Philips Men's Electric Travel Shaver, Cordless, Battery-Powered Convenient to Carry - PQ206/18

Having thought for a while about reverting to an electric shaver from a wet blade, I experimented with a Braun dry foil and was disappointed with the results. In fact it reminded me why I went back to razor blades: irritated skin and an unsatisfactory shave, especially on the neck area. I had abandoned the Braun some years ago for a Panasonic wet and dry foil electric shaver. That lasted me well for years but it seemed to combine all the faff of a wet shave but still with (some of) the irritation of an electric razor. And it was heavy and it broke. Hence my going back to razor blades. This time I was determined to persist. After reading loads of reviews, it is clear that there is no one electric razor for everybody. So, I thought I would dip a toe in the rotary blade shaver market by buying this cheap little thing. Having used it for over three months I wonder why I’ve been bothering with sharp bladed razors all these years, let alone other electric razors. Using a well known high street chemist’s own brand pre-electric shave lotion (the cheapest AND the best) and this little razor provides (a) possibly the least expensive shaving I’ve had in years and (b) a perfectly acceptable finish (see photo). Admittedly I don’t have to shave my lip and chin and it probably wouldn’t do for being in an office late in the day, but you could use it twice in a day to refresh with no ill effects, ie no ingrown hairs, cuts or rashes. You could even keep one in the workplace for a quick freshen up when required. I certainly wouldn’t bother buying anything more expensive and have actually bought another one of these as back up for holidays, travel, etc. The two main disadvantages are that it only uses batteries - but see below - rather than mains, and can’t be cleaned under a tap. Just buy a compressed air cleaner for computer keyboards for that and brush out regularly. As far as the power source goes, as it uses two AA batteries, these are available pretty much anywhere and it’s no problem to carry a spare pair. They seem to last a decent amount of time anyway and you could go for rechargeable ones if you wanted to be ecologically sound, or at least recycle the old ones. I did also buy the similar sized Remington which is mains chargeable (NOT mains usable tho). It is just as convenient size-wise but isn’t as good a shave to be fair. It seems to prefer a pre-shave oil to the lotion, who knows why? So, it can be the backup to the backup, or slipped into a travel bag with a continental or similar shaving adaptor if required. For less than the price of one fancy all-singing, washable rotary shaver which, by many accounts, are just not as good as the older Philips ones, I have a conveniently sized set of three for all occasions. I’m considering snapping up the Philips ones any time I’m in that high street chemist’s shop as they seem to have very limited stock 😄 They’re a bargain.

This is a simple, light shaver with two heads, powered by AA batteries (not included). Can't comment on battery life as I've had it for only a week or so. I intend to move from disposable to rechargeable batteries. The shaver works well and gives a reasonably good shave. However, it could be better designed for travel, which is its stated application. There is no case to house shaver and brush. The shaver is curved, which makes it comfortable to hold but less space-efficient for travel. The protective cover for the shaver heads comes off far too easily. What is needed is a straightforward quasi-rectangular shape and a hard case with integrated slot for the brush and possibly a built-in mirror - as with an old Braun travel shaver I once had. I have to keep brush and shaver in a bag. The brush is likely to get lost before too long. In summary: a decent small shaver offering fair value for money but which could be better designed for travel. It merits 4 stars in my opinion.

Simplest and lowest priced at around £18 in the Philips range, sold as a small light portable travel model with 2 rotary heads not 3, conveniently powered by two standard AA cells obtainable just about everywhere. I have been using this new purchase at home now for several weeks (around 3-4 times a week) and still on the first set of duracell alkaline AA's, so I think one set would easily last through say, a month's camping holiday Not waterproof for wet shaving in or out of a shower, meant for dry shaving, with no inbuilt rechargeable battery so no charger with cable is needed, and taking the manufacturer's descriptions for its design as being small, lightweight, portable etc., it fits that description and can give me a good enough dry shave allowing for the extra time need to go over same areas more than once, by feel rather than by sight, and will take longer if more days growth but my daughter says it looks close to my normal traditional ultra smooth wet shave, although I do not think any electric model can match that smooth clean refreshing feeling that you get with a traditional wet shave razor blade model Feels comfortable to hold and easy to clean, top squeezes off easily and a few gentle taps of main body onto a tissue on a flat firm surface releases the minute hair n skin bits, same for the inverted top which contains the pair of cutting blades. I have to rate performance to price ratio as very good, more expensive ones will be faster on denser beard but only fractionally smoother, I have tried some of these triple head/multiple cutting zone types but a comparison of internet ratings match my opinion that this low priced model can give final result as good as many of the expensive ones so why pay a lot more unless you want a waterproof one for a frequent wet or shower shave, this is a travel model which could be used at home as your regular dry shave electric one

Not cheap but this is an exceptionally good, rechargeable compact travel shaver. It copes really well with up to 2 days beard growth (and my facial hair is pretty tough) in some ways its actually better than my everyday shaver at home (a triple head Philips wet & dry 3000 series) as it is easier to get the twin heads to get hairs growing cross-wise in neck folds. Very impressed with the battery - tomorrow marks 12 weeks since I firs changed it and it's still going strong. Convenient charging using the supplied USB B lead but WHY do they not fit a USB C charging inout on the shaver itself - not enough to detract from a 5 star rating but would just be the icing on the cake

Not bad. Not very close shave You have to press hard which is uncomfortable.

I have used these shavers for many years. They are very convenient to use, especially when away on holiday. One-use batteries are easy to obtain, and rechargeable batteries seem to work well too. The shaver gives a good close cut without causing a rash or irritation. Cleaning the cutter is very simple and a small brush comes inside the carry case. All in all a very wieldy little tool. And last but not least, these shavers are not very expensive. Five out of five!

It works well but the one drawback is that it has batteries that must be replaced rather than charged. Good quality and well designed and performing cutting heads. I would buy it again. DO NOT USE ON NECK OR BACK OF NECK AS IT REMOVES THE SURFACE OF THE SKIN Buy a packet of Duracell Plus or better still Duracell Optimum AA batteries.

First electric razor and it gave a very smooth clean shave with no black dots of hair visible even though my face was a bit overgrown as I wanted to put it through it's paces. It takes a bit of a learning curve to do the top lip especially but it will get the job done. Very comfortable to use, only slight pulling feeling on long wiry areas but not if you shave before it gets to that point! Does not come with batteries, and it says in the instructions to only use Alkaline batteries. I had no problems using Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries (can get a white pair for £7 or so, these will last in this type of use case probably longer than the shaver itself, have seen of Eneloop whites from 2006 that still accept a charge). The only flaw in this is if you ever wanted to replace the blades in future you might need to buy a whole new one or aftermarket blades. The button that releases the blade section to empty hairs could be pressed accidentally so be sure to empty it out before putting in a bag, though it does require a small pulling action to remove. The plastic guard however does cover this button so do not lose it! Feels a quality made item. I don't feel a need to buy anything better. Bargain price.