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Philips Norelco 9800 Electric Shaver Review: Is It Worth Your Money?
The Philips Norelco 9800 is a new addition to the Series 9000 family, and the Philips Norelco 9500 is the just-before model. The Philips Norelco 9000 is still the highest-end rotary-type electric shaver series, and the manufacturer is updating these premium shavers regularly. The premium series Philips 9000 is known for its comfortable and close shave; the new models 9800 and 9500 come with some more advanced finish to do the job flawlessly. I have been using the Philips Norelco 9800 for a few weeks now; in this article, I’ll share my practical experience with all the information you need to know as a user; I hope this will help you choose the right shaver for you.
The Philips Norelco 9800 and 9500 electric shavers are identical in every way, except that the 9800 comes with an extra charging stand. This review covers both models, as they offer the same performance and features.
What’s in the Box?
The Philips Norelco 9800 electric shaver package comes with the following items:
- The shaver itself
- QuickClean pod cleaning station
- Cleaning cartridge
- Travel case
- Charging stand
- Power cord
In addition, the Philips Norelco 9800 includes a two-year warranty card.
Features and Specifications Analysis
The Philips Norelco 9800 is a top-of-the-line electric shaver with several intelligent features that make it convenient and easy to use. It has been engineered with some innovative technologies unavailable in previous rotary shavers, including the previous Philips Series 9000 models. So, let’s take a closer look at the features and technologies of the Philips 9800 shaver.
App Control:
With the Philips Norelco 9800 electric shaver, you can use an app called GroomTribe to get personalized advice and feedback on how to shave better. The app also helps you adjust the shaver settings to suit your preferences and needs. The app monitors the battery life, the usage time, and the blade quality of the shaver as well.
Self-sharpening Precision Blades:
The Philips Norelco 9800 has self-sharpening dual steel precision blades that shave close to the skin without causing irritation. They also last longer than regular blades.
The blades have a special coating of nanotechnology that reduces the friction and wear of the blades. This coating also keeps the blades sharp for a longer time. As a result, these blades can have a lifespan of up to two times more than regular blades.
Besides being long-lasting, these blades are also gentle on the skin. They have smooth edges and a thin design that helps to avoid nicks and cuts.
ComfortGlide Ring:
One of the reasons why I prefer the Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is the ComfortGlide ring feature. This feature helps to make the shave more comfortable and less irritating, by reducing the friction between the skin and the shaver. The rings have a SkinGlide coating technology that allows the shaver to slide smoothly over the skin, resulting in a closer shave. The ComfortGlide ring feature is especially beneficial for men with sensitive skin.
Innovative Pressure Guard Sensor:
Philips Norelco used innovative pressure guard sensors in their latest Series 9000 models (9800 and 9500) to prevent skin irritation and improve shaving performance.
The pressure guard sensor is a feature that helps you shave with the right amount of pressure on your skin. It uses advanced sensors to read the pressure you apply, and a light ring at the neck of the shaver to show you if you are pressing too hard or too little. If the light ring turns orange, it means you are pressing too much and you should reduce the pressure. If the light ring turns blue, it means you are pressing too little and you should increase the pressure. If the light ring is green, it means you are applying the optimal pressure for a comfortable and close shave. You can also change the level of feedback of the light ring by tapping the button with three dots on the shaver handle when the shaver is switched on.
360-Degree Flex Head:
The new Philips Series 9000 shaver comes with 360-degree flex head technology that allows the shaving head to move in all directions and adapt to the contours of your face. The shaving head consists of three circular blades that can flex and rotate independently, following your chin, jawline, and neck curves. This feature helps achieve a smoother and closer shave, capturing more hairs in one stroke and reducing skin irritation.
SenseIQ Technology:
Like the foil competitors Braun Series 9 and Panasonic Arc5, the new generation Philips Norelco 9000 Series shavers come with autsense technology. The Philips Norelco 9800 comes with AI-based SensIQ technology, a feature that helps deliver a personalized and comfortable shave. It uses advanced sensors to read your facial hair density, skin type, and shaving technique and adapts the shaver settings accordingly. For example, it can adjust the cutting power, the blade speed, and the pressure feedback to suit your beard and skin. It can also guide you to improve your shaving technique by showing you how to use the proper pressure, angle, and direction. You can also connect the shaver to the GroomTribe app, which gives you more feedback and tips on how to shave better.
Wet/Dry Shave:
All the Philips 9000 series shavers are made for wet/dry shaves, and they can be used under the shower. I prefer to use it wet, with shaving gel or foam, as it gives me a smoother and more refreshing shave. Moreover, using the shaver with lubricants (gel, foam, soap, etc.) makes the gliding process smoother with its SkinGlide coating technology making the shaving result more efficient and comfortable.
Battery Life and Charge:
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver comes with an improved Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that provides 60 minutes of cordless shaving power with a full charge. This is enough for most men to get multiple shaves from a single charge. Regarding the previous Series 9000 models, Philips Norelco 9700, and 9300 have a shorter battery life (45-50 minutes). However, both versions of shavers take 1 hour for a full charge.
Like the predecessors, The 9800/9500 also has a quick charge feature that can give you enough power for a single shave in just 5 minutes. This is an excellent feature if you forget to charge your shaver or need a quick shave before leaving for work or a social event.
