Philips Norelco Arcitec Shavers and Accessories Review

There are several shavers available in the Philips Norelco Arcitec lineup. I will be discussion the Arcitec 1090 and the 1050 along with some available accessories and replacement heads. Other models have been either phased out or completely uneconomical to purchase. For example, the 1060x is currently available, but is being sold for $999, not exactly a great buy and definitely not worth that price.

For that reason, I have chosen two of the Arcitec models that are currently available, to review and talk a bit about the technology in the Arcitec design.

Philips Norelco Arcitec 1090

If you’re familiar with Philips Norelco shavers, you’ll notice a lot of similarity in design comparable with a lot of the shavers in the SensoTouch lineup of shavers. The Arcitec was the precursor to the newer SensoTouch shavers, though  many guys still prefer older models of shavers as newer isn’t always better depending on what it is you’re wanting out of your shaver.

One of the nice features on the 1090 is the flex and pivot head allowing for a close shave without having to apply a lot of pressure. There is a triple track shaving head which is much larger than most heads available on shavers. This allows for more cutting area to be covered at once reducing overall shave time.

Another nice feature is the precision cutting of the stainless steel blades. Hair is gently lifted for a close cut without pulling or irritating skin. The Arcitec really gives a smooth close shave and is easy to use even on tough areas such as under the chin and neck area.

The design consists of carbon fiber making it extremely light and durable. There is a numeric shaving time display as well as battery capacity, indicator, and full charge indicator. It also comes with a power pod travel case which can be plugged in for fast an easy charging.

My Thoughts on the Philips Norelco Arcitec 1090

As for quality of shave, the Arictec 1090 delivers. The three cutting system cuts longer hair, short stubble, and can handle grooming sideburns or a beard.

I like the overall design of the 1090. When the first in the Arcitec series became available it was really high-tech and one of the more sought after shavers at the time. The ergonomic design and carbon fiber panels make it easy to grip and durable.

The only problem I have with this shaver is the price. Because it is an older model, it’s not readily available. As of this writing you can currently purchase the Philips Norelco Arcitec 1090 through Amazon through the link provided above. However, it isn’t cheap and you can get a newer Norelco model such as the Norelco SensoTouch 3d 1290x for cheaper than this older model which doesn’t compare feature wise. However, if you prefer the older, by all means you will be getting a quality shaver. I just don’t feel the price makes it very economical.

Now let’s take a look at the Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050. It has lots of nice features, provides a quality shave and the price is much more appealing than with the 1090.

Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050

The 1050 model has many of the features you will find on the 1090. There are three independently flexing heads which allow for better coverage and a closer shave as the blades adjust to the contours of your face.

Some of the cool features on the Arcitec 1050 are the hair collection chamber, the worldwide voltage adaptor, and the quick charge setting. It’s also easy to clean by simply running it under water.

The hair collection chamber is a big plus.  It captures hair as you shave so you won’t have a mess of hair all over your sink.

The worldwide voltage adaptor is also a big plus, especially for international travelers. It can adjust from 100v to 240v meaning you can use this shaver anywhere there’s an outlet. It does function corded or cordless, so if you keep it charged and end up in a situation without an outlet, you can still use it. You can get a quick charge in 3 minutes allowing for one shave while a full charge can be achieved in an hour providing 70 minutes of shave time.

Like the 1090 there is also a status indicator/LED. It also comes with a charging stand. A light flashes to let you know when the shaver is fully charged.

My Thoughts on the Philips Norelco Arcitec 1050

Again, we are looking at an older model shaver. That being said, the quality of shave is there. If your not looking for the latest shaver with a 10 stage LED or stand alone cleaning station, then the 1050 could work for you. The great thing about this shaver is the price!

The 1090 is simply way over priced, but the 1050 is less than $100. I’m not sure how much longer this shaver will be available. Older models get phased out and become difficult to find. Currently you can purchase a factory refurbished model from Amazon through the link provided below.

Now that you’ve compared both shavers, you need to think about additional accessories you may want and need as well as replacement heads for your shaver.

Philips Norelco Arcitec Available Accessories

One of the first add-ons you may want to consider is a click on styler. The styler gives you more shaving options with 5 length settings for grooming. It is adjustable from .5 millimeters up to 5 millimeters. The styler is perfect for trimming a beard or mustache.

Of course if you don’t at least occasionally grow a mustache or beard then this really isn’t a necessity. But, it’s nice to have options and it’s really easy to use. You simply click the shaving head off and click the styler on. At just over $20 it’s not a bad buy.

Another accessory you may want to consider, especially if one wasn’t included in your purchase is the Norelco Arcitec counter charging stand. Again, it’s not a necessity but it is quite inexpensive and nice to have.

I should however mention, there is currently only one charging station available from Amazon. The reason being as the older model shavers get phased out, accessories are quick to follow. I will provide a link below though, someone may have beaten you too it. You might be able to pick  a used one up on ebay if it’s no longer available through Amazon.

Philips Norelco Arcitec Replacement Heads

In order for a shaver to function at optimal performance, certain parts such as heads need to be changed out as specified by the manufacturer. Keeping your shaver blades sharp can reduce the possibility of skin irritation such as razor burn and even nicks or cuts which are quite uncommon with many electric shavers but still possible.

The replacement heads that work for the Arcitec series are Philips Norelco RQ10 heads. These will work for both the 1090 and 1050 model as well as other models of Arcitec shavers. They are a little pricy but heads only need to be changed out once a year (sooner if you shave daily or have really thick growth). You can purchase replacement heads from Amazon through the following link.

Final Thoughts on the Norelco Arcitec Shavers

The bottom line is this; the quality of shave is there on both of these models. They are well designed and have some really cool features. As they are older models, replacement heads or other accessories may become either difficult or expensive to come by. That’s just something for you to consider before making a buying decision.

Going back to price, the 1050 is a great deal but the 1090 is simply overpriced due to high demand and low supply. Before going with either of these shavers but particularly the 1090, I recommend you check out some of the shavers from the Braun Series 3, 5, and 7. You can find a really nice comparison chart that I created at Braun Clean and Renew System where I compare several shavers from each series.

I hope this information was useful. As always, feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the Philips Norelco Arcitec series or any other shaver you may be considering.