You’re ready to bring your trusty Braun Series 7 back to life with a new head, but you’re faced with a choice: the Braun 70S vs 73S. They sounds similar, and the marketing can be confusing. Is one an upgrade? Is one better? Which one is right for your shaver?
Let’s cut through the noise. This guide provides a definitive comparison and will help you confidently purchase the correct replacement head, ensuring perfect performance.
Last Updated: Sep. 2025 | Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
The Simple Answer: It's All About Your Shaver's Generation
Before we dive into technology, let’s get the most important point out of the way. The 70S and 73S are NOT interchangeable. They are designed for two different generations of Series 7 shavers.
- The Braun 70S cassette is for the older generation of Series 7 shavers (typically models sold before 2020).
- The Braun 73S cassette is for the newer generation of Series 7 shavers that feature the “360° Flex” head.
Buying the wrong one is like trying to fit a Honda key into a Ford ignition—it simply won’t work because the physical connection is different.
Braun 70S vs 73S: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Braun 70S Cassette | Braun 73S Cassette |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Older Generation S7 (e.g., 790cc, 7865cc, 760cc) | Newer Generation S7 (e.g., 7020s, 7071cc, 7085cc) |
| Head Technology | Standard Pivoting Head | 360° Flex Head |
| Primary Benefit | Proven, reliable performance for classic models. | Adapts better to contours for a closer shave. |
| Best For | Owners of Pulsonic, Prosonic, and Active Power models. | Owners of the latest Series 7 shavers with flexible heads. |
Performance & Technology: What's the Difference?
While both heads deliver an excellent shave, they are engineered differently to match the motor and movement of their corresponding shaver bodies.
The Braun 70S Cassette: The Classic Workhor
shave and an ActiveLift trimmer designed to capture flat-lying hairs. It was built for the powerful linear motors in shavers like the iconic 790cc, delivering a robust and effective shave that millions of users have relied on for years. Think of it as a finely tuned, powerful, and proven classic.
The Braun 73S Cassette: The Modern Innovator
The primary innovation of the newer Series 7 shavers is the 360° Flex head, which allows the entire shaver head to pivot and adapt to the contours of your face. The Braun 73S is engineered specifically for this system. While the foil technology is similar, the cassette’s housing and connection points are built to work with this new flexibility, ensuring constant skin contact even in tricky areas like the jawline and neck. A quick Braun 73s review shows users praise its ability to deliver a close shave with fewer passes.
The Most Important Question: Can You Upgrade a 70S to a 73S?
This is the most common point of confusion, so here is the clear answer:
The definitive answer is no. You cannot perform a Braun Series 7 head upgrade by putting a 73S cassette on a shaver designed for a 70S. The physical mounting clips and the plastic housing are completely different.
Forcing it would break either the new cassette or your shaver. The “upgrade” comes from buying a newer shaver model, not from mixing and matching the heads.
Which is the Best Replacement Head for a Braun Series 7?
The best replacement head for a Braun Series 7 is the one that was designed for your specific model. It’s not a matter of choice or preference.
- If you have an older Series 7 (like a 790cc, 7865cc, etc.), the 70S is the best—and only—choice.
- If you have a newer Series 7 with a 360° Flex head, the 73S is the best—and only—choice.
To be 100% sure which one you need, simply find your shaver’s 4-digit type number (usually on the back) and check it against our complete Braun Series 7 compatibility chart.
No, they are absolutely not interchangeable. They are designed for different generations of Series 7 shavers and have different physical mounting systems.
Not necessarily. Both are built to Braun's high-quality standards. The 73S is simply engineered for a different, more flexible shaver body. The best performance comes from matching the correct head to the correct shaver.
Do not choose based on color. Both the 70S and 73S are typically silver. The only reliable way to choose the correct cassette is by identifying your shaver's specific model or 4-digit type number.
Braun recommends replacing the foil and cutter cassette every 18 months to maintain peak shaving performance, closeness, and hygiene.
