Philips Norelco OneBlade Review: The Most Innovative Electric Razor We’ve Tested

VERSATILITY IS SUPER underrated when it comes to grooming devices, specifically in terms of trimming. Each part of your face requires unique attention and having a tool that can quickly transition from neck to sideburn without sacrificing any efficiency will save you tons of time and frustration. Of course, what’s most paramount is effectiveness to ensure a quality trim, along with safety to avoid any nicks or cuts to the moneymaker. The Philips Norelco OneBlade was not only designed with all of this in mind, but it exceeds these goals on several fronts.

SHOP THE PHILIPS NORELCO ONEBLADE ON AMAZON

Philips Norelco has been a mainstay in men’s grooming for years, and for good reason. The brand excels at offering practical grooming essentials at affordable prices, without compromising on quality. The OneBlade not only continues this trend, it’s the most innovative product Philips Norelco has put out to date. The versatile and easy-to-use trimmer features a frustration-free experience that puts safety and flexibility above all with a 5-in-1 adjustment to nail a slew of facial hair goals.

It doesn’t take much inspection to see that the Philips Norelco OneBlade enlists a truly unique design that is unlike any other electric razor or trimmer on the market. Its titular OneBlade head looks more like a miniature Swiffer Sweeper than any electrical grooming device I’ve ever used, and it moves like one too.

With the ability to shift up and down and from side to side, it’s able to contort to your face and squeeze itself into traditionally hard-to-shave places, making it one of the most versatile grooming tools I’ve used. This slim dual-sided blade resembles the feel of a classic straight razor without any of the accompanying risks for nicks and cuts thanks to its rounded teeth.

OneBlade’s combination of mobility and safety also makes the trimmer ideal for body grooming. There are corners of my person that I had long abandoned the dream of shaving for fear of slicing skin or pulling my back trying to reach that I was able to tidy up with ease thanks to the blade’s rounded tips and glide coating safety protection.

All that being said, OneBlade’s lowkey best selling point, especially for frequent travelers, is how compact the trimmer is. At barely over six inches long and weighing what feels like nothing, it’s great for travel and can easily be tossed in your dopp kit without sacrificing much room. Not to mention, the device’s range of abilities is accomplished solely through a two-piece set once assembled, which includes the electric razor itself and one adjustable attachment that offers up to five trim lengths. Given the shape of the blade, the look and feel of the attachments do take a second to get used, but once you’re once you get a rhythm going any lingering awkwardness subsides.

The only other item needed to use the OneBlade is its convenient USB charger cable, which is included (although a power adapter is not so you may need to sacrifice one of your phone chargers for a bit in between trims). Plus, every OneBlade comes with a nifty clip-on blade protector that I’d strongly recommend using to avoid any unnecessary damage to the blade or bacteria creeping in when stored.

When trimming my beard, the OneBlade mowed down hair with ease. Regardless of what length adjustment I was using, I rarely–if ever–had to go over the same place twice thanks to OneBlade’s fast-moving cutter that slices up to 12,000 times per minute. The same was true for body grooming where the shaver’s safety-focused design really excels by minimizing any risk of pulling or cutting. While we generally don’t advise using the same trimmer for face and body, I was able to successfully take out unwanted hair from every corner of my person without a hint of restraint with this trimmer.

Now, the flip side of this cut security is that the shave can only get so close. If you’re someone who prefers to always leave some scruff or are like me and grow a five-minute shadow shortly after a clean shave anyway, the OneBlade will be perfect for you. But if your facial preferences lean purely clean-cut, this tool may struggle to get you there.

My only other minor gripe with the device is that it can’t be used while charging or plugged in and requires eight hours for a full charge. This can prove to be a small nuance if you don’t generally plan out trims in advance or like to play your grooming by ear. But I’d argue there are worse tradeoffs than inspiring better time management. Additionally, the charge only lasts 45 minutes so you’ll likely have to charge every other session unless you absolutely lock in on speed during your grooming.

Currently on sale for $30, you’ll have a hard time finding a cheaper, more effective electric trimmer or razor, though there is one additional long-term cost to consider. The blade itself has a shelf life of roughly three to four months before it needs to be replaced, and replacement blades retail for around $10 each depending on how big of a pack you buy.

The OneBlade is 100 percent waterproof meaning you can use it wet, dry, with shaving cream or without and never risk the design’s integrity or potential longevity. Naturally, this feature also makes cleanup a breeze. Run it under the sink or shower head for a few seconds and it looks brand new. I did find that hair occasionally gets caught up in the cracks of OneBlade’s innovative head, but it was nothing a few extra moments under the faucet couldn’t take care of.

With a compact design that’s innovatively flexible and safely effective, the Philips Norelco OneBlade is one of the best trimmers out there. Plus, its versatility offers easy grooming of pretty much any hair below the scalp. While it may not get as close as other shavers we’ve tested, it’s well worth a regular spot in your grooming routine and a must-have for travelers.

For efficient shaving or trimming of facial and body hair, the Philips Norelco OneBlade is an essential addition to your grooming kit. Unlike other hybrid razors, it offers a unique shaving experience that feels impressively comfortable, even if you’re prone to nicks.

SHOP THE PHILIPS NORELCO ONEBLADE ON AMAZON

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