Philips i9000 Electric Shaver: A Two-Minute Review
Before I took the plunge and bought the Philips i9000 electric shaver, I was making do with a cheap $35 / £30 model from Amazon. But after six months of painful shaves, I decided to invest in a premium model – and boy, did I feel the pinch! The i9000 cost me 10 times more, but with a 50% off sale, it was a little easier to swallow at around $300 / £230.
First Impressions: Smooth as Silk
The i9000’s agile triple-head electric shavers glide over my face like a dream, handling tricky contours like my jawline with ease. It feels great in the hand, too. The pressure indicators are a godsend – they light up green, blue, or orange to tell me if I’m applying too much, too little, or just the right amount of pressure. No more irritation, just a close, smooth shave every time.
Battery Life: Not Bad, Not Great
The battery life is decent, but not amazing. I’m seeing a 3% reduction per shave, which means it’s good for about 30 shaves before needing a recharge. Philips provides a wall-mounted USB-A charging base, but I wish it was USB-C for easier travel charging.
Waterproof and Versatile
The i9000 is waterproof, so it handles wet and dry shaves like a champ. The flip-out trimmer on the underside is handy for tidying up my beard edges and catching any stray nose or ear hairs.
The Honeymoon’s Over
After six months, I’ve noticed the i9000’s heads have lost some of their cutting effectiveness. They’re still fine, but they require a bit more effort than they did on day one. Replacement heads aren’t too expensive, but I suspect I’ll need to swap mine yearly, not every two years as Philips suggests.
The i9000 vs. Old School Shaves
Don’t believe the hype – the i9000 isn’t as close as a proper wet shave with a safety razor. But I’ve been super happy with it, and I haven’t touched my old wet razor since I made the switch.
Value for Money: Hit or Miss
The i9000 is almost always available for less than half the list price, making it a more palatable purchase. But even at a discount, it’s still not the best value for money. Replacement heads are around $65 / £40 / AU$106, and I suspect I’ll need to replace them yearly, not every two years as Philips suggests.
Final Thoughts
The Philips i9000 electric shaver is a premium product that delivers a premium shaving experience. It’s agile, versatile, and comfortable to use. But it’s not perfect – the battery life could be better, and the charging base isn’t the most convenient. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line electric razor, the i9000 is one of the best on the market. Just be prepared to pay for it.
