Philips Norelco OneBlade Review: Better Than An Electric Shaver?

by Garrick Dee | Last Updated: July 18th, 2020

Five years ago, you’ll only four or five options if you wanted to shave.

Most common and readily available would be the disposable or cartridge razor.

If you’re a connoisseur and want a really close shave, you’d go with either a straight razor or safety razor.

And if time is a big issue, the best option would be an electric shaver.

All of these products have their own pros and cons, discussing each point in this article will be a lengthy subject.

So look up our guide on the different types of razors to see what are the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Let me introduce to you one product that’s a cross between a cartridge and electric razor.

It is called the Norelco OneTouch by Philips.

This product combines the time-saving advantages of an electric razor and will give you a closer shave minus the expense of a cartridge.

Philips was able to pull this off thanks to the unique design of the shaving head that combines shaver and trimmer in one.

It’s so smooth that you’ll be able to shave without cutting yourself even on the lip area.

A quick look at the features

• Has the unique OneBlade shaving technology that integrates a fast-moving cutter (200x per second) with a dual protection system that’ll give you a comfortable shave
• Replacement blades will last up to 4 months provided you only shave twice a week (according to Philips)
• Combines the functionality of a razor and trimmer that can mow down a month old beard growth down to stubble
• Rechargeable NiMH battery will run up to 45 minutes on a single charge
• It will take up to 8 hours to recharge this
• The pivoting head will follow the contours of your face
• You can use this to dry or wet shave

Pros

• OneBlade will give you literally a nick-free shave
• A versatile product that works as a trimmer and shaver (it’ll save you money)
• Comes with one replacement blade, 3 stubble combs, protective cap and charging cord
• The compact design makes this a great option as a travel shaver

Cons

• Takes a very long time to recharge (around 8 hours)
• Will not cut as close as a safety razor or straight razor
• Replacement blades will cost more than DE blades in the long run

What to expect from the Philips Norelco OneShave?

One word describes this product – revolutionary. The engineers at designers in Philips really put their thinking caps on in developing this product.

While the default choice for most men would be a cartridge razor, there a lot of downsides.

First would be the high cost of cartridges. A pack of eight will easily cost $20!

And if you have thick facial hair, you’ll go through a pack in less than a month!

OneBlade Shaving Technology

At the heart of this product is the OneBlade shaving technology that offers both closeness and protection. The crisscross design shields the skin from the blades underneath.

And these blades extend all the way to the top and bottom edges of the head allowing thus allowing it to trim and sculpt.

It is a revolutionary design that’ll save you time and money.

But temper your expectations because this electric shaver will not cut as close as a safety razor or straight razor.

One significant advantage this has over a cartridge is the lower risk of razor burn. And there will be almost no risk of nicks and cuts.

Philips says the OneBlade head will last up to 4 months if you use it twice a week.

But don’t take that as the gospel truth as other variables determine longevity like facial hair type, frequency, and technique.

It’s also designed such that it’ll not clog up like a multi-blade cartridge where the blades line up in a row.

Trimmer

You can also use this shaver as a trimmer when you attach any of the stubble combs.

The unique design allows it for that dual functionality.

It comes with three stubble combs between 3mm and 5mm. If you want more options, then go with the Norelco OneBlade Face + Body.

Wet and Dry Shaving

This product is capable of shaving with and without shaving cream. It’s great because you’ll have the flexibility and to use shave cream if you have sensitive skin or ditch it if you’re in a hurry.

Run time and Battery

If you buy the entry-level OneBlade, it’ll come with a NiMH battery that’ll run for 45 minutes. But it’ll take up to 8 hours to recharge.

A newer version is available OneBlade Face + Body that has a Li-Ion battery that’ll run for 60 minutes and only take 4 hours to recharge.

However, the newer variant will be more expensive.

Warranty

Philips backs this product up with a 2-year warranty. And get this, it also comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Shaving Performance

To give you some perspective on how this product performs, I’ll be sharing a few videos and do a little commentary afterward.

Do you ever wonder how OneBlade compares to a safety razor? Watch this video and find out.

You’ll see how this product shaves wet in this video against a safety razor. By the way, the safety razor you see there looks like a Weishi, and it isn’t stainless but chrome plated.

To put things in perspective, Weishi isn’t the most aggressive safety razor, but it will still shave closer than the OneBlade.

But using the OneBlade is much faster. There’s almost no risk of cutting yourself because there’s very little blade exposure.

OneBlade can also shave off long stubble even without shaving cream.

Now, if you try to shave off this type of beard growth with a cartridge, it’ll take longer, and the blades will clog up.

The risk of getting irritation and cuts go up significantly.

Again, this product will not shave the closest, but you’ll not cut yourself even if you go over the lip.

That is perhaps the most significant benefit of this shaver.

What do consumers say?

With over 2,000 reviews on Amazon, you know that a lot of men tried this electric shaver. And a lot of them were happy with how this razor performs.

One common denominator in all the positive reviews is that they no longer experience nicks and razor burn.

Run time from the NiMH batteries is excellent, and some say that they have not charged it for months, and it still runs. Charging time, though, is long at 8 hours, and there is no battery indicator, so you’ll have to recharge this overnight.

There were some complaints of it causing razor burn and irritation. This could be a case of not following instructions or the razor not suitable for their skin type.

Remember that as with all razors, your mileage may vary. While lots of men like the OneBlade, some men do not.

That could be the case of poor technique or merely the wrong match. Philips does recommend to go against the grain when using this.

Another potential issue would be quality control. Some reviews say that the plastic latches didn’t hold up and broke.

Where can I buy this?

You can buy the Philips OneBlade from Amazon, and it is eligible for Amazon’s 2-day shipping if you join Prime. Take note that if you make a purchase through the link, I’ll earn a commission, but at no additional cost to you, so it’s a win-win for both of us.

The verdict

The Philips Norelco OneBlade is an excellent alternative to cartridge razors because its replacement blades will last longer (up to 4 months). There’s less risk of irritation and cuts because of the smooth design and minimal blade exposure.

If you’re a busy man, who does not have the time for a three-pass wet shave. Or your skin breaks out at the sign of a traditional electric shaver, gives this product a shot.

It’s a versatile product that also doubles as a beard trimmer, so you’ll save even more money. If you don’t mind the lack of closeness, then this is a viable option that’ll shave dry or wet.

You can try this worry-free for 45 days and return it if it does not suit you.