-Charing stand
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver comes with a charging stand that is not available with other new-generation Philips 9000 shavers. The charging stand is a convenient way to charge your shaver securely on your bathroom countertop or anywhere else in your home. It also adds a stylish touch to your shaving routine, compared to charging the shaver directly with the cord.
Advanced LED Display:
The LED display of the Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is a feature that shows you various information and notifications about your shaver and your shaving technique. The LED display is located on the front of the shaver handle and has a dynamic and fluid animation. The LED display can show you the battery remaining percentage, cleaning reminder, travel lock status, pressure guidance, and more. I found the LED displays of the 9800 and 9500 models to be more advanced and useful than those of the other Series 9000 shavers. The LED display’s appearance, animation, and functionality elevate the shaver to the next level of fashion and user-friendliness.
QuickClean Pod:
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver’s QuickClean pod is a cordless, waterless cleaning device that uses an alcohol-based solution to clean, lubricate, and dry your shaver in 10 minutes. It is 10 times more effective than cleaning with water alone and helps to keep your shaver like new for longer. The shaver itself powers the QuickClean pod, so you don’t need to plug it in.
In other words, the QuickClean pod is a convenient and effective way to clean and maintain your Philips Norelco 9800 shaver without using any cords or water. It’s a great way to extend the life of your shaver and keep it performing at its best.
Popup Trimmer:
All Philips Norelco Series 9000 shavers feature a built-in pop-up trimmer that lets you trim and shape your moustache and sideburns with precision and ease. The trimmer is integrated into the shaver handle at the rear, and you can activate it by sliding up the release button below it. The pop-up trimmer has a sharp, narrow blade that can cut hairs evenly and cleanly, making it a great way to finish off your shave.
Replacement Parts
The main replacement part of the Philips Norelco 9800 is the shaving heads. The shaver uses the new replacement heads SH91/52 that you can find on Amazon easily. Since it comes with a cleaning pod, another replacement item is the cleaning pod cartridge. It’s also very available and easy to replace.
Built Quality
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is a sleek and well-built device that is made of high-quality materials. It feels solid in my hand and has a large, flexible head with three blades that can move in all directions. The blades are made of durable steel and have a special coating that reduces friction and irritation. They are also self-sharpening and can perform up to 150,000 cutting actions per minute. The shaver head also has a pressure sensor that lights up when you press too hard or too lightly.
The shaver has a digital display shows you important information such as the remaining battery life, cleaning reminder, travel lock status, and pressure guidance. The display is easy to read and has a dynamic animation. The shaver also has a pop-up trimmer that you can use to detail your sideburns, moustache, or beard. I found the popup trimmer has a solid build quality with easy-to-use functions.
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving power. It also has a quick charging feature that can give you a 5-minute shave in a pinch.
To summarise, the Philips Norelco 9800 is one of the most advanced and feature-rich rotary shavers on the market.
Performance
The manufacturer promises a close, comfortable, and satisfactory shave with a number of smart features and accessories. However, how does it perform in real life? Here is a breakdown of the shaving performance, discussed in separate points for better understanding.
Shaving Comfort: The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is gentle on the skin for its ComfortGlide coating on the blades and its pressure sensor that prevents excessive force. The ComfortGlide coating reduces friction and irritation, while the pressure sensor lights up when you press too hard, so you can adjust your grip and avoid any discomfort.
The shaver also adapts to the curves of your face with its contour detect technology that allows the blades to move in eight directions. This means the shaver can reach and cut hairs even in hard-to-reach areas, such as under your chin and along your jawline.
The Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is versatile and can be used wet or dry, with or without shaving products. This makes it a great option for men with different skin types and shaving preferences. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use a shaving cream or gel to help reduce irritation.
Close Shaving: The manufacturer used their most advanced dual steel self-sharpening blades to provide maximum sharpness and shaving capability. They integrated 72 precision blades in the three SkinGlide coating heads to capture and cut more hair and shave off very fast. I found their new attempt to get the closest shave with a rotary shaver does not fail and my shaving result was closest ever I shaved with a rotary shaver.
While used for wet shaving, it provided a similar result to the premium Series 9000 shaver Philips s9000 Prestige. Most interestingly, I found the shaving performance is somehow better than the prestige in dry shaves. So, if you are fond of shaving without any lubrication and need a quick dry shave, it’s the best rotary shaving option for you.
Precision Trimming: The pop-up trimmer on the Philips Norelco 9800 shaver is easy to use and sharp. It is suitable for precision trimming sideburns and moustaches after shaving, but it is not powerful enough to trim a full beard. Most users are satisfied with its detailing capability.
In other words, this pop-up trimmer is a good option for detailing, but it is not a replacement for a dedicated beard trimmer.
Pros
- Very powerful and durable built-quality
- Great for a close shave
- Very comfortable performance
- Wet/dry shave
- Log battery backup
- Smart and innovative features
- Perfect detailing
- Great for long stubble
- Flexible head
Cons
- Bulky head
- Expensive price tag
Verdict
The Philips Norelco 9800 is a next level shaver for those who seek a smooth, close, and comfortable shave. It’s packed with smart features and accessories that make it a breeze to use, and it’s built to last, with a long battery life and self-sharpening blades. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. It’s bulky and expensive, so it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a more affordable or compact rotary shaver, there are other great options available. But if you’re willing to pay a premium for the best of the best, the Philips Norelco 9800 is the shaver for you.