We attach great importance to taking care of our appearance, as feeling good about ourselves impacts on our confidence and sociability. For men, there is often resistance to shaving and beard maintenance, which require time-consuming tasks, whether daily or every other day. For this reason, electric shavers become an outstanding solution in these circumstances, as many of them nowadays include attachments for both shaving and beard trimming.
In this article, my purpose is to provide you with all the essential keys to choosing the right electric shaver. In addition, I will compare two leading brands in the industry: Philips vs Remington. I want to warn you that Philips products tend to be priced significantly higher than Remington. However, it is valid to ask whether this is due to a premium approach rather than specific technical differences. Let’s address this issue below.
History of each brand
I don’t know about you, but one of the first things I do when deciding between two products from different brands is to find out about the origin of each brand, to see which one has more experience or history in the industry. OK, so both Philips and Remington are well-known brands with a good reputation for shaver design, but what is the origin of each?
Philips electric shavers and their Jewish origins
The history of Philips dates back to 1891, when Gerard Philips and his father Frederik founded a small lamp company in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Over time, the company expanded and diversified its activities in various technological fields.
When it came to electric shavers, Philips introduced its first electric shaver in 1939, marking a milestone in the world of men’s grooming. The electric shaver was invented by Alexandre Horowitz, a Jewish engineer who fled Nazi Germany to join Philips. Its revolutionary design featured a set of rotating blades, allowing for a faster and more comfortable shave compared to traditional manual shavers. From there, the rest of the models have evolved into what, almost 100 years later, we still use today.
Remington, almost 100 years of history
The first on the forehead. If we were expecting experience to be one of the differentiating aspects between Philips and Remington electric shavers, that is not the case. The Remington brand traces its roots back to no less than 1816 when Eliphalet Remington II founded a company in Ilion, New York, initially focused on manufacturing rifles and ammunition. Over time, the company expanded into other fields of engineering, including power tools and household appliances.
Electric shavers, however, did not arrive until the 1930s, much like Philips. Remington made its debut with the launch of its first electric shaver, which was notable for its innovative design and focus on user comfort. Over the years, the brand has continued to develop and refine its electric shavers, incorporating technologies such as stainless steel blades, flexible heads and high-precision cutting systems.
Differences and similarities
It’s never good to generalise, you know, because every model is different. But even so, there are a number of differences and similarities between the brands that can help us to better understand what electric shavers are like, and therefore help us to choose the right one.
Differences
We start by talking about some of the more general differences between Philips and Remington, as far as their electric shavers are concerned:
Philips is more technological
On the basis that both brands have simpler and more advanced devices, in general, Philips has more technological innovation. For example, one of the options we like best in the new Philips models is the pressure sensor, which allows the shaver itself to adjust the pressure depending on the amount of hair. This is not found on Remington shavers.
Rotating heads
Actually, there is a bit of a catch to this difference (honesty first). Remington has some models of shavers that have rotating heads. In fact, we’re going to show you one below.
However, virtually all Philips shavers have this technology. And, to be honest, the result is smoother than with Remington shavers. Of course, in this respect, it makes sense, considering that many of Remington’s shavers are foil shavers.
Price
I’ll admit that this is one of the differences we consider the most, because we’re not talking about a slight economic variation. In general, Philips electric shavers are priced at between 40% and 50% more than the Remington.
Obviously, the differences discussed above have a lot to do with this, although, as you know, every model is different. But overall, Philips is the most expensive electric shaver brand.
Similarities
Now, let’s focus on where they are most similar:
Included accessories
In general, most electric shavers from both brands have beard trimmers, one of the most valued accessories by users. We find it essential to find useful accessories and this one certainly is, and both brands are aware of that.
Wet and dry
If I think about it, it’s been a long time since I’ve used any other type of shaver that can’t be used wet and dry. In this sense, both Philips and Remington design their models with this duality in mind, which, almost unwittingly, is a prerequisite for many men. Personally, I’m more of a fan of using shaving cream, but you can also shave with just water.
Blade precision
The blades are the heart of electric shavers, so it’s no surprise that both Philips and Remington take great care of them, which they do. Of course, each brand gives its own name to the technology it uses in its blades. Philips has SteelPrecision blades, while Remington goes for Comfort Float.
The main difference is that the blades of Remington shavers move by flotation, which makes some movements a little rougher than those of Philips, whose movements are smoother.
In my opinion, Philips has a smoother and more precise shave with its movements. Even so, we have to recognise that the blade technology Remington shows in its latest models is much better than it was a few years ago, and has evolved very favourably in this aspect.
