While other options might have more than double the number of blades, most of them left my scalp a red, sore, irritated mess, with disappointing shaving performance adding insult to injury. Needless to say, I’ve returned more than a few electric head shavers over the years.
The 5000 Series’ blade performance is only part of the story, though. Its blade housing is impressively flexible, adapting to the contours of my head with very little effort. Compared even to Manscaped’s Dome head shaver (a very capable alternative), Philips’ shaving head is far more responsive and flexible.
This hair-trigger flexibility lets it maintain consistent contact with my entire scalp, even around awkward curves and bumps. Combined with the smooth gliding, you end up needing fewer passes overall, which makes the whole process quicker and noticeably less irritating. This includes, by the way, the back of my neck – an area so sensitive, that even an image of an electric shaver is enough to make it painful and raw.
Comfort aside, the actual shave itself is seriously close, too – about as close as you’re realistically going to get without reverting to a wet shave with a manual or safety razor. There’s barely a hint of stubble left behind, and it stays looking smoother for longer. Normally, I’d shave every two days, but with the 5000 Series, I can comfortably stretch it to three.
Philips Head Shaver Pro 5000 Specs
Blade type: Rotary (4x blades)Skin sensitive features: ComfortCut bladesWet and dry: YesBattery life: 60 minsCharging method: Philips cable to USB-AAccessories: Travel pouch, head cover, charging cable
Visually, the 5000 Series is great. Sleek, stealthy, with all matte-black curves, it’s certainly Sith Lord approved. It is, however, surprisingly light, despite its oversized main body. My one gripe, though, is more about how it sits in the hand. The “neck” – where the shaving head meets the body – is a little on the long side, which means the hand that’s gripping the shaver ends up quite far away from your scalp. It’s not brutally uncomfortable, but it does feel less natural than it could.
There is, however, a workaround. You can adopt a closer grip by slotting the neck between your fingers, similar to how you’d hold something like the Skull Shaver Pitbull. There’s even a locking mechanism that keeps the head securely attached, so you don’t have to worry about the shaving head detaching during use. Given how good the shave is, either compromise is easy enough to live with. Oh, and cleaning, thankfully, is completely straightforward – just pop off the blade housing, rinse it under the tap, and leave it to dry.
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