Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9660CCPS Review (2026): Close but Noisy

This Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9660CCPS review looks at a mid-range electric foil shaver aimed at people who want a close result without the irritation that often comes with it. It is Braun's answer to a familiar problem: a shave that is close enough to last, but gentle enough for sensitive skin. It also comes with a station that takes care of cleaning, lubricating, drying and charging. This review is based on manufacturer specs and what independent experts report, not on our own hands-on testing.

What the Series 9 PRO+ is trying to do

The 9660CCPS is the black version of Braun's Series 9 PRO+, made in Germany. The idea is to combine a multi-element shaving head with sensing technology that adapts to your beard, then add a station so upkeep takes almost no effort. That makes it a fit for people who shave often, want the shaver to look after itself, and care more about skin comfort than about a feature-packed trimmer.

It sits in the mid-range part of the market. Across the expert reviews we looked at, the consistent message is a very close shave that stays comfortable on sensitive skin. The same reviews also flag a few practical annoyances, covered below.

Design and build

The shaver has a 40° adaptive head that follows the contours of the jaw and neck. This matters because those are the hardest areas to shave cleanly with a rigid head. Reviewers specifically praise how well it follows those curves.

The shaver is 100% waterproof, so you can use it dry or in the shower with foam or gel. Braun specifies that it is tested to resist under water up to 24 hours. In practice that means rinsing it under the tap is fine, though the SmartCare Center will usually do the cleaning for you.

On the front there is an LED performance display. It shows battery level, hygiene status, a travel lock and a shaving countdown. These are useful at a glance: you know when to charge, when the head needs cleaning, and you avoid the shaver switching on in a bag. The box also includes an extra shaver head, which is a welcome extra.

Braun backs the shaver with a warranty of up to 5 years.

The shaving head and features in daily use

5+1 shaving elements

The head uses 5+1 synchronized shaving elements: 2x OptiFoil, a ProLift blade, a Direct&Cut blade, a SkinGuard, and the ProTrimmer as the "+1". The ProLift blade is there for hairs that lie flat against the skin, and reviewers say the shaver handles longer stubble and flat-lying neck hairs well. The 96M head uses Ultra Thin Precision Blades, which Braun positions as delivering closeness with less irritation. Cutting happens at 40000 cutting actions per minute.

Pro SensoAdapt

Pro SensoAdapt reads your beard density 300x/sec and adjusts power automatically. Dense patches get more power and thinner areas get less, so you do not have to choose a mode. Reviewers praise this, and it is a good fit for anyone whose beard varies between cheek, jaw and neck.

6-in-1 SmartCare Center

The SmartCare Center is the main convenience feature. It cleans, lubricates, dries and charges the shaver. You dock the shaver after use and it is ready next time. For people who tend to forget to rinse or oil their shavers, this is a real selling point, and reviewers praise it.

The ProTrimmer

The built-in Precision ProTrimmer is made of surgical-grade stainless steel and is intended for sideburns and moustache. It works for quick tidying, but this is where reviewers are least impressed, as covered below.

Battery and charging

The Li-Ion battery gives 60-min shaving time per charge. The travel lock protects against accidental switch-on. If you are caught short, quick charge gives enough for one shave in 5 min.

The main criticism here is the lack of USB-C charging. Reviewers note this, and it is a real limit if you want one cable for everything when travelling. In day-to-day use at home it matters less, since the SmartCare Center handles charging.

What experts like and what they criticise

On the independent side, the picture is positive. ShaverCheck rates it 4.5/5 and PickShavers 9.2/10, and the expert average comes to 9.1/10 across 2 expert reviews. With only two sources behind that average, treat it as a strong signal rather than a comprehensive one.

The things reviewers praise most often:

• A very close shave that stays comfortable on sensitive skin.
• Pro SensoAdapt adjusting power automatically to beard density.
• Good handling of longer stubble and flat-lying neck hairs.
• The 40° head following jaw and neck contours.
• The 6-in-1 SmartCare Center looking after cleaning, lubrication, drying and charging.

And the recurring criticisms:

• No USB-C charging.
• A built-in trimmer that is mediocre for detail work.
• A rear flip-up trimmer that can dig into the finger.
• Somewhat noisy in use.

The trimmer comments are the ones to weigh carefully. If you rely on a shaver to sculpt a beard or keep a precise moustache line, a common criticism is that this one will frustrate you. For occasional tidying of sideburns it should be fine. The noise point is milder ("somewhat noisy"), but if you shave in a shared space early in the morning, you may notice it.

Who should buy it

The Series 9 PRO+ 9660CCPS suits sensitive-skin shavers who want a close shave with automatic cleaning. It is also a good match if:

• You shave frequently and want the shaver to maintain itself.
• Your beard has varied density and you like the idea of power adjusting on its own.
• You have flat-lying hairs on the neck and want a head with a ProLift blade designed for them.
• You like shaving in the shower, and want a fully waterproof design for wet or dry use.

Who should skip it

Look elsewhere if:

• You want a quiet shaver.
• USB-C charging is a must-have for you.
• You need a strong trimmer for beard styling or detail work.
• You prefer a simple, low-maintenance setup with no station taking up counter space.

How it fits in the electric shaver category

This model focuses on a close, comfortable shave and an automatic cleaning and charging station. It trades away some modern conveniences, such as USB-C, and the trimmer is not a highlight. If those are your priorities, it is worth shortlisting. If you want a shaver that doubles as a capable beard trimmer, treat it as a shaver first and a trimmer second.

Verdict

The Braun Series 9 PRO+ 9660CCPS is a convincing choice for people who care about comfort and convenience over extras. The shaving head, the adaptive sensing and the SmartCare Center all point in the same direction: a close shave with little effort. The missing USB-C, the mediocre trimmer and the noise are real drawbacks, but they are the kind you can judge against your own habits before buying. If you shave regularly and want something that looks after itself, it is a strong candidate.

Related buying guides

• Best Electric Shavers 2026: Close Shaves for Every Budget
• Panasonic ARC6 ES-LS9A-K Review (2026): Thick-Beard Focus