Philips Norelco replacement head finder: match your shaver series

Norelco sells replacement heads by refill code — SH30, SH50, SH71, SH91 — while the shavers carry model numbers like S3212 or S7887. The series gets you most of the way. Two series, 5000 and 6000, need one more check before you order.

Find your model number

• Look at the back of the handle. That's Philips' own advice on its replacement-head pages: "Check the back of your shaver's handle to confirm replacement head." The model number reads like S5xxx, S7xxx or SP98xx.
• The first digit is the series. S3xxx is Series 3000, S7xxx is Series 7000, SP98xx is S9000 Prestige. For Series 1000-3000, 7000 and 9000 that's all you need. Series 5000 and 6000 have exceptions, covered below.

Your series → the replacement head

Every row comes from the compatibility list on Philips' own product page for that refill:

The Series 5000 trap: rounded or angular

Series 5000 shavers were made with two head shapes, and they take different refills. Rounded-head models take SH50/52; angular-head models take SH71/52. Philips' SH71 page says it plainly: "Not for rounded-shaped S5000." If you can't tell which shape you have, compare your head unit with the photos on Philips' SH50 and SH71 product pages, or go by the model number on the back of the handle.

Series 6000 has a smaller version of the same catch: most models take SH50/52, but Philips sends the S6600 and S6800 to SH71/52.

S9000 Prestige: SH98 or SH91?

Older Prestige refills were sold as SH98. Philips lists its SH98/82 heads for Prestige shavers with rounded heads only (SP981X, SP982X, SP986X), and says the angular Prestige models (SP983X, SP984X, SP987X, SP988X) "use the successor SH91 instead." The SH91/52 page lists all S9000 Prestige shavers (SP98xx), so SH91/52 is the refill that covers every Prestige. If you specifically want the rounded SH98: SH98/82 listings.

Old refill codes and their successors

Philips calls SH71/52 the latest version of RQ12/70, RQ12/60, SH60/70 and SH70/70, and SH91/52 the latest version of SH90/70, SH98/70 and SH98/80. If your old box or manual names one of those codes, order the successor.

Genuine or compatible?

Search Amazon for "SH71" and genuine Philips packs sit next to compatible heads from other brands with near-identical titles. The genuine listings name Philips Norelco as the brand and print the full refill code (SH71/52, not just "SH71"). This page links genuine refills only; we haven't tested compatible heads, so we don't recommend them.

How often to replace the heads

Every 12 months. Philips: "Change heads every 12 months for like-new peak performance." Put a date on the calendar the day you fit them — the home filter schedule works the same way for everything else that wears out on a clock.

Common questions

Does SH50 fit a Series 7000 shaver?

No. Philips lists SH71/52 for all Series 7000 shavers; SH50/52 is for rounded-head Series 5000, most Series 6000, AquaTouch and PowerTouch.

Will SH71 fit my Series 5000?

Only if it has angular heads. Philips says SH71/52 is "not for rounded-shaped S5000" — those take SH50/52.

What replaced SH90 and SH98?

SH91/52, which Philips calls the latest version for SH90/70, SH98/70 and SH98/80.

Which head fits Series 1000, 2000 and 3000?

SH30/52 — Philips lists it for all S1000, S2000 and S3000 shavers, plus 5000X (X5004, X5006).