Shaving is one of those chores that I find most lazy, but that I have to do every two or three days if I don’t want to grow a beard. And, like me, there are many men who are always looking for shavers that don’t take more than 5 minutes in total. Of course, always taking good care of the skin, even for those with sensitive skin.
I’ve discovered some very interesting electric shavers for men that I want to share with you, and that’s why I’m showing you the Philips vs Manscaped comparison. I’m already telling you that there’s a clear favourite for me, but don’t worry because both brands are aimed at different audiences, so you’ll find yours for sure. Let’s get to it!
[amazon box=”B0937FC71V, B07FJHZDPL, B08BX63ZGW, B093KCH6WS” grid=”4″]
Philips vs Manscaped: Two very different backgrounds
First of all, let’s give some context about the origin of each brand, which can help us to better understand their products. Let’s start with the one we are all most familiar with, which is Philips. No wonder, because it has more than 130 years of history. It was founded in 1891 in the Netherlands by Gerard Philips and his father Frederik in Eindhoven (The Netherlands).
Initially, the company manufactured light bulbs, but has since expanded to become one of the largest electronics companies in the world. In the 1930s, Philips started producing electric shavers, and has since become one of the leading brands in the market.
But what does Norelco have to do with Philips? You may see it in some products, and you shouldn’t be surprised. Norelco is a brand created by Philips for its line of electric shavers in the United States. So even though they are sold here as Philips, there may be times when electric shavers appear as Norelco.
The name Norelco comes from ‘North American Philips Electrical Company’, which was the name of the Philips subsidiary responsible for marketing and selling the company’s products in the United States. The Norelco brand was first introduced in 1939, and quickly became a popular choice for US consumers.
Manscaped, meanwhile, is a relatively new company that was founded in 2017 in San Diego, California. The company was created to address a perceived gap in the market for men’s grooming products that were specifically designed for below-the-belt grooming. Manscaped’s first product was Lawn Mower, a trimmer that was specifically designed to trim hair in sensitive areas.
So, as you can see, Philips has a much longer history in the market than Manscaped, but that doesn’t mean that this brand is any less interesting.
Philips vs Manscaped: Which are the best shavers?
As I’ve already mentioned, both brands have a multitude of models to their credit. In the case of Philips, the options range from the least advanced, which are the oldest, to the most innovative by range. Thus, we find the 1000, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 9000 series, each of which has been implementing more innovations and technologies.
And, in the case of Manscaped, there are two large series: Lawn Mower, a trimmer for body hair, and Weed Whacker, designed to remove nose and ear hair.
To give you a closer look at the most significant differences between them, let’s take a look at some of the top models in each:
Philips 9000 Series
This is one of Philips’ most advanced shavers, of which we can also find the Prestige version, which has slightly improved blades and a more powerful motor. It is, however, a more expensive shaver. That said, the Series 9000 is a very efficient shaver also thanks to the Dual SteelPrecision blades, which are a set of 72 blades that are self-sharpening and provide maximum performance.
In addition, the SkinIQ technology’s own pressure sensor means that you always have perfect control over what pressure is most suitable to avoid damaging the skin. The shaver also has a SkinGlide coating that prevents friction and makes it easier for the blades to glide over the skin.
It is also important to know that this shaver can be used both wet and dry, and that it is equipped with a beard trimmer accessory with a choice of 5 different length settings. And if that wasn’t enough, it has connectivity so we can sync it with an app, save shaving logs and get better and better at shaving.
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Philips 7000 Series
This Philips model is another top seller on Amazon, and no wonder. In fact, for me it’s the best value for money, and if you also take advantage of a good offer, so much the better. First of all, the head can be adapted perfectly because it rotates in four directions and thus covers the entire contour of your face, so you need less pressure and the skin suffers less.
For another, it has 45 blades that deliver up to 90,000 cuts per minute, as opposed to the 150,000 cuts per minute of the model we talked about earlier. And, like its rival, it also offers a choice of 5 length settings.
Another thing I love about this model is that it can be used for 80 minutes on a single charge, so you won’t have a problem if you like to go over your entire body millimetre by millimetre. Finally, it’s worth remembering that this series also includes models with SkinIQ technology, which detects movement and makes you optimise each stroke even more.
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Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0
The first Manscaped model I’m going to review is also the brand’s newest model, but it still features a much lower price point than the Philips. It has soft ceramic blades with advanced SkinSafe technology, so if you want to shave below the waist, you can do so without any problems. It also has a 7000 rpm motor with QuietStroke technology, so you can hardly hear it running.
This shaver can be used on almost any part of the body, although it works best on the groin and torso. In terms of battery life, I was very surprised to find that it runs for an hour and a half on a single charge. And to let you know how much battery it has left, it has an LED light and a battery status indicator.
It also has wireless charging, a travel lock system and trimmer guards that can be adjusted according to how long your hair is. This way, you’re sure to get an even cut every time.
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Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0
Finally, here are the main features of the previous version of the Lawn Mower. It’s actually very similar to the 4.0 model, only this one is more for torso-specific shaving, while the 3.0 is a shaver with slightly less excellent, but more economical features.
For example, it doesn’t have the LED light that the 4.0 version has that allows you to illuminate the area you’re shaving, and it doesn’t have the travel lock feature either. Also, the charging is not wireless, you need the cable to recharge the power.
However, when it comes to shaving technology, ceramic blades, etc., it’s the same as the 4.0 version.
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A shaver for every type of man
Philips electric shavers have, in general, a fairly broad target group, although the specific target group is characterised by the fact that they prioritise quality over price. This includes men of all ages who are looking for a reliable, high quality electric shaver. Philips shavers are designed to provide a comfortable and efficient shave and offer a range of different models to suit different needs and preferences.
Manscaped, on the other hand, has a more targeted audience. Their products are aimed at younger, more budget-conscious men who are interested in grooming and personal care. In fact, if you browse Manscaped’s website, you will see that the type of messages they use are much more irreverent, closer to the type of young audience they want to target.
Philips vs Manscaped: Which is my favourite electric shaver?
You’ve already seen that the decision will depend, above all, on what your priorities are and your budget limit. Personally, I prefer to buy quality products even if they are a bit more expensive, and in this respect, I’m more convinced by the Philips shaver. Specifically, I think the 7000 Series is very good value for money, although if you get a good deal on the 9000, the decision is clear.
Now, I’m not saying that the Manscaped shavers are of poorer quality, but they are less accurate than the Philips shavers. They are, however, very easy to operate and, economically, they are more affordable. This is actually very good for anyone who wants to keep their body well shaved without financial constraints.
So, think about what are the most important aspects for you and make the right choice based on them.