Maximum skin care
Skin sensitivity is an aspect that, at least for me, worries me a lot, because not having a beard, I have to shave every other day, and that can be brutal for the skin. That’s why I pay a lot of attention to brands that use technologies that guarantee maximum skin care. Above all, they don’t irritate the skin too much.
Examples and comparisons
So far, I’ve told you some interesting things that can help you decide whether you’re more of a Philips or a Remington person, but now it’s time to get a little more specific. And to do that, we look at the most complete shavers of each brand so far. In other words, here we compare the Philips Shaver Series 9000 vs Remington HyperFlex Pro.
Philips Shaver Series 9000: Pioneering shaving technology
You’ve probably already noticed that this is one of my favourite electric shavers, and I’m not hiding it. Part of the reason is the IQ Skin technology it has, which allows it to adapt perfectly to the shape of your face. It does a lot better than Remington, although there are brands, such as Braun, that are capable of matching or even surpassing it. Not only that, but the pressure sensor also warns me when I’m applying too much pressure, which helps me a lot to avoid unnecessary irritation.
I also love the battery life of up to 1 hour, which, in particular, takes me about two weeks before I need to recharge it. I can use it wet and dry, although I recommend using it wet, because it’s better for your skin. And, depending on the length of your beard, you can adjust it to 5 levels of length.
It can also be synced with the Philips GroomTribe app. And I actually recommend it, because you can use the app to get tips on how to optimise your individual use of the shaver. Customisation level, to the max.
Remington HyperFlex Pro: A great evolution
I’ve been saying it all through this article, and now you’re going to see that it’s true. Remington has greatly improved the technology and sophistication of its electric shavers, and the HyperFlex Pro is proof of that. It’s a wet and dry shaver, and that puts it in a similar position to Philips.
In addition, it also has rotating heads with Comfort Float technology, a motion system based on floating movements. This type of movement means that the movement adapts well to the shape of the face, although not as well as the Philips shaver. The blades are double blades, just like the Philips shaver.
As far as the run time is concerned, it is also one hour, so in this respect it is on a par with the Philips Shaver Series 9. The LED display is also a major innovation, although I have to say it still looks more analogue than the Philips.
How to choose the best electric shaver
I know that choosing a shaver isn’t entirely easy, especially now that there are so many different models to consider. That’s why I want to share with you some tips to help you choose the one that’s right for you, although this may vary depending on your search preferences.
Rotary or bladed blades?
This is the big question for many people, although I’m pretty clear about it. I always prefer rotary blades, because their ability to adapt to the shape of the face makes shaving more precise the first time, without the need for multiple strokes, and therefore less damaging to the skin. They are particularly suitable for people with thicker hair.
Better wet and dry
For the same reason I told you that I prefer rotary blades, I prefer shavers that can be used wet and dry. Anything that is beneficial to the skin is welcome, and it’s always better to pay a little more to keep the skin as good as possible. Blades that can be used wet and dry are less irritating than others.
Accessories do matter
Many models are sold with just the shaver, but I find it just as important to check if there is at least a beard trimmer as well. I’m of the opinion that if I decide to use such a shaver, I do so in the best possible way. And even if you don’t have a beard, the trimmer is ideal for polishing your sideburns without damaging your ear.
We also advise you to opt for models whose heads are suitable for other parts of the body, such as the torso. Or, if they are not, make sure they have the right accessories for this purpose.
Operating range
Electric shavers are cordless and as such, battery life is important. Although, to be honest, it doesn’t take me more than 15 minutes to shave, but I understand that it’s not convenient to charge the shaver after every use. That’s why I always try to look for shavers with a battery life of about an hour, so that it will last about 4-5 uses.
Ease of transport
Another important requirement for me is the portability of electric shavers because I travel a lot, and I always need to reduce weight and space. Now, I don’t give it more importance than skin care features and technologies, for example, but it can be an aspect that helps me to decide in case of a tie.
Philips vs Remington: Which is my favourite electric shaver?
Between these two brands, I’m going for Philips. Bear in mind that you always have to compare model to model, but I generally like the performance of the newer Philips electric shavers better than Remington. Even so, I have to admit that Remington has made a big leap in quality in their latest shavers compared to the ones they marketed years ago.
It is true that the price of the Philips is higher, but there are certain aspects in which it is preferable to invest more money if, in exchange, we get more health. And when it comes to skin care, for me this is indisputable.
That’s why I prefer to pay for the more expensive shavers, but know that they have more advanced shaving technology and are less irritating to the skin. My skin is particularly prone to irritation, which is why I attach so much importance to this aspect.
That said, Remington’s electric shavers have managed to overshadow Philips in their latest models. So if you decide to go for one of these more value for money shavers, you’ll do well – it’s always up to you!