Pros: Solid build. Clean and smooth shave. No irritation.
Cons: Heads will need replacement.
The Bottom Line: This shaver, if used correctly, can give you a shave closer than any electric shaver... and now that it's selling at under fifty bucks, this thing's a steal.
vara's Full Review: Philips Advantage 5615 X Electric Shaver
After reading the positive reviews on this product, I finally caved and bought a Norelco Advantage 5615X. It cost me $95, by the way, which is less than what it is listed for on the site. Be that as it may, I was still expecting a lot from this razor, because $95 is quite a heap of dough for a medical student!
Before I bought the Norelco, I had gone through several shaving products. These included the Schick Protector and Gillette's new Mach3. I was pretty disappointed with both of them: although the Schick irritated my skin less, it didn't cut as well as the Mach3. What I wanted was the best of both worlds. Does the Norelco Advantage fit the bill? Read on...
DESIGN:
The Norelco fits right in the palm of my hand. I was under the impression that the grip was rubberized but it's not: it's hard plastic. However, I was impressed by the solid build of the unit. It felt like a product that would last.
The three rotary heads of the unit are Norelco's trademark, and seem to be winning in Epinion's "foil vs. rotary" discussion. In fact, women claim to have successfully used this product... that says a lot. The rotary head attachment pops off for a trimmer attachment, which can even your sideburns, etc.
For all you underwater shavers out there, the Norelco Advantage is completely submersible; I've used it primarily in the shower. It might interest you that Philips has their version of the same shaver, which is called the PhiliShave. It's very rare in the U.S., but can be found elsewhere around the globe.
The selling point for the Advantage is the Nivea lotion that squirts (more like oozes) out for a closer shave. The 5615X comes with 5 packets so you can replace them as they run out. It takes a while to go through a single packet, and replacements are cheap and readily available at Wal-Mart or other stores.
Although the blades are self-sharpening, you will have to replace them at least once a year. I have not felt the need to do so yet, but I've only owned the razor for a couple of months. Still, the replacement blades cost $30, so that's something to consider.
An empty battery takes eight full hours to charge, for 36 minutes of shaving, according to the specs. I feel those estimates are about right. A little light flashes green when the shaver is fully charged, and red when the battery is running out- so you are kept informed of how much juice is left. I always return my shaver to the recharger after each shave anyway.
DOES IT WORK?
The first time that I used the Advantage, I was pretty disappointed. This $95 razor I had heard so much about hardly gave me the shave that I expected! In addition, my skin felt irritated.
After a while though, I learned how to manipulate the shaver better for a close shave. Now, I can get a *really* close shave in no time at all, and with little effort. It literally takes me about a minute to get a perfect shave (perhaps not quite like a Mach3), and I don't even need a mirror (though it helps). The Nivea lotion smells great and helps smooth out the whole process. I feel virtually no irritation now after each use, and I shave once daily. According to the manual, it will take you 2 weeks to "adapt" to the new system. I thought this was ridiculous at first but it's right on the money.
Oh, and gentlemen, your attention, please! This shaver passed the most stringent challenge: the "nuzzle" test! According to my girlfriend, I feel smoother than I ever have. That's good news, fellas.
A weak link in the armor of this shaver is when shaving the neck area that meets the jaw. I pass the shaver over it numerous times, with no real success. It's no problem, as I just finish the stroke with a razor going against the grain. However, alone, the Norelco can't get it.
MAINTENANCE:
People on this site claim to have trouble keeping their shavers clean. I have had no such problems. I admit that I do not have a mustache or beard, so that's probably a good reason why. Still, I wash the shaver with hot water thoroughly after each use. It takes less than a minute.
The Norelco is pretty reliable. My initial impressions of solid build quality were correct... so far.
I've had to replace the shaver heads once... for thirty dollars, it's a little steep. When I took the heads off to replace them, I saw just how dull the little blades can get!
As for the Nivea lotion packets, they cost $5-6 for a packahge of five. A bit much, so I just use regular shaving gel, and it works fine. Nivea is now selling the same lotion in a bottle (the unscented kind), and it works just as well.
THE VERDICT: DON'T MIND SPENDING A BIT MORE? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Well, I gave it a shot, and am happy with my decision for the most part. I still cringe at the fact that I spent almost a hundred bucks on it, but I have to say it does what it advertises. If you have the same dilemma that I once did, and are looking for a solution, Norelco just might have it for you.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.