head model matters. Philips assigns each head a specific series— Check the back of your shaver handle to confirm which replacement you need before ordering. If you’re in the market for a new razor altogether, our tested roundup of the best electric head shavers covers models that take these same refills.

How To Replace Braun Shaver Heads

Braun’s procedure depends on the model generation. Newer units use a single click-in replacement part; older ones split into a separate foil and cutter block.

For newer Braun shavers (including Series 7): push the old replacement part upward from front to back to release it, then click the new head into place until it seats firmly.

For older two-part systems: remove the foil first, either by pressing the release button or pulling it off directly. Then rotate the cutter block 90 degrees and pull it off—always holding it at the ends to avoid touching the blades. Install the new foil first, then the cutter block, reversing the removal steps.

Replacement Intervals By Brand

Both brands stress the same safety points: always unplug the shaver before opening it, and use genuine replacement parts from the manufacturer. Third-party heads may fit, but they often cut less efficiently and can void your warranty. When in doubt about which part fits your model, both Braun and Philips list compatibility details on their replacement pages—check those before you buy.