I've been a Norelco electric shaver user for many decades. I was driving to an appointment when it struck me that I hadn't shaved. I went to a nearby CVS to see what their least expensive Norelco was. I saw a different brand of battery operated travel razor and decided to give it a try. I liked the idea of a shaver that ran off of readily available AA or AAA batteries. I found that razor awkward to use and time consuming but it sort of got the job done. It made me wonder whether Norelco made a battery operated shaver that I could keep in my car. Lo and behold, a search of Amazon brought me here, so I ordered one. I've had the chance to use it only once, but I've found it excellent. It has only two heads rather than the usual three, so shaving takes longer. but in the end the shave is just as good as my home razor. I wish they'd make a triple header (that might require more batteries). The main attraction of this shaver to me is that it runs off of AA batteries, not its size. There are a few cons, but not enough to make me deduct a star. I list them because you might feel differently. * It does not come with a travel case. The one listed on the shaver's Amazon product page does not let the razor be stored with the batteries outside of the razor (in case of leakage). * There is no edge trimmer. Another option for me would be to keep an old razor (or any razor, for that matter) in the car along with an inverter that allows a standard 110v device to be run from a car's 12v accessory socket (aka cigarette lighter). So, maybe I really don't need this travel razor. However, its ability to run off AA batteries means that I can keep it in my travel bag without worrying whether my usual razor is charged and/or I'll have ready access to an outlet for recharging (think camping). Read more
This razor was a pleasant surprise. It is designed well and is small enough to be packed is a suitcase or your briefcase. I was pleased that it provides a very close shave. It has only two rotating blades where my plug-in razor has three, but this doesn't seem to be a problem at all. The only way I can get a closer shave is to use my Gillette Sensor blade, shaving against the grain, while taking a hot steamy shower. And that is not that much better than the closeness this razor provides. I like the idea of replaceable batteries since it eliminates the problem of having to wait for a recharge when you least expected it and you don't need to carry the charger cord and transformer with you when you travel. Carrying two extra AA batteries with you takes no extra room in your briefcase. I was concerned that the batteries might not last very long. It turns out I was worrying for no reason. The batteries that came in the shaver have lasted now for 8 weeks (56 shaves) and I'm guessing it will most likely go another week. After 4 or 5 weeks the motor sounds like it is running slow and I was tempted to change the batteries. I decided to continue until it actually stopped or began to pull as I shaved. At 8 weeks it sounds like it is running very slow but in fact it still shaves just fine. The head cleans very well and very easily with a couple taps on the counter and blow into the head and into the razor while over the sink. The head snaps into place and is released by a little button. The head cover also snaps into place, stays in place well enough to keep it from falling off in your suitcase, and it covers the head release button so that it doesn't accidentally get pushed during travel. And last but not least is the great price which includes a set of Philips batteries. Read more
Wow, I was very surprised by this little unit. It is fairly quiet and the battery life is very good. Easily cleaned, the parts are easily removable. The cover is garbage since it comes off with just the smallest nudge, but that was solved by adding a rubber band when storing. Literature included with the unit is very informative and clear, minus the most important info I really needed- that this unit lifts before cutting. I have thick, dark hair (even the gray is thick!) so as a full-on test, I allowed my beard to grow for 4 days (between 3/16 and 1/4 inch), and then went for it. Perhaps the manufacturer does not recommend this, but I wanted a real-life test, and it passed with marks! While the area of shave isn't large (no stars removed as I expected this from other reviews), it still took only an extra pass or two to get about 98-99% of the facial hair, leaving a very smooth shave. Because of that, razor burn is very much minimized. I have since tested it on 1, 2 and 3 days growth, and it performs exactly the same! I will only use this for travel, because of the caveat I listed below. Nice Job, Philips-Norelco! DISCLAIMER: If you have thicker hair, this unit does actually lift before cutting, so be aware that for a few days you will quite possibly have painful shaving bumps and/or pseudofelliculitis in some areas while the hair grows back out through the skin. For me, this was the chin area under the lower lip and the underside of the jaw, which lasted until the hair broke through the skin. Definitely an ouch! So, 4 stars for a terribly designed cover, and lack of text in the literature and description stating this razor will lift before cutting, something I definitely take into consideration when looking for electric razors. Read more
